Wit hVegas left in the dust, it was on to Toronto, Canada, my home away from home and one of my favourite places to just hang out and socialise.
Was it ever this cold though?
The answer is easily yes, but it's been such a stretch since last time I was in this kind of weather that it feels terribly harsh, although I am putting on a brave face and I am way more prepared for it this time compared to last time I lived through a Canadian winter.
It's only been in the low single digits and maybe just into the negative overnight, which shouldn't be too much of a change as it does occasionally get that cold back home over night, but theres always the days which hit mid teens and sunny, unlike here where its just cold .... all the time.
The Clarion on Sherbourne, where Im staying is a little better than I thought. Not palacial by any stretch, but for the price, its pretty decent. The neighborhood isn't the best, but I think I can deal with that. At least it doesn't smell like cats piss like the last place I stayed on Sherbourne.
Yesterday was the first full day in TO and it was basically a bit of a walking tour downtown and some people watching at the Eaton Centre. Downtown has changed a little, but not too much, I thankfully still know my way around pretty well.
The night before was getting into to town which included a tour of ... somewhere, by Sarah who picked me up from the airport and then took me and Baz out for General Tao's chicken where Baz became another immediate convert.
It's almost shirt and shorts weather outside today with the sun out and the mercury sitting at a comfortable 5C, so it must be time for lunch and a stroll .....
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Australia - The Movie
The day before exiting Vegas with a few hours to kill that wasn't at a slot machine or gaming table, I headed to the nearest cinaplex to have a look at Baz Luhrmann's Australia starring the worlds sexiest man, Hugh Jackman and Australia's leading lady of the silver screen, Nicole Kidman.
I'd heard plenty about the movie over here in the media about how amazing the flick was and how it harked back to the golden age of cinema where movies where epic in scale rather than visual effects (or in Michael Bay's case big Bangs) Dammit, Oprah gave it the biggest 'thumbs up' ever which while it will probably ensure a massive box office gave me shivers when sitting down to watch it.
The story itself is indeed epic and does hark back to the age old romantic period drama of yester year. It folows the formula of woman meets man, man hates woman, woman hates man, tragedy brings man and woman together .... you know how it rolls.
With this formula in place the story wraps itself around the impending bombing of Darwin, which oddly enough, was treated as the fictional pat of the movie by one lot of American movie goers as they walked out ("it was good, but did they make up that whole bombing thing just for the movie?")
Overall, it wasn't as stiff as I thought it would be and blended a good mix of comedy, romance, myth and fact into about 2 and three quarters hours of cinema. The stroy rolled nicely and while a little predictable in parts, still kept you watching intently.
Kidman was good as was Jackman, but it was the kid who was probably the real star of the show. A little cliche'd as the "half cast" but an essential ingrediant that held the whole story thread together. It might be me, but I don't know if the aboriginal population will be overly happy to watch it, because it does tread awefully close to racial lines ... but as long as the wowsers realise its just a movie that is actualy trying to bring some recognition to the "stolen generation" they should be fine.
Its grand, cheesy but amazing theatre. A must watch on the big screen as the cinematography is brilliant.
7 outta 10
I'd heard plenty about the movie over here in the media about how amazing the flick was and how it harked back to the golden age of cinema where movies where epic in scale rather than visual effects (or in Michael Bay's case big Bangs) Dammit, Oprah gave it the biggest 'thumbs up' ever which while it will probably ensure a massive box office gave me shivers when sitting down to watch it.
The story itself is indeed epic and does hark back to the age old romantic period drama of yester year. It folows the formula of woman meets man, man hates woman, woman hates man, tragedy brings man and woman together .... you know how it rolls.
With this formula in place the story wraps itself around the impending bombing of Darwin, which oddly enough, was treated as the fictional pat of the movie by one lot of American movie goers as they walked out ("it was good, but did they make up that whole bombing thing just for the movie?")
Overall, it wasn't as stiff as I thought it would be and blended a good mix of comedy, romance, myth and fact into about 2 and three quarters hours of cinema. The stroy rolled nicely and while a little predictable in parts, still kept you watching intently.
Kidman was good as was Jackman, but it was the kid who was probably the real star of the show. A little cliche'd as the "half cast" but an essential ingrediant that held the whole story thread together. It might be me, but I don't know if the aboriginal population will be overly happy to watch it, because it does tread awefully close to racial lines ... but as long as the wowsers realise its just a movie that is actualy trying to bring some recognition to the "stolen generation" they should be fine.
Its grand, cheesy but amazing theatre. A must watch on the big screen as the cinematography is brilliant.
7 outta 10
Thursday, November 27, 2008
s07e08 - Our House ... in the middle of the Strip.
So with less than 12 hours left in Vegas and the US before jetting off to the cooler (sic) climes of Toronto, I thought I'd do a little rating on the Casinos that where visited on this trip ....
Tropicana (7) - It isnt the classiest of establishments, but it does the job and the rooms are brilliant for the price. The location is pretty sweet too.
New York, New York (6) - Looks nice inside and out, but just seems to lack some soul ... probably a little like its namesake.
Luxor (7) - Easily the most impressive looking building by night (its a huge pyramid) looks nice on the inside and has an awesome buffet. Get's a mark off because it is home to Carrott Top's Show!
Excalibur (6) - Looks nice inside and out. Didn't have too much to do with Excalibur but when I did the experience was OK.
