Pillows and bad posture

Monday, September 12, 2005
10:37 PM Toronto time

   When we boarded, they handed everyone a slim package containing a blanket, and something that could only have been called a pillow by someone in a marketing department somewhere. Sleeping on the plane is proving to be a difficult task. Pat got an hour and a half or so, and Matthew was finally persuaded to close his eyes shortly after ten. He is currently snoring contentedly on his mother's breast. 
   Speaking of when we boarded...

~~earlier today~~

   We had been told by the travel agent that we would be flying on a large plane, a 747, or a 777. Seating (we were told) was three at the window, four in the center, and three at the other window. Our travel agent pre-booked us what he called choice seats: three at the window that would be looking west (or so) on departure, and east (or so) on arrival. See the sunset and the sunrise on the same flight; it sure sounded good.
   When we checked our baggage, and received our boarding passes, my wife asked the attendant if our seats had been pre-booked. We were told they were not, and that no window seats were available. Initially, we were ticked, but when we actually boarded the plane the reason became apparent. This was a much smaller plane than we had expected. Window seats were only in pairs, with a bank of three seats down the center. My guess is, they undersold the flight, and so used a smaller plane than originally planned. C'est la vie.

10:46 PM Toronto time

   According to the airline magazine, our potential in-flight movies include Herbie:Fully Loaded, The Longest Yard, and Hitch-Hikers' Guide To The Galaxy. No such luck. We get a surreal British comedy called Millions, and some sub-titled Italian comedy about a young, prospective night club owner. Distinct yawn.

   Ah. Reading a little more closely, I see that H²G² is only available as the third film on flights from Italy to China. Looks like, on the flight home we have The Beauty Shop, and another Italian comedy to look forward to. Remind me to buy a good book at the airport gift shop.
   Speaking of good books, I started reading Dan Brown's Angels And Demons in the departure lounge. I'm on about page 12, and I have already rolled my eyes over at least two serious implausibilities, one scientific impossibility, and one just plain silly incongruity. So, I'll let you know if I find one; a good book, that is.

~later~~

   So, this pillow, um, thingie is propped behind my back trying to ameliorate some of the discomfort of what has to be the most poorly designed airplane seat I have ever experienced. It has this hump, right at the back of the chair part, that serves to cause one to slowly slide forward until one has assumed a slouching position bad enough to invite the most vitriolic of rants from one's mother, were one still a teenager.
   Not still a teenager - in fact, being several decades past teenagedness - this slouching position has served only to exasperate my normally mild general back and neck stiffness to the point where I expect to require assistance disembarking.
   I exaggerate.
   A bit.

11:40 PM Toronto time

   They have begun serving breakfast. I'll take that as my signal to set my watch ahead to Italian time. It is now 5:41 AM.

~~somewhat later~~

   It is 9:00 AM. You are in Rome, the eternal city. What do you do?
   You take a nap. At least, that's what you do if your personal clock says it is 3:00 AM, and you haven't slept since 5:00 AM the previous morning.



It took about 34 seconds for Matthew to find a friend in the airport departure lounge.