Updates!

I'm not in much of a writing mood today, but I wanted to give you all some updates on what's been going on with me, my travel plans, theALTERNAtraveler's funds, and some more sh- uh, stuff.

If you're wondering why I haven't posted any reviews lately, it's because I haven't taken a trip anywhere since December. As you hopefully recall, theALTERNAtraveler's main goal is to save $10,000 to take 25 trips in one year. The reviews I've posted since theALTERNAtraveler began (in May of 2007) have been "practice runs" and have provided me with some interesting content for my site; content to keep people reading and browsing and donating to the project. I intend to resume taking some practice trips soon, but right now I have to be very frugal if I expect to put anything into the travel savings account for the future. I am looking into some side work that will hopefully **crosses fingers** up my monthly income by quite a bit. Wish me luck and remember, donations are ALWAYS welcome and just $5 will get you a free gift in the mail. Every little bit helps!

Another way you can help keep my site traffic flowing is to GUEST BLOG! If you've been somewhere awesome and feel like writing a brief synopsis of your trip or a helpful review of a cool venue or attraction you visited, please PLEASE do it. theALTERNAtraveler project is for everyone, and there's nothing I love more than posting a witty email or article written by one of my fellow anti-tourists. Link love all around, too! Get some hits on your blog from me, and I'll get some from you, all well you get the chance to show off your writin' skillz and help others to find some unique entertainment possibilities. You can submit through my MySpace mail at www.myspace.com/theALTERNAtraveler or through my regular email at theALTERNAtraveler@yahoo.com.

Mainly, I just want to assure everyone that this project has not been abandoned. As soon things improve monetarily, I will be back to posting deposit updates every two weeks. Until then, don't leave me! I'm working my butt off to give this project the time, money and interest it deserves. I can't wait until the day that I take off for my first of 25 vacations. I know it's going to be the most amazing feeling I've ever had. I know it.

In the meantime...

• Make a donation!
• Add me on MySpace!
• Email a guest blogging submission!
• Subscribe!

Ooh! Ooh! I almost forgot - I finally uploaded all the videos from my trip to Omaha and Iowa City (December '07). See below. Reviews from Iowa City are in the works, too.

theALTERNAtraveler - Omaha & Iowa City (Part 1)


theALTERNAtraveler - Omaha & Iowa City - Part 2


theALTERNAtraveler - Omaha & Iowa City - Part 3


theALTERNAtraveler - Omaha & Iowa City - Part 4


theALTERNAtraveler Kisses the Black Angel of Iowa City

Just wanted to give myself a pat on the back...

I forgot to mention that a couple travel sites gave me a nod recently...


Back in December, http://www.roadsideamerica.com/ posted a mini write-up I did about the Black Angel of Iowa City, along with a photo I took of the statue. I was totally flattered and I can't believe I forgot to post a link here! I love, love, love this site. You can see my write-up here.


In January, a site that's relatively new to me, http://www.travelerseyes.net/, was kind enough to post my mission statement and a link to my page. This traveler has been keeping her eye on Travelers Eyes ever since. You can see the post about me


Thanks again, guys. I really appreciate the exposure. :)

Vote for my favorite KJ - Rockin' Rick!

I just got this email from my favorite karaoke jockey in the area, Rockin' Rick. Please read it and take a second to vote for him for Suburban Nitelife Magazine's Best of the 'Burbs Contest. If you've never been to his karaoke at Ernie McCann's in North Aurora, make it a point to stop by sometime. Now go on with your votin' selves! We've only got until tomorrow to vote. Thanks, guys! (See the email with voting link below.)

YOU DID IT!!! Once again we are voted into the finals for Suburban Nitelife
Magazine's best of the Burbs!

Now, we need you even more than ever! The finals voting takes place now
through March 15th. WE NEED YOUR VOTES!!! Log on to: www.nitelife.org.

Remember, vote everyday, you may use more than one e mail account to vote several times in one day, but be sure to leave at least half an hour between voting
sessions!

You will find us under the following catagories:

Rick, with Rockin With Rick Karaoke...Best male KJ
Rockin' With Rick Karaoke...Best Karaoke company
Ernie McCann's...Best karaoke club
Mike Lowy...Best Musician
Rockin with Rick Music videos @ The Muddy Duck...Best Promotional

PLEASE GET YOUR FRIENDS, LOVERS, AND OTHERS TO CONSIDER VOTING FOR US AS WELL!
We have been to the top before, it would be so cool to do it again!

Thanks for your support, winners will be announced on March 31st!

Keep Rockin'..........Rick

Hand me my soapbox. STAT.

<--- That's not me, just to clarify. :)

Grandma Sally's Waffle House is the inspiration for this soapbox rant; or, more specifically, my inspiration was the observation I made while I was there a couple days ago, enjoying a delicious lunch...

I stopped at this awesome family restaurant for lunch to see my longtime friend Joanie, a current Grandma Sally's waitress who used to work at a diner my friends and I frequented in high school (R.I.P. Cozy Corner). After chatting with her for a while, I sat back to enjoy my soup and salad. I had brought a book with me, but I wasn't in the reading mood, so I decided to "people watch" instead. What caught my eye? The owner.

He was standing at the cash register counter, panning his eyes over the crowd that filled his restaurant. Now, I'm no mind reader, but I recognized the look on his face - it was a look of pride.

I know the look well, because it's the same look that I get on my face everytime someone links to my blog or writes me an email with a destination tip or comments on one of my posts. I've seen this look a thousand times in the past, especially while growing up - it's the same look that I would see on my dad's face each time he gained a new customer at his paper supply business. It's the same look that my mother and brother would get on their faces when a customer would call to tell them how satisfied they were with a sign that one of them had painted for a local business. It's the same look of pride that reminds me that most small business owners will do anything they can to make their customer's experience the very best it can be.

This particular man looked out over his bustling restaurant for only a minute, smiled to himself, then went right back to working that cash register. When was the last time you caught a glimpse of someone's well-deserved pride spreading across his or her face?

We all shop at big stores and buy name brand goods; sometimes, it's just easier that way (and many times it's cheaper, too). All I ask of you is that you make sure that when you're done spending a cool $300 on that new Olympus digital camera, you get your finished photos framed by that friend of a friend who owns the little shop on Main Street. He'll appreciate it, and, in turn, so will you.