We all hear about the importance of donating blood. My own life was saved due to the generous donations of others. Since that time, my significant other has faithfully donated his own blood at all of his office building's blood drives.

In September, The American Red Cross ran a promotion titled "Save a Life and See the World". The winner would win two round-trip airline tickets to any destination in the world.

Guess who won?

That's right, we did! Ok, technically he's the one that gave blood, but I get to reap the benefits.

We were planning on taking a big trip for his 30th birthday, but we knew we would have to wait until early 2009 after he's due for a big, scheduled bonus, but we definitely didn't plan on making an overseas trip.

We spent all day yesterday arguing about where to go! There is only one place on my "places I absolutely must see before I die" list and that's Egypt. For whatever reason, Michael nixed that. (He's a spiteful little thing!) He wanted to go to Australia. I'm not too keen on that (sorry vjay!) simply because it's never been a place that interests me. I've always been fascinated with Egypt. I also like the idea of going to places that you normally wouldn't visit for vacation, like Sri Lanka or the Solomon Islands. I can think of other places, too, but most of the places I picked had travel warnings posted by the State Department because of political unrest or lack of rebuilding after the tsunami and/or hurricanes.

I think we've narrowed the list down to Greece with a side trip to Egypt, if $ allows. We plan on spending two weeks traveling in April of next year.

Where would you go if given the chance? I'd love to hear other's suggestions so I don't miss out on considering another exotic locale!

This year we are heading for Slovenia. I believe every country has it charms. We lived in Australia, we had a mini cruise to Norway, another cruise to Asia, holiday to Spain and France and several trips to the UK.
Last year we went again to Germany, I have been there several times before but never looked for the beauty of that country. If you want you can see beauty in Every country. I loved Philip Island in Australia, where the penguins run in front of you to find a place to stay. This is just an idea of what to do and where to go.
At least have a save trip wherever you go or whatever you do.

Italy.

But not the cities. John Grisham, of all people, has convinced me that the small towns in the rural areas of Italy are like heaven on Earth, so I would love to tour the Italian countryside and see for myself.


Oh, and there's another reason. I likes the Italian wimmens. I was watching Catch 22 last night (yeah, the film from 1970 with Art Garfunkel) and thought..."man, they just don't make 'em like that around here: full bodied, dark haired and full of mischief."

Or maybe they do make them like that and I just haven't found them. Either way, I'd prefer the authentic Italian version.

All of the Italian women I know have not aged well. I'm talking "Mom and Dad came straight of the boat" Italian women. Then again, I think it depends on the area of Italy.

Italy is definitely one of our top picks.

Who's talking about old Italian women? It's the youngish ones that are worth watching (you know, the ones your age, DF).


And for the record, I'm not talking about nailing Italian girls. I just want to appreciate them from afar (or aclose). I am a married auld man, after all.

I'd really have to think about this one. If I had a ticket to go anywhere I'm not sure what I'd choose. I have been many places in Europe. I have only been to a couple of places in Asia Pacific (Singapore and Japan) so that might be where I'd focus my energies. I'd also have an interest in somewhere like Kenya - a safari is probably something I'd be most interested in doing.

Depends in what area you are interested in for local women. Calabria is an area where you will loose your manhood (chop chop) as soon as she looses virginity (and you are the penetrator).


But Italy is beautiful too. Did you know that they have a city under water? You are able to see that when you take the ferry from Sicily to the Lipary Islands.

I haven't thought too hard about this question to be honest, I never expected my life to change in the last couple of years like it has so I haven't really allowed myself to dream too much, sad really when you come to think of it. I have barely been anywhere in my own country so find it hard to look even further away.

But having said that, I'd like to go to the US to meet a bunch of people from the forums I frequent (I really am a nerd heh).
I'd also like to head to Europe at some point, so many places all close enough together to drive from one country to the next would be fun, so used of being in a place that's isolated down the bottom of the world, countries close enough to each other to go to a different place every day or two sounds like fun. An Italy vacation sure does sound like fun, Italian food yum.

Oh yeah, the food. I've heard so many good things about authentic Italian food. The hot women would just be a bonus with all the delicious Italian food.

I'd weigh 300 pounds by the time I was done.

You should go crazy and book a trip to Alpharetta.

Like Dean, I want to think about this.

I shall report my suggested agenda............... though I would like a few more details on what you expect from a holiday.
Driving or lying on a beach?
Nightclubs or quiet restaurants?

Get my drift?

Okay, no one else will get that but I just laughed so hard.

Goofball.



Here is my agenda, or what I like to do on vacations that don't involve being falling-down drunk and hitting on my friends...

Michael and I are both ancient history buffs. I would prefer somewhere that will be warm in early spring. I'd also like a place that we can go diving and deep sea fishing. I am terrified of driving in foreign countries because of a horrible experience in Nassau, so I would prefer to not drive myself.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can live without the nightclubs. I'd much rather sit at a place frequented by locals and people watch. It's no secret that I love food so good restaurants are a plus.

And of course hot men and women are always welcome!

Be warned, if I'm ever in the US the first stop is San Diego.

Awesome, you'll be just a hop, skip and a jump away from Ivan.

And that handsome devil Error404 is here too.



Oh, and I donated blood this week.

Go, me!!

I didn't think my US tour included a trip to Mexico too

Hellooooooo, Crete!

Ha! If those tickets were transferable, you would have been the proud owner of them. You know, for certain favors.












No one found those bodies, right? RIGHT?

You don't realize how close San Diego is to Mexico, do you?

Greece, Italy, or France.

Actually, the part of Mexico that Ivan is in is closest to Marian. He is right on the border near Brownsville. No where near San-day-go.

Funny. I'd never asked where in Mexico he lived.

He is in Juarez which is basically South El Paso.

San Diego is the only place in the entire US I can point out on a map without having to read the name...

I can do that to with a lot of places, it's another discussion if those places are in the right state.. but who cares after a few drinks.

So, if I ever make it to the US I'll end up in SD most likely. Who here is going to move state when I announce my impending arrival?

Where is "move state"? I'm game.

Wish I could answer that if I only knew what state I am in...

Cyprus!!

Holy crap! Did this trip ever happen?

I'd probably choose a trip to Prague as a place to choose as it's a place I'd like to go to ... but can always find justifications for other locales. With a free trip, that's probably my destination.

We're not going until February.

We still haven't decided on a destination!

Where in the world IS DoughnutFairy now?

She has been very very busy with life.
I was talking to her briefly last week, and her return is imminent.

She is my love muffin and I miss her.

There are enough Michaels in her life.

She wants a hunkahunkaburningIrishlove

You said you would only call me that in private!

You misheard him. He said that was what he would call your privates. You know. Because of the gonorrhea.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE?

And who is this "doughnutfairy" person?

Welcome back MILF.

Good to see you back DF!

She's just toying with our emotions.

You'll see...

Holy crap! DF!!

So wait.... this is where everyone's hanging out... DUH...

Nice to see ya back DF I guess we have all been busy this summer

Welcome back DF! You go away for a while and this place goes to hell in a handbasket.

I tried to tell you guys...


She's the ultimate tease. She sticks her pretty little head in here, gets everyone hot and bothered, and then goes back to her real life and ignores us.


She's almost as bad as Maejen, who hasn't poked her pretty little noggin in here since...forever.

I guess I'll have to just stick with downloading porn to entertain myself, dammit.

It's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it lol

Nah. I plan on sticking around for a bit this time. The little one spiked a temp of 103.8 out of the blue, I had a research report due and an exam to study for.

Now if I can just get my email working, I'll be good to go.

Promises, promises...

That's a good one Bart from the AOL chat rooms perhaps