Italiano Sightseeing

Key phrases:

• tourist office: l’azienda di turismo
• what can we visit in the area? che cosa c’e da veder in questa zona?
• in two hours? in due ore
• do you have leaflets? avete degli opuscoli?
• when can we visit? quando possiamo vedere..
• when does it close? a che ora chiude?
• when are the museums open?quando sono aperti i musei?
• are there any excursion? ci sono delle gite?
• we’d like to go to… vorremmo andare a
• when does it leave? a che ora parte?
• where from? da dov’e parte?
• when does it get back? quando ritorna?
• how much is entry fee? quanto costa il biglietto d’entrata?

Italiano Doctor

Key phrases:

• ospedale: hospital
• pronto soccorso: ER
• I need a doctor: ho bisogno di un medico
• I feel ill: mi sento male
• I have a pain here: ho un dolore qui
• I’m allergic to : Sono allergico alla
• Will she have to go to hospital? Deve andar all’ospedale?
• Will I have to pay? Dovro pagare?
• How much will it cost? Quanto costera?
• Can you give me a receipt for the insurance? Mi da la ricevuta per l’assicurazione?
• Non e grave: it is not serious

Italiano Map

Key phrases:

• weekly magazine: una rivista
• newspaper: il giornale
• Do you have a map? avete una piantina
• of the city? della citta
• of the region? della regione
• Can you show me XX on the map? Mi puo indicare dov’e XXX sulla piantina?
• Do you have a guide to local walks? Avete una guida dele camminate della zona?
• Could you draw me a map? Mi puo fare una piantina?
• Do you have a leaflet in English? Avete una guida in inglese?
• When do the English papers arrive? Quando arrivano i giornali inglesi?

Sino Sway

Italian Food

Key phrases:

• would you like something to eat? vorraibe qualcosa da mangiare?
• .. to drink? … da bere?
• what would you like to eat? cosa vorrai da mangiare?
• what flavours do you have? che gusti ha?
• what do you recommend? che cosa mi consiglia?
• do you have a table for six? ha un tavolo per sei?
• I’d like a window table: vorrei un tavolo vicino la finestra
• I have a table under the name XX: ho prenotato un tavolo a nome di XX
• I would like the menu please: vorrei vedere i lmenu, per favore
• I would like to order now: vorrei ordinare ora
• To drink, I would like some white wine: vorrei del vino bianco
• could I have the bill? Posso avere il conto?
• Is service included?: Il servizio e incluso?

Italiano Money

Key phrases

• money: i soldi
• change: il cambio
• British pound: la sterlina
• bank: la banca
• exchange rate: il tasso di cambio
• post office: l’ufficio postale
• letterbox: la buca delle lettere
• stamp: il francobollo
• by air mail: per via arrea
• postman: il postino (cmon now!)
• hang up: riagganciare
• call back: richiamare
• telephone: il telefono
• ring: squillare
• dialtone: il segnale acustico

Lufthansa Allowance

Baggage allowances are changed. Note the following -

* Carry on: 1 bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase)

• maximal dimensions – 22″ x 16″ x 8″
• must fit in overhead bin or under seat in front (unless in bulk head seat)
• not to exceed 18 lb

* Checked baggage

• 2 pieces
• each 62 linear inches (length + height + weight)
• maximum weight is 50 lb ( 70 lb for first class and business)
• 51-70 lb for peasants: pay $25 more
• cannot exceed 70 lb per passenger

Italiano General

Key phrases

• hello: salve
• good morning: buongiorno
• good evening: buonasera
• good night: buonanotte
• hi/bye: ciao
• good bye: arrivederci
• see you soon: a presto
• where: dove
• when: quando
• why: perche
• what: che cosa?
• who: chi?
• which: quale?
• how much: quanto?
• how many: quanti?
• is there: c’e?
• are there: ci sono?
• please: per favore
• thank you: grazie
• excuse me: mi scusi
• I am sorry: mi spiace, ma
• that’s a shame: e’ un peccato
• may I: posso?
• that depends: questo dipende
• I don’t know: non lo so
• I don’t think so: non penso
• I think so: penso di si
• Of course: ovviamente
• true: e vero
• with pleasure: con piacere
• good luck: buona fortuna!
• enjoy the meal: buon appetito!
• safe journey: buon viaggio!
• good holiday: buone vacanze!
• nice day: buona giornata!

