In January, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines launched a new experiment in social networking that has the media all-a-twitter.

Now, when you check-in for your flight and want to choose the seat in which to sit, their self-service kiosks and on-line check-in functions introduce passengers to “Meet & Seat” featuring a map of the entire airplane, available seats to choose from and a little something extra: the seats that are occupied appear with various social networking logos, like Facebook, Linked-In or My Space.  When you select these icons, a small electronic “dossier” appears on the screen, including the passenger’s name and picture, and a description of the individual, including hobbies, likes and dislikes, etc.  The information is farmed from these social networks (at the individual’s authorization, of course) and allows the passenger who is looking to choose a seat to see who’s next to them and decide if they want to sit next to them based on that information.

It’s an interesting social experiment that was implemented by Malaysia Airlines last year with very little fanfare, and now KLM is looking to mimic this method of customer check-ins.  The reaction of people being introduced to this method of choosing a seat on a flight has been mostly positive, although some find the feature a little disturbing. “If I was traveling with my kids/teens or traveling on my own” says  KLM passenger Nora Byrne on the airline’s Facebook page, “all I think of is the creeps that would use this to stalk. I would hope they remind passengers each time to opt out if they don’t want to be stalked on a flight.”[1]

The airline insists that privacy is protected and that passengers must “Opt-In” to participate.  The system is also innovative, allowing passengers to completely control what information gets shared.  Passengers can modify their information between 90 days to 48 hours prior to the flight.  The system will also e-mail participants when new passengers on their flight have also opted-in to the program, and registered users can return to KLM’s website to view these additional passengers via their “Manage My Booking” link.

The “Meet and Seat” service is currently limited to flights between Amsterdam and New York, San Francisco and Sao Paulo, Brazil.  For additional information, refer to KLM’s web page on the service at http://bit.ly/y0WrmK

Happy networking at 30,000 feet…”Like”!

[1] Forbes, Tech Section, “Will KLM’s Plane-Based Social Networking Fly With Travelers?” – Feb. 29, 2012, Kashmir Hill, http://onforb.es/AE8gys

It’s beginning to look a lot like…wait!  Stop!  Not yet! It CAN’T be that time of year already…

That’s what you try to tell yourself as the hair on the nape of your neck starts to rise.  That knot in the pit of your stomach starts churning and you’re already wishing it was January 2^nd!

Anyone who has had the “pleasure” of traveling during the holidays can empathize with those feelings.  But with a little preparation and education, not only can it be survivable, but you can actually save a few years on your life with the reduction of stress that you will feel if you are properly equipped with the right knowledge

So let’s start with the basics:

Buying Your Ticket

If you haven’t purchased your airline tickets by now, the pickin’s are getting pretty sparse.  With the tremendous increases in jet fuel over the past 13 months, and the lack of a bounce back for most people in this economy, the airlines have been doing all they can to reduce their losses by tightening up available seats, especially domestically in the U.S.

All is not in vain, however.  There are many sources one can utilize to find last minute deals and teaser fares put out by various airlines.  If you are reading this blog/article, you are probably tech-savvy enough to use these tools to getting a great deal on airfares.  Two places that come to mind rather quickly are through Twitter and Facebook.  All the major airlines in the US and abroad have active Twitter streams and “breaking news” about these special deals are usually “tweeted.”  Check out @JetBlueCheeps and @BoardingArea, among others.  If you are on Facebook, make sure to look up the major airlines and “like” their pages to get notifications on special air fare sales.

If you are particular about where to sit on the plane, you should be familiar with how seats are laid-out and numbered on your particular flight(s) and in the cabin of choice you book.  SeatGuru.com is an excellent resource to reference when booking your travel.

Keep in mind that although you have a confirmed seat, your seat assignment is not always guaranteed.  There are a few factors that may affect your seat assignment, such as cancellations, or more frequently aircraft configuration substitutions.  The gate agents will do their best to accommodate you, but be advised that their ability to match what you originally booked may be quite impossible.  If you are travelling with a group or family and this happens to you, it may be a little more difficult to accommodate, so ask the crew onboard for assistance if the agents are unable to help.  Many crew members will do their best to help get this squared away, but again, be patient and let them do their jobs.

