United States of America

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:58 am

[quote="In the "What haven't you done?" thread Jason Larsen"]Martin, Seattle is one of the best places to visit in this whole country.[/quote]I thought this was interesting enough to have its own thread. A lot of us have been to the USA, but we've probably all been to different parts, and as we have an American as one of our top posters, we can use this thread to discuss the country, and ask Jason any questions we have about it.

I've only been to America once, and that was when I got a free flight to New York. I enjoyed the experience, but I would rather go somewhere different next time, to see more of the heart of the country than the hustle and bustle of such a big city allows.

So, how much of America have you seen, and why would you recommend Seattle, Jason?

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:59 am

I went to Disneyworld when I was 13. It was pretty cool.

Kathleen Batlle · Post by **Kathleen Batlle** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:10 am

I went to the USA for the first time in 1967. It was a trip of a lifetime then as it took me all year to save up for the fare and I had to join a travel club to get a seat on a charter flight. It was a rigmarole, but well worth while as I certainly fell in love with the country on that visit. The next time I went it was much easier and in the early days of the Laker airline. We flew to Los Angeles where we started a 14 day coach tour of the Western states. Disneyland was a real treat and I thought things could not get better, but every day brought an even bigger treat from flying through the Grand Canyon to a breathtaking visit to San Francisco and a ride on the famous cable cars (before they were renovated). This all sounds 'run of the mill' now, but it wasn't in the early 80's. Last year I spent 10 days in Pennsylvania amongst the Amish settlements and their immaculate farmlands. I do love the United States of America, but home is where my heart is, here on the Costa Brava in Spain.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:28 am

I've been to the US four times and love it, although as Stephen Fry pointed out in his TV series, it's a country of such diversity that each state is more like a mini-country in its own right.

Northern California is spectacularly beautiful - I spent a fortnight's holiday there in 1994. Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic Park, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe - all of them just knock your breath away. Scenery writ large. Really happy memories of skinny-dipping in a creek somewhere up in the Sierra Nevada; the combination of cold mountain spring water flowing past your body and volcanically heated water bubbling up through the stones under your feet is a treat for the senses (though if I'd seen the film Dante's Peak at the time I'd probably have been a lot more reluctant to try it!). Also crossed the border into Nevada for a day or two - Virginia City is a well-preserved example of a wild west mining town, and Reno is like a smaller and seedier version of Las Vegas.

I fell in love with San Francisco on that trip and would have stayed there longer had I not been travelling with friends, so I went back on my own in 1997 and stayed in the city for a couple of weeks, immersing myself in the life there. Anyone who's read Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City books will know why this place has such a hold. I know I'll return some day.

In 1998 I visited the east coast for the first time, including a happy week spent wandering the streets, shops and bars of New York City. Another vibrant, exciting place where life is lived full-on, and one I would always go back to given the chance. I met and chatted to one of my heroes, Harvey Fierstein, in a bar in Greenwich Village one night; I took a photo of him when he wasn't looking but was too shy to ask him to pose for a pic with me. Damn. On that trip I also spent a few days in Boston - another great city but more laid back than NY. Went to a Boston Pops concert at Symphony Hall and spent most of a day trying (and eventually succeeding) to track down the building used for location shots in St Elsewhere. Then I hired a car and drove up Cape Cod to Provincetown for a truly relaxing week in this beautiful New England resort. I took the ferry across to Martha's Vineyard one day, hired a bike and cycled all over the island looking for locations from Jaws. (I get a big thrill out of seeing movie and TV locations for myself as you may have guessed.)

In 2003, and by now no longer single, I went for a fortnight's holiday with my other half and a couple of friends. We flew to Miami and spent a couple of days in South Beach; interesting people-watching and seeing all the restored Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive, but I didn't find it an especially friendly place and wouldn't be in any hurry to go back. Then we drove down to Key West which was friendly, laid back, everything Miami isn't. We had some great nights in the bars there, some relaxing days by the pool and some wonderful meals (including celebrating my 43rd birthday at a place called Louie's Backyard which I thoroughly recommend if you ever find yourself in Key West).

