The grand view of Grand Army Plaza. photos by Anna Jacobson

Although many chants were the same, the scene at Occupy Brooklyn yesterday was quite different than the one in Zuccotti Park. There was also free pizza at Grand Army Plaza, but one pie was sufficient for the crowd, which boasted more strollers than facial tattoos and cheered cops for being so “accommodating” when they set up more barricades. True to a Park Slope rally, there were families, mature artists, old-timey bands and borough Prez Marty Markowitz. Many of the protesters had been to Wall Street, but rallied at Grand Army because they live in the borough and argued that the joblessness, foreclosures, and income disparity they are protesting were all more obvious in Brooklyn than in the Financial District.

Instead of Wall Street execs toasting the rally with champagne like at OWS, this group was cheered by many passing cars, including young people in suits and Priuses. “In Zuccotti, you will sometimes get sanitation buses or school buses honking”, organizer Leo Goldberg said. This morning’s two-hour rally felt more like an extension of Prospect Park on a fall afternoon than the up-against-the-system protests in Manhattan.

Marty Markowitz chatting with protesters Saturday

But the topics of conversation weren’t so sunny. Marty Markowitz, who came to support the rally, noted some BK neighborhoods where 18% of men are unemployed. “We are constantly pitching companies,” he said, citing Brooklyn’s failed bid to build the Taxicab of Tomorrow (which will be manufactured in Mexico) “We really wanted that to be something that was made here in New York, in Brooklyn… We need those jobs… jobs for people who work with their hands.”

Also there was Andrea Vaughn, a librarian from the Brooklyn Public Library. “They’ve cut until there’s nothing left to cut,” she said. The library has “thousands of ways to help average people improve their lives” she says, mentioning job placement, resume help, and language classes.

Trumpeter Zachary Boyce of Flatbush and several friends joined up to treat the crowd to some semi-improvised tunes (and their puppet “Occupus,” an octopus with eight demands).While Boyce slept in Zuccotti Park the night before, he came to the borough because he said, “Brooklyn is where this should be happening.”

“It may be an illusion, but I can feel it when I cross the bridge,” here his gaze became more far-off, “this is a completely different space. People here are ready to engage.”

The group Occupy Brooklyn, set up the day’s event in a scramble, establishing up a Facebook page, reaching out to clergy and community groups, and canvassing the subways. Occupy BK has been active in Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, and Greenpoint, with South Brooklyn being their next step. For more information, sign up to their email list via Facebook. Just don’t try occupybrooklyn.org. It’s occupied by another group.

Even librarians like Andrea Vaughn (and Steve, her dog) got loud at Grand Army.

Debra S. said she wasn't there for a revolution - just to speak out for the people's rights.

Artist Janine Sopp of Kensington with her daughter, Kya (in stroller) and neighbor, Roxie. All three had been to Zuccotti Park, which Kya described as "boring". Sopp's response: "It's hard to help her understand she's making history"

photos by Anna Jacobson

Occupy Wall Street may be a great place to score some free pizza, join in a few chants, or air your legitimate grievances. For the singles among us, it is also the perfect opportunity to strike up conversation with a cutie. “What does your sign say?” is the protest version of “What’s your sign?” Don’t be too shy if you go downtown — most of those interviewed said they wait for a potential suitor to make the first move. Get your flirt on, but make tracks before the police break out the zip-tie handcuffs. Here, some of the Zuccotti hotties we encountered on Sunday afternoon:

Emmorie E., 20 – Ridgewood

Interested in: mostly men, but open
When not occupying Wall Street, she’s a: musician, painter, and Go-Go dancer
Favorite date: Central Park picnic with wine, cheese, and intriguing conversation

Stefan Bondell, 30 – downtown Manhattan

Interested in: women
When not occupying Wall Street, he’s a: fulltime painter and poet
Favorite date: taking a boat across the Atlantic

Amanda Poon, 24 – Brooklyn

Interested in: men
When not occupying Wall Street, she’s an: anthropology student
Favorite date: anything near the water

Jeffrey Valdez, 22 – Bronx

Interested in: women
When not occupying Wall Street, he’s: training people for the Board of Elections
Favorite date: relaxing and enjoying herbal tea together

Chris Dapice, 26 – Brooklyn

Interested in: men
When not occupying Wall Street, he’s: riding his bike, looking for a job
Favorite date: walking on the beach

Joan Lin, 22 – Malaysia

Interested in: not looking
When not occupying Wall Street, she’s a: communications major
Favorite date: walking over a bridge/through a park

Phoenix, 21 – Auckland, NZ

Interested in: women
When not occupying Wall Street, he’s a: liberal arts student
Favorite date: sleeping out on the Liberty Plaza

Photos by Anna Jacobson.

