Traveling Hassles--United Airlines imitates Southwest

I was subjected to more fun with the air transportation network yesterday.

It seems that every time that I fly, there is a new wrinkle just to keep me off guard.

It isn't enough that the TSA is becoming slower and more inefficient as time passes. It seems there are always lengthy lines to get into the terminal during the middle of the day when there used to be none. And they move more slowly. 

I was amazed at the number of bags that were being pulled out for additional screening--it really slowed the process down. I think it is because the packing rules have gotten more complicated and the occasional travelers can't keep up with the never ending series of changes. I was fortunate--I made it through without committing a time wasting transgression.

But then, the change to top all changes, United is imitating Southwest. Really.

I still had an assigned seat--unfortunately in the next to last row of the plane where everyone waiting to go to the restroom congregated. But to board the plane they set up a confusing set of numbered rows corresponding to the boarding group. While that seems simple enough, United found a way to complicate the process. The lines were not straight because the area had obstructions that could not be moved, and there were two gates in close proximity.  

I figured out the game, only to find out that I was in the wrong line for my correct boarding group--being in the line for the adjoining gate. And then, because of the bend in the line, I wound up in the wrong boarding group--a later boarding group for the right gate. Fortunately,  others near me were dealing with the same problem and we collectively solved the problem. The lines were definitely not intuitive and, unlike Southwest, they were confusing and poorly executed. I'm not saying I like Southwest's approach to boarding aircraft--but it seems to work especially if I am in the "A" group!

United's execution of the "line up and wait to board" was a mess. I do not know who came up with this idea--but it needs work. If United is going to imitate Southwest,  they need to do a better job. I am hoping that this was a test of some kind. If so, it is not yet ready for prime time.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Denver, CO

Orioles Update: As September Begins

Brian Roberts

It is here. September. And the Orioles are playing meaningful September baseball. They are 2-0 in September, which is a great turn around from August.

I wrote in April about the resurgence of the Orioles. In my entry titled Picking up Where they Left off, I stated: The opening day game in Tampa had it all. Homers, great plays in the field, and even coming from behind after the Orioles has surrendered their lead and were behind 3-2 at the end of 6 innings. A five run 7th, ignited by two teal leaders who finished the season on the disabled list, Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis, put the exclamation point on why the Orioles did not need to make a flashy and expensive move to acquire outside help to cement the lineup.

I note that to start their September resurgence, it was a 7 run 7th inning that turned the fortunes of the game around. Already having lost the series to the team from up North, who shall remain nameless, and playing to avoid a sweep that seemed imminent, the Orioles bats finally came alive on Sunday. On Monday, the bats remained active against Cleveland and the Orioles notched a win that helped them move close in the wild card standings and also closer to the Division, which I have not given up on.

It is September, and although football is in the air and snow blowers are on sale at Lowe's, baseball is king.

The stars that were injured last year are healthy and producing this year and although the team's play has been less than stellar, with 26 games to play they are definitely in the hunt and their destiny remains firmly in their own hands.

Orioles Magic. Now it the time to believe.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Can't Believe I Saw This Today

Snow Blowers at Lowe's on Labor Day

Went shopping this morning to get some additional items to finish the stain on the deck and saw these lined up ready for winter.

Really?

Come on. It is just too early for some things!

Where did the tractors and the lawn mowing items disappear to?

- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 2, 2013

1. Happy Labor Day. The holiday associated with the end of summer has arrived--albeit too early for me. At least we are experiencing summer-like weather.

2. Stain is a fickle thing--we are not happy with the results on the deck floor and so another coat will be applied in just a few minutes.

3. I feel lucky not to be in this car in Taiwan, but wonder where I drive that could be this dangerous?

4. Sycamore trees losing their leaves prematurely are adorning my pool all too often.

5. Who knew that Black Knot would kill my plum trees so quickly. I will miss them as I have to cut them down this autumn. I was too slow realizing what it was.

6. I love all of the info about seeing Mars--it is there almost every night, how come it seems people need something sensational in order to recognize something that is right in front of them?

7. I actually sat down long enough to watch the Today Show this morning, unfortunately, the A Team were taking the holiday off.

