Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[kinboshi]

I recognise that this is for you what an article on apostrophes would be for me, so be aware of possible gentleman moments:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23315384

When does tarmac melt?

Ooohhhhh.

Ashphalt does not melt as such, it cannot liquify, but it does soften in high temperatures, though only to the wearing course (described in the article as the surface layer).

The sub base subsides though, due to contraction of the sub surface in dry weather.

Never happens with concrete paved road surfaces though. Concrete rocks, see?

Tom will be so jealous you posted this here.

Can't remember if I read about this here or somewhere else but have you heard about the Pitch Drop experiment?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_drop_experiment

The summary is in 1927 a professor melted some pitch and poured it into a sealed funnel.  He let it settle for 3 years and then cut it open to let it 'flow'.

The first drip fell 8 years after opening the funnel.  The last drop to fall was the 8th in 2000.

The next drop is expected sometime later this year and you could be the first person to ever witness a drop by checking the webcam here: http://smp.uq.edu.au/content/pitch-drop-experiment

From the wiki page pitch has a viscosity approximately 230 billion times that of water!

Awesome! Never heard of that, but it sort of makes sense.

In Bryson's ASHONE he states that glass has the same property, & over time, gravity has an effect on it, such that, if you check the thickness of stained glass windows in very old churches, they will be thicker at the bottom due to the effect of gravity over many centuries.

Do you reall believe that old chestnut of glass flow, or have I just been whooshed?

http://www.glassnotes.com/WindowPanes.html

No!

Tosh of the highest calibre.

Tikay could see right through the glass flow myth.

[Karabiner]

You seem to come back from LV and slip seamlessly into your old routine.

Do you not suffer from jet-lag or do you simply ignore it?

I feel like a right old wimp as it usually takes me the best part of a week to get over it.

[Tal]

You seem to come back from LV and slip seamlessly into your old routine.

Do you not suffer from jet-lag or do you simply ignore it?

I feel like a right old wimp as it usually takes me the best part of a week to get over it.

↑

What he said.

[scotty77]

As you may have heard, I spent my last few days in the US in San Diego with my friend Lewis (shipitonetime on blonde).  About a 5 hour drive and such a beautiful city.

Our first hotel was in a suburb called Del Mar which was very very posh.  On the beach tho they had this

Click to see full-size image.

Next day we got into the city in a hotel in Downtown and decided to walk to Balboa park.  On the way tho we walked past this....also you may notice the huge bridge on the background:

Click to see full-size image.

It was a homeless camp for Veterans set up on a school/college baseball pitch, so so many people there (both homeless and quite a lot of volunteers handing out food/water and medical supplies) and tonnes of tents, mattresses and cardboard beds on the side of the road too.  America is so amazing in some ways and so utterly shocking in others.

In Balboa park it had a huge array of things to do...a zoo, art galleries, museums and lots of kids attractions too.  We went to the Air and Space museum, pretty sure you could spend the whole day in there - next door to this they had an Automotive museum which I'm sure woulda been filled with some incred American cars but sadly had no time to go look.  Some pics:

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

This is a replica of a Ferrari F50 I think that some guy made.  It's actually a working boat and the guy uses it in Venice where he lives.  Has an engine in and everything!

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

An old Honda Civic (beautiful car) with its entire bodywork covered in dimes....for what reason have no idea but some guy cleared spent a long time on this project

Click to see full-size image.

Found out I had a plane manufacturer with the same name

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

They also had a wall of 'heroes' of all things to do with aeroplanes.  This man popped up:

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Reminds me...did you enjoy my gift to you at Gatwick?!?!

[scotty77]

Got a load more pics so will upload some more later if you want?!

[The Camel]

Del Mar is one of the racetracks I really want to visitbefore I finally croak out.

Supposed to be one of the most beautiful settings for horse racing in the world.

[scotty77]

Del Mar is one of the racetracks I really want to visitbefore I finally croak out.

Supposed to be one of the most beautiful settings for horse racing in the world.

Yep.  Drove past it and it is in such a lovely place.  I'd recommend anyone to hire a car or get a short flight to San Diego and take a few days there either before or after Vegas. 

[celtic]

Am I right in thinking you're a Brentford fan?

Sort of, yes.

Grandad Angell used to take me, alternately, to Stamford Bridge (Jimmy Greaves, Peter Bonetti, the Sillett brothers, Chopper,), & Craven Cottage (Johnny Haynes), then when I was old enough, I often went to Loftus Road (Terry Venables, Rodney & Co), WHL (Danny Blanchflower, Bill Nicholson was a God) & The Boleyn (Geoff, Martin & Bobby) so I was spoilt really.

Then I met a girl, & she was a Brentford fan, so my fate was sealed really, & I followed the Bees home & away for 10 or 15 years. Away games at the likes of Plymouth & Barrow, especilly on a Friday night, were quite something.

They are still the result I look for first, & young Rosler has worked miracles there.

I likle the Arsenal, too. Actually, I can't say I dislike ANY team, there's much enjoyment to be had from having no real affiliation.

I do think football needs to get its house in order in so many ways, but I still enjoy it.

The Baseball game I went to in Vegas was different gravy, such a lovely atmosphere & they work so hard to engage everyone. Want a burger or a hot dog? No problem, no queues, & dirt cheap.

A few of the Umpires decisions were a bit dubious, but the players respected authority, as they should, & must. The lack of respect for authority in football is shameful, & an indictment on the ruling bodies.

I blame this man for much of it.......

I'm off to griffin park, for the first time at the weekend to watch the mighty brentford play some pub team from scotchland. The locals are a bit upset about the amount of tickets given to the Celtic fans, and the brentford fans are having to occupy the stand normally reserved for away fans. Should be a good day.

Did you know that griffin park has advertising on the roof of the stand?

[Tal]

One question...

Click to see full-size image.

What has Noel Edmonds got to do with anything?

[horseplayer]

Del Mar is one of the racetracks I really want to visitbefore I finally croak out.

Supposed to be one of the most beautiful settings for horse racing in the world.

Yep.  Drove past it and it is in such a lovely place.  I'd recommend anyone to hire a car or get a short flight to San Diego and take a few days there either before or after Vegas. 

Were the surf meets the turf

[JaffaCake]

Why do I think you're a Sunderland fan? Didn't u have a season ticket at Joker Park or something?

Roker Park was an incredible place to watch football.  

It certainly was....

[celtic]

Do you suffer from jetlag? Facebook seems to be swamped just now with people posting about it. I don't think you have mentioned it here?

[tikay]

So cold at Lords yesterday, Her Majesty-ness had to wear gloves?

Click to see full-size image.

[TightEnd]

never shakes a commoner's hand without gloves on, true fact.

[Tal]

Always wears gloves, you say...