Category: Reminiscences

From the misty corners of my memory

How To Pack – without regret

During my recently ended traveling-for-work days I made many passages through the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa. Alaska/Horizon Airlines offers once-a-day flights to Seattle, Portland, Orange County, San Diego and twice a day to Los Angeles. Now that I no longer need to go to Scottsdale Arizona, American Airlines is soon to begin service to Phoenix.

Alaska operates prop aircraft from Santa Rosa. A high percentage of travelers passing through security are clueless about the procedure. That’s not a problem, though. With six flights a day, a couple more in summer, and 76 passengers per flight, there’s not much anxiety and TSA people are very patient and accommodating. There is also a 100% chance your checked luggage will be inspected.

 

Condé Nast recently published a baggage handler’s tips for improving the chances of your belongings arriving in the same condition as when you packed them.

And just for fun: a musician’s paean to the “Worst Airline Ever.”

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The Other Swedish Pancakes

When I was growing up, a breakfast of pancakes was the reward for making it through Sunday mass. Upon returning home, our mother fired up the griddle – figuratively, it was an electric stove – and mixed up the pancake batter. When drops of water danced on the grill, it was ready.

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“It winds from Chicago to L.A.”

John Steinbeck called Route 66 “The Mother Road” in his book The Grapes of Wrath. The highway has come to symbolize the movement west by people looking for new beginnings. Bobby Troup composed his classic “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” while driving to Los Angeles in search of fame and fortune. A few years ago, I made the pilgrimage.

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A Blast From the Past

johnfredGonzaga University’s radio station came to life while I was a student there. Broadcasting from a corner of the COG (Center of Gonzaga) student union building’s basement, the shoestring operation operated with used equipment and neophyte enthusiasm. The station’s disc jockeys – I was one – played the popular music of the day, mixed in with whatever else we felt other students needed to hear.

“Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)” by John Fred and His Playboy Band was Billboard’s number one record for two weeks in early 1968. “Judy in Disguise” was either homage to or parody of the Beatles “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Both had lyrics that probably made sense when you were stoned. John Fred’s follow-up “Hey Hey Bunny,” made it to number 57. Subsequent releases sank without a ripple and “Judy in Disguise” is remembered as a novelty curiosity and John Fred as a prototypical One-Hit Wonder.

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