May 5, 1997

One year.

It has been one year since I was stranded here, when my other self took my place.

I wanted to commemeroate at the bar and grill at Pier 39. I booked a table in advance as it was Cinco de mayo, which was the same as it was in my world.

I invited some of the staff, but only Dr. Diana Davis and Captain Maggie Beckett decided to join me. I of course spoke about my journey.

Captain Beckett was of course due for another slide later this week. afteer that was more tests by doctors and nurses in clean suits. I can underastand the reason for frequent medical tests for the first slider from this world since Quinn Mallory, Wade Welles, and Rembrandt Brown.

Years ago, I did wonder if sliding itself was hazardous to our health. Back in the fall of '95, we visisted my double on this world, who chose medicine instead of physics as his career. He was willing to give medical exams for free, especially for me, saying that he needed to sharpen his skills.

He was a resident of the UK who fled to America to escape the tyraany of the Lord Protector of England.

We returned with a clean bill of health. I do recall reading about the history of that Earth at the San Francisco Public Library. After Lord Protector Cromwell took over, the royal family fled to the American colonies.

I also recalled that in 1789 in that dimension, the United Crown Commonwealths of America was founded, and George Washington was the first prime minister, and Pete Wilson was the Premier of the California Commonwealth when we visited. Destiny seems to reassert certain patterns across many dimensions.

"America as a monarchy," said Captain Beckett. "Weird."

"That wasn't the first time I encountered that," I said.

"I heard you had close encoutners with dinosaurs."

It was a pleasant evening, but it had to end.

I hope to reunite with my companions some day.

Right now, I have to focus on preparing for final exams for the spring 1997 semester.