I think back in the day laptop/briefcase bags were kind of a niche market. First off, laptops were ridiculously bulky and heavy, and so you generally needed a massive bag to support the weight. Plus, not everyone had a laptop. Nowadays, it seems that everybody has a laptop, including my grandma, and they are much smaller, lighter, and oh so portable. It makes sense that if you're going to get a backpack, you might as well get one that is designed to hold and protect your laptop.
In comes Timbuk2, with their line of laptop bags that are designed to be stylish and functional for a commute, especially if you're biking around town. Timbuk2, a San Francisco based company, has been making bags for twenty years. I first came across their bike messenger bags when I was living in Boulder, Colorado back in 1997. I remember seeing their tri color packs and thinking these guys not only make a great waterproof bag, but they are super stylish. So, it only makes sense that Timbuk2 would evolve their line and bring in some great laptop backpacks.
The guys luggage.com at asked me to review one of their briefcases, so it was only natural to pick Timbuk2's Underground Daypack. First off you'll notice that the bag is made of ballistic nylon. It's lightweight, but the material was designed to protect World War II airmen from flying debris. Just think about what it can do to protect your precious things inside. The material is also water resistant, and I can attest to this since I wore the bag out in the pouring rain for about 30 minutes, and my valuables were still dry.
The bag has 5 compartments. One main area where you can slide your laptop in the back, plus room for books, camera, or whatever else you need for the day. There are two side compartments that have great organizing sections, one side that can hold a water bottle and has a mesh small pocket, and the other side that has sections for pens, a key ring tether, and a mobile phone pocket. There is a pocket that runs the whole front side of the bag, where you can put items that need to be easily accessible, like some change, a granola bar, sun screen, etc. The pocket I love the most is on the top of the pack, which is a little compartment to hold your mp3 player. It has an inner sleeve to keep your music player in one place, and also has a slot to run your earphones out of the bag, so you can listen to your favorite tunes while you're dodging pedestrians or traffic on your bike or walk to work, school, or just sightseeing around town.
There are a couple other features worth mentioning. The bag has some serious padding on the back, with mesh to keep you a little drier while being active. The undersides of the shoulder straps also have this same mesh. I like that the padding is pretty thick as well, since you know it's going to protect your laptop, and I also hate when items in my bag dig into my back. The bottom of the bag also has two rubber guards that help to protect it from the elements and scraping against the pavement.
All in all, I think this is a fantastic bag for the traveler and for the city dweller. The pack is great as a carry on bag for planes, trains, and buses. I also think it's a good commuter pack if you're heading to school or to work. The design helps it sit higher on your back, and this is awesome when you're on a bike. I give Timbuk2's Underground Daypack two thumbs up, and for $83.99 plus free shipping here at luggage.com, you can't pass it up if you're currently shopping for a new bag. It comes in three color variations to choose from, but the one featured here is the Army/Spinach/Army colors.
Since I had such a great time testing out this pack, I want to give one lucky reader the chance to win it for free, and enjoy it for a lifetime. Drop me a line at jared@globestompers.com, and tell me why you have to have this bag.
May 21, 2009
A Great Laptop Bag for Traveling
May 18, 2009
Los Angeles and the Left Coast
It always amazes me that people want to move out to Los Angeles. Okay, so the weather is pretty good, but doesn't anyone ever think about the traffic? My friends that have lived there a long time, all tell me that you get used to driving at least an hour to and from work each day. That's way too much time spent in the car if you ask me, and it's not exactly helping to reduce our carbon footprint. I guess the key is to try and live somewhat close to where you are going to work. But what happens when you want to meet up with friends who live in another area? It doesn't seem uncommon to drive an hour out of your way to hang out with friends at a bar. I'm not saying LA is a bad place, it just takes a certain kind of person to want to live there, and I'm just not that type of person. Sorry LA. I have a hard time living in a place where it seems that everyone either wants to be famous, or hang out with famous people. But this is really Hollywood that we're talking about, so aside from Hollywood, I can manage. I do happen to really like Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Redondo and Hermosa beaches, and of course, the jewel that is the city of Long Beach (LBC).
It's actually pretty funny, but if it wasn't for a trip to Southeast Asia in 2005, I probably wouldn't have discovered Long Beach. Strange statement right? I met a group of super cool girls at the entrance to Angkor Wat, and the rest was history. I spent about a week traveling with them in Siem Reap, and the beaches of Southern Thailand. I guess there are just some people who you meet while traveling that simply become family. My friends, or I should say my new extended family in Long Beach are: Erin, Danielle, Nicole, Greg, and Hal. As long as they are living in LBC, I'll always make the trip to visit them, and that's just what I did this past Spring.