Also, remember that every airline has a “zero-hour” timeline (check with your specific carrier) and checking in for your flight after that deadline can result in your seat assignment being forfeited…and if you are running really late, you may end up losing your confirmation on that flight altogether, which means going “stand-by” on the next available flight (next “available” doesn’t always mean the next flight – it could literally mean the next flight(s) that have seats available to accommodate you on.  Also, keep in mind that the airlines have a ranking system for stand-bys which place those needing accommodation on the list based on price paid for the ticket, mileage status, etc.  It is rarely “first come-first served.”

Arriving at the Airport

Airports during the holidays are usually chaotic at best.  The better prepared you are before getting to the airport the smoother things will go for you.

I will make one disclaimer here:  The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has the right to search any bag and conduct a personal pat-down search of any passenger wanting to gain entry into the secured zones of the airport, regardless of mileage status or job title.  Even crew members are subject to this rule.  However, the TSA has begun to make a few significant changes to make things easier for most travelers.

First off, they have relaxed the rules for children 12 and under with regards to security screening.  Kids can now go through the scanners without the need to remove their shoes.[1]  13 and older will still be required to remove their shoes before going through the scanners, for now.   TSA is currently testing equipment that will automatically scan shoes as a passenger passes through the scanners, but those are not ready for use during this year’s holiday madness.  The TSA does provide an excellent resource regarding the screening process at the airport with kids, including instructional videos and links to other important and pertinent information you may find helpful (you’ll find the reference for the site at the bottom of this article.[2]

If you are bringing a jacket with you, including suit coats, windbreakers and sweaters, you will be asked to remove them and place them in a separate container on the scanner belt.  All shoes and boots must be removed and scanned separately as well.  Larger metal jewelry and belt buckles tend to set off the alarms; be proactive while you are in line and remove these items from your person in advance so you are ready to go when you approach the belt.  It will help move things along much quicker and the folks behind you will appreciate your consideration too!

Remember that TSA still limits liquids, aerosols and gels to 3 oz. travel containers, and the entire amount of these items must fit in a single QUART-sized Ziploc™ container.  Partially filled containers of a larger size (more than 3 fl.oz.) are not allowed and WILL be confiscated by the TSA at the checkpoint.  So refrain from bringing your $200/bottle perfume that you’ve had for years in that 4.5 oz. bottle!  They WILL take it!

ALL laptop computers and large electronic devices are subject to special screening and must be scanned separately from all other carry-ons.  Laptops contained in those handy neoprene slipcovers may be left in them, so long as there are no other items (like papers, writing utensils or power cords) contained in them at the same time.  If you DO put other items in those pouches, remove them prior to placing it through the scanners.

Travelers with pace makers, artificial limbs, and internal metal medical devices (metal plates, joint replacements, etc.) should notify a TSA agent prior to entering the scanner.  They can usually take you to a side area and conduct a special screening for your case.

For those of you who virtually LIVE on an airplane, the TSA has implemented its “Trusted Traveler” program, in cooperation with Customs and Border Protection (known formally as “TSA Pre-Check”).[3]  Currently, only American and Delta Airlines are part of the pilot program, however, anyone can apply for the program by simply filling out the application at the Global Entry website[4] and pay the non-refundable $100 fee (this covers the extensive background check and interview each applicant is required to go through).  There was no current information regarding turnaround time for acceptance in this program, but successful applicants are allowed expedited access through security checkpoints, and are allowed to keep shoes and light jackets and sweaters on, keep belts on, go through a fast-track security line, and are able to keep their “3-1-1” compliant liquids and gels inside their carry-on bags when they are screened at the checkpoints.

No matter which airline you fly on in the USA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently limited ALL passengers to ONE (1) piece of luggage, and ONE (1) personal item, including a purse or briefcase – that’s only TWO items, not three as used to be the case.  The airlines are required by FAA to monitor this and can, at any time, require you to check your bag(s) to your final destination.  Most airlines are now charging to check bags ahead of time (some will give you a discount on this fee if you do it online prior to coming to the airport).  Also, check into the airlines’ frequent flier programs as many will allow you one free checked bag with either their mileage program or by applying for and getting their frequent flier credit card.

Checking Luggage

Most people dread the thought of checking their luggage with the airlines for fear it will be lost, misdirected, ransacked or damaged in the process.  While these things do happen on occasion, the airlines have actually made great improvements and strides to keep your luggage with you at every step of your journey.  Many of the major airlines now have your luggage scanned at every leg of the process with specialized barcodes on each bag that are tied directly to your ticket and can be traced quite efficiently.

