Raging against the machine? Really?

On Thursday, I posted on my Facebook: “Am I the only person who thinks that those jumping on the ‘RATM for Xmas No 1′ bandwagon are falling for a similarly clever marketing ploy as the one that they are rallying against?”

In the whirlwind of vitriolic debate that ensued, I can safely say I made as many enemies as I did lovers.

Thoughts on Fort Worth

We arrived in Fort Worth mid-afternoon, and, having a feeling that our motel might be *slightly* out of the way, took a cab outside the station. Our taxi-driver had long grey hair and was probably wearing a cowboy hat. Due to the storage boxes (some filled with Agatha Christie paperbacks) which nestled in every possible interior crevice, alongside the cat pictures that adorned the dashboard, one got the impression that his car was perhaps more like a ‘car-house’. Said taxi driver embarked on a long rant about Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan and we distinctly sensed that he didn’t like English people, and thus, may not like us.

Sizzling in St. Louis

We arrived in St. Louis at 8pm. Stepped out of the station and into the middle of… not much at all. Ambled towards some buildings, stopping on the street to ask a man if he knew of a nearby taxi rank. Little did we know the curious beast we had unleashed…  

Six hours in Chicago

We only had a six-hour stop off in Chicago, so we took advantage of the modern age by phoning Papa Booth to see if he could use his own world-wide-web prowess to locate an internet café in the Windy City.

Washington, D.C

We departed New York’s Penn Station to head for Washington, D.C, a three-and-a-half hour trip which goes through Philadelphia. When we got to DC’s Union Square train station, we were immediately struck by how quiet it was compared to New York. The subway was eerily silent – nobody in our cart but us and one other man.

New York, New York

“Is anyone from Japanese here?” U.S Borders and Customs officer

Woke up in the middle of the most tremendous itchy fit. Upon returning from the shower, Catherine confirmed that I had indeed transformed into one big throbbing welt.  Something was seriously amiss, but there was no time to investigate as we had a train to New York to catch…

Drinking in Oxford…?

… then read my friend’s very helpful Oxford pub guide, compiled during our recent pub crawl around those parts. It’s ridiculously insightful. (My favourite line: ”We grabbed a bite to eat in here, can’t really remember it. Probably had a burger and it was probably ok”). 

Enjoy.

Podcasting away

Listen to mine and Lucinda’s thoughts on OK’s tribute issue to Jade Goody here.

And we’re Niagara Fallin’

“You’re doing a great job guys, just keep walking, you’re doing a great job.” A Maid of the Mist queue attendant.

Bid a warm adieu to Toronto at the Union Station, where we took the two-hour train ride to Niagara Falls.

Aah, what a glorious morning, I thought while enjoying the beautiful Canadian landscape en-route. Just how many breathtaking moments would I enjoy at one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders? Arrived at the tiny Niagara Falls train station, taking a taxi to our hostel, where we were met by an enthusiastic guy called Patrick. Never has man eulogised so much about a waterfall. Boy, we were excited.

The death conundrum

We’ve had a seismic breakdown when it comes to dealing with death.