The Palms (8) - Had the most fun here with the Star Wars, Star Trek and Happy Days slots. The food was good and the inside looked slick. It looses one because its closer to Arizona than it is the Strip.
Caesars Palace (8) - Awesome looking place that has one draw back ... its impossible to get out of. The Forum Shops are brilliant and the gaming areas are very well put together. Would be a one stop shop if the accomodation wasnt off the planet.
MGM Grand (6) - 'The Green Monster' as it was affectionatly nicknamed is a stylish enough place that lights up my room everynight with its glowing greeness. Looses a point or two for the drugged up lion in the lion enclosure.
Hooters (9) - It always helps a rating when you win, but lets face it, the place where the girls all wear small white singlets and little orange shorts is always going to be a winner.
Mandalay Bay (6) - Looks sharp and clean and entertained me for half hour with the Village People slot machine. Unfortunately it looses big points for the US$16.95 Shark Reef attraction that is only mildly better than Kings Aquariums in Creedon Street (Broken Hillites will know what I'm talking about)
Paris (7) - Still looks good, but didnt have much of a vibe going when I was in there.
I think thats about it. If anyone is thinking of coming over this may help, but just know that everyone has a different taste and this place has something for everyone, so what I loved, you may hate ... except Hooters cause that place rocks!
Tropicana (7) - It isnt the classiest of establishments, but it does the job and the rooms are brilliant for the price. The location is pretty sweet too.
New York, New York (6) - Looks nice inside and out, but just seems to lack some soul ... probably a little like its namesake.
Luxor (7) - Easily the most impressive looking building by night (its a huge pyramid) looks nice on the inside and has an awesome buffet. Get's a mark off because it is home to Carrott Top's Show!
Excalibur (6) - Looks nice inside and out. Didn't have too much to do with Excalibur but when I did the experience was OK.
The Palms (8) - Had the most fun here with the Star Wars, Star Trek and Happy Days slots. The food was good and the inside looked slick. It looses one because its closer to Arizona than it is the Strip.
Caesars Palace (8) - Awesome looking place that has one draw back ... its impossible to get out of. The Forum Shops are brilliant and the gaming areas are very well put together. Would be a one stop shop if the accomodation wasnt off the planet.
MGM Grand (6) - 'The Green Monster' as it was affectionatly nicknamed is a stylish enough place that lights up my room everynight with its glowing greeness. Looses a point or two for the drugged up lion in the lion enclosure.
Hooters (9) - It always helps a rating when you win, but lets face it, the place where the girls all wear small white singlets and little orange shorts is always going to be a winner.
Mandalay Bay (6) - Looks sharp and clean and entertained me for half hour with the Village People slot machine. Unfortunately it looses big points for the US$16.95 Shark Reef attraction that is only mildly better than Kings Aquariums in Creedon Street (Broken Hillites will know what I'm talking about)
Paris (7) - Still looks good, but didnt have much of a vibe going when I was in there.
I think thats about it. If anyone is thinking of coming over this may help, but just know that everyone has a different taste and this place has something for everyone, so what I loved, you may hate ... except Hooters cause that place rocks!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
s07e08 - "Get off my Island"
The walk home from the Palms was ... interesting to say the least.
First off, we decided to walk home a little differently and took some back streets to get back to the Tropicana a fraction quicker than going the long way round down Flamingo and then down the Strip.
On the way we stumbled across Tommy Rocker's Topless Rock n Roll Club. Sweet, although the clincher was the massive neon sign that said '24 hour video poker'. In we go and to our horror theres no one playing poker .... or any toplessness for that matter.
Maybe its just a break in the fun, so we'll stick and stay for a drink.
We kind knew we where in for a long one when the manager walks up and tells the girl behind the bar that the only girl he could get is "on her way". The remainder of our drinks got slurrped up over the next 10 minutes before moving on ,,, in the nick of time mind you as the talent had just turned up.
Let me just say that the place was better off without any talent than the talent that just rocked up.
And so the walk continued ....
A new dilemma confronted us though when the sidewalk ran out halfway across the overpass of the Interstate (see Highway). With 8 lanes of traffic screaming by we had participate in a game of human Frogger to get home.
This was going to be tough, and made tougher by some clown who drove by, some 20m away and screamed for us to get off his road.
Obviousy by the fact that I'm writing this, we both made it across ... but there was some hairy moments and severl Emu'esk moments of road crossing!
First off, we decided to walk home a little differently and took some back streets to get back to the Tropicana a fraction quicker than going the long way round down Flamingo and then down the Strip.
On the way we stumbled across Tommy Rocker's Topless Rock n Roll Club. Sweet, although the clincher was the massive neon sign that said '24 hour video poker'. In we go and to our horror theres no one playing poker .... or any toplessness for that matter.
Maybe its just a break in the fun, so we'll stick and stay for a drink.
We kind knew we where in for a long one when the manager walks up and tells the girl behind the bar that the only girl he could get is "on her way". The remainder of our drinks got slurrped up over the next 10 minutes before moving on ,,, in the nick of time mind you as the talent had just turned up.
Let me just say that the place was better off without any talent than the talent that just rocked up.
And so the walk continued ....
A new dilemma confronted us though when the sidewalk ran out halfway across the overpass of the Interstate (see Highway). With 8 lanes of traffic screaming by we had participate in a game of human Frogger to get home.
