Not the same as the finger!
Driving to work this morning a pigeon swooped right down in front of me as I traveled north on I-5. This particular bird was doing 60+ mph fro at least a minute, which would equate to at least a mile (hey I'm not self-disclosing on my speedy driving habits) right in front of my bumper.
So I got curious - how fast do pigeons normally fly and was this an anomaly? See http://www.speedpigeon.com/ .
I also found out that specially bred pigeons race and are capable of finding their way home from a distance of over 1000 miles away flying at speed in excess of 80 mph.
So as I doubt I was drafting a racing pigeon, but my garden variety guy was probably just winging it out to the local prominent statue or freeway underpass to hang and poop with his friends.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
366 days
At 1:04PM & again 2 minutes later the twins officially enjoyed ringing in their first birthday. With a full day of activities ranging from from arts & crafts with various food groups to stumbling about the driveway and lawn - everybody had a day to remember.
Little boy is walking on his own (the past 3 weeks) while younger sister still has a need for some guidance. Though I doubt for very much longer. Both enjoyed tumbling on the bed, climbing on big sisters indoor jungle gym, and trying to go in as many separate directions as possible on the lawn while only Dad was trying to contain them from dropping off the hillside or wandering up onto the culdesac.
Multiple family well wishers calling on the phone - but only the bad harmonizing of their Father and big sister actually singing to them Happy Birthday in person - they didn't appear to be very impressed. No candles were harmed in the process of today's events.
Little boy is walking on his own (the past 3 weeks) while younger sister still has a need for some guidance. Though I doubt for very much longer. Both enjoyed tumbling on the bed, climbing on big sisters indoor jungle gym, and trying to go in as many separate directions as possible on the lawn while only Dad was trying to contain them from dropping off the hillside or wandering up onto the culdesac.
Multiple family well wishers calling on the phone - but only the bad harmonizing of their Father and big sister actually singing to them Happy Birthday in person - they didn't appear to be very impressed. No candles were harmed in the process of today's events.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Life at the airport
Some observations:
1. A direct flight is not the same as a non-stop flight. Non-stop is self explanatory, point A to point B. Direct means the same flight number & thus usually the same airplane (though not guaranteed), and may have 1 or more stops until you get to your destination.
2. Non-stops flights usually (but not always) cost more than direct flights.
3. People that complain the loudest or demand the most have paid the lowest price for their ticket.
4. Those same people are usually not wearing their Sunday best; nor have they used a comb or brush lately.
5. No matter how wide the terminal walkway - a group traveling together will always manage to walk side-by-side obliviously negating any chance of getting to your connecting flight on time.
6. Want to have a slow walking contest - go to the airport.
7. Where's baggage claim? I swear half the herd is illiterate. It's not that complicated - unless you're the first one off the airplane - follow most of the rest of your fellow passengers. Then go outside baggage claim and light up with the rest of the illiterates in the posted no-smoking zone!
8. Unless you're flying Southworst - there's absolutely no need to que up for the boarding process at the gate with your line overflowing from the plane door (or actually the seat row where Uncle Joe is trying to shove his overpacked carry-on into the overhead bin because of the horror stories of all the lost baggage) all through the jetway and spilling into the terminal and further disrupting the flow of foot traffic.
9. Rows numbers on the planes always begin with 1, 2, 3 at the front. This is usually First Class. Last Class is in the back - mooo!
10. Seat letters always begin with "A" at the window seat on the left side of the plane (just like looking at the alphabet on the wall in your elementary school classroom); except usually now since you board facing the wrong way "A" is on your right (but that's still aircraft left).
Bonus - Free newspapers & magazines - get your leftovers at a gate from which a flight just left (prior to the cleaners coming through), or upon deplaning from the seat or seat back pockets from the folks who sat in front of you. How do you think the crew gets their reading material - thank you very much!
1. A direct flight is not the same as a non-stop flight. Non-stop is self explanatory, point A to point B. Direct means the same flight number & thus usually the same airplane (though not guaranteed), and may have 1 or more stops until you get to your destination.
2. Non-stops flights usually (but not always) cost more than direct flights.
3. People that complain the loudest or demand the most have paid the lowest price for their ticket.
4. Those same people are usually not wearing their Sunday best; nor have they used a comb or brush lately.
5. No matter how wide the terminal walkway - a group traveling together will always manage to walk side-by-side obliviously negating any chance of getting to your connecting flight on time.
