Tuesday Tidbits: This and That

Has it really been two weeks?Really, it has been a lot longer than that. I've done a post here and there this year, but for the most part blogging has taken second place to other things happening in my life:The New Year started with my annual training class I run concerning smoke and air quality. It's a pretty intensive 4 days of presentations followed by an exam. For the past two years I've run two concurrent classes with an average of around 75 students total. It literally consumes about 6 weeks of my professional life, but it is one of my favorite things to do. Unfortunately, this year a snafu caused most of the students to arrive a day early. And it went downhill from there...What a way to start the new year!And then there's the Obama Administration. A change in administration strikes fear into any Federal employee, and this one is no different. So many changes in not enough time keeps one's head spinning!Speaking of things spinning there is illness. I had a bad stomach virus that sidelined me for a number of days back in January. Then, last week, it came back with a vengeance. Not me, fortunately, and not Julia. But everyone else in the house traded it back and forth for over a week. A lot of sleepless nights, among other unmentionable things.What else? Oh yeah, how can I forget the taxes! This year, for some reason, it's taken a lot longer than usual.But things are looking up! The taxes are done, the house is healthy, and the smoke training class is not until December. The Obama administration is still there, but that will be a constant source of change for at least the next four years.The bottom line is that time is turning back to my side, and I will hopefully be a more frequent blogger. And even more importantly, a more frequent reader. For if there is one thing that has been sorely lacking this year, it has been time to read your fine posts. And for that, I apologize. I am planning on a LOT more reading in the future.So, on to some Tuesday Tidbits!Where Am I?Coming to you from Ft. Collins, Colorado, where I have a week's worth of meetings to attend. This is my first time visiting Ft. Collins, which is about an hour or so north of Denver and home to Colorado State University.Have you ever flown into Denver? Denver International Airport must have the longest runways known to mankind, and flying into Denver from the west over the Rocky Mountains is quite a turbulent ride. The terminals are long too - must be something about this being the Mile High City, with emphasis on "mile." Getting a rental car is a chore too, as you have to go off site where all the rental car dealers are. And in previous trips here, I have had a really difficult time getting a car.But this trip was vastly different. It's as if everything fell into place. I even timed it.Off the plane at 3:00 at the farthest possible gate in Terminal B.10 minutes to walk (and this is using people movers) to where you catch the train to the terminal (told you those terminals are long!). 3:10Five minute train ride to the terminal. 3:15Walked to the baggage claim, and my bag was coming around right to me! 3:17Wait 5 minutes for rental car shuttle. 3:22Another five minute ride to Enterprise in a full van. 3:27Get off the van last, but somehow get waited on immediately. Five minutes later, clerk is leading me out to the lot to get a car. 3:32Yes, the Federal Government requires us to get economy cars, but this clerk gives me the pick of the lot! My "economy" car is a Chevy Impala sedan! Eight minutes later, I am on my way. 3:4040 minutes from deplaning to rental car in Denver. That has to be a record!Gluten Free on TwitterDo you Twitter? Myself and a lot of other GF and GFCF bloggers do, and on April 4, there is going to be a Gluten Free Twitter Party! Bonnie Sayers (@autismfamily on Twitter), who blogs at Autism Family Adventures, is the host and organizer for the event, which will feature panel