Archive for the 'Information' Category
I’ve been inspired by Shoemoney’s Conference Travel Tips, so I thought I would add some of my own. As you can see by my photo, I’ve attended a few conferences.
Tip #1: Check your luggage – Everyone will not agree with this tip but this is my opinion. By checking my luggage I can take a bigger bag than I need for all that conference booty that I like o pick up (pens, shirts, hats, CDs, etc…). I used to pack a carry-on size bag and no checked luggage but I found my self needing more room on the way back. I do suggest packing a small carry-on bag that contains toiletries and an extra change of clothes just in case the big bag goes missing. Also, don’t overpack or you will pay dearly at the check-in counter.
Tip #2: Hang out in the back of the plane – On a long flight, forget sitting the whole way. Get up and go to the back where the stewardess sits. My legs are a little long and its hard for me to sit for more than a couple of hours. The flight crew are people too and they get about as bored as you do. Usually they enjoy the conversation. My last flight the stewardess shared her magazines with a couple of us. Don’t forget the back of the plane is where all the food is stored – all you have to do is ask!
Tip #3: Use public transportation and save money – I have used public transportation in many of the big cities and it truly offers a cheaper alternative than taxis and rental cars. I rarely rent cars and taxi drivers don’t like credit cards (not that I trust them with my cards). If you’re concerned with safety, call the hotel and ask them about the local public transportation and it’s safety. I have found hotel staff very helpful in this area. I must admit that I haven’t mastered buses and I don’t like to take them but I have. Stay away from the St. Louis subway/train unless you feel really comfortable in big cities – scary ride. Practice situational awareness at all times!
Tip #4: Down time / find things to do – There are times when conferences get really boring and I can no longer stomach stepping foot on the floor. When this happens, you need an alternative. I have recently found geocaching to be a great way to see the “city” and have some fun! It’s amazing what can be found right next to ya – and you never knew it was there. If geocaching doesn’t grab you, try looking in the local phone book. Its full of history, site seeing info, maps and my favorite – discount coupons!
Tip #5: Early departure times – I like to leave early. This allows me to get to my destination in time to check the area out before it gets dark. It also allows time to change flights if some unforeseen event occurs that prevents immediate travel. What I really like is getting back home in time to sit and decompress before real life sets in again.
Tip #6 (Last one): Home is home, treat it like so – Travel has a way of changing my outlook. It’s almost like I’m living two lives – conference life and real life. When traveling you eat different foods, you hang out with different people, you stay in hotels that you might not be familiar with, you do totally different things than when at home. When I get home from travel, it’s hard to break out of that mode. The kicker is that your family expects you back the same way you were when you left. You have to find your own process for getting back to normal but of all the tips this is one you have to try and master.
I hope you enjoyed my tips. Pleas add your own. Maybe the rest of us can learn something new!
I’m on a winning streak! I have won again this week and the week is not even over. My current score is 93 – 71 and my opponent has no players left. I have 2 players left. I hope I don’t have to eat crow after tomorrows game. Yes the Yahoo league that I’m in does allow negative scoring. I feel safe however. If I lose, I doubt you will hear it from me.
This is the entrance to the basement of the Coeur d’Alene Eagles basement. So what’s so important about a door? I’ll tell ya. This is possibly the entrance to the best breakfast served in Coeur d’Alene, ID. This door is only open on Sunday for breakfast but it’s well worth the visit.
We saw a sign on the street for breakfast and decided to open the door. we found a set of steps leading into a basement. There is a strange feeling that comes over one when you think about whether to try the steps or not. We took the steps into certain abyss, but to our surprise we found tables with people sitting and eating. Most of the people were older but not all. We were a little stunned and trying to figure out if we were in the right place and if we were welcome. A voice from the right says, “You’re in the right place”. We moved to the front and paid our whopping $6.00 (this could be the cheapest thing in the whole city). The serving line moved fast and we were in front of these nice older ladies ready to take our order. I asked for eggs (fixed with peppers, onions, and real eggs), bacon, a sausage link, slice of french toast, and some hash browns. The food was really good and the atmosphere was excellent. This is truly one of the hole in the wall places that would be so easily looked over.
Side notes: the paint on the walls is a really strange burnt pink color, you service your own plates, you can have as much food as you want, everyone is extremely friendly, the workers donate their time, the money is given to charity, no one wears gloves or hairnets (just like I like it), and there were several people that came into the room on crutches and canes.
If you are ever in Coeur d’Alene, ID on a Sunday morning, and you don’t make the stop, you’ve missed out!
I watched a very interesting show this morning. Discovery Wild aired a show about giant lizards and snakes. During this show they went to South America in search of the Anaconda! Truly a fascinating reptile. The host (whoever he is) meets with Jesus and Rene Rivas (anaconda experts) in search of one of these giants. I used to have Jesus’ phone number (never called him though) and just realized by reading his website that he teaches about 1.5 hours away from my home. Anyway, the host eventually finds a 12 footer. Not the biggest of these giants but still big enough for the show. He did catch a much smaller version and it bit him on the arm. A little blood from the over 100 teeth in its mouth. The show filmed a small anaconda attacking and eating a rat. Not a big deal but the snake did it from under the water. The anaconda has been known to take over 30 minutes to eat a meal like this without ever taking a breath – WOW!
I did gather some really important info while watching the show, the weight of a capybara. One would expect this type of information to come in kilograms or pounds but instead the show decided it would be better to let you know how much it weighs in relation to a common household pet, the hamster. Yes, the hamster – I guess the producers were thinking it looks like a hamster so we might be able to associate more accurately how big this creature must be. So now that your ready I will give you the answer to the question. 400 hamsters are equivalent to one average adult capybara. Strange but true.
Ever wonder who owns the airplanes that you see at the airport? Do you have a friend that is a pilot? Wanna know what ratings he/she holds?
Try landings.com, scroll to the bottom and click on Databases. From here, you have lots of options. To look up an airplane you must have the “N number”, so don’t forget to write it down. Anyway, click on “Basic Search” and type in the N-number. Lots of good info.
For info on a pilot, click on “Pilots” (under the certifications section). This selection is above the “Basic Search” link in the middle of the page. Type in your friends info (or partial info) and click Send Query. More good info.
Let me know if you find anything really interesting.
Ben and Jerry’s Creme Brulee.
This stuff is sooooo good. Sweet custard ice cream with a caramelized sugar swirl.
The best part is the caramelized sugar swirl. If you’ve ever had real creme brulee, you know what this stuff is like. Now add custard ice cream and you have a great match.
It’s definitely the hills and mountains.
I just returned home from a trip to my Aunt’s property which is in the middle of nowhere. I always tell people that you have to go out of your way to get out of your way to get here. Well, her property is past that point. The property is in the middle of the hills. When you get away from town and you can’t see any man-made lights and the crickets are calling and all you can see is bushes and trees on all sides of you, it can be a little intimidating. I don’t mind it, but I still get the heebie jeebies at times. Tonight was no different: very dark, hills all around, can’t see the sky for the trees, quiet (except for the crickets), and just a little chill in the air.
Add to the above mix an occasional owl call, and the spooky whippoorwill call and you have the beginning for hysteria. Don’t forget the thought of wild life coming down off the hill to eat you! Why stop at wild life? The hills give me the impression that more than animals live out there, maybe even something evil………
On the other hand, my kids did found about 10 newts (including a red newt). We also observed elk tracks and coyote scat. BTW, the elk are starting to bugle – now that’s a strange sound when you’re out there.