As I mentioned before, I went to Colorado just a few weeks ago. I always have paperwork to keep me occupied on the plane. Also, I bring both my current audible mystery and my “real book” mystery with me. (This time I had my current Monica Ferris “real book” and my Alexander McCall Smith audible book.) But, as usual, even though I have plenty of things to keep me busy, I looked through Southwest Airlines’ monthly magazine.
Being the Easter month, the magazine’s focus was on the “Still Incredible” egg. (Remember the old television ads: “The incredible, edible egg.”?) Although I wasn’t at all interested in finding out more about eggs, here’s a glimpse of what I found interesting in the magazine:
1) Hmmm… Do blond-haired women really earn 7% more money than non-blond women, or were all 20,000 of the USA women who Australia’s Queensland University of Technology studied successful actresses, models, and other entertainment-oriented professionals? (Don’t even get me started on our society’s idiotic monetary measure of what entertainment professions are worth!)
2) Did Kellogg cereal’s founder really invent peanut butter?
3) Adam Hunter makes some interesting points >>> Our society is surely becoming less social! When was the last time you watched a movie in a theater with friends VS at home, possibly in your pajamas?
4) The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery is giving Hooters a run for their money >>> even with the substantial savings in fabric for their “very healthy looking” waitresses’ uniforms!
5) Yipee! Flying so early in the month means that all four of the Sudoku puzzles are empty and available!
6.) How neat is this? A “What’s wrong with this picture?” called “Hogwarts Shuffle” – beautifully illustrated by JJ Rudisill. Something for children whose parents didn’t pack a fun “to do at airport & on plane” backpack. I sure am glad I have mine!
Stephanie says
Wow, I fly Southwest all the time, but I didn’t realize how much they pack into their magazine… I usually stick to reading my “real book” (I don’t have an audible player), but I’ll have to check it out sometime.
On society getting less social, that’s kind of old news, although I guess it becomes more pronounced each year… In the mid-1990s, there was an academic who wrote an article called “Bowling Alone” (which he later turned into a book) about how people don’t belong to community groups like bowling leagues anymore, and that this lack of involvement reverberates throughout all of civic society… It’s kind of sad, but it does seem that improvements in technology and entertainment mechanisms make it easier for us to stay in our shells more and more… The “movie theater vs. home entertainment system” point seems to be part of that larger picture.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Then the professor at Harvard who authored Bowling Alone (Robert D. Putman— I just looked it up!) in the ’90s made a good point. And, it really is sad!
Melissa B says
I havent flown in a while…it sounds like they put alot of good information into that magazine!
I’m a fan of Monica Ferris, just wondering which of her books that you are reading? How did you like it? =)
~Melissa
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
I always look at all the gadgets and briefcases and jewelry…and wonder who in the world buys them! :>)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Me too, Maria. I also wonder if there are really that many pampered pooches and kitties out there to warrant all of the up-scale pet sleepers, carriers, and feeders. I admit that we “spoil” our Sprite, but I guess it’s all relative. She certainly doesn’t have (or need!) any of the pet items in those catalogs!
Vickie B says
I haven’t flown in a few years and, if I have my way, I won’t fly again. The airlines have taken all the fun out of it for me and it costs too darn much. I’d rather drive where I need to get to, take my time. If I’m driving on my own with Lady K like we do for ‘Spa Week’ (what we call our annual reunion for my side of the family), I listen to audiobooks all the way there and Lady K plays games, reads, watches her DVDs. When DH is with us, he drives (since I won’t drive and let DH be a passenger unless DH is heavily medicated) and I read print books….unless I find something to listen to that we both like.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vickie B, I told my husband that my next trip to Colorado will be me driving “cross country” again. I much rather drive alone than fly with all of the rest of us sardines!