On a recent airline flight, I was seated at a window and two other guys were next to me in the middle and aisle. These guys knew each other, which was easy to tell by their familiar form of speaking with one another.
As the plane was loading and took off, they continued chatting. They asked me a few questions about routine stuff. I politely answered questions like, "where are you going? What will you be doing?," and so forth.
Then their conversation turned to sports.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
I'm Surprised They Let Me In
Recently, I traveled to a conference and went through four airports along the way -- my home airport, Philadephia, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, then back to my home airport.
Throughout my travels, everyone -- I mean everyone -- had some sort of smart phone and was fiddling with it to check email and use various applications.
Throughout my travels, everyone -- I mean everyone -- had some sort of smart phone and was fiddling with it to check email and use various applications.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
I Clean Up Well
Travel for events like this once was common for me to do -- 70 or so times each year to some 50 or so cities and towns across America. These days, I don't travel nearly as much as I once did, which actually I appreciate since traveling 35 weeks/year was grueling.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Men's Footwear at Airports
I flew home yesterday from Seattle and had to change planes in Chicago. I looked at what guys had on their feet.
I know going through security is a pain-in-the-butt; however, it is so routine now -- all you have to do is slip off your boots (or if you must wear them, shoes) and run them through the x-ray. But so many men (and youngsters in their teens and 20s) do not want to do that, so they wear the most awful crap on their feet. I saw more guys wearing flip-flops at the airport than I have seen wear those things on a beach. Ugggghhh! And it was cold, too. Wearing crappy footwear like that must be uncomfortable.
Oh well, I wore my cowboy boots, took them off before security, and got two "nice boots" comments from other guys when I was putting them back on after security. I doubt anyone looks at a guy wearing flip-flops and says, "nice feet." (LOL!)
Life is short: wear boots!
I know going through security is a pain-in-the-butt; however, it is so routine now -- all you have to do is slip off your boots (or if you must wear them, shoes) and run them through the x-ray. But so many men (and youngsters in their teens and 20s) do not want to do that, so they wear the most awful crap on their feet. I saw more guys wearing flip-flops at the airport than I have seen wear those things on a beach. Ugggghhh! And it was cold, too. Wearing crappy footwear like that must be uncomfortable.
Oh well, I wore my cowboy boots, took them off before security, and got two "nice boots" comments from other guys when I was putting them back on after security. I doubt anyone looks at a guy wearing flip-flops and says, "nice feet." (LOL!)
Life is short: wear boots!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Headed Home
I had a long but productive week in the Seattle area. I had a chance to speak, to lead, to facilitate, to write, and to learn. I enjoyed seeing some of my long-term colleagues and friends who have made me more of the person and professional I am.
After a rather dull day yesterday, I became energized again by meeting a friend and her partner for dinner. This friend did a lot for me. She picked me up from my conference location in Outer Slobbovia, took me to dinner at a really nice restaurant, then brought me to a hotel where she made a reservation for me. The hotel is very close to the airport, so my departure for my early flight will be simple and uncomplicated with traffic delays.
My friend and I caught up on each other's lives, then began to "talk shop." She picked my brain and I picked hers. At the end of a lively conversation about geeky stuff, my friend surprised me by saying that her boss authorized her to pay for our dinner. How nice! (Her boss is someone I also have known for a long, long time.)
I am glad to end the week on such a high note, but man, I am tired and I really miss my man. Time to head home, snuggle close, and get reacquainted with the man who means the world to me.
Life is short: enjoy life where you are and make the best of it.
After a rather dull day yesterday, I became energized again by meeting a friend and her partner for dinner. This friend did a lot for me. She picked me up from my conference location in Outer Slobbovia, took me to dinner at a really nice restaurant, then brought me to a hotel where she made a reservation for me. The hotel is very close to the airport, so my departure for my early flight will be simple and uncomplicated with traffic delays.
My friend and I caught up on each other's lives, then began to "talk shop." She picked my brain and I picked hers. At the end of a lively conversation about geeky stuff, my friend surprised me by saying that her boss authorized her to pay for our dinner. How nice! (Her boss is someone I also have known for a long, long time.)
I am glad to end the week on such a high note, but man, I am tired and I really miss my man. Time to head home, snuggle close, and get reacquainted with the man who means the world to me.
Life is short: enjoy life where you are and make the best of it.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Restricted to Two Pairs of Boots
During my business trip this week to the Seattle area, I "only" brought two pairs of boots. I packed one pair in my luggage and wore one pair.
What boots did I bring? Lucchese cowboy boots -- dress black and brown wingtips. Both are comfortable and fairly lightweight on my feet.
However, for a Bootman like me, this "restriction" to "only" two pairs of boots for a whole week is driving me crazy. For example, I wanted to go for a long walk in the morning, but these boots aren't really suitable for hiking. The weather was nice most of the week, but began to rain later in the week, and not having Vibram soles for better traction bothered me. I do not want to risk a slip and fall caused by wearing boots with smooth leather soles.
During a short few-hour break on Thursday afternoon when I went into downtown Seattle with some colleagues to stroll around and have dinner, I wore a pair of lightweight leather jeans, and would have preferred to wear a pair of black motorcycle boots with the jeans, but ... I only had black cowboy boots so they are what I wore.
