driving

So many people tell me I'm tough and determined, I just believe them and wipe all doubt aside.  It's just how to turn off that little voice off to the edge of consciousness, barely audible.  And yet also somehow dominant, like the white noise that becomes Chinese torture rather than background.

Early radiation was fine -- the radiation techs seemed genuinely appreciative for the socks ("We love Smartwool!"). 

The drive down to Colorado Springs wasn't bad.  I missed the 1st two panels, but I think that was OK.  It was a lot of economic theory.  Everyone who needed to see me (who'd invited me -- or highly suggested I come) saw me.  Told the Cowboy about my sarcoma.  Good doctor's son that he is, he asked some discerning questions and looked worried. Eventually, he gave me a big hug; he's like an upright couch -- very comfy.  Talked to Jim B, who had cancer a while back, but recently had a heart attack -- now he's eating vegan, walking during lunch and has lost 17 pounds in a month.  He didn't even eat the salad we had at lunch, b/c he's being that careful.  Maybe I'll get there, although that's honestly as hard to imagine as being seriously disabled.  Talk to a couple other ag guys, all of whom I'm friendly with.  I said to Bill I thought a couple of them, with whom I jousted a decade ago (or more) have matured, just like I have.

Had a drink w/ Dan K.  Always good to hang out, build bridges, and besides, if I'd left right after the conference, it would have taken 3 hours to get home (like Sunday night coming back from Vail).  This was much nicer.  Again, I remember the first time we met, on a Water 2025 panel. I said something snide about Klamath and he railed against enviros, all of whom used ESA litigation to attack irrigators.  We were most definitely not friends.  Today, we traded Reclamation and other DC gossip, compared notes about some of the folks who spoke at today's conference, and shared stories of the worst years of our lives.  What a difference a decade makes.  Plus, we spent just the right amount of time that the drive home was painless.