After five days chilling we drove back up for a couple of nights to Fort Lauderdale, which has nothing much going for it, then flew from Miami up to NYC and got a train up to Hartford, Connecticut, where we were met by some old friends who live in a little lakeside cottage out in the forest - real On Golden Pond stuff. This was a total contrast to Florida - it was October and the New England fall was in full swing. We spent four happy days cycling and rowing round the lake, visiting fall fairs, taking endless photographs of leaves, buying pumpkins for Hallowe'en and eating the last lobster of the season at Abbott's (another must-visit if you're in this part of the world).

Finally (so far), the December before last I treated my beloved to a long weekend in New York for his 40th birthday. We did Christmas shopping in Macy's and Bloomingdale's and took in a couple of Broadway shows; then on the Sunday it snowed so we wandered through Central Park which was absolutely magical.

So there you have it. Sorry, but Derek did ask. I eagerly await the first TLDR.

(If you've not had enough, there's a couple of stories from my earlier US trips on my website.)

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:35 am

TLDR. Something about being gay?

I've never been to US, nor do I really have much desire to.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:38 am

Kieran Child wrote:TLDR. Something about being gay?

I've never been to US, nor do I really have much desire to.

Well, I think any sympathy anyone may have had after DOD's savage attack has flow right out of the window now!

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:42 am

Oh noo, was only a joke. I read the whole thing, and put that cos of what he said at the end. Hope I haven't upset him.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:48 am

I'm planning on going on holiday next year to Anchorage- largely because I'm fascinated by remote, isolated places and whilst Anchorage is admittedly larger than the city I currently live in, Alaska itself has always had a certain appeal to me. especially since they got rid of that antichrist governor they recently had.

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:51 am

What's the Western-most state of America?
What's the Eastern-most state of America?
Where is your sister going on holiday next summer?

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:53 am

Kieran Child wrote:What's the Western-most state of America?
What's the Eastern-most state of America?

The same as the Northern-most state of America. We already did this.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:01 pm

I've been twice. Once when I was about 8 with my dad and sister, and we went to Boston and New York. I remember going up the Statue of Liberty and complaining about how many steps we had to climb (I was a fatty). More recently I went to Philadelphia (born and raised, etc.), but was hanging out with friends so didn't really see the sights much.

Am hoping to go to Seattle at some point next year (or maybe the year after) to a) abuse a friend's hospitality, and ii) possibly go to PAX.

Kieran Child · Post by **Kieran Child** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:45 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:
Kieran Child wrote:What's the Western-most state of America?
What's the Eastern-most state of America?
The same as the Northern-most state of America. We already did this.

Yes. I thought everybody knew that bit. It was the set up to the third question joke.

Kathleen Batlle · Post by **Kathleen Batlle** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:59 pm

I loved your stories of the States, Phil, and can see that you obviously fell in love with the country as I did, although you've obviously seen far more of it than I have. I did go to Florida a couple of times, but only so I could take the children to Disneyworld, etc., and we took the Greyhound bus up to Memphis to visit Graceland for 24 hours. I don't think I would want to go back to Florida or Las Vegas, as it was all too shallow and artificial. San Francisco and Pennsylvania are my favourite places. I was sorry we missed Hearst Castle while we were in California, but there wasn't time on the coach tour. I'd love to go back sometime, but can't imagine it happening now although I won't give up hope.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:12 pm

Kathleen Batlle wrote:I did go to Florida a couple of times, but only so I could take the children to Disneyworld, etc. [...] I don't think I would want to go back to Florida or Las Vegas, as it was all too shallow and artificial.

Bear in mind that there's a lot more to Florida than theme parks! The Keys are beautiful, as are the Everglades (I believe - I've not seen them myself). Parts of the Gulf Coast are also apparently very pleasant.

David Williams · Post by **David Williams** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:47 pm

This time next week I shall be in Alaska.

