Living in IKEA: It can be done

by Jamie Rhein on

Anna’s post about IKEA brought back fond memories. Going to IKEA in Singapore and Taiwan were wonderful outings that helped us add affordable, aesthetically pleasing items to our apartments. IKEA saved me from despair in Taiwan. Not that I didn’t absolutely love our Taiwan apartment’s glass coffee and end tables with their chrome legs and the aquamarine colored vinyl-sided couch with its matching chairs.The chairs and couch had chrome legs to match the tables. When the apartment came furnished, I wasn’t quite counting on the colors and chrome. Let’s just say tastes differ. IKEA area rugs and throw pillows helped me tone down the noise a bit.

Each time I visited IKEA, a part of me wanted to live there. Mark Malkoff, a comedian/filmmaker did live in IKEA in Paramus, New Jersey for 6 days in January when his Manhattan apartment was being fumigated for cockroaches. Here’s the YouTube video of Mark’s first day. You’ll see some of the items Anna mentions. All the videos from the six days are on Mark’s Web site, Mark lives in IKEA . Here’s a link to the ABC News clip that gives a rundown of the story.

Hawaii’s most popular state parks

by Jamie Rhein on

If you’re heading to Hawai’i and want to find out the state parks travelers find the most appealing, check out Hawai’i Tourism Authority”s “2007 Hawai’i State Park Survey.” According to the findings, 10.1 million people visited Hawai’i State Parks in 2007, 2/3 of them out of state visitors. The survey helped produce a 98 page PDF file report with loads of information useful to the state park folks, as well as tourists who want to head where people are not–or to where people are.

The survey asked visitors to rate sites as well as mark items they think state parks should have. Top on the list is parking, followed by interpretive signage and then restrooms. Most people head to parks looking for a view, although residents have an added motivation of a family outing and spending time with friends.

One page of the file reports on visitor ratings of the islands according to scenery, cultural spots, hiking experience and flora and fauna. Since 2003, satisfaction with the parks has generally gone up, and across the board, O’ahu, Hawai’i Island, Maui, and Kaua’i are closely rated in their appeal. What this says to me, is that no matter where you head, you’ll feel satisfied–provided you find parking. For the list of the top 10, keep reading. For another Hawai’i natural treasure, check out Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. It might be a World Heritage site one day.

Top 10 State Parks

1. Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside, (O’ahu) the highest volume park with over 900,000 people visiting annually.
2. Wailua River State Park (Kaua’i)
3. Hā’ena State Park (Kaua’i)
4. Diamond Head State Monument (O’ahu)
5. Mākena State Park (Maui)
6. Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area (Hawai’i Island)
7. ‘ Īao Valley State Monument (Maui)
8. Waimea Canyon State Park (Kaua’i)
9. Nā Pali Coast State Park (Kaua’i)
10. Ka’ena Point State Park (O’ahu)

See all the Best Picture nominated movies in one day

by Jamie Rhein on

A friend of mine, her husband and their college age daughter are heading to an AMC movie theatre in Columbus, Ohio on February 23 for a day of movie watching and all the popcorn they can eat. By 11:00 a.m. they’ll be settled in their seats watching “Micheal Clayton.” At 9:00 p.m., the opening credits of “No Country for Old Men” will have started and by 11:30 p.m., they should be on their way home after their marathon of seeing all the films nominated for Best Picture.

This is not a do-it-yourself event of seeing how many movies you can sneak into at a multiplex theater, but one orchestrated by AMC. The Easton Mall movie theater is the only one in Ohio offering the movie marathon billed as “Best Pictures Showcase” but, across the U.S. there are others. (The Cincinnati location is actually in northern Kentucky across the river) For $30 you can see all five Best Picture Oscar nominated films spaced out with just enough time so you can take a bathroom break, get something to eat, and prevent thrombosis from setting in. I imagine there’s some chat time with your fellow movie-goers as well. To find a theatre near you, go to the drop down menu on the event page.

The schedule is the same at all participating AMC theatres. After “Michael Clayton” comes “There Will Be Blood” followed by “Atonement” followed by “Juno.” With the pass you can come and go as you please. I’ve seen all five movies, and for what works out to $5 bucks a pop if you paid for each ticket separately, this is a deal worth the money. Each of these movies is superb for entirely different reasons. Don’t forget; there’s all that popcorn.

GADLING TAKE FIVE: Week of 2-8-2008

by Catherine Bodry on

Hello, readers! I’m just back from a trip to San Francisco and Justin is off at Mardis Gras. Being a travel-writer certainly is tough sometimes.

Here’s what rounded off our week:

It’s hard to pick five posts out — especially when we have 16 bloggers on our roster! Perhaps it’s time for “Gadling Take Ten?”

Disney’s upcoming attraction to simulate “American Idol” experience

by Catherine Bodry on

Disney brainstormers know how much Americans love “American Idol,” and the mouse-eared corporation believes they’ve got a fantastic idea for an attraction they plan to open in late 2008: Disney’s own version of the popular show. In an article from the Associated Press, Disney Parks chairman Jay Rasulo touts the as-yet-to-be-named attraction: “Our goal is to try to recreate the excitement of those 24 people who show up on that ‘American Idol’ stage. We believe many, many viewers want to know exactly how that feels, and we’re going to try to reproduce that feeling for them.”

Rasulo expects around six to eight shows per day, with contestants over the age of 14 auditioning for a Disney casting producer. If chosen, they’ll get their hair and make-up touched up by a stylist and receive tips from a voice coach before heading on stage in front of a live audience.

I don’t watch American Idol and I can’t sing, but seriously? This sounds like fun.