Kim Mance

A Visit to Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe Labratory and Tower (video)

2012-09-07T08:54:55-04:00

I hopped in a zipcar and drove from NYC out to Shoreham, Long Island several months ago and trespassed around the site of inventor Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe tower and laboratory to see how it looks.

As of April 2012, it's looking pretty bad.

The laboratory building seems to remain mostly structurally in tact, but is covered in graffiti and likely frequented by local teens smoking some weed. I have no evidence to support that latter theory, it was just a feeling I got. The foundations of the Wardenclyffe wireless tower, which was torn down in 1917, are all that remain of that structure. In a mind-numbingly craptastic documentary I watched last year, it seems a group of engineers took measures at some point (with concrete) to preserve the wooden piers that go so deep into the ground, they stopped excavating at around 300 feet. So at least it has that going for it in the way of being looked after.

But in a rad turn of events as interest in Tesla has increased over the last few years, my huge crush on internet comic artist The Oatmeal grew even stronger as he partnered with a bunch of folks from the reddit community to create a crowdfunding campaign to buy the property and fulfill a long dream of turning it into the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe.

Currently, the only large-scale museum about Tesla is in Belgrade, Serbia (video forthcoming), where all of his research and personal affects were taken after his death by his klepto nephew, who happened to be the Ambassador to the US from (then) Yugoslavia.

Being based in NYC, I'm excited to see the developments of the new museum and hope to be one of its first volunteers. Geeking out is the new cool.

Cross-posted at NikolaTeslaTour.com

How to Survive Vancouver Stanley Cup Riots: Drinking Beer with Calm Canucks

2011-06-17T11:55:21-04:00

I finished a quiet dinner in Vancouver's Yaletown neighborhood Wednesday night and began walking back to my downtown hotel. As expected, the city center was crowded with throngs of people wearing Canucks jerseys for game seven of the Stanley Cup hockey final.

I'd heard there might be rioting whether the Canucks won or lost the game, so I braced for what might be a tricky walk to my room. As the crowd got more dense, I was surprised at how calm everything was relatively calm, though I heard one woman walking quickly in the opposite direction say to a companion, "They're hitting people in the face down on Granville Street."

Certain streets -- including the one to my hotel -- had been blocked off by police to prevent looting, so since I was apparently without somewhere to go, I decided to whip out my iPhone and see what was happening on neighboring blocks, as I saw small billows of black smoke coming from a parking garage.

And I tweeted my way through the streets.

On my way there the entire mob was calm and somber (the Canucks lost, obviously), with a few exceptions: Every couple of blocks there would be a group of 20 to 30 young men boisterously turning over a car. As soon as police would come near, the group would disperse quickly and move to another block. Rinse and repeat.

Some by-standers cheered and some took photos in front of the pillages of these randomly formed groups of young hooligans, but most just stood mouth agape. At the moment a mass of people ran toward me yelling, "Tear gas!" So I decided it was time to go into a bar.

Entering the Railway Club, on the 2nd floor of a building with windows busted out of it, I felt like I stepped into another city. Live music played and groups of people sat happily around drinking beer.

I walked to the back toward windows looking down on the street and met a posse of friendly atheist gamers who asked how it was outside. We watched some videos on my phone, ordered a pitcher of beer, then hung out for hours chatting away about all sorts of things until the streets looked a lot more clear.

They postured that it was a bunch of angst-y suburban teens who mostly came into the city to be rowdy and felt horrible about all the news footage on televisions around the bar, showing what was happening just outside. From my view down on the streets they were right.

Just wish I could've gone around to the many pubs, bars, homes, apartments, hotels and other places around the city filled with calm and peaceful Canadians and tweeted photos and video footage of them. It would've definitely overwhelmed the groups of young nutjobs trashing a few square blocks of lovely Vancouver.

But since I wasn't able to do that, you'll have to take my word for it that the city was filled to the brim with non-violent Canucks fans that night.

Surprise Inspection: National Geographic

2011-03-14T12:50:19-04:00

Ever wondered what it's like inside the hallowed halls of the National Geographic Society's headquarters? Wonder no more: I've started a new video series during which I conduct a surprise inspection on some of the world's favorite travel and lifestyle brands who are active or dabbling in social media.

