100 Things About Karl, Part Seven
By Secondhand Karl on May 18th, 2008
Don’t forget: today at 5pm Eastern, it’s SecondHand Radio with my special guest, Miss Britt. Hope you’ll tune in live and join in on the chatroom.
Next Sunday, my guest is Dave2 from Blogography. I’m way behind on setting up more guests, so I don’t have anyone else lined up yet. But I’ll keep you posted.
Also tonight, right after my show, it’s Snackie Radio at 6pm Eastern. Her guest tonight is none other than Avitable.
OK, it’s time to continue onward with the 100 Things project. I think today I’ll add 10 new things to the list that are travel-related. Since I’ve been doing quite a bit of that lately, and there’s no end in sight until August…next month it’s BrittCon in NYC and July it’s my annual Hillython in Orange County, CA, which will include BlogHer in San Francisco and ComicCon in San Diego.
- I always wait until the last minute to pack for a trip. I don’t like that I do this, but it always happens. I’m a procrastinator. Unfortunately, this usually means I’ve forgotten at least one thing. Sometimes it’s my insulin (which is still pretty new to me), sometimes it’s batteries for my camera. I’d like to start packing the day before instead of scrambling around doing laundry at the last minute. Maybe I’ll get my shit together this year.
- I prefer to carry everything with me on the plane so I don’t have to wait on baggage. This hasn’t been possible in the last couple of years, because I have to take two carry-ons onto the plane: the carry-on which has my meds and insulin and syringes and my camera and some books and charger cords, etc. And my laptop bag for the laptop (cause there’s no way in hell I’m checking THAT). Then I’m left with checking a suitcase for my clothes. I think I’m leaving my laptop home for BrittCon next month. I barely touched the computer at TequilaCon and I think we’ll be running around like crazy for 48 hours in NYC, so what’s the point?
- My favorite airport thus far is the Orlando International Airport. Why? They’ve got their shit together, that’s why. It’s well set-up, the terminals are nice and clean, AND they have FREE wifi. I think ALL airports should offer free wifi in this day and age. Paying $10 a day for Net access is just bullshit. I also like that Orlando has shops and restaurants before the security checkpoint AND after it in the terminals. When you’re a smoker and you have to go outside to smoke, it makes going through security more than once a major pain in the ass. That’s why it’s nice to have a place to hang out before going through security. If Orlando airport had a smoker’s lounge, it would be perfect.
- I hardly ever text on my cellphone, unless I’m traveling. The last two weeks have generated TONS of texts and Twatterings and photos sent to Flickr. It’s more than I’ve ever texted before. I can finally see the use in texting. It’s especially handy when you’re at an airport or any other loud place and you can’t possibly hear anyone in a phone conversation. Plus it saves me from having to actually have protracted phone convos by just typing a nice concise text.
- I’m navigationally challenged. When I’m going somewhere I’ve never been before there’s a certain amount of anxiety I get as a result of not knowing where the fuck I am. I always like to have maps and directions from Google Maps available, but that’s not doable all the time. When I was in Dallas last week, I rented a car and got the GPS unit with it. This helped me a LOT. Loved it. I know my way around Dallas fairly well, but lots of roads have changed…new toll roads added, etc. And I’d never driven on my own to Oklahoma, so the GPS saved my ass lots of times. I would love a GPS for my own car, but I really don’t travel enough on the road to make it worth the investment.
- I like sitting in the aisle seats on airplanes. I used to always like the window, but now I appreciate the fuller control you get with the aisle seat. There’s generally more room, too, at least on one side of you. I like being able to get up without having to bother someone else. Sure, this means giving up some of the sweet views from the window, but I don’t care.
- I refuse to use airplane headsets. Nowadays those are pretty much the earbud thingies and who knows WHERE those things have been? Plus, I think it’s bullshit that they charge you money to use those damn things. I bring my own earphones but rarely use them, anyway. I’d rather read or write while flying than watch TV or listen to music. Or sleep.
- I never pay attention to the airplane safety briefing at the start of each flight. Listen, if the plane goes down you can kiss your ass goodbye. You’ll never get an opportunity to use your seat as a flotation device because you’re going to be DEAD. That said, I do really enjoy flying and think that it’s the safest form of travel.
- I call flight attendants “air waitresses.” They say that their primary job is my safety, but if that were true they wouldn’t spend 90% of the flight rolling a drink cart down the aisle and bringing people blankets and pillows.
- I don’t like to sleep sitting up, but I always do when I’m traveling. If I’m not driving, I’m going to fall asleep at some point. It’s the motion of the car or the train or the airplane. It’s the noises that all seem to act like white noise to me. If we’re driving a few blocks, fine, I’ll stay awake. If we’re driving for an hour, I’m zonking out, no offense. I’m sure you’re not that boring, but it’s all about me, as usual.
20 Responses to “100 Things About Karl, Part Seven”
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#2… I’ve gotten better at taking more on the plane with me, instead of checking a bag below. If I’m gone for a week, I don’t have a choice. If it’s a 2-3 day trip, I can do two bags: my laptop backpack and a small carry-on that has everything else in it. one ziplock bag with all of my 3oz liquid containers and clothes.
I may be able to get away with this when going to Lake Tahoe next month… we’ll see.
#7… i have never used the headsets. I’ve always had my iPod and my own headphones with me. And with most of the planes now, you can plug in a regular set of headphones to watch the TV shows.
