Today was my first ever flight on Delta. I actually said to the attendant that checked our bags that it was my first flight on the "New NWA". She very quickly scolded me with "NOT EVEN CLOSE!". Apparently Delta employees are convinced they have a far superior product.
So how was my first experience? Not great.
The inbound flight from ATL was late. The pilot told us that there was a major headwind that made the inbound late but I know from watching the flight on www.flightaware.com that it simply left ATL late. Strike 1.
We made up a little time and had plenty of time for our connection. That is until we landed. No gates. We sat for over 1 hour on the tarmac waiting for a gate. I have never had the pilot open the door, shut off the engines and say "feel free to move about the cabin....we're on an active taxiway but we're not going anywhere soon". HOLY SHIT! He was not lying. The issue is that with it being a hub and so many flights terminating there with the holiday, there were no outbounds to open gates. The old addage, "A lack of planning on your part should not constitute an extra hour + on the tarmac for me!". Could someone not have figured this out before today? Strike 2.
We then hiked it through ATL to gate B30 like their website told my blackberry. Nope, that is Chicago bound. We needed gate A30. Long hike again, take a train, long hike again. No moving sidewalks, etc to get from a-z quicker at ATL. Strike 3.
Fortunately, the flight to San Juan also was late getting into the gate so despite the fact that we deplaned our first leg 10 minutes after the scheduled departure of our second, we made the flight. The gate attendant was telling everyone that wanted seats together that the back was oversold. I said I was elite and asked how many seats were open in first. She said 7. I offered our coach seats that were together for her to use for a family if we could get upgraded. She nearly bit my head off! Beeeotch! I am sure she hated life for working on Thanksgiving and having all of the flight issues piling up but I was trying to help. A polite "no" would have done OK. Strike 3 1/2 (1/2 point since we still made our flight).
Then, I had to force down a Diet Coke. Just a cup too....not a whole can like NWA gives. On a 3 1/2 hour flight, I think I can handle a can. Strike 4 1/2.
Lastly, for everyone in Minneapolis that posts comments about "Northworst" having dirty planes, bad service, etc. Delta was no cleaner. Same peanuts on the floor as NWA. I had rude service at the gate. The flight attendants did seem to work a little harder even after the beverage service. Still, you have to pay for everything extra on Delta which we were forced to do with no chance to eat between flights. The Delta movie was on old TVs that probably would have been more in-focus had I taken my contacts out. All in all, I don't see the angst against NWA. My flights are almost always on time. The planes are good and safe. I might not have a movie but whatever.
I know Al will have some constructive criticism. I don't mind the merger. I just hope I don't have to get routed through ATL for more flights after the merger is done. I don't see it as a happy place to travel through.
From humid San Juan....goodnight!
Orracle and Family
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Catch You Later....
Well, this will be the end of posts for a short while assuming I have no connectivity on vacation. We leave Thursday for Puerto Rico. Staying there for a few days prior to embarking on the Adventure of the Seas. 7 days onboard with stops in Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. We arrive back in PR on 12/7 and will fly home on 12/8.
Hopefully I get some connectivity and can post a picture or 2 from our new camera (Canon Digital SLR - Rebel XS).
Until then, I'll be somewhere on here. The arrow points to our stateroom!
Hopefully I get some connectivity and can post a picture or 2 from our new camera (Canon Digital SLR - Rebel XS).
Until then, I'll be somewhere on here. The arrow points to our stateroom!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
SAT Question of the Day
Alright - time to put your thinking caps on. This is your SAT question of the day. Educational AND informative!! No thanks are necessary, I am just here to serve you.
Here it goes.
Northwest Airlines is to Pepsi as Delta is to _____________.
Here it goes.
Northwest Airlines is to Pepsi as Delta is to _____________.
Yep! You heard it here first. Well, Al probably KNEW this was coming since he is a "Delta from Salt Lake City" guy. A flight attendant told the guy next to me this when he asked for a Diet Coke. I have to say, I am a Pepsi guy. I am dissapointed that I cannot get a Diet Pepsi for very much longer on NWA (now a part of Delta as the flight attendants say).
There could be an upside to this. Perhaps some of those old, jaded, crusty flight attendants on NWA will have a Coke (and finally) a smile!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Flatline....
All the last week plus, I have had items drifting into my mind that I wanted to post. Sitting in the deer stand (no, Al, I was not a Bambi Killer this year)...driving to and from my dad's....flying today to Richmond. And then....I sit here looking at a blank screen. I cannot remember anything.
What the hell is wrong with me? Certainly something must be bothering me. Something must have sparked my interest enough to post about it.
I KNOW there was something I wanted to post. I am pretty sure it had to do with something Al would relate to. But it is gone. Welcome to old age Lyle....oops, I revealed my true name....take 2....Welcome to old age Orracle.
I guess I will just move on. I will go to my meetings tomorrow. Perhaps then I will have that spark back to come to my room and post the post that everyone has been waiting for. Yep. It's coming. I can feel it.
What the hell is wrong with me? Certainly something must be bothering me. Something must have sparked my interest enough to post about it.
I KNOW there was something I wanted to post. I am pretty sure it had to do with something Al would relate to. But it is gone. Welcome to old age Lyle....oops, I revealed my true name....take 2....Welcome to old age Orracle.
I guess I will just move on. I will go to my meetings tomorrow. Perhaps then I will have that spark back to come to my room and post the post that everyone has been waiting for. Yep. It's coming. I can feel it.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Living Live! with Smokey!
Driving by myself usually results in diverse music in the CD player once the replays of Howard Stern on Sirius are done. Last week to go up hunting, I found all kinds of music in the player. Robert Earl Keen, Charlie Robison, Disney Theme Park music, Choral and lastly a couple of Rat Pack CDs. One is from the Sands hotel and the other from "The Summit" in Chicago supposedly tied to mob favors and elections.
