Rick....what a nice guy! Flying home on a Friday I'm trying to finish up work so I can enjoy my weekend...balancing the computer and papers....Rick offers to put up the armreast giving me more room to "spread out" - made life much easier!
As it turns out - Rick and I both went to Alfred (1 year apart) - living in the same dorm complex. (small world?)
Again - I get an education - this time about the food industry - as Rick works in Wegman's distribution....fascinating how everything gets managed behind the scenes so I can easily get whatevere I want at the store.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Life of a Flight Attendent
Although I was flying the usual Jet Blue, my seatmate was an airline attendent from American Airlines. Joanne was on her way back to Rochester (home) after being gone for only 3 days to Tokyo. Her schedule sounded crazy at first - leaving home Monday early morning to "report for work" in NYC. Her commute is drive to the Rochester airport, hop a plane - and voila - she's at work in JFK! Her day starts with a 12 or 14 hour flight to Tokyo.....then some sleep, food, reading, sleep and back to work for another 12-14 hour flight back to JFK - then the 1 hour hop to Rochester. Whew - I'm tired just hearing about it! But....she continues to elaborate - and now she has 8 days off.....not so bad now is it?
In our conversation we also realized our connection - a mutual friend, Chris, she knows through church and I used to work with at J&J. Small world again!
In our conversation we also realized our connection - a mutual friend, Chris, she knows through church and I used to work with at J&J. Small world again!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Mariam from Pakistan
What a curtural education I got talking to Mariam. Originally from Pakistan, she was flying back from a month of visiting her family. She has been in the states for 4 years now. As is the custom in pakistan - her marriage was arranged - she is now married to her mom's best friend's son. He was born here in the US but spent summers visiting his mom's friend and her daughter (now his wife). Just fascinating to learn about an aspect of a culture that is so different than my experience.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Suzanne
What are the odds that 2 people, flying to the same place (to work together) - making separate plane reservations - and both switching their seats at checkin - end up sitting beside each other? Well - here the answer is "pretty good" (I'm not a gambler so I really don't know anything about "odds".)
Suzanne and I were both headed to NYC for workshops with the Archdiocese - and end up next to each other. The 55 minute flight seemed much shorter as they talked about everything from work to family. (So much for watching the Jet Blue TVs) By the way, I never did get to see the high heels the flight attendent was wearing.
Suzanne and I were both headed to NYC for workshops with the Archdiocese - and end up next to each other. The 55 minute flight seemed much shorter as they talked about everything from work to family. (So much for watching the Jet Blue TVs) By the way, I never did get to see the high heels the flight attendent was wearing.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The sink beside you (does this count?)
As I was washing my hands a girl comes in and with the amount of paper towels she's grabbing you know there's a problem. "What's wrong?" I ask. "My daughter's finger just won't stop bleeding". So I followed her out and sure enough, the tiny finger of a 17 month old quickly saturated the wad of paper towels. We aren't sure how it started, she caught it on something. On the surface it looked more like a hangnail pulled too deep. But the blood just kept flowing. I quickly stepped in to help out, holding Alexa as mom tried to stop the bleeding. Dad and 5 year old Michael headed off.
Elana headed to the Jetblue Just Ask counter to get some bandaids and I tried to calm and distract Alexa by splashing with her good hand in the drinking fountain. It became a great game and we were laughing, forgetting all about the finger.
more later...
Elana headed to the Jetblue Just Ask counter to get some bandaids and I tried to calm and distract Alexa by splashing with her good hand in the drinking fountain. It became a great game and we were laughing, forgetting all about the finger.
more later...
Waiting....and Waiting.....and Waiting......
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - not a good day to be traveling via the skies! Thunderstorms and planes just don't mix. As i got out of my cab headed for training some teachers for summer school I got "THE CALL". "This is Jetblue. Your flight, number (pause) three four has been (pause) cancelled. Press zero for more information." So I pressed zero and got disconnected. I lunch I managed to get through and sure enough my 5:30 flight from NYC to Rochester was cancelled, the 9:10 was booked, so I got on the 10:35pm - better than nothing.
Fast forward......
