tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53454507202542989452024-03-13T00:56:29.279-07:00Travel Blog<center>Basically this Blog is about anything & everything. From personal rants & raves, helpful advice, the latest consumer gadgets, all the way to whatever I happen to be thinking about now. Though it will prominently feature photos & information from the numerous places I travel to each year. Like Europe & Mardi Gras. It will also feature original artwork & comic strips from time to time as well as movie reviews. Oh & recipes as I love to cook!</center>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-36881217793941437472014-03-03T14:39:00.000-08:002014-03-03T14:43:00.590-08:00SUNNY BEACH: Naughty Fun in the Sun!<center><font size=8> </font></center>
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All recipes posted here are a composite of random recipes found online, in various cookbooks, taken from family, friends, neighbors and dishes/creations I have tried and/or made myself. Any similarity to people's personal or unique family recipes is purely coincidental, and no one actually owns the rights to any food combinations if you think about it. No matter how unique. Food for thought?!
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<BR>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-87503630409478018722013-08-21T01:52:00.002-07:002013-08-21T01:54:37.997-07:00Greetings from BERLIN, GERMANY! <center><font size=8> </font></center>
Okay I will be redoing this Blog in a few days, making it more of what it actually should have been right from the beginning. An actual travel blog, since as an American I do an excessive amount of traveling. Right now I am blogging from Berlin, Germany. I have been here for a few days and saw The Cingress, which was the starting film in the Berlin Fantasy Film Fest. Something I have wanted to attend for awhile now. Tonight will be Odd Thomas in the same festival and then I will take a train back to Innsbruck, Austria at 4:30am, arriving in Innsbruck around 1:30pm on Thursday, In time to get some party supplies and then head out into the city to drink it up with my friends. More info and pictures later on.
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All recipes posted here are a composite of random recipes found online, in various cookbooks, taken from family, friends, neighbors and dishes/creations I have tried and/or made myself. Any similarity to people's personal or unique family recipes is purely coincidental, and no one actually owns the rights to any food combinations if you think about it. No matter how unique. Food for thought?!
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<BR>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-18286306436525821502012-12-12T14:54:00.000-08:002012-12-12T14:54:00.502-08:00Slightly Mature<BR><br /><br />Now I do not want my Blog to be listed as an adult site, but I do plan to talk about slightly adult subject matter every once in awhile. Especially since I do attend certain adult events from time to time. Such as October 24th I will be in San Francisco for the <a href="http://www.exoticeroticball.com">Exotic Erotic Ball</a>, which is essentially a very naughty adult Halloween costume party. Where some of the ball goers will be naked and/or engaged in public nudity or sexual activity. I also have some friends in the porn industry and from time to time I have been on the set during shooting as well as have been an extra in 3 adult films. Though I do keep my close on, as I was really an extra in the regular film sense. I will also post pictures from various parties and events in Europe, as anyone who has been to Europe or has European friends knows, they like to get naked more than Americans do, especially when they are drunk. So there is that as well. Which is why I would suggest that if nudity, sex or sex related talk is not your thing, than you skip over any of the blogs that list slightly mature as part of their subject matter. And with that I hope you enjoy the rest of my Blog, naughty bits and all!<br /><CENTER><br /></CENTER>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-64335561494466903272012-12-12T14:52:00.000-08:002012-12-12T14:52:00.563-08:00Crazy Talk<BR><br />From time to time I am going to rant about certain things/topics that pique my interest or really get my goat so to speak. Some of what I will be saying will undoubtedly sound a little bit insane, which is which I am dedicating a whole sub section to such a topic until the blanket title of <strong><em>Crazy Talk</em></strong>. So please take what I have to say in such sections with a grain of salt, and try not to get too offended, for whatever I say is not meant to be taken 100% seriously. <br /><CENTER><br /></CENTER>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-84084345152734274742011-09-13T16:44:00.000-07:002011-09-13T16:47:17.145-07:00 It's been a long time<font size=3>Sorry I haven't written anything in awhile. I have been soemwhat busy working on some art projects and I just got back from 34 days in Europe. I usually stay for 2 months at least, but the US economy SUCKS at this time and I had to do a scaled down trip. Though hopefully I will make up for that shortly. In the meantime. I have some pictures and video to show you of my time spent in Europe. I hope you enjoy them...Once they are actually posted. <br /></font size=3><BR><BR><br /><center><font size=3>All recipes posted here are a composite of random recipes found online, in various cookbooks, taken from family, friends, neighbors and dishes/creations I have tried and/or made myself. Any similarity to people's personal or unique family recipes is purely coincidental, and no one actually owns the rights to any food combinations if you think about it. No matter how unique. Food for thought?! </font></center><br /><CENTER></CENTER>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-71369494517130852112011-09-13T16:37:00.000-07:002011-09-13T16:43:16.170-07:00TEMP ARTICLE: Please ignore<center><font size=8> </font></center><br /><center><font size=3>All recipes posted here are a composite of random recipes found online, in various cookbooks, taken from family, friends, neighbors and dishes/creations I have tried and/or made myself. Any similarity to people's personal or unique family recipes is purely coincidental, and no one actually owns the rights to any food combinations if you think about it. No matter how unique. Food for thought?! </font></center><br /><CENTER></CENTER><br /><br />LEVEL 8: BOUCHARD'S HIDEOUT<br />---------------------------<br /><br />Start off by killing the rat. As Lara runs forward, the ground falls from<br />beneath her. She won't be harmed. Find the climb wall and pull out.<br />To Lara's right is a pipe. Shimmy across the next pit and let go. The next<br />bad floor contains water. Jump it. One more messed up floor. Swim through<br />it, and at the end to the right is a climb wall. Go up it, and at the top<br />grab the crevase. Shimmy over.