This week’s song has me spinning around. Plus, the name of this newsletter is inspired by my 2018 Reader’s Survey. Please fill it out and let me know who you are, how I’m doing and if you’d like to pitch in to keep the lights on over here.
I am borderline obsessed with airports
Many of you know me as someone who is obsessed with passenger rail and rail operations period. However, to be honest, as much as I want Amtrak to get its stuff together and for more options like Brightline to come online, and the fact that my main set of professional photographs is sitting in a literal train station (that came back from its own death), I am actually a spotter.
A spotter is a lover of airplanes. I’m not sure if that extends to the airport and the flying experience, but for some reason, I still like flying.
It might be because I’m only five feet four inches tall. It might be because I got to fly first class on my return flight from Los Angeles, which on Alaska Airlines meant both of my bags flew free, I got to hang out and eat and drink in the airline lounge and I got to watch movies for free. Oh and just before our red-eye landed, I got a smoothie shot.
Even when I have to book my own travel and fly like a normal person, I pick airlines like Southwest that despite their abolishment of peanuts, make the experience a good one for everyone on board.
Then it comes down to the airport experience. My perfect mix is an airport that offers ample pre and post-security options. Right now, the only one I know of that does that well, besides maybe Sea-Tac and Denver is Atlanta. I know Atlanta’s a bear to get in and out of, especially when you have to switch flights. However, for options between airlines and even Delta’s connections, you can’t really beat it. Plus, your friends and family can hang out with you at one of five restaurants or in a nice sunny atrium. Pre-Check feels like Pre-Check and the regular lines are bigger, just like the Delta carousels. I do wish all the other ticketing areas were more spacious, but baggage feels just as good.
Oh and finally, all the terminals are connected post-security. It doesn’t feel like jail (Yes, MCI, I’m talking about you).
I remember how afraid I was to fly on my first flight, at the age of 20, to a summer program not unlike what I did with my Maynard 200 cohort, but for pre-law students of color at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. I remember that the flight was only 30 minutes, longer than it took us to drive from Greensboro to Charlotte so I could board the flight. My parents got permission to go back with me to the gate since it was my first time.
On the plane, I strapped in my toy Big Bird and one of my program-mates, who’d just made a flight connection, gave me a hard time about it. He was also cute and somehow the bird eroded some of my chances for other connections.
I also remember being scared that my ears would fall off and it would feel like a roller coaster. None of that happened on this flight and while it’s happened (the roller coaster part, I still have ears), nearly 100 flights later, I feel like a pro. Still, being booked in first class because of one, flight delays and two the fact that I was working with someone who could make that happen was priceless.
And this, my friends, is why I’m a spotter.
Also, as I wrote this to go out via Mailchimp, I heard about the other Alaska Airlines incident. As someone who struggles with their head sometimes (but has not considered that option), here’s a comprehensive list of places you can call if you feel like using a plane the way that person did.
More on why I was flying, my recommendations and other things going on with me as you scroll further.
My Life as a Professional Urbanist
While all of my recent time on the road wasn’t for business, much of it was. I really can’t thank the staff at the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education enough for making me one of the first entrepreneurs in their Maynard 200 cohort of media managers, makers, and entrepreneurs.
As I’ve mentioned already, I’ve wanted to so much more with this platform, but I’ve needed support. While I’ve figured out how to make a website, post on social media and travel over the years, I often get worn down and then I get depressed and then no writing or podcasting or anything is done.
Plus, I am starting a new part-time job, that in addition to my paid travel, will take up a lot of time. And doing my Maynard 200 coursework so that I can be proficient and ready to take advantage of the opportunities that I’ll have when we return to Los Angeles in December.
Speaking of Los Angeles, thanks to the Ahmanson family for having me at their sympoisum on the future of the American Dream last week. I look forward to seeing video from that and presenting to all a version of my remarks there at a future event.
Like this year’s YIMBYTown or the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Leadership Conference.
Also, for the first time in four years, I’m doing a readers survey! Tell me who you are and what you’d like to see on the site.
Personal Urbanism, Shoutouts, and Recommendations
One of the first things I complained about when I moved to Kansas City was the sheer lack of food. Now mind you, we sat in one of the nation’s historic stockyards. It’s also called the Heartland, partly because it’s the middle (or the heart) of the country and we sit in the nation’s breadbasket.
What I came to realize that what I was missing in the early days was comfort food. Comfort food up to that point meant Biscuitville, Cookout, Harbor Inn, Mayflower, Grey’s Tavern, Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, SnackBar (RIP), CharGrill, Beyu Cafe, Cafe Europa.
What I had yet to learn was that there’s a Cafe Europa in KC too, along with Joe’s Kansas City, Winsteads, Bob Wasabi, CharBar, The Filling Station, Ruby Jean’s Juicery, Pork and Pickle, Chez Elle’s, Affaire, Tom’s Town, The Rieger, Christopher Elbow, Waldo Pizza, Eggtc., China Feast, and the Costco food counter.
The other thing I had yet to learn is that what makes comfort food and comfort meals so comforting, is the people that surround them. And as I read out both of those lists, I think of moments in which many of those meals were shared with friends and family. Memories were made over and over again. Or, simply, it’s a solo date, where the tastes swirl in your belly and make you content in your own body, a self-care ritual, a simple joy.
Also, this is going to make this newsletter Goopesque, but I enjoyed flying first class on Alaska. And walking down Pearl Street in Boulder. And staying at the Ace Hotel in Downtown LA, where I got to take a tub bath!
Music-wise, I’m enjoying Jason Mraz’s latest, coming a little late to Leon Bridges latest and can’t wait for more St. Paul and the Broken Bones singles, like the one I linked at the very top. Listen to all my favorite songs of 2018 thus far.
Twitter‘s always the best place to see what links I think are noteworthy and read what I think, but I’m going to keep including the best right here.
One Last Thing
Yes and yes.
That’s all for now. Remember, if you want to get this newsletter in your email, please share your information here:
I will only use this email to send you this email at a maximum of four times a month and a minimum of once a month. New subscribers will get a digital copy of the first edition of my book A Black Urbanist. You can unsubscribe at any time.