Don't ask and maybe they won't tell

I like flying. I like looking down at the Earth and trying to identify what I see. I like having breakfast in one state and dinner in another. I like resetting my watch as if I am traveling in time, which I am.

And I enjoy imagining stories about people on the plane. It’s as if I am writing a novel, only no one will review and criticize my work.

The key point being I imagine what I like. I don’t really want to know their long stories, so I generally don’t talk to people on planes. Of course, it doesn’t always work.

I was flying back to Alaska from Houston and the guy in the seat next to me kep...