<br /><br />At the end of this hall, it appears to be a dead end, but you can pull<br />some rubble back out of the way. Then, turn around and kick out the grate<br />to the left. Shoot the rat. Go through, and pick up the ammo on the other<br />side. Go through the door. Walk down this short hall into the next<br />door. Turn left and go through the debree you shifted earlier. Jump into<br />the water, swim, and pull up. You'll be in a room with a steam pipe<br />and a busted wall. Walk through the wall and into a cell with tombs.<br />Head to the left and you'll see a disfigured man on a table. He<br />doesn't attack. Take the medkit by him, then go through the door in here.<br /><br />Across the hall is some hidden ammo behind a coffin. From where the mutated<br />man is, turn left and go through the door. Enter and watch the cutscene.<br />You'll meet Bouchard. This is the first time where if you smart off<br />in a conversation, it can be fatal. Follow my example.<br /><br />Say:<br /><br />1. Easy Bouchard. I lost that friend yesterday. Now I'm wanted....<br />2. What would you suggest?<br />3. Passports!<br /><br />Bouchard tells you to visit Renne at the pawnshop. Pull the lever in<br />the room and a door will open down the way. Get the ammo in the newly<br />open room and push the box all the way forward. Climb up, grab the<br />ledge, and pull the switch. Go back down and head back to Bouchard's<br />room. Exit via the door.<br /><br />---------------------------<br />LEVEL 9: ST AICARD'S CHURCH<br />---------------------------<br /><br />In this room there is a boxing ring. Go figure, a boxing ring in a church.<br />Save before talking to the guy in the white shirt by the ring. Talking<br />to him starts a bet. Pick your fighter. The winner is totally random.<br />Winning gets you a gold watch, losing costs you a little money. This is<br />a one time opportunity.<br /><br />Also in the room are some cleverly hidden items. Near a statue at the end<br />of the room is a box. Push it to the left and Lara gets stronger. Climb up<br />and shimmy across. If Lara runs out of grip, you can drop down to little<br />ledges near the pilliars in the room. Keep making your way around until you<br />can pick up a medkit. Keep on shimmying, and eventually you'll come to a<br />little overhang near a rail. Side jump over the rail and enter a room<br />with an organ. On the floor is a gold ring that you can pick up.<br /><br />Drop back down to the floor and go back to the statue. Push the box right.<br />Hop back up and grab the rail on this side. Shimmy around and pick up<br />the ammo clips. Drop to the floor again. Run around and exit out the door<br />in a room with a checked floor.<br /><br />------------------<br />BACK TO THE GHETTO<br />------------------<br /><br />Head back to the begining of this area, past Janice, and to the end of<br />the street. To the left is the pawnshop. Go inside, and a strange man<br />bumps into Lara. In the main room of the pawnshop, she notices that<br />something isn't right. She puts the passports down on the counter.<br /><br />Head around back of the counter and into the back room. Lara finds the<br />owner dead. Pick up his wallet and inspect it in the items. You'll<br />find a pin for the weapons locker. It is 14529. Enter the number<br />on the locker. Pick up everything in here, and as you pick up the final<br />item, the door slams shut and you'll see a bomb start to detonate.<br /><br />Quickly push the yellow button on the wall and go outside. Turn directly<br />to the right and open the hatch. Run through the room and be careful not<br />to catch on fire. At the end, drop down into the tunnel. Keep running<br />to the end, then watch the cutscene. Our mystery man and the guy from<br />the pawnshop again....<br /><br />---------------------------------<br />LEVEL 10: THE LOUVRE STORM DRAINS<br />---------------------------------<br /><br />Walk down the way and shoot the rat. Pick up the yummy bar of sewer<br />chocolate in the room. There is also a staircase with a medkit up top.<br />Go back down the stairs and walk into the water. Follow it into the<br />tunnel until there is a door to the left. Follow it, swim through the<br />water, and climb up the ladder. Shoot the rat up here too. Ignore the<br />valve in here for now. Run down the way and pick up the ammo.<br /><br />The tunnel leads into a room with a waterfall. Look around the room and<br />locate a drain pipe. Climb the pipe to the top where there is a walk.<br />Move along the walk until you find a switch. Pulling it stops a fan<br />in a nearby tunnel. Go back down the drain pipe and into the tunnel<br />directly across from it. To the right is a ladder. Climb up and spin the<br />fan. Lara is now strong enough to turn the valves.<br /><br />Crouch under the fan and crawl all the way to the end. Pick up the ammo on<br />the way. At the end is a valve. Turn it then leave back out the way you<br />came in. Head back to the drain pipe and climb back up. At the top, locate<br />a beam that you can walk across. Turn the valve on the other side and<br />pick up the ammo. Close to the valve is a broken ladder. Jump up to it,<br />climb up, and climb the next ladder at the top. Walk over to the pipe.<br />Lara indicates that she can can climb up on it. Go all the way across<br />and there is another valve to turn. Climb back onto the pipe and head back.<br />Drop off on the beam and go through the door. In the hall there is ammo.<br />Pick it up, then head back to the ground the same way you got up.<br /><br />From the pipe, run to the left down the tunnel, back through the door,<br />and into the room where I told you to ignore the valve earlier. Turn<br />it, then run back to the waterfall. Dive in. The waterway only goes<br />one direction. At the end, swim up for some air then tread water over to<br />a fallen walk. Climb up. At the top, climb the pipe/wire and stop half-way<br />across. Drop to the beam, run over, and turn the valve. Go back and<br />grab the wire again. Go all the way across. Climb up the walk. Run around<br />the catwalk and hop over a gap. Turn the last valve. Go back across<br />the gap, and crouch under a fence. Slide down the slop in here to be taken<br />back to the main room.<br /><br />One more trip back up the drain pipe. Go all the way to the top this time to<br />where the falls were originating from. Go into the pipe where the water<br />was spewing out. Exit through the door. The next area will load. As Lara<br />nears the end of the pipe, she says that she smells oil. Hop into the<br />water and pull out at the ladder. There are two places to blow up in here.<br />One is in the back of the room on the ground and the other requires a jump<br />from a platform up a ladder. I'm going to blow up the one on the ground<br />as it is easier to deal with. Approach it and Lara says that this is the<br />place. Press action to set the charge. Quickly flip over into the water.<br />A huge explosion fires. Do not go up for air. It is instant death.