Since facing off with the NYPD on the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday, the Occupy Wall Street-ers have been getting their chance for the country to read their signs and hear their demands. But what are they, and who’s demanding them? In addition to the Liberty Square camp-out (which Brokelyn snapped shots of), the group is holding a cyber-rally. More than 700 (and growing) people who believe there are snakes on our economic plane have posted hand-written, often heart-wrenching, personal accounts to the group’s Tumblr, WeAreThe99Percent. We’re too busy writing cover letters to rally ourselves, but reading the Tumblr gave us a more focused look at a painful recession, anyway.

Speakers like the woman in magenta told "Occupiers" about the difficulties of being underpaid, overworked - and fired for unionizing

Many contributors are young people who wish they were entering the job market – what the Times called “Generation Limbo.” These are recent graduates with huge student debts and stalled careers that currently wipe tables, tour with punk bands, and/or live with Mom.

But what’s really their issue?

On WeAre99Percent, there are a few eye-roll-worthy teens — like the poster who whines about having to attend City College instead of a “real school.” Most notes, however, are more mature tales of woe: double-majors helping their families while owing six figures and people with master’s degrees who have turned to prostitution.

Those with a job may seem lucky, but aren’t always. There’s an NYC teacher struggling with the rent (we can relate). While we love waiting tables as our down-and-out go-to, we hate seeing someone getting ripped off by not getting paid.

Photo courtesy of wearethe99percent.tumblr.com

Since the early 70′s, left-wing protestors have typically been had more experience with class warfare and hacky sack than the battlefield. WeAreThe99Percent, however, features many veterans recently home from the war who are still fighting either their PTSD or their APR.

If you’ve got a hanky and some privacy, the site is rapidly filling with personal accounts that are rarely aired. Reading about broke families, retirees, and small business owners will not make a happy afternoon. It will, however, make you thankful that love is still free.

More Occupy Wall Street photos on Anna Leah’s Flickr.

Free for all

Brooklyn Jews, Prospect Park
Services in Prospect Park sound delightful. This Judaism-is-cool group have other worship events like “Indie Minyans” (think of it as a Pop-Up Shul) and holiday block parties. Although they’ve reached capacity for Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah (Day 1) this year, you can still reserve a spot for evening services or Rosh Hashanah (Day 2) at Beth Elohim‘s temple.

Kolot Chayeinu, 1012 Eighth Ave. at 10th St., 718-390-7493
Kolot’s motto is “building a progressive Jewish community,” and they’re serious about the progressive part. The congregation is led by a lesbian rabbi, and the members are “individuals of varying sexual orientations, gender identities, races, family arrangements, and Jewish identities and backgrounds.” High holiday services are free and open to all, but get there early, because there are no reserved seats; doors open 45 minutes before services.

Ohel Ayalah, at the Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 Fourth Ave. at President St.
Ohel Ayalah is a self-proclaimed place for young people (or any people, really) who don’t have a place to go for the high holidays. Their services are free and open to walk-ins (although you can still reserve a Yom Kippur spot). According to the web site, the services will be egalitarian (both men and women will lead), and they’ll be mostly in Hebrew, but with some interspersed English “explanations, comments, and readings.”

Chabad-Lubavitch centers (various locations)
Chabad is a Hasidic movement, so services are right out of the schtetl. They’ll be chanted in Hebrew, with separate sections for men and women. Since Chabad as a whole is about getting Jews to be more religious, go into this with your eyes open. If you’re a spiritual seeker, you could wind up on the road to black hatsville. The good news is, these wine-loving, mystic Lubovitchers usually hate to see someone go hungry on a feast day, and consider it a mitzvah to feed a strange Brokelynite. According to one rabbi we spoke to, some Chabad synagogues require reservations and some don’t. So, check out the list at the above link, and see what’s what in your neighborhood (BTW – we know Fort Greene’s shul is bilingual and has grub if you RSVP; Prospect Park‘s feeds you if you don’t mind ignoring a donation suggestion)

Bay Ridge Jewish Center, 405 81st St. at Fourth Ave., 718-836-3103
BRJC is a Conservative egalitarian congregation that seems, from its web site anyway, like a big, family-friendly place. There’ll be Rosh Hashanah apples, honey and challah, and a break-fast meal after Yom Kippur. And the picture on the web site makes the sanctuary look bright and airy. Services are free, but tickets are required, so print and mail the reservation form here or call the number above. New this year, there’s a free kids’ service so you can get some peace when seeking for inner peace.

