"Since 2008, I’ve been working seasonal jobs, then exploring the world during the off season, using travel-hacking to get the most bang for my buck. "
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I often enjoy the Ethicist column by Chuck Klosterman. A recent column posed an interesting question: “Do I have an ethical duty to find a better job even if I’m unhappy with the work?” The letter writer explained that his or her parents had funded a college education, but it had only led to what…
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I eat at restaurants by myself all over the world. Most of the time it doesn’t bother me—in fact, I often enjoy it. A few tips: Bring something to do. I usually have my Tom Bihn laptop bag, so I have plenty of choices: actual laptop, New Yorker or Economist magazine, my paper notebook, reference…
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I love airline lounges and regularly spend four or more hours at a time working from them. This series explores some of my favorites from around the world. On an average afternoon in Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport, you can see all kinds of travelers attempting to sleep on the floor or in chairs throughout the…
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Lydia Davis, an author of “very short stories” for more than 40 years, described her editing process in feature for The Atlantic. The image above contains the original handwritten text. She then made these edits: 1. The two dogs and two cats, as well as the mice, were part of my real situation, but I…
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Every Friday is giveaway day. Comment to win! I recently flew Etihad from Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi—their longest route! Thankfully, I had a nice comfy seat suite courtesy of American Airlines miles. As part of the trip, I received a nice amenity kit, and this time I asked for the women’s version. I have…
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I. Around the World Things I found on long walks in foreign cities, or perhaps when someone posted them on Twitter. Dinner in New York — A photographer documents a shift from eating as a primary activity to a secondary activity The Life of a Professional Race Pacer — Behind-the-scenes of a highly unconventional (and…
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**Update: This offer has now ended! Thanks for your support. You can still purchase copies from Amazon.com or your favorite local bookseller, and I hope to see you on the tour.** As mentioned last week, my new book will be published on September 9—less than 21 days from today! Short version of this post:…
Read More“To be nobody-but-yourself—in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else—means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” -ee cummings
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Regular readers know that there’s nothing I enjoy more than spending hours in a nice airline lounge. Whenever I travel I always plan for an extended connection, especially if there’s a great lounge. I don’t pass through Helsinki, Finland very often, but now I want to: there’s a new lounge that includes a sauna! I’ve…
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We’re Betsy and Warren. In 2008, Betsy’s brother had a heart attack. Then, our good friend Maria had a brain aneurysm. They were both 35. Realizing there are no guarantees in life, we asked one another, "What would change about your life right now if you knew you wouldn't make it to 40?" "Travel!” was the answer for both of us.
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Last year we started a foundation, making an initial investment of $100,000 and pledging to support “Scholarships for Real Life,” a program to enable people to pursue a dream of their own while also addressing a problem that affects others. In this short series, we’ll highlight our initial grantees. *** Working with at-risk youth is…
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Update: New post, two years later *** On any given day I’m anxious about any number of things. I don’t relax very well. I feel tense and unsettled at least a couple of times throughout the day. And I worry, because generally I think worry is good. Of course, not all worry is good, and…
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So many good things in this one. Best bet is to watch the video. “When you make something, you wonder: Will it stay at the top? Will it speak to people? Will it lose its relevance? But you can’t worry about those things. You have to create things that are truthful to yourself.” “Every…
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I love big cities, and always enjoy returning to Hong Kong, New York, and Sydney—among many others. But what about those unknown gems that are off the beaten tourist path… those obscure places that are just waiting to be explored by real travelers? Our new “Mini City Guides” are here to uncover those gems, and…
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