The Economy

Over Christmas I got a first hand look at how serious the economic downturn is.

Thanksgiving is the busiest flying weekend of the year.

Closely behind is Christmas. It should have been hectic at the airports since Christmas was close to the weekend. Normally a ton of people would have been flying on Christmas Eve.

I was a little surprised when I got to RDU. It wasn't nearly as crowded as I expected. Security usually has long lines. Basically none this time.

On the flight from RDU to DCA - my jet had nine passengers.

Nine.

The plane was basically empty. I don't know why the airline didn't just cancel the flight and put us on a later flight.

Then, on the flight back Friday - pretty much the same thing. Took maybe 5 minutes to get through security.

The flight back had, oh, possibly 2 dozen people. Not much more. Again - basically an empty jet.

You can't fly planes with so few passengers and make money. Especially with the fares so low.

And the fact that the planes were basically empty on a major family travel holiday - even with low fares - that tells you that either people do not have the money to spend - or are afraid to spend.

The whole experience speaks volumes about the state of the economy.

Christmas 2008

Very quiet, relaxing day.

We all got together today for dinner - sister, brother-in-law, brother, sister-in-law, and Aunt S.

My sister fixed a great dinner - Duck L'Orange, wild and saffron rice, acorn squash, sparkling wine.

A couple token gifts to pass around.

Everybody else went into DC to help out at the homeless shelter. I stayed in Reston and got some reading done.

All the 'kids' are elsewhere this year - Tokyo, Chicago, San Diego.

Don't tell them I said so - but it was nice having an 'adults only' Christmas. I miss the kids and grand kids - but it was a really nice, quiet, relaxing day.

Tomorrow I fly back to Raleigh. Need to be at the Metro station by around 0900 or so.

Christmas Eve 2008

Flew up to NoVa this morning to spend Christmas with my sister (GH), brother-in-law (CH), brother (CA) and sister-in-law.

Took the Metro from National Airport into town to see the Portraits of Power exhibition at the Corcoran Art Gallery.

Excellent exhibition.

Afterwards took the Metro to the end of the line where my sister picked me up.

We’re planning to go out for dinner and then a quiet evening at their house.

Dulles vs. National

You can look at last Christmas’ entry to get my take on TSA and Dulles Airport. IAD (Dulles) is just 2 freeway exits from where my sister / brother-in-law live. But – after last year I swore I’d never use that airport again.

This year was the first time I used National (DCA) in decades. I thought it would be a bit of a pain since I’d have to take the Metro out to where GH and CH live.

Piece of cake.

It was so smooth getting through DCA and then a short stroll right to the METRO stop that’s adjacent to the terminal upper level. The drive for my sister to the Vienna METRO station was no more effort then when they drove to IAD to pick me up.

All these years I’ve been screwing around with IAD just because it was physically closer to their house.

The mismanagement at IAD in general and the total incompetence of the TSA at IAD is abysmal. I can’t believe the difference between the way IAD is run and the way DCA is run.

It really is night and day.

I’ll never use IAD again as long as I live if I have the choice to use DCA instead.

NC State vs. Marquette

 

Tough Loss.

With the game tied - Marquette put up a 3 pointer with 0.4 seconds left.

Not much else to say. It was a very hard played game. Marquette is ranked for good reason.

State was right in there with them. Just like against Davidson - a slight step off - and one basket difference.

Floor

If you click on the photo and look at the floor - you'll see it looks like an old wood gym floor.

It is.

It's our old Reynolds Coliseum floor. Rebuilt to be removable for the RBC Center and Ice Hockey.

The original floor in the RBC was a high tech composite wonder. But after a few years, we rebuilt our old, old gym floor and started using it instead.

Every once in a while some genius comes up with the bright idea of going back to a high tech wood, composite or synthetic floor. They are quickly beaten, er, shown the error of their ways.

Not Much

Not much going on.

Work is steady and nothing out of the ordinary. Pretty much routine days at the office - busy but routine.

Here at home, the same old routine as well. Put up a few decorations for Christmas. Cards are displayed on the table along with a small tree and a couple other decorations and a wreath on the door.

I've given away my basketball tickets until now. I'll be going to my first basketball game Monday. State plays Marquette.

That should be a good game and a chance to see how well State matches up with a ranked team. We've already played ranked Davidson in Charlotte. It was a close game which we were the better team until the last 3 minutes. Hmmmmmm . . .

Let's see . . . .

Watched The Darjeeling Limited Friday evening. It had a few good moments. Very few. 2 out of 5 stars. If you haven't rented it - don't bother.

Watched the first of the Bowl games Saturday. Congratulations Wake Forest. That was the bowl game I wanted State to go to. I'd have driven up to DC to see it.

State plays Rutgers in Alabama in a week. That should be a good game.

Oh, here's something I've been meaning to post.

Last month we were out inspecting a prison workshop in Moore County. It's where there is prep work for - taaaa daaaa - license plates.

I took this photo -

 

Future License Plates

That's about it. Like I said - not much going on out of the ordinary.

Weekend Update

Just a quick update.

Saturday a few friends came over and we had a hot dog and hamburger cookout. It was cold but hanging out on the porch watching the burger cook was pretty fun.

As one of the guests put it, "Who made the rule that cookouts have to only be in the Summer?".

I agree.

On a side note - a couple of our friends are Jewish - I got Hebrew National Hot Dogs. I like them a little better than Nathan's Famous. That's just a personal preference.

Saturday Evening

Nuke and I went on a marathon movie watching binge.

Fargo, Red Rock West, and The Big Lebowski.

All 3 are excellent movies. Fargo is clearly the best above the rest.

Sunday

Sunday was chore day around the house. Cleaning, laundry, spliced / repaired a water hose, odds and ends.