Leeds Basics

Leeds is Commerce Central for Yorkshire county. Thomas Chippendale began his furniture business here. Considered by Dickens as the beastliest place in England, it has undergone upheaval to be named “Environment City of the UK”. Some items to see are the Victorian Center, restored warehouses along Leeds Liverpool Canal, the West Yorkshire Playhouse, City Art Gallery, Harewood House and the ruins at Kirkstall Abbey. 

Fun facts:

• Every July there is Opera in the Park bringing over 40 000 opera lovers into the largest free outdoor opera concert in the UK. There is also edgier fare in Party at the Park, held the day after for pop and rock music enthusiasts.
• The Leeds International Film Festival is screened in October at cinemas throughout Leeds, being the only themed film festival in the UK outside of Londontown.
• Leeds City Art Gallery was established in 1888 and has a good collection of 20th century art.
• The Royal Armories have four floors of exhibits on war, tournaments, self-defense, hunting and the Orient. Ok, Asia.
• Headingly is a venue for test matches (cricket) and home to the Yorkshire County Cricket Club
• Home to the 24 Hour Alternative, it encourages 24 hour around the clock work and entertainment options.
• Tetley’s has been brewing beer since 1822. Tour the Brewery Wharf.
• The Henry Moore Institute is next door to City Art Gallery and is devoted to sculpture from all periods and cultures.

Well, I don’t think Leeds is all that interesting that I could think of ten (10) things you could do. So sorry.

Leicester Basics

Leicester is one of the 10 biggest UK cities and is known for manufacturing and textiles, as also more than 20 000 students milling about, drinking coffee and such. More than a third of the population is Asian, specifically Gujarati! Check out the open air market in city center, the Jewry Wall Museum,  old Normal Castle Gardens and Battle of Bosworth Field. August brings the big Notting Hill Festival, basically a big street celebration. You can get here by rail from London St Pancras station on Midland Mainline

Fun facts:

1. The hosiety trade is central and has magnetized Asians to the city and area, in general in the 1950s and 1960s
2. There is also a large Afro-Caribbean population hosting the large street festival in August.
3. At the Jain center, you will wear a gauzy mask to avoid inhaling insects.
4. The Leicester Art Gallery and Museum holds many mummies brought by Thomas Cook in the 1880s. Also, many German expressionists.
5. The Golden Mile in Belgrave is lined by Indian shops, especially the largest saree shops outside of India
6. Beethoven first performed here
7. BBC’s first radio station was based here, as BBC Leicester.
8. The city has introduced genetic finger printing.
9. The Newarke Houses Museums consists of two Jacobean houses. The Hygiene Gallery showcases Victorian toilets. Royal flush, much?
10. It is home to Arnold George Dorsey. After he played ball on a bombsite near his home in Highfields, he was reborn Engleburt Humperdinck.

Bath Basics

Named for the Roman Baths that attracted royalty, especially Queen Elizabeth I, Bath is spa town of architectural visual splendour and only 115 minutes from Paddington station. The earliest train from Londontown leaves around half five and you can get back home just before midnight. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Britain’s finest Georgian city is brimming with things to do and see. With around 5,000 buildings ‘listed’ because of their architectural merit, a wander around Bath reveals a treasure trove of interest and fascination. Besides the usual slew of museums, galleries and exhibitions, you have to head to the Roman Baths for a spa treatment and enjoy the natural thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa. This is also Jane Austen’s natural home. Or you could take a meal at Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House and Musuem. If you miss America (no!), head to the American Museum at Claverton Manor for a tutelage in history from the colonialists to the mid nineteenth century.

