https://patrickallan.journoportfolio.comRSS Feed for Patrick Allan LaffoonenThu, 07 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/this-is-what-happens-when-you-damage-priceless-art-1793693190When I was 16, my French class was fortunate enough to visit France. We immediately went to the Louvre upon arrival in Paris, but I was so wiped out by jet lag, I sat down and fell asleep. The spot I had chosen, however, was actually an ancient work of art. Here’s what would have happened had I broken it. It’s a nightmare scenario. You wander through a gallery of gorgeous artwork only to trip and accidentally punch a hole through a priceless painting. It actually does happen. In fact, a 12-yeThu, 07 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/this-is-what-happens-when-you-damage-priceless-art-1793693190https://lifehacker.com/11-things-that-can-get-you-kicked-off-a-plane-and-how-t-1793838725When it comes to flying, crew members do whatever it takes to make a flight comfortable, pleasant, and most importantly, safe for their passengers. Anything, or anyone, that stands in the way of them doing their job gets removed. Like this stuff, for example. Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of stuff you can do on a plane that can earn you the boot. Why? Well, the flight crew basically gets the last say. They don’t have to report an expulsion to the FAA, so they won’t hesitate to yank out any wrThu, 07 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/11-things-that-can-get-you-kicked-off-a-plane-and-how-t-1793838725https://lifehacker.com/the-countries-actually-most-dangerous-for-tourists-1794002926The world can be a dangerous place, especially for careless travelers. The U.S. State Department does its best to alert tourists of the risks, but those warnings don’t always paint a clear picture. Turns out, the countries issued the most travel warnings aren’t always the most dangerous. Is traveling to countries that have been issued alerts and warnings, like Mexico, Mali, Israel, and Pakistan, deadly for American tourists? Sort of. Data gathered by Data.World and Priceonomics shows there is dThu, 07 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/the-countries-actually-most-dangerous-for-tourists-1794002926https://lifehacker.com/what-personal-space-means-to-the-rest-of-world-1794130182We all have an invisible bubble around us we like to call our “personal space.” If someone hovers inside too long, you feel uncomfortable. But everyone’s bubble size is different from culture to culture. Here’s what those bubbles look like around the world. A recent study, published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, shows that culture plays a significant role when it comes to personal space. Using a graphic-based survey, researchers asked 9,000 participants from 42 different countrThu, 07 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/what-personal-space-means-to-the-rest-of-world-1794130182https://lifehacker.com/how-to-pick-the-perfect-travel-shoes-for-your-adventure-1794121154Epic journeys call for top-notch footwear that can handle anything. You need a pair of shoes that are so comfy, protective, and versatile you won’t even think about them the entire trip. Here’s what you need to know before you go. To get this guide started on the right foot, I got some help from another worldly traveler, Henrik Jeppesen. He’s the popular Dane that traveled to every country in the world before he turned 28, and is currently in the process of visiting every territory in the worThu, 07 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/how-to-pick-the-perfect-travel-shoes-for-your-adventure-1794121154https://lifehacker.com/the-best-ways-to-ask-for-compensation-when-something-go-1826535807While most flights go off without a hitch, annoying things do happen. Delays, diversions, busted tray tables, malfunctioning entertainment consoles, and spotty wifi can turn a run-of-the-mill flight into an unpleasant experience. When bad stuff happens, consider asking for compensation like this. Before we get into the details, keep in mind that airlines are only required by law to compensate you for a few things. Namely, involuntary bumps, unreasonable delays on the tarmac, and lost luggage.Mon, 04 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/the-best-ways-to-ask-for-compensation-when-something-go-1826535807https://lifehacker.com/airport-time-is-a-welcome-state-of-limbo-1826421486For many, the airport is a place filled with frustration and anxiety. But for others, the airport is a peaceful place where you don’t exist—no one does—and I love it. You’re allowed to do absolutely nothing, and sometimes, that’s exactly what the soul of a weary traveler needs. There was a great piece about airport layovers in the New York Times recently by Sasha Chapin. In it, Chapin expressed praise for the layover, calling it a “healthful, restorative bore,” and I couldn’t agree more. LongWed, 30 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/airport-time-is-a-welcome-state-of-limbo-1826421486https://lifehacker.com/when-it-comes-to-focus-use-it-or-lose-it-1826427712Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Epictetus and his Discourses. In book four, chapter 12, he tells us that our attention is something easily lost if we’re not careful: “When you have remitted your attention for a short time, do not imagine this, that you will recover it when you choose; but let this thought be present to you, thatWed, 30 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/when-it-comes-to-focus-use-it-or-lose-it-1826427712https://lifehacker.com/great-success-comes-at-a-high-cost-1826242321Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Lucius Annaeus Seneca in his enlightening essay On the Shortness of Life. He suggests you be wary of unchecked ambition and the endless pursuit of success: “So, when you see a man repeatedly taking up the robe of office, or a name well known in public, don’t envy him: those trappings are bought at thWed, 23 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/great-success-comes-at-a-high-cost-1826242321https://lifehacker.com/how-to-avoid-vacation-rental-scams-online-1826076448Vacation home rentals are a fun, and often affordable, alternative to hotels, but they’re also less regulated and more prone to scams. Crooks have come up with plenty of schemes to make a quick buck off of oblivious vacationers using nice photos of non-existent rentals and up-front cash security deposits. That’s why it’s important you know how to spot fraudulent listings online. Not only are vacation rental scams possible, they’re big business for criminals. According to fraud protection compWed, 16 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/how-to-avoid-vacation-rental-scams-online-1826076448https://lifehacker.com/you-only-need-to-focus-on-the-present-1826080364Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Marcus Aurelius and his Meditations. He recommends you focus not on the past or future, but the present alone: “Do not let the panorama of your life oppress you, do not dwell on all the various troubles which may have occurred in the past or may occur in the future. Just ask yourself in each instanceWed, 16 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/you-only-need-to-focus-on-the-present-1826080364https://lifehacker.com/not-declaring-food-to-customs-and-border-protection-cou-1825954777When you travel internationally, there’s a whole song and dance of answering questions and declaring items you have to go through before re-entering the U.S. When Customs asks you if you have any food to declare, declare every food item you have—just in case. It all comes down to Question 11, Part A: “Are you bringing fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food or insects into the United States?” Most of the time, I hastily check off “no” because I don’t even stop to think about pre-packaged stufFri, 11 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/not-declaring-food-to-customs-and-border-protection-cou-1825954777https://lifehacker.com/here-are-the-countries-u-s-citizens-can-visit-without-1825922331If you’re a U.S. citizen with a valid passport, you’re able to freely travel to more places in the world than most other countries’ citizens, and it’s probably a lot more than you realize. All you need are some vacation days and a plane ticket. As of right now, holders of a valid United States passport can travel to 177 different countries and territories around the globe without having to apply for a travel visa before departing. That’s out of about 218 possible destinations, meaning you canThu, 10 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/here-are-the-countries-u-s-citizens-can-visit-without-1825922331https://lifehacker.com/the-only-thing-keeping-you-from-improving-is-you-1825894642Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Roman philosopher Gaius Musonius Rufus. In his ninth lecture, he talks about how not even exile from your homeland can stop you from gaining knowledge: “Furthermore, how should exile be an obstacle to the cultivation of the things that are one’s own and to the acquisition of virtue, when no one was eWed, 09 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/the-only-thing-keeping-you-from-improving-is-you-1825894642https://lifehacker.com/fly-early-if-you-want-to-depart-and-arrive-on-time-1825779221Flight delays occur fairly regularly, but they’re a lot less likely to happen at certain times of the day. If you need a flight that’s almost guaranteed to stay on schedule, you better put on a pot of coffee—you’ll need to leave bright and early. According to stats from The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report for February, morning flights