Assorted bullshit about video games, language, music, and some other unabashedly personal shit. And maybe some stuff that's kind of funny? I don't know. I just don't fucking know, alright? Would you give me a fucking break? Jesus, Mom.

You can also find me:

I also write Britishisms, a blog about moving to the US, and Tuneage, a music blog I co-founded. I curate Give Me Something to Read. I started Word Journal, and I occasionally contribute to The Small Picture.

nostrich at quisby dot net

18th May 2009

Text

In Flight Entertainment?

I’m flying back to the UK in two weeks (more on that later), and would love to know how frequent flyers stave off boredom. My flight in was one of the most boring 10 hours of my life, and I can’t bear the thought of going through that again.

I brought books, I brought a laptop, I brought a notebook. I thought I was prepared. But when we took off, I realised I didn’t want any of that (and that I’d forgotten to bring a pen). Staring at a screen made me feel lethargic and bored, trying to use my laptop was too uncomfortable in such a small space, and I accidentally packed The Kite Runner, forgetting that crying in public is something of a faux pas.

So, lesson learned: Less depressing reading material, don’t rely on the laptop, and less passive forms of entertainment.

Which leaves me somewhat stumped. I don’t think I can read for 10 hours, and I don’t have any flashy toys like iPods or a PSP. (Ask me if I regret selling my PSP.) And I can’t really afford to buy one at the moment. So that’s out too. I’ve been learning Python, and that might be just the thing to entertain myself with on the flight, but using my laptop is going to be uncomfortable, and I’ll need breaks.

How do you stay busy on long flights?