I'd hazard a guess I've been to one place in the USA that few others have made it to. Point Roberts is a peninsular on the west coast that juts southwards out of British Columbia a couple of miles south of the 49th parallel. Presumably some bureaucrat in the east put a ruler on a map and didn't notice he was creating a part of the USA that is part of the mainland but has no land border with the rest of the country. My sister-in-law in BC used to live in a street where the back fences of the gardens opposite her were an international border - weird. The other side is a country road, with no indication whatever that there's anything special. No different to a county boundary. Supposedly one of her neighbours was once cutting the back of their hedge when a US cop pulled up and had a friendly chat. The next time they tried to cross the border he was on file as an illegal immigrant and denied entry!

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:07 pm

Superb David. Never heard of that oddity before. Just had a look at it on Google Earth. So, do people born in Point Roberts need passports to travel through Canada to the rest of Washington State?

David Williams · Post by **David Williams** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:53 pm

Phil Reynolds wrote:Superb David. Never heard of that oddity before. Just had a look at it on Google Earth. So, do people born in Point Roberts need passports to travel through Canada to the rest of Washington State?

Absolutely. The border post for Point Roberts is fairly relaxed. I think quite a few Americans work in Canada, and a lot of Canadians buy cheaper petrol south of the border, so the guards get to know the locals. Maybe less so nowadays, but 20 years ago it was made pretty plain to me that if I'd just said I was a Canadian citizen, or even said I was a landed immigrant with a British passport, I'd have saved everyone a lot of form-filling. But then it's a 20 mile drive to the border post on the main Vancouver/Seattle highway, and you won't get through there in either direction without all the formalities.

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:58 pm

Speaking of which, how did Sarah Palin ever get out of Alaska as she allegedly has never had a passport?

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:03 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote:Speaking of which, how did Sarah Palin ever get out of Alaska as she allegedly has never had a passport?

Presumably she wouldn't need one for internal flights within the US.

David Williams · Post by **David Williams** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:57 pm

Phil, just read your first post again. Reminded me (don't know why!) of a time we did the standard LA, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco, Route 101 trip. All fabulous, but what I remember in particular is that we decided to have a break from the driving and got a cottage for a few days on the beach at Point Reyes, about an hour north of San Francisco. Another world entirely, and something vaguely creepy about the whole area. Not exactly where Hitchcock's "The Birds" was set, but you got that sort of feel about it.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:17 pm

David Williams wrote:Not exactly where Hitchcock's "The Birds" was set

Not far off! On my 1997 trip I rented a car for a day and headed up the coast with the intention of driving as far as Bodega Bay precisely because I wanted to see where The Birds was filmed. (The car was a convertible - just like Tippi Hedren's in the film...) However, I never got there, because the scenery was so beautiful that I kept stopping to take pictures, and realised too late that if I went all the way to Bodega I wasn't going to be back in SF before I had to drop the car off. In fact, as soon as I got to Marin County, on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, I stopped for about an hour just to gawp at the view back toward the city.

If you haven't tried it, I heartily recommend taking a gentle flight over downtown San Francisco in Google Earth with the "3D buildings" option switched on. The level of realism is incredible, as (unlike London, or even New York) every building is fully rendered, even the ordinary houses. You may have to hover in one place for a couple of minutes while everything under you is downloaded in full resolution, but once you do it's like looking at a 3D photo.

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:55 pm

Kieran Child wrote: I've never been to US, nor do I really have much desire to.

I went to Costa Rica a couple of years ago - proper off the beaten track stuff and some volunteer house build action. Great country but stay away from the more commercialised holiday spots as they are ruined by gormless, hideously dressed Americans who see fit to swoop down there to buy up block loads of 'caaaan-dos fer investment perprses'. The volunteer thing was also made nearly unbearable by stuuupid rich kids fresh out of college (paid for by super-rich parents) who seemed to think noticable povety and hardship was - like - er -awesome. Cretins.

Then I stopped two nights in New York and loved it - but I'm reverting to heading Eastwards again in the foreseeable future.

Kevin Thurlow · Post by **Kevin Thurlow** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:33 am

30 years ago, some Canadian relatives took me and other family members on an awesome 7 week trip through USA and Canada. The US leg was N Dakota, S Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Montana... Highlights were Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Arches National Park (and quite a lot else). When we got back to Canada, Niagara Falls was great (better viewed from Canada). Since then, I have had a few business trips to USA and Canada, and I try to take a few days off to drive round. I had a meeting in Vancouver so drove down to Seattle etc and had a look at the Boeing factory. A meeting in Washington DC allowed a trip to FBI HQ (is that still open to the public?) and also Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial etc. I think I've managed 26 states so far, but oddly not including Florida, N York or California!