After agreeing to be on my list, I gave National Geographic Traveler magazine's chief researcher, Marilyn Terrell, notice that I was headed in to see what a day in her office life was like.

I ended up learning quite a lot of interesting and unexpected facts. Watch to find out how Alexander Graham Bell was instrumental in the magazine's now trademark photo spreads, a look into their archives, a peek at the office of Traveler's editor, and a few whimsical quirks around the office.

Many thanks to the wonderful folks around the office who let me ambush them for an afternoon.

If you have a suggestion of a company you've always wanted to see inside for an upcoming "Surprise Inspection by @kimmance", leave it in comments and you may see it in a future episode.

To SEO or Not to SEO? A Blogger's Dilemma

2011-02-01T18:56:59-05:00

Everyone who's been blogging for any amount of time has heard the term SEO. But that's where the similarity ends -- some bloggers obsess about it, live and breathe SEO, and others don't understand it and feel very overwhelmed by trying to figure out.

So at the latest TBEX conference, I decided it would be a lot more fun to approach the topic of SEO in the form of a skit. Yes, a skit. And since the event was taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark, what better setting than a spoof of Shakespeare's classic Hamlet?

I suckered friends Paul Brady of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Robert Reid of Lonely Planet, and Johnny Jet into starring roles. And many thanks to Robert for lending his creativity and co-writing the script.

It speaks to the dilemma bloggers face between the balance of creating quality content while needing SEO for it to be found. The skit also warns against becoming a soulless slave to search. And of course to never use 'black hat' tactics which could get one beat over the head by almighty Google.

So whether you're one of those who gets excited to read all the latest from Rand Fishkin or Pete Cashmore, or think of blogging as a form of artistic self-expression and SEO is the devil, we hope you enjoy the comedy and tragedy that is SEO for blogging:

Hamlet: Paul Brady
Rosencrantz: Robert Reid
Ophelia: Kim Mance
Google: Johnny Jet
Filming courtesy of conference sponsors Visit Copenhagen
TBEX Copenhagen theme song by Robert Reid

3 Elements of a Perfect Aruban Vacation

2010-11-19T15:22:01-05:00

After an intense summer of unusually high-stress work, I needed to forgo traveling and take a vacation. So when the Aruba Marriott invited me to come check out their island spoils, it seemed like the perfect antidote to my frazzled state.

It's not a destination people visit for a deep spiritual journey, or to learn about local culture. It's a place where resorts drive the economy, tourism is the only longstanding tradition, and clothes are neatly folded upon return to your hotel room. Aruba is and indulgent destination, and it knows it.

So just what does one need to create the perfect mix of decadent adventure and restorative relaxation in Aruba? Here are my top three recommendations:

An S&M massage
I don't get many massages, partly because of time, expense, and partly because I find most of them lack intensity. Work, life, and too many hours at a computer have given me a constant companion in the form of an enormous knot in my right shoulder. No trained professional has ever defeated it.

I told Eduardo at Mandara Spa about my problem and explained that no amount of pressure was too much, believing that he'd be like the rest and wouldn't listen either. Yet to my surprise, from moment one, Eduardo treated the little beast like it had just insulted his mother. Fists, elbows and all his body weight attacked the antagonistic knot until it felt better than it had in years. Next, Eduardo pressed his fingers into my temples, then slid them backward and began pulling my hair. Tugging, skillfully and firmly. I ended up with a bit of a crush on Eduardo.

A natural pool that requires a 4x4 to reach
Snorkeling in the Caribbean has long been a tourist favorite. So it was a bit of a delight to spend about half an hour 4x4ing down dirt roads that rivaled some of those in my home state of Colorado, in order to reach the "Natural Pool" on the eastern edge of Arikok National Park. About the size of two Olympic pools, and with only a handful of strangers to share it with. The rough entry added a little grit to the excursion, and others who'd made their way down to the pool were just as excited to find this enclave of calm, clear water protected from the Aruban wind by a ring of rocks which stirred up crashing waves all around.

