So, its 1:39 am on the west coast, and I’m watching one of my two favorite tv shows, The Deadliest Catch.  Its not that I don’t want to be in bed, its just that I will be getting picked up by the Super Shuttle in about an hour to catch a five am flight.  First to Dallas/Ft. Worth, then Boston, then a drive north…

I am 100% amped to get back to the East Coast for a few days to see some family, pack up some things, and just destress after Institute.

 As much as I love the people I met here, I am glad to be leaving.  Its just the idea of sending 600 people to Phoenix in July is clinically insane to me.  I know that there were a lot of positives:  I loved my students (several of whom made me goodbye cards), I loved taking trips to Mill Street to hit up the bar scene or going to the Vine just for fun, but at the same time, I am looking forward to going to a place where people don’t say that I have a Maine (or even worse, Boston) accent.  I swear, I don’t have an accent, although I can occasionally do a mean accent.

 Anyway, until I hit the road, assuming that the shuttle shows, I’ll be chilling here in the tv room at Hassayampa Academic Village in Tempe, Az. 

 I’ll make it back home probably around seven or so in the evening tomorrow, making for one long day of travel.

 Best of luck to all in their travels home from Phoenix, a special goodbye to all the ICs heading around the nation to do some amazing work, and to all those still working away at the other Institute sessions, keep it up, there is a light at the end!!

-Tom