When and if it does happen that your bag doesn’t arrive at your destination, it is important that you have the right information to give the airlines to help locate that stray bag.

One of the simplest things you can do is to have your name, address and contact phone number attached to the bag outside, and a duplicate of the information located in a prominently placed location inside the bag.  I would also suggest placing a copy of your travel itinerary inside your bag along with your personal contact information.  That way if your bag ends up in Portland, Oregon instead of Portland, Maine, the baggage agents can get your belongings to you that much quicker.

You might want to consider a luggage concierge service to handle the bags for you.  These services have special rates with companies like FedEx and UPS to get your bags to you.  If you are going to pay a fee for your bags anyhow, why not try one of these door-to-door services instead?  One example is LuggageForward.com.  You can track your bags via their website for free and you will know exactly where it is and when it will be delivered.[5]

On the Plane

Everybody is in a rush to get where they are going with the least amount of angst or delay.  Civility is rare to find under these circumstances and people’s tempers can be ‘hair-triggers’ these days.  Most airlines offer pre-boarding as a courtesy to its disabled and/or frail passengers.  Not every airline, however, offers pre-boarding for families with small children.  Check with your carrier for their specific policy.

The overhead bin space is SHARED with every other passenger on the plane.  There is no imaginary boundary line where your bag HAS to go in the bin directly above your seat or across the aisle from your row.  Most airlines will not allow economy passengers to stow bags in business or first class overhead bins unless all passengers in those premium cabins have been accommodated.  Crew members have been known to remove bags that are stowed in these cabins by ‘entitled’ passengers who stow their bags over the first row they come to, and then proceed to the aft section of the plane.  Don’t risk it…stow those bags at or near your seating area when boarding.

Not all aircraft have closet space.  Many airlines have either removed them from the cabins OR they have down-graded the equipment to regional jets that don’t have these amenities.  If you are insistent on bringing your large guitar case aboard, don’t be surprised if the airline has no extra room for it and requests that you gate check the item.  And as a courtesy to the crew, don’t assume that they can make accommodations for that large item, even if they do have closet space.  During the holidays, odd-sized items will fill these spaces quickly, and alternatives will be required if you board later in the process.

This may sound elementary, but think about WHAT you need from your carry-on bag and remove it before getting on the plane.  One of the most aggravating delays during boarding is a passenger who insists on getting into the aisle and reaching up for an item out of their stowed bags while other passengers are still trying to board.  It holds up the entire process and may delay your flight if multiple people begin to mimic your actions.

Another pointer I wish to disseminate is this: if you think you need to use the lavatory facilities when you get on the plane, better to use the restrooms in the terminal prior to boarding.  Trying to use lavatories during the boarding process, especially on a single-aisle aircraft or a regional jet can prove tricky and can cause undue delays during the boarding process.

Unless you are traveling in a premium cabin, most U.S. carriers no longer supply blankets, pillows or headphones.  Make sure that if you need these items while traveling that you pack them in your carry-ons.  Mothers, make sure you bring extra items for your children, including formula, baby food, snacks and diapers.  Most airlines use standard mini-stereo jacks for their in-flight entertainment systems.  Check with your carrier for further information.

Also keep in mind that most carriers don’t provide meals or snacks for free.  Depending on the length of your flight, there may only be a beverage service available.  If there is some snack or food service, most carriers now charge for these items in economy class and usually cash is no longer accepted.  Most will accept all major credit and debit cards for purchases.  Inquire in advance, or remember to make a food/beverage purchase in the airport prior to boarding.

********************

Those are just some quick tips for getting you underway with the least amount of headaches.  Follow these guidelines, and your trip will be easier and more relaxed.  If you have any tips, tricks or suggestions that you might add to these, feel free to share them!

Safe and happy travels!

[1] Chicago Tribune, Home—Airport Security Section, “TSA Gives Children a Break at Airport Security,” October 10, 2011, Jon Hilkevitch, http://bit.ly/udlPzi

[2] TSA.gov, For Travelers Section, “Traveling with Kids,” http://1.usa.gov/sGwnwg

[3] CNN.com, CNN Travel, “Program could shorten wait at airport security checkpoints,” CNN Wire Staff, October 4, 2011: http://bit.ly/rNUdoa

[4] GlobalEntry.gov, Trusted Traveler Network, http://bit.ly/sYeQMc

[5] See LuggageForward.com, http://bit.ly/u6cmOu.

