ML1 TracLite MiniTool from Sharper Image
Posted December 29, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Safety Products, Shop
The ML1 TracLite MiniTool (OX371) from Sharper Image is Keychain LED flashlight with a magnetic swivel base.
This little flashlight lets you aim handsfree light in any direction! Keyring flashlight converts instantly to a handsfree task light. Features a brilliant white LED module with a magnetic swivel base.
Task light snaps free from its keyring sleeve and attaches to any ferrous metal surface for directional handsfree lighting. Rugged machined-aluminum design is waterproof for use in wet environments.
Perfect for hundreds of uses at home, at work, on the road.
Normally priced at $19.95, this item is currently on sale for $14.95 at Sharper Image.
Technorati Tags: ML1 TracLite MiniTool, Sharper Image
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A 9K Walk Along Icey Roads in Rohde Boots
Posted December 24, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Adventures, Footwear
Ed and I are in Toronto for the Christmas holidays, and today we ventured out for a walk south along Etobicoke Creek, through Marie Curtis Park, east along Lake Promenade Drive, north up 32nd street to Horner, then back up Westmead to where we parked the rental car.
Our walk was about 9 kilometers in all, and it would have perfect had Ed been wearing boots that weren’t so darned dangerous on the slippery sections.
Eurail Pass Promo: Free International Cell Phone
Posted December 24, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Rail Passes
Are you planning to travel to Europe before the end of June 2008? If so, you can buy your Eurail pass between now and December 31st at lower 2007 prices.
You’ll not only save money, but if you spend at least $500, you will get a FREE international cell phone complete with minutes* and FREE SHIPPING.
OMG, We’re GodParents
Posted December 21, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under At Home
I managed to avoid any semblance of motherhood for 48 years — until December 21st that is, when Carol and Andrew asked Ed and I whether we would be Gavin’s godparents.
Ed immediately replied with an enthusiastic ‘YES!’ … while I stammered and stuttered as all the possible ramifications of what that meant went through my head. God forbid anything should ever happen to Gavin’s parents. Bad enough that he ended up with Auntie Ros and Uncle Ed, child corruption specialists — but godparenting, well, we’re going to have to escalate our endeavours.
Mu ha ha hah.
And as you can see, I wore my special red hat when we met Gavin for the first time. At 3.5 weeks old, he wasn’t focusing too well, but you should have seen his eyes open wide and stare at that hat!
Good plan, kiddo… keep your eyes wide open. You just never know what Auntie Ros will throw at you next.
Mu ha ha hah.
OK, I’m thrilled. 
You can see some more pictures of our first meeting with Gavin here.
Technorati Tags: Gavin Gubisi, Rosalind Gardner, Ed Szajniak, godparents
How the Uninformed Cause Delays at Airport Security
Posted December 20, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Rants
It’s been 6 years since 9/11 and judging by the delays at airport sscurity caused by those whose carry-on luggage is stuffed full of unacceptable items; one could come to the conclusion that most travelers have either forgotten the event or just don’t pay attention to either the news or the signs directly in front them.
I’m inclined to believe the latter.
At our local - very small - airport, there are no less than 6 warning signs about the restrictions on liquids and gels. There is a huge sign at the entrance to the screening area warning about restrictions on firearms and explosives, knives and other sharp objects.
Yet, what of all things did I see a man removing from his carry-on this morning?
A large putty knife!
Duh!
That was only ONE of dozens of infractions that slowed the security line down. By result, it took us half an hour to get through security.
That might not seem like a long time to those who travel from large city airports.
However, what you should know is that airport security was screening passengers for only ONE flight at that time on a Dash-8 300 — which carries only 50 people!
Moreover, passengers started lining up for security more than an hour before the flight was to leave the gate, yet there were STILL passengers being processed at 9:30, 15 minutes after the scheduled departure time.
Quite frankly, I’m sick and tired of being delayed by passengers who just don’t bother to inform themselves of the rules and restrictions… so here are some suggestions for the powers that be.
Have contraband in your carry-on? Go to the back of the line… the VERY back of the line and stay there until everyone else has been screened.
If you miss your flight… too bad, so sad.
Once the authorites start getting tough with those who keep the rest of us waiting, maybe the uninformed will start paying attention.
