Pika!

I use to do some animated Pokemon scripts for their online content and came across a release about their annual Video Game Showdown. Sweet!



"Fans across the planet" can win a seat at this first annual contest in Orlando. But you have to show-up on July 12th in Los Angeles, CA or July 19th in New York, NY to qualify. This regional qualifying event, free to the public, will feature the best players in America battling it out on Nintendo’s Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl video games for the opportunity to compete against the best players from Japan. Two first place finishers at the Video Game Showdown will be awarded a 6 day / 5 night vacation package for four to your choice of NY, Honolulu, or Tokyo, Japan as well as a custom Nintendo DS Game System. Prizes are also awarded to the top finishers in each of the two age divisions at the qualifier tournaments including a Nintendo Wii package worth over $500! Pokémon is a Kid-tested / Parent-approved brand that unlike many of the current video games on the market, has always promoted non–-violence and encourages interaction and socialization with other users. We’re happy to send over artwork for the Video Game Showdown as well. We’d love it if you could tell all our local kids about this exciting event that allows them to showcase their talents and win the experience of a lifetime!

Who Else Thinks this Brooklyn Bridge Waterfall Fiasco is Dumb?

So tonight I'm going to peruse the Brooklyn Bridge via watertaxi for work to get a close-up view of this hideous waterfall. Do they really think it's going to rake in the dough from tourism? Right now it looks like a metal erecta-set circa 1982 and any minute Jimmy Hoffa's body is going to get sucked up into it and go over the edge. My hubster's comment this morning on the subway ride while we gawked at it over the Manhattan bridge with all the other commuters? "At least it'll help circulate the East River a little bit."

Frank Sinatra didn't sing about this in his Brooklyn Bridge song... "All the folks in Manhattan are sad... 'cause they all wish they had, a waterfall monstrosity under the Brooklyn Bridge!"

Apparently it's the handiwork of "brainchild of Danish artist Olafur Eliasson." He's the same brainchild of The Weather Project at the Tate Modern, London from 2003.

I do think it's interesting, but horrifically out of place and oddly offensive against such a beauty as The Brooklyn Bridge. It seems tainted somehow. I'll have a better close-up view tonight. Don't call me a hack, it's a free event, can you really pass up the opportunity?

Travel Alert - Hideous Waterfall

Found this press release in my email this morning....


Entertainment Cruises is excited to announce that in addition to breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty and more, this summer the cruise line will offer spectacular views of New York’s most awe-inspiring new attraction – The New York City Waterfalls, debuting today!

Famous for reinventing nature in artwork, Olafur Eliasson will replicate the beauty and splendor of waterfalls in four, 90 to 120 foot-tall art projects located at Pier 35 in Manhattan, Governors Island, Brooklyn Bridge and Pier 5 in Brooklyn. There will be no better view of the brilliant sites than aboard Spirit Cruises, where passengers will sail up close to the city's most unique art attraction while enjoying dinner, dancing and entertainment.

Random Melarchy

The Olsen twins were on our flight from New York to Nashville this afternoon. We texted 10 of our friends before the cabin door closed to tell them and when we landed my cell phone was busting up with comments. The responses ranged from:

"Give Mary Kate a cheeseburger for me!"

"Amazing."

"Who are the Olsen twins?"

"Tell them Bob Boyett says hi."

"Have them sign your boobs for me."

"Do they look like bugged aliens in real life?"

...and my personal guilty favorite...

"Tell them Heath was one of their faults."


BURN! That was a bit harsh. But we have mean friends...

Nashvegas

So today we're going to Nashville... will keep you posted. I'm curious to see if it really is the land of honky tonks and cowboy hats or if there's hidden art gems, punk rock, and fine dining abounding..

Travel Alert - Free Airfare to St. Lucia

This is an unusual marketing ploy. The Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia is actually offering one free airline ticket (minus taxes) with the price of a 7-day rental.

The rentals start at about $310, so that's still rather steep, especially for a family of 4. You're looking at over $2,000 in rental fee, plus the cost of other airfare. Though if you're looking to get away on your own, it's a pretty sweet deal.

Right now Orbitz is showing a fare of $558 ($664 with taxes) for a directly flight to St. Lucia on September 2nd. So if you're traveling with a family of 4, one gets a free ticket and 3 get a combined bill of $1,992.

It also looks like the villa rates are for 1-2 people and you can purchase an all-inclusive package for an additional charge. So this deal may only be a bargain for a couple. I'd say it's worth it if you're specifically looking for a villa in St. Lucia. But for an overall bargain Caribbean discount, I'm not so sure this is it.

Check it out, might be perfect for honeymooners looking for a splurge...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FLY FREE THIS FALL TO ST. LUCIA

Book Seven-Nights at Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

by June 30th and Enjoy Complimentary Airline Tickets

CASTRIES, ST. LUCIA (JUNE 11, 2008) -- Award-winning Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, known for its glorious beach and stunning Mediterranean style villas, announces a free airfare promotion featuring complimentary tickets from all major East Coast gateways that serve St. Lucia via American Airlines for bookings by June 30, 2008.

The luxury resort is extending the promotion to vacationers booking a seven-night stay between September 2 and December 15, 2008.* Travelers booking a two-bedroom villa or larger will receive two tickets; those booking a one-bedroom villa will receive one free ticket (airline taxes are not included). Airfare supplements of $100 apply for travel from the Midwest; $200 from the West Coast.

Nightly rates start at $310 for one or two guests staying in a one-bedroom villa; $510 for a two-bedroom villa, plus tax and service charges. Nightly all-inclusive rates start at $646 for two guests in a one bedroom villa; $882 in a two-bedroom villa. All-inclusive rates include all meals, top-shelf liquor, motorized and non-motorized water sports, entertainment, tax and service charges.

“Fall is a fabulous time to enjoy St. Lucia’s natural beauty and hospitality, as well as special events such as the St. Lucia Bill Fishing Tournament in September, Creole Heritage Month in October and the famed Food and Rum Festival from October 30 to November 2. We hope our promotion will encourage vacationers to plan ahead and enjoy our upscale resort and its spacious, private villas,” said Anthony Bowen, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort’s managing director.

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, which was awarded green certification, is a premier property set on a crescent-shaped, white-sand beach with stunningly-designed and appointed suites and villas, many with private pools, spread among 60 exotic and flowering acres on the verdant Caribbean island of St. Lucia. With the full-service Serenity Spa, the Jacquot Fun Club, and a choice of romantic restaurants, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is the perfect retreat for families, couples and anyone seeking top-level service and amenities.

For reservations, contact (800) 345-0356; (800) 958-7376 or visit www.windjammer-landing.com or www.eliteislands.com.

*Packages are subject to availability.

# # #

How Many "Pain at the Pump" Stories Can We Possibly Bear?

Here's some new headlines about 'Pain at the Pump' I'd like to see thrown in the mix. How many hourly horror stories about $5 gas can we read before driving all our cars straight into the Hudson?

Fuel Surcharges Grounds Mile High Club

Passengers Request Emergency Landing in Cleveland Instead of Columbus to Save on Surcharges

Pump Like a Prude

Gas Hikes Usher in the Apocalypse

Eat Your Young to Save on Gas

Gas Crisis? Live in Your Office Instead of Commuting

BP Boasts Excessive Fuel Spill to Alleviate Consumer's Fear of a Shortage



The most innovative, non-complaining, non-apocalyptic tool I've seen for gas calculations is AAA's Fuel Cost Calculator. Plot in your make and model of your car, miles per gallon, starting point and destination to find out how much gas is going to set you back. You can also compare cities to figure out which makes the most sense and where you can save. For a real treat, see what gas costs in your area, then torture yourself by seeing where gas is considered 'cheap'. Of course cheap is a matter of pennies, but hey, we're all feeling pain at the pump.

A Horror Film for Today's Economy

Do you ever wonder what would happen if Stephen King re-released Maximum Overdrive? No one would be frightened, of course, not even young children. I mean come on, it's a Stephen King film after all. But what would really throw us for a violent, blood-curdling loop is how much gas those alien semi trucks were sucking down without even giving thought to Emilio Estevez's pain at the pump. Now that's a modern horror story.

Why You Shouldn't Trust Travel Writers

Hi. I'm a travel writer by trade and that's how I earn a living. But should you trust me? Maybe not.

Here's why. Travel writers make a lousy paycheck, but get incredibly addictive perks ranging from free airfare to the best suites to free drinks. Most smaller travel publications or websites, often rely on PR firms and the hospitality industry for freebies to generate content and establish contacts in the industry. And hotel markets, resorts, and tourism boards truly need those small publications. It's more likely someone writing about Columbus, OH for a small paper in Indiana will get more of a reaction than the LA Times. Those readers from Indy can drive over to check out the newest in Columbus museums whereas someone in LA will probably only file it away in their mind as a matter of interest. It's really not that hard to get on a press trip if you write for a publication with a circulation as few as 4,000.

But bigger rags like Travel and Leisure or Conde Nast strictly forbid any freebies of any kind. If the hotel concierge so much as opens a door for you, the editors are quick to panic that your review will be skewed. However, that doesn't mean you should assume established writers aren't ever sneaking perks, or trading perks. Is it so out of the question they would take a free room from a Marriott in Tahoe, with the agreement they'd check out a Marriott in Seattle and review it on their own? Though popular travel magazines tend to have a solid reputation journalistic integrity, you just never know what goes on behind closed doors.

Hee! We're all travel writers drinking free champagne....

I just got back from a free trip and met a couple who runs a successful but small regional newspaper. They came right out and told me they never review the negative aspects of a trip, lest not get invited back again. They in fact specifically write about places, cruises, and hotels that they want to visit for their own personal pleasure. I found this shocking. While I do take on a certain amount of responsibility by taking a free trip, offering a decent review, and agreeing to play by the rules, I would never leave out negative elements I would find important to my readers. Nor can a property, resort, or PR firm obligate a writer or publication to do so.

