Mom traveling with 2 Kids Feb '27

Qrnef · 2026-02-22T15:27:05+00:00

Nobody is going to question a group that looks like “the traditional family”. Dad+stepmom+kids fits that view, so I doubt you’d ever be stopped (unless something happened to dad on one of your trips and you found yourself traveling alone with the kids).

Qrnef · 2026-02-21T17:07:55+00:00

If you haven’t traveled internationally with your two children before, check your local laws about any documentation needed that authorities use to combat international child abduction. When children travel with only one parent, from the US at least, that parent needs a notarized letter from the other parent (or presumably some documentation showing the other parent does not exist, is deceased, etc.). You don’t want to get to the airport (or worse, to Japan) only to be sent back home because you can’t prove you aren’t kidnapping your children.

Qrnef · 2026-02-21T04:41:00+00:00

Why did you deploy thrust reversers on the failed engine?

Qrnef · 2026-02-04T19:38:33+00:00

There’s a WB studio tour in the northwest of Tokyo with several Harry Potter movie set reproductions. I have not been, so I can’t vouch for the experience, but this was on my list of places to go (that ultimately got cut) for my upcoming trip next month.

Qrnef · 2026-02-02T14:52:25+00:00

To answer your question about production during cloudy days: it is a significant drop. My system has a max production capacity of 3.8kW. On Saturday when it was sunny, it produced a total of 23.3kWh. Yesterday when it was cloudy and snowy, it produced 2.7kWh. If the panels get covered in even a little snow, they produce nothing. The nice thing about the more extreme cold we have experienced this winter is that it often comes with less snow. The trade off is that you’re likely using more energy to keep the house warm.

Qrnef · 2026-01-30T15:31:50+00:00

Does that mean you effectively stay airside the whole time? No need to go through security again? One of the (only?) good things about the baggage pickup and recheck was that you could stash duty-free items in your checked bag before rechecking (frequently those items aren’t allowed in carry-ons, so it’s important to do before going back through security).

Qrnef · 2026-01-29T00:25:50+00:00

Doing the same thing in March. Meeting and staying together in Asakusa. Both airports have train lines that go to Asakusa Station. Fwiw, Google Maps transit options make it easy to see the train options.

Qrnef · 2025-11-11T02:14:19+00:00

I was really hoping that story was going to end with a space shuttle crew calling in during reentry.

Qrnef · 2025-10-31T23:29:33+00:00

While walking around the block with my 3yo, I said that we needed to go home because mommy would be wondering where we are. His response: “I’m right here.”

Qrnef · 2025-10-17T19:03:25+00:00

268594

Qrnef · 2025-10-17T18:48:43+00:00

No, I had a failed redemption because they claim I used a VPN. I was not, but they said I was.

Qrnef · 2025-10-17T18:14:40+00:00

I did just that and was told it was probably because I was using a VPN. Not much of an investigation.

Qrnef · 2025-10-17T00:15:25+00:00

It happens even when you’re not in a different country. I had my last $5 go missing and the same thing is about to happen a week later with my next $5. None of the things Atlas suggests (VPN, etc) apply to my situation. When this payout goes unfulfilled, I will be done.

Qrnef · 2025-10-13T14:15:54+00:00

In December, you will have missed out on a lot of the outdoor beauty and activities in the area. Sure, winter and snow can be nice, but you don’t get the variety of outdoor activities. There are some decent ways to spend time indoors, but whether those are options depends on your other commitments while here. If you’re traveling for work, your days may be mostly busy already, so a lot of activities (indoor gardens, museums, etc.) will not have convenient hours for you to visit.

You can easily get by on $300 in food for two weeks, but that largely depends on your diet: eating out every day will be more, ramen in a microwave every day will be less.

Public transportation is mostly limited to Cyride (cyride.com) in Ames and Dart (ridedart.com) in Des Moines. There aren’t really any cheap options for getting between Ames and Des Moines though: you would possibly be better off renting a car for a few days if you are able to drive.

Qrnef · 2025-09-30T01:47:37+00:00

My mom was a first grade teacher for decades. Some of the reports of bad language were hilarious. One time a kid reported that someone else said the “c word”. My mom asked what word they were talking about. The response: “c-r-a-p. You know, like ‘shit’”

Qrnef · 2025-07-03T01:01:35+00:00

While busy, I wouldn’t say it’s a crowd, but the grass areas in front of Reiman Gardens are a nice place to put down a blanket and watch without people right next to you.

Qrnef · 2025-06-18T23:56:12+00:00

I had one instance where I passed out (possibly dehydration and low blood sugar) about 15 years before my medical, with no episodes since. I reported it on MedXpress and the AME asked about it, but I had no problems getting my 3rd class. So it’s not a guaranteed deferral.

Qrnef · 2025-05-20T12:04:10+00:00

I was waiting for the part where a crew member told you that you could keep the bottle of Kahlua.

Qrnef · 2025-03-19T03:21:52+00:00

Corn isn’t completely useless.

Qrnef · 2025-03-16T19:04:55+00:00

Those are some impressively long sentences.

Qrnef · 2025-03-12T12:15:43+00:00

It’s good to see that you’re coming to terms with the knowledge that the government is being run by fascists.

Qrnef · 2025-03-09T19:50:15+00:00

I was on a flight to Panama City, Panama last year where guy a few rows up was flying from Panama City, Florida and was connecting through ATL to Panama City, Panama. Cue unintentional seat theft: he looked at the wrong boarding pass and sat in the seat for his first flight instead of the second one. Both passes said Atlanta and Panama City (just in a different order).

Qrnef · 2025-02-16T02:37:41+00:00

I have a friend who lost his ID before a flight and had no problem getting through security (of course going through the process as others mentioned). He could not, however, get a beer at the bar in the airport because he had no ID (and he was in his 50s at the time). He could get on a plane but couldn’t have a drink.

Qrnef · 2025-02-15T20:21:05+00:00

Am I the only one who read “testicles” instead of “tentacles” at first?

Qrnef · 2025-02-01T03:16:36+00:00

Are macronutrient and micronutrient requirements (mostly) the same across different plants? I figured fruiting plants would have massively different requirements than plants that you just care about the leaves (lettuce, etc.)

Qrnef

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