Mitch read in BA news that airlines across the board are cancelling several flights a day for a five month period.
Take a wild, wild stab at how many flights you think that is. Total, globally, all airlines, five months.
I was thinking one million, but said 500,000 for fear of looking stupid.
One of Mitch's co-workers said 40,000.
What's your guess? Let me know what you really thought by leaving a comment.
Now leave your comment guess before you read the following. I'm going to tell you what the number really is, based on a British Airways estimate. Would you ever have guessed in a million years that the answer is fourteen million flights? In only five months? Yeah, me neither. Environmentalists everywhere must be ecstatic.
I was happy and slightly concerned I was a lot closer than one of Mitch's co-workers.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Put your fist in the air and shake it wildly at The Man!
I was waiting to pick up a package in our mail room when I saw our building’s vacation policy taped to the wall. There was the answer to a lot of the questions I got while living in Europe about why Americans are the way they are. Namely, why we don’t have passports or leave the country. Why, for the most part, we don’t learn a second language or take the time to be informed about world events.
After working in our building for an entire year, you get one week of vacation. That’s five days, not seven. Up to that point, 365 days, you get no vacation. Zero. After FIVE YEARS, you get two weeks, or 10 days off. After 10 years, 15 days.
To be fare, our building’s policy is standard for hourly employees in the US. If you are salaried or in a higher-level position, you usually start out with two weeks’ holiday, though generally to show your dedication, you wouldn’t dream of taking more than a day or two of that within the first year while working 50 hours a week or more.
Compare this with Europe, where day one of your job – any job at any level – you are entitled to 20-25 days of leave on average. And you take it, all of it, guilt free.
I started my job in Germany in July, and a few months later some friends invited me on a week-long trip. I was telling my co-workers how much fun it sounded, and it was shame I couldn’t go.
“Why not?” they asked.
“Well, I just started working here, I can’t go on vacation yet.”
“Why not?” they asked.
“I’d feel guilty.”
Oh, Lindsay, dear, dear Lindsay, they said, and proceeded to describe this employment paradise where vacation days are all but mandatory. No one can work 35-40 hours a week without a break, they said. Your employer gives you those days so you are a better, happier employee, they said. Besides, if you don’t take it throughout the year, you’ll be forced to take it at the end of the year.
Hold on, forced to take vacation?
Which leads me to another type of US employee: someone in a salaried management position with over 20 days’ vacation. This is the case with one of my nearest and dearest. I just assumed he didn’t visit me in Spain, Germany or the UK because he only had a week or two and understandably wanted to spend that time with his young family. But no. His employer had “suggested,” for they’d be sued if it were policy, that management strongly discourage employees taking any holiday and they should lead by example. W.T.F.
I’m regularly in the building’s foyer when the shuttle dumps off the NYC commuters. Eight, nine, 10pm and hoards of people are unloading after an 8am start. Who’s going to learn French with that kind of schedule? And then have enough money to take a trip to France for five days?
So you see, I believe within myself all Americans aren’t ignorant homebodies, we’re just seriously overworked and under-vacationed in a system that works us blind. Which is why I'm boycotting work altogether.
I put my fist in the air and shake it wildly at The Man!
After working in our building for an entire year, you get one week of vacation. That’s five days, not seven. Up to that point, 365 days, you get no vacation. Zero. After FIVE YEARS, you get two weeks, or 10 days off. After 10 years, 15 days.
To be fare, our building’s policy is standard for hourly employees in the US. If you are salaried or in a higher-level position, you usually start out with two weeks’ holiday, though generally to show your dedication, you wouldn’t dream of taking more than a day or two of that within the first year while working 50 hours a week or more.
Compare this with Europe, where day one of your job – any job at any level – you are entitled to 20-25 days of leave on average. And you take it, all of it, guilt free.
I started my job in Germany in July, and a few months later some friends invited me on a week-long trip. I was telling my co-workers how much fun it sounded, and it was shame I couldn’t go.
