US assistance required

[kari]

Batten down those hatches! Lock up your sons! If you're a son, lock yourself up! Hurricane Kari shall be gracing the ... errr ... wonderful Atlanta with her presence from March 21st-25th. This year!

I knew I loved my job really. :D

Only problem is I've only been to Atlanta once before, and that was in August so we knew it would be hot. With March, I haven't a clue. What do I pack? Flip flops? Suncream? Woolies?

Help please!

[Barb-SAN]

Kari...here's a link to the monthly averages for Atlanta from www.weather.com (http://www.weather.com). Looking at March, the temperature and precipitation make me think of what I imagine to be the weather in England at that time of year, or maybe slightly warmer. What do you think? http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0028?from=36hr_bottomnav_undeclared

[noflyingfan]

Ooh, are you flying through Chicago? Come on, you know you want to....

[kari]

Thanks Barb. I looked on weather.co.uk and was even more baffled when I read that the difference between the record high and record low was something like 50 degrees! Ha! :lol:

Erika, as a matter of fact I am :) I have about three hours at the glamourous ORD each way.

[WillFlyToDisney]

Hmmm.... ATL is only a 47 minute flight from me......

[kari]

Go on Kelley and Ken! You know you want to!

[EyesSkyward]

:woohoo:

Impromptu FlightFest at the Atlanta Trader Vic's!

- Jeff

[noflyingfan]

Man, I wish I could come! My stupid wedding is sucking up all of my money. :cry:

[EyesSkyward]

Man, I wish I could come! My stupid wedding is sucking up all of my money. :cry:

So marriage not only makes you fat, but poor too? :tongue:

- Jeff

[Insert Clever Name Here]

I live near Atlanta - the weather in March varies greatly, but usually is quite mild with some afternoon showers.

March is a good time to visit, it's not very hot and moist yet and the weather is generally good. It would be nice to see people in Atlanta - in fact my next rotation is in metro Atlanta so it would be convenient too.

[kari]

I live near Atlanta - the weather in March varies greatly, but usually is quite mild with some afternoon showers.

March is a good time to visit, it's not very hot and moist yet and the weather is generally good. It would be nice to see people in Atlanta - in fact my next rotation is in metro Atlanta so it would be convenient too.

At last - an answer to the question! :)

What is an Atlanta Trader Vic's!?

[noflyingfan]

So marriage not only makes you fat, but poor too? :tongue:

- Jeff

I don't know about that. I've been poor for a long time. :)

[WillFlyToDisney]

Well marriage sure doesn't make you rich! Neither do kids come to think of it... :rolleyes:

[EyesSkyward]

What is an Atlanta Trader Vic's!?

Why, the Atlanta Trader Vic's (http://www.tradervicsatlanta.com/) is but one in a long line of Trader Vic's restaurants, going back to the thirties. They are meccas of retro-polynesian kitsch (http://www.tikiroom.com/).

There's one in London (http://www.tradervics.com/rest-london.html), ya know.

- Jeff

[kari]

That would probably be nice if I knew what 'Bongo-Bongo Soup veloute of oyster and spinach glazed' was! Can we go to Dennys? :lol:

[kari]

Haha, you Americans are too funny for words. This, from the Dennys menu:

"Chef Salad"

I'm sorry? Golden fried chef served with tomatoes, cucumber, onions, jalapeno peppers, swiss cheese, seventy five eggs (any style) and grits.

:rotflmao: Do grow up, Kari. Do grow up.

[Passenger Mark]

The weather is great in Atlanta in late March.

And guess what Kari????

Six Flags is not far away at all!!!!

http://www.realcoasters.com/images/1_9/3turn2.jpg

[kari]

I know ... I want to go ... even if it is "much of a muchness" ... but don't think I'll have time :( I am only there for four nights! And most of the days will be taken up with staring at books and having random conversations with Mr Paul Snow about the finer intricacies of ISBNs.

[EyesSkyward]

"Chef Salad"

I'm sorry? Golden fried chef served with tomatoes, cucumber, onions, jalapeno peppers, swiss cheese, seventy five eggs (any style) and grits.


