When my friend and I were traipsing around Europe after college, on twenty bucks a day with not a credit card between us, we carried our money and passports in a little fabric case we wore around our necks and tucked under our clothes. While on the island of Corfu, it was practically impossible to spend that 20 bucks a day. For the first time on our five-week, ten-country trip, we ate whatever we wanted, bought gifts for friends, rented mopeds, and windsurfed. All reckless expenses in a more expensive country. I even bought a rattan beach mat so that I wouldn’t have to lie on the hard rocks.

“What are you going to do with that?” my friend asked. “It’s just going to be a pain the rest of the trip.”

I just shrugged. I didn’t care. After sleeping on trains and eating bread for dinner, I was ready for some comfort.

So there I was in Paris, a week or so later, the sand between my toes from Corfu long gone, when I was hobbling down the stairs with my backpack to the metro platform when someone grabbed the string from my money bag around my neck and started to yank it. I immediately grabbed my rattan mat, turned around and started swinging. He ran away, and the mat saved the day (and my money and passport).

So, ultimately, my rattan mat was money well spent. But something tells me this little hip purse from My Corner Pocket might have been a better idea.

I’ve heard of rising to the occasion, but this is ridiculous! Ya gotta’ admit, this is a nice wedding photo by Kristin Rance Photography in Oceanside, CA.

No, it’s not time for an eye doctor (but Kudzu.com can help you find them by the boatloads). It’s a photo I found for Second Life Entertainment in Las Vegas. They do corporate parties, trade shows, carnivals, picnics, reunions, that kind of stuff. They offer themed parties such as the Ultimate Decades Flashback Party (’40s, ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s—are we already “flashing back” to the ’90s?), a Rat Pack Era Lounge and Cocktail Party, a Tiki/Polynesian Surf and Beach Pool Party, and an Edgy Goth/Industrial Party.

Reminds me of the one big theme party I had in my life. Donald Duck’s 50th Birthday, June 9, 1984. I kid you not. I served Cold Duck champagne, cheese and quackers, and as the entrée, roast duck, of course. I’m not necessarily proud of this. Especially now that I’m a vegetarian. Sorry, Donald.