Ramblings of a Technology Addict

Friday, January 17, 2003

Flying JetBlue

I did get to Long Beach a bit early, but it secured me my third straight exit row aisle, and specifically, my third straight seat in 12C. Today's plane is called "Out of the Blue" and it's yet another brand new A320. I've six inches in front of my knees. My laptop is wide open, and I can still see the Eagles' press conference on the TV in the headrest of the seat in front of me.
Ladies and Gents, I'm sold. JetBlue is where it's at. They keep feeding me cookies and soda and coming by to make sure I'm happy. My only complaint? Longer seatbelts, please. You've made the rest of the plane great for me, but having to ask for an extension is an embarassment I could live without.
Hell, if our 1k-United-Flier-VP is ditching United for JetBlue's cheap prices, shouldn't that tell you something?
Update:Guy in front of me just put his seat back. Laptop, still all the way open. God bless JetBlue.
12:16:12 PM comment []

Rambling Thoughts

Woke up this morning just as the sun was cresting the horizon in the East. Los Angeles is a gorgeous place to be at sunrise. The air here provides for some gorgeous colors here, mixed with the terrain. Last night as Judy drove me out to pick her car up, we drove down from the hills above Los Angeles into the Valley, we saw the most beautiful sunset, you could see all the way out to Catalina island. The hills that surround Los Angeles, while partially to blame for the air pollution problems, provide some absolutely amazing vistas. Leaving last night, as you come out of her gated community, you see a field of blue and yellow and white lights that dot the grid below.
So, Judy does have some amazing neighbors, she gave me the brief tour. Two houses down, Paul Anka. Her neighbor? The guy who writes and directs Malcolm in the Middle. Across the street? A Laker. Down the street was Puffy's old house. Further down? That's right, J.Lo lives in her complex. These are huge and wonderfully beautiful homes. Of course they also cost as much as, say, the gross national product of Burkina Faso. Oh well. Guess I'll have to win the lottery.
It's clear as a bell here today, which is a real rarity. They're concerned that the Santa Anas will start any day now and with them, a real danger of fire. Having lived near Oakland during the Firestorm in 94, I know just what wind and fire can do, so I understand their fear. But for this morning, it was just fine. I drove with the top down.
I realize I'm rambling today, but my head is so unable to focus right now, it's just exulting one last time in the gorgeous weather here.
Let me just say, everyone should have the privilege of driving around town in a convertible just once in their lives. It's a truly wonderful experience. I found myself much more cognizent of car's locations, of the traffic, of the flow of the road and the scenery. Plus, you get the wind whipping through your hair, no rear blind spots and you can jack up the radio.
Getting on the plane shortly, I'm home for 36 hours, give or take, before my boss picks me up Sunday morning and we head to Savannah. Tonight I'm going bowling w/ Dave and Kristen, Jason and Beth, and most importantly, Tiffany. She'll leave for her folks' place in PGH on Saturday afternoon. Then it's laundry, frisbee golf, packing and sleep before going down to Savannah. Mark's talking like we'll take the scenic route down the coast and to the Outer Banks Ferry. That could be cool stuff, even despite the snow that I'm flying home to *sigh*. Oh to live in California year round.
9:47:33 AM comment []