A smoking hot kiteboarding instructor
Speaking of wind, Aruba has quite a lot of it, which is why it's one of the world's premier kiteboarding destinations. It's never a bad thing when choosing an adventure sport to have a fun and personable instructor. Add to that male model looks and rock hard abs, this girl was in kiteboarding heaven.

Beyond the good looks and well-practiced flirting skills, my German instructor Thorsten was patient and helpful during a beginner's 'body drag' lesson. Yes, it's exactly how it sounds - a seven-meter wide kite catches fierce wind and drags your body as it skips across the water. But as Thorsten joked while I shook water from my ears after the first run, "Good thing you said you 'like it rough'."

Kim Mance is editor of GoGalavanting.com. She also hosts the annual TBEX conferences of
travel bloggers in North America and Europe, which is why she needed a vacation from travel.

Let's Boycott Geography Awareness Week

2010-11-18T10:56:33-05:00

Not only is this a week to continue celebrating recent election results which brought back all that is right and good to America, it's also a week during which some are encouraging us to think about "geography awareness."

And I just don't see the point.

"Some people out there in our nation don't have maps," is a phrase that will forever be burned into the minds of YouTube-watchers around the globe, thanks to South Carolina's 2007 Miss Teen USA competitor. And though many laughed as they should have, others took this as an opportunity to discuss xenophobia in America. Likely socialists, of course.

But, honestly, no one should really care about things like outside geography when we already know the US is the center of the universe.

So I'm calling for a boycott of this fruity Geography Awareness Week. All we need to know is right here nestled between our über-secure borders anyhow.

photo: America. That's all we need to know.

Everyone knows we're the best, brightest, smartest, strongest, safest, most moral country on earth (that is, if those pesky gays would stop wanting equal rights and getting us attacked by terrorists).

Having been raised by Evangelical conservatives, I know the US is a land where women know their place, and justice always reigns supreme. We have the absolute best health care system in the world and value the caregivers of those with long-term illness more than anyone on the planet.

We can learn from no one, nor do we need to.

Anyone who calls the US home and disagrees is anti-American. Questioning the direction of one's country, the hysterics of dramatized politics, or refusing to blindly agree that conservatism is the definition of patriotism, is downright hubris.

And that's just what something like Geography Awareness Week does -- encourages elitist arrogance and 'expanding worldview', maybe even independent travel. Blech. Why would anyone need to travel outside our manifest-destiny shores, or spend time with open-minded learning about other parts of the world? Only elitist jerks do that -- and we should shun liberal socialism-loving ideas. Think of our children and how harmful this commie way of thinking could be.

I mean, why save up a few thousand dollars to see South America for instance, when one could fly to Vegas with that same money and live the American dream of possibly hitting it big? The trip of a lifetime, reminding us that we don't need a strong middle class, nor should we tax the rich, because at any time we could make bucket loads of easy money. (Now that's travel.)

After all, we've already hit the jackpot by living in the Shining City Upon a Hill -- the center of capitalism and freedom for all.

As a travel writer, Kim Mance knows she's supposed to be more mainstream, turn a blind eye to pervasive xenophobia in her home country, and serve up homogenized top ten lists about the world's best beaches sprinkled atop a platter full of idealized vacation inspiration. Travel media should never talk about travel as a political act, speak of religion, or do things like bravely break the status quo and support suppressed local economies, even if it's the right thing to do.

Photo by istockphoto with notations by Kim Mance.

Boycott Geography Awareness Week by Kim Mance is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Discovery Channel Pays Serious Cash for Sarah Palin Alaska Travel Reality Show

2010-03-24T09:35:51-04:00

Multiple news outlets are reporting that reality show baron Mark Burnett has secured a deal with Discovery Networks for a reality travelogue hosted by none other than Sarah Palin.

Thankfully, she quit her term as governor early so she could lend all that credibility to a show worthy of the caliber of Discovery Channel. Even these newscasters couldn't keep a straight face when reporting the story.

And Twitter user @TravelSavvyKayt wonders:

@KimMance does she get bonuses for tilting her head perkily and saying, "You betcha!"?