However, I also expect my readers to be smart. I'll offer up all the positive aspects of a property or attraction, but also mention who wouldn't enjoy it. Toddlers, seniors, people who hate walking up steps, etc. etc. This is my way of pointing out the negative, but also keeping in mind that too much walking or lots of kids wouldn't be a negative to everyone. My approach is to mix in some of my own thoughts and perspective along with the facts and let the reader decide. No fence around the property? A parent will immediately zero in on that comment and cringe at the thought of their toddler running amok. But newlyweds would probably care less. But regardless of how great all the perks on a trip were, I would never say 'This was the best place ever!"

I think travel writing should be a way to open new doors, entertain, educate, and inspire. But to just take a writer's word that a property is fabulous is short-sighted. Do at least one more level of digging before handing over your credit card. I love Trip Advisor for unbiased reviews, but I read all the negative reviews too. If the negative comments are about the room being small, the hotel staff being rude, or a whole ten minute walk into town, I'm still game. I'm from New York, everything is small, everyone is rude, and you walk everywhere. Another reason to compare negative vs. positive? They're often the same comments. We stayed at the Hix House in Vieques and all the reviews were the same on both sides of the coin. People were either bitching or celebrating the rustic setting, camp-style lofts, wildlife, and lack of televisions. The reviews were the same, but the people giving them had opposite perspectives.

So you may not want to trust a travel writer on whether a hotel really is the best place on the face of the earth, but you might get some new ideas and fresh perspective for your next vacation.

Why is Andrew Zimmern Always Eating Balls?

Seriously. Does anyone else watch Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern? I use to think food shows were terribly boring, a waste of airtime, and something you only watch at your grandma's who doesn't have real cable. It's not like you can actually eat the food or really get into the excitement of watching Rachael Ray throw EVOO (extra virgin olive oil for you Rachael haters) on the skillet.

But then I discovered Top Chef and realized that watching people eat and cook could be not only interesting, but utterly suspenseful. Nail biting, in fact. Who could believe it when Sam and the bald chick got booted from the show in favor of the guy who only made Spanish food and the mouse dude with the bouffant? Top Chef makes me nervous.

So after becoming a TV foodie, the hubster and I were bored or sick or procrastinating and started watching Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel. Here's the breakdown of a day in the life of Andrew Z: Andrew Zimmern traverses the world, searching high and low for the most bizarre foods on earth. And he delivers. If you're looking for a good edge of your seat drama, just watch Zimmern shove down intestines, fertilized duck embryo, cricket stir-fry, purple yam ice cream and cheese ice cream, worms, penis, and lots and lots of balls.

Lots of balls.

I haven't gotten to see the show that often, and it seems he's always downing some variation of testicles wherever he goes. And with great relish and satisfaction, I might add.

Snip, snip...

Before Ball Biting Zimmern, I wondered why the Travel Channel was chock full of food shows. But then I realized consumption and imbibing really is completely ingrained in what travel is all about. And it's not just about eating in the finest or weirdest restaurants complete with snapshots of you putting your head inside a stuffed boar's head. No.

I feel transported and alive when I'm traveling. And unfortunately I find that when I'm on vacation I want to eat with abandon and feel free to do so because I'm on vacation. It's an excuse to indulge and make up for all the crap you left behind. I'm away from my real life and my real problems and convince myself my real waistline was also left behind at home. Then I go to the gym and see how much weight I gained.

Andrew Zimmern also eats a lot of brains.


Watch the Zimmern in action...

Dude

I've been on back to back press trips the last few weeks with no WiFi. That's right, cut off from the outside world! First I was in the woods of Ohio where I zip lined all while trying not to have a freak out over my fear of heights, ate twice at the Spotted Owl Cafe, and hiked around. Who knew the Midwest had caves and waterfalls?

Next, I was in the Caribbean at Beaches all inclusive resort. My favorite part was falling asleep with a plastic cup of (free) champagne with my husband on a ginormous round lounge chair. The other writers were really nice and the trip overall was a blast. But it was A LOT of hearing "We have a very special guest for you today!" and seeing an Elmo dressed in Hawaiian gear run out while the kids went bat shit. I have to say, though, the entertainment team was amazing. How they have that much energy and moves, all while sweating in Caribbean 90 degree weather is beyond me.

I swear the paparazi there is relentless. The photoshack staff follows you around on outings with cameras and takes 'candid' shots, all to entice you to drop a million bucks at the shack to get your prints. I'm content with the pict of Elmo in between my husband and I that I'll be sure to turn into this year's Christmas card.

Speaking of this Christmas, we may not be going to sabbatical in Nashville, at least not yet. We might do it in Europe instead. Yeah, I know, the most expensive place on earth. We have a wedding to go to that way, a lead on an affordable short-term apartment, and an offer for a free tour with a PR company out there that would put us up for 10 days. We're figuring it out, but we'll keep you posted.

More later, I have about 2 tons of laundry to take care of...