Good News, America: I'm Not Moving

Only in America...

Inside the Voting Booth - Behind the Steel Curtains of America

One day until the most influential election of my generation. Yes, there were influential presidents before tomorrow, but none that I was able to vote for. Tomorrow marks my most powerful vote, and I'm scared as hell.

I've always been an idealist; maybe to a fault or maybe it's what keeps me going. I held on to my idealism when I visited the jail every weekend for three months to interview inmates who claim to be wrongly accused for committing grotesque crimes. I watched in wonderment from the House floor as the President of the United States gave a State of the Union address immediately following the worst attack on U.S. soil, which ignited Americans to unify and fight for their freedom and I wondered, "how can he be so sure we're safe?" I witnessed the American flag rise every morning from the five-starred Pentagon building only to reveal a blown-out section of the very building that defends my freedom, and I still believe. I believe that America is the greatest country in the world - not without its faults, but sacred with strength.

Earlier in the year, I became part of history when I cast a vote for a woman president of the United States. While my vote wasn't able to carry Hilary Clinton into the delegation, I am equally in awe at the option of voting for the first black man as president. This election is a sign of progression, but I shudder to wonder how many Americans are afraid to move ahead.

Can America vote a black man into the highest office, or will the segregated America of years past rear its ugly head behind the steel curtains of the voting booth?

I'm nervous at the news headlines that flood my inbox today:

Obama leading in key voting sectors
One day, eight points
Hope, fears as Harlem gets election fever

Nervous not because of the predictions, but because the predictions might be wrong. Is America voting with heart and soul, or with mixed emotions? Is the Bradley Effect nearing the corner? Will voters say one thing to the pollsters, only to vote the opposite inside the poll booth?

Maybe we're not as evolved as we claim to be. Maybe we need the Maverick mentality to lead us to salvation from the war we didn't want and the economy we lost. Maybe a moose-hunting woman is more influential than a small town senator. Maybe an ex-POW is needed more than an optimistic evolutionary. Or maybe not.

I think of what America would be without Roe vs. Wade, healthcare coverage or an ally in Israel and I am frightened. But I'm comforted by the thought that for one brief moment tomorrow, behind the steel curtains of the polling booth, I'll be at peace with my vote.

The $150,000 Wardrobe

While standing in the office today, my co-worker and friend The Missus turned and said to me, "You cannot wear those jeans." And so, we decided to go shopping after work. Unfortunately, we didn't do very well. I tried on at least a dozen pairs of jeans and none of them worked. We finally agreed, maybe I wasn't a "jeans" gal. Maybe I should stick with my dress pants and rock 'em the best way I can. But jeans, not so much. 

If I had extra money, or maybe I was the vice presidential nominee, I would have a $150,000 to spend on clothes and pay for a personal shopper to dress me. I don't have that kind of spending cash, but if I did, I can assure you it wouldn't be spent on clothes. Which brings up a new topic of conversation... 

In the midst of a financial crisis, if you were running for an office that helps balance the budget of the U.S. economy, would you spend $150,000 on clothes? (Cast your vote on the poll to the right.)

My Thoughts on My Vote

Last night was the final debate before America chooses its next president. As with the other debates, I've listened, intently, to what each candidate has to say. I'm pretty confident in my vote, but I will be the first to admit there are things I don't know and it's nice to hear what the future leader of our country has to say about those things.

Yes, I know it's politics. I covered politics - I know how to play this game. I side with the majority of America when I say this election is different. We need hope - strength - survival. But at some point I have to draw the line. Last night, I drew my line. People are so busy reporting whether or not McCain's delivery was "solid" that they didn't actually stop to listen to what he had to say.

McCain called Obama a guy who "pals around with terrorists." Obama called McCain, "ignorant to the needs of average Americans." But when asked about health care and Roe v. Wade, specifically, McCain firmly said, "I do not agree with Roe v. Wade." And at that moment, I bolded my line.


