Internet search results show soldiers are thinking of home

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Life in Iraq isn’t necessarily what you think. While there are tough conditions for those outside the gates, life on the large camps that shares some startling similarities with major U.S. military installations at home. On Camp Anaconda, for example, you can visit a library, shove some fast food fare into your mouth and burn your quads at the gym. Of course, the occasional mortar does get through the defense systems … these communities do sit right in the middle of a war, after all.

Among the amenities now available at major camps in Iraq is internet access, and Google Insights shows the interesting search objectives of the 140,000 military personnel and civilian contractors serving over there.

Most searches are linked with special occasions, such as holidays and personal celebrations (e.g., birthdays and anniversaries). “Christmas gifts,” “gift shop,” and “Valentine’s gifts” are among the top search terms for Americans serving in Iraq, according to a recent study. A “regional interest” index calculated by Google Insights pegs these search terms at 100 (based on a maximum value of 100) or English speakers in Iraq, compared to 80 for the United States and 58 for Great Britain.

It’s pretty clear that the internet helps our troops act on concerns they have about what is happening at home (no surprises there). Thanks to fairly plentiful online access, they have an easier time of participating in the normal activities that we take for granted, such as buying birthday presents.

For people stationed on the larger posts (such as Camp Anaconda), it’s possible to gain satellite internet access in the barracks, though this option can be expensive. Free internet access is offered through Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) centers on these installations.

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Photo of the Day (2/14/09)

by Jamie Rhein on


I’ve dreaded every Valentine’s Day for the past five years, but I guess that’s because I’ve long been unattached on this day, and usually spend my time moping around the house and giving my pug Iris hugs every hour or so to make up for the love I’m not getting.

Also every Valentine’s Day I find time to rummage through all of the cheesy card in the neighborhood drugstore’s Hallmark aisle and gag at the ridiculously romantic lines within. Sometimes I even buy a card for myself — often one that says something like “Loving you is the easiest thing to do” or something completely self-indulgent like that.

Despite my disappointments come this Day of Love, I must say pick-up lines are some of my favorite things. This year, a friend sent along some of the craziest pick-up lines I’ve ever read. So, to you single people out there, wherever you are in the world, you might want to give these lines a try. Go ahead and sidle up to one of the pretty ladies / handsome men at a bar around the corner and have at it!

  • If you were a booger, I’d pick you first.
  • You’re like my dandruff, I cannot get you out of my head!
  • My love for you is like diarrhea, I can’t hold it in!
  • You remind me of a library book, because I always want to check you out.
  • Is your father a terrorist? Because you’re “da bomb!”
  • Excuse me, are you a dictionary? Because you give meaning to my life.

Kidding aside, this photo of red locks in a heart shape comes to us from Styggiti. Couples in South Korea climb Namsan, fasten a lock at the top of the mountain, and then throw away the key as a symbolic gesture of their love for each other. I know couples do this in some parts of China as well.

Happy Love Day, everyone.

If you have some great travel shots you’d like to share, be sure to upload them to the Gadling pool on Flickr. We might just pick one as our Photo of the Day!

Get out of the doghouse fast

by Tom Johansmeyer on

You missed Valentine’s Day. Or, your gift (or other effort) just plain sucked. So, you’re in trouble, and you need a quick solution. Of course, you can’t spend a lot of cash on this endeavor. You need a cheap, good idea that will make your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend or anyone else forget that you failed at romance.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts thought of this already. Check out the company’s “Doghouse Packages” to see how you can make your difficult situation easier.

The Fairmont Newport Beach in California is offering two nights, free valet parking and a stuffed animal upon arrival. You’ll only have to drop $179 a night for two nights (Fridays and Saturdays). Amp it up with The Great Dane package, for those who really screwed up, which adds a $25 dining credit, two bathrobes, and wine and cheese.

On the other coast, the Fairmont Washington (DC) has a “Mea Culpa” package. At $259 a night, it’s a bit pricey, but you might need to go that route. In addition to a room, the hotel kicks in breakfast and a special “I’m Sorry” amenity. You know the apology will work, because it’s created by the executive pastry chef!

Need more ideas? Don’t worry, Fairmont’s got ’em.

Is a romantic getaway in your future?

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Nothing beats dashing off for a weekend of pure bliss. Your husband, wife, girlfriend, whatever plans a great trip to a romantic spot, and you’re the main event. Well, you’ve probably noticed in my Valentine’s Day posts that there’s a lot of belt-tightening going on. And, the news just keeps getting worse.

A pool by SpeedDate.com shows that first dates are costing the bare minimum. Most singles, according to the site, are spending less than $100 on their first dates. Almost a third are spending less than $50, while a bit more than a third are willing to shell out between $50 and $100. Close to 20 percent are willing to spend between $100 and $200, but only 13 percent see $200 as the low end.

The good news is that your first date probably won’t involve travel. But, could this sort of frugality suggest that a snowed-in weekend at a lodge in Vermont isn’t in your future?

It sounds like a good conversation for that first date!

Gadling’s Valentine’s day giveaway – day 2 – his and hers Cruising Caddies

by Scott Carmichael on

Welcome back to day 2 of the Gadling Valentine’s day giveaway.

Today, you can enter for your chance to win a his and hers Cruising Caddy. The Cruising Caddy is a water bottle/mobile phone/camera tote designed to carry your stuff.

The caddy is large enough to hold a 1.5 liter bottle, as well as most other stuff you drag along with you on a daytrip or shore excursion.

For a chance to win, all you need to do is answer the following question:

How long is the shoulder strap on the Cruising Caddy (hint: check Cruisingcaddy.com for the answer).

Remember to come back tomorrow for the third and final Valentine’s day giveaway, and to enter yesterdays giveaway!

  • To enter, simply leave a comment below answering the question posted above.
  • The comment must be left before Thursday February 19th 2009 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • One Prize Winner will be randomly selected to receive two Cruising Caddies (one black, one red).
  • Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
  • The total value of the prize is approximately $50.
  • Click here for the complete official rules of this giveaway.