Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

I consider myself a pretty good traveler. I bring only carry-on luggage regardless of the length of the trip. I can find my way around in strange cities. And I’m not deterred if I don’t speak the native language when I get there.

But in the past few years, the actual preparation for leaving town has become a hassle. There’s the technology component: updating my PALM®, charging my cell phone and my iPod, turning off the computer, stopping our mechanical clock that could hurt itself if the pendulum runs downto the bottom of the cabinet in our absence, adjusting the furnaces with their electronic thermostats, pausing the mechanisms that heat our bathroom floors.

Then there’s the grooming component, which requires that all liquids, gels, or lotions be consolidated into a one quart bag for presentation to the TSA at the airport. To accomplish this, I have switched all my cosmetics to powders, so they can go in another plastic bag that the TSA has no interest in. That is, until someone decides to try blowing up a plane using blusher.

Next is the timing component: No longer can we arrive at the airport as our flight is closing its jetway and expect to be allowed on board. Instead, there are restrictions about how early one must arrive, depending on where one is going. This component also includes the what-to-wear-to-get-through-security-quickly factor. With this in mind, I’ve reduced my travel outfit to bare necessities: no belts, no jewelry, no coins in my pockets, no shoes, no sweatshirt or coat, no bras with underwires. No! No! No!. Someday I anticipate everyone will fly nude.

I suppose someone will call it a level playing field, but that’s the day I decide to stay home!