The Greenpoint Shul, 108 Noble Street, (347) 788-1280
We got word of a shul in Greenpoint where the events are free, where they want you to know they’re young and groovy and don’t care if you wear jeans. Get an eticket for free services, and on the site you can sign up for a $26 post-service dinner. Babysitting provided.

Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, 131 Remsen St. at Clinton St., 718-522-2070

This Reform congregation is another biggie, with over 300 members including some even from Manhattan. High holiday services are held at a couple of locations—the synagogue itself and at the larger, nearby Plymouth church. Services on Remsen Street are free and clear – Plymouth Church offers “modest fee” childcare with reservations.

Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Pl. at Eighth Ave., 718-768-3814
CBE claims to be the largest Reform synagogue in Brooklyn, with over 1000 members led by Andy Bachman—a hipstery sort, at least as far as rabbis go, with a cult following among Slopers. The way to get in here for free is through the Brooklyn Jews service, CBE’s “20s and 30s Initiative” designed to get young people and families involved in Judaism. Go to the Brooklyn Jews web site, join for free, and you can get tickets to their services. Although geared toward the younger crowd, it looks like anyone can join.

B’nai Israel of Midwood, 4815 Avenue I, (718) 377-1146
This Orthodox congregation is a real, old-Brooklyn Jewish experience. With borough-accented bubbes, lots of traditional service, and ample street parking, chances are this temple sees Williamsburg as a Hasidic neighborhood. Their seats are free, without RSVP – and if you go, you could be the first person to check into their foursquare. It’s the place to go and get a good pray, followed by a snack and quite probably a little Shadchen action.

Free for some

Union Temple, 17 Eastern Parkway, between Underhill Ave. & Plaza St. E., 718-638-7600
Founded in 1848, this Reform congregation is the oldest Jewish organization in Brooklyn. The great deal here is for young people. If you’re under 30, you can can get your free high holiday tickets just by joining the temple for one year (also for free).

Free off the books
Temple Beth Emeth v’Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek, 83 Marlborough Rd. at Church Ave., 718-282-1596
This long-named congregation is the last Reform synagogue in Flatbush. Not the largest in the list, Beth Emeth, as it’s more commonly known, has a mixture of young local families and older long-time members. English is prevalent  at services here, and there’s always something for the kids. First-time visitors can buy an all-inclusive high holiday ticket for $18. But if you show up and can’t afford the $18, you won’t be turned away.

The East Midwood Jewish Center, 1625 Ocean Ave. between Ave. K and Ave. L, 718-338-3800
Officially, tickets to this Conservative egalitarian synagogue are a prohibitive $150. Officially unofficially, show up and a seat in the spacious balcony will be all yours. East Midwood’s cantor Sam Levine leads an especially musical service.

RAJE at the Jewish Center of Brighton Beach, 2915 Ocean Pkwy. between Neptune and Ocean View, 800-407-6020
The Russian American Jewish Experience is an organization devoted to “sparking Jewish life in Russian American society.” RAJE runs a variety of services and programs at the Jewish Center of Brighton Beach. The organization’s supported by requested donations, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Or try the hotline…
The UJA (“J-1-1″) shows us up in the customer service area, by referring Brooklyn Jews to local synagogues open to non-members. You can call them at 877-852-6951 or email at J11@ujafedny.org. Get to them before 3:30 if you want a same-day response and they are, of course, closed on the holidays (open ’til 1 p.m. on the “day before”)

There are also…
options in Manhattan and Long Island. As if we cared. Seems only slightly preferable to streaming from Connecticut.

"Hey, Roomie, I made a chore wheel!" via RoommateRobot.com

Why is it so hard to find a good roommate? Brokespeare wrote, “Miserly living acquaints a man with strange apartment-fellows.” Yes, he’s a sexist – but in this case he’s right. Whether your roommate is an apathetic frog (whose Dad still has to PayPal you the last month’s rent), an overly-ripped body builder who yells into your face that you “can’t talk to him like that” (causing you bolt in the night with your valuables), or your run-of-the-mill hard-partying slob, we all have Roommate Horror Stories. And there’s something comforting in sharing them.