<br /><br />Follow the pipe underwater until you can come up for air. Follow the path<br />around and drop to the ground. Make your way carefully back to the hole<br />you blew out avoiding the flames. Walk inside.<br /><br />-------------------------<br />LEVEL 11: LOUVRE GALLERIES<br />-------------------------<br /><br />Climb up the stairs and keep Lara's weapon drawn. Avoid the security camera<br />and shoot the guard that comes around the corner. There is a door behind<br />the camera, but Lara says she isn't strong enough. Keep climbing stairs<br />and taking out guards. At the top, run around the corners and into the<br />next room. Here is the first set of lasers. Hop onto a glass case, then<br />jump to the left to a medkit on a fixture. From the fixture, run and jump<br />to the next glass case behind the lasers. The next lasers require you to<br />drop and shimmy on the right side of the case. At the end, pull up and<br />jump when the lasers fade out. If you touch a laser, the room locks<br />down and a guard comes. Shoot him, hit the button in the room, then try<br />again.<br /><br />In the next room, you get a cutscene showing the layout. Crawl under the<br />first set of lasers. On the second set, go to the right wall. Go into<br />stealth mode and hug up against the wall. Lara should barely squeeze by.<br />Sneak up on the guard and kill him. Don't go into the door he was by<br />just yet. Go down to the other end of the room and behind a security camera<br />is a medkit. Pick it up with out being hit by the beam. This may alert<br />a guard.<br /><br />Go back to the door by the guard and enter. Here is the famous Mona Lisa<br />room. Either sneak up on the guard or just shoot him. On one side of the<br />room is a small glass case. Pull it back and Lara gets stronger. In the<br />center of the room is a large glass case. Push it forward until it touches<br />the little seats. The next part needs swiftness. By the small glass case<br />is a switch. Hit it, then climb back on top of the large case. Jump and<br />grab to the Mona Lisa's display case. Above it is a crawl space. Climb on<br />in. If a laser comes on, it frys you instead of calling guards.<br /><br />In the space you can eventually stand up. Go through the next crawl<br />space. The rest of the tunnel leads to a dead end. At the end, push out<br />the fence and shoot the guard. On the roof, hop up onto a white box/<br />platform with pipes on it. Then, jump to the ledge behind Lara, shimmy<br />over, and pull up when Lara needs a break. Eventually, you'll reach<br />a wire up here. Jump to it, and you'll reach a building across the way.<br />Lara says she is now stronger. Shimmy across the ledge and climb the<br />drain pipe. Sneak along the wall, and enter the building using the window.<br />Kill the guard inside and take his keys. Go back outside and to the ground.<br />Lara can now break open any doors in the area. When you're finished<br />gathering items, go back through the door near the drain pipe. Climb it<br />and work your way to the right. You'll find a fenced area. Go through<br />the door up here. In here, climb up to the top of the machine and into<br />the crawl space. Go down the ladder, down the way, and the game loads<br />another area.<br /><br />Drop down into a storage area and out the door. Kill the guard to Lara's<br />right. Run down the hall to the right, and enter the first room. Make<br />a note of the respirators in a locked closet here. The next door on the<br />right has a security guard. Kill him. The computer in here is attached<br />to various cameras. Monitor switch on the far left allows you to see into<br />Carvier's office. Zoom in on her computer monitor for a code: 14639.<br /><br />Go back down to the end of the hall to the right and imput the code.<br />You can now enter her office. Search the room for items and information.<br />In the right cabinet of her desk is the security pass. Now run to the other<br />end of the main hall and use it in the card reader. Go down the stairs<br />and through the door. You'll be back inside the Louvre. There is only<br />one room you can get into. Go inside and take out the guard. Proceed to<br />the end of the hall. You should be back on familiar turf after you slide<br />the card once more and enter. You may go all the way back to where the<br />level began and bash in the door. The traps from before are of little<br />consequence if activated and Carvier's card opens all the doors. The area<br />behind it has a medkit and some bandages. Back upstairs where you<br />re-entered the building is a door by a sign. Open the door. Run through<br />the hall and down the steps. Keep a gun handy in case a guard comes out.<br />The door on the left has a guard in it, nothing else. Keep going down stairs<br />and go through the door. Go to the left, and then right into an area<br />with big doors, spotlights, and sand. Go through the blue door and the<br />level is finished.<br /><br />------------------------------------<br />LEVEL 12: THE ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG SITE<br />------------------------------------<br /><br />Head to the back of the area and draw your weapon. As you approach some<br />little, white buildings, a guard pops out. Kill him, then search the<br />room he came from. You can learn some valuable info about artifacts<br />in these next few rooms we visit. Pull a switch in the room and it turns<br />on a computer and some lights. Leave the building, and as you run<br />past the computer, kill the guard.<br /><br />There are more rooms beyond the computer. Here I must insist that you<br />save before entering. People have complained about a glitch that<br />locks you in the room and never lets you back out. Run inside this<br />next trailer and check the terminal. Then, take the fax that comes<br />out. Upon leaving the room, there is another guard. You know what to do.<br /><br />Now, push the blue double doors open to the left and go inside. There<br />is a computer attached to a sonar machine. Use the computer to<br />operate the machine. Move the machine until it homes in on a burried<br />symbol. Keep the shape in mind. Leave the room and head over to the<br />fenced area. Find a ladder and climb down. Run round the scaffolds and<br />climb down another ladder. Then, climb up a ladder around the corner.<br />From here, hop over to the scaffold across the way and down another<br />ladder. Take out the guard on the ground floor. Don't climb up the ladder<br />here, instead just hop to the ground.<br /><br />Once on the ground, head to a ladder on the right, climb up, then go<br />up the climbable wall. At the top, look to the right at a spinning object.<br />Hmmm...the symbols look mysteriously like the ones we've located and<br />some that are located in the back of the notebook. Above you is a place<br />you can monkey swing to the other side. Once there, jump up to a wooden<br />platform overhead. Pull the switch up here and it lowers a crane.