The week in travel: September 3, 2010

It’s September. And, I just realized as I typed the title of this blog entry, my rent is late.

Sigh.

Seattle is trying – however pathetically – to cling to the last few days of summer. It’s not really working. For the record, even I, the girl who loves wearing a sundress more than ANYTHING, already bought a pair of waterproof winter boots.

On the plus side, they’re kind of badass. And I’ll probably be wearing them very, very soon.

But enough about shoes. Let’s discuss the week that was.

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In a “You have got to be shitting me” move, fate attempted to make the state of Louisiana its bitch once again, as an oil rig exploded in the Gulf. Fortunately there were no casualties, and no environmentally devastating oil leaks. But still.

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If I could be guaranteed that this was the result, I would install a cat door in my home immediately. Even though, you know, we don’t have a cat.

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As I copywriter who loves cake, this doesn’t bother me at all. BECAUSE I LOVE CAKE. Even more than coherent copy. (via @TheTravelTart)

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Rand sent this to me ages ago, but since it’s making the rounds on the internet again, I thought I’d share it with you folks. A writer for Gourmet tries to get into some of New York’s hottest restaurants. He doesn’t have a reservation, but he does have a stack of bills, and a healthy does of confidence. It just goes to show you, no door is closed to you … as long as you have money and power. Sigh.

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Remember those Bratz Baby Dolls I found in San Francisco last week? They make an appearance again on the 14 worst toys for girls. It’s a horrifying list. (via @DeannaNMc, who should just write my blog for me).

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James Hance‘s work is absolutely killing me. He metes out clever and cute in equal doses, and often with Muppets. While I’m no fan of A.A. Milne, Hance’s recreation of Han Solo as Christopher Robin, and Chewbacca as Pooh bear might be the best thing I’ve seen in ages. At least, until I saw his painting of The Beatles running from a T-Rex (entitled Help!), and the brilliance that is The Meep.

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Apparently there is one Chilean miner who may not exactly be thrilled to get out of the jam he’s now in. Why? Because the one that waits for him on the surface might be even worse. Yonni Barrios wife and his girlfriend met when they were both holding vigils for him outside the mine in which he was trapped. So … AWKWARD.

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As if you needed another reason to think Kristin (the lovely gal behind Camels & Chocolate) was adorable, she’s now blogged about her trip to a wildlife park in Tasmania. Spoiler: SHE FEEDS KANGAROOS. (Aaaaand, CUE JEALOUSY!)

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Happy Anniversary to my friend Laura, who’s all kinds of amazing. You and Sean are going to be such adorable crotchety old people. I’ll grab Rand, and the four of us will learn to play bridge or something. I can’t wait.

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And because everything from the 60s is suddenly new again, I am fascinated by this old video of Italian songstress Rita Pavone. I would also kill for the dress she’s wearing, her hair, and, while we’re dreaming, her waif-like figure. Alas, I’m one of those Italian girls who owes all that you see to spaghetti. Ah, well. (via my bro, @EdwardDeRuiter)

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Alrighty – that’s it for me. I’m off to enjoy what’s left of summer (KEEP SHINING, SUN. DO YOU HEAR ME? SHINE, DAMN IT!)