Remind me never to offer you Girl Scout cookies.

- Jeff

[kari]

The weather is great in Atlanta in late March.

And guess what Kari????

Six Flags is not far away at all!!!!

http://www.realcoasters.com/images/1_9/3turn2.jpg

I thought about this Mark, and you see, I would go on that. Looks fine to me. I would probably puke afterwards, but don't let that get in the way. Rollercoasters in general are fine, there are just certain limitations.

[WillFlyToDisney]

Hmm...Kari's coming stateside?

YES and to the HUB of Delta Airlines ... Pilots WATCH OUT! :ray:

[kari]

[quote=JohnRobinson]By the way, Kari...(and I hate to point this out...) but your avatar pic is upside down. I mean, you're from the UK, not Oz (they're 'sposed to be upside down...).:D

Johnquote]
Upside down? Who says? You conventionalist, you.

I hate to point this out, but you have a really bony neck and arms. And your eyes and teeth look quite ridiculous :tongue:

All this is very exciting. I have a complaint about American money, though. Over here, we play monopoly with stuff that looks like that. It all looks the same! I raided my brother's wallet (with his permission ... he always carries dollars around with him, not very many but still - they are there) and scrutinised, muttering "Lincoln ... I'm glad you told me because I wouldn't have known ... how do you tell if these are real, anyway?" curiously holding it up to the light and flicking one corner with my finger. "The answer is you don't."

[Passenger Mark]

Here you go Kari... your own guide!




The portrait is more lifelike than on counterfeit money.
There are fine lines, smooth and unbroken lines printed behind the president and behind the building on the reverse.
There is a polymer thread woven in the bill. The thread in the $100 bill reads "USA 100" and the $50 bill reads "USA 50". The thread can't be reproduced with copiers or printers but is visible when the bill is held up to a light or appears yellow when in ultraviolet light. Genuine bills also have red and blue threads embedded in the paper. On counterfeit money the lines look like they're printed on the paper but on genuine bills the lines appear to be in the paper.
There is a watermark or "shadow" to the right of the face on the bill. It isn't visible unless the bill is held up to the light.
Color shifting ink is used for the number in the lower right hand corner on the front of the bill. The ink appears green until the bill is held at an angle, then the ink looks black. The ink is also "never dry" ink, which means that it can be rubbed off. Sometimes; however, the ink on counterfeit money can also rub off. On the $50, the number 50 is printed in large print.
On the $100 bill microprinted words are written around the portrait. To the naked eye it looks like a black line but under a microscope the words "The United States of America" can be read. On the $50 bill, "50" is written around the portrait and "United States of America" is printed in Grant's collar.
Genuine bills have the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals. The saw-tooth points on the seal are clear, distinct, and sharp. The seals on counterfeit money may have uneven, blunt, or broken points.
Along with the seals on each bill there's a serial number printed in the same color ink as the seal. Numbers and letters are evenly spaced.

[Passenger Mark]

Genuine bills have the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals. The saw-tooth points on the seal are clear, distinct, and sharp. The seals on counterfeit money may have uneven, blunt, or broken points.


This is true on the $1 bill as well. As with the fine lines behind the US Seal on the back of the bill.

The pyrimid on the back of the bill will also not be sharp.

[kari]

Thanks Mark! :thumbsup: I can see a few problems, though.

1) If that portrait is lifelike, I feel sorry for him.
2) I don't think I'll be having too many $100s.
3) I don't just happen to have a microscope handy in my purse.

:lol:

[Passenger Mark]