WOW!

It’s crazy to read, I’m sure and somewhat silly to say here, but…WOW!  Let me tell you why…

First of all, apologies are in order.  I have been so negligent in blogging.  I have no acceptable excuse…I need to blog but I’ve either found other things to fill my time, picked up extra trips to work, or else I’ve just been plain lazy and that’s just not acceptable for a writer.  So to those who’ve been loyal readers, I reaffirm my resolve to be a better blogger.

Secondly, as if my life hasn’t been crazy enough, my world is changing before me.  Yesterday two amazing things happened.  To begin with, my employer announced a huge bombshell (although it was expected to happen for weeks): United Airlines is merging with Continental Airlines, creating the world’s largest air carrier.  It’s a daunting event, to be sure, but there is so much unknown, but excitement in all this that it’s tough to comprehend at the moment.

As it stands, the United Airlines name remains, but the Continental livery and branding will remain…a fitting tribute to a fantastic legacy airline.

In light of the events of the past 48 hours, I felt a strong urge to begin a support page for the employees of both airlines.  If you aren’t an employee of an airline, it’s really difficult to convey the feeling of family that employees feel towards their airline.  And history has a long legacy of airlines that have disappeared, fallen by the wayside, faded into memory.  It’s a painful thing to remember Pan American, Trans World, Piedmont, Eastern, Western, National and countless others.  But the casualties (the loyal employees and their families) are scattered to all four corners of the globe.

The Future of United Airlines

So I started a support group page to help employees from both carriers to be able to meet each other, express how they feel and try to cultivate a new family culture at the new combined airline.  For so long, I have been surrounded by great people who felt they were in a fog about their future.  The sacrifices they have made, financially and in the quality of their lives, have weighed heavily on all of us and we have all been demonized by our leaders, our passengers and the media.

Within 24 hours, almost 3,000 people on Facebook found and embraced the site.  At the time I am publishing this, there are over 4,370 people are now members, most of them employees of both carriers and the response they have expressed has been nothing less than fantastic!  To that end, I wish to share with you the letter I posted this morning, and some of the responses I have gotten from the general membership.

Letter to the Members of the United / Continental Solidarity & Support Team

Dear Group Members,

Congratulations!

In less than 30 hours since it’s inception, the United / Continental Solidarity and Support Team Group page has grown to OVER 3,500 members! WOW!

When I contemplated creating this page, I truly didn’t know what kind of response I would see here. Airline mergers, historically, have been ugly, messy and usually ended up with many casualties, most of them Front Line employees.

When I decided to create this page, I hoped that people would see the value in putting aside our fears, prejudices and concentrate on a spirit of unity, friendship and harmony. It looks like that idea is taking hold.

Both Continental and United have great people, great strengths, and great ideas. We all know that neither are perfect, thus there are things at each company we all hope to see “go away.” WE have the power to do that!

I don’t wish to come off as Pollyanna-ish with regards to our combined futures. There will be compromises that will need to be made; further sacrifices will be required of both sides. I hope that THIS place will be a haven for us all as we begin the daunting task of integration.

We will have our differences — we are human beings, after all, and as such, our primal senses shy away from change. We are all faced with these changes — the unknown can be scary, but fear leads to mistrust, doubt and anger. Let’s not let it get to us. As a combined force, we have the power to make these changes with dignity, professionalism and we can truly become the world’s BEST airlines…not just the biggest.

Again, thank you for your encouragement, your welcome attitudes and your extended friendship.

Let’s Fly (and Work) Together!

Cheers!

