Great, I’m not beheaded, you’re not in love with some annoying gal, and we are off of the island and on to new adventures! I’d say things are great for us Paul! 
 

I’d take the space trip. Not sure why but I might feel a bit less claustrophobic in that than the submarine. Plus I’ve always wanted to see the Earth from space with my own eyes. 
 

Would you pay $250,000 for the trip or not? 
 

Sorry..,that’s a bit of a cop out choice, and perhaps sounds a bit morbid and judgmental after this past weeks events. I’m trying to wrap my mind around the Greece Coastguard watching 500 people drown whilst we spent millions trying to rescue 5… maybe I’d be better off spiritually back on that island 

I wouldn't pay $250k for either the sub or what is currently a space trip. If I had the money, I'd pay it for a real space trip. A few miles up is not space to me. Maybe I'd pay it for a sub with Jacque Cousteau's grandson. 

Greece may figure rescuing boats just encourages more people to try it. And watching France burn doesn't help. 

For the holiday, do you prefer crosette or brocade fireworks. I didn't know they had all sorts of names. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1lk0n7zHrg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgENWFiFxAs

After boring you with an explanation of the NYS Wallet, I received this text yesterday. 

As of July 28, 2023, the Excelsior Pass Plus (EPP) and the NYS Wallet Apps will no longer be available. Following the reduced demand for access to digital COVID-19 test and vaccine records and the official end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023, the NYS Wallet will be discontinued.

Oy. Yes, the world has its wobbles…. It’s funny cause it’s really not that complicated in my mind. 
Very cool the different names for fireworks! I didn’t know that either. I’ve always named them “the pow” ones or the “the spirally ones”, etc. Out of these two I like brocade. Also I LOVED watching Jacques Cousteau shows as a kid! 

Seems there would be other handy uses for a digital wallet than showing your vaccine card. Maybe costs too much to maintain the database? 
 

Since it’s the 4th… Hot Dogs or Hamburgers on the grill? 

For the 4th I'll take hotdogs. Though I rarely eat them. 

Ketchup or mustard on your dogs?

Yes, NYS writes New York is dedicated to continuing its digital journey,?with more passes, licenses and records to come!

I'd think drivers or any type of license. Anything you need a card for. Google Wallet takes assorted loyalty cards and most anything. Those things aren't the most official but beats carrying cards. A passport is already high tech so I guess that can be digitalized. A phone can die but I don't think that is more likely than losing stuff. I think a phone is harder to lose than small cards especially with people constantly using them. 

I was traveling some years ago, showed my license and as I took my stuff from my bell, laptop, shoes from the bin I didn't know where my license was. So annoyed, looked for an hour. Checked on how I would get home (it was domestic, United said just come early. It's not uncommon). But when I went to sleep that night, I found the license in my shoe. I guess I dropped in in the bin, it went into a shoe, so narrow I didn't notice it. 

Pretty funny. Felt stupid but it is funny. 

Sorry I’ve been MIA for a bit…

I like ketchup and mustard both! Relish and onions too!

Thats a funny story Paul. I’m sure you were relieved for it to turn up  There are some new things with passports now. I always do this digital facial recognition thing going through the airport. It can create long lines as most folks don’t know how to use it yet. You put your passport in some thingy and stand in front of this camera and it scans your face. I’m on the short side and it seems to take a few tries, lol. Folks in the Netherlands have some sort of digital mark or something they have on their wrist now for ID and to pay for stuff. Kind of creepy if you ask me…I’m sure we will be there soon too. Maybe not…Americans seems more skeptical of these kinds of things by nature…. ? I only take a carry on anymore. Can do 4 weeks from one carry on. I’m proud of that fact! Can’t believe all the crap people haul abroad for a week or 10 day trip . But that also means I gotta drag it through these littLe Photo Booth stops and some of the airports it’s not a big space. 
 

Aisle or window seat preference on a plane

Aisle. 

For me ketchup on burgers and mustard on hotdogs. 

I don't think I've seen the facial recognition. I'll need to look next time I fly. Facial recognition popped up at the Whole Foods checkout. Not sure exactly what it does but I see a picture of myself while in the self-service checkout. I guess to stop shop lifting, not sure how. But it is a bit creepy seeing myself. 

Compared to your friends, are you likely to arrive at the airport too early, or too late?

Probably too early these days.

Hi Paul!

I’ve been MIA again. Still a non smoker though! How’s things over there for you? 
 

Pay extra for upgraded seats on a long flight or no? 

Hi Lore,

Usually no. I've flown a lot and while business class is better than economy, flying in general is miserable, and gets more miserable each year. 

Everything is good with me. NYC was flooded today. Looking at pictures of the subways, streets, and LaGuardia airport. I guess budget cuts affect maintenance and nobody notices right away.  

In that spirit, are you more likely to carrry an umbrella when it isn't needed, or not have one when it is?

No reason for this. 

Hi Paul

Wow!!! That is so dangerous. I hope everyone is ok. I know very little about electricity, etc., but when you talk about a subway being flooded that is the first place my mind goes. How do people in the water not get electrocuted? Is this a concern or do I just not know about electrical issues. This happened in Lisboa this past Winter. Other contributing factors, but it was terrible. Hopefully you didn’t get caught up in this! 
 

I seem to be most often caught without an umbrella . It seems to also be my insurance if it is raining when I leave and I’m hoping for the sun to come out, I grab my umbrella and soon, it gets sunny and I’m carrying my umbrella . In Portland, it is a way to tell if someone is from there or not. If they have an umbrella they are most likely not from the PNW. It’s some odd cultural sign of weakness or something to use one, lol. 
 

You are in one of the most fabulous cities in Europe (any) and it starts pouring rain, do you continue on with your sightseeing or go back to your hotel? 
 

Ok, that’s a bit of a lame choice but I’m not firing with all pistons today 

I continue, maybe drop into a bar or coffee house, but wouldn't go back to my hotel.

When you first enter a bar do you have a go-to drink you order, or do you look at what is available?

Hi Lore. What I read is that water is electrified by the 3rd rail, causing it to boil and setting floating debris on fire. It also short-circuits the electrical signals and switches, making it dangerous for the operator to know when to go or stop. But the stations are 4 feet high so not likely to electrocute anyone. I guess water could splash up. If it is that bad, people avoid it. The numerous rats probably also climb up.  Too bad they all don't drown.