Have you considered a cruise? Carnival and Royal Caribbean generally have pretty good deals (especially these days, with lots of overcapacity). The kids have nowhere to escape to whilst at sea, so you can let them run loose without worrying (there are also lots of planned activities for teens onboard, but lots of teens :rolleyes: at anything that has been "planned" for them by adults). That leaves you time to hit the casino, spa, pool, or buffet unmolested for several hours. When you get to ports, y'all can plan your own excursions or go on one of the pre-fab ones arranged by the ship.

You'd likely still have to find a puppy-sitter. I don't believe cruise lines allow pets.

In SAN it goes a long way. I'm always impressed at the level of service I get there as Presidents Club. They'll pull the car to the booth for you and have it ready and waiting. It's really a surreal experience for anyone who uses Avis on a regular basis.

I've seen this same behavior at LAX. They insist it's because i have a no Ford clause in my profile, so thus they refuse to preassign me a car.

Hmmm, I still haven't heard back on my request. A TCV would be perfect... perhaps I need to rattle the tree again. :)

If you find alternate dates, definitely post them as I'd still like to get down there.

--Fozz

I had the pleasure of an ex-US Express Sh!tauqua ERJ today.

Day 2 from Deliverance.

Afternoon meetings wrapped up early, so I got out for a run - was definitely nice and needed. A little cold, but once I warmed up it wasn't too bad. Helped me work through my lunch of pulled pork and baked beans. :o

The most random part of my day came from doing an interview with a NY Times reporter on "hassles of carry-on baggage" because of the post I started on FT. If it ever goes to print, and she uses me, I'll link it here.

I was very, very kind to CO (in all honesty I haven't witnessed any problems first-hand).

In other news, I would like to make an official decree: small people - you win. You've worn me down, I concede that you are the superior group of people and I will never snicker at your little vienna sausage fingers again. You can thank whoever decided it would be great to install shower heads below 6' in hotel rooms (this is something that transcends hotel brands). I really appreciate having the clean crotch, but washing my hair is very difficult.

But what finally did me in was taking a leak on the CRJ yesterday. I was wedged in there like a pretzel, my head was literally cocked (no pun intended) sideways so my ear was touching my shoulder. I was squatting about 4", while trying to maintain good aim. After accomplishing that I feel like I should try out for Cirque du Soleil (I already have the Canadian credentials :rolleyes:)

So, anyway, short people - please let me have my dignity back and I promise I'll always help you with your bag in the overhead. Truce?

Meetings kick back up in 30. -sigh-

No truce with me - I shall continue to fight the war against tall people with all my heart and soul. ;)

There is no pleasure in that.

Did you get an ex-US FA as well? They are a scary bunch.

This is, by far, one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. I can't wait to meet you at the DO.

Post. Of. The. Year.

This might have made me laugh harder than "farting in bed" or "my first ruler".

I'm watching Paula Deen make bacon-wrapped deep-fried mac & cheese blocks.

Wholly #$)(*! I so want one of those. This diet is sucking big time.

You should ask yourself what sucks more: the diet or the fact that enough of her food will kill you so quick that dieting won't be an issue.

I broke my diet about eight times already in November (only seven if Thanksgiving does not count). :o

It definitely ranks up there.

Though, i'm not sure anything really beats "farting in bed".

I think a copy of the notarized document should be posted somewhere.

I did too... but so far no real damage done. I'm still on a roll - with pounds just falling away. Sucks getting old.

The one today was very pleasant, so not sure whether she was from US. The one I encountered last week on Sh!tauqua, however, was the exact opposite. She started telling the woman behind me to take her child to the lav before departure because passengers were not allowed out of there seats within one hour of departure from or arrival at DCA. :rolleyes: When I explained that that the "no pee rule" had been rescinded several years ago, she said that I was wrong, and that their manual stated that it recently had been modified to be 60 minutes from 30 minutes of DCA. :rolleyes: I explained again that the FAA policy had been rescinded, and she suggested that the FAA was wrong and that it should change its "manual" to reflect the 60 minute no pee rule (presumably because that is what the Sh!tauqua manual said and, of course, we all know that must be correct). No "no pee" announcement was made after our conversation, however. :rolleyes:

Motion very heartily seconded.