On The Oregon Trail

That's right, folks, I am heading out to Oregon. I expect to lose half my companions to dysentery and starvation. And I can't even think the word 'dysentery' without reciting at least one line from The Usual Suspects immediately after.

A co-worker from my Japan days gave me a ring and asked if I'd be willing to help him out with the project he is heading up. This one starts in Oregon and ends in Osaka. It took some time to work out the details but now off I go for a week or three in Oregon. I can't complain: A Northwest Airlines World Business Class flight from London to Seattle is like a mini-vacation. A few beers -- unless the wine list looks good -- then a nice meal to start (3 or 4 courses), 3 or 4 movies, a few hour nap in my fully reclining seat, and a nice breakfast at around 10PM (I'm not sure why) and the flight is over before you know it. The 3am arrival into my final destination isn't perfect, but I'll manage.

An important part of this trip is going to be buying all the stuff I either can't find in the UK or is just too expensive. I have a long list started and expect it to grow throughout my flight. It ranges from the mundane (pumice soap to attempt to wash grass stains from my feet) to the high-tech (new lens and flash for the digital camera.) I might need to pack an extra suitcase.