Travel Packs

Since I am not going to be taking a camera bag, I needed to buy a new backpack that can handle the travel a little better.  Rain is in the forcast everyday in Luanda, Angola, so gear protection was important.  I decided to buy two packs, but will probably send one of them back before I leave depending on which one I prefer.

The first pack I ordered is the North Face Overhaul 40 from Backcountry.  I made sure to go through Bing Cashback to get 12.4% back, so I should be getting back $18.47.  Kelly at Backcountry was nice enough to bump me to 3 day shipping for free.

Cost:  $130.48 ($148.95 -$18.47 Bing Cashback)
Size:  21.25" x 13" x 9.5"
Capacity:  2450 cu. in.
Weight:  3 lbs

From the reviews of this pack, it is geared to the traveler . . . I like the pocket on the bottom to stuff in my raincoat when not in use.

The second pack I ordered is the North Face Base Camp Compressor from eBags.  Again I went through Bing Cashback to get a 20% return.  Too bad eBags charges sales tax to Texas.

Cost  $79.41 ($89.99 + $7.42 Tax -$18.00 Bing Cashback)
Size:  20" x 13.25" x 9.25"
Capacity:  2022cu in (33L)

Weight:  2 lbs, 13 oz

This bag is similar in size to my North Face Recon that I use everyday at work, and it is made of a waterproof material, so this may work out perfectly.  I will update when I receive the packs and have a review

Travel Lens Protection

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I have a two week trip to Lisbon, Portugal and Luanda, Angola coming up and I decided I did not want to take a camera bag, and wanted to take them in a standard backpack. The problem with a standard backpack is they do not offer padding like a photo backpack, but they are thinner and don't look like a photo backpack. I tinkered with the thought of getting a Think Tank Shape Shifter, but with limited pouches, I could not take what I wanted. So this post will be a review of how I am padding my lenses to go in a standard backpack.

I have reviewed the Op/Tech USA Lens Sleeve and LensCoat Hoodie before (Nikon 50mm Lens Protection, Nikon 14-24mm Lens Protection, Nikon 24-70mm Lens Protection), but I decided that this was not enough padding, and Op/Tech USA does not have a Lens Sleeve longer than 6", so a no go for my 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII, so here is what I used.

Op/Tech USA Snoot Boot (Large 3.6"D x 9"L)
Domke Protective Wrap (Large 19")
LensCoat LensPouch (Extra Large Wide 5" x 11")

Dan The Katy Handyman

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Dan "The Katy Handyman" came over today. I met him a few weeks back from Craigslist when I needed someone to come out and install an over the stove microwave. As my Handyman skills are severely lacking . . . and my hand has caused us to call a plumber on two occasions, I am banned from working on anything related to the house.

Today we had Dan do some put some brackets on the microwave, pins to hold the sink in the kitchen down better, replace some sheetrock and tile in Chase's bathroom, as well as installing new fixtures.  His painting stills were used to paint the hallway, and we had plenty of time to install a new ceiling fan.

His rates are great, his work is awesome, and he is probably the most friendly guy you can get that won't rip you off.  Thanks Dan!

Houston Auto Show

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Today I took Chase to the Houston Auto Show to see some new cars, especially the 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0. It was a great experience for him and he wasted no time getting in just about every car and truck in the show.

Chase and Luke

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Chase had his friend Luke come over tonight.  We all went to the New York Pizzeria for some pie, then back home for some fun and games with the PS3.

Continental OnePass Frequent Flyer Miles

I love to travel, and I love racking up some airline miles.  In a few weeks I will be headed to Lisbon, Portugal and Luanda, Angola and I will be racking up 17,358 miles.  Add that to the 175,000 miles I already have on Continental and 25,000 on Alaska Airlines, and that is alot of miles . . . but for me not enough.

My slacker friend Emil said he needs to get on the ball in adding up some miles, and I am going to get about 50,000 miles next week, so here is how I do it.

Chase Continental Airlines Debit Card (25,000 OnePass Miles)
This requires you to open a Chase Free Checking Account and then get a Chase Continenal Airlines Debit Card.

1. Go to this link and print out the two copies of the coupon (one to keep and one to give to the bank)
2. Get $100 in cash to open the new account
3. Go to the bank and open the checking account and get 10,000 bonus miles when you make 5 debit card purchases or set up direct deposit
4. Pick either the Chase Continental Airlines Debit Card ($25 Annual Fee - 1 mile per $2 spent) or the Chase Continental Airlines Preferred Debit Card ($65 Annual Fee - 1 mile per $1 spent) and get another 15,000 bonus miles after your first qualifying purchase when you use the card
5. Setup Direct Deposit or make 5 Debit Card transactions a month to avoid monthly fees
6. Close your account after 6 months if you don't want to keep it open, the miles are your gift

Now the cool thing about this deal is that you can do it once per calendar year.  So in January 2011, do it again.  That is a free round trip every year!


Chase Continental Airlines Business Debit Card (25,000 OnePass Miles)

1. Get an EIN from the IRS and print up the paperwork to take to the bank
2. Go here to print two copies of the coupon (one to keep and one to give to the bank)
3. Get $500 in cash or a check from a different bank. The fine print states that money used to open the account can't be from an existing Chase account
4. Go to the bank and open the Chase Business Classic Checking Account and get 10,000 OnePass miles when you open it
5. Get the Chase Continental Airlines Business Debit Card ($65 Annual Fee - 1 mile per $1 spent) and get another 15,000 bonus miles after your first purchase with the card.  Make 5 Debit Card transactions a month to avoid a monthly fee
6. Close your account after 6 months if you don't want to keep it open, the miles are your gift
   
7. Do this once per year as it is limited to 1 Business award per customer
   

If you are opening multiple accounts for a spouse or friend, make sure you refresh the coupon page as the numbers are unique.  If you use the same printout for them, it won't work.

 If you are so inclined, you can get another 50,000 OnePass miles by opening a Chase Continental Credit Card (25,000 for a personal account, another 25,000 for a business account).  See this link for more information

Christmas

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Well Chase got up nice and early this morning and got going with the Christmas goodies.  Santa was good to him this year . . . On his list were Legos, some night vision binoculars, and more toys.  He was very excited for every present he opened (even some new pencils).  Courtney got some new fragrance, and plenty of bath goodies . . . even a spa day.  I got some good Amazon loving as well as some cologne too . . .
Anyway lots of pictures to share so take a look at the photo gallery . . .