“Why not?” they asked.
“Well, I just started working here, I can’t go on vacation yet.”
“Why not?” they asked.
“I’d feel guilty.”
Oh, Lindsay, dear, dear Lindsay, they said, and proceeded to describe this employment paradise where vacation days are all but mandatory. No one can work 35-40 hours a week without a break, they said. Your employer gives you those days so you are a better, happier employee, they said. Besides, if you don’t take it throughout the year, you’ll be forced to take it at the end of the year.
Hold on, forced to take vacation?
Which leads me to another type of US employee: someone in a salaried management position with over 20 days’ vacation. This is the case with one of my nearest and dearest. I just assumed he didn’t visit me in Spain, Germany or the UK because he only had a week or two and understandably wanted to spend that time with his young family. But no. His employer had “suggested,” for they’d be sued if it were policy, that management strongly discourage employees taking any holiday and they should lead by example. W.T.F.
I’m regularly in the building’s foyer when the shuttle dumps off the NYC commuters. Eight, nine, 10pm and hoards of people are unloading after an 8am start. Who’s going to learn French with that kind of schedule? And then have enough money to take a trip to France for five days?
So you see, I believe within myself all Americans aren’t ignorant homebodies, we’re just seriously overworked and under-vacationed in a system that works us blind. Which is why I'm boycotting work altogether.
I put my fist in the air and shake it wildly at The Man!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Seriously
Why is it that initially I had to force Cam to eat strawberries, yet he'll quite happily eat an entire stick of deodorant?
Friday, June 26, 2009
My Review of Baby Jogger City Classic Single Stroller - Brown/Stone
The City Classic is a stylish multi-purpose stroller with all-terrain capabilities. The City Classic's standard features include patented Quick-Fold Technology, lockable swivel front wheel for all-terrain strolling, lightweight quick-release wheels and a padded seat with a 5-point padded safet...
Baby Jogger City Classic Single Stroller - Brown/Stone
Great for tall parents!!
Vertically Enhanced Mom Jersey City, NJ 6/26/2009 5
Pros: Durable, Adjustable, Easy To Maneuver, Comfortable
Cons: Poor/No Cupholders
Best Uses: Toddlers
Describe Yourself: First Time Parent
I had one of those high-priced, flashy strollers and had no end of hassle with it breaking all the time, so we started looking for a light-weight umbrella stroller. We were limited to something with adjustable handles because we are both so tall (6'0" and 6'3"). The Baby Jogger was recommended to us, and at first we said no because it was a jogger. But after looking at the various options, we are thrilled with the Baby Jogger Classic. The City Mini handles were still too short and we kicked the frame, btw. The brown/tan is really nice (and usually I buy everything in black). The one-hand fold is slick (and you can still leave some things in the pockets and close it, unlike a lot of the umbrella strollers), though you need two hands to extend it. Steering is super easy, baby seems really comfortable, perfect for big toddlers but I'd use it for an infant, too. Brake location is good and easy to use. Build quality seems really good (so says my husband who is an engineer). The Baby Jogger video for this shows vents by the baby's head in the recline position, but this model doesn't have that unfortunately.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Stroll On!
Strollers. Every mom has one. My sister-in-law has a garage cemetery of them. A few of my friends earn money by giving workout classes using them. But I am yet to find someone who is 100% happy with hers. We researched like crazy, and by we I mean Mitch, who found this and a few other purchases to be his first way of connecting with Cam while I was pregnant.
We were limited to strollers with extendable handles because we’re both over 6’0” tall, which ruled out anything under a million dollars. Like looking for a home, a car, etc., all I wanted was a nice, mid-range item with some design appeal and value for money.
But there we were, splashing out considerable funds on a Quinny Buzz 3, thinking it would last through the two kids we planned for. We loved it initially, but the front wheel started to stick. The handle cable broke. And suddenly we’re wondering how it would last through one kid, let alone two, when the steering was stiff and terrible.