But to Discovery Channel, it's no laughing matter and they are no doubt clinking glasses of champagne after the triumph of winning an apparent bidding war with A&E for the right to pay over $1 million per episode of Palin touring Alaska.

Lisa de Moraes over at The Washington Post explains a bit about the show:

Evidently, Palin will serve as sort of modern-day Sacagawea. She'll guide viewers around Alaska to meet the "characters, tradition and attractions in the 49th state," trade paper Variety reported Tuesday -- almost as if it had its hands on the news release.

No word yet on if she'll decide to shoot wolves from helicopters, or skin any moose during the programming. And one could only hope Ms. Palin will also grace at least one episode with that spectacular view of Russia from her house.

___
Alaska image by Alaskan Dude on flickr / doctored by Kim Mance

Mr. Heckles Wants to be Your Friend on Facebook

2009-12-14T14:49:33-05:00

I'll admit it. I went to cover Saturday night's Second City 50th Anniversary bash in the hopes of seeing Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Jim Belushi, Bonnie Hunt, and many of the others whose names are well-known in my household.

Yet as they all headed from the red carpet to their alumni dinner, it turned out the room was also filled with "that guy" and "oh yeah, I know her!" The people who you instantly know and love because at some point in your life they've made you laugh -- made you crack up in fact. But you can't remember their name. The janitor from Scrubs, the whiny office guy from Spin City...

I ended up chatting with alumn David Miner, an executive producer of my-favorite-show-of-all-time 30 Rock, and a genuinely friendly guy; he said it was like "a high school reunion" and that he "owes everything to this place." I gawked at the hot guy who I think might have been in Lost, but I'm not really sure. Then I had a fantastically surreal conversation with Larry Hankin, who was both curiously very aloof and forthrightly enthusiastic.

Who the hell is Larry Hankin?

He's "that guy." The one you know from somewhere, but can't quite remember. In fact, he's everywhere. From Mr. Heckles on Friends (a.k.a. "the reason Joey became Chandler's roommate"), to the guy who played "Kramer" on Seinfeld's fictional pilot episode. He's also the bum from ER, the serial killer from How to Raise Money For a Movie. He appeared in Billy Madison, CSI, Ellen, Star Trek, Dragnet, Pretty Woman, Mad About You, The Jerk, Hill Street Blues... need I go on? He's also an Oscar nominee.

I didn't know that until I got home and Googled him.

But I recognized his face so well that I felt like a total jerk when he approached me and I couldn't for the life of me conjure up his name. No worries -- Larry knew that before he got within earshot. "Hi, I'm Larry Hankin, H-a-n-k-i-n", he said, as he put his hand out to shake mine.

A few seconds into the conversation, he asked if I was on Facebook. He asked if the young woman next to me was on Facebook. Then he explained that we should friend him on Facebook so he could keep us up to date on his new movie, the one he was putting out. (Video in which I asked him to reenact the conversation is below).

This chat with Larry renewed my appreciation for the phenomenon of "Second City", a legendary performing arts school which teaches its students to "play the reality, not the joke." These actors go on to subtly parlay a good comedic storyline into an inexplicably great one. So much so that we forget to remember their names.

And I couldn't help but think, after all these years of Larry being the unobtrusive friend who enriched the stories of all my favorite shows and films, that yes. Yes I would like to be his friend on facebook.

Anthony Bourdain Creates "Alternate Universe" Animated Web Series

2009-10-27T15:13:28-04:00

If you're like me and love travel, you probably also love Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain No Reservations. What's not to love? There's food, there's local culture, there's wit. So when my inbox chimed at the arrival of an email from one of the show's publicists, the last thing I expected was to read that Bourdain got a new show.

Have no fear, nothing is being replaced. In fact, come November 2nd, Bourdain and his team will release the first episode of a new animated web series (titled Robo Chef).

The promo trailer (below) says the series was created to answer the question of "what really goes on inside his head", for those who wonder. Frankly, I never knew I had to wonder. I mean, this is a guy who fits three hours worth of soul-searching voiceover into a 43-minute show each week. But after watching a sneak preview of the animated series ... I do now.

