Photo courtesy of http://perotcharts.com/
Enough Said.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I Hate Change....
I'm a little frustrated with American Airlines right now. I had to change seats three times today in an effort to adjust the weight distribution on an ATR-72 on my return flight leg from DFW to LIT. Three times. I started in 17B - the back row - which is really the front row considering the plane exits through the rear. Yes, I picked that seat intentionally so I could get off first but now I realize it matters not which seat you select because you are subject to being moved.
How high are the chances you'll be moved? I'm 2 for 2 as of today. You see, last week I also had to fly on this royal POS plane and was instructed to move then also. That time I started off at the front of the aircraft and was asked to move to the rear because of weight distribution.
I'm starting to think the flight attendant picks on me (really several of us had to move - 6 last week and today something like 5 then 8 then 5 again) because of my (cough, cough) weight. The captain calls the flight attendant on the phone and says we need "about 6 people to move from the rear to the front because we are tail-stand" and she spots me and thinks "he's got to move - that'll certainly help" and I get the finger. Literally. Today I got pointed at 3 times to move. I started complaining on the second finger-wag and she completely ignored my protest. The third time I inquired with an obvious question - why not let everyone get seated and all the luggage loaded and THEN decide how much weight (how many fat people?) to move? Might make a little more sense than bouncing the same fat guys all over the plane. But she was just following orders.
So why this plane? Why now? Last week the flight attendant sat near me and we chatted about the plane. That would be the nice flight attendant - not the evil, finger-wagging, ignoring automaton from today. I've ridden on the ATR-72 in the past - way back there. The one I was on last week looked ancient inside. She said that the peak DFW to LIT routes need more seats and the plane that had been on that route, an ERJ-145, only seated 50. This ATR-72 seats 72. Of course, I was perfectly fine with the ERJ because it was a 1x3 seat configuration and I could always land a seat on the 1 side. Having (cough, cough) wide shoulders (yeah, that's it) it's nicer for me. Plus, I really don't like people all that much and sitting as close as you do in those side-by-side seats really makes me ill. I'm not to the point of wearing a mask like a lady I saw today on another leg but close.
What else stinks about the ATR-72? How about it being a twin turbo prop? That take-off is anything but smooth. It's choppy with a wobble and that weightless feeling on and off while it climbs. Puke. Not at all like a jet.
And what chaps me more than anything - I have several of these already booked. Yeah, I had no idea. I thought I was booking a CRJ.
Oh, it's also slower in the air and so my 58 minute flight is now something like 75 minutes. Bummer.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tax Day Tomorrow
There are a lot of blogs and articles out there about taxes, fiscal responsibility, and the like. When considering the bleak financial outlook of our country, I get a sick feeling. I honestly believe some dramatic changes are necessary. Continuing to widen the base of the pyramid by expanding tax cuts and growing the number of Americans paying no income tax from 40% to 50% is not a wise move.
I like the concept outlined by Ari Fleischer here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123958260423012269.html
If you pay taxes, you'll find the statistics about how much the base has widened even under GWB from 2001 to 2005 interesting considering how we're told only the upper class received tax cuts during his Presidency. If you don't pay taxes, you probably won't like the article or Fleischer's suggestions.
President Obama has been preaching that the wealthy should be paying their "fair share" of taxes. Sounds good as he reads it from a teleprompter and sounds all Robin Hoodish and all but he cleverly doesn't define what "fair share" actually means. Currently 10% of Americans pays 70% of the taxes. Fleischer asks should it be 75% or maybe 95%? I wonder where it ends. I think we collapse before it gets there. What do you think?
I like the concept outlined by Ari Fleischer here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123958260423012269.html
If you pay taxes, you'll find the statistics about how much the base has widened even under GWB from 2001 to 2005 interesting considering how we're told only the upper class received tax cuts during his Presidency. If you don't pay taxes, you probably won't like the article or Fleischer's suggestions.
President Obama has been preaching that the wealthy should be paying their "fair share" of taxes. Sounds good as he reads it from a teleprompter and sounds all Robin Hoodish and all but he cleverly doesn't define what "fair share" actually means. Currently 10% of Americans pays 70% of the taxes. Fleischer asks should it be 75% or maybe 95%? I wonder where it ends. I think we collapse before it gets there. What do you think?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
"Shoddy and fraudulent pharmacy products..."
That's how January Payne describes Phenergan in her article in U.S. News and World Report.
Sigh.
This drug, promethazine, has been around for over 50 years. Wyeth received FDA approval in the early 1950's. It can hardly be called a "shoddy and fraudulent pharmacy product" and clearly the author of that article didn't do her research.
What happened to Diane Levine is tragic. You can read more about it here. Is she a victim? Yes. Should Wyeth have done more to warn against harm from arterial administration? You decide. I'll provide you with the warning labels below. First though, I wonder if the hospital/clinic, physician and PA involved in the initial "IV Push" were named in the suit? It seems to me they are just as liable, if not more so, than Wyeth. Maybe their pockets aren't as deep? You can never carry enough professional liability insurance. When I graduated I thought $1million/$3million was a bunch. Ha.
Ok. Here are the existing warnings:
Under “Injection Site Reactions”:
PHENERGAN Injection can cause severe chemical irritation and damage to tissues, regardless of the route of administration. Irritation and damage can also result from perivascular extravasation, unintended intra-arterial injection, and intraneuronal or perineuronal infiltration.
Signs, Symptoms, and manifestations of severe tissue irritation include burning, pain, erythema, swelling, severe spasm of distal vessels, thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis, phlebitis, abscesses, tissue necrosis, and gangrene. Administration of PHENERGAN Injection has resulted in nerve damage ranging from temporary sensory loss to palsies and paralysis. Injection into or near a nerve may result in permanent tissue damage. In some cases, surgical intervention (including fasciotomy, skin graft, and/or amputation) may be required (see ADVERSE REACTIONS).
Inadvertent Intra-Arterial Injection
Due to the close proximity of arteries and veins in the areas most commonly used for intravenous injection, extreme care should be exercised to avoid perivascular extravasation or unintentional intra-arterial injection. Reports compatible with unintentional intra-arterial injection of PHENERGAN Injection, usually in conjunction with other drugs intended for intravenous use suggest that pain, severe chemical irritation, severe spasm of distal vessels, and resultant gangrene requiring amputation are likely under such circumstances. Intravenous injection was intended in all the cases reported but perivascular extravasation or arterial placement of the needle is now suspect. There is no proven successful management of unintentional intra-arterial injection or perivascular extravasation after it occurs. Sympathetic block and heparanization have been employed during the acute management of unintentional intra-arterial injection, because of the results of animal experiments with other known arteriolar irritants. Aspiration of dark blood does not preclude intra-arterial needle placement, because blood is discolored upon contact with PHENERGAN Injection. Use of syringes with rigid plungers or of small-bore needles might obscure typical arterial backflow if this is relied upon alone.When used intravenously, PHENERGAN Injection should be given in a concentration of no greater than 25 mg per mL, and at a rate not to exceed 25 mg per minute. When administering any irritant drug intravenously, it is usually preferable to inject it through the tubing of an intravenous infusion set that is known to be functioning satisfactorily. In the event that a patient complains of pain during intended intravenous injection of PHENERGAN Injection, the injection should be stopped immediately to provide for evaluation of possible arterial placement or perivascular extravasation.
Under “Adverse Reactions”:
INTRA-ARTERIAL INJECTION MAY RESULT IN GANGRENE OF THE AFFECTED EXTREMITY.
Under “Dosage and Administration”:
The preferred parenteral route of administration for PHENERGAN Injection is by deep intramuscular injection. The proper intravenous administration of this product is well tolerated, but use of this route is not without some hazard. Not for subcutaneous administration.
UNINTENTIONAL INTRA-ARTERIAL INJECTION CAN RESULT IN GANGRENE OF THE AFFECTED EXTREMITY (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS—Injection Site Reactions). SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION IS CONTRAINDICATED, AS IT MAY RESULT IN TISSUE NECROSIS (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS—Injection Site Reactions, and ADVERSE REACTIONS).
I just don't see how Wyeth could have done more. Again, this drug has been around for decades. It's been administered tens of millions of times I'm sure. I know I've dispensed it both oral and IM/IV.
I'm not a big proponent of shielding drug companies from common-law liability suits but this is bordering on ridiculous. As Erik Gordon, an analyst and professor at University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, put it "This is like blood in the water for plaintiff lawyer sharks."
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Watch D.O.G.S.
Today I served as a Watch D.O.G. at my daughter's elementary school. The Watch D.O.G.S. program is outlined here and the D.O.G.S. stands for Dads Of Great Students. There's also a nice article and video here at ABC News.
I had a great time and it was nice to serve in that capacity. I was surprised to see such a detailed agenda as I was booked down to the minute with probably 20 or so activities throughout the day. I got to assist with reading fluency, mathematics, observe during recess, patrol and monitor the buildings and property, and spend time with my daughter during lunch.
Some observations I took away...
I had a great time and it was nice to serve in that capacity. I was surprised to see such a detailed agenda as I was booked down to the minute with probably 20 or so activities throughout the day. I got to assist with reading fluency, mathematics, observe during recess, patrol and monitor the buildings and property, and spend time with my daughter during lunch.
Some observations I took away...
- Teachers deserve more respect. Especially teachers who can keep their sanity while working with the very young. There's no doubt I would be exhausted doing that every day. I was there for 8 hours and probably spent 4 hours in classrooms and that was enough for me to see that it takes a special person.
- There are very few men in that elementary school (in fact, there are none employed there) and the kids seemed to like having a Watch D.O.G. hanging out. I was asked lots of questions throughout the day. Best question: "Is your name really Mr. Freeze?" followed by "Do you know Batman?"
- School food has improved since I was in elementary school. Today was cheese pizza, small salad (heavy on the cucumbers), red grapes (yum), and a marshmallow crisp washed down with some milk. Not bad for $2.50. And the lunch ladies aren't nearly as scary as I remember....
