On our recent trip from the Empire State to the Golden State, I noticed a couple of differences:
• In NY, they beg you not to make a U-turn, and if you do, they force you to take a separate U-turn lane that takes you up and around....and, technically, avoids an actual u-turn. In California, they seem to not only welcome but encourage U-Turns. I saw lots of actual signs showing the various ways a U-turn could be done legally.
• Don't even think of turning right on red in NY. Yes, they are legal, but it seems like very intersection posts a sign that overrules the state law by saying "no right turn at this intersection". You can make all the right turns you want in California.
• California seems to have more state pride...or at least more pride in their state flag. Have no idea what the NY state flag looks like (I think it's navy with a state seal something on it). But in California, the Bear Republic flies everywhere. I think New Yorkers are New York CITY lovers first, and kind of forget that we're associated with a state, too.
• Don't stand on the roadway in California when waiting to cross the street....DANGER! But in New York, it's kind of like taking a lead-off from first base. You get a "jump" on crossing the intersection by going as far into the crosswalk as you can without being picked off by a car. (Be careful of the 'brush back' drivers who send you scurrying back to the safety of the sidewalk.) Nobody stands on the sidewalk in NYC to wait for the light to change, but everyone does in California.
• California = friendlier people
• California = cleaner places, cleaner people
With no intended diss on my home state, I just seem to smile more and like life a lot more when I'm in the Golden State. "California Dreamin'....."
Mark
Monday, July 23, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
I've Returned to the Colonies....
Hi all:
Whilest on vacation in San Diego, I was alerted to the need to attend a meeting in London on Tuesday of this week. So I flew home from vacation Sunday (as planned) and headed to London on Monday morning, spending two nights 'across the pond.' Had a jolly good time.
Some comments, impressions, travelogue, etc:
• I often feel the world has become too homogenized....it all looks the same no matter where you are. In fact, at Heathrow, I saw the EXACT same ads I had just seen at JFK. But then you get into London and you realize there are still a few places that are unique and have their own soul. You may be able to shoot a movie in Canada and make it look like a US city, but you could never make another city look like London.
• Spent most of my time in meetings and client dinner, but had a little time to enjoy myself. Absolutely incredible weather! We stayed near Buckingham palace, and walked around a bit to Piccadilly Circus, No. 10 Downing Street, Parliament and my absolute fave: Big Ben (cast against a navy night sky....we stayed to hear 'him' bong out 10 p.m.)
• England isn't known for its food. (Glad to get a Big Mac when I returned.) But there were some highlights: my traveling companion and I found a small little Indian restaurant on Monday night that was fantastic. Loved the Worchester-sauce pretzels on the plane. And at the airport yesterday, I had a carbonated Passion Fruit, which was very much like my famed Schwepps Granadilla soda from South Africa. And you can't beat Cadbury chocolates!
• Not trying to be mean, but an observation: there's a lot of Brits with big noses.
• My taxi driver to the airport wore a Yankees cap. He said they get the games occasionally live at 2 a.m. and he watches them before driving his shift.
• What's not to love about Virgin Atlantic? First time on them...I was a Virgin Virgin. Their in-seat entertainment in coach rocks vs. Delta's first class cabin or JetBlue's TVs. About 50 on-demand TV options and at least a couple dozen movie on-demands, too. Crowded flight over but very open on the way home. And they constantly feed you...even ice cream bars!
• I've flown from Heathrow to the US three times prior to yesterday, but this was the first time I've flown from Heathrow to NYC (JFK). (The other times were to Chicago after my mission, LA after my study abroad in South Africa, and Wash/Dulles after Kath and I went there). NY passport control pretty fast....odd that I cleared JFK customs and claimed luggage FASTER on Wed. then when I flew in to JFK/Terminal 3/Delta on Sunday night....Delta/NYC is known for their slow luggage return.
• My room in London was not much bigger than our youngest boys' room at our house. Tiny!
• London TV seems to cover only 3 stories a day. When I was there, it was all about David Beckham coming to the US, and a new proposed law that makes EVERYONE an organ donor UNLESS they opt out (vs. the other way around where you have to proactively state you are a donor).
• Felt a lot like being in South Africa (as South Africa was a British colony, it has a lot of similarities). Road signs use the same font.
