Journalism in Phoenix sucks. We have one bland uber-paper, a pugnacious free weekly (brave, but in dire need of editing), a bunch of chicken-dinner rah-rah community rags.

That’s it. For one of the largest metro areas in the nation.The the uber paper – The Arizona Republic – and the lamented and lost-in-all-but-name East Valley Tribune has some outstanding people. A longtime colleague and friend pointed me out to a blog by someone called the Rogue Columnist.

My friend recommended a post about Maryvale, a declining neighborhood in the West Valley. I clicked. I read. I nodded. I said “damn, this guy is good. Who is this?”

None other than John Talton, former columnist for The Arizona Republic. Most of the time, he wrote about real estate. As a young breaking news writer, the topic wasn’t really my bag. But John … he always views things through a different prism. After getting roped into a few of his columns, his byline became a hallmark of quality. If he wrote it, I read it.If you like real estate, read Rogue Columnist. If you like architecture, read Rogue Columnist. If you like excellent writing, read Rogue Columnist.

Just to give The Arizona Republic credit for now and then hiring someone with real ability, let me point out Norm Frauheim. As a sportswriter, I mostly knew his work covering boxing. I honestly don’t care about boxing. But I was probably at lunch and in dire need of reading material – so I read one of his stories. And he roped me in, time after time. If he bothered to write it, he wrote it well.

Journalism in Phoenix is stuck in a mentality that mashes Ricky Bobby’s “If you’re not first, you’re last” credo with the celebrity and sex-driven world of Idiocracy. How much better might our local media be if The Arizona Republic cultivated people, enhanced their skills, gave them room to write? Online breaking news and being the first to Tweet is great … but great writing born from deep thought, solid reporting and perspective would trump it.

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If Airborne chooses me for the Flight Crew, my next race photo will show me on a much more colorful ride.

A few days ago, Airborne Bicycles started taking applications for this year’s Flight Crew. It’s not a race team – more of a group of brand ambassadors. They fly the Airborne brand (or ride, but I like the metaphor) and where its livery (again with the flight metaphor) to promote Airborne.

So why would I want to promote Airborne Bicycles? The number-one reason is they make moderately priced bikes for real people. I have nothing against expensive bikes and the people who ride them – just watch me drool at first sight of a Form Cycles Prevail. But more than such finely wrought beauty, I also love value. That’s the Airborne Bicycles universe – all the bike you need, none of the extra digits in the price that you don’t.

Why would Airborne want me out there on one of its bikes, in its jersey? ‘Cause I am plugged in and switched on when it comes to Arizona mountain biking. ‘Cause I’ll always stop to help another rider, a hiker, an equestrian. I am not faster-than-thou, but I have enough skill and speed to have a lot of fun. I am a mountain bike missionary with a voice and an audience.

Airborne Bicycles knows this from my application and from a past encounter with me. I hope that’s what it takes to put me astride one of its crazy Goblin 29ers!

So if you’re so inclined, Tweet to Airborne or post on its Facebook wall. Tell them Wandering Justin (@wandering_j on Twitter) is the right guy for the Flight Crew. You can even use the hashtag #JustinForFlightCrew. And pass it on!

Comments

• January 25, 2012, Carolyn @healthkitten.com writes: Done and done!
• January 25, 2012, WanderingJustin writes: Woo-hoo! Resistance is futile, Airborne Bicycles!

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Sometimes I wonder why I bother blogging. There’s a blog about everything. I haven’t found a topic that isn’t covered. So why sink my time into it while it’s so hard to cut through all the noise? Well, I know my own reasons. But you might find your own here.

To keep in touch with family. Mass e-mails are annoying. A family member who wants to keep in touch and let everyone know what’s going on should blog, instead. It’ll allow better sharing of photos and better commenting discussion among the rest of the family. It won’t clog e-mailboxes and spur endless chains of “reply to all” emails.

To learn useful skills. If you don’t know at least a little HTML, you’re missing out. If I hadn’t learned HTML through blogging, my work life would be a lot harder. I’ve even branched into some Cascading Style Sheets editing. And if you’re a college kid? I’ve shot down several students applying for internships because they didn’t know any HTML. “I learn quickly!” they’d promise … but no: At an internship, you have to hit the ground running. It’s no place to play catch-up. Start blogging today to build your skills.

To never forget. Blogging is a diary gone technical. You might think “hey, what was the name of that little town in Tasmania?” … and you can count on your blog to remind you.

