Sure, security at airports has been somewhat of a nightmare lately, but these days when the modern man travels by air for business or pleasure, there are few things we can’t live without. Carry on essentials include an iPod to drown out the chipper stewardess’s compelling monologue, a lap top for work (I mean DVD’s), and a cell phone to ring your ride home that you have landed and they better step on the gas.

“…there’s a new way to spend time at the airport before boarding your aircraft. From today passengers travelling via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can download travel information, music, audio books and videos…”

Leave it to those crafty Dutch to create the next generation of “digital dessert” by introducting Fuel For Travel (company plug above). Though FFT is not compatable with my favorite Apple products yet, the iPod vending machines powered by Zoom Systems that have been popping up at airports couldn’t be a better fit for this on the go download station. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my hour and a half wait than to buy some electronics and fill them with goodies for the trip.

modern man

Summer is winding down, and so is my patience with the big city. Like many other young, aspiring professionals I haven’t taken as much vacation as I should have this year. Sure I love the beach and summertime, but battling the crowds is something I would rather do without. This time of year I start looking at November - February travel to make use of my precious days off. There are a lot of perks when traveling in the “off-peak” months: less people, cheaper everything, and a sure cure for cabin fever.

Preparation for the trip isn’t very difficult. I utilize Travel Zoo to help identify the cheap flights to Geneva, Switzerland. Once in Geneva, some of the world’s greatest ski resorts and winter playgrounds are only a bus or a train ride away. Once there, its pretty easy to find a great hostel for around $20 a night and lift tickets, rental, and bus can run you anywhere from $50 – $70 a day (peanuts compared to the American counterparts). Some of my favorite spots are Morzine Avoriaz, Gryon, Interlaken, Chamonix, and Zermatt. A man always feels more like a man when he can finally afford to take himself vacation.

modern man

To the faithful Amsterdammers, we’d like to give you a reminder in case you (cough cough) forgot already.

“The Cannabis Cup is always held in Amsterdam the week of Thanksgiving. The 19th Annual Cannabis Cup will be held from November 19th – 23rd 2006. The Opening Ceremonies fall on Sunday, November 19th. The Expo and Bus Shuttles start the following day. The Awards Show is Thursday (Thanksgiving), Nov. 23rd.

Registration begins before the event for those who will be in town a few days early. The benefit of early registration is avoiding the long lines that typically form on opening day, and to get a head start on the coffeeshop crawl. ”

How many bong hits will this set me back you ask?

$175.00 Early Bird Special (thru 5/31/06)
$200.00 6/1/06-11/8/06
200 Euro at the door

Is it worth it? We’ll let you be the judge. Just remember there is only on rule for the week: “puff, puff, pass.” Cannabis Cup - for more details…

WYSIWYG…right? Not always in rome. A recent trip to this Italian mecca led me to challenge the stigma that you can’t see Rome in a day. I was intent to prove “them” wrong. In my humble estimation, the only way to do so was to rent a scooter for the day. After being rousted from a Chianti enduced slumber by a snoring Brit, I made my way to the lobby for a free breakfast, and then out into the hustle and bustle of an Itallian morning rush hour. Just down the street my friend Brent and I stumbled into Bici & Baci to rent our first scooter. The gentleman at the counter showed a large laminated scooter guide with applicable prices. Obviously, I chose the least expensive of the lot and set out on my journey. After a successful day of touring the city (i.e. not getting into an accident in Roman traffic) I returned to the dealer with my scoot. As I figured the charge was more than was indicated in the morning. He pulled out the charge receipt which had my credit card info and refused to acknowledge my feeble attempt to reconcile the transaction. so…I did what any young American would do given the situation. I waited till he turned around, then I grabbed the unprocessed charge slip and ran out the door. To date - no charge was ever posted to my credit card and I hope he enjoyed the $150 parking tickets I accumulated. Moral of the story…run!