Friday, September 08, 2006
Half Advert, Half Disclaimer
The adverts here are really irritating. Due to the fanatical 'I'll sue' mentality, the adverts present their product then spend another 30 seconds of advertising time giving you their disclaimer. For Gods sake this country is screwed beyond belief. Now days if a person is dying of a heart attack on a bus, nearby off-duty doctors will not help through fear of being sued for accidentally breaking a rib in the process.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Walmart Experience
These things are massive and they have a little of pretty much everything. As well a food you can get electronics, furnature and sports stuff. Prices are real fab too as they seem to have some kind of industry shafting monopoly on things.
Oh sorry, did I not mention that you can buy firearms at Walmart. Yes, full on shotguns and ammo at the supermarket. And you only need to be 18 years of age and some ID.
Funny, you have to be 21 years old to drink here. Saying that, the gun counter was completely un manned for all 10 minutes we were there and one of the ammo cabinets was half open so if you had the intention you could take it at any age.
Oh sorry, did I not mention that you can buy firearms at Walmart. Yes, full on shotguns and ammo at the supermarket. And you only need to be 18 years of age and some ID.
Funny, you have to be 21 years old to drink here. Saying that, the gun counter was completely un manned for all 10 minutes we were there and one of the ammo cabinets was half open so if you had the intention you could take it at any age.
Sub Standard Subway
Beware if you intend to park at the subway station. Not only do you have to pay your parking fee, you also have to purchase a $10 card to hold credit, $5 of which is for the card its self.
The subways themselves are pretty poor in comparison to places such as Singapore, Paris and London. And hey get this, they have these huge bins (trash cans). For a country that raves on about how unsafe they have made you by invading Iraq, they go and leave giant bins in every subway. This is considered number one security risk for people leaving explosive devices. Sort it out government, it's not safe and it's not clever!
The subways themselves are pretty poor in comparison to places such as Singapore, Paris and London. And hey get this, they have these huge bins (trash cans). For a country that raves on about how unsafe they have made you by invading Iraq, they go and leave giant bins in every subway. This is considered number one security risk for people leaving explosive devices. Sort it out government, it's not safe and it's not clever!
White House
For the 'most powerful man in the world' this place of residence was really crap and small. You would think that they'd chuck in a better place to live for the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
Anyways there were a whole bunch of guys with guns on the roof and circling the grounds.
Anyways there were a whole bunch of guys with guns on the roof and circling the grounds.
Land of the Free, My Arse!
We were on our way to the White House when we stopped at some traffic lights. Suddenly a couple of regular police officers went all dramatic, Starsky and Hutch style. They were running around then jumping into their cars and driving into the road, sealing off the traffic.
Suddenly one of the cops jumped out and told us that we weren't allowed to stand where we were. We had to take about 10 steps back and stand next to this post up the street. She was so anal.
Sirens then started to sound and a bunch of police cars escorted this car down the street. Ok i thought, fair enough, a matter of security i guess. Maybe it was the president. You can't be too careful. So i thought.
What happened next however, spat in the eye of every American citizen. I started filming and this dumb arse officer told me in her over dramatic fashion "NO!" Can you Believe that? Told that i couldn't film in a public place. Under what law? Where is your 1st amendment that the USA is so proud of?
There are so many signs of Nazi Germany here, i.e restricted filming, restricted news coverage, arrests under new terror laws(no explanation necessary, no lawyer), more powers to tap peoples phone lines without permission from congress.
The second those powers go over they will then have permission to tap phone lines of opposing democratic parties and use such information against them. They may say it's to defend against terrorism but once they have these powers they don't need to disclose their purposes.
Wake up America!
Suddenly one of the cops jumped out and told us that we weren't allowed to stand where we were. We had to take about 10 steps back and stand next to this post up the street. She was so anal.
Sirens then started to sound and a bunch of police cars escorted this car down the street. Ok i thought, fair enough, a matter of security i guess. Maybe it was the president. You can't be too careful. So i thought.
What happened next however, spat in the eye of every American citizen. I started filming and this dumb arse officer told me in her over dramatic fashion "NO!" Can you Believe that? Told that i couldn't film in a public place. Under what law? Where is your 1st amendment that the USA is so proud of?
There are so many signs of Nazi Germany here, i.e restricted filming, restricted news coverage, arrests under new terror laws(no explanation necessary, no lawyer), more powers to tap peoples phone lines without permission from congress.
The second those powers go over they will then have permission to tap phone lines of opposing democratic parties and use such information against them. They may say it's to defend against terrorism but once they have these powers they don't need to disclose their purposes.
Wake up America!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Botanical Gardens
There are plenty of attractions in this area and most are free. The botanical gardens are pretty enough although on a very much smaller scale to Sydney, Thailand or China. Worth a look in on the way past I guess although if I run the place I would stop with the security checks at the door, in the event of the places destruction you could build something a little more entertaining.
Lincoln Memorial
This was one of the main sights I wanted to see in the US. It's always seemed to have an atmosphere about it when I've seen it on TV.
As you approach the memorial you are met with a long flight of steps leading up to a very Roman style building. The structure looks out on the Washington Monument.
As you enter the Statue of Lincoln does not disappoint. It is bold and wise looking, very powerful. On each of the inside walls there are texts regarding the freeing of black slaves. The whole atmosphere was both astounding and humbling. I'd strongly advise George Bush to visit here to remember what he represents and what he has been elected to do. Stop misleading people George!