Well... I don't think you have much to worry about, but I added some more information below. Bills don't confuse me that much in other countries... it is the coins that mess me up. I still haven't completely figured out your coins in England... and I would think the US coins would not be much better for someone not accustom to them! Spotting Counterfeit Currency The amount of counterfeit currency in circulation in the United States is very small—only 3/100ths of 1 percent of total currency. About 75 percent of all known counterfeit currency is seized before it reaches the public. But it is in your interest always to examine any currency you receive because you must assume the loss for any counterfeit note you accept. Perhaps the following suggestions from the U.S. Secret Service will help you spot one. Study genuine currency. In series 1996 or later currency, the security features described on pages 4–5 will be present. In addition, look closely at the workmanship of several features. On genuine notes, the portrait and the picture on the back of the note stand out sharply from the background, and the eyes in the portrait appear lifelike. Numbers are firmly, evenly printed and well spaced, and the fine crisscrossing lines of the scrollwork borders are sharp and unbroken. On counterfeit notes, the portrait and picture may merge with the background, the eyes or other features on the portrait may be dull or smudgy, or the face may seem unnaturally white. Numbers may be out of line, poorly spaced, and printed too light or too dark, and the lines in the scrollwork borders may be blurred or broken. The paper used for genuine notes is of very high quality. The tiny red and blue fibers embedded in the paper of genuine notes may not be visible if the bill is badly worn or dirty; on counterfeit bills, these threads may be imitated by fine red and blue lines printed or drawn on the paper. Counterfeit currency paper may feel different or be whiter than genuine paper. Rubbing a bill on a piece of paper is not a good test. Ink can be rubbed off genuine as well as counterfeit notes. If you're not sure whether a note is counterfeit, consult an experienced money handler—a bank teller, for example. If you get a counterfeit bill,

[kari]

Come on then. Make yourself useful, you bunch of yanks :)

I've just realised that the Sunday we fly back (ie the 25th) is also the day we (here in the UK) change our clocks. Great. So I was wondering:

do yous lot change your clocks that day as well? Probably not, but just making sure! Missing flight home not on agenda.

[Barb-SAN]

Come on then. Make yourself useful, you bunch of yanks :)

I've just realised that the Sunday we fly back (ie the 25th) is also the day we (here in the UK) change our clocks. Great. So I was wondering:

do yous lot change your clocks that day as well? Probably not, but just making sure! Missing flight home not on agenda.

It seems the clocks change here the 2nd Sunday in March. I Googled it...rather interesting answer...had forgotten the dates had been changed...but I like daylight saving time, so am glad we will have a longer period of it now.

http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/b.html

[kari]

Thanks Barb! :thumbsup:

Hmm ... this is odd, because it doesn't seem to have been reflected in our flight times.

Missing flight home obviously is on agenda :lol:

[noflyingfan]

As long as you get to Chicago first so we can go line dancing.

[kari]

Hahahaha - don't worry I'll get to Chicago. We'll have to go line dancing in the airport though. Oh well - it's as good a place as any. :lol:

[cshollingsworth]

Well marriage sure doesn't make you rich! Neither do kids come to think of it... :rolleyes:

Depends on who you marry. :blush: :lol:

[cshollingsworth]

Batten down those hatches! Lock up your sons! If you're a son, lock yourself up! Hurricane Kari shall be gracing the ... errr ... wonderful Atlanta with her presence from March 21st-25th. This year!

I knew I loved my job really. :D

Only problem is I've only been to Atlanta once before, and that was in August so we knew it would be hot. With March, I haven't a clue. What do I pack? Flip flops? Suncream? Woolies?

Help please!

Hi Kari...you posted this the day I was flying back home...

Atlanta is not very far from us, actually. About a 3 1/2 hr. drive. Atlanta has tons of cool stuff to do...you will have a blast! The city is very pretty at night...and do take time to go to "Underground Atlanta" just for the fun of it. :cool:

[WillFlyToDisney]

Depends on who you marry. :blush: :lol:

My 13 year old daughter has announced that she is going to marry a rich man - she usually makes this announcement after being told we can't afford something extravagant. Guess when dating time comes around we need to see the credit scores and balance sheets of the boy's parents so we can figure out if he can potentially afford to put her in the lifestyle she is dying to become accustomed to... :rolleyes:

[noflyingfan]

Hey, it's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one.

[noflyingfan]

Ah, the poor man's creed. :tongue:

Honestly, though, I think you're sort of right, except I think it is fair to also say that the nice ones don't always stand out as "nice rich guys" because they don't flaunt that they're wealthy.

And I know plenty of poor jerks too. :rolleyes:

[kari]

Yay! So after much palaver (the bank lost it :rolleyes: ) I finally got my money. I don't know what I was so worried about. You know it's legal tender because it says so. "This note is legal tender" it says.

