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Advicenators discussion: Hello
karenR wrote Friday January 5 2007, 7:55 pm:
Hi Isis. Just found your message on my board!
Guess I should peek at it now and then!
I am not real sure how this works. Do I answer here or on mine? I answered on mine but decided to send you your link too.
I am interested in England too, so feel free to ask
about where I live anytime! I know I can think of some crazy questions for you too!
Karen
isis wrote Saturday January 6 2007, 1:54 pm:
Hi, I'm not sure either to be honest! Thanks for the link. I was going to try to have a go at it myself at some point, but I wasn't sure whether anyone would read it even if I managed to get it started - so welcome!
Anyways, ask away, I've lived here a long time!
Ok, so Kansas - I've been fascinated with ever since, you've guessed - Dorothy and Toto. Then by the Joan Rivers description. Which, I have to say, made me laugh, but after seeing you in action, is probably as true as it would be anywhere in the world! (Umm, that's a compliment if it didn't sound it!).
If you don't remember or haven't heard it, she said that she thought Americans' intelligence was linked to the sea. You start off at the coast, they're smart, then as you go inland - dumber, dumber, dumber - Kansas! Probably didn't go down that well where you are though?
Anyway, with both my feet firmly planted in my mouth, what exactly is it like there? Having no idea at all, I would imagine, hot, dry, rocky, and sandy, with not too many people. Way out on that?
What's the general idea of what England is like? Let me guess at cold, wet and foggy. Oh and everyone lives in London, in big houses and has servants!
I will wait with breath suitably bated for your reply, that is if you're not too insulted???
Jan
karenR wrote Sunday January 7 2007, 5:19 pm:
Kansas is not really flat though we don't have any pretty mountains. Lots of hills though. Lots of nothing in western Kansas.
I live close to Topeka the capital and its a pretty good sized town.
Its usually cold in the winter with snow and sometimes ice. We haven't gotten much of that this year in our area though. Summers are hot and humid. Sometimes we see a tornado or two. Have never had any damage from one. I love storms!
We have some very pretty sunsets here. Humidity may be a factor.
I guess I see England as probably being damp and foggy all the time. With pubs everywhere!
I know that isn't true because I've seen sun on a few shows! Most of what I kow I have learned from
Monty python, Young Ones, Abfab (love that show)
or Benny Hill!
I don't insult easily and love Joan Rivers too. :)
isis wrote Tuesday January 9 2007, 5:52 pm:
Hi, I've just had a look at Topeka on google earth. Are you on the Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska or Colorado side? I'll take a wild guess at Nebraska or Colorado as I know they get snow, (not sure about the other two).
We have also heard over here that it doesn't bother Americans much to travel a hundred miles or so to go see friends for an evening. If we did that here, we wouldn't be back in time for work the next day! Our roads are not that great, too many of them in too small a space, with congestion everywhere.
It's true, we do have pubs everywhere! A small town a couple of miles from us called Wimborne practically has a pub between each shop.
The English Channel is about a ten minute drive away, not exactly the ocean but the closest we can get in this part of the world. I was born next to the sea and couldn't really see myself moving far from it. I still go there if I'm feeling stressed, it's a great pick-me-up.
We live in a town called Poole, which after Sydney landfilled part of it's harbour, is now the largest natural harbour in the world. It's part of a coastline that is called the Jurassic Coast, due to the wild beauty and the fossils that have been found here. It is also now the first place in England to become a World Heritage Site. If you have google earth, go to the South of England, find Brownsea Island, home in on that, and Poole is right there. You can actually see our house if you look carefully enough!
It really is a beautiful part of the country, we're very lucky. Poole Councils slogan for the town is 'Come to Poole, it's a beautiful place'. We have five miles of sandy beaches, which might not sound a lot for Americans, with all the space you have there, but is a fair bit for us.
We have the New Forest a few miles up the road. It is still protected land by the crown and the kings of England used to go there for their hunting sprees. (Hunting is now deeply frowned on by most Brits, except a few country dwellers, and is a very inflammatory subject over here).
We also have wonderful sunsets, particularly on a balmy summer's evening or a clear, crisp winters day.
We also have what is rapidly becoming what is known as 'millionaire's row, as some of the real estate at Sandbanks, a couple of miles from here, has some of the most expensive properties in the world and has attracted quite a few stars, mostly of the football variety. And Madonna doesn't live too far away, her kids go to school with my best friend's (Elcee) nephew and niece. (Just name dropping there! Lol).
DO NOT TRUST Monty Python, The Young Ones or Abfab! Great programmes but most definitely NOT a true reflection of life in the UK. Benny Hill is not at all PC over here now and is NEVER shown on tv, except for his song 'Ernie the fastest milkman in the west' occasionally on the music channels.
Questions:
What are twinkies?
Do American policeman really eat doughnuts all the time?
What is a condo?
What are Mallowmars?