As I watched the cartoon version of Tony Bourdain, dressed as a mad scientist and cracking jokes about celebrity chefs while building himself a robot from scrap material, the first word that crossed my mind was "surreal" -- which I guess is the point. It has none of the great landscape imagery, or food porn of his television show, nor does it seem to have much to do with travel at all (so far). But it will be a sure crowd pleaser for those who are die-hard fans of Bourdain's writings and who follow his career as a chef. And I'm no expert, but the animation looked pretty high quality as well.

Travel Channel's description of the show:

From the creators of No Reservations and from the mind of world traveler, chef and best selling author Anthony Bourdain, comes a new animated web series -- Anthony Bourdain's Alternate Universe.

In this imaginative, exclusive new web series, Tony shares his personal and unique view of the world that lives in his imagination, mocking not only himself but others that cross his path, literally and figuratively.

Here's a preview trailer -- the first of six monthly web episodes will be posted on Travel Channel's website November 2nd, 2009.

And if traveler is your name and internet your game, be sure to check out our own great (non robot-building) web travel series, Galavanting.tv.

___________________________

Photo courtesy Travel Channel.

Cross-posted at GoGalavanting.com

Harry Potter Theme Park to Open Spring 2010: Video & Photo Virtual Tour

2009-09-16T15:33:54-04:00

Universal Orlando Resort, and Warner Bros. today revealed first-ever details about the incredible scope of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal also announced that beginning spring 2010, its theme park will be open for all dedicated Potterphiles to make a vacation pilgrimage.

Among the tantalizing tidbits revealed, the resort gave a list of featured locations, as well as a virtual fly through of the park (see video below).

Galavanting Travel News & Reviews Video: preview of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park & interviews with Harry Potter movie cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.

Hogwarts Castle. (Photo: Universal)

And after entering the front archway of Hogsmeade to the immensity of Hogwarts castle, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter travelers will find a magical assortment of attractions.

At the entrance of Hogsmeade, billowing steam and an iconic whistle signal the arrival of the Hogwarts Express into Hogsmeade station.

Hogsmeade. (Photo: Universal)

Across the way is Zonko’s, a joke shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes. Honeydukes is next door and full of treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.

Honeydukes. (Photo: Universal)

The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog’s Head pub will feature traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice. Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery.

Three Broomsticks. (Photo: Universal)

The Owl Post sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Ollivanders wand shop is an incredible interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard. Completing Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls.

Ollivanders Wand Shop. (Photo: Universal)

The first attraction, Dragon Challenge, features a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament.

Next is Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

Flight of the Hippogriff. (Photo: Universal)

Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced.

Hogwarts Castle. (Photo: Universal)

Before exiting back into Hogsmeade, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods is full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches.

There’s no doubt many memories will be made in the new park, and it looks as though there’s enough magic to go around — luckily they’re able to reveal it, even to us Muggles.

Cross-posted at GoGalavanting.com

(HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.)

Visiting the Real Rome

2009-08-26T11:31:36-04:00

When a traveler steps out into Rome's streets, there is no doubt they will carry a checklist of must-see places. And with good reason, as every person visiting should experience its grandeur and ponder the historical significance of the great Roman monuments. But there is so much more to discover than the sites trampled by every travel writer ever assigned to the Eternal City.

Rome is in fact a vibrant city not only meant to hold tourist attractions. It is brimming with artists, craftsmen, and quirkiness just waiting to be seen by the curious traveler who dares to wander off the beaten path.

Of course there are the money belt-wearing visitors who prefer to ride in an overly air-conditioned tour bus until it's time to spill out into Rome's streets on a shopping spree for cheesy souvenirs manufactured in Asia.
Our latest episode is probably not for them.

(If you've got a fast connection, be sure to watch it in super high-def over at KoldCast.tv.)

Beyond the Monuments

Undoubtedly any guidebook you buy will give information on the must-see major sites like the Colosseum, the Forum, Vatican City, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. You don't need me to tell you about their splendor.

