Heading to Put-In-Bay for a while. It's in Lake Erie, on South Bass Island, if your curious.

Long drive, but by the time I drive to the airport, get on a plane, fly, rent a car, drive to the lake...it would be the same amount of time.

So, I'm gonna throw this in the CD, and head uphill. 35 CD's...probably won't get it done. About 20 hours round trip, but I'll put a dent in it.

Y'all be cool with it...be back later.

Immenstadt in Allgaeu, southern Germany

This is way too cool

Anyway, I have a thing for Balloons...not much control...you just go where the wind takes you...not really any choice. My friend, who was flying the Bleed Some Speed By Using Trees (BSSBUT) one, flew across Africa in one.

I wish I would've made that trip.

I just returned from a few days of Kayaking. I two-flipped that damn boat twice...sore I am. Damn!

Here's a few Red-Tailed Hawks checking out my dog Stretch. There were more, but I had to cover his ass...so I couldn't get all of 'em in the frame. My woman counted about 15. Nothing attacks my doggie when I'm close by. It almost got interesting.

Also, saw some Bald Eagles...

It was a good trip.

When you land, you think you're going in the ocean. When you take off, you think you're going into the mountain. That runway is tight.

I was on my way to Gwen's Reggae Grill, Shoal Bay East, Anguilla B.W.I Anguilla is a 5 minute plane ride or a 20 minute boat ride from Saint Martin, which is half French and half Dutch.

Stay on Anguilla, and hop over to Saint Martin for the wild side. Too much fun.

...I guess I should say riding the lance.

I used o do a lot of sailboat racing, some of it on J-24's. The damn things will damn near plane to weather, and I definitely seen rooster tails on a broad reach. I was addicted.

Anyway, I needed to be in Atlanta Friday night. I had a late meeting that afternoon that I couldn't break away from. The boat (named Fat Lady) owner was in the same predicament as me, so he said he'd get his company plane with the company pilot...fly from KY to TN and pick me up, and then we'd ease on down to Atlanta. I met him at an airport, climbed aboard, and we took off. He had a case of iced beer in a cooler, and we commenced to drinking. As we approached the TN / GA border we ran into a storm that was, well major strong. It was raining buckets...lightning everywhere...looked to me like it was striking between the end of the wing and the fuselage. Updrafts, downdrafts, sideways drafts, loud noises...seriously, I was a little concerned when the pilot took his headset off...turned to us in the back...it was like riding a trampoline...and said, and I quote..."you want to try to make it through, or do you want me to turn around". I looked back at him and said, "WTF, your the gotdam pilot...what do you think?" My buddy (the plane owner) asked, "is there anyway we can fly around it?" The pilot responded, " maybe". I said "WTF maybe, do we, or do we not have enough gas?' He replied, "we can always set down somewhere else". My buddy asked me, "what do you want to do?" I said, "fuck man, I ain't driving, what do you think?" He said, "he's a good pilot, and there are many airports we can reach, I say we press on". All the while we're bouncing around like popcorn in a popper, and I had to pee. I mean I had to pee right then...beer will do that to sometimes. Has anyone ever tried to pee in a longneck beer bottle, in an airplane, at night, while you're being bounced around like fucking popcorn? Boy dogs can't pee in a bottle while strapped in a seat. Nope...won't work, I gave it a try, no way, so I had to release belt and try to piss in a bottle. I will admit, I missed, but I tried. but I had to go...right then. So I pissed in the plane...I had no choice. Meanwhile, the pilot took a hard left (east) looking to get around the storm. My friend said, "it's cool with me man, when you gotta go, you gotta go". When we, flying east, got in front of the front, things settled down a bit, but my friend had to piss as well. I watched, with perverse delight, as he missed the bottle. It was still rough.

I'm telling you, a bucket would not have helped.

Obviously, we made it...but I will never forget that particular flight.

The pilot was a good guy, and I let him fly me home...but I will never ever forget that flight.

We crash-landed in the Hudson River - but all we got were these lousy upgrades

Sadly, I knew this was coming.

I'll tell you what...I'll upgrade all of their asses...yes I will.