This was going to be tough, and made tougher by some clown who drove by, some 20m away and screamed for us to get off his road.
Obviousy by the fact that I'm writing this, we both made it across ... but there was some hairy moments and severl Emu'esk moments of road crossing!
s07e07- Dropping Benjamins
It's been a big couple of days over here in Vegas. The temptation of the gaming tables has been too much and after telling myself over and over, I relented yesterday and gave in ... in a big, big way.
No, I won't be coming home sans a liver or anything, I havnt been throwing wads of money around the place, but the frequency has increased.
Yesterday was a trip to the Hooters Casino, which is right next door ... sweet. For those of you who have had the pleasure of visiting a Hooters franchise, the casino is almost exactly the same idea. All the girls working the tables have the tiny white shirts on and wee little orange shorts. It's great, you get to slyly eye off boobs while enjoying a punt. Awesome fun.
Anyway, I sat myself down at the "Rack Jack" table where my US$40 lasted pretty close to 3 hours before I finally relented it to Jennifer, the well developed dealer at table No 1.
Tonight was a trip to the Palms where the Playboy Club is situated (can anyone see a pattern forming here?) Anyway, its about 6kms from the Tropicana, but the walk was nice and had built up a major hunger for once we got there (we, being me and Baz)
I'd like to say the Food Court got hit first, but while walking there I noticed the Star Wars gaming machines. I got to admit, I got more than a little excited and was sitting there slotting in a 20 before Baz could work out what I was hooping and hollaring about.
My 20 turned into 50 pretty quickly and I must say, I had a brilliant time. I'm not a big fan of sitting in front of poker machines feeding money, but this was waaaaay more fun than that. Sound bytes and clips where worked in brilliantly .... who would have thought gambling could be this much fun?
After my conquest of Star Wars and later, some food in my belly, we walked the floor to see what was around and stumbled on the Star Trek gaming machines. Similar to the Star Wars game, this one grabbed a 20 of mine pretty quickly, but I gotta say, this was a much more entertaining. The seat and game where connected with surround sound speakers and vibration speakers pulsing through the big comfy chair you sit at. It's old school Trek too with 60's Kirk pumping out some of his best lines when you win. I had a bit of win here too walking off with more than I started with which is always a bonus.
Could it possibly get any better? Well, the Happy Days games where pretty awesome too as you try to line up Richie, Pottsy and Ralph while being talked through the game by the Fonz. I guess the fun factor is always magnafied when you get 26 free games second push and double up straight away.
Anyway, the real reason for going to the Palms was to check out the Playboy Club .... which we didn't! (I did see a Bunny however ... and she was well worth the longing look I gave her)
No, I won't be coming home sans a liver or anything, I havnt been throwing wads of money around the place, but the frequency has increased.
Yesterday was a trip to the Hooters Casino, which is right next door ... sweet. For those of you who have had the pleasure of visiting a Hooters franchise, the casino is almost exactly the same idea. All the girls working the tables have the tiny white shirts on and wee little orange shorts. It's great, you get to slyly eye off boobs while enjoying a punt. Awesome fun.
Anyway, I sat myself down at the "Rack Jack" table where my US$40 lasted pretty close to 3 hours before I finally relented it to Jennifer, the well developed dealer at table No 1.
Tonight was a trip to the Palms where the Playboy Club is situated (can anyone see a pattern forming here?) Anyway, its about 6kms from the Tropicana, but the walk was nice and had built up a major hunger for once we got there (we, being me and Baz)
I'd like to say the Food Court got hit first, but while walking there I noticed the Star Wars gaming machines. I got to admit, I got more than a little excited and was sitting there slotting in a 20 before Baz could work out what I was hooping and hollaring about.
My 20 turned into 50 pretty quickly and I must say, I had a brilliant time. I'm not a big fan of sitting in front of poker machines feeding money, but this was waaaaay more fun than that. Sound bytes and clips where worked in brilliantly .... who would have thought gambling could be this much fun?
After my conquest of Star Wars and later, some food in my belly, we walked the floor to see what was around and stumbled on the Star Trek gaming machines. Similar to the Star Wars game, this one grabbed a 20 of mine pretty quickly, but I gotta say, this was a much more entertaining. The seat and game where connected with surround sound speakers and vibration speakers pulsing through the big comfy chair you sit at. It's old school Trek too with 60's Kirk pumping out some of his best lines when you win. I had a bit of win here too walking off with more than I started with which is always a bonus.
Could it possibly get any better? Well, the Happy Days games where pretty awesome too as you try to line up Richie, Pottsy and Ralph while being talked through the game by the Fonz. I guess the fun factor is always magnafied when you get 26 free games second push and double up straight away.
Anyway, the real reason for going to the Palms was to check out the Playboy Club .... which we didn't! (I did see a Bunny however ... and she was well worth the longing look I gave her)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
s07e06 - Viva Las Vegas
Vegas is a crazy place.
No, I don't think you're quite getting me when I emphasis how crazy a place it really is. Unless you've been here, even the stories of its grandeur and excess don't live up to the real Vegas.
Las Vegas is a sprawling city nestled deep in the Mojave Desert seemingly near nothing spectacular. Well, there is that small canyon about 300mi away, but still, no reason to build something like this where it is or grow like it is. Clarke County (which is basically Vegas) has 2 million residences now and will have 3 million by 2018 (or so they seem to think anyway). The area is growing at about 5% per year which is just phenomenal.
