Movies
Baby on Board
Jul 19th
I recently flew American Airlines from Los Angeles to Chicago to Philadelphia on my way back from a business trip. I spent most of my time in L.A. meeting clients and, in the evening, catching up with administrative work.
I was staying at the Le Merigot in Santa Monica and would end the day on their outside patio, balancing accounts and enjoying the wit of Neil, the bartender at the property. The Le Merigot is a home away from home and has a great staff of employees, headed up by their general manager, Paul Hortobagyi, and their public relations director, Debra Matsumoto. I will be reviewing the property for a GTtested very soon.
On my return flight, parents entered the first-class cabin, each carrying twin infants. The mother sat in row one and the father in row five, next to guess who? Me! I was fine, as I had downloaded Season Five of 24 and was engrossed most of the flight until my battery died. The baby was mostly unhappy but occasionally slept.
As it turns out, the couple wanted to sit next to each other, which probably would have helped calm the twins, but AA would not allow them to do so as there are not enough oxygen masks in first class. Then, I imagine, you would go to coach?
I suggested the father walk the baby up and down the aisle. There is a lot more for the baby to look at back there, I mentioned. He walked him, but stayed in first class. When the flight attendant moved the beverage cart across the aisle because the Captain was coming out to use the facilities, she asked the gentleman to sit or stand behind the curtain.
“Do you think I am going to storm the cabin with a baby?” he said. I just cringed. I have to hand it to the flight attendant. She simply told him that these were the rules and there were no ways around it. Others may have had him restrained for that kind of comment, and I’m not kidding!
The reality is terrorists have used pregnant women, children and the mentally challenged in their attacks. So nothing surprises anyone anymore.
I had become chummy with the flight attendants. When I went up the first time, I joked, “Nice nursery you have. I mean first class,” and they chuckled. Then we had a conversation about holding infants versus purchasing a seat and putting the child in a car seat. I told them that in a crash or a loss of altitude, which does happen, those babies would not survive. They agreed. FAA, when are you going to do something about this? This very scenario was highlighted in a Jeff Bridges movie, Fearless.
Any parent who carries a baby on their seat in a plane is not thinking of their child’s safety or best interest. Saving a few dollars is not the best way to ensure the safety of your child. I am pleased to tell you that I bought seats for my daughters when they were young, and it was for safety. Remember, children are used to car seats, as they sit in them all the time, and this method definitely helps calm them.
Please don’t carry your children on planes for the sake of the child and the other passengers on board.
– Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO
Abu Dhabi
Jun 23rd
A couple weeks ago, I saw Sex and the City 2. (It wasn’t my choice, but my date had been a good sport about watching the Hawks playoffs). Don’t worry, I am not going to spoil anything major in the movie, but there is a large part related to travel.
An Arab sheikh hires Samantha to produce a PR campaign for his business. This translates to an all-expenses-paid trip for the four women to Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is shown in the best possible light from the minute the women board the super-luxurious plane. The next 15 minutes or so seem like an ad. We see Abu Dhabi in all of its beauty.
The odd thing is that later, as the plot progresses, we are shown a different side of Abu Dhabi. The women experience a culture clash. I didn’t see it was a point-counterpoint either. It seemed more against the ways of the Middle East.
The whole thing struck me as an odd juxtaposition. Just as I was starting to be annoyed at how much the movie seemed to be showcasing Abu Dhabi (sort of like product placement), I was hit with how different it is from America.
This left me confused as to what message they were trying to deliver to the audience. Then it left me confused as to why they needed to leave any message in this manner at all. The trip to Abu Dhabi seemed like a forced plot contrivance. Couldn’t the writers have been creative enough to write this movie without taking this side trip?
On the other hand, bad (or at least mixed) publicity is better than no publicity. I guess Abu Dhabi should be happy about that.
– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
Extension Excursions
Apr 22nd
The volcanic ash from Iceland may have caused some stressful inconvenience for most travelers this week; however, for some it is an extended vacation. Over the weekend, I met some visitors from Germany whose trip to New York had been extended much longer than they had planned. Being efficient travelers themselves, they had seen all the major tourist attractions of the city and wanted some advice on how to make the best of their extended time here. We came up with a few fun ideas on how to get to know the local side of a city you might be stuck in for over a week.
1. Take a trip to the local farmer’s market or grocery store. Local mom and pop shops are a great way to stock up on food and get to know your area. Local butchers and cheese shops usually offer the best quality for the best price, and you can even ask the owner for some touring tips or recommended cafes.
2. Get a copy of the local paper every day and read it. The local paper is an easy way to familiarize yourself with local events and politics.
3. Become a regular at a cafe. This is the best way to people-watch while enjoying a simple daily pleasure.
4. Rent a bicycle. Biking is one of the best ways to get around without missing too much of what is around you.
5. Visit the dog park. If you’re a dog lover, dog parks are a great social setting for meeting locals and enjoying the friendly atmosphere.
6. See an independent film. When traveling, I personally spend more time exploring and less time in the mall or theater. Cinema, however, is one of the most modern forms of art, and visiting a local theater to catch an independent flick is a great way to get to know the culture and politics of the destination you’re staying in, especially if you’ve visited all the museums.
7. Take a tour of a local brewery or winery. Whichever beverage connoisseur you may be, chances are one of these will be in or near the city or town you’re staying in.
What sort of small adventures have you taken to get to know the local side of your destination?
– Courtney Centeno, account executive
Movies, Movies, Movies
Mar 6th
I always look forward to the Academy Awards. Yes, some years the show itself is mostly a yawn fest, but usually there are enough good films, songs and performances nominated (and I always have an opinion about costumes, directing and cinematography, too) that I am very much interested in learning the outcome of the voting. During the years that Billy Crystal hosted, one could be assured that at least the first five minutes would be entertaining, and yes, I must ‘fess up to enjoying making catty comments about some of the “fashion” on display as well.
This year, as everyone who has even a passing interest in film knows, the Oscars offer some added interest. For the first time in decades, 10 films are vying for Best Picture, instead of the usual five. And not since the late ’80s has there been more than one host (although, don’t you find that after the opening monologue/production number, that job usually fades into the woodwork?), with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin doing the honors this year. What’s really got me anticipating the show, however, is the array of really great films and roles nominated this year. Admit it, some years the pickin’s are pretty slim and it isn’t hard to figure who the winners will be. Happily for those who look forward to entertaining, enlightening, thought-provoking cinema, there’s been a lot of that to choose from this past season.
While between the two of us Harry and I have seen seven of the 10 Best Picture nominees (I haven’t seen Avatar yet, and he doubts he’ll see Precious), we are still frustrated that the movies and performances we most want to see haven’t appeared at our local multiplexes and aren’t likely to, either. We have to drive at least 30 miles to find the one small movie house that will regularly schedule smaller, independent films, and if we can’t get there within a week or two, those are often gone before we can take them in.
It is certainly one of the things one must accept in living in a smaller city, but it can be especially annoying when there are so many good films that just don’t get here. I’ve been eager to see The Hurt Locker, An Education, A Serious Man and A Single Man; and don’t even get me started on the documentaries and foreign films (those are nearly always a wait-’til-it’s-available-through-Netflix situation). I guess I just have to remember to budget some time when I’m in the Big City to zip in to a nearby theater and catch a movie I can be pretty sure won’t make it to my town (if it isn’t distributed by a big studio and it doesn’t have a doomsday scenario, lots of horny and/or murdered teenagers, supernatural creatures, fast cars or lots of explosions, it’s a candidate).
Anyway, here’s to an entertaining awards show tomorrow night; I hope your favorite wins!
– Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader
