Oh The Singing Outside Is Frightful....

Ever had Christmas Carollers who were so out of tune they made the experience a cringe-fest? Welcome to George Bush International Airport in Houston. Houston's airport is setting up karaoke booths for travelers, just in time for the holidays. One is already up and running. For the past two years, officials have invited choirs and bands from high schools and churches to perform at Bush and Hobby airports during the month of December, to help alleviate passenger anxiety and give them something to do while waiting for their flight (other than crossword puzzles and annoyingly talking on their cell phones). Karaoke seemed the next logical step, according to Caroline Schneider, the assistant airport manager for customer service.
"During the Holidays, we have a lot of novice travelers," she said. "We thought while they are waiting, it would be nice if they could just sing a song." Aspiring vocalists can choose from hundreds of song titles, and small prizes will be given to the singers. Let's get something straight here, most Karaoke singers sound like the American Idol out-take auditions. That sure doesn't sound like the way I want to spend my 2 pre-flight hours! If anything, a few boos mixed in to a bad singer's repertoire will not only make for a bad day, it could lead to fisticuffs or other disruption. Thanks, but I'll stick with my crossword puzzles and I-Pod.

Speaking of flights, the numbers are in for the past couple of months, and Las Vegas has taken quite a hit, with incoming travelers down nearly 13 percent compared to same-month figures in 2007. While this trend is going on, there can be some incredible bargains for anyone still willing to roll the dice (pun intended). Once the New Year hits there are lots of conventions scheduled, but anyone available for a last hurrah in 2008 should call me for a deal. NOTE: If you're even considering going out for the Super Bowl, you may already be too late for any bargains. The airlines have scaled back the number of daily flights, and many flights are at capacity or close, so there's not a moment to lose if you'd still like to make that trip.

It didn't make headlines in America this week because it wasn't Americans involved (we're like that, you know). But there was a 2nd attempt by pirates on a cruise ship in the Gulf of Aden. This time, it was a German cruise ship but the attackers were chased off by a German naval vessel. I doubt it was a coincidence that the cruise liner had an "escort" in that area of the world, and it sounds like it was a good thing they were around. I can tell you from thousands of conversations with clients, cruise customers are always looking for something a little different. New ports of call. Interesting itineraries. And for that reason, the cruise lines have created some of these more exotic passage sailings. Unfortunately, to get from point A to point B in some areas of the globe, you have to come a bit too close for comfort to these hot zones. Last week, I had a customer call me who is booked on a 7-night Caribbean sailing from Miami, going to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, but she said "my friend told me cruise ships are being attacked by pirates." Yes halfway across the world, but there's not much chance you're going to run into Johnny Depp or his cut-throat crew in St. Thomas. The Caribbean has been safe from pirates, other than drug smugglers, for 150 years or more. Particularly when it comes to passenger vessels. My gut feeling is the cruise lines are going to have to alter some of these exotic itineraries, to remove themselves from harm's way. I'll keep you posted whenever that happens. In the mean time, don't lose sleep over your vacation cruise to Cozumel and Jamaica.
The worst pirating you'll see is the drink prices on board.

SOUP FOR YOU! Sounds like a take-off on a Seinfeld episode, eh? That's Seinfeld the show, filmed in New York. Well, check this out....with the economy flagging, a Manhattan fashion boutique has started offering free soup to entice customers. The temporary fashion boutique, calling itself "The 1929" is selling chic designer clothing, and giving away soup and coffee to prospective buyers. The store is located in one of the trendiest shopping areas, the Soho District of New York City. Manager and co-owner Aaron Genuth says the store was inspired by the Great Depression. His partner Levi Okunov says they want people to go to the store, have a bowl of soup and try on some clothing.The store sells the work of independent designers on its ground floor. The basement is an art and performance space, where the free nourishment is doled out. The store is expected to remain open through next month. My guess is there's got to be a sign somewhere, "If you spill cream of broccoli on it, you bought it!"

You may have heard this one on the news earlier in the week, but if not it bears repeating. 21 years ago, Joe Richardson from central Texas lost his brand-new, blue-stone class ring. The one Mom and Dad bought him the year he graduated, and even had it engraved with his name inside. This week the ring turned up, but not under the dresser. Not in an old pair of Converse All-Stars. Not even in a pocket of an old duffel bag. Nope, it showed up inside an 8-pound bass caught on Lake Sam Rayburn, about 100 miles Northeast of Houston. A fisherman discovered the tarnished ring inside his catch, and after seeing the engraved name contacted Richardson on Nov. 28, after tracking him down with help from the Internet. The fisherman asked to remain anonymous. Richardson, 41, said he lost the ring about two weeks after his 1987 graduation from Universal Technical Institute in Houston. His parents had paid around $200 for the ring back then, and were none too pleased when it went missing. Asked if he's going to wear it now, Richardson said "no, it would take some pretty hefty cleaning, and I'm not cleaning it." Nice to know gifts from Mom and Dad still mean so much....I'm gettin' a little misty-eyed.