Think I might go camping next weekend. Just for the weekend, though I'll probably head out right after lunch on Friday to drive to the mountains. They're always particularly nice this time of year. Might even bring my kayaking gear.. Yeah. Think I will.

Been stuck in the city too long. Bout time I got back to good ol' dirt and trees.

Cripes I have a headache. I think these lights are getting to me. The open air and sun are calling.

I need to go camping. I should have accrued enough vacation time to allow for a decent trip....

Finally back to home base. I see the heat decided to follow me back, too, dammit.

What's up with the tree? It shrink? Not to mention the crater in the parking lot. Glad I drove here in my Jeep since I had to park in the grass. Seems like I missed a lot when I was gone.

Anyhow, back to business. I have my report to write about the companies I went to. I should be finished with it before lunch if things go well.

Well, that figures. I'm 500 miles away and the weather finally cools off back home and it only gets hotter here. Damn it all.

Things here are going well, though. I've already filled up a notebook with notes about a single company. Should help us out quite a bit, now that I have a few more hints on where to dig for the really good bits of info.

Mashiro, I'll fax a few pages to you. I've marked where to start looking, but I know you've got your ways, too. If you come up with something particularly good, e-mail it to me.

 Well, I've gotten my portfolio together for several competitors and will be flying out to meet with them all and see what info I can get from them. Time to put on my fake smile and then take them for all they've got.

Mashiro will be in charge of my duties while I'm gone. So if you need any information, feel free to go to her. My cell will always be on me, of course. Whether I'll answer it or not remains to be seen. But you're welcome to leave a message.

Christ it's hot. I've brought a cooler from home with my own ice and water in it just to keep cool. And strip down to just my pants and undershirt when in my cubicle. I would've thought that a big place like this could afford better central air. Guess not. At least wearing a soaked bandana around my neck helps. Had to dig a couple out of my hiking pack. One on my neck and one in the bottom of the cooler to use when the in-use one dries or doesn't cool anymore.

If the heat doesn't let up tomorrow I think we'll head out for some in-person research at a couple of these companies. Maybe they have better A/C.

Finally got all my books and manuals situated. Didn't think I'd ever get that done. Between all the work I need to do and studying this company and an incessantly bothersome assistant I haven't really had the time to unpack. It's definitely different from the old office, but it'll work. At least there's big windows.

Haven't really met anyone new, but it's not like I'm trying, either. At least there's a few familiar faces around here. Annoying or not.

Well, break's over. Back to work. I did a bit of research on this company back at VI, but now I have access to a lot more records and documentation I need to look over.