Jezebel: vacation

Free At Last

Anna — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:10:00 EDT

[Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; August 23. Image via Getty]

US President Barack Obama (2nd L), First Lady Michelle Obama (3rd R) and their daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (L) arrive to board Air Force One at the Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on August 23, 2009 en route to Martha's Vineyard. The First family are on a week-long vacation on the exclusive island of Martha's Vineyard. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Has Anyone In History Ever Had A Successful "Staycation?"

Sadie — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:20:00 EDT

I don't mean, have you done one. But, was it actually fun and relaxing, like, you know, the real thing? I seriously want to know!

In today's Times, Michelle Slatalla and her family attempt a Staycation. Hilarity - and some relaxation - ensues, but at the end of the day? Vacation, this ain't. I get it; we all do. In these financially strapped times, and sans vehicle, the idea of exploring your hometown with the wondering eyes of a relaxed tourist sounds appealing indeed.

And I've tried it, I have. I've set aside full weekends for work-free fun. And it just felt like sitting around the house. I tried, but it reminded me of "camping" in our living room when I was a kid. Or, worse, I felt a terrible pressure to get out and do things, lots of things, all the shows and exhibits and restaurants I'd marked in the paper. When you go somewhere new, being there is half the battle; the very novelty is relaxing. I have a pair of friends who had a "staycation" honeymoon, taking a week off work and exploring the outer boroughs of New York. They loved it. But then, they have a really nice apartment.

There is an idea I've been kicking around with a few friends: a staycation apartment swap, in which we switch neighborhoods for a couple of days. Hence, novelty, change of scene, break in routine. The pitfalls are obvious. For one thing, not everyone wants people - especially friends - up in their private business, discovering - at best - how disorganized the closets are. The other issue is that, inexplicably, no one seems to want to vacation in the heart of a dangerous neighborhood far from subways, which makes the "swapping" part problematic. So to heck with "staycations"; the real phenomenon? "The Parental Bed and Breakfast."

Our Hawaiian Holiday Without, Well, Hawaii [NY Times]

(Shirtless) Clive Owen Is Saving You A Seat

Dodai — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:10:00 EST

[Somewhere in the Caribbean, January 23. Image via Splash.]

Announcements

Anna — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:40:00 EDT

Programming note: Although today is a half day for everyone here at Gawker Media, both Fine Lines and Pot Psychology will make their regularly scheduled appearances after the rest of us stop posting later this afternoon. As for Monday, all of us will be enjoying a much-deserved day off... except for Megan, who will be touching down in the Twin Cities and weighing in on the Republican National Convention intermittently throughout the day. Have a great holiday weekend, everyone, and, for those of you living on the Gulf, stay safe.

Giorgio Armani Is The Mediterranean's Main Man

Dodai — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:10:00 EDT

[Italy, July 22. Images via Splash.]

I Can Haz Honeymoon?

Anna — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EDT

Okay kids, I'm outta here starting tomorrow. (Honeymoon, Hawaiian Islands, Australia, and hopefully, hugs from my favorite animal ever, the wombat.) Dodai, naturally, will be running the site in my 2-week absence, and, in addition to our regular staffers, guest bloggers Megan Carpentier and Sadie Stein will be on hand to help out. But here's how you can help: Send these ladies tips. I am a neurotic, obsessive asshole when it comes to checking our news feeds and, as the other Jezebels will be busy writing, the worrywart in me is concerned that they will miss something extra-spectacular. (Not that I don't.). So please, keep your eyes peeled and your email outboxes well-oiled and send the stories you think we should do to tips@jezebel.com. I'll see all of you on the other side of the summer solstice.