Is it true you take your life in your hands as soon as you walk out your front door?
What tv programmes that we might see are a fair reflection of life over there?
I think that's it for now, glad you don't insult easily by the way, it's not unknown for me to put both feet in my mouth at the same time, completely unintentionally. :)
Flaggal wrote Thursday February 1 2007, 6:18 am:
hi! i'm jus getting ready to go to skool and i saw your advicenators and thought i'll check out your forum! ish awesome!
isis wrote Thursday February 1 2007, 6:24 pm:
Well thank you very much Flaggal. Hope school goes well for you. It's just a distant memory to me now lol.
Cux wrote Tuesday February 13 2007, 7:41 pm:
Hey isis,
CONGRATS ON BEING THE CURRENT FEATURED COLUMNIST!!!
you deserve it!
--Jack
isis wrote Wednesday February 14 2007, 10:11 am:
Thank you Jack, it's always good to have feedback. I like your column too. If you pick this up, I'd be interested in knowing how you came by your user name.
Mackenzie wrote Sunday March 4 2007, 7:13 pm:
"What are twinkies?"
Twinkies are a dessert. They're a pre-packaged, yellow, sponge cake with creamy white filling. Like most of the foods Americans eat, Twinkies are unhealthy. I'd imagine knock off Twinkies grace the shelves all over, but they were first introduced by Hostess company in 1933. [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
"Do American policeman really eat doughnuts all the time?"
They do and they don't. That really depends on your location. Dunkin Donuts is a huge donut chain in America. They are in some American states, and not in others. I don't know if they've expanded anywhere else, though. And it's not so much that they really glom donuts, exactly. It's just that donuts are reasonably priced, quick, available in a variety of flavors and (unlike hamburgers or pizza) won't get cold and can sit out for a good while. If you mention donuts to a police officier, changes are they will be offended. The most annoying thing I see, is that you will find it spelled 'donut' and 'doughnut'. It is my understanding that either spelling is now acceptable.
"What is a condo?"
"Condo" is short for Condominium. Condominums are large apartments that are individually owned and sold, instead of rented out. They are still a bunch of homes connected to one another; a condominium complex. Since it is owned, you are free to do your own repairs and alterations, unlike an apartment complex. Here is an example of a condominium complex: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
"What are Mallowmars?"
Mallomars! I'm glad you asked! Quite possibly one of the most delicious treats I've ever devoured!!
According to [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) are a kind of cookie in the marshmallow sandwich genre, produced seasonally at Nabisco. A circle of Graham cracker is covered with a puff of extruded marshmallow, then enrobed (not dipped) in a hard dark chocolate shell. Mallomars were introduced to the public in 1913, the same year as the Moon Pie (a confection which has similar ingredients). The first box of Mallomars was sold in West Hoboken, NJ (now Union City, NJ). Nabisco discusses it with a short story printed on Mallomar boxes.
Because Mallomars melt easily in summer temperatures, they can become difficult to find during the summer: they are generally available from early October through April. Devoted eaters of the cookie have been known to stock up during winter months and keep them refrigerated over the summer. Seventy percent of all Mallomars sold are sold in metropolitan New York, and a majority of the rest are sold in outlets such as Miami and Los Angeles."
I'm surprised you asked. Even many American's don't know what a Mallomar is. I didn't until I was about 15. they are exceptionally hard to come by. [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
"Is it true you take your life in your hands as soon as you walk out your front door?"
No. Like any other country, we have our good and bad neighborhoods/towns. "Is it true you take your life in your hands as soon as you walk out your front door", when you think about it, couldn't that always be the case? Lives can change in the blink of an eye, it doesn't require a bullet between the eyes. ;)
"What tv programmes that we might see are a fair reflection of life over there?"
I don't watch much television. Perhaps American Idol, though. If you've ever seen that show, they have an accepted age range of 16-28. Contestants come from all over the country. They each bring with them their individual culture, ethinicity, religion, talents and so on. The most obvious thing they have in common is that they all want to be a star. They all have a love for music and/or film. With fame, comes money. In a country where we all live freely, there is so much to be done with excessive amounts of money, so not too many people would be against fame and power.
:)
isis wrote Saturday March 10 2007, 2:47 pm:
Ok, so twinkies look like our cream sponge fingers, condos look like our low rise blocks of flats and mallomars look like our teacakes.
It also looks like doughnuts are another example of different spellings in our countries. Yet further proof of two nations divided by a common language! Good to know the police are not that unhealthy. Lol.
If American Idol is a fair reflection of American life, that's scary. A lot of them seem quite strange, but maybe that's just the ones I've caught. I'm guessing you're not all like that? The merest possibility of fame over here can drive most people a bit nuts for some reason.
As for the danger thing, I guess it's sensationalised over here about America being dangerous, the media being what it is. There are parts of the UK you wouldn't want to walk around at night, even with company.
