As much as I enjoyed hanging out with the family in Seattle and Vancouver, it’s nice to be back home (except for the heat and gazillion percent humidity). Time to tally up the damage from the trip and get caught up on housework. Picked Nala up from the kennel this morning, and I think she was a little bit sad to go. She seemed to enjoy it there, and the kennel staff said she had a good time during her stay. She must have been really active there because she’s been napping pretty much since we got back home. I’m sure she’s grown taller in the week I’ve been gone.
A long busy day
Had a very long and fun day with the family yesterday. Started off with a trip to Stanley Park and the Vancouver Aquarium. Stanley Park is pretty big with lots of biking, walking and hiking trails running throughout. Kind of wish Charleston had big parks like this. Ended up spending a little more time there than we thought, having to go look for Dad who decided to wander off and go for a walk.
Then it was off to Chinatown for some dinner and to check out the Night Market. It’s a pretty cool 2 block long farmer’s market type atmosphere with all kinds of stuff to browse around and purchase. Most of the stores were closed, so there wasn’t much point browsing around Chinatown itself. I was expecting Chinatown to be bigger than what the map showed though. Guess I’ll just have to come back to browse around some more.
Off to Vancouver!
After a brief stop at the Microsoft Store we hit the road for Vancouver. It’s not a bad trip, a couple of hours or so in good traffic straight up I-5. Went across the border at the Peace Arch. Didn’t get to stop or anything though. Maybe on the way back. Looks like a nice place to relax while you’re waiting in line at the border crossing.
At some point during this trip, we’ll be going to the Vancouver Aquarium, makikng our way to Chinatown and somehow squeezing in a visit with my brother and his family. All before we leave tomorrow.
Oh, and today is SysAdmin Appreciation Day. Go give one a hug. Or the day off. Or just don’t do anything on/to/with your computer today :).
AAPM 2005 Day 5
The final day of the meeting. After this, it’s off to meet the sister and her family, and on to Vancouver BC for the reunion.
Yesterday’s AAPM Business meeting was an interesting look into the mechanics of running the AAPM. A little bit surprised by the low turnout, but from what I heard, a lot of people were leaving yesterday. I imagine attendance will probably be pretty thin today.
On the schedule for this morning:
7:30 (PDT) – PET Physics and Technology IV
Good information presented on designing shielding for PET and PET/CT facilities. Looking forward to the AAPM TG group report which is supposed to be coming out in MedPhys soon. Turns out shielding requirements probably won’t be as heavy as you might initially think provided you can get things laid out properly.
8:30 – Radiographic and Fluoroscopic Physics and Technology IV
Some good experiences presented by a former colleague with regards to testing newer fluoro equipment. I need to spend some time adapting some of my methods and introducing a few new ones.
10:00 – Advances in X-ray Radiography and Fluoroscopy
A few interesting presentations here, but skipped out early to start my vacation.
AAPM 2005 Day 4
This is the last full day of the meeting. On the schedule for this morning:
7:30 (PDT) – PET Physics and Technology III
Good discussion on attenuation correction in PET. More interesting was the discussion toward the end about potential AC-induced artifacts.
8:30 – Radiation Safety and Risk Management III
Excellent presentation on how to calculate radiation dose estimates and discuss risks with patients, clinicians and media. Learned quite alot from this one.
10:00 – X-ray Fluoroscopy and Angiography: State of the Art
Interesting talks on some new developments in FP detectors. Mostly reflected work being done at SUNY Stonybrook and Buffalo.
13:00 – Burst of applause rings out from the technical exhibit area as the closing announcement is made.
15:30 – Teaching Diagnostic Physics to Radiology Residents
17:15 – AAPM Business Meeting