To brand yourself. Fancy yourself an expert in some subject? Use a blog to prove it. You can also write for other sites about your area of expertise. People searching for your subject will find it if you use the right keywords (more on that another day). It could lead to some valuable contacts and opportunities.

To improve your writing. Blogging can motivate you to be a better writer. Do you want convoluted, incomprehensible sentences riddles with misspellings? No? Then learn to craft short, tight sentences and lean paragraphs. Use active verbs. Turn to the experts for solutions to nagging grammar quibbles. Apply your budding writing skills everywhere, from scribbling a message in granny’s birthday card to pitching a potential client.

To make money. Chances are, you’re in the game too late to make a living blogging. But if you’re persistent, if you write well, if you promote, if you’re lucky … you’ll make some money. Your income can come from ads or sponsored posts. Enough to be rich? Probably not. Enough to support your favorite hobby or add to your vacation fund? You betcha.

To meet new people. I’ve met awesome people through the power of the Internet, from Dan at Pallas Athena bikes (from the old Livejournal days!) to Nichole at architecturetravelwriter.com and Teresa at mtnbikinggirl.com. Yes, you’ll have to sift through some rudeness, animosity and indifference. But I promise you’ll discover your own circle of interesting people.

Comments

• December 30, 2011, Carolyn @healthkitten.com writes: Poignant post. And strangely timely. I've been struggling with posting lately, and I discovered that I was trying too hard to post Important Stuff (TM) that would Change People's Lives (TM). Now, I just gotta let it flow. I'm not going to be the next amazing food/recipe blogger. I'm not going to produce book-worthy photos of desserts and foods I eat. I'm not going to be the size 4 athlete who can run half marathons in shorty shorts and a bra top. I'm a soon-to-be 39 year old with a weird sense of humor and a desire to keep people up-to-date with my life. If I gain readers/money/fame (HAH), then fine. But that's not my motivation to do so...not anymore. Happy 2012! The year made of awesome! :)
• December 30, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: Yeah, it's good to remind yourself that not every post needs to be earth-shattering material. I have two goals for every post: Be authentic and honor the readers.
• January 5, 2012, Nichole L. Reber writes: In particular the reminder and the improve writing ideas fit my needs. My blog posts originally were supposed to be something untethered to my writing for publication. However, blogging actually helps you learn what you're actually thinking about; therefore some of my blog posts have become essays in-the-making or something to be polished up and submitted to various publications. The making money part isn't on my horizon yet, though the making friends {:) and brand yourself parts surely are. Blogs are a wonderful way to publicize your goingson, the goingson of others, and discuss your industry. Therefore for writers a blog helps establish an author's platform. Kewl post. Sometimes it's good to remind ourselves of why we do this stuff, eh?
• January 5, 2012, WanderingJustin writes: You know, I started this whole Wandering Justin thing just to help me tell people about my trip to Australia. Who'd have thunk it would become this? I get what you're saying - both of you!

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A spectacular view of Buttermere in the Lake District.

It shocks more than a few people that I have never been to the UK. Believe me, it’s on the list! Even though I can’t tell you anything first-hand about traveling in the UK, I fortunately have some people who can. Guest writer Amanda Andrews shows us the more rural and adventurous side of the UK in this post. Caving? Hiking? Biking? Yes!  Enjoy, and take a few ideas from Amanda. -Wandering Justin

I didn’t really know much about the English Lake District until recently. Now, it’s near the top of my must-visit list. It’s known for being one of the most picturesque areas of the country, with the quaint little towns and the stunning scenery of the famous lakes, but it’s also a haven for the adventurous. There’s an activity for every traveler.

Walking

The Lake District is time and again listed as one of the top UK destinations for hiking, or just walking as the locals call it. There’s no end to the trails and routes that you can take on a walking holiday in the area. There are trails here for every level of walker, so you can take a leisurely stroll across green fields and around the lakes. Eager for a more substantial challenge? Try The Cumbrian Way or The Coast to Coast walk, which is 191 miles long and takes you from the Irish Sea to the North Sea through three National Parks!

Biking

On two wheels is really the way to see the Lake District. The area again caters to all experience levels. Cumbria is a quiet, rural county so it’s great for travelling around on bike - you’re unlikely to be chased off the road by speeding cars, and travelling the country lanes by bike is a great way to see the real Cumbria. If you’re looking for something a little faster moving then check out one of the local bike shops and sign up for a mountain biking course, or just grab a map if you want to give it a go solo. With a combination of bridleways and man-made tracks criss-crossing the county there is something to suit everyone. From low valley trails to high mountain passes, this is the place to test your biking mettle in the UK.

