Some random bits I’ve bookmarked…

The Wall Street Journal wrote a follow up on the Wisconsin parents who let their 11 year old type 1 diabetic die because they refused to treat her. Although this deals more with the legal side rather than the personal story it’ll be interesting to see if this carries influence for any future similar cases. I’ll take issue with one statement:

Dale and Leilani Neumann of Weston, Wis., are facing charges of second-degree reckless homicide after their child, Madeline Kara Neumann, died on Easter after slipping into a coma. The death, likely preventable with insulin, has renewed calls for Wisconsin and dozens of other states to strike laws that protect parents who choose prayer alone in lieu of medical treatment.

That’s incorrect. The death was 100% preventable WITH insulin. While there’s no medical degree adorning the wall behind me, I’ve been a type 1 diabetic for years and KNOW that when you acknowledge and treat the symptoms of recently diagnosed diabetes your life improves.. Just ask Jake Cutler.

I recently wrote about Sherman Tower, now named Mezzo, an old apartment building in Denver with a lengthy history in the city and for me personally.  I pondered why the enormous 15th floor has been left unused and empty for so long.  I found these 2003 city council meeting notes online, which describe and transcribe plans to set back the 15th floor and I guess remodel it.  Apparently nothing ever happen with this though.

Scroll down to project #4-03 - Sherman Tower Penthouse Alteration

Travel news time:

United is now charging $15 for the FIRST checked bag. This will really suck for families, especially families traveling to Colorado with their ski gear. This will also suck for scuba divers, traveling musicians, and nice old ladies transporting jars of homemade jam. (Because you can’t take those through security.)

Chris Elliot is a great travel writer and blogger.  But two of his recent stories have raised my brow. On the subject of checked bags…

1.  In response to American’s $25 second bag fee (yes this is a few weeks old,) Elliot suggests we stall the boarding process in order to prove all these cumbersome carry ons would be best stored below. Sans fee. Elliot advised: 

In fact, you should carry on the maximum luggage you’re allowed. Take your time boarding, too. If enough passengers do, then it could put this ill-advised fee out of its misery.

My response on his blog was this:   Of course if you should lug your luggage with to save money - but I can’t believe you’re actually suggesting that customers purposely stall the boarding process with retaliatory tactics. To expound on your idea: How much time do you recommend we take? Should I stand in the isle and pretend that my bag won’t fit and fake grunt in feigned exhaustion? How do you propose we “take our time boarding?”  I don’t appreciate this idea, and I’m guessing those with tight connections don’t either… I read your articles and blog regularly - but this is just plain bad advice.

2. How to travel while sick.  This is a little less black and white.   If you’re sick, and attempt to change a flight, you get fee’d to no end and a cheap flight will double in cost.  You really don’t have a choice EXCEPT to fly sick.  Chris suggests going to the airport, pleading your case with the agents and even with the passengers around you. Well by the time you do all that work you might as well just fly!  I’ve had to fly once after getting food poisoning. (Ashamed to say from my own cooking,) and its not a pleasant experience.   Elliot offers some logical solutions - but if you’re sick and sitting next to me I’d rather NOT know you’re sick.  Placebo effect and all right?

Anyway I really do like reading Chris Elliot.  Let’s bury these two articles and concentrate on his good stuff like “Just Sue the Airlines,” and being a go-between for irritated consumers and car rental companies.  

If you really do crave awful travel bitching you can read the Denver Post’s Al Lewis devoting an entire column how a dirty looking aircraft engine made annoyed him.  Yes Al Lewis is the business writer for the post, and not an aircraft mechanic.

Let’s see what other links do I have stored up and need to get rid of?  Well I do love this helmet cam.  By VholdR this $350 toy catches all your cycling, skiing, or boarding action. For better or for worse.