New York is One in a Million

Hello, it’s the Funny One here. Today it’s the last state, New York. I have no idea what I’ll do now. The picture is of me dressed like the Statue of Liberty. Me and my sister went there last year. I got vertigo while climbing up it. You can buy tickets in advance on their website or in person at the box office near the ferry departure points. Here’s the website: http://www.statueoflibertytickets.com/ There are also Liberty Helicopters Sightseeing Tours. The Big Apple tour is 15 minutes or you can go on the NY tour which is 20 minutes. It costs $30.00 per person.

We saw the Empire State Building, We didn’t actually go in but we did walk past it and got some photos taken of it. It has two observatories, and an open air terrace on the 86th floor that contains an indoor viewing gallery for chillier days. Outside, they have high-powered binoculars so you’ll get a great view of the city. The other Observatory is on the 102nd floor. It’s the highest public point in New York City. Maybe one day I’ll get over my vertigo and go.

Like I said in my first blog, me and my sister went on the tour of the NBC building. It was amazing. The staff there were making jokes. It must be really fun to work there. I hope that one day I’m lucky enough to be on Saturday Night Live. I love it! We also saw the Radio City Music Hall. We didn’t go in but we went to a shop that’s opposite it (and, yes, we got photos!)They do have a tour of the building where you can see the theater, lounges and corridors of the most iconic theater in New York!; The Rockefeller Center, with soaring views of Top of the Rock to a backstage pass at NBC Studios, every tour at Rockefeller Center will bring you inside and behind-the-scenes of to some of the city’s most beloved treasures. Rock n Roll baby!

On our trip, we managed to visit the FDNY Fire Zone and saw some of the tools and equipment they use. They’re so big and heavy-looking! We also tried on some firefighter jackets, too. They also have a model fire truck there and we took pictures of us in it. Now, for all you souvenir-savvy travellers, they have a gift shop (check out the HOT calendars!!!!). I couldn’t go there without getting a souvenir (a notebook and pen, for writing down all my crazy ideas!)

We also saw Times Square. It really is amazing. There was also a huge ads for The Lonely Island album Turtleneck And Chain, when we went, which was very distracting. I kept seeing that picture almost everywhere on the top of the cabs. That album was released on the last day we were there so I was lucky enough to buy it before going to the airport. Unfortunately when I returned to Scotland there was a crack on the cover. Shit! I guess that’s what you call a cracking album!!!

There’s the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. Every genre of the is represented: comic strips, animation, caricature, graphic novels, humorous illustration, anime, illustration, comic books, cartoons, political illustration, sports cartoons, computer-generated art, editorial cartoons and gag cartoons. Cool! That would be interesting to visit.

The Guggenheim Museum, from October 5th to January 23rd there will be an exhibition which focuses in-depth on Pablo Picasso’s exploration of a black-and-white palette. There are 110 works, including paintings as well as some sculptures and several works on paper. And, yes, there’s a gift shop, too! They sell cool bright Urbanears Headphones. There is also the Wright restaurant where you can have Organic Scottish Salmon Tartare Avacado and Cucumbers, Salmon Caviar and a wine. Or there is Cafe 3 where you can get a beer and a sandwich. Both sound good to me.

Staying with food there’s the Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours. The tour is 4 1/2 hours which covers pizza and Brooklyn. You’ll get award-winning Neapolitan-style pizza at Grimaldi’s under the Brooklyn Bridge, the legendary Sicilian-style pizza at L&B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst. The tour includes seeing the locations from movies that were filmed in Brooklyn such as Scent of a Woman, Annie Hall and Goodfellas and many more movies.

The New York City Police Museum has a permanent multi-media exhibit that “keeps track of the extraordinary role that the NYPD played in response to September 11, 2001. There are on-camera interviews, striking photographs, and numerous Ground Zero artifacts.” The exhibit tells of the dramatic and remarkable story of New York’s Finest, through their own words from their experiences. There’s also the Hall of Heroes that honors the brave men and women who have served nobly,  placing their responsibility to the City before all other matters. Gift shop, too!

There’s the United Nations Headquarters, We didn’t go in but we did get some photos of it. There are FREE exhibits at the Visitors Lobby which feature photographic, art, and multimedia presentations by world-renowned photographers, artists and global institutions on varied topics such as climate change, human rights, malaria, children in armed conflict, plus lots more. It’s free to see these exhibits and the galleries can be viewed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also get a guided tour of the building (remember, the visitors’ entrance closes at 4:45 p.m.) They’ve also got a Coffee Shop, UN Bookshop, UN Gift Shop and other shops. UN-believeable!

Who wants to know where some movie locations are? I do! Did you know that some of the movie Godfather was filmed in New York? Michael Corleone and his fiancée, Kay stayed at the St. Regis Hotel. http://exclusives.stregis.com/St-Regis-New-York-Hotel-81/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_NorthNY_NorthNY_-_Google_-_BD_new_york_st_regis_Exact_110810_NAD_FM The baptism scene in the Godfather was filmed in the Old Cathedral, also was the scene in Godfather Part 3 where Michael Corleone receives an honor from the church. It was also used in a scene from Martin Scorsese’s movie Mean Streets. It was the set in the cathedral’s walled graveyard. 128 Mott Street,  New York is where Vito Corleone’s attempted assassination took place. The hotel from the movie Home Alone 2 – Lost in New York is the Plaza hotel where I’ve always wanted to stay in there ever since I first saw the movie. One day I will. http://www.theplaza.com/

Jelly-Bean Dreamin’ of California

Hello it’s the Funny One here. Today’s state is California. In one picture, I’m with a famous actor who I think will one day win an Oscar. The other one is me and him in Berkeley. Come for the culture, stay for the food.

