Month: September 2009

Best Career Advice I Ever Received: Dig the Well

I’ve received all sorts of career advice over the years ranging from customer service tips while working at a Burger King (“Make the customer feel important.”) and Xanterra Parks & Resorts (formerly TW Recreational Services: “If it’s good for the guest, do it.”) to technical pointers in using spreadsheets or cash registers. Key tips I […]

Florida Fun Solo with Others

Splendor of Silver River State Park

Last month I had the privilege of attending a conference in Ocala, Florida, with plenty of free time to enjoy the great outdoors. First was a canoeing trip up then down the Silver River of Silver River State Park. Although this was a conference activity and I knew some of the attendees, I was raising […]

Solo Travel Travel Resources

Ahoy! Where in the U.S. to Talk Like a Pirate

‘Tis International Talk Like a Pirate Day and ye may find below favorite cities this sassy solo travel wench enjoys spending time swashbuckling for treasure and talking like a pirate.

Snapshots Solo with Others

Patriotic Road Trip: September 11

Thursday after the final show, we hit the road at 7:30 p.m. By this time we asked the car rental representative at he show to have the mileage and drop-off fee waived and she did (as other companies eventually did). We also stopped at an AAA office for directions but unfortunately the clerk routed us THROUGH New York City. We were smart to follow detours around the city knowing roads into the Big Apple were closed.

Solo with Others

Lying for a Ride: September 11

While this was happening during my day, my now friend Cham was on her way to the road show flying from Tampa to Providence, Rhode Island, but her flight was grounded in Philadelphia as all flights were immediately grounded by the FAA. Rather than expressing concern on how to get home, the dedicated worker found a way to get to Rhode Island: she lied.

Solo with Others

Eight Years and Still Vivid: September 11

I have few triggers which break me down and 9/11 is one of them. Eight years ago day I was in a hotel in Peabody, Mass. It was a Tuesday and as I was getting ready for breakfast, NBC’s The Today Show played in the background. Matt Lauer broke with the news of a plane crashing into one of the World Trade Center towers. I headed down to the restaurant and met up with the rest of the group I was traveling with.

Snapshots Solo Travel solo travel tips

6 Self Portrait Tips for the Solo Travel Girl

I’m a shutterbug and on a typical weeklong vacation will return with 1,000+ photographs. Looking at photos from years past I realize I’m not in many. These days I try to include me in a few photos but think it’s a bit boring to hold the camera up and smile so here are some digital camera self portrait photo tips for the solo travel girl (and guy).

Solo Travel

Lovely Day for a Paddle in Ocala

I spent the weekend in Ocala (sometime I’ll share more about that trip) attending the Florida Outdoor Writers Association Annual Conference. Friday was activity day and although a fishing tournament and trip to the firing range were tempting (that’s sarcasm) I opted to take a paddle up and down Silver River in Silver River State Park.