I spent two weeks back in the USA last month, a mix of family visits and an HL7 conference. Here’s a few highlights…

I got the full birthday treatment at Pappasita’s with Frank and Monique… outstanding!

The following day, Frank and I toured a naval museum in Galveston. They have a WWII submarine and a destroyer escort boat like the one Frank’s dad was on during the war.

Tight quarters. I think today’s aircraft carriers are a bit roomier, but you can still understand why people would get a little bit stir crazy after a year on one. 

I’ve spent a career thinking about standardized ways to exchange information, so I thought this signal flag console was pretty cool. 

The recreation of the ships library featured Tarzan, but shockingly left out the John Carter books. 

Then a shared birthday celebration with Wednesday who was in rehab recovering from knee surgery. Got to see Michel and the grands, who oscillate between terrorists and adorable angels approximately every five minutes. Kids not pictured here.

I checked off as many comfort food boxes as I could… food in NZ is fine, but the ordinary not-fancy US restaurant is playing in an entirely different league. The food is delicious, there’s mountains of it, and the ridiculously underpaid staff, often just a sprained ankle away from food stamps, are friendly and helpful.

On Sunday, I went to Bible group with Frank and Monique. I learned a little bit about 2 Corinthians, and unfortunately had some of my religio-political biases confirmed. After, we went to a monthly community luncheon they usually go to, and Monique won the raffle prize, a cherry cheesecake.

And just like that, off to the airport en route Asheville. Thanks Texas, till next time…

I had a whirlwind visit with my dad, spent much of the time helping him sort out a new car. Sorry Kimmels, didn’t even have a chance to say hi.

But I did get to play pétanque at Rendezvous and meet a few of the local boulistes.

My other NC dinner was at the Biltmore resort. Dad and Judith have a membership that lets them enjoy the grounds etc. Very nice.

Cybertrucks and duct-taped Miatas live side by side in the increasingly incomprehensible country of my birth.

And then on to ‘North Bethesda’ outside of Washington DC. I am not sure if that’s a real place or not, but I guess it sounds better than South Rockville.

Reagan Airport looked about the same overall, but they’ve added a terminal since I was last there maybe 10 years ago. I’ve flown there a lot over the years, but this time I was hyper-aware of the many Hegsethite disciples striding urgently in their too-tight suits. Unlike many of the other religious zealots you see in public life, the Hegsethites make no overt attempt to recruit you… you’re either in the group or you’re not worth their time and should crawl back under the rock in whatever shithole place you came from. Until they get around to shooting you.

The HL7 meeting was a good one… the new CEO and staff have found their feet.

I was made a Fellow this year, a nice sort of long service award. Here I am with Stan Huff, my major professor at Utah. We really like each other, but our relationship is tinged with a slight disappointment: I never finished that PhD, and he feels a little bad that he didn’t drag me over the line, and I feel a little bad for letting him down. Life and career worked out just fine anyway, but still.

It’s the 40th anniversary of the organization, and I won honorable mention in the 80s costume contest with my thrift store preppie outfit.

Two plus weeks of travel. Lots of people, lots of logistics, way too much food and drink. What I need now is a holiday…