In the movies when they 'offer' to bury someone and they'll never be missed because"it's a big desert out there" .. they aren't kidding. It really is a big desert and a fairly unforgiving too (I'm told)
It is my second trip into LV and so I at the very least knew that for the first minute or two you have to breath deep and resist the urge to point at things. Baz on the other hand couldn't help but be amazed at everything. For those that know Baz, he is pretty excitable, and for those that know me, I'm not, so it was a rather funny reaction inside the car as we drove down Frank Sinatra Blvd and then off onto "The Strip" (Las Vegas Blvd) to find our hotel, the iconic, Tropicana.
It didn't take too long after having the valet park our car and us getting checked n that we hit the Strip for a bit of a 'bo peep' and maybe a little bit of dinner a little later on at one of the fine buffets that the casinos have to offer.
The idea on day one was to just go for a walk and take it all in a little before committing to anything inside anywhere. This changed a little when we hit the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. A quick stroll through the Forum consists of about an hour of looking, then an hour or so trying to find an exit. The looking in shops was easy as the Versace, Armani and D&G stores where a little of my league (even the Niketown there was pricey).
After 3mi of walking down the strip it was time to head back and on the way we ran into an Outback Steakhouse. Now Ive been to several of these and besides the tacky Aussie stuff, they do do really good food, and seeing as both of us had been craving something more than just another burger joint, the Outback was where we ate.
I had the 32oz T Bone ... it was hard yakka getting through it, but I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. This T Bone was ridiculously big I must say. There where people walking past and getting full just looking at it.
After dinner it was time to womble back to the Tropicana where I intended to get a little R&R in my room for the evening. First though we both had a small flutter at the Roulette wheel before randomly dropping a dollar or two into the slots (useless those things ... Ive dropped about $10 in them so far and picked up one spit of 25c .... that's it)
Back to the room (see photo for the view that I have) where its time to kick my feet up and just do some writing. Heading to the Hoover Dam tomorrow, so that should be worth a look.
Might hit up the after midnight Hooters special tonight: 25c wings or $10 all you can eat ribs from midnight till 6am ... sounds like a challenge!
Oh, and I almost forgot ...
Girls carrying small dogs count: 15
Monday, November 24, 2008
s07e05 - Exit Strategy
It's been a few days now since I blogged last, and well, there has been a fair bit going on in that two or three days.
For those of you who are keeping up with the Twitter, a lot of stuff won't be that new, but for everyone else here's a few details on the last few days....
The day after the second trip to Universal Studios myself and Baz went on a walking expedition down LaBrea to Santa Monica Blvd to check out a Best Buy store down there that might help me out with my wireless problems.
The walk took in a stroll of about 5kms down a gradual hill. The shopping at Best Buy was fairly mundane and afterwards we took in a snack at Carl's Jnr. From here we walked away from our hotel up Santa Monica towards the Sunset Strip.
Unfortunately, 4/5th's of the way there, Baz piked out and decided that it would be time to start making our way back to our hotel ... via Heart attack Hill, which as far as I was concerned
was just a decent slope, but Baz struggled his way with no feeling in either arm and sharp pains in his chest. you could actually hear him before you could see him ... it was pretty funny to be honest.
The walk encompassed about 10 to 15kms of walking, something that Baz will never, ever do again.
Mel's Drive In was on the card for dinner that night and while surrounded by memorabilia from the filming of American Graffiti, I thoroughly enjoyed my chicken breast and veg.
Moving on a day or so, we spent almost all of Saturday organising the car for our road trip. It took 3 hours to get out to there and once there where terribly disappointed that the muscle car that we wanted ... was gone.
So it was a big 'fuck off' SUV that was thrown our way ... a Chrysler Aspen ... in black.
Nice ride, but at 3 times the cost. Thankfully Baz decided to pick that up as I don't think I could have!
The ride to Las Vegas on Sunday was pretty fun. Took about 4 hours and included a stop off at Big Boy Burgers in Baker for some lunch before sliding into Vegas. I had the "out of the bun" chicken Sandwich ... and it was exactly that. Basically a chicken schnitzel in a small bun .... oh and it was good!
More to come on the drive and Vegas soon ....
For those of you who are keeping up with the Twitter, a lot of stuff won't be that new, but for everyone else here's a few details on the last few days....
The day after the second trip to Universal Studios myself and Baz went on a walking expedition down LaBrea to Santa Monica Blvd to check out a Best Buy store down there that might help me out with my wireless problems.
The walk took in a stroll of about 5kms down a gradual hill. The shopping at Best Buy was fairly mundane and afterwards we took in a snack at Carl's Jnr. From here we walked away from our hotel up Santa Monica towards the Sunset Strip.
Unfortunately, 4/5th's of the way there, Baz piked out and decided that it would be time to start making our way back to our hotel ... via Heart attack Hill, which as far as I was concerned
was just a decent slope, but Baz struggled his way with no feeling in either arm and sharp pains in his chest. you could actually hear him before you could see him ... it was pretty funny to be honest.The walk encompassed about 10 to 15kms of walking, something that Baz will never, ever do again.
Mel's Drive In was on the card for dinner that night and while surrounded by memorabilia from the filming of American Graffiti, I thoroughly enjoyed my chicken breast and veg.
