h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Back from my Christmas hols and, as is now a regular Yuletide tradition, am utterly sick from bugs picked up through contact with teeny tiny children *coughcough* Bleurghhhh... Didn't keep everyone up on the plane, though - just the rows nearest to me

Just before I left, I did something very exciting. Over the years, I've been to a lot of places in the US, but the one where I've managed to go through its airport more times than I can remember but not actually see anything of the place itself is Philadelphia. But, on Thursday, I spent the day there and made it to the city's most exciting tourist destination.

The Liberty Bell?

No (although I did see it through the window, when there was a gap in the queue).

The Rodin Museum?

No (although that was very nice).

So what then?

Da da, da da da, da da da, didi da,
Da da, da da da, da da da, didi da,
Da, da da da, da da, da da,
Da, da da da da, daaa...
Da da daaaa! Da didi daaaaa!

I ran up the steps of the Art Museum and then stood at the top and jumped around with my arms in the air!

(All right, because I was already more than a bit ill, I jogged up some of them - there was a bit of Chariots of Fire-ing going on at one stage too).

To explain - these are the steps that Rocky runs up in the film. Right at the top of them is a little brass plaque with the imprints of a pair of sneakers and just the name, 'Rocky', marking the point where he stands with his arms above his head and then jumps around a bit. At pretty much any time of the day, there is always someone running up the stairs of the museum (I turned round to watch for a bit when we left and it's true - there's always someone breaking into a bit of a sprint). And then, when you get to the top, you have to strike the pose and get your photo taken.

(Which I did, but it's still on my sister's phone, so I may not be getting it soon or easily).

At one stage, there was a statue of Rocky at the top of the steps too - but the Art Museum were chastened to discover that it was far more popular than any of their exhibits, so they had it removed. It's now been brought back and put at the bottom of the building off to one side. (Photo of self with that? Yep. Also on phone? Yep).

Betcha neffa thort you'd be a contender eh?

Ain't gonna be no rematch

So, Trin!

*slaps his back*


Howya doin'?


*poke* It's my 3rd Burpday today! *hic*

It sounds like you had a great time.

Y'know what came to mind first when you said Philadelphia, yes?

Elt'

"You ain't so bad, you ain't so bad, you ain't nothin'. C'mon, champ, hit me in the face! My mom hits harder than you! "

N'aawwww, still, you made it all the way up and back down the stairs in one piece

Cheeeeeese. In heaven. On biscuits.

Rocky?

The Rocky films.. with Sylvester Stallone.. *hic*

Ahh... that Rocky... I've never seen them. Should I?

*hic*

Not particularly..


Geee do you know how difficult it is to spell particularly when you are squiffy??

Oo, yes! Especially the first one. And the second one, maybe. After that, you can probably stop

That's what I thought..

There's more than one 'particularly'?

I've only just gotten to grips with the first one.

You did?


Is that legal?..

Ooh, I hope not.

If I spell the second version of 'particularly' after midnight I can start the new year with a fresh exciting start.

Do you particularly want to?

It's be nice.

Can I start it with a sandwich instead?

*hides glass*

Ahem.

It might be easier.. *hic*