from historic Penn State …

On April 14, 2007 By Rick McIn Cirque du Soleil, gymnastics, travelLeave a comment

“We Are… Penn State.”

I never tired of hearing the official team chant hundreds of times en route to victory by the Men’s Team of the host school.

Cirque du Soleil sent me to charming State College in Amish central Pennsylvania to report on the state of Men’s Gymnastics in the USA. (Cirque hires many College gymnasts after they graduate.)

The competition was loud, proud, fantastic. Despite a steadily diminishing number of participating Universities, those that remain are strong.

My friend Sue Raffin competed for Penn State. I had heard many good things. With over 80,000 students it is one of the largest schools in the States.

Legend has it one of my favourite books — Catch-22 — was inspired when Joseph Heller taught here.

Penn State’s mascot is the Nittany Lion.

Though Penn State professors denounced Wikipedia for academic purposes, it’s a far more useful source of information than the official Penn State website.

Pennsylvania State University – Wikipedia

travels to Antarctic Lands 1996

On April 10, 2007 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

If like me you dream of a trip to the Arctic or Antarctic, check out this excellent photo travelogue.

… 5 weeks of adventures on board the “Marion Dufresne“, …

Located at the extreme south of the Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia, we will visit the archipelagoes of Crozet and Kerguelen, as well as the islands Saint Paul and Amsterdam, which are only accessible by sea.

Every 3 months, the Marion Dufresne is the unique ship which supplies these remote islands, and ensures the rotation of the personnel of the scientific bases.

The very majestic albatross, the gigantic sea elephant, the playing otaries and the immense colonies of king penguins will be part of this travelog … one of the most remote location on earth.

Travelog of my trip to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Thanks George.

should I buy a VW van?

On April 8, 2007 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

After 10-years without a vehicle, I suddenly had the urge today to get wheels.

Seems an old, cheap, easy-to-repair VW camper van would be ideal.

Anne is checking on insurance prices.

strangest statues worldwide

On April 7, 2007 By Rick McIn humour, travelLeave a comment

In my travels I’ve been astonished how many city fathers have been convinced to erect statues bizarre and comic. 06

Started as a collection of statues, titled as Strange statues around the world and posted at the lifestyle blogzine haha.nu, the idea emerged to this site.

Collected, submitted, tagged and commented by you, the readers of haha.nu. Strange, odd, maybe *pornographic* even, but every statue has its own history and represents the original expression of their authors.

Around the World | Around the World

Ernst & Young building, Los Angeles

review – Grand Prarie inn hotel

On April 4, 2007April 18, 2011 By Rick McIn product complaints, travel4 Comments

Overall, The Grande Prairie Inn …

Was a disappointment

+ weak, actually unusable, FREE wireless internet
+ only one of two elevators worked
+ hotel very smoky

The parking was terrible because the concrete parkade was a disaster and a hazard.

Unaware of this fact, I got the rent-a-van stuck in a foot of water. Barefoot I had to move “icebergs” out from under the wheels before I could reverse.

The bottom was flooded. The upper levels seem to have been taken over by skateboarders. It is entirely covered with graffiti.

When I asked at the front desk, I was told it was unsafe to park in the parkade after 10PM.

The room (543) was good. ~~But I will never return.~~ Management tells me the hotel has been much improved. I’ll check that next visit to town.

Grand Prairie Inn
11633 Clairmont Road, Grande Prairie, Alberta

hundreds of great China photos

On April 4, 2007 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

A while back, EastSouthWestNorth blog posted a series of touching photos meant to Humanize China. The series are divided into 3 sections: Survival, Relationship, and Desires. If you haven’t seen them – it’s well worth checking out.

Neatorama » Humanizing China, a Series of Great Photographs.

travel Tasmania

On April 3, 2007 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

This is the best introduction to Tasmania I’ve seen on-line. Superb photos!

The food and wine pics are sumptuous.

Tasmania, the Forgotten Island — Tasmanie, l’île oubliée by La Tartine Gourmande

Chris in Seoul, Korea

On April 2, 2007 By Rick McIn Cirque du Soleil, travelLeave a comment

Chris Baraniuk is coaching the Cirque du Soleil show Quidam. The touring show is set up at the 1988 Olympic venue right now.

He spent time in Japan and finds Korea likewise a mix of traditional and ultra-modern.

Here’s just one of his photos.

Visit 50 States on a Week’s Vacation – Gadling

On March 23, 2007 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

Former truck driver Barry Stiefel of San Francisco, California had a week’s vacation time at his office job and decided he wanted to use that week to visit all 50 states, Alaska and Hawaii too.

… Total cost for the trip, plane tickets to Alaska and Hawaii included: “about $2,750, or about $55 per state.”

Visit 50 States on a Week’s Vacation – Gadling