August 2009 Archives

F.A.A. bulletin 98-28, which took effect on August 13, 1998, states:

"In addition, nothing can be stowed in the seat pockets except magazines and passenger information cards. It is not a good safety practice to stow meals, either brought onto the airplane by passengers or served by the air carrier, in seat back pockets."

And there is anecdotal evidence of Amazon's Kindle being banned from the seat pocket.

What if I stow my G1 phone deep into the abyss of the seat pocket, and no one knows it's there? What if the passenger next to me slipped a fancy metal pen into the seat pocket in front of him, and it flew out and hit my right eye during a severe turbulence? Well, so can a lot of loose items around the cabin.

The F.A.A. hasn't explained its motive behind this strange and arcane rule. The Times shows that a spokesman for the agency didn't initially know much, if at all, about the rule. The paper also notes that airline executives are guessing that check-in luggage limit might be forcing passengers to stuff more baggage into the seat pockets.

There may be another reason. The F.A.A. is acting in concert with the airlines to make the seats appear roomier than they actually are. A combination of obese passengers and bulging seat pockets would make the seats look tiny.

He was a skilled operative who aided those fleeing Nazi persecution. He was among the last mounted cavalry officers known as the Huzaars. And he launched the "Underground Camera," a photo and film unit of the Dutch resistance.

After the war, H.R.H. Prince Bernhard enlisted him to represent the Dutch government. And his humorous encounter--in a bathroom--with Sukarno had me burst into laughter. He was a meticulous researcher--of a time and era when he himself was a historical figure.

Over our last couple of martinis, he gave me a glimpse into brief moments of his life. He shared his passion for facts and peace. Yet comedy of life was never lost on him. And for that, I thank you, Tony.

He was truly the Righteous Among the Nations.

Here's a tribute by the Peninsula Daily News and an obituary in the Sequim Gazette.

[UPDATE: A Celebration of Life will be held at the Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Agnew (73 Howe Rd, Port Angeles, WA) on August 29, 2009, at 13:30.]

This cocky rooster, oblivious to traffic and ignorant of the 'mother-daughter-crossing sign,' climbed a 40-degree hill to be on Medsker Road. I did not stay long enough to see if he made it home that evening.

This is Sequim, Washington, where chickens, deer, elk, coyotes, raccoons and baby quails all have to share the road.