Here is the least likely Rat Packer to get my nod, Sammy Davis, Jr. I read a book on the crew once that said it best and if I had read it first, I could have skipped the rest of all of the books I have read on the Rat Pack....
"Sammy wanted to be Frank, Frank wanted to be Dean and Dean just did not give a damn!"
Sammy had the most talent in the group hands down. I think this is true vocally as well in dance, performance and overal ability. Sammy could do impersonations, sang beautifully and could dance like few others.
Here is Sammy doing some impersonations in song. Fun stuff!
Here is the least likely Rat Packer to get my nod, Sammy Davis, Jr. I read a book on the crew once that said it best and if I had read it first, I could have skipped the rest of all of the books I have read on the Rat Pack....
"Sammy wanted to be Frank, Frank wanted to be Dean and Dean just did not give a damn!"
Sammy had the most talent in the group hands down. I think this is true vocally as well in dance, performance and overal ability. Sammy could do impersonations, sang beautifully and could dance like few others.
Here is Sammy doing some impersonations in song. Fun stuff!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I Don't Know What To Think...
Throughout the campaign, I have had the feeling like neither candidate was worthy. Today, I made an unpopular choice. Yeah, that means I did not vote for Obama. I still don't know what this guy stands for.
He talks nice. He speaks well. He says the right things. His grandma died. He still told me nothing.
This may seem a little obvious, but I think this. It will either be the best thing to happen to America in a long time or the worst....no gray area here. If he can do what he eludes to in "change" and so many supporters think he can do as proven by the most financially rich campaign ever, it would be great.
As I gaze at the local and national crowds gathered to support, I saw some trends.
Young people. Why? They just want to buck the current status - no matter what it is and by that I mean even if Bush was not a dork and no matter if this country was not in the financial crapper, they would buck that system too.
Black people. Dancing, singing.....for a while, the scene was reminiscient of a House of Blues Gospell Brunch I went to in Vegas once (which sucked by the way).
Old people. (no comment)
Urban centers of people. This includes many of my categories above. I have news for you...America was built in the country - not in urban centers filled with college students and minorities.
The resounding image and theme is one that The Rube might be responsible for making me recognize. Largely....BUT NOT ENTIRELY...this group represents the lowest wages, people with the least to lose type of people. If Obama wants to tax the living hell out of us, it is US not THEM that take it in the shorts.
I found myself at odds with this crew. I am not rich but we do make a nice living. I do not relate myself with that crowd. I don't really want to support those that don't work. There is a resounding difference between don't and can't. If you are disabled as my father is, I will be the first to throw my tax money to you. That is a bit of a misstatement by me though as my dad, although a parapalegic, worked his ass off all of his life until retirement. He did NOT just take was was offered to him. Others, well - I think they see this time in our country as a time for entitlement to them.
I heard comments tonight on TV of groups of african-americans saying how this will change things for their kids. Perhaps. I hope they realize that Obama being president will not suddenly stop the gang bangers from gang banging, drive bys from killing others and illicit activity that plagues that community.
Let's hope these few things. A) Hussein is just bad luck in naming convention (geek speak) for him and not a sign of his true roots. B) the white minority does not really become a white minority C) he really is a true American despite his lack of flags on lapels and airplanes
Tonight was historic. Let's hope the historic is not just based on rhetoric.
He talks nice. He speaks well. He says the right things. His grandma died. He still told me nothing.
This may seem a little obvious, but I think this. It will either be the best thing to happen to America in a long time or the worst....no gray area here. If he can do what he eludes to in "change" and so many supporters think he can do as proven by the most financially rich campaign ever, it would be great.
As I gaze at the local and national crowds gathered to support, I saw some trends.
Young people. Why? They just want to buck the current status - no matter what it is and by that I mean even if Bush was not a dork and no matter if this country was not in the financial crapper, they would buck that system too.
Black people. Dancing, singing.....for a while, the scene was reminiscient of a House of Blues Gospell Brunch I went to in Vegas once (which sucked by the way).
Old people. (no comment)
Urban centers of people. This includes many of my categories above. I have news for you...America was built in the country - not in urban centers filled with college students and minorities.
The resounding image and theme is one that The Rube might be responsible for making me recognize. Largely....BUT NOT ENTIRELY...this group represents the lowest wages, people with the least to lose type of people. If Obama wants to tax the living hell out of us, it is US not THEM that take it in the shorts.
I found myself at odds with this crew. I am not rich but we do make a nice living. I do not relate myself with that crowd. I don't really want to support those that don't work. There is a resounding difference between don't and can't. If you are disabled as my father is, I will be the first to throw my tax money to you. That is a bit of a misstatement by me though as my dad, although a parapalegic, worked his ass off all of his life until retirement. He did NOT just take was was offered to him. Others, well - I think they see this time in our country as a time for entitlement to them.
I heard comments tonight on TV of groups of african-americans saying how this will change things for their kids. Perhaps. I hope they realize that Obama being president will not suddenly stop the gang bangers from gang banging, drive bys from killing others and illicit activity that plagues that community.
Let's hope these few things. A) Hussein is just bad luck in naming convention (geek speak) for him and not a sign of his true roots. B) the white minority does not really become a white minority C) he really is a true American despite his lack of flags on lapels and airplanes
Tonight was historic. Let's hope the historic is not just based on rhetoric.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My New Favorite Site(s)
Aside from my newfound enjoyment of finding old high school and college friends on Facebook thanks to Sabrina telling me I should try it, I have another new favorite website.
I have always liked aviation. I probably should have gone into it as a career. Even though I used to be scared to death as a child of flying, I love it. I think because of my fear, I immersed myself in it as much as possible. Using a scanner at the airport to watch planes and listen to the communication. Reading a blog of a former United captain. Understanding the elements of flight iteself.