6. Want to have a slow walking contest - go to the airport.
7. Where's baggage claim? I swear half the herd is illiterate. It's not that complicated - unless you're the first one off the airplane - follow most of the rest of your fellow passengers. Then go outside baggage claim and light up with the rest of the illiterates in the posted no-smoking zone!
8. Unless you're flying Southworst - there's absolutely no need to que up for the boarding process at the gate with your line overflowing from the plane door (or actually the seat row where Uncle Joe is trying to shove his overpacked carry-on into the overhead bin because of the horror stories of all the lost baggage) all through the jetway and spilling into the terminal and further disrupting the flow of foot traffic.
9. Rows numbers on the planes always begin with 1, 2, 3 at the front. This is usually First Class. Last Class is in the back - mooo!
10. Seat letters always begin with "A" at the window seat on the left side of the plane (just like looking at the alphabet on the wall in your elementary school classroom); except usually now since you board facing the wrong way "A" is on your right (but that's still aircraft left).
Bonus - Free newspapers & magazines - get your leftovers at a gate from which a flight just left (prior to the cleaners coming through), or upon deplaning from the seat or seat back pockets from the folks who sat in front of you. How do you think the crew gets their reading material - thank you very much!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Island travel
Traffic to the islands is down 20+% since the failures of both ATA & Aloha.
This has resulted in a domino effect amongst the rest of the tourist related business. While airfare might be now capacity restricted and bargins hard to find - once you get here the hotels, condos and car rentals are deeply discounted. Though prices on everything else is about 20% more - that $5 foot-long at Subway is $5.99 here and the LOGP has been $4.16/gallon.
And of course since I'm off the bike all week I've seen dozens of different cyclists every day. All look serious and race ready - not the coaster type who are affected by the commercial bike ban in the NP. DOH!
This has resulted in a domino effect amongst the rest of the tourist related business. While airfare might be now capacity restricted and bargins hard to find - once you get here the hotels, condos and car rentals are deeply discounted. Though prices on everything else is about 20% more - that $5 foot-long at Subway is $5.99 here and the LOGP has been $4.16/gallon.
And of course since I'm off the bike all week I've seen dozens of different cyclists every day. All look serious and race ready - not the coaster type who are affected by the commercial bike ban in the NP. DOH!
Cranky in paradise
Big Girl has been a trooper lately - really trying to go with the flow, but her little body wasn't cooperating. Missed her opportunity the other night to strut her hula stuff at the shops down the block, and actually has been insisting on going to bed early (which is definitely not normal).
Doc says she has a double ear infection - and prescribed some antibiotics are on the attack to assist her recovery. She already has an appetite and a smile has reappeared, though still whisked herself off to bed early. Though she did indicate that we should go to the beach again tomorrow.
Meanwhile Little Girl has been putting on a show strutting her stuff throughout the condo and in the pool this afternoon. Dunked herself with a mis-step in the pool shallows - and came up laughing. I think I might have a lil' mermaid here. She's finally standing by herself unsupported - my guess is she should be walking within the week (twin brother has been a terror on 2 feet for about 2 weeks now and is providing much entertainment for his cousins while his sisters are in Maui with me).
So with three full days before we fly home Tuesday - I hope we'll get some girls giggling themselves silly with sand in all the wrong places, and exhausting their energies on the local playground.
Old G2K touring bike remains on the bike hook unfettered :-(
Doc says she has a double ear infection - and prescribed some antibiotics are on the attack to assist her recovery. She already has an appetite and a smile has reappeared, though still whisked herself off to bed early. Though she did indicate that we should go to the beach again tomorrow.
Meanwhile Little Girl has been putting on a show strutting her stuff throughout the condo and in the pool this afternoon. Dunked herself with a mis-step in the pool shallows - and came up laughing. I think I might have a lil' mermaid here. She's finally standing by herself unsupported - my guess is she should be walking within the week (twin brother has been a terror on 2 feet for about 2 weeks now and is providing much entertainment for his cousins while his sisters are in Maui with me).
So with three full days before we fly home Tuesday - I hope we'll get some girls giggling themselves silly with sand in all the wrong places, and exhausting their energies on the local playground.
Old G2K touring bike remains on the bike hook unfettered :-(
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Maui music
Flying like crazy lately. Work had me to DC & back on a 2-day trip for Sunday/Monday, then immediately off to Maui with the 2 girls yesterday. Over 17 hours of long-leg flying in 3 days.
I'm missing the bike, but that's OK - I think I just need some time away to renew my season (that barely even started for me yet). We'll get some much needed beach, pool and park time.