Toys R Us were brill, they fixed it and gave us a floor-model umbrella stroller to get us through the two weeks while they fixed it.
And then the front wheel started to stick again. Then the mechanism that locked the stroller in an upright position popped in and out of place. We were frustrated, and Quinny customer service wouldn’t fix it.
So based on further online and in-store research, here are a few I’d recommend for tall parents. Had I a cheap option, I’d own one myself, so apologies in advance that nothing comes under about $300.
Chicco Cortina: Not going to win design awards, but not bad for the price and the handle height is really high. Really high. Watch out for weight limit, as I think it’s only about 40lbs and you might find yourself buying another stroller with a higher weight limit in a year or two.
Bugaboo: Expensive, prices going up July 1, but I don’t think I’ve heard any complaints from parents who own any of the models. Also got high marks in boutique stroller shop. Lots of (equally expensive) accessories, but you can’t swing a cat in the greater New York area without hitting a mom (usually nanny) pushing one. Though I understand the UPPAbaby Vista line is taking considerable market share. I can see why: I’m tired of seeing the Bugaboo. Weird status symbol but good product, so…what to do.
Maclaren XT: Best umbrella stroller, but it’s still pricey. A bit of a booger in that you can’t have anything in the storage compartments when you fold it, but handle height is good, and it’s light(er)weight than a lot of the “systems.”
Baby Jogger – Classic or Elite (City Mini handle is still too short): Highly recommended by boutique staff member who had tested every stroller (including expensive Stokke/Maclaren/etc brands) on her three kids. She owns the City Mini, but she was short. OK for light jogging, handmade, more lines available, crazy high handle and crazy easy folding. Mine’s on order, I’ll update when it gets here! We were looking for an umbrella stroller to replace the Quinny, so turned up our noses at a jogger-style at first. Time will tell! But the joggers typically have taller handles, and this one has a child weight limit of 75lbs and good for tall babies, accessories to convert it to a double stroller and an infant system. Baby Jogger seems to be the “it” double/triple stroller as well.
UPPAbaby: Handle height on the Vista range was pretty good, but their umbrella strollers boasting high handle heights and high frames were not high enough. The Vista was reminiscent of the Quinny, which is why we shied away from it, not for any other reason.
Quinny Buzz: Starts off great. Not cheap, but not the most expensive. Fab design. At first the steering was awesome. The one-finger, gas-spring unfold was impressive. Diaper bag attached to frame was convenient. The design and ease-of-use, especially with the Maxi-Cosi carseat, was great. However, the steering going stiff and the handle cable snapping are common problems, as we knew and as we heard talking to vendors. Also, the stroller attachment is very short, so at 30lbs our son is too tall for it. The straps were too short for him to wear a jacket and I think the buckle pinched his crotch.
Maxi-Cosi and Quinny are the same brand, so while a Maxi-Cosi line has come out, we didn’t bother.
Stokke and Orbit: Far too expensive to even try. Cool looking, but at price points well over $1,000 (heard $1,800 to fully kit out the Orbit), all I can say is, you’re buying a stroller, not a rocket ship.
Top Stroller Buying Tips:
Go someplace you can test in person. Take full strides because you will kick the frame unless the handles are tall enough, and that’ll drive you bonkers in the real world.
If you’re tall, your kid probably will be, too. Look for higher weight limits, or at least a large-looking chair (wide and tall) to accommodate her. Think about stroller weight, but not too much, as if you’re tall you can lift a bigger stroller.
Then there are smaller things: how much do accessories cost on top of stroller cost? Do you have to empty all the baskets to fold it? Will the stroller tip backward if you have a heavy diaper bag hanging off the back? Do you own a car or are you on and off buses?
Don’t always buy the best deal. Toys R Us has an excellent return policy (keep that receipt forever!), though staff don’t tend to be super knowledgeable and the stores don’t always stock the more expensive brands to test. Boutique staff are very knowledgeable but the strollers tend to be more expensive. Buying online is cheaper, but if you need a fix…duh-doh. Ask about repeat offenders on repairs.