I blame a lot of it on the blood sucking fucking lawyers...not that I have anything against lawyers...I have many friends who practice law...but if one of 'em participated is this...we'd have a talk about morality and values. I equally blame the pussies who contacted council, as I do the lawyers who contacted them.

Everyone made it out alive...

WTF are these people thinking?

It was a flock of Canadian Geese...sue fucking Canada, or The Maker, you idiots, but don't sue the people who saved your life.

Fucking piece of shit losers...every one of them who wants something from this, should take a long hard look at themselves.

Personally, if it was me, I could care less if I received compensation for my lost luggage, or anything else for that matter...I'm still alive.

Are they going to sue the ferry boat drivers because they got cold?

Damn, I would buy rounds for the air crew for life...so to speak.

That is from looking North to South. Taking a few days off...see you when I see you.

In the meantime, this is pretty sweet.

Or you could have some Bwahahahahahah!!!

If that doesn't do it for you, go over here.

Cool Runnings!

...and road tripping.

Mystery Writers this time around.

I am a huge fan of books on CD. I just acquired 29 Hercule Poirot mysteries (unabridged) by Agatha Christie for some upcoming road trips. Read by David Suchet. Unabridged books on CD are the Catdaddy. Only way to go. I also picked up "Art of War" by Sun Tzu, and if you haven't read that....you need to...just for the hell of it. Great, practical, book.

I have many more books on CD, and I've been lending them out on a regular basis. Only way to go. If you're interested...drop me a line...if I don't get 'em back...Yabu will come a looking for you. I will be more than happy to share them with friends.

Seriously, I've turned many hours of driving into a whole new experience. A good book in the CD, a GPS on the dash...you can't go wrong and you can't miss your target.

A good book is like a good woman...you can read her more than once...no problem.

Bwahahahahahah!!!!!

The Mariners' 1-2-3 rule states that in hurricane forecasting, the approximate margin of error at 100, 200, and 300 miles over 24, 48, and 72 hours, which results in a "danger area" in which a hurricane might strike. If you believe this...you don't want to be anywhere near the Gulf of Mexico for the next several days.

Anyway, this will be some bad weather.

I've been sailing in steady 55 MPH with 75 MPH, or more, gusts...it wasn't fun, but it was exciting. Not something I would recommend...I always tell the truth, and I'm telling you I was actually frightened. Thought my ass might die. Swear to the Maker.

When I tell this story, I always refer to it as my own private hurricane, but in reality, it was nothing compared to the real deal. I'm not trying to be cheesy, but it was a life experience for me. I truly thought I might die. When we finally docked the boat, I kissed her hull. She was named Voodoo Too. We were lucky.

You do not fuck with Mother Nature. Trust me on this one.

...a nice hole

Bwahahahahahahahahah!!!

I can't believe I just said that.

Why would anyone want to go here

I have no idea!

I'm putting together a Blog Meet in The Land of Fire....aka Tierra del Fuego.

If you're interested...contact me...we're gonna have a good time.

Heading to New York for several days...I have no idea where I'm going, but my GPS does...should.

I think...therefore, I really don't care.

...for a few days.

Latitude: 33" 41' 20"

Longitude: -78" 53' 12"

Gotta put some bread on the table.

I took this when I was about 50,000 feet above Greenland. That was a great trip. I said to the flight attendant,"Give me another Bloody ... I feel like I'm on a satellite."

She did...

Rube does it at 96.32 MPH...cool with me.

I'm going where it's snowing.

My beautiful wife has a gig in D.C., and all I have to do (while she's engaged) is tour museums for a week. I love that shit.

I have a couple of friends and their wives meeting me, so we'll do some history by day and have a nice dinner every night.

Could be worse.

It is a subject that is bound to stir the pulses of any man one talks seriously to about, for in this age of inventive wonders all men have come to believe that in some genius' brain sleeps the solution of the grand problem of aerial navigation--and along with that belief is the hope that that genius will reveal his miracle before they die, and likewise a dread that he will poke off somewhere and die himself before he finds out that he has such a wonder lying dormant in his brain.

