Blogs from Long Beach, Los Angeles, California, United States, North America - page 6

No problem getting a taxi in New York this time as we ordered one through the hotel receptionist, we had a good run to the airport. After being dropped off at the American Airlines terminal we found out we were leaving from a new terminal ten minutes walk away. At the new terminal there was only self check-in available and then a large disorganised queue to check-in the luggage, people where trying to sneak in around the sides causing all sorts of grief. The new terminal wasn't bad for American standards, with a couple of hours to kill we manage to find a small wine bar offering interesting snacks and wine tasting. We tried local wines which came out with four glasses on a wooden tray with a small taste in each glass, underneath each glass ... read more

Wednesday 10th September to Friday 12th September, 2008 Let’s get Ready to Rummmmbbbbbllle ! Ladies and gentlemen, the final bout of the evening. In the red corner, hailing out of Chicago, Illinois and weighing in at 190lbs with a record of one bout, one stoppage (albeit against a member of the fairer sex) and no knockouts, we have the challenger, the Dark Destroyer, Barack OOOooobbbaaaammmmaaaa (pause for cheers and applause interspersed with the occasional boo and hiss) and in the blue corner, aide to the reigning champion of the world, two bouts, one win by knockout, one loss by submission fighting out of Pheonix, Arizona, at an age when he of all people should know better, John ‘The Silver Fox’ MaaahhhhCaaaaaaiiiinnnn. That’s right, election fever is sweeping the States again and whilst I’m not sure of ... read more

Friday 29th August to Thursday 4th September, 2008 *NB* Do not be alarmed at some of the images on show (other than the Motor'eadbanger which is for real). The website currently has a temporary glitch which is showing portrait shots in odd sizes. And if you aren't already aware, as Peter wasn't last week there's more than one page of photos. Just recently, more or less ever since the soccer scrimmage of a week and a half ago my knee has been giving me discomfort to the point where it has been beginning to get me down. As you know keeping active, be it in the form of soccer, running, gym or whatever is something essential to my existence and to have my enjoyment curtailed by the ever decreasing capabilities of my failing body parts is ... read more

Geo: 33.7664, -118.192We had breakfast at PCH Grill at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel today. Then back to the Disneyland Hotel to make sure that Bell Services had picked up our luggage to take to the ship. We had arranged for a shuttle service to take us to the cruise terminal because Disney Cruise Transportation didn't leave the Disneyland Resort Area until after noon and I wanted to be at the Cruise Terminal Earlier than that. Karmel Shuttle picked us up right on time and we took the 40 minute ride to the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal.Since we had checked in at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel we didn't have to check in at the Terminal and we had boarding group number 2. Kelsie and I got in line to check in for the kids programming and Nikki ... read more

Saturday 2nd August to Wednesday 13th August, 2008 It appears that meeting a partner, life, sex or otherwise on the internet Stateside is as frequent a practice for many people as is a trip to the supermarket or to collect their mail and in the relatively short time I’ve been over here I’ve already met and heard of several examples of relationships formed within the unbounded realms of cyberspace. Whilst at this stage of my life I have no desire whatsoever to find a ‘soul mate’, most certainly not to the extent of asking a machine for assistance to do so there was one thing that I was beginning to feel starved and deprived at the absence of. Kicking something, and so, having finally decided that Stephen’s attempts to arrange a friendly game of soccer for ... read more