Okay, so the only thing I haven't been able to get my head around is the airport. The only thing that I can't think is quaint or homey is the airport. All I want to do is drive to the airport, board the plane, and get off at my destination. I'm not to be convinced that it's somehow a minor inconvenience to have to change planes every time I fly. Every single time. And many times through O'Hare. O'Hare! Many good men and women have been lost there. I can deal with the cold. I can handle the food. The falling leaves, Packer fans, snow, Badger fans, North Face wearing students, the "traffic" on the highway, the constant search for winter clothes, rural jurors, farmers, hunters, fishermen, and all of it, but man. Why can't there be a direct flight anywhere that I want to fly?
Here's the list of cities that are served by flights from MSN. So I have family in two of those cities, but I'm disregarding that since I have yet to fly from here to either of them. My point is that it's like flying out of AOL Online airport. It's severely restricted. I suppose this is the sign that I need to start loving New York.
# Atlanta - Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
# Chicago - O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
# Cincinnati - Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
# Cleveland - Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
# Dallas-Fort Worth - Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
# Denver - Denver International Airport (DEN)
# Detroit - Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
# Memphis - Memphis International Airport (MEM)
# Milwaukee - General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
# Minneapolis - Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
# New York - LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
# Newark - Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
# St. Louis - Lambert/St. Louis International Airport (STL)
# Washington DC - Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
We Made It!
We've successfully made the move. Monica's mother, Suzanne, came and watched the baby while we packed up the house. Her brother, Jeremy, came and took charge of packing the truck. The ladies flew to Madison, and Jeremy and I - and my dad - drove out here. If I had a laptop I could have live blogged the whole thing, but it was probably more efficient and less annoying to everyone around that I just did my part to help the move.
Here's the recap of the drive in the car and the moving van. (This is a lift from an email to South Pas Ian.)
"We left South Pasadena and drove up to my dad's place in St. George, UT. He took us out to dinner at the Elks Club. My brother in law thought that was a real hoot. We left Utah on Thursday intending to drive all the way to Cheyenne, Wyoming, but after a few hours we decided to take it easy and stop early since our next planned stop after Wyoming was Omaha, NE (an easy drive from anywhere in Wyoming). We stayed over night in Rawlins, WY, about a hundred miles short of Cheyenne.
We woke up on Friday to snow and wind. We were able to drive about 60 miles to Laramie, Wyoming before the highway patrol closed interstate 80 due to high wind and ice on the road. Jeremy said that the short drive from Rawlins to Laramie instantly made his "top 5 of his most harrowing drives ever." It certainly was tough. We were driving at 40 mph at some points because visibility was so low. We stopped in Laramie and had breakfast. It was only about 10 when we stopped. It really made my father upset. He couldn't quite accept it. Regardless we sat around the restaurant and played cards for a couple hours. We kept one ear on the highway advisory radio channel, but nothing changed. Finally my dad drove up to the highway and he saw some trucks moving (semi-trucks had lined themselves up on the shoulder of the interstate, waiting for the road to open). He thought that the road had opened. We drove ourselves up there, but the road wasn't open yet. We parked at Wal-Mart and killed some more time there. Then we parked the moving truck and the car in the line of semi-trucks lined up on the road. And waited. I read. We listened to the advisory channel in the car repeating the same messages over and over.
About three o'clock Jeremy and I started trying to talk my dad into giving up for the day, getting a hotel room and maybe seeing a movie, but he refused. He was convinced that the road would open soon. His misunderstanding was that he thought it was the snow that was causing the problems. He thought that they would have the interstate cleared of snow soon and that we could pass. However the problem wasn't the snow. It was the wind. Up to 70 mph according to the advisory channel message. And it wasn't letting up. The trick is that there is kind of high pass on our route on the interstate between Laramie and Cheyenne. The wind in this area gets up very strong.
We drove to the last exit before the road closure and could clearly see the highway patrol car sitting in the middle of the road with its lights on. Then we circled around and got back in line behind the semitrucks. Eventually, sometime after six oclock, we convinced my dad that we had to get a room. It would be dark between eight or nine, and even if the road was opened it still wouldn't be actually safe. And neither of us wanted to drive in those conditions in the dark. He finally agreed. We got a hotel room. According to the radio the road coming west (opposite the way we were traveling) opened about 8, and the road going east opened about nine, well after dark. Thank god, we didn't try it. It would have been scary as hell. Jeremy and I ended up going out for a beer and watching Atlanta beat Boston in game 6. Downtown Laramie is pretty happening. It's a college town so there were lots of people out on a Friday night.
The next morning, Saturday, my dad woke us up at 4:30 am. We were on the road at, I remember, 5:22 am. Light, but not the disc of the sun, was just appearing over the mountain pass that we were going to travel over. We got going with the intention to try to get all the way to Madison in one day. Dad had a plane to catch Sunday, and Jeremy's wife, Tracey, was having a birthday and we needed to get back to have lunch with her. We'd have to leave Wyoming, cross the length of Nebraska, cross Iowa, and then surge into Wisconsin. We took it as it came, switched drivers around, ate quickly, and ultimately we made it. We pulled into Monica's parents place about 10:30 Saturday night. It was exhausting, but also exciting and challenging.
