JenLeoLIVE!

The truth is stranger than fiction. Leo to meet the U.S. Navy, Guy Kawasaki & Robert Scoble on an aircraft carrier

Yeah, sure Jen. You're going to spend the night on an aircraft carrier with a bunch of high profile bloggers and authors like Guy Kawasaki, Robert Scoble, and Charlene Li. You, Jen, with a book called Sand in My Bra? You, Jen, who is more likely to be reading a tabloid with Jon & Kate Plus 8 on the cover than something more thought provoking like, um, The Economist?

Why yes I am and I can't wait. I'm one of 16 special guests that will get to tour the USS Nimitz  this Friday to Saturday.

I'm thinking about packing my bags right now. I would be packing my bags right now if I wasn't having too good of a time reading TheBloggess. Blogger Jenny Lawson is going on the trip, too. Two Jennys? Oh but wait, there's more. There are actually four Jennifers on the trip, leading me to believe that if you're going to be a female blogger you better be named Jennifer - kinda like if you want to be any good at poker, you better hope you were born a Phil. I'm so glad that I was named Jennifer. Now I can blog.

Enough trying to be funny. I'm actually overly concerned that I'm going to be way too serious on the trip. Because this is actually quite meaningful to me. Not just because Guy invited me, but because I come from a Navy family. And Guy didn't even know that when he asked, he still doesn't know. The Leos have two retired Commanders in our family, my grandfather and my uncle. And my dad, who was in the Navy for four years, loved every minute of it. He was a radio man on the USS Sea Fox. I really wish he were here today so we could talk about my trip. He'd be over the moon with excitement.

The easiest way to tell you what I'll be doing is to point you towards Guy's write-up about his previous Embark, "26 Hours at Sea: The Longest Posting in the History of Blogging." But if you don't like reading, you can watch Carrier on Hulu. Actually Guy's post has a gazillion pics. I almost don't want you to look at it because then it'll seem like you've already seen it when I get mine up.

I'll just tell you. In addition to being surrounded by men in crisp navy blue uniforms—actually thinking about leaving the wedding ring at home—we'll get to stand on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz as the aircraft carriers land. We're even encouraged to stay up all Friday night watching the starlit jet action.

Ok - that's enough for now. I really have to pack and make sure I know port from starboard before I go to bed. I can't wait to meet the gun boss. And I hope the Marines teach me how to give a proper ooh-rah!

What do you think my call sign will be?!

[Photo: guykawasaki.com]

It's a good day to be in San Diego...or is it? Earthquake coming?

We left Las Vegas yesterday as early as we could. John joined me since Vegas was going to be 107F and the World Series of Poker is ten days out which means he won't be able to leave for seven weeks. We've got just a couple days to nail down paint and flooring for the new house.

This morning a text came into my phone at 8:11 a.m. from the Las Vegas Review Journal. It said:

108 IN THE SHADE

The weather in San Diego is scheduled for a a non-too-surprising high of 72F.  It's overcast - but that will melt off.

Other interesting So Cal stuff: Last night I was listening to CoasttoCoastam and Geologist Jim Berkland was talking about the strange frogs in Bakersfield. China had a similar frog migration just seven days before their 7.9 earthquake. Berkland talked about the rising curve of lost animals in L.A. and said that at least a 4.0 earthquake  could be coming to Southern California. I was falling asleep, but I'm pretty sure he said within 140 miles of L.A. in the next few days.

CURRENT: San Diego, CA
NEXT: Las Vegas, NV

Mother's Day in Charleston, SC

It's been a lovely weekend here in Charleston - pictures, pictures - I know.

Yesterday we crashed in on two families for Mother's Day. The first was brunch at John's friends' Michelle and Sid's out in Park West. They have two kids and spread a quichetastic meal for us. The entire weekend I've been wondering if we made a mistake in deciding to move back to Southern California. I know it's the right decision family-wise, but it's hard. Charleston ranks right up there with Bay Area in terms of how many good friends we have in this town. Sid and Michelle gave us a look at what our life might be like. They are laid back Californians and although they live at least 30-40 minutes from downtown Charleston, we still got a glimpse of some difficulties we might face here. Sid wears a t-shirt and shorts to work, a business he owns. This sometimes gets strange looks from the suits that he sees around his building or at lunch. They also told us about being somewhat ostracized because they don't go to church. It was an interesting perspective considering we usually hang out with locals that don't have these issues (that we know of). Artsy alternative locals, but locals still the same.

