Travel tips from A-listers

by Martha Edwards on

Cramped in coach, sitting in close quarters to the overweight hairy dude with the BO problem, we all can’t help but wish we were celebrities, or at least moderately wealthy so we could afford to travel with some sort of semblance of luxury. Don’t tell me you haven’t.

But does luxury always entail a steep price tag? Not always. Here are some travel habits of celebrities:

  • Selita Ebanks of Victoria’s Secret modelling fame brings four essential items on the plane with her: Her laptop, baby wipes, lotion and socks.
  • Lydia Hearst, a heiress/model brings a travel kit that contains an eye cover, a neck pillow and a blanket. She also vacuum packs all of her belongings.
  • Frankie Muniz of Malcolm in the Middle rolls up his pants in the suitcase so they don’t wrinkle, and he passes the time with Soduku puzzles.
  • Kimora Lee Simmons or Baby Phat wears lightweight, flexible fabrics for long journeys.
  • Ivanka Trump tries to avoid checking her bags — even if it means sneaking one on the plane.
  • P. Diddy keeps hydrated at all times — even if it means going to the bathroom more often.

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Celebrity Travel Cut-Ups: Paula Abdul

by Adrienne Wilson on

As if news that a celebrity has once again demanded services and privileges above and beyond that of the ordinary person or passenger comes as a surprise to anyone I bring you the latest in celebrity travel temper-tantrums: Paula Abdul. The stunt that Ms. Abdul tried to pull with Southwest airlines is little of a shocker to me as I’ve dealt with the American Idol judge/diva on a couple of occasions myself. In any case it is said that she recently tried to use her celebrity status to cut in front of all the other passengers at the gate in San Jose for a flight headed to Burbank. EURweb noted Southwest’s boarding policy best, but for those who have not flown with the low-cost budget airlines it’s basically a first-come first serve basis.

Paula apparently bypassed the long line of customers waiting to board, headed to the ticket agent and demanded special treatment. The funny part about it all if what was witnessed and reported by one passenger is true, someone supposedly told Ms. Paula, “You’re no Sanjaya! You have to board like everyone else.” Hearing that makes me wonder if the young boyish Sanjaya had shown up with his pony-hawk and tried breezing to the front of the line, if that same passenger would have let him cut? Hmm… It also makes me stop to think why Paula didn’t get a first-class ticket with some other carrier and whether I would have let the star scoot ahead? Then I wonder who is worthy of stepping two spots in front of me? Sadly, no one seems to come to mind.

What celebrity would you let cut in front of you?

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of February 4

by Adrienne Wilson on

There was a tremendous out of activity going on here at Gadling this week. There were mentions of huge music festivals; silly hitchhiker’s auctioning off their names and enough Valentine’s suggestions to eliminate any and all excuses. We understand that you may have missed something in the frenzy and so now it is time to catch-up. Here are some picks hand plucked by me that are worth viewing once more.

5. How Was the NFL Experience?:
Those of use who were either snowed in or couldn’t get closer than our television sets to experience some of the NFL Superbowl action down in Miami for some reason or another, can now check out Willy’s play-by-play coverage for the NFL Experience. The event wasn’t exactly the big game, but sports lovers may find this one inspiring enough to experience it on their own next year.

4. How Environmentally Friendly Are You? Take the Ecological Footprint Quiz:
Afraid? Be very afraid. If you think you’re the environmentally friendly type take this quiz to find out just how happy or unhappy the planet is with your actions.

3. Army of Bjork:
Round of sound to Erik for giving Bjork some additional play with this video found on Travelistic. I never knew of this event until recently which looks to be held annually in Brooklyn so for all the other Bjork fans and people-watchers I hope that this one comes in handy.

2. How to Buy An Island:
C’mon, who doesn’t want their own little chunk of land off a beautiful turquoise ocean? If I had the dough I’d surely grab my own tropical island or two. If you’re a bit closer to making it a reality than I am check out this easy two step plan to get one.

1. Backing up your Travel Journal:
Always looking for a plan B, C, or Q to backing up your photos and precious travel works? Neil points worry-warts and smart-thinkers alike to a nice cheap gadget that can back up your goodies in addition to other back up methods. I’ve never heard of this one, but it sounds worth a try.

Army of Björk in Brooklyn

by Adrienne Wilson on

Just as I start to believe I am a die-hard Björk fan some quirky costume party comes along knocking my theory out-of-whack. For instance, on Wednesday, January 31 the Stain bar on Grand Street in Brooklyn is having an Army of Björk costume party where fans or anyone game to dressing up like the eclectic Icelandic artist can do so and be accepted with open arms. In addition to frosty weather they’ll be offering warm wine (glogg) and enough people dressed up as swans and so forth to gawk and watch all night long.

For all the real fanatics out there planning on attending, please do share a photo after the event.

via Gridskipper

World Sound: More Desi Boy Bands

by Adrienne Wilson on

If you were to give me a pop quiz right now on Desi pop culture I’d flunk horribly. I’d like to think my crooning Asha Bhosle’s version of Ina, Mina, Dika would score me some points in the Desi community, but the song is centuries old and the world is need of a fresh new sound from young Desi boy heart-throbs. According to my favorite and really the only Desi culture blog I read, Sepia Mutiny, the planet could use a few more boy bands. Desi boy bands. My initial thoughts were quite opposite and not so much the Desi part, but the boy band part. However, I decided to read further and listen.

JoSH is a Montreal based Desi duo. The one they say resembles Lenny Kravitz (Q) is kind of cute to me and the other (Rup) rocks the turban while delivering the vocals that make the hearts of women melt. Okay, not so much melt, but you know the ladies are feeling it and shaking their tail-feathers, swinging their hair all wild and what have you and so it seems that the world needs more of this Desi boy band business, right? If you’re not familiar with JoSH (long O like Joe, not Joshua) you’ll want to see the videos they’ve included in the blog. The first one sold me, but the second one almost lost me. I’m a sucker for world music though so I’d probably pick it up or download a few tracks.

Seriously, if you’re into tuning your global ear to new things give JoSH a try. They’ll be opening for Nelly Furtado in Bombay on New Year’s Eve if you happen to be around India end of year.