September means new apartment keys are being issued all over the city, so we wanted to collect tales of our least favorite co-habitants. Team Brokelyn weighs in with theirs below, but tell us your best worst-roommate story in the comments, and, most helpfully, now did you escape it?  Kvetch here and complete the circle of co-misery (we love company!).

Prepare for The Tale of…

The ‘Close Friend’

SNL's "Roomie" sketch

“My roommate and I decided to get our own place, instead of continuing to share a room in a spot a few stations into the hipper part of town. With our own beds, I had assumed we would have a bit more space to ourselves. We were playing in a duo and definitely didn’t have a ton of non-working time apart. I didn’t think much of the normal-ish displays of together-ness: my turns of phrase and opinions being co-opted, my friends becoming her friends, compliments, cuddle time … well, actually, I began to mind the cuddle time. She has a habit of asking for a snuggle when I was innocently making coffee or whathaveyou; it began to feel like I was a cold-hearted guy in a relationship (without the sex). Add a drunken make-out session, and things were officially Weird. It got weirder when I started waking up to her spooning me in my bed. Solution: her breakdown and my calculated retreat. She found a new place soon thereafter. Hindsight: maybe we should have only spent every OTHER waking moment together.

No, I haven’t seen Single White Female. It sounds scary”

—Anna Jacobson

 The Walking Hygiene Experiment

“I’d been living in the same apartment for about 3 years when I wound up finding a new roommate through Craigslist. This guy worked in film production, kept really strange hours and had a propensity for scouring the bars during the “skank hours” and bringing home whomever he could get. He smoked in his room, never cleaning anything and kept condiments on his nightstand (eww). The room had this awful smell like used handkerchiefs and fourth-hand jeans. One email I sent him had the subject line: “The apartment smells”. The body said, “like a petri dish. Seriously.”

courtesy of KatJohnston.com

I decided to solve the problem by becoming more clean myself to set a good example. I made a spreadsheet of all the things that needed to be done to keep the apartment up, switching up the duties between us. There was even a place to check whether it had been done, like those inspection sheets in public restrooms. That worked for a little while, but he began slacking so I had to send him regular emails to nag him. Within a few months, he told me he needed to move out to help a friend who needed a roommate. Problem solved!”

—Eric Silver

The Way-Too-Touchy One

“After I graduated, I moved into a house not far from campus that was occupied by a middle-aged woman. The day after I moved in, I accidentally let the screen door slam behind me as I left. As I was running down the stairs, I heard her yell: “Don’t slam the fucking door!” I yelled back that I was sorry and wouldn’t let it happen again. I didn’t think much of the incident until I came home that evening and found a hand-written note on the kitchen table that explained how “disappointed she was at having chosen me as a roommate” and that she’d “gone through a lot of shit recently” and couldn’t be bothered with people as inconsiderate as me. She moved out a week later.”

—Andrew Linderman

The ‘Coca-Cola’ Head

who's ready to party?

I had a roommate that did copious amounts of coke all the time. She would be gone all night (for a couple days even), come back during the day, and immediately start stripping while she told you how much coke she just did and who she just slept with. It didn’t matter who was in the room with you — your mom, your boyfriend — she would strip down to her skivvies and talk until your ears bled. To top it off, she wrote bad rent checks. We found out from the management company she was two months behind, which turned me into a crazy person. I moved out. And then, I found out she swiped my True Romance DVD. That really hammered the final nail into my hate coffin.

—Meghan Doherty 

The Leech

I split a house in college with four dudes and got a lesson in why you should never live with someone who is an unmotivated lump: he would go to class for a few hours every day and then seemed incapable of doing anything else for the rest of his day besides try to figure out Ryan Adams songs on guitar, add to the ridiculous pile of dishes in the sink, watch “24″ endlessly and come up with excuses why he hadn’t written a check for the bills yet. Tensions reached a breaking point when my roommate accused the lump of pinching his stash, eating his food and just general parasitic douchebaggery. My solution was to start locking the door to my room when I left for the day and keeping stock of my other supplies. Then I moved out as soon as I could a few months later. And because I had cleaned up so much his trash, I made sure to leave him with as much trash as I could find.

