Sorry, that I have not been blogging much lately...

but work is crazy and I have been working most evenings and weekends, so sadly all of you are suffering. Please feel free to write my company and express your dissatisfaction. Also, mention I should get a raise and a paid vacation. Thanks.

How to evaluate if someone is a friend, best friend or bestest friend

Kelly: The Prequel

I love these videos.

I bet this is how Lindsay Lohan must feel every day.

The paparazzi must be getting desperate.

If you are a dog lover check out Amazing Gracie by Dan Dye & Mark Beckloff

I just finished re-reading the book, Amazing Gracie by Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff. It is the story of how a deaf, albino, Great Dane named Gracie changes the lives of two men forever.

I have read this book easily 10 times over the years and I still tear up every time. It really is the original Marley & Me. If you are a dog lover, this book is for you.

You may also know Dan and Mark as the co-founders of Three Dog Bakery (which has a location in Cherry Creek).

Part of me is tempted to rent a polar bear costume, wear it and attack the Green Peace volunteers

I am so flipping tired of the Greenpeace volunteers on the 16th Street Mall that are constantly jumping in front of me asking me if I want to save a polar bear. They see that I am rushing to catch the shuttle, but there they are day after flipping day asking the same damn people, the same damn question.

Now I am all for the polar bears and environment, but find a new street corner. Please!

Part of me is tempted to rent a polar bear costume, wear it and attack the Greenpeace volunteers every time the ask someone. Grrrr!

Do they rent polar bear costumes? If not, can I rent a polar bear or even a large white dog with fangs. Anything white will do.

Two reasons that make me question why I ever left Arizona:

Reason #1 - Snow in late April.

Reason #2 - Did I already mention snow in late April?

Come on! Went to bed last night fairly happy and woke up this morning to 4 - 5 inches of snow. It is almost May. This is so unfair. I declare a do over.

I hear IKEA is hiring, but the interview is a bitch. Check this out.

The Answer: Earth, Red Robin & Titanic...so what is the question? Find out here.

How did Tom & Dale spend Saturday night?

Late yesterday afternoon, Dale and I joined our friends Sam & Anjanette to see the movie Earth. Earth was a great movie by Disney and if you like the Planet Earth series on Discovery it is very similar. I think it is nice that Disney is raising awareness how connected all creatures are on Earth and truly how fragile our planet can be.

After the movie, we headed to Red Robin for some burgers & fries. It was yummy and since we were there at 4:30 PM was not crowded or loud with screaming kids. We rarely ever go to Red Robin, but it is a favorite of Dale's for the fries.

After dinner, we followed signs in the Flatirons Mall parking lot and waited an hour in line to see Titanic: Treasures from the Deep, which is a traveling exhibit of 25 relics found on or near where the Titanic sunk. It was fun, especially because it was unplanned. If you get a chance, check it out.

And of course, if was fun to hang out with our neighbors and friends, Sam & Anjanette.

As someone from NY, I do believe this is how many New Yorkers see the rest of the US

I am so proud how environmentally forward Dale has made our household. Read how:

Over the past few years Dale has done a great job in doing small things that make a big difference to our environment. This includes:

• Using recyclable shopping bags at the grocery store rather than take plastic bags.
• As bulbs burn out, replacing with compact fluorescent light bulbs that use less energy.
• Recycling 95% of our trash on a weekly basis.
• Installing hot water lobsters that reduce water waste.
• Unplugging all unnecessary appliances which saves energy.
• Turning off lights in rooms we are not in which saves energy.
• Only doing laundry when we have enough for a full load.
• Watering our lawn at night or early morning to reduce evaporation from sun.
• Turning down the thermostat in cold weather and keep it higher in warm weather.
• Using a Britta Water Pitcher instead of buying bottled water.

Our new initiatives this week:

• Using our own mugs at Starbucks to reduce the waste of plastic cups.
• Using cloth napkins at home versus paper napkins.

Up next, Dale will be saving the water from his shower and putting it in a bucket for me to bath. Well, let's hope we don't go that far. But in all reality, it is great to see how a few small measures can make a huge difference in helping the environment, but also our wallets. Get on board, go green!!!

