The days are just racing by. On the one hand I look forward to the next destination. On the other, I want somehow to hold on to the experiences I am having. Tomorrow morning it's off to BC.

Just getting the tickets has been quite a journey in itself. In my last entry, I was able to report the latest on my ticketting saga. As promised, Lucie booked me another ticket, figuring we could fight over the refund later. Seemed good. In the meantime I checked the United site to see that I was actually confirmed as far as Seattle. Seemed good. Then, as I was talking to Marthese on Skype, up popped an emeal to say that Alaska Air had cancelled the second ticket - so I was back with an uncertain booking. I told Marthese I would call back later, and rang Alaskan. I got a nice guy called Jim, who after some searching said it was all good to go, and that I would be issued a paper ticket in Seattle. Here's hoping! I was able to get a message to Lucie that it was all sorted.

Next - and in no particular order - the picture I posted on this blog is a truck I came across in the hotel car park. It shows the depth of patriotism and the length of memory around 9/11.

It is Friday - the day before a home game - and State College is winding up again with the beginnings of an influx of fans. The signs are all up as East Michigan comes to town. I was told this week that on the weekend of home games, State College becomes the third biggest city in Pennsylvania!

As for the happenings - I spent most of Thursday redrafting a paper that I had discussed with Nancy. I reckon one more revision should do it.

Friday began by being interviewed by a grad student who was collecting videos of people who will be speaking at the Victoria conference. Then I had a fascinating discussion with Susan Faircloth, who heads up the American Indian Leadership Program at Penn State. As with so many things here there are a lot of things in common, and a lot of things that are radically different. Susan is new to the role and is one of only two Aemrican Indian faculty in the whole university. I am hopeful that we can make some links when she is over in New Zealand next year, particularly as she has experience in indigenous masters programs in leadership.

The last scenic visit of the time in State College was to the Farmers' Market, and there were signs of the Amish presence in the surrounding countryside - but not the carts and horses I saw last time in the smaller country towns. Check the album.

One last mention in this rather rambling entry. I have been sharing an office with Larry Boggess this week. It turns out that as well as his academic work he plays in a band - and is quite good. Check him out here.

The-the- theee - that's all folks - until Canada!