Yeah, I own many pairs of boots. My usual custom is to wear 3 - 5 pairs of boots each day, changing my boots depending on what I am doing and where I am going, and how much walking I will do, or what transportation I will use. Having "only" two pairs of boots with me while traveling does not offer me the choices of boots to wear for various activities outside of my meetings.
Oh well, I'll survive.
Such is life of a Bootman.
Life is short: wear boots!
What boots did I bring? Lucchese cowboy boots -- dress black and brown wingtips. Both are comfortable and fairly lightweight on my feet.
However, for a Bootman like me, this "restriction" to "only" two pairs of boots for a whole week is driving me crazy. For example, I wanted to go for a long walk in the morning, but these boots aren't really suitable for hiking. The weather was nice most of the week, but began to rain later in the week, and not having Vibram soles for better traction bothered me. I do not want to risk a slip and fall caused by wearing boots with smooth leather soles.
Yeah, I own many pairs of boots. My usual custom is to wear 3 - 5 pairs of boots each day, changing my boots depending on what I am doing and where I am going, and how much walking I will do, or what transportation I will use. Having "only" two pairs of boots with me while traveling does not offer me the choices of boots to wear for various activities outside of my meetings.
Oh well, I'll survive.
Such is life of a Bootman.
Life is short: wear boots!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Life of a VUP
I do not travel nearly as much as I once did. Back in the day with my former employer, I would travel, on average, about 150 days each year and go to about 70 cities both large and small across America. I might also have traveled once or twice a year internationally.
I would try to choose the same airline, so I could build miles and status to receive perks like early boarding and an occasional free upgrade to first class.
My travel is not nearly the same any more. I travel domestically about 5 - 8 times each year, which is a bit more than my travel was between 2005 and 2009. I have to use different airlines. Thus, I have no status on any airline and am like anyone else. When I do fly, I wait for the cattlecar placement on the plane.
Take, for example, the recent boarding experience that I had for my flight to Seattle yesterday:
Passengers who were boarded before me include active duty military and first class; 1K mileage, platinum, gold, silver, bronze, iron, steel, aluminum, tin foil; the airline's credit card holders, ransom-payment "express" payers, and holders of today's whatever-special card-of-the-day is; families with babies, disabled people, people with wide-set eyes, purple left thumbs and green feet, then everyone else.
"We are boarding by zones. Only board when your zone number is called."
Everyone queues up anyway. (But the agent enforces the "boarding by zone" rule.)
The gate agent calls, "Attention, we are now boarding Zone 2" (which by the time all other priorities are called out, it really is about Zone 90 in sequence).
Finally... That's me. I am a "very unimportant person (VUP)". This is now when VUPs board the plane.
"Sir, we have run out of middle seats in the back of the plane. Would you prefer to be strapped to the right or left wing?"
Ummm... I guess the left. I do not have it in me to be a right winger.
"Okay, sir, step out here. Good! Straps nice and tight? That's great! (Who says you're not into bondage!) It may be a little windy, but the view is excellent!"
This is a joke. This is only a joke. For the above post, this blog tested your bad joke deciphering system. This is only a joke. Actually, I got to sit on the tail...
I would try to choose the same airline, so I could build miles and status to receive perks like early boarding and an occasional free upgrade to first class.
My travel is not nearly the same any more. I travel domestically about 5 - 8 times each year, which is a bit more than my travel was between 2005 and 2009. I have to use different airlines. Thus, I have no status on any airline and am like anyone else. When I do fly, I wait for the cattlecar placement on the plane.
Take, for example, the recent boarding experience that I had for my flight to Seattle yesterday:
Passengers who were boarded before me include active duty military and first class; 1K mileage, platinum, gold, silver, bronze, iron, steel, aluminum, tin foil; the airline's credit card holders, ransom-payment "express" payers, and holders of today's whatever-special card-of-the-day is; families with babies, disabled people, people with wide-set eyes, purple left thumbs and green feet, then everyone else.
"We are boarding by zones. Only board when your zone number is called."
Everyone queues up anyway. (But the agent enforces the "boarding by zone" rule.)
The gate agent calls, "Attention, we are now boarding Zone 2" (which by the time all other priorities are called out, it really is about Zone 90 in sequence).
Finally... That's me. I am a "very unimportant person (VUP)". This is now when VUPs board the plane.
"Sir, we have run out of middle seats in the back of the plane. Would you prefer to be strapped to the right or left wing?"
Ummm... I guess the left. I do not have it in me to be a right winger.
"Okay, sir, step out here. Good! Straps nice and tight? That's great! (Who says you're not into bondage!) It may be a little windy, but the view is excellent!"
This is a joke. This is only a joke. For the above post, this blog tested your bad joke deciphering system. This is only a joke. Actually, I got to sit on the tail...
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Travel Planning
Seattle beckons me again -- for a whole week! This time, to facilitate a meeting. It's something I do, something I enjoy, yet is draining. Nonetheless, I look forward to returning to Seattle again; second time this year, in mid-October.
In mid-November, I am leading a major session at a professional conference in Las Vegas. I really get jazzed when I have a chance to do public speaking -- and before several thousand people, it becomes quite the "energizer!" Personally, I don't like Vegas. I don't gamble and am not interested in the night life. But I will look forward to seeing hundreds of colleagues and friends while I'm there in mid-November.
Have I said recently, "I love my job?"
