February 9, 2009 by traveler.

Time to revisit an age-old gripe- Air travel. Airlines seem to be skimping ever further on unnecessary luxuries like in-flight food and friendly service. If you’re lucky enough to be on a long-haul flight with genuine food service, chances are you won’t be satisfied with the skimpy protein in your ‘chicken little’ or ‘baby beef’ tray. Eat at the airport? Good luck finding a healthy option there. Bringing your own food can be a good alternative, but your neighbors may not enjoy when your beef jerky or tuna scent wafts in their direction. Oh well, you have to listen to their hysterical baby anyway- they owe you. Munch away and keep rocking those miles.

Here is a list of basic things that help me endure the travel experience and still retain some shred of sanity.

1. Noise-canceling headphones and fully-stocked iPod (No better way to ignore your overly friendly neighbor)
2. Extra pair of socks & underwear (Ever had your luggage ‘diverted’? Exactly)
3. Shirt with a pocket or two (to store important boarding papers)
4. A few sets of earplugs (If your flight has a chorus of babies, you can probably trade a set of earplugs for a Rolex watch)
5. Comfortable shoes that come on & off easily (security lines- enough said)
6. Small, filling snacks (in case you get stuck in an airport for a long time)

That’s it for the list- nothing super special, but these items will help keep a smile on your face when the dude in front of you walks through the X-ray wearing chains that would make Mr. T blush.

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February 4, 2009 by traveler.

Step aside, Crackberry. There is a new game in town, and this one is solely for the tot-on-the-go. Leapfrog’s new “Text & Learn” is sure to redefine the term ‘Crack Baby’.

Is this the future of children’s edu-tainment? CNET explains that the device is aimed at preschoolers and it will teach them spelling and basic computer skills. Sounds fair, but it will certainly stretch their dexterity as well. I can’t slam this device, though, because I had a similar device ‘back in the day’. My mini-desktop computer served the same basic functions, and it was surely seen as a sign of the apocalypse by many child advocates at the time. It was great, though, because it built basic computer skills and it taut me to spelle wurds.

So relax and let your kid work with the Text & Learn- it may aid their development. Just don’t be surprised if your child texts you ‘I gotta go potty’.

Posted in Business, Weird, Tech, Toys, Gear, Pics | No Comments »