Yeah we gonna go down to the river and either baptize or drown you depending on the level of your sins.

Best line of video:

Sontard: Dad can we go out to the river now?
Shaycarl: Yeah we gonna go down to the river and either baptize or drown you depending on the level of your sins.

This made me laugh out loud.

This guys posts a video a day on YouTube & just cracks me up

He is my new hero.

It is cloudy & dreary out, but I slept in 2 more hours than normal...

...and it felt so damn good. After a long few weeks, some gray skies and extra rest felt very nice. Right now I am sitting on the couch, eating a wonderful breakfast Dale prepared and catching up on TiVo.

You know I am tired when I am too tired too blog

This is a bit catty

At the Dulles Airport.
9:30 PM MT.
This girl in front of me has spent last 60 minutes calling everyone she knows.
Apparently she saw Nicole Richie at this airport tonight.
She has said 'awesome' 500 times.
And 'like' 600 times.
She thinks she looks just like Nicole Richie.
Even Nicole Richie did a double take.
OMG.
She sounds as stupid as Nicole Richie.
So I can see the resemblance.
I hate Ugg books.
And I am convinced her bracelets are actually collars for cats.
Her bag is fringe.
I should move as I am dumber for listening to her.
But wanted to share.

Audi Green Allergies, oh my.

I am in Hendron, VA today with the good folks from my client, Factory Labs, visiting the good folks at their client, Audi USA.

Firstly, the me say the Audi Corporate offices are beautiful and they have some amazing cars in the lobby, including one worth $475K.

Secondly, I forgot how early everything gets green back here on the East Coast. It is beautiful to see green grass and trees flowering. I can tell it is Spring here because my allergies are killing me today.

I head back tonight and land in Denver at 11:45 PM, ugh!

Illusion & Reality

Last night Dale and I left Arvada, CO at 3:45 PM and headed north to Cheyenne, WY to see our friends Cindy and Kevin Spencer perform their traveling illusion show - The Spencer Theatre of Illusion.

It took about 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to Cheyenne, which left us time to have a bite to eat and find the theater. As we drove around Cheyenne, we realized dinner options were slim pickings as a lot of restaurants and businesses were closed up and gone (damn economy).

We settled on the restaurant with a ton of cars - Kentucky Fried Chicken Buffet. Yes, all your favorites from KFC, but self-serve with a sneeze guard. Oddly, the place was packed and we barely got a table. Who knew? Maybe KFC needs more buffets.

After dinner we headed to the show, which was amazing. Brilliant illusions, a mix of comedy, great music and a wonderful message to kids to follow their dreams, just like Kevin Spencer did with magic. It was great family fun and it was good to see a big turn out on a Monday night.

After the show we were able to go to the Green Room and catch up with Cindy and Kevin a bit. We had met them on a train from Paris to Venice last summer and they are such a dear, genuine couple. They are the type of people you can talk to with ease for hours. It was great to finally see their show and of course them.

Kevin and Cindy focus a lot in their show on the difference and reality. Today I truly understand the difference as last night we saw some great illusions, but this morning I had to face the reality of dragging myself out of bed after getting home at midnight to catch a morning flight to Washington, DC. A sad reality, but so worth it to see the Spencers and a KFC Buffet.

Thanks Kevin & Cindy! If any of you get the chance one day, check out their show. It is well worth it.

Waiting at a train station can be fun

This was sent to me by my friend Heather Flynn. Oddly, I have always found the Sound of Music creepy and this just adds to the creepiness.

Tomorrow night Dale & I are driving to Wyoming to see...

...our friends Kevin & Cindy Spencer perform their show - The Spencers Theatre of Illusion. We are excited to see the show.

So Dale & I have decided on our annual vacation and have settled on...

...6 days in London and 4 days in Amsterdam.

