Back in January, I wrote that I had been thinking of getting a Kindle, but had been put off by the relative prices of ebooks to paperbacks.
A couple of things have happened since then to give me a new view on things.
Month: March 2011
This week has been somewhat eventful.
While in San Francisco, I managed to bark my shin on the metal step of a streetcar. A queue of people were boarding – those in front of me stopped, those behind didn’t, jostling me forward.
My last day in San Francisco. By the time I have breakfast and finish packing my bags, it is 11. It is raining again so I decide to spend some time at the Aquarium.
If I am honest, I find it a little disappointing, although that may be because I have visited some excellent aquariums in the past. Considering the entrance of $17, it is very small, with the main exhibit being two underwater tunnels.
There is nothing really wrong with the place, but I have pretty much done it all in an hour.
If I am honest, I find it a little disappointing, although that may be because I have visited some excellent aquariums in the past. Considering the entrance of $17, it is very small, with the main exhibit being two underwater tunnels.
There is nothing really wrong with the place, but I have pretty much done it all in an hour.
What better way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy day than go see a film?
A different cinema today, and a different choice of films.
The Adjustment Bureau stars Matt Damon and is (loosely) based on a short story by Philip K. Dick. Dick’s short fiction has been mined for quite a few movie adaptations, and while this by no means the best of these, it is entertaining enough.
Spoilers may follow
But in the north it can tip it down. My last full day in SF, and it is pouring outside.
There is the Aquarium, but I was saving that for tomorrow, as it would be easy to get to and back from in time for my flight.
So I am headed for Westfield, a mall, for some shopping therapy, and see how the day progresses.
There is the Aquarium, but I was saving that for tomorrow, as it would be easy to get to and back from in time for my flight.
So I am headed for Westfield, a mall, for some shopping therapy, and see how the day progresses.
Got back to Fisherman’s Wharf, after the cinema. Having had a large picnic for lunch, I planned to have something light in the hotel restaurant, but I was late for that – I could have been served, but it would be rushed. So, having dumped my bags, I went out again and came across a Mexican restaurant. As I hadn’t had Mexican this trip, I went in.
I ordered the combination platter of beef taco, beef burrito and cheese enchilada, which came with rice and refried beans, to which I added a side of guacamole. Washed down with a long island iced tea (I am currently contemplating a second), it was great!
I ordered the combination platter of beef taco, beef burrito and cheese enchilada, which came with rice and refried beans, to which I added a side of guacamole. Washed down with a long island iced tea (I am currently contemplating a second), it was great!
After the zoo trip, I still had an early evening, so I took myself to the cinema. There was nothing I really wanted to see, so decided on Battle: Los Angeles.
I was very pleasantly surprised. Avoiding spoilers, there was a little dumb-as-shit science shown on TV interviews, as background, but the main story was of Marines dealing with an invasion, and the action was fine. The invaders were shown mostly far in the distance, and seldom staying still enough for you to try to analyse or critique them, which was good.
If you like scifi shoot-em-ups, you should enjoy this.
I was very pleasantly surprised. Avoiding spoilers, there was a little dumb-as-shit science shown on TV interviews, as background, but the main story was of Marines dealing with an invasion, and the action was fine. The invaders were shown mostly far in the distance, and seldom staying still enough for you to try to analyse or critique them, which was good.
If you like scifi shoot-em-ups, you should enjoy this.
Up to date at last! (although, due to the time difference, this blog is showing Friday morning, while it is still Thursday evening here.)
Today I met up with an old friend who was visiting San Francisco with his family. I’m not going to go into too much detail, as he isn’t comfortable with the concept of being blogged about. Suffice to say that as early-teen kids were involved, we agreed to go to the zoo, which delighted me. A good time was had by all, and my friend’s wife put together a wonderful picnic.
Wednesday March 16
Today, I have a ticket for Alcatraz. I am booked for the 11am sailing, but I get up early, and after breakfasting on cold pizza, head down to Pier 33.
I get there as they are boarding the 10am, and ask if I can transfer. I can, and seeing that I have 10 minutes spare, go and get a coffee and a ham and swiss roll for later.
Today, I have a ticket for Alcatraz. I am booked for the 11am sailing, but I get up early, and after breakfasting on cold pizza, head down to Pier 33.
I get there as they are boarding the 10am, and ask if I can transfer. I can, and seeing that I have 10 minutes spare, go and get a coffee and a ham and swiss roll for later.
Tuesday March 15
Any fans of Tony Bennett will know from the title that today I get to play with cable cars! One of the terminuses is just across the road from my hotel. I can get a day ticket for $10, 3 days for $20 or 7 days for $26. Although I am only here for 5 days, I get the 7 day ticket, which can be used on both streetcars and buses as well as cable cars.
The ride is noisy, exciting and great fun. The guys running the car are entertaining and have fun with their passengers before the car leaves.
Any fans of Tony Bennett will know from the title that today I get to play with cable cars! One of the terminuses is just across the road from my hotel. I can get a day ticket for $10, 3 days for $20 or 7 days for $26. Although I am only here for 5 days, I get the 7 day ticket, which can be used on both streetcars and buses as well as cable cars.
The ride is noisy, exciting and great fun. The guys running the car are entertaining and have fun with their passengers before the car leaves.
Monday March 14
Barry dropped me at LAX early for my flight, at my request, as I get paranoid about running late for flights. However there were two things I didn’t know:
1) Although an international airport, LAX has very few facilities. I am used to seeing a mini mall at airports, LAX has a bookshop, Starbucks, Burgerking and – thankfully – a decent seafood restaurant.
Barry dropped me at LAX early for my flight, at my request, as I get paranoid about running late for flights. However there were two things I didn’t know:
1) Although an international airport, LAX has very few facilities. I am used to seeing a mini mall at airports, LAX has a bookshop, Starbucks, Burgerking and – thankfully – a decent seafood restaurant.