Hey, That's My Backpack!

Before we had more strict rules about what could be carried on a plane, I used to carry a Swiss Army knife with me wherever I went. That thing really came in handy, more than I thought it would. But now I'm sure it would be confiscated, and I'd rather not have something that cost $100 become property of the TSA.

Speaking of the TSA, I had to go through a search of my backpack and my laptop leaving from the Helena airport. Same thing happened to me in Duluth a few years ago. They did that to just about everyone, especially the laptop test (turned it on without shutting it down properly...nice!). It just cracks me up that the smaller airports (this one has a grand total of three gates...yes, three) feel like they have to prove themselves, so they search everyone they possibly can. I guess they have the time, since there aren't thousands of people going through the security checkpoint at any given time, like say in LAX or O'Hare. But still, it was rather annoying.

A Horse Is a Horse

My best friend used to have a horse, but she had to put it down because it had a disease that was incurable. That was sooo hard for her, and for me. I mean, she loved this horse. And after that she didn't ride for a long, long time. It was so sad because she'd all but grown up with that horse. But now she's riding at one of the stables around here, so I'm thinking for Christmas I'm going to get her some horse riding apparel. Not sure what I'll get, but I do want to get her something besides a gift card, you know? I think she'll really appreciate that. At least I hope she will. Either that, or golf stuff since she just picked that up not too long ago. Hmm. Decisions, decisions...

The Night Sky

Visiting Montana was amazing. It's so dark there, that you can see more stars in the night sky than I have ever seen I think, because there are almost no city lights to light up the sky like there are where I live. I mean, there are some...but nothing like here. And I thought that living in a smaller city allowed me to see more stars than down in Cincinnati. While that is true...I had no idea just how much the city lights of Dayton light up the sky. I definitely have to go back to Montana and have my cousin take me out fly fishing (I'll watch, not fish...not something you can just pick up in one day), hiking, etc. He's a real outdoor afficianado, so I'll be in good hands. It's almost like a different country there, with all the mountains and isolation. I think I need that. I can't wait. :)

Espresso-ing Myself

Every now and then, I get this idea I need one of those espresso machines. But then I remember...my mom got me one a few years ago, and I never use it! The only thing I use it for is to steam milk for my coffee (not espresso mind you). It's just too messy to do the espresso stuff, and to be honest espresso is too strong for me. But I doubt I'll ever give it away because it is kinda fun to have around, just in case someone comes over and has a hankering for espresso...or I get a hankering for a real latte. That does happen every now and then.

Montana Or Bust

I was just in Montana for a wedding for my younger cousin. Wow, that is one beautiful place. Although small, it's quite charming (and it is the capitol city, but it doesn't look that way). Anyway, they got just about everything they wanted on their registry, including the LCD TV they had put on it. His aunt Pinky (yes, Pinky) took them to Target the day after their wedding and bought it for them. She's very well-off. I mean, she and her son came from Australia. Granted, she's not my aunt, hee hee. But she's a lot of fun, and I'm glad she could do that for them. Apparently they have to hit the TV they have now to get it to work. So, now they have a brand new 37" Olevia LCD TV. I'm jealous! I think that'll be my next purchase, if/when we get a bonus next year. By then the 32" one I want will be relatively cheap. At least, I hope it will.

Think the Real Estate Bubble Has Burst

With the real estate market in a tailspin, I wonder if those who own a real estate franchise are starting to get nervous, especially the smaller ones. I think I'd be on the verge of a nervous breakdown, knowing me. And, I see all of these houses up for sale for months, rather than weeks, even in "hot" areas of town. That has to suck for the people who want or need to sell and can't because the subprime lenders are all going under. Why people got ARMs, I'll never understand. I mean, if you know you're only going to be in a house for 5 years, fine. But with record low mortgage rates...um, they're probably only going to go up! Even I, who is an idiot when it comes to finances, knows this and would NEVER get an ARM. Anyway, it's a huge mess, and I hope it works itself out so that I can buy a house in the future and not have to worry about getting taken for a ride from some lender.

SUVs - Bane of My Existence

I live in a part of the country where SUVs and pickup trucks (some even with a truck bed liner) almost outnumber the sedan. It's rather annoying, to be honest. I mean, I live in a suburban area. Why do people need such large vehicles? Is it to feel safer? Is it a status symbol? I guess it's probably both, with other factors thrown in that I'm not aware of. If you have a boat or something, I can see the need for towing. But do you really need that Hummer? Nope, that's just a gas-guzzling behemoth that people own because they want the coolness factor that comes along with it (I have yet to see one towing anything). Although I don't see it as cool...quite the opposite, I judge that person to be a jackass, but that's just me.

Anyway, I drive a smallish car, so I really have issues with SUVs and pickups in general, because...I CAN'T SEE OVER OR AROUND THEM! Being at a traffic light behind one is annoying, and when I park between two of them, I can't tell if anyone's coming until I've practically backed all the way out of the space. Then I get honked at, which also annoys me. Not like I'm speeding out of my space in reverse, folks, I just can't see! *sigh*

So to anyone who owns a Hummer or other insanely huge SUV when you don't need it, please consider stepping down to a Forester or RAV4 or something. You'll do the world a favor.