Because terroists don't ride Amtrak.

Just got back from Boston. This time, we took the train. The train starts in Cleveland, stops at Rensselaer and then on to Boston's South Station. It's a mere 15 hours. How does this compare the new, safer, TSA-guarded 2 hour ride in the sky? 15 vs. 2. Seems like it'd be a no brainer, but the train wins hands down.

•the Amtrak staff doesn't conduct a strip search and peek down your pants,
•they haven't outlawed liquids,
•no seat belts needed,
•no shitty coffee served on board,
•they don't have bacterial incubation chambers that quarantine you from the outside air,
•they provide nice scenery,
•we could fit the entire family across the width of two seats to watch DVDs,
•we were equipped with a 110V outlet per seat,
•we could walk around during the entire ride,
•Frankie and I had a fancy breakfast in the dining car one morning,
•we could stretch out to enjoy a feast we packed for the long ride,

... and we even were able to enjoy a pilgrimage to the shrine of Padre Pio in Rensselaer on the way home.

Entrance to the Shrine


The saint himself. We are not worthy.

I think my hair is growing back.
Hooray Amtrak.

In which Dave crawls out from under a ro

My first ever text message post.

I am in Shangri La - The Mall of America.

Listen carefully and you can hear Abba playing in the background.

What I did on my last business trip.

I am the king!

detail of above shot

Charcuterie and all the fixin's for Kielbasa. Wohoo!

A sad memorial I just captured yesterday.

I've observed this bike for a couple weeks now. I circled it yesterday to get a shot. The story.

"If motorists just put themselves in our shoes, they might remember we’re your neighbor, son, your daughter," Graham said.

The cyclists said they hoped drivers would try biking on the roads to understand how dangerous it can be.

Let the week begin ...

click image for larger, more clear view

This morning around the b'fast table, the discussion centered on these two chipper bugs enjoying the warmth and humidity. Really enjoying the warmth and humidity. Some hypotheses were advanced regarding which one was the male.

Maybe I'm giddy and overconfident because of the upcoming week of festivities preceding the BIG DAY (Father's day), but it was pretty obvious to me. Taking a cue from the bird kingdom, where all the males are larger, more colorful, and handsome (after passing through an excruciating and awkward adolescent phase of their life that may have occurred in the 70's) it was obvious to me which was the male. I have indicated this evidence clearly on the image above. Everyone agree with me?

Note: I have full editorial control over all comments but, please, express your truthful comments below, thanks.