Sure when she's in her airline's premier lounge she can usually find an outlet, but sometimes, especially when her company has purchased a ticket for her on her less-than-favorite airline, she's got hours of work to do while sitting at a gate.

Recently after a horrible flight delay she was so low on laptop battery power that she just had to get plugged in. There were a few outlets in the terminal, all in use and with grown men in business suits sitting on the ground nearby. (Another thing that Girlawhirl always wonders about: why are there no plugs near the chairs?) She had to ask someone if they'd let her charge for an hour or so.

The man she approached was a lifesaver. Instead of just pulling his plug, he pulled a new plug out of his bag. He was traveling with an adapter that changed the single outlet into one that could accommodate four more devices.

It was a great idea! He said that since he travels a lot, he's found it's easier to ask someone to share an outlet this way rather than having to alternate the power. Girlawhirl picked up her own version of the outlet expanding plug at her local hardware store. It fits right into her computer case, so she'll always have it handy when she travels.