I’m going on a staycation for two weeks, starting on August 4th. It comes at a weird time on our project. We’re just about to start up a new line of work and everything is kicking into high gear.
One day I’d like to do a retrospective on my time in Arkansas. I may create a series of posts of lessons learned, similar to what Ben Menoza did with his Lessons Learned on a Project in Paradise. I’m not sure what I’ll call my take on this project. As much as I hate flying out to Northwest Arkansas, I can’t really say that this place is Hell. There are too many redeeming qualities.
Here is an Earlimart video that is completely unrelated to the rest of this post.
I don’t print out my boarding pass ahead of time because I’m lazy. Unfortunately, the airport on Monday morning was busy. There was a long line and it looked like there was a half hour wait. I’ve done this trip dozens of times so I know that there are some additional kiosks a short walk away. When I got to those kiosks I found that they were free.
Clearly, I was the beneficiary of an asymmetry of information. If everyone knew what I know everyone would have gone to the empty kiosks erasing my advantage.
It’s good to know that I can find an advantage at 5 AM Monday morning at Logan. I was beginning to doubt if I could find a good value situation to save my life.
Airlines may report combined losses of $6.1 billion this year, the worst since 2003, the International Air Transport Association said yesterday in Istanbul.
The airlines need to find another operating model, because right now it is uncomfortable, arduous, and expensive for travellers and at the same time the airlines are losing money. There has to be a better way.
I had a hellish travel day yesterday. It started when I flew home, at 2 AM early Saturday morning. After spending a short weekend in Boston, I jumped on an flight to Chicago at 6 PM EST. Once reaching Chicago, I had an hour and a half layover. This was extended to three and a half hours, since my departing flight was late. First it was just a delay in the incoming flight. Then I sat through another maintenance delay.
By the time I got into Northwest Arkansas, it was 2 AM CST. I was dead tired and driving from the airport to my corporate apartment. The road from the airport has very few lights and requires a lot of high-beams to avoid skunks, snakes, raccoons and beavers.
I was trying to change the audio on the brand new Ford Focus that I got from Hertz. So naturally, I didn’t see the bunny rabbit sitting in the middle of the road.
I swerved right onto the shoulder to avoid the little guy. But he decided to head off the road. I then swerved left to try to run directly over it. I was hoping that it would miss the wheels and wouldn’t get hit by the low car. I was hoping that it would just pass safely under the car. Sadly, the rabbit decided to switch directions yet again. I hit him directly with my left front wheel.
There was a sickening crunch as it went under the tire. I imagine that it is probably the same crunch you get as if you eat an Ortolon.
Logan Airport, in Boston, is trying out new security screening techniques in Terminal B (Delta). Specifically, they offer an “Expert” lane, a “Casual Traveler” lane, and a “Special Assistance” lane. It seems like a great idea, and the it also seems to be working.
The shoe of choice for an expert traveler is a loafer, so I always look for lines which are loafer-heavy and without children. Also, I look for lines without couples and without carry-ons, since there is always a forgetful person who packed their liquids. Lastly, I look for lines without college students. For some reason they take an inordinate amount of time to get through security.
My security screening was the best I’ve ever had. I breezed through security. I asked the security guard if this was the norm, and he said that he still hasn’t seen an expert traveler. I think he was just bitter because he was working on a Sunday night.
A semi-related side note – I can’t wait to go see Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay. The subject matter is something that every Asian-American has probably riffed about with their friends. Also, the chatter after the premiere at SXSW is pretty positive.
I started using Dopplr recently. I never would have considered using Dopplr, except that a few of my friends travel about as much as I do, and I am constantly trying to figure out how to catch up with them.
The biggest bonus is that Dopplr integrates well with Facebook. I only have four friends on it right now, but I am pretty sure that as friends join either Dopplr or Facebook it will act as a natural crossover.
I am beginning to think that online Social Networks are critical for roadwarriors in a Globally Integrated Enterprise. [.PDF] It is pretty much the only way you can have a life outside of work if you spend a lot of time away from home.
I’m currently in Maryland at my parents house. Unfortunately, I left my laptop power cord at home. Even if my laptop was working, I wouldn’t have access. I am currently stealing access from my brother, who has a nifty laptop card.
I am squandering what little time I have on this computer to surf the web and try to plan out my purchases for 2008. I need to buy a new TV, since my old one is getting very old. Also, I’d like to either buy or build a DVR box for home. This will lead to the inevitable need for a NAS device. And lastly, my phone is almost two years old and I am looking enviously at my younger brother’s slimmer and wireless Blackberry.
I’ve been sitting on the bench, waiting for a new project to be assigned to me. Since I am not in Bentonville, I have been eating a lot healthier. Also, it keeps snowing here, so I keep shoveling out the driveway. This is how I lost three pounds in the last week.
I may be going back to Bentonville again in January. If I do, I will try very hard to eat healthier and get some real exercise.