After getting all the work done that I was going to get done, I started chatting with the girl in, you guessed it, the seat beside me. She was on her way from England to Buffalo - and of course, her flights had been delayed as well. At one point I loaned her my cell phone so she could call her daughter in Buffalo. It was then she discovered her flight had been cancelled, but her husband had already rebooked her on another - nice guy!
As this happened, I noticed my 10:35 flight was cancelled. hmmmmm......
Although I was right at the airport, I called the 800 number and lo and behold there were now seats available on the 9:10 flight - the only flight left for the day. So I rebooked to that, wondering if in fact we really would get out tonight.
Still several hours to kill, so Michele (the one flying from England) and I decided to get some dinner - a glass of wine being the priority here. We had a lovely conversation - I was fascinated about the similarieties and differences between the US and England. One thing - rather than Supersizing portions, they actually control the portions to help combat obesity - hmmmm - you'd think we'd be doing that here too.
Soon it was time (or so I thought) to head to my gate for the 9:10 flight. Goodbye Michele, we'll stay in touch.
Fast forward......
After getting all the work done that I was going to get done, I started chatting with the girl in, you guessed it, the seat beside me. She was on her way from England to Buffalo - and of course, her flights had been delayed as well. At one point I loaned her my cell phone so she could call her daughter in Buffalo. It was then she discovered her flight had been cancelled, but her husband had already rebooked her on another - nice guy!
As this happened, I noticed my 10:35 flight was cancelled. hmmmmm......
Although I was right at the airport, I called the 800 number and lo and behold there were now seats available on the 9:10 flight - the only flight left for the day. So I rebooked to that, wondering if in fact we really would get out tonight.
Still several hours to kill, so Michele (the one flying from England) and I decided to get some dinner - a glass of wine being the priority here. We had a lovely conversation - I was fascinated about the similarieties and differences between the US and England. One thing - rather than Supersizing portions, they actually control the portions to help combat obesity - hmmmm - you'd think we'd be doing that here too.
Soon it was time (or so I thought) to head to my gate for the 9:10 flight. Goodbye Michele, we'll stay in touch.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tricia Seat !4E Mar 18 2009
Tricia and I were in our own worlds from Minneapolis to Atlanta - both having had a full day and just plain old tired. We did however, connect briefly towards the end of the flight. She is in charge of tradeshows for her company - and I know the long days that can mean - as well as the wear and tear on your legs and feet from standing on the hard convention center cement floors all day! But as we talked - you get to see some neat places and meet lots of people!
When we got off teh flight - we both commented how hot it had been - planes are so finicky - either extremely hot or freezing cold. On my night flight segment from Atlanta to Rochester I froze and so wanted the warmth of this flight.
When we got off teh flight - we both commented how hot it had been - planes are so finicky - either extremely hot or freezing cold. On my night flight segment from Atlanta to Rochester I froze and so wanted the warmth of this flight.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Peggy
Peggy is on her way to Texas to see her son and grandbaby (I forget girl or boy). She is full of excitement and happiness. But life has not always been so kind. She lost her husband a few years back and truly misses him. While she is now in a new relationship - the one thing she's come to realize is you can never have the same realtionship - all those shared experiences from her husband will never be a part of other relationships. The day I met Peggy though, she is full of life and living every day to it's fullest.
She also shared with me a story about her daughter in law - while Peggy is visiting in Texas, her daughter-in-law is flying out to California to meet a sister she never knew she had. I beleive she was adopted and somehow her sister found her. (need to get the story from Peggy again)
Peggy's mom still lives in the house she grew up in - and while the area has slowly gone down, her mom is as trusting as ever - which makes Peggy worry a bit.
Hope Peggy's trip was fun!
She also shared with me a story about her daughter in law - while Peggy is visiting in Texas, her daughter-in-law is flying out to California to meet a sister she never knew she had. I beleive she was adopted and somehow her sister found her. (need to get the story from Peggy again)
Peggy's mom still lives in the house she grew up in - and while the area has slowly gone down, her mom is as trusting as ever - which makes Peggy worry a bit.
Hope Peggy's trip was fun!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Jak - seat 3A
First of all - why do small planes skip seats? Jak was 3A next to the window - and I was 3C - right beside him - but yes an aisle....just curious....
