Turn Off Your Cell Phone (but Keep Your iPod On)
Every invention has its golden era. Some, like the era of the inflatable U-shaped neck pillow, have come and gone. Thank goodness. In my expert Golden-era-defining opinion, this is the golden era of the audio book. “Well, that’s just daft,” I hear you say. I know, I know, audio books have been around forever. Maybe you even have memories of giant plastic cases with ten cassette tapes snapping into rectangular grooves. But now with digital audio books, you have the same eight hours of entertainment without any of the bulk. Right after I’ve booked my flight, I hit Audible.com and pick out a few titles. It’s lighter and more environmentally friendly than a stack of magazines; it won’t contribute to airsickness the way reading paperback can; and best of all, you won’t get judgmental looks from your seatmate for busting out Danielle Steel.
Prepare for Taking Off, and Coming Down with Something
It’s easy to pick up a bug when packed in with sneezing passengers in tight cabin quarters (or when we insist on wearing a lamé miniskirt to the holiday party). The Airborne rescue is not news. Every other passenger plops these little tabs into their water as prevention from the post-plane cold. The trouble is I find Airborne rather disgusting. The idea of flavored Alka-Seltzer isn’t very appealing, and all the vitamins rise up to settle at the top of your glass like orange pond scum. But the makers of Airborne have won me over with their new Power Pixies. They’re like sweet sugary Pixie Sticks, but they deliver a super dose of vitamins A, C, and E in every paper sleeve. I know what you’re saying, “Doesn’t that package say ‘For Kids’?” Well I just wrap your silk eye mask around the part of the box.
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