I survived the NY Subway!

Well, Tonight I returned from New York City.

I had a great time and saw heaps!

Check out my photos here!

Gallery

I have also updated my Ottawa post from a while back see it below!

Ottawa!

Gone to the big apple!

Some additional Beer Stuff (Ottawa's Updated See below)

Back home in Australia these VB Beer ads are currently on the radio:
Greatest theme Music
Bottom Shelf
Drive Through
Stubby Cooler
And on TV:
Ad 1
Ad 2

There absolute classics... Check them out!

My increasing shot glass collection.

If your still bored... Check this clip: here

Extended Wait

I am sorry for the extended wait on the story from Ottawa, I have been busy in preparation for my approaching midterms. (Yes... I am in the middle of semester already as you UQyin's go into O-week) I have two on Tuesday and one on thursday... and another in two weeks.

In other news, I have gotten my own domain name... going by the name of: www.philipnye.com There isn't alot there... but I do have a fair few number of photos. You can get to them directly by going to: www.philipnye.com/gallery/gallery.php

Over reading week... (a 4 day weekend... somehow called a week) I am heading South East to New York for 4 days. That will be interesting to finally see the Big Apple...

Anyway... Will give a better update soon enough...

Ottawa - Canada's Capital

Well on Saturday I took on the worlds longest (possibly largest... maybe not) skating rink. At a sizable 7km I can safely say that I (one of only two who did) completed the course to the end and back. A total of 14km of rink. Not a bad effort considering the weather in Ottawa was a not so chilly 4 degrees, and as a result, much of the ice was not ice anymore... While we were there, I think the whole of Ottawa was out, but given that the population is spread across the 7km it was quite manageable. Below is a snazzy shot looking down on the rink from a bridge.

This was were it all begun, our first touch of the ice found it kinda slippery but very wet... In fact by the end of the day, (we were on the ice for 4-5 hrs) skating had turned into more of a walk. (Above-right: Thomas, Bea & Jutta)

Just as a bit of proof that it is the longest rink in the world, here is me in front of a clarifying sign. And Also Jutta showing the world her ice skating skills. (It was so warm that you almost didn't need to wear any jackets, especially after all the physical activity.)

But that didn't stop them setting up a nice fireplace in the cooler parts of the rink. This section was a side canal, where they had set up art on ice. Including a nice array of art decorating the sides of the canal. Below we have a purely Canadian form of art, involving Ice hockey, and a white board. Children are encouraged to hit pucks into the board leaving a nice imprint... Only in Canada.

Here is Bea after being the only other person to FULLY complete the longest ice rink in the world.

All along the rink, there were displays of various fashions. Near the far end, there was an ice carving display.

At the other end, there was a lego version of Ottawa, and just of the ice was a nice lounge to chill out on.

But the biggest thing that I learnt is that Ice can melt... Read the box...

All of the ice they used for there displays came in these boxes. And since the temperatures where so high, everything was melting... Very sad.

In the above picture we have ice carves in action. Did you know that 80% of all ice carvers are Chefs? And they use many common household tools to make their creations. What can you see in the above picture... We have Chainsaws, clothes iron, the guy is using a dremmel, and they also use angle grinders.

On our only night in Ottawa, we all went out to dinner in a charming Irish Pub. Since we were such a large group (22 of us) we were lucky to get a table that would fit us all with no bookings. But we did. After that, we found a little club with a familiar name. The "Zaphod Beeblebrox" one of the main stars in the Hitch hikers guide to the galaxy. And on their cocktail menu they had the Pan galatic Gargle Blasters. Chris and myself seemed to be the only people who knew what HHGTG was and so we decided to try the most potent alcoholic drink in the Galaxy. Ultimately it was quite sweet and rather tasty even given it's green appearance.

Let's just say that after the drink, the world was a little hazy...

On Sunday, we headed round Ottawa doing the touristy thing. Here we saw some of the older styled architecture that's prevalent across Parliament Hill.

Here is me again, with parliament hill in the background. The big tower is the peace tower, in memory of all of the Canadians who died in War.

Me and the tower, and me and some Canadian Flags.

Here we took the Canadian Parliament tour, and what a surprise, it's almost identical to Australia's system. They even have Red and Green houses. (they are called something different though)

More Architecture, and on the right, our hostel. It's known as the jail jostel as back in the days before we were born it was a jail for this region. The beds are all in cells and they still have all the bars on the doors. Very cool.

That concludes my trip to Ottawa, transport to and from Ottawa was in a Canadian/North American People mover/Tank. It had a 100L tank and guzzled gas like it grows on trees. On the upside however, we managed to get 11 people in it. But it's sucks for trying to sleep in it, especially if your tall.

Gmail Invites

Hey all,

If you want a gmail invite!
Please ask!

I have 50 of the buggers!

EDIT: it's now the 17th, and I have only 49 left! There going like hotcakes! Act Fast!

NEWS FLASH - Gemini Down for the Count!

My brother Ian has just reported to me that I quote:

"THE GEMINI!"
"Kaboomie"

"timing chain or something"
no compression anymore"

"Dad was driving, and bang, it stopped running, tried to turn it over and it has no compression, which could mean that squikey noise on startup was no infact the water pump but could have been the timing chain, and when the timing chain goes, the cam shaft that controls the air going in and out of each cylinder, stops dead, the pistons com up, and exaust isnt open, so compression to the max, and boom, hole in piston."

During this time of Grief, I ask for your prayer... I hope that the old Girl can make it through this, but... I fear that the end is upon us...