american-english

Okay, I realize it's Friday but I just read an article on this nonsense. I know that soccer moms around the word are all a-twitter (figuratively and literally it seems) whenever a new catchphrase shows up on 'The View' but if I may, can I please forever ban 'staycation?'

Urban Dictionary (the only source that matters-where else can you learn the true meaning of SKEET SKEET SKEET!?) trolls define 'staycation' as a vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home and one's home environs have to offer. Fer srs? Isn't that just called life? All time spent outside the office is really just all one big unpaid vacation. Instead of going on a real trip, you will spend your time swiffering the cat hair from under your couch, watching reruns of Battlestar Galactica, and experimenting with a rocky road only diet?  

I get that we're all poor (the dollar menu at Micky D's is a luxury at this point) but it's really not that hard to find something to do that doesn't cost you a small fortune. Hell, I live on the edge of civilization where people ask my Australian friends how they learned to speak English so well (true and amazing story) and even I can find a decent weekend under 300 bones.

Tips for how not to be lame:

1. Google that shit. Check the travel website for your state. Most of them have pretty detailed tourism info and lists of attractions you may not have ever seen. Even if it's across the state or in a neighboring one, if you can reach it on one tank of gas, it's not too far. Many state parks and beaches have free admission. Most attractions have half-off or even free days. It's worth the .34 cents you're spending for the hour of wifi to do a bit of research.

2. Pitch a tent. Camping sites are pretty cheap and generally plentiful (depending on your area of course, I don't think there's a ton of spots in East L.A.) or if you're not the camping type, hostelling is a slightly cleaner alternative. If you don't do hostels or camping, why are you reading this blog? There are no venti skinny whip lattes here! Begone!

3. Travel in a group. Most attractions will offer a group discount or discounts for students (I haven't been in school for years and I still get that discount), AAA members, YHA/HI members, etc. If worse comes to worse, you can do what me and my friends always do: get a two-bed hotel room for 100 bucks and split the cost between the 4 other people you'll sneak up later. JK? A lot of hotels and hostels offer discounts for groups if you book a tour through them. Not that I particularly recommend tours but if you're in a group with inexperienced travellers it might be a good option.

Basically, you have no excuse. GTFO.