Unidentifed nuts (possibly filberts)
SteveShe sat next to me on the short flight from Boston back to Rochester, an impeccably dressed, serious looking business person.
Power all the way. Dark suit, leather bag, expensive watch. Perhaps a very senior executive chasing a deal, catching up with a customer, or otherwise making things happen.
From the moment she sat down she pounded away furiously on her BlackBerry. The BlackBerry is a serious business tool unlike the iPhone or Droid which to her must seem like fancy toys and not real instruments of commerce. As she tapped away rapid fire I thought it may have been the most impressive display of double thumb dexterity I have ever witnessed.
'Ladies and gentlemen, please turn off and stow all portable electronic devices at this time'. It was, mercifully time to go. Good weather and an efficient boarding process would have us on our way right on time.
But just one last email to send out for my new friend. It would only be about 55 minutes of flight time, but still this last message (or three) were still trying to make there way out, racing against the line of other planes waiting for takeoff. 'Ma'am, please turn off your phone now, we are ready for takeoff' admonished the solo flight attendant.
A few minutes into the flight she removed the BlackBerry from her bag, glanced at it for a moment, then returned it to its holding place. Perhaps some separation issues? It is understandable. The BlackBerry is a fantastic device. It allows its owner to quite effectively ignore everything around them in the real world, especially slightly odd seatmates on commuter planes.
I stop myself from my concern for her and return to my reading. I have copies of GQ and Men's Health. Odd choices for sure since I am not particularly fashionable or all that interested in healthy living.
My new friend cracked out the SkyMall catalog. 
After a few minutes, she reached back into her leather power bag and out came a small metallic tin filled with an assortment of nuts; peanuts, cashews, and an unidentified third nut (possibly filberts). The nuts are in such a perfect ratio that they could not have been bought already mixed. For a minute I picture my seatmate at home with three separate containers of nuts, (peanuts, cashews, and unidentified (possibly filberts), carefully filling her fancy tin with just the perfect mix, keeping the proportion just so. I think there is likely some classical music playing and an exotic cat saunters on the counter giving her a look that says, 'So, going away again, are you?'
As she samples a few of the nuts, and peruses the SkyMall catalog (what is she thinking of getting - the inflatable floating chaise lounge for her pool, a set of Rosetta Stone CDs to learn French, maybe an ergonomically correct pet food dish?), I am oddly fascinated. I kind of want to know more. Am I right about the carefully constructed mixed nut preparation? Is there really a condescending cat?
I returned to my reading, a nice mix of informative content ranging from just exactly the type of belt my new summer khakis require and strategies to put more power in my breakfasts. Buying belts is depressing and unless Captain Crunch decides to change his recipe, I think my breakfasts will continue to be underpowered.
Final descent now, and I stow my magazines and glance at my seatmate. SkyMall catalog and mixed nuts nowher in sight, and BlackBerry in hand, at the ready. The instant the wheels hit the ground the device is powered on, a (sadly) familiar 'ding,ding,ding' ensues as all the messages from the last 55 minutes are released from their temporary in-flight purgatory. In less than 30 seconds her bionic thumbs are in action, replying, forwarding, deleting.
In 45 seconds I forget about the carefully assembled tin of nuts, the exotic and dismissive cat, the music, all of it. She is so interested in the little device that she is no longer interesting to me, (not that she cared in the least).
I know we saw more before we became attached to our little devices. We miss a lot in our quest to make sure we never miss anything.
I bet she never realized my belt was all wrong for the khakis I had on.
Reader Comments (17)
I have to confess, I love the SkyMall catalog. I never buy anything but I will admit to writing down items and then finding them cheaper, somewhere else.
What a great post. :) I hope she has good insurance - I sense carpel tunnel in her thumbs in the not too distant future. :)
@Dee - Thanks very much. I have to admit looking through the SkyMall catalog as well! She was definitely a candidate for some serious carpal tunnel I am sure.
OMG- there but for the grace of GOD go I- by the way, I love your belt!
Great post. And I'm not even sure I would recognize a filbert if I saw one.
I wonder if SkyMall sells belts? Or electronic cereal bowls for your Captain Crunch. Nice post. Love that you're showing such a creative side lately.
What a great story. I do see some serious arthritis issues for the bionic lady in her future. I'm guessing she was looking at the FaceTrainer (http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=203277486&c=10625) or the Lip Enhancement Kit (http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102983162&c=10625).
GQ and Men's Health? Getting ready for HRevolution are you?
Loved the moral of the story,... I too have perused the SkyMall Catalog.. Crazy things in that to order, or not... Hope that woman unplugs for a bit.. Really enjoyed that post!
People watching is always fun, but you took it to a whole new level! Great moral to the story and nicely written. :)
Now, back to my Blackberry...
@Debbie - Thanks very much, I know you are way too nice and friendly to act like she did
@Trish - Thanks - I was wondering how this would be received, glad you liked it
@Michael - Excellent, those could be what she was looking for!
@Shennee - Thanks. As I think about it, she was so dialed in to that BlackBerry once it was not available to her she really had nothing. The SkyMall catalog is the default, 'I am on a plane with absolutely no idea how I can pass the time' option
@Jennifer - thanks very much! Now turn off the BlackBerry!
You tell a great story, Steve. It was a way fun read. :-)
@Ben - Thanks my friend!
The real meaning was in the last paragragh and last line! good one
Finely crafted tale by a brilliant wordsmith. Reading your story was just the break I needed in my day. I am ready to get back into the battle. Well done.
i'm fairly sure i know that woman! super story, steve.
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Too funny! We call them hazelnuts out here in Oregon.
Eventhough I had to put my Blackberry down to read this, it was well worth it !! Thanks for the perspective Steve. It's a shame that we feel that the world around us doesn't exist unless it's electronically sent to us. Just spent the last weekend with Boy Scouts in a downpour most of the time and wouldn't have missed it for the world. My Blackberry had to stay in the car so that nature wouldn't ruin it. Best thing that could have happened !!
Great story..I agree with your story..I think you given good topic for discussion. thanks!!
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