Frontier Airlines: Where’s My Seat?
In the constant back-and-forth that is Denverites’ allegiance in airlines, I seem to have given myself over to the forces of evil. That is, United, and their terrible customer service. Even as they continue to disappoint me with their silly promotions. There are a number of reasons for this, one of which is the impetus for today’s post. First, however, I will admit that I seem to have racked up more miles with United and thus get more benefits. This makes me prefer them. I get to board early, check a bag for free, and sit in “Economy Plus” for no extra charge. Frontier probably has similar benefits in their frequent flyer program but I just haven’t arrived at that level yet.
There is another reason, however, and I experienced it today. When you buy a ticket from United, either on their websites or through another (like Orbitz, for instance), United lets you pick your seat. Frontier does not, unless, presumably, you are an Ascent or Summit member (their silly name for advanced status in frequent flyer miles). Frontier only allows you to choose a seat when you check in online, anytime within 24 hours of your departure. The last time I did this there was one seat left, 14E, halfway back in the middle. Every other seat was already taken and I had gone online a full 24 hours in advance. How was this possible, I ask you? Today I checked in for a flight tomorrow night and discovered that the only seats available were the front seats with extra legroom. I could pay $25 extra and be assigned one of those. Otherwise I had no assigned seat. That’s right; I’ll just have to wait and see what happens when I get to the airport. Now of course my hope is that I get put in one of those seats anyway, but my question remains: how does everyone else get to pick a seat and I do not? Even more: why won’t Frontier allow me to select a seat when I book my ticket? Aren’t there supposed to be certain rewards that accrue to those who plan ahead (as I did; I bought this ticket at least a month ago)?
Snowy the Cottontail?
While the cattle call of Southwest holds no appeal for me at all (just thinking about it makes me shudder), at least they are perfectly clear about their policy: check in as soon as you can to get the best number and a chance at the best seat when you make a mad dash onto the plane. And other airlines are usually equally clear: select seat at time of purchase. Frontier is playing both ends against the middle and I’m none too pleased about it. I don’t care if Snowy the cottontail rabbit is joining me on my flight, I’d still like to know where I’m sitting!
Fall Fashion File: A.P.C.
I recently came across a blog post stating that my profession apparently has a uniform. There’s variation within the profession, as one might expect. However, I was unaware of this so-called uniform. One might say I have my own personal ”uniform,” but I also imagine it’s far and away from the “business intelligent” this blogger was referring to. What is business intelligent? In any case, feeling a little self conscious about my “look” and wanting to update my wardrobe, I started perusing the web looking for something new. Honestly, I could use a little variation. Blues, greys, and blacks, though in many shades they come, only get you so far. I thought these examples from the A.P.C. Mens / Autumn 11 Collection might fulfill the “business intelligent” uniform while also keeping in tune with my own personal “uniform.” The French seem to do it so casually, but yet so intelligently. And the French ready-to-wear company A.P.C. (or ‘Atelier de Production et de Création’) has become one of my favorite brands. Founded in 1988, A.P.C. has become known for its clean-cut and minimalist nature, as well as simple, chic, and modern design.
Wednesday Links
Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Anna Wintour at Alexander McQueen's memorial service in London.
- Tim Gunn’s mother doesn’t know he’s gay?
- After taking a few classes at the Art Student’s League of Denver, Michael McDowell created the Hanging AirPlant Pod, a seemingly gravity-defying plant holder made specifically for the Tillandsia, which requires no soil and very little watering.
- Zac Effron gets himself a beard… no not that kind of beard.
- Denver rocked by the Great Bike Poster Battle of 2010? An interesting look into originality. Has it all been done, like everything under the sun?
- Men and Women of Industry have A-Frame on the brain.
- Hear the new single from Belle & Sebastian’s forthcoming album, Write About Love, out October 12.
- Alexander McQueen remembered in London: “Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker and Naomi Campbell were among those taking a break from London Fashion Week to attend the memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral.”
Blake’s Book Nook, Vol. III
Following the positive review of her new book in the Sunday Times book review, yesterday I picked up a copy of Rebecca Traister’s Big Girls Don’t Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women. And I read the whole thing pretty much in one sitting last night. I did pause for dinner.
