I went snowboarding in Killington, VT a few weeks ago (that's when it was really cold).  Here are some pictures: 


#travel

When booking a hotel room online, the description of each room usually includes a phrase or two that describe its use and appeal, such as "king bed with pull-out couch" or "hi-speed internet" or "grab bars in shower."  I keep coming across the inclusion of "curved shower rod," and I can't figure out what I'm supposed to think.  Is a curved showed rod a luxury item?  Am I supposed to be impressed and willing to pay more?  Or is it a safety device for the morbidly obese, i.e. "you'll have no problem fitting in the shower with our magical shower-expanding curtain rod"?  One of life's many mysteries. #travel

I saw a "PZEV" (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle) emblem on a car for the first time recently, and I can't think of a worse way to say what it's trying to say.  Wikipedia says it has to do with a car manufacturer becoming temporarily compliant with California's strict air pollution standards, before it reaches the "Zero Emissions Vehicle" milestone, which will probably happen in exactly *never* years.  But to me, the idea of something being partially zero means it's also partially non-zero, which means the statement is completely meaningless.  If part of something is zero and the other part is eleventy quadrazillion, it completely negates the partially zero part.  This is especially true when talking about cars and air pollution.  If the electric part of a car's propulsion system produces zero emissions but the gasoline part produces quite a bit, you're better off just driving a Hummer.  At least Hummers don't make stupid claims about their emissions standards. #travel

I came across this poem recently, supposedly from the gravestone of a person killed in a car crash: 

This is the grave of Mike O'Day,
Who died maintaining his right of way.
His right was clear, his will was strong,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong.

I use the right of way excuse to justify pretty much everything I do on the road.  But I guess right of way doesn't really matter when you're maneuvering 2000-lb metal boxes on slippery surfaces while trying to dodge idiots who are trying to do the same. #travel

I saw a bumper sticker on a car last week quoting Bill Maher:  "Suicide is man's way of telling God, 'You can't fire me -- I quit.'"  This was the only bumper sticker on this person's car.  The problem is that I just can't figure out why someone would choose to make a first impression with a bumper sticker about suicide.  Are they pro suicide?  Pro Bill Maher?  If you had to pick one statement to represent yourself to the countless people forced to drive behind you, why not pick something like "Go Giants!" or "Florio Free in '93"?  At least those bumper stickers address an issue and pick a side. 

On a related note, I saw another bumper sticker a little while ago that said something along the lines of, "I'll keep my guns and money, you can keep the 'change.'"  It's funny because it's extremist.  I enjoy extremism. #travel

A recent commercial for the Mini Cooper claimed that it had go-cart handling.  Not being a go-cart owner or driver, I don't really know what that means, and I'm not entirely sure it's a good thing.  I guess technically I drove a go-cart at Disney World, but those things only went about 10 mph and were surrounded by bumpers so they could serve their main purpose of hitting other go-carts.  Maybe it's alluding to the fact that go-carts have tiny lawnmower engines.  That's good, right?  Or maybe it's because they sit low on the ground, so you can intimately feel whatever surface you're driving on.  I guess if I ever have a desire to drive a go-cart on a highway, I'll invest in a Mini Cooper.  Otherwise I'll stick to a normal vehicle. #travel

I think it would be cool if air travel worked a little more like rail travel, where you could show up 20-30 minutes before your flight, buy your ticket for a price that corresponded to the distance you'd be traveling, and board the plane when you were ready, without even the option of getting stuck with a middle seat.  If you missed your flight, you could simply catch the next one.  There'd be no need for flight attendants or "announcements from the cockpit," because, let's face it, there's just no need for that crap. #travel

As I was standing in the security line at Newark Airport last week, I was in a rush.  Or at least I felt like I was in a rush.  In fact, I was well over an hour early for my flight, but I felt compelled to try to rush through security and get to my gate, where I would sit and wait and be annoyed at how long it took for my plane to board.  I don't know if it's all the people who are actually in a rush, or the cold, oppressive feeling of being in a linoleum and stainless steel airport, or if it has something to do with the militaristic TSA people, but there's just something about being in an airport that makes me nervous and anxious. 

Jump ahead to my return flight from Tampa, FL, and things were different.  I don't know if it was because the airport was carpeted, or the TSA people were nicer (they were), or because I wouldn't have minded missing my flight and staying in Florida a little longer, but I didn't feel like I was in a rush.  I even got pulled aside for the private "stand in a futuristic booth while some gizmo rotates around your body" security screening, and I had a wonderful time.  I even made a joke to one of the TSA people, who responded to me in a semi-human manner.  Come to think of it, there weren't as many people in line with me, and there was Christmas music playing in the background.  I was whistling along with the Christmas music.  How can you not? 

This experience brings to mind the idea of airport psychology.  It seems obvious that airports could do a few things to ease the tension experienced by travelers.  Paint the walls in calming colors.  Play some music.  Make those TSA idiots smile at least once per day.  In the world of "we'll treat you like a criminal until a strip-search proves otherwise," it would be nice to feel calm and relaxed every once in a while. #travel

I was on a flight yesterday that was delayed in taking off, then reached its final destination ahead of the originally scheduled time.  I'm pretty sure we passed through a wormhole. #travel

As much as I disliked my experience in Barbados, I have to admit they have a cool flag. 
#travel