Lane Bryant v. TV?

Below is the hot topic link that Lane Bryant's commercial will not air during American Idol....of course this article is quite bias and since when do they NOT show Victoria's Secret commercials.....hmmm in the immortal words of Lassona Williams "I don't know something about this is sketchy"   I don't feel the need to rant and rave...read, research and tell me what you think.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7018489446


http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/lane-bryant-lingerie-ad-ashley-graham-america-idol-apr-28-2010

Pregnant?

...no I am not.  But, if you are and you are plus-sized FINALLY Old Navy has added Plus-Sized Maternity clothing...which are quite cute.  I still don't like the fact that you have to purchase all clothing online and return some online and some in store.  But check out the line at oldnavy.com if you are "in the family way."  That gives us hope doesn't it?  Now you "exceptionally sized" (in Great Adventures' words) can tip us off as to what you did before there were plus sized maternity clothing.  Hee Hee

A Brilliant Idea...Attention Great Adventure and all those who adore Jersey.

....from the time we were very little, those of born close to Jackson, New Jersey we visited Great Adventure.  We stayed all night, and for me the best times was riding the roller coaster Rolling Thunder with my very slim sisters...at that time Micah and Jennifer dragged me along and because I was "big" for my age; I was scared to death at the thought of strapping into one of those carts...but oh was it fun.  We stayed until the park closed and then Micah drove us home.  I remember seeing the wooden signs that said you had to be "this" tall to ride this ride.  I never had an issue with height so I never had to go to the kiddie rides until Ashley was born.  But, then something happened, years ago, probably more then 10 years ago.  I recall my last visit to Great Adventure and me being so excited to ride an old favorite "The Runaway Train" (thanks to Micah I really believed there were crocs in that murky water).  Anyway, I got on the ride and ready to go the machine kept making an unhooking noise, like it couldn't clamp down and move, anyway that happens sometimes and the "ride experts" run like heck to find the problem.  This time the problem was the size of my thighs.  He quickly picked me out of sixty people and told me I would have to lay my legs to the side.  He didn't make a big deal of it, after all the ride must go on after an hour wait time.  I did so, but even in my little mind I knew it was because of me the ride didn't operate right.  I was too fat to ride the way I used to.  I didn't say it then, but I vowed never to put myself in that position again.  So as my brother John excitedly talked about the batman ride and all these new additions, my tradition of going with my sisters and my friends was over.

I asked a girl once in Lane Bryant would she ever use a service like Travelwidth to plan her vacation.  She immediately said, "No" kindly and I went on to myself about why she wouldn't use it and was it a stupid idea.  As I was deciding on the clearance rack, she came over to me with red rimmed eyes and said...
"...maybe I would, you see I went to Great Adventure and I waited 2 hours to ride the Batman ride, I was...excited. Anyway, I got on the ride and the man told me I was too big to ride...so..yes...maybe I would use it, I don't know."  I didn't cry until I left the store, in my Rav, I cried for her, and for the buried memory of me and the Runaway train.  Then of course I began to get militant and say IF THEY AREN'T GOING TO ACCOMODATE ME I'M NOT GOING!  and then I thought how about giving people a choice, to let Amusement parks know...and to keep the power in your hand.

So here is a big message to Great Adventure.  Couldn't you invest a little of the millions you all make to leave a set of six or so seats with the pull down contraption and if it doesn't fit, then a person doesn't have to wait a trillion hours just to be turned away and embarassed?  Even if you could afford two "mock" seats behind a door or curtain to give people dignity...it would be not only a nice jesture but one that saves you from law suits (because your employee said the wrong thing) empowers and broadens your audience.  It is only ....fair, a word we don't hear so often.  It is pro-active and the right thing to do. 

So I say to Micah and Jen if she were here.  Thank you for giving me the confidence to keep riding the rides over and over, no matter how small or large I am.

New Website!

Hey faithful followers!  I am excited to announce the launch of my new website....please, please, please let me know what you think.  Sign on as a regular reader or visit on the wonderful (for some) and dreaded (for others) facebook.  Address and link below.

http://www.travelwidth.com/

Our surgeon general is overweight...

What do you all think of this?  I know I need to catch up with the goods on Mexico, SCUBA, para-sailing, horseback riding, swimming, etc but wow she is in the latest Essence magazine and she is working closely with Michelle Obama and her campaign for the problem of childhood obesity for me it came too late.  But Zumba could be a way, or hip hop dance...no idea.  I just know the Surgeon General has been criticized for her weight yet maintains that you can be healthy at any age and size.  I agree. What say you all?

Okay...Know Before You Go...Puerto Vallarta!

We can do this! Flew Delta they are very accommodating about size you can casually or very loudly, or in a normal voice ask for a belt extender...turns out on ANY flight USA flight you must not sit in an exit row with an extender...most times you are better off not in an exit row as the seats are fixed and can be quite uncomfortable. On my flight on home we were amazingly bumped to first class because Willis was in the first class cabin NICE. Drinks, hot food, belt extender nothing up there is a big deal to me, I would first try to fly Jet Blue because their seats are just comfortable, if that isn't possible before purchasing two coach tickets inquire about first class, if that price is just outlandish ( most are) book on a flight that doesn't have many passengers that way you are not paying for two seats...I say to the airlines how about a seat and 1/2, I think that is fair. Anyway you can always call the airline and at the kiosk before checking bags you can pick another seat that doesn't seem occupied by anyone...its a way to save money. OR you could ask at the gate during boarding "How much will it cost to upgrade to First Class?" It might just be worth it...or just sit uncomfortably for hours, oh another idea book with changing plans in mind this way you get a break from the WAY whack seats that aren't meant for the average person. Your thoughts... Whoa the day when I encounter a disgruntled passenger who believes I am too fat. Would it be fair for me to say "This woman is using a deodorant crystal and doesn't seem to be working I am sick to my stomach." or "This man has been drinking for the past 45 days and I can smell him, move me, or provide me with a lavender spray, or better yet Lemongrass to make my ride doable. It is only fair size, smell...let's not talk about "I wont sit by this man because he is a homosexual or is Jewish. It is the same. So subtle ways to prevent full-figured people from flying. Hmmm how do I take the train to Paris from Kingston?

Know Before You Go!

It would be nice if I could plan my trip around what I know will work. This blog will attempt to do that. If you have anything to add ...places you have been, experiences, warnings and recommendations hit me off. Mexico coming up.