Day 4897

I'm back in Dallas. Today was mostly a travel day. There was no need to get up super early this morning. I walked to a Cracker Barrel restaurant down the street from my hotel, ate my breakfast, and then packed my bags to leave. It was supposed to rain today, but the day looked pretty nice to me. I always enjoy my visits to Titusville. It's a quiet little town compared to Dallas.

Orlando is anything but quiet. Every time I go to the Orlando airport, I wish I'd applied for TSA Pre a little earlier. I do have an appointment now, but it's not until late in June. I'll never understand why every airport seems to have different rules for what has to come out of your bag. Dallas Love Field is easy compared to Orlando. Today I had to open my suitcase at the security checkpoint because my camera tripod apparently looked like a suspicious object. Everyone behind me was in a hurry and I almost forgot to put my computer back in the suitcase. In Dallas I don't even have to take the computer out of the bag. Sometimes I don't even need to take my shoes off. I don't know why I didn't get TSA Pre several years ago. It seems like a bargain every time you get delayed at the security checkpoint.

I don't go to concerts or sporting events anymore, so airports are about the only place I still encounter crowds. Being around a lot of people doesn't give me a lot of faith in the future of humanity. Mostly people are nice, but everyone seems impatient and in a hurry. Why are there so many fat people? The last time I was in Italy, it seemed like the entire country was thin. In America it's exactly the opposite. Maybe it is because everyone is always eating. People are constantly eating at airports. Even the ridiculously high prices for airport food doesn't slow them down. People seem addicted to their phones. I am usually the only one at the airport, or on the plane not using a cell phone. They are all playing games, watching movies, or texting someone.

The Orlando airport is filled with children. They are either going to or coming from Disneyland. Going to Disneyland must be on every small child's bucket list. I often see large families on the way to Disneyland and wonder how they can afford it. The place is not cheap anymore. Little girls returning from Disneyland are often wearing princess dresses and little boys are carrying toy lightsabers, I shouldn't be critical though, since I've been to Disneyland myself. Janet and I once went to the Disneyland in Paris.

I'm well on my way to becoming a frequent traveler. I've started to get picky about planes. The 737-800 is a much better plane than the 737-700 because the overhead bins are larger. Occasionally I'll fly on a 737 MAX, but that just seems like a longer version of the 737-800. Nobody leans their seat back while flying anymore. It seems to be an unwritten rule that you must leave your seat in the full upright position for the entire flight. Maybe people are just trying to be courteous. Planes are always full these days. It's been a long time since I've been on a plane that wasn't completely full.

I love attending launches at Kennedy Space Center, but I'm glad to be home again. Maybe I'll sleep better tonight. Hotel beds are always too soft for me. I need to remember not to eat breakfast tomorrow because I  have an early doctor's appointment for a semi-annual physical. I also need to gather documents for my driver's license renewal. It didn't seem like I needed so many documents before real ID became mandatory.

Rosco is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day