Rather than conservative, pressed, navy-colored uniforms, flight attendants used to wear hot pants. Today, they’re dressed in khaki shorts.

Instead of boring, predictable safety announcements, the crew tends to make the delivery of even the most rote information an opportunity for entertainment.

The company’s New York Stock Exchange ID is LUV.

It has famously settled disputes by arm wrestling.

You get the idea: everything at Southwest is done with a sense of humor.

So it’s hardly a surprise that this year’s shareholder meeting was more than a get-together characterized by a CEO monotoning a series of boring statistics.

Instead, the company did some internal talent searching and came up with a headline act for the meeting: flight attendant and rapper David Holmes, who was invited to rap the company’s general accounting principles to an audience of rhythmically challenged but enthusiastic shareholders.

Holmes had already achieved some national notoriety before the shareholder meeting rap, which has become a YouTube sensation. The Wall Street Journal and CNN had both featured Holmes’ cabin announcement raps:

But after successfully delivering the “GAAP Rap” without missing a beat, Holmes might just find himself with some new job offers: this video has had more than 22,000 views since it was uploaded a week ago:

What other company can brag that videos from its shareholder meeting have mass appeal (not to mention a 5-star rating) on YouTube?

Feature photo: theerin

Feature photo: hoodrat

In fact, contributing editor Sarah Menkedick has written a guide about how women can manage machismo while they’re on the road.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t cover situations like this one:

feature photo: daviddesign

Photo: RichieC

US Vice-President Joe Biden, not one known for circumspect speech, has just returned from a trip to Latin America.

The veep, whose trip was a goodwill move intended to pave the way for President Obama’s participation in the Summit of the Americas later this month, attended the Progressive Governance Conference along with the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, and the Prime Ministers of Norway and the UK.

Biden brought his administration’s message of hope and change to the region, noting that the Americas need to work together more closely on the economy, education, and health care, among other common issues.

“[T]he good news,” Biden said in his formal remarks, “is that we’re willing to, and want to collaborate.”

Biden delivered the “bad news” in this punchline:

“The bad news is that you don’t have the last administration to use as an excuse.”

The veep’s remarks- delivered in his closing statement- were received with laughter and applause.

Community Connection:

To learn about other foreign policy initiatives in the Americas, check out this article from our archives.

Hooters to go in Atlantic City.

And they say NYC is the spot to order any kind of take-away you can imagine…

(Photo by Eva Holland)

Behind, Germany’s frozen Obama-Fingers:

Sweet’n’sour sauce, anybody?

(Via Spiegel and the American Presidents Blog)

“…I didn’t realize we were hauling ass.”

Photo taken in Bogota, Colombia on March 1, 2009 by Brian Requarth.

A: When everybody gets home safe.

Yup, it seems that the remarkable story of Flight 1549 is the chance comedians have been waiting for. Jokes about the dramatic Hudson River landing are sprouting up across the internets, and some of ‘em aren’t half bad, either!

Check out this Huffington Post classic, for instance, dubbed:

“The real difference between First Class and Coach.”

Or get a giggle from this clip with Steve Martin, on Letterman last week.

(Betcha didn’t know Martin was on board, did you?)

Sure, I suppose it might seem a little irreverent to some. After all, the Hudson crash could easily have been a very, very different story. But it’s natural to celebrate an event like this any way we know how — laughs included.

And after all, how could a story with a hero named Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III not land a punchline or two? Am I right, or am I right? Zing!

I know, I know.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

There are still hours of nail-biting waiting to come.

But, in the possible (probable?) event of Barack Obama declaring victory in the Presidential election tonight, The Root offers some humorous etiquette tips for black and white folks alike:

Five Things Black People Shouldn’t Do If Obama Wins

Five Things White People Shouldn’t Do If Obama Wins

My favourite? The #1 thing white people shouldn’t do:

1. Don’t personally congratulate all your black friends.

Black people are not a sports team, and Obama did not win the Super Bowl.

Here’s hoping I get the chance to apply these tips tomorrow…

Photo by bobster1985 (Creative Commons)

With all the election chatter about Joe the Plumber and Wasilla, Alaska, I guess the news out of Obama, Japan got lost amidst the white noise.

Yes, there’s a town in Japan called Obama.

And guess who they want you to vote for?

Since at least March, the 32,000 residents of Obama, Japan have been eagerly following the US elections. After Obama’s primary losses in Ohio and Texas, Obamians got together at their local town hall to sing and dance to cheer Obama up.

