TRAVEL TIPS AND TIDBITS

1. Everyone see to hate the Dallas/Fort Worth airport but I thought it was OK.  Not the worst I've been in, not the best.

2. I think major airports should have bars and coffee shops open 24/7.  One traveler's midnight is another traveler's noon.  

3. When you're sitting next to a guy (on a midnight flight) who has headphones on, his hat pulled low, and has made to attempt to make small talk, there is absolutely NO reason to ask him where he is from.  This will result in a rude/dumbfounded look.

 4. Why do parents think it is OK for their 3 or 4 year old kid to act like a complete heathen?  I get it, long flights can be grueling for even a seasoned traveler so I'm sure it's awful for little ones.  But, that does not give them the right to intrude on a stranger's personal space. I may be a jerk for saying this, but I don't know you're kid, they are not related to me so I don't have to like your kid, and I don't think it is super cute when they stand on the chair next to me and jump up and down while drinking, and spilling, soda.  Control your kid or take them to a unpopulated area in the terminal for them to blow off steam.

4   5. If I were in charge, I’d load planes in the exact opposite way it is done now.  The lower your boarding number, the sooner you would board.  Why should the people who shelled out the serious cash for first class have to sit on the plane longer than anyone else (and no, I’ve never sat first class, I’m always in the back).  I think first class should be last on and first off. 

      I would also change the way the overhead bins work.  Each seat would be have a designated space in a bin, so there would be no need to get on the plane early to have a spot for your luggage.  Actually, if it were up to me, no one would have carry ons…everything would be checked except what you could carry in your hands sans bag.  This would eliminate the overly-long and slow process of getting off the plane.

  

ADIOS

TRAVEL FUN

Got a new tube of mini-tooth paste and a new tooth brush to prep for my trip.  Despite my new toiletries this trip will be more work than fun.  I'll be back in a few days. 

DIFFERENT VIBE

We don't have internet (gasp, no cable either) at our house which typically isn't a big problem since there are plenty of coffee shops near-by that offer free Wi-Fi.  Last night we needed to use the internet for a bit so we set off for the nearest Wi-Fi coffee house.  Only instead of us both going in a car, I rode my bike because I didn't want to stay long. 

Although it wasn't raining very hard when I left my house it was pouring when I arrived.  As I was locking up my bike this older gentleman was walking to his SUV and made a friendly comment about how this isn't ideal biking weather. I smiled and we briefly chatted about the rain as he made his way past.  I thought nothing of the encounter and was heading toward the door when an SUV stopped beside me.  It was the older gentleman.  He asked if I wanted him to take me to my car so I could drive home rather than ride.  I declined the offer but it made me think. 

Denver has a different vibe and feel than any other city I've ever lived in.  It is almost like a small town which just happens to have tons of people living in it.  Maybe its because almost everyone is a transplant and remembers what it is like to not know many people or maybe its this awesome weather makes everyone happy.  Whatever it is, I love it.

CHANGE UP

The other day I attended a seminar which discussed writing for the web.  One major point is the writing style is completely different than writing for print because the reading styles are different. 

This got me thinking, why not start writing text books in the same way we write for the web.  In our "never enough hours in the day" world, it is silly to think people are going to read a whole textbook rather than skim it for important points. 

Plus, with more students spending more and more hours on the web, it is feasible to think these reading habits will jump mediums and be used when a book is being read. 

Maybe re-writing text books will be how I make my first million.

NIGHT LIFE

Thanks to a generous co-worker we were able to go to the Rockies/Cards game last night.  It was a beautiful night for a game and it was nice to do something different in the evening.  And tonight of course, is running club. 

These two post-work activities help me realize there is more to life than working, eating, preparing for tomorrow, and repeating.  Sometimes its easy to forget there are activities you can, and should, do to relax and unwind during the week.  I know after running club I have a renewed energy and sense of accomplishment and "can do" attitude that drastically improves my mood and efficiency for the rest of the week. 

Waiting to do all of your relaxing on the weekend seems like too little payoff  for working 10+ hours a day for months on end.  By no means am I suggesting people need to go out and get wasted every week.  But I am saying that its important to do something to remind you what all the hard work is for. 

HAPPENINGS-PAST AND FUTURE

This weekend, much like the past week, was a good blend of fun and productivity.  Saturday morning I was out the door by 7 a.m. to get a jump on the to-do list.  By 3 pm I had the entire weekend's worth of chores done. 

The rest of the weekend consisted of losing at cards, watching football, watching rain, bike riding, grilling, and hanging out with friends.