We unloaded the truck pretty quickly the next morning. Then celebrated Tracey's birthday. Took my dad to the airport."
Whew!
Here's the recap of the drive in the car and the moving van. (This is a lift from an email to South Pas Ian.)
"We left South Pasadena and drove up to my dad's place in St. George, UT. He took us out to dinner at the Elks Club. My brother in law thought that was a real hoot. We left Utah on Thursday intending to drive all the way to Cheyenne, Wyoming, but after a few hours we decided to take it easy and stop early since our next planned stop after Wyoming was Omaha, NE (an easy drive from anywhere in Wyoming). We stayed over night in Rawlins, WY, about a hundred miles short of Cheyenne.
We woke up on Friday to snow and wind. We were able to drive about 60 miles to Laramie, Wyoming before the highway patrol closed interstate 80 due to high wind and ice on the road. Jeremy said that the short drive from Rawlins to Laramie instantly made his "top 5 of his most harrowing drives ever." It certainly was tough. We were driving at 40 mph at some points because visibility was so low. We stopped in Laramie and had breakfast. It was only about 10 when we stopped. It really made my father upset. He couldn't quite accept it. Regardless we sat around the restaurant and played cards for a couple hours. We kept one ear on the highway advisory radio channel, but nothing changed. Finally my dad drove up to the highway and he saw some trucks moving (semi-trucks had lined themselves up on the shoulder of the interstate, waiting for the road to open). He thought that the road had opened. We drove ourselves up there, but the road wasn't open yet. We parked at Wal-Mart and killed some more time there. Then we parked the moving truck and the car in the line of semi-trucks lined up on the road. And waited. I read. We listened to the advisory channel in the car repeating the same messages over and over.
About three o'clock Jeremy and I started trying to talk my dad into giving up for the day, getting a hotel room and maybe seeing a movie, but he refused. He was convinced that the road would open soon. His misunderstanding was that he thought it was the snow that was causing the problems. He thought that they would have the interstate cleared of snow soon and that we could pass. However the problem wasn't the snow. It was the wind. Up to 70 mph according to the advisory channel message. And it wasn't letting up. The trick is that there is kind of high pass on our route on the interstate between Laramie and Cheyenne. The wind in this area gets up very strong.
We drove to the last exit before the road closure and could clearly see the highway patrol car sitting in the middle of the road with its lights on. Then we circled around and got back in line behind the semitrucks. Eventually, sometime after six oclock, we convinced my dad that we had to get a room. It would be dark between eight or nine, and even if the road was opened it still wouldn't be actually safe. And neither of us wanted to drive in those conditions in the dark. He finally agreed. We got a hotel room. According to the radio the road coming west (opposite the way we were traveling) opened about 8, and the road going east opened about nine, well after dark. Thank god, we didn't try it. It would have been scary as hell. Jeremy and I ended up going out for a beer and watching Atlanta beat Boston in game 6. Downtown Laramie is pretty happening. It's a college town so there were lots of people out on a Friday night.
The next morning, Saturday, my dad woke us up at 4:30 am. We were on the road at, I remember, 5:22 am. Light, but not the disc of the sun, was just appearing over the mountain pass that we were going to travel over. We got going with the intention to try to get all the way to Madison in one day. Dad had a plane to catch Sunday, and Jeremy's wife, Tracey, was having a birthday and we needed to get back to have lunch with her. We'd have to leave Wyoming, cross the length of Nebraska, cross Iowa, and then surge into Wisconsin. We took it as it came, switched drivers around, ate quickly, and ultimately we made it. We pulled into Monica's parents place about 10:30 Saturday night. It was exhausting, but also exciting and challenging.
We unloaded the truck pretty quickly the next morning. Then celebrated Tracey's birthday. Took my dad to the airport."
Whew!
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Next Step
Now that we're back from our trip two things will happen. I will start looking for work, and we're also going to B'shire in two weeks for a long weekend to look for a place to live (and love) when we move out there.
We've already got a line on a house (for rent) that sounds wonderful. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa K! We'll also look at a couple apartments for the sake of due diligence.
The job is another thing. I am intimidated to look for work without actually being there, but I am sure that I'll find something great. The kind of thing I'm looking for right now is nonprofit oriented, especially in development. Development is a euphamism for fund raising. I'm looking on Idealist.org, the city of Madison website, craigslist, and a couple arts jobs sites. I see a new development job opening up every few weeks, so I think I should be able to find something.
We've already got a line on a house (for rent) that sounds wonderful. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa K! We'll also look at a couple apartments for the sake of due diligence.
The job is another thing. I am intimidated to look for work without actually being there, but I am sure that I'll find something great. The kind of thing I'm looking for right now is nonprofit oriented, especially in development. Development is a euphamism for fund raising. I'm looking on Idealist.org, the city of Madison website, craigslist, and a couple arts jobs sites. I see a new development job opening up every few weeks, so I think I should be able to find something.
