Tube v. Subway: I report, you decide...

Ok so there's always been the argument about London v. New York and who has it better or worse but I have to scandalously say the the Tube is better run than the Subway. Also, but I think we knew this, black cabs are way better than the yellow ones.

There are pros and cons for both but I am just drafting a little a mini list which I'll add to as incidents occur.

Tube:
Cons

1. no aircon
2. expensive
3. not 24 hours
4. crowded
5. delayed at the drop of a leaf

Pros

1. Better signage
2. better communication
3. complaints procedure with refund
4. great map
5. polite staff
6. hanging straps

Subway:

1. 24 hours
2. aircon
3. in new york
4. slightly less crowded

IT REALLY IS BIG NY

Yay, we have just launched a new venture - Brooklyn Institute of Guitar. Check it out www.thebigny.com

Pull Yer Pants Up

You know you're getting old when you start agreeing with the mayor of a southern town with a lady's name. Fine the B(r)itches, I say!

Saggy Britches

'Cover your vital parts,' says mayor of Louisiana town that's banning saggy pants

Mayor Carol Broussard said he would sign an ordinance the town council approved this week setting penalties of up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for being caught in pants that show undergarments or certain parts of the body.

Broussard said he has nothing against saggy pants but thinks people who wear them should use discretion. "It's gotten way out of hand out here," he said.

Albert Roy, the councilman who introduced the ordinance, said he thought the fine was a little steep and should be more in the $25 range, but he still favored the measure.

"I don't know if it will do any good, but it won't hurt," Roy said. "It's obvious, and anybody with common sense can see your parts when you wear sagging pants."

Broussard's advice for people who like their pants to hang low: "Just wear it properly. Cover your vital parts. I mean, if you expose your private parts, you'll get a fine. If you walk up and your pants drop, you get a fine. They're better off taking the pants off and just wearing a dress." (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press 06-13-07)

Aerobics and Coke with Vitamins

Still regretting going to Boogie Kickboxing class at the Y in Bed-Stuy. I cannot hip hop and it still hurts to stand. Have invested in a Diet Coke Plus - with added vitamins and nutrients. See if that does anything. It's less Weight Watchers points than an apple anyway...

Ye Olde Worlde Bars

Went to Waldorf-Astoria last night, lovely chandeliers and french shampoo followed by 2.5lb lobster, asparagus and olive bread with a glass of pinot. Yummo.

Ricky Martin is outside

Puerto Rican parade has started in NYC, heading along 5th Ave. Had to fight through a crowd to get to work (on a Sunday - lunch options are limited too) and Ricky Martin has strange facial sculpture.

Have just been given the update - latest news is 6 people shot dead in Wisconsin (including 2 yr old child) so we'll be looking for neighbour's names, numbers and people for the crew to interview. One neighbour's reaction so far is enlightening...

One of the spectators was next-door neighbor Jesus Valadez, 27, who said he was outside in spite of police telling him to stay indoors and keep his doors locked. "It's kind of scary," Valadez said. "Exciting, don't get me wrong. Better than watching TV." (Associated Press. APTV 06-10-07)

In other news; Paris is back in jail and has thanked Sheriff Baca for his concern but is determined to see out the remainder of her sentence. Admirable.

They're still discussing the Will Ferrell Landlord video (little kid pretending to be foul-mouthed landlord) and think it will be detrimental to the child's mental health...hmm, I guess we won't know for a few years.

This week is set to be an exciting one. Bush is in Bulgaria and space shuttle Atlantis is having issues with its thermal blanket. Sounds scary: "The peeling back of the blanket left a gap about 4 inches by 6 inches. (foxnews.com)". That can't be good.

le Bastille, Paris?

First she's in, then she's out - Paris was let out of jail because she wasn't eating (quite normal, in fact she said that's why she was arrested on DUI charge - had been drinking but not eating). Other reports mentioned a medical condition otherwise known as a "rash" - nappy rash? If she had taken this on the chin she could have relaunched herself as a Pink-stylee tough girl that no one would want to mess with. She could have launched a range of prison pyjamas and had lots of funny stories to tell at dinner parties. I know prison must be hard but for the ability to stick two fingers up at everyone, I could have done it.

Yes, I did have to try and find Paris' cell phone and home address of Kathy and Rick Hilton...

She's back in again now though. Fair enough - the sheriff's department tried to overturn a court ordered prison sentence. The country is up in arms and everyone with a cause is jumping on the issue - the two Americas: rich v. poor, black v. white etc

Perhaps Hilton Hotels should design a Hilton Boutique Prison Chain hotel for these situations.

Zanna Do or Don't

Went and saw this production in New Rochelle called Zanna Don't (nb. I just got the joke about Xanadu / Xanadon't).

For someone who hates musical theatre and will only tolerate it for the sake of a friend's or husband's appearance, I have to say I did quite enjoy this one. Great cast, the lead actor playing Zanna (Ross Baum) was very talented and there were only a few cast members whom I would have turkey- slapped had I seen them after the show.

I think we were effectively in the US equivalent of the home counties, lots of proud parents watching their teenagers frolic on stage acting gay. What saved it was the complete reversal of all americana stereotypes - the nerd v. the jock and the fluoro hoodies.

Brooklyn By Bike

Bicycling in Brooklyn Baby is the way to spend the summer.

It's starting to get hotter - the sun is intense and the humidity is pretty high. Lots of "fluff" in the air too which can get in your throat if you cycle while smiling.

Looks like the bikes are breeding in Williamsburg

New London Olympics Logo

That's not technically a logo is it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A23431826

Stating The Obvious

Barbara Wyman of Darlington about witnessing her cousin, Susan Dornquast, being attacked by a shark in South Carolina:

Wyman said she and (husband) Donald Dornquast could tell Susan Dornquast was distressed.

"You could tell by her face that it was something out of the ordinary," Wyman said.

[source: http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/v-print/story/143533.html]

What's a turkey-slap?

Australian Big Brother has several controversies during its 7 year history:

• May 2007: Australian Big Brother housemate not told about father's recent death to maintain isolation of housemates from outside world
• Australian Communications and Media Authority reviewed reality TV programs after Big Brother female contestant was "turkey slapped."
• Producers were accused of manipulating a housemate who had suffered a late-term miscarriage by making housemates look after a doll. (Source: Big Brother housemate not told of her father's death, Larissa Dubecki, 25 May 2007, The Age)
• Australia BB 2006 has a "turkey slapping" incident
• Australian PM John Howard said show should be cancelled after the "turkey slapping" incident.
• Australia BB Uncut 2005: Female housemates are shown using a hose to masturbate.
• Australia BB 2004: Housemate Merlin Luck tapes his mouth upon eviction to protest treatment of refugees. (Source: NEWS Scandals power BB to top Michelle Read, 22 January 2007, MX (Australia))
• Australian PM John Howard: "Big Brother is an atrocious program." (Source: Howard blast for Brother, 28 April 2007, Herald-Sun)