Or just a plain old Catch Ya Later Alligator would do. EW is leaving our RWC digs and heading down 101 South to Mountain View where we’ll be Google’s newest neighbors (and hopefully learn how to infiltrate their well-known cafeteria). All the EW bloggeristas (thank you Juan) joined Twitter today (hilarious!). Conversations on Twitter are called Tweets. I’m sorry, but the names alone crack me up. Social networks are going nuts these days. Facebook added all those crazy applications (check out the graffiti one - so cool!), MySpace launched an international site and Google launched in Kenya (ok not social networking related, but still international and exciting). I love that social networks make the world that much smaller. Rachel L., my carpool buddy (and social media guru in training), recently reconnected with a few of her co-workers from a summer job in London. It is so exciting to me that the world is so rapidly becoming more and more connected. Word to the wise - this stuff is addicting (blogging, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, etc.). Before long, I fear I’m going to have to sign up for Online Communities Anonymous or SNA (Social Networks Anonymous)…more on the move tomorrow - must pack.

bloggerista, Facebook, Flickr, for fun, Mountain View, MySpace, Redwood City, Tweets, Twitter

I had trouble finding something inspiring to write about today, so instead of international PR, I’m going to talk (international) vacation… It is a sad day for this traveler, as this summer will be the first of my 23 years without a vacation. This summer, all I’ve got to look forward to is other people taking vacations, thus making my drive to work a lot shorter! Amen.

When I complained to my parents that I wouldn’t be leaving the country (or the state) this summer, they laughed and said, “Welcome to the Real World,” which is something they’ve been telling me quite frequently lately. As I dive deeper into the “Real World,” I can only help but wonder how many working people take a real vacation - unplugged – no blackberry, no laptop and maybe even…gasp… no cell phone. I’m curious – what will my future vacations hold? A Wi-Fi connection at every turn? A week on a desolate island?

In researching trends for a client, Kevin, our second newest intern, and I found that in the age of “wireless,” 70 percent of current and prospective Wi-Fi users report they are more likely to take their notebook computers when traveling on vacation. In my opinion, bringing my laptop on vacation would do nothing but encourage me to check my email. I can already hear the persistent little voice in my head telling me to “Check my email” over and over again.Why take a vacation if you’re going to work? Is it really that much better to check your email in Hawaii than it is at home or at the office? Probably, (stupid question, I know) but with the laptop comes the stress and everything else that vacations are supposed to help you forget. If you can’t unplug on vacation, when can you? Forty-three percent of travelers are expected to stay connected to work, with at least 46 percent checking and returning email. When is enough ENOUGH? I can see it now, our latest addiction …crackberries…Wii-itis…Wi-Fitis.  Avis is now offering Wi-Fi while you drive. And, this just in: wireless + electiricity = WiTricity. Looks like Wi-Fi is the new pink.  

Avis, for fun, General, travel, Uncategorized, vacation, Wi Fi, WiTricity, work