Since USA government and immigration got so unfriendly I haven't gone back, but it would be nice to do all 50. My parents went to Alaska and said it was wonderful.

One really positive thing about USA is the way they deal with history (yes I know they don't have much), but the historic villages or farms etc where they show how life was 200 years ago, and the guides stay in character, are great. ("You will have to leave your bag here, sir." "OK - can I take the camera in?" "Oh is that a camera? No problem, sir.") At Williamsburg,VA, the home of the revolution, I was invited to hear Patrick Henry speak, "but you may not like what he has to say". The other really positive thing is the people - they are so friendly. My father and I lunched in a diner in Midland,TX and the waitress excitedly told the other customers we were from England. Everybody came over to say hello and have a friendly chat. This is just one example (and obviously applies more to the countryside than cities.)

For those who haven't been - never imagine that (e.g.) Bush is a typical American. How would you like it if foreigners assumed that you would be like Blair or Brown?

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:27 am

Kevin Thurlow wrote:30 years ago, some Canadian relatives took me and other family members on an awesome 7 week trip through USA and Canada. The US leg was N Dakota, S Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Montana

Drool. That American heartland really appeals to me but, like you say, I guess it needs a longer trip to really do it justice.

Since USA government and immigration got so unfriendly I haven't gone back

Oddly, the one time that I've been since 9/11 I found that, while security procedures have inevitably been ramped up, the process was friendlier. Getting through immigration always took a long time, but to make it worse they always made you feel like you had no right to be visiting their country. When we went in December 2007, we arrived at JFK around 10.30pm; after getting through baggage reclaim, we then queued for over an hour and a half, snaking back and forth through a maze of barriers, to get through immigration. We were pretty fed up and frustrated by the time we got to the last leg of the queue (bear in mind it was now about 5am, UK time). An immigration official with a walkie-talkie was walking up and down the line and asked a group of us which flight we'd come in on; when we told him, his face went ashen and he started anxiously looking up and down the row of booths and directing people toward the next one to try and speed things up. It somehow made things a bit easier that he recognised and acknowledged that this was not a pleasant experience for us.

When it was finally our turn, the terrifyingly large and fearsome-looking uniformed official who interviewed us, flanked by two guys with massive guns, turned out to be really friendly and talkative, which was a totally different experience to previous US trips. There was one comically awkward moment where the conversation went something like this:

Him: So, are you two here on a business trip?
Us: Um, no, just a short holiday.
Pause
Him: You guys are buddies, huh?
Us: That's right.
Pause
Him: Left the ladies at home this trip, right?
Us: Uh, something like that...

The other really positive thing is the people - they are so friendly.

Absolutely. The great thing about travelling alone, particularly, is that people talk to you. I've found nearly all Americans I've met are genuinely interested in who you are and what makes you tick. My first time in San Francisco, I got a bus from the airport into town; a young guy sitting opposite me with a Walkman took off his headphones, said hi and asked where I was from. I answered his questions politely and a little stiffly, not wanting to get too deeply entrenched in conversation with someone who, I felt sure, was either going to ask for money or try and save my soul for Jesus. After a few minutes of question and answer he grinned and, just before putting his headphones back on, said: "Well anyway, have a great visit to San Francisco - it's a wonderful city." I was stunned. I was so convinced that he must want something from me that the idea that he was just being friendly never entered my head. It was a great lesson and served me well throughout that and subsequent visits.

I have to say, though, that Americans' legendary cluelessness about matters of European geography is totally factual. I had the following exchange with the owner of the B&B I stayed in on my second trip: "So, you're from London?" "No. I'm from Warwickshire." "Where's that?" "England." (Confused pause) "That's right - London, England." And even supposedly educated Americans are completely lost if I correct them for calling me English instead of British (or for saying "Wales, England") and attempt to explain the difference.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:11 pm

Kevin Thurlow wrote:...they show how life was 200 years ago, and the guides stay in character, are great...

