With my travel plans for the next 10 days long since booked, it's time to rehash the first half of this year in my travel world ... if for no other reason than to make the rest of you feel better about your lot in life ...

DISCLAIMER: Before you laugh, remember -- one of these days you, too, could work for a small privately-funded software company, and have NO say in booking your own travel ...

Segments YTD: 63 (UA 26, AA 14, WN 8, DL 4, CO 4, ML 4, US 3)
Segments in Cattle Class YTD: 63 (Mooo! 'I'm an animal!' 'No, you're a baseball glove! Get in the truck, pal!')
Miles YTD: ~48,000 (UA 18K, AA 12K, WN 6K?, DL 2K, CO 6K, ML 2K, US 2K)

Stays YTD: 29 (Hilton 13, Starwood 9, Marriott 4, Wyndham 3)
Nights YTD: 43 (in approx. the same proportions as above)

Norm Mineta Memorial "Random" Security Checks YTD: 1

Elite stati requalified for YTD: 0
Elite stati gained through promotions YTD: 3

That's right, folks -- 63 segments in 6 months, and I haven't tasted first class or even (re)qualified for lowest-level elite anywhere! Think of me the next time you're grumbling while heading to the back of the bus ...

Bonus points to whomever can provide the source of the "baseball glove" quote mentioned above ...

Mook