(Posted from my Blackberry - deal with the typos)

After another 7 hours on the road, we got back to Houston today. Even though I have no electricity or hot water, I am ver happy to be back. Hotel life from an unfamiliar city is not a very fun thing.

They're saying 2 to 3 weeks before power is restored here, and that's being optimistic. Because of that, I am going to try to get the company to (at a minimum) help cover the cost of a hotel room here in town. If that doesn't happen, I will be trying to find someone else from the office -- preferably in my department -- who has hot water, and will allow me to make use of their shower.

I am sleeping in my living room tonight, with the light switches in the "on" position, with the hope that I will be awaken by the return of power.

The first thing I did when I got home was empty my fridge. Either the smell of the already decaying food or the thought of filling 4 garbage bags with food to dispose caused my stomach to churn. I think the odor from the kitchen is gone now that my windows have been open for a couple hours, but I am not looking forward to the day whn I have to clean and re-stock the fridge.

For now, I am going to probably just go to sleep until the daylight or return of electricity wakes me. Rest assured though, I faired the storm well, as did my car and apartment.