During our visit we wanted to also show a more nuanced version of Rome, in addition to the amazing well-known places. So we sought the help of Context Travel, which provides in-depth walking tours led by scholars, in groups no larger than six people. I highly recommend them for any visitors considering or planning a trip to Rome.

Art-lovers will find the book Michelangelo's Rome to be a handy companion, with its maps and detailed descriptions of the artlist's life and work throughout the city.

Take some time to stroll the streets at night. Stand in line for gelato
that will change your view of frozen desserts forever. We visited Giolitti which is frequented by visitors who love its charm and deliciousness. However, many may miss the fact that it's also one of the oldest gelaterias in Rome, and first opened its doors in 1900. It has remained family-owned ever since.

Be sure to sip a morning
espresso while standing up at a coffee bar like the locals. Our favorite is the tiny but incredible
Sant'Eustachio in Piazza Sant' Eustachio, just down the street and around the corner from the Pantheon.

Rome: A Shopping Mecca

It's beyond me why anyone would go shopping for shot glasses or t-shirts to mark the occassion of a visit to Rome, as you could probably just order those things online. So if you're looking for something truly unique try a flea market, an antique shop, or a purse-maker like Sirni Pelletteria on Via della Stelletta.

There are also wonderful sights to be seen, and snacks to be had at any of Rome's food markets. We showed the Vittorio Markets in Piazza Vittorio because they are lesser known than some others, yet no less bustling with activity. If you visit a food market, be sure and study up on local customs, as they may not be what you expect.

Above all, be open to discovering more about Rome than your guidebook tells you about and you'll have the trip of a lifetime.

A Budget Weekend in NYC

2009-03-09T16:33:23-04:00

With the economy in the crapper, it's a bit difficult for many U.S. travelers to make it abroad anytime soon. In the meantime, it's a great time for those of us with itchy feet to explore the many places around the States that offer a unique and memorable experience.

We recently had a whirlwind weekend visit to New York City, and found there are definitely deals to be had. It seemed nearly every business in Manhattan was trying everything possible to attract tourist dollars. And with three area airports, plus connections to most major cities around the country, fares are low and seats plentiful. If you're on the east coast, train travel is the way to go. You arrive the in heart of the city at Grand Central Terminal, eliminating cab fare and traffic.

But what making the most of a budget-conscious trip once there? Here are some ideas from our recent Galavanting episode to get you started:

We stayed in the sleek & affordable Hotel 41 in Times Square, which has rooms starting at $149.00 a night. It's got boutique hotel charm, a very friendly staff, and plenty of amenities. Plus, breakfast and cappuccino are included.

Our first night out, we headed to the Jazz Standard for live music. They're the only major jazz club in Manhattan without a drink minimum, and the cover charge is between $20-$30 (low for NYC). After a spectacular performance by the Cindy Blackman Quartet, we went off in search of Sangria, Spanish tapas and lively atmosphere at Xunta.

If you're in the mood for bargain shopping, Daffy's is a good place to go, and they have locations all across Manhattan. Grabbing a cheap lunch and scenic walk around Chinatown is a fun afternoon. Don't forget the Dim Sum.

You can sample some luxury without breaking the bank, with Osteria del Circo's pre-theatre price-fixed dinner menus. They also have price-fixed lunches which started as a limited promotion, but became ongoing as the economic slowdown continued. It's a great way to have an upscale meal at a top-tier restaurant for much less money than it would have cost even several months ago. Go for the food, stay for the atmosphere and charming staff.

Be sure to top the night off with a drink and fab chocolate treat at Max Brenner's before catching the subway back to the hotel.

We did a few tourist trap things too of course, like ice-skating in Rockefeller Center. But that was a splurge, as over-charging seems to be something they haven't given up on yet...at least it's a little cheaper post-Christmas.

All-in-all, New York can be visited on a budget, especially if traveling with friends to split costs, and if you're willing to skip some of the touristy places that eat up your time and your money. And be on the lookout for special bargains -- which abound right now. The city even recently ran a promotion called "On The House" which gave free tickets to off-broadway shows. Be sure to check out NYGO.com's Deal-o-Matic section before your trip to find out any other great deals going on.

