Lost in Space with Time

The downside of selecting an airline which only has one flight a day back to the US is that you might find yourself stuck in the general lobby area patiently waiting for the three-hour window before departure which will allow you to offload your 35 pound backpack (and unintentionally your mobile phone).  The upside is that this seven hour window of time, when paired with a Kit-Kat and two bottles of water, will allow you the opportunity to read a book in full as well as challenge yourself a few times with navigation to the very small-roomed facilities carrying three bags (two of which are backpacks).  Viva la adventura.

I had selected Sleeper Protocol by Kevin Ikenberry because it was the one book out of three that had completely downloaded to my e-reader while I was on WiFi*.  I had thought it to be one of the Kindle's Free monthly reads until I read the author's biography after finishing the book and discovered that it was a book I had purchased because the author had local ties to Space Camp.  (Viva Rocket City.)

Let me first say that it is I think the ONLY fictional book that I have read that mentions the Nolichucky and Cherokee Mountain.  These were pleasant surprises that endeared me to the read perhaps a little more than someone who doesn't know East Tennessee geography.

This book is sci-fi meets alien war meets crazy scientist(s) meets a female Hal meets the Good Guy (in 305 pages).  At no point did I want to stop reading.  The story is quick moving, quirky, and has just the right about of science to keep readers engaged.  There are just a few main characters and the reader forms a "good" or "bad" opinion on most of these pretty quickly.  It's fun to watch these early opinions get played out in words.  (We're not always right.)

The title was published in January and I'd recommend adding it to your spring/summer reading lists.  (Plus, I'd like to review the ending in more detail with you after you've read it.)

* Don't tell the author

PS  You'll get your mobile phone back before boarding but you'll get to have a really fun conversation with the security guard about why you're going back.

A Three Hour Tour

The last three weeks were a little more off the grid than normal.  There really aren't enough words to capture all the moments, but here's a small highlight in the form of a letter I wrote from the (tempestuous) boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz:

Dear A and E1*

I hope the day trip was great and there were no sunburns. I'm writing to you about the boat journey and while I could have sent a short SMS, I felt a duty to give you a little more background.

I think I now know what it's like to be in the washing machine with a pair of size 10 high-tops. While massaging for all the inner organs, I'm not sure this tide would make P*'s "Top 5 things to do in Ecuador".

We were 30 on a vessel rated for 25. It was cozy. The first mate handed out small black trash bags (optional) and then sat on the side of the boat holding on for the remainder of the journey.**

To whichever of you who told me last night to sleep [on the boat] like E2, I'm eternally grateful. We were both conked out for most of the journey like those tiny little worms that roll up in your hand. (A*, I'm counting on your Ohio childhood roots to explain that to our L.A. friends). Some fellow passengers might challenge my position as fetal but I would hastily disagree.

My recommendations are the following:

Lunch is a three course affair. Skip one and a half courses. You might be hungry but you don't want a full stomach for this chop.

Go with E2's suggestion to sit on the back and close to the right (starboard?). This might necessitate arguing with a man in slightly heated Spanish but ask P2 to do this for you and tip him well.

In this position you will be three degrees from the sun. Wear sunscreen and get used to all the passengers staring out at you over the horizon taking deep breaths. Remember this is not you and be grateful. Wear sunglasses.

Position the softest of you in the middle, cover up with extra clothing,curl up and go to sleep.

Barring this, take Dramamine or a few tequila shots.

Buena suerte


* Names edited for privacy (and are in no way related to the entertainment network)
**Foreshadowing