Britt Skrabanek

Your Tips…Staying Sane on the Plane

The people have spoken. We have united our brilliance, coming together to share our tried and true tips for staying sane on the plane.

In case you missed the post, you should probably click here to find out what the heck I’m talking about. Then you may proceed.

THE Q&A

Roy McCarthy (Back On The Rock) asked…
“Any solutions for local flights, like, how come you’re always last for the drinks trolley and you’re about to land?”

I said…
“If you want to get creative you can always press the stew light and fake a medical condition (wink, wink).”

T.W. Dittmer asked…
“Sane? Hmmm…”

I said…
“I know…it’s absurd. Mainly, I just wanted to rhyme with plane.”

THE TIPS

Letizia (Reading Interrupted)
“I always bring some food with me as food on planes is terrible. Especially a snack. There’s nothing more wonderful than getting out your own little bag of popcorn or something in middle of the movie; you will be the envy of the whole plane And to drink a lot of water – especially for those long overseas flights.”

Gail (The Jotter’s Joint)
“In addition to books, music and journal, I take notecards and stamps so that I can send some love from the road. And I stock up on gum and hard candy. That way if I fall asleep with my mouth open at least my breath is fresh.”

Dianne Gray
“I absolutely hate flying so just walking onto a plane sends me into a spin. I take travel sickness tablets and that seems to calm me down a bit.”

AudiophileParadise
“My mantra for staying sane on the plane – A chilled glass of coke, a soft pillow, Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, and my MP3 player!”

Devon Goetzinger
(Devon doesn’t have a website, but you may remember her from the San Diego posts.)
“I’d add carrying hand sanitizer, Emergen-C, and anti-bacterial hand wipes. That’s all in addition to closing the air flow above your head if at all possible…no need to get sick from the coughing passenger 10 rows back who you’re forced to share *dirty* air with.”

Thank you bloggers (and my gal Devon) for chiming in with your awesome tips.

Readers, make sure to check out these blogs…they are all amazing and insightful!

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile…have an incredibly delicious Thanksgiving. And, let’s all make a pact right here, right now.

Let us be grateful every single day of the year. Let us not lose our damn minds during the holidays.

For My Apple Lovers

Not that kind of apple, silly! The other kind.

In addition to Amazon and Smashwords, my latest book, Everything’s Not Bigger, is now available for your delicious Apple products as well. I realize $4.99 is a little pricier than a normal apple, but it sure is a yummy bargain for a book!

In the heartland of oil money, Jaye Davis spends her whirlwind existence trapped in the battle fields of high fashion. Surrounded by sparkling ambition and plastic perfection, she reluctantly masquerades as a sales drone at Lyman’s, a luxury store in Dallas. After escaping a turbulent past and leaving everything behind, Jaye struggles to find her place in the world. Armed with a quiet determination, she embarks on a solitary quest, searching for certainty in an uncertain future.

But Jaye Davis isn’t her real name–only a byproduct of the witness protection program. Once her fabricated identity is thrown into jeopardy, she flees to the haunting allure of Prague. Unearthing her roots in an important step toward self-discovery, she learns to surrender to the life she truly deserves.

Ooh, that sounds crisp and delightful, Britt! I’d love a bite.

Staying Sane on the Plane

We the People who brave planes are intrepid.

Together we experience hours of discomfort high above the clouds – trapped, smashed, and irritated.

Our legs fall victim to numbness, time becomes a sinister enemy, and suddenly you begin questioning yourself, perhaps asking: “Why in the hell did I even sign up for this BS?”

The answer is simple. You needed to travel somewhere far, and your futile attempts to learn how to fly as a child just never panned out.

Folks, it’s that time of year…the holiday season, otherwise known as over-priced, voluntary torture time.

Maybe you’re visiting loved ones in a small town nobody has ever heard of. Or perhaps you’re fleeing from them, squatting on a deserted island under your kicky new pseudonym…Ginger Gilligan.

Either way, your sorry little butt is going to be on a plane.

So, I thought we could make the unbearable slightly bearable by sharing flying tips. I’ll go first and you can put your two cents in down below.

If I get enough awesomeness in the comment section, I will create a follow-up post next week. Those of you with websites will be linked accordingly.

To be included, I need your comments by midnight U.S. central on Sunday, November 18th.

Here we go!

Britt’s Tips for Staying Sane on the Plane

Peppermint Oil No more smelling your foul neighbor or the dirty diaper in the row in front of you. Plus, it’s a great pick me up. Dab a smidge of peppermint oil right beneath your nose and enjoy some untainted bliss.
Sustenance Water, tea, fruit, and nuts are a must! Airplane tea is dreadful so I bring my own tea bags and request hot water. My favorites are peppermint and lemon ginger; both are uplifting and soothe your tummy.
Army of Entertainment Don’t limit yourself here. There’s nothing worse than bringing a new book you just can’t get into. Be prepared with activities that will excite different senses. Most of us possess technological wonders hosting an array of diversions. I’m pretty old-fashioned: books, music, and a journal for writing.
Covers & Layers Come prepared for ridiculous temperature variations. Season pending, having a sarong, shawl, or blanket handy is always a versatile staple on and off the plane. Layers are crucial! You don’t want to be stuck in that lumpy sweater when it’s stuffier than a sauna.
Comfy Cute Save the fancy shoes and clothes for later. Trust me, you will not arrive at your destination looking anything less than disheveled. On another note, being comfortable should not mean wearing your pajamas in public. When in doubt, the jeans/flats combo works like a champ.