Life is short: show your passion!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Missed Dore Alley Because of Poppers
This is a message that I received from a guy who tried to travel on a commercial airline within the United States and carry poppers (Isopropyl Nitrite) in his checked luggage. He gave me permission to reproduce this message on my blog:
Hey BHD,
I found your guide to traveling with leather fetish gear when I was looking for information about whether I can bring poppers [ed.: Isopropyl Nitrate] with me on a flight when I was going to Dore Alley in San Francisco. [ed.: a gay fetish event called the "Up Your Alley Fair" and usually referred to as "Dore Alley". It was held July 31, 2011.]
You said that people shouldn't bring poppers with them in either checked luggage or a carry-on. You said that drug-sniffing equipment or dogs are used at airports to detect chemicals in luggage.
I found other information on the internet where guys were suggesting ways that you could carry poppers in your luggage if you sealed them tightly in a plastic bag, and used wax to cover the bottle. I didn't want to believe you. A few other websites said that the chances of the poppers being caught are remote, because they can't possibly check every suitcase -- especially at a small airport where my flight was leaving from.
I sealed up a small bottle of poppers, buried it in a sweaty gym sock, and put it in a pair of sneakers inside my suitcase. When I got to my airport, I checked the suitcase and went through security to wait for my flight. So far, so good.
I was waiting for my flight at the airport when a guy from the TSA came to the gate and the agent called my name. I went up to the desk and asked what was going on. The TSA guy asked me to go with him.
We went into a room and a sheriff deputy was there. He pointed to my suitcase and asked, "is that yours?" I said to myself -- oh shit! Why is my suitcase here???
I told the deputy "yes." He asked me for ID. I pulled out my driver's license. He then said, "what's this?" and held up my bottle of poppers.
I told him that it was video head cleaning fluid. He asked me where my VCR was. He knew what it was. Oh shit! He told me that poppers are illegal, and that I was attempting to carry an illegal substance that is not allowed to be carried on an airplane.
I was taken to the sheriff station and asked a lot of questions. I was given a citation, and then released hours later.
I called a friend to pick me up. While I was waiting for my friend to come get me, I called the airline to rearrange the flight that I missed. The airline told me that because it was my fault that I missed my flight, I would have to buy another ticket to San Francisco for $750 more, and the next available flight was 2 days later. I told them to forget it.
When my friend arrived to get me, I asked him to take me back to the airport so I could get my car and then I drove home. Never made it to Dore Alley.
Now I will have a police record and have to pay a fine. I just got a new job, too, and I'm afraid if they find out about it, I'll be shit-canned. They have fired people who have drug offenses on their record. Shit! All for a little bottle of poppers. Shit!
I've learned my lesson. I hope other guys do, too. Don't try to travel with that stuff. Hell, if you really want it, you can buy it when you get where you're going. But don't try to bring it with you!
Man, I'm sorry this happened, and I appreciate your candor in describing what happened. I am rather conservative and don't use drugs, but I know (unfortunately) that there are many gay men who do -- especially drugs in the "gray area" of legality like poppers. I hope this matter doesn't affect your employment. Good luck.
Hey BHD,
I found your guide to traveling with leather fetish gear when I was looking for information about whether I can bring poppers [ed.: Isopropyl Nitrate] with me on a flight when I was going to Dore Alley in San Francisco. [ed.: a gay fetish event called the "Up Your Alley Fair" and usually referred to as "Dore Alley". It was held July 31, 2011.]
You said that people shouldn't bring poppers with them in either checked luggage or a carry-on. You said that drug-sniffing equipment or dogs are used at airports to detect chemicals in luggage.
I found other information on the internet where guys were suggesting ways that you could carry poppers in your luggage if you sealed them tightly in a plastic bag, and used wax to cover the bottle. I didn't want to believe you. A few other websites said that the chances of the poppers being caught are remote, because they can't possibly check every suitcase -- especially at a small airport where my flight was leaving from.
I sealed up a small bottle of poppers, buried it in a sweaty gym sock, and put it in a pair of sneakers inside my suitcase. When I got to my airport, I checked the suitcase and went through security to wait for my flight. So far, so good.
I was waiting for my flight at the airport when a guy from the TSA came to the gate and the agent called my name. I went up to the desk and asked what was going on. The TSA guy asked me to go with him.
We went into a room and a sheriff deputy was there. He pointed to my suitcase and asked, "is that yours?" I said to myself -- oh shit! Why is my suitcase here???
I told the deputy "yes." He asked me for ID. I pulled out my driver's license. He then said, "what's this?" and held up my bottle of poppers.
I told him that it was video head cleaning fluid. He asked me where my VCR was. He knew what it was. Oh shit! He told me that poppers are illegal, and that I was attempting to carry an illegal substance that is not allowed to be carried on an airplane.
I was taken to the sheriff station and asked a lot of questions. I was given a citation, and then released hours later.
I called a friend to pick me up. While I was waiting for my friend to come get me, I called the airline to rearrange the flight that I missed. The airline told me that because it was my fault that I missed my flight, I would have to buy another ticket to San Francisco for $750 more, and the next available flight was 2 days later. I told them to forget it.
When my friend arrived to get me, I asked him to take me back to the airport so I could get my car and then I drove home. Never made it to Dore Alley.
