These are the new times where real time events are captured on film and blogged. Thank goodness nobody was injured aboard Alaska Flight #536 where Jeremy Hermanns writes about his terrorizing experience when a hole was ripped in the plane and the cabin depressurized at 26,000 feet:

As the smell of acrid AV-gas/JP4 and burning plastic filled the cabin, it created more fear in the eyes of the holiday passengers around me. We were all gripped in silence, surrounded by the white noise from the engines that eerily engulfed the plane into a surreal atmosphere. And as the oxygen masks deployed from the ceiling in a familiar, video-esque manner, we all grasped them in fear - trying to figure out how to breathe through the flimsy pieces of plastic. Parents were the most confused – as the masks were too large for their babies’ faces and were not easy to put on in such a panicked situation.

The hole was created by a non-union baggage handler running into the side of the plane moments before takeoff. As the plane reached altitude the hole ripped open and the cabin depressurized. Amazingly the plane did not crash.

Jeremy is one of the creators of the Blogebrity site and one of his associates, Kyle Bunch, can’t resist cracking a perhaps ill-timed joke:

While we’re ever so proud of his steady camera work during the emergency landing, we can’t help but ask–what, no podcast?

KomoTV has video (QuickTime) taken by another passenger, Damon Zwicker. Worth repeating again: thank goodness nobody was hurt, but man, why didn’t that baggage claim handler tell somebody before the plane took off?

Here’s something different: two sex stories in the news in and around the holidays.

In a weekly IRC chat earlier today and a friend mentioned that Canada now had legalized group sex clubs AKA swinger clubs. These are places where singles and couples go and swap partners for sex. The first thing that went through my mind was: this was illegal? I can see laws about prostitution on the books and naturally keeping non-adults away from places like this, but am confused by laws making this type of activity between consenting adults legal?

Why? I’m trying to see what bothers people so much about this one. Hey, if you don’t like these places, don’t go to them. I can see zoning regulations perhaps to keep them out of being right next door to your house so you have loud moaning sounds keeping you up all night but that’s no different than the neighbors having some loud beer bash.

I’m not sure the courts should be spending time telling consenting adults when and where they can have sex with as long as it isn’t out in the middle of the street or other inappropriate or illegal venues (and somebody’s house or place of business organizing these parties doesn’t seem like an illegal venue to me). Also, it’s legal to go topless in certain parts of Canada, so I’m sort of surprised there wasn’t a more open mind about this up there.

Is there more to this story than what’s in the news? Something I’m missing here?

Apparently a raid had happened on a group sex meeting place alleging that it was a “bawdy house” (it’s ok, I had to look up what that was too) and this ended up in the courts. The cops were comparing this to some kind of prostitution ring. Seems like a leap of faith there.

I wonder if these group sex clubs are illegal in the US too? I don’t have a problem with having some sex-related laws on the books, it just seems like there are so many more important cases to spend court time on that this seems very, very, unimportant. Prioritize.

Prioritize.

Meanwhile, locally here in Seattle they are trying to pass legislation that will crack down on strip clubs by requiring women in lap dances to be fully clothed, more distance between dancers and patrons and require tip jars instead of direct tips. I’m pretty sure if patrons of these establishments have to use binoculars to view the naked performers it’s going to defeat the purpose of being close to the action. And patrons certainly aren’t going there for the over-priced sodas.

[snicker]

Can you just imagine the bouncers if these new laws go into effect?

“Hey, what’s that bulge in your pants?”
“Huh? Me? That’s my binoculars, see?”

Is it just a strange coincidence that these sex stories are flaming up around Christmas time? Right wing, left wing, chicken wing, whatever your political bent, just don’t waste court time on petty sex laws when there are real criminals out there to lock up. Go after the meth labs, pedophiles, murderers, maniacs, crazies, etc. Leave consenting adults wanting to view or have sex alone. Is this too much to ask in today’s society?

Thank you to my family, friends, clients and associates for the wonderful Christmas gifts.

I’m curious what presents readers gave and/or received for Christmas? Here’s a list (sorry, it’s somewhat incomplete) of what I received:

DVDs
Stargate Atlantis, 4400, Earth2, The West Wing Season 1 and Season 2, Lost Season 1, Dukes of Hazzard Season 1

Video games
PS2: Legends, PSP: Gottlieb Pinball Hall of Fame (which is quickly becoming my favorite pinball to video game ever)

Clothes
new pair of jeans, shoes and a snazzy Tabasco tie!

Other
Speaking of Tabasco, my wife got me a branded, autographed Tabasco bottle! Being the huge Tabasco fan that I am, this is a really special gift. I love you, dear!

