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Observations
Aug. 6th, 2012 04:50 pmThe cheap flight to Portland had an overnight layover in Phoenix, which was quite convenient for getting to see ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
scrottie, even if it wound up feeling like it wasn't nearly long enough. My last trip to AZ was in April, and I don't know the next time I'll be back. Still feels bittersweet.
I used the airport toilets twice in Austin. The auto-flush sensors were so twitchy that the toilets flushed three times each time I went to use them.
The auto-flush sensor in the Phoenix airport toilet did not appear to work, so I had to push a small, black button.
The Portland airport toilets are equipped with dual-flush handles and placards explaining how to use them to flush less water for liquids and more water for solid waste.
The Portland airport also has a bike reassembly area. I know. The light rail went straight from the airport over to the convention center. I bumped into the prof who I'm staying with, so we went to downtown Portland to grab some lunch and visit Powell's. I'd like to know, what's up with these weird, local fast-food places? The food's just as unhealthy, but the french fries made with some truffle oil were tasty.
The Ecology meeting is HUGE! I'm glad I'm here, though I don't know how relevant it will be for me, overall. It all makes me wonder - do the ecologists worry about how the things they're working on fit into a larger framework? I mean, they must. Reading through the program is overwhelming, though, and it's interesting to look through and think about which things sound interesting and useful to me, and which things just sound weird and make me wonder why someone would choose to study that particular topic.
The Ecology meeting is MUCH more family-friendly than the other large professional meeting I've gone to, the Entomology Society of America meeting (the other ESA). Fewer people in suits and ties here, more small children, childcare facilities provided, a more even sex ratio, and many more people wearing sandals.
Portland makes me tempted to give up my career and just live in a city where the living is good.
scrottie, even if it wound up feeling like it wasn't nearly long enough. My last trip to AZ was in April, and I don't know the next time I'll be back. Still feels bittersweet.I used the airport toilets twice in Austin. The auto-flush sensors were so twitchy that the toilets flushed three times each time I went to use them.
The auto-flush sensor in the Phoenix airport toilet did not appear to work, so I had to push a small, black button.
The Portland airport toilets are equipped with dual-flush handles and placards explaining how to use them to flush less water for liquids and more water for solid waste.
The Portland airport also has a bike reassembly area. I know. The light rail went straight from the airport over to the convention center. I bumped into the prof who I'm staying with, so we went to downtown Portland to grab some lunch and visit Powell's. I'd like to know, what's up with these weird, local fast-food places? The food's just as unhealthy, but the french fries made with some truffle oil were tasty.
The Ecology meeting is HUGE! I'm glad I'm here, though I don't know how relevant it will be for me, overall. It all makes me wonder - do the ecologists worry about how the things they're working on fit into a larger framework? I mean, they must. Reading through the program is overwhelming, though, and it's interesting to look through and think about which things sound interesting and useful to me, and which things just sound weird and make me wonder why someone would choose to study that particular topic.
The Ecology meeting is MUCH more family-friendly than the other large professional meeting I've gone to, the Entomology Society of America meeting (the other ESA). Fewer people in suits and ties here, more small children, childcare facilities provided, a more even sex ratio, and many more people wearing sandals.
Portland makes me tempted to give up my career and just live in a city where the living is good.