—Tim Donnelly

The Hangin’ Tough Escape Artist

I mean, who wouldn't neglect rent for the chance to get near all this man? Courtesy of pollstar.com

“My worst roommate was a con artist. She only paid her rent on time and fully two times in the year we lived together. It wasn’t until four months after we had moved in that we learned that she was writing bad checks. She cried and swore up and down that the bank had made a mistake, or that it was the super who lost her money order, which she could never confirm that she had actually bought. We wondered how she could have a full-time 9-5 job, but couldn’t pay her $675 rent on time. Turns out, she was too busy chasing the aging NKOTB popstar Donnie Wahlberg around the country to fix her finances. She was obsessed and had creepy pictures of the two of them together. We gave her a chance to straighten everything out and pay us back rent, which she did. But three months later, we found out she had pulled the same tricks again. At that point, we forced her to move out which she did very bitchily, as if it was our fault she had spent her income on being a NKOTB groupie.

She never paid the several months of rent she owed. Instead she dropped off the face of the earth and blocked us on Facebook. I learned my lesson: the following year, I was the sole lessee. It was easier to be in charge and know if the rent was actually being paid on time and not several months down the line.”

- Vanessa Londono

So tell us: what have you been through?

Yes, you too can be a dirty festival-goer without paying out the... donkey.

I was psyched for Escape to New York, a three-day festival on Long Island, put on by Winkel and Balktick and the UK’s Secret Garden … until I saw the price. The $150 ticket is more than I have for a weekend, and even a conglomeration of some of our finest artists and party-makers (like Shanghai Mermaid, Improv Everywhere and Hank and Cupcakes) couldn’t convince me to pay.

Enter WorkExchangeTeam. They arrange volunteers for a bunch of festivals — like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Dave Matthews’ Band Caravan on Governers Island later this month. You fill out the application and commit to 15-18 hours’ work. They give you a ticket and free camping. Oh, and a T-shirt (beats an old Applebee’s work shirt).

The downside: there’s an application fee ($10-30, $10 for Escape2NY) and you have to put down a deposit (price of ticket + camping + $25-75 cancellation fee, so $175 for Escape2NY). Apparently, they want insurance against people wandering off for some reason. If you complete your shifts, the deposit is returned, but your account is charged when your application is processed.

The upside: they schedule around the acts you don’t want to miss, you might get to work the ‘VIP’ section, people are supremely grateful for directions to the bathroom, and did I mention free admission to the festival?

Filling out an application isn’t a guarantee that you’ll get to volunteer, though. There are limits on how many each events needs. They tell you three weeks beforehand if you’re “in” (Escape2NY is still taking names). But that means, for quickly-sold-out festivals, you may gamble more than the application fee.

Once you’re on the list, you’ll be assigned times to stay sober so you can help people park, clean, sell stuff, fill cups, or scoop food. I opted to head up early and stay late to help with set up and break down, to minimize responsibilities mid-fest.

They’re currently taking applications for the DMB Caravan on Governer’s Island later this month. They’ll even bug you with a newsletter if you want, so you can spend all year trading 15 hours of relative crap-itude for a weekend of fun.

FULL CIRCLE BAR
318 Grand St., Williamsburg

What it is: A comfy, sometimes-rowdy bar that hits the note between awesome basement and funky Williamsburg casual.

Why we love it: Yes, the Skee Ball is a major draw; as are the enthusiastic owners/bartenders who won’t make you feel bad if your form is off (and will show you their time-honored tricks of the game). Throw in free-games-and-hot-dog happy hours (until 10, Tuesdays and Thursdays), a beer menu of more than 60 cans, and cheap margaritas and this bar becomes a worthy escape from the boredom of humdrum adulthood.

Who to bring: Fun-loving dates, high-fivers, beer adventurers, loud pals who like to tell jokes and roll balls

What to order: Besides cruising the extensive can collection, there are excellent tequila deals plus standard amusement park fare like hot dogs and pretzels ($4 with a Ginny’s Cream Ale).

Full Circle fun fact: The pun-heavy crew (serving up “whiskee” and “brewmosas”) named the bar after the Brewskee-Ball league’s term for a Perfect Roll: sinking all 9 balls into the 40-point bull’s eye (thus, a Full Circle is 360 points).

Macri Park, photo via NY Mag

MACRI PARK
462 Union Ave., Williamsburg

What it is: Semi-quiet Macri Park that’s set up to flop — with seating outside in front and behind, booths, and vintage flicks playing.

