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magidTravel prep
I went online to verify that I can bring my crochet hook on board with me (plus the nail clippers I use to cut thread). Of course, the page I wanted had a 404 error, and is unavailable. So I called the TSA. And waited on hold for something like 20 minutes, which felt much longer, due to a loop of annoyingly innocuous music that lasted only 62 seconds. And when a person answered, she verified that the page was down. Yes, very useful, thanks. I asked about crochet hooks, and that's at the discretion of the screener, which just doesn't give me the warm fuzzies: I use a very small hook, and it's metal. I wouldn't give odds on whether I can get it through or not. (Nail clippers are now apparently fine.)
I also called AA to confirm kosher meals on both flights, and they have both in their system. I'll still be packing snacks, though; airlines tend not to have a great track record with special meals making it on the flight (ignoring whether they're good or not).
Giving blood
There's going to be a blood drive at work right after I get back from the UK, so I went to see the current guidelines for donations.
I was surprised to see that they've changed from the last time I gave: donating is contraindicated if I have "spent a (cumulative) total of 3 months or longer between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1996 in the United Kingdom" or "spent a (cumulative) total of 5 years or more between 1980 and present in Europe or a combination of 5 years or more in the United Kingdom, Europe and Turkey." Which means that my trip to England isn't going towards a three month maximum, but a five year maximum, which I'm much less likely to hit (alas, for my traveling is not extensive). I'm not sure I want to come into work on a day I've taken off to participate in the blood drive, however.
Zornberg talk
Aviva Zornberg will be speaking tomorrow evening (7 pm) at Harvard Hillel. I don't remember the topic (other than Biblical), but she's an excellent teacher and speaker. Anyone interested in joining me?
I went online to verify that I can bring my crochet hook on board with me (plus the nail clippers I use to cut thread). Of course, the page I wanted had a 404 error, and is unavailable. So I called the TSA. And waited on hold for something like 20 minutes, which felt much longer, due to a loop of annoyingly innocuous music that lasted only 62 seconds. And when a person answered, she verified that the page was down. Yes, very useful, thanks. I asked about crochet hooks, and that's at the discretion of the screener, which just doesn't give me the warm fuzzies: I use a very small hook, and it's metal. I wouldn't give odds on whether I can get it through or not. (Nail clippers are now apparently fine.)
I also called AA to confirm kosher meals on both flights, and they have both in their system. I'll still be packing snacks, though; airlines tend not to have a great track record with special meals making it on the flight (ignoring whether they're good or not).
Giving blood
There's going to be a blood drive at work right after I get back from the UK, so I went to see the current guidelines for donations.
I was surprised to see that they've changed from the last time I gave: donating is contraindicated if I have "spent a (cumulative) total of 3 months or longer between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1996 in the United Kingdom" or "spent a (cumulative) total of 5 years or more between 1980 and present in Europe or a combination of 5 years or more in the United Kingdom, Europe and Turkey." Which means that my trip to England isn't going towards a three month maximum, but a five year maximum, which I'm much less likely to hit (alas, for my traveling is not extensive). I'm not sure I want to come into work on a day I've taken off to participate in the blood drive, however.
Zornberg talk
Aviva Zornberg will be speaking tomorrow evening (7 pm) at Harvard Hillel. I don't remember the topic (other than Biblical), but she's an excellent teacher and speaker. Anyone interested in joining me?