Friday, February 27, 2009
Not In Kansas Anymore....
.... thank God.
It has been a busy week. Being busy usually makes time seem to go by fast but not this time. I'm just glad it's over. TGIF and all that.
I flew to Wichita, KS on business and stayed at the airport Hilton. I usually try to get something more along the lines of a Hilton Garden Inn or, in a pinch, a Hampton Inn. I actually like these better and my employer likes the cost savings. In this instance, however, the others were booked even though I tried reserving over a month in advance.
My stay at this Hilton simply affirmed my feelings toward the HGI and even Hampton Inn's. Despite being placed on the concierge level with access to food and snacks 24/7, it's just not worth the money. Who needs turn-down service, anyway? I would feel lazy accepting that service. I quickly shooed the lady away. Good thing I was still dressed as she barged into my room at 9pm the first night. A curt knock and then I could hear the electronic buzz as she had swiped her access card. The door opened before I could look up from my laptop. The second night I hung the "leave me alone" sign on the door handle outside the room and latched the deadbolt and bar just in case she felt like the sign didn't pertain to her. Sheesh.
It also didn't help that the walls were very thin and I could hear commodes flush, various bodily noises (coughing, sneezing, etc), doors slamming, and so on unless I turned the TV up to a moderate level. After hearing how noisy it was on my "secluded" level, I noticed the wall thickness wasn't much thicker than the door. Certainly not standard wall thickness. The building looked pretty old, too, so maybe that's it. The name of the integrated restaurant, "Legends", even seems to lend to the age of this "joint". I certainly couldn't recommend staying at this location.
Disclaimer: For any co-workers who might read this, the room rate differential wasn't excessive and I was upgraded to the concierge level due to the HHonors level I've attained over the years. Besides, there weren't any other options aside from a sleep-cheap (sorry but NOPE) or a more expensive Marriott.
Other travel events this week: the rental car scenario at the Wichita airport (ICT) stinks. With the exception of the very small airports, National maintains an Emerald Club Aisle allowing members to bypass the counter and select a car of their choice. Members who rent frequently can attain Executive and Executive Elite status and pick from the nicer vehicles. This is tossed out the window at smaller airports and you get what they give you. I'm sure they are supposed to use status and assign from their fleet appropriately but it doesn't always work for your benefit. For me, I like to drive different cars. I'm going to pass over the Mustang and Malibu if I see a Jetta on the isle. I'll pick the Tundra or a Saturn Aura over the Volvo's. What did I get this time? An Impala. Yawn. The only redeeming quality in this rental was the new car smell.
The HVAC was apparently broken on the CRJ for the last leg of my trip - DFW to LIT yesterday. It was mid-80's in DFW and the large metal tube was getting hotter and hotter. From my vantage point in 13B, I could see hand after hand reaching up to touch the air vent as if somehow it might have spun shut on them while they weren't looking. It's common for the air flow to fluctuate while at the gate and taxiing to the runway but the airflow remained weak to nonexistent throughout the flight. It was pretty miserable. I've thought about emailing American Airlines and complaining. Might be good for a few hundred miles. :) At least the flight attendant was nice. Being PLT I got a refill on my water. Woohoo!
It has been a busy week. Being busy usually makes time seem to go by fast but not this time. I'm just glad it's over. TGIF and all that.
I flew to Wichita, KS on business and stayed at the airport Hilton. I usually try to get something more along the lines of a Hilton Garden Inn or, in a pinch, a Hampton Inn. I actually like these better and my employer likes the cost savings. In this instance, however, the others were booked even though I tried reserving over a month in advance.
My stay at this Hilton simply affirmed my feelings toward the HGI and even Hampton Inn's. Despite being placed on the concierge level with access to food and snacks 24/7, it's just not worth the money. Who needs turn-down service, anyway? I would feel lazy accepting that service. I quickly shooed the lady away. Good thing I was still dressed as she barged into my room at 9pm the first night. A curt knock and then I could hear the electronic buzz as she had swiped her access card. The door opened before I could look up from my laptop. The second night I hung the "leave me alone" sign on the door handle outside the room and latched the deadbolt and bar just in case she felt like the sign didn't pertain to her. Sheesh.
It also didn't help that the walls were very thin and I could hear commodes flush, various bodily noises (coughing, sneezing, etc), doors slamming, and so on unless I turned the TV up to a moderate level. After hearing how noisy it was on my "secluded" level, I noticed the wall thickness wasn't much thicker than the door. Certainly not standard wall thickness. The building looked pretty old, too, so maybe that's it. The name of the integrated restaurant, "Legends", even seems to lend to the age of this "joint". I certainly couldn't recommend staying at this location.
Disclaimer: For any co-workers who might read this, the room rate differential wasn't excessive and I was upgraded to the concierge level due to the HHonors level I've attained over the years. Besides, there weren't any other options aside from a sleep-cheap (sorry but NOPE) or a more expensive Marriott.
Other travel events this week: the rental car scenario at the Wichita airport (ICT) stinks. With the exception of the very small airports, National maintains an Emerald Club Aisle allowing members to bypass the counter and select a car of their choice. Members who rent frequently can attain Executive and Executive Elite status and pick from the nicer vehicles. This is tossed out the window at smaller airports and you get what they give you. I'm sure they are supposed to use status and assign from their fleet appropriately but it doesn't always work for your benefit. For me, I like to drive different cars. I'm going to pass over the Mustang and Malibu if I see a Jetta on the isle. I'll pick the Tundra or a Saturn Aura over the Volvo's. What did I get this time? An Impala. Yawn. The only redeeming quality in this rental was the new car smell.
The HVAC was apparently broken on the CRJ for the last leg of my trip - DFW to LIT yesterday. It was mid-80's in DFW and the large metal tube was getting hotter and hotter. From my vantage point in 13B, I could see hand after hand reaching up to touch the air vent as if somehow it might have spun shut on them while they weren't looking. It's common for the air flow to fluctuate while at the gate and taxiing to the runway but the airflow remained weak to nonexistent throughout the flight. It was pretty miserable. I've thought about emailing American Airlines and complaining. Might be good for a few hundred miles. :) At least the flight attendant was nice. Being PLT I got a refill on my water. Woohoo!
Airport Gate Seating
So what's up with the seating at airport gates? I suppose the question should be "what's up with the moronic passengers and how they choose their seat at airport gates?"
Most airport gate seats consist of rows and rows of adjoined seats. Generally, the airport tries to fill the space with as many seats as possible and use these straight rows to do so. The seats are adjoined (I'm sure) to keep people from moving them all around. Moving them not only necessitates the airport having to move them back but I'm sure the seat would wear out sooner if moved frequently. There are exceptions - some small airports have lounge chairs and I have to imagine they replace them frequently. Either that or the small volume of people moving through the airport allows them to use the nicer furniture.
As an observer of human nature who wants more cosmos than chaos in my surroundings, I am disgusted when I arrive at a gate and do a quick scan of the area for my choice of seat. There are those wonderful times when the gate is mostly empty and void of travelers. I now secretly relish those times. However, more often I notice a huge waste in seating due to Seat Hogs.
These Seat Hogs choose their seat so as to take up as many seats as possible. Let me explain. Most people can fit into one seat. It seems to be human nature for people traveling alone (there are those extreme extroverts out there though) to sit one seat apart from the next passenger. So I expect to see every other chair occupied. If the row contains 20 seats then I expect to see seats 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 occupied allowing 10 people to sit. This alone is a huge waste in seating, I admit, but wait till Mr. Seat Hog enters the picture.
Mr. Seat Hog will sit in seat 2 and place a bag, newspaper or other item in seats 1 and 3. The next person coming along might sit in seat 4 but if Seat Hog has placed items in seat 3 that seem obtrusive (large bag or stinky food) then seat 5 is chosen. Such chaos! I see this all the time and I've thought about sitting in seat 1 several times. Just to piss off Mr. Seat Hog. But honestly, I don't think it would have that effect because this Chaos Generator is oblivious to the turmoil he creates.
Other airport gates, such as the B terminal at DFW, have seats positioned in pods of 2-8 seats. I'm sure the extrovert architect or designer that crafted this arrangement felt like everyone wants to sit facing their fellow passengers. Why? So I can see every move they make and they me? It works for the family traveling together but not so much for the singular traveler. As a result, many seats are wasted in these arrangements. I see more people standing along walls or around the gate area than I do people sitting in areas like these. Maybe 33% occupancy. Way to go architect! I get enough of Cozy Seating when actually on the plane, thanks.
So I'm usually left to shake my head in dismay and wonder. If you happen to notice a guy shaking his head with a look of disgust on his face in airports in the south - it might just be me. Please don't take up 4 seats, ok? Don't be a Seat Hog.
Most airport gate seats consist of rows and rows of adjoined seats. Generally, the airport tries to fill the space with as many seats as possible and use these straight rows to do so. The seats are adjoined (I'm sure) to keep people from moving them all around. Moving them not only necessitates the airport having to move them back but I'm sure the seat would wear out sooner if moved frequently. There are exceptions - some small airports have lounge chairs and I have to imagine they replace them frequently. Either that or the small volume of people moving through the airport allows them to use the nicer furniture.
As an observer of human nature who wants more cosmos than chaos in my surroundings, I am disgusted when I arrive at a gate and do a quick scan of the area for my choice of seat. There are those wonderful times when the gate is mostly empty and void of travelers. I now secretly relish those times. However, more often I notice a huge waste in seating due to Seat Hogs.
These Seat Hogs choose their seat so as to take up as many seats as possible. Let me explain. Most people can fit into one seat. It seems to be human nature for people traveling alone (there are those extreme extroverts out there though) to sit one seat apart from the next passenger. So I expect to see every other chair occupied. If the row contains 20 seats then I expect to see seats 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 occupied allowing 10 people to sit. This alone is a huge waste in seating, I admit, but wait till Mr. Seat Hog enters the picture.
