Completely unrelated to the trip.

In fact, I can't even utilize this on the trip (except for very short periods when I'm uploading things to the site or emailing). But I just had to point out Pandora, a new service for finding music based on music you already like. It's free, it runs in your browser, and it works extremely well. Check it out.

Another similar site: Last.fm. I like Last.fm's organization scheme better, but Pandora works in your browser, and Last.fm requires you to download their software.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach lifeguard
Originally uploaded by Gaz Errant.

Over the weekend I spent an afternoon on Miami Beach. It was a gorgeous day - 80 degrees, breezy, and the water was perfect. Here's a few pictures.

More new gear

More new gear
Originally uploaded by Gaz Errant.

And here's another exciting entry in the "stuff Gaz bought" saga. Although this one includes items that were either "borrowed" from my parents or bought by them. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

As before, click on the photo to head to Flickr and see details on all the items.

Where's Gaz?

Well, it's been over a week since the last post - I've been down in sunny Florida relaxing on a long weekend. Got a few pictures to share and a few new items of gear, so look for a couple updates later this week.

A monster of a tripod alternative?

One of the items I've been thinking of purchasing for the trip is a mini tripod,as I'd like to get the best photos I can on the trip. Now, however, I'm considering this instead. As you can see from this Gizmodo review, Monsterpod is a small lump of goo that apparently replaces your tripod. It can stick to any hard surface (or so they claim). I'm going to do a bit more research on this product, but if it actually performs as well as it claims, I'll probably buy one for the trip.

Mmmm, delicious.

New link on the sidebar - my del.icio.us links. del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site - you add your bookmarks and tag them with appropriate words (for example, travel, rtw, and blog would be some appropriate tags for gazerrant). Others can view your bookmarks and search for sites by their tags. My del.icio.us bookmarks will be here. There's nothing there yet, but as I find new sites related to travel, gear, or anything else I find interesting, I'll be posting them.

Paragon shopping spree!

Paragon shopping spree
Originally uploaded by Gaz Errant.

Yesterday I went to Paragon Sporting Goods in Manhattan to purchase some gear - here you can see the results. I got a towel, a sleep sheet, a travel shirt, and several other items. Click on the photo to go to Flickr, where I've tagged the photo with information on each piece of gear.

More technical difficulties.

Unfortunately, I made a small error while updating the site, and as a result I had to re-load my template. So now the links, my countdown clock, my visitor counter, etc., etc., have to be added back onto the site. This will happen in the next few days. I've learned my lesson: ALWAYS BACKUP!

New banner, obviously.

I fully expect that the first thing you notice upon visiting today or later is the new banner at the top. Please feel free to give me your comments on it! And if you don't see it, let me know so I can fix it.

Technical Difficulties...

Just so anyone reading knows, www.gazerrant.com may be down for the next few days, as I do a little work on the web presence. The blog will still be accessible at gazerrant.blogspot.com.

*UPDATED* www.gazerrant.com should now redirect you back to the blog.