Virgin America and its Safety Video

Matthew Hagen January 13, 2014

Everyone raves about Virgin America, which I had flown once in the past and had the bad luck of boarding the plane that was having technology issues. The entire computer system for the seats were down, so it was pretty much any other airline. Last month, I wanted to stop by San Francisco on my way to Seattle from Las Vegas, and Virgin America was the best option. This time the computers were working and the experience was great.

What makes this airline superior is their desire to make flying a more pleasant experience. A better way of flying is demonstrated in every detail from the interior finishes to the interactive computer system for each seat. Some airlines feature the touch screen computers with entertainment, but Virgin America took this to the next level allowing one to order food/drinks (alcohol is called "the good stuff" on the menu), play games (multiplayer support with other people on the plane), play music, watch music videos, live tv, and other on demand content.

The most memorable part of the experience is the safety video. While other airlines make this a boring video about buckling a safety belt, Virgin America features an interesting music video with dancing and singing on a set modeled on an airplane interior. Take a look for yourself.

Virgin America Safety Video

What a breath of fresh air. I actually wanted to see the video on my second flight from San Francisco to Seattle. This is the opposite feeling I had boarding my sixth United flight this year (I have a similar distaste for United's newish logo). United's captive customers have to watch a safety video with the bare minimum of creativity, in addition to a corporate greenwashing video BEFORE. Be warned, this is a painful experience.

United Airlines Greenwashing Video (1/2)

United Airlines Safety Video (2/2)

It's funny how some simple and creative ideas improving experience can carry the reputation of an airline over destinations and price . I would really like to see this airline grow as it's clearly a different company in the mediocre/bad world of American domestic airlines.

Happy (Real) Nevada Day

Matthew Hagen October 31, 2013

Today is October 31st and any true Nevadan will gladly spurt out "Happy Nevada Day!" To show off both their pride for Nevada and the that there is something more than Halloween to be observed.

The day is the anniversary of the Nevada territory being admitted as a state in the war ravaged union of 1864. The 31st of October has meaning to the holiday which had both the benefit of giving kids a day off on Halloween (which our teachers beat into our heads that the day off was for Nevada, not getting free candy), and providing social capitol for citizen to come together and celebrate a state we all love. Since then it's been a little odd for me when people tell me Happy Nevada Day not on the 31st after Nevada decided to change the day of celebration.

In 1997 a state assemblyman thought it would be a great idea to adjust Nevada Day to the nearest Friday before to create a three day weekend. In 1998 the people approved this idea cheapening the celebration of statehood to something on par with Black Friday. After doing some reading, I think this passed with mildly good intentions, but the day has lost it's only meaning- the date. If we put this idea in a larger context, such as Independence Day, would we be ok to move our July 4th celebrations to accommodate a three day weekend? Probably not. While I think most people enjoy three day weekends, I also think it's reasonable to say a random midweek day off is fun too and when you really think about it, roughly half of the time Nevada Day will fall appropriately to create a three weekend anyhow. So on this Nevada Day, I ask that someone go up to Carson City and fix this. Don't cheapen the holiday of our favorite state the way outsiders cheapen Nevadan culture.

Now that's off my chest, lets celebrate the Great State of Nevada with my yearly favorite "Home Means Nevada" sung by Nevada's very own the Killers.

"Falina" and the Brilliance of Breaking Bad

Matthew Hagen September 30, 2013

This will clearly contain spoilers if one hasn't seen the end of Breaking Bad. For all the people who watched Breaking Bad two nights ago, there was the song "El Paso" by Marty Robbins that played as theme to the final episode of Breaking Bad. The episode's entire plot was laid out symbolically in the song, listen for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIHRgisdbeY&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkIHRgisdbeY& (In case you didn't listen to the song, the character that fell in love with girl named Falina passed away after getting shot in his side and the story leading to his death matches a lot of Walt's story leading to his death)

The creators of Breaking Bad were giving it all away- Falina is the title of the episode, the Marty Robbins tape fell out in the car of the opening scene, and Walt sang El Paso as he assembled the gun machine. This is what made Breaking Bad so brilliant and a major reason I became a big fan show. The show was written with symbolism and clues to make a viewer really think about the next episode. It was always fun talking with others about the possible outcomes and hidden messages. The final episode added a concise conclusion with only a little unanswered story, one being Gray Matter as outlined in the recent New York Times review (I will note she missed Falina reference), or what Jesse does (Is he a wanted man? Does he save Brock?).

At any rate, there are almost no shows that hooked me like Breaking Bad, so it receives the Hagen stamp of approval. Good Job Vince Gilligan.

Oh, and when is the next season of House of Cards coming out?

Mies!

Matthew Hagen September 18, 2011

I went to get my library card today and was pleasantly surprised by the sight of this beautiful building. You guessed it, designed by Mies van der Rohe. Wikipedia says that not only is it the only Mies building in Washington DC, but it also was his last project and only library. The librarian I was talking to said the staff was surprised recently when they found out the building was a historical landmark and couldn't be replaced. I informed the librarian that the Barcelona chairs in the reading area were also designed by him.