Keep in mind that I have very tough skin and I’m not easily offended.  But, sometimes I wonder if women’s rights have gone too far.  I have no problem being a female in a man’s world but, I’m NOT one of the guys.  I think that  women have tried so hard for so long to be strong and equal in the work place that we are no longer seen as women.  We are just a coworker; “one of the guys”.  Here are a few of my observations:

• I am still a lady and a little courtesy would be nice. 
• What I’m saying Mr. Business Suit is, “I would appreciate it if you didn’t knock me down trying to race me off of a plane.  
• Don’t make me hold the door for you.  Honestly, I have no problem with you holding the door for me. (I know, some women take issue with this but I just don’t understand why)
• Don’t punch me in the arm.  I am not your homeboy!
• Don’t speak for me when someone else says or does something inappropriate.  ”Oh, don’t worry about Jodi, she’s one of the guys”. Really? 

Yes, I know I’m adding to the confusion for men.  I guess my advice would be to always error on the side of chivalry and not the fist bump.  Am I really asking for too much?

-Jodi

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Image by kharied via Flickr

There are some things that become very obvious when you travel as much as I do.   Such as:

• There are a lot of people that are NOT happy about traveling.
• People (men or women) should not fly alone with 3 small children.
• Some people think that they are fancy special because they wear a suit and carry a briefcase.
• People still don’t understand that a bluetooth headset does not require you to talk louder than if the person was sitting right next to them. (UGH, I hate this one the most!!)
• The business/travel world is no longer built for average height people.

And the last one is my newest beef!  I am 5’5″ on a very stretchy day but I don’t consider myself short.  In fact, I am taller than most of my girl friends.  But, for some reason, I find myself on my tippy toes in almost every hotel room.  Now, I know that it is more fashionable to have a taller vanity and counter in bathrooms.  Trust me, I just remodeled my bathroom at home and the cabinet is much taller.  However, I DON’T HAVE TO STAND ON MY TIPPY TOES TO BRUSH MY TEETH AND WASH MY FACE!!!!!!!

COME ON!  Now, I know this isn’t just a “lady problem”.  I work with and know many men that are shorter than me.  I think I speak for everyone under 6′ when I say “QUIT MAKING US DROOL ON THE COUNTER!  WE’RE NOT TALL BUT, WE’RE NOT ANIMALS, EITHER!”

This makes me think of Matt Roloff from Little People, Big World.  Can you imagine how a little person must feel in the new “stylish” hotel bathrooms?  In the show, Matt sells little people assistance kits to hotels.  These kits are a folding (I think…maybe I should get my facts straight) stool with a handle for support.  Well, Matt Roloff, I would like one of those, please.

In summary, I can only blame this new counter top design trend on the same EG-NO-RA-MOOSE that decides the length of women’s jeans.  I am not 7 feet tall and I never will be!

The end

Credit for the most perfect insult of EG-NO-RA-MOOSE goes to the Cracker Barrel golf tee game.

Jodi

Image via Wikipedia

Hey all,

This is a great blog post by my amazing husband.  He is a former police officer and women’s self-defense instructor.  Make with the clickie and read this post!

http://socialcpr.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/how-to-stay-safe-and-still-enjoy-foursquare/

For some reason, the link is not working for everyone.  Here is a copy of the post:

I saw yet another blog on the dangers of Foursquare today.  This one was about how criminals can use foursquare and twitter info to find out if you’re not home and then come and rob you.  I don’t mind the what if articles so much.  What I don’t like is that most of them tell the reader what might go bad, but never give a way to prevent it.

First, I was a women’s self defense instructor during my police years.  I never told women to hide inside and therefore stay safe.  I did teach how to do things like: park in well lit areas, if they like to run after dark then run in lit and populated areas, and so on.  I taught to live smart, but still live life.

Now to Foursquare.  I must admit I like to share with my friends the places I like to go.  I also like to see some of the restaurants they go to.  I also find new friends on the site.  So how to stay safe.

1. If you’re worried someone might find your info on twitter and use it to find your empty house, don’t post your foursquare activity on twitter.  Simple.

2. Instead of checking in on Foursquare when you get to the place, do it when you’re leaving or once you get home.

3. Don’t list your home address on twitter.  Most people don’t list their address on their twitter profile, but this was one of the ways the article I read mentioned would lead to a break in.

