Last Thing I Want To Do Is Hurt You

Prague Lost

In Prague this weekend. The thing I love most about the city is it's accessibility. I walked around the city a couple of times, sans map.

Did I get lost? Yes.

But here's the thing: I've never been so fantastically lost before. I live in a world of GPS, of iPhones, of easy access to directions and live searches and always knowing where I am.

Here, my iPhone is offline. I don't have easy access to GPS. I can't use Google Maps to find my way back.

I have been gifted with an exceptional spacial memory, and an excellent sense of direction. That's what I used to find my way back.

On the way, I found the Kepler museum, one room. That's a picture of the fountain in the little atrium outside. I lucked into some amazing scenes on the Charles Bridge around sunrise. I stumbled upon so many memories, I can't remember them all. And I really didn't know where I was anyway. "Walking distance from the Charles Bridge," is about the best estimate I can give you.

In Prague, that could be anywhere.

In Prague, I rediscovered the joy of being lost.

Boredom and Air Traffic Control Delays

I hate ATL. I can never get through there without some delay. Often it's weather. But the last time I was there, the lion's share of the delay was due to Delta giving our plane away to another flight. Thanks, Delta.

And putting one set of flight info kiosks in the middle of a half mile long terminal is, basically, criminal.

So, I avoid it whenever I can. I'm taking Delta to Prague next month. Three separate flights. All have connections. None of them touch Atlanta. Yes, even on Delta.

But I can't avoid it today. Because I actually have to go to Atlanta. No choice. Well, maybe I'll be OK, I thought. After all, I'm usually fine getting to Atlanta. It's getting out that has been my perennial problem. But no, Atlanta is kind enough to give me rain delays.

For comparison, Charlotte, NC, is also having showers. But their flight just left, without delay. Those two airports aren't exactly in different weather zones.

Charles Lindbergh would be rolling in his grave, if he knew that flights were being delayed for a little rain. Weather Channel says light showers. Bit of a mist. A little drizzle. And Atlanta airport comes to a screeching halt.

OK, it's only a 35 minute delay. At the moment, of course. So it could be worse. And I'm sure, in the end, it will be.

I hate ATL.

Back Home

Posting this from my new iPod.

It was a great trip. 3White apparently has issues with food from other regions, and gets violently seasick. Tesla had a fantastic time doing her own thing in her own way in a brand new place. And Lotus? We discovered that she loves being on boats. The Whale Watch we went on was a real eye opener: Lotus stood in the bow for almost the entire trip, just grinning up a storm, and watching the waves pass under the boat. Of course, the whales were great as well, but finding a happy place for her has been a challenge.

We also went to Martha's Vineyard. It's been quite some time since my sister and I were there. It was a lot of nostalgia, and some great new memories. Hopefully, it won't be 20 years between visits this time.

All three kids did a great job on the plane as well. They're turning into some fine travelers, aside from the bungalow belly, and we are looking forward to future trips.

Update From The Road

The wedding was lovely. The girls even managed to not disrupt the proceeding. I managed to mess things up by requesting that we leave before the reception was finished. Apparently, that just isn't done if your wife is the Matron of Honor. Oh well. I'm a boy. How the hell am I supposed to know that.

Went out to Sandwich to visit with the inlaws. They do have a rather nice house there now. Didn't end up hating everyone. Apparently, distance is what I need to deal with my inlaws.

Traveling with my sister is excellent. The nonstop comedy also helps for dealing with inlaws and overbearing bridesmaids.

Going out to the vineyard tomorrow. More
Reports then.

There's a Change

Traveling out to sister-in-law's wedding. 3White and I are sitting on the plane. Stewardess hooked me up with immodium for my own personal hell so I can sit in peace. A TSA agent helped me get my bags off the shuttle bus. We snagged the living room area at the Starbucks in the terminal for half an hour. The car seat with the roller back on it went through security without any issues at all.

And now I'm watching Star Wars (the real one) with my son at 40,000 feet.

And he's loving it.

This is not at all how I envisioned this trip so far. I'll try to keep you all updated.