Now I will have a police record and have to pay a fine. I just got a new job, too, and I'm afraid if they find out about it, I'll be shit-canned. They have fired people who have drug offenses on their record. Shit! All for a little bottle of poppers. Shit!
I've learned my lesson. I hope other guys do, too. Don't try to travel with that stuff. Hell, if you really want it, you can buy it when you get where you're going. But don't try to bring it with you!
Man, I'm sorry this happened, and I appreciate your candor in describing what happened. I am rather conservative and don't use drugs, but I know (unfortunately) that there are many gay men who do -- especially drugs in the "gray area" of legality like poppers. I hope this matter doesn't affect your employment. Good luck.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
It's All About Attitude
Not unexpectedly, my circuitous route from Alaska to my home in Maryland hit a severe snag with ugly weather. By the time I arrived in Chicago to connect with my last flight home, the flight to my home airport was canceled.
I kinda figured this would happen.
I was not the only one in this situation. Most flights for the remainder of the night were canceled. Hundreds of people got stuck in this unfortunate situation.
I observed many people becoming upset and angry, which caused the airline representatives to respond in-kind. Bad behavior begets bad behavior, so it seems. While being delayed and stuck overnight isn't fun, it is not the airline's fault. Yelling at them, demanding that "I have to get home for [insert lame excuse]" does not help anyone.
When I arrived in Chicago and saw that lovely word "canceled" next to my flight number, instead of going ballistic, I found a quiet place and called the airline. I was pleasantly surprised that a real human picked up the phone after I pressed zero at the automated annoyance (sometimes called "automated attendant" or "call router.") While the agent began her conversation with me intensely, expecting that I was going to yell, I maintained my composure. I simply said, "I was on flight number ### which has been canceled. Have I been automatically rebooked or will you rebook me?" A few keystrokes on her computer later, I got the last seat on the first flight out in the morning. Had I waited in line at the ticket counter, goodness knows what flight (next week?) I might have gotten stuck on.
However, I still had to wait in that long line to get a discount coupon for a hotel stay. While the airline will not pay for a hotel room if the flight is canceled due to weather, they often have negotiated rates with major hotels, so it is worth it to wait (and wait and wait and wait) to get that coupon.
Five ticket agents were helping customers at the ticket counter. The line was moving slowly. I observed that the agents were just nasty. Some of them made snarky comments that, in my humble opinion, were not deserved. Sure, the jerk who yelled at one of them needed to be dealt with in accordance with his negativism -- but the rest of us do not deserve to be treated as if we will all act like that.
While waiting in line, I observed two agents say loudly, "I'm off shift" and walked away. It is a very sad situation when any airline does something like that. They know they have a lot of customers who are unhappy. Abandoning them that way -- even if the shift is over -- is a poor way to maintain any form of customer relations.
When I finally got to the ticket counter, I smiled a big, broad smile and said, "I'm sorry about this situation. I have gotten rebooked, so I am only seeking a hotel discount coupon." The agent was so surprised that I was smiling and nice about it, she called the hotel to make sure they had a room for me, and then gave me a voucher for breakfast at the airport. She said that she knew that the hotel offered free breakfast, but did not start to serve breakfast until 7am. My flight is at 6am. She figured out that I wouldn't get the free breakfast, so she helped me out. I thanked her profusely. She said that she did it because "you were the first nice customer I've had all night."
Hmmm... there's a lesson here.
I waited for the hotel shuttle, got to the hotel, checked my email and wrote this post, then crashed into bed.
I hope to be home on the day this post appears on this blog. Wish me luck!
Life is short: you can get better service if you maintain composure and be pleasant -- even in unpleasant situations.
I kinda figured this would happen.
I was not the only one in this situation. Most flights for the remainder of the night were canceled. Hundreds of people got stuck in this unfortunate situation.
I observed many people becoming upset and angry, which caused the airline representatives to respond in-kind. Bad behavior begets bad behavior, so it seems. While being delayed and stuck overnight isn't fun, it is not the airline's fault. Yelling at them, demanding that "I have to get home for [insert lame excuse]" does not help anyone.
When I arrived in Chicago and saw that lovely word "canceled" next to my flight number, instead of going ballistic, I found a quiet place and called the airline. I was pleasantly surprised that a real human picked up the phone after I pressed zero at the automated annoyance (sometimes called "automated attendant" or "call router.") While the agent began her conversation with me intensely, expecting that I was going to yell, I maintained my composure. I simply said, "I was on flight number ### which has been canceled. Have I been automatically rebooked or will you rebook me?" A few keystrokes on her computer later, I got the last seat on the first flight out in the morning. Had I waited in line at the ticket counter, goodness knows what flight (next week?) I might have gotten stuck on.
However, I still had to wait in that long line to get a discount coupon for a hotel stay. While the airline will not pay for a hotel room if the flight is canceled due to weather, they often have negotiated rates with major hotels, so it is worth it to wait (and wait and wait and wait) to get that coupon.
Five ticket agents were helping customers at the ticket counter. The line was moving slowly. I observed that the agents were just nasty. Some of them made snarky comments that, in my humble opinion, were not deserved. Sure, the jerk who yelled at one of them needed to be dealt with in accordance with his negativism -- but the rest of us do not deserve to be treated as if we will all act like that.