I would choose not to vote, or vote for a guy who once sat at the same table as another guy who was once involved in some form of violent platform before I turned over my reproductive rights over to the government.

The Debate Spirit

Bring it...

(c)Donkey Doo Designs.

(...and if you want this on a t-shirt, mug, button or bumper sticker, click here)

A Message From the Muppets

Are the candidate's campaigns confusing? Not sure you quite get the "message"? Wondering how to fill your election night? Let the Muppets simplify your campaign conundrum.

It's On...

Tonight, we will debate.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26900453/

Anyone want to talk about the issues on the table?

Are We Debating?

It's 11:00 a.m. Do you think there will be a debate tonight?

Obama's camp says he's on his way to Mississippi.

No one has heard from McCain.

Personally, I would love to see what happens if McCain doesn't show up. This could be a combination of the most brilliant and fatal political career moves in history...

Too Prude?

One of the many fascinating aspects of my job includes monitoring a few travel boards. I get to read about all the fascinating places and travel finds from people all over the world. It does come with a bit of power -- I am a moderator so I do get to approve, accept and ban people from the network. Although I do so very rarely. Today, however, was a high point in my editorial tenure.

This morning we had a new member (erm, bad word choice, but read on please) on our boards. His name is Tim and he's part of an association called the Gay Travellers Network. Tim has traveled all over the world and it was all captured in the 100-slide photo show that he posted with his profile. The photos were beautiful! Even the men in drag.

There was, however, one photo of question. It was of a naked man lying on his stomach sprawled out across the bed. To be perfectly honest, I found the photo rather artistic. I might have requested the nude man get a waxing, but to each their own.

However, this particular travel board is a family-friendly board and we do have rules and regulations about photos and nudity. And so, as the moderator, I penned the following note:

"Dear Tim,

Your pictures are beautiful and on behalf of our readership, I look forward to your stories and posts about the various adventures you’ve been on and the destinations where you’ve traveled. Unfortunately, there is one photo that needs to be removed. We encourage diversity and pictures of your travels, but please refer to the terms and conditions as to what is appropriate."

In other words:

"Dear Tim,

Please remove the naked photo of your post-coital friend from the site. While I find the photo artistic and believe you could bounce a quarter of the man's behind, soft-core porn isn't widely accepted on travel sites in the U.S. Personally, I find the photos of the men who are clearly past their prime and dressed in drag more offensive, but my bosses are likely to have a bigger problem with the bare butt. Thank you for understanding."

Tim replied:

"Coming from Europe, I find it strange that you're so peculiarly prudish in the US, as the content of photo concerned could easily appear in TV advertising or on a bus shelter billboard here advertising shower gel or aftershave. This level of nudity simply isn't an issue here...This is nothing personal, as you handled this politely."

Was Gay Tim right? Are we too prude in the U.S.? While I appreciate his acknowledgement that I was polite and it isn't personal, I had to wonder, "what was the big deal, anyway?" So the guy was naked. We've all seen naked pictures -- go to any PG-13 or higher-rated movie today and there's bound to be breasts and butts on screen. So what makes a travel message board any different?

In this case the answer is easy: It's a sponsored site, and the rules and regulations clearly state no nudity. But is it necessary to ask this member (word choice appropriate) to remove photos of his lifestyle because they might be offensive to others?

Girl Scouts Gone Wild

Only in America... would a Girl Scout Ganga camp exist.

Police raided the marijuana farm being grown in a remote part of a Girl Scout camp in Warsaw, Ind. CBS news reports about 5,000 plants were being grown on the Girl Scout grounds.

Gives new meaning to the importance of Girl Scout Cookies. Thin mints are even better when you've got the munchies.

TSA Body Scanners: The New Wave of Privacy Invasion

No one's private parts are safe from airport security, now! Our friends at the TSA chose Boston's airport to install body scanners as a security measure.

The X-Ray machines will see right through clothing and can detect if a traveler is hiding a concealed weapon under their clothes or in their private areas. The Boston Globe writes, "The scanners produce three-dimensional images of people's naked bodies, but the agency says procedures have been modified to protect passenger privacy." The machine blurs the face of the passenger.