Climbing

The Lake District is considered the birth place of modern mountain climbing and has been the training ground for many with Everest aspirations. It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete novice or a fully fledged crag-rat: The adventures are endless. Don’t let their modest height fool you. Many of the climbs in the Lakes are incredibly technical. And it’s not a bad idea to head out with a guiding company at first just to get the lay of the land.

If you’d rather go down than up, try caving and canyoning. Both of these give you a completely different perspective of the landscape and allow you to explore areas of the world that most people have never seen. Just one warning: Claustrophobics need not apply.

By Water

Open water swimming, canoeing, gorge walking, kayaking, wind surfing-being that the area is famous because of its lakes it isn’t surprising that water activities abound! Lake Windermere is the venue for the Great North Swim, the UK’s biggest outdoor swimming event, and holds ½ mile, 1 mile, and 2 mile events and is currently open for entries. What an amazing way to spend part of a holiday in the UK, jumping in the water with some 10, 000 other swimmers from around the world! Don’t expect tropical water temperature here though, it’s the north of England and you won’t want to hit the water here without a wet suit.

Where to Stay

Now that your appetite has been sufficiently whet, you want to know where to stay on your trip. There is no shortage of accommodation in the Lake District and there will be something for you no matter what your budget. Camping and hostelling are probably your cheapest options, though the weather in the Lakes can be a bit unpredictable so camping might not be to everyone’s taste. A great option if you’re looking for an outdoor based trip is renting a self-catering holiday cottage in the Lake District and the cost may be less than you’d expect. Splitting the cost between a group of friends can really cut down the individual cost and if you’re looking for a really great deal then travelling in the off season can save masses. Web cottages are an online holiday cottage rental agent with independently owned cottages throughout the UK and Ireland and are a great option if you’re looking for Lake District cottages.

All of this makes the Lake District a must-see location on my next trip to the UK. The area is ideally located to stop at when you’re doing a trip around the little island of Britain, it’s just north of Liverpool and Wales and not too far from the Scottish border. If it’s as good as it sounds I think a holiday in the Lakes won’t soon be forgotten.

Amanda enjoys traveling and has traveled extensively both in the UK and abroad. Amanda writes regular travel articles for Web Cottages and its partners, including blogging about interesting travel news/stories when they crop up. Her experience traveling and excellent ability to research means her articles are both informative and enjoyable.

This post is featured by Web Cottages. 

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I’m in the middle of a major project at work that makes me think a lot about writing online. It’s very different from what we all learned in school. It’s not “how many words do I have to write?”. It’s all about “how few words will it take to do the job?”.

Time, as Khan told Admiral Kirk, is a luxury you don’t have (good god, that was geeky). Sure, they weren’t chatting about online writing – but it still applies. Each word should pull its weight or get whacked. Here are some tips for keeping your content tight:

1. Try to put a 20-word cap on each sentence. This makes each sentence easy to read. If commas riddle your sentences, you’re making it hard on your reader. Don’t do that. Show them some love.

2. Keep your paragraphs short. This results in lots of white space around your words. It also groups your ideas into bite-sized chunks.

3. When you can, break your text up into sections with sub-headlines. Not every reader wants to read your every word. They want what interests them most. Bolded subheds make your content easy to scan.

4. Ignore 1-3 when the situation warrants it. You can’t tell every story the same way. It’s like music theory – for most great musicians (or even half-assed mediocre ones with delusions of grandeur like me!), it’s essential to know the scales and cycles of fifths. And it’s even better to stick a note or chord where it doesn’t belong … but do so sparingly.

Let me throw something else out there: Travel bloggers often latch on to a diary style. They like to use past tense – “First we went here. Then we went there. Etc., etc.” Break the mold a bit … use the present tense. Combine it with the short sentence technique, and readers will feel like they’re at your side as you travel.

So there – a few simple concepts.  Try them out. Let me know what you think. And share your own ideas with me.