I flew from Newark to LAX airport on Continental Airlines, and met up with my friend Jonathan who recently made the move from New York to Los Angeles. He started his own clothing business, and just loves the weather and girls. So he's an example of someone who loves LA. We spent the day driving around downtown LA, visiting some old work colleagues, and taking advantage of some authentic Mexican tacos. Apparently I have an Argentinian accent when I speak Spanish, or at least that is what the woman at the taco restaurant said to me. She thought it was hilarious. I didn't really get the joke. I was just happy that she understood me. After a solid afternoon of touring downtown, I met up with Greg and we drove the forty five minutes south to Long Beach.
Greg and Danielle are two of my favorite people. Greg works at Capitol Records in LA, and Danielle is a real estate agent. If I had to decorate a house, I would hire Danielle. Their place has tons of plants, and art from all over the world. They are always such great hosts, and make it so that I never want to leave. Since we first met in 2005, I think I've gone to visit them about a dozen times. I keep asking them to come visit me so I can return the favor, but I'm still waiting. Hint hint, nudge nudge. But I guess I need to be a permanent residence first!
The next day I spent hanging out with Greg at the iconic Capitol Records building in Hollywood. I visited the studios and got an amazing tour of the building and archives along with my childhood friend Christian (who is also known as the comedic genius behind the blog and NY Times best selling book Stuff White People Like), who recently moved out to LA. The view from the top of the building was stunning, and I was able to see the Hollywood hills, and all the way to high rises of downtown. One highlight was getting to sit in Frank Sinatra's old chair in Studio A where he recorded some of his most famous songs.
That evening I got my first tour of downtown LA at nighttime. I have to say, I was pretty blown away with the diversity of fun bars and places to go. I usually go out in Hollywood, but I'm thinking downtown is the new place to be. We started the evening at the Edison Room, which is probably the largest bar I have ever been to. I'm not even slightly exaggerating. Converted from an old electric plant, you feel like you're entering into the nineteen thirties when you walk down the stairs, and the bar just opens up before you. With massive ceilings, sofas, and old power plant paraphernalia, you feel like you're stuck in a time warp. One of the coolest things about this bar is that they give you a token to buy a thirty-five cent drink at the bar, going back to the depression era prices. They also have a soup kitchen with cheap food on Fridays, and live music on Thursdays. Why can't all bars do this now that we are officially back in a depression? From the Edison room we went to get some food at Wurstkuche. Recommended by Val as the best exotic sausage joint in LA, we drove about ten minutes to a random side street in the historic arts area. Val wasn't lying, the sausages were exotic and damn tasty. I had a grilled rattlesnake and rabbit sausage with jalapenos! I also tried the duck, bacon, and jalapeno sausage, which might have been a little better, but it was too close to call. The place is an artsy hipster style restaurant with a back room filled with modern picnic tables and a huge list of imported Belgian and German beer. It's great for a group of people, and I will definitely go back. After a late night bite, we went to some pirate bar, no joke, with the worst music I have ever heard. It was so bad that I won't even tell you the name or where it is. Actually, I think I blocked it from my memory. From here we decided to go to the Seven Grand whiskey bar, a Scotch lovers dream come true. The decor was amazing with tartan plaid wall paper and rugs, pool tables, and a whole lot of deer heads mounted on the wall. The whiskey menu was long, and we sampled some rare treats. Thanks to Greg for treating. Let's just say the prices were a tad more than in Southeast Asia.
The next two days I chilled with my friend Erin in downtown Long Beach. She is a furniture designer and painter, who is involved in the thriving art scene in LBC. She lives in a converted loft and is involved in a new collective called R U Long Beach, that is doing some amazing and cutting edge work with artists in the city. We spent our days biking along the boardwalk on the beach, and through the downtown area. Most people who visit the LA area will probably never come to Long Beach. I'm guessing that the locals like it this way, but I'll give you a little inside tip. The bar and restaurants are great, there is a great art scene, and it's a little less crowded than the areas immediately surrounding LA. One night we did leave the comfort of LBC, and made the trip to Santa Monica to celebrate my friend Jonathan's birthday at a great bar called Air Conditioned. There are several locations of this bar, Venice Beach being the better spot in my opinion, but we had fun, and seemed to take over the whole place.