I have long enjoyed looking at pictures on http://www.airliners.net/ When I am at the airport and I see a couple or a small group of people traveling together and they say their connecting gate, i.e. "F12", I find myself guessing where they are going and looking at the monitors to see how close I was. There is logic in this of course...time of day (dictates where remaining flights might be going), age, how they are dressed, etc. Of course, in the MSP terminal where I am so often, I kind of have figured out NWA (read: Delta) has arranged their gate patterns. Indianapolis mostly goes from the low C gates. Omaha, the low F gates (unless it is a CRJ or Embraer). West coast flights from the high Gs.
OK, not done with the story and just reread to this point. My geekiness is even scaring ME a little.
My new favorite site out of all of this is http://www.flightaware.com/ I find myself looking up all kinds of flights to see where they are, how much time they have left, etc. I look at airplanes going to busy places to see if they are doing loops to get in line for landing. On their home page, they have a time lapse quicktime of every flight over the US for 24 hours. I could watch it loop forever I think. The patters of east to west, flights incoming from Europe and then Europe bound is so neat to me. Quite possibly just to me.
Here are some images of my flight from Indy last night and then one from 10/9 from DTW to LGA with some holding circles in it. At least I think it is cool.
I have always liked aviation. I probably should have gone into it as a career. Even though I used to be scared to death as a child of flying, I love it. I think because of my fear, I immersed myself in it as much as possible. Using a scanner at the airport to watch planes and listen to the communication. Reading a blog of a former United captain. Understanding the elements of flight iteself.
I have long enjoyed looking at pictures on http://www.airliners.net/ When I am at the airport and I see a couple or a small group of people traveling together and they say their connecting gate, i.e. "F12", I find myself guessing where they are going and looking at the monitors to see how close I was. There is logic in this of course...time of day (dictates where remaining flights might be going), age, how they are dressed, etc. Of course, in the MSP terminal where I am so often, I kind of have figured out NWA (read: Delta) has arranged their gate patterns. Indianapolis mostly goes from the low C gates. Omaha, the low F gates (unless it is a CRJ or Embraer). West coast flights from the high Gs.
OK, not done with the story and just reread to this point. My geekiness is even scaring ME a little.
My new favorite site out of all of this is http://www.flightaware.com/ I find myself looking up all kinds of flights to see where they are, how much time they have left, etc. I look at airplanes going to busy places to see if they are doing loops to get in line for landing. On their home page, they have a time lapse quicktime of every flight over the US for 24 hours. I could watch it loop forever I think. The patters of east to west, flights incoming from Europe and then Europe bound is so neat to me. Quite possibly just to me.
Here are some images of my flight from Indy last night and then one from 10/9 from DTW to LGA with some holding circles in it. At least I think it is cool.
Detroit to LaGuardia with 2 loops to await congestion
Nice flight from Indianapolis to Minneapolis - had a great view of Chicago out my window and you can see why! Big turns going into MSP to come in from the west!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
NO?
No surgery. How can that be? Is this doc a crackpot? How can the doc in 2002 be so adamant about it and I went AMA only to have it bleed out in September this year but this doc says I do not need surgery? It's not that I want the surgery. Frankly, I am a chicken shit and it really cramps my schedule.
Well, here is the deal. He saw the mastoiditis although he said it is not the whole mastoid. He thinks a little prednisone and more antibiotic (my gut it gonna be eaten away) should take care of it for now. He does want to see me in two weeks to be 100% sure, but at this point, he thinks we stay away from the knife. The best part of the visit was that Jessa got to witness deep ear suctioning for the first time. The look on my face combined with the sound and the fact that I plugged the suction tip 2 times!!! Having it done really sucks, literally, but I am used to it after having it done so many times in my life.
This just in....Rube Nation Tries a Honeycrisp....
This one day, The Rube calls me. He is shocked at how much the Honeycrisps were on his grocery bill. At this point, still no word on whether he likes them or not. The offer still stands to buy them from you at 1/2 price.
Looks like there is hope to go to Saskatoon yet!
I was reading a story on Lorrie Morgan having just filed bankruptcy to "reorganize her company". Turns out she is broke. What part of "do not spend more than you have" don't you understand Lorrie? I guess when she sang "Something in Red", she was talking about her bottom line. She says she needs to reorganize her company after her recent divorce from Sammy Kershaw. Don't Go Near The IRS Man, Sammy....don't worry about the water! The best part is that this is ex-hubby #5 for Morgan. Al is only through 2. That means we can have a wedding for Al in Saskatoon, then #4 in Moose Jaw and #5 in Winnipeg just to be different and experience a different province. Of course, all divorce celebrations to be held in Vegas.
Prior to being sidetracked on Al's future weddings, I thought about this a little deeper. Lorrie's "company" needs to be reorganized. Company? Look, your music stopped selling. The reorganization needs to be an effort to find a new line of work! In the sprirt of this though, I had a band once with some friends. I'd like to reorganize and try again. To offset my wage loss while I work on this little project, I will just file bankruptcy to protect my assets. Great plan!
Well, here is the deal. He saw the mastoiditis although he said it is not the whole mastoid. He thinks a little prednisone and more antibiotic (my gut it gonna be eaten away) should take care of it for now. He does want to see me in two weeks to be 100% sure, but at this point, he thinks we stay away from the knife. The best part of the visit was that Jessa got to witness deep ear suctioning for the first time. The look on my face combined with the sound and the fact that I plugged the suction tip 2 times!!! Having it done really sucks, literally, but I am used to it after having it done so many times in my life.
This just in....Rube Nation Tries a Honeycrisp....
This one day, The Rube calls me. He is shocked at how much the Honeycrisps were on his grocery bill. At this point, still no word on whether he likes them or not. The offer still stands to buy them from you at 1/2 price.
Looks like there is hope to go to Saskatoon yet!
