Java Davis's Blog, page 32
January 18, 2015
Airports, Ugh
Flying used to be fun and exciting. People used to applaud at lift-offs and, especially, landings. You could say that flying was an interactive experience. Not anymore. I remember buying my ticket at the gate and boarding immediately. I remember when I was physically able to stow my own bag above my seat. Between heightened security and my disability, air travel is a different animal. Standing in line waiting for the TSA to screen me is torment. Choosing which shoes to wear is a dilemma. Which should I wear, since I cannot just bend down and put my shoes back on? Did I remember to take off my wedding ring and my watch? I have to put my cane through the small scanner and stand alone with my arms raised in the narrow cylinder. Explaining that my balance isn’t good and one of my arms won’t raise high enough does not stop them from telling me to stand still and raise my arm higher. Finally, I retrieve my cane and my shoes. I am shuttled through the airport in a wheel chair by an attendant who expects a hefty tip. Families with small children and handicapped people are allowed to board the plane first. It should also be true of disembarking, but it’s not. I used to bring carry-on luggage, but I can no longer stow my own bag in the bin, and I certainly can’t get it back down again. One time, I waited until I was the last one to disembark because I needed help with my carry-on. The crew had already left. A stewardess stopped back 15 minutes later to check the plane and was surprised to find me. Me: “I need help.” Stewardess: “Do you need a wheel chair?” Me, pointing skyward: “Yes, but I also need help getting my bag down.” Stewardess, looking confused for a second: “Oh.” She did get my bag down and ordered a wheel chair. Once, on a different flight, asked a fellow passenger to help me with my bag. He cursed me out for imposing on him. I never asked a fellow passenger again for any assistance. Rudeness: 1. Civility: 0. It feels good to know that when I was young, I helped people. The obvious answer is to stop flying and stick to road trips that are on the ground. Here’s where it gets sticky. My closest friend wanted to enter a sweepstakes for an all-expense-paid trip to the Caribbean. She didn’t enter because she thought I wouldn’t fly with her. I told her to go ahead and enter, because an all-expense-paid trip to the Caribbean is too good to pass up. Besides, I have terrible luck, so she won’t win. Will she???
January 12, 2015
Northern Lights (Travel + Leisure mag)
I have to pass along this article from Travel + Leisure. Someday I hope to see the Northern Lights in person.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/artic...
January 8, 2015
Movie Review: The Guilt Trip 3-1/2 coffee beans
It occurred to me today that I should review the movie The Guilt Trip, starring Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen as mother and son road trippers. Don’t let the 4 coffee beans fool you. This movie gets 3-1/2 beans. I show four instead of three because I think back to when I saw the movie and smile.
The premise was simple. The son is an inventor who has been self-promoting his cleaning product unsuccessfully. He can’t afford the promotional road trip on his own, so he invites mom to go along for the ride. Mom is thrilled. It turns out that the inventor can’t promote himself well because he talks about the science of the product and its production, not how it cleans. Mom saves the day, and, of course, she is proud of her son no matter what.
The son goes from resenting mom to grudgingly accepting her help.
I like this movie because it showcases what can happen when two generations hop in a car and put the pedal to the metal. Barbra was completely believable as a mom, so much so that I found myself wondering what kind of a mom she really is. Seth Rogen didn’t make me believe he was Barbra’s son, but he did a creditable job being the straight man.
http://theroadtripwriter.com/movie-re...
Movie Review: The Guilt Trip (3-1/2 coffee beans)
It occurred to me today that I should review the movie The Guilt Trip, starring Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen as mother and son road trippers. Don’t let the 4 coffee beans fool you. This movie gets 3-1/2 beans. I show four instead of three because I think back to when I saw the movie and smile.
The premise was simple. The son is an inventor who has been self-promoting his cleaning product unsuccessfully. He can’t afford the promotional road trip on his own, so he invites mom to go along for the ride. Mom is thrilled. It turns out that the inventor can’t promote himself well because he talks about the science of the product and its production, not how it cleans. Mom saves the day, and, of course, she is proud of her son no matter what.
The son goes from resenting mom to grudgingly accepting her help.
I like this movie because it showcases what can happen when two generations hop in a car and put the pedal to the metal. Barbra was completely believable as a mom, so much so that I found myself wondering what kind of a mom she really is. Seth Rogen didn’t make me believe he was Barbra’s son, but he did a creditable job being the straight man.
January 1, 2015
How’s Your Avatar?
I’m not trying to be mean, but I need to point out the two kinds of avatars used by authors of erotica.
The first is using a sexy cover of one of the author’s sexy books. OK, I get it.
The second kind of avatar is the mysterious one to me. It’s the use of the author’s actual photo. Usually, it’s a woman, and usually, this poor woman is fat, with missing teeth and stringy hair. Why? Why? Surely someone must have pointed out that the photo is the absolute worst advertising possible for an erotic title.
I have to admit here that I don’t read erotica. It doesn’t interest me. But I feel that it’s my duty to warn these authors that they’re making a serious mistake. Who’s with me on this?
December 26, 2014
Lonely Hearts Freebie Dec 31!
In years past, I was alone for New Years Eve, watching Die Fledermaus on public television and snacking in my PJs. For everyone out there who will be alone and who needs a New Years boost: Cowgirl for Kindle, FREE on Dec 31!!
Please spread the word. Let’s reach out and touch someone.
Lonely Hearts Freebie Dec 31
http://amzn.to/13wa4Xq
December 22, 2014
Hello, Russia!
http://theroadtripwriter.com/hello-ru...
Hello, Russia!
In the process of trying to market my books online, I’m learning the incredible maze of sites that provide analytics. They all have simplified free products, or one month trials, etc. Then they stop loving you.
But I’ve been learning some very interesting things about how people are using my website. The most amazing statistic to me is seeing the number of countries where people have found me and my site. Even more amazing to me are the Russians. Russia is notorious for ignoring copyright laws and stealing intellectual properties. It makes me wonder: Which of my titles are “steal-worthy” and worthy of the trouble of translating into Russian? Might they be used as English textbooks for Russians struggling to learn the English language? Or perhaps they will be propaganda for the evils of Western life.
Russia, what do you want with me? Otherwise, enjoy the books.