Mr. Seat Hog will sit in seat 2 and place a bag, newspaper or other item in seats 1 and 3. The next person coming along might sit in seat 4 but if Seat Hog has placed items in seat 3 that seem obtrusive (large bag or stinky food) then seat 5 is chosen. Such chaos! I see this all the time and I've thought about sitting in seat 1 several times. Just to piss off Mr. Seat Hog. But honestly, I don't think it would have that effect because this Chaos Generator is oblivious to the turmoil he creates.
Other airport gates, such as the B terminal at DFW, have seats positioned in pods of 2-8 seats. I'm sure the extrovert architect or designer that crafted this arrangement felt like everyone wants to sit facing their fellow passengers. Why? So I can see every move they make and they me? It works for the family traveling together but not so much for the singular traveler. As a result, many seats are wasted in these arrangements. I see more people standing along walls or around the gate area than I do people sitting in areas like these. Maybe 33% occupancy. Way to go architect! I get enough of Cozy Seating when actually on the plane, thanks.
So I'm usually left to shake my head in dismay and wonder. If you happen to notice a guy shaking his head with a look of disgust on his face in airports in the south - it might just be me. Please don't take up 4 seats, ok? Don't be a Seat Hog.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Vehicle Safety Inspections....
I started to write more about the stimulus plan today but decided enough was enough. Well, I'll mention just a couple of things. First - I have to wonder and haven't seen too much on this yet - how much of the new spending is going to recur next year? How many of the programs infused with Billion's of extra dollars are going to need that extra income as part of their budget come next year? Hmmm.... this spending is going to be recurring, I'm afraid. Not entirely but a large percent will be. The Medicaid funding, food stamps, etc. I'm sure someone's crunching those numbers as I type this. Secondly, the DJIA dropped to 73xx today - the lowest since the big dip in October. Word is that it was a reaction to some White House comments that maybe the banks need to be privately held for a time until recovery occurs. Scary stuff.
Onward with the other item that has me irritated. Representative Flowers has introduced HB1482 to reinstate vehicle safety inspections in Arkansas.
I would be 100% for this if I thought it would really remove the rolling junk from our roads. I have my doubts because we have a law now requiring auto insurance for every vehicle but I'm constantly hearing about accidents where one vehicle isn't insured. They have to be insured to register annually but what's to keep them from driving illegally or perhaps getting insurance so they can get registered and then canceling?
I can also remember years ago when motor vehicle inspections were required here and the inspection consisted of a 1-minute headlight, taillight, blinker, and wiper check. That is - if you knew where to go. You know - some Bubba you knew who would (wink) (wink) pass you without much involvement.
As I read the bill, I immediately noticed that the inspection station has little incentive to perform a thorough inspection. They can charge no more than $10 for a standard automobile and from that the station has paid $1.50 to the State for the sticker. This station stands to make $8.50/inspection. Not much when mechanic labor is maybe 10-15 times that!
I see two outcomes. They'll either spend 1 minute on the inspection and not do a very good job so that they can do a large volume of inspections or they'll find things wrong and fail the inspection in hopes of selling you a headlight polishing kit or new wipers or new brake pads. Either way = failure for this bill in my not so humble opinion.
You want to know the other thing that stinks about this bill? It wasn't borne out of desire to increase safety on Arkansas roadways. Nope. Instead, it exists as a way to fund a couple of causes. Now before I get attacked - I don't have anything against the three causes (autism, community health centers, and non-Medicare primary retirees). I do have a problem with designing a bill to fund a specific cause but I know that's how politics works. If anything, I think a bill like this ought to fund our roadways. What a mess they are in! I travel A LOT and I don't see much worse. :(
Onward with the other item that has me irritated. Representative Flowers has introduced HB1482 to reinstate vehicle safety inspections in Arkansas.
I would be 100% for this if I thought it would really remove the rolling junk from our roads. I have my doubts because we have a law now requiring auto insurance for every vehicle but I'm constantly hearing about accidents where one vehicle isn't insured. They have to be insured to register annually but what's to keep them from driving illegally or perhaps getting insurance so they can get registered and then canceling?
I can also remember years ago when motor vehicle inspections were required here and the inspection consisted of a 1-minute headlight, taillight, blinker, and wiper check. That is - if you knew where to go. You know - some Bubba you knew who would (wink) (wink) pass you without much involvement.
As I read the bill, I immediately noticed that the inspection station has little incentive to perform a thorough inspection. They can charge no more than $10 for a standard automobile and from that the station has paid $1.50 to the State for the sticker. This station stands to make $8.50/inspection. Not much when mechanic labor is maybe 10-15 times that!
I see two outcomes. They'll either spend 1 minute on the inspection and not do a very good job so that they can do a large volume of inspections or they'll find things wrong and fail the inspection in hopes of selling you a headlight polishing kit or new wipers or new brake pads. Either way = failure for this bill in my not so humble opinion.
You want to know the other thing that stinks about this bill? It wasn't borne out of desire to increase safety on Arkansas roadways. Nope. Instead, it exists as a way to fund a couple of causes. Now before I get attacked - I don't have anything against the three causes (autism, community health centers, and non-Medicare primary retirees). I do have a problem with designing a bill to fund a specific cause but I know that's how politics works. If anything, I think a bill like this ought to fund our roadways. What a mess they are in! I travel A LOT and I don't see much worse. :(
Thursday, February 19, 2009
This weeks travel blurb includes a celebrity sighting....
More than just a sighting. I was fortunate enough to sit in the exit row with Governor Mike Huckabee. I wondered as I used the salutation "Governor" in my greeting if that were the correct thing to do. I know they retain that title forever I suppose or until they get a new one but it seemed a little odd for some reason.
I've ridden on at least one flight with him before and have noticed him in the Houston, Dallas and Little Rock airports numerous times. But this was the first instance for me to actually talk to him since the election. Usually I see him appeasing someone who wants to interject their opinion on him all the while his food is getting cold. Things like that just reaffirm my understanding and opinion that most people are ignorant and/or rude. I tend to think the rudeness comes from their ignorance but what do I know. But I suppose that's the life of a politician much like Hollywood celebrity's have to deal with their paparazzi. It goes with the territory.
My conversation consisted of telling him I liked his show on Fox. It is interesting with the band and the Governor's participation in the band. I especially liked his piece this past weekend where he named the stimulus plan for President Obama. Take a look if you missed it:
On a more serious note he also interviewed Steven Curtis Chapman about the loss of their daughter last summer. Here are the two parts:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Other than that I told him that my wife also loved his show and we had been rooting for him to win the Republican nomination. After that I left him alone. He read a magazine and I imagined he appreciated the quiet time. We could have talked, I'm sure, about the current President, the Democratic Congress, and the Congressional Relief Action Program. I'm sure I would have learned something. I have an idea we'll see more of the Governor in the coming years.
I've ridden on at least one flight with him before and have noticed him in the Houston, Dallas and Little Rock airports numerous times. But this was the first instance for me to actually talk to him since the election. Usually I see him appeasing someone who wants to interject their opinion on him all the while his food is getting cold. Things like that just reaffirm my understanding and opinion that most people are ignorant and/or rude. I tend to think the rudeness comes from their ignorance but what do I know. But I suppose that's the life of a politician much like Hollywood celebrity's have to deal with their paparazzi. It goes with the territory.
My conversation consisted of telling him I liked his show on Fox. It is interesting with the band and the Governor's participation in the band. I especially liked his piece this past weekend where he named the stimulus plan for President Obama. Take a look if you missed it:
On a more serious note he also interviewed Steven Curtis Chapman about the loss of their daughter last summer. Here are the two parts:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Other than that I told him that my wife also loved his show and we had been rooting for him to win the Republican nomination. After that I left him alone. He read a magazine and I imagined he appreciated the quiet time. We could have talked, I'm sure, about the current President, the Democratic Congress, and the Congressional Relief Action Program. I'm sure I would have learned something. I have an idea we'll see more of the Governor in the coming years.
More on the Stupendous Stimulus Spending Plan
The WSJ breaks down into a neat package some of the spending in the Stimulus Spending Plan. You can read about it here.
Right off I see $116,199,000,000 for tax credits: $400 payroll tax credit for workers earning up to $75,000; married couples filing jointly get $800 for income up to $150,000. If you qualify that comes out to about $15 a week for a married couple. Woohoo!
Then there's $90,044,000,000 in Medicaid spending. I guess that'll stimulate more people to work? Or is this, along with the $19,991,000,000 to bolster food stamps by 13%, preparation for those who are about to be out of work?
Perhaps the $7,500 to $8,000 tax credit for new home buyers will stimulate some who might be renting to make the leap to home ownership. I see this as benefiting a narrow band of individuals who might be on the fence about owning a home - for the first time. The tax credit - originally proposed to be around $15,000 - might be enough to get them to buy a house. The plan sets aside $6,638,000,000 which would provide funding for nearly 800,000 home purchases. There are hundreds of thousands of newly constructed homes just sitting from the end of the housing boom a few months ago.
And what will indirectly assist the auto industry? There's a provision to allow taxpayers earning less than $125,000 the ability to deduct sales and excise taxes paid on new cars. $1,684,000,000 is set aside for this. If you begin to think about the real savings for this, you'll quickly realize the savings is small. New cars aren't cheap and in my opinion are grossly overpriced compared to their value. At $40,000 new and with a 5% state sales tax, you'll pay $2,000 in sales tax. You can deduct that amount on your taxes and with a 25% marginal tax rate, you'll see $500 as a tax refund. It's not as nice as a tax credit now is it? I fear it's simply a matter of months before we see a complete collapse and restructuring of this industry. I think it's about time. The price on new cars is ridiculous and some companies can't make it charging that amount (GM, Chrysler, Ford, etc). I don't know if it's the cost of the labor, the cost of the materials, adherence to Government regulations that ultimately require more labor/parts/R&D, et cetera, but if a company can't make it they should fail. That's the way capitalism works - some other company will pick up the demand. GM announced yesterday the intent to sell off 3 of their auto lines if they didn't get additional assistance. Come on!?!?