<br /><br />Go back down and jump over to the lowered platform on the crane. Hop over<br />to the spinner. Time to put in those symbols. Check the book and remember<br />the symbols we've found. From right to left the symbols are: A tree shape,<br />a target, a stick man standing on his head, and an upside down half moon.<br />As you get each symbol in place, go around to the side and pull the lever<br />that corresponds to it. This will prevent the shapes you want to stay still<br />from spinning while adjusting the others.<br /><br />After all the shapes are frozen in place, a door opens. Go back up to<br />where you pulled the crane switch. The door is up here. Drop down inside<br />to end the level.<br /><br />------------------------------<br />LEVEL 13: TOMB OF THE ANCIENTS<br />------------------------------<br /><br />Walk forward carefully and drop over a few ledges. You'll get a cutscene<br />showing the room. Guess where you have to go? All the way to the bottom<br />where that evil skeleton warrior is. From the ledge, drop down and climb<br />the wall. You may get buzzed by a few bats, but Lara will be fine. Don't<br />shoot them unless they latch on. At the platform, turn right and jump<br />to a post in the wall. Next, jump into the hole near the post.<br /><br />Drop down a few levels, then run and jump across the broken bridge. Pick<br />up the bandages in the hall. Then, go back to the edge of the broken bridge.<br />If you look to the right, you'll see a place where a gargoyle head is<br />missing. Run and jump to it. Then, turn to the gargoyle to the left. Hop,<br />grab, and shimmy around the head. On the left side of the gargoyle is a<br />raised place of dirt. Drop down. Here, there is a climb wall that you<br />must go down into a little alcove with. From there, climb the wall sideways<br />to the left and drop to the ground. Hop over to another post and pull the<br />lever. This causes slats to come from the walls. Follow them all the way<br />to the ground. Our little friend is down here. He doesn't die, but will<br />fall over after a few shots or punches. Once he is down, find the crawl<br />hole and pull the switch inside. It changes the position of the slats.<br /><br />Find the lowest slat and make your way back up. At the top, turn to the wall<br />and pull up. There is another switch here. Using it opens a trap door back<br />down in the pit. Make your way back down to the bottom and KO the warrior<br />one more time. Drop into the trap door, and run around the corner. Lara<br />will push the door open and get stronger. Take the items and the<br />shotgun. Continue on around until the next area loads. Kick down the<br />wall and into the area ahead. The door in here closes as soon as you enter.<br /><br />Save as this part is tricky. Pull the lever on the right and all sorts of<br />deadly traps begin. Run and jump over them. The door is on a timer, so if<br />you don't make it before it slams shut, make your way back to the lever<br />and try again. In the next room turn left and head to the door. <br />You'll get a new objective so check the book. <br />Go into the room behind the door.<br /><br />-------------------------<br />LEVEL 14: HALL OF SEASONS<br />-------------------------<br /><br />Welcome to one of the most annoying levels of the game. It contains<br />four sub-levels and I will refer to them as such. Watch out for the<br />skeleton in the main room. First, find the pressure pad in the center<br />of the area. Lets do the water one first. Step on the pad with the<br />squiggle lines that don't curve up drastically. Three doors open<br />behind you. Enter the left door and pull the switch. A door goes up,<br />then turn left. Go through the big door.<br /><br />NOTE: If you pull an incorrect lever you will be taken to a death trap<br />room. To escape, you must make your way around and locate an elevator<br />with a pull chain to get out.<br /><br />SUB-LEVEL ONE: NEPTUNE'S HALL<br />-----------------------------<br /><br />Watch out for the flame warrior and pick up the ammo on the ground.<br />Go into the back room and dive into the water. Follow the passage until it<br />opens into a big room. There is an archway in here guarded by swinging<br />blades. Avoid them and pull the switch. Swim back up and climb back<br />into the room with the warrior.<br /><br />The switch filled the hole in the room with water. Save and dive in. In the<br />bottom of the room, there is a small passage to swim in. Pull the switch<br />in the room and go back up to the surface. Swim to the bust of Neptune<br />and climb into the door above him. Pick up the medkit. Go back into the<br />water and the next door on the left has ammo. The final door in here<br />has a water pit. Jump in and grab the medkit at the bottom and keep going.<br /><br />The tunnel turns down and there is another medkit. As you progress down<br />the tunnel, spikes shoot from the walls. Be careful and avoid them. Timing<br />is a must. After you clear the spikes, the path goes two directions. Swim<br />to the right for some air. Dive back down and head to the left path.<br />Grab the ammo on the way. Swim down the path and grab the gem on the<br />tower. On the side is a lever--be sure to pull it.<br /><br />As soon as you pull it, the fencing above moves back. Swim up and you'll<br />be back in the area with Neptune's bust. Swim under it and back up to<br />where the flame warrior is. Congrats! You have the first of the four<br />elemental stones.<br /><br />Now, back in the main hall, we move on. Step on the pad with the up curving<br />lines that look like wind blowing. Of the three doors, take the right one<br />to continue.<br /><br />SUB-LEVEL 2: BREATH OF HADES<br />----------------------------<br /><br />Run down the stairs and turn right. Push the wall, pick up the ammo, and<br />pull the switch. This is a pretty difficult level. You must use the hop<br />function--hold walk while jumping. The best advice is to be careful and<br />save often, even if you are on a pillar. Also, don't jump when the wind<br />blows. Eventually, you'll make it across. If you're having difficulty,<br />try jumping to a pillar a little farther away. Take the gem and come<br />back. This level really isn't that hard, just annoying.<br /><br />Main hall again. Now we step on the one that looks like a star. Take the<br />door on the right.Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-23953362435927520422011-04-29T15:47:00.001-07:002011-04-29T15:47:52.184-07:00Blockbuster starts to Close it's doors: Well, it's official. Just about every job that I've had has filed for bankruptcy now. The store that I worked at during most of college closed for good towards the middle of April. Which was actually somewhat depressing, as I had a lot of good times there. I'm still in touch with a few of my co workers as well. So it was a sad occassion for me to say the least. So many things from my past have been simply erased.Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-566401228137745912011-01-15T16:26:00.001-08:002011-01-15T16:26:35.007-08:00As is my weekly ritual I once again went Movie Hopping. While Movie Hopping I saw the most fucked up, bizarre movie I've seen in a long time. I hadn't heard anything about it before, but it's called Burning Palms. A series of 5 vinettes featuring a bunch of actors, some new, some old, some good, & some bad. Doing some pretty fucked up shit to themselves and/or other. One of the most fucked stories was called Maneater, about a rapist confronted by his victTravel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-81333040203456509682010-12-29T16:34:00.000-08:002010-12-29T16:38:44.159-08:00Saying goodbye to old friends<center><font size=8> </font></center><p align=left><br /><center><font size=3>It's always sad when someone close to you moves away. As recently I had to say goodbye to a friend of 13 years who moved back to Europe. I am not sure if he will ever come back to live, or merely visit periodically as that is all still up in the air. Luckily I am in Europe every summer so I can always visit him and his brother in Berlin come summertime. It's just that we had a ritual of going movie hoping at least every other week, and now that will come to an end. As it's not as fun to movie-hop alone. Actually it's kind of sad. But I imagine I will still do it, as I have done it alone in the past. Though the next time that I plan to go out is around the 14th of January because of time, scheduling, work and money. <br /><BR><BR><br /><br /><br /><br />All recipes posted here are a composite of random recipes found online, in various cookbooks, taken from family, friends, neighbors and dishes/creations I have tried and/or made myself. Any similarity to people's personal or unique family recipes is purely coincidental, and no one actually owns the rights to any food combinations if you think about it. No matter how unique. Food for thought?! </font></center><br /><CENTER></CENTER>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-24005558147028319252010-12-25T13:46:00.000-08:002010-12-25T13:46:00.224-08:00Merry Christmas<BR><br /><br /><CENTER><br /><br /></CENTER><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><BR><br /><br /><BR><br /><br /><BR><br /><sex, nudity, europe></>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-59100592554168684542010-12-20T18:03:00.001-08:002010-12-20T18:03:30.490-08:00Haven't been a lot of updates in awhile because I've been busy. Finished school last week. Did better in my Flash Animation classes than I thought. Final grades haven't been posted yet. Got a Christmas job at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Can't wait to quit. I have never worked in such an unsafe place in my life. So many counter productive policies in place. I cannot believe no one's been killed by falling stock. I'll try to get pictures if I can. Merry Christmas!Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-90540469276914865072010-12-11T17:09:00.000-08:002010-12-11T17:09:00.306-08:00Science Fiction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYLIqy0IUr6tsmyj2aBD9A2O4ZtdwBQuTLxe_c8uWxt7BPJ8pY2aNQZbKnmgSSf_EsT8Cv0s9L8hzEUfBYWu-IRXS3xZHpMNPMX-9hAaJtDZctiozyYp41p60MsgyDtFa2X2qL-seQG4/s1600-h/SCIFI.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYLIqy0IUr6tsmyj2aBD9A2O4ZtdwBQuTLxe_c8uWxt7BPJ8pY2aNQZbKnmgSSf_EsT8Cv0s9L8hzEUfBYWu-IRXS3xZHpMNPMX-9hAaJtDZctiozyYp41p60MsgyDtFa2X2qL-seQG4/s320/SCIFI.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391498931918970162" /></a><br /><BR><br /><br /><CENTER><br /><br /></CENTER><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /><BR><br /><br /><BR><br /><br /><BR><br /><sex, nudity, europe></>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-79954271089642755492010-11-01T03:30:00.001-07:002010-11-01T03:30:23.116-07:00Things overheard in Los Angeles late at night: A black man with 2 pittbulls complained that people in LA steal cell phones to sell for drug money. That's scandalous! As he gingerly fingered his glass crack or meth pipe.Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-91559341164232105432010-11-01T02:49:00.001-07:002010-11-01T02:49:02.607-07:00Halloween: I just witnessed two pitbull puppies kill someone's pet bunny at an all night donut shop in Hollywood. What a way to end my Halloween festivities. Oh, and I also saw a very drunk girl, who was exposing her tits moments before, fall off a railing backwards onto the concrete below, on her head No one called an ambulance, but later I saw her walking around as if nothing was wrong. Guess drunk people are lucky when it comes to accidents and falls.Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-5250855033006392962010-10-31T00:00:00.000-07:002010-10-31T00:00:05.535-07:00HAPPY HALLOWEEN<BR><br /><br /><CENTER><br /><br /></CENTER><br /><br /><BR><br /><br /><BR><br /><br /><BR>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-61537955277583945692010-09-12T14:49:00.000-07:002010-09-12T16:36:16.138-07:00Movie Hopping<font size=3><br />Not a very good month or past couple of weeks for movies or movie hopping...At least so far as some good films comes out towards the end of September. Still these past few weeks I've seen seen The Other Guys (Which I found funny as hell), Going the Distance (Not as good as I hoped, though for you ladies Justin shows his extremely white ass), Eat, Pray & Love (Which I couldn't relate to, as I am not a woman in my 40's who is unfulfilled in anyway), Resident 3D: Afterlife (Which I though was pointless in terms of the story of the 3D, as there was no reason for that), & lastly the film Takers (Which actually just made me angry because of all the stupid characters in it acting stupidly). I Also saw a test screening of Sucker Punch, based on a Graphic Novel I've never seen. Which doesn't matter as the film sucked, really, really sucked! I mean no one should go see this film!</font><br /><center><font size=3></font></center><br /><CENTER></CENTER>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-54948045521249128532010-09-11T16:21:00.001-07:002010-09-12T17:15:19.389-07:00Cell Phone Update Number 9<font size=3>Cell Phone Update: It's been a really long time since I personally updated my Blog. I have been away in Europe for the past 2 months, and only recently got back. This summer was not the most fun trip to Europe I've ever taken, and it definitely was one of the more costly trips ( more on that later) but it's always nice to see my friends. I had a blast at Roskilde, the weather was great, <br /></font>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-68798360476675028502010-08-28T17:11:00.000-07:002010-08-28T17:11:00.685-07:00Crawfish or Shrimp Etouffee<BR><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwkLAyvgONxHiGXzV0gS_lFSqjq7ydyDo-_DrVz0ylYl6KmGSa6fSv2z5veS6d09iO-GE17FgjbzSa_4Px6L08oLLLMI5K2-BTRmr-ZBUiHzCfoeopUYEECMGYVoPlUcamHmuvk_UwQ4/s1600-h/SHRIMP.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwkLAyvgONxHiGXzV0gS_lFSqjq7ydyDo-_DrVz0ylYl6KmGSa6fSv2z5veS6d09iO-GE17FgjbzSa_4Px6L08oLLLMI5K2-BTRmr-ZBUiHzCfoeopUYEECMGYVoPlUcamHmuvk_UwQ4/s320/SHRIMP.