8. I'm beginning to wonder why every weekend can't be a three-day weekend?

9. Three games out of the Wild Card, 8.5 out of 1st, 27 games to play--it is September baseball and the Orioles are in the hunt! Have you bought your post-season tickets yet?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Decking out on Saturday

Waiting to Stain the Floor

It finally happened--the weather, my schedule, and the desire to finish a project finally all came together on the same day.

Last summer we replaced the wood on our deck and waited for it to weather a bit before staining it to protect it. As it turns out, we have been waiting for a year to finally complete the project.

Before staining--During February Roof Replacement

While we did not complete the project--we did the hard part--the rails. Today all that is left to finish is the easy part--the flooring!  I can state that using a car washing mitt to apply stain to the rails is definitely the easiest way to accomplish the task. I forget where I saw that idea--but I am very happy that I remembered it--I highly recommend it.

After Staining on Saturday

It was hot--too hot almost to be working in the sun, but we took it slow and stayed hydrated. I did enjoy a cooling dip in the pool during one break.

Matching the stain colors took two trips to Lowe's and it is really close. After all, what did I expect, the other stain has been in place for a number of years now and we will likely stain all of the rest of the wood before we are through--but covering the bare wood is the most important part.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Morning Visitors in the Yard

Trapped somewhere in between "Oh, they are so cute" and the realization that they were eating hundreds of dollars of foliage was the emotion that I felt this morning as three visitors wandered through my lawn and into my life.

Fundamentally, I like deer. Having a mother and two fawns wander into the yard is a stop, watch, and enjoy moment. The hostas will grow back next year--except I will have to implement a deer mitigation strategy to protect them.

But, my lot is secluded and they have been wandering around the fringes of the yard for years. There was a small herd of about four deer last year--hopefully it will not grow too much this season when they start running together and I can see them once the leaves fall from the trees.

The deer were fun to watch for a few minutes as I struggled to keep Makayla from barking and wanting to go out and play, or chase them from the lawn that she is convinced is hers and hers alone to use and protect.

I have seen quite a few fawns this year, sadly many of them are dead alongside the highways. It is a struggle for them to survive and if we can carve out a way to coexist--then that is a good thing. 

Makayla, unfortunately, is fond of their droppings. Dogs can be such animals at times. 

Well, it was a great way to have a nature encounter from the comfort of my house with a cup of coffee in my hand.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

School is Back in Session

Duckett's Lane Elementary School

It has been a slow, staggered start for some of my family, but school in Maryland is back and the kids are in class--more or less.

Jax has been a bit slow starting kindergarten, I like the way they ease the kids into it--he finally had his first day yesterday. I talked to him in the morning before he departed for day one and the excitement was clear in everything he said.  Little does he know, or care, that he is embarking on a 13 year program of education that will be with him from now until he is ready to leave home for college.  I know, that is a really deep and depressing thought for the first day of school--ever.

Ethan has been going all week to third grade. I got to spend Tuesday afternoon with him during a family mini-crisis and he is taking it all in stride. He had a really great summer that I got to enjoy with him and I think he is ready to get on with back-to-school part of the year.

Even Lucas is in school--albeit, preschool. I think the program and the structure will be very good for him and it will make him ready for the transition to the "big house" when the time comes. 

In my own neighborhood the construction is finally over, almost, and the new Duckett's Lane Elementary School has opened in the area where a 10 acre forest previously stood. I wonder if they cut down Winnie the Pooh's 10 acre wood to construct this new school? I miss the forest, it was a lot more interesting to look into as I drove by.

I have been amazed at how insensitive the county has been to the residents in the area in their quest to get the school open on time--and it almost didn't. Part of the school remains "under construction" but most of it is open and read to roll. Now we have a camera controlled school zone, rerouted lanes, and constant vehicles replacing the massive construction equipment that have occupied the space for the past two years. While they relined the roads, they have not made portions of the street no parking to accommodate the new lanes and so it can be a real mess at times. 

I took the picture of the school one evening as Chris and I were walking just before it opened. 

School days are here again. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sycamore Leaves

They are falling, more and more every day now. The sycamore trees are beginning to turn yellow in preparation for the coming autumn season.