And now, fun facts:

1. Queen Anne’s trek in 1702 established the fad for the spa week end.
2. The Bath International Music Festival (late May/early June, check local listings) fills the city with more than 1000 performers for 17 days.
3. The Baths were founded in 75 ACE by the Romans dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva and are the finest remains of Italian history in the UK
4. Winston Churchill made his maiden political speech at Claverton Manor where the American Museum is housed.
5. This is the home of Fantastic Sally Lunn Cream Tea with toasted and buttered scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream, coffee or tea.
6. The baths are the busiest fee-charging historic site in the UK outside of Londontown.
7. Richard “Beau” Nash became MC in 1704. He conducted balls and designated the social manners of the city. He banned smoking in public places. Now, we cannot smoke anywhere in Dublin. He should be so proud.
8. Bath Abbey (1499-1616, construction) is the last great medieval church raised in the UK. It has more glass than stone with 640 wall monuments.
9. Bath has traffic congestion as bad as Londontown despite being so compact.
10. Jane Austen described much of the 18th century architecture she saw here.

Perfect Londontown

Your last day but you are still not worn down. Shop on Bond Street (tube: Bond Street). Check out the display gift at Asprey or drop in on a sale/viewing at Sotheby’s (no. 34). Even the illustrated catalogues excite me thought my preference is Christie’s (disclosure: A works for Christie’s as its Asian Art Director!). When you reach Piccadilly, you find Fortnum and Mason (no. 181) for real tea in elegant surroundings, much less expensive than tea time at the Ritz. Turn left past the Ritz into Green Park and walk to Hyde Park corner. Hop into a red double decker bus marked “Kinghtsbridge” and get off at the top of Sloane Street. Harvey Nichols. Harrods.

Some toxic sightseeing. In late summer, the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace are open to the public. Tube to Piccadilly for a spa treatment. Suggest Claridge’s but always open for new spa suggestions, please. Londoncab it up dodgy Edgeware Road to Little Venice. Jason’s is a canalside restaurant you’ll find charming there. Tube it to the Heathrow Express connection via Paddington (LHR to Paddy in 15 minutes, every 15 minutes for 15 GBP; a poun off online) and you’re headed home. You know you’ll come back for more.

Bath Items

On the West front of Bath Abbey is a row of stone angels scrambling up a ladder to heaven. You will see circling acrobats, musicians, mimes and jugglers stripping down to leather thongs as they throw fire torches about.  This is a good year to visit Bath as the new spa complex has been unveiled with a year round rooftop pool with skyline views but avoid the week ends. Guides at the Jane Austen Center will admit she rarely wrote anything in the town itself during her five years there, which means pleasure distracts stodgy genius. Bath is popular as Bath is convenient and only 90-115 mintues by rail southwest from Londontown. You can circle every photogenic square twice if you only have 48 hours. A natural choice for a getaway.

Start your tour at the baths founded by the Roman conquerors in 75 ACE and still fed by natural warm mineral springs. This is surrounded by museum of archeological finds including a Roman matron with the original Marge (Simpson) bouffant. Visit architect John Wood the Younger’s Royal Crescent of joined and classically Georgian townhomes. Jane Austen center has a “Where’s Waldo?” game offering the rundown of every city landmark Miss Austen ever visited. The Royal Photographic Society has some interesting shows. Check local listings.

Chef Blunos earned two Michelin stars at Lettonie which hybridizes Latvian and French rustic fare in an elegant Georgian manor. Bath Priory Restaurant serves rarefied food and reinvented fish and chips. Go on Friday. The tony Bath Bun Tea Room serves short bread bigger than a brick topped with chocolate and caramel and the coffee gateau wears a double layer of butter cream.

A short walk from downtown Bath, through lush Royal Victoria Park, the Bath Priory Hotel is the kind of Gothic manor that could have slid off the cover of a romance novel. Surrounded by four acres of gardens, it has recently been outfitted with a spa and gym, but the real mood is less hard-body than soft-edged; each guest room offers a cocoon of overstuffed chintz sofas. Closer to Bath’s museum quarter, the Queensberry Hotel approximates a Regency daydream, and the Royal Crescent Hotel lets you wake up to a view of the sweeping crescent itself, laid out like a stone tiara. Best bargains are Dukes’ Hotel and the Number 93 B&B, but if Bath’s aristocratic air rubs off, and you need one night of real opulence, head 11 miles southwest to Ston Easton Park: an antique-strewn Palladian mansion cum hotel that makes your average Merchant-Ivory set look threadbare.

