People ARE awesome!

And the video below proves it!

-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist

Astounding, Amazing, Inspiring

So worth the 3+ minutes to watch... and marvel.
-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist

OMG, it's me!

Okay, not really, but it sure could be! In fact, that is John Pinette in his uproariously funny bit re food, diets, and endless buffets. And his punchlines only get funnier as he continues...

So maybe you gotta be me to get the humor of it all, but if you like food (too much) as I do, then I daresay you will be smiling a whole lot, if not laughing, by the time his gig is complete!
-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist

Rest easy with PacSafe

What a pleasant surprise...

I had moaned on a travel website some months ago about two experiences:
1) That some years ago, while in Paris, my sister had 'locked' her backpack to the spare chair between her friend and herself while they sat at an outdoor cafe. Despite the extra effort, thieves created a distraction and still stole her backpack
2) A gang of toughs in Naples attempted to rip open my backpack... while still on my back! Keep in mind how large and broad I am, and their brazenness still surprises and impresses me.

I guess the fine folks at PacSafe read that post, and took action. They sent, gratis, their CourierSafe 100 with a brief note, "Here. Try this." So I did just that.

Color me impressed. While 'officially' a "laptop messenger bag" (for a laptop up to 15.4"), I used it for the past few weeks with my iPad. And even with my iPad in its jacket, the compartment had room to spare. The bag is intelligently designed: correctly sized interior pockets for just about every item you can think of: pens, cell phones, passports, travel documents, books, etc. All with their own velcro fasteners.

But the design ingenuity does not stop there, for PacSafe earns its name and reputation on the sanctity of its bags being:
1) Slashproof: With adjustable shoulder strap;
2) Snatchproof: Shoulder strap with built-in combination lock not only anchors the bag to a secure fixture but locks it there as well
3) Tamperproof: With lockable zippers on main compartment
4) eXomesh®: Slashguard in lower front and bottom panels
(Read the explanation for each item above on the company's website.)

But here comes the next pleasant surprise. Usually, a company will stint somewhere, somehow; up-sell you to make the package complete. The CourierSafe 100 was so spot-on perfect that I knew the design or implementation flaw was there; I just had to find it. Aha, the shoulder strap! Of course, it would be safe and secure (see above), but would it also be stylish and comfortable? Surprised again. Stylish? Check. And comfortable, with plenty of padding to cushion your shoulder during those sometimes interminable walks through airports, or elsewhere on your journeys.

Taking care is always its own reward, but PacSafe allows even careful travelers to enjoy their holiday without keeping both eyes on their bag 100% of the time. Now you can snap those photos while focusing your gaze through the camera's viewfinder; PacSafe has your back... er, bag.

Bottom line: PacSafe bags are functional, safe, and stylish. Oh, and comparatively inexpensive; the CourierSafe 100 is a mere $60 right now.
-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist

Getting Around

Forget all about the Segway. Introducing...



I want flames on mine.
-- David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist