The End of the Road?

After posting about my airport travels the other day and receiving a comment from "miaexile" where he/she used their hippie power to suggest I had negative "aura" because I, like 99% of people who live here, find MIA to be a piece of crap, I thought about this blog and its purpose.

In truth, the only reason I really wrote that post was just to have something to write and to keep the blog current.  The more I thought about Blind Mind blog, the more I noticed that its really just a big ball of negative energy, a place where I vent frustrations and occasionally provide something of substance.  I had a feeling that I'd get an email or something from my buddy Rick over at South Florida Daily Blog asking what happened to the blog and sure enough, I did.  He was surprised to see it gone and suggested a farewell post, you know, in case there were any actual readers out there haha.

I thought about it and I've made the decision to bring the blog back.  Yup, call me the Brett Favre of blogging.  I realized that I've had this thing for many years and I still get decent traffic and comments from time to time, even if they are from douchebags or weird Chinese porno links.  I'm going to make the effort to provide more substance and less negative, maybe the occasional humorous travel story, or product review of something I like or find useful.  Yup, I'm back.  Thanks for reading.

Up In the Air...Again

A few thoughts and circumstances I encountered on this latest adventure flying the friendly skies...

1. Airports really need to get on the same goddamn page.  It's really interesting how what is necessary for the goose isn't necessary for the gander when one goes through the process of checking in for a flight and getting to one's departing gate.  At some airports, you can use a kiosk to check in and then wait in line to check your bags and then the ticket counter employees put your bags on a conveyor belt behind them and off they go.  At other airports like MIA, you go through the same process but then have to wheel your bags over to some other area for them to be screened by security even though there is a moving conveyor belt behind the ticket counter employees.  I'm sure there is probably a good reason for this, besides MIA being the most ass-backward airport in the country, but it just seems really dumb and a pain in the ass.  Every airport should do it the same way.  It would greatly reduce confusion for the traveler that gets the deer-in-the-headlights look because their originating airport didn't do it this way and now they are confused on their return flight.  Kinda hard to imagine why this is confusing but, for some reason, air travel makes people really, really dumb.  Another inconsistency comes at the security gates.  Ok, by now if you don't know that you need to remove all metal from your pockets and take off your shoes then you should be removed from the line and beaten senseless with a regulation-sized carry-on bag.  That's simple stuff.  The inconsistency that is annoying lies with airport security personnel who sometimes make you remove things from your pockets and sometimes don't.  When I left MIA on my way north, I went thru my usual routine and removed everything from my persons that was metal.  I left a chapstick in my pocket.  The lady at security made a big fucking to-do about that and made me go back thru the metal detector and put the chapstick in a bin.  You know, in case I had nuclear chapstick that would bring us all to our doom.  At LGA (LaGuardia), I went thru security 3 times.  The first time was for normal reasons and I made it through without issue (chapstick in pocket) but when I got to my gate and noticed I was still 3.5 hrs early (no other flights for standby) and there was no 1st class lounge, I doubled back and hit the next terminal over.  I got through security there without issue as well, had a few gratis beers in the lounge along with some veggies and dip, then headed back to my terminal to go through security for the 3rd time and catch my flight.  Here, I encountered the Security Nazi, you know, the dude who just likes to be a dick.  I went through the metal detector and it didn't make a noise so I thought I was good.  "Sir, I need you to go back.  Do you have any metal in your pockets?", the S.N. said.  "Nope", I replied before he noticed that nuclear chapstick in my pocket and made me remove it.  I did without getting irritated thinking maybe the "empty pockets" thing was new and then headed back through the metal detector.  Once again, no sound from the metal detector and once again this asshole stopped me and asked me to do it again.  Now I was irritated.  "Buddy, I do this almost every goddamn day.  In fact, this is the 3rd time if gone through security at this airport and I'm doing nothing different.  There's nothing setting off the metal detector.  What's your problem?"  He said something about me getting "four stars" as I walked through and that meant I had to go back.  Eventually, I took my money clip (stainless steel that is travel approved doesn't set off metal detectors) and put it in a bin which reduced my "star count" and appeased the Security Nazi.  I just wish airports would get on the same page with the same set of rules for each airport to eliminate delays and power trips by security.
2. Some people never cease to amaze me.  Look, flight delays happen.  Whether it be weather, equipment malfunctions, or whatever, shit happens.  Contrary to what appears to be popular belief, the airline employees have NOTHING to do with this.  My flight from LGA to BOS was delayed for 30 minutes and then another 1.5 hours.  This one woman apparently thought that the poor girl at the counter was responsible and began bitching nonstop for a good 15 minutes before she finally stormed off having accomplished nothing but elevating her own blood pressure and looking like a total bitch.  I thought it was kinda funny when the poor girl behind the counter went on break and the guy who replaced her decided to crush our spirits and let everyone know that although it said our flight would be leaving at 6:30p (1 hour late), we would actually be boarding at that time and then sitting on the runway for another hour.  He got cussed out by what I imagine was his supervisor but I appreciated him telling the god honest truth.
3. Sometimes you gotta give a little clear direction.  The plane I boarded on the aforementioned LGA to BOS flight was one of those smaller ones with two seats on the left side of the plane and one on the right as you board.  These planes have tiny overhead bins but I know my briefcase fits in just fine.  The guy in front of me was kind enough to let me put my briefcase up before he put up his jacket so we both could get our stuff in.  As I put my briefcase up, the woman behind me with the annoying, whiny voice asked, "How come you couldn't gate check that so we could put our jackets up?"  I kindly told her that my computer and some files were in there and that I needed to get some work done on the plane.  Again she bitched, "You could take them out, you know."  "Well, that's not gonna happen.  Sorry.", I said as she continued to bitch about her stupid jacket.  That's when I became irritated and gave some clear direction which got a clap from the woman next to me and sparked the guy behind me to say, "Forget it buddy, you can't win with people like that."  The guy then guessed that I wasn't married but the bitchy woman thought he was talking to her and went off on a tirade about being married for 42 years.  Guy behind me had the line of the night - "Man, that must be some luck your husband has."  Later on the flight the bitchy woman and her annoying friend both ended up getting airsick and puked in the barf bag.  Ain't karma a bitch?

