Nothing welcomes you home better than your own bed. I'm so tired my eyes are crossed and blurry. 13 hour flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, and I barely slept the whole way. Watched a lot of movies on Qantas' new 747 entertainment system: Sweet Home Alabama, The Ring, Knockaround Guys. Then I had to sit around in Los Angeles for 6 hours waiting for my United flight to Seattle. Fortunately Mark was able to grab me for a quick breakfast out to break things up.
I dropped off all my film tonight so let's hope they turn out okay tomorrow. Carrying some 20 rolls of film back from a long vacation is nervewracking, especially with all the powerful x-rays in use at the airports now. If all goes well, some of you poor souls may be sitting through a slide show soon.
Flying is really unpleasant in this day and age. I went through an obscene number of security checks at Sydney airport, but at least the folks working there had that pleasant Australian demeanor. I get to LAX and all the security personnel were rude and working at a snail's pace, and after rifling through all my check-in luggage they didn't even throw everything back in neatly or tie up all the straps. I reached over to close up the zippers and tighten the straps and some big oaf yelled at me. My sleep-deprived, grumpy self was ready to open a can of whup-ass right there.
I'm glad I only have a few days before heading off to Rio. Otherwise I'd surely sink into a severe state of post-vacation withdrawal. I already feel like I'm coming down off some drug-inspired trip.
On the other hand, I've missed lots of friends and family. As Sam says at the end of The Return of the King, "I'm back."