The provision that raises some major concern for me has to do with the incentives provided to hospitals and physicians who computerize their medical records systems. The provision sets aside a massive $17,559,000,000 for this. The pundits on the news networks indicate this is a step toward socialized medicine. It could be, I suppose, if the incentives are tied to networking this information. That's what they say it does. I haven't read it myself. I guess that's my homework. I see the owners of some electronic medical records companies getting wealthy off this and I see no economic stimulus as a result. This one stinks.
I genuinely hope something positive comes of this spending. All I can taste right now is foul and bitter. What are your thoughts?
Right off I see $116,199,000,000 for tax credits: $400 payroll tax credit for workers earning up to $75,000; married couples filing jointly get $800 for income up to $150,000. If you qualify that comes out to about $15 a week for a married couple. Woohoo!
Then there's $90,044,000,000 in Medicaid spending. I guess that'll stimulate more people to work? Or is this, along with the $19,991,000,000 to bolster food stamps by 13%, preparation for those who are about to be out of work?
Perhaps the $7,500 to $8,000 tax credit for new home buyers will stimulate some who might be renting to make the leap to home ownership. I see this as benefiting a narrow band of individuals who might be on the fence about owning a home - for the first time. The tax credit - originally proposed to be around $15,000 - might be enough to get them to buy a house. The plan sets aside $6,638,000,000 which would provide funding for nearly 800,000 home purchases. There are hundreds of thousands of newly constructed homes just sitting from the end of the housing boom a few months ago.
And what will indirectly assist the auto industry? There's a provision to allow taxpayers earning less than $125,000 the ability to deduct sales and excise taxes paid on new cars. $1,684,000,000 is set aside for this. If you begin to think about the real savings for this, you'll quickly realize the savings is small. New cars aren't cheap and in my opinion are grossly overpriced compared to their value. At $40,000 new and with a 5% state sales tax, you'll pay $2,000 in sales tax. You can deduct that amount on your taxes and with a 25% marginal tax rate, you'll see $500 as a tax refund. It's not as nice as a tax credit now is it? I fear it's simply a matter of months before we see a complete collapse and restructuring of this industry. I think it's about time. The price on new cars is ridiculous and some companies can't make it charging that amount (GM, Chrysler, Ford, etc). I don't know if it's the cost of the labor, the cost of the materials, adherence to Government regulations that ultimately require more labor/parts/R&D, et cetera, but if a company can't make it they should fail. That's the way capitalism works - some other company will pick up the demand. GM announced yesterday the intent to sell off 3 of their auto lines if they didn't get additional assistance. Come on!?!?
The provision that raises some major concern for me has to do with the incentives provided to hospitals and physicians who computerize their medical records systems. The provision sets aside a massive $17,559,000,000 for this. The pundits on the news networks indicate this is a step toward socialized medicine. It could be, I suppose, if the incentives are tied to networking this information. That's what they say it does. I haven't read it myself. I guess that's my homework. I see the owners of some electronic medical records companies getting wealthy off this and I see no economic stimulus as a result. This one stinks.
I genuinely hope something positive comes of this spending. All I can taste right now is foul and bitter. What are your thoughts?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Stimulus Follow-up....
It's been 5 days since my last entry (read it here) on the stimulus bill. Did you download and read any of it? Come on - be honest! Maybe you tried?
I did and I didn't get very far. I'm accustomed to reading long and boring PDF documents but 1100 pages was just too much. I found myself jumping 10-20 pages at a time, skimming the surface and hitting mainly titles. Maybe the ADHD was kicking in but I couldn't stick with it. It seemed to me to be a compilation of spending that provides government agencies with hundreds of thousands, millions or billions of dollars. I was really stretching my imagination in seeing how providing many of those agencies with any money was going to jump-start our economy.
But the question that kept bubbling to the top: "How will this be monitored?" Will it just be doled out to those agencies so that the existing agency's administration uses the money to (somehow) stimulate the economy? I immediately imagined the money being spent to remodel government offices and buildings, maybe enhance some landscaping by adding walking tracks and a pond here and there, expand the facilities for government employees, etc. Maybe that stimulates the construction industry for a short period of time but certainly not long term.
So doubts aside that economic stimulation will even occur from this plan to any appreciable degree. How long will it take? I'm thinking 6 months to a year at best. The tax credit that is reported to add $13 a week to your paycheck is said to take effect in June. They say it'll just take that long to implement. It's a different approach from the stimulus checks that went out last year as a lump sum. It's reported that many people and families used that to pay down debt. Much like many people are foregoing large purchases right now and spending less overall. Don't forget less credit card usage. So the new approach will have a meager increase in takehome pay for the average American. What good does that do to stimulus? $13?
Speaking of credit cards. I have one I use for work. Despite my commitment to becoming debt free, I still use a credit card for travel expenses associated with work. It takes my employer 4-8 weeks to reimburse and I don't want to foot thousands of dollars in expenses awaiting reimbursement. I say all as an explanation as to why I have a card at all. My intent was just to mention the increasing credit card rates with the banks. Their terms of use agreements allow them to do it and just today Citi Bank sent me a notice explaining the rate was increasing to something like 17.xx% and defaults were going to 29.xx%. I had heard this was happening and I wasn't left out. Sounds like they whet their appetite with the billions of taxpayer bailout cash and now the banks monster wants more of our money. Have you heard they aren't lending, either? Talk to a mortgage officer at a bank and see how that's going - a fraction of consumer loans are going through.
So we are left with credit card interest rates going up now and a $13 tax credit on the horizon. Who in their right mind wouldn't be forgoing large purchases right now and saving money? I guess not me as I want a different truck. Something with a diesel. :)
I did and I didn't get very far. I'm accustomed to reading long and boring PDF documents but 1100 pages was just too much. I found myself jumping 10-20 pages at a time, skimming the surface and hitting mainly titles. Maybe the ADHD was kicking in but I couldn't stick with it. It seemed to me to be a compilation of spending that provides government agencies with hundreds of thousands, millions or billions of dollars. I was really stretching my imagination in seeing how providing many of those agencies with any money was going to jump-start our economy.
But the question that kept bubbling to the top: "How will this be monitored?" Will it just be doled out to those agencies so that the existing agency's administration uses the money to (somehow) stimulate the economy? I immediately imagined the money being spent to remodel government offices and buildings, maybe enhance some landscaping by adding walking tracks and a pond here and there, expand the facilities for government employees, etc. Maybe that stimulates the construction industry for a short period of time but certainly not long term.
So doubts aside that economic stimulation will even occur from this plan to any appreciable degree. How long will it take? I'm thinking 6 months to a year at best. The tax credit that is reported to add $13 a week to your paycheck is said to take effect in June. They say it'll just take that long to implement. It's a different approach from the stimulus checks that went out last year as a lump sum. It's reported that many people and families used that to pay down debt. Much like many people are foregoing large purchases right now and spending less overall. Don't forget less credit card usage. So the new approach will have a meager increase in takehome pay for the average American. What good does that do to stimulus? $13?
Speaking of credit cards. I have one I use for work. Despite my commitment to becoming debt free, I still use a credit card for travel expenses associated with work. It takes my employer 4-8 weeks to reimburse and I don't want to foot thousands of dollars in expenses awaiting reimbursement. I say all as an explanation as to why I have a card at all. My intent was just to mention the increasing credit card rates with the banks. Their terms of use agreements allow them to do it and just today Citi Bank sent me a notice explaining the rate was increasing to something like 17.xx% and defaults were going to 29.xx%. I had heard this was happening and I wasn't left out. Sounds like they whet their appetite with the billions of taxpayer bailout cash and now the banks monster wants more of our money. Have you heard they aren't lending, either? Talk to a mortgage officer at a bank and see how that's going - a fraction of consumer loans are going through.
So we are left with credit card interest rates going up now and a $13 tax credit on the horizon. Who in their right mind wouldn't be forgoing large purchases right now and saving money? I guess not me as I want a different truck. Something with a diesel. :)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Stimulus Bill. Have you read it? Do you care?
Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and the Senate is expected to pass it tonight. From there it heads to President Obama for his signature (no doubt this signing will be a Kodak moment) and the funds will be doled out accordingly. Do you know where or to whom?
I don't. I'll admit it. I seriously doubt if many of our congress men and women have read it either. Just vote yes because you're a democrat or just vote no because you're a republican is no doubt the mindset if not mantra amongst those in the big building in DC. Except of course for the 3 Republican's that were needed to pass the bill in the Senate and I'm sure they're expecting some quid pro quo for their efforts (if they didn't get substantial PORK in the stimulus bill).
Since we need to be informed, please take a few hours and read the following. Get some coffee and jab a needle in your leg periodically to ensure you stay awake.
Stimulus Bill Part A (496 pages)
Stimulus Bill Part B (575 pages)
I'm seriously loading both documents now and plan to browse through them. Updates to follow.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Alarm!!!
The etymology of the word dates back to the 1300's when "all'arme" and "alarme" meant "to arms."
That's not exactly what I was doing at 3:56am today when the burglar alarm went off at my house. I wasn't arming myself as I should have been.
If you've never experienced being awakened by a 130+ decibel siren when in the dead of sleep, consider yourself fortunate. It's an adrenaline rush in the worst of ways. It's something you hope you never hear but something you hope you're prepared for when you do hear it. We've tested the system in the past to ensure it's functioning correctly. We've heard the different tones and cadences of the sirens - one for burglary and one for fire. We've even had them go off before ... and not only in test mode.
