I see people riding electric bikes that look like the old mopeds (with the bonus that the e-bikes are zero emissions).
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:12 AM on July 9, 2008

The Portland Aerial Tram is pretty cool. The Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque is neat, although expensive.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 2:20 PM on May 13, 2008

You might check out these wikipedia links as well:
List of Gondola Lifts
List of Aerial Tramways
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 2:35 PM on May 13, 2008 marked best answer

Typepad has the ability to password protect their hosted blogs and built in photo albums. I first used it when I was doing some long term traveling a few years and I didn't want to deal with any technical stuff while I was on the move (I still use today too). It's very simple to use. On the downside, it's not free and is not as flexible as doing a blog yourself. I think the cheapest plan is around 80 buck a year.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 8:54 PM on April 28, 2008 marked best answer

I just want to secont (third?) the library - be sure to make your way to the very top. The Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company is kind of fun to visit as well. Have a great trip.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 8:02 PM on April 21, 2008

You should check out Phoenix Chinese Week, which has lots of events scheduled this week. Lion dances are always cool.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 3:20 PM on February 7, 2008

My wife and I took a year off like this and breaking up the travel routine occasionally was nice. We were a bit surprised that finding volunteer work was not always the easiest - especially if we weren't fluent in the local language and couldn't commit to a long period of time. There are many places where you can pay to volunteer that make these sort of hassles worth the organization's time and those are the easiest opportunities to find. A couple of things that we did do to break up our... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:26 AM on October 27, 2007

I read Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (here's a good review) on my last vacation and really enjoyed it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:49 AM on July 30, 2007

Just to add another anecdotal data point - I'm a US citizen who is temporarily living in Canada, and I vastly prefer this system. I've only had routine care and it has been top-notch - better than my HMO in the States was - and I've never had a significant wait.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 10:19 AM on July 6, 2007

It's not close to Portland, but you can go sand camping near or at the coast at the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area. A large area near Umpqua Dunes are closed to Off-Road Vehicles (OHV"s) and is a good place to go to avoid the dune buggies. It seems the Park Service doesn't put much online about hike-in sand camping / beach camping online, but if you stop at the visitors center, they'll point you to the right area. Of course, you'll have to pack in your own beer. Have fun!... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:19 PM on June 25, 2007

To help stay on a budget, I'd recommend skipping Cancun altogether. Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, and Tulum are places you can still find (relatively) cheap places to stay - and Tulum is great for the cabana/shack on the beach. There are also good hostels in Playa del Carmen.

You can get around in the region by bus or collective taxi (collectivo) very easy, so you might choose a couple of places to check out.

Have a great trip.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:56 AM on May 16, 2007

I was going to try to express my gratitude in verse but I think it's better if I just say you guys are bloody brilliant. Thanks!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:45 PM on May 11, 2007

I recently asked typepad customer support this same question and if there is any way to edit the .htacess file. Here is the completely useless email response I received:

TypePad Customer Support has responded to your ticket 'Hotlinking'. This email notification has been automatically sent by TypePad.

Thanks for the note, but at this time, to use a .htaccess
file with TypePad.

If you are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 3:24 PM on April 17, 2007

Hi Anil - thanks for the response and letting us know about Six Apart's policy regarding bandwidth usage due to hotlinking.

Just to clarify, I called the response I received useless not because of the confusing grammar (which is not a biggie as I make mistakes like that all the time) but because the watermarking suggestion didn't answer the main question I asked - which was "how do I prevent the hotlinking of images in my typepad blogs and photo albums?... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 10:20 AM on April 19, 2007

I just wanted to put a third in for Araya. Their vegan Thai lunch buffet is amazingly tasty and a good bargain.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 2:01 PM on April 10, 2007

I'd also second the Alaska Ferry system. I'd use it like a train in Europe - buy some point to point tickets and spend a day or two wandering around some of SE Alaska's cooler cities such as Juneau, Haines, or Sitka. Taking a day trip up the Tracey Arm Fjord (out of Juneau) can be pretty amazing.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 12:26 PM on April 5, 2007

I manage a site that uses Joomla and I really don't like it. It's often difficult and finicky for non-technical oriented people to use.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 6:54 PM on February 12, 2007

Check out Cargo (380 NW 13th Avenue) which has very cool stuff imported from Asia, Mexico, and many other places, I'm sure. It's a huge store and most of the furniture is upstairs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 12:38 PM on February 2, 2007

