Among other things, our long-standing editorial policy at Engadget strictly prohibits junkets — paid airfare and accommodations to visit a company and engage their staff — of any kind. Since the event is on behalf of a major trade show, what’s proposed is not technically a junket, and they do appear to be sensitive to editors’ need to steer clear. But there are aspects that certainly feel a bit like it is: CE companies make up the governing board of the trade show, and the offer is to pay my way to Spain to stay at a four-star resort for three days, as well as speaker’s fee (a few thousand) to be on a panel and “share my perspective on US trends” in consumer electronics. (The audience would be comprised of journalists and execs from tech companies participating in said trade show.) There are no expectations of coverage on Engadget, although there will likely be something there worth covering.

Some other big names in the space have apparently received and accepted the offer under what may be different terms. My take? I’m leaning on the side of passing — there might be too many red flags and too much ambiguity. What do you think?

If you’re approved for Clear, according to their site, you and your belongings still have to pass through the usual metal detectors and X-ray screenings; it seems like the only real bonus is that the Clear are shorter (usually non-existent), and there are attendants to assist Clear members with packing / unpacking their belongings for scanning. Of course, besides all the obvious privacy concerns, the vaguely creepy statement that Clear members are “continuously reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security” doesn’t leave me super excited. Clear maintains that its privacy policy is straightforward and progressive, though.

Maybe I naturally lean more to the tinfoil hat end of the spectrum, but is the trade-off of privacy really worth the claimed expediency? Any Clear members, what are your thoughts?

It’s fortuitous timing, though, because that during my last visit in November I was profiled by On The Inside, which just went live this month. It’s probably way more detail than anyone really wants about me and my relationship with The City (still, thanks Thomas!), but the idea is to get a window into one’s relationship with New York through the recommendation of some off the beaten track spots. Some of mine that made it in are: Barcade, Otafuku, the MoMA Design Store, and May Wah.

Sept 19 – Land, take the NEX to Shinjuku, get lost trying to find the hotel, miss the PlayStation party, eat an extraordinarily expensive sashimi dinner.
Sept 20 – Meet up with Ittousai, hit Tokyo Game Show (including Kaz Hirai’s opening speech). Later: Akihabara run, but nothing is purchased.
Sept 21 – TGS day two, head to pick up rental cellphones, get seriously lost, head back for Microsoft’s press shindig, get back to hotel and collapse.
Sept 22 – Meiji-jingu temple, quick run through of Omotesando (shopping area), a bit of time spent marveling at the “colorful” Harajuku kids, plenty more time spent hanging around Roppongi, Daikonyama, and Ebisu.
Sept 23 – A little shopping in Shibuya, Yoyogi park area fun-fest (including Japanese greasers, street musicians, and the weekly yard sale en masse), lunch with Tyler and a really fun, helpful, and completely random Japanese girl (Miho-san), then Shinkansen to Kyoto.
Sept 24 – Late start, hop on a bus to the infamous Kiyomizu temple, get hopelessly lost, eventually find the shrine and have an unbelievable time (including, in order: zaru-soba and sake, cold spring water, lots of rain, and mochi).
Sept 25 – Nijo castle, get lost in the cab on the way to our semi-impromptu tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (thankfully we made it in time), long-ass bus ride out to the just-closed Kinkaku-ji temple. Bummer.
Sept 26 – Up early and head to Osaka. Hit Kaiyukan Aquarium and Osaka castle before eating massive amounts of food in Kuidaore and Shinsaibashi. Somehow manage not to get lost at all.
Sept 27 – Up early, finally hit up Kinkaku-ji before meeting up with Chris and Erin in Nagoya. The ironically emotional experience of going to the now-closed Robot Museum. “Late” night drinking (if you can define late as being in bed by 1am).
Sept 28 – Nara, Nara park, friggin’ aggressive sacred deer, mind-blowing Todai-ji shrine (one of the largest free-standing wooden structures housing one of the largest Buddha statues in the world)
Sept 29 – Back to Tokyo. Tons of shopping (for Veronica) in Shibuya. Accidental order of chicken hearts with our yakitori.
Sept 30 – Wandering around electronics stores in Shibuya with V in the morning, then in Akihabara with Ittousai in the evening. DS Lite + a few games acquired.

More to come!

*If you guessed: getting lost, shopping, and visiting castles, temples, or shrines, you win a gold star.