Traister’s book is an account of how gender politics played out in the 2008 election and what this meant for women then and means for them now and in future elections. Traister covered the election for Salon and saw many of the candidates in action. But more than what the candidates themselves said, this book is about how Americans — and the media especially — reacted to what they said, didn’t say, and what some believed they said even when they didn’t really. It’s about how the media dealt with the issue of gender: with the fact of a woman running for president, the first woman in the history of the United States to win a primary election; with a Republican vice-presidential nominee who claimed to be a feminist but was rejected by most others who claim that name; with the potential of the first African American first lady who happened to be as accomplished as her husband. It’s about sexism and sexist expectations for female politicians. And it’s a really good read.
Traister is open about her politics. She is a progressive feminist who votes for Democrats. At the beginning of the primary season she supported John Edwards, who, she rightly points out, had an agenda further to the left than either Clinton or Obama. As she also points out, he is a white guy, and could probably get away with being further to the left than the black guy or the white woman. That said, Edwards could not garner enough votes and dropped out of the race. Traister ends up voting for Clinton in the Super Tuesday primary. But she did so reluctantly, acknowledging that Obama and Clinton actually agreed on much but also that for almost all voters some form of identity politics was at play. One of Traister’s greatest arguments is about the way that those who might not have supported Clinton initially — in part because of her decision on the Iraq war, her being a Clinton, and her increasing centrism — came to do so precisely because of how horribly everyone was treating her. And on this count, Traister provides unassailable evidence. It makes you mad all over again.
And so the book is not an homage to Clinton, who, like all politicians, Traister sees as flawed in certain ways; instead it is an exploration of how Clinton was treated by the media as well as by all kinds of supposedly progressive white men whose vitriol for her struck Traister as pretty misogynist. Hear, hear! But Traister doesn’t stop there; she also looks at the reaction to Sarah Palin, a polarizing figure in all kinds of other ways. And to Michelle Obama, who was required — in the tradition of First Lady HRC — to tone down her own individuality and play up her wife- and motherhood in order to meet with much acceptance. Traister is also interested in the role of women in pop culture: feminist bloggers, feminist activists, newscasters, comediennes. The book includes excerpts from her interviews with Gloria Steinem, Shelby Knox, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Samantha Bee, Amy Poehler, and many others.
I have one quibble with the book, or at least one that won’t be too much of a spoiler. Traister writes about the people who tended to support the different candidates she discusses (by age, sex, race, etc.) and, as I noted, pays particular attention to the ire that many supposedly liberal white dudes had for HRC (also noted by others at the time, including our blogging gal pal Historiann, to whom I will be lending this book). Traister characterizes them, in passing, as straight, but doesn’t delve into that so much. I would have liked to hear more about that, as it was always my impression at the time that many gay men were pretty enthusiastic about Hillary, even if they also had some of the misgivings that I have already mentioned (I’ll go on record, albeit pseudonymously, and put myself in this camp). So what might this have to do with being a straight guy? Why might some otherwise progressive straight dudes have found HRC so threatening, whereas their queer brethren did not? What might this have to do with the ways that straight men and gay men differently interact with (straight) women? I’ve got my theories but I would have loved to have heard Traister’s.
In sum, for those of us who are progressive and feminist, the book is pretty absorbing. For those of us who hope to see the day when a woman sits in the Oval Office, particularly a feminist woman, it’s a must-read. Traister believes that the 2008 elections actually got us closer to that goal. I sure hope she’s right.
Fall Fashion File: Plaid
Clockwise from top left: 1) Plaid wool woodsman shirt by Woolrich Woolen Mills. 2) Heathered crescent plaid shirt under the Ludlow Suit by J. Crew. 3) Check flannel shirt by Gitman Brothers Vintage. 4) Plaid overshirt under the 80′s Mac by A.P.C.
Plaid flannel shirts have always been among the most democratic items in a man’s wardrobe, worn by all types, from Paul Bunyan to Kurt Cobain. In the 1970s, gay men appropriated plaid and so did English punks. This fall, designers have gone to the other extreme, elevating those rustic shirts to sophisticated chic. I love a plaid shirt under slim fitting suit, and the shirt maker Gitman Vintage is making a variety of weights and patterns to suit all tastes and styles.
A Deluxe Night on the Town
Sketch Wine Bar
Last night Alastair and I met up with our gal pals Christine and Justine for drinks and dinner and then far too many drinks, as it turned out. We rendezvoused (can I use the word that way?) at our fave, Sketch Wine Bar, at Broadway and 1st. There we enjoyed a few glasses of albariño and pinot grigio (we do like our dry whites) as we contemplated our dinner options. We had not made a reservation but we also weren’t ready to eat till around 9:00 and in Denver that is the equivalent of midnight in other cities, so our odds were good. We decided to try the nearby Deluxe; I was slightly worried that it might be too crowded (it’s not a big space, after all) but all worry was for naught. At that hour the place was nearly empty, mostly filled with fellow homosexuals, though of the female persuasion. Seriously, it was lesbian date night at Deluxe.
