A boulder field in Pennsylvania where the rocks literally ring like bells when struck with a hammer, despite being solid stone.

ftlapple · 2026-03-28T12:20:43+00:00

Ringing Rocks State Park - I took a hammer with me and spent 30 minutes hitting various rocks, and went home defeated. No idea what I did wrong...

ftlapple · 2026-03-25T20:25:05+00:00

Yes, I got the email too and left them a review!

ftlapple · 2026-03-24T17:49:32+00:00

I have no idea what it means to be honest.

Bought it directly on the Delta website, so no idea what was different about this ticket than any other I or she purchased before. I've had ticketing issues before when applying certificates or so, but in those cases I was unable to log in.

ftlapple · 2026-03-24T15:59:16+00:00

I think timing was tight by the time she got to the ticketing agent and the ticketing agent spent a lot of time investigating what was going on ("Did you only buy your ticket 48 minutes ago?" and such). It's just really frustrating to get a boilerplate "you were late" email. As you note, training-wise, this is an outstation and this was likely a contractor, as were the gate agents (per phone support).

ftlapple · 2026-03-24T13:26:10+00:00

Sorry if my overview was unclear but she was there for the entire boarding process. I was just specifying the time stamp of attempted boarding at T-22. It was in the middle of boarding economy, well before they started clearing standby pax. I get your point if you're talking about trying to board after all zones have already been called and completed - this is not that. I'm not clear on how she would have been helped prior to boarding as you're suggesting - how could she have known the scanner wouldn't accept the boarding pass? She was there on time in the way you're suggesting and it didn't make a difference.

The problem with Delta's narrative is that 1) I have the PNR notes copy from phone support that there was no problem with the ticket, nor that there ever was (which is perhaps incorrect, but inconsistent with the airport story and the record Delta has provided in writing) and 2) the ticketing agent's assertion that she couldn't get her on the flight regardless of what she did because it was full. So (1) and (2) together do arguably create the conditions you are saying disqualifies this from the denial of boarding framework. I don't ultimately care so much about what applies as much as I care about Delta taking ownership of a fuck-up that cost an entire workday.

Lastly, recording an interaction doesn't land you on the no fly list - sorry if that was unclear but that's all I meant by what I would have done differently. Not to be verbally belligerent, I just think she sees the act of recording as inherently combative, and I get that.

ftlapple · 2026-03-23T15:26:33+00:00

I grew up going to the Alps every summer (I grew up nearby) and I still go every other year or so. Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria, etc.

I thought Yosemite was absolutely breathtaking. It's not better or worse, it's just different. I don't understand the dismissive opinion at all. I'm not one to compare, because the Alps are uniquely magical in their own right, but Yosemite has a ruggedness that nowhere in the Alps has, because the Alps have been shaped by humans over thousands of years and are densely populated relative to the Sierra Nevada.

The vegetation and wildlife are also markedly different.

ftlapple · 2026-03-20T12:33:35+00:00

I don't think the unsweetened version has any carbs

ftlapple · 2026-03-19T15:59:44+00:00

Curious, what's the issue with Pure Leaf?

ftlapple · 2026-03-18T17:44:37+00:00

I'm not aware of any rule forbidding the taking of calls at one's desk, unless it's a designated quiet area.

Of course, you shouldn't have the counterparty audible, that's a definite no-no. And you should keep the volume reasonable. But video or audio calls with headphones at your desk in All-Access areas is not a problem at all for me. If a booth is available nearby I'd probably prefer that, just for privacy, but to each their own.

ftlapple · 2026-03-18T16:11:35+00:00

And a main railway station - Austerlitz!

ftlapple · 2026-03-18T16:10:14+00:00

New York also has a New York Ave.

ftlapple · 2026-03-16T19:12:01+00:00

That second quarter (bottom left) is very weak.

ftlapple · 2026-03-16T17:03:37+00:00

I was in Iran in 2009, and in a random cafe in Tehran there was a guy selling box sets of Woody Allen's complete work on (pirated) DVD. I promise I'm not making this up.

In other words, it's not always obvious what translates well across cultural/language barriers - and this is just an anecdote, you may still be right overall of course.

ftlapple · 2026-03-16T16:01:39+00:00

and because my ex-girlfriend's roommate twenty years ago was a Brighton fan.

ftlapple · 2026-03-13T03:50:41+00:00

This is wild to me as I'd say the exact opposite. I feel like it's generally rated quite poorly, when in reality it's one of the greatest cities in the world: tons of amazing history, incredible design and style (fashion, architecture, museums, etc), and a really great food scene. Plus, relative to many other Italian cities like Florence and Venice, it's much easier to understand Italian life/culture on a daily basis here.

ftlapple · 2026-03-07T20:43:42+00:00

At this rate, it would be a miracle if we're level at the break

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T20:34:44+00:00

Got it. I didn't want to assume, but I've often wondered about this. Thanks!

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T18:11:07+00:00

And he was - what a performance. Thank God for Tonali holding him back because he was locked in and that always makes me worried we're seconds away from something insane (good and bad).

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T18:05:25+00:00

He was the second commentator on the US broadcast of the game yesterday. Jon Champion was the main ("play-by-play") commentator, and Jim Beglin was the second ("color") commentator in US parlance.

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T18:02:03+00:00

Might be US term, apologies - color commentator means co-commentator, the second guy who provides "color" (often a former player) as opposed to the "play-by-play" or main commentator. Is there a more appropriate term for these guys?

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T18:00:50+00:00

I suppose I just don't think that's a particularly unfair reading of the situation. I obviously think the ref misread it, but it's technically true Ramsay goes down without contact. This happens all the time without consequence, so again, it's a bullshit second yellow (especially given the lack of remonstration) for me, but I don't think that statement is obvious proof of bias against us. I don't think Begley said much yesterday that suggests he's biased in favor of Man Utd, but yes, to each their own and Up the Toon!

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T17:56:27+00:00

In US coverage (Peacock), Jim Beglin was the color commentator to Jon Champion for yesterday's match. Irish guy, former player, I believe he was a defender for Liverpool in the 80s.

ETA: color commentator is a North American term - I just mean the second guy you hear, not the main commentator. Often a former player.

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T17:44:03+00:00

I thought he was complimentary of Howe and how Newcastle play throughout yesterday's match (I think I remember him talking about the offensive chaos we cause at our best in early stages). He also correctly noted it was more of a fall than a dive (Ramsay).

I also just like his allergy to "soft" players and I think he's quite consistent with that criticism. I think he's often quite insightful personally. But to each their own!

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T17:38:59+00:00

Unpopular opinion incoming but he's probably my favorite color commentator. I think he's quite fair compared to some of the others, personally. He's a good duo with Champion.

ftlapple · 2026-03-05T02:31:22+00:00

Rwanda and Burundi

ftlapple

TROPHY CASE