I'm in Germany!

Just a quick note. I'm in Augsburg Germany and all is well. Augsburg is lovely. More later.... ~B

Bikes On A Plane

Emails with Singapore Air...

Hello, I'm booked on flight #SQ0025 from JFK to FRA on October 25th. I have a bicycle to ship and am am in need of clarification on your bicycle checking policy. I was told by your agent that I should pack the bicycle in as small a box as possible, which I'm doing. The resulting dimension of that box will be approximately 50x30x15. I was also told this box would count as one of my two bags. My question is: What is the size that I'm allowed for my remaining bag? Thank you, Robert Viens
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Dear Mr Viens, Thank you for your email. With regards to your query, please be advised that passengers traveling on Singapore Airlines in economy class from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA) are permitted to check-in two bags, 50lbs (23 Kg) each. However, the sum of the three dimensions (length + width + height) of first piece must not exceed 62 inches (158 cm), and the second piece must not exceed 45inchec (155 cm) with the total dimensions of both pieces must not exceed 107 inches (273 cm). Each passenger can have one carry-on bag at 15lbs (7kg)/45 inches (115 cm).

The Bicycle will be considered as a piece of luggage, and will be charged as such if the passenger exceeds his/her free baggage allowance. The bicycle shall be properly packed for transportation, with handle bars fixed sideways and pedals removed. For further clarifications, please feel free to contact our reservations desk at the number provided below. Thank you for choosing Singapore Airlines for your travel needs Regards SIA USA Violet

For further information or clarification, please call our Reservations Center directly. If you are located within USA, please call +1 800 7423333 (24-hour service, operated 7 days a week).
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Dear Voilet, Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, you didn't answer my original question. If the dimension of the bicycle box are approximately 50x30x15, what is the size that I'm allowed for my remaining bag? And if I go over that size, how will I be charged? Thank you, ~Bob
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Violet, I just spoke with your Reservation Center and would like to confirm the following information on your checked bag policy on bicycles? I was told that bicycles, which are disassembled and properly packed in a bicycle box (mine actually measures 53x30x8), are considered as the second checked bag and are exempt from the107" combined measurement allowance for both bags. I was also told that I would still be entitled to the 62 inches, allowed for "first" checked bags, for my remaining bag. Is this correct? Thank you, ~Bob
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Dear Mr Viens, Thank you for your email. With regards to your query, please be advised that the bicycle is considered as 1piece and as per our baggage policy you are allowed to carry 2pieces as check-in the total dimensions of both pieces must not exceed 107 inches and one carryon 15lbs( 45in) Thank you for choosing Singapore Airlines for your travel needs. Regards SIA USA Violet

For further information or clarification, please call our Reservations Center directly. If you are located within USA, please call +1 800 7423333 (24-hour service, operated 7 days a week).
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Dear Violet, I was told that the bicycle counted simply as package #2 and is exempt
from the 107 inch rule. Is this correct? I was told this by two separate employees at your Reservation Center
and would just like to confirm it in writing before I arrive at the
airport. I'm getting two different versions here. Please clarify this for me. Thanks You, ~B
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Dear Mr Viens, Thank you for your email. With regards to your query ,please be advised him that bicycle is considered as 01piece, however "bicycle" is not under this category. Thank you for choosing Singapore Airlines. Regards, SIA USA Violet

For further information or clarification, please call our Reservations Center directly. If you are located within USA, please call +1 800 7423333 (24-hour service, operated 7 days a week).
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Violet, Please have a supervisor tell me what this means. Thank you, ~Robert

I hope they fly better than they answer questions... ~B

Rusted Strut Mounts

I'm working on my Mom's Escort this afternoon. Actually, it belongs to both of my parents, but I still call it my Mom's, just like I refer to their house as "Mom's". Oh, well. I replaced the right rear strut mount last week after the shock broke through from being rusted out. Since I'm leaving town, I figured I should take care of the other side since I suspected it was suffering from the same degree of rot that the first one had. A strut is really just a combination of a big spring and a regular old shock absorber. They used to be two separate components on cars until some smart guy figured out that you could put the shock absorber inside the spring and save space and improve the handling of the automobile in the process. So the very top of the strut rusted through and broke, leaving the shock unattached to the car at the top and making a hellatious (sp?) rattle when I wend over bumps. That top part of the strut is called the strut mount since it's where the strut actually mounts to the frame of the car. The bottom of the strut attaches to the wheel assembly thus making for a wheel that bounces gently over the uneven surface of the road.

