Good morning, err afternoon, box.

I just finished Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. I liked the book, but I hated the ending. I always hate the endings of her books. They really pi$$ me off!

It's probably not of interest to the male fraternity, although I wouldn't necessarily call it a "chick book". It's based around a medical malpractice lawsuit for a child with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and is interesting from that perspective; of course, there is people drama woven into the story ....! On the whole, I really liked it.

We have the Lost Symbol sitting on the bookshelf, but I haven't brought myself to look at it yet..

I relax well, I think the main thing is not to rush it all into 3-4 days but go for a week+ then you have a chance to explore some days, but still kick back and enjoy the local scene without a rush, sleep in an not feel guilty that you may 'miss something'. For me it is also added bonus that I know I can come back another time if I learn of something new, it isn't a once in a lifetime trip. don't let 'missing something' bother you, and you can relax a lot better.

There are far too many wonderful destinations on this planet to sit in one spot for a week or to return to the same (international) destination more than once. :)

Don't fully agree. I just wish I could quit 'visiting' FLL/MIA so much :D

That being said, there is a world to explore. and for those like sbm12, a world below :)

That isn't for me, but it is cool that their is so much variation.

Despite all my time in the air I still spend way more time actually visiting places while on the ground. I generally don't need a week to get a feel for the vibe of a city or I skip that part and just experience it as best I can. With unlimited financial resources I'd definitely spend more time in each place. Sadly, I have to return to home frequently to work to earn enough money to pay for the airfares (and the mortgage). That necessitates shorter trips.

There are plenty of places I want to go back to and plenty I don't see the need. Some I'll return to well before others while some are going to have to take a back seat to new destinations.

And, at the end of the day, most of my trips will simply continue to be based on where the fares are. This year I've visited 20 countries. One was for a specific purpose (work in Bermuda). And there was BRU DO which had a purpose but which was facilitated by the fares. Pretty much everything else happened because the price was right.

with my 'below' comment, curious, how many did you end up going scuba diving in? I know you've sent us pictures of at least 3 that I can remember offhand, maybe more.

+1

I just finished Cornwell's latest. 6 pages of story, 400 pages of minutiae.


Back home after my jaunt across the state. Fortunately, I avoided the Lake Effect and had a relatively easy drive. Now, onto the laundry and maybe a little shovelling. Or n:Dt.

I'm still willing to be adopted by the bag family.

I just checked into Hyatt Dulles - spacious and essentially the same as the Hyatt Fair Lakes (except furniture is newer).

Orange County Hyatt treats Diamonds really well. FD staff knows the program well -- we also got upgraded to 1 BR suite that is one of the model rooms for the remodeling that is going on.

FD folks just called and asked whether we wanted a late checkout since they noticed we checked in late.

Going back to Irvine later this afternoon -- we will probably get the same room we always do. It will be a bit of a letdown from this one. Tomorrow we check back in here and head home.

Any of the people that have been in AM TW and not visited in a while that just rejoined, I have put up some CRJ100LRs for just over 3 million, they are 6.9 years old but dirt cheap and a lot newer than your 15 year old planes that cost a lot more to maintain :D
you can make a solid return while rebuilding.

Today involved a shopping trip with xyzzy and the fabulous Mrs. xyzzy. After Costco, we visited DSW and found a ridiculous display offering us a savings of five cents off MSRP. We then headed to World Market, where xyzzy found two clocks - he seemed enamored of one but I believe both would have been vetoed before reaching the cash register.

Thanks for the condolences everyone. It was my wife's cat, and she had him since when he was just a few weeks old. So, for her, it was tough. For me, not so much. I am more concerned with how our daughter is doing - she is doing great!

Watching USF (my alma mater) vs. NIU in the International Bowl. Go Bulls! Leading 20-3 in the 4th quarter!

I love world market, but not that section :D