Herndon, VA (USA)

One of the companies I've been talking with for the last few months asked if I could fly up to the DC area for an interview. It's very exciting to have the opportunity to speak with them! They made all the travel arrangements, so all I had to do was drive over to DFW airport for my flight. This time (with the recent bad weather we've been having), I decided to use the covered parking lot. I went to the right terminal this time, fortunately. It was kind of unusual to be flying on United and Continental, especially after all the American Airlines flights I've taken over the last few years... The check-in system took some time to get used to, but I made it to the gate without many problems (came close to getting to use the full body screening, but they started it right after I went through security). Got some Burger King food for the flight. My seat was in the far back corner (last row) - cramped. I sat next to a man from Ghana - that was interesting. Got a birds-eye view of the Texas Rangers game as we took off... United offered a movie on the flight (unusual). We arrived at Dulles around 2100L and called the Embassy Suites for a shuttle pickup. It could be about 20 years since I flew through Dulles - I had forgotten about the busses that drive between the terminals... After I got on the one going to the main terminal, I saw a passenger come on who looked like former Congressman J.C. Watts (R-OK). I've seen him on TV a good bit, so I'm almost certain it was him (thought about talking to him but didn't). Followed the signs towards ground transportation, but it still took a bit of time to locate the courtesy van stand outside - and it was chaos when I got there (probably 10 hotel vans waiting for the passengers). My driver found me quickly, though. On the way to the hotel, I asked him if he knew the address of my interview and he said it was right across the street from the hotel! Got my room just before 2200L, dropped off my bags quickly and then headed down to the lounge to have something to eat/drink. Was too late for food but the bartender did pour me a drink before he closed. While I was chatting with him and another customer, my Uncle Bill called to ask if our family was OK. I told him I was on a trip and he mentioned that there were serious weather in the Fort Worth area. The bartender turned on the TV and I could see how bad things were. Bill and I had a nice talk and after I hung up with him I called Nicky - they were hiding in the bathroom. Still, the weather was moving out [later, I learned the Texas Rangers game had to be "evacuated in place"]. Went up to my room to get ready for my interview - bed around 2330L.