More than 60 vendors at the Bartlett Street Antiques Centre hawk enough Staffordshire figurines to cock a snook at. For less breakable English souvenirs try George Bayntun, a Dickensian bookshop piled with morocco-bound Victorian novels, or Antique Textiles, where the heirloom paisley shawls and beaded bags swaddle you in kitsch.

Start at the Circus—a loop of town houses that glows in the morning sun. Make a pit stop at the nearby Museum of Costume and Assembly Rooms, where one voluminous ball gown resembles a Rose Bowl float. Walk through the center of town across the Pulteney Bridge to the Holburne Museum of Art and its collection of British portraits. Complete the period promenade at the Pump Room, where the Georgian fashionables once gathered to drink the curative waters. High tea is served next to a fitting statue of Beau Nash—the extreme, 18th-century dandy who became famous for dressing well and turning fun into the highest art.  Then go shopping

Antique Textiles: 34 Belvedere, Lansdown Rd., +44 1225 310795.
Bartlett Street Antiques Centre: 5/10 Bartlett St., +44 1225 466689.
Bath Abbey: Orange Grove, +44 1225 422462.
George Bayntun: Manvers St., +44 1225 466500. www.georgebayntun.com.
Holburne Museum of Art: Great Pulteney St., +44 1225 466669.
The Jane Austen Centre: 40 Gay St., +44 1225 443000.
The Museum of Costume and Assembly Rooms: Bennett St., +44 1225 477789. www.museumofcostume.co.uk.
The Roman Baths: Abbey Churchyard, +44 1225 477785. www.romanbaths.co.uk.
Royal Photographic Society: The Octagon: Milsom St., +44 1225 462841.

Some digits -

Bath Bun Tea Room: 3 Lilliput Court, +44 1225 462413.
The Bath Priory Restaurant: Weston Rd., +44 1225 331922.
The Green Street Seafood Cafè: 6 Green St., +44 1225 448707.
Lettonie: 35 Kelston Rd., +44 1225 446676.
Sally Lunn’s: 4 North Parade Passage, +44 1225 461634.
The Pump Room: Stall St., +44 1225 444477. www.romanbaths.co.uk.

Some more digits

The Bath Priory Hotel: Weston Rd., +44 1225 331922, fax +44 1225 448276. $362 U.S. (including breakfast). www.thebathpriory.co.uk
Dukes’ Hotel: Great Pulteney St., +44 1225 787 960, fax +44 1225 787 961. $197 U.S. www.dukesbath.co.uk
Queensberry Hotel: Russel St., +44 1225 447928, fax +44 1225 446065. $213-355 U.S. www.thequeensberry.co.uk
The Royal Crescent Hotel: 16 Royal Crescent, +44 1225 823333, fax +44 1225 339401. $800-1,264 U.S. (not including breakfast). www.royalcrescent.co.uk
Ston Easton Park: Ston Easton, +441761 241631, fax +441761 241377. $292-387 (including breakfast). www.stoneaston.co.uk

Bath Tourist Information Centre is at Abbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LY, +44 1225 477101, www.visitbath.co.uk; or you could contact the British Tourist Authority locally at 551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 701, New York, NY 10176; 800 462 2748 (U.S. and Canada), www.travelbritain.org.  

Perfect Londontown

Day Two – you wake up and you are still (still!) excited (excited!). You have blisters. You have walking shoes which you favour over your fancy ones. Smart move, sparky. You walk down Davies street to Bond Street tube station. Take the Central line two stops to Tottenham court road and walk through busy Great Russell Street to the free (FREE!) British Museum. It is massive so immediately check out the Rosetta stone and Elgin Marbles. You will get lost. Across the road, two Westaway and Westway shops stock Scottish woollies and knitwear at sensible prices. Rare bookstores line Museum street. Abbott and Holder (no. 30) has lovely water colours displayed on three floors of an 18th centruy house. I can’t afford them but they’re so pleasing to gawk at. Head to the Museum st Cafe (no. 47) for carrot and ginger juice (fresh). You are now in the hear of Bloomsbury. There is a great falafel place on the west side of the street but I cannot recall the name of it. Drop into Galen Place after lunch.

