I received an email this weekend telling me to get directions from Google Maps from New York, New York to Paris France and then read through the directions they give. The first odd thing that I noticed with the directions is that the trip will take 29 days and 7 hours? Hmm - I never knew you would need to take about 2.5-3 months off just to visit Paris. Then I saw why it takes so long...Google Doesn't believe in planes! Step 24 in the directions has you swim 3,462 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. I wonder if Google is going to set up little rest stops in the ocean so we can take breaks and grab a snack? Anyways, this is an awesome find on Google Maps, and I hope to find out about more like this "easter egg" soon!

Google map image: Does Google Believe in Planes?

Let's talk about a college that I was interested in attending when I was looking at colleges. It is a school that has been monopolizing the news lately, and for a good reason. On Monday, a student opened fire on campus and killed at least 32 people. This is a tragedy for any college campus, but even more profound for the town of Blacksburg. The town is known as one of the best places in the country to live and its very little crime. On Virginia Tech's website, stats are shown that 91% of the people surveyed "feel safe in their neighborhood". It also mentioned that the town's police "operates 24 hours a day and provides full police service to the university community". Why I am bringing these up? It is because of the English teacher that brought things written by the student (that did the shooting) to the police and nothing was done. Sometimes a town or any place where people live can get too safe that things will be overlooked because "that can't happen here".

Things will be different for all of the colleges across the country now. Campuses will try to become more secure, will listen more to threats and abnormal behavior, and will punish every chance they get just to prove that they are not messing around. I heard on the news that RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology -- the college that I graduated from) arrested a student last night when they found 2 assault rifles and ammunition in his dorm room/car. I am sure more stories like this will come up all over the country! Here anything like that around you?

Today's website: Virginia Technology

I was very disappointed when I found out that the United States did not win the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. I would love to take a small vacation and go watch the best amateurs in the world compete, and New York City wold have been the perfect place for this.

Late last week the US committee announced that their City of choice for the 2016 Olympics will be Chicago! The bid against other really nice cities like Madrid, Prague, Rome, Tokyo, and more will not be until 2009, but I am already excited! Chicago is a very nice and beautiful city that would do a great job hosting the games. With the amazing waterfront and busy city atmosphere, there are a lot of things for tourists to do/see when they are not watching the sports. Here is to hoping we host the Summer Olympics in 2016!

Today's website: Chicago

Happy Dyngus Day. I honestly know nothing about this celebration, but I know it is huge in Buffalo! I tried to do some research on it, but it seemed to me that it was another St. Patrick's day...anyone know? My guess is that most people like to give up alcohol for Lent. To make up for missing St. Patrick's Day and to celebrate Lent coming to an end, they all meet up for a Dyngus Day Celebration and party the night away. I hope I am close with that guess...

I heard a few people last week talking about going to a Celebration place this afternoon, and thought it would make a good map image! If you are in the area, it sounds like the place to be will be the Hearthstone Manor on Dick Road in Cheektowaga. The party starts at noon (there goes people working today), and costs $8 to enter. Have a great Dyngus Day everyone!!!

Google map image: Dyngus Day Celebration