Now it’s your turn. How do you stay sane on the plane?

Everything’s Not Bigger is Now Available

This book is the very core of my soul, the essence of my being, the minefields of my imagination bundled haphazardly in an e-book by an unknown author…me.

Much like our own lives, this is a feel-good thriller. We never know what each day will bring so we live with abandonment, spending what precious time we have laughing, crying, loving, and sometimes hurting.

Many of my personal experiences and connections grace the pages of Everything’s Not Bigger, instilling an organic touch only real life can exude.

I feel vulnerable releasing this particular story, because truthfully, much of it is my own. But alas, it is also fiction, and there are embellishments for entertainment purposes.

I’d like to thank all of you out there who have supported and encouraged me…my family, my friends, my blogger buddies. Your necessary beauty helps me continue to put my fingers to the keyboard, to tell what I have to tell in my kooky little way.

If you happen to take a chance on me and read this humble book, I would be greatly appreciative of an honest review at your avenue of purchase so that I can continue making a name for myself as one of a zillion indie authors doing the same thing.

Really…it would mean the world to me.

THANK YOU for supporting the indie author movement.

Discover Everything’s Not Bigger on Amazon and Smashwords for $4.99.

A Seasonal Perspective

Fall…is there anything more enchanting? The colors and scents are a charismatic feast for the senses, captivating every age with equal magnitude.

I never had seasons growing up, I had perfect Southern California weather. I know what you’re thinking. Oh, poor Britt! That must have been unbearable.

Honestly, in many ways…without seasons I missed out.

I didn’t get to crash into a pile of leaves, fashion snow angels, or smell flowers come back to life. My wardrobe was the same year-round–no fun boots, coats, or other toasty accessories.

Profoundly in tune with the seasons, our bodies are cyclical. Even if the climate reflects idyllic conditions in the form of sunshine and clear skies, the absence of seasons can be strangely unsettling. Year after year, the comfort of the holidays is muted and the excitement for summer is ho-hum.

Post-Cali I spent seven cranky years in the sweltering heat of Texas. I’m a hot-natured person—big surprise—so boiling temps are definitely not my bag, baby.

Since moving to Wisconsin a few years ago, I have participated in all of the previously mentioned seasonal activities, fulfilling my childish wishes at long last.

Now that the seasons are mine to cherish, I could never live without them. By and large, fall is my favorite and I used my newly discovered infatuation to enhance the setting in Everything’s Not Bigger.

The main character, Jaye Davis, spends her childhood in Arizona and early adulthood in Texas, making her the catalyst for unearthing this overlooked notion, a missing link in her life. Upon traveling to Prague in October, she marvels at the basic nature she has always been denied.

An excerpt from Everything’s Not Bigger…

She halted on the sidewalk to soak in the beautiful tree-lined street. Prague in autumn was a breathtaking sight: striking mothers pushed strollers across gold, leaf-littered sidewalks; fat, daredevil squirrels darted between cars stockpiling nuts for winter; picturesque schoolchildren in plaid uniforms played hopscotch after school.

Every crunchy step she took over the brilliant leaves was a relishing moment. A stealthy breeze lifted the bottom of her coat, sending a tiny chill up her body. Everywhere it smelled like crisp foliage with the slightest hint of cinnamon.

Disrupting the magic, her stomach rudely reminded her of its incessant need for nourishment. Jaye opted to grab a bite at a street vendor, so she could spend the remaining daylight wisely, taking in the magical city at a snail’s pace.

And there at the street vendor, her exquisite autumn fantasy came to a bitter end. The mobile shed housed an impatient college kid, decorated with multiple facial piercings. Jaye investigated the menu bordering the top of the little window, and fidgeted with the strap of her handbag.

Jaye regarded the numbered images skeptically, head moving left to right, then right to left. Each bowl of goulash looked the same as its neighbor, and there were five choices. None looked edible.

After only one day, she felt homesick. Food had been the trigger.

Just as her grandmother and aunt had in their kitchen, Texas had one redeeming quality—the food was to die for. Tex-Mex, barbeque, and spicy brunches were available on every corner of Dallas. Due to deliciously fond memories of her grandmother’s cooking, she hadn’t thought much about Czech cuisine. Now that she discovered this goulash street buffet, Jaye realized her childhood menu was a Tex-Czech fusion—unfairly savory, and unavailable elsewhere.

Customers ignored her as she stood dumbly on the sidewalk. She crept away.

Out of nowhere she saw a godsend—Weasel Wich, a familiar American sandwich chain, its boring facade standing out like a hooker in a fancy museum. Surrounded on all sides by historic architectural gems, the cheesy signage was a little piece of home. She made a beeline for the doors, licking her lips at the thought of mediocre sandwich fare.

I promise this is the last book snippet I will bombard you all with. Thank you for obliging me and sharing your comments and feedback.

Everything’s Not Bigger releases this Saturday the 10th!

RELATED POSTS

Absinthe Trepidation