Londoncab it to Lincoln’s Inn Fields (tube: Holborn). At No 13 is Sir John Soane’s museum. It is a superb classical house. Back to the hotel for tea time and a shower. Head to Soho where the seedy clubs and trendy bars are indistinguishable. Dinner at Mezzo (choose the cheaper early menu) and look for celebrities. This is Music Night – so choose whatever you like – Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall (tube: Embankment) for strings, recital at Wigmore Hall (tip – morning concerts on Sunday, both chamber and song; tube: Oxford Circus, Bond Street), or Prince at the O2 (tube: North Greenwich). Ronnie Scott’s for jazz until the wee hours of the night.

Perfect Londontown

B is spending only a few days en route to Firenze. What should you do, you ask? Funny you should ask.

First Day 

While Claridge’s is an institution (disclosure: I know the executive chef Martin) and I have a vested interest, the Athenaeum group is probably a better deal. After a quick breakfast, head off to Tower Bridge (tube: London Bridge) but arrive before 0930 and head straight to the Crown Jewels and armour (see posh spelling). Tube to St. Paul’s Cathedral (tube: St Paul’s) and enjoy the Wren dome. Cross over Southwark Bridge and stroll along the Thames Bankside Walkway. You will come across the Globe Theatre, (tube: Southwark) built to specification. Check it out even if you do not have showtime tickets, but best to see a show in progress, in which case you must be a groundling (standee) for the full effect. You can catch rehearsals if you ask nicely. Walk across Millennium Bridge to National Gallery (tube: Charing Cross) in Trafalgar Square. Pick up discount show tickets at Leicester Square TKTS. Walk up Whitehall (number 10) to see the imposing houses of Parliament and Big Ben, housing the silent clock. It will toll again in the autumn, I expect. Stroll past Storey’s Gate into Westminster Arms for a gastropub break. Take a nice lunch at Green’s on Duke Street. A booking would be useful.

Go around the corner for shirt shopping on Jermyn Street. Thomas Pink. Go round the corner one block to Piccadilly, and hop onto a double decker red bus marked Hyde Park. There you will go to see Apsley House at the entrance (tube: Hyde Park corner), the landmark home of the first Duke of Wellington. Back to the hotel to unwind and take tea, then off to the theatre (remember the tickets you picked up?). Late dinner in private rooms at Rules (the oldest restaurant in Londontown; tube: Charing Cross) is called for, but only if you will share the pudding. 

Italiano Friends

Key phrases:

• What’s your name? Come ti chiami?
• My name is… Mi chiamo…
• Are you Piemontese? Sei piemontese? torinese?
• I am American. Sono americano
• Where do you live? Dove abiti?
• I live in Dublin. Vivo a Dublin
• We live in America. Viviamo degli Stati Uniti
• I work. Lavoro
• I am here on holiday. Sono qui in vacanza

Joan Collins

Poor deluded bitch. Remember this?

Disneyland Tips

• California Adventure is less obnoxious, more magical, adult friendly
• Monday to Wednesday has less crowds, least on Tuesday
• There is an electrical parade at California Adventure too
• California Adventure takes only half a day, one at most
• Get into Disneyland before 0900. If you stay at a Disney resort, you can get in an hour earlier. If you get there after 1030, just take two sharp pencils and poke yourself in the eyes. Both eyes.
• Immediately go for the submarine ride. After 1000, the lines are too long.
• You can now take bottled water with you. Or you will dehydrate and get a sun headache. Plenty of SPF and a wide brimmed hat. Take cargo pants stuffed with Granola bars
• The lines get longer after 1200. Go back to the hotel around 1300 and return at 1600. The kids will be dehydrated, cranky and screaming during this period when you are in the pool at your resort or sleeping in airconditioned comfort after a reasonably priced healthy meal.
• Even the chain restaurants outside the park are overpriced. We spent $40 in an IHOP. Disturbing. Even more disturbing, there is nothing I about the IHOP. Who knew? Next day, we went to Buca di Beppo. Horrid.
• Shower and return at 1700 after dinner when the sun is going down. Parents will have left by now. Go on rides during the parade. The next night, watch the parade.
• For kids, Snow White and Pinocchio are scary. For adults, Star Tours can incite Motion Sickness. I was scared of Snow White when I was seven. I think I still might be.
• The longest waits are Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones. FastPass is essential.
• Mr Toad’s Wild Ride has been dissembled.