I was reading a story on Lorrie Morgan having just filed bankruptcy to "reorganize her company". Turns out she is broke. What part of "do not spend more than you have" don't you understand Lorrie? I guess when she sang "Something in Red", she was talking about her bottom line. She says she needs to reorganize her company after her recent divorce from Sammy Kershaw. Don't Go Near The IRS Man, Sammy....don't worry about the water! The best part is that this is ex-hubby #5 for Morgan. Al is only through 2. That means we can have a wedding for Al in Saskatoon, then #4 in Moose Jaw and #5 in Winnipeg just to be different and experience a different province. Of course, all divorce celebrations to be held in Vegas.
Prior to being sidetracked on Al's future weddings, I thought about this a little deeper. Lorrie's "company" needs to be reorganized. Company? Look, your music stopped selling. The reorganization needs to be an effort to find a new line of work! In the sprirt of this though, I had a band once with some friends. I'd like to reorganize and try again. To offset my wage loss while I work on this little project, I will just file bankruptcy to protect my assets. Great plan!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Cost of a Good Meal
We just returned from a weekend of pheasant hunting. We have enough birds for one meal. So, let's add this trip up.
- $110 non resident SD Small Game license
- $75 in fuel
- $50 Motel (Jake was so happy that we finally got to stay in a "M"otel instead of a "H"otel!)
- $80 for shells and what I will classify as hunting food from Fleet Farm
- $100 for dinner (treated the guy who let me hunt on his land) - at least he bought my 15 captain morgan's after dinner....like I needed THAT!
- $35 breakfast today
That adds up to $450.00! 3 birds makes it $150 a bird. I could have gone to a game farm 10 miles away and bought 56 pheasants all cleaned with no lead in them and frozen for that much money!
Obviously, this is worth so much more. Seeing Dozer (old man Black Lab) possibly on his last hunt. His hips are shot. If not for drugging him with doggie asprin and other hip stuff, he'd not be able to walk. BUT - he did hunt 1/2 of both days. Good for him. He was so happy out there.
Plus, this was Indy's first hunt. By the end of Saturday, he was completely off of the check cord and we never used the shock collar. He totally responded to the whistle which was new for me to try vs. the shock collar. He was completely in his element and instincts took over. For a 6 month old dog, he did wonderfully.
Add in that Jake got to ride in a combine with a 35' head that was picking beans and see how it all works. He was even in there when they did a moving dump into the hopper being pulled next to the combine. Then, later he was able to ride in the other big tractor that pulled the hopper and he got to DRIVE that. He said it was the most awesome thing EVER!
Now as I lick my own wounds from walking through the long grasses, falling over clumps of dirt and running in boots after partially dead pheasants, it is fun to look back on the fun we had as a family this weekend. Very cool. Even if it was $450!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
You Have Died of Dysentery
Anyone who played Oregon Trail knows that line. My travel schedule lately has been similar to that of the 49ers on the Oregon Trail. Maybe not QUITE that bad but it has been a busy stretch of travel. It went something like this:
10/5 - 7 AM flight from MSP to SEA. Went early so I could drive the ~2 hours south near Olympia to see my grandma. Went to the Microsoft BI Conference which was really nice!
10/8 and 10/9 - redeye from SEA to DTW for 60 minutes and then DTW to LGA. Cross country.....wow. It is amazing was sudden, violent turbulence at about the 2 1/2 hour point will do to your sleep pattern.
10/10 - LAAAATE flight from LGA to MSP after a meeting in CT with a client.
10/11 - wake up at home, pretty sure it is CST but feel completely hungover.
10/13 - Fly to Omaha
10/14 - Fly back to MSP. Finally done until 10/27.
Fortunately, I experienced an unprecedented run of first class upgrades by going 6 for 6 on this list of flights. As a silver, I had my doubts on a few legs despite the odd hour flights. I was maning hoping for the redeye and obviously got it along with all others.
I really felt like I hit the point of traveling too much when a flight attendant recognized me from a flight last spring on last nights OMA-MSP flight. The scary part is that this leg was on Compass Airlines on a puddle jumper which I fly on very rarely.
How is the ear you ask?
Well, I had a CT Scan on Monday and tonight received a rather frantic call from my local Doc. He is calling in an "urgent" request to the ENT doc to get me in ASAP. So urgent that if I do not hear from them by noon Thursday, I am to call him to let him know.
You see, I have been diagnosed with Mastoiditis and while my cup size has increased, it has nothing to do with my man-boobs. My mastoid bone is fluid and potentially infection filled. Complications range from hearing loss to brain abcess and death. That is some range....
I know they will threaten surgery. I think I will probably comply this time as my ears have been worse than ever this round. I really hope they will postpone it until after my vacation (cruise) from 11/27-12/8 as the recovery is anywhere from 2-4 weeks at home and quite often requires a second surgery soon after the first.
More to come I suppose....
10/5 - 7 AM flight from MSP to SEA. Went early so I could drive the ~2 hours south near Olympia to see my grandma. Went to the Microsoft BI Conference which was really nice!
10/8 and 10/9 - redeye from SEA to DTW for 60 minutes and then DTW to LGA. Cross country.....wow. It is amazing was sudden, violent turbulence at about the 2 1/2 hour point will do to your sleep pattern.
10/10 - LAAAATE flight from LGA to MSP after a meeting in CT with a client.
10/11 - wake up at home, pretty sure it is CST but feel completely hungover.
10/13 - Fly to Omaha
10/14 - Fly back to MSP. Finally done until 10/27.
Fortunately, I experienced an unprecedented run of first class upgrades by going 6 for 6 on this list of flights. As a silver, I had my doubts on a few legs despite the odd hour flights. I was maning hoping for the redeye and obviously got it along with all others.
I really felt like I hit the point of traveling too much when a flight attendant recognized me from a flight last spring on last nights OMA-MSP flight. The scary part is that this leg was on Compass Airlines on a puddle jumper which I fly on very rarely.
How is the ear you ask?
Well, I had a CT Scan on Monday and tonight received a rather frantic call from my local Doc. He is calling in an "urgent" request to the ENT doc to get me in ASAP. So urgent that if I do not hear from them by noon Thursday, I am to call him to let him know.
