Events

The bed is just a suggestion, apparently:

I did, in fact, fly yesterday. As usual, here's the Google Earth track.

It looks like I might fly this afternoon: I've had to postpone my annual flight review four times because of weather. Finally, today, the forecast calls for what you see above: clear skies, light winds, cold temperatures. (It's 0°C this morning.)

Extended version

As usual, the primary color is gray: There's a rumor we will have sunlight tomorrow. Unconfirmed.

Pilot and author James Fallows is thankful for the reasonable and minimal changes to New York City airspace the FAA announced last week: When regulators and security officials address a problem through minimal rather than excessive rule-setting and interference or panicky over-reaction, that is worth our thankfulness too. Building toward a crescendo of things to be thankful for at this time of year. By the way, it's a very fun trip for private pilots: (From a flight I took in March 2000.)

Not Always Right, vigniettes that demonstrate how customer stupidity is an absolute limit on customer service: Me: "Thank you for calling ***. How may I help you today?" Caller: "I'm having problems with my computer and–" (Suddenly, what sounds like an air raid siren sounds off in the background.) Me: "Ma'am, I apologize. I was unable to hear what you said." Caller: "Stupid tornado warnings! They always make it hard to talk on the phone." Me: "Oh...should I let you go?" Caller: "Nah. This happens all of...

Carl Kasell is retiring December 30th: Kasell will, however, continue as official judge and scorekeeper of the Chicago Public Radio-produced quiz program, "Wait Wait … Don't Tell Me!," "the show that turned him from a newsman into a rock star," as noted in a memo to staff Monday from David Sweeney, NPR's managing editor for news, and Margaret Low Smith, its vice president of programming. Sigh.