Worse, they are getting into my pool and I have to frequently skim them out. They fall into the pool and, if not remover, eventually sink and stain the pool bottom.

It is sad to think that in just a few short weeks all of the trees will be dropping their leaves after their annual display of color. And then pumpkins will be adorning porches for the Halloween and harvest seasons.

I could get depressed about the upcoming leaves changing because it means that summer is ending and so are many of my outdoor activities. But, this year I am going to try and to embrace the seasonal change. Maybe the weekly allergy shots will help me survive the annual onslaught of leaf mold and dust so that I don't have a perpetual headache or need to heavily drug myself to be able to breathe. That would certainly be a change.

The beginning of  new season is upon us even though the calendar says it is still a month away and the sycamore leaves are the advance soldiers for the coming armies of colorful leaves. 

If only I could keep them out of my pool.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sights from the Road

Sandy Point State Park on August 25, 2013

Driving home from Ocean City on Sunday early afternoon, I was able to enjoy the sights along the highway because I was not driving. I was sitting in the back seat of a bright orange (Crush) Jeep with no doors and the top down being blasted from every direction by the wind. 

It was an experience. I enjoy convertibles, but the driver is protected form the direct force of the wind by the windshield. Not so in the back seat of a Jeep. 

As we traveled, I enjoyed the scenery, mostly because I usually drive and cannot really enjoy the sights while keeping a watchful eye on the road. This is especially true for crossing the Bay Bridge--which is a white knuckling experience for many people. 

Jer's Jeep after one run through the Obstacle Course

On Sunday, I was able to examine Sandy Point State Park from the relative safety of the back seat. IT was a busy day at the part with what appeared to be hundreds of people enjoying one of the last days of summer (or was it one of the first real days of summer). 

I was able to take in the scene, the people, the bridge, the boats. I even took a quick image on my cell phone camera to remind me of the relative freedom of being blasted by the wind in the back seat. I noted that it was much cooler on the bridge over the water than it had been on the hard surface of the ground. Very cool--almost cold.

The trip changed my perspective, for the better. I longed to be on the beach--but I was also anxious to be home and crossing the bridge meant that home was just a few minutes away at the conclusion of the over two hour trip from Ocean City. 

As the weekend was coming to a close, I knew that I had had fun and experienced something that I long to do again. Next yeah.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Boys, Mud, and Jeeps

I attended my first ever Ocean City Jeep Week and discovered something that I never even imagined, riding off road in a Jeep through obstacles and mud is a lot of fun. Especially getting stuck in the mud and getting pulled out so that trying it again to get it right becomes a personal vendetta. 

I was an observer at most of the activity--as I didn't have a Jeep of my own to attempt to break, but that was OK, maybe next year I will have one of my own to take into the obstacles and trails--just for fun. I did witness one Jeep which sadly punched a hole in its transmission pay and had to be towed off--it was a sobering reminder of what can happen when we play just a bit too hard. But, the overwhelming majority of the Jeeps came off the field with only a smattering of mud to show for their efforts.

Cory, Jeremy, and Patrick with their Jeeps

This Jeep weekend was near and in Ocean City, MD and used venues in Berlin and the Pocomoke Fairgrounds for the events I attended. 

My observation is simply--get a Jeep, be brave and just add mud!  Thin mud is better than thick mud which can cake on the tires and throw off the wheel balancing. 

The Jeep show showcased hundreds of different Jeeps from WW2 Willis decked out survivors to the newest JK's and all of the models with mods in between and was truly a sight to behold on Saturday morning. I just never knew how passionate people could be about Jeeps--and not just guys, but gals and even whole families. 

Best in Class

What really impressed me was the camaraderie among and between the Jeepers--everyone was helpful and thoughtful. People loved talking about their Jeeps and the modifications they did to them. There were very few "out of the showroom" Jeeps on display--most had modifications and some were truly impressive.

From the image of the Best in Class for Military Jeeps, you can almost get a sense of the rows and rows of competitors for different classes at the show in Berlin. It was a huge field full of Jeeps and their owners ready for the day. And, it was over by noon so that those who desired could participate in the obstacle course.

American made fun--Jeep.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD