Nothing to do with my trip, but worth a read.

"Have you heard of Peter Pan?"
"No. Have you heard of Metro North?"

I've always wondered why the LA used car market isn't heaven for buyers; so many cars leased for two years and then exchanged for new models, there should be a glut of near-mint sports cars and overstuffed couches on wheels.

Then I get to Moscow and I'm told there's a thriving market for used cars from the US in Russia. My informant says cars from California are especially common since they arrive in such good condition. LA's precious natural resources are being shipped across the ocean for use by the post-Soviet nouveau riche! Of all the nerve.

(via AskMe)

February 2010 update: NYTimes guide

Travel geeks talk top tips to travel cheap - er, I mean, if you have some time on your hands and your travel plans are flexible, you could score some deals here.

Yellow loading zones are in effect from 7 to 6 only, and not on Sundays, and green loading zones are 8 to 6 only, not on Sundays, but white loading zones are 24/7. And don't fuck with red or blue ever.

It'll predict security wait times and actual flight departure times (based on delays so far today, history, ?black magic?.)

So far Kayak looks nice.

Tell it where and when you're flying, it'll tell you when it's cheapest to buy your ticket.