Dateline: above the sold garage, 12 June 2005, Portsmouth RI

Yesterday at Special Operations Command/Central Command (SOCCENT) was fun. Breakfast with old CNA mentor Hank Gaffney, then my presentation. The AV guys had spent four hours getting all these screens to work in unison (actually had tiny antennae dishes on them for wireless hookup) and then I showed up saying I wanted to use my own laptop. They freaked, then saw it was a Mac and said I could try. It came up on all screens immediately with no problems. Glad I kept the S-Video cord with me, though, otherwise a goner.

I speak 70 and go 15 on questions. Two other speakers: one a survey specialist who spoke on "Why they hate America" and another a serious scholar of Islamic-inspired terrorism (like a Sageman or Roy). I had a great Cobb salad at lunch that a SOCCENT officer insisted on buying. Signed some books. Got a nice medallion. Then we three "scholars" (you can only guess how I love that term now) did a roundtable. Then I swapped out clothes, was driven to airport and flew home, finishing all my Ask Tom questions, which I will send off to my webmaster as soon as I post this. Tomorrow's newsletter will be all Q&A. Did my best on these. Don't know everything. Wish I did. But I don't.

Got home around 11pm last night and oldest two kids still up (making me realize how much older they are becoming). I work out on the treadmill, finishing the two-hour making-the-movie disk that comes with Alien (4 movie collection). Then we watched a Simpsons from the Season 4 collection my oldest boy talked my wife into buying (I do love that show).

Today has been all packing all the time. Basically breaking down the antique dressers (don't ask how many) and wrapping the main piece in about 10 layers of industrial-size saran wrap. Then hand-truck to POD and wrap in blanket and store. Got one section of 4 in this POD done by 3pm, and I roped it all off very intensely and then shoved in a lot of light plastic toy stuff to make it all very snug. Working second section now. Eldest son Kevin turning out to be quite the help. With the hand-truck we bought, I was even able to load the very heavy antique organ, which surprised me. I tell you, having that POD flat on the drive is something. No incline to go up into. My wife said watching the guy land this baby was something to see. Really amazing technique.

I will be wrapping big mirror tops to dressers all night long. Good news: great workout and you eat less, so you tend to look pretty good after it's all said and done. Amazing to carry down heavy pieces with my two oldest on other end. When we moved in they were good for nothing, and now they're helping immensely.

Made contact Friday with the sports team's PR department regarding the player I want to profile. Naturally, man of his stature has one PR guy who pretty much handles only him. Awaiting his call. If I don't get by 2pm on Monday, I start pinging up the chain again. So far, they seem quite friendly on the subject.

Back to the POD mine.