Travels without Charley

I have zero pictures from my trip to meet my new niece this past weekend, as I believe the T.S.A. agent busted my camera. Why? Certainly I kept it in my carry-on, which I never dropped or banged around. And the only time the camera was out of my direct control was when I "removed all electronic devices" for screening. My laptop and camera were taken aside for a moment for further screening at that strange kiosk-looking-thing where they wipe the outside of your devices with a round cloth and then put it into some presumably spectrographic machine. I was busy zipping my boots (yes, those) back up, and getting my sweater back on. So I wasn't watching the guy intently. It wasn't until I got to Cali that I tried to turn the camera on and saw that the LED panel was busted real good.

I am hoping the Olympus warranty covers it or that the Target extended warranty will. But I'm doubtful since it's damaged as opposed to defective.

The question is, then, can I file a grievance with TSA? I had flight insurance for the trip, but from looking at the coverage description, it was just for flight delays and cancellations - inconvenience insurance, if you will - but not luggage or property insurance.

I hope I can post a pic of me with my two nieces soon. But in the meantime, enjoy these photos related to my trip (some including random people) which I found on Google Images.


TSA agent harassing me. I'm only Asian on the weekends.

I could SWEAR this gal was in the row behind me on the plane. Her 47-year-old husband (she's 30) was the one talking about the airplane blowing up and freaking out the obese Berkeley hippie next to me. Fun flight, people. F-U-N, fun!

I saw Monterey Harbor (but not these guys) and the Old Fisherman's Wharf while there. The sea lions were cluttered all over buoys in the harbor, barking like crazy, while otters played in the water.







We also went to check out my brother's school at DLI (Defense Language Institute), where he learns Arabic.

I couldn't have taken a better picture myself.

This is NOT the t-shirt I saw in the PX. The one I liked there simply said "We learn Arabic so you don't have to." Amen.

I did also see Cannery Row, so I guess I'm obliged to read the book now. I still have East of Eden on my shelf, untouched. When will I ever read again? (Tear falling...)

They even gave me special screening on the way home. Can I get a break???