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Amusement parts, fast-food restaurants and even the U.S. Postal service are using an new method of advertising provided by Las Vegas, Nev., based Border Billboards (BB). Like the giant multimedia advertisements shown in the movie Blade Runner, these advertising billboards placed along the U.S. and Mexico border feature LED video boards, tri-vision ad panels, amber ticker displays, backlit panels, audio messaging through radio transmission, and text messaging.

"BB is revolutionizing the billboard experience by introducing 'multi-sensory' LED Boards that are capturing the attention of every driver and passenger by making it an interactive experience — sight, sound and touch," BB's promotional website states.

According to AdAge.com, BB plans to have boards at all 13 crossings within the next five years. The boards are planned for the crossing between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, where sees about 178,000 vehicles each month.

"Full video, captive audience, multi-sensory – the combination of those three is what makes it so exciting," Jennifer Stefano, owner and CEO of BB, told AdAge.

"Nowadays, there are families living in Mexico while at the same time working in the U.S.," said Sarrah Funtanilla, assistant account executive for Davis Elen Advertising, an agency that handled the account of amusement park Knott's Berry Farm. "Sitting in line for several hours, they'll be able to see our spot."

As The Genre Traveler’s column, "Attraction Update," can attest (if it could talk, of course), theme parks are a great place for a little genre travel fun. But, theme parks also come with their associated detractions: long lines, expensive entrance fees and food costs, and, if you have children, the potential for cranky tantrums.

Here are some simple tips on how to make theme park trips more fun for everyone, care of AP9 TodaysEscapes, a travel and entertainment discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC.

Plan ahead.
Even if you’ve been there before, gather comprehensive information about the part before you go. Learn about new rides and amenities, height restrictions and health warnings. If possible, get a map and have the whole family decide on your excursion’s game plan. Not only will you arrive prepared, but you can also start the fun weeks in advance.

Don't follow the crowds.
Of course, you may not be able to plan for this, but once you arrive, watch the crowds. Where they go, you head the other way. This allows you to find shorter lines and fewer crowds. Commonly, the attractions closest to the gates are the ones that get filled first. So, go to the back of the park first and work your way to the front. Not only will you have shorter lines, but you’ll be close to the exit once you’re ready to head home.

Eat at Odd Times.
Avoid the food courts between noon and 2pm. If you eat lunch earlier or later, you’ll have a more relaxing meal because the eateries will be less crowded.

Lighten Your Load.
You know you’re going to have to carry a backpack all day, so be smart and fill it with travel size items. Most drug stores and places like Wal-Mart and Target, have a travel size section where you can find such handy items as sunscreen, allergy or motion sickness meds, energy bars, toilet paper, toilet seat covers and more all in small, easy to pack sizes. Also, once there, shop smart. Buy your souvenirs near the end of the day so you don’t have to drag them around the park.

Break them in.
Don’t wear brand new shoes to the park. Remember, you’ll be on your feet for most of the day and you’ll need comfortable shoes. Also, it is a good idea to get into walking shape before your trip. Several weeks before you leave, start walking around your neighborhood or at your local park. If you’re out of shape, start with short walks and increase the length and intensity over time. Have the whole family participate so no one is too out of shape to enjoy their day at the theme park.

Don't Be a Stickler.
Remember, you’ve come to the park to enjoy yourselves. So, don’t stick to your plan if it doesn’t work for you. If you want to ride a ride again, even if there are long lines, do it. Relax and enjoy yourself.

You’ve seen them. Those offices at the strip mall with large posters of tropical beaches in the window. Inside, there are a couple of desks, a display case full of travel brochures and travel agents. According to a recently released Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) report, these may be going the way of the dodo.

The report, Total Tourism Survey: The Industry Speaks, claims that travel agents, long the gatekeepers of travel and price information, are being replaced by online booking engines that provide hotel and travel services, connecting anyone anywhere.

"Travel agents and global distribution system operators now have to radically alter their business models," the report says.

In an effort to reduce expenses, the Indian government is considering a proposal to replace foreign tourist offices with virtual offices. "In the present era of ICT the same tasks can be handled by a virtual office," a government official said.

A Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) report in India says travel agents there now have to accept a reduced commission of 5 percent, down from 9 percent previously. "It's only a matter of time before it is completely wiped out."

Apichart Sanary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), estimates direct online reservation in Thailand is now about 40 percent of the total business transacted, an increase of 10 percent compared to five years ago.

Most experienced and well-traveled customers are increasingly relying on travel websites to make reservations when all they need is a flight ticket and accommodation. International travel websites are also now distributing travel packages via the Internet. In addition, many airlines are now giving incentives for travelers to book online, such as offering frequent flier miles.

