My Random Thoughts

I read an article today about the airlines charging for checked bags and now taking a harder look at the sizes of bags that people carry on. The newspaper article said people are going to have to start following the rules.  I applaud that, since I’ve seen so many times where people get away with all sorts of carry on bags. The issue I have with it, is while my suitcase meets the FAA measurements (I’ve measured it!), the boxes at the airport are smaller than the federal measurements, but hey, I can go out and buy a new suitcase.

What really irked me was the comment from a airline employee that says people don’t want to be separated from their bags and now the horror they’ll feel when the have to pay for it (or the insult as I was thinking). Hello - airlines? Do you know why people don’t want to separated from their baggage? I’ll tell you:

1. YOU LOSE IT! Show me someone who’s checked bags more than 5 times and I’ll bet they’ve had delayed or lost luggage more than once! That right there is probably the main reason why I don’t want to be separated from my bag.

2. You take no responsibility for it.  In the guidelines it tells me to take any electronics, medication, important papers or valuable items in my carry on. On most of my trips, that would be just about everything I take. The guidelines for travel often state taking a change of clothes in a carry on. Well, that just busted the size limitation, so you tell us, are you going to be more responsible with our things, or do we have to take everything on our person. I can’t lock my suitcase, but you won’t be held responsible for the contents, or even getting it to me at all (see point #1).

3. You Damage it. See above. Beyond that, I’ve seen bags just fall off of luggage carts and left in the middle of the tarmac. Luggage is tossed, if it’s raining, those open carts are left in the rain. And once again, see point #2, you take no responsibility for it.

4. You don’t provide it in a timely manner (or in an organized fashion).  After a crowded flight, that was probably delayed, and with a connection that I almost missed due to said delay, with no food service on-board and possibly no drink service (coming soon), all I want is my bag so I can get to where I am going. Yeah, an hour later, I’m lucky if I have it. If I’m flying into Pittsburgh, I have to wait at one place with every other flight that came in recently.  There are 4-6 other carousels that aren’t being used. Why do you have to send everything down through 1? Having 100+ grumpy people waiting around doesn’t make me any happier.

So yeah, I get that fuel prices are eating into your business - guess what, they are eating into mine as well. And I get things have changed since 9/11, but I think there is some responsibility on you, as a business, to figure out better ways of doing things, not just charging the consumer for services that were previously free.

The news is speculating on if this will change the travel habits of consumers. I can say without a doubt that at least for me it will. I will be driving home for a wedding in August and for Christmas. Travel will cost me 4 days (2 each way), but if I look at that, as compared to the stress and BS to fly (especially at Christmas), its actually pretty close to a break even.

I’m also looking at new ways to vacation - those with driving distance and the term within driving distance is getting a new definition. I used to say if it was more than 5 hours - I’ll fly. Now, it’s if its under 2 days, I’ll drive, if I go at all.

Its a brand new world out there, and I’m not sure it’s for the better.

Pillow Top

Originally uploaded by DivingDuo.

This is the first part of my quilt that I’m working on for Christmas. I have quite a few projects going right now. Work just keeps getting in the way of things.

I have work to do, and I’m trying to figure out should I play with my crafts or do the housework that I need to do. hmmmm

Side of My New Car

Originally uploaded by DivingDuo.

WOOHOO - Finally I have my convertible. I’ve wanted one for years, but this or that stood in the way. Jeff and I had a deal, he got his Harley instead of a truck and I could get a convertible.

Now, you would think it would have been simple to get it…..HAH! It was quite a production to get to this point. I had simple requirements (or so I thought). It needed to be a pushbutton convertible (not manual), it needed to be an automatic transmission, it needed to be under $30K and it needed to be in a color I liked without a tan interior. I’d prefer purple, but I would take a nice green or blue. So how hard would that be?

2 Months hard, that’s how hard. First I looked at all the cars online and narrowed my choices down based on the models that had nice colors. Then we went out trying to test drive. My first choice was a Pontiac Solstice. The first dealer we went to didn’t even want to play with us. The second dealer we went to was allowing us to take it for a test drive, but it is a manual convertible and the top of the windshield was right in my line of sight, so scratch that.

The same day we looked at a G6. It was a 2007 still on the lot. We took it for a test drive and we were ready, willing and able, but they would not make a deal with us. This was a car that was almost 2 model years old, still on their lot and they wanted to charge us sticker. They didn’t even want to entertain trying to get down to invoice. I’m thinking dude, we’re doing you a favor taking this off of your inventory, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

Jeff kept looking online, we were going to look into a Mustang. They had the right color, in a manual transmission. Couldn’t find anything in a good price in a good color. Jeff found a few in Miami, Ft. Meyers, Melbourne…… So, against our philosophy, we went to look at the foreign cars…..wouldn’t you know it, they had the color, the transmission and the price! While the transaction took a while, it was probably the easiest, most pleasant, stress-free car buying experience I’ve had!

We went to Earl Stewart Toyota. They had an internet price which was $100 below dealer invoice. It doesn’t get much better than that. The financing was easy, the whole process was easy. Their goal is to have a customer for life. I gotta say, I’ll go back when I’m in the market for a new car. It won’t be for quite a while, but…..

So yeah - I’m the one in the sporty blue convertible!