You see, I have been diagnosed with Mastoiditis and while my cup size has increased, it has nothing to do with my man-boobs. My mastoid bone is fluid and potentially infection filled. Complications range from hearing loss to brain abcess and death. That is some range....
I know they will threaten surgery. I think I will probably comply this time as my ears have been worse than ever this round. I really hope they will postpone it until after my vacation (cruise) from 11/27-12/8 as the recovery is anywhere from 2-4 weeks at home and quite often requires a second surgery soon after the first.
More to come I suppose....
Monday, September 29, 2008
Third Party Travel Sites
Why do people use third party travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, etc?
Obviously, people use them as their growth and longevity is proven. I use them to research but leave it at that. I generally go to the hotel, airline, car rental company directly once I have completed my research. Only in a few cases have I found the rate on the 3rd party site to be lower. For airfare, when it is, it usually involves one or more stops and usually is more than one airline which sounds like confusion and disaster when "flight A" is late. The second airline really could care less and may not have a need or requirement to help you find your way to the final destination. Furthermore, many of their itineraries involve weird connections with 10 hours between and "arriving the next day".
In the Strib Sunday, they run a column called "Travel Troubleshooter" by Christopher Elliott. He also has this website with many more stories.
My observation when reading these is that the resounding theme is, "I booked with Expedia"...."I booked with Orbitz", etc. They get overcharged. They get unreported fees. The hotel could care less about their reservation specifics such as "King bed", etc because it was a cut-rate, surplus room rate reservation. If you read some of the stories on his site, yes, some were booked direct with the carrier. airline, etc. My observation is that the complaints are heavily weighted to third party sites.
What is the draw to these sites other than to provide one set of options as a form of research? I just do not see it. Maybe YOU can tell me!
Obviously, people use them as their growth and longevity is proven. I use them to research but leave it at that. I generally go to the hotel, airline, car rental company directly once I have completed my research. Only in a few cases have I found the rate on the 3rd party site to be lower. For airfare, when it is, it usually involves one or more stops and usually is more than one airline which sounds like confusion and disaster when "flight A" is late. The second airline really could care less and may not have a need or requirement to help you find your way to the final destination. Furthermore, many of their itineraries involve weird connections with 10 hours between and "arriving the next day".
In the Strib Sunday, they run a column called "Travel Troubleshooter" by Christopher Elliott. He also has this website with many more stories.
My observation when reading these is that the resounding theme is, "I booked with Expedia"...."I booked with Orbitz", etc. They get overcharged. They get unreported fees. The hotel could care less about their reservation specifics such as "King bed", etc because it was a cut-rate, surplus room rate reservation. If you read some of the stories on his site, yes, some were booked direct with the carrier. airline, etc. My observation is that the complaints are heavily weighted to third party sites.
What is the draw to these sites other than to provide one set of options as a form of research? I just do not see it. Maybe YOU can tell me!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Pushing The Lines of Honesty?
Jess and I made a decision to be better shoppers for consumables and groceries. This means planning meals and shopping trips, etc. Through various coupon sites, the Sunday ads and the store specials, it has been amazing watching the savings multiply. Our last 4 grocery trips have yielded savings of $95.00, $48.79, $49.52 and one just over $50 (did not have this one written down).
Add in gas coupons (Cub gives coupons for Holiday gas that are based on your total pre-coupon sales amount so $210 in groceries would give you a 12 gallon coupon for 21 cents off per gallon). The last 4 gas coupons saved us a roughly $11.00 at the pump.
Lastly, the yucky part - mail in rebates (General Mills, etc) have yielded $12.50.
All summed up, it equates to over $266.00 in just about 2 months! That is amazing. It means stocking up on things that are good deals. Combining a store "loss leader" with coupons, etc. For example, we rarely eat Hamburger Helper but bought 6 boxes tonight since combining the $1 per box store loss leader with the coupons brought them to .63 per box**. When we need a quick dinner - now we have it on hand rather than just going out somewhere.
OK, good for us right? The title has to do with honesty. What's that all about?
Well, I have to admit - I squeeze in extra coupons. Not a ton but usually in situations where I am buying a higher quantity of something. See the ** by the Hamburger Helper line? Well, I had 3 coupons for that product. $1.10 off of 3 boxes x 2 and .75 off of 3 boxes. I used three coupons for $2.95 which would have required purchasing 9 boxes but I only bought 6. So - technically, my price per box was .51 at the checkout. I "screwed" them out of .75.
My justification goes like this:
Add in gas coupons (Cub gives coupons for Holiday gas that are based on your total pre-coupon sales amount so $210 in groceries would give you a 12 gallon coupon for 21 cents off per gallon). The last 4 gas coupons saved us a roughly $11.00 at the pump.
Lastly, the yucky part - mail in rebates (General Mills, etc) have yielded $12.50.
All summed up, it equates to over $266.00 in just about 2 months! That is amazing. It means stocking up on things that are good deals. Combining a store "loss leader" with coupons, etc. For example, we rarely eat Hamburger Helper but bought 6 boxes tonight since combining the $1 per box store loss leader with the coupons brought them to .63 per box**. When we need a quick dinner - now we have it on hand rather than just going out somewhere.
OK, good for us right? The title has to do with honesty. What's that all about?
Well, I have to admit - I squeeze in extra coupons. Not a ton but usually in situations where I am buying a higher quantity of something. See the ** by the Hamburger Helper line? Well, I had 3 coupons for that product. $1.10 off of 3 boxes x 2 and .75 off of 3 boxes. I used three coupons for $2.95 which would have required purchasing 9 boxes but I only bought 6. So - technically, my price per box was .51 at the checkout. I "screwed" them out of .75.
My justification goes like this:
- I will use extra coupons when I buy a ton of something like the HH example above.
- I will sometimes do it when it requires 3 but I only buy 2 or buy 1 instead of 2.