We ordered a couple appetizers to begin: the monsoon dumplings (filled with chicken and ginger) and the halibut ceviche. Both were quite tasty. We also had a nice bottle of California cabernet (OK, we had two; there were four of us). Justine and Alastair both opted for beef for their main course: the NY strip for Alastair and the T-bone special for Justine. Though both found their meat tasty, neither felt it was properly cooked to order. Alastair had ordered medium because he wanted rare but feared that it would be too rare. It arrived rare, so he got what he wanted but he had to be devious in order to do so. Justine requested his steak “bloody” and it, too, arrived rare. Maybe Alastair needn’t have worried after all; perhaps all meat is cooked rare at Deluxe? Christine and I, so tempted were we by all options on the menu, decided to split two of them. We ordered the Deluxe paella, one of their specialties, which I had had before. And the chicken Bolognese, made with wide flat noodles. Both were great. I am very picky about paella, in large part because there are just so many ways to do it wrong. It can easily be too granular (the rice should be quite sticky and almost glumpy) or it can be too saucy (paella is not gumbo). The seasoning can be off or the seafood portions can be stingy. But Deluxe’s paella suffers from none of these afflictions. It is true that they are a wee bit generous with the peas (and really who cares about peas in a paella?). Christine also found it a bit salty for his taste, but it seemed great to me. Granted, I could also bathe in a salt lick and be happy; in fact, I ended up salting my portion (as Christine looked on, horrified). The pasta was also very nice: well cooked with tangy tomato sauce and fresh ricotta and parsley.
The Bar at Deluxe
Two complaints about Deluxe: the décor needs some help. The leopard carpet is looking tired and the big mirrors and letters commanding one to EAT over the bar are starting to seem a little dated. Particularly when the place isn’t full it all just seems a little bit sad. This is nothing that can’t be fixed pretty easily, but fixed it should be. The waitstaff also seemed, it must be said, intoxicated. There was more confusion than was warranted by the small number of people present. And our waiter also committed what I consider to be one of the Seven Deadly Sins of Serving: he cleared plates before everyone was finished eating. Justine was still working away at his not-bloody-enough T-bone and he was doing it at a table devoid of all other plates. This is the sort of thing that can make a diner self-conscious. All plates should remain until all diners have finished. It’s as simple as that.
After dinner we headed to the nearby and tacky-as-ever Boyztown. And who should we see, but Mondo! Of course he must just have come from Fashion Week in New York and must also know who won this season of Project Runway. It might even be him! We left Mr. Guerra alone to enjoy the evening with his friends and proceeded to order far too many cocktails (your DOD boys were in pain this morning). Alastair also got rather friendly with one of the dancing boyz. Maybe Alastair will start demanding that we go to Boyztown more often to see his newfound friend. Maybe this will be like a gay version of Pretty Woman! (I get to be the sassy Kit DeLuca.)
After Boyztown, somehow we convinced ourselves that we still weren’t done and headed back to the ‘hood for a nightcap AND a second meal at the absurdly spelled Barricuda’s. Yes, with an i. Apparently Barricuda’s is open till 4 AM but their 2 AM last call — get this — is not a last call to order alcohol, but instead to consume it. Anything not imbibed by 2 is actually confiscated. I have never experienced such a thing. What is the reasoning behind this? Can anyone explain?
Fall Fashion File: Vests
Clockwise from top left: 1) Wool denim field vest by Woolrich Woolen Mills. 2) Sleeveless snap front puffer vest by GANT Rugger. 3) Gold cotton quilted vest by Band of Outsiders. 4) Carter corduroy vest by True Religion.
Whether it’s quilted wool, denim, corduroy, cotton, or even a brightly colored version of any of the aforementioned, a slim fitting vest jacket is the perfect way to top off your wardrobe this fall. And dear Colorado, I do love your sunny climes, but PLEASE cool your heels before you head directly into winter and deny me the pleasure of experiencing my favorite season: fall.
Speaking of fall and fashion, I’m loving Band of Outsider’s signature slim fitting and slightly askew dress shirts, jackets, and vests with unexpected colors and textures (pictured above). Band has become the uniform for some of the most talented young stars in film and music. Unfortunately, I’m unaware of any outfitter in Denver that carries the brand. If you’re looking for an online resource, I suggest visiting Context Clothing to secure your fav Band look this fall.