I love working on cars and fixing things. I get a great sense of satisfaction out of taking something apart that's broken and making it new again. When I pulled out the first strut and replaced the broken mount last week, it was such a neat feeling to get in the car, after it was all put back together, and drive down the road, no noise, just a properly working car instead of the rattling jalopy that I'd just been driving only a short time prior. It's a nice feeling. Mostly what one needs to do such a repair is a few good tools, possibly a repair manual to give you an idea about what you're getting yourself in for, and an adequate supply of intestinal fortitude to consider it even possible to attempt such an undertaking without the appropriate amount of prior automotive repair experience. I didn't have the manual, but I borrowed the tools from my oldest son, who lives only a couple of miles from my folks house, and I seem to have the guts. I guess I've done enough repair stuff to know that I can somehow pull it off, and really, it's not all that difficult, mostly it just takes time and lots of patience. Normally, I never thought of myself as a patient person, but I may have just disproved that belief.

Anyway, I'm changing the oil now. I'll try not to make a mess.

Cheers!

~B

My Apologies

I have been a very very bad blogger. I had some maintenance to do and just pulled the blog offline instead of taking the time to deal with it and keep it available. A friend suggested I keep writing even if it's in the private journal, so I'm taking her advise. Thanks for your patience. As for the comments option, that will remain moderated to prevent certain individuals from having a personal forum for their hostility on my dime. OK, that's all for now. Cheers! ~B

Deutschland Awaits

I'll be flying on Singapore Air flight number SQ0025 from JFK to Frankfurt this Saturday evening.

It's my first time off the continent. I can't wait!

~B

Quiet Time Now

OK, I need to get a handle on a few things; I'll write as soon as the fog clears.

You know, I really don't consider myself to be quite the drama queen that I seem to be portraying. I'm just shooting for "peaceful" and "happy", and when I don't get that, I get a little passionate, I admit it. I am certain though that "passionate" is more of an attribute than a flaw, at least when it's managed properly. Everybody's life has drama, hopefully most have passion as well, but only a small portion have blogs. What makes my drama different from everyone else's drama is mostly the format. I've chosen to continue posting my thoughts and feelings and experiences on this blog for as long as it feels right, but for now, I feel the need to refrain. It's just me needing calm.

So, that's my new mantra: peaceful/happy. Say it with me: peaceful/happy, peaceful/happy, repeat as indicated....

Peaceful/happy, peaceful/happy........

Cheers!

~B

Please Remain Calm

All is well. More later...

Button Up Shirts and Wristwatches

My feet are freezing! I've thought about getting up and finding a towel to put under my feet, but I'm still sitting here, no towel and still with cold feet. My hands are cold too, in fact I'm just generally cold. I just checked, and my right hand is significantly colder than my left one, no idea why, but if I put a blanket over my shoulders, I might at least be able to chase away the chill that I feel in my sides and on my neck; that would help. I don't think that will do anything for my right hand or my feet though. I just looked over my right shoulder and there's a blanket on the rocking chair about four feet from me. I'm going to reach over and grab it as soon as I finish writing about being cold. It's hard to write about being cold when you have a blanket draped over you. It's like writing about being hungry while holding a hotdog. Yeah, the hotdog might not be sufficient to quench the hunger, but the illusion, at least, that you have food is unavoidable. If I rub my head fast enough, I can make heat, but then I end up with fallen hairs from my head on the keyboard. Then what? I have a momentarily warm head and a keyboard with hair on it and fewer hairs on my head. So...

My right hand is still cold.