The article also goes on to explain that the X-Ray machine can gather detailed images like muscle definition on a person's body. So if you can see my muscles, you must also be able to see my lady bits, and I don't know if I'm OK with that, TSA.

Do you feel like this is an invasion of your privacy? Good news! You can refuse to walk through the X-Rays. Instead, you'll be treated to a pat down and screening with a handheld metal detector. Choose your evil, travelers! You can have your insides shown on a screen for all to see or you can get a full body pat down and a metal detector up your yahoo.

Let me clear the air, though. I'm not opposed to better security practices. I think they are necessary, but unfortunate. You want to scan my shoes? Fine. You want me to remove liquids from my bags? Fine. You want to scan my jewelry? Fine. You want to capture a digital image of my insides? I'm not so fine. Furthermore, what is the TSA saying about radiation issues? Pregnant women shouldn't be exposed to radiation, so in order for them to fly they are now subject to pat downs and wands?

I'm going to say it, and I expect I'll be bashed up one side and down the other for saying it, but I'm going to say it: What are the chances a TSA officer gets a good laugh during the day at these photos? How many of these digital images end up in files for future viewing?

The TSA will say their employees are trained professionals who adhere to the strictest rules and regulations. Well, TSA, if that's so then why are we in this position to begin with? The following is what I don't want to hear:

• TSA officials don't make any money.
• TSA officials are overworked.
• TSA officials have to lot to deal with during the security process.

We can all file these same complaints about our jobs. My sister just graduated from her medical assistance program. She doesn't make any money, yet she works all day with cancer patients. We're all overworked and overtired -- it's the American way -- but I'm not going into people's desks, bags and medicine cabinets.

So, yes, I do have a problem with these scanners. As a "professional traveler," so to say, I'm used to just about every glitch in the system. I can easily go with flow and honestly, I don't mind rules - they are necessary to keep order and I'm all for them.

At this point, however, we might at well just strip naked and walk our bodies through security, no?

The World is a Happy Place (Sort of...)

Good news, Earthlings!

LiveScience.com reports a new study has shown that happiness is on the rise around the world. Here's the skinny:

Researchers asked 350,000 people in 52 countries, "Taking all things together, would you say you are very happy, rather happy, not very happy, not at all happy?" And, "All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?"

(Dear Researches, those are two very broad questions. But, ok...)

The answers were placed on a "Happiness Index" and according to the most recent survey, the happiness meter rose between 1981 and 2007.

So what country is the "happiest"? That's Denmark, where apparently we should all be traveling to this coming year. Denmark has ranked number one on the charts for years and I say, if they are all so damn happy I want to know why. What does Denmark have that I don't? Or, what is Denmark using that I'm not...

The most unhappy place on Earth? Zimbabwe. America ranks number 16 and the same study found that it's the Baby Boomer generation who is bringing us down. Apparently, "Baby Boomers are generally miserable compared to other generations."

Well, that's a pretty bold statement. I don't think my parents are generally miserable. I certainly don't think their friends are miserable. Granted, this is the same generation who practiced what to do in the event Cuba actually fired missiles against the U.S., and then this same generation grew up to fight in Vietnam. I can understand if there is a little residual annoyance left over from their hardships. I think it's fair to give them a curve on this test, but to call them "generally miserable" is a bit much, no?

The new survey also finds that people who live in rich countries are happier than those who live in poor countries. What a fascinating finding... (she said sarcastically while she read the study again to make sure this was actually printed).

So there you have it folks. Out of a possible 52 countries, America ranked a meager 16 in terms of happiness. It's time to ask yourself, "All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?" If the answer is "not very", maybe it's time you head to Denmark.

A George-less Dollar

Today I exchanged more money. The US Dollar to the Euro isn't as bad as the dollar to the pound, but it still plays a good game on your bank account.