While waiting in line, I observed two agents say loudly, "I'm off shift" and walked away. It is a very sad situation when any airline does something like that. They know they have a lot of customers who are unhappy. Abandoning them that way -- even if the shift is over -- is a poor way to maintain any form of customer relations.
When I finally got to the ticket counter, I smiled a big, broad smile and said, "I'm sorry about this situation. I have gotten rebooked, so I am only seeking a hotel discount coupon." The agent was so surprised that I was smiling and nice about it, she called the hotel to make sure they had a room for me, and then gave me a voucher for breakfast at the airport. She said that she knew that the hotel offered free breakfast, but did not start to serve breakfast until 7am. My flight is at 6am. She figured out that I wouldn't get the free breakfast, so she helped me out. I thanked her profusely. She said that she did it because "you were the first nice customer I've had all night."
Hmmm... there's a lesson here.
I waited for the hotel shuttle, got to the hotel, checked my email and wrote this post, then crashed into bed.
I hope to be home on the day this post appears on this blog. Wish me luck!
Life is short: you can get better service if you maintain composure and be pleasant -- even in unpleasant situations.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Working, Teaching
For reasons that I do not want to say in searchable text, this post has been removed.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Temporary Change of View
"Up" here to teach a course this week for work.
Meanwhile, the blog will go on "auto" until the course is over and I return home.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Traveling With Boots
As readers of this blog know, I choose to wear boots exclusively. I don't own any shoes or sneakers or sandals. I have expressed my opinions before about those types of footwear. Sum it up as, "yuck."
Recently, a close friend who has contributed a lot to this blog with comments and guest blog posts traveled for his work to Houston, Texas. He remarked about taking the trip on Facebook.
One of his Facebook friends asked him, "Sportin' the boots?" to which he responded: "Not this time. Traveling with them has become such a pain these days."
I replied also, saying, "oh my lands, what's this world coming to?"
My friend, chagrined, admitted in a follow-up email that he was concerned about the amount of walking that he would have to do in the airport, which is why he chose not to wear (or bring?) boots with him.
Hmmm... well, buddy, I have some comments about this matter:
1. If the boots you currently own are uncomfortable to walk in, then you should consider getting gel insoles, which I wear in many of my cowboy boots that I wear when I travel. The insoles add a spring to my step, and make walking a pleasure.
2. Alternatively, perhaps, you should consider a different size for a new pair of boots? I have found that boots that fit me perfectly do not have adequate room to accommodate a gel insole. The insole in well-fitted boots causes the top of my foot to press against the inside top of the boot, and soon enough, the bones in my feet begin to hurt as they rub against the inside of the boot. I solved that problem by getting boots a half-size larger. The insole takes up the room so the boots do not slip when I walk, and the slightly larger size accommodates the room required for the insole. Plus, as an added bonus, I found that insole-supplied half-size larger cowboy boots give more toe room, so I can wear pointed-toe cowboy boots more comfortably, as well.
While my friend didn't directly address concerns about hassles in going through airport security with boots, let me address those issues as well.
First of all, these days, everyone has to take off footwear, regardless if the footwear is a pair of boots or anything else: sneakers, shoes, etc. Therefore, don't think that if you wear shoes or sneakers that you'll be able to get through without having to take them off. (I have observed that in larger U.S. metropolitan airports, everyone has to take all footwear off. Perhaps one can get through wearing sneakers in smaller airports, but not in the big ones where the TSA staff are more formal and drone-like in enforcing "the rules.")
Wearing boots at an airport is no big deal. One just pulls them off like any other footwear. Therefore, keep in mind that since you have to pull boots off while balancing at a table before the magnetometer, the boots should be easy to pull off, and not require untying laces or a helper to remove them for you (such as my situation if I were to wear tall motorcycle patrol boots).
Once the boots go through the magnetometer and you go through the x-ray, you should have boots that are as easy to pull back on as they were to take off. For me, I carry them to a seat, then sit down and put them on while I also put my laptop back in its case, retrieve my cell phone and pocket change and put it away, etc. I abhor the slogs who bunch up at the end of the magnetometer who try to put their shoes on right there and put their stuff away. That behavior causes the lines to slow down significantly. Just get your stuff and walk away (in socks) to a nearby seat and put yourself back together. Don't make the rest of us behind you wait for you to get your act together and move on.
While addressing the issue of boots and travel, let me point out that if you will be in the air for more than a couple hours, take your boots off when you get seated on the plane (provided you have room enough to do that; some airlines make you pay a ransom for more leg room, and if you don't pay the ransom and don't have status to get you priority seating, you may not have enough room to do that.)
The reason why you should take your boots off is to allow blood to circulate in your legs and feet. As we age, we become subject to all sorts of maladies when the circulation slows down and blood flow becomes sluggish. You need to stretch your feet, circle them around at the ankles, bend forward and back, etc., several times an hour. Doing so will help several ways: 1) it prevents DVT (deep vein thrombosis), which can be deadly; 2) it helps your feet feel refreshed so your boots feel better when you put them back on your feet; 3) your feet won't sweat in the boots, so your boots won't get as stinky. My recommendation: take your boots off in flight. You will feel much better. And who knows? Maybe your seatmate is a secret Bootman and will notice and strike up a conversation about your boots with you. :-)
Another thing about air travel: wear comfortable clothing. I shudder when I see men dressed in suits and ties on the plane. They look so damn uncomfortable. They worry about wrinkling their jacket, and make the rest of us wait while they carefully fold it and put it in the overhead bin. I know, I know, sometimes some men can't avoid it -- they go right to a meeting upon arrival, or they work for the airline which requires their employees to wear a suit when flying their airline. But most of us don't have these situations. I usually wear a comfy pair of jeans (denim or leather) and a shirt with two pockets (helpful to carry ID and boarding passes, cell phone and glasses). Be comfortable when you fly, as most airlines these days make air travel cramped and uncomfortable.