Weather is a perfect 82 degrees with very light winds (just enough to take the edge off a pale NW'ster) with only the remote chance for any rain until after we leave next Tuesday.
Staying in Wailea's Grand Champions Villa's in a nice 2-bedroom. Big girl will be wiggling her fanny later on at the local shops where they host some music (hopefully the hula band) on Wednesday nights, she'll 'leep good tonight. maybe lil girl will join in the fun.
So no Elma or PR the next week, and the prospect of racing anytime soon is dismal at best. I'll be looking to do some trip trades but it won't be until the Enumclaw Ominuim weekend that I'll have my first crack at racing since my little Easter Crit in Ontario.
In the meantime I'll be lathering up the 50 SPF sunblock and heading out for the day then we'll all be catching some ZZZZZZZZZZZ's; Mahalo!
I'm missing the bike, but that's OK - I think I just need some time away to renew my season (that barely even started for me yet). We'll get some much needed beach, pool and park time.
Weather is a perfect 82 degrees with very light winds (just enough to take the edge off a pale NW'ster) with only the remote chance for any rain until after we leave next Tuesday.
Staying in Wailea's Grand Champions Villa's in a nice 2-bedroom. Big girl will be wiggling her fanny later on at the local shops where they host some music (hopefully the hula band) on Wednesday nights, she'll 'leep good tonight. maybe lil girl will join in the fun.
So no Elma or PR the next week, and the prospect of racing anytime soon is dismal at best. I'll be looking to do some trip trades but it won't be until the Enumclaw Ominuim weekend that I'll have my first crack at racing since my little Easter Crit in Ontario.
In the meantime I'll be lathering up the 50 SPF sunblock and heading out for the day then we'll all be catching some ZZZZZZZZZZZ's; Mahalo!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
What's next?
Big shakeup in the airline industry continues this week as Frontier Airlines goes into bankruptcy, seeking court protection from its creditors. Last week 4 - count 'em FOUR airlines went belly up or plan to.
Honolulu based Aloha led the charge ("aloha" also means goodbye!), followed quickly by ATA (Indianapolis, Indiana), and Skybus (Columbus, Ohio).
Minnesota's Champion Air indicates it cannot compete with the price of gas at $110/barrel and will shut down at the end of May (I think it'd be fitting to shut down a week earlier on Memorial Day, but what do I know).
Meanwhile hometown airline Alaska indicates it'll take advantage of the situation and expand it's wings further into the "Aloha State" with service starting to Maui starting July 17th from Seattle and seasonal service from Anchorage starting in October 31st (Happy Halloween!).
Meanwhile Southwest led the news earlier this month with fines imposed for failure to comply with maintenance issues related to aging aircraft inspections (i.e. corrosion). Shakeup of the FAA's regional management ensued.
Then United had issues with some of its Airbus aircraft. This was followed by many carriers who operate MD80 type aircraft had schedule disruptions caused by a FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) to adjust the spacing of wire bundle ties and taping, and repositioned wire bundle clamps. Alaska only has 9 of these aircraft remaining in its fleet, while American has more than 100. So while it was a minor issue at Alaska, Delta, Midwest, and Continental; American's whole operation was a mess - with more than 300,000 inconvenienced passengers.
Honolulu based Aloha led the charge ("aloha" also means goodbye!), followed quickly by ATA (Indianapolis, Indiana), and Skybus (Columbus, Ohio).
Minnesota's Champion Air indicates it cannot compete with the price of gas at $110/barrel and will shut down at the end of May (I think it'd be fitting to shut down a week earlier on Memorial Day, but what do I know).
Meanwhile hometown airline Alaska indicates it'll take advantage of the situation and expand it's wings further into the "Aloha State" with service starting to Maui starting July 17th from Seattle and seasonal service from Anchorage starting in October 31st (Happy Halloween!).
Meanwhile Southwest led the news earlier this month with fines imposed for failure to comply with maintenance issues related to aging aircraft inspections (i.e. corrosion). Shakeup of the FAA's regional management ensued.
Then United had issues with some of its Airbus aircraft. This was followed by many carriers who operate MD80 type aircraft had schedule disruptions caused by a FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) to adjust the spacing of wire bundle ties and taping, and repositioned wire bundle clamps. Alaska only has 9 of these aircraft remaining in its fleet, while American has more than 100. So while it was a minor issue at Alaska, Delta, Midwest, and Continental; American's whole operation was a mess - with more than 300,000 inconvenienced passengers.
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