Just back from Brazil to the worst inversion I’ve ever seen in Salt Lake Valley. The air is bitter and I haven sneezed several times. It is dusky even at mid-day and there is no hint of the sun even behind the low-lying clouds.

As we entered the soup to ready for landing, we circled over Antelope Island, which looked like something from the Arctic — totally snow-covered and surrounded by snow-covered ice sheets on the Great Salt Lake.

This morning, it was so foggy when I went outside to get the newspaper, that I couldn’t see half a block away. The fog has continued throughout the day so far.

I can’t wait for this to end — or to get back to the clean air of São Paulo — whichever comes first.

First trip to Brazil in the new year and probably not even close to my last. If 2012 is any indication, I can anticipate quasi-monthly visits.

I arrived this morning to warm, muggy weather and an afternoon of thunderstorms and often-times torrential rain. Tonight in the hotel’s restaurant, the lights went out and I saw sparks dropping from a power transformer across the street. The only light was from my iPad. The hotel is still running on generator power.

I left single-digit temps in Salt Lake City and a couple of feet of snow on the ground, so anything is better than that.

Today was Halloween and we had our usual costume party/chili cook-off at work, which was a lot of fun. To top it off, I received the information about my annual bonus (payable next week), which was happily larger than expected. Even after anticipated taxes and 401(k) withholding, I expect to be able to buy my choice of Apple products with impunity.

I’m leaving for Brazil on Friday, which makes my eleventh trip in eleven months. I’ve already booked a week in December, so will be 12/12 by years’ end. I’m not sure whether I will be expected to continue this travel after the new year, but am happy to do so, if asked/needed. I’m still not sure that I would want to live there for an extended period without my honey though.

The weather today was beautiful (mid-70s) and clear. Not so much for those affected by “superstorm” Sandy in the New York tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT). There has been nothing but 24-hour coverage of flooded streets and buildings, houses washed out to sea (or inland), cars destroyed and a tally of some 60+ deaths to-date. Definitely one for the record books.

Today is the first day of our 2012 spring and the weather has turned lovely, even though it snowed again overnight. Recently, we have had a slate of 70 degree days, followed by two or three of snow and blustery winds, followed by more warm days. Odd stuff this year.

I returned from my latest trip to Brazil (and third this year) on Friday and my honey and I celebrated our 24th anniversary on Saturday with a quiet day of just spending time together. We have now officially been a couple for half of his lifespan (and just less than half of mine). It is hard to imagine how time has gone by so fast and it seems to speed up even more year after year.

I look forward to many more years together and am very happy with the decisions in my life that have lead to this moment with this person.

And thunder here in São Paulo.

I arrived a few hours ago and was just woken up from a nice nap by thunder, accompanied by darkened skies and rain. I love this stuff, as long as I’m not flying in it.

I’ve made it as far as Houston, in spite of circling the airport for the better part of an hour due to thunderstorms and terrific rains. As we exited the plane, one flight attendant said, “It’s colder here in Houston than it was in Salt Lake”.

My flight to São Paulo departs in just under three hours and I am taking advantage of the layover to enjoy hot beverages, cheese and crackers and the power outlets of the United Club.

Hope my flight tonight does not suffer delays from the inclement weather. I hear thunder out there across the dark tarmac.

I arrived in São Paulo this morning after an uneventful but long (9-1/2 hour) flight from Houston.

My driver was there to pick me up when I exited Immigration, so that made the lengthy drive to the Renaissance Hotel downtown bearable. He talked the entire time and then thanked me for the “papo” (chatter) as he drove off. I didn’t have to say much more than agree with him about politics, road construction, governmental corruption, square kilometrage of Brasil compared to other countries, etc.

He was well-read (or more likely, well-televisioned).

Now I sit here at 6:00 p.m. and the sun has set. We are in deep winter, in spite of 70-degree temps and blue skies earlier today.

Tomorrow I fly down to Blumenau once again. My hopes are more realistic this time, I think. It took a few months to finally realize that 30 years of changes can be more than intellectually-challenging, they can shock one emotionally as well. I think I am ready to face this city in my history once again, but with reset expectations.

So I leave tomorrow for Brazil again. I’m planning on working from home today so I can do loads of laundry and other needed tasks between meetings, calls, etc. Quite the balancing act.

I checked the 10-day forecast and it looks like 70s-80s and sunny with a daily 10% chance of rain. Beautiful winter weather.

Conversely, Blumenau — where I will go on Friday and Saturday — shows solid rain on both days (and only those days).

I guess I can’t have everything.

It feels like summer has finally arrived. Last night was a toss-and-turn and kick-off-the-covers sort of night as it felt too warm to sleep comfortably — even with the windows open.

For the most part, it appears our weeks of daily rain is over and the temps are now forecasted to be in the 80s and 90s going forward. Back to the “high desert”.

The big family reunion is this weekend in Thermopolis, Wyoming. We look forward to this even every year as an opportunity to catch up with the extended family.

For those interested, here is the mockup of the t-shirt I designed for this year’s event: