Business Class...Is it that different?

As Dorothy says, “this ain’t Kansas!” It begins when you check-in…you actually get to go past everyone to that empty line. Then you go to the pre-flight lounge – which ain’t your local cafeteria. In addition to tables with AC connections, you’ll find a buffet with such things as quiche, all manner of fruit, crackers and cheeses, various Asian dishes (after all, we’re flying Singapore Air), and – of course - a fully stocked bar with wine, beer, and whiskey.

-seats – no, Lazy Boy loungers (that recline into a nearly flat bed)

-Starship Enterprise(like) control panel

-14 inch video screen in the seat in front of you

-drinks before takeoff

-a hot towel to wash your face

-drinks after you take off

-cloth hand towels in the lavatory

-A/C outlet for your laptop

-a light over your shoulder so you don’t have to disturb the person next to you

-booties so you can take your shoes off and not stink up the cabin

-eye shades for sleeping

-row mates who own their own business (mine was Danish, lives in Laguna Beach and owns a furniture company – yep, he’s been to Grand Rapids and Holland.

-row mates who own their own business who buy expensive jewelry from the catalog

-dinner that is cooked on board

-drinks with your dinner (did I mention they serve Guinness?!)

-desert choices from fresh fruit, to an assortment of cheese and crackers, to ice cream

-after dinner drinks

-a hot (scented) towel to wash up after dinner

-audio/video: news feeds to video games, movies (80 of them!) to sports documentaries (big surprise - I watched a preview of the 2010 Ryder Cup venue in Wales)

Seriously, it’s like transforming your living room into a first class restaurant/theater with two people waiting on you hand and foot. Occasionally I’ve had the thought…oh, there are a couple hundred other people on this plane somewhere… “must be down in the hold”

A day at the beach...

What a job...just like taking a walk at the beach!

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay...

Easy trip to LA thanks to the personal shuttle service provided by Randy Kalmink, Inc. Thanks, Randy!

After catching up on some emails, I felt obligated to see the eastern side of the ocean I'll be crossing tomorrow. Turns out Santa Monica and Venice are a relatively short and $.75 "Blue Bus" ride away, so I got to see some real California beach life. Yep, Venice is interesting....and as their night life starting coming out I suddenly had this urge to find another Blue Bus. So far I haven't lost anything...mainly thanks to Mr. Honeymoon (he and his newlywed were next to me on the last flight) who chased me down the concourse to give me my windbreaker.