- Letter from Mark Twain, San Francisco Alta California, August 1, 1869

Got in around midnight...Ass worn out.

More later.

Yesterday, I boarded a turboprop, with six other people, for a short 17-minute hop to Philadelphia. I was on that damn plane for a total of 165 minutes. Ground Stop in Philly due to some really bad weather. While in Ground Stop, one of the six curled a major steamie, with some major aroma. One of those, “been up all night drinking and eating lots of garlic” steamers. He was definitely embarrassed, and apologized. It was awful, but what can you say? Shit happens.

After we touch down in Philly, we waited for a clear gate for another hour due to some dim-witted regulation that states if there is lightning anywhere within about a hundred mile radius (exaggeration), the ground crews can’t work the planes…coming or going. Damn unions I’m sure.

Inside the terminal, it was pure pandemonium…the place was packed…people were pissed…adults screaming, kids crying, and some pushing and shoving. The police were out in force…with dogs. I’ve done a lot of flying in my time, and I can’t remember anything like this. EVERY flight was either delayed or cancelled. Some people had been there over 24 hours. The bars were running out of beer. People were trying to change flights just to get anywhere near their final destination, so they could rent a car and drive home. All the data ports were in use, so I had my wife on the phone in the Brier Patch, sitting at a computer mapquesting directions for these unfortunate souls. My phone was being passed around like a collection plate on Sunday. Good thing I had a full clip.

Two groups of people, one headed for New York, and the other for North Carolina, are gathered at the gate when the plane, which is way late, taxies in. The staff didn’t know which one it was…anticipation…this was the last flight of the day going south, and I had more than my fingers crossed. No way I needed to be stuck in Philly. When the announcement was made the plane would be going down hill, the New York crowd went ballistic. It was not pretty.

Once airborne, we climbed to 27K for the ride home, and weaved between thunder-boomers that topped out at about 40K. The light show was reminiscent of midnight on 12/31/99. Absolutely beautiful, in a scary sort of way. The flight attendant hit the ceiling once, and the drinks were flying, more screaming, and some panic. Damn near knocked her silly, but she recovered and went into “calm these idiots down” mode.

What a day, and what a ride.

By the way, the airline was U.S. Scare.

For anyone interested in this and this, I've changed the "Countdown" on my left sidebar to reflect real-time.

Time to square up and jump on the train...this is going to be a good time.

Seriously!

Yesterday, I did 500 miles in 7 hours with 1 gas, and 3 (long) puppy stops.

So, we averaged about 81 MPH.

Not bad, eh?

We were booking it.

Another 5-day weekend, for us, starts tomorrow. We’re going to load up Stretch, and hit the road. The plan is to sneak his long ass into whatever overnight accommodations we might require. This should be interesting.

Be back later.

The last time we were in Nawlins, we were walking down Bourbon Street at dusk, and all of a sudden I was body slammed, and found myself in a bear hug, crashing through the doors to some sleazy ass bar. I thought I had a major problem. As it turned out, I didn’t.

The guy who captured me was a friend I went to high school with, and hadn’t seen in a long long time. We had a magnificent time, but I’m sorry to say…he is now in prison.

I have some great friends.

Usually, we take a nice "out of the country - need a passport" trip every year. This year, we decided to take a bunch of five-day weekends instead.

So far, it's looking good.

Travel is good for the soul, and it doesn’t matter where you go...but, it does matter where and who you end up with.

I'm just saying.

My car is equipped with a rain sensor, which activates the windshield wiper as needed. I spent 6.5 hours on I-40, I-85, I-77, I-26, and I-95 today, and the wiper never stopped.

Absolutely, the worst road trip I’ve had in a while.

I want a cold beverage.

...especially over water.

A technical glitch? Who knows, but it takes balls to continue on with this. You do not want to run out of gas halfway between Japan and Hawaii.

…the crew had been forced to assume that 2,600 pounds of the original 18,100 pounds of fuel "disappeared" early in the flight…

Disappeared? Where’d it go? His inflight systems are probably running some flavor of Microsoft Windows, which might just get his ass kilt dead.

Godspeed!