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I used to always be a window seat person…until I flew an 11 hour flight to Taiwan with two people sleeping next to me and I had to pee so bad and I waited and waited for them to wake up but they never did (cause I’m polite like that…how Canadian is that?) that when the plane finally landed I shot to the toilet before I could even get off the plane. I’ve used aisle seats ever since. I figure the annoyance of people waking me up is worth being able to go to the toilet whenever I want to. It’s also nice being able to walk around on those crazy long flights.
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#2 My carry-on bag is a computer backpack, with a padded compartment for the laptop and a gazillion other compartments and zippered areas for everything else except clothes.
That backpack makes my little OCD heart sing out loud. Of course, it weighs a ton, but it’s worth it.
#3 I agree, OIA rocks.
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I like the aisle seats, because I’m fairly tall-ish for a girl, and I totally cheat and stretch my legs into the aisle (when the “air waitresses” aren’t serving, that is.)
The only time that I wanted the window seat was when we were flying over Scotland, and I wanted to look down at it….and see Ireland in the distance. THAT was pretty freaking cool, and for a few moments I wanted to parachute out and land somewhere in all that green.
Otherwise, give me the aisle seats.
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I love that you call flight attendants “air waitresses”. I seriously said that to someone one time and he laughed his ass off. I promise that I did not claim it as my own.
Being a somewhat, erm…chubby girl, I like the window seat actually. There is just more room to lean away from the freaktard in the seat next to me!
And you’ve not changed your last minute packing in the last 7 years, dear….why pretend to start now?
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I am SO with you on the earphone thing. Big F-ing EEEEWWWWWW. Seriously! Did you ever happen to glance into other people’s ears by chance? Some of those are like trainwrecks… ugh…
And I am a txt addddddiiiccctttt… I drive people insane with my txting and since doing a lot of texting to the US lately my bill is skyrocketing…
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#1 & #2 – Isn’t it a pain the a$$ to travel with all the diabetic supplies? The one perk is that they have to let you bring your own bottled water through security. Very helpful for red eyes when all the shops in an airport are usually closed.
(1st time visitor from clusterfook)
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Martymankins – I need to get me one of those laptop backpacks.
Tobi – I’m polite, but not THAT polite. If I’ve gotta go, I’ve gotta go.
Little Miss Sunshine – Yeah, the more I travel, the more I want a backpack.
Adena – Yeah, you are tallish for a girl. I agree, I think I’d want a window seat over countries I haven’t been to.
Hilly – That’s true, my packing habits haven’t changed at all.
DutchBitch – they charge you more to text to the U.S.? Weird.
Pam – I don’t think it’s a big deal to travel with the diabetes stuff. Hasn’t been thus far, anyway. Didn’t realize they’d let me take water through security, though. I always just buy a bottle when I get through the other side. And hey, thanks for stopping by!
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You sound way too much like me when it comes to your air travels.
The window vs the aisle…the packing thing, the free wifi…. everything….
half of my blog seems to revolve around my horrid travel stories…. i hate that they happen, but hey… good blog fodder, right.
Not sure how I found your blog, but I did last week, and it’s great. There’s your ego boost for the day… this one’s free…:D
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#3 – I almost typed MCO since I’m always typing it in on Expedia but Orlando Int’l is by far the best airport I’ve been in both domestic and internationally! You’re right though…they definitely need a smoker’s lounge. Dulles has a fairly nice smokers lounge. And hey, if you’re outta smokes and don’t wanna pay $9.00 per pack, then just walk in the lounge and breathe deep. You’re good to go!
#7 – I used to be a strictly window seat kinda girl until I started taking a lot of international flights. Now, no matter where I’m flying, I want the aisle seat. It’s worth it being able to get up to go to the bathroom without climbing over 2 lap trays and 4 feet.
Oh, and I learned…although the back of the plane is nice because you don’t have to walk far to go to the bathroom, it sucks during meal time because by the time they serve the whole front of the plane, they’re usually out of whatever was the most decent of choices and you’re left with either a spare Muslim meal or if you’re really lucky, the Vegan meal.
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Oh hell yeah! I pay double for txting to the US… My 75 euro April mobile bill proved that… Sigh…
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#8 – Totally. What’s the point?!
I thought for sure I’d see something about barf bags!
Also, window seats are for children. Clouds, clouds… great…
We could travel together quite well.
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I always pack at the last minute. Bu I make lists. I actually do this on purpose because there is so much that can’t be tossed in until the last minute anyway.
I always read the safety booklet. Always.
I have no idea why.
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Heather – Well, I don’t know how you found me, but I’m glad you did. Us aisle seat folks need to stick together. You know, provided you’re sitting across the aisle from me in the other aisle seat.
Dutchie Style – Definitely bringing a carton of smokes with me for BrittCon. NY cigarette prices are astounding.
DutchBitch – Owch!
Sybil Law – Barf bags, never had a need for them. Thank God.
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Miss Britt – Yeah, I have a little toiletries kit that gets packed at the last minute. Probably the last thing that gets packed is the laptop.
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I don’t go anywhere so I don’t have worry about any of this anymore. LOL When I did travel, I did like Britt… had a list ahead of time and packed the day before/or of.
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I call stewardesses “flying whores”.
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Winter – Heh, we should start a Last-Minute Club
Avitable – Niiiiice.
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I still pack at the last minute, too. And knock wood (or Ikea pressboard), I haven’t forgotten anything major. Except underwear. (Jeans were uncomfortable.) And aisle seats are the best!
But BrittCon… when in June is it? I’ll be in NYC June 14 to 21, doing a reading on the 17th…
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Carly – DAMMIT! BrittCon is the weekend of the 28th. Would love to meet you.
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