• When flying to a foreign country, choose a carrier from that country. From the moment I got on Virgin, I was in the UK (they're just so darn British). I can imagine an American Airline flight would be just like flying from Atlanta to Chicago.
• Thing to do next time: Go on the "Eye" ferris wheel. Wanted to this time, but ran out of time.
Whilest on vacation in San Diego, I was alerted to the need to attend a meeting in London on Tuesday of this week. So I flew home from vacation Sunday (as planned) and headed to London on Monday morning, spending two nights 'across the pond.' Had a jolly good time.
Some comments, impressions, travelogue, etc:
• I often feel the world has become too homogenized....it all looks the same no matter where you are. In fact, at Heathrow, I saw the EXACT same ads I had just seen at JFK. But then you get into London and you realize there are still a few places that are unique and have their own soul. You may be able to shoot a movie in Canada and make it look like a US city, but you could never make another city look like London.
• Spent most of my time in meetings and client dinner, but had a little time to enjoy myself. Absolutely incredible weather! We stayed near Buckingham palace, and walked around a bit to Piccadilly Circus, No. 10 Downing Street, Parliament and my absolute fave: Big Ben (cast against a navy night sky....we stayed to hear 'him' bong out 10 p.m.)
• England isn't known for its food. (Glad to get a Big Mac when I returned.) But there were some highlights: my traveling companion and I found a small little Indian restaurant on Monday night that was fantastic. Loved the Worchester-sauce pretzels on the plane. And at the airport yesterday, I had a carbonated Passion Fruit, which was very much like my famed Schwepps Granadilla soda from South Africa. And you can't beat Cadbury chocolates!
• Not trying to be mean, but an observation: there's a lot of Brits with big noses.
• My taxi driver to the airport wore a Yankees cap. He said they get the games occasionally live at 2 a.m. and he watches them before driving his shift.
• What's not to love about Virgin Atlantic? First time on them...I was a Virgin Virgin. Their in-seat entertainment in coach rocks vs. Delta's first class cabin or JetBlue's TVs. About 50 on-demand TV options and at least a couple dozen movie on-demands, too. Crowded flight over but very open on the way home. And they constantly feed you...even ice cream bars!
• I've flown from Heathrow to the US three times prior to yesterday, but this was the first time I've flown from Heathrow to NYC (JFK). (The other times were to Chicago after my mission, LA after my study abroad in South Africa, and Wash/Dulles after Kath and I went there). NY passport control pretty fast....odd that I cleared JFK customs and claimed luggage FASTER on Wed. then when I flew in to JFK/Terminal 3/Delta on Sunday night....Delta/NYC is known for their slow luggage return.
• My room in London was not much bigger than our youngest boys' room at our house. Tiny!
• London TV seems to cover only 3 stories a day. When I was there, it was all about David Beckham coming to the US, and a new proposed law that makes EVERYONE an organ donor UNLESS they opt out (vs. the other way around where you have to proactively state you are a donor).
• Felt a lot like being in South Africa (as South Africa was a British colony, it has a lot of similarities). Road signs use the same font.
• When flying to a foreign country, choose a carrier from that country. From the moment I got on Virgin, I was in the UK (they're just so darn British). I can imagine an American Airline flight would be just like flying from Atlanta to Chicago.
• Thing to do next time: Go on the "Eye" ferris wheel. Wanted to this time, but ran out of time.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Yes, This is Still an Active Blog
Hi all:
Thanks for your patience....June got busy with the launch of the Transformers movie (we handle the marketing of the toys for the movie). I have a lot of pent up things to write about -- including my review of the movie -- but alas, I have been a slaggard.
We leave on vacation to San Diego tomorrow afternoon. But I'm leaving Kathryn and the kids out west and returning to work, so when I do, I'll plan to do a better job of updating my blog site -- including (gasp!) perhaps postings every few days! So please make sure you come back and visit when I return from vacation. And thanks for visiting!
Mark
Thanks for your patience....June got busy with the launch of the Transformers movie (we handle the marketing of the toys for the movie). I have a lot of pent up things to write about -- including my review of the movie -- but alas, I have been a slaggard.
We leave on vacation to San Diego tomorrow afternoon. But I'm leaving Kathryn and the kids out west and returning to work, so when I do, I'll plan to do a better job of updating my blog site -- including (gasp!) perhaps postings every few days! So please make sure you come back and visit when I return from vacation. And thanks for visiting!
Mark
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