Largely, I think, where do stroller makers get off charging what they do? I'd take a $20 umbrella stroller if the handles were high enough.
We were limited to strollers with extendable handles because we’re both over 6’0” tall, which ruled out anything under a million dollars. Like looking for a home, a car, etc., all I wanted was a nice, mid-range item with some design appeal and value for money.
But there we were, splashing out considerable funds on a Quinny Buzz 3, thinking it would last through the two kids we planned for. We loved it initially, but the front wheel started to stick. The handle cable broke. And suddenly we’re wondering how it would last through one kid, let alone two, when the steering was stiff and terrible.
Toys R Us were brill, they fixed it and gave us a floor-model umbrella stroller to get us through the two weeks while they fixed it.
And then the front wheel started to stick again. Then the mechanism that locked the stroller in an upright position popped in and out of place. We were frustrated, and Quinny customer service wouldn’t fix it.
So based on further online and in-store research, here are a few I’d recommend for tall parents. Had I a cheap option, I’d own one myself, so apologies in advance that nothing comes under about $300.
Chicco Cortina: Not going to win design awards, but not bad for the price and the handle height is really high. Really high. Watch out for weight limit, as I think it’s only about 40lbs and you might find yourself buying another stroller with a higher weight limit in a year or two.
Bugaboo: Expensive, prices going up July 1, but I don’t think I’ve heard any complaints from parents who own any of the models. Also got high marks in boutique stroller shop. Lots of (equally expensive) accessories, but you can’t swing a cat in the greater New York area without hitting a mom (usually nanny) pushing one. Though I understand the UPPAbaby Vista line is taking considerable market share. I can see why: I’m tired of seeing the Bugaboo. Weird status symbol but good product, so…what to do.
Maclaren XT: Best umbrella stroller, but it’s still pricey. A bit of a booger in that you can’t have anything in the storage compartments when you fold it, but handle height is good, and it’s light(er)weight than a lot of the “systems.”
Baby Jogger – Classic or Elite (City Mini handle is still too short): Highly recommended by boutique staff member who had tested every stroller (including expensive Stokke/Maclaren/etc brands) on her three kids. She owns the City Mini, but she was short. OK for light jogging, handmade, more lines available, crazy high handle and crazy easy folding. Mine’s on order, I’ll update when it gets here! We were looking for an umbrella stroller to replace the Quinny, so turned up our noses at a jogger-style at first. Time will tell! But the joggers typically have taller handles, and this one has a child weight limit of 75lbs and good for tall babies, accessories to convert it to a double stroller and an infant system. Baby Jogger seems to be the “it” double/triple stroller as well.
UPPAbaby: Handle height on the Vista range was pretty good, but their umbrella strollers boasting high handle heights and high frames were not high enough. The Vista was reminiscent of the Quinny, which is why we shied away from it, not for any other reason.
Quinny Buzz: Starts off great. Not cheap, but not the most expensive. Fab design. At first the steering was awesome. The one-finger, gas-spring unfold was impressive. Diaper bag attached to frame was convenient. The design and ease-of-use, especially with the Maxi-Cosi carseat, was great. However, the steering going stiff and the handle cable snapping are common problems, as we knew and as we heard talking to vendors. Also, the stroller attachment is very short, so at 30lbs our son is too tall for it. The straps were too short for him to wear a jacket and I think the buckle pinched his crotch.
Maxi-Cosi and Quinny are the same brand, so while a Maxi-Cosi line has come out, we didn’t bother.
Stokke and Orbit: Far too expensive to even try. Cool looking, but at price points well over $1,000 (heard $1,800 to fully kit out the Orbit), all I can say is, you’re buying a stroller, not a rocket ship.
