I have a colleague who’s been stuck in Europe because of that pesky but massive ash cloud. He’s trying to get home to Raleigh, to return to his family but also to meet some important work deadlines. For a few days now, the ash has not cooperated. He and I currently are working together on a big project, so I have a vested interest in his safe, timely return. He’s trying to fly from Spain. Isn’t that where most of the first flights have started trickling in from? Who knows. I do know that of all the things that could delay a project for one of my favorite and highest-priority clients, I never would have guessed a volcanic ash cloud might be the thing. What a world. One final thought: When I cautioned my client that we might be running a little late, she asked a question I assumed was a joke. “Do you have a backup plan,” she asked, “in case the cloud lingers for a year or more like it did in the 1800s?” Uh no, I hadn’t gotten quite that far, I said. Then I chuckled. She didn’t respond in kind. Like I said, it’s a high-priority client. Come on, man, get on that plane!