Reminds me of the Old Pioneer Village episode of South Park

Here it is if you haven't seen it

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 12:18 pm

I've been to the US four times.

Well, to be exact, I've been to DisneyWorld and all the other parks four times.

The last time I went, in 2006, I even managed to get on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" at MGM Studios. It was quite exciting. I lost out on the 32,000 question, so I left with a cap (for reaching 1,000) and 5 limited edition pins. If you'd have got to the million, you'd have won a trip on the Disney Cruise liner!

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:50 pm

James Robinson wrote:If you'd have got to the million, you'd have won a trip on the Disney Cruise liner!

And a million dollars, but meh.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:03 pm

A thread about the USA and Jason hasn't posted in it. That's quite sad considering he's one of our top posters.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:05 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:A thread about the USA and Jason hasn't posted in it. That's quite sad considering he's one of our top posters.

Especially when I started the thread from one of his posts, and specifically invited him to join in!

Thank you to Phil and the others for their fascinating experiences though. They will certainly help me and other people plan any future trips to that interesting country.

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:52 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:A thread about the USA and Jason hasn't posted in it. That's quite sad considering he's one of our top posters.

Sorry, Kirk.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:14 pm

Derek, I was raised in New York and would much prefer living in Seattle over New York. There is something for everyone, and it is also a very safe city. It is as safe as ever because the cops are very prompt. They come almost immediately when you call them.

I have flown over both coasts and am going to San Francisco in two years to take classes for getting a service dog. So, having CP isn't a bad thing after all!

Ben, I live closer to Alaska than Hawaii, but I have not been there even though I have been to Vancouver, BC.

The Westermost state in the US is, ironically, Washington. The Easternmost state is Maine.

Michael, have fun here!

David, I know you need a passport to go to England from the US, but do you need a passport to go to the US from England?

James, do you know who Meredith Vieira is?

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:40 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:James, do you know who Meredith Vieira is?

As a matter of fact, I do, Jason.

I believe she is a popular newsreader who hosts the syndicated daytime version of WWTBAM? in the US. I've seen it over there on a couple of occasions.

Unfortunately, this version I went on at Disney, they just had rotating presenters all the time. The guy who presented my show looked an awful lot like the British actor Ben Richards, I must say.

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:48 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:The Westermost state in the US is, ironically, Washington.

No it isn't, not even ironically.

The Easternmost state is Maine.

No it isn't.

As I said in my post way up there ^^^^, we've already discussed this. I even provided a link at the time to the relevant thread.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 4:56 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:Derek, I was raised in New York and would much prefer living in Seattle over New York. There is something for everyone, and it is also a very safe city. It is as safe as ever because the cops are very prompt. They come almost immediately when you call them.

Jason, thank you for finally getting round to this thread! Seems like Seattle is another place worth adding to the Places I'd Like to Visit list, especially as I was a little disappointed in New York.

I have flown over both coasts and am going to San Francisco in two years to take classes for getting a service dog. So, having CP isn't a bad thing after all!

Amazing positive attitude, Jason! Let us know in this thread when you travel anywhere interesting over there.

Ben, I live closer to Alaska than Hawaii, but I have not been there even though I have been to Vancouver, BC.

So what was your opinion of Canada? I know Americans can't usually admit to liking it, but it's only us so you can be honest here!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:49 pm

James, the Millionaire attraction at MGM Studios is now closed.

Phil, I'm sorry I misunderstood your points about the states way up north.

Technically, Derek, I am going to Santa Rosa which is about 50 miles north of San Francisco to visit the CCI campus. You can google CCI if you don't know what that means.

Also, I liked the part of Vancouver I went to, but it depends on what part of Vancouver you go to when you decide your impression of it. I went to the Folk Festival there several years ago, I loved it!

Unfortunately, I have heard of a lot of crime going on in Vancouver recently, especially last year.

Lastly, I am very grateful to have Barack Obama as our president, and kudos to Susie Dent for mentioning him on Countdown at least once!

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:18 am

Jason Larsen wrote:Phil, I'm sorry I misunderstood your points about the states way up north.