I try to keep in mind that this is vacation. But every restaurant, every wine bar, every gorgeous historic house that we see nags at me. Did we make a mistake? Would we be happier here? We eventually let it go and dream talk about a future in which we can be bi-coastal. Or tri-coastal. Some of our friends here are encouraging us to buy some beach front property with them in Panama. John is super keen to find out more info. I'd like to see pictures and hear more about the three hour drive from the nearest city first.

Ok, back to bed for a nap. After all, it's only 5am PST.

CURRENT: Charleston, SC
NEXT: Las Vegas, NV

Getting some soul food in Charleston, SC - $20 trick works here too

We made it to Charleston, SC last night. It's really great to be traveling with John for pleasure as opposed to work. Stress? What stress? Never heard of it.

Except for a few minutes at our hotel...upon arrival. Travel Tip #1 - remember who booked the trip. John books 98% of our travel arrangements. But for some reason which we now know is not only Mother's Day but also the local college graduation - hotels were pretty booked up downtown. So, I spent some extra time online surfing for the best deal + location. Only, I forgot. And when we arrived at the King Charles Best Western on Meeting Street and asked for Caldwell - the hostess told us she didn't have us booked.

"We probably booked it under Expedia," John said.
" Or Hotels.com," I added. We only book through Expedia or Hotels.com. Or directly I thought - but then they would've had us.
"We booked this months ago..." I said, fulling losing faith in online travel booking procedures. John wondered where we'd end up since the whole town was full up.
"Might you have reserved this under a different name?" Molly suggested.
"Jennifer Leo?" I questioned hopefully.
"Yep, we have your room," said Molly. "And you booked through Orbitz."

I started chatting to her about the reasons I chose this hotel. And asked her about the recent renovations. Apparently they only had 30 rooms redone so far.

"And if I slip you a $20 can we get one of those new rooms Molly?" I smiled. "Worth a shot, John - hurry," I dictated pointing to his wallet - "it works in Vegas."

Molly didn't mind. We'll get moved to one of the new rooms on Saturday for the last two nights of our trip. That was her first availability.

So - SOUL FOOD.
The best way to give your soul exactly what it needs is to go home. There are some people in this world that  make me feel like I've come home the minute I'm in their presence. That's how we felt last night.  We had dinner at Johnny and Hayne's and couldn't have started the trip any better. They just had twin boys, 2 months old, and when we arrived Johnny had one in a sling and one over his shoulder making parenting look easy as pie.

Our friends  might have the only mid-century modern house in Charleston and I walked around the house drooling, mentally taking notes at what we might be able to copy from their expert design efforts.

Classic music was playing, steaks were on the grill, and veggies from their CSA delivery were all prepped.  So, you see, this isn't the kind of soul food you were thinking of - this is good loving, hanging out with great friends, an occasion that doesn't happen often enough.

And right now I'm starved again - so I better go find something to eat.

CURRENT: Charleston, SC
NEXT: Las Vegas, NV (May 12)

Happy St. Patty's Day! Video of Chicago river turning green

I'm having a much needed super fun time with great friends. Came out to meet Dan and Jen's new baby girl Allegra Jane and got lucky with having our good friends Heather and Mark out here at the same time. You'd think it was just one big crawl between changing diapers and downing beers at a long list of Irish pubs, but it's more than that—really. Heather managed to wake up in time and watch the Chicago River turn green on Saturday, so I did a post around it for St Patty's Day today >> St. Paddy’s Day video – Chicago River goes green

Chicago stats:
Diapers changed: 4-5
Kisses given to Allegra: 20+
Best percentage on first time playing Guitar Hero: 76%
People that beat me at Scene It! 2, twice
Americanos consumed: 2
Best dish at Japonais: The Rock, cook your own steak on steaming hot rock
Best bar I went to: The Motel Bar
Other bars I went to: Tavern on Rush, The Grafton
What to do before coming home: Hop on Hop off bus & See Trump towers

CURRENT: Chicago, IL

NEXT: Las Vegas, NV (tonight!)

