So we are finally in the dog days of summer (which I realized when I went for a run at noon). Some of us are working, going to school, or schlepping around interning. Others are laying by the pool sipping sangria (*jealous*). But, I think we can all agree that a break of any kind is welcome. Especially when that break is a trip to somewhere cool, offbeat and–the best part– cheap. So pack your favorite flip flops, airy sundress and camera and head somewhere, anywhere but here. Might I suggest any of these destinations:

Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico.
This 21 by 5 mile island is referred to asIsla Nena by residents, loosely translating into “virgin island”. Located only 6 miles off Puerto Rico’s coast, it is a hotbed of natural beauty and tropical activities. You fly onto the island after flying into San Juan, Puerto Rico, so be prepared with a your iPod, a magazine, eye mask or Valium–whatever it takes to get you to board an 8 seater plane to Vieques Airport.

Once you’re on the island, you can stay anywhere ranging from $90 a night B&B’s to luxury hotels, so whether you’re on a typical college budget, or you happen to have a trust fund, there are accomodations for you.

Activities on the island include: hiking, snorkeling and diving, biking, fishing, sightseeing and dining in Bravos de Boston, Vieques’ most fashionable town. However, the highlight of this destination is definitely its Bioluminescent Bay. The bay is filled with phosphorescent microorganisms, that glow in the dark when disturbed. Nighttime charter boats take you on a guided swimming and kayaking trip to the brightest bio bay in the world. If you’re looking for a tropical getaway that won’t break the bank and is off the beaten path, Vieques is it. Read More »

Michael Moore, documentary filmmaker of “Fahrenheit 9/11″, Bush basher, and “way fatter in person with no neck to speak of” (FYI from a friend who sat in back of him at the movies), is coming out with an “election guide” — just in time for the Presidential race.

Mike’s Election Guide, a “manual mockery for the 2008 Presidential election”, will no doubt be full of the snide, polarizing, and sometimes funny comments Moore has made a career out of making.

Will he crack a lot of jokes about McCain being as old as Jesus’s sandals (hey, thats a good one!)? Will he go after Obama’s young, rabid fans who have decided to vote for the guy based purely on some YouTube video full of really sincere celebrities (hey, another good one!)? Will he throw in some jabs about Bush being stupid? How about a chapter devoted to how politicians are all the same and why voting for UFO loving Kucinich is the way to salvation (and medicinal marijuana for all)? Read More »