Moving on a day or so, we spent almost all of Saturday organising the car for our road trip. It took 3 hours to get out to there and once there where terribly disappointed that the muscle car that we wanted ... was gone.
So it was a big 'fuck off' SUV that was thrown our way ... a Chrysler Aspen ... in black.
Nice ride, but at 3 times the cost. Thankfully Baz decided to pick that up as I don't think I could have!
The ride to Las Vegas on Sunday was pretty fun. Took about 4 hours and included a stop off at Big Boy Burgers in Baker for some lunch before sliding into Vegas. I had the "out of the bun" chicken Sandwich ... and it was exactly that. Basically a chicken schnitzel in a small bun .... oh and it was good!
More to come on the drive and Vegas soon ....
Saturday, November 22, 2008
s07e04 - Arrrgh, Thars me blow!
So, while walking down to the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Blvd on Wednesday, I was confronted with this rather funny scene.
Now for those have never been to Hollywood Blvd, for a good portion of the day there are people dressed up as everyones favourite movie characters walking up and down the 'Walk' offering photos to tourists for a dollar or two in return.
You could say they're like buskers, but instead of crap singing or music, they're just imitating movie characters and probably getting payed reasonably well for it.
Anyways, this was one of the three Capt Jack Sparrows on parade this day, first being patted down and then questioned by LA's finest, the LAPD.
After Capt Jack had been thoroughly searched, the cops left leaving Capt Jack in a rather pissy mood ... savvy?
Unsurprisingly no one came near the poor bastard for a good hour afterwards.
(Incase anyone is wondering who else walks the 'Walk' so far Ive seen: Superman (2), Batman (3), Batgirl, Spiderman (2), Catwoman, Shazam, Tigger, Spongebob, Darth Vader, a Stormtrooper, King Kong, Yoda, Supergirl, Capt Jack Sparrow (4), the Joker, Homer J Simpson, some crazy dude in an orange shirt, Peter Pan, Captain America, Barney the Dinosaur, Big Bird, Kung Fu Panda)
s07e03 - Filler
WHAT?
Filler already? But you're only 2 posts into this whole adventure and already you're throwing filler at us?
Hell yes I am. Its warm out, Ive just walked about 15 miles and I cant be assed putting this blog into a coherent ... thing ... see what I mean ....
- Is Universal Studios worth the US$69 I paid to go to yesterday? Its a big "meh" unfortunately as only 4/5th's of the place was open. Not to mention that all the other times I'd been there the place was full of people. Sadly during late November, which is no doubt the off season for theme parks, it was a little bit baron. The lines where shorter this time around, but this just meant that after an hour you'd done everything you needed to do and was off home or to somewhere else to spend more money .... yay.
- There was a red carpet affair at Mann's Chinese last night for the movie Four Christmas'. Got a few fuzzy shots of Ted Dansen, Jim Belushi and Reese Witherspoon. Some of these folks take their paperazzi'ing pretty dang serious I gotta say.
- Turns out Baz isn't equipped to walk up hills. Me on the other hand found the 10 mile walk rather enjoying.
- Watched '007 - Quantum of Solace' yesterday. Reasonable movie, but a terrible Bond chapter. Was more suited to a Bourne storyline than that of a 007 adventure.
- I hate buses. Haven't been on one this trip yet, but one drove by earlier that gave me the willies!
- I am completely over hamburgers. All I want is a nice little bistro style feed that has something that isnt packed between two bits of bread. Thats pretty hard though as even half the KFC's over here don't have chicken, only the burgers. I never thought I'd complain about the over abundance of the hamburger, yet here I am ... enough is enough ... I want a steak!
- I still cant get over these short days. Its ridiculous how warm it is out but its pitch black by just after 5pm. Better get used to it I suppose as the days are only going to get shorter and colder from here in.
- Sorry for the lack of photos, but as soon as I get my laptop online, I'll throw a whole heap up. (Got a particularly funny one of Capt Jack Sparrow being searched by cops on Hollywood Blvd)
Filler already? But you're only 2 posts into this whole adventure and already you're throwing filler at us?
Hell yes I am. Its warm out, Ive just walked about 15 miles and I cant be assed putting this blog into a coherent ... thing ... see what I mean ....
- Is Universal Studios worth the US$69 I paid to go to yesterday? Its a big "meh" unfortunately as only 4/5th's of the place was open. Not to mention that all the other times I'd been there the place was full of people. Sadly during late November, which is no doubt the off season for theme parks, it was a little bit baron. The lines where shorter this time around, but this just meant that after an hour you'd done everything you needed to do and was off home or to somewhere else to spend more money .... yay.
- There was a red carpet affair at Mann's Chinese last night for the movie Four Christmas'. Got a few fuzzy shots of Ted Dansen, Jim Belushi and Reese Witherspoon. Some of these folks take their paperazzi'ing pretty dang serious I gotta say.
- Turns out Baz isn't equipped to walk up hills. Me on the other hand found the 10 mile walk rather enjoying.
- Watched '007 - Quantum of Solace' yesterday. Reasonable movie, but a terrible Bond chapter. Was more suited to a Bourne storyline than that of a 007 adventure.
- I hate buses. Haven't been on one this trip yet, but one drove by earlier that gave me the willies!
