I was asked today how I rated this trip and I give it an 8 out of 10. As I was telling people in class it’s been “Pre-Katrina” since I was in Louisiana. I’m actually down here training people on using QGIS. It’s been a while since I did the 8 hour intro class. It’s been even longer since I did the Intermediate class.
From Chattanooga it’s about a 6.5 hour drive which falls within my “if It’s less than 8 hours I’m driving” rule. It’s the second time I’ve been down this month. Since the whole heart thing last year this would be the fourth trip I’ve made. I thought about that on the drive down. When should I stop? Is this going to wear me out? Blood Clots? I tend top stop every 2.5 hours and walk around for a few minutes which seems to be a good practice regardless.
I find that teaching for two days is a bit exhausting. Last night I drove out to Lake Pontchartrain. Relaxing these days is a weird because I don’t think I’m ever truly relaxed. Since last year I’ve been slowly searching out “what makes me happy” and for right now road trips, adventures, and doing small weird things on my computer make me happy. I do wish I had my canoe down here. I threatened to bring my paddle board but the thought of being a full course meal for some alligator made me not bring it. I pulled into a town called Old Mandeville and sat out by the lake. It was a bit windy.
Interest in QGIS is up and I can guess all the reasons why. Budgets and Increased capability of the software have led to a lot of calls and emails. The QGIS-US group is sputtering along. So it’s made for a pretty decent environment for me at least. Busy is good although I find myself being too busy between aging parents, work, and things.
I should be working but I’m typing and doing some OSM edits. It’s been a long time since I was in a town that didn’t have a lot of buildings. So I’ve been slowly working my way from my hotel out. Nothing terribly adventurous. Just some old fashioned walking around and adding data with my phone.
Tomorrow I kick off one more 2 day class and then it’s back to Life at home. Got one project waiting in the wings. One class to update for online training and one OSM project I want to try which throws me back into cemeteries.
The other thing that makes me happy – find songs that include the Geographic area I’m in.