Anyways - about Jak - I wouldn't have met him if he wasn't one to do a random act of kindness of moving his seat to allow to friends to sit next to each other in front of us - so thank you Jak!
I learned so much on this flight from Chicago to Rochester. Did you know there's a company - nation wide - that hires blue collar laborers on a daily adhoc basis? There's one right her in Rochester - you go in (as a blue collar worker) in the morning - and companies call in saying they need workers - Voila! you have a job for the day!!! It's a win win situation as I see it. The jobs? One of them might be the folks you see standing on street corners holding the signs for stores having special events. Or maybe a set-up crew or clean-up crew for a large event. I won't go into details - I just found it fascinating.
Jak was on his way back from a national meeting where the company was planing strategies for the future. So - here's to continued growth and success!
Anyways - about Jak - I wouldn't have met him if he wasn't one to do a random act of kindness of moving his seat to allow to friends to sit next to each other in front of us - so thank you Jak!
I learned so much on this flight from Chicago to Rochester. Did you know there's a company - nation wide - that hires blue collar laborers on a daily adhoc basis? There's one right her in Rochester - you go in (as a blue collar worker) in the morning - and companies call in saying they need workers - Voila! you have a job for the day!!! It's a win win situation as I see it. The jobs? One of them might be the folks you see standing on street corners holding the signs for stores having special events. Or maybe a set-up crew or clean-up crew for a large event. I won't go into details - I just found it fascinating.
Jak was on his way back from a national meeting where the company was planing strategies for the future. So - here's to continued growth and success!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Jen - Connecting with the Finger Lakes
I met Jen on a flight from NYC to Rochester - she was soming up for labor day weekend to visit a friend. Her last trip up they had visited some of the wineries (my other book) - and she had a great time. Jen is one of those people you meet - and instantly connect with. I'm sure this serves her well in her job that does amazing travel adventures. (one of these days I hope to check one out!)
We instantly hit it off - talking about everything from travel to kids to wine and more. Of course I'm writing this months later and as you know - you forget a lot as time goes on. But Jen's fun approach to life is what I truly remember.
We instantly hit it off - talking about everything from travel to kids to wine and more. Of course I'm writing this months later and as you know - you forget a lot as time goes on. But Jen's fun approach to life is what I truly remember.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Julie
One thing leads to another.....Nick emailing me - and that making me add his chapter - made me think of others I've neglected writing about - and even email Julie here as I missed her birthday in December - and she is a great love chapter!!
Oh Julie - I think it was a Chicago to Atlanta flight (it all comes back now as I recall helping her get to the Atlanta train to get to her next flight) - You'll never guess where she was headed - Off to Florida to meet up with a sweetheart from 10 years ago!!! Yep - she hadn't seen him in 10 years - yet somehow they reconnected and he was flying her down to see him! She was so cute - all nervous and excited!! She looked great! They had chatted I think nightly for a bit now - so what would they have to talk about once they were face to face??? (I'd be nervous to!) Julie really knew in her heart that this was the guy for her - why she ever left in the first place - she could not understand (she had her reasons - silly as they are to look back to now) -
In the ten years - lots has happened in Julie's life - she has 2 kids - no longer with the dad - living at home - in a family nail salon business - has battled a drinking problem - and thoughts of suicide - but as I saw her in the seat beside me - that girl is long gone - Julie is strong - full of hope and just a wonderful person!!!
She emailed me after her trip - and was head over heels in love with this Florida Beau - and he was planning on moving back to Chicago to be with her! (Gotta see where it all stands now!)
Julie is a wonderful symbol of hope - dreams come true! My best to her always!