In summary, I will forgive my friend for his transgression, for he knew not this advice (because he didn't ask, yet. LOL!)
Life is short: wear boots!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Flowers for Leatherdude
My partner is a hopeless romantic. He missed me as much as I missed him when I was away for a week in California. While I called him every night, and sent him several email messages every day, it's not the same.
I failed to mention that my partner drove me to the airport to drop me off, saving me (well, my employer, anyway) the cost of paying for long-term parking. Also, I didn't want to leave my truck in a lot for a whole week.
When I returned to the airport, my partner picked me up. He doesn't have or use a cell phone, so there wasn't any waiting in a cell phone lot. Nope, he parked in the short-term nearby parking garage and came into the airport to find me.
So when he saw me at baggage claim, he called out, "hey, leatherdude" and handed me a big bouquet of flowers. He gave me a kiss, embraced me, and said, "welcome home!" I smiled, kissed him back (yeah, in front of "all those people"), took the flowers and shed several tears.
Man, it sure is good to be home with the man who makes every day worth living: my partner, my love, my hunk, my bestest friend in the whole world ... my "better half."
Life is short: show those you love that you love them.
I failed to mention that my partner drove me to the airport to drop me off, saving me (well, my employer, anyway) the cost of paying for long-term parking. Also, I didn't want to leave my truck in a lot for a whole week.
When I returned to the airport, my partner picked me up. He doesn't have or use a cell phone, so there wasn't any waiting in a cell phone lot. Nope, he parked in the short-term nearby parking garage and came into the airport to find me.
So when he saw me at baggage claim, he called out, "hey, leatherdude" and handed me a big bouquet of flowers. He gave me a kiss, embraced me, and said, "welcome home!" I smiled, kissed him back (yeah, in front of "all those people"), took the flowers and shed several tears.
Man, it sure is good to be home with the man who makes every day worth living: my partner, my love, my hunk, my bestest friend in the whole world ... my "better half."
Life is short: show those you love that you love them.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Traveling in Leather
My flight from San Francisco to my home airport departed on time and actually arrived 45 minutes early. Better yet, my suitcase made it onto the luggage carousel in under 20 minutes -- a new record for BWI, which has, I believe, the world's worst record of timely luggage delivery. Most of the time, I have had to wait an hour or more for my luggage to come out.
As soon as my bag came out, I pulled out my jacket and then my partner showed up. Great timing! We got home by midnight and I crashed.
So much so for the logistics of the return -- let me tell you about a totally non-scientific "experiment" that I did. I brought leather jeans and a leather shirt with me on this trip. I wore these garments sometimes in my off times. I mean, after all, I was in San Francisco.
I recommend in my tutorial on "Air Travel with Leather Gear" that if you have expensive leathers, to put them in a carry-on instead of checked baggage. That's because if the luggage gets lost, you will not lose an expensive investment.
While I was packing my things at the hotel for my return trip, I decided to wear my leather shirt and jeans instead of pack them. So there I was: dressed in full leather as I checked out of the hotel, rode BART to the airport, got my boarding pass, went through security screening (no problem), stopped to have some lunch, and made my way to a free wi-fi carol (sorta like one would find in a library). I used the internet until they began to call my flight.
I walked on board the plane, put my carry-on bag in the overhead compartment, sat in my window seat, and got comfy.
Throughout the two hours leading up to my flight, I was watching how other people looked at me. To be very honest -- hardly anyone did. One guy said, "nice leathers!" and another one said, "woof!" (which made me smile) but that was it.
On the packed flight home, a guy in a business suit was seated in the middle seat next to me. He had all the toys of the rising star -- laptop, not one but two Blackberries, AND an iPhone. He was busy juggling his gadgets and synchronizing them (or something) when he turned to me and said, "man, I wish I could be as comfortable as you."
So there 'ya go! Even the business-suited yuppies think that leather clothing is comfortable. I know it is, but not everyone knows it.
Upon arrival home, my partner's first words when he saw me at the airport were, "hey, leatherdude!" which caused a few guys to spin their heads and look. I just smiled, embraced my partner, and we took off.
I still see a number of questions entered into Google that land on this blog asking about wearing leather in public. Honestly, it is no.big.deal.period. Nobody cares. As long as your leather gear is decent, doesn't leave certain parts hanging out, then wear it.
Life is short: get in gear!
As soon as my bag came out, I pulled out my jacket and then my partner showed up. Great timing! We got home by midnight and I crashed.
So much so for the logistics of the return -- let me tell you about a totally non-scientific "experiment" that I did. I brought leather jeans and a leather shirt with me on this trip. I wore these garments sometimes in my off times. I mean, after all, I was in San Francisco.
I recommend in my tutorial on "Air Travel with Leather Gear" that if you have expensive leathers, to put them in a carry-on instead of checked baggage. That's because if the luggage gets lost, you will not lose an expensive investment.