Jen Leo flys Virgin America with Richard Branson

Last week I took the inaugural Virgin America flight to San Diego. This airline does it right. They aim to be the funnest airline in town, and that they have become.  Richard—he's trying to change the world. I wish I had used my chance to talk to him, but I wanted to make sure all my equipment was working and used that time on the couple that met on VA. Then I got transfixed by Charles, the hunky creator of their in-flight entertainment system. And you know, an hour goes by fast!

I totally geeked out, twittering away - and you can read all about it on the L.A. Times Travel Blog. Here's another post of pics from the Virgin America arrival in San Diego. John met me in San Diego and we drove back to Vegas together. This was nice, but I was a little bit bummed I couldn't go to the Virgin America party at The Ivy hotel. Ah well, hopefully they'll ask me to their next launch.  There will be two more destinations opening up this year. I've got my fingers crossed one of them is Chicago.

CURRENT: Las Vegas
NEXT: San Diego (Feb. 27-March 5)

Los Angeles Times Travel Show this weekend

Get your butt out to Long Beach this weekend! The Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show is hip and  happening. Plan a vacation, shop brochures for the ideal honeymoon, or listen to the big names in travel give you good reasons for getting out of dodge.

I'll be there all weekend and moderating the panel, "Online Travel Tips & Tricks from the Experts" with Johnny Jet, Juliana Shalcross of HotelChatter.com and George Hobica, creator of one of my fave travel websites - Airfare Watchdog. (Sat. 12noon, Room 104A)

I'll also be interviewing Pauline Frommer live from the show on Saturday and will be a guest on Arthur & Pauline Frommer's The Travel Show radio program on Sunday. It's one mega travel weekend!

Other big names at the show include Rick Steves, Phil Keoghan from The Amazing Race, and a bunch of serious adventurers with National Geographic Adventure.

One author I'm excited to meet is Don Mankin, co-author of Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean. I love that he wrote an adventure book for travelers over 40.

Come on out - you can find me in the L.A. Times booth, meeting the masses and talking about our favorite subject - TRAVEL.

CURRENT: Hyatt, Long Beach
NEXT: San Francisco...to take the first Virgin America flight to San Diego!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Big hi and hugs from San Diego. John and I are staying at the Hotel La Jolla. We're on the 8th floor with a gorgeous view of La Jolla and the ocean. This picture just shows the left half of our view, there's actually a lot more ocean to the right. Yesterday the temperature was 74F. Ironically, neither one of us are looking out the window right now. We're at our computers plugging away.  I better tell John to turn around.

John is in Australia for the Poker News Cup

I've been in San Diego all week. First for the funeral and memorial services of my very dear friend that has been both heartwrenching and inspirational—and then for the festive and love-filled wedding of my cousin. I haven't wanted to talk publicly about my feelings of my friend's passing. As much as I'm open to baring a lot through blogging, this is something I just want to reflect on privately right now. But we will talk about the wedding later.

First, you ought to know that John is in Australia for the rest of the month for the Poker News Cup. Melbourne. I took him to LAX last night and he'll be Down Under until Oct. 31. The Australia Bad Boys of Poker tourney begins Oct. 24 and the $3,500 Main Event on Oct. 27. We will both go back to Australia together after Christmas for the Aussie Millions.

CURRENT: Los Angeles
NEXT: San Diego (Sun - Wed)
THEN: Las Vegas (Thurs - Sun)
AFTER THAT: San Francisco (10/22 - ??)

Jen Leo: Live chat about travel today at 1pm (PST)

Friends, I'll be on a live chat today talking about travel with Jane Engle and Andrew Nystrom from the L.A. Times. Stop by, say hey, and let me know if you have any questions.  And yes, it's totally fine to stop by the chat and be a voyeur. This is my first one so I'd love it if we could gather a big crowd.

Here's the official info and links for you to go to:


LOS ANGELES TIMES TRAVEL CHAT: Join consumer columnist Jane Engle, travel deal blogger Jen Leo, Interactive Travel Editor Andrew Nystrom  and other L.A. Times staff members for a live chat on value travel in Europe, new passport rules and how to find good travel deals online. Go to www.latimes.com/travelchat from 1-2 p.m. Monday, October 8. (PST)

Pointer from our L.A. Times Travel & Deal Blog