This is for anyone who lives in Atlanta, who has ever lived in Atlanta, has visited Atlanta, ever plans to visit Atlanta, knows anyone who lives in Atlanta, knows anyone who has ever visited Atlanta or anyone who has ever heard of Atlanta, Georgia.

I'm cool with this, but how many people can it really carry after the gym, bar, beauty parlor, and casino are installed?

I don't know about you, but after I work out, have a few beers, and then get my hair done, I'm ready to land. Forget about the Craps.

I wouldn't miss this for anything.

I'm there, but I'm bringing my puppy anyway.

I did not meet the mission parameters, so I failed.

It was wishful thinking, to start with.

I was forced by Hurricanes past, to take a more circuitous route. Both lanes of I-40 east are still gone, which meant we had to take the “old” road across the mountains (or sit still in one lane of uphill traffic for an hour). Beautiful drive, but slow. At least we were moving. Also, my 8:00 pm curfew on liquid consumption the night before was ineffective (ignored); I guess, when you must go, you must go. I can’t argue that, but why would I?

Three stops…two for bladder maintenance, and one for gas. I couldn’t make it on one tank, but I was booking it all the same. It was close, yet she (my wife) refused to use the bucket.

Anyway, we made it safe in 5 hours and 50 minutes, which means I owe Velociman a sawbuck.

I swear if I-40 E was a clean shot…I could do it easy.

Tomorrow, I'm going to attempt to do 400 miles in 5 hours. I'm not sure I can do it on one tank; it'll be close. I've already informed Brer Wife that she isn't allowed to drink anything after 8:00 pm. tonight.

I'll have a bucket onboard, just is case.

On the right side, if you’re looking north,...is where I'm celebrating everything. It could be worse.

The weather is perfect, the company is good, and I have no complaints.

No Worries.

There is more to this than meets the eye. There is no way these cancellations and delays were caused by the storm that spanked Ohio a few days ago. No way the storm crashed Comair's computer system that manages flight assignments.

Storms don't crash computer systems.

No way... Look at the timing...

Something else was going on.

I'm just saying.

I'll be traveling for the next four or five days, but I'll be checking in.

My wife and I love to travel, and last year we went to extremes. We went to Iceland, and then to Anguilla in the British West Indies. Night and Day I’m telling you.

I bought her a high performance German ride, which she didn’t like; so she gave it back to me. She’s a truck-driving woman. Anyway, not only is my new ride fun to drive, it’s comfortable, the perfect “road trip” car. I’ve got most of the bells figured out, but not the whistles. I’m ready for a shakedown cruise, so to speak.

We’re thinking a couple of “no rush” road trips might work.

The New England bed and breakfast tour? Cival War Battlefields? Beautiful country, but those folks talk funny.

The eastern coast from NC, SC, to Savannah, St. Augustine, and then FL, AL, MS (southern route) following the coast to New Orleans? New Orleans is the Catdaddy!

Or, we could break for the Prairies.

We’re thinking these will be about eight - ten days each, so we can’t realistically go west of the Mississippi. Too bad, I’ve done that, and it is spectacular.

Any ideas?

But then again, we might go to Euorpe, or Austrailia.

Heading to the beach with an Icelandic lamb. Well, not the whole lamb, but a leg.

Y'all have a safe holiday.

Cheers !

I passed through the ATL airport earlier this week for the millionth time, and it still sucks.

But, one good opportunity presented itself.

I was able to pick up the tab of some soldiers attached to THE BIG RED 1.

It made my day.

Yesterday:

I’m ready to go home land. I’m sitting in an exit row (not that it matters) in a M80 (cattle car) on final. The landing gear is down. We are LOW (like almost on the ground) …when all of a sudden, the pilot gooses it, raises the gear, banks left, and we begin to gain altitude.

INTERCOM: “Sorry folks, but they’ve got a problem with an aircraft on the runway; so we’ve executed what is known as a missed approach…so we’re going back around.”

Twenty minutes later, I heard the wheels squeal.

Damn…I’m here.

I’ve never been…I think I’ll go next week.

Might as well.

I need another refrigerator magnet.

Heading for the beach.

