Driving, texting, cell phones.  They are gadgets and tools that just don’t mix.  It seems like a basic concept, one that didn’t really need a statue, but starting with my own state of Washington, other states have followed suit, enacting legislation that regulates cell phone use, text messaging, and driving.

While I’ve been known to put on lipstick or glance at an email while my car IS AT A COMPLETE STOP at a STOP SIGN, I’ve never believed that I was capable of texting and driving at the same time.  At least not do them WELL at the same time.

Whether you’re taking a road trip, or merely renting a car at your destination, it’s a wise idea to put your phone down and drive.  14 states and the District of Columbia have laws that ban texting and driving.  But I say, don’t bother trying to keep up with the driving laws of the various states, just put down the phone and err on the side of safety.

Do you really think you can drive and text at the same time?  HA!

Check out your reflexes and see how well you can text and drive with the Distracted Driving test (hat tip to the NY Times).

I couldn’t do it!

Photo credit: gcbb @flickr

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AAA has released a new FREE iPhone app, allowing members to easily locate establishments that offer a AAA discounts.

No more toting around your guide book, all you have to do is download via iTunes are from the App Store on your phone or iTouch, and 160,000 discount locations are literally at your fingertips.

So let’s give it a test drive!

I downloaded the App to my iPhone, and figured I’d check out to see what discounts were available in my home area.  Oh dear – first pass shows no discounts close to home.  But – I’m given the option to expand the search area, and what do you know – there’s a drug store down the street that offers a discount to AAA members.  I wanted to expand to a little bit broader area, but once it expanded to find one discount location it didn’t give me the opportunity to expand further.

You can choose a route map to get you to the location, or pull up listed directions.  If you’re looking for a specific type of business (shopping, entertainments, dining, etc.) you can filter narrowly for only your preferences.  If you enter your AAA membership number you can open up additional functions, including a direct click to call for Roadside Assistance.

So far, it looks like a handy little app.  I never remember where I can take an advantage of a AAA discount, and now I’ll probably check a little more often.  I’ll look forward to trying it a bit more in depth when I’m on the road, but saving a few buck here and there all adds up.

Photo credit:  AAA

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I was staying at a hotel in Chicago a couple weeks ago, and thoroughly enjoyed the spaciousness of the room, the good-sized desk and work space, the upscale bathroom amenities, the robe in the closet, the wonderful bed and pillows, and the FREE gourmet coffee that I could make in the morning.  In other words, this hotel ranked in the upper middle of the hotel spectrum.

But the one thing that I hated about this hotel.  The one thing that should never happen in a business hotel at any point along the price spectrum.  There was only one plug in on the desk to accommodate the charging of all my gadgets!

Now, I confess to traveling with more electronics than the average person.  I have my iPod full of music and movies, my iPhone (necessary for internet access when I’m traveling and not in a hotel room), my Kindle (because I love to read and packing around more than one book gets way too heavy), and my laptop.  I can’t pare it down any more than that.

Those things all need to be recharged.  And I need more than one plug in to do it.

That’s why packing a simple power strip is one of the best things that you can include on your packing list.

Whether it’s to recharge all your electronic gadgets like I do, or to have space to plug in beauty gadgets in the bathroom or dressing area, a power strip ensures that you can use everything you need to use.  They’re inexpensive, can be used anywhere.  In fact, if you’re in an airport or lobby where you can only find one plug in, whipping out your power strip and offering to share will make you the most popular kid on the block!

Next time your travel, pack that power strip!

Image credit:  Amazon

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If you’re using your laptop during your flight, and who isn’t these days, there are a few basic steps you can take to ensure the privacy of your work, extend courtesy to those around you, and keep your laptop safe. 

Security:

• If you have wi-fi access, encrypt it.  You should not have it enabled on the airplane, but most of us have booted up and seen a number of networks available.  If you don’t encrypt, someone may be seeing more than you want them to.
• Keep wandering eyes from wandering to what’s on your screen.  There are privacy shields that can keep your screen from being viewed by others.  Or, as a friend suggested when I complained about the wandering eyes of a seatmate, do your typing with a small font that is impossible for them to read.  Of course, I’ll then have trouble reading it as well, but at least I can get my thoughts down and I can do any editing later.

Safety:

• When you’re working on your laptop, do not extend it out into the aisle.  Flight attendants are pushing large carts through the aisle, people are walking back and forth, and there’s always the possibility of turbulence.
• Close the top of your laptop when the Flight Attendant is serving your row, or the beverage cart is nearby.  Do not hold your glass out for a refill over your keyboard.  (People actually do this!)  Flight Attendants try very hard to avoid spills, but it happens.  Closing your laptop will help eliminate or minimize the change of damage.

Good Manners:

• Use earplugs.  Even better, use earplugs that actually work.  If your music, movie, or other audio can be heard by a Flight Attendant walking through the cabin, you will be asked to turn it down or mute it.  You may really love that song you are listening to, but not everyone around you will feel the same way.
• No adult content.  Whether it’s video or photos, adult content is not acceptable for the airplane.  If you can’t figure out that this material is best viewed in private, a Flight Attendant will remind you.  If you still can’t figure it out, you will be told to shut your screen off.

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