Sorry, my Cargo link should have gone to the main reviews for the store.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 12:41 PM on February 2, 2007

Fly into Las Vegas and either do the Southern Utah drive and hit Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches and then continue on to Denver (doable in a week if you don't spend much time at each park).

or

Fly into Las Vegas and cruise along some lonely Nevada highway, hit Death Valley, drive along the Sierra Nevadas near Mt. Whitney, cross over the mountains and visit Yosimite, and finish in San Fransisco (easily done in a week).... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 2:16 PM on January 23, 2007

Just chiming in to add another data point to say that the request was not rude at all but leading the friend on with a false excuse would be.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 4:48 PM on January 17, 2007

I've had routine dental work on both sides of the border in the last five years and I didn't notice one side or the other being cheaper. It probably varies from city to city and dentist to dentist, though.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 4:39 PM on January 17, 2007

Its important to note that 20 troops per 1000 residents, or 120000 troops to secure Baghdad alone number from the counterinsurgency field manual is refering to combat troops and not military personal. It's my understanding that we have 70,000 combat troops in Iraq currently.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 5:03 PM on January 16, 2007

I thought the book Globalization and Its Discontents did a good job of explaining these topics. The author was the Former Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at the World Bank
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 4:58 PM on January 16, 2007

For stretching a budget, don't overlook staying at a hostel. You can often get a private room in one for less than you'd spend on a motel and you can use the facilities to cook meals. Plus, I find them to be quite (but not necessarily quiet) fun, filled with interesting people and knowledgeable staff. My two seconds of googling turned up these hostels in Florida but I'm sure there's more out there.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:31 AM on December 13, 2006

Like everyone above said, parts of central Barcelona can seem a bit run down, but no more than, say, Rome or other large and old European cities. Just as you can find these areas in New York or Chicago. Other parts of Barcelona are sparkling clean. It's simply a huge, dynamic city.

A few years ago, while doing some extended traveling, I ended up staying in Barcelona for over a month as a tourist. Everyday, my partner and I would get up and basically play tourist in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:06 AM on December 13, 2006

Guatemala is simply amazing and stunning. I can't recommend it highly enough. From the lush jungle of the Peten region (home of Tikal), to the beautiful (and UN World Heritage site) of colonial Antique to the bohemian Lake Atilan - it's just a great county.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:01 PM on December 4, 2006

In Valladolid, be sure to check out the Convento de Dan Pernardino de Siena, which is built over a cenote. If you go when it's open, you can get a cool little tour. Also be sure to go into the city hall building to check out the fabulous murals. Finally, take a short trip out to Cenote Dzitnup and Cenote Samulà for a swim. Earlier in the day is better for the cenotes as the fill up with people from bus tours from Chichen Itza later in the day.

In Merida, if possible,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:11 AM on November 30, 2006

er, make that the Convento de San Bernardino in Valladolid. That Dan guy has a whole 'nother convent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:21 AM on November 30, 2006

My girlfriend and I've traveled a lot in Mexico and second the Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Yucatan recommendations. No car or Spanish is needed in that area. My girlfriend is a vegan and does okay foodwise. Both Tulum and Playa have hippy/backpacker roots and offer good options for the vegetarian eater as well as some of the best beaches around. I'd recommend skipping an all inclusive and staying in small hotel in Playa del Carmen and sampling the local restaurants, beaches, and sights.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 7:11 PM on November 27, 2006

I saw the whole thing at a cool exhibition in Barcelona a couple of years ago and I'm really surprised that it's not out on dvd at the very least. According to the comments on the Destino page at IMDB, someone claims to have gotten an email from a person at disney that states:

"There are some rather ambitious plans to release "Destino" on DVD in '07. A feature length documentary on the making of the short is being prepared by a top documentarian and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 6:13 PM on November 20, 2006

Lowell is about 50 miles away (I think). You could take a day trip and do the Jack Kerouac walking tour. It's something different, anyway.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 6:44 PM on November 15, 2006

It was sorta mentioned above, but you really should go camping on the Harbor Islands. Having a bonfire on the beach with the Boston skyline in the background makes for a pretty unique experience.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 6:17 PM on November 14, 2006

I use TypePad (plus) on a number of different sites and really like it. It makes everything pretty easy and thus I can spend my time on content rather than coding.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:25 AM on November 3, 2006

