Chantilly, VA (USA)

I was fortunate to be able to get away from the office again today (I needed it, too!). Got up at my regular time and drove up to Rockville (via Beltway and I-270). Arrived around 0745 and got some breakfast at the cafe. Jim got there a little later and we chatted (work stuff) until Sabrina arrived. Spent the rest of the hour discussing the upcoming meeting. That kicked off at 0900 and we made some good progress before lunch time. Sabrina has been telling us how much she wanted to eat at Chipotle (nearby), so Bill and I went with her. It was my first time there - and it reminded me of Moe's... Got a good burrito bowl (to go). Ate our lunch back at the conference room (it was good!). Second half of the meeting progressed well, too - and we finished nearly one time (about 30 minutes later than expected). Stayed for a little longer, discussing next week's meeting (same place). Left around 1530, enroute to Chantilly headquarters. Had no problem getting back to the Potomac River, but once I was in Virginia traffic ground to a halt. Time ticked away - and I got nervous I'd miss my next meeting. Made a decision to get on the Airport Toll Road. Made a last-second decision to use the free access road that runs between the East/West bound lanes of VA-267. I haven't ever driven to Dulles Airport (except when we visited the Smithsonian Air & Space Annex in APR 2006), so this was a good thing to try. There was no traffic on the road I took - there was a little more on the toll section. When I reached the terminals, I started to see people on the side of the road with clipboards. It seemed odd, but I didn't think anything about it until after I stopped by the Exxon Gas Station and explored the Cell Phone Waiting Lot. It was actually difficult to get back to the outbound lanes that would take me to I-495, but I eventually was able to get there (probably a 10 minute delay). Just as I left the Airport Property, I saw more people with clipboards and police cars waiting to nail people for doing what I just did! I guess this should be a one-time thing for me... Used VA-28 to get to our company headquarters and arrived at the campus about five minutes early for the meeting (whew!). I hadn't been to the conference center since the day I got hired, so it took me a bit to find it again... Sat down just as they kicked off the INCOSE Systems Engineer Certification Brief (1630). Best thing I've attended since I got out of the Service - the presenters provided information about how I convert put my on-the-job training into an internationally recognized certification. Good stuff! Finished around 1745 and then got some fuel for the car. Used Fairfax County Parkway to get home - seemed like it took a really long time in the dark... Still full from lunch, so ate a very light dinner. Today was a great break from the regular routine I'm seeing most days.