The Grapes of Wrath: Book Report

The *truly* impressive thing is that I finished it. Good: Steinbeck writes very cleanly. Probably a useful depiction of a slice of life during the Great Depression (although… well, see below). Makes me glad I wasn’t a destitute farmer in (fictionalized) California during the 30s. Bad: I swear there were blocking problems everywhere in this

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Where Should I Live After the Trip?

I have no idea where I’m going to be living after the road trip (speaking of which, several updates on the other blog since last time I mentioned it). A couple months to decide, o’ course, but figure it’d at least be worthwhile to have some criteria set up: Rents < $1,000 for a place

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My Current Simulated Entertainment Bender

Over the past 10 days I’ve gotten hooked on two different multi-player Internet simulation games: AirwaySim — It’s an airline simulator. I have two airlines going. Just recently, SwampAir became the airline transporting the most passengers through its home base of Orlando and now has a daily nonstop to Manchester, UK. Dog Food Airlines, on

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This Week in Security Theater

Saw this sign at the Long Beach airport on my way up to Seattle over the weekend: First off, I’m glad that the TSA is finally getting around to their most important assignment: self-preservation through public relations. Otherwise known as scaring people into thinking that they’re still relevant. I love these accomplishments, though. System wide,

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Welcome to Your New Prison, Americans!

In case you somehow missed the news, as of today you’re no longer allowed to leave the United States without a passport. Previously, other countries might have required a passport in order to enter them, but as of now (well, this morning), your government decides whether you’re allowed to leave its jurisdiction. More here. Y’know,

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Things I Have to Do Before the Trip

Here ‘is: Get my truck serviced. Move the rest of my non-trip stuff into storage. Move my trip stuff out of storage. Buy a JetBoil. Make reservations for Boundary Waters and other parts of the trip that need reservations. Get signed up on health insurance. Get my interim mailing address squared away. Study for the

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My GMAT Prep Course with Veritas

Haven’t talked about this much, but I’m getting ready to apply to Business PhD programs for admission in Fall of 2010. To that end, I have to take the GMAT again (turns out schools don’t accept 14-year-old scores) and since I figured I was going to have a hard time getting myself to study for

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Planes of Fame Air Show 2009: Old Planes in the 909

Went to the Planes of Fame Air Show in Chino on Saturday. This was the best photo I got: Took 300 photos, most of which were awful. I blame the haze. And the number of people that were there. And my unwillingness to go stand in front of all the people for an unobstructed view.

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My Sunday Exotic Car Walk, 5/17 Edition

My second weekend of living in Laguna Beach. Here’s what I saw on my walk into town today (ca. 1.3 mi. each way): Ferarris: 4 (2 NB PCH, 1 SB PCH, 1 Parked PCH) Maseratis: 2 (1 NB PCH, 1 SB PCH) Lamborghinis: 1 (NB PCH) Bentleys: 1 (EB Bluebird Cyn) Bonus: 3 Dodge Vipers

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Road Trip Site Updates

Don’t know how long I should keep doing this, but I put up a couple of new posts on 48stateroadtrip.com. New Road Trip Itinerary (version 9!) Recurring Trip Themes (version 1) So maybe check those out. If you want. bkd