Flight logistics and mechanical nightmares

Finally arrived home after a four hour layover; my first thoughts on reaching the airport and waiting for my transfer was imagining the flow of air traffic throughout the day.  Thankfully, here is a video which shows just that:

(note that at 2:05, there is a single plane coming from the east which loops due to inclement weather before suddenly vanishing)

In any case, it really shows just how far we have come in revolutionizing the transportation industry.  As if being strapped to a chair inside a giant box and flying hundreds of miles per hour thousands of feet above weren't amazing enough, just considering the complex coordination between air traffic controllers and pilots to ensure that each plane lands in a manner that is controlled, efficient, and safe is mind boggling.  In short: I used to hate flying (still dislike it, actually -- TSA is part of the reason), but now I have a better appreciation for it.


In more "oh, c'mon, it's barely the second week of the new year" news, I came home to a car that evidently leaks gasoline now.  Fantastic.  Initial observations lead me to the air filter, and upon closer inspection a fine mist of gasoline sprays from one of the vacuum lines every time the engine turns.  A bit of research tells me that the most likely culprit may be a clogged float valve, so tomorrow I'll have the honor of disassembling the carburetor and hoping that the float valve is accessible and easy to clean (I didn't even bother trying to pick it apart today.  I just came home, vegged out on greasy Mexican food and relaxed since I woke up at 5am to catch my first flight).  Ah well, a fight is a fight I suppose.  Have at you, 2012 (tomorrow, that is)!