• I was going to Las Vegas for the National Association of Broadcasters convention (unfortunately, nothing happened in Vegas that needed to stay in Vegas).  I even won $22.13 on a slot machine, which was just enough to cover the cost of a blueberry Danish I had for breakfast, but that's a story for another time. 
• To get there I flew on a commercial airline.  Now, I'll admit up front that I like to drive, I always have, but I thought it would save time to fly the 1401 miles.  Except, I had to arrive two hours early at the airport to get my seat assignment, buy some gum, head up to the boarding area, get on the plane, sit there for 45 minutes and then take-off.  Seasoned travelers in the audience will notice that I missed one important stop; security check-in.  It used to be that, at an airport, the term "take-off" had something to do with getting the plane airborne.  Now it means take off your shoes, take your laptop out and put it in a separate container to be X-rayed, take off your coat, take off your belt, take off your watch, take off your jewelry, and take everything out of your pockets.  Then you get to walk into a machine that looks like something from the original "Star Trek" TV show that the Romulans would use to incinerate prisoners.  And, if you miss even one penny in your pocket, like I did, you are asked to move away from everyone else, stand on a special pad and have a guy who just seems to enjoy his job too much pat you down.  Even if you dig into your pocket, find the penny and say "oh here it is, how about if I just go back into the incinerator for another dose of radiation?"  Noooo, they have to pat you down.  At least that is what the TSA guy said.  In all my years of driving cars the only pat-downs were at the drive-in theatre with Liz Edmonds when I was a sophomore at good old WDHS. 
• I know, they are only doing this to protect us, but other countries don't do it at these lengths even in Israel who is certainly a target and much closer to the bad guys than we are. 
• Maybe it did take less time than if I had driven, but it would have been a lot less stressful.
• Boomer Babble - "Thoughts at Large" are written by the Boomer Babble Guys, Charles Doug and John with occasional help from friends.  The Boomer Babble radio show is broadcast on WNAX 570 Sunday evenings at 5:00.  Visit us at BoomerBabble.com.
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