  

Singapore Sling

Enjoy a natural side of Singapore: explore Sungei Buloh, Pulau Ubin or Bukit Timah Reserve (as early as you can make it to avoid the hot mid day sun). A nice stroll at Botanic Gardens is a good alternative. In the afternoon, relax in the hotel pool, visit a spa (reasonable in price) or enjoy a high tea (at Raffles).

For Asiaphiles:

• Haw Par Villa – reflects the Asian’s belief for crime and punishment
• Chinese Garden - bridges and pagodas.
• Japanese Garden – right next to Chinese garden, koi ponds with bonsai
• Little India - banana leaf restaurants, goldsmith shops, Tekka aka Zhu Jiao Market
• Chinatown – Heritage Center, souvenir shopping and temples
• Kampong Glam - malay village, Halal food, silk
• Emerald Hill - colonial homes and a bit of Peranakan history
• Joo Chiat and Katong – residential neighborhoods but great Peranakan food
• Toa Payoh - take the MRT there and lunch out at the kopitiam (coffee shop)
• Fuk Tak Chi Temple - converted into a museum

Singapore Sling

You can’t but go to Orchard to see what the fuss is all about. This famous stretch is full of dining and shopping and goes all the way towards the Suntec and Marina neighborhoods. You can easily spend all day shopping and dining along the way. When night falls, enjoy the night market and area of Bugis or just enjoy a nice cool evening at Chimjes or a simple short walk around Raffles hotel arcade and a drink at Long Bar.

Singapore Sling

Day 3 – Chinatown and Sentosa

Chinatown is one of my favorite places to explore. The area is not big, but it is rather dense and there are endless diversions for food, shopping and sight seeing. There is also a night market here but the day time activities are not to be missed especially the temples operational hours so I suggest an early morning trip here. After lunch, Sentosa. You could easily spend a whole day here and that can get expensive as you have to pay for each attraction (they dont have an all in one pass). Choose the attractions and spend the afternoon walking around. Highly recommended attractions are the aquarium and the musical fountain (this is only available in the evening after sun sets). If you could catch the first show for the musical fountain that begins at 1900, make your way to Mt. Faber by cable car and enjoy the rest of the night dining there overlooking the beautiful view.

Singapore Sling

Little India and Arab District are right next to each other and are best viewed in the mornings. These two neighborhoods are good for shopping and sight seeing as well as a good lunch. After lunch, a break in the airconditioned hotel room to drop my shopping bags and make your way to the Zoological Gardens and the Night safari after the zoo visit which is right next door.

Singapore Sling

Getting to know the city’s history  as soon as you get there. Tour the historic district of Singapore with its many charms. The Colonial/Civic District is a good place to start and many of the structures e.g. St Andrew’s Cathedral and Parliament House are easily viewed from a good walk that leads you all the way to the water where you have a lot of choices for a good lunch.

After lunch, visit the National Museum of Singapore (don’t miss their store for really cool handicrafts and unique souvenirs). Nearby is Fort Canning, a nice quiet park for a stroll. From here, you can easily make your way to Clark Quay.

Take a break at any of the fine establishment in Clark Quay, after which I suggest you take a river cruise to enjoy the sights of the entire river before alighting at Boat Quay. From here, you can enjoy Boat Quay or check out Lau Pa Sat or Newton, or make your way back to the hotel to sleep.

Rain Fall

Live Earth

Having totally eliminated famine and poverty, rock stars are now getting together to solve global warming. Live Earth is committed to being the first carbon neutral music event. Hybrid cars will be used for transport, biodegradable containers will be used for serving food and the stage will be illuminated by the light that shines out of Bono’s ass. Madonna has made her commitment to the environment as she will fly to Africa only once a year to buy a child. Tickets to the London concert (at New Wembley!) are sold out but you can watch it online.

Italiano Hotel

Key phrases:

• Where is reception?: Dov’e la reception?
• Is there a car park?: C’e un parcheggio?
• Is there an elevator?: C’e un ascensore?
• What is the price?: Qual e il prezzo?
• We will be staying for seven nights: Restereme per sette notti
• Is breakfast included? E inclusa la xolazione?
• When is dinner served? A che ora e servita la cena?

