Hey dad! I’m stuck on an airplane for a few hours. Want to have a catch?

Absolutely!

What are your views on planes?

You know how it goes… I get drugged up on highest allowable dosage of Dramamine and then spend most of the flight in a daze while I white knuckle the armrest because air travel stresses me alllllll the way out. Do you enjoy the airtravel and airplane experience?

I personally do, but it’s always my favorite on the way to a vacation, rather than coming back. The concept of flying is cool, though, being thousands and thousands of feet up in the air in this little tube… insane. What do you like to do on flights? You know, to pass the time?

Yeah, I think that’s part of what freaks me out. I’m never not aware of the fact that I’m hurtling through the air at 35,000 feet at hundreds of miles an hour and the only things keeping me safe are aerodynamics, the pilot’s training, and my thin ass seatbelt. It’s nerve-wracking when you really think about what all of that actually is. But to answer to your question, I like to either sleep on a plane or listen to a podcast or audiobook. But once we’ve started our descent, I like putting on some Beastie Boys music. It makes all the turbulence… fun? What do you like to do to pass the time?

I like to watch whatever free movies the airline has on tap, or maybe pay for the wifi if it’s a long flight. Turbulence, in my opinion, and I know this is probably a scorching hot take, is kinda fun. Obviously, I don’t want want to hit any pockets, but as an adrenaline junkie, as long as it’s safe, turbulence isn’t so bad. I guess that’s where me and you really differ about flying. But to get back on track, sometimes I like to read, or maybe sleep if it’s late or early enough. But on this flight from Hawaii to Las Vegas for my layover, I was sitting next to my 6 year old cousin, so most of my flight was helping her out and keeping her safe.

Your cousins are really lucky to have you there. The thing that gets me about turbulence (and this is true of all air travel) is that it’s generally really, really safe. Once it’s in the air, airplanes want to stay in the air, both physically and mechanically. Turbulence triggers that irrational part of our brains where panic and anxiety reside. It’s one of those “I know I’m safe but I just want this all to stop” propositions. Are you watching anything on the plane today?

I am! I rewatched Barbie but that’s not too much to talk about. However, on the way to Hawaii, I watched Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, which is now one of my favorite movies.

Tell me about Priscilla. What did you enjoy about it?

I loved so so much about it. Just the general way it was done and shot. …so pretty. The aesthetics and vibes were also perfect, along with the acting. I like how this movie differentiated from the movie Elvis. This movie showed more of Priscilla Presley’s point of view; the abuse and such. Meanwhile Elvis showed more of the happy stuff. The difference between these two movies was best captured in how both movies captured their wedding ceremony. Have you seen it?

I love Sofia Coppola and her movies, but haven’t seen that yet. I also use flights as a time to catch up on movies I haven’t seen before. Maybe I’ll watch it on our upcoming flight, which I’m already getting nervous about. Okay Chloe, I need to get back to it. Thanks for having a catch. Have a good flight and see you tonight. Love you.

Love you, too. See you soon!