We had gone back and forth with several different places including a trip back to the East Coast (this summer) and Hawaii (in December), but Dale and I love to just wonder and get lost in a city for our vacations, so London & Amsterdam seemed perfect. The wonder of exploring an unfamiliar city is why we adored Paris, Venice, Milan, Florence and Rome last summer. There is nothing better than just getting out there with no destination planned. Having your day just unfold at your feet with every turn is such a wonderful feeling. Similar to France & Italy, Dale has been to England & the Netherlands in his early 20s, but it is always different to explore a country with the person you love he says (he is so sweet).

So if you have visited London or Amsterdam before, now is your chance to get involved by commenting and telling us all the sights you loved and we should not miss. Thanks!!

Wii is releasing a new controller targeted at women. Check it out here. I think it will be huge next Christmas.

This made me laugh, especially the last few seconds.

Have you ever seen your picture & realized it just captures your mood at that moment? Here is how I feel today.

I worked from 10 AM - 5 PM today (yes on a Saturday), so this pretty much captures my mood - a little frustrated, but still pretty.

For those who think Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, there is new photographic evidence.

Find out what Hell is like on Fridays. Who knew?

One day a guy dies and finds himself in hell. Walking around, he runs into the devil.

Devil: Why are you so sad?

Guy: Why do you think? I’m in hell.

Devil: Hell’s not so bad. We actually have a lot of fun down here. You a drinkin’ man?

Guy: Sure, I love to drink.

Devil: Well you’re gonna love Mondays then. On Mondays, all we do is drink. Whiskey, tequila, Guinness, wine coolers, Diet Tab. We drink until we throw up and then we drink some more.

Guy: Gee, that sounds great.

Devil: You a smoker?

Guy: You better believe it.

Devil: All right! You’re gonna love Tuesdays. We get the finest cigars from around the world and smoke our friggin’ lungs out. If you get cancer, it’s okay — you’re already dead.

Guy: Golly!

Devil: I bet you like to gamble, too.

Guy: Yes, as a matter of fact I do.

Devil: Good, because Wednesday is gambling day. Craps, blackjack, horse races, you
name it. You like to do drugs?

Guy: Yes, I love to do drugs. You don’t mean…?
Devil: That’s right! Thursday is drug day. Help yourself to a great big bowl of crack. Smoke a doobie the size of the Titanic. You can do all the drugs you want, and you’ll never die — you’re already dead.

Guy: Neat! I never realized hell was such a happenin’ place!
Devil: You gay?

Guy: No.

Devil: Oh, you’re gonna hate Fridays.

A blast from the past for Denver Botanic Gardens

One year ago today, the company I work for Bridgeline Software (formerly Indigio) launched a web site for me the Denver Botanic Gardens, that was truly a labor of love for me. The Denver Botanic Gardens is an amazing organization and has an incredible staff, including two wonderful women who are not only clients, but individuals who I am proud to call friends - Robin Doerr and Doris Boardman. They were our main contacts during this redesign and I adore them both.

I thought it would be fun to share a screen shot of the site before the redesign and give everyone a little blast from the past. Here it is:


It now looks like this:


You should check out the site at www.botanicgardens.org and visit the Gardens, as Spring has sprung!

Sometimes being wealthy can be a job itself and apparently it pays very well - just ask Michael Jordon.

Michael Jordan having "retired," with $40 million in endorsements, makes $178,100 a day, working or not from interest.

• If he sleeps 7 hours a night, he makes $52,000 every night while visions of sugarplums dance in his head.
• If he goes to see a movie, it'll cost him $7.00, but he'll make $18,550 while he's there.
• If he decides to have a 5-minute egg, he'll make $618 while boiling it.
• He makes $7,415/hour more than minimum wage.
• If he wanted to save up for a new Acura NSX ($90,000) it would take him a whole 12 hours.
• If someone were to hand him his salary and endorsement money, they would have to do it at the rate of $200 every second.
• He'll probably pay around $200 for a nice round of golf, but will be reimbursed $33,390 for that round.
• He'll make about $19.60 while watching the 100-meter dash in the Olympics, and about $15,600 during the Boston Marathon.
• This year, he'll make more than twice as much as all U.S. past presidents for all of their terms combined.

Amazing isn't it?