Nessun Dorma

Mr Paul Potts used to be a phone warehouse salesman (selling Nokia mobiles) in Cardiff. When I heard his audition, it seemed terribly earnest. As the winner of Britain’s Got Talent, he gets to perform for HM the Queen at the Variety Honours Gala. Take a listen.

Apparently, my heart is not made of stone.

American Accent

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North   You may think you speak “Standard English straight out of the dictionary” but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like “Are you from Wisconsin?” or “Are you from Chicago?” Chances are you call carbonated drinks “pop.”
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The South
The Midland
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

USA Born

Minnesota has passed the strongest measure in this regard – a new law that goes into effect at year’s end requiring every Old Glory sold in state stores to be domestically produced. Violations are misdemenaour, punishable by a $1000 fine and up to 90 days in hail.

In Arizona, schools and public colleges were required starting 7/1/7 to outfit every class room from junior high with a made-in-the-USA flag.

Tennessee mandates all US flags bought via state contract to be made here – NJ and PA to follow suit.

The fourth is considered peak season  for flag sales ein routes and above backyard barbecues.. $5.3 million worth of US flags were imported last year, mainly from China. This has been a steady figure, spiking only in 2001 when $51.7 million in US flags were brought into the country.

Don Giovanni

The steep upper balcony of the War Memorial Opera House is splendid to hear the SF Opera in action bu not to see it. Plus you have the Usher Nazi (who berated K severely for rearranging herself periodically in her very itchy taffeta gown). You cannot even make out the faces of the midgets singing upstage let alone tell from their expressions. All this despite 8X opera glasses or birdwatching binoculars that R kindly bought for me. All this has changed this past performance. I could see the anguish on Donna Anna’s face (and her considerable cleavage) and the “acting” of the various choristers as a crisp ultra high definition retractible Stewart Screens hanging from the balcony ceiling (2). These 5.5 by 9.5 feet screens are part of the high definition video production facility granted by the Koret Foundation built on the fifth floor of the opera house to facilitate simulcasts, podcasts and streaming pay per view opera broadcasts.

On June 22, the new Sony equipment was used to simulcast (free) on giant screens in four bay area locations: UCB’s Zellerback hall, UCD’s Mondavi Center, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts (Santa Rosa) and SF’s Yerba Buena CPA. On September 28, the opera and the Giants will simulcast Saint-Saens’ “Samson et Delilah” at AT&T Park. Provided the Park doesn’t change names before then.

The OperaVision screens (their name) provide  changing full stage, close up, medium range and split screen shots using robotic cameras placed around the house. . My big issue with binoculars is that I have to remove my glasses to use them. Some will doubtless find the screens distracting. I did not and was glued to the action.

Hope Bridggs went through an entire rehearsal period (she is Runnicles’ protegee) and went through a final dress rehearsal Wednesday, then was canned for artistic reasons with Elza van den Heever (who wasn’t even covering the role to begin with) making her SFO debut in a role she hasn’t rehearsed on a staging she doesn’t know. Briggs indicated nobody told her she was awful beforehand but this was a David Gockley decision. Informationally, Briggs is black and Elza is a white South African – this is especially postironic when the big culture news is that there are no blacks represented on the Yoshi’s 10th anniversary CD and almost none in the 5day Berkeley downtown Jazz Festival. This also conicides with the OperaVision Screen debut, which makes a big deal about how people look. Ever notice for the tenors are baring abs. No complaints but just saying.

Mriusz Kwiecen (who debuted here as Marcello in 2004) is a good Polish Baritone who nailed the role. baritone Luca Pisaroni made a creditable debut as Masetto. The set puzzled me: a stark assemblage of ugly stone slabs arrayed on a paved over bed of s kulls with colors in the grays and blacks made no sense like some cheesy cinematic dystopia, expecting the Terminator machines to come by any moment and crush the skulls. The Commendatore’s climactic appearance as a lurching zombie (Shaun of the semiundead?) was risible too. The music soared and we had a lovely time.

Sudden Vision