Useless Airline Information

Why is it that the pilot must come on the PA system on the plane and tell you tons of information that have no bearing on your life?

"We will be traveling at 32,000 ft".  

Really?  Who cares?  How will that ever impact my life or my thoughts about that particular flight?  Just assure me that I am at a different elevation than other planes in the vicinity and that my elevation is higher than mountains and buildings and I have all of the info I need!

"There is a west/northwest wind of 14 miles per hour".

How about just tell me that there will be a cross wind based upon how we expect to land and that there might be some turbulence.  Honestly, unless I know the city well...I don't have a clue which direction I am landing from since for some reason you like to circle the city before landing.

"We will be traveling at 434 knots".

OK, I know they use this one just to try to sound cool.  Every passenger, save the few that might be pilots, know what miles per hour are, very few know anything about knots.  So telling me speed in knots just makes me want to google the knot/mph conversion...but I can't because all electronic devices must be in the OFF position.

Here's what I want to hear.

"Your trip to Atlanta today will take about an hour and a half.  Compare this to how long that would take you to drive...and according to Google Maps it will take you nearly 9 hours.  So by choosing to fly American Airlines we have saved you about seven and a half hours...not to mention you will not lose any time for bathroom breaks.  You made a good choice as your time is very valuable!"

"When we land we will still be moving at about 120 miles per hour.  If you have a window seat, this is one of the few times in your life you will see what it is like to go that fast on the ground. Enjoy the view, it is awesome!"

"Don't worry about anything else.  We are trained professionals up here and we know the right elevation to get you across the country comfortably and safely.  We'll be watching for changing winds and we are always in touch with our friends on the ground to help us as well.  Again, no worries for you, just open up that magazine that you would not be caught reading anywhere else but on a plane...and relax."

But that's just what I want to hear...well, that and a lot less talk about how to buckle your seatbelt after they have already demanded that the seatbelt be buckled.  That one always seemed to be an odd time to teach you to do something you already have done...but that's just me.

Serge

Friends You Can Count On

I am proud to have many great friends.  Friends who I know I can count on when I need a laugh, need a favor or even need someone to join me for a beer.

Over the past 2 months I have seen the generosity of one couple exceed my wildest expectations.  And believe me, my expectations were not low.  I'll refrain from using any names as this is the world wide web and these people did not ask for any notoriety (nor did I ask them before writing this).  And that is not the purpose of this short post.  The purpose is just for me to express my gratitude for those people in this world who still are willing to put others in front of themselves so that they can improve lives.

A friend of ours is in need.  In need of direction, in need of assistance.  Many of us wanted to help.  Thought of ways we could help.  But none of us could do what one couple was able to do.  In their latest display of generosity this couple opened their heart, opened their home and took this individual under their wing.  From being there when our friend hit bottom to knowing the right path to point him on to help pick him back up.  This couple gave up their regular lives for roughly 72 hours to be nothing more than a friend.  And it did not seem to even disrupt their kids lives.  Perhaps this is not the first time these two have opened their home.  Perhaps the kids just understand at their young ages that this is what friends do.

To this incredible loving and caring couple I offer this.  You did not just change one person's life this weekend.  You helped change the life for everyone who loves that person.  And, as I got to see your selflessness 1st hand today...you have impacted my world in a way I cannot explain.

I am proud to call you friends.  I am proud to call you my brother.

This journey with our dear friend is not over yet, there will other tough times I am sure.  But I will take a clue from you two next time I am needed...and I will strive to be the supporting friends you two are.

Top 10 MLB Stadiums

Now that I have seen them all it's time to rank them. On a later post I'll elaborate on the best stories of the 46-stadium journey I have been on, but for now, it's time to answer the question I get asked most. What are your favorite current stadiums. This is ONLY about the ballpark, it's feel, and seeing a game there. It has nothing to do With the quality of the product on the field.

• 10. Dodger Stadium 
• 9. Comerica Park 
• 8. Coors Field 
• 7. Citizens Bank Park 
• 6. Camden Yards 
• 5. Petco Park 
• 4. AT&T Park 
• 3. Fenway Park 
• 2. PNC Park 
• 1. Wrigley Field 

 Yep, that's right, no Busch (thought it takes the #1 spot on a few other top lists). Also, no domes, or retractable roof stadiums make the top 10.  Agree?  Disagree?