I talk to the press occasionally. I also sometimes talk to students about the same topics. It seems that 90% of their questions are the same. More likely than not, though, it's the student that sends me a follow up thank you for taking time to answer their questions and doing them a favor. A little "customer service" goes a long way.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 10:04 AM on November 2, 2006

Break the routine - it's easy to get stuck in a daily pattern of breakfast, commute, work, dinner, tv, bed, etc.. Think about the stuff you do over and over and challenge your normal pattern. Besides all of the above suggestions, do some small things- take a bath instead of a shower, find a new way to get to work, send a postcard instead of an email, go out to dinner or dancing or a bar in the middle of the week, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:40 AM on November 2, 2006

As an American living in Canada, it sure seems like there are a lot more flags being flown up here. Of course, I think this is the phenomenon of noticing things that are "new". That is to say, I probably don't notice US flags as much because I grew up with them, where as the Canadian flags stand out a little more.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 8:46 AM on October 13, 2006

Lofts for rent can go quickly. Check the online classifieds (local papers, craigslist, etc) daily in the morning for new listings, call them first thing, and be available to check them out and fill out an application that day.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:03 PM on September 7, 2006

For a weekend trip, I really enjoyed visiting Mysore and the Chamundi Hills.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:01 AM on August 2, 2006

You can get a private room or a bed in a bunk room at the Whalers Point Hostel for reasonable rates but it fills up fast. It's one of the nicer hostels I've ever stayed in. I've also car camped at Green Point Campground in Pacific Rim National Park just south of Tofino. It's a really beautiful spot right next to beach but, again, it fills up fast.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:04 AM on August 1, 2006

er, make that Whalers on the Point above.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:08 AM on August 1, 2006

I third the Foresteria Valdese (their direct website is here). It's like staying in a decaying Venetian palace.

I've also found very good deals with the touts who meet the trains. They tend to represent places that are a bit far from the center of things, but in Venice the whole joy of the city is walking around.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 7:58 AM on July 18, 2006

Be sure to eat a socca - which are very popular in Nice. It's made with chickpea flour and olive oil and it's very tasty.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:08 AM on June 26, 2006 marked best answer

You should be able to travel a year or more with your budget. If you'd like to travel for a longer time, get your feet wet in Europe and then, yeah, head to other, less expensive lands.

I think one of the harder things to do when trying to stretch a very thin budget is knowing when to splurge. Pace yourself, but don't deny yourself some awesome experiences because you're trying to save yourself a few euros here or there. Spend less on beer and more on museums,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:29 PM on June 25, 2006

Sorry for the self-promotion, but I've written a number of budget oriented travel guides for specific destinations. Here's Portland, OR and the Mayan Riviera. I also have guides to the Olympic Peninsula, Victoria, BC, and Helena, MT but I've probably done enough self-linking. Good luck on your project.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 10:29 AM on June 23, 2006

The Columbia River Gorge is pretty amazing and it should be on your route. If you drive far enough down it you can visit Sam Hill's Stonehenge.

Also, just south of Portland is the world's largest wooden plane - Howard Hughes HK-1, also know as the Spruce Goose. It's truly gigantic and worth seeing.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:35 AM on June 23, 2006

I'm roughly your height and it's been my experience that full size therma-rests are so worth it compared to the small or 3/4 length versions. The full size doesn't add much weight, take away much extra space, and it makes that much easier to get a good night's sleep.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 11:28 PM on June 21, 2006

How about a boutique wetlands? Your park might be a little big for that but I like the style of this new Portland park.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 12:40 PM on June 14, 2006

This Ask the Pilot [salon.com] article about the 2002 mid-air crash in Europe gives a really detailed and easy read about near misses and collisions. I thought this was interesting:Independent from the air-to-ground link with ATC, airliners today also carry onboard technology to protect them from collisions. Linked into the transponder systems, TCAS (traffic collision avoidance system, pronounced "tea-cass" in an almost folksy slang) gives pilots a graphic representation of nearby... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 9:48 AM on June 11, 2006

I used to work very close to that area and I think it would be a great area to live in. It will have an urban feel but the nearby South Park blocks are some of the best blocks in the entire city. This little grassy, green strip is lined with museums, cafes, and PSU (which has tons of interesting things). The new Safeway is great, and it's a 10 minute walk to the Fox Tower theater, the Guild Theater, and Pioneer Courthouse Square. You can take the streetcar to the Pearl, Powells, NW 23rd, the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Staggering Jack at 7:20 PM on June 9, 2006