I hadn't played racquetball with Thomas in months. He was no longer working for the company in Sorrento Valley, so hitting the LA Fitness there wasn't happenin'.

He flew out of the country on vacation, and we recently got together to play in San Carlos.

He mentioned having to pay more money for a suitcase that was a few pounds over the limit. And yet, the fat guy sitting next to him was able to take two seats and keep him from putting the arm rest down. He asked the guy nicely if he could put it down, to no avail.

The guy was flying with a wife, who was equally obese. Of course, she didn't sit next to him. She was in the other aisle, giving herself two seats to take up.

Yesterday on CNN, I saw a 350 pound man that complained that Southwest Airlines wouldn't let him fly. He was a big, bald dude (wait...did I need to write "big" in there?) and he seemed very angry.

The scroll on the bottom said that it took him 19 hours, for a four hour flight home.

Southwest said the problem was he got angry and was scaring other passengers. And from the way he was talking, I could believe it.

He claimed that he's flown before (including the same airline, on his way there) and has never had a problem. He even said the airline employee asked if he could put the arm rest down and he said yes. He claims she said, "Well, you're not flying today," and didn't give him any other options.

I really find that hard to believe. I doubt the employee would've been rude about it. And I doubt he didn't have any other options.

I'm guessing he didn't VOLUNTEER to buy another seat. The airline would've gladly taken that option. I think he did what most people do. He complained he wasn't getting his way. And really, that's the only "option" he wanted.

A short friend of mine just sent me a story he read about how taller people have a more happy and successful life. I'm guessing he sent it to all his tall friends.

I'm guessing the same studies would show that overweight people aren't as happy as thin people.

And I really don't care to get into all the reasons why a person is fat. I think there are many misperceptions about those things.

But once your weight impedes on others comfort...well, do your best to not act grumpy about it. Either put the Big Mac down, or pay for extra seats. Don't act like the other person is lying. Don't make the person feel uncomfortable for asking you to move, or put an arm rest down.

And while we're at it...don't have any kind of body odor. That can mean bad breath or under arms. Or it could mean a 60-year-old blue hair that douses herself with perfume. Others shouldn't have to deal with that. Some might even have allergies.

(and I bet the people that stink are the first ones to complain about smokers and the smoke bothering them).