- I am completely over hamburgers. All I want is a nice little bistro style feed that has something that isnt packed between two bits of bread. Thats pretty hard though as even half the KFC's over here don't have chicken, only the burgers. I never thought I'd complain about the over abundance of the hamburger, yet here I am ... enough is enough ... I want a steak!
- I still cant get over these short days. Its ridiculous how warm it is out but its pitch black by just after 5pm. Better get used to it I suppose as the days are only going to get shorter and colder from here in.
- Sorry for the lack of photos, but as soon as I get my laptop online, I'll throw a whole heap up. (Got a particularly funny one of Capt Jack Sparrow being searched by cops on Hollywood Blvd)
(Edit: Photos are up of this one in s07e04)
- Hooters was fun for lunch .... just steer clear of the 3 Island Hot Sauce on your wings. It isn't the hottest they have, but could require medical attention if left unchecked.
- Smartfood is yum.
- Go see the movie Role Models when its available in your area. Very, very, very funny movie.
- Touristy attractions Ive seen so far this trip: The Hollywood Bowl, Mann's Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios, Darling Harbour (Sydney), The Hollywood Sign, Sunset Strip (and not the one near home), Kodak Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hooters, Hard Rock: Hollywood.
- It's kinda weird to be traveling with someone else. Its been a little tough for me as Ive always travelled on my own and now have to remember that I cant just up and walk out or do whatever I like when I like. It's a bit on the 50/50 side of things at the moment.
- It turns out you really can overuse your accent when away on holidays in a foreign co
untry. It just takes some of us longer to work that out!
- The Spiderman on Hollywood Blvd is overworked and underpaid! (see photo)
OK .... thats enough from me .... got the beach tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll have a story or two from that ...
Girl carrying a small dog count: 6
- Hooters was fun for lunch .... just steer clear of the 3 Island Hot Sauce on your wings. It isn't the hottest they have, but could require medical attention if left unchecked.
- Smartfood is yum.
- Go see the movie Role Models when its available in your area. Very, very, very funny movie.
- Touristy attractions Ive seen so far this trip: The Hollywood Bowl, Mann's Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios, Darling Harbour (Sydney), The Hollywood Sign, Sunset Strip (and not the one near home), Kodak Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hooters, Hard Rock: Hollywood.
- It's kinda weird to be traveling with someone else. Its been a little tough for me as Ive always travelled on my own and now have to remember that I cant just up and walk out or do whatever I like when I like. It's a bit on the 50/50 side of things at the moment.
- It turns out you really can overuse your accent when away on holidays in a foreign co
untry. It just takes some of us longer to work that out!- The Spiderman on Hollywood Blvd is overworked and underpaid! (see photo)
OK .... thats enough from me .... got the beach tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll have a story or two from that ...
Girl carrying a small dog count: 6
Thursday, November 20, 2008
s07e02 - The Land of Milk & Honey
So, to bring everyone up to speed ..... I'm here, or there, whichever way you look at it. I'm in LA presently and have been here now just over 24 hours and I have to say, its been less than uneventful.
The plane ride over was, as you would know if you follow my Twitter, delayed by about 3 hours. We all piled onto the plane, only to be told that due to mechanical and technical problems that we should all jump off. Now I thought this was a mighty good idea considering that technical difficulties at 10, 000m where never good, so I was kinda happy to 'deplane', unlike about 80% of other passengers who believed that this delay was going to be the biggest headache they would face in the short term.
It kinda was, because it meant that you now had to sit around and wait another 3 hours to then sit for another 13 and a bit hours. Asses aren't meant to be punished in this way and don't take kindly to being sat on for such long periods. Mine hated me from about the 2 hour mark, so you can imagine the squirming I did for the last 10 hours of my ride.
The flight itself was pretty reasonable, although United are the only airline in the world without the personal screens on each chair and so you have to sit and watch a single screen at the front of each compartment. It was awesome in the 90's but doesn't work these days with even the dodgiest of airlines jumping on the personal entertainment systems.
Speaking of being slightly outdated, the youngest stewardess .... yes, they where all stewardess's' because all of them got their first flight attending jobs back in the 70's when that's what the title was.
Hideous and very hard on the eye ....
On to Los Angeles and well ... I guess it hasn't changed too much in the 18 months since I was here last.
The one big difference is the length of day. The weather is still in the mid to high 20C's but its starting to get dark around 3:30pm and is totally dark by just after 5, which is just mind blowing. In the summer, its sun up at 6am and sundown at around 9pm, which isn't that dissimilar to home. But yeah, the winter hours are a little bizarre, but I cant complain too much as its still relatively warm, which so I'm told is bit hit and miss this time of year.
Ive got a heap more on LA and Hollywood in particular, but I'll leave that for its own post in the coming days. I was hoping that it would be easy to blog once I hit LA seeing as our room (which is pretty sweet just quietly) has free high speed attached to it. Unfortunately my laptop is at its pedantic best this trip and doesnt like using its wireless conectivity meaning that the local internet cafe gets my $3.
Anyway, for the worry warts ... all is well and no, I havnt burnt myself to a crisp on the opening day or two of this trip. I have walked up several hills and almost been run over, but thats always going to happen ... isnt it?
Girl carrying small dog total = 4
The plane ride over was, as you would know if you follow my Twitter, delayed by about 3 hours. We all piled onto the plane, only to be told that due to mechanical and technical problems that we should all jump off. Now I thought this was a mighty good idea considering that technical difficulties at 10, 000m where never good, so I was kinda happy to 'deplane', unlike about 80% of other passengers who believed that this delay was going to be the biggest headache they would face in the short term.