Comments

• December 17, 2011, Amanda Kendle writes: Totally agree about avoiding the diary style. I hope I manage to do so most of the time.
• December 18, 2011, Simon Pedersen writes: Diary style writing I think is what we default to when we write about our travels. For someone who's not a professional travel writer like me, it can be tricky. But well, let's try doing the other way!
• December 19, 2011, Shanon@ReadingApps writes: Blogging is a hard area to get into. In order to start, think about your hobbies and what you are most knowledgeable about. From that list, do a keyword search and identity your niche. If you blog about something which is common, it will get lost in the mass of information, something specific will get more accurate hits from a targeted audience. Next step is to make sure you post regularly and make sure the articles are well written, interesting and of a decent length to keep people interested. Don't just write a few lines, you need to convey that you are knowledgeable about the subjust in order to build a following. Promotion is the next step. If you have a decent blog, people will subscribe to it, which means you can start to send out mail shots saying "hey, my blogs been updated", this will then let you affiliate with different companies.
• December 27, 2011, Carol writes: Great tip on using the present tense. It is our job to provide an experience to our readers. Life is often disorganized as it is; the least we can do is provide our readers a blog that is convenient and attractive to read. Thank you for the tips.

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Thank a random pilot or flight attendant sometime. They deserve it. (photo borrowed from Rand Peck's excellent blog at randpeck.blogspot.com)

Even at 9 p.m. on a Saturday, there’s a buzz at Incheon Airport … the kind only found at a major intercontinental airport. I walk the concourse just to bask in it awhile longer.

I wind up walking next to an airline pilot. He’s close to 60, sports a bit of a paunch. He wears a “here we go again” expression on his face.

“So where are you headed tonight?” I ask.

The pilot’s expression transforms. He tells me he’s headed for a city in China – he’s more specific, but it’s a city I’ve never heard of. And then he’s bound for a few more just like it. He asks about my trip. I run him through a four-sentence synopsis of my last few weeks.

As we walk, we reach a hallway – and it’s clear that’s where he’s headed. So I wish him a good trip and tell him “Hey, thanks for flying and getting us all around the world.” He thanks me, smiles, heads off to get to work.

A long-haul cabin - it's where I love to be.

I hope he remembers this the next time someone crabs about late flights, cramped seats and bad food. I can tell my words surprised him – but in a god way. So next time you have a chance, thank a pilot or a flight attendant … and it’s even better if it’s not one from your own plane. Let a random airline professional know that you have some appreciation for their role in opening the world up to you.

I’ll go first – if you work for an airline, thank you. You’re not perfect – but neither am I. And if not for you, I wouldn’t see Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Asia and many other incredible places to come. Thanks!

Comments

• December 14, 2011, flight attendant HQ writes: Yes I totally agree with you, we should be thankful that we arrived safe after a long and stressful journey, and that someone takes good care of us while were on board.
• January 22, 2012, Rand Peck writes: Thanks for using one of my pics on your blog, I was very pleased to see it when a friend passed it along. Now, that wasn't me that you referred to with "a bit of a paunch" was it? This is a two way street though, we as airline employees also need to thank our passengers too. After all, they afford me the lifestyle that I've grown accustomed to. Thanks, Rand
• January 22, 2012, WanderingJustin writes: Rand, thanks so much for dropping by. And I promise you are not the paunchy pilot I mentioned! I wish everyone who has harsh words for airline employees would drop by your blog. It would open their eyes to the professionalism and enthusiasm that is common throughout the industry. Happy flying!

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Col. Cecil flew the F-4 Phantom II - is that not an awesome-looking machine?

It’s perfect – a cool-looking bag to stash guitar cables and assorted gear for going out to gigs. In its previous life, it was an Air Force pilot’s helmet bag. I hand $15 to the owner of the antique store and scurry home with my prize.

I rifle through it, discovering all its pockets and nooks and crannies.

Then I feel something – a small, leather rectangle. It’s stuffed into an inside pocket. I yank it out. It read, along with a stamp of senior aviator’s wings:

Cecil (Name Redacted for Privacy)
Lt. Col. USAF

(The actual wording may vary – I don’t have it in front of me right now)

I wonder who this is or was, and how his helmet bag wound up in an antique store. I have a vision of him that I don’t like … that he sold his possessions because he was down on his luck. This helmet bag seems too cool a memento to give up easily. I wonder if I can track Col. Cecil down and return a bit of his better times in the form of his bag. I can find something else for my music gear.

And sure enough, I find him thanks to the Internet. I call. I explain that I have his bag and wonder if it’s something he regrets parting with. If he does, it’s all his.

As it turns out, Col. Cecil is doing just fine. He just had a bunch of memorabilia and gave that to his son-in-law for his antique store in Phoenix. Col. Cecil is in his 60s … a former F-4 Phantom II pilot. Recently remarried, living in Texas. But he comes out to Arizona often.