What is there to do in California? You can visit the Universal Studios in Hollywood and see where they make the movies. I can’t go on the tour as I’ll be busy filming for a Spielberg movie. Hehehehehe. Maybe, one day. Anyways, You can see where all the famous actors have left there handprints in the ground. There’s also the Hollywood Museum where you will see exhibits of authentic Hollywood memorabilia treasures and a special Walk of Fame exhibit.

There’s also the GRAMMY Museum which celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music. The GRAMMY Museum debuted a new exhibit to Michael Jackson on June 25, 2011, and it pays tribute to his life and legacy. The display is a follow-up to the Museum’s past exhibitions, Michael Jackson: HIStyle and Michael Jackson: A Musical Legacy. It is housed on the Museum’s third floor, which the launch of the new exhibit coinciding with the second anniversary of MJ’s death.

The Cartoon Art Museum; exhibits pieces that represent the history of modern development of cartoons, their creators, the designs, and also processes underlying the art forms of cartoons, comics, digital animation, illustration, and video games. The Museum also hosts dozens of events throughout the year, including book signings, creator appearances, lectures and workshops. They also offer a wide range of programs and classes in cartooning, illustration, and animation. That would be cool to do.

Let’s not forget the Golden Gate Bridge which is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California. It’s has also been declared one of the modern Wonders Of The World by the American Society Of Civil Engineers. It’s also seen in the movie “Rise of The Planet Of The Apes.”

There’s Alcatraz prison; which once was home to some of America’s most notorious criminals. There were even the presence of infamous inmates like Al “Scarface” Capone, and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud. It operated there from 1934 to 1963. Even to this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world’s most legendary prisons. There was even a TV series about the prison. It’s a crime that they’re not doing a second series!

There’s also the Jelly Belly factory. There’s a 40-minute walking tour of the factory and a guide will show you where they cook up over 150 different sweet treats. Also, you’ll learn the secrets to how they create the legendary Jelly Belly jelly bean, and why it takes more than a week to make a single bean. Really? It must take forever to make a bag of them. I wonder if they still sell the Harry Potter jelly beans in America. They only sold them in Britain when the first movie was in the cinema. Mmmm jelly belly. http://jellybelly.com/

Now, on to places to stay. Why stay in a cliché hotel when you can stay at the Treebones Resort. “It’s a tent with all the comforts of a cabin. Sleep under the stars but in a bed.” http://treebonesresort.com/ 

 

Tank You For The Free Cookies!

Hello, Funny One here. Today’s state is Virginia and the picture is of me at the Chrysler Museum of Art. There is an exhibition of the works of John Miller. He’s an artist that specializes in blown glass sculptures. They will be on display at the Chrysler Museum of Art in conjunction with his working visit to their Glass Studio. This exhibition of his work runs from July 5 – August 26. The food which I’m looking at in the drawing is actually one of his works!

I’m hungry now. Where are the good places to eat? Max & Erma’s, an American Restaurant has FREE COOKIES WEDNESDAYS! Go there on Wednesday and buy anything from the menu and you’ll get 2 FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES FREE! Mmmm Chocolate chip cookies. I’m on the next plane over. It’s ok if you don’t live in Virginia as Max & Erma have other branches in the following states: South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. They also hold Max’s Happy Hour where you can get munchies for $5. Also there are delicious freebies every two weeks. http://www.maxandermas.com/ ; There’s Fellini’s restaurant which is perfect if you want delicious fresh food with so much flavor. They’re not frightened to use garlic or spices that people will remember and  I’m not afraid to try it. Can I have a Free meal there? The Greek pizza sounds delicious. It has fresh sautéed spinach, onions, tomatoes, black olives, mozzarella & feta cheese. Mmmm feta cheese. http://www.fellinisva.com/ordereze/default.aspx

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is an official recognition museum which is an accredited museum operated by the United States Navy that celebrates the 236 years history of the navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. You’ll even see several artifacts from the cruiser CSS Florida and the sloop-of-war USS Cumberland.

The AAF Tank Museum is the place to check out some really cool tanks. Don’t forget to get a cool army t-shirt at the gift shop! ;The Virginia Museum of Transportation has one of the finest rail collections in all America. There are more than 50 exhibits providing a broad view of Virginia’s rich railway heritage. The most valuable exhibits are the internationally known  Norfolk & Western Class J-611 and the Class A-1218, the most modern steam locomotives ever built. Both of them are “products of the talent and skills of the Norfolk & Western personnel who designed and built these locomotives in the N & W’s own Roanoke Shops.” The Museum’s road exhibits present a history of transportation ranging from horse-drawn vehicles to modern high-powered cars and trucks. Did you know that in 2006, a severe storm blew off part of the museum’s roof, destroying the aviation gallery below? This gave the Museum an opportunity to rebuild the gallery from the ground up. Your financial contribution is needed to help complete the gallery and reopen this important resource.