I’ve flown a gazillion times in my life, and never been diverted because of weather…and (I mean) I’ve flown through some badass storms, and had some bumpy ass rides.

Yesterday, I left AUS for a short flight to DFW. No problem. We took off from DFW heading for RDU. About 10 minutes from our scheduled touchdown in RDU, the pilot announces we’re in a holding pattern. “We’ve got some weather.” Now, I live about 50 miles from RDU, and by my calculations, I figure we’re circling right over my house. If I had bailed out, I would have probably landed in my back yard.

Anyway, after about 30 minutes of flying the pattern, the pilot announces that RDU is still closed, so we’re going to turn around and go to CLT. What he meant to say was, “People, I’m way low on gas, and I need to land this fucker pretty quick.” We’re about 10 minutes out, from CLT, and the pilot announces that we’ve “got some more weather, and we’ve been vectored again”. We did laps for a short time, at low altitude, and finally landed. We taxied to the gate, and an announcement was made that anyone who wanted to get off the plane could, but the airline was in no way responsible for transportation from CLT to RDU. Several people took ‘em up on that. At least they let us use our cell phones.

After three hours at the gate, and many more announcements, one of which said “We’ve got some gas now” (I knew I was right), we took off for RDU and landed without incident.

It was a hell of a day…funny thing though…we never experienced any turbulence at all.

I guess they don’t take any chances, and the radar is much better now.

No big deal…I’m home.

to Texas...to a place equidistant from Austin and San Antonio.

I hope the trip is successful. Setting up servers using an operating system that sounds like it was named after a bunch of guys with no nuts.

It could be worse...could be dealing with Windows.

Seriously, *NIX is the Catdaddy!!!

I just returned from a small Delaware beach town where the traffic is horrible this time of year. Thirty-minute miles. No turning lanes. It doesn’t matter which direction you are heading; if your destination is on the left, you can’t get there.

When you ask a local for directions, they say, “Go to here, and circle back”.

Like politics, the Left just keeps circling around; the only way to get where you need to be is from the Right.

When I awoke this morning I was 47. Now I’m 48, and I’m not talking about years of age…I’m talking about states I’ve visited in the continental United States.

Right now, I’m on an Atlantic beach in Delaware (48 out of 48), and it feels good. When I was a kid, I thought how “fascinating” it would be to travel to every state. I never thought I would do it, and technically speaking, I haven’t…but, I do have the “continental 48 down”. I’ve been to many countries in the past, but never to the state of Alaska or Hawaii. Obviously, I just telegraphed my next targets.

By the way, I just ate the best crab cakes I’ve ever had…they were gooooood!!!

And if you want to travel to a “different planet on Earth”, I recommend Iceland.

Acidman, you just missed it.

You've got to read this, and follow the links.

This guy is crazy has balls.

Heading for the beach.

Everyone have a good weekend.

You know, I have a problem with the politics of France. A huge problem, but that’s for another post.

I’ve traveled in France, and it is beautiful. I’ve been to Cherbourg, Parris, Lyon, Bordeaux, and the Mustard city, to name a few. I’ve seen many small villages, and more grape vines than you can imagine. The south of France is magnificent.

Fontainebleau is incredible, and the Louvre…you could ride horses down the halls. Very impressive.

The drive to Switzerland through the French Alps will take your breath away. Man, that’s some tall hills.

I have many stories about my travels, not only in France. Maybe I should commit them to this blog, that is, if I could write. I could produce volumes about France alone. I’m lucky I made it out of there.

Did I ever tell you about the time I was in Rudesheim…?

Jack, who is now living in France, has some great recent photos.

Gwen - Meet KEY

This was too comfortable to read.

We had it all to ourselves.

This was Sweet!!!

Coming home from the Islands, I experienced a 70-degree temperature change in five hours.

I'm telling you - that will whack anybody out....

I leave there (the path to the grill) in the morning,

and arrive here (home) in the evening,

I'm not bitchin', it could be worse.

I’m heading to the islands for a while.

In my absence, my good friend and virtual sweetie, KEY MONROE will be holding down the fort.

Y'all come see what she has to say – you won’t be disappointed.