There's a red pen sitting on the desk in front of the computer. It's actually a cranberry color with a matte finish, but no name identifying the maker, you know, like Bic or PaperMate. It just says Franklin Medical Center 800-377-HEALTH baystatehealth.com/fmc. I likethe shape of it. It's not one of those goofy fat pens with extra gripsand lots of contours. It's sleek and has a satisfying clicker and one of those clasps that you use when you put it in your shirt pocket. I wonder about the design decision to include the pocket clasp on pens with so many fewer people opting for shirts with pockets. You know,the classic button up with the collar, maybe in plaid or with stripes? I haven't worn a classic button up with plaids or with stripes in five months. I had one in a bag in my hand just yesterday afternoon, actually the bag contained several. But I set it down, with a bunch of other stuff and drove away. Calmly, no screeching tires, I just drove away. I was angry and hurt and broken and certain that I couldn't do it anymore. I set the bag with the button up shirts on the curb next to the backpack and the filled water bottles, and the books, and the curry chicken leftovers and closed the hatch, then the passenger door, and sat down in the drivers seat, closing the door just hard enough to make sure the latch caught, and drove away. Around one car in front ofthe cottage rental office then looked both ways and pulled out onto route one, with the ocean out the left window of the car. The passenger seat was still leaning forward from where the back seat had been accessed to gather belongings. Once I got a little ways down the road, I reached over and pulled the lever to return to seat to it's normal position. No radio, no cars, no road, no talking, no scenery,no smells, no sounds, no button up shirts, no nothin'. Just driving...just driving....just dr.....

So people used to wear wristwatches. Like everyone used to wear a wristwatch. Once pocket watches fell out of favor, everyone wore a wristwatch. OK, pop quiz...when's the last time you saw a Timex commercial? I know, when you say "pop quiz", you're supposed to actually have a question where there's only one right answer, like"what's the capital of Alaska?". You say "Ankorage", and I say"right!" or ring a bell (ding, ding, ding) or something. That's a popquiz. Sure. But, really, when's the last time you saw a Timex commercial? I'd say like 15 years ago for me. I've seen Timex magazine ads, but the last time I can remember seeing a Timex ad on TV was like in the 1980's during Wide World of Sports, where the guy goes over theski jump sideways and they show it every week? Same guy - same ski jump - every week. I wonder if he feels like Bill Buckner. People say"Bill Buckner" and you think of that soft grounder hit to first base to end the game, and it rolls through Bill's fingers. I wonder if theski guy feels like, OK enough already, we've seen it enough. I wonderif he gets paid every time they show him being slapped over the end ofthe ski jump by a vengeful gravity god. At least if he was getting paid, he might feel OK with having his entire career encapsulated in that one moment. "Oh hey, you're the guy that..." I wonder if he feels bad about it. I wonder if he feels like burning all of the footage of everything he's ever done on the slopes and off, and throwing out all his button up shirts and all his crap in storage that he pays $73 amonth to store for nothin'. I wonder if he's miserable over his wipe-out royalty checks not covering the negative balance on his checking account because of two checks he wrote to pay for a stupid passport when he didn't have the money in his account, hoping another royalty check would clear, then his bank whacks him for $105 for three overdrafts, because he spent twenty dollars on gas and before that used the card for a sandwich on the way to pick up his fiancee who'd been traveling and miscommunicating sometimes by email, then not at all by phone. Then the online bank statement says that the $135 check came in BEFORE the $20 and the sandwich, when you know fucking well that it didn't. The twenty bucks and the sandwich were BEFORE the $135, NOT AFTER! BEFORE! I wonder if he thinks about that. If it makes him crazy that he doesn't know what to do next, or that since looking into her face and yelling at her in Portsmouth then later driving away from her and the bag with the button up shirt in Rye, he hasn't looked another person in the eyes, and doesn't now even know how to start. I wonder if he feels like an idiot. No reason, just an idiot. Like he can't get anything right. Like all anybody cares about is that he's the guy that went over the ski jump sideways and "hey, Johnny! Let me buy you a beer!" I bet he hates that.

Pop Quiz:Why did people stop buying wristwatches? I'll give you a hint: Cell Phones.

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