Earlier this week I was stumping for a Seattle breakfast buddy (or lunch pal), because I’ll be at Sea-Tac on Tuesday on my way to Atlanta. There I’ll be visiting the lovely and talented Beverly Harzog and hanging out with some other writers if we can swing it.
Generally I like to do reader meet-ups when I travel, too. So who’s available on Saturday, Feb. 27?
A week from today I’ll be at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, on my way to someplace else. Between probably 6 a.m.* and about 2 p.m., I’ll be looking for company.
Anybody up for a Dutch-treat breakfast, brunch or lunch?
The ground rules:
Readers and writers: Want to talk about personal finance, blogging techniques or life itsownself?
I’m heading to Phoenix on Monday and hope you’ll join my daughter and me — and possibly some bloggers to be named later — at a casual meet-up on Saturday, Jan. 23.
I’ll be in town to visit my daughter, who blogs at I Pick Up Pennies. Abby and I will hold forth from approximately 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wendy’s restaurant (see “casual,” above) near her home. We’ve staged meet-ups there in the past and it’s been quite pleasant. Management doesn’t seem to mind if we loiter and talk.
And talk. And talk.
Back in 2000, Scott Jordan got frustrated when trying to mix two of his favorite things: travel and tech. So he created what he called the “pocket revolution,” i.e., a line of clothing that would organize and protect his gadgets while leaving them easily accessible on the road.
Since then he’s sold more than 10 million pockets, in the form of “tech-enabled” clothing for men and women – everything from underpants to hoodies. Multiple pockets, some of them completely hidden, protect your gadgets, cash and other valuables.
Just for giggles and grins, here’s a video of best-selling author Amy Tan showing what she keeps in her SCOTTeVEST clothing:
The garment is a veritable clown car, isn’t it?
When a representative from SCOTTeVEST contacted me to offer a couple of samples, I jumped at the chance – and one reader will win two great-looking, comfortable and practical garments.
My trip back from a couple of conferences and family visits took some 17 hours from door to door, thanks to the first plane leaving almost two hours late. Boy, was I ready to be home.
And boy, was I glad that we live only about six minutes from the airport. A guy with whom I chatted during the delay told me he still had to drive to Ninilchik, Alaska, after we landed. That’s more than 180 miles south of Anchorage. All I had to do was look for DF’s car outside the baggage claim area.
Thursday found me somewhat punchy, since long trip + fewer than five hours of sleep = dormant brain cells. But I made it a point to get back on track, money-wise.
That’s Saturday as in “tomorrow,” and yes, I should have given everyone more notice.
My apologies: When I’m in New Jersey I just lose track of time.
Late last night I suddenly realized, “Holy cow* — it’s Thursday!” I went to the McDonald’s website and found a place just two miles away from where I’m staying.
Despite the late notice, I hope that those of you who expressed an interest can make it.
It’s been far too long since I wrote for fun. But I’m still underwater, work- and project-wise, and thus don’t have the time and focus for a decent post.
I wish I could rise above the buzzing and busy-ness, because I don’t want to neglect the community that’s developed here. Sometimes you just don’t have it in you.
Hang in there, and thanks for checking back in.
In other news:
Recently I flew from Anchorage to Las Vegas to give a talk at the New Media Expo. Going from a chilly climate to a potentially blast-furnace-hot one meant I’d need nothing but sandals, so why bother wearing shoes on the plane?
But this was an overnight flight and I can’t sleep when my feet are cold. Sighing, I made a sartorially awkward choice: gray wool socks with my Teva sandals.
And yes, I know how fugly that looks, but I’m built for comfort, not for speed. Besides, it wasn’t wearing the socks with sandals that left me feeling embarrassed. It was the removal.
The terminal in Los Angeles made my feet feel overdressed, instantly. Yet I felt it absolutely necessary to remove the socks in the ladies’ room. Doing so in the waiting area – even an empty one – seemed indecent somehow.
Memorial Day weekend is coming up, as is a summer full of potential getaways. If the idea of paying $1.59 for a one-ounce tube of toothpaste irritates you as much as it does me, then you need this week’s prize.
These TSA-friendly travel bag giveaways are always insanely popular. The price of that toothpaste probably has a lot to do with it.
In addition, you won’t have to refill travel bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Plus: A free Ziploc freezer bag!
This time around, we’re looking at toiletries both luxurious and mundane:
Frequent flier miles? Trading in hotel loyalty points? Those all work. So do the tips I offer in a guest post called “Destinations on a dime: 10 tips that will change your wandering ways,” a guest post over on The Real Deal, the house blog at Retail Me Not.
Anyone who’s read me knows that I’m more likely to go for hostels, museum reciprocity, buddy passes public transit and the Megabus.
Rewards programs, too; in fact, I recently cashed in points from a rewards credit card to get a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card for my trip to Phoenix next month (more on that in a minute), and will also cash in Swagbucks points for gift cards to Red Robin and Cracker Barrel. That way I can treat my daughter and son-in-law to a few meals out. After all, they’re getting me to and from the airport.
What else have I been writing lately? So glad you asked.