They've given me four $100s :( Will people have them? Here nobody will take a £50. So I'm probably lumbered with them.

They've also given me this weird looking thing. I think they're quite rare.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m155/karianne_02/funnymoney.jpg

Will anyone accept that?

[WillFlyToDisney]

LOL Southwest should take those!

Most small shops wont take a $100 or even a $50 but if you eat at a sit down restaurant they should be able to take it - just ask. I think you can get change at the currency exchange booths inside the airport too.

[Rebecca]

In America, you can only buy BBQ with the Stark dollar.

[kari]

And Kari, you're totally hosed with those $100 bills. They're useless. Just send them all to me and I'll dispose of them for you.

I've been waiting for someone to say that :D

I examined all my notes to see if they're real. What could be simpler? It's easy, you know the $5s are real because they have Kenny Rogers in the watermark.

#You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille .....#

[Barb-SAN]

They've also given me this weird looking thing. I think they're quite rare.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m155/karianne_02/funnymoney.jpg

Will anyone accept that?

:lol: :lol: :lol: Taking Flight Bucks...ought to be good for something...print one out and take it on your next SWA flight...see if anyone recognizes him....;)

Hmmm, always thought Ray looked like a million bucks....

[kari]

Hmmm, always thought Ray looked like a million bucks....
See, Ray. You're not being left out, here!

My trip was fantastic because it answered so many questions at the same time as creating a million more unanswered questions.

1) Eating dinner on day one, having being brought a massive portion that would adequately serve four moderately hungry adults here at home, I remembered Kelley's advice: "eat until you're full, then stop." So I ate about three quarters which I thought was quite good. Then I thought. If you were making yourself dinner at home, how much do you make? Do you make what you know you're going to eat or do you make enough to feed a small third world nation?

2) Is a "drive thru" bank what it sounds like?

3) Is it commonplace for people to dress their dogs in sports shirts? I mean, it'd be a mess if your dog was a City fan and you made it walk around in a United shirt.

4) I saw several signs saying "RED LIGHT PHOTO ENFORCED" or some such. I assume these are in reference to the coloured lights on the street rather than prostitutes. But nobody has a numberplate! So even if they did take your picture, how would they know it was you? And when they're all allowed to go through on red anyway what difference does it make?

5) Are you taught to steer round corners with one hand?

6) Whilst shopping (oh wow, these prices are in dollars!!!) I saw several posters informing me that "every time you yell at your spouse, she learns a lesson." With current marriage rates advertising that marriage is now about as fashionable as pink dungarees, who has a spouse anymore?

7) Where is terminal 4 at ORD?

8) Why is the international terminal at ORD also the most boring terminal on Earth?

9) How fat do you have to be to get on one of those annoying beeping trolleys that drive you to the gate at the airport? They can't be for disabled people because you see folk running for them.

10) If you get SSSS printed on your boarding pass, does it necessarily mean you've peed them off?

[Rebecca]

:rotflmao: Ooooh, direct hits!!!

I'll answer a few but then I want to know what questions your trip ANSWERED!!!!!

1) At home we are a LOT more moderate. There is the pioneer thing where restaurants still feel (and we expect) that giant portions are necessary because we've been driving oxen and throwing hay bales and plowing fields all day, despite the fact we've only been sitting at our computers. A typical restaurant breakfast is a good example. People USED to eat like that because they'd already been out and milked the cows etc. before coming back in to a massive breakfast. Old eating traditions die hard. You've a few of your own, I'm sure!

2) Drive-thru just means you drive up to a little window where you conduct your transactions. Applies to lots of businesses besides banks. Especially fast food.

3) Dogs are subject to their owners' political and sports preferences. They're not in England?

4) They are taking a picture of your car, I think, so there would be a license plate. I don't think they photograph and prosecute pedestrians, but I could be wrong.

5) We are taught to drive properly and then develop bad habits.

6) Somehow divorce rates don't seem to discourage people from getting married in droves.