In addition to visiting old friends, one of the main reasons I went to the LA area on this trip was to attend the Expo West natural products trade show. Just picture aisles and aisles of every food and beverage company imaginable. The focus is organic, quality foods and products, that you would find in a place like Whole Foods. I spent two days eating and drinking my way to heaven, and also got to check out a free concert by G Love and the Special Sauce, a Philadelphia native who played a mix of blues, soul, and funk music.
If you've never been to LA before, here are my recommendations. For a cool place to stay, check out the Standard Hotel in either downtown LA or Hollywood. It's a boutique hotel where I've stayed many times for work, but you definitely get a sense of the scene that is LA, especially if you attend the pool party on the roof of the downtown location. If you want to stay on the beach, go to the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica. It's a tiny, cute, art deco hotel built in 1933, and has housed some of the old Hollywood royalty back in the day. One of the rooms is supposedly haunted...boo. This is usually where I stay when I come to LA, and I give it four thumbs up (two from me, and two from the ghost of the Georgian).
I love walking the boardwalk along the beach in Venice and Santa Monica. The Third street promenade in Santa Monica is great with tons of stores and restaurants. Definitely a place to people watch. It reminds me a lot of Lincoln Road in South Beach Miami. I also enjoy walking the Santa Monica pier with its massive Ferris wheel. I would walk down Melrose Avenue and check out the stores if you're into shopping. Fred Segal has the trendiest of the trendy clothing. If you like to surf, Malibu is good, so is Redondo and Hermosa beaches. If you want to drive a little further south to Huntington Beach, there are usually good waves there as well.
For food, my top pic is the Palms Thai restaurant in Thai town on Hollywood Boulevard. I have to thank David and Chris at Original Penguin for taking me there many years ago. The place moved locations several years ago, and although the old location had a better atmosphere, it's still fun to eat a meal while being serenaded by live musicians such as Thai Elvis, who does a great rendition of Love Me Tender. For burgers I would check out Father's Office in Santa Monica. I also really love In-N-Out Burger. I know it's fast food, but it's damn good, and you can only get it on the West coast. The fact that they have a secret menu makes it that much cooler. I always order my burger "animal style." I'll let you find out for yourself if you don't know what that is. Erin and I got some late night burgers after Jon's birthday in Santa Monica, and they were that much better at one in the morning.
I don't think I'll ever move to LA, but I will always come to visit friends. A big thanks to Greg, Danielle, Erin, and Jonathan, for their amazing hospitality on this trip. Hal, you're on my list next time I visit.
To see a little more, here are my photos from Los Angeles.
May 15, 2009
Atlanta, and a little southern hospitality
Atlanta, home of Coca-Cola, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and some of the hottest weather I've ever experienced in my life. People refer to the city as Hotlanta during the Summer months, due to the ridiculous humidity, but visit in the Winter or Spring and you're good to go. After my trip to Toronto, I decided to visit my uncle, aunt, and cousin who live in Atlanta and, who swear it's the greatest city in the US. I'll tell you this, the city is great, but with their hospitality, it is quite possibly the best place to visit.
I flew in on Continental Airlines for a long weekend, and stayed with my cousin Shawn. It was just my luck that the famous Steamhouse Oyster Festival was going on the same weekend. The Steamhouse bar and restaurant has been putting on the festival for years, originally in the Buckhead neighborhood, and now at their location in Midtown. The streets are blocked off, there's live music, beer, and tons of oysters! The festival was on February 21st and 22nd, and we were out in jeans and a tee shirt. Couldn't beat the winter weather.
If you can believe this, at a bar nearby Oyster Fest, I ran into Chris, who is a guy I met on Ko Phi Phi, in Thailand. I think we were both shocked to see each other. Out of all the cities and places in the world! Chris was great, and even invited us out to his loft for a party later that night. I tried my hand at DJ'ing, and had so much fun.
The rest of the trip was spent doing normal weekend activities. I went running in Piedmont Park, which has beautiful botanical gardens in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. I relaxed, and caught up with family. I also had brunch at the best spot in the city. Next time you visit, make sure you hit up Ria's Bluebird Cafe in Grant Park. Try the cheese grits, and pecan pancakes...yum. Thanks to My friend Meg for this suggestion.
Some other good places to visit in Atlanta include, the trendy/artsy area of Little Five Points, Decatur, the nightlife around Buckhead, and the Highlands. For some good Southern soul food, check out Son's Place restaurant, not far from Little Five Points.