On his next visit, we meet. Col. Cecil spins great stories about flying the Phantom (the afterburners of jealousy are aflame – I’d love just one ride in anything remotely resembling an F-4). He has me howling with his tale of showing up for a formal soiree at the Turkish embassy clad in a custom tuxedo made from camouflage material.

Something funny occurs to me: Will the next senior that irks me for driving 10 miles under the speed limit be the same person who once flew a jet at twice the speed of sound?

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I don’t fly 7,500 miles to haggle in a fish market. Apparently, that’s a highlight of any trip if you happen to write  Frommer’s travel guides. At least that’s what I can infer from my Frommer’s South Korea travel guide.

I guess the writers think this all somehow makes them more worldly, this process of saving a few won on a kilo of mandarins or a dried hunk of squid. It’s literally nothing to the bank account, a dollar here and there. But these travel writers make it sound like it makes them plugged in.

Oh, please. I’ll bet they turn to jellyfish when faced with a real haggling challenge. So here’s a word for you Frommer’s/Lonely Planet/Insight guide types: Save your haggling “skills” for a worthwhile opponent who really is sucking undeserved money out of your pockets … someone like the finance manager at your car dealership.

That’s right – stand up to those characters. Show your steely-eyed bargaining prowess when it counts. Do your homework. Come prepared. Rebuff questions like “what do you want to pay a month?”. Say no to inflated destination charges. Don’t let anyone get away with running a credit check when you have your own financing lined up. That’s where you’ll save enough to finance at least part of your next trip if you really know how to drive a hard bargain.

But seriously – lay off the little old ladies trying to make a living. Shell out your 3,000 won. Take your bag of mandarins. Enjoy the Vitamin C. And maybe drop in and comment about why you take such pleasure in putting the screws to someone for a slightly better deal on a bucketful of fish parts/vegetables/knick-knacks. ‘Cause I can’t figure it out.

Comments

• October 7, 2011, Carolyn @HealthKitten.com writes: I wish I was a better haggler in more domestic settings. Having never traveled outside this country, I imagine I would just pay whatever price is listed. Lucky for me, my husband is a great negotiator! :) Great post! :)
• October 8, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: Glad you enjoyed! I actually love car haggling.
• October 10, 2011, Nichole L. Reber writes: From my experiences in China, India, Costa Rica, and Peru, I can definitely say haggling is mandatory. While I haggled when still a traveler, I definitely became better at it upon becoming an expat. Some travelers (check my link below) recommend waving cash in front of a vendor who won't budge. That's simply rude. In China we expats would often put the amount we were willing to spend on an item in one pocket. If they wouldn't come down, we'd show them that that's all we had. It worked well. There is something to be said about one's decision to bargain when traveling. Can we go so far as so say it means the difference between being a traveler vs being an expat? Or is it a tourist vs well-seasoned traveler? Can't say that I've learned how to bargain from a travel guide; It's something picked up after being gypped several times abroad. And of course it doesn't make me more connected; just less robbed. Overall I've found Latin America to be the easiest to bargain in. India wasn't fun. Once, in a store, a friend heard the sales person ask an Indian for half the price he'd asked of me for an item. My Indian friend got all up in his business and shamed the sales person. I ended up buying nothing. Check out the opposition's opinion: http://offtrackplanet.com/featured/how-to-bargain-around-the-world/ This is one of my favorite posts-- not only can I see your almost visceral reaction, I actually disagree with you (not so common).
• October 10, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: From where I`m looking, there`s a difference between "ex-pat survival skill" and "tourist fulfilling the guidebook Top 10." And it`s a matter of degree - are you negotiating because you are getting overcharged for a serious purchase? If that is the deal, go for it! But in my fish market sort of example, I say blow it off and save the skills for the big purchases. Etiquette is definitely another matter - the gestures and explanations seem to be almost a ritual in certain regions. I'm assuming you've seen "The Life of Brian" and it's awesome haggling scene?
• October 21, 2011, Suzy writes: ha! This made me laugh as it does always seem guidebooks tell you to haggle down a price at markets. I couldn't agreed more. It's not worth a few cents in many cases, especially when that vendors clearly needs the money.
• October 22, 2011, Claire writes: Hear hear! Car salesman are evil.
• October 24, 2011, Dale writes: Haggling is usually couched as "if you don't haggle, they don't respect you." So I feel sort of compelled to do it, even if I feel like I'm cheating them. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. If I had some basis for knowing what the 'real' price is (like I just saw a local pay), then I'd feel more inclined to do it. Otherwise, I'd rather not bother. Good to know there's a contrary opinion out there.
• October 26, 2011, Geoff writes: I have to say as well that haggling is usually couched as “if you don’t haggle, they do not respect you.” So I feel type of compelled to do it, even if I really feel like I’m cheating them. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. If I had some foundation for understanding what the ‘real’ price is (like I just noticed a nearby pay), then I’d feel much more inclined to do it. Otherwise, I’d instead not hassle. Good to know there is a contrary opinion out there.
• October 27, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: Respect doesn't play into it for me. Whether someone who lives half a world away respects me ... well, it won't make me lose any sleep. And like Nichole said earlier - it's great if you're an expat. Then it matters to not have to pay more than you have to. You should see the electronics markets in Seoul - they're all about the haggling! They chased after me a few times, but the prices were just so skewed that it didn't make sense to buy from them.

