I never really felt sorry for brick and mortar stores struggling with the online revolution. As far as I was concerned, this was progress. Adapt or fail. But today I was forced into a retail shopping experience (because of my own poor planning) and I was especially glad I never wasted any sympathy on retail stores. Four different stores in three different strip malls. All I needed was an SD memory card for my Nikon. I figured that 32GB would be overkill, so I was looking for 16GB. I checked…

[](http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/jcieplinski/lln1QK6MQHCePtcyfItp3OH1mHCuSJCFtZf7iHbajl60S3dytuI9o6urvZdx/IMG_0598.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg)Took a quick ride up to New Mexico today, to see Dripping Springs and Old Mesilla. Very nice places. Incredible views at Dripping Springs, cool old town feel at Mesilla. Even saw an older couple playing Christmas tunes in the park. I’m no fan of Christmas, but those two were irresistible. [![](http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.…

[](http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/jcieplinski/Y8hizCYHv7CYvBwHqi0CcDAQhn9KzjtvyyohFp1Y2ivwBF5TzUApQXtmgK7l/IMG_0581.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg)I like El Paso so far. The people seem really nice. The Mexican food is top notch. Seeing mountains all around is always a plus. Signs like this one are a constant reminder that I am in Texas, though. Note, I can bring my gun to the local coffee shop. I just have to be sure it’s…

On the plane now. A quote from the safety lecture: “We never anticipate a change in cabin pressure, but in case we do…” Well, I would hope you anticipate a change in pressure as a possibility. In fact, you DID anticipate it, which is why you’re providing us with oxygen masks. Anticipation is the hallmark of good safety. The word you’re looking for is expect. We don’t expect a cabin pressure change. And while we’re at it, what is a cabin pressure change, anyway? Is there…

Sitting in the front row. Behind me, three boys between the ages of 6 and 9, unaccompanied by any adult. How is that even legal? Thank god for the Sensaphonics earbuds. I’ll be blasting Alice in Chains the whole flight, I think.…