I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter chocolate

Happy Easter

Tonight I watched Slumdog Millionaire. It was solid, but I do not think it lived up to the hype.

Dale and I rented and watched Slumdog Millionaire on DVD tonight. It was a solid movie in terms of the storyline, filming and acting, but I definitely do not think it lived up to all the hype of being the Oscar winning Best Picture. I guess I just expected more. Don't get me wrong. It was good and original film, but I do not think it was the best movie of the year. Maybe I just do not get what all the hullaballo was about. I can see how many would graviate toward this film as it focuses on two characters whose love is so great it defies the odds and they are driven together by the fates. I think most people, especially women, want to think that type of love exists. However, I do not think it was as great as I expected based on all the reviews and chatter about the movie.

I go back to my original claim that Gran Torino was the best film of 2008 and was robbed at this year's Academy Awards. To me, it blew the doors off Slumdog Millionaire. I think I would even put Frost/Nixon above Slumdog Millionaire.

Do you remember The Benny Hill Show?

Just now I saw Benny Hill in the movie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (he has a bit part as a toy maker). Firstly let me state, I am not really watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dale is. He finds it a fun childhood memory as he had a toy version of the flying car. Anyhow, I look up and there was Benny Hill. Do you remember The Benny Hill Show? I remember it would be on at my Grandparent's house and I thought it was so scandalous since the women were barely dressed and Benny Hill seemed like a big pervert. I loved it, especially the closing credits when they all chased each other. Classic.

Easter is tomorrow. Do you know what that means?

My favorite part of Easter is the delicious Peeps

I found these Peep gems online. There is a site dedicated to Crazy About Peeps.

Transformer Peeps that turn into a giant Big Bird.

Peep stir-fry. Yum!

However, it is sad when the Peeps turn on each other.

How to color Easter eggs naturally

I stumbled across this online. Seemed like a fun way to dye Easter eggs without chemicals.

Coffee grounds will produce a light chocolate color and tea bags a reddish brown. With coffee & tea bags, you put 4 Tbs. of coffee grounds or about 12 tea bags, 1 Tbs. white vinegar & enough water to cover the eggs in a pot and boil for about 15 minutes. I usually cut open the tea bags.

The gorgeous copper color came from onion skins and the blue from red cabbage leaves. I used about 3 tablespoons of turmeric and 1 Tbs. vinegar to acheive this sunny golden color and red beets produced a light mauve.

To make a mottled looking egg with onion skins, wrap the paper thin skin around the egg, place in a pot with water about 1 inch above the eggs, put a few more skins on top and boil for about 5 minutes, then set aside for an hour. Remove to paper towels to dry.

To use vegetables, you'll need about 2 cups of material and 1 Tbs. white vinegar in a pot of water & boil for 15 minutes. Then add room temperature eggs……make sure there's enough water to cover the eggs & boil again for 15 minutes. To use herbs, do the same, but add about 3 Tbs. of herbs, or more to get the desired effect.

Leave the eggs sit in the water for more color, that's the trick. To shine the eggs just rub them with vegetable oil.

A message from our sponsors

Boy calls 911 for help with math homework. Listen to 911 call.

Operator: 911 emergencies.
Boy: Yeah I need some help.
Operator: What’s the matter?
Boy: With my math.
Operator: With your mouth?
Boy: No with my math. I have to do it. Will you help me?
Operator: Sure. Where do you live?
Boy: No with my math.
Operator: Yeah I know. Where do you live though?
Boy: No, I want you to talk to me on the phone.
Operator: No I can’t do that. I can send someone else to help you.
Boy: Okay.
Operator: What kind of math do you have that you need help with?
Boy: I have take aways.
Operator: Oh you have to do the take aways.
Boy: Yeah.
Operator: Alright, what’s the problem?
Boy: Um, you have to help me with my math.
Operator: Okay. Tell me what the math is.
Boy: Okay. 16 take away 8 is what?
Operator: You tell me. How much do you think it is?
Boy: I don’t know, 1.
Operator: No. How old are you?
Boy: I’m only 4.
Operator: 4!
Boy: Yeah.
Operator: What’s another problem, that was a tough one.
Boy: Um, oh here’s one. 5 take away 5.
Operator: 5 take away 5 and how much do you think that is?
Boy: 5.
Woman: Johnny what do you think you’re doing?!
Boy: The policeman is helping me with my math.
Woman: What did I tell you about going on the phone?
Operator: It’s the mother…
Boy: You said if I need help to call somebody.
Woman: I didn’t mean the police.