No worries Jason. I'm pleased to have been able to teach you something about your native country's geography! Incidentally, there are actually two states further west than Washington: besides Alaska, you also forgot about Hawaii.

Technically, Derek, I am going to Santa Rosa which is about 50 miles north of San Francisco to visit the CCI campus. You can google CCI if you don't know what that means.

Canine Companions for Independence - sounds like an excellent organisation. A couple of weeks ago there was an episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Celebrity in which Angela Rippon won £75,000 for a similar charity in the UK. As well as dogs to assist children with autism, they also provide dogs that can give people with epilepsy up to 30 minutes' warning of when they are going to have an attack. I had no idea dogs could be trained to do this - it sounds amazing.

(Angela appeared jointly with Dictionary Corner guest and Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, who was playing on behalf of the Citizens Advice Bureau and shared the £150,000 winnings.)

I stayed a night in Santa Rosa on my first trip to the US in 1994 and went for a stunning early morning hot-air balloon ride over the Sonoma vineyards.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:40 am

That's no problem either, Phil!

Angela Rippon is the so-called "mean news lady." Right? I have to give her credit for winning 75,000 pounds for a good cause!

And how many episodes of Celebrity US Daytime Millionaire have there been? Zero. So, Angela set a precedent!

I'm raising my imaginary glass of wine and toasting to her.

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:05 am

Jason Larsen wrote:Angela Rippon is the so-called "mean news lady." Right?

Jason, I know of no such reputation. In fact, she's a 'national treasure' due to her appearance on the Morecambe and Wise Show in the 70's. Before this, our newsreaders were seen as very serious people who stayed behind their desks. Until this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tSzTcBjNaw nobody realised Angela Rippon had legs, let alone such impressive ones. This sent a precedent because on a following show, a whole load of newsreaders (all the others were male in those days) and presenters, showed their 'lighter' side too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czc-0OqfhEM As an anglophile, I think you might have come across Eric and Ernie, and Brits of a certain age will tell you how one of the most important Christmas telly rituals was sitting down as a family and watching The Morecambe and Wise Christmas special. Millions watched. My personal favourite is this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwGOlERYa24 featuring a fellow countryman of yours.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 1:52 pm

I'm sorry, Sue!

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:58 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:I'm sorry, Sue!

Well, there wasn't anything that really needed an apology there, Jason - I just thought you might enjoy a bit of insight into why the Brits like Angela Rippon ......and Morecambe & Wise!

Darren Carter · Post by **Darren Carter** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:05 pm

Been to DisneyWorld, Florida twice as a youngster. Hoping to travel across America once I've saved enough moolah.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:57 pm

Good guy, Darren!

David Roe · Post by **David Roe** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:20 pm

Just got back, yesterday. Very nice too.

I've been 5 times, mostly sport related - most often Chicago (I don't normally like any city, but I like Chicago) Milwaukee, for the Brewers (baseball), and most important of all, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. Home of the Packers (American football). I'm willing to bet no-one has ever visited Green Bay except to watch the Packers - it really is the only show in town.

I enjoyed San Diego as well, and Disneyworld, but Tampa Bay and Detroit were a bit soulless - maybe because I was only in each place a couple of days and missed the best bits.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:59 pm

The West Coast is really one of the best places to be, David!

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:01 pm

Jason Larsen wrote:The West Coast is really one of the best places to be, David!

It's in the top two!

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:24 am

Of course, Jon!

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:13 am

Jon O'Neill wrote:
Jason Larsen wrote:The West Coast is really one of the best places to be, David!
It's in the top two!

Which of America's other coasts do you rate as up there with it? I'm guessing you'd go for the Gulf Coast.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:08 pm

I wouldn't say the same thing about the East Coast!

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:34 am

I have been to America twice. Once to Minneapolis for a wedding which later took in Florida and the other for a 3 day break to New York where we were upgraded by BA going out to Club Class and flew back on Concorde. Also got to talk to the crew in the cockpit. Nine months later it was history. Hey, did anyone else fly Concorde?

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 9:58 am

Chris Corby wrote:Hey, did anyone else fly Concorde?