While I was packing my things at the hotel for my return trip, I decided to wear my leather shirt and jeans instead of pack them. So there I was: dressed in full leather as I checked out of the hotel, rode BART to the airport, got my boarding pass, went through security screening (no problem), stopped to have some lunch, and made my way to a free wi-fi carol (sorta like one would find in a library). I used the internet until they began to call my flight.
I walked on board the plane, put my carry-on bag in the overhead compartment, sat in my window seat, and got comfy.
Throughout the two hours leading up to my flight, I was watching how other people looked at me. To be very honest -- hardly anyone did. One guy said, "nice leathers!" and another one said, "woof!" (which made me smile) but that was it.
On the packed flight home, a guy in a business suit was seated in the middle seat next to me. He had all the toys of the rising star -- laptop, not one but two Blackberries, AND an iPhone. He was busy juggling his gadgets and synchronizing them (or something) when he turned to me and said, "man, I wish I could be as comfortable as you."
So there 'ya go! Even the business-suited yuppies think that leather clothing is comfortable. I know it is, but not everyone knows it.
Upon arrival home, my partner's first words when he saw me at the airport were, "hey, leatherdude!" which caused a few guys to spin their heads and look. I just smiled, embraced my partner, and we took off.
I still see a number of questions entered into Google that land on this blog asking about wearing leather in public. Honestly, it is no.big.deal.period. Nobody cares. As long as your leather gear is decent, doesn't leave certain parts hanging out, then wear it.
Life is short: get in gear!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Reunion
I am writing this post on Saturday prior to departure from San Francisco for home. Let's hope the flight departs on time and gets me home to find my partner waiting for me at the airport. Then he will take me home, and we will snuggle closely in bed for a gentle, "welcome-home" reunion.
No plans for Sunday other than catch-up on household chores, visiting some of my senior pals, and getting reacquainted with my beloved partner.
No rest for the travelin' weary, as I return to work on Monday, starting with a meeting at 0600. Yep, early!
Life is short: be joyful with reunion with the one you love.
No plans for Sunday other than catch-up on household chores, visiting some of my senior pals, and getting reacquainted with my beloved partner.
No rest for the travelin' weary, as I return to work on Monday, starting with a meeting at 0600. Yep, early!
Life is short: be joyful with reunion with the one you love.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
San Francisco Reprise
I returned to San Francisco late Thursday night, checked into the hotel, and slept well. Ordinarily I have trouble sleeping in strange places, but I was so tired and (fortunately) the room was quiet and comfy, I drifted off quickly.
Friday saw me doing more work, going to meetings, and getting a tour from a San Francisco County sheriff's deputy of risk areas related to my job. We had a great meeting and discussion. I am confident that my friends in San Francisco are well cared for by their emergency planning and response officials.
I had the afternoon "off." I thought, "hmmm... I am in San Francisco, so what do I do now and where should I go?" I dropped in to visit my friend, Mike, the Owner of Stompers Boots. We went down the street and had a cup of coffee (well, me ... I had a Coke, since I don't drink coffee) and then Mike got back to work and I took a walk.
... A long walk. I walked 10 miles, from the Bay at SOMA all the way around the ballpark then across the Embarcadero then down to the piers for tourists, then up a hill (until it got too steep)... then hopped on a trolley and took that back into the Castro. I had a late lunch, then walked back to my hotel. So I really walked ... though I have not been walking as much as I should. Gotta keep the weight under control and not disappoint myself by getting lazy.
So what does a gay leatherdude do in San Francisco for a night out on a Friday night? Well, this monogamously-partnered guy who doesn't fool around behind the back of his partner was met by his cousin (and family) who drove in all the way from San Jose just to see me. We went to a great local seafood restaurant. I returned early and went to bed. I'm just not a night-owl and even though my hotel is right in SOMA, the heart of gay leather San Francisco, I don't want to go out to a gay bar or other gay-oriented places. Been there, done that.... I guess I really have become an old married fart.
However, there was a spark of "hope" for me -- I wore leather jeans and boots for the evening out with my cousin. :-)
It has been a great visit, but I am very much looking forward to returning home to the arms of my man, to my home, to my long list of chores that have undoubtedly built up, to my senior pals, and to life as is my routine. Maryland My Maryland, the Free State... callin' me home. Returning as you read this... wish me a safe flight.
Life is short: enjoy the love of family and unexpected surprises, such as a "DC Trolley" (which at one time served the area where I live in Maryland)... rolling down tracks in San Francisco.
Friday saw me doing more work, going to meetings, and getting a tour from a San Francisco County sheriff's deputy of risk areas related to my job. We had a great meeting and discussion. I am confident that my friends in San Francisco are well cared for by their emergency planning and response officials.
... A long walk. I walked 10 miles, from the Bay at SOMA all the way around the ballpark then across the Embarcadero then down to the piers for tourists, then up a hill (until it got too steep)... then hopped on a trolley and took that back into the Castro. I had a late lunch, then walked back to my hotel. So I really walked ... though I have not been walking as much as I should. Gotta keep the weight under control and not disappoint myself by getting lazy.
