this makes me happy..

At Airports, Security Lines Made for Speed
By SUSAN STELLIN
A new system, using a ski slope metaphor, has three “self-select” security lines for travelers with various degrees of familiarity with airline checkpoint procedures.

excerpt: The system, which has been introduced at 21 airports and is coming soon to New York, has a black diamond line for expert travelers, defined as those who fly more than twice a month and are skilled at security procedures, always ready with items removed; a blue square for casual travelers, who are familiar with the screening process; and a green circle for families and those needing assistance or more time.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/business/10lines.html?hp
------------
Long-time readers of this LJ will recall that I had hoped-without-hope for something like this, after being stuck in line too many times behind people who seemed oblivious to the bellowing of the TSA officer to remove their shoes, empty their pockets, have their boarding pass ready, etc.

Now, if people will actually pay attention to the signs, and not just blindly wander into the shortest line, we may actually all get to where we're going with a reduced stress level.... (yeah, I know, I'm a dreamer...)

On other news: still hot. 82 degrees at 6am. Stay cool and hydrated, my fellow east coasters! (and folk in the midwest, stay safe and dry!)

some people do more than talk about the weather...

For those of you who missed the fun last night (because Universe knows, the "liberal media" isn't covering it)

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qy3z7XWtQc

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv2SdTeN7dY

Meanwhile, it's 92 degrees outside at 9:30. My super has come by to make sure that my a/c is running properly (we have a number of elderly residents, who have lived here for 20+ years. O. takes his job quite seriously).

Yes. Good building. *pets building* I'm sure someday I'll be cranky with it, but it is a good building.

Sadly, O. has informed me I'm going to need a new sleeve, as he "doesn't like, no" the looks of the existing one. Thankfully, it can wait until the heat wave has ebbed a bit.
(although he is doing some of the work now, making the cats retreat into the bedroom because eeeeK! drills!)

look! a post of actual writing-related content!

Lost in the roil of weather-relating gripings and political happenings is the fact that, over the weekend, I put to bed two of my three freelance obligations, completed the read-through for HARD MAGIC (and will now let it rest for a week before talking to my betas), read through the material for this week's CGAG meeting, and am waiting to talk to madame Editrix before embarking on revisions on an Anna Leonard project.

So. On Monday I took out the materials for THE VINEART WAR and, armed with mademoiselle Editrix's* notes, reworked them to my satisfaction and sent them off for her contemplation. And then, desk cleared and caffeine at the ready.... I set up the notebooks, the sticky notes, the highlighter pens, the x-acto blade, and the tape, and officially began Research Mode. There's a knee-high stack of magazines and reports to go through, and then half a dozen books, and a notebook to fill with my scribbles and post-its and cut-out taped-up scraps of paper...

Am happy geek. I think I need to open a bottle to celebrate. Although, er, maybe I'll wait until it's not 97 degrees outside.

And I need a Research Meerkat Icon. Hrm..

*both madame and mademoiselle are unmarried, but there's enough of an age difference between them that this was the easiest way to keep it straight. I can't just use first names because Madame Agent is also a Jenn, and that way leads to very confusing conversations! And using last names, although Ma'mselle and I have done that for years, sounds so very very Prep School when blogging....