Since my cousin is an Atlanta native, I asked to get his top pics on what do to and where to go. Here are his suggestions:
Food:
- 5 star dining: Aria, Rathbauns, and Bacchanalia.
- Asia or Spanish food: Any place on Buford Highway.
- Midtown (Crescent Ave and surrounding areas)
- Clubs - Opera, Leopard Lounge, and Cosmo/Lava
- Bars - Twisted Taco and Steam House
- Buckhead
- Clubs - Tongue and Grove, East Andrews
- Bars - Tin Lizzys, 5 Paces
- East Atlanta
- Bar - Flat Iron
- Atlanta Braves baseball day game. Buy a cheap ticket and go to the Budweiser Pavilion.
- Atlanta Falcons football night game. Buy a club ticket and enjoy the game in style.
- UGA Saturday afternoon college football game. Buy any ticket, and sit in the student section.
- Halloween in Little 5 Points.
To see a little more, here are some photos from my trip to Atlanta.
May 7, 2009
Tragedy In Phi Phi, Thailand
Some unfortunate news has come my way, and I wanted to share it with the readers of GS. This past week, two women who were on vacation in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand, died of suspicious circumstances.
Jill St. Onge, 27, from Seattle, became severely ill and died early Sunday morning. She was rushed to the hospital by her fiancee after becoming increasingly sick over a span of a day. Jill was backpacking for three months around SE Asia, and planned to return to the US on May 12th. This was one of their last stops. Jill's fiancee Ryan also became sick, but survived the incident.
Julie Michelle Bergheim, 22, from Norway, also fell ill with the same symptoms, and died on Monday. Her friend, a 19 year old woman, who was also from Norway, is recovering from the same illness in Phuket Bangkok General Hospital.
All four people stayed at the same budget guest house called Laleena Guest House, and became sick within hours of each other. Doctors on Phi Phi said the women died of dehydration and shock. Autopsies are being done to determine the cause of deaths, but several theories are being circulated. Food poisoning, and contaminated air or water are being looked into. It is believed that the two women did not have any contact with each other.
It's so sad to hear this type of news, especially because I have fond memories of Ko Phi Phi, and Thailand in general. Ko Phi Phi is a crazy island, and although many visit to relax and stay at the remote bungalows, it's a hot spot for young backpackers looking to drink and dance all night. I know I did. This just reminds us to be aware of our surroundings, and try to stay safe, but sometimes you just can't avoid it.
My heart goes out to all of the families affected. It's so sad, since I'm such an advocate of leaving the comfort of your own home to travel and experience the world. But unfortunately tragedies like this do happen. I hope the families get answers from the autopsies, that will help clear up the mystery, and that the Thai authorities will act to make sure something like this never happens again if it is a case of negligence.
In the meantime, travel safe, and be aware, but don't let this stop you from enjoying life and new cultures.
If you would like more info, and to share your support with Jill's family, check out http://jillstonge.blogspot.com/. Photos of both Jill and Julie are courtesy of the Andaman Times.
May 1, 2009
Toronto: My Home Town
I bet that many of you have never been to Canada before. Okay, this excludes my friends and family from Canada of course. But seriously, I've met so many Americans who have never even ventured across the border. It's true that many Americans don't even travel outside the lower forty eight states, but come on. And if you're one of those people who have been to Niagara Falls or Windsor, Ontario, that doesn't really count as visiting Canada. Toronto, the biggest city in Canada, and also where I grew up, is easily accessible and very cosmopolitan.
After a quick jaunt to New York City, I jumped on a Continental Airlines flight to Toronto. Continental is actually one of the best US based carriers I have ever flown, and way better than my native Air Canada. Sorry Canada, but this is one thing you got wrong. It's okay, I'll forgive you since You have amazing health care, great public schools, funding for the arts, your streets are clean, and you are extremely polite.
I spent about a week in total in Toronto, which is more than enough time if you just want to get the highlights of the city. I was there to catch up with family and friends, so I took some much needed rest after some serious globe-stomping in Asia.
The area I grew up in is called Riverdale, yes, like in the Archie comics. I'm sure I am being biased, but it's one of my favorite neighborhoods in Toronto. Riverdale park incorporates a large hill, that at the top, it gives one of the nicest skyline views of the city, especially at sunset. Plus, it's also the best tobogganing hill in the winter time. I was lucky to be in the city during a big snow storm (yes, I know you probably think I'm crazy for saying this), but because of this, I was able to go tobogganing for the first time in probably ten or fifteen years. Tobogganing is an activity that one should continue to do into old age. Seriously, it keeps you laughing and therefore young at heart.