Back from the Continent
Me and the family got back from our trip abroad the other day. You can check out the slide show here.
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| Our Trip to Italia |
Monday, February 18, 2008
What was I talking about...?
Mrs. Kubota is back from her week in Italy. I am so pleased and happy. Both Kiki and I are elated to have her home again. Next: we all go to Italy as a family in two weeks. It'll be a lot of fun. Wish us luck!
The Badgershire list. It's the same as below. Although now we've added "have a garage sale" to it. April will be very busy.
The Badgershire list. It's the same as below. Although now we've added "have a garage sale" to it. April will be very busy.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Oh, Today
Nothing like being the sole caretaker of an under-2-year-old to get one focused on the moment.
Today we watched Sesame Street at from 7am till 8. Tidy-ed up and played till 10. Went over to the neighbors (Amelia was not into playing in the sprinklers with the other kids). At 11 we went to the park till noon. I drove a few extra minutes and she fell asleep. I wrote a little during my lunch hour (pizza crusts, faux-chicken sandwich, and a piece of cake). Talked to my brother; we're going to visit him tomorrow. Amelia ate lunch (pizza pieces-no crusts). Played with Ian and Quinny (Quinny started walking last night!). Dropped tickets off at D and A's house. Watched a little 'Babe' and 'Elmocize' from the library; ate dinner. Amelia took a bath then read for like an hour and I just dropped her into sleepy land where she is now.
She, of course, peed on the couch after this photo was taken.
Today we watched Sesame Street at from 7am till 8. Tidy-ed up and played till 10. Went over to the neighbors (Amelia was not into playing in the sprinklers with the other kids). At 11 we went to the park till noon. I drove a few extra minutes and she fell asleep. I wrote a little during my lunch hour (pizza crusts, faux-chicken sandwich, and a piece of cake). Talked to my brother; we're going to visit him tomorrow. Amelia ate lunch (pizza pieces-no crusts). Played with Ian and Quinny (Quinny started walking last night!). Dropped tickets off at D and A's house. Watched a little 'Babe' and 'Elmocize' from the library; ate dinner. Amelia took a bath then read for like an hour and I just dropped her into sleepy land where she is now.
She, of course, peed on the couch after this photo was taken.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Monumental
I rode the train from our little suburb into Union Station yesterday. I have been through some of the great train stations of the world and while Union Station doesn't do the traffic of Tokyo or Victoria Stations it is a wonderful, ambitious place. It is monumental as the main train station of a monumental city should be.
It is that "monumental-ness" that is among the things I will miss in Badgershire.
On the other hand, the country is right there in Badgershire. You could drive two hours and still not be in the country here.
It is that "monumental-ness" that is among the things I will miss in Badgershire.
On the other hand, the country is right there in Badgershire. You could drive two hours and still not be in the country here.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
"The Move to Badgershire" - Intro
We've got a map of Badgershire on the wall. With a to-do list. And job opportunities for Rabbi in a clip board. The plan is for Mrs. Kubota to stay home with Baby Kubota and I, Rabbi, to go to work.
On the to-do list:
Sell car - posted an ad on Wednesday. Actually having trouble unloading thirteen year old Toyota. I blame George Bush and the weak economy.
Buy tickets for April - This is a trip to look for apartments in Badgershire. This is done. We're going for a long weekend (thursday to monday) the first weekend in April.
Set up job interviews for April trip - Hmm... Better get cracking on this...
Find apartments to look at - Mrs. Kubota's aunt has offered us a free apartment, but we will still look for a place that we really like since our pet cats pay more rent than most residents of Badgershire.
Find POD, or moving van - I'm voting for getting the moving van, sending Mrs. Rabbi and Baby Rabbi ahead on a plane and driving out myself with whoever I can get.
Next time... What job opportunities are posted in the clip board? Who will drive with Rabbi? And how will Rabbi and Baby Kubota fare while mom is in Italy?
On the to-do list:
Sell car - posted an ad on Wednesday. Actually having trouble unloading thirteen year old Toyota. I blame George Bush and the weak economy.
Buy tickets for April - This is a trip to look for apartments in Badgershire. This is done. We're going for a long weekend (thursday to monday) the first weekend in April.
Set up job interviews for April trip - Hmm... Better get cracking on this...
Find apartments to look at - Mrs. Kubota's aunt has offered us a free apartment, but we will still look for a place that we really like since our pet cats pay more rent than most residents of Badgershire.
Find POD, or moving van - I'm voting for getting the moving van, sending Mrs. Rabbi and Baby Rabbi ahead on a plane and driving out myself with whoever I can get.
Next time... What job opportunities are posted in the clip board? Who will drive with Rabbi? And how will Rabbi and Baby Kubota fare while mom is in Italy?
Milton!
Yeah, that's right. I'm reading Paradise Lost. Just finished Part I. It's not so hard if you don't worry about understanding it.
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