magnetic_pole: (Default)
[personal profile] magnetic_pole
I've been thinking that I want to post here more often in 2018, because I truly enjoy keeping up with those of you who post regularly. I don't have much fannish content these days, and I'm not always good about updating on my own life, but two weeks ago [personal profile] alisanne suggested just the solution: [dreamwidth.org profile] thefridayfive, a DW community with weekly prompts. An excuse to get me writing when I'm enjoying the boring routine of everyday life and finding little to post about.



1. Where did you go the last time you took an airplane ride?

Hm. Cleveland, OH, for a professional conference. Direct flight, hurrah! I fly out of a smaller airport (DCA, the smallest of the three DC-area airports) because it's so close to me, but the price of that convenience is that I take a *lot* of connecting flights. (Like connecting in NYC between DC and Boston. It's all a little ridiculous.)

2. Are you a nervous flyer or a comfortable flyer?

Comfortable. Driving strikes me as dangerous--I've been in multiple car accidents myself, as have most people I know--and yet I've never known anyone to be hurt on a flight.

3. Window seat or aisle seat?

Window! never miss the chance to look out and see the city. Night flights are especially gorgeous. During a daytime departure, if the flight path's right, I can see my apartment building as I take off from my local airport.

4. What is the worst experience you've had flying?

Honestly, I haven't had many. Lots and lots of delays of course, but nothing overnight, so I can't complain. I suppose the worst was when I took sleeping pills on a trans-Pacific flight and didn't realize passengers would need to disembark on the way home. (Not sure why this was--it was billed as a non-stop flight, but there was a crew change in Bangkok.) I stumbled through customs and boarding feeling ill and completely disembodied before we all got back on the same plane and continued on.

Like I said, nothing to complain about!

5. What is the best experience you've had flying?

Getting there! A few years ago, the subway extended service on one of its lines up to my part of the city, so that I can now walk fifteen minutes, get on the subway, and disembark twenty minutes later AT THE AIRPORT ITSELF. So convenient.

By the way, I challenged my quieter flisters to post 17 times in 2017, and I think some of you met that challenge (and more) and now are entitled to a drabble. I'll follow up on that this week. Ready yourselves with prompts!

Also, I just discovered that DW has not been cross-posting my posts to LJ in months. (Sorry, LJ folks. I thought you were just being unusually quiet.) Has anyone else had that problem?

Date: 2018-02-09 10:52 pm (UTC)
alisanne: (Default)
From: [personal profile] alisanne
So I xpost from DW, but I have to double check (I keep editing until the xpost boxes stay checked) it several times to make it work. Maybe that's the problem?
And you're such a calm person, I can see you being a good traveler. <3

Date: 2018-02-09 11:06 pm (UTC)
jesse_the_k: Front of Gillig 40-pax bus rounding Madison's Capital Square (Metro Bus rt 6)
From: [personal profile] jesse_the_k
One subway ride direct to the airport? I am so jealous.

Date: 2018-02-12 12:09 am (UTC)
jesse_the_k: Professorial human suit but with head of Golden Retriever, labeled "Woof" (doctor dog to you)
From: [personal profile] jesse_the_k
....not really weird, considering the disdain with which most governmental types hold public transit.

Thanks, it's one of the four lines that goes near my house (I don't drive, so I picked a well-served location).

Date: 2018-02-10 12:39 am (UTC)
secretsolitaire: white flowers. (Default)
From: [personal profile] secretsolitaire
Ooh. I don't know if all the Friday Five things will suit me this well, but this one sounds worth doing! Maybe I will play. :) Fun to read your answers.

Date: 2018-02-12 12:11 am (UTC)
jesse_the_k: Panda doll wearing black eye mask, hands up in the spotlight, dropping money bag on floor  (bandit panda)
From: [personal profile] jesse_the_k
...and just a little nudge that the [community profile] fridayfive are always looking for contributors! I made one up and it ran the next week.

Date: 2018-02-12 01:15 am (UTC)
secretsolitaire: white flowers. (Default)
From: [personal profile] secretsolitaire
Thanks, that's good to know! :)

Date: 2018-02-10 01:46 am (UTC)
write_out: (Default)
From: [personal profile] write_out
Well, I know I'd love to see more posts from you. :) I love the idea of weekly prompts too. Sometimes you need that extra bit of inspiration to post.