Excerpts from Responses of Members

• “You did a very good thing. It is exactly what was needed by all of us. I am a Continental employee heading into 25 years.  I agree with you that most are ugly, however, I think this one will be quite different.  Both airlines have been through so much in their past histories that everybody was on edge. I look forward to working you all myself…”  Kelly C., Continental Employee
  

• “…thank you for doing this! I haven’t been so optimistic about our company in I don’t know how long, well, actually never. lol. This page has been the best thing that’s happened to us in a long time… at least for UAL.  Hopefully Continental feels the same way…” Michael M., United Employee

• “THANK YOU SO MUCH for creating the Group! …We will ROCK!! Remember that there is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendship…” Omar A., United Employee

• “Continental has gone through some ugly mergers. Even after 27 years, I just had an “old TI” (Texas International) flight attendant give me crap about being “Old CAL.”…I do not want this mentality to fester again, especially if I want to spend the end of my flying career back home in Chicago…” Rikki R., Continental Employee

• “…we fear things that we don’t know well, and sometimes we sabotage ourselves in believing the worst in things.  I think this is a positive change, at the right time place and with the right partner, after all we were cut from the same tree and we are finally together once again.  I encurrage both sides to see this as a good thing, true, casualties are posible, and we know that, let’s just hope there are not that much, so we can have a better future with the greatest, biggest, most prestigious Airline in the world…” Amilcar F., Continental Employee

• “Thanks for putting this together. I retired from UA after 40 years in ’08. What I miss most is the camaraderie with my flying partners.  FA’s from both companies can & will make a difference! Good luck to all of you! I miss all of you & I’m so proud of you!” Kitty C., Retired United Employee

• “YOU couldn’t have stated my thoughts and feelings more perfectly!!  Being a CAL F/A has been the BEST part of my Career in this Industry, but now it’s time to grow, expand, change and look forward to meeting my new brothers and sisters at UAL.  I am coming over with a fresh perspective and positive attitude that I bring with me from CAL and myself! I can truly say I am excited to start my new adventure! While I am sad to leave my past at CAL behind but, I know I will carry forth the BEST to UAL!  CAL WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND SOUL BUT UNITED is now our future and one just needs to look up the definition of the word “UNITED”! )) in spirit!” Suzie D., Continental Employee

• “As a Southwest flight attendant it really impresses and touches me to see you guys doing this! This is also how we live as an employee group and the values we share at Southwest. I am very glad to see you guys making the most of a stressful situation. You guys should really commend yourselves on this! I wish all of you the best of luck!”  Chris K., SOUTHWEST Employee

I hope these are helpful and inspirational to all those affected by this new era.

Read More…

This blogging phenomenon is pretty damn cool!

Just give people a forum to express themselves and you’ll find that there is a whole new world of…well, for lack of a better word, entertainment out there. And I don’t use the word to belittle or besmirch (hehe—THERE’S a $3 word for ya!) those that take the time out of their day to put thought to the virtual page. In a way, it sort of validates who we are as an individual and I’m finding it so very liberating.

Of course, there is a lot of pure rubbish out there too. Some people are truly out of their minds with the stuff they fill the internet with. Cyber-trash. I suppose it’s no different than surfing the almost 200+ channels of satellite television just to return to the same 5 or 6 channels that I used to watch when I only had 20 or 30 to choose from in the first place. I’m sure it’s very easy to get caught up in it all too.

When I was first made aware of MySpace, I thought “Wow! That is such a cool idea!” A place where I can literally make my own site, fill it with all kinds of decorations and goodies and things, but mostly just junk! I made some new friends there, I learned about old friends there and I reconnected with people I hadn’t even THOUGHT about in years—maybe even decades—there.

Then people started talking about Facebook. It was a more simplistic device; it had a more intuitive ability to connect the people, places, events and hobbies together, but in a form characteristic of CNN’s Headline News rather than The Situation Room. And jumping into the fray, I too, connected with more people, my family, my long-ago friends, my newly-met friends and people with similar interests.

Somewhere in the past year, though, it has evolved into something a little more like banner ads and pop-ups on the web, rather than real information I cared about. Who gives a rat’s ass that Susie planted a new virtual flower in her new virtual flowerpot in “Gardenville” or that Rickie became a level 59 vampire in the continuing saga of “Sucker Wars!” I mean, come on people!

That’s not to say that I am not guilty—I am, but I have become ever sorrier that I am these days. I still use the old Facebook (I even advertise my blog on it, to the chagrin of probably everybody I know there, but whaddyagonnadooo?

Don’t really know why Twitter is gangbusters at the moment. To me it is a twisted combination of cell phone texting and the old “ticker-tape” stock quotation machines…and everybody is just keeping close tabs on Ashton Kutcher’s every move…like he’d have any idea who any of the over one million Twits he boasts are following his every move, hanging on his every word. As my friend Michele would say: Really? (Insert a huge dose of sarcasm to that “Really” and you’d know what I am talking about!)