For information about what is and what is not allowed in your carry-on luggage and how some permissable items must be packaged for transport, please see “Permitted and Non-Permitted Items” on the Canadian Air Transport Security website. If you are travelling from the U.S., visit “TSA: Permitted and Prohibited Items” on the TSA website. If you are travelling from a location outside Canada or the U.S., do a search on Google for ‘restricted items carry-on luggage’ and search the results until you find the applicable country.
Technorati Tags: carry-on, luggage, restricted items, knives, firearms, liquids, gels
Weekly Deals from Travelocity
Posted December 16, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Travel Deals
- Save 15% when you book your car today Expires: 1/11/2007
- FREE Tank of Gas when you rent a car for 3 days Expires: 1/17/2007
- FREE Upgrade on your car rental Expires: 1/31/2007
- $100 off 2+ Night package to Grand Bahamas Island - COUPON CODE: BAHAMAS100
- $200 off 4+ Night package to Grand Bahamas Island - COUPON CODE: BAHAMAS200
Technorati Tags: travelocity, travel, deals
Expedia Exclusive: 2008 NFL Pro Bowl Package! Includes tickets, VIP party and more!
Posted December 13, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Travel Deals
Get into the game!
Here’s your chance to score big on a trip to the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu. Get great seats for the game, access to special NFL events, and spend four glorious days in Honolulu with this exclusive offer on Expedia—Official Travel Sponsor of the NFL. Book now—packages are going fast! Package includes:
- 2008 NFL Pro Bowl sideline ticket
- 4-night hotel stay
- Ticket to the Official 2008 NFL Pro Bowl Tailgate Party
- $50 activity credit
- Roundtrip airfare
- Ticket to the VIP Saturday Night Party
- Official 2008 NFL Pro Bowl Gift Bag
- Transportation to and from the hotel and tailgate party/game
Offer expires December 31st, 2007.
Book your trip to the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu today!
Quick Trip to Leavenworth, Washington
Posted December 9, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Adventures
Ed and I decided to do a quick overnight trip to Leavenworth, Washington’s ‘Bavarian Village’ which is great in summer, but absolutely magical at Christmastime.
We went down to celebrate my birthday and pick up some extra Christmas ornaments at Kris Kringl, a Christmas collectibles store but got way more than we bargained for.
Vietnam Receives its 4 Millionth Visitor in 2007
Posted December 9, 2007 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under News
I guess Ed and I should have gone to Vietnam later in the year, because on December 6, 2007 American Michael David Magidson became the 4 millionth international visitor to Vietnam in 2007.
According to the Saigon Times, the “65-year-old lucky visitor, a businessman from New York city, received two free return tickets for any international flight on Vietnam Airlines, and a voucher of a seven-day tour in the Mekong Delta and Phan Thiet for two costing US$1,500 from Saigontourist Travel Service Co.”
Apparently, the American guest looked moved and happy for his coincidence.
I would have been positively thrilled! Ever since we traveled to Vietnam in March 2007, I’ve been thinking about going back.
The Vietnamese people are oh so kind and gentle. Can you imagine the result of crossing a street in Canada or the U.S. where hundreds of motorcycles (scooters) are coming at you full-speed? You’d be mowed down without mercy for having been ’so stupid’.
In Vietnam however, provided you move at a steady even pace, all the drivers simply give way and go around.
Can you imagine a hotel front desk clerk greeting you by name the second time she sees you at any large hotel in North America? That’s what happened to me in Ho Chi Mihn City and I just about fell over from shock.
The food… well, what can I say other than I’ve waxed poetic about having pho for breakfast a couple of times already and I haven’t even started to talk about the vermicelli and spring rolls. Delicious!
Anyway, I’m thrilled to hear that tourism in Vietnam is increasing. Overall travel to Vietnam was up 6.7% year-on-year and this year Vietnam targeted 4-4.4 million foreign visitors and 19-20 million domestic tourists with total revenue amounting to VND56 trillion, or US$3.5 billion compared to nearly US$2.9 billion of 2006.
Technorati Tags: Vietnam, travel, pedicab
TOP OF THE ROCK™: Best View of New York
Posted December 8, 2007 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Adventures
For an awesome view of The Big Apple, pass on the Empire State Building and visit the TOP OF THE ROCK™ - the observation center at Rockefeller Plaza - instead.
Unlike the Empire State Building you get a 360 degree view from the TOP OF THE ROCK™. To the north is Central park, looking south is Liberty Island and the statue as well as the Empire State Building. To the southeast, you’ll see the Chrysler Building and the United Nations building.
