It's No Huey's List, But It's All I've Got

[noflyingfan]

I've touted the memorization (and subsequent regurgitation) of the names of U.S. states in alphabetical order to distract onesself during takeoff, and someone else (I forget who) recommended learning something about insects.

I'm flying Friday (most likely...plans aren't set in stone, but close) and would like to have something to keep myself occupied during takeoff. I know the states too well now (backwards and forwards, believe it or not). I suppose I could name the capitals too, but that might take too long. I can name all of the U.S. Presidents in order, but not well enough to do it all on takeoff.

What else can we use to distract ourselves during takeoff? I need something other than reading, because it's too easy to let the eyes drift.

[Debbielevis2]

How 'bout the alphabet backwards?

How 'bout U.S. Presidents? Hey, that just came to me, but I think that'd be great!!

If anyone can do it, you can!!! But we may put you in charge of The Master List!!

:anon (not Debbie - she's not bright enough to think of that!)

[noflyingfan]

I can do the presidents, but it would take me probably the whole flight. Plus I can never remember how many there have been, and there's one that always confuses me because he won, then lost, then won again. Grover Cleveland I believe.

[noflyingfan]

Ah, yes, here we are...maybe I do have time to learn all of these. After all, there are only 43 of them...42 if you only count Cleveland once.

1George Washington,

2John Adams,

3Thomas Jefferson,

4James Madison,

5James Monroe,

6John Quincy Adams,

7Andrew Jackson,

8Martin Van Buren,

9William H Harrison,

10John Tyler,

11James K Polk,

12Zachary Taylor,

13Millard Fillmore,

14Franklin Pierce,

15James Buchanan,

16Abraham Lincoln,

17Andrew Johnson,

18Ulysses S Grant,

19Rutherford B Hayes,

20James A Garfield,

21Chester A. Arthur,

22Grover Cleveland,

23Benjamin Harrison,

24Grover Cleveland,

25William McKinley,

26Theodore Roosevelt,

27William H. Taft,

28Woodrow Wilson,

29Warren G. Harding,

30Calvin Coolidge,

31Herbert Hoover,

32Franklin D Roosevelt,

33Harry S. Truman,

34Dwight D Eisenhower,

35John F Kennedy,

36Lyndon B Johnson,

37RichardN. Nixon,

38Gerald R Ford,

39James E Carter,

40RonaldW. Reagan,

41George Herbert W. Bush,

42Bill Clinton,

43 George Walker Bush

[spiffyone]

I just count to 200, but I am a simpleton. The presidents are better. I did that one on a bike ride once, drove myself crazy cause I left one out...turns out it was Clinton, who was president at the time...HELLO.

Crossword puzzles? Those drive me crazy too...enough so that it might take my mind off, uh, things.

You could try to recall all of Shakespears's plays. Or the names of characters in "A Tale of Two Cities," which I just found out my fiance has never read...he thought it was a "chick book!" :wired

I'll keep thinking...hey - maybe we could write a book of puzzles to keep fearful flyers busy...:hamster

[Passenger Mark]

Take a digital camera with you and make some shots to put in the gallery!

It helps me, as I am watching to see what I think might look good on the board.

[noflyingfan]

Unfortunately, I have no digital camera. And my regular camera needs a battery, but I'm too lazy to go get one.

Maybe I'll just try to start a rousing chorus of "Bingo was his name-o."

[xiknal]

Maybe I'll just try to start a rousing chorus of "Bingo was his name-o."

I thought I had forgotten that one forever...and now you have reminded me of it and it will turn into an earworm... :banghead

hmmm...in retaliation:

"Michael Finnegan"
"99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall"
"Helen Had A Steamboat"
"Green Grow the Rushes-O"

:sly

[spleisher]

Henry the 8th.. Oh no, I didn't just do that!!

[xiknal]

grrr...you DID THAT! :nag

Okay...

"I Stuck My Head in a Little Skunk's Hole" :rotflmao

[noflyingfan]

Interesting fact about "99 Bottles Of Beer." If you get on Lakeshore Drive in Chicago from I-55 and drive all the way to the north end, you can just get through all 99 bottles. :drunken

Not that I've tried it. :whistle

[StPeteMark]

"What else can we use to distract ourselves during takeoff? I need something other than reading, because it's too easy to let the eyes drift."

I do just the opposite...I take it all in and it becomes like an exciting ride at the State Fair. The speed, the lift, the noise, the landscape getting smaller, and before you know it, the flight attendant is taking drink orders...Bud Light, please! It was somewhat overwhelming at first, but now each time it gets less fearful. :woohoo

However, if you really need a distraction, just pretend it's a clothing-optional flight and look around and let your imagination take you to cruising altitude. :mg

StPeteMark :)

[JPenny]

StPeteMark--

:eek
So let me get this straight: you don't try to distract yourself during take-off? You totally immerse yourself in the experience like it's an amusement ride?

:dragonslayer
Hey everybody, we may be onto something here! Instead of trying to ignore the fact that we're at death's door, maybe we should be embracing the moment, milking every sensation, every thrill for all it's worth??!!

Anybody want to try it and tell us how it goes???

:bigplane


Jean

[xiknal]

after Captain Ray posted that bit about humming "The Ride of the Valkyries" when he starts his takeoff roll :lol ...the next commercial flight I took, I was humming that to myself.


Takeoff is Sensual! Takeoff Rocks! :kneeslap

It's a rush! all that noise, acceleration, the parting with mother earth and the view as she falls away below us...it is much better than an amusement park ride because it is taking us waaay up there and then to someplace far away where we (hopefully) really want to go!

:woohoo

[noflyingfan]

The "sensuality" of takeoff reminds me of something Kevin Kline's character says in French Kiss. But I can't remember the whole quote, so I won't repeat it; he just mentioned the engines thrusting.

I don't know if the amusement park ride thing will work for me. I'm not really a fan of roller coasters or fast and furious rides. Not because I'm scared; I just don't like that feeling.

One thing I did do, however, on my last flight, was think of my flight as an Omnimax movie. I saw one about helicopters last year, and they do a lot of those outdoor shots where to watch it, it sort of feels like you're flying. That helicopter movie actually really helped me with this whole FOF thing.

Just a side note here: I practiced last night trying to list all of the presidents, and I got 1-12 right, and 20-43. Just before and just after Lincoln stumped me, but I did considerably well, I think.