- I will not throw in coupons for things that I do not actually buy.
- If a coupon requires the "21 oz size" I might buy the 15 oz size and still use the coupon.
- If the store has a set of coupons that are activated by "one additional $25 purchase" and "limit one per household", we will get 2 carts and double up on them if those deals are plentiful and exceptional. For example, today- they had about 8 items that were $1 if you spent $25. They all were savings of 50-65% so we did those items 2x and checked out separately.
- Always seek out the youngest checker, preferably a guy. They'll never question you.
The way I see it, for every guy like me that cheats a little, 10 other customers don't use a single coupon. If you combine my order with the next guy, we comply with the coupon's requirement PLUS the store gets reimbursed for the coupons anyway. I guess that logic works for everything except the loss leaders.
Am I wrong? Is this just shades of gray? I don't think so but maybe someone else does.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Why Pawlenty Would Not Have Been a Good VP Either
Again, with the pre-post disclaimer - I don't think Obama or McCain are decent choices for prez. Certainly, aside from her looks, Palin was not a good VP choice. As a quasi-Minnesotan, I would have though Pawlenty (MN-GOV) would have been a better choice. Then again, maybe not. Here is why...
T-Paw is forcing the whole ethanol/corn BS down our throats in MN. I know it starts at the Fed level but it is his baby here locally.
I sat next to a guy on a flight from DC to MSP once and he enlightened me to some facts that I looked into and he is exactly right.
Why make corn into ethanol instead of sugar beets? Anyone who has been in a biology class knows that sugars convert to alcohol. Starches must first be converted to a sugar to become an alcohol.
VS
Which would be more efficient? A one step process or two? Hmmmmmm.
Then I see a story like today's in the Strib. Sugar beet farmers may have to plow under 10 percent of their crop?
If we had plants that converted a sugar beet to ethanol instead of the 2 step corn process, we could make these beets into GAS GAS GAS with LESS LESS LESS! Here I thought the sugar beet lobby in DC was big and strong like corn. I guessed wrong again.
These are the things in government that so many people don't see but are so clearly wrong. We can raise so much more of a sugar beet crop than corn in this state if we had a reason. Think about it, any storm will destroy a corn field but a sugar beet field will be far less impacted because of it being under ground for the most part. They grow these things in the Moorhead and western MN areas - ANYTHING that can grow there is like a cockroach and will survive anything!
Bottom line, I think this whole initiative of ethanol, at least as it exists today is a waste especially with the extra $$$$$ the subsidies pour into it. We need to be smarter. I would change my mind on ethanol if we truly could do it without the extra subsidized cost and/or use a different renewable source such as sugar beets. Corn is clearly not the answer. With so many ears.....how come nobody is listening?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wrong Place, Wrong Time...
I think this is the story of my life. Now, this is not a situation where I am just whining ... ok, maybe a little - because I am pretty happy with my life. Just when I sit back and look at what bugs me, it is because the place I live, the job I do, etc etc etc are impacting what I have.
I'll say it again, I am very fortunate - but look at a few of these things.
- If gas goes up, it goes up in my neighborhood when others don't.
- If gas is cheap somewhere like now in the north metro ($3.28), my area is still $3.49 or more
- When the hailstorm hit New Richmond in May - everyone got a free roof in my neighborhood. Mine only has "marginal" damage which means it will not need replacing until after this winter's snow and ice when it is not covered by the hail event (and my roof is roughly 48 square a.k.a. big and expensive)
- At the casino, the guy next to me wins the Royal Flush
- At the liquor store in MPLS (years ago) - my truck was the one sprayed with bullets in the drive by shooting.
- When other people's friends get married, it is across town or maybe Jamaica. When my friends get married, it is in Regina or Saskatoon.
Yeah, its all minor. After enough of these things you start to feel like John Candy in Summer Rental - where you'd like to win just once.
Oh well, life is good anyway.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
On The Day You Were Born....Living Live!
I rarely find a website so neat that I have a desire to share it. Today, Karissa sent me one that I really like. This site tells you the #1 song the day you were born, married, etc. It is simple and fun. Then again, I am the type of guy that likes to look through the Billboard Top 100 book as comfort reading. I might be a little different.
I am curious to know what the songs for your birthdays, etc are. My songs of note...
Here is Smokey doing the LIVE cut of my song!
I am curious to know what the songs for your birthdays, etc are. My songs of note...
- Birthday: Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson - somewhat fitting for me I think.
- 21st Birthday (What we did shots to....): Black or White by Michael Jackson (cool video)
- Wedding Day: Take a Bow by Madonna....I don't even know this song.
- Day I started at LTCG: Everything You Want by Vertical Horizon....again, I don't know this song and LTCG is NOT everything I want....not yet anyway.
Here is Smokey doing the LIVE cut of my song!
Monday, September 22, 2008
It Is Drug Season
I would like to post my disclaimer up front to this post - the parallel I will be drawing to actual drugs is meant in no way to diminish the severity of true, hard drug abuse.
Last night, I bought my first bag of Honeycrisp apples. They are as close to a drug or addiction that I have. They will practically put me in the poor house every fall. I just ate my first one. I think I saw the face of God. These gems were bred at the University of MN and are now starting to show up with "Washington" and "Michigan" stickers on them. We need more. Every orchard needs to plant Honeycrisp trees. They can saw down all of the Delicious Red and Gala trees and plant Honeycrisp trees. I saw that there is a grower in Blackfoot, ID. How close to Pocatello is that Al? I can say that even though I can attend a Pocatello funeral online, I'd pay the airfare to go to that orchard. (NOTE: Due to past concern and comments, The Orracle will not speculate as to WHOSE funeral may or may not be attended in Pocatello)
Last night, I bought 6. $12.45 was the total cost. Still cheaper than a gallon of gas.