[s_turner]

Well... I don't think you have much to worry about, but I added some more information below. Bills don't confuse me that much in other countries... it is the coins that mess me up. I still haven't completely figured out your coins in England... and I would think the US coins would not be much better for someone not accustom to them!

UK coins are so easy though; the value is written right there on the coin unlike ours in the US, where woe betides you if you don't know what a nickel, dime, or quarter is worth. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[noflyingfan]

UK coins are so easy though; the value is written right there on the coin unlike ours in the US, where woe betides you if you don't know what a nickel, dime, or quarter is worth. :lol::lol::lol::lol:
I actually had to look at the coins in my purse to check this. And you're right about the dime; all it says is "one dime." The nickel says "five cents" and the penny says "one cent," you just have to look at the back. The quarter says "quarter dollar," and I would think one would make the assumption that it is 25 cents (1/4 equals 25 percent equals 25 cents).

As for the food thing, one of my mom's favorite sayings of late is, "the way to make people think your restaurant is great is to sell huge portions for low prices. Even if the food isn't that good, people will tell other people it's good because it's cheap and you get a lot of it."

Oh, and Kari -- I think the international terminal is probably boring because the people there mostly too jet-lagged and tired to do anything.

[kari]

Rebecca,

It answered questions such as you call WH Smith Hudson News and you call Claires Icing and you call some Borders Waldenbooks and you call Monsoon Anthropologie. And it also answered the question of whether Britain is becoming more like America which is often bandied around. I am sorry to say that we are not.

Apart from when I was stuck in Chicago, I spent all the time in Atlanta which is a major city and doubtless has its own particular issues when it comes to crime. Having said that, I never saw any train seats that had been scribbled on, nor did I see any bus shelters or payphones that had been wilfully destroyed. Over here, kids (and some adults) smash windows for fun. I regret that we are not "getting like America."

I always struggle with coins that I'm not used to when I go abroad. I think our coins are quite easy, they are different colours, shapes and sizes. Most foreign coins look the same to me :lol:

[WillFlyToDisney]

To answer number 10 - YES! Either that or you bought a one way ticket, paid with cash or bought/changed your ticket at the last minute.

I was flagged on American Airlines for YEARS but finally managed to get my name off of the list that doesn't exist. :rolleyes:

[LeslieDEN]

To answer number 10 - YES! Either that or you bought a one way ticket, paid with cash or bought/changed your ticket at the last minute.

Naw, I was SSSSed once, and it was completely random.

[s_turner]

I actually had to look at the coins in my purse to check this. And you're right about the dime; all it says is "one dime." The nickel says "five cents" and the penny says "one cent," you just have to look at the back. The quarter says "quarter dollar," and I would think one would make the assumption that it is 25 cents (1/4 equals 25 percent equals 25 cents).

As for the food thing, one of my mom's favorite sayings of late is, "the way to make people think your restaurant is great is to sell huge portions for low prices. Even if the food isn't that good, people will tell other people it's good because it's cheap and you get a lot of it."

Oh, and Kari -- I think the international terminal is probably boring because the people there mostly too jet-lagged and tired to do anything.

The number one complaint I get from my UK colleagues is about US money...they hate that our bills are all the same size/color and they hate our coins. I don't remember nickels saying 'five cents' but I haven't lived in the US since 2001 so maybe they changed them. I did explain to the British that a quarter is 1/4 of a dollar, hence $0.25, but it doesn't seem to sink in. I think what confuses them is they don't have a coin the size of a nickel, their 5p coin is the size of a dime, and their 10p coin is the size of a quarter. I think it's the difference in sizes and denominations for coins that gets them.

[kari]

My brother was lucky enough to stay at the Omni ... I went for a look and thought it was really posh ... haha.

We shared the GWCC with a cheerleading championship and "Stonexpo" - the stone industry event. I keep forgetting that I meant to google it to see what it was all about. What sort of stone? Diamonds? Gravestones?

[noflyingfan]

We shared the GWCC with a cheerleading championship and "Stonexpo" - the stone industry event. I keep forgetting that I meant to google it to see what it was all about. What sort of stone? Diamonds? Gravestones?

