Okay to Vacay

It’s that time of year when I start to get restless. Amanda and I have become quite the travel companions and this year, we plan on doing something just crazy. After harnessing the Treat Yo’ Self mantra, we take a vacation that goes somewhere neither of us has been. And Amanda has this gift of finding things to do you never would have guessed (sleeping on a pirate ship in Boston Harbor anyone?).

We’re having our meeting of the minds on Monday. We’ve thrown out attending Firefly Music Festival in Delaware and doing an international excursion at the end of August. Amanda’s not only great at finding activities, she knows how to get the most of your vacation days (we can stay for 10 days using only three vacation days and 2 Summer Fridays). Girl has a gift.

Despite this article seeing publishing light back in 2011, it’s recently come across my desk and not at a moment too soon (or late for that matter). It’s the ways to be a practical traveler from The New York Times. Two key pieces I love from this: 1) The anticipation alone makes you happy and 2) End on a high note.

We’ve already drafted lists of activities for a European adventure that include biking the tulip fields of the Netherlands, finally seeing the sculpture in Dublin and taking tea at Downton Abbey. You could say I’m eagerly awaiting the planning meeting, let alone the actual trip.

#TravelingRagers

The “Treat Yo’ Self” woman her, well, self

Neverland in Rhode Island?

We’ve made the note, you need sunscreen in Maine.

Bahstin Hahbah

Sleigh Rides in Breckenridge

Mountain exploring

Memphis Buckets

A crawfish boil in the Tennessee hills

The King(s) of New York

Losing a Client

Completely loving this tongue and cheek ad from McCann running in today’s Times and London Mail. Especially that last line of copy (“And with clients who don’t wear quite so much Lycra”). Way to graciously thank a client for a business while grabbing the attention of the masses.

But who’s with me on the depression that’s now happening thanks to the Olympics wrapping?

Via AdFreak

Papes for Sale

In New York today, which of course, makes me think of one thing: The Newsies. Sadly, the play isn’t open just quite yet, but I couldn’t help and think of the newsboys when I saw this info graph on states and the news sites they turn to (seeing as most of these stemmed from newspapers…oh the dying art form).

For the most part, I’m not all that shocked, except for The USA TODAY. That reach they’ve got going on is extraordinary. And The Onion? That’s a bit unnerving…Via Flowing Data

Book it!

Stumbled upon this video via The Book Bench of a domino effect with books in London. Is it me, or does Europe put together some of the coolest videos for inspiration. I must say, I’m quite surprised the books just don’t sprawl everywhere after falling.

Photo of the Day

Plug in and Chug along

Found this in NYT last week, but just haven’t had time to write about it. I love bike riding, I love crowds of people enjoying themselves and I like music. So why not combine all three?

Reason #38743843 why I want to be in NYC this summer (the other has everything to do with the community pianos everywhere in the city called “Play Me, I’m Yours“): Joyride.

The concept is simple. The group picks songs, everyone loads up their iPods with the playlist and when they all start the ride, they all hit play. Everyone rides along at their own speeds. But the cool part is, what you’re hearing is what the person next to you is hearing. So you can rock out, and compare bike moves with your neighbors.

While I have yet to fully take the leap into the biking world of Chicago (I only ride on LSD), I think something like this would make me more apt to ride around town (should the roads be blocked of course). Biking can be a chore and something very stressful in a city full of buses, cars and people. This is a way to bring back the ease of bike riding days.

My favorite scene in Now & Then is the one where Thora Birch cues up her radio on her bike and they cruise down the road singing Knock Three Times. That and I would like to think it’s very easy to turn your everyday life into a musical sequence. Watch it and just try to tell me you don’t feel the same way.