Today's exchange rate: 1.58. That means that my $700 quickly dwindled down to 440 Euros. In essence, I just lost $260. Now before you get all "then don't travel" on me, I realize I am the one who chooses to travel and spend this money. I'm not complaining about spending the money, I'm complaining about the diminishing value of my money. I will still earn, I will still spend, but I have to admit, it's the saving that is hard. Yes, of course, if I didn't travel I could save that money. There are both sides to the story, but at the end of the day I blame George.

For years I worked multiple jobs while I put myself through grad school, and subsequently paid back the grad school loans. That meant for years there was no travel. Up until a few years ago, my passport was pretty bare. Then I started coming into my own and my career took a turn. I took my cash and traded it in for plane tickets around the world. So it's ironic as soon as I had the means and ways to do this, the economy started tanking. I could get all political on you (and I covered politics in Washington DC so yes, I can debate this argument) but instead I'll just voice my opinion. It's my blog, after all.

I blame the president. Thank you, George Bush, for completely crushing my hard-earned money. I blame you, but I will not let you stop me. As far as I'm concerned, you're one George whose face will never end up on a dollar.

And that said, I'm taking my Euros and I'm going to Italy, baby!

Increased Airline Fees for Luggage, Pets and...Antlers?

It seems the airline industry is digging down deep to come up with additional ways to charge passengers. New on the airline fee scene: antlers.

Yes, antlers.

Frontier Airlines announced Friday it will increase the charge for taking antlers on its planes to $100 from $75. Sure, Frontier is also adding additional fees for extra luggage, pets, and more. But if you travel during hunting season and you score your game, and you want the trophy prize to hang on your wall, you'll have to pay for those antlers. And rightly so.

There are way too many things wrong with this story, so I'll leave the commenting to you. Only in America, folks. (I can't even post an image with this story.)

Boycotting Gym Inflation

Everything is more expensive these days. Gas, homes, airline tickets, dairy - name it, and you're probably paying more for it. So it stands to reason that everyday amenities are going to rise, as well. It's simple economics. And while it's unfortunate that it costs more to live these days, that's just the fundamentals of living.

I must take a few moments today and veer from the fundamental of this blog so that I can vent one very valid frustration: The rising (and often ridiculous) costs associated with fitness centers and gyms. Only in America do you have to pay more to maintain your self-esteem via a healthy weight.

One of the side effects of traveling is weight gain. Sad to say, but over the years I've embraced good food and I often find it when I travel. To offset the carbs and calories, I do try and workout when I'm on the road. When I come home, most evenings are spent at the gym. After all, I am paying a monthly membership - I might as well make use of it. I've written columns about proper workout clothes, meeting singles at the gym, and even doing business at the gym. I am a fan of the gym.

But when the gym deliberately price gouges, I have to take a stand.

Case in point: Boston Sports Clubs

Case Study: The hidden fees of gyms.

Background: Boston Sports Club offers various memberships. We'll use mine as an example for this story. I pay $74 a month to belong to Boston Sports Clubs. My membership is considered the "Gold Membership" which means I choose a "home gym" that I can attend any day or time. I can only access other gyms during off-peak hours. I can see BSC's rational behind the varying degrees of memberships. You do have to limit the amount of people in order to avoid over-crowding.

My membership started at $70 a month and I was forced to sign a two-year contract and pay an initiation fee. Caveat: I could have signed a one-year contract, but the monthly membership dues were higher and I didn't get two free personal training sessions. So I signed on for two years. The price has risen $4 in two years. I can live with that, although I'll be honest, it's a little ridiculous. The price increase is due to "necessary gym maintenance". So why is there always a broken machine, not enough towels, and mold in the showers? Sadly, this isn't even the basis of my argument...

Situation: I think my Boston Sports Club "home gym" is a bit of a wreck. Some friends of mine, who are also Boston Sports Club members, belong to another BSC location near my neighborhood and suggested I switch my "home gym". I call to find out the procedure for making the switch.