Thanks for the insight though, I am really hoping that one day we are going to be able to get over there and do some serious exploring. If you have any recommendations of 'must see' places, I'd be interested. So far I have Sedonna and the Grand Canyon on my list. :)
uresweetie16 wrote Sunday March 18 2007, 8:01 am:
Hello. people yea i am bored and decieded to check out your forum! isis your hilarious!
isis wrote Monday March 19 2007, 9:23 am:
Thank you ursweetie, it probably comes from living in a cold, damp country. If you didn't have the movement of laughter, we'd all turn into ice sculptures lol.
Igotamonopoly wrote Sunday April 1 2007, 7:50 pm:
Los Angeles is intersting.
isis wrote Tuesday April 3 2007, 5:54 pm:
Hello, I would love to see Los Angeles some day. When hubby and I retire, we plan on coming over to the US and tour for a few months. The problem is, there are so many places we want to see, I think we'd need a couple of years! Lol.
isis wrote Wednesday April 18 2007, 12:44 pm:
Why not? Is it that bad? We've heard a few horror stories about it over here, but you can never be sure if the media are sensationalising them. If you anything, spill!
Cux wrote Friday April 20 2007, 5:13 pm:
isis wrote Wednesday February 14 2007, 10:11 am:
Thank you Jack, it's always good to have feedback. I like your column too. If you pick this up, I'd be interested in knowing how you came by your user name.
Well- that story shall be revealed another day...
isis wrote Friday April 20 2007, 8:13 pm:
Lol, I shall await the telling with interest!
Igotamonopoly wrote Saturday July 7 2007, 2:20 pm:
Thew and I live like 20 minutes apart, with me being closer to the Hollywood glitz and glamour.
It's interesting to see celebrities, I guess. I have become desensitized to them, for the most part, though.
Most of LA near me is very safe. The real problem is that it could take police up to 3 hours to come if you call 911; a lot of people hire private security companies. But I live in a suburb of LA, Burbank, which is where all of the TV shows and stuff are made.
I don't know what shows of ours you get over there, but CBS, NBC, FOX, the CW, etc. are all based in Burbank. Only one studio is still in LA.
Warner Brothers offers studio tours, as does Universal, which is interesting if you watch those shows.
It's not that bad...granted I don't live there.
A lot of it is really run-down, which is probably why Thew says that it isn't worth it to come.
isis wrote Monday July 9 2007, 7:19 pm:
That's really sad. That place has so much history within the world of film, it's a shame it's been left to become run down.
The idea we have of Hollywood over here is that all the woman are tall, leggy, blonde and botoxed. Also that they have had so much plastic surgery, they're within inches of talking out of their navels, (or lower). Most people are loaded and all the waiters are aspiring actors. The rest live on the streets and sell what they can find in the stars rubbish to the papers in order to buy drink.
All the stars are followed around by an entourage of security guys and 'yes' people. Everyone 'does lunch', air kisses and make lots of false promises.
All the men are much the same as the women with the surgery and they have a younger woman hanging off their arms, trading them in for an even younger version every couple of years. They pay a fortune in alimony and sue everyone just because they can.
Most young people get around on roller skates and everyone is fitness and health food fanatic.
How close am I? :)
isis wrote Wednesday July 11 2007, 3:24 pm:
?
isis wrote Wednesday July 18 2007, 9:58 am:
Lots of crappy game shows, interspersed with crappy reality shows, but I don't usually watch them. I take it that's from one, or is that the name? ;)
S_C wrote Wednesday July 18 2007, 2:15 pm:
Dign ding ding would be the sound of the bell that rings when your answer is correct. =D haha
When your answer is incorrect it makes this loud buzz noise that I can't actually type the sound of because I'm not sure how you would type the sound of it. (as if that probably didn't confuse you more).
isis wrote Wednesday July 18 2007, 4:33 pm:
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Cux wrote Saturday August 11 2007, 11:15 pm:
Hey isis!
isis wrote Sunday August 12 2007, 6:42 pm:
Hey Jack! How's it going?
Cux wrote Tuesday August 14 2007, 3:46 pm:
Good- how are you?
isis wrote Tuesday August 14 2007, 5:43 pm:
I'm fine thanks. That was a nice thing you did for Tina. Hope she's going to be ok, she's had such a bad year.
Cux wrote Tuesday August 14 2007, 10:48 pm:
I always love to help a friend- whether I know them face-to-face or online [really only here I have friends online I don't know in person].
I guess that's why I'm here; I love to help people.
isis wrote Wednesday August 15 2007, 6:55 pm:
Well you just keep right on doing that, there aren't enough people in the world that can think of others. :D
Cux wrote Thursday August 16 2007, 9:45 pm:
Well I'm glad to call myself one of the few!
isis wrote Friday August 17 2007, 4:30 pm:
We're an elite bunch here! Helpers not so anonymous lol.
Cux wrote Sunday August 19 2007, 4:01 pm:
haha
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