Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Who Makes The Daylight Savings Time Decisions

What the heck is this with us going until Nov 4 before we can get rid of Daylight Savings Time.  It's fall.  I should be dark in the evening.  I have enough trouble getting going in the morning without having darkness until almost 8 AM for crying out loud.  Who makes these decisions any way.  Nobody asked me.  It used to be like the second weekend in October and then in April.  Now we're into November and it only goes until March.  I'd organize a protest if only I knew where to protest.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Magical Unicorn Pony God of Travel Why Have You Forsaken Me!

You're a good acolyte.  You find virgins and drop them in volcanoes (not the easiest thing to do in New Mexico).  You curse the amateur traveler in the name of the Magical Unicorn Pony God of Travel.  But you miss one month of virginal sacrifice because you're on vacation and under the bus you go.

So how long does it take to fly from Albuquerque to Chicago.  3 hours direct, 5 hours with a plane change or 14 hours if the Unicorn God is pissed off!

Part of it is my own fault.  I haven't been traveling as much over the last year or two and I've lost my edge.  There are certain things a frequent flyer should always do.  One of these is when your plane has mechanical problems and they make you get off the plane make alternative plans immediately.  Don't listen to them.  Don't trust them.  Get an alternative as soon as you can.

For some reason on Monday, I was trusting.  Bad mistake.  I flew from Albuquerque to Denver early and had a 10:17 flight from Denver to Chicago.  We got completely boarded when they announced they had an issue with plug and play part but that they weren't sure they had the part.  I should have paid attention to the ominous background music right then.  Instead I dithered and after 2+ hours of non-committal kicking the can down the road pronouncements from United Airlines (really, you don't have a part for one of your major aircraft in one of your major hubs?), I called to find my alternatives.  But on a Monday with other problems around the system happening the only availability was the last flight of the day which was going to get me in after midnight.

Fortunately for me, I also got wait listed for a flight at 5:40 which I managed to clear at the last moment AND even got a window, not middle seat.  Got into CHI at 9:30 so I had time to get some rest which was good because I had a talk to give in the morning the next day.

All you virgins living in my area, be on your guard.  The Magical Unicorn Pony God of Travel will be appeased!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Finishing Europe in Pictures - Part 5 (Finale) Alhambra Gardens and Water

And some of what I loved the best - the gardens and the use of water as a design element.





















Sunday, October 21, 2012

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Finishing Europe in Pictures - Part 3 Alhambra Fortress and Ruins

All of these pictures are from the Alhambra in Granada as are those in the prior Part 2 and the ones in the next two posts.  They were all taken during our 5 hour tour.  It gives you just a glimpse at how magnificent this place must have been in its prime.

 
















The NEW de-I Image

Thanks to the picture taking pros at OH Photography and Poopie Diaper Changing Service Based in Amsterdam I not only scored the killer, essence of de-I hat and coat shot but had these other options presented to me as my new image.

de-I

Dyslectic de-I

de-I Product Promoter

Friday, October 19, 2012

Finishing Europe In Pictures - Part 2 Design

One of the hallmarks of Islamic architectural design is that it rejects the use of imagery and makes use of geometric design and calligraphy (in the form of verses from the Koran) in intricate detail