The Boston Sports Club membership person (whose identity I'll protect) tells me that we can easily do the switch. It's a one-time processing fee of $39.99 and my monthly dues will go from $74 to $69.

"Oh," I say. "What's the $39 for, again?"

A processing fee, she tells me.

"If I want to come in after work and make the switch, is that possible?"

Oh yes, she says. "It will only take a second to switch you over."

Ok... STOP. Let's break that down:

It's a $39.99 "processing fee" for making a switch that will "only take a second."

Problem: I've always hated the idea of "initiation fees." It's a quick way to make money and it's completely useless, but all gyms do it and the most I can do is threaten not to sign up. In the end, we all pay. But when hidden fees are added to the process for the sake of simply screwing your customers, there is a problem.

As far as I can tell, there is no reason for a $39.99 processing fee for a process that takes "a second." You're asking me to pay you $39.99 for one second of your time. Some perspective:

A working member of society who makes $40/hour brings home approximately $83,200/year.
Boston Sports Club wants me to pay them $39.99/second. How many customers need to pay this fee for Boston Sports Club to be rich? This isn't hard math, folks.

Solution: A boycott. Why do gyms get away with these fees? Show me the poor sap who is slaving behind a machine that takes hours out of his day to click a drop-down menu from one person's profile in a computer and switch their "home gym", and I will pay you $39.99. Until then, no way.

I signed a two-year contract and the only way I can get out of my contract is to pay Boston Sports Club more money, which at this point I refuse to do. So I will honor my contract. It expires at the end of the August and you can be sure I won't renew. Gym inflation won't get the best of me. If you want me to pay extra fees, show me a clean gym with properly functioning machines and I will show you my credit card.

From now until August, I will make the most of my $74 a month. Maybe I'll actually lose the 10 lbs. I've been fighting off...

Lazy? Ship Your Luggage

There's one thing you can't deny about America: when it comes to finding the easy way out, we've got a solution for it.

Too many plastic grocery bags? Buy a bag collector to keep your bags conveniently located in one place. (Alternative: make one bag the "storage bag" and place all other bags in the bag. It's a free and resusable solution.)

Too busy to buy scented soap? Use the stainless steel "Rub Away" bar to get smells off your hands. Because stainless steel, garlic and fish odors smell great together!

For some, the thought of travel creates a level of anxiety curable only with varying degrees of Valium. Add to it the stress of packing and you might as well walk on the plane wearing a straight jacket. Leave it to America to come up with a solution to help ease your stress (if prescription medication doesn't appeal to you). If you're already an anxious traveler, why add the anxiety of transporting your luggage with you?

Enter: The Luggage Express. The purpose: to travel light.

According to their website, "Luggage Express® will pick up your luggage, golf clubs, bike, skis, snowboard, kayak, gear bags or other items at your home or office and deliver it to your destination."

How convenient!!! Unless you're a perfectionist like me and stress happens when you're not in control of something... like your luggage. The good news: if your luggage does not arrive, you can scout out the best boutiques in your area and go shopping for new clothes... which you'll need to re-pack in your already overpacked luggage when it arrives.

Only in America, April 2008

Only in America does a woman get pregnant after having a sex change to become a man, and then go on Oprah to talk about his pregnancy.

Only in America would we publish photos of a family fathered by our sole enemy.

Only in America can the reunion of a 1990s teen boy band ignite the kind of excitement that outdoes the kind of passion expected out of a historical presidential election year.

Only in America, March 2008

Only in America can you pick up a prescription and a Lean Cuisine meal in one location.

Only in America would you pay a valet $10 to park your car in the open spot two steps from the front door of the restaurant.

Only in America would two women engrossed in conversation ignore you if trip and fall while walking in front of them, and not stop to make sure that person was OK. (Admittedly, I had a couple cocktails, but I blame the loose brick on the sidewalk for my slip). By the way ladies, I'm fine.

Only in America would U.S. State Department employees search the passport files of hopeful presidential candidates.