We're buying a new mattress

Just called last night to order a new air mattress. For now, we know it costs way less than the nationally advertised brands. Quoted shipping time was two weeks. Well, we're counting down!
Regin Inc.

Thanks for nothing Continental Airlines

So, me and the family take a trip to Houston (Texas that is) to introduce the little one to the family. While the trip TO Houston was pretty smooth INCLUDING (online check-in,TSA agents, gate personnel, rental car pick up,) and my daughter's crying during the last hour of flight.

The flight FROM Houston was not. It seems that Continental is including something extra with the flight... colds... for all of us!

Blame the City of Houston for the malfunctioning elevators in their car rental depot.
Shame on the Alamo/National lot attendant who wanted to play the blame game and offer no solution except the escalator!
Praise for the one City of Houston Airport employee we found (finally) that gave a rat's ass and assisted me with getting all 8 pieces of baggage, plus stroller, and car seat up the escalator.

To add to the "joy" of modern air travel we endured a rather strict enforcement of their 50lb baggage rule (or pay an additional $25). When the retort that "this is the same bag/weight as when we started the trip" yielded nothing and the requsite packing/unpacking was finished I moved all the luggage to the TSA exam area, frustrated by the events to this point.

Upon our arrival at the security checkpoint I break down the stroller, load the carry-ons for x-ray. Meanwhile, my dear wife is asked repeatedly to step back from the metal detector. Note that she is holding our 22 lb. + infant. As if some rare coniscidence, she is allowed to pass through the metal detector as I complete loading everything on the x-ray machine.
This is utter stupidity!

We resolve right then and there to buy a minivan and no longer be treated like steerage or herded like cattle onto airplanes.

Patriot's,Patriots', or Patriot? Is there room for more than one Patriot's Day?

When is a patriot, a patriot, a patriot? When they celebrate Patriots Day. But, when depends on where you might be living or what you might be celebrating.

In New England Patriot's Day was April 19. Patriots' Day moved to the third Monday of April in 1969 to coincide with the running of the Boston Marathon.

They celebrate Patriot's Day on the same day as New England did (originally) in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Senate approved Joint Resolution 9 and the Wisconsin Assembly concurred on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 proclaiming "April 19 of every year as Patriots' Day in the State of Wisconsin...". Even Bartleby's defines Patriots Day as "The third Monday in April".

After 9/11 we have new Patriots Day celebrations (like this breakfast in San Diego) that take place on 9/11 and fittingly enough a Patriots Day Anthem by Tara Greico. Now before the e-mails start I do agree (like Trent Lott that the Patriotic efforts of a those on 9/11 should be remembered. Let's just not forget the first Patriots in this country.

Democrats get a little love

At the DNC debate last night audience members disrupted the proceedings several times. Don't you just love a democracy? I heard on the radio this a.m. that Sharpton asked for some "manners" from the audience. Probably the only time I'd ever agree with anything that eminated from Sharpton.

Google turns 5..happy birthday

If you have been awake and using the internet during the last 5 years you've probably used one of the dominating forces in web search sites: Google
Here's an article from USATODAY on the search service on their birthday.

Review, review again

I learned that my employer was working on improving project management and remembered that Michael Greer published an excellent article on Post Mortem Review Questions. This might be a few years old but, the advice is timeless.