Andrew's Sprocket

It really is easy to rant about the airline industry.

Damn the airlines, again. If the security hassle isn’t enough then try guessing when your flight will take off. Or, in my case, if your flight is delayed you better have your eyes glued to the monitor waiting for a status change.

Before the delayed flight debacle let me tackle the security one. Some may say that I am a survivalist or maybe just a forgetfulist. Forgetting is human nature. So I left a $50 pocket knife in my bag and that set off the flags. My flight was due to depart in minutes. I had 2 options, give up the knife or check it somehow, I didn’t check any bags but if I did they would be on their way to the airplane. Given the time I only had one option. Yea I lost it, a knife I had through 10 years of boy scout camps and numerous fish guttings. Goodbye.

I asked if I could pick it up on my way back but the TSA personnel said they could not keep it and if they did they would have a stock pile. So comes back to my point that forgetting is human. This sounds like a good opportunity for a hurting industry. Why not offer a reclamation service say for $5/item. Issue a ticket stub and attach that to the item and the person can claim their item on the way back or leave an address and have it mailed. Some airports do have this mailing service but you have to go back out of security points and use a kiosk to mail the item. And then there is a size requirement. The airline industry is obviously hurting, other than Virgin, because they offer a unique service. Food and WiFi.

So the other arcane thing that happened on my trip was during my transfer. I was set to transfer at Minneapolis. I arrived and checked the monitors for my transfer flight, since it was not on my boarding pass, why? probably another arcane arrangement between airports. Anyway, the monitor said that my flight had been delayed until 1:30pm. It said new departure time, 1:30pm. This is NWA by the way, oh and they are now Delta. Just to confuse you so when you drive up to the airport departures don’t look for NWA. Anyway, another issue. Well, Great I thought, I have time for lunch. I had lunch and left for the gate just after 1. Looking at the monitors on the way this flight was not there anymore. Yup it left before the posted departure time. yea, WTF? after tracking down someone to explain this to me they informed me that “yea they do that, you have to keep watching the monitor” Well their was no monitor or clock for that matter in the lunch spot, Rock Bottom Brewery. The airline did have my mobile number, they could have sent me a txt msg.

Airlines are becoming the most heartless self absorbed uncaring industry in this country. I hate flying and this will be my last flight. It shouldn’t be this way, traveling 30,000 feet in the air should be a fun experience. Not a butter cookies and water, cramped seats sickening experience.

anyway, I probably will never fly again. Ground transport I’m sure will have other issues but none so dehumanizing. I mean you don’t have to strip down, remove shoes, belts and be frisked on trains…yet.

Ok, here it is. I’m not entirely sure where the recipe came from, I got it from a good friend I call The Chef, but get lathered up cause here it comes. If nothing else but to keep the media away.

Oils to Avoid Plague

This blend was created from research about a group of 15th century thieves and grave robbers who rubbed oils on themselves to avoid contracting the plague while they robbed the bodies of the dead and dying. When apprehended these thieves disclosed the formula of herbs, spices and oils they used to protect themselves in exchange for more lenient punishment.

This blend of therapeutic-grade essential oils was tested at Weber State University for its potent antimicrobial properties. Thieves oil was found to have a 99.96% percent kill rate against airborne bacteria. The oils are highly antiviral, antiseptic,antibacterial,anti-infectious and help to protect the body against such illnesses as flu, colds, sinusitis,bronchitis,pneumonia, sore throats, cuts etc.

Apply few drops to bottom of feet or stomach and rub into skin

Here is the receipt for the mixture place into a small brown bottle and add the amounts of herbs listed below

* Clove oil (syzgium aromaticum) 200 drops or 1/2 ounce.
* Lemon oil (Citrus limon) 175 drops
* Cinnamon Bark oil (Cinnamoomum verum) 100 drops
* Eucalyptus oil ( Eucalyptus radiata) 75 drops
* Rosemary oil (Rosimarinus officinalis ) 50 drops

You can also use in small spray bottle and mist the air in home and car, I also place mixture in a pan of water and place on wood stove during the fall, winter and spring.

H5N1 Google Map

New Mexico has some intimidating and confusing road signs. I’m not sure if they are catering to Mexicans or trying to excite Texans. Their anti drinking and DWI warning signs sound like they could be from Lil’ Bush.

Whoa, “DWI Super Blitz!”

“Cops Everywhere!”

Another act of fear as a big social order mechanism. Is this crazy or simply stupid.

What is the deal with the states that have New in them. Because after a while they are not so new. Think of all the songs that would have to be changed about New York if it was just York. I mean Billy Joel may not have made it very far in a York State of Mind. What got me thinking about this is the fact that I recently traveled and am still traveling through the dirty streets of New Mexico. To that extent it is like Mexico, clay ridden and muddy when wet.

Anyway, I am moving the placement of New and add an underscore. Maybe that will work.

There is not much likely hood that you will get bum rushed in Mexico_New like you would in York_New but the coyotes will tare every thread from your flesh and make you roll until you hit an electric poll in the middle of the desert. But they do stop when your tooth falls out so you have that to look forward to.

But back to York_New. Did the Duke of York really come here to start anew? I guess so. Ah then there is the Latin reference. York meaning the city. Which York, New is also know as. I often find names of places and naming conventions to be historic lights of those who came before us. Continue continue. Thanks wikipedia. Oh that is an interesting one. Wiki Wiki Wiki…Hawaiian bus line, you don’t say.

That’s all from the desert. Until next time, beware of the cactus with the RFID tag!

Over the past few weeks we found some dice games fun to play on the road. They are also easy to adapt for drinking games.

Farkle:
For a history visit the Wiki Entry
Score Cards
Rules

Yahtzee:
For a history visit the Wiki Entry
Score Cards
Rules

Pass the Pig:
Actually started off as a dice game.
For a history visit the Wiki Entry
Or you can buy the rubber pigs from Amazon