Settling in at Headquaters

It's been two weeks to the day since returning to Seattle.  My initial thoughts are that things are, for the most part, excellent.  Most of my actual concerns and worries now have to do with financial stuff.  Strange that after goofing off for the better part of four months that I'd start to have to worry about money.  But there it is.

Last night was the first night spent in the new Expedition Headquarters.  Every piece of the Inventory was glad to end the ceaseless wanderings and to land in a permanent location.  The gang received various awards and commendations for valor and sturdiness.  We held a memorial service for our various fallen comrades (the Brown Bandanna, the Classic Cycle Water Bottles and all the others left behind by an absent-minded Trip Leader) with the ceremonial pouring of the 40 ounce Olde English Malt Liquor.  After interminable speeches and teary reminisces, we fell asleep on the pergo floor since those members of the Inventory who weren't lucky enough to head to Europe with us are still tapping their toes in a storage facility in Poulsbo.

Internet still isn't hooked up at HQ, so this morning I'm firmly ensconced in the corporatist womb of a Ballard Starbucks, nursing a horrible coffee and grabbing their free wi-fi.

My new sidekick, Morty the Dog Wonder, comes home on Sunday evening.  He's a beagle/dachshund who charms the pants of everybody he sees, but still manages to maintain an James Dean-esque aloofness.  Here's a shot of Morty with my niece:

Cute, huh?