Flight attendant sues Oprah over sex allegations

by Sean McLachlan on

A flight attendant who used to work on Oprah’s private jet is suing for more than $300,000 in damages, claiming that allegations that she had sex with the pilot are false.

The story is, as these stories usually are, convoluted and filled with he-said-she-said contradictions. The skinny is: attendant Corrine Gehrls supposedly had “sexual contact” with the pilot outside his cockpit while Oprah was napping. The other two flight attendants, Myron Gooch and Kirby Bumpus (no I’m not making these names up) narced on the amorous duo and got them fired. It’s unclear whether the incident happened while they were in the air or on the ground.

Gehrls claims Gooch and Bumpus made up the story after a personal dispute with her and the pilot. She’s also claiming favoritism because Bumpus is Oprah’s goddaughter. Why someone would hire their goddaughter to serve them roasted peanuts is a mystery.

While we here at Gadling don’t mind passing along stories of Mile High hijinks, we do ask that you don’t interfere with the flight crew while they are doing their job. Consider becoming a laviator instead.

Obama adding umph to the Land of Lincoln and Winfrey

by Jamie Rhein on

Barack Obama’s new status as the president-to-be has added a boost to Illinois tourism. Already tourists are showing up to frequent the places Obama has frequented. Want to see where he used to get his haircut before the Secret Service said, “No way,” to the large plate glass windows? Head to Hyde Park Salon and Barber Shop. Even though Obama won’t be there, (the barber now goes to him) you can see the chair where he once sat.

If eating where Obama heads with Michelle on date nights is what you’re after, head to Medici on 57th Street in Chicago. There you can join the 3,000 other folks who have bought “Obama Eats Here” T-Shirts.

For some inspiration, tour the Old Statehouse in Springfield where Obama gave two campaign speeches, or stand in Grant Park in Chicago and imagine the crowd on election night when history was made.

The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau’s homepage has been changed to reflect the flurry of tourists interested in Obama travel. There’s a link to “Presidential Chicago” that highlights the places Obama has frequented and provides addresses and contact information. One of them is Maria Pinto Boutique, the designer who is a fave of both Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

For more Obama travel ideas and information, check out this AP article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It’s where I found out about these details, except for the info about Obama’s barber. I read about that in an article earlier this week about how Obama has had to change his patterns for security reasons. If you see a gaggle of Secret Service members, Obama might be close by. Keep an eye out.

Oprah a hit with women in Saudi Arabia

by Jamie Rhein on

Admittedly, I watched Oprah’s talk show when I lived in Singapore. Not often, but sometimes. The room with our TV was the only one with air-conditioning, so that had something to do with it. Still, there was a familiarity in all the advice.

Plus, since the shows were not aired in any particular order, some days Oprah would be thin, other days heavier, and along with her weight shifts were shifts in her hair style and clothing. Because Oprah was on every day, sometimes twice, I assumed it was because she was a big hit with the Singaporean audience.

In Saudi Arabia, women also watch Oprah, and with far more attention than I ever did. Oprah, according to this article in the New York Times, is a bit of a life-line for many Saudi females. The article starts by describing one woman who writes to Oprah Winfrey every month even though Oprah has yet to write back.

Nayla said that Oprah gives her hope and energy, and that Oprah is the only one who understands her. This feeling is echoed with Saudi women of all ages, but particularly with younger women. Part of what the women relate to is Oprah’s own struggles that she has overcome. As women in Saudi Arabia struggle to find their voice and use it, Oprah gives them a sense of how it is done.

The women also relate to Oprah because her style of dress fits Saudi Arabian women’s sensibility and taste. They would probably love Oprah’s closet, the store in Chicago where you can buy Oprah’s old clothes.

As I read the article, besides being interested in this particular Western influence on the Middle East, I wondered if Oprah has read the article yet and thought how terrific it would be if she would visit Nayla and Nayla’s friends–quietly and sincerely. It would not need to be a visit that showed up on TV, but one that would make a fairy tale ending to this story of a cultural mixing. I certainly hope Oprah has written Nayla back by now.

(About the photo: I couldn’t find a Creative Commons photo of a Saudi woman. This woman is from Iran. Yes, I know the difference. Please Don’t Smile, the photographer of this shot has several lovely photographs of women in Iran posted on Flickr.)

Word for the Travel Wise (07/06/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Okay, so I was just toying around looking for something to inspire a word or two tonight and this was the best I could do. Maybe it wasn’t the best, but it gave me a small chuckle. I went to Iceland’s tourism site to see what events were happening around the country, but got sucked into What Are They Saying About Us semi gossipy press-release section. In this section of the site you’ll find stories from the NY Times, Globe and Mail, LA Times, Shape Magazine and even the Oprah Show, where Ms. Oprah Winfrey is quoted saying, “I think I’m part Icelandic.” That to me is funny. Otherwise it really hasn’t a whole lot to do with the word I ended up going with, but I’m sure you’ll get it.

Today’s word is an Icelandic word used in Iceland:

dýrt – expensive

Háskóli Íslands, one of the universities offers an excellent free starter course to learning Icelandic. Pictures, text, and audio for sample conversations are included. European Youth Portal points out other sources of study within the country and distance learning. I’ve met several speakers with My Language Exchange. Lastly, check out the BBC for a few easy phrases to help get you around the town.

Past Icelandic words: söngkona/söngvari, himnaríki, velkomin