Normally, I will censor myself and only buy items, even if seasonal when they are finally plentiful and available for much less. Not these babies. If they made them $6 a pound, I'd still buy them. They are far too good to not eat. Fortunately, Jessica cannot eat them because of her TMJ. Jake and Ashlie like them too much too. It gets to be an expensive addiction.
The sad part is that it is already mid September and they will be gone soon. I will be left with withdrawl and sadness and the yearning for next year's crop of Honeycrisps. Heavenly.....
Last night, I bought my first bag of Honeycrisp apples. They are as close to a drug or addiction that I have. They will practically put me in the poor house every fall. I just ate my first one. I think I saw the face of God. These gems were bred at the University of MN and are now starting to show up with "Washington" and "Michigan" stickers on them. We need more. Every orchard needs to plant Honeycrisp trees. They can saw down all of the Delicious Red and Gala trees and plant Honeycrisp trees. I saw that there is a grower in Blackfoot, ID. How close to Pocatello is that Al? I can say that even though I can attend a Pocatello funeral online, I'd pay the airfare to go to that orchard. (NOTE: Due to past concern and comments, The Orracle will not speculate as to WHOSE funeral may or may not be attended in Pocatello)
Last night, I bought 6. $12.45 was the total cost. Still cheaper than a gallon of gas.
Normally, I will censor myself and only buy items, even if seasonal when they are finally plentiful and available for much less. Not these babies. If they made them $6 a pound, I'd still buy them. They are far too good to not eat. Fortunately, Jessica cannot eat them because of her TMJ. Jake and Ashlie like them too much too. It gets to be an expensive addiction.
The sad part is that it is already mid September and they will be gone soon. I will be left with withdrawl and sadness and the yearning for next year's crop of Honeycrisps. Heavenly.....
Saturday, September 20, 2008
In Sickness and in Health
No, this is not the announcement that I will be traveling to Saskatoon to see Al venture into marriage again. Sorry.
This is about my sickness and my daughter's health.
WORST FIRST!
I have always had bad ears. As a youngster, they were bad. Tubes helped until I had a SCUBA accident and had to come to the surface without breathing. In 2002, I was diagnosed with a Cholesteatoma. Initially I assumed that meant I had 6 months to live. Technically - it should have had surgery but I was not into the idea. Furthermore, I was told that avoiding infections would prolong the growth of the cystic area. Good enough for me.
Well, I have had a couple of small infections but nothing noteworthy. Until now....it started late August and into my Disney vacation. I came back and noticed some blood in my ear canal every AM. No pain and none of the tell-tale signs of an infection. Logically, I ignored it. I flew to Indy this week and then I felt it coming. By the time I descended into MSP on Wednesday, it was full blown. Thursday AM left me with the most blood coming from my ear that I can ever remember. Doc on Thursday to get my regular regiment of meds including drops, antibiotic and a steriod dosepack to reduce inflamation in the ear canal which is now swelled shut.
It is now 2 days into the meds and draining is high but I am not confident we are nailing the thing. Kind of scary....
ON TO BETTER THINGS!
New Richmond has a rich history of marching bands. Currently, the middle school is perceived as better than the high school for a variety of reasons. The MS director is the former director of the HS bands that won national awards.
Ashlie has a dream of pursuing music. Her piano and guitar abilities are great. Her sax is second nature. She felt she needed something to boost her resume and when they announced tryouts for the future Major/Majorette, she wanted it. As a ninth grader, this was a lofty goal. This would mean she would begin learning it yet this year as the current Major is a Sr. She as been in this band just since June.
Of course, the reason for the post is that Ashlie was selected Majorette of the NR Tigers Marching Band beginning her learning from Andy this year and taking over next summer. This is huge and he competition was tough. She will have 3 years to help refine this band to the quality it once was. I could not be more proud of her. This is a great achievement.
CONGRATS ASHLIE!
This is about my sickness and my daughter's health.
WORST FIRST!
I have always had bad ears. As a youngster, they were bad. Tubes helped until I had a SCUBA accident and had to come to the surface without breathing. In 2002, I was diagnosed with a Cholesteatoma. Initially I assumed that meant I had 6 months to live. Technically - it should have had surgery but I was not into the idea. Furthermore, I was told that avoiding infections would prolong the growth of the cystic area. Good enough for me.
Well, I have had a couple of small infections but nothing noteworthy. Until now....it started late August and into my Disney vacation. I came back and noticed some blood in my ear canal every AM. No pain and none of the tell-tale signs of an infection. Logically, I ignored it. I flew to Indy this week and then I felt it coming. By the time I descended into MSP on Wednesday, it was full blown. Thursday AM left me with the most blood coming from my ear that I can ever remember. Doc on Thursday to get my regular regiment of meds including drops, antibiotic and a steriod dosepack to reduce inflamation in the ear canal which is now swelled shut.
It is now 2 days into the meds and draining is high but I am not confident we are nailing the thing. Kind of scary....
ON TO BETTER THINGS!
New Richmond has a rich history of marching bands. Currently, the middle school is perceived as better than the high school for a variety of reasons. The MS director is the former director of the HS bands that won national awards.
Ashlie has a dream of pursuing music. Her piano and guitar abilities are great. Her sax is second nature. She felt she needed something to boost her resume and when they announced tryouts for the future Major/Majorette, she wanted it. As a ninth grader, this was a lofty goal. This would mean she would begin learning it yet this year as the current Major is a Sr. She as been in this band just since June.
Of course, the reason for the post is that Ashlie was selected Majorette of the NR Tigers Marching Band beginning her learning from Andy this year and taking over next summer. This is huge and he competition was tough. She will have 3 years to help refine this band to the quality it once was. I could not be more proud of her. This is a great achievement.
CONGRATS ASHLIE!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Change is Everywhere
In a time when all we hear is "CHANGE!" from our prezzy hopefuls, I bring you several items of change for me.