Beach-Or-Bust-Mouse

Do you recall those old Tom and Jerry cartoons where the woman of the house would spot Jerry and jump on the furniture because she was so afraid of the mouse? Well, that was Misty this past week. Somehow, someway a tiny field mouse got into our house. You would think that would be a death trap for a mouse, since we have 2 cats and all. As we found out, our cats are not "mousers". First there is Buddy. He was very interested in the mouse, but only as a toy. He chased it and confused it to the point where the mouse was just running around in tight circles while Buddy swat at it. He had no interest in killing it, for that would ruin his toy. Then there is Jack. Jack was so upset by the mouse that he got himself sick over it and threw up on the diningroom floor. So that paints the scene. Misty, jumping up on furniture, Buddy playfully swatting and Jack getting sick. I only wish I were here to see it all. Unfortunately I only heard about it over the phone from Misty. So on my way home, I stopped and bought some mouse traps. When I arrived at home, the mouse was no where in sight, but it was obvious that something was up as the cats were acting funny. We all knew the mouse was somewhere in the house, but no one knew where. I set the traps and went to bed. The next morning I was set to leave for 2 nights and felt good that the traps with the peanut butter bait would do the trick and the mouse would be caught. Only bad thing was that Misty was going to have to dispose of the vermin. As I packed, I check the suitcase for "stowaways" and did the same for my shoes. Everthing was clear, I was off for the airport. Just as with any trip by air I had to take my shoes off to go through security. Everything was placed in the tubs and sent through the scanner. On the other side of the x-ray machine I got redressed and headed down towards my gate. I did notice that my left shoe was not fitting as well after I put it back on, I figured that the leather had a wrinkle in it, or perhaps my sock got twisted when I walked through the metal detector. I went up to a wall and softly kicked the wall to try to get my shoe to "fit" a little better. After another 20-30 steps it still felt odd. I decided to check on my sock after I grabbed some breakfast at Starbucks. With food and drink in hand I sat down at an open couch to fix my sock and head to the gate. When I took off my shoe I noticed that the sock was fine. It was not twisted, nor bunched up. It was time to inspec the shoe. Jokingly, the night before, Misty had warned me to "check my shoes" before leaving for the airport. And, as I mentioned earlier I did just that...I shook them, then placed them back on the floor for a few minutes before putting them on. I don't know when that mouse got into my shoe. I don't know if he clung on for dear life when I shook the shoe before leaving the house. I don't know if he crawled in there once I set the shoes down but before putting them on. I do know, however, that as I sat there in the C concourse in Lambert airport...with one shoe on, and one shoe in my hand...as I reached into the shoe to see what was up, out came the little field mouse! He jumped to the floor and ran off to hide the first place he could find safetly. He obviously was a tiny mouse. He was not more than 2" long, but he was also a mouse who knew is best bet out of the house with 2 cats was to stow away in a shoe...stay perfectly still for over 30 minutes while I drove to the airport, got on a shuttle, then went through security. He knew exactly when to stir. He knew that the best time was after security, but before boarding the plane. Can you imagine the commotion had I not discovered the little guy until we took off? I can just picture the 100+ passengers shreaking and pulling their legs up to be on top of their seats as a little 2" mouse ran scared around the floor of the American Airlines flight. But he knew his best opportunity for "freedom" was to make a run for it at Starbucks. After he jumped and ran, I looked around to see who else had witnessed me pulling a mouse from my shoe...NO ONE! Now, what was I to do? Tell the Starbucks employees? Really? What would they do? Find a customer service rep roaming the concourse? One would be hard to find. So, I put my shoe on calmly, grabbed my breakfast and headed to the bathroom to wash up. I don't know what ever came of our little mouse. I figure one of two things happened. Either someone stepped up when I did not and alreted someone who could do something about a loose mouse at Lambert OR...he stowed away again, this time pop up on a flight...and sending hundreds of passengers to scream and screech...or maybe, he stayed still again...the whole time effectively plotting to be transported to some beautiful locale. So, if you see a small mouse sunning himself at some beach...you now know how he got there.

2012 Cardinals - New Numbers

Short and sweet this time. Curious about your predictions on how quickly...or how big of a star...will it take to open up uniform numbers 5, 10, 18? Before you answer, remember that Edmonds was barely out of town before his #15 was re-issued. Same goes for long-time Cardinal Ray Lankford's #16. Will the Cardinals allow the coaches' numbers of 10 (LaRussa) and 18 (Duncan) to be available this year? If so, does it go to just anyone, or does the player have to be a veteran...a star (i.e. Beltran who wants #15, but Furcal has that now). When is the right public relations timing to allow #5 to be on the back of another player? Do you turn the page immediately like Albert did to St. Louis when he "felt a connection with the Angels after a 30 minute phone conversation"? My thoughts: Coaches numbers are available for spring training. Pujols' #5 stays under wraps for another season to see what the true fan reaction is, then it is available. Though I would reissue the #5 immediately, I don't think the Cardinals will do that. What do you think?