Live Today

History does tend to repeat itself

This morning President Obama was probably briefed by his advisers that a US cargo ship was taken over by Somalian pirates yesterday. Yes, pirates.

Hundreds of years ago, President Jefferson was probably briefed by his advisers that a US cargo ship was taken oven by pirates too. Some things never change I guess.

Poor Obama. He has the bad economy, high unemployment, tensions in the Middle East, and North Korea with nuclear weapons to worry about, but now has to add pirates to the list.

This morning I was hypnotized by a coffee cup

Yes, I am a simple bastard. Anyhow, there was a woman on my bus (it is really not my bus. I do not own it. I just ride on it, so I probably should not claim ownership) this morning who brought on a mug of coffee. The strange part to me is that the mug was not a travel coffee container as you would expect, but an ordinary white kitchen coffee mug. To me, it seems odd to travel that way on a bus. This is not the first time I have seen her do this either. One day she had a glass of juice in a regular kitchen tumbler. It seems she just carries whatever she was drinking in her kitchen out to the bus stop. The hypnotic part for me was really not the mug, but the fact that the coffee mug was filled almost to the top. You would think she would drink her coffee quickly to avoid a spill, but no, she took her time. She never spilled a drop and it is not like our creaky, old bus offers a smooth ride. She kept her coffee mug in one hand and her book in the other for the 40 minute trip from Arvada to Denver. Amazing. The woman should have been a surgeon or on the bomb squad with steady hands like that. Who knows, maybe she is? Surgeons and bomb diffusers are not immune from a bus commute.

I'm bringing sexy back!

This was from Halloween a few years back. I was dressed as one of the Ugly Stepsisters from the Cinderella story. I think I look hot and showed blue eye shadow can still work.

Why I think air travel can be annoying? Reason #7: The Nosey Nellie

On a flight, I tend to use my Blackberry to Blog (just like this post you are reading, which was brought to you at 30,000 feet). Sometimes I will use my laptop or even go old school from time to time with a notepad and pen. Long story short, I tend to write while on a plane.

Now this is where the Nosey Nellies comes in as they tend to try to sneak glances at what I am writing. On today's flight, I have a Nosey Nellie next to me. Since it is a he, I will call him Nosey Ned as he does not look like a Nellie (much). It seems Ned likes to make not-so-subtle looks at what I am typing on my Blackberry, which I know he does because a) I seem interesting and b) he is bored as he did not bring a book or iPod. No matter why, I still find it annoying on a flight when the person next to me tries to read my private thoughts. I mean honestly, go to my Blog to read my private thoughts.

To combat Nosey Ned, I tend to look at him from time to time while I am typing just to freak him out. This way he thinks I am either a) typing his description so I can later report him to TSA Officials, b) flirting with him or c) just plain crazy. Either way, from his puzzled look, it seems to bother him and that makes me happy. Stupid Ned!

Why I think air travel can be annoying? Reason #6: The Immediate Seat Recline

Firstly, let me state I hate that seats recline on airplanes. I rarely recline mine, as I know I hate it when the person in front of me suddenly has his/head head in my lap. I feel the space provided on an airplane is already tight enough and how can you be expected to trust sitting a drink on your tray, when the moron in front of you can move your entire tray with one push of a button?

When the person in front of me reclines his or her seat back, part of me wants to wait for him/her to fall asleep and then start combing his/her pretty hair with some random comb that I bring along. Then I plan to act shocked when they wake up upset and quickly apologize. I have my apology rehearsed and I think it will go something like, "Sorry, I just assumed when you were laying back you wanted a dirty comb in your hair. Maybe you should move your seat back up because I think I brought rusty scissors too."