As you approach the memorial you are met with a long flight of steps leading up to a very Roman style building. The structure looks out on the Washington Monument.
As you enter the Statue of Lincoln does not disappoint. It is bold and wise looking, very powerful. On each of the inside walls there are texts regarding the freeing of black slaves. The whole atmosphere was both astounding and humbling. I'd strongly advise George Bush to visit here to remember what he represents and what he has been elected to do. Stop misleading people George!
War Memorial
We've seen a bunch of these now and they are always pretty impressive. This one is placed right between the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Building.
Air Space Museum
Again lots to see here, loads of old planes, space shuttle living quarters and even the monkey they first shot up into space. By the look of it i don't think the monkey volunteered.
Capitol building
Beautifully grand to see in real life. The entire area is quite impressive although they could do with some new grass. I imagined lush well kept lawns, not the shabby edged grass that runs all the way from Capitol Building to the Memorial. Anyways, the building was really nice, well worth visiting, I came to DC for this area alone.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Airport Fun
This is right after the attempted bombing of planes headed from the UK to USA. The damn terrorists have made check-in hell for us travelling folk.
First off as we checked in we found SSSS was printed at the base of our boarding pass. As we advanced to luggage scanning we were pulled aside as "VIP's". We were given the full on scan treatment like we were terrorists. They took everything out and scanned it thoroughly with all kind of gadgets.
As they scanned we asked them who decided to put this on our ticket to which we were informed that the process was "random". Funny how there was a long line in front and behind of people of Indian origin. Heck I didn't mind that we'd been singled out, it is the only way to be certain and we just need to get on and deal with it.
The thing that did annoy us however was that given liquids were banned, Bobbi still got through the thorough check with a bottle of eye-drops and a needle in her sewing kit. Then again later we brought a can of coke from a previous flight through in our hand luggage. If you are going to bash everyone's ears about security then at least check properly! Stupid security.
First off as we checked in we found SSSS was printed at the base of our boarding pass. As we advanced to luggage scanning we were pulled aside as "VIP's". We were given the full on scan treatment like we were terrorists. They took everything out and scanned it thoroughly with all kind of gadgets.
As they scanned we asked them who decided to put this on our ticket to which we were informed that the process was "random". Funny how there was a long line in front and behind of people of Indian origin. Heck I didn't mind that we'd been singled out, it is the only way to be certain and we just need to get on and deal with it.
The thing that did annoy us however was that given liquids were banned, Bobbi still got through the thorough check with a bottle of eye-drops and a needle in her sewing kit. Then again later we brought a can of coke from a previous flight through in our hand luggage. If you are going to bash everyone's ears about security then at least check properly! Stupid security.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
More Gambling
We quickly learned to play on a variety of 1 cent and 5 cent machines to win.
At one point one machine started to count up my prize. It kept beeping as it counted. This lasted for what seemed like an eternity. Finally it stopped at what I thought was $16 (forgetting that each credit was worth 5x). Again the day after, the same machine paid out $100
On the last day Bobbi had to be pulled from the machines to go for our flight. We did also earn a free T-shirt each from gambling loyalty points.
To cut a long story short, from our winnings we earned and lost about $400 worth and finally stopped at $100 profit.
At one point one machine started to count up my prize. It kept beeping as it counted. This lasted for what seemed like an eternity. Finally it stopped at what I thought was $16 (forgetting that each credit was worth 5x). Again the day after, the same machine paid out $100
On the last day Bobbi had to be pulled from the machines to go for our flight. We did also earn a free T-shirt each from gambling loyalty points.
To cut a long story short, from our winnings we earned and lost about $400 worth and finally stopped at $100 profit.
Crappy Town
Not everywhere in Vegas is as amazingly built as the area we were in. We had heard of an area where there was a light show tunnel that you can walk through. This area was a large shopping area, also bustling with casino activities.
When we arrived it was blatantly the skanky side of Vegas. As we entered the main tunnel there was a religious fanatic Christian guy telling people not to sin. Yeah like that's gunna work in Vegas! Like people will come here and decide not to gamble.
Anyways, this part of town was a lot more runned down and tacky looking. This is the area where you get the drive through weddings and such likes. There were loads of dodgy looking characters hanging around. After staying in the more spangly side of Vegas we felt out of place here so we took our snobby selves back to the hotel.
When we arrived it was blatantly the skanky side of Vegas. As we entered the main tunnel there was a religious fanatic Christian guy telling people not to sin. Yeah like that's gunna work in Vegas! Like people will come here and decide not to gamble.
Anyways, this part of town was a lot more runned down and tacky looking. This is the area where you get the drive through weddings and such likes. There were loads of dodgy looking characters hanging around. After staying in the more spangly side of Vegas we felt out of place here so we took our snobby selves back to the hotel.
Mac King
This guy was a first class act. We were given two "free" tickets whereby we could enter free of charge providing we first bought a drink at a price of $10 each. We did so and I have to say it was so much worth every penny (or cent as the case was).
Mac King's performance was a magic act mixed with comedy. The guy was soooo funny and some of his tricks were nothing short of amazing. Vegas is the home to magic acts such as Pen and Teller but honestly, if you get a chance to see this guy do not pass it up.
Mac King's performance was a magic act mixed with comedy. The guy was soooo funny and some of his tricks were nothing short of amazing. Vegas is the home to magic acts such as Pen and Teller but honestly, if you get a chance to see this guy do not pass it up.
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