Okay, I know that using rails is supposed to make one's life easier. I recognize that convention over code rules the rails mindset. I even completely agree that rails devs don't feel pain when they develop applications, with all the various pieces kindly hidden from them. That is great. Good for them / us / me.

But, come on, this?

No, not "come on." More like, "COME THE FUCK ON, WHAT THE FUCKING HELL?"

In November of 2013, I took my dad to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as a birthday present to him. It was the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. Dad had never been to Gettysburg. He did have the Address somewhat memorized from childhood, and was excited to spend a long weekend with his daughter (at least, that's what he told me). I invited my older brother along, and the three of us met up in Chicago. We flew to Washington DC, then rented a car, and drove to Gettysburg.

Smartly, we didn't go on the weekend of the 150th anniversary, choosing to go the week after: fewer people, less crowding. Go us.

Okay, yes, I'm counting.

22 days until #chocopocalypse

Rather wish this were my Valparaiso. It isn't.

Paul asked, "Quick travel question for you - do you have any suggestions to find deals on international flights?"

My answers for finding good international travel deals:

Hipmunk: I like hipmunk's interface for the Agony search filter, as well as the display of flight times in a line chart for easier comparison of flight durations, departure times, and landing times.

I mentioned Kayak to him, mostly out of default, since I used to use the site a lot before Hipmunk.