Notes from the North Midwest

[firstfrost]

harrock says they're the Midwest. jdbakermn suggests "the top of the Mississippi". I'm fond of "the states that start zigzag-I" (which include Michigan, but that's up there too), but it just seems to confuse people.

Anyway, harrock and I have returned from the Whirlwind Zoosh around Minnesota and Wisconsin, in which many relatives of his (and two cats) were seen.

• The first time I've been harassed by a TSA agent about carrying a backpack, a small carryon bag, and a purse as "more than two carryons", and it's in Madison. Yes, I am technically carrying three objects, but they total a lot smaller than the two rolly-carryons that other people have. I will have to readjust my automatic assumption that people in the Midwest are generally nicer.
• Audiobooks are definitely a good way to pass long drives. I still don't like the radio conversion from ipod to car stereo, though.
• Anyone who's in the lower left corner of Wisconsin should stop by the Chetek Bakery and stuff themselves on pastries.
• As mjperson already knows, a Clicker is a great icebreaker with small children and people who are small children at heart.

Comments

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

Usually I have enough space to do so, but all my space got eaten by the antique bowl from Grandma Harrock. :) (I think the guy was expecting me to stuff the purse in the backpack, and was a little taken aback that I claimed not to have room.

Luckily, harrock still did have space, though the that led to all sorts of further hazards, given that I was the only one with spare money at the time.

Duct Tape!

[jaedian.livejournal.com]

Do you travel with duct tape? I wonder what they would do if you proceed to tape the two bags together? Wait now it's one. Of course the TSA folks don't really have much of a sense of humor.

But I will make sure to have a bigger bag next time in order to put my purse in. I am surprised I haven't been busted for having a third bag on the few occassions when I have hit the news stand and bought a few magazines and gum which they put in a little shopping bag. Although I suppose I could hand something to one of the kids and say it was their carry on.