I was supposed to have airplane sex today (aerial refueling practice) but the KC-130 fell out. So I went home. Saw that Chemlawn came today, and left their little "keep off the grass" sign sticking in the lawn. Then it poured. They always seem to spray the lawn when there are severe thunderstorms forecast. I wonder how much actually washes away, and how much just goes straight through the sand during those torrential downpours (the ones that come down in sheets). Funny I don't remember agreeing to a contract, but they've sprayed four times this summer. Seems like I'm paying as much for my lawn as I'm paying for cable.

The airlines don't care about your comfort. Although you think you are purchasing a SEAT, you are not. You are purchasing the transportation from point A to point B. The reason why airlines don't have policies regarding obese people is because obese people have money too. Where will it end? Who will be the next pariah to ban? I have experienced many uncomfortable situations on an airplane that I could have very well complained about. Like the guy next to me picking his boogers and rubbing them on his pants. Like the tall guy in front of me who reclined his seat all the way and picked at the scabs on his bald head the entire time. Like the family with a screaming, kicking child behind me. Like the guy next to me watching porn on his Ipad. Like the lady next to me who's perfume application made me nauseous. Or the person somewhere on the plane with such bad body odor the entire plane stunk. If I purchase a seat, I shouldn't have to be subjected to any of these things that make me uncomfortable, right? But, whether you like it or not, we are all subjected to a social contract. We all have to put up with each others failings and that just so happens to make us uncomfortable on occasion. Of course it's not fair and makes us angry. That's a normal, natural feelings. But let me say again - how about a little compassion? How about a little less disgust for our fellow human beings? On another note, thanks Terriks. Louis CK is my favorite comedian!

The aircraft, whether new or aged (I prefer not to use the word "decrepit") must have detailed, rigorous testing rather frequently. Ditto the pilots. If either doesn't pass - they don't fly! As Monica said - you're in greater danger per passenger-mile on the road to the airport than on the aircraft ... not to mention travelling by bus/train - certainly by car - across half a dozen states! It's mainly that travel by car is a routine activity, but travel by air is not. But who ever suggested that we humans operate most of our lives in a rational fashion?! Also, I hope that the young one who refuses to fly will get some treatment to alleviate the fears enough to allow him/her to agree to use that means of travel ... to not tolerate it will have negative consequences in later life. And the longer treatment is delayed, the more difficult it becomes, as we get more set in our ways (imagine how tough it becomes as one approaches post-retirement!). Plane crashes are more "glamorous" - "spectacular" ... ... than dying in bed. But a much higher proportion of the total population dies in bed ... which doesn't get pictured on TV. But which one of us refuses to lie on a bed? Enjoy whichever adventure of living is part of your life today - this is still God's world, and it's great (if you live in N. America - not so great if you live in Myanmar/Burma, parts of the Middle East including Iraq, Africa, India/Pakistan or Afghanistan). Being close to 80, I think - I'm sure - that I'd much prefer flying on an aircraft at whatever level of decrepitude to dealing with the examination to be offered by the Admissions Council to the Great Beyond that I expect to be my lot, as a heedless North American/European, after the portion of my life that's been lived on earth is completed. ole joyful

A good friend of mine knits while travelling. For the first few years after 9/11, she was unable to use knitting needles, but now people can do so. Ambien. I've never tried the stuff, but I've heard so many stories of diverse reactions, l certainly wouldn't want to experiment in the air. Alcohol. If you can handle a drink or three on the ground, go ahead, but note that high altitudes will make the stuff go to one's head much faster than on the ground. Cut yourself off sooner. Unless you like airplane toilets, cutting back on diuretics may be indicated. Although, yes, it's a good excuse to get up and move occasionally. If you are sensitive to any foods, avoid those. Those compression socks sound like an excellent idea! Reading material is essential. A magazine or two, a paperback, an e-reader... I'm not afraid of flying (momentary holding of breath as we take off and land aside). My problem is the extreme discomfort at being folded into seats not meant for tall people with bad knees. Hence I always aim to get aisle seating. Since my last flight, I now have a bad ankle. At any rate, due to my size and leg issues, it is impossible for me to sleep on planes. I suspect not even morphine would do it... i do try to sneak a leg into an edge of that aisle where it won't trip anyone, and drowse a bit, but that trolley (which needs the full aisle) comes by every 30 minutes! At 2 am, really???