Recently in travel Category

On Sunday I partook in what is my last planned triathlon for 2008. My season started in June this year and has ended with the most brutal race I have ever experienced or can imagine doing again.

The Las Vegas 2008 triathlon took place at Lake Mead, 23 miles north of the Strip in Las Vegas - just outside of Boulder City, Nevada. I made final preparations for the trip back in June after looking around for a more remote race than I had done up until that point. Prior to this trip, the furthest I had gone for a race was Grand Haven, Michigan - about 150 miles (as the crow flies) from where I live. I'm not really sure what it was that made Las Vegas pop out at me when I was looking through USAT's sanctioned triathlons for 2008. It was probably the simple fact that the idea of being able to go out and party the night after my last triathlon for the year was an inviting thought. While my mind was on the potential for fun afterwards, I had no clue what type of event awaited me.

The annual (or semi-annual depending on the year) Wisconsin Dells boys trip took place last weekend and was a blast - as usual. I'd love to go into details of the weekend, but nothing but trouble would come of that exercise. As Raj and I rode home, a torrent of thoughts went through my head. As I/we get older and as these types of outings get harder to make because of our family and work lives. Thus, the value on the time and experiences like these is greater. I wish details could emerge about the people and their personalities, but it would be unfair to openly scrutinize people without giving them the benefit of retort - and in some cases, it would be downright inappropriate. So, the following is a little disjointed and purposefully ambiguous.

Adventure Most years/times we have gone to the Dells, we rent a cabin a short stint outside of Wisconsin Dells (everyone assumes everything up there is in the Dells, when in reality, most of the big resorts are in the jurisdiction of Lake Delton, not Wisconsin Dells) somewhere along the Wisconsin River. Matt set this up the first time five years ago and although some of us were wondering what the hell we were doing in the podunk Dells, it turned out to be a fantastic trip and a fantastic idea, long term. This year, we thought we would have quite a few more people than normal, so I, as this year's organizer, got a bigger cabin. Well, there were less people than the normal. Not by many, but by enough to have initially made me worry we went overboard. I was wrong. The cabin was much better, more secluded and big enough to accommodate the typical monkey fun that goes on. There will definitely be a next time and it will be at the same place if I have anything to do with it. Although the train rolls by every hour or so, the cabin has a great view and easy to find location.
Josh and I ended up going out for a great and yet miserable ride on Saturday. It took us 20 min. to cover the distance that took 40 min. on the return. Plus, he had to deal with a bum rear derailleur on the Giant TCR he is borrowing from me (for the time being). No rear gear shifting control and 20+ mph headwinds do not make for a comfortable combination. Besides the headwind issue, the ride was unbelievable. Highway O (in that area) is newly paved and we saw all but two cars driving on the 13 mi. ride. I wish I had taken more time to go further, though. It would have definitely been a brutal return, but another 10-15 mi. out would have done the body and spirit good. I'll reserve that for next time, I guess. Ironically, we went out in a light rain and by the time we came back, the weather started to clear and the sun came out.
Saturday evening was much more subdued that Friday night. We went out Friday and stayed in Saturday. No adventure there, other than the ridiculous steak dinner Raj cooked Saturday night. This was far better than the $650 dinner for six we had at Kaminski Bros. Chop House at Chula Vista last year. When you combine expensive with horribly prepared food, it is hard to leave without feeling gutted. The quiet Saturday night is mainly due to the fact that we're all getting two old to go all out two nights in a row. That's a good thing, though. I actually came home awake and with extra energy - not used up and drained down. Adventure is good - in Massen (in moderation).

Interviews One of the most interesting aspects of being on a trip like this is that you have an opportunity to see people in a semi-natural element. What I mean by this is that without the normal inhibitions, people's relaxed nature starts to shine and it gives you better insight into what drives them. I wouldn't go so far as to say that the true person shines in moments like these. Plenty of people give a different face to their coworkers at work than they would ever dream of doing when out with friends. But, this face has an impact, nonetheless, on how a manager can better deal with that person. This is quickly leading to what I've thought most about: finding good people to work for our business. I'm obsessed with building a long-term top notch team for our companies. I am not my father and while I wish I were when it comes to his tenacity, insight, and talent, I am not. I know there are areas where I am severely lacking and if we are going to continue on the path of success he has set before us, we will need extraordinary people to fill the voids he leaves - whenever that is. So, weekends like this give me an opportunity to interview. Yup... interview. Never forget that the best jobs come through knowing or meeting someone... even in the oddest of places like the Dells.
There were two people in particular I had in mind - one of those, maybe someday positions. They have no idea who they are. One would be shocked to even consider it was a possibility because of the circumstances under which we were talking. But, it was. I walked away from both conversations with one of those wow... I woulda' never imagined this is the way things are based upon what I have seen up until this point feelings. Those who are in a position of hiring well paid managers know what I mean - you beg for the time to spend with a person you are thinking of hiring so that all the baggage is laid bare. 'Tis better to know ahead than afterwards. I haven't made up my mind on either, but I was left with this:
Confidence is paramount. Both of you have it. But both of you think I'm someone or was being driven by something that I was not. It was a LOL moment when it hit me. You think I'm talking to you about something that I'm not. In one case, you are misreading my intentions and are definitely missing some real opportunities. In the other case, you were simply oblivious - for reasons I don't quite understand, because you're pretty damn intelligent.
The most interesting aspect of interviewing people who don't know they are being interviewed is that the bigger surprises come from how different their home personality may be from their job personality. Not that this is unusual. I am wired differently at work than I am at home - although, partial to my upbringing, I would argue that I am inclined to act more like I do at work at home than vice versa. Anyone up for a re-interview is fine by me...

