So 2009 apparently didn't fucking exist.

Because the last post on here is from 2008, and it is now 2010. That's ok, 2009 was totally freaking lame. I will get back on the ball here soon enough, once I do this thing called living my life. Ok? I took a trip recently, I'll be posting on that here soon. I guess. I know that means more waiting, but hey, you waited EIGHTEEN MONTHS... you can hold off a few days.

Jon Stewart distributes clown suits.

A few snippets from Last Night's daily show after the GOP Christens Sarah Palin.








Just horrendous(ly funny).

Dude, Where the Fuck Have You Been?!?11

Ok, so its safe to say its been a while. No, the blog isn't dead, and yes, there have been some developments since I've returned from Europe. And yes, there are a few red 'X's in some of my previous posts.

I will make a better effort to keep both blogs updated from here on out. I've invited a few people to post on here and...well... you can see how well that's gone. Anyway, I will step things up here to get you the precious info that you come here begging to look for.

Miles' Europe Travel Tips.

First off, it must be noted that its taken almost a full week for my body to re-adjust to Central Standard Time. I got back into town last Sunday night (although I was convinced our plane was going to crash amongst the crappy KC weather), and was back at work less than 12 hours later. By Wednesday, the room around me stopped spinning. By Friday, I was able to stay awake past 9pm.

During my trip I had been thinking about what to post about what wisdom I would impart to those planning their European vacation, or even my return trip with Wendy here in about 15-20 years (when the kids are out of the house, or we have the money, whichever comes first). So here goes:

-Plan at least three full days of sightseeing in a large city. If you are going to just go to one city during your vacation, spend the extra day. I mean what's the difference between spending $5,000 on a 5 day vacation and $6,000 on a 6 day vacation? The extra memories.

-Just getting around a big city, you could easily spend $200 a day. That factors in food, sightseeing, transportation, exchange rate. If you are able to drop that kind of dime, then be selective about what you want to do on the cheap. If you can find a local supermarket, you can dodge a few meals on the cheap, but go out for a nice dinner from time to time.

-Look into public transportation. i.e., bus routes, subways. You can only walk so far in a given day and if you want to be able to enjoy sights w/o your legs falling off, look in advance into what public transportation options are available. Most subways have day passes for tourists. Take advantage. You can do a sightseeing tour, and its a good way to get some info but you only need to do it once.

-PACK. LIGHT. You will be lugging your shit all over hell-and-gone (unless you want to get ripped off by a taxi) and you don't want to be hauling 75lbs. worth of clothes. Believe me.

-Don't dress like a bum. On travel days, be comfy. But while in the big city, try not to look too obvious. Jeans are Ok almost everywhere. Nice shirt, nice jacket. Probably my Wal-Mart brand and 90's Fleece jacket was not the most fashion conscious thing I could have come up with.

-Scaffolding is everywhere. Just let it happen.

-It really helps to speak the native language of the country you are visiting. I know that pretty much everyone speaks English, but believe me. You feel really helpless when you don't know the language and everyone looks at you like you are the stupid American tourist.

-Map reading is also a very useful tool. Luckily for my sister, I am a map reading genius. If need be, you may have to get in the map in order to find your next destination. Also, prepared for the maps to not be 100% accurate.

-Don't be afraid to sample the local cuisine. I'm very proud of the fact that I did not have McDonald's once. In Italy, we ate at an Irish pub and had...pizza. In London, we did chicken and chips. In France, we had Asian food. And Crepes.
On that note, you may want to stock up on bottled water at a local grocer. It costs just as much as soda at a cafe, which is usually about $4.00.

-Get the REAL Coke, or Coca-Light (Diet Coke). The off brand stuff will make your ass bleed.

-Foreigners are very nice to you. They just hate your President:

That is all I have for now. Good luck and start hoping for a better economy!

Today is Re-He- Heally Going to Suck.

The time is currently 6:46 AM. I am currently at home, watching KU bitchslap K-State on my DVR. I've only been back home for about 8 hours, and yet I got up early because my body thinks its about 1 PM. Oh. And I have to go to work today. Not the best travel planning by myself, but I've already asked my co-workers to help a brotha out in my attempt to stave off being catatonic today. Wish me luck.

French Special Ed Student wins Abstract Drawing Contest; Becomes Blueprints for Charles de Gaulle Airport.

I didn't have any reason to hate the French until I was about 2 hours away from being out of the country. Then I got to Charles de Gualle Airport, and came to appreciate France's big "F U" to you as you left their soil. First off, as you pull in from the train station, there are two stops for the Airport, and you really aren't sure which to go to. There is no list that says what airline flies out of which terminal. So you have to guess. Ironically, I'd been running about 50% in 50/50 guesses on this trip, so I took a chance and went with the latter stop, Terminal 2 (as opposed to Terminals, 1 and 3 at the first top). I get out to look for an information kiosk: closed. I look for a list of airlines served in the terminal on the little map: not there. After wondering around for a bit looking for flight information that wasn't there, I find an information kiosk and attempt to get info in French.

Person who works at the devil's airport: Bonjour.
Me: Bonjour. United 0943
Her: *Blank Stare*
Me: Where?
Her: Terminal 1, Gate 4.
Me: Merci, Beaucoup.

So Terminal 1 is only accessible by tram. But the fun only began when I got there. The airline check-in aren't along the walls of anything, or are there discernible booths. No, they are kind of here and there, and intermixed within each other. I manage to find the right check-in, then got sent to "Number 5". Well there are two number 5's: a Hall 5, which is like Senegal Air. Then there is like a tube 5, which long of other series of interconnecting tubes, takes me to security, then my gate.

I hate you.

Apparently, this is the asshole responsible for all this. I just wanted to you for having my last few hours in France being one of frustration.

EDIT: I'd also like to thank United for delaying my flight to Kansas City for THREE GOD DAMN HOURS.

A Long Day’s Journey into…Mid-Afternoon.

Today, I leave Europe. I do hope to return someday, and when I get the chance, I will post my tips on how to make the best of your future European vacation. But I wanted to brief you on what I have in store for me. I leave CDG Airport (there’s another airport in Paris called Orly) around noon local time, and arrive in Chicago around 3:30 pm. Holy shit! A three hour flight!? I wish. Try nine. That’s more like the time needed to get through Eugene O’Neill’s play, whose title I’ve barrowed somewhat. That will bring my total time in the air for this trip to be around twenty-three hours (not including 4½ hours total by train).

It has really been the trip of a lifetime. Four countries (if you count two hours in Frankfurt), nine nights in three of the most well known cities in Europe, many miles walked, countless sights seen, lots of money spent, all for memories I never hope to forget (but in case I do, I have the pictures). Even though I will not really have any time to rest before I return to reality, I am looking forward to getting back to a few people, ones that let me go without them on this vacation, ones that I hope to bring with me the next time I come here, and the ones I love the most:
I’ve gained a lot of perspective on things; how people here live, how they dress, the pleasure and pain of doing a lot of walking, how proud I am of my sister, and how I don’t want to spend this much time away from my family ever again. Until we meet again, Europa, Ciao! Cheers! Au revior!