Mondo Guerra Takes the Win!
Mondo's Jackie O-inspired Creation
Congratulations to Mondo Guerra, who took last night’s win on Project Runway. You may recall that we here at DOD have come to be rather fond of Mondo after his turnabout on the Michael C front last week. Of course he’s also from Denver! While Ivy’s outfit was pretty — we were not so fond of Christopher’s, also in the Top Three — Mondo was the only one who seemed to actually take the Jackie O part of the challenge to heart. Would she have worn this outfit? Maybe not. But could you identify her in the oversized herringbone and the well-cut stripes? Indeed you could. So bravo Mondo, for a cute outfit, for following instructions, and for his first PR win! (His outfit, however, was another matter. While it is very difficult to make a boy that petite look chunky around the middle, that cummerbund did the trick.)
On to other matters: January Jones was quite an improvement over last week’s Kristen Bell, but really, who wouldn’t be? Her outfit, however, not so much. Black shirt and jeans? This is Project Runway, Jan! Step it up a notch. Granted, don’t step it up so far that you look like you did at the Emmys:
January Jones at the Emmys
But still, a little effort would have been appreciated. We didn’t hear as much from JJ as I would have liked, though she did get in one great one-liner. Did you hear? After Michael Kors bemoaned Andy’s choice of footwear for his model, calling it “what Nicole Kidman wore for Cold Mountain,” January piped up: “And her hair is from ‘Far and Away.’” Apparently JJ can think on her feet! (Speaking of judges: did you hear? Jessica Simpson will be the guest judge for the final. To say that Alastair and I are shocked and appalled by this is, well, an understatement. Jessica Simpson. Fashion. Rarely do the two meet.)
While I liked Michael Drummond’s sense of humor, his outfit was pretty hideous. I will be sad to see him go, but I will not miss his do-rag/hat/glasses/earrings combo look. Too much going on above the neck, Michael D! Really, there is often too much going on above the neck on many of our designers this season. Gretchen seemed to be sporting some Heidi braids in her interviews last night. Mondo had a weird headband in his. April regularly does some strange buns, and don’t even get me started on the craziness that occurs north of Andy’s shoulders. I get it, kids, you’re fashion designers, you need to express yourselves. But this is all a little much.
My final word on the show, and it relates to a concern I’ve had for quite some time. What is with the constant use of the word expensive? That word is thrown around — by designers, by Tim, by the judges — as if it is, by definition, a good thing, synonymous with attractive or stylish or even another of my least favorite words, classy. Expensive does not mean any of these things: it simply means that something cost a lot of money. I understand that when designers are given no more than a couple hundred bucks (and sometimes much less) at Mood, it is an accomplishment to have something look like it was made from costly fabric. But expensive, in and of itself, is not necessarily a good thing (see above photo of JJ’s dress). And expensive is not necessarily the opposite of cheap. Strictly speaking, of course, it is. But the word cheap has taken on a life of its own. It can now be applied to actions as well as goods and while it clearly still refers to matters of cost, it’s also about taste as well. Using the word expensive the way they all do presupposes that if someone is willing to spend lots of money on something, ergo it is attractive. This is specious logic. The whole point of Project Runway is to demonstrate that beauty can be created in very little time and with strange (and sometimes cheap) materials. Let’s do away with “cost” as a means of complimenting! Expensive as an unqualified good should be eliminated from these people’s vocabulary. We’ve all witnessed expensive dresses in the worst-dressed categories of every tabloid and post-award show wrap-up. They were ugly. And they still cost a fortune.
Check, Please! Bay Area
I’ve been traveling back and forth between Denver and San Francisco over the past year to see my Gentleman Friend. And one of the things I’ve discovered in my time in the Bay Area is a public television show called “Check, Please! Bay Area.” I love it. More than I can probably describe to you in this post. This is the deal: Three “regular Bay Area residents” apply to be on the show by picking a favorite restaurant and extolling its virtues. When they are selected they are given the names of two other restaurants. All three people visit each other’s favorite restaurants and assemble for the taping of the show, which is hosted by Leslie Sbrocco, oenophile and foodie. And this is where the fun begins! They all sit around talking about their experiences at the three restaurants. Things remain calm if everyone is in agreement about how wonderful they all are. But that is rarely the case. Usually at least one person doesn’t like another’s very favorite restaurant. And it can be all kinds of uncomfortable as one person is either aggressively or apologetically critical, all while Leslie tries to smooth things over. The production values are pretty low and the awkwardness level can be well nigh excruciating because many people in the Bay Area are WACKY, but it is, quite simply, addictive. I can’t get enough. I can talk about CP!BA in the way that I can talk about my favorite NPR reporters: obsessively. And that includes talking about its host, Leslie Sbrocco, who is herself a polarizing figure, even amongst people otherwise devoted to the show. I adore all of her quirks and her awkwardness; she drives some people insane.