Also, everyone on my blogroll is worth reading.

I’m outta here.

Cool Runnings!!!

...or do you ride or drive a scooter? You don't drive a horse, do you?

I have two options for transportation on the small island I'm heading for.

A horse or a scooter?

I’ve always wanted to pull up to a Reggae or Calypso Bar on a damn horse, but then again, you don’t have to feed a scooter.

We have a jeep as well.

Damn, I think I’ll do both. I’ve never ridden either one into the ocean. Not true for a vehicle though – but that’s another story.

We’re having a “meet up” (ten of us – five couples) on a small island, only 17 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point, in the British West Indies. Highest elevation is 170 feet. Much of it is still uninhabited with excellent opportunities for anything, and I’m telling you, anything means everything; at least with my bunch.

Damn, my kind of place. We’re going to have a good time!

Via Kim du Toit

Here's where I've been and not been.

I once attempted to drive up the coast from San Diego to Alaska, and we made it as far as the Yukon. That was a good trip. Never tried to drive to Hawaii. I've got to hit Vermont during a Fall, and Delaware if I ever incorporate.

This is a Beautiful Country.

Generate your own map here.

If you'll check my "Countdown" on the left sidebar, you'll know why. I'm ready for some Limbo in La La Land. You know – the kind with the stick…

I'm so fortunate - I've got great friends.

Ten of us are having a "Meet Up" in the British West Indies, for ten days.

…and, all the girls get along with each other...all the boys get along with each other...all the girls get along with all the boys...and all the boys get along with all the girls.

We're going to have a GOOD time.

I was traveling with two lady friends in Europe. We were in London, (we�d been pub crawling all day) riding in the lower level of a big Red Double Decker bus, and I had to go � know what I mean?

I told the bus driver, �you need to stop and let me off; I need the loo bad - now.�

He said, �no, you have to wait until my next stop.� I asked again and received the same response.

Fortunately, there was no one seated in the back (not that it would've mattered). I went aft past the passengers, anchored each leg against a seat � whipped it out and cut loose.

Well, guess what? He stopped that damn bus, and he was pissed. Excuse the pun.

I hit the back door with my two friends in tow, ran around the corner and disappeared into the first pub we came across and ordered some more pints.

The way I see it; I had two options, and the first one was unacceptable.

Just in case you've ever wondered:

The de-icing fluid used on aircraft is pink.

The anti-icing fluid used is lime green.

First, you de-ice, then you anti-ice, then you're late.

I guess it's better to be late than dead.

I was thinking about doing a post on "Road Tripping". Not anymore.

You gotta read this.

Thanks Jim - well done. Well done indeed.

I've flown in one of these.

My first plane ride was on the last flight one of these made. It was an American Airlines flight from Nashville, TN to Louisville, KY.

I was very young, but I remember it.

Not that it matters, but I'm outta here for a few days.

Have a good weekend.

Sam

This was one of the most physically demanding excursions I've ever attempted.

Several years ago, when I was in much better physical condition, some friends and I arrived at the rim of the Grand Canyon. I've got to tell you, that is one big ass ditch.

It was an afternoon in August when we decided to descend that night, and ascend the following day. Sixteen miles round trip, no problem. This was a bad decision.

How we made it to the river, I'll never know. We were drinking beer all the way down, and hiking down in the dark is dangerous. You are history if you stumble over the edge of a switchback. At the bottom, we had some more warm beverages, did some stargazing, went skinny-dipping, and made breakfast.

At about mid morning, we headed back for the rim, and it was Hot. Really really Hot. About half way up, we were all in pretty bad shape. We'd already discarded most of our supplies due to weight, refilled the wine sacks with water, and bummed salt tablets from passing hikers. Yeap, we never considered that one.

At about the two-thirds mark, we were becoming delirious and I thought I was dying. To save distance, we decided to climb the switchbacks instead of hiking them. The first one I climbed, I came face to face with about twenty rattlesnakes, and I busted my ass making my escape. We kept walking.

At about the three quarters mark we happened upon a Park Ranger with a donkey. One of us could barely stand, and needed to be evacuated. The Ranger agreed, so we strapped his ass on the donkey, and off they went.