Jesus Christ, a simple forum search of "Concorde" would have taken seconds, and revealed to you that challenger Emlyn Lewis, from this game in Series 59 did.

FOR THE LOVE OF FUCKING GOD DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO POST SOMETHING WITHOUT SEARCHING FOR IT FIRST?

Sue Sanders · Post by **Sue Sanders** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:16 am

Jon Corby wrote:
Chris Corby wrote:Hey, did anyone else fly Concorde?
Jesus Christ, a simple forum search of "Concorde" would have taken seconds, and revealed to you that challenger Emlyn Lewis, from this game in Series 59 did.

FOR THE LOVE OF FUCKING GOD DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO POST SOMETHING WITHOUT SEARCHING FOR IT FIRST?

That's your boy, Chris!!!

My 'cockpit' boast is that my Dad used to be an airline pilot, so my school holiday treat was to sometimes accompany him for the day, airport hopping various desinations in the UK and Europe, sat in the jump seat. I could always get the boys jealous back at school with that 'what I did in my holidays' tale.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:30 am

Sue Sanders wrote:My 'cockpit' boast is that my Dad used to be an airline pilot, so my school holiday treat was to sometimes accompany him for the day, airport hopping various desinations in the UK and Europe, sat in the jump seat. I could always get the boys jealous back at school with that 'what I did in my holidays' tale.

It'd be awesome if you had an "in the holidays I was a genetic engineering guinea pig" tail. Plus, don't refer to yourself as a 'cockpit' Sue, don't be so harsh on yourself.

Jason Larsen · Post by **Jason Larsen** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:44 pm

Like I said, the West Coast is one of the best regions to live in the US!

Kevin Thurlow · Post by **Kevin Thurlow** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 7:09 am

I've flown on Concorde, but not to USA. I'm sure the coast is very good, but what about Arches National Park, (and the other parks in that area) Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore etc...

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:19 am

Jon Corby wrote:
Chris Corby wrote:Hey, did anyone else fly Concorde?
Jesus Christ, a simple forum search of "Concorde" would have taken seconds, and revealed to you that challenger Emlyn Lewis, from this game in Series 59 did.

FOR THE LOVE OF FUCKING GOD DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO POST SOMETHING WITHOUT SEARCHING FOR IT FIRST?

My question was obviously directed at people who post here, and Emlyn is not a member as far as I can see, so I had the same results from my search before I posted as you did.

By the way, I only have three children from now on.....

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:27 am

Chris Corby wrote:
Jon Corby wrote:
Chris Corby wrote:Hey, did anyone else fly Concorde?
Jesus Christ, a simple forum search of "Concorde" would have taken seconds, and revealed to you that challenger Emlyn Lewis, from this game in Series 59 did.

FOR THE LOVE OF FUCKING GOD DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO POST SOMETHING WITHOUT SEARCHING FOR IT FIRST?

My question was obviously directed at people who post here, and Emlyn is not a member as far as I can see, so I had the same results from my search before I posted as you did.

By the way, I only have three children from now on.....

Don't worry, it was a dig at Phil, not you.

Chris Corby · Post by **Chris Corby** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:34 am

Yeah, well you would say that wouldn't you, too late though, my will has been redrafted.

And leave Phil alone. His posts are entertaining, informative, knowledgeable, profanity free. How many of your 3000 posts (good grief!) can we say that about?

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:36 am

Chris Corby wrote:Yeah, well you would say that wouldn't you, too late though, my will has been redrafted.

And leave Phil alone. His posts are entertaining, informative, knowledgeable, profanity free. How many of your 3000 posts (good grief!) can we say that about?

Three? Oh, unless you count "shit" as a swearword.

Derek Hazell · Post by **Derek Hazell** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:47 am

Divided eStates of CorbyTowers

Phil Reynolds · Post by **Phil Reynolds** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:33 am

Jon Corby wrote:Don't worry, it was a dig at Phil, not you.

I keep forgetting this board's Rule #1: Mild sarcasm is deeply offensive, but the use of aggressive language, swearing and blasphemy, preferably in the same post and in capital letters, is perfectly excusable as long as you put a smiley at the end.