We were only in our new house for a few days some 5 years ago when the alarm went off around 1am. It turns out a wire leading to a window contact was somehow damaged in the wall or ceiling space. That zone was open no matter what and decided to open, of course, at 1am. That was our first taste of what to expect when an alarm goes off while asleep. Then there was the morning the alarm was still on (stay mode) following being set the night before and Liz let a kitchen cabinet door slam shut tripping a glass break sensor. Yes, they are that sensitive. There was even the time when the fire alarm cadence sounded due to a steam cleaner being placed too close to a heat/smoke sensor. The ironic part of that scare is that Jamie and I were burning some boxes about 50 yards from the house near the creek at the back of our property. My first thought was that somehow a burning ember floated on the wind to the house and somehow it was burning. It would have been Murphy at work as that is a long shot that I don't think could even happen but nonetheless we panicked. Liz was already on the phone with the monitoring company trying to clear it up.
This morning's scare occurred because a french door opened. I go through a routine each night of checking doors so how I missed this door not being locked is beyond me. And I've already heard about it from Liz! Outside that french door is the upper level of our deck and it's covered by the roof. If you've got an imagination, think of this upper level as being an alcove with steps leading down to the next level of the deck and two sets of french doors on the opposing side. It had been raining and while the upper level was dry the lower deck level and stairs leading between the two were wet. Later when investigating what happened I realized there were no wet foot tracks on the upper deck. No two-legged intruder breached our home. I've come to the conclusion it was the wind. Last night and even now as I type this the wind blows fiercely - the same storm system that brought tornadoes to Oklahoma yesterday. Not having the deadbolt latched allowed the door to flex. If you recall that part of the deck is an alcove and the pressure on the door was enough to deflect the upper portion of the door just enough to open the contact. I played with it this morning and could reproduce this.
What upsets me about this the most is that we failed to react accordingly. I jumped up and grabbed my glasses and turned on my bedside light. Maybe a second or two there. I went directly to the alarm keypad to turn off the alarm. That seems to be the first reaction each time - turn off that noise. Hearing is a valuable sense and that noise has to stop so I can hear what's going on. Also at the keypad I can see the zones being triggered. I see "french door" then immediately "living room motion". I also hear the chimes sound at the keypad - something that happens with each door open and close. The brain can process at a high rate of speed and the outcome at that moment was that someone entered the french door and either shut it behind him or he went back out. Perhaps he opened the door and when the alarm triggered and siren blared, he took off. But that "living room motion" told me someone was in the living room - right where the french door is. It was immediately after this thought and the siren ceasing that I could hear my daughter sobbing. And she was close. Again - all this in a second or less. I move to the bottom step from our master bedroom entrance and see my daughter walking through the living room and toward our bedroom. This puts her walking in front of and very close to the french doors. And here I am unarmed.
Fortunately, this was a false alarm and I didn't need to be "to arms" with a weapon in hand to deal with an intruder. The monitoring company called within a minute of the alarm and, in retrospect, telling them it was a false alarm and providing my code might not have been the best thing to do. I had very quickly made the determination it was a false alarm but what if it hadn't been raining? I couldn't have expected to see wet footprints on the wooden deck and there certainly could have been an intruder in the house. Perhaps in another room.
We are also going to do some planning and review for how to react during the daytime and night when faced with a fire siren and a burglary siren. While Jamie did the right thing and stayed in his room (with a weapon in hand I might add - kudos to him) awaiting either an all clear from dad or mom, Sarah was frightened and made her way toward mom and dad's room in the dark. Yikes! Liz did the right thing and stayed back and found a phone. She was prepared to call 911 and in the future will call right away rather than waiting. The next time it might not be a false alarm. For me, the unloaded gun that sits in the bedside table will get loaded and secured in a quick access, compact handgun safe.
That's not exactly what I was doing at 3:56am today when the burglar alarm went off at my house. I wasn't arming myself as I should have been.
If you've never experienced being awakened by a 130+ decibel siren when in the dead of sleep, consider yourself fortunate. It's an adrenaline rush in the worst of ways. It's something you hope you never hear but something you hope you're prepared for when you do hear it. We've tested the system in the past to ensure it's functioning correctly. We've heard the different tones and cadences of the sirens - one for burglary and one for fire. We've even had them go off before ... and not only in test mode.
We were only in our new house for a few days some 5 years ago when the alarm went off around 1am. It turns out a wire leading to a window contact was somehow damaged in the wall or ceiling space. That zone was open no matter what and decided to open, of course, at 1am. That was our first taste of what to expect when an alarm goes off while asleep. Then there was the morning the alarm was still on (stay mode) following being set the night before and Liz let a kitchen cabinet door slam shut tripping a glass break sensor. Yes, they are that sensitive. There was even the time when the fire alarm cadence sounded due to a steam cleaner being placed too close to a heat/smoke sensor. The ironic part of that scare is that Jamie and I were burning some boxes about 50 yards from the house near the creek at the back of our property. My first thought was that somehow a burning ember floated on the wind to the house and somehow it was burning. It would have been Murphy at work as that is a long shot that I don't think could even happen but nonetheless we panicked. Liz was already on the phone with the monitoring company trying to clear it up.
This morning's scare occurred because a french door opened. I go through a routine each night of checking doors so how I missed this door not being locked is beyond me. And I've already heard about it from Liz! Outside that french door is the upper level of our deck and it's covered by the roof. If you've got an imagination, think of this upper level as being an alcove with steps leading down to the next level of the deck and two sets of french doors on the opposing side. It had been raining and while the upper level was dry the lower deck level and stairs leading between the two were wet. Later when investigating what happened I realized there were no wet foot tracks on the upper deck. No two-legged intruder breached our home. I've come to the conclusion it was the wind. Last night and even now as I type this the wind blows fiercely - the same storm system that brought tornadoes to Oklahoma yesterday. Not having the deadbolt latched allowed the door to flex. If you recall that part of the deck is an alcove and the pressure on the door was enough to deflect the upper portion of the door just enough to open the contact. I played with it this morning and could reproduce this.
What upsets me about this the most is that we failed to react accordingly. I jumped up and grabbed my glasses and turned on my bedside light. Maybe a second or two there. I went directly to the alarm keypad to turn off the alarm. That seems to be the first reaction each time - turn off that noise. Hearing is a valuable sense and that noise has to stop so I can hear what's going on. Also at the keypad I can see the zones being triggered. I see "french door" then immediately "living room motion". I also hear the chimes sound at the keypad - something that happens with each door open and close. The brain can process at a high rate of speed and the outcome at that moment was that someone entered the french door and either shut it behind him or he went back out. Perhaps he opened the door and when the alarm triggered and siren blared, he took off. But that "living room motion" told me someone was in the living room - right where the french door is. It was immediately after this thought and the siren ceasing that I could hear my daughter sobbing. And she was close. Again - all this in a second or less. I move to the bottom step from our master bedroom entrance and see my daughter walking through the living room and toward our bedroom. This puts her walking in front of and very close to the french doors. And here I am unarmed.
Fortunately, this was a false alarm and I didn't need to be "to arms" with a weapon in hand to deal with an intruder. The monitoring company called within a minute of the alarm and, in retrospect, telling them it was a false alarm and providing my code might not have been the best thing to do. I had very quickly made the determination it was a false alarm but what if it hadn't been raining? I couldn't have expected to see wet footprints on the wooden deck and there certainly could have been an intruder in the house. Perhaps in another room.
We are also going to do some planning and review for how to react during the daytime and night when faced with a fire siren and a burglary siren. While Jamie did the right thing and stayed in his room (with a weapon in hand I might add - kudos to him) awaiting either an all clear from dad or mom, Sarah was frightened and made her way toward mom and dad's room in the dark. Yikes! Liz did the right thing and stayed back and found a phone. She was prepared to call 911 and in the future will call right away rather than waiting. The next time it might not be a false alarm. For me, the unloaded gun that sits in the bedside table will get loaded and secured in a quick access, compact handgun safe.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Airplane Etiquette
I'm certain volumes have been written on this subject. Unfortunately, I keep flying with folks who haven't read a word of it. And come to think about it neither have I. But because I know I practice a high level of etiquette this certainly makes me think one shouldn't have to be instructed on appropriate etiquette. It should be something that's taught as one grows up.
During my flight this week, my neighbor in the exit row seated in 20A and I discussed this very issue. It started off simple enough, talking about how some passenger had clogged the isle with his carry-on bag, personal item (another bag), and coat. He had to stop and put each away but stopping first to pull a book or maybe laptop from his bag and then take off his coat and try to fold it and place it in the overhead on top of his bag. It took several minutes and is just plain rude to the other passengers who are piled up behind him.
After shaking our heads and collectively saying "typical" our conversation turned to all the other things that annoy us amongst our fellow passengers. We outlined a laundry list and I'll attempt to recreate it here. I'm all about lists. They keep things nice and neat.
1. Being prepared when you walk onto the plane. Lack of preparation leaves you floundering around like the toad I saw this week trying to get your stuff put away and hoping you remember to get out the noise-canceling headsets, iPod and/or your book. Take those things out of your bag before you board and keep them handy or put them in the bag you intend to place under the seat. Then have an idea where you intend to stuff all your things before you get on the plane.
2. Know ahead of time what size plane you're boarding. If your big bag won't fit in the overhead, please don't force it! On my return flight this week some newbie (or idiot?) forced the door closed and that causes the door slide to come out. Even if it latches the flight attendant will spot the door slightly ajar and get the captain. The captain will call maintenance and guess what? Ten to thirty minutes are lost - thanks to you! If you need to valet or gate check your bag then PLEASE do so. Even if you don't screw up the overhead door you'll still slow things down as you trod back off the plane to check your bag because it's too big to fit in the overhead or under the seat.
3. If the seats have arm rests that raise and lower, keep them down. I certainly don't want your leg (inevitably sweaty) contacting mine for hours. Don't get mad when your neighbor lowers the arm rest you raised. Just live with it. Down.
