Boo. :(

Due to some rather severe financial shortcomings, I was not able to deposit any money into my travel account last Friday. Hopefully my next paycheck will allow me to add more than my usual 10% next week.

In other, and happier, news, I am planning two trips for the beginning of 2008 - Texas in February and Reno/Las Vegas/California in March. I'll be visiting some of my best buds in each location and I can't wait!

As I think I mentioned before, my awesome parents got me a portable GPS for Christmas. I've been able to test it out a few times now and I LOVE IT! It is sure to become my most valuable travel accessory and I would recommend that anyone who is serious (or not so serious) about their road trips should pick one up. They are worth the money. Mine is a Garmin brand, and I am totally satisfied with its performace thus far.

Cheers to everyone, and I will be back soon... hopefully with a little extra cash!

REMINDER: Free movies at the Paramount started a couple weeks ago! Read the post here and come on by if you're in the area.

And the winner is...

Unfortunately, I didn't get many submissions to my first ever photo contest... fortunately, the ones I did get were awesome! Here they are:

Gerald (NV)

Eiffel Tower, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Eli & Her Mom (IL)

White House, Washington, D.C.

Lyndsie & Terry (IL)

Ed Debevic's Restaurant, Chicago, IL

Laura & Jeff (GA)

Boating

Mikey & Jess (ND)

Papago Brewing, Scottsdale, AZ

"The Head Squisher"

Jason (ID)

Disney Cruise

"Don't I look good in pink?"

Thanks, guys! I really appreciate your submissions.

And now... the moment you've all been waiting for... or not... the winner of the first official ALTERNAphoto contest is:

GERALD!!!

I can't believe he had the exact photo that I cited as an example in the contest rules. For this, and for his flowing rockin' locks, GERALD WINS!!!