Great U.S. Destinations for a Romantic Weekend

2009-01-27T11:18:11-05:00

I recently got an email from a man in California who wanted ideas for the best place to take his wife for an anniversary trip. He wrote:

If you were going to take your spouse somewhere in the USA (airline tickets in continental USA only) for a 25th wedding anniversary in May, where would you go?

First of all: Awww, how sweet -- and congratulations on the anniversary!

Since his criteria was a great US destination with romantic ambiance, here's what I wrote back as suggested places for him and his wife:

URBAN PLACES

Chicago -- It's an easy flight itinerary since most places have direct routes. The city is vibrant and fun with gorgeous architecture. There's so much to do: you can take a boat tour along the river through the city, have lunch at the fun Billy Goat Tavern (the basis for an hilarious Saturday Night Live skit), then take in the town all afternoon. There are any number of fantastic restaurants that are perfect for an anniversary dinner. Don't forget to take her on a Chicago Chocolate Tour down the Magnificent Mile, or hang out at the Art Institute's museum. Chicago is a really fun place and can be very romantic.

Boston -- Full of history and great food, Boston is the cleanest urban environment in the U.S., if you ask me. The city is really diverse and you can see anything from great theatre, to the Cheers bar, to Wine and Cheese Wednesdays. And don't forget the lobster.

Among the many historic treasures (in the North American sense of the word) is the Paul Revere house along The Freedom Trail, which is a well-marked and easy to navigate a self-guided tour through the city. There's also the Boston Ballet and Little Italy on the North End.

New York City -- If you haven't been there together, you should consider going. You can find pretty reasonable hotel rates now if you book early. Take in a Broadway show, and dine at some of the best restaurants in the world. Chinatown, Tiffany's, Jazz, Central Park, Times Square... There is so much to do...in fact, we'll have a "Budget Weekend in NYC" Galavanting TV episode out in February! (We'll be staying at Hotel 41).

CHARMING SMALL(ISH) CITIES

Burlington, VT -- A really cute university town with lots of little B&Bs, good restaurants, coffee shops and indie bookstores along Church Street.

You could do a drive through the charming surrounding countryside of Vermont and sample local homemade fudge, maple syrups, and peruse cute antique shops. Another great excursion would be to go boating on nearby Lake Champlain (a.k.a. the 'Adirondak Coast').

New Orleans, LA -- They've worked really hard to restore the town center and it's a great place to visit, with its charming French Quarter buildings, unique culture and constantly fun stuff to do. An on another positive note, it will help their economy -- which relies quite a lot on tourism. There are lots of good deals on hotels and the food is amazing. Fun antique shops, lively jazz...and you could even take a Creole or Cajun cooking lesson together!

San Antonio, TX -- I'm normally not a big Texas fan and can't really believe it made my list, but this town is pretty cool. (Please no hate mail, Texans...nothing personal!) In San Antonio, stay in a cute local B&B on the riverfront and explore all the cute shops and restaurants along its River Walk. You can also check out The Alamo.

I hope this list sparked that California man's anniversary-trip-planning imagination or even gave the perfect suggestion. What about you, galavanting readers, what are your favorite romantic destinations in the US?

Some photos courtesy of flickr users: Boston, NYC, Burlington, New Orleans, San Antonio

Teacher's Pop-Up Porn Nightmare Ends, Sort Of

2008-11-24T14:41:37-05:00

Blogger, Karoli brought to my attention the horrific nightmare experienced by a Connecticut woman named Julie Amero.

Four years ago, while pregnant, Ms. Amero went to work one day as a substitute teacher and left with felony charges against her.

Her crime?

Julie Amero was convicted of four felony counts, each count carrying a maximum of ten years, for exposing school children to pornography.

The reality is that Julie, a 40 year–old, pregnant substitute teacher, found herself in a storm of popups and didn’t have any idea as to what was going on, or how to fix the situation.