are the most punctual options. In terms of scheduled departure times, the rate of on-time flights starts around 92-95% in the earFri, 04 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/fly-early-if-you-want-to-depart-and-arrive-on-time-1825779221https://lifehacker.com/finding-your-moral-compass-hurts-1825750812Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Epictetus and his Discourses. In book three, chapter 23, he suggests that ethical improvement is not a cake walk—and it’s not supposed to be: Ethical philosophy is not meant to be fun. The study and application of virtuous thought stings. You’re being confronted with concepts that may radically opposThu, 03 May 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/finding-your-moral-compass-hurts-1825750812https://lifehacker.com/train-your-mind-for-constructive-thinking-1825521191Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations book five, section 16. He encourages the practice of thinking good, positive thoughts regularly: Your mind will take on the aspect of the thoughts you have on a regular basis. Your soul, your consciousness, the “you” inside of your vessel, is shaped by those thoughts. SoWed, 25 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/train-your-mind-for-constructive-thinking-1825521191https://lifehacker.com/you-can-always-do-something-to-improve-your-circumstanc-1825361682Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Seneca’s On the Tranquility of the Mind. In chapter 10, he suggests that you can find a way to improve any situation with the power of reason and clever thinking: No situation is so bad that a smart, level-headed person can’t find a way to make the best of it. For example, even the smallest of spacesWed, 18 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/you-can-always-do-something-to-improve-your-circumstanc-1825361682https://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-sure-a-budget-or-foreign-airline-is-safe-1825321651Budget airlines are a decent option for cheap travel, but they’re also known to be uncomfortable, they nickel and dime you for every little thing, and now, people are questioning the overall safety of these low-cost flights. These four tips will help you pick a budget or foreign airline that meets all the right safety standards. Look, flying is pretty darn safe. The odds of you being involved in an incident are incredibly small, and the odds of you dying in said event are even smaller. But whTue, 17 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-sure-a-budget-or-foreign-airline-is-safe-1825321651https://lifehacker.com/you-should-do-the-right-thing-because-its-the-right-thi-1825177382Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Marcus Aurelius, in Meditations, book seven. Far along the book, in paragraph 73, he chastises those who want or expect more when they’ve done a good deed: There are only two things that matter when it comes to doing good unto others: you doing the good deed, and another person benefitting from thatWed, 11 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/you-should-do-the-right-thing-because-its-the-right-thi-1825177382https://lifehacker.com/the-one-thing-that-nobody-can-ever-take-from-you-1824988465Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Epictetus in his Discourses. In book two, chapter 10, he tells us that we have no greater power than our own invincible will: Stop and think about who and what you are. You are a human being and your greatest power is your will, or your ability to reason and make your own choices. It’s what commandsWed, 04 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/the-one-thing-that-nobody-can-ever-take-from-you-1824988465https://lifehacker.com/what-to-do-when-you-get-pulled-over-in-another-country-1824258543Getting pulled over in America is already nerve-wracking, but when it happens somewhere far from home it can be even scarier. Laws are different, customs vary, and you may have to pay a fine on the spot. Here’s what you need to know before you get behind the wheel outside of the U.S. This should be obvious, but in case it isn’t, you absolutely need to do research on driving in the country you’re visiting. You need to know the basic laws and customs for the area, as well as be aware of the iteMon, 02 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/what-to-do-when-you-get-pulled-over-in-another-country-1824258543https://lifehacker.com/a-long-walk-is-as-good-for-the-mind-as-it-is-for-the-bo-1824148300Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Seneca’s On Peace of Mind (17.8). He says that a walk is just as nourishing for the mind as it is for the body: It’s good for you to go outside and take a walk. Your state of mind and spirit will improve as you breathe in some fresh air. There’s no doubt that walking every day, even if only for 20 mWed, 28 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/a-long-walk-is-as-good-for-the-mind-as-it-is-for-the-bo-1824148300https://lifehacker.com/when-you-can-cancel-flights-and-hotels-and-still-get-a-1824078373Things don’t always go according to plan when you’re traveling, and that can be a big problem for many reasons, chief among them that changing plans usually means paying fees. Let’s keep that money in your pocket. