Category: Travel

Recovered from the Wayback Machine.

I’ve long been fascinated by Einstein’s Theory of Relativity; the concept of curved space and our galaxy being a marble flowing down and around holes punched into the void via black holes and other objects we probably haven’t even imagined yet.

Most particularly the concept of gravity and speed and their effect on time: imagine it, that you could go fast enough to have time slow until it seems to stop; or until you flatten into goo–no one knows the absolute truth.

I’ll be able to see the Theory of Relativity in action this weekend. According to the train schedule, the Empire Builder always leaves Chicago around 2 in the afternoon and gets into Sandpoint around midnight. However, Sunday morning Daylight Savings Time ends, which means we’ll turn back the clock. But the train still gets into Sandpoint at the exact same time.

I’m trying to figure out what aspect of physics is in play. Do we slow down so that time can pass us by? Or at the dot of 2 in the morning, does the train stop so that time can catch up?

Questions of time aside, I’ve decided not to get any kind of internect connection on the trip, but will instead explore my old town, the new parks, and catch up on my reading when I’m not helping my Mom. When I get back, I’ll be starting a new job: working for Broadband Mechanics with Marc Canter.

Recovered from the Wayback Machine.

I take the train to Sandpoint this weekend. I’ll be there at least two weeks, possibly a month, maybe even two. I’m trying to work through internet connectivity, but not sure if I’ll be able to get broadband. All the providers insist on year long contracts, so it’s hard to get month to month. It’s hard to get month-to-month just for modem nowadays.

This week I’m trying to get some odds and ends finished, including the code I’ve been working on, the tutorial, and finishing up any remaining work tasks. I’m a bit distracted though,

Right now I’m trying to figure out how I can pack two laptops, a camera, two extra lenses, a couple of books, and enough clothes (not to mention hiking and regular shoes) into two carry-on bags 28 x 22 x 14, and one personal laptop/purse type bag. Tomorrow I’m hitting the store for the Space Saver bags — squish out the bulk.

Recovered from the Wayback Machine.

A favorite mode of transport for skiers is to take a train to and from their ski destinations. Sandpoint, Idaho–a popular ski resort–does have a train stop but not a train station. As such it has no baggage checking facilities, which means that if you travel to and from Sandpoint you’re restricted to two carry-on bags and your purse and/or laptop or briefcase.

Doesn’t matter if you’re skiing and have skis. Doesn’t matter if you’re taking the train all the way to Florida for a two week holiday. No, Amtrak does not have baggage checking facilities at their stop at Sandpoint, so you have to restrict your baggage for your entire journey because of it.

Perhaps they’ve outsourced their baggage handling to Indonesia, as a way of plumping up their quarterly revenue. I’ve heard that they’re outsourcing the entire province of British Columbia, which is only about 50 miles away. Maybe it’s a northwest thing.

Come to think of it, with software job loss at 20 percent for 2003-2004 alone, maybe I can get a job checking baggage.

Recovered from the Wayback Machine.

Fall came today. I don’t need the calendar or even the cool weather to tell. When I start to cocoon, I know it’s Fall; when a hot shower feels really good, I know it’s Fall; when I get the urge to make an apple pie, I know it’s Fall; when I like to wear a flannel shirt and cuddle in my chair with all the lights on at 5pm, watching quirky new movies or old science fiction, I know it’s Fall–and it’s not the two margaritas I’ve had tonight talking.

Isn’t it odd how things work out. All the ifs and doubts about traveling leaving things uncertain, and it looks like I may be traveling after all. Monday I’ll find out if I need to head to Sandpoint, Idaho next week; it’s most likely. The trip is for a family matter, not a conference, but I can fake it: create a wiki, start using a lot of superlatives, and find three hundred white dweeby guys to invite. You know, the usual.

If I do go, I’ll be gone for at least a few weeks–perhaps longer. I’ll try to get a connection, and I may be able to get a DSL off my Mom’s Dish, but chances are it will be a modem. I’d do without, but I have existing, as well as new, work. Besides, how else will I post photos of Sandpoint if I don’t have a connection?

Sandpoint is a beautiful, rustic, western town, nestled in the mountains of Idaho, and having a world class ski resort. This time of year is when the town really starts hopping, so one could say that I’m one of the hip and beautiful people for being in Sandpoint in ski season; however, I’ll most likely be driving my Mom’s old Honda, wearing well worn clothes, and little or no jewelry or makeup. Of course, being environmentally sound is the new ‘cool’ thing now, so perhaps I can fake this, too.

Well, except that I’ve never been one of the beautiful people, and it takes one to know one. I’m a small town girl who has traveled around a lot but have never been able to knock the edges off. I’m well read, but not necessarily well lived. I’ve never once spent more than 80.00 for a pair of shoes, and these were for hiking boots that were on sale. I still get hurt by believing people–now that might be the two margaritas talking.

Taking a train, too, to Sandpoint; to sit for 36 hours and read or look out the window, as it flows from St. Louis to Chicago, through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana, before arriving at Sandpoint. Long enough to be an adventure; not so long as to be tedious.

I hope to get some of the code I’m working on finished this weekend, first, so you can try it out as I’m traveling. As such, things may or may not break at times in these here parts (see, I’m already getting in a Western frame of mind). However, it’s the weekend, and weblogging goes into a slump that is only woken by photos of very cute little kittens; as such you most likely won’t notice.

I’ve also downloaded and tried the Flock Browser. Contrary to the *jaded pundits, I thought it was rather fun to play with. I’ve even posted to the Plugins weblog with it. But enough with fun–I have code to write; fueled by two margaritas, it might even do something I don’t expect. Like now, when I save this…

…update, and it worked out of the box. Damn, I’m good.

*Though I rather liked the Skype comment by Mark Evans