However, there was a spark of "hope" for me -- I wore leather jeans and boots for the evening out with my cousin. :-)
It has been a great visit, but I am very much looking forward to returning home to the arms of my man, to my home, to my long list of chores that have undoubtedly built up, to my senior pals, and to life as is my routine. Maryland My Maryland, the Free State... callin' me home. Returning as you read this... wish me a safe flight.
Life is short: enjoy the love of family and unexpected surprises, such as a "DC Trolley" (which at one time served the area where I live in Maryland)... rolling down tracks in San Francisco.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday Delay
Spent most of the day on Thursday in "Wittle Bitty Airport" ("WBA") in far Northern California waiting for a flight back to San Francisco, but Mother Nature had other things on her mind. My flight was supposed to depart at 10am, but as I am writing this, I'll be lucky if it takes off at 6:30pm. Long day....
I am writing to describe the day at a small airport. Some interesting and fun things happened.
First of all, I was very pleased that as small as WBA is, it offered free wi-fi. I was able to catch up on backed-up email and continue responding to things for work. So far, so good -- especially because I am so cheap that I refuse to buy a smart phone and pay the monthly ransom that wireless carriers demand.
I stood near the door for about five hours and interviewed people about what they did up in this area of the country on March 11. There was a serious disaster threat going on that day, and I wanted to know what they heard, what they did, and what they thought about it. I interviewed over 250 people. And yeah, this *is* related to my job. Very interesting commentary!
I took breaks from time to time, as standing for hours is not my choice of "fun." I got lunch, took a walk, and fired up the laptop to deal with more e-mail.
Most people took me very seriously when I stopped to ask if they had a minute to answer a couple questions. I guess having an official "Big Brother" I.D. helps, but a few of them told me that they thought I was "official" not because of the I.D., but because I was wearing leather jeans with a blue stripe down the side.
Heck, I hadn't even thought of that! I just put these leathers as I was dressing because: a) they are warm (and it was cold); b) they are comfortable; c) I was going to San Francisco, after all. I wasn't even thinking of the perceptions by the non-leather straight crowd that wearing leather jeans with a stripe down the side could be interpreted as anything other than an interesting pair of leather jeans. Okay, SK, you've convinced me why I need to have breeches with no stripes when I ride around with my club. Got it.
I saw about 20 or so guys with boots on, and about half of them were wearing tall rubber boots. After all, the primary industry in this area of the country is fishing, and tall rubber boots are worn by guys who do that work. There were about 5 guys in tall logger boots, and obviously, these guys were in the logging industry. The rest of the boots that I saw on guys were black harness boots. No cowboy boots, and far too many sneakers for my taste, but at least there were not any men wearing those horrid crocks or flip-flops or yuppie sandals.
All-in-all, I made the best of the day that I could, and did things related to my job so I would earn a day's pay while postponing the meetings scheduled for Thursday to Friday, since I realized pretty early on that the entire day would be shot. Oh well, that's how things go sometimes.
Life is short: make the best of it.
I am writing to describe the day at a small airport. Some interesting and fun things happened.
First of all, I was very pleased that as small as WBA is, it offered free wi-fi. I was able to catch up on backed-up email and continue responding to things for work. So far, so good -- especially because I am so cheap that I refuse to buy a smart phone and pay the monthly ransom that wireless carriers demand.
I stood near the door for about five hours and interviewed people about what they did up in this area of the country on March 11. There was a serious disaster threat going on that day, and I wanted to know what they heard, what they did, and what they thought about it. I interviewed over 250 people. And yeah, this *is* related to my job. Very interesting commentary!
I took breaks from time to time, as standing for hours is not my choice of "fun." I got lunch, took a walk, and fired up the laptop to deal with more e-mail.
Heck, I hadn't even thought of that! I just put these leathers as I was dressing because: a) they are warm (and it was cold); b) they are comfortable; c) I was going to San Francisco, after all. I wasn't even thinking of the perceptions by the non-leather straight crowd that wearing leather jeans with a stripe down the side could be interpreted as anything other than an interesting pair of leather jeans. Okay, SK, you've convinced me why I need to have breeches with no stripes when I ride around with my club. Got it.
I saw about 20 or so guys with boots on, and about half of them were wearing tall rubber boots. After all, the primary industry in this area of the country is fishing, and tall rubber boots are worn by guys who do that work. There were about 5 guys in tall logger boots, and obviously, these guys were in the logging industry. The rest of the boots that I saw on guys were black harness boots. No cowboy boots, and far too many sneakers for my taste, but at least there were not any men wearing those horrid crocks or flip-flops or yuppie sandals.
All-in-all, I made the best of the day that I could, and did things related to my job so I would earn a day's pay while postponing the meetings scheduled for Thursday to Friday, since I realized pretty early on that the entire day would be shot. Oh well, that's how things go sometimes.
Life is short: make the best of it.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Working
Yesterday was a busy day on this trip for work. I co-taught a class and loved it. Over 100 participants said that they thoroughly enjoyed it, and they will be tested through application of their new skills over the next weeks and months.
Meanwhile, I am happy that my camera found me again (long story, but FedEx had to bring it to me from South San Francisco.... don't ask.)
Here are some random shots taken along the rugged Northern California Coast:
Life is short: love what you do and bring all you have to make it great!
Meanwhile, I am happy that my camera found me again (long story, but FedEx had to bring it to me from South San Francisco.... don't ask.)
Here are some random shots taken along the rugged Northern California Coast:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)