It kinda was, because it meant that you now had to sit around and wait another 3 hours to then sit for another 13 and a bit hours. Asses aren't meant to be punished in this way and don't take kindly to being sat on for such long periods. Mine hated me from about the 2 hour mark, so you can imagine the squirming I did for the last 10 hours of my ride.
The flight itself was pretty reasonable, although United are the only airline in the world without the personal screens on each chair and so you have to sit and watch a single screen at the front of each compartment. It was awesome in the 90's but doesn't work these days with even the dodgiest of airlines jumping on the personal entertainment systems.
Speaking of being slightly outdated, the youngest stewardess .... yes, they where all stewardess's' because all of them got their first flight attending jobs back in the 70's when that's what the title was.
Hideous and very hard on the eye ....
On to Los Angeles and well ... I guess it hasn't changed too much in the 18 months since I was here last.
The one big difference is the length of day. The weather is still in the mid to high 20C's but its starting to get dark around 3:30pm and is totally dark by just after 5, which is just mind blowing. In the summer, its sun up at 6am and sundown at around 9pm, which isn't that dissimilar to home. But yeah, the winter hours are a little bizarre, but I cant complain too much as its still relatively warm, which so I'm told is bit hit and miss this time of year.
Ive got a heap more on LA and Hollywood in particular, but I'll leave that for its own post in the coming days. I was hoping that it would be easy to blog once I hit LA seeing as our room (which is pretty sweet just quietly) has free high speed attached to it. Unfortunately my laptop is at its pedantic best this trip and doesnt like using its wireless conectivity meaning that the local internet cafe gets my $3.
Anyway, for the worry warts ... all is well and no, I havnt burnt myself to a crisp on the opening day or two of this trip. I have walked up several hills and almost been run over, but thats always going to happen ... isnt it?
Girl carrying small dog total = 4
Monday, November 17, 2008
s07e01 - 'In the Beginning'
Finally, after what seems like an etrnity, Im away. Not entirely away just yet, but 1500kms away from home is a pretty solid start.
My flight to Sydney wasnt a half bad one actually. It was the first one Ive had where Ive flown directly rather than stopping off in Dubbo on the way. It was also made a little easier when I was sat next to pretty like minded fellow who enjoyed talking gadgets and tech stuff almost as much as I do. Although he was kinda the polar opposite to me as he loved his apple products and Sony gameing consoles ... but no matter, the conversation, as captive as can be inside a small flying shell was none the less engageing.
It was a pleasent change to the day actually, and while I wont say that the first half of my day was disagreable or anything, but when youve only had 4 hours sleep and have a reasonably large event happening later in the afternoon, the last thing you need is to be tricked into attending a full Sunday church service, which just so happens to be the first I have ever been to ... and with just a little luck, my last.
It was my mates daughters christening, so I wasnt about to miss it, but the experience was .... well, not exactly for me. Thats as nice as I can put it without making it sound like I was banashed to a place of "much weeping and gnashing of teeth".
Organised religeions wierd me out .... and I guess they wierded Tom, who was sitting next to me out too as after a while he just zoned out and to pass the time started substituting the words "almighty" for "the force" and "satan" for "Darth Vader". Yeah, it was a little creepy, but then again, not as creepy as the choir!
Anyway, moving on to later in the day and Ive finally planted myself in my hotel down here at Darling Harbor about 100m away from the monorail and with easy access to everything that is downtown Sydney, something that I plan to check out on my day off between leaving home and flying abroad.
Not an overly interesting start to the vacation, thats for sure, but nothing is ever going to beat the last one (for those that came late, it included stomach cramps on the plane, a flat laptop battery and an ATM card that wouldnt work ... all in a space of about 2 hours in LA)
Next post will probably come in from the other side of the world ... when that'll be is a bit of a mystery as I still have a 13 and a half hour direct flight ahead of me and then probably a 45 minute taxi ride to my hotel after that, not to mention whatever is left over from today and tomorrow before my flight.
My flight to Sydney wasnt a half bad one actually. It was the first one Ive had where Ive flown directly rather than stopping off in Dubbo on the way. It was also made a little easier when I was sat next to pretty like minded fellow who enjoyed talking gadgets and tech stuff almost as much as I do. Although he was kinda the polar opposite to me as he loved his apple products and Sony gameing consoles ... but no matter, the conversation, as captive as can be inside a small flying shell was none the less engageing.
It was a pleasent change to the day actually, and while I wont say that the first half of my day was disagreable or anything, but when youve only had 4 hours sleep and have a reasonably large event happening later in the afternoon, the last thing you need is to be tricked into attending a full Sunday church service, which just so happens to be the first I have ever been to ... and with just a little luck, my last.
It was my mates daughters christening, so I wasnt about to miss it, but the experience was .... well, not exactly for me. Thats as nice as I can put it without making it sound like I was banashed to a place of "much weeping and gnashing of teeth".
Organised religeions wierd me out .... and I guess they wierded Tom, who was sitting next to me out too as after a while he just zoned out and to pass the time started substituting the words "almighty" for "the force" and "satan" for "Darth Vader". Yeah, it was a little creepy, but then again, not as creepy as the choir!
