Couch-Surfing

From dirty European hostels, a stream of Motel Sixes and makeshift campsites to the more luxurious establishments such as a Sheraton or an Embassy Suites- I’ve had my fair share of lodging experiences in my travels.

Nothing, however, can quite top the mixture of adventure, intrigue and awkwardness that comes with couch-surfing.

Couch surfing is simply enjoying the hospitality of individuals who live across the globe that open up their homes for international travelers for an arranged period of time, typically from one to three nights. Websites such as www.couchsurfing.org provides the forum where prospective travelers and hosts can “meet” online and communicate with each other.

There is also no expectation of payment as individuals who host do so in order to meet new people and accompany travelers for fresh experiences- although it would not be inappropriate to buy them a round of beer or bring a bottle of wine.

Although hesitant at the concept at first, my brother and I had found ourselves in the situation where couch surfing became a more preferable lodging option than a bench at a Belgium train station mid-winter (side note- plan ahead when traveling around New Years, even hostels become booked).

When explaining the concept of couch-surfing, the immediate reaction is always an inquiry into the safety aspect of meeting strangers online for the purpose of spending a night or two at their home. Both standing over 6ft tall, fully confident in our capacity to protect ourselves and free of the concerns of women sporting the looks of Natalie Portman or Mila Kunis- my brother and I very rarely hesitate for safety’s sake.

However, for those who do not share the same indifference to such concerns, those who utilize sites such as couchsurfing.org create profiles, similar to a facebook or myspace page, but do so to gain and maintain a positive online reputation while gaining references and vouches from other users to add to your credibility. The site also obviously advises to use strong discretion and has a constantly updated list of safety tips for travelers.

The overall experience of couch-surfing was pleasant enough. After contacting a gentleman in Brussels through the site we arranged to meet at a public place before heading to his studio. After an initial awkward greeting of meeting a stranger we were quick to commence the night’s outings.

The hospitality was not lacking. He offered his own food for dinner and took us to the local hot spots for strong Belgium brew.

The only true oddity was that his apartment was devoid of any décor and there was a strange absence of any personal items (such as photographs) at his home which gave the impression that he was lonely and utilized the site for company.

Grateful for a free place to spend the night, especially during the holiday season- this was of no real concern. True to its name, we literally slept on couches although it is rumored there are hosts who have extra beds for guests.

For those who are adventurous in foreign places with a willingness to meet new people and don't mind sleeping on a couch, couch-surfing should be viable option when making your travel arrangements.

Saigon Bay

For those commuters stuck on campus, faculty that needs a hot meal or a visitor of Sacramento State University, there is an on-campus restaurant that offers a Vietnamese specialty soup called Pho.

Saigon Bay, located on the south side of campus west of the library, serves traditional Vietnamese dishes, namely their delicious Pho soup but also sandwiches and spring rolls.

Although a fourth year student, it was my first experience at Saigon Bay- and eating Pho as well. It is a beef broth based soup served with a unique type of rice noodles, a variety of greens such as basil, bean sprouts and mint leaves. It also typically includes a variation of slim cuts of boiled beef or chicken.

As a newcomer to the Pho experience, I naturally wanted a taste of every flavor and ordered the Saigon Special- which included a mixture of well-done flank and beef balls in the soup.

Although a deliciously hot meal for a cool fall or winter day, the service and price is where Saigon Bay loses the most points in comparison to other restaurants around.

Despite walking into what I felt was a cafeteria, the staff was surprisingly very welcoming to our group of four that entered in the restaurant. After watching the other members of the group order, all of whom had been there before, I stepped up to the register.

Purposely wearing a confused look and asking about the menu, I was hoping to hear the staff explain the different variations of Pho and items on their menu. I did not- rather, I was merely responded by curt answers and an expectant look that had ruined a positive first-impression which read ‘have you made up your mind yet?’

The serving size was quite large, but cost about $7.00. This is not typically too steep of a cost to pay for an meal but considering this was a soup, with not a whole lot of meat, and no sides or drinks – it could have easily been more economically friendly, especially on a college campus.

With that being said- I doubt that there is a better spot for soup on campus. Although typically a burger, fries and beer type of guy, the tastes and texture of the meats, noodles and various greens blended together made this Vietnamese dish a pleasantly surprising worthwhile experience.

Workaholics

For those who have fulfilled their appetite for scripted reality TV shows, an endless supply of Law and Order and is currently suffering the painful reality of having The Office on life support- a refreshingly energetic comedy is out there that is a genius blend of the one liner, booze, drugs, sex and bodily function oriented humor.

The ironically titled show Workaholics follows three young recent graduates stuck in the unglamorous career of telemarketing continuing their beer-drinking prank-pulling lifestyle by shirking away from all work responsibilities and pulling the same type of mischievous shenanigans they had done together as college roommates.

The show stars Blake Anderson, an ambitious idiot filled with wild plans; Adam Devine, a long haired goofball hanging around for the ride and Anders Holm, a semi-responsible (but just as dim) narcissist. After having been discovered for their comedic sketches via youtube by Comedy Central, the stars of Workaholics were picked up by the station last year and is already gearing up for its third season.

If your searching for a sophisticated comedy that is boasting of wit and intelligence or a situational comedy that will make you feel as awkward as The Office once did- keep on looking. Workaholics comedic nature revolves around human's most basic instincts. Primarily of sex, drugs and drinking, although genitalia related punchlines are frequent visitors as well.

Season one is worth watching to find out why Blake Anderson's boss puts the fear God in his boner and to discover the hilarity of a poop-dollar for those reasons alone.

There will be those critiques that say their humor is too immature, their language pointlessly obscene and frankly, just too vulgar. On the contrary, its a very honest exposition of pure humor by poking fun at societies barriers and norms while giving hope to the fraternity graduates that the party doesn't have to end at graduation. It does not hide behind clever wit, remain masked behind social norms or mask itself with fancy Mad Men suits.

Want to laugh?

Look at the Adam Devine in a Bear suit, and watch Workaholics.

Lets face the reality- decent comedies that are reliable for a good laugh are difficult to come by. Although a brief 20 minutes (without commercials), this show will provide the much needed laugh during the day and provide quotable one liners you can share on facebook.

The Simpsons has run too long, The Office has tragically lost Steve Carrell and other comedies such as It's Always Sunny in Philedelphia and Family Guy, where once brilliant, is simply not reliable to make you laugh out loud with each new episode.

This show will not be the next great craze that everyone will follow- it has too many boner jokes for that. But for those that don't mind a bit of raunchiness while watching idiots comparable in intelligence to Dumb and Dumber's Llyod Christmas and Harry Dunn avoid drug tests, pull pranks, pursue women and maintain a job- you're welcome for the introduction.