Senator Luger Proposes Ban on Cell Phones and iPods In Crosswalks

by Willy Volk on

After a pedestrian using an MP3 player was struck and killed in a crosswalk in New York, Senator Carl Kruger announced plans to introduce legislation that would ban people from using an MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry or any other electronic device while crossing the street in either New York City or Buffalo. The proposed law would make talking on cell phones while crossing the street comparable to jaywalking, which as we all know, is a highly enforced law. According to Kruger, “While people are tuning into their iPods and cell phones, they’re tuning out the world around them.”

Next up: Kruger plans to ban pedestrians from chatting with their friends, looking at birds, reading street signs, and daydreaming.

Idiotarod, the Movie(s)

by Willy Volk on

Erik mentioned the Idiotarod recently. No, it’s not a typo; I didn’t mean that dog sled-thing in Alaska. I meant the shopping cart race/freak show that features people instead of dogs. Sort of a Burning Man for the mobile set, the Idiotarod is the urban version of Iditarod. The rules of the Idiotarod are, um, well there aren’t many. Organizers provide racers with a starting line, two checkpoints — during which racers face trials and challenges that “build character” — and a finish line; racers choose the fastest route to the end.

Staged in New York last weekend, Colonel Angus won (although his time was admittedly a guesstimate), while Guitar Heroes took Best in Show and the Mad Hattan Tea Party took the award for “Continuous and Affective Bribery.” What kind of award is that? Wait…is the Idiotarod a race? Performance art? A chance for people to dress up and run around the street screaming? You guessed it: it’s all of those things. And more.

If you’re feeling totally idiotic about the Idiotarod, check out the gobs of Idiotarod vids at the Carts of Brooklyn, and click through the (more than 8000!) photos on Flickr tagged Idiotarod. To get deep inside the minds of Idiotarod-ers — some of whom travel around the country promoting the sport event festival it — check out this short clip from Travelistic.

On second thought, I’m not sure you want to get too deep inside the minds of Idiotarod-ers. But I think I’ll make plans to attend next year. Mush!

Photo of the Day (01/20/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Today’s photo comes from my new collection of photos taken in Niagara earlier today. Since I was so ill prepared for a 6 degree photo shoot near the misty falls, I snapped and snapped what I could as fast as I could and then made a mad dash back to the car. It was beautiful, breath-taking and brrr…

Reykjavik 64°08N 21°54W

by Adrienne Wilson on

Reykjavik 64°08N 21°54W isn’t your typical travel guide, but it is a highly unique concept. The author of the guide, Ami Sioux (a Paris-based photographer) asked 50 people in Reykjavik to hand draw maps of a significant or important place of their choosing. She later takes to the roads and Icelandic wilderness or where ever the maps may lead her and photographs the area. With her photos and the nifty hand-drawn maps combined she pieces together an awesome book for the coffee table. In addition to Iceland, Ami had the opportunity to mingle with Berlin natives, Paris, London, and New York natives as well to create media for each city using their interpretive maps and her travel treasure hunt shots. As of the moment Reykjavik 64°08N 21°54W is not available in the U.S., but those burning to find their way to an Icelandic thermal pool or somebody’s back yard through the book can click here for more purchase info.

I must say I wish I had come up with the idea myself.

via Cool Hunting

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 24

by Adrienne Wilson on

Before you start rattling off with excuses about how the family was visiting from Buffalo or how you got tied up under the mistletoe, please do me one small favor. Spare the sob story. I don’t care why you couldn’t get here or what could have been more important than getting your travel fix, but you’re lucky that I’m nice and feeling the holiday spirit for I’m giving you the gift of checking out what you missed!

5. Would You Like Polonium With That?:
Folks following the case of the Russian spy that was poisoned might be interested in filling their mouths with the very same cuisine the spy was noshing on when things went awry and sour in his stomach. Iva informs us that the Itsu in London isn’t doing so well at the moment and one can understand why, but the newest location in NYC is thriving. Someone daring enough to try the hamachi?

4. He’s BaaaaaacK! Michael Jackson in Vegas:
I’m not going to say a whole lot here. Erik already did a fine job of that, but in short the King of Pop shall be performing in Vegas. C’mon you know and I know you’re dying to see Mike!

3. Emirates Airlines to Allow Cell Phone Talk on Flights:
Starting in January 2007, Emirates Airlines will be the first to allow cell phones use during flights. If you’re not a fan of cell phones in general or someone babbling in your ear it may be time to invest in some ear plugs.

2. Expense Reports: The Bane of Travel Writers:
Okay, this is funny because if you’ve ever needed a receipt for any job, not just travel writing you can relate. Expense reports are just not fun, but such is what must be done when traveling on the company’s dollar.

1. Not Taking Vacation! Shame on You!:
This is too hard to believe. There are people (American people) who actually don’t take their vacation days off. It is just jaw-dropping. We’re not saying take the one or two weeks and go to Tonga, but geez, give yourself the opportunity to kick back at home and watch the Discovery Channel for crying out loud. Take a break!