So what did I do while in Toronto. Well, the most important thing was visiting old friends. This included food and nights out on the town. In addition to going tobogganing, I also attempted the sport of Curling for the first time. It's much harder than it looks, and it's also so much fun.
If you didn't know, Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. And with it, comes great food from around the globe. I ate the best dim sum at a local Chinese restaurant called the Grand, on Gerrard Street East, near Broadview Avenue. The main Chinatown (yes, there are several) is on Dundas Street West, and packed with great restaurants as well. If you want some authentic Indian food, head to Little India on Gerrard Street East. As for Italian, nothing beats Little Italy on College Street West, near Bathurst Street. This is also a great place for night life. If you want to experience a good market head to Kensington Market, just off of Spadina Avenue, near College Street. Not only can you get fresh produce, but it's home to some of the best vintage clothing stores in the World, and also to the best Jamaican beef patty joint, called the Patty King.
Speaking of street snacks, Toronto has the best hot dogs, and I'm not even slightly exaggerating this claim. New York is famous for its numerous street carts selling steamed kosher dogs, but nothing will prepare you for the massive grilled, yes grilled, hot dogs and sausages that are best enjoyed late night after a couple drinks. My favorite stand has always been on the corner of Queen Street West and Spadina Avenue. Besides being grilled over an open flame bar-b-que, the dogs are almost twice the size of New York's, plus you have the option of toppings like cheese, bacon bits, hot peppers, and multiple types of mustard. I usually eat mine with ketchup, mayo, American mustard, onions and/or sauerkraut, cheese, bacon bits, and banana peppers. It might sound like a heart burn in a bun, but done on occasion it is heaven, and a trip home isn't complete until you try one of these.
There are two other essential food and drinks from Canada that you must try if you make it to Toronto, or another Canadian city. The first is coffee from Tim Hortons (named after the famous hockey player). Canadians swear they put crack in the coffee to keep us addicted. The second is pizza from Pizza Pizza. It's not like it's the most fantastic pizza in the world, but it is a Canadian icon.
As for sightseeing and activities while in Toronto, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. There is a bustling theatre (yes, in Canada they spell it theatre) community. You can find many of the same Broadway shows from New York, including Mamma Mia, at theatres such as the Princess of Whales. If you are an art or museum lover, check out The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), and the newly re-designed Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) by Frank Gehry. Want to see something out of the ordinary, check out the unique Bata Shoe Museum. If you have children, the Ontario Science Centre will keep them entertained for hours. Not afraid of heights, then take the elevator to the observation deck of the CN Tower, and jump up and down on the glass floors while looking down. Go on, I dare you.
Toronto is best visited in the spring and summertime for obvious reasons, and if you find yourself in the city during this time, there are some outdoor places you have to visit. My favorite is the Toronto Islands, located just off-shore in Lake Ontario. This is an amazing place for biking and rolling blading. Plus, there is also a nudist beach if you're into that kind of thing. While you're strolling, or biking along the numerous paths, don't forget to take in the view of the city over the harbour. Most of the picture-perfect postcard scenes of the city, are taken from the Islands. As for some other fun outdoor activities, head to Ontario Place, Harbourfront Centre, the Toronto Beaches off of Queen Street East, and the massive High Park.
If you are a sports fan, then there are several options for live events, depending on the time of year. Toronto is home to a number of professional sports teams. The Blue Jays baseball, and the Argonauts football teams play at the Rogers Centre (formerly Sky Dome). The Maple Leafs hockey club, and the Raptors basketball team play at the Air Canada Centre.
My nights in Toronto were spent in the new party spot near the intersection of Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue. In this area is the Drake Hotel, which in addition to being a hotel, has a great bar and music scene. Just around the corner is Levack Block, another fun bar with dancing. If you want other areas, check out the Annex neighbourhood near Bloor Street and Spadina Avenue. I love Future Bakery and the Green Room for great food and coffee. There is also Queen Street West around Spadina and Bathurst Streets, which also has great bars and restaurants.
I know this is probably enough information to keep you busy for several months in Toronto, but it's just that I want you to love my home city and tell all your friends. Actually, let's keep it a little secret between you and me, okay? Because it's that great.
Check out my photos from Toronto, Canada.