4. Don’t list your home address on your website.  Again, most people don’t, but if I don’t mention this then someone will bring it up as a potential breach in security. Your address can be found if someone really want’s to find it.  This can done whether you use any social media sites or not.

5. Before you become too afraid of social media tools, think thru the process a criminal would have to go through and how quickly they would have to do it in order to find out you’re not home, then locate your address, then go to your address, then break in and be gone before you or a neighbor caught them.

Here’s the bottom line:  in my experience, criminals are not that smart.  Most of the criminals who are smart would  most likely be doing cyber crime and not break ins.  It takes a significant amount of home work to be able to use the info on foursquare or twitter to find a house to break into.  But I guess it is feasible.  So just think about what you’re doing,  be safe and still have fun.

Image via Wikipedia

Well, maybe I’m being a little over dramatic but, Phonics play a huge roll in my traveling experience.

I have to admit that I’m letting my crazy flag fly while I’m writing this post.  This is usually not something I would openly admit but, maybe it will help someone struggling with the same addiction that I have…COOKIES!!!

I am a proud Hilton Honors member and I try to stay at Hilton properties as much as possible.  Many Hilton properties make fresh baked cookies every day around check-in time.  This is BAD for me because I love cookies.  However, those same properties usually have apples and bananas available in baskets in their lobbies.

Now, let’s go back to Kindergarten and first grade…I went to a private school that taught Phonics.  One of the songs that I remember most is “Apples and Bananas”.  It’s a really fun song that teaches the different sounds that vowels make.  So, here’s the song:

I like to eat

I like to eat

I like to eat

Apples and bananas

Then, the teacher calls out a vowel sound like “long O sound”.  Then the song gets really funny:

Oo look to oot

Oo look to oot

Oo look to oot

Ooples oon boonoonoos

So, I can’t tell you why this song has stuck with me for so long.  Maybe that’s the magic of Phonics and why it should still be taught in schools.  But, anyway, this isn’t about education so I will move onto my cookie problem.  For some reason, this song always comes to mind when I smell those yummy cookies.  It reminds me that I would much rather have an apple or banana instead of that deadly cookie

And that, my friends, is how Phonics saved my life!

-Jodi

Hilton Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Honors

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A recent study found that the #1 requirement of hotel gyms is that the treadmill be in working condition.  That tells me that hotels have issues keeping up the maintenance on their fitness equipment.  So, I often turn to in-room workouts.  I have found that it’s pretty easy to travel with resistance bands.  However, there is one hotel chain that is stepping up.

Hilton Garden Inns (@HGI_INNsider)now offer an in-room Stay Fit K it:

http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/promotions/stayfit/index.jhtml

The kit includes:

-Pilates Band

-Yoga Mat, Strap, and Bricks

-8lb Abs Ball

-3lb Hand Weights

-Resistance Rope

These kits are available at check in.  You can also chose to purchase a fitness session with a licensed trainer.

So, you see, even if you don’t wanna work out; You really have no excuse!

-Jodi

Make sure to follow @Hilton & @HGI_INNsider to get the latest news from Hilton properties and their programs.

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Ok, Ladies (or guys that want to treat their lady to something very special) here’s your chance to own an amazing travel bag and help out a sweet friend of mine.  Lauren is 13 years old and in the 7th grade.  She is in the Honors Chorus at her school and they are trying to raise money for their travels and to further their choral program.  Now, I know what you’re thinking…Is Jodi really blogging about a fundraiser?

THIS IS NOT YO MAMA’S FUNDRAISER!!!  These are amazingly cute and inexpensive bags.  You name it, they have a bag for it…travel, shopping, make-up, sandwich (yes, I said sandwich), and lunch bags.  I promise, you have to check out this site.

YOU MUST ORDER BY WED. 3/16/11

Here’s what you do:

Go to: http://www.mixedbagdesigns.net/

Click on “Online Retail Store” at the top of the page

Load up your cart with fun, beautiful, and inexpensive bags

Enter Lauren’s code:  37328 You must enter this code or Lauren doesn’t get credit!!!