However, what I find most annoying is the guy in front of me on today's flight, as he is what I call the Immediate Seat recliner. We are in the air for 11 seconds and he quickly slams his seat back, as if that 3 inch recline is the biggest comfort in his life. I find it offensive he just assumes it is okay to put back his seat and quite honestly I prefer a little seat foreplay. You just don't thrust it back on someone. No! You should move it back an inch at first - just a little to give a hint of what is to come. Five minutes later you 'accidentally' hit the button again. A sort of oops, how did that happen approach. If there is no knee pressed in your seat back that is your green light to push your seat all the way back. It is no different than the first time you have sex with someone. You don't just stick it in. That would be tacky.

Why I think air travel can be enjoyable? Reason #1: Leaving Behind a Cloudy Day

I spent the past two days in Boston, MA. Unfortunately, it was cold, cloudy and rainy. It happens. However, it was so enjoyable 30 seconds after lift-off to break through the clouds to see blue skies and the bright sun.

I have never understood why there is not a song about how the best side of any cloud is the top. Maybe, I will write one. I would want Kermit the Frog to record it through. Does anyone know his agent?

Why I think air travel can be annoying? Reason #5: The Airport Bathroom Stall

Okay, this is really not about air travel, but it is about the airport bathrooms and why else would I be in an airport bathroom, unless I was going to be taking part in air travel, right? I guess the only other reason may be I was looking to pick up Senator Larry Craig, but air travel seems more likely.

It is extremely annoying to try to wheel a suitcase into the bathroom stall and get the door to close behind you. You step in, move to the left of toilet, pull in your bag and attempt to close the door. Fail. The door will not shut, so you step back even further into the stall and now have to stretch to reach the door handle. Success! I think they really expect you to stand on the toilet in order to fit you and your suitcase in this two by three foot space.

Now it seems when they installed the bathrooms at the airport, they must have assumed at least a few of us would have suitcases, right? Apparently, no. Anyhow, they need to make the bathroom stalls deeper at airports.

Do you have $5 or $10 you can spare?

I am writing this post on behalf of my partner Dale and I. We are asking for your help. Our neighbor Ford is an amazing 5 year old kid who was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile) several years ago. He endures countess fingerprickes and insulin injections each week, month and year. In addition to his rigorous blood testing and insulin shots, everything he consumes must be weighed and measured, and his blood levels even need to be checked while he sleeps and plays. Ford is truly a little champ and rarely complains. He will be insulin-dependent for the rest of his life, unless a cure is found.


We are hoping you will support us and our neighbor Ford in the up-coming Walk to Cure Diabetes, sponsored by The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to fight Juvenile Diabetes and raise money to find this cure. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the #1 non-profit funder of diabetes research worldwide. We participated in this event with Ford last year and it is truly a wonderful event. The Team Goal this year is to raise at least $1,000 and I know we can do this with your help.

We know times are tough all around, but we know that even $5 will make a huge difference. If you are interested, please click here to learn more or make a donation. Please know any support is truly appreciated.

Also, if you come to this blog from time to time for a laugh or chuckle, this can be your way to give back and show your appreciation for the time I spend posting. Thanks again on behalf of myself, Dale and especially Ford.

Why I think air travel can be annoying? Reason #4: The Misleading Book

I tend to read a book and listen to my iPod while on a flight. Dale is a puzzle guy. Other people seem to read magazines. Some people depend on the in-flight movie for their entertainment(which on a side note we did not have today due to audio issues). Other people work on their laptops. All in all, everyone seems to have the thing they do while on a flight. Most of these things I can relate to and understand, except for two, which truly puzzle me - #1 is 'The Talker', who just plans to talk to whatever stranger is next to them and #2 is 'The Nothing', who as you guessed does nothing. This person just faces forward for 4 hours and I guess just thinks.

Usually my book and my iPod keep me entertained and safe from 'The Talker'. Today however, I was mislead by my book choice and was forced to spend the bulk of my flight forced to just being a music listener. On Saturday, I picked up the book, Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher (of Princess Leia/Star Wars fame) from the library. It is her memoir of her life as an alcoholic, drug-addicted, bi-polar celebrity. I like memoirs, celebrities and overall Carrie Fisher tends to make fun of her life, so I figured it was a great airplane read.