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Wearing a loud jersey should also be on the list for more mountain bike cred. Overlooked it, though!

I am one smoove, cool mountain biker. To surpass me, you have to sacrifice a few things … like good hygiene, your home and any semblance of a decent automobile.

You want the details – you need the details. So read my post about attaining the pinnacle of mountain bike street cred. You can find it at the Trail’s Edge blog.

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Too many details are like too much throttle - you wind up in a messy situation. (photo credit unknown - let me know if it's you!)

Attention, air travel bloggers: I don’t care what runway you took off from. The registration number of your aircraft is worthless fluff, less than meaningless. And photos of your food? Please, don’t. Just don’t.

And I love flying! Commercial air travel is a blast. Yet I still can’t fathom what’s remotely interesting about the most banal details of a routine flight.

But you all take it too far. You need to realize something – not every flight is worth a discussion … or enough photos to fill a 4-MB SD card.

Need an example? Witness this over-the-top display in the One Mile at a Time blog. This post would’ve been just fine with one photo of the terminal, some airplane photos and one shot of the interior. But no – there’s seriously a photo in that post of a used hot towel! Yes, you read that right. I don’t ordinarily hang another blogger out to dry – but some of these frustrate me because they make something I really like seem obsessive, boring and over-privileged. I scrolled through the post looking for the part where it gets interesting.

And really, does gabbing about divestiture not suck all the fun out of the airline industry? Oddly enough, one of the most unabashed (and tightly focused) aviation industry analysis bloggers still manages to be more interesting than this. At least it’s breaking down what makes the industry tick – and conveys some enthusiasm.

There are gobs of air travel blogs out there. Nearly every one has an occasional nugget that’s terrific – though you’ve just seen them sink into the quagmire of insider privilege, industry glossolalia and institutional apologia (I just made that word up … or so I though until spellcheck didn’t hold up a red card).

Unfortunately, I see very few from the perspective of someone who:

• flies just every few months.
• never gets comped.
• is not an industry insider.
• knows what flights aren’t worth writing about.
• is only vaguely aware that first class exists.
• does not have a trust fund.

That just might be the benefit to sites like travelervoice.com. So far as I’ve seen, it seems to be all real people rather than shills. And every month, it’s getting harder to parse the shills and get to the real travelers.

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Comments

• September 20, 2011, Nichole L. Reber writes: Love the lingo (ex. or enough photos to fill a 4-MB SD card). Though here's something I thought after I read about the card: if my plane ended up in the position as the one atop this blog post, you bet people would be taking photos. Evidence please! Law suits ensue! Are you addressing Asians with this post, though? They do, after all, take pictures of bloody air. And always with the peace sign up. (When I first moved to China, I always told my students to wave the peace sign if they saw me, rather than squealing or running to me, as they were prone to do. By the time a few months passed and I saw how they actually already used the peace sign, it made me never want to flash it again.) This part of your post cracked my white ass up: "quagmire of insider privilege, industry glossolalia and institutional apologia (I just made that word up … or so I though until spellcheck didn’t hold up a red card)." The mini-rant and the pace are delightful! Cheers!
• November 4, 2011, Layangi writes: accurate details should be always welcome. Sometimes you might need hell lot of info before you make a decision..same goes to airline industry. With all these travel blogs, online travel stores, travelers are much more aware of what they are getting into. So in my opinion i really appreciate every bit of accurate info that i can get before making a decision :)
• November 6, 2011, WanderingJustin writes: I suppose. But seriously, first class on Air New Zealand is hardly an X factor. I'd rather hear about tourist class on Jetstar. That's where I'm more likely to end up - as are most travelers.

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