Yes, you read that correctly. A school computer (which evidently hadn't been updated with anti-virus protection by network administrators in months) suddenly started showing lewd pop-up pornography ads in a classroom full of seventh graders. The substitute teacher didn't know what to do to make them stop, so she was led away in handcuffs and convicted of felony charges carrying a maximum sentence of forty years in prison.

And this is not even to mention that after her very public arrest, the pregnant teacher suffered a miscarriage. Subsequently, Ms. Amero has been hospitalized because of declining health due to stress.

In March 2008 a $2,400 ad appeared in the Hartford Courant which was signed by 28 computer science professors arguing that Ms. Amero could not have controlled the pornographic pop-ups. Trial Detective Mark Lounsbury never checked for the presence of malware.

A number of computer security experts, led by software developer and blogger, Alex Eckelberry noticed serious technical errors were made throughout her trial. Mr. Eckelberry brought together a group of forensic investigators who volunteered to analyze the computer hard drive she was using in the classroom that day and published a report on their findings.

The group's report ultimately caused Julie's conviction to be overturned. Judge Hillary Strackbein overturned the unjust verdict in 2007 and ordered a new trial because of erroneous and false information given during the initial trial.

At that point, when New London County State's Attorney Michael Regan learned his entire case was flawed and Ms. Amero was innocent, he had the power to drop the charges against her. But no, he and the group of computer illiterates who pushed the charges in the first place still pursued a new trial.

The case was pending until November 7th, 2008 -- when he finally forced her to plead guilty to a disorderly conduct misdemeanor, surrender her teaching certificate, and pay a $100 fine -- or face another trial.

Perhaps shows like CSI and others have given us a false sense of security that our public officials have any sort of tech savvy skills whatsoever. Apparently not so in Norwich, Connecticut.

And to top it off, unrepentant prosecutor Michael Regan's view after the fact:

"I have no regrets. Things took a course that was unplanned. Unfortunately the computer wasn't examined properly by the Norwich police," Regan said.

The truth is in fact, he ruined a woman's life over a computer virus. Prosectuor Michael Regan literally took Julie Amero's career from her, took her health, took her right to justice. All presumably to make an example of her, and a name for himself.

Mr. Regan forcing her to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge to stop his relentless harassment of false charges is a ludicrous excuse for "justice."

Not that Michael Regan knows or cares what search engine rankings are, but, hopefully when the name Michael Regan of Norwich Connecticut is searched in the future, Michael Regan's Google profile will reflect exactly what Michael Regan fought so hard for: to make a name for Michael Regan. Heaven knows his pursuit had nothing to due with the rule of law.

Liberals Support Our Troops Too

2008-11-11T15:55:23-05:00

Coming from a very conservative background, I've heard liberals called every name in the book throughout my childhood -- especially when it comes to patriotism and support for veterans.

Now as a proud liberal and a former military spouse, I take exception to being called a fascist, nazi, or any other derogatory term for supporting a timely and responsible withdrawal from Iraq, or for questioning the scads of money being spent there while our economy collapses.

Just because I believe diplomacy is a far better option than war doesn't mean I don't support our troops. I am extremely grateful and proud of our US Veterans. I'm also thankful for new leadership who sees them as people, not just troops. And I know many liberals echo that sentiment -- but I've gotta say, I've been totally underwhelmed by the showing Veteran's Day has made on liberal blogs today.

So in honor of Veteran's Day, I started a one-woman Twitter campaign on ways we can support our troops (in 140 characters or less) without necessarily agreeing with the standard, two-dimensional ways we're 'supposed to' support them.

If you tweet, you can find all of them and post your own with the tag #veteransday.

Here's what I have so far over on Twitter:

Support our troops: no homeless vets.

Support our troops: no involuntary re-deployments for discharged vets.

Support our troops: let them vote.

Support our troops: Focus on Afghanistan & Al Qaeda, not a war for oil (or "saving face").

Support our troops: Value their mental health and support those who do.

Support our troops & their families: Fix Walter Reed Hospital.

Support our troops: Regulate recruiting and tactics used.

Support our troops: Leave an economy they can come home to by stopping Iraq War.

And to every man and woman who has served our military and this nation, THANK YOU.

Would love to hear your thoughts, here or on Twitter.