My rant for the day is freecycle. The whole concept I love, I have been able to give away many things that would ordinarily have ended up in the trash. I’ve only had 1 no show, but had a lot of back up peeps, so no problem getting rid of it.

What makes me crazy is the WANTED posts. It makes sense, you want/need something, so you ask if anyone has an item which they wish to give away. What doesn’t make sense to me is the sob stories that come along with them. I need a cell phone, my daughter dropped hers in the sink and I need a replacement. First of all, maybe your daughter needs to learn to be more careful with her stuff. Second, no one NEEDS a cell phone, most of all a child who is still under the parents roof and third - I don’t care. You’re asking, if someone has one they will tell you, the sob story isn’t needed.

The other thing that makes me crazy is those who specify what they want. I need a laptop with this much memory, this size and needs to do these type of things….. Uh, beggars can’t be choosers. This isn’t Dell, you can’t get it made to your specifications. And what, if someone has a laptop they are GIVING away and it doesn’t meet your specs you don’t want it? That just seems a bit silly.

Lately the lists in my area are showing more WANTED than they are showing OFFER. I suspect that it has something to do with the economy. I know people can’t make ends meet. I don’t mind giving things away and helping people, but unless I ask what your specs are, I don’t expect you to tell me and I do expect you to be happy with what I give you.

The other thing (and I’m sure this is shared by a bunch of people) are the no shows. I’m giving you something and then you don’t have the decency to show up , or tell me you’re not showing up? What’s up with that?

Ok, now that I got that off of my chest, I feel much better now.

I should just admit I have an addictive personality, and all would be well. I won’t, so my life will continue down the path that it is.

I have 3 new addictions: Lost, fabric and yarn. I started crocheting in Feb. I’ve attempted knitting and I need to get my DVD back out and try again. I think I’m getting to the point where I would enjoy that. Anyway, that has spurred my love of yarn. I love the colors, I love the texture, I love the weight and I love making things that can be used! So far I’ve made placemats, cat beds and a shawl. I’m currently working on another shawl, and a baby blanket. I’m going to start on granny squares for my own blanket. Yeah, out of all of the stuff I’ve made so far - the only thing I’ve kept are the placemats, and the two cat beds that went wrong. I need to start making things for myself!

Fabric started quite by accident…..I was looking for material to line my cat bed. As it turned out, not lining it seems to be just as good. I was enthralled with the patterns, and the fabric types. Then I got the reusable shopping bags, then I started thinking, hey, I could make my own tote bags and then it started. now I’m going to be making a quilt for my bed because I can’t seem to find one that I think fits correctly. I’m going to make matching throw pillows or shams for it. That potentially could lead to more quilts and sewing projects. Scary, huh?

And Lost - well, I don’t know how I missed this one. I remember watching the first episode, but never again. I think it must have been opposite something else I was watching and I don’t have Tivo. The other issue was that it was on ABC. For whatever reason, I don’t watch ABC. I don’t understand it any better than you do (the reason I didn’t watch ABC, not Lost, not that I understand that either). I’m halfway through season 2 (thank goodness for ITunes) and I’m hooked. Now I need to catch up to where I need to be and get ready for the new season!

Oh, and I just remembered my other addiction - podcasts. I love listening to them. I love mocking the fact that anyone with a mic can now become a ‘radio’ star! And I’m amazed that they are so popular. I didn’t think talk radio was a popular thing, but podcasts essentially are talk radio. Once again, everything old is new again…..and is hooking another generation.

The positive side to these addictions - I don’t need help! I’m very happy with them.

Quite interesting the changes we go through. I write random thoughts and events here. Some days it has a point, other days it is just a stream of conciousness. I haven’t been writing lately because I didn’t think I had much to say. What I’ve found is my thoughts and creativity has found another outlet and it makes sense that I have an online home for that outlet, so I’ll keep another blog for that at http://www.andshewrites.com. I have a lot to say about my recent creativity!

June 2nd already - where is this year going?

Lots of stuff going on, though it doesn’t seem that way on the surface.  I started the South Beach Lifestyle. It makes sense and I think this is going to be a good match for me. Giving up bread, processed foods, flours, etc will be tough (especially with my sweet tooth), but it makes sense, given what we know today about nutritional science.

Crafting is taking over my life. I’ve added sewing to my list! I must be channeling Martha Stewart or something. Unfortunately, work is getting in my way of doing my crafts.  I broke out the sewing machine yesterday. Its the one my sister gave me shortly after I got married. This thing is almost as old as I am!  I think this is the first time I’ve ever used it and I’m happy to report that it still works. I got some patterned pieces pinned, I just need to change the thread. Right now I have black in there, and that won’t look good on light colored fabric, although I can still just practice. My first real piece is going to be a cell phone case and then moving onto a tote bag (yay, tote bag). I think I’ll shoot for tonight to get that finished.

I’m still working on the baby blanket, and it’s coming along well. My next crochet project will be placemats and my next sewing project will be more tote bags and laying out my quilt. I’m waiting for the squares I got off of Ebay. I want to make a quilt for my bed with matching shams. And I want it to go down over the sides of the bed! I can’t find things I like in the store, I can make them. YAY me!

Time for more tea and to start my day.