More Time with friends has an amazing way of re-energizing you. Most of us have known each other for most of our lives - literally. The ability to relax and interact in a no-pressure environment with people like that is amazing. It never ceases to amaze me how different our lives are, though, than what we thought they would be like. One common thread among the attendees: we never thought we'd still be in contact or even be in the same area that we are today. (Perhaps two or three of us did, but the majority didn't.) It is always interesting how life leads in directions you never imagined.

I would like to know what idiot (or group of idiots) decided to enact the rule that goes into effect in one day (and a few hours) that could limit you to TWO extra Li-Ion batteries in your carry-on luggage depending on interpretation. A quote from safetravel.dot.gov on "What's New" (as of Dec. 30, 2007):

"The following quantity limits apply to both your spare and installed batteries. The limits are expressed in grams of “equivalent lithium content.” 8 grams of equivalent lithium content is approximately 100 watt-hours. 25 grams is approximately 300 watt-hours:

* Under the new rules, you can bring batteries with up to 8-gram equivalent lithium content. All lithium ion batteries in cell phones are below 8 gram equivalent lithium content. Nearly all laptop computers also are below this quantity threshold.
* You can also bring up to two spare batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of up to 25 grams, in addition to any batteries that fall below the 8-gram threshold. Examples of two types of lithium ion batteries with equivalent lithium content over 8 grams but below 25 are shown below.
* For a lithium metal battery, whether installed in a device or carried as a spare, the limit on lithium content is 2 grams of lithium metal per battery.
* Almost all consumer-type lithium metal batteries are below 2 grams of lithium metal. But if you are unsure, contact the manufacturer!"

Yet on other pages, the rules are very unclear as to what these gram equivalents actually mean. I travel with four spare Nikon EN-EL3e batteries, two extra batteries for my MacBook Pro and an extra battery for the second laptop I always travel with. Even before I was into [digital] photography, I always have three or so laptop batteries with - especially for those long trips. I don't understand how the TSA and flight carry-on rules could get any more convoluted. If I understand the watt-hour equivalent rules, I actually am still under the threshold of allowable batteries with two MacBook Pro (17") batteries and four Nikon EN-EL3e batteries by calculating the approximate watt-hour capacity of the batteries (the MacBook Pro batteries actually have their watt-hour equivalence written on them - 68 Wh). Yet, the language refers back to carrying two spare batteries... For what??? Two spare batteries for each device that uses them (in that case, I would fall perfectly within the rules) or two spare batteries, period? I'm going to print out all of the rule material I can find and hang my hat on the above language that allows me to circumvent all of these different calculations. Here's how it works (in my opinion):

The two additional MacBook Pro batteries would fall under the category of having less than 25 grams of lithium (if the way of calculating lithium content is accurate in that 100 watt-hours is equivalent to eight grams or less of lithium). The second bullet point goes on to say that "You can also bring up to two spare batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of up to 25 grams, in addition to any batteries that fall below the 8-gram threshold." (emphasis mine) All of the AA and Nikon batteries I carry are below the 8-gram threshold and the wording reads that in addition to any...

The language on the referenced site and above still make no sense and are very difficult to understand. Even if you weren't like me and travel with decent amount of electronic gear, you could be over this limit if a TSA employee were to interpret the rules to mean that you can only have two rechargeable AA batteries with. Of course, this would completely ignore the rules that apply to the total grams of Lithium or the total Watt-hours your batteries add up to, but TSA are (rightfully) given latitude in determining what those rules are. I say rightfully because I think TSA's rules require a bit of intelligence on the part of the employee and interpretation to some extent is ok. In this case, though, I don't even know where to start because the language open to interpretation is so bewildering.

If someone has an explanation as to how to clearly calculate whether or not you fall within the rules, please write me. This rule effects anyone who flies with extra power for anything from cell phones to laptops and is clear as mud.

Link to pdf of page at safetravel.dot.gov.

One quick mention: Aaron did me the favor Saturday eve. of lugging me around (I took the train into Chicago instead of driving) to visit Intelligentsia Coffee on Broadway St. to pick up some long overdue Black Cat Espresso. On the way, he asked if I liked tea. I said sure, depends on quality, etc. but usually, yes. He suggested we stop at Argo Tea on Broadway - two or three stores north of Intelligentsia. I am extremely glad he made the recommendation. If you are a borderline tea lover or simply enjoy a good cup of tea, I can't more highly recommend this place. The service was great, but just as important, the tea was absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed a second brew of their Earl Grey with cream and vanilla mix as we left. (Yes, I imagine die-hard tea fans are just as fanatical as coffee junkies, like myself. You mustn't destroy the taste of a fine cup of tea with pollutants like milk and sugar. Sorry, I don't buy into that. The underlying flavor of the base - whether coffee or tea - will shine through, and good is still good; and bad is certainly bad.) If you're near any of their stores and are on the edge as to whether you would consider yourself a fine connoisseur of tea, they will do a good job of making you a tea snob. Now I can't wait for my next trip to Chicago and may even use visiting their store as an excuse to go and learn more about the fine art of brewing [good] tea.

This is a scene from a cab as Jeff and I headed back to his place from dinner at the Signature Room at the John Hancock Building. I was doing my best to focus and steady the camera, but alas, we were moving at a good clip ourselves and there is only so much you can do to steady your hand in the back of a cab. A few details to notice:
- Different tires on all four wheels. For whatever reason, the driver could not make up her mind as to whether or not to pass us and we saw her and her passenger from both sides.
- This is the classic car you saw in our high school parking lot back in the day.
- Imagine this car speeding up and slowing down every few hundred yards. Both driver and passenger looked intently forward as if every moment was going to slip away and ruin there chance at making it to a big meeting.
Perhaps you had to be there...