They’ve since made a video:

The sleepy town has found the US elections to be a big boost for business. Obama burgers and Obama sushi are reported to be big sellers. It’s not just Americans’ economic future that hangs in the balance this election season. Obamians will be glued to the TV for election night returns hoping that their man wins.

Photo: oceandesetoiles (Flickr creative commons)

Think how surprised I was to see this news clip land in my inbox:

Or to learn that voting McCain is kind of like the new drunk driving:

And finally, I never liked those Wassup guys, but even they don’t deserve this fate:

Seen any other funny political ads lately, for either side? Drop a link in the comments!

The Guardian has a quick, ten-point quiz to test your knowledge.

It’s heavier on (pop-)cultural trivia rather than geographical, so geo-buffs beware: your in-depth knowledge of national capitals, Central African rivers or desert ecological zones won’t help you here!

Your humble blogger scored a perfect 10/10, on just the second try…

Photo by pintaa (Creative Commons)

To see the full-size screenshot, plus “Obama’s” trash folder, click over to the Onion, truly America’s Finest News Source.

In Utah’s Garfield County, the sheriff’s office has revealed that they found remnants of a major marijuana operation – apparently shut down by a bear.

“Deputies found food containers ripped apart and strewn all over, along with claw marks and bear prints everywhere,” the AP reports.

“Don’t call him Smoky,” the AP writer added, while the Sheriff declared that if he could find the bear responsible, he’d give him a Deputy’s star.

Careful pinning that one on, Sheriff.

Looking to smoke a bowl or two without interference from bears or sheriffs?

Check out Matador’s list of 7 Amsterdam Coffee Shops That Are Good To Go.

Photo by Thadeus Protz (Creative Commons)

As someone who spends lots of time in airports and airplanes, I got a good laugh out of Matador writer Liv Hambrett’s “10 Constants of Air Travel.” Take a look at her list and see how many of these things you’ve experienced on your most recent flight:
*

1. The Seat Hogger

The Seat Hogger has no qualms in taking both arm rests, sitting with their legs spread far wider than common decency suggests and lolling into your personal space when they fall asleep, head back, facing you. The Seat Hogger may be sitting behind you, and feel it necessary to put one foot on either arm rest, thus tickling your elbows with their bed socks. The Seat Hogger is a shifty being, so always be assertive in reclaiming your precious space. Do not let it be usurped.

2. The Breakfast Sausage

No matter what airline you are flying with, it’s there. Like something out of an RL Stein novel, it nestles in next to the scrambled eggs, or ‘bacon’: It is The Breakfast Sausage.

Indeterminable ingredients, indeterminable, texture and indeterminable taste. I have eaten a breakfast sausage, once, and felt sub -human for days, like I had eaten something alien and it had made a home in my stomach. The Breakfast Sausage deserves its place on this list for its unwavering support role on the breakfast tray.

3. The Nasty Flight Attendant

Some airlines feature more of these stalwarts on their team than others, but there is always one. There has to be, to off set the Too-Nice Flight Attendants (see below), to whom nothing is ever, nor ever will be, a problem. The Nasty Flight Attendant sighs when you request a thimble of faux orange juice (also see below), or is quick to snatch back the headphones as you prepare to land.

4. The Too-Nice Flight Attendant

Although I’m loathe to complain about people being too nice, particularly people who may have to serve you for the next 14 hours, the Too-Nice Flight Attendant can become unnerving. The constant smile, the bouncy walk, the wide eyes. Around hour seven of a long distance flight, this continuous delight in everything aircraft, combined with the onset of long-haul-flight-delirium, begins to play out like a scene in “Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas.” You begin to yearn for the normality of the Nasty Flight Attendant.

5. The Bathroom Hogger

The worst type of hogger/passenger. The Bathroom Hogger is only really familiar to the poor sods whose seats are right outside the bathrooms, seats which are akin to torture on any flight that exceeds two hours. The Sydney-LA flight, seated outside the bathrooms? Hell. The Bathroom Hogger will either try to mix it up and patronise the bathrooms at either end of the section, or proudly utilise the same cubicle every time. Neither situation is a winner. The best you can do is keep a miniature bottle of fragrance in your bag and hope to God you’re not near the bathrooms.

6. The Annoying Child

The Annoying Child can take on a variety of forms; it can be the little baby who won’t stop crying, the three year old who won’t stop running up and down the aisles, or the six year old who can’t control the volume of its voice, particularly when lights are out, curtains are drawn and eye patches are on. Whichever Annoying Child may be on your flight, chances are the exhausted/oblivious parent will do little to appease the situation, particularly if the child running up and down the aisles means time out for the parent.