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to canceling flights or hotel reservations. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you can cancel a non-refundable ticket and receive a full refund of any airfare booked in the United States, without cancellation fees or penaltMon, 26 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0100https://lifehacker.com/when-you-can-cancel-flights-and-hotels-and-still-get-a-1824078373https://lifehacker.com/attachment-is-the-enemy-1823962491Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. He offers some straightforward advice on avoiding attachment to material things, titles, and praise: This lesson is pretty straightforward, but profound. When something comes your way—be it status, praise, or material things—accept it with humility, and be mindful thWed, 21 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000https://lifehacker.com/attachment-is-the-enemy-1823962491https://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-airport-bars-1823925464I’m a bit of a nervous flyer, so I always get to the airport early to sip on some courage at the bar. It helps me keep calm and, well, it’s hard to pass up a good Bloody Mary. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tips to ensure the airport bar is always a good experience. Drinks are expensive at airport bars. They know you have no other option for alcohol, so they charge a few extra bucks for every beer, cocktail, or glass of wine. That’s why you have to go for the deals whenever you can. UsuaTue, 20 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000https://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-airport-bars-1823925464https://lifehacker.com/youre-supposed-to-struggle-1823744506Welcome back to Mid-Week Meditations, Lifehacker’s weekly dip into the pool of stoic wisdom, and a guide to using its waters to reflect on and improve your life. This week’s selection comes from Seneca in On Providence. He asks why we waste our energy on complaining when we are destined for hardship: “Why, then, should we be angry? Why should we lament? We are prepared for our fate: let nature deal as she will with her own bodies; let us be cheerful whatever befalls, and stoutly reflect thatWed, 14 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000https://lifehacker.com/youre-supposed-to-struggle-1823744506https://lifehacker.com/the-cheapest-places-to-stay-in-japan-1823712792I keep telling people that traveling to Japan is way more affordable than they think, especially if you book the right accommodations. We’re talking as little as $20 to $50 a night if you know where to look! These obviously aren’t five-star resorts, but they’re worth it for the money you’ll save. Staying at a capsule hotel—pictured above—may have been one of the oddest travel experiences I’ve ever had, but not in a bad way. Yes, you’re basically sleeping in an oversized coffin (this is not forTue, 13 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000https://lifehacker.com/the-cheapest-places-to-stay-in-japan-1823712792https://lifehacker.com/how-to-poop-when-you-re-traveling-1823690140Traveling really takes it out of you—except when it comes to poop. That can stay with you for days, making your vacay a lot less enjoyable. Here’s what causes that constipation frustration, and what you can do to keep that from happening. If you’ve ever gone on a trip and failed to drop a load for a few days straight, you’ve experienced vacation-induced constipation (VIC), or travel constipation. You feel backed up, look bloated, and want nothing more than to unleash the crappin’. It’s basicaMon, 12 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000https://lifehacker.com/how-to-poop-when-you-re-traveling-1823690140https://lifehacker.com/how-to-stash-your-luggage-for-a-couple-of-hours-when-tr-1823620766You’ve just landed at your travel destination, but the Airbnb won’t be available for a few hours. What to do? You could start exploring the city, but nothing ruins that exhilarating experience more than having to drag around heavy luggage. Sure, you could drop your bags off at some places in airports and train stations, or perhaps rent a luggage locker somewhere, but there are other, sometimes cheaper options out there. Over at the New York Times, Stephanie Rosenbloom suggests travelers useThu, 08 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000https://lifehacker.com/how-to-stash-your-luggage-for-a-couple-of-hours-when-tr-1823620766