Figuring stuff out...

There is a "magic number" one dials here that after a short pause gives you a dial tone that is, in effect, from a phone somewhere in McLean, Virginia (the corporate home town of ILS, whom I think of as my end client, although ultimately, ILS is getting paid by Intelsat). This means that by dialing one plus the area code and phone number, you can make calls without incurring the withering expense (and typically iffy quality) of a real, honest-to-goodness long distance connection.

(I might mention that it's a radical departure from the system that was in place back in the era when I first met Galina. In those days, phone calls from the U.S. cost $9 per minute - in those dollars - and went through an operator, and as far as going the other way, I don't think I ever worked up the courage - or the money - to call home from Moscow in those days, though I probably could have well afforded the expense.)

Anyway, come evening around here, it's pretty hard to get that dial tone (it's happened to me once, and I think that was a fluke), as it would appear there is fierce competition for what I am sure is a relatively small number of connections. On the other hand, I've had success calling home around 8-ish am local time, when folks here are scrambling to get ready for work and not on the phone talking to family and business associates.

* * *Today's work is slated to begin around 1 pm, which means I may be engaged until later in the evening. The tour will start with some local highlights and move on from there.

* * *In other news, I discovered last night that my table tennis paddle (the one with the 10-year old rubber) has probably been contributing to my dismal performance the past few times out in public. Yesterday, while playing with Olga F. I decided to use one of the local paddles (with nice, springy rubber) and to play holding the racket conventionally, like a small tennis racket (as opposed to the pencil-grip style I've used since college days). My results were not bad: a win and a close loss (21-19).

* * *The Chronicle editor sent back a proof of my wiki article, which I shall look at in some detail during bus time today, or tonight. I suspect there are probably not many changes, based on my initial glance.

* * *All invoices and travel expense reports to date have been dealt with, including two invoices for work done in my free time here in the evenings. (It's not as if there's much else to do, y'know!) Having some extra income is a Good Thing™, as I am reliably told that this fairly long gig (the launch is in the wee hours on 16 June!) is to be invoiced only after its completion, which will make for a sweet paycheck, but leaves a fairly sizeable dip in the cash flow, if you know what I mean.

Time to turn to on the room and get ready for the day.

Cheers...