In five days, it'll be my turn to witness firsthand just how far airport security has come since the time (post 9/11!) they let me take a razor onboard. Just in case security lives up to its [horrible] image, here are the flight numbers: 746 (on the 21st, from Reagan National to JFK), 148 (on the 21st, from JFK to Some Airport In Rome), 21 (on the 30th, from Heathrow to Dulles).

Within five days, I hope to receive my passport. (And traveler's checks, a small suitcase, Euros, pounds [monetary only, please], and sunblock.)