4. Use deodorant. I don't like your earthy, musky natural scent and I'm guessing most others don't either. And don't use copious amounts of perfume or cologne. It's just as bad. Stinky who? Stinky you!
5. Don't grab the seat back in front of you to assist you in standing if someone is in that seat. Did you like it when your mother grabbed you and shook you as a child? Neither does the person seated in front of you.
6. To go along with 5 above, don't touch each seat or each shoulder (worse!) as you walk down the aisle. Have you noticed the flight attendant will place their hands on the overhead doors if they need steadying as they walk down the aisle. Take their lead. Do the same. I don't want you grabbing me.
7. If you recline your seat, please turn around first to see if the person behind you is leaned over asleep on the tray table or using a laptop. Some people will also lower just a tad to give the person back there a head's up that more reclining could be coming. This is better than nothing but when fully reclined realize I'm looking at the top of your head. Yeah, it goes back that far. So if you smash my knees or knock over my laptop because you slammed your seat back abruptly I'm sure you won't mind if I sneeze or cough on your head. Beware.
8. Elbow space. I'm a big guy with wide shoulders and on these sardine tubes dressed up as regional jets there's already not much space. Something like 17-18" of seat width. Even the 170lb average Joe's with size 40 coats will rub elbows. This can't be helped as the designers weren't interested in comfort - but rather maximum capacity. So elbow touching is tolerated but realize the other person might want some armrest room so maybe you should share. Like when you were a child. Share.
9. Exiting the plane. When the little DING noise occurs and the fasten seat belt light goes out, don't jump up and move ahead a few rows. Do you know how rude that is? I'll trip people like you given the chance. My big foot will enter the aisle and cause you to stumble. You'd then be trampled and that wouldn't feel good. Just stay in the aisle next to your seat. Don't move forward in an attempt to get off the plane 3-4 people sooner.
10. Children. I know they have to fly. I'm not going to suggest they be banned from commercial flight. But for the love of Mike, can you contain them? Can you prevent them from using their LOUD voice with the never-ending questions? Can you make them keep their seat belts on and not jump into the aisle prompting the ever-alert flight attendant from coming and having a little chat with you? Or from standing in the seat and leering over the back of the seat at the poor soul behind you who is reaching for his wallet to see if he has enough cash to buy several of those small alcoholic beverage bottles so that he can induce sleep? Or from leaning the other way and peering onto the balding scalp of the middle aged business man in the seat in front? Perhaps letting some drool or some gum fall into his thinning hair? Just exercise some control over them for the rest of the plane? Can you do that? If you realize you can't, just dose them with some Benadryl about 15 minutes before boarding. That's a joke. Not really.
11. This should have been at the top but I forgot about it: Board when your group is called. Even board later but never board earlier than you are allowed. I see it all the time on the boarding pass of the person in front of me as the gate person scans the boarding pass. It'll say group two when the gate person called for. Some yahoo decides he needs a little extra time. Really he just wants to be first. He's usually seated near the front, too, and probably an aisle seat so he has to get up to let in his neighbors and his shoulder sticks out in the aisle like an obstacle you have to avoid. What a dope. He probably tries to get up and run forward an aisle or two when the plane starts to depart. Someday maybe I'll get to trip him.
Really etiquette on an airplane is no different than etiquette elsewhere. The offenders are the same people who cut you off in traffic, drive around school buses, cut in line, don't pay their taxes, don't mow their lawns, expect the Government to take care of them, and want something for nothing. That sums it up. Thanks for listening.
During my flight this week, my neighbor in the exit row seated in 20A and I discussed this very issue. It started off simple enough, talking about how some passenger had clogged the isle with his carry-on bag, personal item (another bag), and coat. He had to stop and put each away but stopping first to pull a book or maybe laptop from his bag and then take off his coat and try to fold it and place it in the overhead on top of his bag. It took several minutes and is just plain rude to the other passengers who are piled up behind him.
After shaking our heads and collectively saying "typical" our conversation turned to all the other things that annoy us amongst our fellow passengers. We outlined a laundry list and I'll attempt to recreate it here. I'm all about lists. They keep things nice and neat.
1. Being prepared when you walk onto the plane. Lack of preparation leaves you floundering around like the toad I saw this week trying to get your stuff put away and hoping you remember to get out the noise-canceling headsets, iPod and/or your book. Take those things out of your bag before you board and keep them handy or put them in the bag you intend to place under the seat. Then have an idea where you intend to stuff all your things before you get on the plane.
2. Know ahead of time what size plane you're boarding. If your big bag won't fit in the overhead, please don't force it! On my return flight this week some newbie (or idiot?) forced the door closed and that causes the door slide to come out. Even if it latches the flight attendant will spot the door slightly ajar and get the captain. The captain will call maintenance and guess what? Ten to thirty minutes are lost - thanks to you! If you need to valet or gate check your bag then PLEASE do so. Even if you don't screw up the overhead door you'll still slow things down as you trod back off the plane to check your bag because it's too big to fit in the overhead or under the seat.
3. If the seats have arm rests that raise and lower, keep them down. I certainly don't want your leg (inevitably sweaty) contacting mine for hours. Don't get mad when your neighbor lowers the arm rest you raised. Just live with it. Down.
4. Use deodorant. I don't like your earthy, musky natural scent and I'm guessing most others don't either. And don't use copious amounts of perfume or cologne. It's just as bad. Stinky who? Stinky you!
5. Don't grab the seat back in front of you to assist you in standing if someone is in that seat. Did you like it when your mother grabbed you and shook you as a child? Neither does the person seated in front of you.
6. To go along with 5 above, don't touch each seat or each shoulder (worse!) as you walk down the aisle. Have you noticed the flight attendant will place their hands on the overhead doors if they need steadying as they walk down the aisle. Take their lead. Do the same. I don't want you grabbing me.
7. If you recline your seat, please turn around first to see if the person behind you is leaned over asleep on the tray table or using a laptop. Some people will also lower just a tad to give the person back there a head's up that more reclining could be coming. This is better than nothing but when fully reclined realize I'm looking at the top of your head. Yeah, it goes back that far. So if you smash my knees or knock over my laptop because you slammed your seat back abruptly I'm sure you won't mind if I sneeze or cough on your head. Beware.
8. Elbow space. I'm a big guy with wide shoulders and on these sardine tubes dressed up as regional jets there's already not much space. Something like 17-18" of seat width. Even the 170lb average Joe's with size 40 coats will rub elbows. This can't be helped as the designers weren't interested in comfort - but rather maximum capacity. So elbow touching is tolerated but realize the other person might want some armrest room so maybe you should share. Like when you were a child. Share.
9. Exiting the plane. When the little DING noise occurs and the fasten seat belt light goes out, don't jump up and move ahead a few rows. Do you know how rude that is? I'll trip people like you given the chance. My big foot will enter the aisle and cause you to stumble. You'd then be trampled and that wouldn't feel good. Just stay in the aisle next to your seat. Don't move forward in an attempt to get off the plane 3-4 people sooner.
10. Children. I know they have to fly. I'm not going to suggest they be banned from commercial flight. But for the love of Mike, can you contain them? Can you prevent them from using their LOUD voice with the never-ending questions? Can you make them keep their seat belts on and not jump into the aisle prompting the ever-alert flight attendant from coming and having a little chat with you? Or from standing in the seat and leering over the back of the seat at the poor soul behind you who is reaching for his wallet to see if he has enough cash to buy several of those small alcoholic beverage bottles so that he can induce sleep? Or from leaning the other way and peering onto the balding scalp of the middle aged business man in the seat in front? Perhaps letting some drool or some gum fall into his thinning hair? Just exercise some control over them for the rest of the plane? Can you do that? If you realize you can't, just dose them with some Benadryl about 15 minutes before boarding. That's a joke. Not really.
11. This should have been at the top but I forgot about it: Board when your group is called. Even board later but never board earlier than you are allowed. I see it all the time on the boarding pass of the person in front of me as the gate person scans the boarding pass. It'll say group two when the gate person called for
Really etiquette on an airplane is no different than etiquette elsewhere. The offenders are the same people who cut you off in traffic, drive around school buses, cut in line, don't pay their taxes, don't mow their lawns, expect the Government to take care of them, and want something for nothing. That sums it up. Thanks for listening.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
It ain't what it used to be...
... could probably describe a lot of things but right now, for me, I'm thinking it aptly describes Customer Service at many retail outlets.
There's no doubt in my mind that some time in our recent history people actually cared about the outcome of their jobs, how they performed, how they interacted with others, etc. Maybe it's called pride in a job done well. To me this is fundamental to a prosperous business. Fundamental and not at all optional.
Case in point for me - my recent experience with a local John Deere dealer. I'd purchased a not-so-cheap riding mower from them last summer and over the course of 5 months I had some pretty significant outstanding issues ranging from no keys upon delivery, the wrong mowing deck, and no owners manual to some o-ring blowing out in the carb causing it to flood. The local dealership was no help - from missed delivery dates to not returning my calls or emails. I received a call from a regional customer service representative at John Deere corporate after I blasted the local dealership on a survey card. He seemed genuinely interested in resolving my issues but... he's a customer service guy. That's HIS job. I expected he would take it serious. The problem children are the local outlets and the employees there. They are the true face of the company. And that face told me "Thbssssttttt!"
In the end, they felt like it was worked out and I was left thinking I can't recommend this company to anyone because they really don't care. I was dished out some "We're sorry" and "I'm sorry" phone calls from the goobers at the local dealership but it wasn't sincere. It wasn't "without flaw". No, it was coerced by the corporate office.
What can be done? I honestly don't know. If you tried protesting establishments that have crappy customer service you'd likely find it difficult to spend your money anywhere.
There's no doubt in my mind that some time in our recent history people actually cared about the outcome of their jobs, how they performed, how they interacted with others, etc. Maybe it's called pride in a job done well. To me this is fundamental to a prosperous business. Fundamental and not at all optional.