7. The Snorer

The Snorer doesn’t even have to be next to you. In fact, chances are The Snorer will be several rows down, and the noise will blanket the entire cabin, treating all passengers to the dulcet tones of their faulty adenoids. Unless you fall asleep before The Snorer, there is little chance you will get any sleep on the flight, unless you had the foresight to pack ear plugs. Otherwise, headphones plugged into easy listening is your only option.

8. The Movie You Really Want to See but Can’t Hear

On a long distance flight (so, every flight out of Australia) your one saving grace is the in flight entertainment system and a good book. Inevitably, out of all the movies offered, there is one you’re genuinely desperate to see. Perhaps you missed it at the movies, and you thank God two hours of the flight are taken care of. And then you plug in your headphones and discover it is the one movie in the entire program that has audio problems. You are thus resigned to watching the two offered episodes of “The Office”, on repeat.

9. Faux Orange Juice

Faux orange juice, served in half full plastic thimbles, is a total staple of air travel. However, what has to be addressed is the simple dietary issue that sugar dehydrates and nothing is more sugary than aeroplane juice. So you drink it like it’s going out of fashion and dehydrate yourself even further, so much so that the next time the flight attendant passes by with a tray, you clamour for more, unaware it is directly contributing to your papery skin and cotton mouth.

10. The Bizarre Neighbour

The Bizarre Neighbour will always attempt to engage you in conversation, will reveal an uncomfortable amount of detail about themselves without being asked and will make a two hour flight seem like a lifetime. The bizarre neighbour is almost statistically unavoidable, particularly if you are a frequent flyer. You have no choice but to enter the realm of weirdness for the duration of the flight and engage in conversation or wear your eye mask for the entire flight. If all else fails, feign deafness.

Have you experienced these constants of air travel? Would you add any to Liv’s list? Share your experiences below!

Feature Photo: aelita (creative commons)
Photo: fried beef sandwich (creative commons)

Putin gets the job done.

You know about the facts, right?

Here’s a favorite:

Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

Or the always classic:

Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.

Well, look out, Chuck Norris.

There’s a new manly-man in town: Vladimir Putin.

Small nations fear him. Unusually flexible gymnasts fall at his feet.

And today, we learned, even the mighty tiger – the king of the jungle – was no match for his courage and skill.

According to Reuters, Putin was visiting a national park and tiger habitat when one of the cats escaped from its handlers and turned on the camera crew.

Putin’s alleged lady friend, Alina Kabaeva.

The politician, clad in camo for the event, leapt to the rescue and quickly shot the beast with a tranquilizer gun.

So here’s a Vladimir Putin fact for you – hopefully, the first of many.

Vladimir Putin CAN take a tiger by the toe. And even if he hollers, Putin never lets him go.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

But does it still beat the life of the cubicle jockey?

I’m betting the answer is: Yes!

Sick of the office life? Want more adrenalin (with or without polar bears) in your day?

Be sure to check out the Traveler’s Notebook series on Travel and Adventure Jobs, and how to get ‘em.

Photo courtesy of Abram Plaut at Yo! Japan.

Yakko, Wakko and Dot were three of my favourite cartoon characters growing up. But were they educational as well as entertaining? I don’t remember being edified, but it seems the show’s creators snuck bits of knowledge in.

Here’s Yakko’s comprehensive, singing tour of global political geography – it’s dated (Yugoslavia, anyone?) and puts rhyme ahead of strict geographical fact, but it’s still a lot of fun.

See if you can keep up:

[Via Metacafe]

Toilets for seats, mini-toilets for bowls, potty-themed menu listings. Appetizing, right?

Well, not only does this concept exist, but it’s so popular that it now has several locations in Taiwan and China.

Here’s pics:

Welcome to Modern Toilet…

The best seats in the house?

The “Number Two” – chicken curry.

Save room for dessert…

Brave New Traveler’s own “Gonzo Traveler” columnist, Robin Esrock, visited one of the Taiwanese locations of Modern Toilet recently. An essay about his experience is here: The Crappiest Restaurant (Literally) You’ve Ever Seen.

Top photo by lookslikeamy (Creative Commons); all others courtesy of Robin Esrock.

Lots of Matador members teach English abroad.

Abram is one of them.

At Abram’s blog, Yo!Japan, choice excerpts from his students’ essays are often featured, along with other oddities of daily life in Japan.

Laugh along with Abram by checking out this short essay.

Community Connection: Considering teaching abroad? Check out some of our favorite articles on the subject: Top 10 Places for Teaching English Abroad; How to Become an English Teacher in Mexico; and Beginner’s Guide to Teaching English in China.

Photo: Wm Jas (creative commons)