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391486793295484418" /></a><br /><BR><br /><CENTER><br />Ingredients<br /></CENTER><br /><BR><br />6 tablespoons butter <br />4 tablespoons flour <br />2 cups chopped onions <br />1/2 cup chopped celery <br />1/2 cup chopped bell pepper <br />6 cloves garlic, minced <br />2 bay leaves <br />2 sprigs fresh thyme <br />2 1/2 cups fish or shrimp stock <br />1 cup peeled, seeded and diced tomatoes <br />1 1/2 teaspoons salt <br />1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper <br />Hot pepper sauce <br />2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce <br />2 pounds crawfish tails, with the fat <br />1/2 lemon, juiced <br />1 cup chopped green onions <br />1/4 cup chopped parsley <br />Cooked white rice, for serving <br />Directions<br />In a large, heavy saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter and whisk in flour to combine well. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until roux is a peanut butter color. <br /><br />Add onions, celery, bell pepper, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme and cook until vegetables are soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add stock, tomatoes, salt, red pepper, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a boil. <br /><br />Skim surface, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. <br /><br />Add crawfish tails and fat, lemon juice, green onions, and parsley and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining butter and stir to combine well. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve over hot rice. <br /><br /><BR><br /><BR><br /><BR>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-65288072297852524912010-07-28T17:05:00.000-07:002010-07-28T17:05:00.220-07:00Crawfish Gumbo<BR><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvoWU5aO3Hc8AN2WB5H-QTzbxxsxj8oKzPz9o3zYocOXkDsS2hdAYPEN4R6RikiX4tEPAxiSWsayuLuyh2Sl_UzQwlPugj7ClWUwllgIduH-7rwmJV6yy8Nz_bdBmGqHk3H5TpE8FfVY/s1600-h/GUMBO.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvoWU5aO3Hc8AN2WB5H-QTzbxxsxj8oKzPz9o3zYocOXkDsS2hdAYPEN4R6RikiX4tEPAxiSWsayuLuyh2Sl_UzQwlPugj7ClWUwllgIduH-7rwmJV6yy8Nz_bdBmGqHk3H5TpE8FfVY/s320/GUMBO.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391487189840434082" /></a><br /><BR><br />All recipes are a composite of recipes found online, in various cookbooks, from family, friends and dishes/creations I have tried myself. <br /><br />The Holy Trinity in case you didn't know is: Celery, Green bell pepper, and onion. Sometimes it is celery, carrots, and onion ( This is more French and I prefer it personally).<br /><br />I have no idea what the Creole side of y family used in their Gumbo spices, but most creole or Cajun seasoning include Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Oregano, Basil, Cayenne Powder, White Pepper, and Black Pepper.<br /><br /><br /><CENTER><br /><font size=6>Ingredients:<br /></FONT></CENTER><br /><br />•1/2 cup Vegetable Oil<br />•1/2 cup All-purpose Flour<br />•1 cup diced Onions<br />•1/2 cup sliced Celery<br />•1/4 cup diced Green Bell Pepper<br />•2 Garlic Cloves, minced<br />•Kosher Salt<br />•13 oz. Okra (cleaned)<br />•2 tbsp. White Vinegar<br />•4 cups Crawfish Stock<br />•2 cups Dark Beer<br />•3 tsp. Cajun Seasoning (cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, white pepper, paprika, oregano, basil)<br /><br />•2 Bay Leaves<br />•1/4 tsp. Dried Thyme<br />•1/4 tsp. Dried Sage<br />•14.5 oz. Tomatoes, diced<br />•8 oz. Andouille Sausage, sliced<br />•1 tbsp. Hot Sauce (your favorite, vinegar-based hot sauce)<br />•1 lb. 4.5oz Crawfish Tail Meat (4.5 cups); Or about 9 lbs full Crawfish.<br />Dressing:<br /><br />•1/4 cup sliced Scallion Greens<br />•1/4 cup chopped Parsley Leaves<br />•1 tsp. Filé Powder<br />•1 tsp. Cajun Seasoning<br />•1 lemon worth of Lemon Juice<br />Instructions<br /><br />1.In a heavy-bottom dutch oven, over low heat, combine oil and flour. Stir continuously for about 30-40 minutes until a milk-chocolate color is achieved.<br /><br />2.Add celery, bell pepper/carrots, onion, garlic, and a good pinch of salt to cover. Continue stirring to coat vegetables evenly. Cook until roux becomes dark (like coffee) and vegetables are soft.<br /><br />3.While trinity is softening, saute okra in vinegar in a pan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously and cook until okra starts to stick and vinegar is gone. Add to roux mixture.<br /><br />4.Add the stock, beer, bay leaves, seasoning, thyme and sage. Raise heat to medium low, stir to combine, and let cook for 30 minutes.<br /><br />5.Add tomatoes, sausage, and hot sauce. Stir again and continue cooking another 30 minutes.<br /><br />6.Turn off heat, stir in crawfish tail meat, let stand 5 minutes, then serve hot!<br /><br />7.To make the dressing: combine equal parts scallion and parsley, season with seasoning and file powder, combine with lemon juice.<br /><br />8.Serve over steamed white rice or dirty rice, and dress with the scallion/parsley mixture.Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-36293423004474988652010-05-31T11:33:00.001-07:002010-05-31T11:33:42.280-07:00Test screenings: I don't go to nearly as many test screenings as I use to, but this past week I went to 3. And all of them were pretty good, which is also pretty rare. I saw Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the Next Three Days, and The Fighter. Scott Pilgrim was by far the best one of the bunch, and the least traditional. Based on a series of black and white graphic novels stars Michael Cera, pretty much doing what he does in every film. Though slightly diffTravel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-15556562286230767372010-05-21T20:39:00.001-07:002010-05-21T20:39:01.837-07:00GLEE: Live at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Univesal Studios. Started off the day at School, then came to Universal to kill some time and take some pictures. Ended up getting into Universal studios for free. Saw the semi new Simpsons ride which was really the only thing I wanted to see. Took a lot of pictures, had over priced mac and cheese at The Hard Rock Cafe, and yogurt at yogurtland. Now I'm waiting for Glee to start. They had some weird warm up dance tTravel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-40311619049334368762010-05-16T17:02:00.001-07:002010-05-18T13:27:57.420-07:00Movie Hopping<BR><br /><strong>Movie Hopping:</strong> Robin Hood, Just Wright and Nightmare on Elm Street this weekend. Robin Hood featured some really nice sets, as well as costume design and a very talented cast. Though the film doesn't have any real highs or lows in terms of dialogue, acting or much anything for that matter. In fact I found my mind wandering a lot during the film, especially when the characters were talking. Just Wright was fine for what it was, a nice piece of romantic fluff. Nothing special and the kind of cinematic fair one sees on a transatlantic flight. Lots of old white people in the audience which seemed odd, but I guess they like Queen Latifa or something. Nightmare on Elm Street was nowhere near as good as it could pr should have been. Any film that features dreams made flesh should be visually amazing! Especially with today's technology, but Nightmare was just so so. I wasn't afraid and it wasn't funny like the original series of films were. Plus I didn't like the way the new Freddy Kreuger looked, and the new actor is a lot shorter than the original actor as well. Overall it should have been much better than it was, and this is coming from someone who is not a horror fan at all!Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-45438007595448702202010-05-09T12:38:00.000-07:002010-05-09T13:05:48.187-07:00Immigration: Why it's such a hot button topic <BR><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtL4XweyKxQXnPlRe_-46xh3_aX5Wa4pZNS0Ym15dbqFzpnELu7GqPqm7_EM1twaVkG9OqTKC_VTU4VIOGk1eiO76t0Y12mZ86ZFpjJ56Oxe3dTSeXRSKAtJiLFL3QQ-dECANZLsnnmg/s1600/ILLEGAL+003.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtL4XweyKxQXnPlRe_-46xh3_aX5Wa4pZNS0Ym15dbqFzpnELu7GqPqm7_EM1twaVkG9OqTKC_VTU4VIOGk1eiO76t0Y12mZ86ZFpjJ56Oxe3dTSeXRSKAtJiLFL3QQ-dECANZLsnnmg/s320/ILLEGAL+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469357404164442082" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOhLRHORJ-hKT07-rJa49aIXrAmezE2P7uRQpTzeO7SQ98DZUk6-L3NmX_RRHm7-dGVPcLW6ZeaQX7ZueOjQtR7hYmats5dSKnACcnaiqGIFHoGrzJ_047H0bLQ4enUwEzhVaUT8PV78/s1600/ILLEGAL+002.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOhLRHORJ-hKT07-rJa49aIXrAmezE2P7uRQpTzeO7SQ98DZUk6-L3NmX_RRHm7-dGVPcLW6ZeaQX7ZueOjQtR7hYmats5dSKnACcnaiqGIFHoGrzJ_047H0bLQ4enUwEzhVaUT8PV78/s320/ILLEGAL+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469357334645688418" /></a>These two pictures are of an illegal immigrant repeatedly seen in my neighborhood who is constantly high or drunk out of his mind, staggering around ( in traffic) asking people for money in Spanish. A prime example of the kind of illegal immigrant who needs to be returned to their own country post-haste!<br /><BR><BR><BR><BR><br />Lately immigration has become a serious hot-button issue with the general public, especially after the recent bill regarding immigration was passed in Arizona. Where upon any police officer or city official could simply walk up to anyone they found to be even remotely non-American looking and ask to see documentation that they are indeed legal citizens. SOmething that has the community screening racism and racial profiling, especially so here in Southern California. Mainly because So Cal has such a large number of Hispanics residing here ( legally and illegally) compared to other parts of the United States. <br /><BR><br />Now for me the issue is pretty cut and dry. If you are living in the US without proper documentation you are a criminal, pure and simple-nothing more! People tend to lose sight of the fact that all illegal residents in the US, aside from those who have legitimately asked for asylum or officially applied for residency, are criminals! To live, work, and/or reside here in the US without the proper documentation is illegal and a criminal act. End of story! Though I will admit that if you have been here for a really long time, let's say longer than you were in your own country of origin, you are pretty much a US citizen in my book. But there has to be a line drawn. We cannot just let everyone who wants to come ive in the US live in the US. All countries, states, cities, towns, villages, township or what have you, have a limit to the number of people they can realistically support. California reached that limit a long time, and cannot absorb the influx of illegals that continuously flood our borders. It's simply not possible, nor is it realistic. So my solution would be to grant citizenship to all law abiding immigrants who have been here and can prove they have been here for let's say the past 10 years, and then kick out every single person who hasn't. Even people who missed the 10 year mark by a day or something, as there has to be a cut off point.<br /><BR><br />Not everyone is going to be happy with this decision, but the truth is they don't have to be. They are here illegally, they get absolutely no say in weather they get to stay or not. It is as simple as that! It shouldn't even be a debate as we are talking about criminals being allowed to reside here illegally. Think of it this way, would you ever allow someone who snuck into your backyard when you weren't looking to live there for the rest of their lives? Or to set up a tent, use your land, eat your food, drink your water and have several children on your property without ever paying you a dime of rent? I don't think so, so why should California or any otehr state do the same?<br /><BR><br />Now technically I am 1st generation French and American. Making me the son of an immigrant, but my mother came to this country legally. She is highly educated, gainfully employed and never caused a day of trouble in her life. She is also more well versed in the English language and usage than most naturally born Americans. How many immigrants can boast the same? In fact a huge number of illegals who have been granted green cards still do not speak English to this day, which is another part of the problem. I think people would be less concerned with the influx of immigrants if they actually spoke the language or were making an actual effort to learn the language, but the truth is they are not. In fact they don't actually need to here in California because we have so many businesses that cater to the Hispanic community, that you could get without knowing a word of English here. Which personally I am against, for my philosophy is that you need to speak the official language of the place you have chosen to live. regardless of whether it be legally or illegally. You made a choice to be there, so you need to speak the language. Which is why I speak German. I chose to live in Austria for 3 years, and I needed to speak the language as a result. <br /><center><font size=8> </font></center><br /><center><font size=3></font></center><br /><CENTER></CENTER>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-65762474812333173082010-04-11T12:54:00.001-07:002010-04-11T12:54:58.190-07:00Unfortunately not a good week for films this week. Date Night was just so so, despite the fact Tina Fey & Steve Carole are both very funny people. Then there's After.Life w/Christina Ricci & Justice Long. Both of whom I normally like, but in this film they both play whiney little yuppies. So much so, that you don't care about either of them. The only good part of the film is that Christina Ricci shows her tits, unless it's all body doubles & movie magic.Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345450720254298945.post-9979195097699951122010-04-07T18:46:00.001-07:002010-04-07T18:46:53.670-07:00Move to Europe: Part I <center><font size=8> </font></center><br /><BR><br /><center><br /><font size=3><br /><br /></font><br /></center><br /><BR><br />In the year 2000 I decided that I wanted to live and work in Europe for at least one year. I had been meaning to do it for quite some time but never really found the time, money or motivation to move there. Since moving to Europe is not exactly something that is easily done, but I was determined to live in a foreign country at least once in my life. Especially as I was getting any younger and I didn't want to be one of those people who died regretting having never seen Paris. I had already graduated from CSUN and was working as a web designer, film critic, as well as at Sears ( For medical and dental insurance mainly), and I just felt it was time to act upon my dream. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Luckily for me I met two guys from Austria, who were living in my apartment complex at the time. I mentioned how I wanted to live in Europe but I wasn't sure where or how I would manage it, and one of them suggested that I move to Innsbruck, Austria. Initially I was thinking of living in Switzerland since I had been there several times and knew the most people there, but they are not officially part of the EU. So I would not be able to legally work or reside there for more than 3 months at a time. While Austria is a full member of the EU, and my duel citizenship would allow me to work and legally reside there for as long as I wanted to. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> The plan was one of my Austrian friends would secure me a job in Innsbruck at the local Irish pub ( My first time working in a Pub, but sadly not my last), and later on after I moved there he would help me find an apartment. Since at the time I only knew a few German words and how to ask "Wo ist?" So after everything was supposedly arranged for me in Innsbruck, I put all of my stuff into storage, donated my car to the Red Cross and moved out of my apartment. Arriving first in Munich on the 31st of July 2001, and then journeying to Bludenz, Austria. Where I stayed with my friend for a few days, before group of us went to Ibiza for a mini vacation. Since only two out of the 5 of us spoke English fluently, the trip wasn't all that it could have been for me. And I quickly realized that Austrian people can be somewhat stubborn in the sense that they don't like to do non-Austrian or non-German things, such as eating or trying new things. If I had known what I was in for ahead of time, I think I would have gone and done my own thing. As I wanted to see all the clubs and hear all the music that a party Island like Ibiza had to offer, while my friends tried to find rock bars and only ate at Burger King...Which I found to be somewhat strange. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> After my mini vacation it was time to move to Innsbruck, Austria and start work at Limmerick Bill's Irish Pub. A place I thought had a job waiting for me, but in reality there was no such thing. It seems that my friend asked a former manager about hiring me, and in fact did not even have the authority to hire anyone. Luckily because I am so big and because I am from California. I was actually hired on the spot and proceeded to work there fro almost 2 years. Though not continuously, as it seems almost everyone is fired during the summer time as Limmerick Bill's is mainly a winter bar. Luckily for me an Austrian friend had arrange a summer job teaching English at a summer camp to her Irish boyfriend, and I was also able to work there as well. In fact I kept that same summer job for the next 5 years,even after I returned home to the US. Which allowed me a lot more freedom in my travels, as my room and board were covered for 5 weeks each summer, and I also made 1,000 Euros on top of that. The only downside is that the owner of the camp became increasingly cheaper and cheaper as time went on, and hired certain individuals who should never have been allowed around kids. Several of them also were incredibly lazy and one of them was even somewhat racist, which is something Austrians don't need any help in being ( but I digress as that could be another essay in itself).<br /><br /> <br /><br /> After the 1st year I lived and worked in Innsbruck, I took a late winter, early spring job working in Cala D'or, Mallorca. One of the worst decisions I have ever made in my entire life. Coming from a fairly large town, city and state, I was not use to the kind of scrutiny that goes in some communities or resort vacation spots. As I constantly had people report where I was at all times, what I was doing and who I was wish. To the point that it made me incredibly paranoid and I hate not being able to trust people. A good example of this was when I was accused of giving free alcohol to a friend of mine. You see each month that I worked for Farrah's Disco, I was given 100 Euros in drink tokens to buy whatever I wanted. Said free drinks were only for myself, and not to be shared with friends or anyone. One night I was supposedly observed giving drinks to a friend of mine and later on one of my managers, a skanky little coke addict, accused me of giving away free alcohol. Because of the description given of the friend I was with, I knew the precise time and location of when I was supposedly giving out free drinks. I then informed my manager that if someone is going to spy on me, they might want to at least get their facts correctly. For the beer that I shared with my friend is something that we don't sell at the bar, and I bought it with my own money from the store. And I made it very clear that if someone wants to know what I am doing at any given time, they need to talk to me and not random people who may or may not have observed from hundreds of feet away. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Needless to say because of this, and the fact that I was forbidden to associate with certain people who worked for rival bars or visit rival establishments. I was decided to leave and leave early. Actually I always meant to leave early as I wanted to work as a camp counselor during the summer, as well as attend several summer events I normally went to. Like the Zurich Street Parade and the Frequency Music Festival, which use to take place in Salzburg ( this year 30 seconds to Mars and Muse are playing, along with Die Toten Hosen and Fettes Brot). So I secretly purchased tickets to return to Austria without telling my bosses, and I planned my escape to coincide just after I was last paid. That way I would not be leaving before getting what was owed to me. As I only made 900 Euros before tax, for working from 10pm until 8, 9 or 10am every day but Sunday. I also had to pay for my mildew infested room at the back of the disco, which was too close to my employers for my comfort. As they would often wake me up for no reason to try to get me to hand out fliers along the beach to tourists, but if I did that I would be working close to 20 hours a day. So I usually just found some secluded spot on the beach and passed out in relative safety. <br /><br /><CENTER><br /></CENTER><br /><BR><br /><BR>Travel Whorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08045655930200704068noreply@blogger.com0