Case in point for me - my recent experience with a local John Deere dealer. I'd purchased a not-so-cheap riding mower from them last summer and over the course of 5 months I had some pretty significant outstanding issues ranging from no keys upon delivery, the wrong mowing deck, and no owners manual to some o-ring blowing out in the carb causing it to flood. The local dealership was no help - from missed delivery dates to not returning my calls or emails. I received a call from a regional customer service representative at John Deere corporate after I blasted the local dealership on a survey card. He seemed genuinely interested in resolving my issues but... he's a customer service guy. That's HIS job. I expected he would take it serious. The problem children are the local outlets and the employees there. They are the true face of the company. And that face told me "Thbssssttttt!"
In the end, they felt like it was worked out and I was left thinking I can't recommend this company to anyone because they really don't care. I was dished out some "We're sorry" and "I'm sorry" phone calls from the goobers at the local dealership but it wasn't sincere. It wasn't "without flaw". No, it was coerced by the corporate office.
What can be done? I honestly don't know. If you tried protesting establishments that have crappy customer service you'd likely find it difficult to spend your money anywhere.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
67....
That's the number of coughs coming from seat 1A on AA flight 3291 from DFW to LIT this afternoon. I was in 2A - right behind this person.
That's right - I counted them. I don't need a psychiatrist or psychologist to tell me I have OCD. I know I do - even though it's minor. At least I think it's minor. No reason to worry about a little counting. I wasn't doing it aloud and it barely interrupted my reading. And that reminds me I should probably clarify that the minimum number was 67 and it was likely higher than that because during a particularly good part of my book I realized I might have tuned out the counting/coughing. But 67 is close because the worst part of it for her seemed to be during the first half of the flight and I wasn't into my reading zone.
Now I wasn't angry at her for that. It's a little hard to fight back a cough and she did cover her mouth. I will note the cough was very productive and yet again on a flight I found myself wishing for a mask.
I did, however, get a little upset at whoever was passing gas. I mean seriously - hold that in! I turned on the little air spout and aimed it directly at my face in an effort to breathe. I noticed it when I went to sit up a little straighter and leaned forward in the process so I tend to think it was the cougher in 1A. That being the case perhaps the coughs prevented her from holding it in? Perhaps. But still.
My earlier flight today was from AUS to DFW and I was seated in 4B in first class. Unfortunately, my neighbor in 4A was a jerk. Not to me. He wouldn't do that to someone face-to-face. No - he needs to act like a jerk to others on the phone. Little man. He also needed to go over his busy and important schedule over the phone so all of first class could hear that he was going on some world wide business trip (England, Italy, India, etc.). Fact is, he said very little to me which was nice. He immediately set the tone with me when he pretended my seat and his seat were both his seats. He did this by placing his crap in my seat after he sat down. And he decided the overhead space was all his and put 2 bags and a big coat up there leaving me about 20% of the space. All so he could have unobstructed leg room and not place a bag under the seat in front of him. And to top it off he was only about 5'10"! Yep, complete jerk who should probably be flying private anyway since he's so important. I honestly tried not to slow him down when he declared he only had 28 minutes to make his connecting and it was at a different terminal at DFW. I honestly didn't waste a minute or so dragging my bags out from under the seat and getting my coat on. Nope. I hurried - just for him. Promise. Ha!
I also find it interesting that what you intend to do on a flight pivots completely on the person in front of you. You see, they have the option of reclining their seat and if they decide to do that - BAM! - you have no space. Well, you have no space unless you are some scrawny chick or girly man. I can't comfortably use a laptop with the seat in front of me reclined completely. Hell, I can't use the tray table very well when that happens. I end up reading (and resting my book on the back of that reclined seat which occasionally bothers the reclined person but I figure if you put your head 12 inches from my face you are in my personal space) or sleeping. If I sleep I at least turn around to see if the person behind me has a laptop. If so, I don't recline or recline just slightly.
That's right - I counted them. I don't need a psychiatrist or psychologist to tell me I have OCD. I know I do - even though it's minor. At least I think it's minor. No reason to worry about a little counting. I wasn't doing it aloud and it barely interrupted my reading. And that reminds me I should probably clarify that the minimum number was 67 and it was likely higher than that because during a particularly good part of my book I realized I might have tuned out the counting/coughing. But 67 is close because the worst part of it for her seemed to be during the first half of the flight and I wasn't into my reading zone.
Now I wasn't angry at her for that. It's a little hard to fight back a cough and she did cover her mouth. I will note the cough was very productive and yet again on a flight I found myself wishing for a mask.
I did, however, get a little upset at whoever was passing gas. I mean seriously - hold that in! I turned on the little air spout and aimed it directly at my face in an effort to breathe. I noticed it when I went to sit up a little straighter and leaned forward in the process so I tend to think it was the cougher in 1A. That being the case perhaps the coughs prevented her from holding it in? Perhaps. But still.
My earlier flight today was from AUS to DFW and I was seated in 4B in first class. Unfortunately, my neighbor in 4A was a jerk. Not to me. He wouldn't do that to someone face-to-face. No - he needs to act like a jerk to others on the phone. Little man. He also needed to go over his busy and important schedule over the phone so all of first class could hear that he was going on some world wide business trip (England, Italy, India, etc.). Fact is, he said very little to me which was nice. He immediately set the tone with me when he pretended my seat and his seat were both his seats. He did this by placing his crap in my seat after he sat down. And he decided the overhead space was all his and put 2 bags and a big coat up there leaving me about 20% of the space. All so he could have unobstructed leg room and not place a bag under the seat in front of him. And to top it off he was only about 5'10"! Yep, complete jerk who should probably be flying private anyway since he's so important. I honestly tried not to slow him down when he declared he only had 28 minutes to make his connecting and it was at a different terminal at DFW. I honestly didn't waste a minute or so dragging my bags out from under the seat and getting my coat on. Nope. I hurried - just for him. Promise. Ha!
I also find it interesting that what you intend to do on a flight pivots completely on the person in front of you. You see, they have the option of reclining their seat and if they decide to do that - BAM! - you have no space. Well, you have no space unless you are some scrawny chick or girly man. I can't comfortably use a laptop with the seat in front of me reclined completely. Hell, I can't use the tray table very well when that happens. I end up reading (and resting my book on the back of that reclined seat which occasionally bothers the reclined person but I figure if you put your head 12 inches from my face you are in my personal space) or sleeping. If I sleep I at least turn around to see if the person behind me has a laptop. If so, I don't recline or recline just slightly.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Caution! Zombies Ahead!
Hackers have learned how easy it is change the messages on those road signs. Well of course it is.And I find it hilarious.
I'm in Austin this week - where that photo was taken. Several road signs in the area have been hacked this week and NO it wasn't me. They're blaming on some UT students and one news report claimed the work to be that of some IT genius. Give me a break!!
Do a Google search and you'll find a few websites showing just how easy it is.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Air Travel Resumes....
Today marked the first day of 2009 for me to get on a plane. I've driven to a couple of more local sites so far this year but today I got to resume my air travel experiences.
Ahhh... the fun began going through security. I absolutely loath the whole TSA screening program but that's for another blog.
My flight to DFW from LIT was on a CRJ-700 and I was in the exit row (13). The plane was full and the noise level rose. The guy a couple of rows behind me was doing some major hacking. A very unproductive, loud, and aggressive cough. Hack. Hack. Deep, solid hacks. I could see the germs spreading and I wished I had a mask.
Also somewhere back there were a few kids. They were rambunkious to start but calmed down before long and for that I was thankful. The guy beside me took the armrest - that's normal. He gestured for me to use the front end of the armrest and he would use the backside. Gee - thanks. I'll lean forward so I can use the front half of the armrest. That'll work so well. Before long he was asleep and I knocked out the first two suduku puzzles in the American Way magazine. That's a good way for me to take my mind off the annoying people around me.
As the plane landed and taxied for 15 minutes (that's DFW for you - land on the east side and taxi 10 miles to the west side - happens every single time!) I could see all the NEWBIE travelers getting their bags out from under the seat in front of them and poising themselves to leap into the aisle just as soon as the plane stopped and the ding-dong tones indicating the fasten-seatbelt light went out. This just drives me crazy. Perfectly fine for the first few rows but not everyone. Don't they understand they will be standing cramped and hunched over just waiting and waiting for the line to move. The lady in front of me (row 12) did the same and then proceeded to back into my aisle space as she let the guy next to her out also. Clearly she doesn't know the rules.
To avoid the idiots I usually sit up front. This time I forgot when booking and picked the exit row. No more. TIme to go change next weeks flight to ALE.
The DFW to AUS (Austin, TX) flight was better from a comfort perspective. This was a MD-80 with 16 first class seats. I upgraded to one of those and had all the room I needed. We had some annoying issue with the intercom system requiring the captain to ding-dong the system about 500 times while we sat literally next in line for take-off. That took about 20 minutes but I had pulled out Stephen King's latest collection of short stories, Just After Sunset, so I was ok with the delay.
Took me about 8 hours to get to Austin considering getting to LIT an hour early, having a 3 hour connecting at DFW, and then a delay getting out of DFW. Time to iron some clothes for tomorrow....
Ahhh... the fun began going through security. I absolutely loath the whole TSA screening program but that's for another blog.
My flight to DFW from LIT was on a CRJ-700 and I was in the exit row (13). The plane was full and the noise level rose. The guy a couple of rows behind me was doing some major hacking. A very unproductive, loud, and aggressive cough. Hack. Hack. Deep, solid hacks. I could see the germs spreading and I wished I had a mask.
