Especially with a drizzle of the Luxardo Maraschino.

If you had crème de violette, we could make The Aviation.

Teppy, as someone who is on a plane all the freakin' time, I'ma have to disagree with you. On two counts: One, when I'm on a bus or subway I'm usually paying like, $2.50, and two, it's not usually for more than 30 minutes, tops. And if it's more than that, it usually empties out at some point along the journey. And I can, if necessary, get up and move around--change seats, hope the person encroaching on me (be they fat, tall, smelly, rude, whatever) gets off the bus, or someone else does and I can snag the seat...whatever. On a plane? I (a) paid a hell of a lot more and (b) am usually on it a hell of a lot longer and don't get to move around. Even the super short flights are at least an hour, and on those you're going up and down fast enough that they don't let you "get up and move around the cabin" for more than like, two minutes, and they're usually on tiny planes so they dont' want you to "congregate near the restroom" (even if there were room to do so) for fear that you're a terrorist about to rush the pilot. So you CAN"T get away from the person encroaching on your space, or stretch, or get away from the autistic child with the bloody nose who is having tics and spasms (yes, I was sitting next to him on the flight, and yes, I did feel pity for him, he was profoundly uncomfortable and his mom was trying hard...no, I don't think he should've been kicked off the flight or anything....I'm just saying on a bus that'd be a different story!)

[Edit: Please note: I am not agreeing with Southwest's policy, necessarily, or any airline's policy. Nor am I saying I do not have sympathy, or that I don't think the blame lies with the airlines, for making their seats ridiculously small and uncomfortable for basically everyone. That said, I think there IS a difference between a crowded bus and a crowded plane]

All this is making me seriously consider upgrading to first class for my flight to Portland next month. I'm just big enough for airline seats to be uncomfortably snug on my hips, and just tall enough to not be able to stretch out at all, or even stand up straight in the smaller planes. It makes me sad; I used to love to fly. Now it's a torment, even if you don't get stuck on the tarmac for hours.

Skipping a bit because, according to the Buffista Calendar, today is a double Buffista event: it's the birthday of both Beverly and Benno.

Happy birthday, Beverly! With lots of wishes for a great day and a wonderful year!

Happy birthday, Benno, you big boy! With lots of wishes for your mom, your sister, and all your family, as well!

Also, since I probably won't have any computer time tomorrow, I'll post already that Saturday, the 20th, will be Jon B's birthday, and send early wishes for him, as well.

And, while I'm here, short pleasant Fridays, and great weekends to all!

Is the Czech cutie skating to On the Town or Gershwin? It sounds very familiar.

It was "An American in Paris."

I am pretty sure Benno is NINE, y'all.

One gets so used to one's own self and its needs that I am sitting here boggling at the idea of needing a footrest on a plane. Me, I'd like to have my knees neither approaching my chin nor touching the back of the seat in front of me!

He's nicely creepy, isn't he?

I think he did a great job. Redeemed a lot of Dawson's Creek for me.

I am sitting here boggling at the idea of needing a footrest on a plane

I'm not as tall as you, but I see the appeal of it even if you're not short, because of the angle of the legs it allows you to maintain. I usually have my feet on whatever's underneath the seat in front of me for that reason.

I did say that I wouldn't pay extra for more legroom, but I forget that I'm only okay until the person in front of me reclines their seat.

I totally pay for the extra legroom when I can.

My biggest complaint about airline seats is the built-in headrests that (because of where the back of my head hits & how) will force my neck down. On a cross country flight that is hell on my neck and back.

And we just used miles to book 3 seats to LA next Christmas. It's hard to fathom that my baby will be walking and talking and demanding all manner of Disney items by then.

I am pretty sure Benno is NINE, y'all.

Actually EIGHT, but it's still mindbending. Eight? How did that happen?!

Having a good day so far, I think. It's a school holiday, so there has been much playing with new toys and reading new books. Some friends are coming by any minute now and his new BF is arriving after that and staying the night. Oh, and it's his favourite supper, fish pie. What more could a boy want? (Well, apart from a NintendoDS, maybe next time).