Some still think that the human travel agent is still needed. "The reservation websites have never been able to replace traditional travel agents over the past 10 years," John Watson, CEO of a travel agency told the Bangkok Post, "and I don’t think they ever will."

He believes that direct contact with a person is still important to travelers. "Travelers who are not cost-conscious want more than just making a reservation," he said. "They want details on how to make their trips as pleasurable as possible."

He thinks a marriage of the new technology and the traditional travel agency is the way to go. "Agents can add value to their operations by using the Internet technology," he said. Industry analysts seem to agree, pointing out that travel agents need to evolve if they are to remain a viable part of the industry. They need to start offering any and every available service a traveler requires and become a travel advisor charging a fee for the service, rather than earning a commission.

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Since Threshold was canceled, I’ve become an avid watcher of Invasion. I was a big fan of Sean Cassidy’s other project, American Gothic, and this show has a lot of similarities.

But that’s not what I’ve come here to talk about.

Yesterday, I read in the news about the last male purebred Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit dying, leaving only two female (not pregnant) left of the entire species.

Yes, this little critter is so cute I just want to hug it. But that’s not what makes me sad. Depending on your perspective, extinction can be either sad or a happy opportunity.

Think about it. If the dinosaurs hadn’t become extinct, do you think mammals would have eventually evolved humans? Then again, if the last of the panda bears go extinct, I would miss them.

The topic of extinction is closely linked to the topic of biodiversity. Lack of biodiversity can lead to extinction of multiple species. Many scientists feel that that’s where we’re heading right now.

Extinction of several species, including amphibians, such a frogs, and mammals, such as lions. For a list of links to stories on this subject, visit www.well.com/~davidu/extinction.html.

Invasion puts another spin on the subject. What if some other intelligent life was to supplant the human race and we went extinct? Of course, this TV series isn’t the first bit of fiction to discuss the topic. A.E. Van Vogt’s Slan uses this concept as the underpinning of the novel. In fact, Slan is part of a science fiction subgenre regarding "super men" -- the idea that an evolved or mutated version of humans will supplant the original. X-men is also in this genre.

This little thought blurb really isn't going anywhere. It was just a random thought to get discussion going. So, what do you think?

For more information about Invasion, you can check out one of the character's "blog" at www.didyouseethelights.com.

For more information about Slan, visit www.troynovant.com/Franson/Van-Vogt/Slan.html.

For a list of other science fiction stories that involve the "supermen" theme, visit www.scifan.com/themes/themes.asp?TH_themeid=66.

Whew! This week has been a bear. I haven’t been getting enough sleep so I haven’t been able to write posts for this blog. Did you miss me?

Horror Genre Gets Its Own Video on Demand Network
Comcast and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced recently that they plan to launch a video-on-demand (VOD) network featuring horror movies and thrillers.

“Our horror channel will have lots of horror movies for VOD and streaming, but no linear channel,” Steve Burke, chief operating officer of Comcast, recently said during a panel discussion at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association’s National Show.

The new network, which is as yet unnamed, is scheduled to launch this Halloween. It will be paired with a broadband channel that offers multimedia applications such as music downloads and video outtakes. Both the VOD network and website will be supported by advertising.

There should be plenty of content to offer. 18 months ago, Comcast joined a Sony-led investment group that bought out MGM. Part if the deal gave them access to a large library of titles from both studios.

“This is the first channel of its kind devoted solely to serving this expanding audience,” said Diane Robina, Comcast’s president of emerging networks.”

According to Comcast, horror films are one of the fasted growing genres. In addition, they are “wildly popular” among views aged 18 to 34, and attractive audience for advertisers.

Video Advertising at the Pump
If you’ve seen Blade Runner or Minority Report, then you’ve seen what some science fiction writers have predicted of the future: advertising everywhere you go. Well, the transition has already begun.

The NBC Universal Television Stations group and VST Media Network have concocted a plan to distribute “customized local news, weather, sports and entertainment video and headlines to on-pump screens at gas stations in markets with NBC owned-and-operated stations,” according to Broadcasting & Cable.

Since the average time a person spends filling their tank is three minutes, that’s how long the program will last. Updated twice daily, the content will come from local NBC stations. Local adverts will be included. State Farm Insurance and Tropicana have already signed up to be advertisers.

VST has video screens set up at 17 Shell gas stations in Los Angeles, as well as plans to expand this year to 500 stations in L.A., San Francisco and San Diego. In addition, VST plans to add screens to gas stations across the U.S. in markets with NBC owned-and-operated stations.

Just what I wanted, more reasons to dislike going to the pump.