Originally the plan had me going into Berlin 24 hours earlier but forces beyond my control meant I had to change my plans which sadly included burning a non-trivial number of miles to last minute reschedule an otherwise gratis trip.

On the plus side it meant a bump to business class and the ability to make my seat go horizontal to get a good night’s sleep. Easier said than done. I was fretting about having to do my column under extreme deadline as soon as I arrived. (I calmed my frets by watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall and episodes of 30 Rock).

I was particularly concerned with the fact that my flight was landing in the massive Munich airport at 10:35 and my flight to Berlin was boarding 10 minutes later. Never underestimate German efficiency — I was sitting on my connecting flight and drinking a frosty beverage by 10:50.

I arrived with more than enough time to freshen up and head over to the site only to find that my editor — fearful of fog — had conscripted Bill Stark to pinch hit for me.

Time to draft!