I was right and although the book was okay and funny, it was a very fast read. It looked like a normal length book, but sadly had a larger than normal font, a fair amount of photos and at only 163 pages was a quick read. I was done with the book about 90 minutes into the flight, which annoyed me, as I like to read the whole flight. I can only blame myself for not looking at the book closer while packing, but still I sit here feeling a bit annoyed at myself.

Why I think air travel can be annoying? Reason #3: The Premature Trash Pick-up

This one really pushes my buttons and happened yet again on today's flight.

About 45 minutes into the flight, the kind flight attendants came up the aisle serving beverages, plus snacks available for purchase. I requested the cran-apple juice, which is what I normally select on most flights. As you would expect, I received a napkin, a cup of ice and a can of Welch's Apple Cranberry. Oddly Welch's Apple Cranberry is not labeled as juice, just Apple Cranberry, which means it is probably mostly just water, corn syrup and red-dye #5.

The annoying part was not the fact that my beverage was not real juice, but the fact that 2 minutes after serving me my beverage, the flight attendants came back to pick up trash. I have barely had two sips of my delicious red corn syrup and they are expecting the cup and napkin back. So of course I had nothing to contribute to the trash bag and here I sit two hours and eleven minutes later with my melted ice, napkin and 'juice' can stacked on my tray.

I find it extremely annoying on a 4-hour flight the flight attendants cannot make another pass for trash. Mostly it annoys me, they expected me to drink 11.5 flow ounces in two minutes.

Why I think air travel can be annoying? Reason #2: Inappropriate Sock Man

Thirty minutes into the flight, the man next to me, in the aisle seat, took off not only his shoes, which I find acceptable, but also his socks, which I find slightly unacceptable.

If someone has on sandals and removes them on a flight, that is somewhat acceptable, as I feel their feet were already breathing. However, if someone is wearing shoes and socks and then goes bare foot, that is not as acceptable. I believe every foot has some odor once the socks come off, no matter who you are.

Sadly though, the sock removal was not the most annoying part. Rather than leave his socks in his shoes, my fellow passenger neatly folded them and put then in the seat pocket in front of him, which I find to be completely unacceptable. I bet the person in seat 16D on the next flight will wonder why their lovely United Airlines in-flight magazine smells slightly like feet.

Fortunately for me today, there is nobody in the middle seat, so I am separated by 18 inches from inappropriate sock man.

Why I think air travel can be annoying? Reason #1: The Over-Anxious Guy at Security

Today was a very unusual day at airport security, as the lines were extremely short, which is rare for a Monday morning. The only lines I encountered were 4 people deep to have a TSA official check my ID and boarding pass.

However, the guy in front of me was an Anxious Andy and while waiting on the three people in front of him. had to use this time to take his laptop and zip-loc bag of liquids out of his luggage. He then struggled to balance the laptop and zip-loc bag of liquids on top of his luggage, while he proceeded to remove his shoes, belt, cell phone and wallet. So each time the line moved forward, he was a complete mess trying to keep everything in his arms. Although comical, it was slightly stressful just watching him as I felt at some point, I would be expected to catch something.

The most annoying part came when he finally was at the front of the line and did not have one of the two items ready that he needed. Yes, his boarding pass was still in his pants pocket, so he had to put everything down and hold up the line for a few extra seconds finding it. No big deal, but if Anxious Andy had just focused on the two items he needed and waited to handle the laptop, zip-loc bag of liquids, shoes, belt and cell phone until he got to the conveyer belt, we all would have been better off.

Had a wonderful dinner at the Krouts tonight

Toby & Nicole Krout invited Dale and I to join them tonight for a little neighborhood dinner. It included three other families - the Kenner Family, the Varela Family and the Davis Family, so there were 9 kids and 10 adults. It was a wonderful time. Great company and excellent food. We had a great time. Our thanks for the Krouts for including us and for the wonderful lasagna.