The rest of us continued on, discovered a pool with a waterfall, and immediately dove in. This resulted in all of us developing some mysterious skin spots that lasted for a year or more.

We made it up and out, but after I took the last step over the rim, all of the muscles in both my legs cramped, and I collapsed. That hurt, and I was sore for a long time.

When it's 120+ degrees - never, ever, hike eight miles uphill.

That was stupid, but I’ve never seen so many stars.

I used to go to Sacramento on business quite often. I finally figured out how to do it right. Instead of flying to SAC, I'd fly to Chicago (Midway), and get on the California Zephyr. Well that's not exactly true, it's not the Zephyr yet, it is just the train. It departs at 2:40 in the afternoon, does Iowa and Nebraska at night, and arrives in Denver at dawn. Once you've seen a mile of those two states, you've seen it all. Anyway, the train is watered, and then begins to slowly chug up and over the Rockies. High enough, the snow never melts. Then, your hauling ass downhill for Salt Lake City. The train arrives at dusk, it is watered again, more engines are brought forth and they split it into three trains. The train station in Salt Lake is very close to the Mormon Tabernacle, and if you've never seen it glowing at night, you are missing a beautiful sight.

The first third of the train (now the California Zephyr) presses forward across the High Sierra to SAC and San Francisco. The middle (now the Desert Wind) heads for Las Vegas and terminates in the city of Angels. Problem is, all the Angels out there left along time ago. The tail end (now the Pioneer) heads north for Seattle.

This is a great way to see the country, on the company. Don't take me wrong - I do not cheat on expenses, but when I was doing my "train tripping", you could purchase a ticket for the same price as a one way ticket to SAC. I might have kicked in a little (and I mean a little) personal cash, but it was well worth it. You get, a private "room" with two bunk beds, windows that open, a semi private head, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner - cruise ship style. Two seatings, early and late. Also, the Bar Car. It is transparent, open 24 hours, has a live band, and is just very very cool. Set up for maximum sightseeing.

It's about as much traveling fun you can have in 53 hours, and you will be Mooned!

This is a beautiful country, and I love it!

I was flying out of Atlanta yesterday and encountered this stupidity.

Sir, your bag has been randomly selected for X-Ray. Fine.
Do you have any film? No.
Do you have any sharp objects? No
Do you have a weapon? No.
Have a great day. Thanks.

Do you have a weapon? How stupid is this? What was I going to say? "Well yes, actually I do." "My can of shaving cream is really an aerosol version of the Ebola virus"

Anyway, they were herding people through the security checkpoints like cattle at an auction. There is no way, NO WAY, they could catch everything. I heard one screener tell another "we done jis gotta move em' thru - we's got a backlog build up". The other screener "I's fixin to go on break".

This is ridiculous, there has to be a better way. Maybe we should make it mandatory for all applicants to the FBI, ATF, Border Patrol, local Police departments, etc., to do a stint with airport security. Or, get serious about it and do it like Israel.

The fact is the majority of these people are dumber than a box of rocks.

Rush Hour + I-285 N + Rain = NIGHTMARE

And there you have it. I cannot believe I lived there as long as I did.

You know what really aggravates me about flying? It's the storage space above the seats. I believe when you purchase a ticket, you also "rent" a percentage of the "storage space" which correlates to the number of seats below. Two seats - 50%, for example.

I can't tell you how many times I've boarded an aircraft (with a seat in the front (fore)) and all of the storage is taken. The benefit of sitting fore is you get to disembark first, unless some idiot sitting in the back (aft) has used your space. Then you have to take your luggage aft and store it above the idiot who stole your space. This means you have to wait until everyone has left the plane before you can retrieve your bag, which defeats the purpose of sitting fore. This has caused me to miss connections as well.

Speaking of connections: If the flight is late, why don't they allow everyone in danger of missing their connection to get off the damn plane first. Not doing this has also caused me to miss connections.

You might say, "check your luggage". I say, "it's a pain in the ass and you shouldn't have to because someone steals your space".

Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe - pick a seat we gotta go.

I feel better now