1) The biggest, most important. Boxers. No, not Mike Tyson like - but underwear type. You see, I tried them once when I was very young and I could not handle the looseness. That is to say that I was flippin and floppin....too much excitement for a young stud like I once was. You see, in Disney last week, I had a bad chafing problem. I know, TMI - but in the interest of full disclosure, I feel compelled to tell you all. Knowing I could not go 7 days at Disney in 95 degree weather, I had to try them and I LOVE THEM! So for all of you that ever asked me, "Boxers or Briefs?" well, it used to be briefs (boxer-briefs actually) and now is full blown boxers.
2) Change #2 is to formally announce that since we are "back to school", I will be changing my blogging pattern to something more than once a month.
3) #3 - ah, hell....there is no #3. This was really about #1. All about the freedom in my pants. OK, enough, I know.
Here is to change, wherever you are.....whoever you support or whatever supports you!
1) The biggest, most important. Boxers. No, not Mike Tyson like - but underwear type. You see, I tried them once when I was very young and I could not handle the looseness. That is to say that I was flippin and floppin....too much excitement for a young stud like I once was. You see, in Disney last week, I had a bad chafing problem. I know, TMI - but in the interest of full disclosure, I feel compelled to tell you all. Knowing I could not go 7 days at Disney in 95 degree weather, I had to try them and I LOVE THEM! So for all of you that ever asked me, "Boxers or Briefs?" well, it used to be briefs (boxer-briefs actually) and now is full blown boxers.
2) Change #2 is to formally announce that since we are "back to school", I will be changing my blogging pattern to something more than once a month.
3) #3 - ah, hell....there is no #3. This was really about #1. All about the freedom in my pants. OK, enough, I know.
Here is to change, wherever you are.....whoever you support or whatever supports you!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Die Online
Before we hit the morbid subject today, I just realized that I launched this blog on 8/4/07 so happy birthday to The Orracle ten days ago. Now the subject of the post....
I was just watching videos on CNN.com because the data analysis I have on my plate is absolutley boring me not to mention that I have 1 program manager and 2 project managers asking me for status on it (nothing makes me want to work slower than repeated PM "what's the status on this?" email)....but I digress.
Back to the video on CNN.com. Downard Funeral Home in Pocatello, ID, has a new service. If you cannot make it to the funeral, you can watch it online. This can happen real time or after once it is archived.
Genius. Let's talk about Al. He is a great guy. I love him like a brother or something like that. We always have hit it off and there is nothing I would want remotely close to Al's funeral. Since he lives in Pocatello, I am compelled to use him as an example (plus it ups his reference count on my blog).
Given my need to save 14 grand for my first class trip to Dubai on the A380-800, I will not be able to make it to Pocatello for Al's funeral. I now can watch it from work and can legitimately track my time to that activity as "bereavment". Ultimately, the "kicker" here is that everyone wins (except Al because he is no longer with us hypothetically).
I think weddings should go this route too. Imagine you have hit your capacity at the wedding but still have people that you want to invite. You can send them a coupon to Chic-fil-a or McDonald's for some McNuggets (all weddings have chicken) and a bottle of beer with the link to the ceremony and reception video. Problem solved!
I was just watching videos on CNN.com because the data analysis I have on my plate is absolutley boring me not to mention that I have 1 program manager and 2 project managers asking me for status on it (nothing makes me want to work slower than repeated PM "what's the status on this?" email)....but I digress.
Back to the video on CNN.com. Downard Funeral Home in Pocatello, ID, has a new service. If you cannot make it to the funeral, you can watch it online. This can happen real time or after once it is archived.
Genius. Let's talk about Al. He is a great guy. I love him like a brother or something like that. We always have hit it off and there is nothing I would want remotely close to Al's funeral. Since he lives in Pocatello, I am compelled to use him as an example (plus it ups his reference count on my blog).
Given my need to save 14 grand for my first class trip to Dubai on the A380-800, I will not be able to make it to Pocatello for Al's funeral. I now can watch it from work and can legitimately track my time to that activity as "bereavment". Ultimately, the "kicker" here is that everyone wins (except Al because he is no longer with us hypothetically).
I think weddings should go this route too. Imagine you have hit your capacity at the wedding but still have people that you want to invite. You can send them a coupon to Chic-fil-a or McDonald's for some McNuggets (all weddings have chicken) and a bottle of beer with the link to the ceremony and reception video. Problem solved!
Monday, August 4, 2008
A Call For Help!
No, despite your concerns, the call for help is not to locate The Orracle. I'm OK. Busy at work - new CIO (again) and therefore the usual changes and new order that creates a little extra work...and we were busy before all of that!
A while ago, I asked for help. Financial help. I wanted to go to Disney yet this summer (free dining plan) along with the cruise in November still. Well, depspite all better financial judgement and 2 fortune cookies advising me to save my money, we are booked and pretty much paid up on both trips. Now, my dead van is in the driveway since I cannot afford the new tranny it needs (not that kind of tranny, Al). More to come on the van's fate...
A while ago, I asked for help. Financial help. I wanted to go to Disney yet this summer (free dining plan) along with the cruise in November still. Well, depspite all better financial judgement and 2 fortune cookies advising me to save my money, we are booked and pretty much paid up on both trips. Now, my dead van is in the driveway since I cannot afford the new tranny it needs (not that kind of tranny, Al). More to come on the van's fate...
Now I am pressed one more time to ask my faithful readers, both of you, for help. I love to travel. I love airplanes. I REALLY love first class.
I was reading on usatoday about the first ever A380-800 flight to JFK on Emirates. So, I did a little research on the booking. This is what it looks like to leave a day after my birthday (can't leave on the 8th since we get back from our cruise on the 8th).
Seriously, if you plan to fly 12-14 hours being a bigger guy, you need some space. I figure with the extra amenities of first class on this plane, I should be OK.
Well, you have your orders. Let me know if you need my Paypal account to deposit your donation to the "Send The Orracle To Dubai In First Class" fund. I'll let you know when I reach the $14,635.47 goal.
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