The #1 Reason Why MIA Sucks

It's the people who work there.  Everyone has an attitude and that attitude sucks.  It's like they think they're doing the public a big favor by working there.  It's completely different than every other airport in the country and it's also the worst airport in the country.  I feel bad that many people have to have their introduction to the USA by way of Miami International Airport.  It's the worst airport in the country.  Seriously.  I think it was a year or two ago that somehow they got an award for best airport or most improved airport or something and it totally blew me away.  The selection committee must have gone out and drank tequila into the early hours of the morning before finishing off with 1,000 rounds of bong hits and walking in to cast their votes.

Thanks for continuing to under-service, under-perform, and underachieve MIA.  You suck. 

An Oldie But A Goodie

I was surfing the internet today and came across a link to a classic - cop and his wife eat pot brownies and then call 911 because they think theyre dying.  Slays me every time!

Enjoy!

Getting Political for a Minute

I read an interesting article today about a proposed tax hike of 10% on businesses in the indoor tanning service industry and it really dumbfounded me.  I'm no expert when it comes to politics and policies, but wasn't the goal of the Obama administration to support small businesses?  The indoor tanning service industry is about 99% comprised of small businesses!  A tax of 10% is ridiculous. 

They say that the idea is for the tax to support healthcare reform, you know, since indoor and outdoor tanning has been known to cause skin cancer.  Ok, I can kinda see the point there but aren't there industries that contribute more dead weight to healthcare than a tanning bed?  Look at the obesity rate in this country!  Large corporations operating fast food chains are who I would point the tax finger at.  Something tells me obesity and the many, many health issues that occur as a result of a person being obese probably end up controling more healthcare dollars than skin cancer.  But I don't have the facts, its just a hunch.

I just thought the Obama administration was all about promoting American small businesses.  If that is the case, as I'm positive it was during the election race, taxing an industry that is solely made up of small businesses doesn't make sense.  A tax of 10% on this industry is a heavy one and could mean the closure of many of the small businesses that make up the industry.  It's pretty hard to profit off of a tax when businesses fail as a result, isn't it?  And when these businesses fail, what's next?  Unemployment, that's what.

If someone can explain to me how this makes sense, please do.  I'd love to hear it.  Here is the link to the article.  I will admit that I did get a little chuckle out of the right-wingers in the comment section that immediately claimed that this is a tax on white people.

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010

Each year around this time when I notch another year of existence under my belt, I like to stop and think about the past year, what I've accomplished, what I've learned, and what direction to take to progress forward.  This year was a tough one for me both personally and professionally.  It seemed like every time I got a little momentum going in my favor, I was knocked down to the ground and forced to start over.  Ok, that's pretty normal.  Life is a rollercoaster, after all, and my goal has always been to revel in the anxiety of the ups and joyfully scream like hell while going down.  I guess this year I just got more motion sickness than usual and ended up puking my brains out a few times. It happens, I suppose.

At the same time, I also think that I shared more of myself than I ever have before in life and I'm pretty happy about that.  Socially, you would never know it but there are a lot of things that I hide or am shy about.  I can't really explain why, it's just the way I am.  I've had a blog for over 3 years now and if you aren't a member of the South Florida blogosphere or don't happen to stumble upon it, you would never know.  Many of my friends and pretty much all of my family have no idea that I write on this blog or my food blog.  Why?  Again, I have no idea.  I guess I never think to share.

Well, I'm making it a goal for 2010 to share more of myself.  I've already shown my food blog to my family and they were really surprised.  My mom started telling all her friends and all that shit too haha.  Yup, share more and accomplish more are my goals for 2010.  I have some big plans for this year, some I hope to share with everyone as things come to light.

Wishing all the best in 2010 to all who read my blogs, share blogs of their own, and comment in the SoFL blogosphere.  May this be your year to shine!

Up In the Air

Went to see the new George Clooney movie, Up In the Air, with my folks and their friends yesterday.  I thought it was a fantastic movie, one that made you think and one that definitely hit home with me.  In many ways, my life is very similar to the character played by Clooney, always on the move, living out of a suitcase, finding the most efficient ways to travel, and at times somewhat emotionless, lonely, and isolated.

But hey, it's a job.

This movie made me stop and think for a second.  My life moves fast, sometimes faster than I want it to.  My lifestyle?  Even faster.  Living for every moment like it was my last, learning from all the trials and tribulations encountered on this rollercoaster we call "life", embracing all the power that is knowledge from lessons past on and lessons learned. These are the things that make us "wiser for the time" which made me think of this song, a favorite of mine by the Black Crowes.

"Ask me, 'Why another road song?'  Funny but I bet you never left home."