Oh Julie - I think it was a Chicago to Atlanta flight (it all comes back now as I recall helping her get to the Atlanta train to get to her next flight) - You'll never guess where she was headed - Off to Florida to meet up with a sweetheart from 10 years ago!!! Yep - she hadn't seen him in 10 years - yet somehow they reconnected and he was flying her down to see him! She was so cute - all nervous and excited!! She looked great! They had chatted I think nightly for a bit now - so what would they have to talk about once they were face to face??? (I'd be nervous to!) Julie really knew in her heart that this was the guy for her - why she ever left in the first place - she could not understand (she had her reasons - silly as they are to look back to now) -
In the ten years - lots has happened in Julie's life - she has 2 kids - no longer with the dad - living at home - in a family nail salon business - has battled a drinking problem - and thoughts of suicide - but as I saw her in the seat beside me - that girl is long gone - Julie is strong - full of hope and just a wonderful person!!!
She emailed me after her trip - and was head over heels in love with this Florida Beau - and he was planning on moving back to Chicago to be with her! (Gotta see where it all stands now!)
Julie is a wonderful symbol of hope - dreams come true! My best to her always!
Nick
Okay - I've been remiss in keeping this blog up to date - but an email from a "seatmate" Nick this morning gave me th nudge I needed to get going!!
Boy - when did I meet Nick (that would mean going up to my office and pulling out the ticket with his name - way too much exercise and I'd get sidetracked and not finish writing this) -
Anyways - it was last year (okay - it's only January now -so last year is not as long ago as it sounds)
Nick was the aisle seat - and I was stuck in the middle one - but quickly forgot that as Nick and I chatted about I think everything!!!! He's a young - up and comer - reminded me a lot of my son - full of life, wit, intelligence and a goal oriented future (how refreshing!!!) He works for a company that does electronic rebates - talk about "going green" - this company has a good solution! He also has a wife and if memory serves me - a little girl (Nick is that right?) - and was one on the way??? Oh - see what happens when I don't write it all down??!!
Now the great thing about Nick is he gave me great wisdom - I've struggled with "who will buy my book?" "who cares?" "what will I really say?" - and Nick provided the solution (of course he just wanted to be in the credits list (and when the book is a movie get credit there too - he deserves it!) - here's his thoughts as I've translated them - maybe it's a prologue or Chapter one - or whatever - but a bit about why I even thought about a book about the seat beside me - and then the last chapter is about what I've learned about people - in a generic way or whatever. I know somewhere here is the kernal of my writing I need to do.
As I started here on Nick - here's the email he sent me:
Boy - when did I meet Nick (that would mean going up to my office and pulling out the ticket with his name - way too much exercise and I'd get sidetracked and not finish writing this) -
Anyways - it was last year (okay - it's only January now -so last year is not as long ago as it sounds)
Nick was the aisle seat - and I was stuck in the middle one - but quickly forgot that as Nick and I chatted about I think everything!!!! He's a young - up and comer - reminded me a lot of my son - full of life, wit, intelligence and a goal oriented future (how refreshing!!!) He works for a company that does electronic rebates - talk about "going green" - this company has a good solution! He also has a wife and if memory serves me - a little girl (Nick is that right?) - and was one on the way??? Oh - see what happens when I don't write it all down??!!
Now the great thing about Nick is he gave me great wisdom - I've struggled with "who will buy my book?" "who cares?" "what will I really say?" - and Nick provided the solution (of course he just wanted to be in the credits list (and when the book is a movie get credit there too - he deserves it!) - here's his thoughts as I've translated them - maybe it's a prologue or Chapter one - or whatever - but a bit about why I even thought about a book about the seat beside me - and then the last chapter is about what I've learned about people - in a generic way or whatever. I know somewhere here is the kernal of my writing I need to do.
As I started here on Nick - here's the email he sent me:
Hey Bonnie,
I hope all is well and you had a great holiday season with your family. I’ve been hoping to read more of your blog entries but you must be terribly busy with your other gig. Again, I really love your book idea and have now tried to find out something interesting about everyone I sit next to in my travels. Please update me on the book. Hope to hear from you soon.
Cheers!
I hope all is well and you had a great holiday season with your family. I’ve been hoping to read more of your blog entries but you must be terribly busy with your other gig. Again, I really love your book idea and have now tried to find out something interesting about everyone I sit next to in my travels. Please update me on the book. Hope to hear from you soon.
Cheers!
See - he's doing it now too - and with him - he'll end up writing the book before me - and will he give me credit??? (Just kidding Nick!)
There will be more about Nick I'm sure......
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