Player With Railroads, Part I*
Back when February when RailsConf was announced, I waffled just log enough to miss the week that it took to sell out, and then was on deadline when 150 more tickets went a few weeks later in 24 hours.
The Argon Express
When Robby posted that some last-minute tickets had become available via the Argon Express, I jumped.
When you’re young, you think that as you age, your circle of friends and acquaintences will grow over outward. I’ve found the opposite to be true—as you age, responsibilities and habit make the circle contract, reducing your opportunity to just be around people you don’t like long enough to realize that maybe you do like them. Blizzards that stop traffic, military service, transcontintental trainrides.
Enough reflecting and more Reservoir Dogs-esque theme music:
Advice for the Novice Long-Haul Train Traveler:
- Pack a serious picnic basket. The dining car meals are passable, but the lounge car is essentially a 7-11 on wheels where the few remaining foodstuffs have been through a very grueling natural selection process whose highest honor is sitting on a shelf for the longest period of time
- Bring one of those life-preserver wraparound pillows, perferably filled with vodka instead of air
*Title from Carl Sandburg’s Chicago
- “to just be around people you don’t like long enough to realize that maybe you do like them”
Sheesh, that’s generous of you :-)
WRT advice – you forgot to mention extension cords – great way to meet the ladies (allegedly).
— Trevor Squires Jun 29, 11:55 AM #
