Originally uploaded by thetejon

The wife had the brilliant idea of heading out on our 84th babymoon before this kid finally arrives. Not that it hasn't traveled enough in utero - it's been to San Fransisco, NYC, Paris, LA, Boston, Las Vegas, Nashville, three MLB stadiums, an NBA finals game . . .

And now it's been to a nice little bed and breakfast near Charles Town, WV. Our first stop was Harpers Ferry. We wandered around, had lunch, and took some pictures. We passed on the hiking, which is supposed to be nice, but since the wife is 39 weeks along, and my foot is still not totally recovered (The only shoes I can get on my foot at the moment are flip flops and my work shoes - my running shoes and hiking shoes both require more flexibility in my toe than I currently have), we didn't walk too far. And there were a ton of people tubing on the river, which looked really nice.

The B&B is in a town called Berryville, which unfortunately closes down at 6pm. Since we arrived at about 4, we didn't really get a good feel for the town. But we had a nice dinner in nearby Winchester. The B&B itself was really nice. We've been encouraged to come back with the baby, as the proprietor is waiting to be a grandmother and has apparently tired of waited. However, it's not a really large place, and the sound tends to carry a bit (I could hear Law and Order all the way down the hall, even with the door closed), so I'm not sure the rest of the guests would appreciate it.

The next day, we were served a great breakfast and then we headed out. Our first stop was a consignment store in Charles Town. We passed it on the way in and it was closed, so we went back and bought some baby clothes and two books (One was a Harold and the purple crayon book, which perhaps only my mom will appreciate).

Then we were off to the wineries! We stopped at three - Veramar, Bluemont, and Willowcroft. All three were very nice - much prettier than the average wineries. Bluemont, for example, is high up on a hill and offers a view of Tysons Corner thirty miles or so off in the distance.

We stopped at the Leesburg outlets on the way back, which was probably a huge mistake given that it was Labor Day weekend, but we survived.

And then back home. The cat didn't even seem too irritated with us.

So it looks like I'm going to Boston this weekend. The wife has orchestrated a huge family-and-friends get-together at Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday. All the details aren't yet in, but it looks like my father-in-law and at least two brothers-in-law will be there, plus some other friends. We're taking the train up on Sunday, in part because we have a wedding in Annapolis on Saturday. Then back home on the train on Monday to go back to work Tuesday, since we're missing the following Monday for our Vegas trip.

I thought Paris was our babymoon, but I guess I was wrong.

Games at the Garden when the wife was living in Connecticut have achieved legendary status, so I'm looking forward to this. I've never been to a pro sports playoff game. I guess Celtics-Lakers is a good way to start.

Of course, we're busy at work right now. So I'm going to be working on the train, which should be interesting. But at least I have that option.

BoingBoing | European airlines test spycams in every seat that "detect terrorism" in your facial expressions

The European Union's Security of Aircraft in the Future European Environment (SAFEE) project uses a camera in every passenger's seat, with six wide-angle cameras to survey the aisles. Software then analyses the footage to detect developing terrorist activity or "air-rage" incidents, by tracking passengers' facial expressions...

This is SUCH a good idea. I can't wait until they implement this and they start diverting flights because stoned idiots on the way to Amsterdam are making faces at the camera, or maybe someone who's agoraphobic is sweating and tense. This will be even better than detaining infants who have names on the terrorist watch list.

At least it isn't the United States this time. I'm comforted to see that we don't have a monopoly on totally absurd security theater.

There was discussion at the birthing class of bringing breast milk in your carry-on, and how TSA had initially banned it with their ridiculous no-liquids rule. I think they first amended the rule to allow breast milk if you had the baby with you, and then again to allow it without a baby. That way, women on trips away from the baby who were faithfully pumping and storing the milk for their return would be able to do so.

First, I think it's good that they allow this - it's much more of a big deal than I realized before the wife got pregnant. But second, if breast milk is safe on the plane, then SO ARE OTHER LIQUIDS. It is utterly insane to think that six ounces of shampoo will cause a plane to crash into the White House, but a long weekend worth of breast milk is totally safe.

Anyway, I wish the terrorists who hate our freedom would try a plot involving things I don't like. Maybe they could hatch a plot to put bombs in wheelie bags and drag them around the city! That would be great! Then maybe we could ban those stupid things from getting in my way when I'm walking to work.

And I wish these terrorists would have a little concern for MY feelings and MY needs. Selfish jerks.