Java Davis's Blog, page 20
September 7, 2015
Face Blindness
Prosopagnosia can be caused by brain trauma but also by heredity. Growing up, my father often didn't recognize me. When he got old and his face changed significantly, I only recognized him by his distinctive voice.
There are two centers in the U.S. that do research on face blindness. One is at Harvard University, and the other is at Dartmouth College. I tried to volunteer to be a study subject for Harvard, but they had enough guinea pigs and didn't want me. I've now tried to contact Dartmouth to see if they could use me as a subject. I'm still waiting to hear.
Does anyone out there have any experience with face blindness in their social circle?
-- Java Davis
@javadavis
javadavis1@gmail.com
http://theroadtripwriter.com
September 3, 2015
Blog Post: American Airlines Carry-on Rules
American Airlines Carry-on Rules
I am copying American Airlines carry-on rules from their website. I hope this helps to streamline your next flight. I’m not advocating flying with American Airlines. I’m assuming that all the airlines have rules that are very similar.
What can I carry on?
You can bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item
Carry-on bag
Your carry-on bag should be:
Up to 45 inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (23 x 36 x 56 cm) including handles and wheels
Able to fit comfortably into the sizer we’ve provided at the airport
Please note, you’ll also need to be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin
You can travel with horizontal rolling and/or hanging garment bags as your carry-on bag if:
They fit comfortably in the bag sizer
They measure up to 22″ length x 14″ width x 9″ height or 115cm (56 x 36 x 23 cm)
You can also carry on a soft-sided garment bag of up to 51in or 130cm (length + width + height)
Personal item
Your personal item must be smaller than your carry-on, able to fit under the seat in front of you and can include:
A purse
A briefcase
A laptop bag
Similar items such as a tote
Additional allowed items
You can also bring:
Outerwear such as coats, wraps and hats
A book or newspaper
A small bag of food to eat on the flight
An approved safety seat for a lap or ticketed child
A pillow or blanket
An umbrella stroller for a lap or ticketed child
A diaper bag for a lap or ticketed child
Duty free items
Assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs, walkers, portable oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines etc.)
Breast pump
Happy Travels!
— Java
August 31, 2015
“My Road Trip” Shirts
I stumbled across this website with Road Trip shirts, and they’re currently on sale. How irresistible is that? Let me know if you decide to buy one.
August 27, 2015
McDonald’s in Sweden
McDonald’s restaurants around the world come in some very interesting permutations. The two that have been on my mind are one in Sweden and one in the American heartland. These two restaurants cater to drive-thru customers who are NOT driving cars. In Sweden, they are driving snowmobiles. A bright McDonald’s employee noticed that this town in Sweden had 6,000 registered snowmobiles, and so McDonald’s saw a niche to fill. In the heartland of the U.S., there are farms. Where there are farms, there are enormous pieces of farm equipment, including huge tractors. McDonald’s built a second-story drive-thru for the farmers in tall tractors. Cool.
I won’t be going to Sweden any time soon, but I can see a road trip in the future to see the McDonald’s tractor drive-thru for myself.
August 25, 2015
3 More Days!
Good luck to everyone!
(USA and Canada only)
August 24, 2015
Jewish High Holidays
The Jewish High Holidays are coming in a few weeks. Rosh Hashanah is first, which is the Jewish New Year, which for some reason, starts in month 5 of the Jewish calendar, not month 1. Eight days after Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The days in between those two holidays are known as the Days of Awe.
These holidays require preparation. The entire month beforehand, we get introspective. We examine our previous year’s flaws and determine to try and do better in the coming year. We apologize in advance for the mistakes that we will make this year. We get our debts paid. We apologize to everyone in case we either knowingly or unknowingly hurt them. We honor and mourn our dead. We listen to the sound of the shofar, the ram’s horn, which is a clarion reminder that God is paying attention. This time of year is serious business.
So, in the spirit of the season, let me apologize to all of you, in case I hurt you. I’m very sorry. And shanah tova to my Jewish readers.
I will try to do better next year. Maybe I’ll offer you some New Year recipes in a future post. Hint: they have lots of honey in them.
August 22, 2015
6 More Days!
Good luck to everyone!
(USA and Canada only)
August 20, 2015
Call for Recipes!
Hello, Packmates!
I’m planning a series of novels based on cook-offs and bake-offs in various locations. The first two that I’m planning are a pumpkin cook-off in Pennsylvania state and a cherry bake-off in Washington state. I’m looking for recipes to include with each contestant/character. If you send me a recipe and I accept it, you will get print credit for the contribution.
Currently, I’m looking for pumpkin and cherry recipes.
If you know any amateur chefs who might like to participate, please have them send their recipes through this website: http://theroadtripwriter.com/contact.
Please bear in mind that this series in in the planning stage, and won’t be written and published for a while.
— Java Davis
August 18, 2015
10 More Days!
Good luck to everyone!
(USA and Canada only)