A new wallet (my other one was getting pretty ragged, good timing). Maxam “He-Man” combo pack: lockback knife, multi-function tool (this thing is like something Rambo might use, cool!) A black swivel desk organizer (handy).

A free month of web hosting from my favorite web host: Cyberwurx. Placing #7 — my favorite number, BTW — in Feedster’s Feed of the Year 2005 countdown (thank you again Feedster and independents judges!) was the present that took me by the most surprise.

Presents given to others
Did you give something cool to others? Feel free to use the comments/trackback to tell me about that too. I’ll be writing about some of the gifts we gave in greater detail in the coming days as well as reviewing some of the gifts listed above.

So … what goodies did ya give/receive?

That Santa sure gets around. He even painted this blog entry with some magic green ink that willl fade out by midnight tonight. Now don’t go overindulging on Egg Nog (or do indulge, if you want). Does anybody actually like the taste of Egg Nog? Seems like I wonder the same thing almost every Christmas.

Wait, that’s a picture of last year’s Christmas tree. You can see the 2005 tree here (surprise, surprise, it’s the same tree). What’s up with that? So what video game did I wake up wanting to play? Well, the game we got to open last night on Christmas Eve, of course:

It’s Legends for the PS2. Anybody remember playing Phoenix? Elevator Action? Space Invaders? Jungle Hunt? Bubble Bobble? Those games and more — 29 total — make up the Legends game from 20 years ago. These collections from Tatio and others from Midway, Atari and others may have lost the visuals, but the games are still fun to play. And the price for that 80’s arcade experience? 20 bones! Who would have thought you could have the equivalent of 20 arcade machines (legally, not talking about the MAME stuff) in one CD?

To all who celebrate, have a merry, merry BIG Christmas!

This is one to get the kids involved with: NORAD’s Santa tracker in action.

Google Earth won’t miss the jolly fellow’s sleigh making the fastest package delivery on the planet. Eat your heart out, FedEx.

My friend FrancisoIV wanted to see a side-by-side comparison (yes, he still believes):

At risk of this coming off as a completely sexist post, I have to think that a contraceptive that would allow women to control menstruation would be in high demand for both women and men. Men obviously not taking the contraceptive, just taking the monthly abuse.

via Macleans.ca:

In 2006, a new oral contraceptive called Anya, developed to “put women in control of when or if they want to menstruate,” is expected to hit the Canadian and U.S. markets.

Women cannot like what periods do to them every month. I know my wife sure doesn’t seem to enjoy it. The article points out that Anya is still pending approval in Canada. I did some searching for “anya” in Google news to find its status in the US and all I saw as of this writing were Canadian publication references.

Making periods optional? Tell us more, Anya.

Before:

This heater worked out OK until it met with an unfortunate electrical incident. Kara decided to upgrade to a better model, complete with fake log fire and remote control for adjusting the flames: Dimplex Compact Electric Flame Stove Heater. This is an online-only item and as of this writing it shows out of stock. You might be able to Google it and find it elsewhere.

After:

A toasty little bugger complete with a shiny, PSP-black frame. The remote control is white and feels good on the hand. This baby can emit some serious heat. Kick back, remote in hand, ahhhh.

Update 8:23pm PST: Here’s a video (Windows Media) showing the fake fire in action (third party link).

Ok, this might be an odd idea, but Saturday morning is weekly bowling for our kids and I was thinking about WiFi. Wonder if/when bowling alleys will get WiFi and start talking to other alleys?

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could tell your friend across the US: hey, let’s “meet” at the bowling alley and play. The console on the alley could be set on a timer so that new play must commence every X minutes so you don’t end up turning the bowling alley into a gigantic chatroom with nobody bowling or charge by the hour with no limits.

Also, for those waiting, virtual bowling matches could be setup and networked together. High scores across the country could be streamed on the gigantic monitors. This would also get netizens off their butts and out doing something physical. I see a nation of very unhealthy, overweight people if more emphasis isn’t put on computing and exercise.

(and while writing that, I realize we are currently on break from our YMCA membership — doh!)

There is potential here and if I owned a bowling alley this would be the route I’d take with the future bowling alley: more integration and networking with other alleys. The scoring and displays have gotten more computerized and futuristic but there isn’t much in the way of creative thinking about connecting to bowlers in other leagues in other cities across the globe. Potential, I tell you. Somebody get the PBA on the line.

Can these electrical cords be salvaged or are they toast?

The elves emailed today, apparently the North Pole has VoIP already.

Just ask the kids in your Vonage household to dial *101 and leave that bearded jolly fellow their holiday wish. I wonder is Skype will follow suit? It’s too bad even Santa has to use multiple VoIP carriers!

Speaking of elves and the holiday season, if you are looking to start a secret santa program for the office, the free elfster program looks like it might come in handy.