Anyway, moving on to later in the day and Ive finally planted myself in my hotel down here at Darling Harbor about 100m away from the monorail and with easy access to everything that is downtown Sydney, something that I plan to check out on my day off between leaving home and flying abroad.
Not an overly interesting start to the vacation, thats for sure, but nothing is ever going to beat the last one (for those that came late, it included stomach cramps on the plane, a flat laptop battery and an ATM card that wouldnt work ... all in a space of about 2 hours in LA)
Next post will probably come in from the other side of the world ... when that'll be is a bit of a mystery as I still have a 13 and a half hour direct flight ahead of me and then probably a 45 minute taxi ride to my hotel after that, not to mention whatever is left over from today and tomorrow before my flight.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Prologue 2: Pack Man
Not that I am counting or anything, but I am 41 hours and 30 minutes away from flying out on vacation and it just occurred to me ... Ive done nothing to prepare for my departure.
Well, not exactly nothing, I have located my passport, which may just come in handy at some point in the next week or so ... oh, and my fur hat.
Hands up those who enjoy packing?
OK, now put your hand down and punch yourself in the face.
I hate packing, but its a necessity I guess .... unless your travelling to a nudist colony, which trust me, Im not.
Ah crap ... people at the door ......
Well, not exactly nothing, I have located my passport, which may just come in handy at some point in the next week or so ... oh, and my fur hat.
Hands up those who enjoy packing?
OK, now put your hand down and punch yourself in the face.
I hate packing, but its a necessity I guess .... unless your travelling to a nudist colony, which trust me, Im not.
Ah crap ... people at the door ......
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Itinerary Beta 1.0
OK, so what is all this "gone traveling" guff that I keep mentioning is happening soon?
Heres a basic itinerary ....
16 Nov: Broken Hill to Sydney
18 Nov: Sydney to LA
23 Nov: LA to Las Vegas (Road trip)
28 Nov: Vegas to Toronto
05 Dec: Toronto to Calgary
Filler
08 Jan: LA to Sydney
12 Jan: Sydney to Broken Hill
The 'filler' is a bit of a TBA kinda area. I'm going to be in Calgary (or there abouts) for a good chunk of that (including Christmas) but otherwise, depending on the AUD it's all a little up in the air.
Yay for last minute international travel plans!
Heres a basic itinerary ....
16 Nov: Broken Hill to Sydney
18 Nov: Sydney to LA
23 Nov: LA to Las Vegas (Road trip)
28 Nov: Vegas to Toronto
05 Dec: Toronto to Calgary
Filler
08 Jan: LA to Sydney
12 Jan: Sydney to Broken Hill
The 'filler' is a bit of a TBA kinda area. I'm going to be in Calgary (or there abouts) for a good chunk of that (including Christmas) but otherwise, depending on the AUD it's all a little up in the air.
Yay for last minute international travel plans!
Prologue 1: 10 days to go
Where are the days going?
I'd like to say that I am super excited about my upcoming vacation to the other side of the world, but at the moment, I'm more gripped with fear than anything. Not because I'm worried about being so far away from home or anything, Ive been and done this almost a million times already (slight exaggeration but not too far off the mark) but in the next ten days I have to gather my stuff and be ready to jump on that plane on Sunday week with everything I need to survive out there till mid January.
There are a few dozen printouts that need to be made, winter clothes need to be dredged out, my Passport needs to be located, adapters need to be packed .... it really shouldn't be too tough, but then you look at next weeks schedule, which is kinda terrifying.
I won't go into it fully, but there's a chance I'll be packed and ready to go by Thursday next week because there won't be enough time to scratch on the weekend before I fly out.
The AUD is a constant worry at the minute too. I know there isn't a single thing I can do about it, but I can't help but check it every couple of hours. I gotta stop doing that 'cause all it's doing is adding to the stress levels (currently 1USD = 0.6887AUD)
As for this page .... I decided to jump off mySpace for this trip and try something completely different, although I will try and upload some gear back to it later, all the fresh stuff will end up here (as long as I can remember the username and password for this one ... I forgot the last blogspot one)
The itinerary will be up soon ..... watch this space ....
I'd like to say that I am super excited about my upcoming vacation to the other side of the world, but at the moment, I'm more gripped with fear than anything. Not because I'm worried about being so far away from home or anything, Ive been and done this almost a million times already (slight exaggeration but not too far off the mark) but in the next ten days I have to gather my stuff and be ready to jump on that plane on Sunday week with everything I need to survive out there till mid January.
There are a few dozen printouts that need to be made, winter clothes need to be dredged out, my Passport needs to be located, adapters need to be packed .... it really shouldn't be too tough, but then you look at next weeks schedule, which is kinda terrifying.
I won't go into it fully, but there's a chance I'll be packed and ready to go by Thursday next week because there won't be enough time to scratch on the weekend before I fly out.
The AUD is a constant worry at the minute too. I know there isn't a single thing I can do about it, but I can't help but check it every couple of hours. I gotta stop doing that 'cause all it's doing is adding to the stress levels (currently 1USD = 0.6887AUD)
As for this page .... I decided to jump off mySpace for this trip and try something completely different, although I will try and upload some gear back to it later, all the fresh stuff will end up here (as long as I can remember the username and password for this one ... I forgot the last blogspot one)
The itinerary will be up soon ..... watch this space ....
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