Ups and Downs of the Week

Bruins – First place in the Eastern Conference.

Airline Baggage Rules – The bozos who drag huge luggage onto planes and hold everyone up while they try to stuff it into overhead compartments don’t have to pay a dime. But those folks who do it right and check their baggage get robbed. Someone please explain.

Home Sweet Home – Always good to get back. And we still have a few more days off.

Today we walked around Salem, MA.

We spent the day poking around Gloucester, MA.

As I’ve said before, we never visit Connecticut without stopping in at the Book Barn in Niantic. Today was the day.

Ups and Downs of the Week

Las Vegas – Just got back from 5 days there. Great place for pictures and dining. I’ll have pics up soon.

Crowds – It’s not really the crowds as much as the few inconsiderate jerks who make the crowds nearly unbearable. The ones who stand and chat in choke points are the worst.

Patriots – They seem to have found their way again. Should be an easy coast to the division title from here.

Christkindlesmarkt – The annual Christmas Market in Nürnberg is on again.

Oktoberfest starts today in München. Pricey beer, this year. Almost $13 for a liter mug. Wow.

Webcam

Ups and Downs of the Week

Red Sox – Couple stumbles, but they’re still looking good.

Debt Ceiling Circus – Let’s Make a Deal, ok?

Sleeping Bear Dunes – Very cool place (although it was very hot the day we were there).

Ok, so I’m a little late this week. We’ve been in NYC and I didn’t get around to posting Friday or Saturday. So here goes…

Red Sox – Finally playing up to expectations. They’re at the top of the AL East and if they keep playing this way, they’ll be well out in front by the All Star break.

CNN – Used to be the premier news organization in the world. Now they peddle celebrity gossip and misery voyeurism. Sad that they’ve lowered themselves so, all the more so because it seems that’s all people want these days.

Bruins – Heading to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in decades.

NYC – As I say every year, it’s a great place to visit for a few days. But after those few days, I usually can’t wait to get back home. I took loads of pics which I’ll post up soon.

Park Central Hotel – Between the faulty air conditioning and half the elevators being out of service, it was not the best stay we’ve had in NYC. The location was great, but the hotel itself is poorly run.

Fake miniature diorama. This was taken from the castle in Salzburg.

Ups and Downs of 2010

Family – Although we’ve been through some illnesses and injuries, we’re all still healthy and doing ok. There’s a lot to be said for that. Our own family here has grown with the addition of some new cats and kittens. They’re a lot of work, but they’re worth it.

Economy – Despite some positive (and I use that term lightly) indicators, the economy is still in the dumpster and shows few signs of recovering soon. I’m halfway through the third year of a pay freeze, although I am very glad I still have a job. The oil companies and speculators are in the act of committing wholesale robbery again, but the rest of us won’t be seeing an increase in income in the near future.

Red Sox – Another roller coaster season. They did very well considering injuries and such, but they faded badly at the end, mostly due to really poor pitching performances. On the bright side, they’ve picked up Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and Bobby Jenks, so 2011 is looking pretty sweet right now. Can’t wait for April.

Patriots – Talk about a surprising season. Most folks had predicted they’d be lucky to have a winning season. Instead they’re leading the NFL. Amazing coaching by Belichick and another banner year for Brady have lifted them to home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Amazing.

Miracles – Or maybe just really good planning. Either way, it was the year’s bright spot to see the Chilean miners make it out of that hell hole alive.

Airline Travel – It gets worse and worse. Between the nightmare of getting through TSA’s gauntlet and the continued mismanagement of the airlines themselves, there is no shortage of really pissed off fliers out there.

Technology – Some really cool stuff appeared on the scene this year. Apple and Android led the way with a quantum leap in mobile computing. My personal tech inventory got a boost this year from a very nice 42″ HDTV and new Canon T1i DSLR. Plus I saw most Red Sox games on the new HDTV thanks to my Roku box (although a mini-thumbs down to MLB.TV’s poor service, which almost made the whole deal worthless).

Education – Mine is done. At least the formal part of it. I completed my degree program and was awarded my Master of Science degree on Dec. 20th. So glad that’s behind me.