Road Trip! Ludington, MI

My roommate and I hopped in the car the other day to begin a very long journey to her sisters wedding in Ludington, MI. After many miles we arrived and got a nice view of the setting sun. I must admit that Lake Michigan is pretty cool.

I spent a bit of time at the beach this morning having coffee and listening to the waves. Very nice.

On the way across the country we crossed through Missoula, Montana where we were extras in a Live! episode of COPS.

And in Wall, South Dakota perfected my Kanye West impersination

And was mobbed by a herd of Jackalopes

The return trip should prove to be all the more interesting. It’s nice to hit the open road.

FAILbill: A History Lesson In Financial Failure

Over the last week and a half the possible $700 billion bailout of the financial sector has been the talk of the town. Lots of TALK and no study of the history. Lots of TALK about how to solve the “problem” without spending any time to figure out what the problem is. Lots of TALK and backdoor, dark room, under the table, secret meetings between Congressional leaders and the increasingly annoying Bush Administration.

When the bill failed to pass the first go in the House the market reacted with shock and awe. Why? Because they continue to get caught with their pants down. There is more blame to go around than there is time to explain and it falls on Democrats, Republicans, Presidents over the last 50 or so years, and to bankers and Wall Street slicksters alike.

But lets not forget that we are the ones who ultimately are responsible for this mess. Not only did we not do our duty and provide proper oversight of our Representatives WE took the credit (as in $). We bought houses we couldn’t afford. We accepted the credit cards and department store cards and the expensive cars. WE failed to understand that we were being swindled by a gang of swindlers consisting of many Congresses looking for votes and heeding the calls of lobbyists to bankers looking to grant more and more insane ARM loans without considering who their were giving them to.

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United Airlines Unions: More Bodies

How many United Airlines employees does it take to assist in the deplaning? (No jetway, using stairs, small plane with plane side luggage check.) Answer: 7

2 unloading baggage, 1 to hold a green plane side luggage check tag to inform people who checked luggage at the plane to stop and wait for the other two to unload the luggage, 4 to direct people into the terminal.

How many United Airlines employees does it take to operate a concourse to concourse shuttle? Answer: 9

Starting Point: 1 person at the gate, 1 person at stairway landing, 2 people by the door, 1 person driving the shuttle.

Ending Point: 3 people by the door, 1 person at the gate.

How many United Airlines employees does it take to operate a ticket counter during heavy delays? Answer: 3 or less (total 6 possible stations to be manned.)

I’m at the Cedar Rapids airport (CID) and there is one UA flight to Chicago and its delayed 80 minutes or so. There is one lady helping a ‘vip’/first class person and 2 others helping the rest of the crowd at a time where most of them will have to visit the ticket counter to rebook flights due to delays.

What a mess. We see headline after headline about how airlines are hemorrhaging money. The same thing is happening in Detroit. Companies are being forced to keep staffing levels at an unnecessary level based on threats from Unions. I mean seriously; it doesnt take nine (9) people to operate a damn shuttle.

Uforbeholden Subway

IMG_2195, originally uploaded by e53.

I was scrolling through some photos looking for an image to use in the header of this new template and I came across this photo from the e53:immortal in NYC trip last summer. I can’t believe its coming up on a year since we took that trip. Hands down one of the greatest times I’ve ever had.

In this photo you can see a bit of Zeman (also taking a photo of something), a semi-posing Torin, Emily, and Brandon. With any luck maybe some of us will be heading off on another epic journey in 2009. *crosses fingers*