This year’s AAO in San Francisco promised less travel time, but ultimately unfolded into a longer trip overall. I spent last Friday morning reorienting my parents after more than a year since their last visit, which helped me avoid Bay Area rush hour to park my car. I uploaded my talk before joining fellows for lunch at Super Duper but was so wiped out by Sub-day that I skipped all the receptions for yummy Chong Qing Xiao Mian and Netflix to cap off the night. Amidst a Saturday morning of meetings and consulting, I made time for JT’s chicken adobo and pork sinigang, which was a bit sour for me, but still better than pastas from the UCD and MEEI receptions. Fortunately, I was redeemed by CAOS‘ banquet-style dinner next evening at Harborview. On Monday, I checked out the Yayoi Kusama exhibit and collection at SF MOMA en route to my final session at the YO lounge. I found no luck bonsai-hunting at Katsura or Utsuwa, but at least scored hakata-style ramen and a hojicha frappe before the drive back. At home, I found time to repair my car dent and replace my bike tire in preparation for the Pioneer Fall Festival. Volunteering for Ms. Chang’s milk bottle toss after my recent COVID booster made me sore in both thighs and shoulder. Fortunately, Westley was unfazed by my exhaustion, and managed to reprise his ninja character for Halloween, reach level 6 at Swim America, and rock his first piano recital playing Brahm’s lullaby. With work travel winding down, we hope to get more time to rejuvenate this month.