Why we love it: Besides the offbeat movies and music playing, should your companions prove less than interesting, this bar has one of the all-round friendliest staffs in Williamsburg (less machine-like efficiency, more consideration and smiles). Sitting on the front patio and watching people walk by adds to the charm of this airy space that still feels like an offbeat yet quaint lounge (with, yes, velvet wallpaper). There’s a big patio in the summer, a fireplace in the winter. Extra bonus: the people behind the bar are generally as hot as the clientele

Who to bring: Romantic-types, old friends, after-work meetups, pit stops on a night out.

What to order: In the winter, hot toddies and other warm drinks are the boit du jour. Fresh margaritas and craft beers in the summer.

Macri Park fun fact: Every second Sunday beginning in July, the crew serves up free BBQ (along with necessary DJ jams) until midnight in their backyard.

Lurking about The Narrows. photo by Amira al-Sharif

THE NARROWS
1037 Flushing Ave., East Williamsburg

What it is: In a time when “1930′s Speakeasy” is becoming a Brooklyn bar genre, The Narrows delivers everything you would want: funky, great drinks, and just crowded enough to have an excuse to move closer to your date (or talk to the guy on the barstool next to you). 

Why we love it: Being waited on by beautiful, friendly people with mixology skills, in a decor that’s sumptuously retro but not ostentatious; waiting on the warm weather for garden enjoyment, and listening to plenty of Beatles (Heavens to Betsy, never too loud to talk)… what’s not to love?

Who to bring: Cocktail nostalgics, first dates, Beatles-lovers, absinthe- and whiskey-lovers, that quiet-eyed loft-living girl you’ve been trying to impress with your savoir faire.

What to order: The Flowers in the Attic cocktail is delightful, the Manhattans leave nothing to be desired, and I can’t wait to try a Word (green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, bitters, scotch, jalapeño infused tequila). Yes, the cocktails are a little more than elsewhere, but the others don’t offer fresh-made mixers, seasonal drinks or hooks for your purse under the bar. The beers are all small craft breweries: Sixpoint, Green Flash and Smuttynose, to name a few.

Narrows fun fact: It’s extremely easy to walk right by (unless there’s the weekend crowd of smokers), so look for the front doors — owners Keith Cochran and Matt Weber (of the Soft Spot) brought them from a diner in Scranton, Pa.

The search begins at SkyScanner. Type “everywhere” as the destination (bonus option: you can enter “January” or “2011” as your time frame). You have to add taxes, but SkyScanner has a lovely selection of Caribbean flights for about $300, and major Western European destinations for under $500. SkyScanner’s characteristically easy-to-use search style makes it the go-to for easily digesting a variety of travel options, whether it’s timing, destination, or departure cities (no, you don’t have to search JFK/LaGuardia/Newark separately).

Kayak’s Buzz feature is alright for domestic, Mexican, or European travel ($181 Puerto Rico, $450 London, $262 Los Angeles). The downside: it only shows the deals to “Top 25” cities, so you’re missing out on $281 flights to the Dutch Antilles.

People suggest sites like Res99’s 11^th Hour Vacations. These sites only seem useful if you have more money than imagination/time. Weekend getaways to the Carolinas, Maine, or Pennsylvania for about $300 don’t exactly do it for us, but flight, hotel, and taxes are included, so… not shabby.

AirFareWatchDog (and SmarterTravel, which has a similar engine) is the big sexy. At this moment, the fares are just “good” – ($567 Paris, $316 Dominican Republic), but most fares include taxes and fees (therefore one of the few sites you can book travel to London for less than $600). Almost all domestic flights go for $250 or much less ($38 roundtrip to Ft. Lauderdale!), and sometimes you can go trans-Atlantic for under $300. It’s easy to search all 3 major airports (plus White Plains). Oh, baby.

FareCompare’s prices prove rather lame, but their map feature is a good way to get ideas for destinations. A surprising number of sites like LastMinute require you to enter a destination when searching for last-minute deals, which kind of ruins the whole concept, in my humble.

Basic rules of cheap travel apply: fly Tuesday or Wednesday if possible, and consider any flight to Asia less than $800 a miracle. If none of these flights satisfy your exotic fixation, try flying to a European hub city and proceeding with a discount airline, like Ryan Air or Lufthansa. I’m only sharing these close-to-the-vest tips in hopes that you, in turn, share your peanuts if we sit next to each other. Wheels up and away!