Return Flight

Back from the motherland. Unlike my flights there, I wasn't lucky this time, neither in terms of seating nor in terms of connections.  While I realize how lucky I am to fly across the world to visit family, I cannot help but complain (I'm not Polish for nothing.  We're not known for positive thinking).  No one in immigration processing, for instance, cares that you have a connecting flight to catch.  Everyone you encounter as you run to your gate, however, assures you that it's possible only if you hurry.  So you have the bright time-saving idea to keep your shoes off after passing security.  You thus discover how inadvisable it is to run barefoot, even if in socks, on moving walkways.  While the first feels uncomfortable, the third feels like hot coals.  I arrived at the gate with shoes in hand about five minutes too late and got rerouted to another flight.  On a positive note, when you're sweaty and miserable, you get to ride to your new gate in a special needs vehicle.

The Lufthansa flight I took from Munich to Charlotte was on a giant airbus where all six bathrooms were downstairs.  Freaky.  I did have an individual video screen and watched four films (shut up!  It was a ten hour flight!).

Water for Elephants: a circus elephant named Rosie who understands Polish.  Enough said. [I'm also a sucker for films framed as memories of old men.  Except for The Notebook.  That sucked.]

Beastly: Beauty and the Beast with a pervy teenage twist.   Also, disturbing racial and disability dynamics.  I doubt the youth of today learned that beauty's on the inside.

Paul: a surprisingly illustrious cast for a cartoonish alien flick.  Refreshingly pro-science and anti-creationism.  Funny as shit!

Thor: gods learn life's lessons super fast thus becoming kings of heaven. No matter how bad, however, I enjoy a comic book-based movie.  Also, Natalie Portman's range now includes Your Highness, The Black Swan, and Thor. 

On an unrelated note, beware of American friends' love of vodka and furry slippers.  They're liable to start on both in the middle of a hot summer morning.