Enter Lauren Renner as the student name

That’s it!  You can search by bag type, color, style, pattern…  WHAT AN AMAZING WAY TO RAISE MONEY!!!!  DO IT FOR LAUREN!

-Jodi

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Image by CraftyGoat via Flickr

So, I have to admit that this post is mostly whining and complaining.  But, it just might make someone a very wealthy person.  Hmmm, maybe I should keep this to myself.  Oh, who am I kidding, I don’t have time for anymore businesses.

One of the first things you realize when traveling is that you always leave something at home.  Usually, it’s something like tooth paste that’s easily replaced.  But, sometimes it’s something like socks, hair clips, hair spray….  Now, I have to admit that hotel convenience shops have improved but not really toward the direction of women.  I know that I will never need a shoe shine kit, shoe horn, nose hair clippers, or cuff links.

Here’s a recent comment from one of my friends:

I used to travel all the time!! I LOVE THIS BLOG!!! SO great cheeka! I would add that hotels commonly forget to cater to women in their gift shop…how many times have you gotten a run in your panty hose…they should have couple nude options…to save the girl’s day! Don’t you think??

I have to admit that this would never be a problem for me since I think panty hose are a cruel invention for women that I refuse to participate in!  But, I see her point.  Sometimes I just need an earring back, a necklace clasp, or even an extra pair of socks or undies for those trips that go longer than expected.

Yes, I know that drug stores have these items.  But, most of the time that requires a taxi ride or long walk in a shady, unknown area of town.

COME ON HOTELS!!!  Woo the ladies to your establishments!!  There is big money to be made by the hotel chains that take on this “new” traveler.  I believe that women would pay more to stay in hotels that cater to them.  Not to mention, paying for these meeting saving items in your convenience shop.

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Traveling sucks the moisture out of every inch of my body.  I drink as much water as possible and try to stay moisturized.  This includes my face.  I would like to introduce you to my favorite (inexpensive) face care system.  Not only is this a great line of skin care, they also sell all of their products in travel size.  The picture above shows the Wexler anti-aging system.  However, they also have a line for sensitive skin and for acne prone skin types.  You can buy Wexler at Bath & Body Works.  The travel kits are only $39.50 but you can use one of your “$10 off and $30 purchase” receipt coupons and only pay $29.50.  This is also a great way to try out the system before you buy full size.

You may think you’re too young to be using anti-aging skin care.  Well, you’re WRONG!!!  You are never too young to prevent aging!!!  Give it a try!  I think you’ll like it!

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This is one of the best travel ideas I’ve seen in a while!  Not that I use a handheld map to navigate while I’m traveling for work but, for vacations, this would be great to have.  These maps are only available for a few cities right now but they will be introducing more cities very soon.  Here’s the skinny:

You know the drill: You’re on vacation, wandering a strange but beautiful city, and you need to take a look at the map. You pull it out, signifying your tourist status with the huge paper flag, while at the same time you struggle to find your spot as the wind snaps an edge from your hands. Finally you orient yourself and, as you try to fold up the map, it tears, ripping in two. You start looking for a store that sells Scotch tape.

This ugly scene could have been avoided if only you had bought the Crumpled City, a map that is meant to be screwed up in a ball like paper from the typewriter of a frustrated writer in old movie montage sequences. It is fashioned from a tough, waterproof material that won’t rip or tear, and can be scrunched and unscrunched to show the correct spot as you move around the city.

Designed by Emanuele Pizzolorusso from Milan, the maps are available for London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and New York. Fully flattened, they measure 87×58cm, or 34 x 23-inches, and should you not want to follow the designer’s advice to “just screw it up, stuff it back into your pocket, and carry on.” you can also wad it back into its accompanying bag.

For bonus stealthy-tourist points, you should smear it with a little ketchup and keep it in a fast-food takeaway bag. €12, or $16.

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Image via Wikipedia

Do you hate ironing your wrinkled travel clothes?

I travel with a water spray bottle.  Just mist your clothes and then use your hairdryer to blow the wrinkles out.

But, this just in, it can be even easier.  Yesterday @adventuregirl tweeted a great tip.  Just travel with the spray head from your spay bottle.  Most sprayer heads fit right onto any water bottle.  This will save you even more space in your suitcase.

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