Last week I focused on making my mornings more efficient and less stressful.  I ironed my shirts and packed my lunch (actually J packed my lunches) in the evenings rather than in the morning.  It is amazing the difference this made.   This week, I'm adding one more step, I'm going to get back in the habit of working out before work.  I'm going to do it for the rest of the week, because, you can do anything for 4 days.  In the past, this has made my days even better...hopefully it will do the same this time around.

GOOD TIMES

Just when I think the pub our running club drinks at can't get any better, I find out they have all you can eat wings on Thursday for $5...this will make my wallet love me but my pants hate me.  The discovery was made thanks to a high school buddy who invited me out to grab some drinks last night.  That's right, a mini L-town reunion right here in Colorado.  It was a great way to spend my Thursday night.

Maybe this just shows that if I want to find good deals I should be going out every night.  Something to think about.

FILM FEST

Last night we went to the Best of Denver 48 Hour Film Fest to watch a short film our buddy acted in.  The film was awarded Best Actress and Best Use of Dialog.  It was a very cool black and white silent film that had the right mix of drama and spookiness. 

The theater was filled with a great vibe and lots of energy and creativity.  A perfect way to refuel so I can make it 'til Friday. 

THANK YOU

I have a lot of thank yous to address today.

First, thank you to all of the military personnel, both former and current, who have fought to keep our country safe and way of life secure before and after 9-11.

Second, thank you to all of the political leaders, past and present, who have helped command and make decisions for the country's safety.  Even if you don't agree with a specific a political leader or policy you can openly share your feelings and thoughts without fear of being woken up in the middle of the night by the secret police knocking on your door.  Because of that great privilege, please review thank you #1.

Third thank you for the feedback on the blog.  In the past 2 days I have received two comments about this electronic tracker of my thoughts...both much appreciated. 

OOPS

It was brought to my attention that this lil ol blog has more than 2 readers...sorry for short changing my readers. You're all very appreciated.

PURE AWESOMENESS

Some weekends are just OK, some are downright terrible, and some are so awesome it feels like a dream.  Well my 2 faithful readers, this weekend was on the awesome side of things. 

Awesome Event #1:
Took my trek down to a local sporting goods consignment shop and traded it for a bike that actually fits the misses.  Now when she stops she can actually touch the ground.  I have to admit, she was a trooper for the past few months...never once did she complain about having to ride a bike 2 times too big.  Plus, just in time for the second awesome event of the weekend.

Awesome Event #2:
Tour De Fat.  Simply amazing.  I saw some cool and creative costumes and bikes (my personal favorite was two bikes connected together and made to look like a pirate ship).  Although it was so hot the sidewalk was melting we still had a good time.  Meeting up with some long lost friends helped keep everything leaning towards awesome.

Awesome Event #3:
Tried my hand at yoga. It was much tougher than I thought it would be.  Aside from feeling like a stiff, inflexible fish out of water it was really fun.  The cool part was we were down town in a city park, so for the few moments that my body was contorted in the direction of the city and I could see through my burning sweat-filled eyes, I could see the skyline.  Pretty awesome.

Awesome Event #4:
Football season.  Watched the Packers' season opener with another set of friends.  Although they lost, it was still great spending my Sunday watching football and eating chili.  If our defense gets better, I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

Happy Monday.

Tour de fat

FIXED

One of my iPods is about 10 years old.  For the past few years it has been playing this little game, "Will I Work or Won't I"?  The game is really stupid and has the potential to be very frustrating.  For the past year or so the answer has been steadily, "No, I won't work". 

I came across the old iPod the other day while cleaning out boxes and thought, this is your last chance, you'll work or you'll be thrown away.  Pushed the button and nothing.  Fine, into the trash. 

But before I could toss it my curiosity got the better of me and I couldn't help but take it apart to see what the insides looked like.

I pried the outer case open with a knife and started poking around.  All of a sudden, the screen flickered and stayed on.  When I closed the case and pushed "play" it started working again.  So now I have a working iPod.  Needless to say this was enough to keep it out of the trash.

Just goes to show what a pocket knife and a little curiosity can accomplish. 

RUNNING PANTS

I finally got my new pants back from the tailor and they fit perfect.  Only took two pairs of pants (they made the first pair so short they couldn't be fixed so we started over with a fresh pair) and three trips to the tailor.  I did get a $25 gift certificate, so I guess it was worth it.

In other non-pant news, tonight is running club and I can't wait.  It is amazing how much enjoyment I get from running with this group...and the free beer is nice added bonus.  

LABOR DAY HAPPENINGS

While most people spent the last "summer" weekend bbqing, boating, or doing other similar things, I was in the middle of a desert working an event for the first part of the holiday weekend.  Despite the heat it was a good time and I think some good was accomplished.

The rest of the weekend consisted of having a shrimp boil, introducing BluDog to two new pals, and helping friends paint their new house.  All in all a very good weekend.