The show is great, however, not just for entertainment, but of course because you can go visit any of the restaurants reviewed! For instance, I have now been to two of the three restaurants featured in Episode 5 of Season 5 (above), neither of which I would have known about without CP!BA. Marnee Thai (locations in the Inner and Outer Sunset) is the best Thai I’ve had in the Bay Area and certainly better than anything I’ve had in Denver (and I’ve been to Thailand). And on Friday night, my Gentleman Friend took me to Chez Spencer for my birthday. We had a true feast, which included a number of the dishes featured on this episode of CP!BA: the pan seared sea scallops with hearts of palm; the steamed asparagus with shaved parmesan and truffle emulsion; and the filet mignon with morels and truffle oil. We also ordered the foie gras and the my GF had the venison. We split the profiteroles for dessert. Tucked away in the Mission on 14th at Folsom, Chez Spencer is a bit unexpected in that neighborhood. And while it wasn’t cheap, it was delicious and romantic and the service was excellent. And we knew about it because of the wonders of Check, Please! Bay Area.
So what does all of this have to do with Denver, you ask? I want such a show here! I’m not fully convinced that we have the restaurants to support it, but I think we could swing it. The show in SF covers the entire Bay Area — suburbs from San Jose all the way up through Marin — so they’ve drawn their boundaries generously. We could even just do the whole state or everything within two hours of Denver, say. Chicago also has its own version (in 2001 state senator Barack Obama was on to talk about his favorite restaurant.) What do you think, Denver foodies? Check Please! Denver?
We ♥ Mondo Guerra
Mondo Guerra
Before I talk about the ways that Mondo Guerra has worked his way into our hearts, let me say a few other things about last night’s show:
- People are really funny talking about Ivy: She can sew, but she’s not so much as a designer. She’s intense and bitchy and exacting. She thinks pretty highly of herself.
- Gretchen — despite a few snide comments about Casanova — seems to have calmed down somewhat from her earlier antics. Perhaps she took Tim’s criticism to heart?
- Kristen Bell? Really?!? Has it come to this, Project Runway? Is she about to appear in some Lifetime TV movie and this was something worked out with the network? ’Cause she is hardly known for her fashion forward choices. Aside from Veronica Mars and that unfortunate looking film about some wedding in Italy with Josh Duhamel, she is hardly known at all. Did you see the dress she was wearing? Did you see the way that Kors and Heidi and la Garcia hardly interacted with her? Did you hear her say that she would wear April’s “dress” on the red carpet? Did you hear her describe herself as punk baby doll? Did you ask yourself why that would be a good idea for an aesthetic? As far as guest judges go, it was a train wreck from beginning to end.
But now on to MONDO! Yes, he may have designed a “junior” outfit (a term heretofore confined to department stores) that the judges hated. Yes, even we may have thought it was a bit silly looking, but for all these reasons, we love him still:
- His description of Ivy: “She’s a powerhouse and a bossy lady.”
- His wonderful turnaround on the Michael C front. Do I love Michael C? I do not. But Mondo seems to have realized that he may have judged him too harshly. And he said this, not only to us at home, but also to Michael himself, apologizing for being a bitch and a dick and a jerk. Props to Mondo.
- And then he did so again on the runway, claiming that whatever faults his outfit had, they were not because of Michael’s sewing.
- His outfits! I loved the little suit with the pink shirt and the bowtie. Adorable!
- His hair! So many options, so many styles!
- His tiny little limbs in those shorts and t-shirts. Alastair and I are on the smaller side ourselves and we do like to see the non-muscled gays represent.
- He’s from Denver!
Mondo Guerra, will you be our friend when you return to the Mile High City? This city needs more folks like you. Where do you hang out? Who are your friends? Do you belong to a little clique of fashionable hipsters? If so, can we join you? Please email us at downandoutindenver AT gmail DOT com.
9/17 Post-Mondo Win Update: Click Here and Click Here for 9/30 Update after his third win.
See our Season Finale Wrap-up Here.
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