If Drew doesn't already have the Pump Panel reconstruction of New Order's "Confusion," I can send it to him. I think that song is a must-have at a dance party for vampire show fans.

I've got "Confusion", but not the Pump Panel reconstruction version of it.

Insent, Drew. If that turns out not to be readable via the AOL attachment process, I think I can burn it to an IBM compatible CD at work.

So I'm thinking about reworking my F2F travel and flying instead of training it. Southwest has a really good deal, but they only fly to BWI. I have a ride from the airport, but would it be possible for someone to get me to that airport on Monday?

ETA: Never mind...see next post...

Okay, that's sorted.

I did end up changing my flights, but now I'll be flying into National. Vortex, I will email you the changes, since it would be great if someone could meet me. I assume that there are also shuttles between National and the hotel, though?

ETA: Vortex: insent.

Woot! If Vortex is picking you up, I'll likely be in the car too, since she's my hostess for the weekend.

Question for those familiar with trains on the eastern corridor: I'm taking the train from DC to NY sometime on Sunday, and I'm hoping to travel up together with Jess Moon. Are the trains likely to be crowded on a Sunday afternoon? Should I reserve now?

Question for those familiar with trains on the eastern corridor: I'm taking the train from DC to NY sometime on Sunday, and I'm hoping to travel up together with Jess Moon. Are the trains likely to be crowded on a Sunday afternoon? Should I reserve now?

From what I've seen, a Sunday afternoon train will probably be full, but it's been rare that I've seen them be overcrowded. (My sister has complained about not having a seat and having to stand the entire time, but I've never had that happen.) Reserving now would be helpful, but I wouldn't call it neccesary. (I'm going home next weekend, and just starting to think about reserving now. I've bought Friday tickets on Thursday night before.) Best bet, if you're not on a train with reserved seats, is just to get there early enough that you can be near the front of the line to get on the train.

Hil, bless you, that's precisely what I wanted to know. Since I'm staying with Jess in NY, and since we're not bound to get there at any specific time, I think I'll wait until she's back from Korea and follow her lead.

Of course, if I do have to stand the entire time, I'm hosed. The MS won't allow for that.

Of course, if I do have to stand the entire time, I'm hosed. The MS won't allow for that.

They have a first boarding call for families with little kids and anyone "who needs assistance." I've boarded then a few times when my arthritis was flaring up. (I hate doing it, because I always think I'll run into one of those "you don't look disabled, so you must be lying" people, but I've never had a problem. I also hate doing it because it makes me feel like I'm asking for special favors I don't need, but that's just my own issue.) The other option would be grabbing a seat in the dining car. Also, there are usually a bunch of people getting off in Baltimore, and then a bunch more in Philadelphia, so you can take one of their seats.

I hate doing it, because I always think I'll run into one of those "you don't look disabled, so you must be lying" people, but I've never had a problem.

This is Deb we're talking about, so if such a person does pipe up, there'll be an extra seat available after she kills him/her. Problem solved!

Heh. Actually, Matt, even simpler and fewer questions to the police to answer: I have my neurologist's note, which I have no hesitation in brandishing at anyone who screws with me about it.

(tangent)

That actually happened a couple of months back, and unluckily for the cop involved, it happened about two days after our homeless friend John was smacked around by Officer Wolf of San Jose Metro. I went to buy catfood, and pulled into the handicapped space in front of Petsmart, and a few spaces down there was a cop car hanging out. I nodded at him, went in, got my supplies, came out, loaded stuff, and was about to start my engine when there's a tapping on my window.

It's the cop. I rolled down my window, he said, excuse me ma'am, I see the blue placard hanging from your mirror - do you have the paperwork for that? Well, duh, dude, because California law requires it to be kept in the glove box at all times, and shown on demand. I said certainly, and showed it. He read it, keeping that blank faux-authoritative face thing going, and then said, very neutrally, thank you, may I see your driver's license?

At which point, I began to lose my temper, and said, No, you may not.

He blinked at me - they honestly seem to think they can do this on demand. They're wrong. He said, why not, and I said because you haven't given me a reason for any of this, it's beginning to smell like harassment and I don't take harassment by cops very well. Try telling me what the problem is and we'll see.

At which point he basically said well, I want to see that the person named on this paperwork entitling said person to handicapped "privileges" is actually you, because you don't look handicapped.

At which point, I went fucking berserk. The no-stopping-for-breath tirade included something like "you fucking arrogant insensitive power hungry fuckwad, who in sweet hell do you think you are, and who in hell do you think you're talking to, do you actually have the fucking crust to stand there and tell me I don't look crippled enough for you, I'm getting your sorry ass reamed out like a fistula and then I'm going to watch you get fired how DARE you you miserable insensitive piece of etc etc".

He waited for me to finish - his face was a different colour at that point, going from red to pale - and then did the only smart thing he could have done, under the circs, because legally? I was right and if I wanted to push it, he was meat and he knew it. He said, very simply, Ma'am, I'm very sorry, I was way out of line and I ought to know better, you're absolutely right, and I hope you'll believe that I've learned from this and it won't ever happen again.

Which, of course, took the wind out of my sails. But I did the only thing I could do, which was ream him a bit longer to drive the point home, and then go about my business. (end tangent)