Yeah, I'm pretty sure she hasn't suffered as much as the mom I held, weeping, telling me her son had been killed. If she has, I feel really, really bad for her.

I think we should spread the word that Fallujah is the most happening new Spring Break nightlife spot this year. Then when Jenna and Barbara hit the dunes looking to party she can suffer as much as all the other people worried about their loved ones' safety overseas.

Chicago real-time bus tracking: [link] I'm pretty sure Chicago is the first/only city to have this. Right now it's a single bus line, but within a year or so you'll be able to track every CTA bus.

You can track buses on a map in real time, or select a stop and get a list of the next four or five buses, with arrival times for each. Some bus stops have LCD displays that show the arrival times of the next few buses.

I've wanted this literally for more than ten years. Great for when it's cold and/or raining and the bus you want only comes once every 20 minutes....

Bus location information originates from CTA’s real-time Automatic Vehicle Location system on the #20 Madison route. Buses on this route have been installed with communications equipment that sends vehicle location information to the CTA’s Control Center. A computer processes the information about the current location of a bus and its travel patterns and then generates predictions about when the bus will arrive at a stop.

#20 Madison buses send information to a computer every 15 seconds via the radio system on-board each bus. Arrival times on the website are updated every minute. Arrival times to the bus stop message sign are updated approximately every 30 seconds.

It looks like the map updates every 15-30 seconds.

eta: Of course, you can get the info on a web-enabled cellphone or PDA....

So I'm carrying on my bag for the first time since the new restrictions. I can have a quart-sized bag with anything I can fit inside, as long as each container is under 3 oz., right?

Buses on this route have been installed with communications equipment that sends vehicle location information to the CTA’s Control Center.

For as much as the RTA/CTA talk about financial woes, I prefer to see the money spent on basic maintenance to keep the buses and trains running on time. Then we won't need the tracking stuff.

3-1-1, Dana. [link]

For as much as the RTA/CTA talk about financial woes, I prefer to see the money spent on basic maintenance to keep the buses and trains running on time. Then we won't need the tracking stuff.

Yeah. But I think the actual cost per bus is small, as it's just adding GPS to existing communications equipment. Not positive about this, though.

Regarding the rail lines - apparently the mayor's plan is that we'll host the Olympics and then get a bunch extra funding for necessary rail repairs and expansion. Which... if that's what it takes, I'm all for.

I think she just meant to convey that they feel the weight of responsibility.

Yeah. Does Bush understand he's created a generation of amputees? That's his legacy. And all the medical advances that will come from treating the head traumas.

I can have a quart-sized bag with anything I can fit inside, as long as each container is under 3 oz., right?

yes. You can have larger bottles for contact lens solution though, up to 4oz, I think.

Funny saline story:

When I was admitted to the hospital, neither of us had any necessities. K wanted to take her contacts out but had no solution. So I bugged a nurse and she came back with a bottle of saline (glass bottle) and a needle and syringe. She drew lots up and left it for K to use. Best solution for the saline solution problem ever.

Help needed. Lori helped me pick up my new-to-me glider, but the fabric is grungey on the skirt and the ottoman. Thoughts on how to clean it?