Top Stroller Buying Tips:
Go someplace you can test in person. Take full strides because you will kick the frame unless the handles are tall enough, and that’ll drive you bonkers in the real world.
If you’re tall, your kid probably will be, too. Look for higher weight limits, or at least a large-looking chair (wide and tall) to accommodate her. Think about stroller weight, but not too much, as if you’re tall you can lift a bigger stroller.
Then there are smaller things: how much do accessories cost on top of stroller cost? Do you have to empty all the baskets to fold it? Will the stroller tip backward if you have a heavy diaper bag hanging off the back? Do you own a car or are you on and off buses?
Don’t always buy the best deal. Toys R Us has an excellent return policy (keep that receipt forever!), though staff don’t tend to be super knowledgeable and the stores don’t always stock the more expensive brands to test. Boutique staff are very knowledgeable but the strollers tend to be more expensive. Buying online is cheaper, but if you need a fix…duh-doh. Ask about repeat offenders on repairs.
Largely, I think, where do stroller makers get off charging what they do? I'd take a $20 umbrella stroller if the handles were high enough.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Darling Hell Misery
I can’t exactly take credit for coming up with how to describe what Cam can be these days. Describing her son as vacillating “between the most charming, darling child on earth and hell misery why are you so upset frustrated tantrums,” my friend gave me inspiration.
I’m just going to go ahead and bundle that all up and coin “Darling Hell Misery.”
Darling:
Cam’s cousins helped him get started on speaking (and a lot of other awesome things like naked trampoline-ing) during our recent visit. Our crowd pleaser is, “Have a nice day!” which comes out, “mun-a-ma-AY!!!!” very enthusiastically. Juice, cracker, apple, banana, up, pee-pee, rock, please (peez) and a form of thank you…and some other stuff. We can figure it out about 50% of the time. Largely, he just points and says, “this. This! THIS!” while we grab everything in view and try to give it to him.
Hell Misery:
After going swimming, jogging him to and from the park and playing there for hours, miraculously finding him meals he will actually eat and not throw on the floor – all after an hour nap in lieu of his regular two hours – he has the nerve not to let me eat my dinner and insist I get “up, up!”
I lovingly got up, many, many times, to be led to many, many corners of our apartment for no apparent purpose, only to go sit back down again to be screamed at, hit and bitten. And, while it’s cute he wants me to “play, play,” and grabs my hand and pulls, flipping his lid when I don’t go the two feet to the toy he then throws at my head isn’t.
I’m like: MOMMY IS TIRED. IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE, QUICKLY LEARN TO ENTERTAIN YOURSELF.
At least during dinner. After a day – I feel – I was a really good mom.
I’m just going to go ahead and bundle that all up and coin “Darling Hell Misery.”
Darling:
Cam’s cousins helped him get started on speaking (and a lot of other awesome things like naked trampoline-ing) during our recent visit. Our crowd pleaser is, “Have a nice day!” which comes out, “mun-a-ma-AY!!!!” very enthusiastically. Juice, cracker, apple, banana, up, pee-pee, rock, please (peez) and a form of thank you…and some other stuff. We can figure it out about 50% of the time. Largely, he just points and says, “this. This! THIS!” while we grab everything in view and try to give it to him.
Hell Misery:
After going swimming, jogging him to and from the park and playing there for hours, miraculously finding him meals he will actually eat and not throw on the floor – all after an hour nap in lieu of his regular two hours – he has the nerve not to let me eat my dinner and insist I get “up, up!”
I lovingly got up, many, many times, to be led to many, many corners of our apartment for no apparent purpose, only to go sit back down again to be screamed at, hit and bitten. And, while it’s cute he wants me to “play, play,” and grabs my hand and pulls, flipping his lid when I don’t go the two feet to the toy he then throws at my head isn’t.
I’m like: MOMMY IS TIRED. IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE, QUICKLY LEARN TO ENTERTAIN YOURSELF.
At least during dinner. After a day – I feel – I was a really good mom.
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