Maybe Stone Phillips.

http://www.tahoecelebritygolf.com/Players/images/phillips-stone2.jpg

That reminds me, Kelley -- how do you feel about the name Stone?

[kari]

Who is Stone Phillips?

[noflyingfan]

Who is Stone Phillips?

:eek:

Only the handsomest television news anchor ever!

Alright, fine, I don't watch his show (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/). But I like that his name is Stone. :lol:

[kari]

Forgive me, but he doesn't look all that handsome to me. But then, I have weird taste.

Re StonExpo: THE stone industry event, the website explains all:

http://www.stonexpoeast.com/

"Thousands of serious stone professionals arrived at StonExpo East in Atlanta March 22-24, 2007 to see the latest in stone products and machinery, connect with new and existing suppliers and make business happen. This year’s show was a highly anticipated event and well received by both attendees and exhibitors."

I knew I should have tried to sneak in.

[noflyingfan]

Forgive me, but he doesn't look all that handsome to me. But then, I have weird taste.

You know I've always questioned it.

[WillFlyToDisney]

Stone Phillips is dashing but I'm not too keen on the name for my kid.

[JPenny]

I've always thought Shepherd Smith was kind of hunky. I'm positive he has a nearly-identical brother who does the weather on our local Fox channel.

But then, as you know, Kari, I'm the world's biggest fuddy-duddy. I think you should post a picture of who YOU think is hot, just so we can compare . . .

:wave: Jean

P.S. Guys, this is a girl's-only discussion. We really don't want to see the kind of women YOU think are hot!

[noflyingfan]

When it comes to men I actually think are hot...besides Matt, of course...there is no one hotter than Christian Bale.

http://sweb.cz/carreen/christian%20bale.jpg
http://66.49.190.33/scans/grandes/c-d/christianbale/christianbale0108.jpg
http://www.hotbadguys.com/images/bale.jpg

[JPenny]

Yeah, that definitely falls into the parameters of gorgeous. No arguments there. Even Kari has to admit to it. I've always been partial to Tom Sellick, though he's from an "older" generation.

Jean

[noflyingfan]

When I was in college, I made a bet with my roommate that I would marry Christian Bale before I turned 40. Whoever loses the bet has to give the winner an ice cream maker (I figure that would be a nice wedding gift -- and actually, my mom got Matt and me an ice cream maker, and I love it).

[kari]

But then, as you know, Kari, I'm the world's biggest fuddy-duddy. I think you should post a picture of who YOU think is hot, just so we can compare . . .



As soon as I'm allowed out of the naughty corner, I will do just that :thumbsup:

[kari]

Okay then. I've been allowed out. And, since you asked, here are the men I think are hot:



http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m155/karianne_02/PredsvsStorm070.jpg

The one on the right. His mother emailed me once or twice. :lol: Long story.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m155/karianne_02/04040701.jpg

And ...

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m155/karianne_02/04040702.jpg

this man :thumbsup:

[WillFlyToDisney]

Mmmmmmmmm football pants...

[noflyingfan]

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m155/karianne_02/PredsvsStorm070.jpg

The one on the right. His mother emailed me once or twice. :lol: Long story.


Dear Kari,

First of all, thank you for the Penguins. They were very tasty. Secondly, I regret to inform you that after a conversation with your former teacher Mrs. Bucknell, I am afraid I do not feel you are suitable for my son. I had high hopes when I found out that you can iron, but hearing about your shoddy kitchen skills changed my mind.

Sincerely,
that guy's mom

[kari]

LOL Erika it wasn't like that. It was on one of these message board doodahs. She wrote to me to thank my brother and me for some stuff we'd said ... apparently it meant so much to the entire family. She was another person I nearly got to meet but it didn't quite work out. Oh well. The point is that Shane Stafford knows I'm a psycho, and is thankful for it.

[noflyingfan]

LOL Erika it wasn't like that. It was on one of these message board doodahs.

You visit OTHER message boards? :eek:

I feel so used! :cry:

[Barb-SAN]

You do know that football pants are the male equivalent of the Wonderbra...

:rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[WillFlyToDisney]

You do know that football pants are the male equivalent of the Wonderbra...

Whatever works! :thumbsup: