We spent our now traditional sleepless night before getting stuffed into Supershuttle for the dawn ride to JFK for the 8:30 Jet Blue flight, otherwise known as the Hogwarts Express, because everyone who isn’t on the 11;)) flight is on the 8:30. The sun came up over Queens like a crimson King Vidor melodrama. At the gate, we ran into Phyllis Novin, who we ran into last year, same place, same time, and caught each other up on the past year’s events, some happpy, some very sad.
On the plane, we were praying that a total stranger would sit next to us so we could avoid chit chat and get some much needed sleep. The result was even better — our seatmates were none other than Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti. We all had the same up all night schedule, so a big communal nap was called for when we weren’t oohing and aahing over the baby polar bears on Animal Planet. Amanda also lent me a neck pillow which helped me fall asleep in no time.
A word about Jet Blue: although when they fuck up they REALLY FUCK UP they are still so superior to any other airline in terms of leg room, seat comfort and of course 40 channels of satellite TV. They are still my preferred airline no question.
Anyway back to SD, we also chit chatting at the luggage carousel with AdHouse prexy Chris Pitzer who’s got a REALLY BIG SHOW this year (he only exhibits every other year) and First Second’s Gina Gagliano. We made the Hogwarts Express joke about 12 times, and then spotted Scholastic’s David Saylor, the art director of the US editions of Harry Potter, but didn’t get a chance to find out how hilarious our joke really was.
Now we’re at the swanky Omni (view from our room above, although we didn’t catch one of the helicopters gliding by) and can see the madness unfold quite nicely. Our cab driver from the airport was already mentally girding his loins for the madness to come.
The Omni is swell. Free Wifi, some vietnamese coffee, bathrobes. Our cel phone is already abuzz with text messages about secret meetings and plans.
Meanwhile San Diego dreaming is capturing the REAL goings on:
25/07/07 10:18 EMAIL: Overheard in the Hyatt at closing time:
Waitress1: That’s nothing. Come Friday there’ll be 400 of ’em here.
Waitress2: 400?
Waitress1: Just on our side of the bar. Make sure you get their money every round. And be sweet. They’ll tip better.
TRAVEL TIP: A pal of ours took an early flight from NYC to SD that connected in Chicago and said it was empty and cheap AND arrived half an hour early. Something to think about.
How come I never get seated next to Jimmy Palmiotti or Amanda Connors, or both? OH that’s right! All my sins and transgressions, how forgetful of me.
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