I'm glad you've not had any truly bad experiences with flying!

How do you occupy yourself during a flight? Do you read, write, or watch a movie? Or maybe just take the time to zone out and let your mind drift?

Date: 2018-02-11 09:48 pm (UTC)
write_out: (Default)
From: [personal profile] write_out
I mostly read or zone out, but I do sometimes like to watch movies if they're in the seatback (I refuse when it's the old school one-screen-for-ten-rows set up) and I don't have pay extra. I'm not able to sleep on planes- anywhere in public, actually- so I envy those of you who can nod off. It would certainly make the flights go by more quickly!

Did you create your journal for fannish reasons? If so, I can see it being difficult if you've built a space based on fandom and then end up moving away a bit. I wholeheartedly agree that you can post whatever you want- fannish or not- but like you said, intellectually knowing that is one thing... I hope you can find a balance with that as well!

Date: 2018-02-10 02:17 pm (UTC)
ancientreader: sebastian stan as bucky looking pensive (Default)
From: [personal profile] ancientreader
Like [personal profile] jesse_the_k, I am desperately jealous of your easy trip to the airport. We can, in a pinch, take the subway to a bus to get to LaGuardia, but with luggage not so much, and forget JFK by mass transit -- but the last time we took a cab home from there, the fare & tip came to nearly $80, and we didn't even hit traffic.

On the other hand, my last two flights were to and from London, so I shouldn't complain.

I'm glad you're planning to post more!

Date: 2018-02-11 11:31 pm (UTC)
ancientreader: sebastian stan as bucky looking pensive (Default)
From: [personal profile] ancientreader
Oh believe me I would be delighted to offer MORE SUGGESTIONS THAN YOU WOULD LIKE concerning things to do in London. (Feel free to message me privately, btw.) As I said in my post-trip roundup post a couple of weeks ago, I'm crazy in love with the place. How long are you going for? Do you know yet where you're staying?

Date: 2018-02-12 01:14 am (UTC)
ancientreader: sebastian stan as bucky looking pensive (Default)
From: [personal profile] ancientreader
I dunno how cheap Russell Square hotels are anymore. Two trips ago I stayed at the Academy, on Gower Street, and quite liked it, but when I emailed to reserve a room with a bathtub for the latest trip, they told me they were remodeling and getting rid of all their tubs. Fooey on them, but anyway I don't know what they cost. (We wound up renting a flat via HomeAway.) Great neighborhood to stay in, though -- so close to the British Museum, and such an easy walk to the National Gallery and the West End. Plus, if you're at all a foodie, the restaurant choice around there is wonderful, ranging from light on the wallet to OH MY GOD.

Date: 2018-02-11 02:17 pm (UTC)
therealsnape: (Default)
From: [personal profile] therealsnape
Seems we've both been lucky in our flights - I never had worse than mild turbulence and a few delays either.

Your commute sounds brilliant!

Date: 2018-02-11 09:25 pm (UTC)
tjs_whatnot: (Default)
From: [personal profile] tjs_whatnot
That is one thing DC has going for it; it is ridiculously easy to GET OUT! :)

Date: 2018-02-11 11:32 pm (UTC)
ancientreader: sebastian stan as bucky looking pensive (Default)
From: [personal profile] ancientreader
Now if only the Rethuglicans would take the hint.

Date: 2018-02-12 12:13 am (UTC)
jesse_the_k: Knitted red heart in yellow circle on green field (Heart of Love)
From: [personal profile] jesse_the_k
Took the snark right out of my mouth!

Date: 2018-02-12 03:31 am (UTC)
tjs_whatnot: (politics--obama rainbow)
From: [personal profile] tjs_whatnot
HAHAH! Right?!

Date: 2018-02-12 03:34 am (UTC)
tjs_whatnot: (politics--obama rainbow)
From: [personal profile] tjs_whatnot
I am! Sadly though, I live outside of the beltway, so the metro is little help. But, Dulles is still ridiculously easy to get to and they have pretty cheap short term parking options, so I don't have to hassle people for rides and whatnot...
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