Also somewhere back there were a few kids. They were rambunkious to start but calmed down before long and for that I was thankful. The guy beside me took the armrest - that's normal. He gestured for me to use the front end of the armrest and he would use the backside. Gee - thanks. I'll lean forward so I can use the front half of the armrest. That'll work so well. Before long he was asleep and I knocked out the first two suduku puzzles in the American Way magazine. That's a good way for me to take my mind off the annoying people around me.
As the plane landed and taxied for 15 minutes (that's DFW for you - land on the east side and taxi 10 miles to the west side - happens every single time!) I could see all the NEWBIE travelers getting their bags out from under the seat in front of them and poising themselves to leap into the aisle just as soon as the plane stopped and the ding-dong tones indicating the fasten-seatbelt light went out. This just drives me crazy. Perfectly fine for the first few rows but not everyone. Don't they understand they will be standing cramped and hunched over just waiting and waiting for the line to move. The lady in front of me (row 12) did the same and then proceeded to back into my aisle space as she let the guy next to her out also. Clearly she doesn't know the rules.
To avoid the idiots I usually sit up front. This time I forgot when booking and picked the exit row. No more. TIme to go change next weeks flight to ALE.
The DFW to AUS (Austin, TX) flight was better from a comfort perspective. This was a MD-80 with 16 first class seats. I upgraded to one of those and had all the room I needed. We had some annoying issue with the intercom system requiring the captain to ding-dong the system about 500 times while we sat literally next in line for take-off. That took about 20 minutes but I had pulled out Stephen King's latest collection of short stories, Just After Sunset, so I was ok with the delay.
Took me about 8 hours to get to Austin considering getting to LIT an hour early, having a 3 hour connecting at DFW, and then a delay getting out of DFW. Time to iron some clothes for tomorrow....
Shoes Required?
I was sitting in one of those uncomfortable chairs at Gate 3 in the Little Rock National Airport terminal listening for the 3rd time (at least!) to one of those announcements declaring the "final" departure call.
This time it was for a Continental flight to Newark and since I'm headed to DFW I paid little attention but I know I had been hearing it for the last 10 minutes or so. Besides, the guy running down the terminal as silent as a Ninja had my rapt attention. Clearly, he was no true Ninja because, after all, I could see him. No, this guy was silent because he was wearing only socks on his feet. Being no dummy I immediately realized this guy was running to catch his Newark flight. You know, it WAS three calls into its "final call" so that must make it really, really close to taking off, right?
If you're familiar with the LIT airport you know it's one straight terminal with security on one end and gates along the sides and at the other end. The Newark flight was at the far end opposite security.
So there I was thinking "here's another example of a passenger who's either always late for everything he does or someone with some really bad luck (car problem, overslept, etc)". I was hedging toward him being the guy who's always late - always running with no shoes to catch a plane. He was was dressed in business casual attire with a rather large backpack on his back. I'd also assumed this guy must have tucked his shoes into backpack because as he's running his hands are empty.
He'd disappeared from view for no more than 5 seconds when another familiar overhead page came across, "Attention in the concourse. Would the passenger that just left their XYZ at the security checkpoint please return to claim it?" This time XYZ was shoes. The guy seated next to me and I exchanged glances right before we both started laughing. That's right - the hurried Newark-bound traveler had run through security and left his shoes.
Over the next few minutes I began to realize that he wasn't going to sprint back to security and retrieve those shoes. Meanwhile, security continued the overhead page. He either completely forgot about the shoes until he was on the plane - and I have a hard time believing that - or he decided the trip outweighed the need to be shod when landing in Newark.
My mind has a tendency to wander and wonder and so I began wondering if Continental (or any airline for that matter) has an official policy on the absence of shoes. If so, is it the shoes or the bare feet that would cause such a policy to be issued? I mean, I wonder if socks alone are ok but bare feet are not? I know I've seen people wearing flip-flops so bare top feet are permissible. I've watched people clip toenails in coach before (blech!) and that's just gross.
All in all I wonder the outcome of the guy who provided me with some humor and some thought this morning.
This time it was for a Continental flight to Newark and since I'm headed to DFW I paid little attention but I know I had been hearing it for the last 10 minutes or so. Besides, the guy running down the terminal as silent as a Ninja had my rapt attention. Clearly, he was no true Ninja because, after all, I could see him. No, this guy was silent because he was wearing only socks on his feet. Being no dummy I immediately realized this guy was running to catch his Newark flight. You know, it WAS three calls into its "final call" so that must make it really, really close to taking off, right?
If you're familiar with the LIT airport you know it's one straight terminal with security on one end and gates along the sides and at the other end. The Newark flight was at the far end opposite security.
So there I was thinking "here's another example of a passenger who's either always late for everything he does or someone with some really bad luck (car problem, overslept, etc)". I was hedging toward him being the guy who's always late - always running with no shoes to catch a plane. He was was dressed in business casual attire with a rather large backpack on his back. I'd also assumed this guy must have tucked his shoes into backpack because as he's running his hands are empty.
He'd disappeared from view for no more than 5 seconds when another familiar overhead page came across, "Attention in the concourse. Would the passenger that just left their XYZ at the security checkpoint please return to claim it?" This time XYZ was shoes. The guy seated next to me and I exchanged glances right before we both started laughing. That's right - the hurried Newark-bound traveler had run through security and left his shoes.
Over the next few minutes I began to realize that he wasn't going to sprint back to security and retrieve those shoes. Meanwhile, security continued the overhead page. He either completely forgot about the shoes until he was on the plane - and I have a hard time believing that - or he decided the trip outweighed the need to be shod when landing in Newark.
My mind has a tendency to wander and wonder and so I began wondering if Continental (or any airline for that matter) has an official policy on the absence of shoes. If so, is it the shoes or the bare feet that would cause such a policy to be issued? I mean, I wonder if socks alone are ok but bare feet are not? I know I've seen people wearing flip-flops so bare top feet are permissible. I've watched people clip toenails in coach before (blech!) and that's just gross.
All in all I wonder the outcome of the guy who provided me with some humor and some thought this morning.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Hero Should Live....
I watched Gran Torino this afternoon with Liz. She was reluctant with this as our movie selection. You see, it's not all that often we get to go to a movie together so naturally she wants to choose the best movie out at the time. And therein lies the rub: her idea of the best choice doesn't always align with my choice. In fact, it seldom does but considering the last two flicks we saw together were Twilight and The Day The Earth Stood Still, the choice clearly was mine to make. Or at least I thought so. She still insisted we review the list of flicks and discuss the options. Grrrrrr.
The theater was packed despite this being the second weekend and an afternoon time-slot but the average age had to be around 45 so it was tolerable. What I mean by that is that there weren't children and teenagers everywhere constantly making noise with their cells or needing to go potty and announcing it repeatedly for 10 minutes right behind me in my ear. You know what I mean, I hope. If you don't, I'm probably talking about you!
So how was the movie? In 2 words, very good. The only acting I thought was weak came from the Hmong kid actor, Thao. Otherwise, it's a solid movie from a veteran actor and director. There were tons of racial slurs that drew laughter from the audience almost constantly throughout the movie. Oddly enough it seemed acceptable - perhaps because it was coming from an old man where it didn't seem too out of place. I know in my life experience it seems the probability of racial comments increases with age of the person. In the movie, these slurs weren't limited to one or two races - they were spread around to all races and Nationalities. More or less making sure the love was spread amongst everyone and not isolating a few.
I must admit as the ending was laying out I wasn't happy with it. But once it was done I changed my mind and agreed with it. I guess I didn't like it initially because I grew up watching movies where the hero lived. Those were movies with Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood, the original Billy-Joe-Bad-Ass's to me. You know - some major injustice (assault, murder) is conducted on an innocent by a bad guy and retaliation (assault, murder) occurs by the good guy with the good guy living on to fight another day. So for me that's the way those movies need to play out.
The theater was packed despite this being the second weekend and an afternoon time-slot but the average age had to be around 45 so it was tolerable. What I mean by that is that there weren't children and teenagers everywhere constantly making noise with their cells or needing to go potty and announcing it repeatedly for 10 minutes right behind me in my ear. You know what I mean, I hope. If you don't, I'm probably talking about you!
So how was the movie? In 2 words, very good. The only acting I thought was weak came from the Hmong kid actor, Thao. Otherwise, it's a solid movie from a veteran actor and director. There were tons of racial slurs that drew laughter from the audience almost constantly throughout the movie. Oddly enough it seemed acceptable - perhaps because it was coming from an old man where it didn't seem too out of place. I know in my life experience it seems the probability of racial comments increases with age of the person. In the movie, these slurs weren't limited to one or two races - they were spread around to all races and Nationalities. More or less making sure the love was spread amongst everyone and not isolating a few.
I must admit as the ending was laying out I wasn't happy with it. But once it was done I changed my mind and agreed with it. I guess I didn't like it initially because I grew up watching movies where the hero lived. Those were movies with Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood, the original Billy-Joe-Bad-Ass's to me. You know - some major injustice (assault, murder) is conducted on an innocent by a bad guy and retaliation (assault, murder) occurs by the good guy with the good guy living on to fight another day. So for me that's the way those movies need to play out.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Why a blog?
I've debated writing a blog of some such for years now. I like the idea but don't want to commit to some regular ritual of posting. You know - finding material and finding the time and then feeling that it's just one more thing to keep up with in life... But I like to shake my head and complain about sooooo many things around me that I'm sure also annoy my fellow man that it would be stingy of me to keep it to myself. I should really share it with you all.
So with that said, I'm going to try my hand at jotting down some thoughts when the mood strikes me. With my current job, I travel almost weekly and this results in many situations where I shake my head with disdain. I'll make a mental note to come on here and share the stupidity with you. If I can, I'll snap some pics along the way.
Mr. Freeze
So with that said, I'm going to try my hand at jotting down some thoughts when the mood strikes me. With my current job, I travel almost weekly and this results in many situations where I shake my head with disdain. I'll make a mental note to come on here and share the stupidity with you. If I can, I'll snap some pics along the way.
Mr. Freeze
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