I’m not sure I am smart enough to answer that question to any degree of accuracy or expertise. But I think that we, as a society, may be evolving into a new species. Technology has forever altered not only what we say and when we say it, but also how we express it, where it gets heard…and interestingly, we have no idea who is “hearing us.”

Some of us place our hearts on our sleeves and expose our inner selves for the entirety of humanity to ingest, unaware of any unintended consequences that might result of it. Others have really nothing at all to say—they just want to be heard and will say anything to accomplish it. Still others try to educate; to contribute to the ever-expanding human consciousness and knowledge of pretty much every subject imaginable. It boggles the mind because it truly is the absolute definition of the human species—to create and be creative.

Imagine what our lives would be like if no one imagined anything new…!

So why do I blog? It’s a pretty basic premise for me. This is where people will truly learn who I am. While I may post moronic, sophomoric rubbish from time to time—that’s me (I get this from my family—if you ONLY knew!)—this is where I can create, dream, relish, long, hope, cherish, despise, abhor, admonish—this is where I can be real, and therefore validated.

I blog…therefore, I think I might just really be!

Recently, a person whom I deleted from my Facebook “Friends List” almost six months ago contacted me with a request to add them back as a friend. Along with the add request, they added a small note, asking if I had deleted them and whether or not they offended me. If so, they said “sorry.”

I am not a person who holds grudges or stews over incidents which could be perceived as being offensive. I really don’t have time for that kind of drama in my life and I usually just move on.

This person and I were very close when we were younger, but as we have become adults and have grown into our own opinions and belief systems, our paths have become somewhat skewed in opposite directions, thus our differences have really divided us for the past several years.

As an American, I am grateful to live in a country where our speech and personal expressions are protected from persecution and retribution…but unlike many Americans, I understand that that freedom is strictly limited to actions taken against me by the government. It does not include how I might be treated by other individuals when I exercise that right. In other words, though I may have the right to express my opinions, beliefs or values, it isn’t necessarily a good thing to do so at all times or at any cost.

This is the dilemma I face with this individual. While they were my friend on Facebook, they used that platform for expressing their beliefs and opinions, many of which were not only insensitive to me personally, but were downright “in your face” about those subjects. And it isn’t as if I have ignored them in the past about this issue. I have had many conversations IN PERSON about their insensitivity and the brash way in which they convey their personal values and belief structure. Unfortunately, it appears that those concerns have fallen on deaf ears, thus at some point, I could no longer tolerate it and deleted them from my Facebook friends.

I find myself often wondering why people become so polarized in their way of life. It fascinates me that despite the differences between individuals, groups, nations, races, religions, etc., we have no way of finding the commonalities between us – the common good or the common intelligence or the common humanity and use that platform to form the bonds we need to live harmoniously. For some unknown reason, we would rather be against those who are different from us than try to reach that compromise. For many, it’s “my way or the highway.”

What is baffling to me is that there seems to be an underlying belief among those who choose not to find common ground with those they are diametrically opposed to that, were they to even consider entertaining the idea of finding that common ground, they are somehow compromising their own standards or beliefs. Even more frightening to me is the unspoken opinion that allowing compromise would somehow convince them to change, thus causing them to feel they betrayed their own lives and those around them. So out of fear, they would rather expend the energy to defame, put down, berate or even destroy the ones they have such a dilemma with.

In an era of change, while we find such diversity, variety and a mixture of cultures, races, creeds and communities, I have also seen the underlying ground swell of intolerance, hatred and narrow-mindedness that history has shown to cause true chaos in the world. I fear that we’ve only begun to see the “tip of the iceberg” in this regard and I can only hope that somehow, we as a race can find a way to evolve past it.

To my friend who asked if they had offended me, the true answer is no. But I cannot allow such expressions of intolerance, bigotry, prejudice and fanatical dogma to be a part of my life. Find a way to look past our differences, find a way to embrace our commonalities, find a way to live your differences without having to broadcast them with such blind conviction and disregard for those who you find different…then approach me again. If you truly wish our friendship to develop and grow, you will ask me again. To this end, I hope it will become a reality.