If you are as busy as I am when at work, you really don't have much time to plan out your vacation to - a - T. Live with it. Nothing, not even your vacation will ever be perfect. Case in point, I got swindled into paying 700 CZ K for a 10 minute cab ride from the Charles Bridge to my hotel. People, that's about $40 USD. We don't even need to go into who's the fool...
Anyway, back to the issue at hand - if you are out of time and happen to be jumping from city to city and need a quick reference point as to what to see and do, avoid all the usual suspects and just go straight to google image search and type in the city. I promise you, for the most part, you will find what you must see and do. Pick out what you like, what strikes you, then delve in from there. Pictures say a thousand words without some schmuck ever having to write them down...If only I were so lucky.
You know those who say - "What goes around comes around"? They're saying it because they've probably just had their hat handed to them. Hey, I've been there. And so this time around, all you WINNERS out there, in knowing that everything is cyclical, please be respectful and know that your time on top, as it stands, is only "in the moment." Enjoy it, YOU'VE EARNED IT, but respect those who came before you and who are still there. They, like you, are survivors who HAVE ALREADY WON and tasted what you are so enjoying right. this. very. minute. Pay attention to them, you could learn something.
It was brought to my attention that New Era, the MLB licensed baseball cap manufacturer has just launched a new ad campaign centering around the New York Yankees and Boston RedSox. The initial ads feature Alec Baldwin portraying a Yankees fan and John Krasinski playing the role of RedSox fanatic. Now, these ads are all in good fun, yes?
Showing your love for your team is nothing new. Implicating political ideology by virtue of which team you root for is racy, but nothing new. (excerpt from commercial) - "How are you a Yankees fan at all, it's like being a huge fan of fascism." But showing two A-listers going at it, with Alec Baldwin dropping Krasinski flat on his tuckus, is a bit much.
Let me tell you why given the current situation - in case you forgot New Era, a SF Giants fan, most likely wearing your cap, is still recovering in a hospital from a savage beating at the hands of two LA Dodgers fans outside Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium) just less than a month ago. (see link) This wasn't a case of robbery, adultery, sheer psychosis, no, this was a simple case of sports rivalry. In sum, a man was hospitalized, sustaining major injuries, simply because he was wearing an opposing team's cap n jersey. Sounds so ridiculous, doesn't it? Making major national headlines, along with a continued investigation, pretty much makes this New Era ad campaign tactless and in the poorest of judgement.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/04/02/san-francisco-giants-fan-attacked-dodger-fans-outside-los-angeles-ballpark/ We have already witnessed numerous sports rivalries turning sour and leading to violent public displays resulting in death - see football hooligans. Must we incite violence in even our most sacred of sports? I for one am completely taken aback by New Era's ad campaign and I am flabbergasted at how no one on their advertising/creative team neglected to point this out. Millions of dollars are at stake when implementing and executing a proper national ad campaign - due diligence and extensive research is not only paramount, but rather...basic. NEW ERA - ABSOLUTE, UTTER FAIL. You may boost sales exponentially by inciting violence via sports rivalry, but I hold you in the same regard as I do the crap I just took this morning. Wipe my ass for me please.
So, what is the Gumball 3000 you say? Hmm...how to abstractly summarize - wild, dangerous, excessive, exhilarating, every man's cure to the midlife crisis. For a small fee of " £25,000 per car (two people), for a full-on week of partying, high jinks and adrenaline fuelled adventure! The fee includes hotels each night, food, parties and checkpoints on route," you too can enjoy the thrill of a lifetime, yes? Not your cup o tea? Well, top o the morning to ya then. This is not for everyone.
Let me break it down for ya, layman. Essentially it's a real life Cannonball Run.
Wow, what a concept to promote! This year we see the GB 3K "returning to its roots with a classic European road rally from London to Istanbul." - refer to a great source of info for the race @
In just two weeks 100+ supercars, their owners and thousands of fans from all over the world gather in London for the start of this years Gumball 3000 rally. Gumball 2011 returns to its roots with a classic European road rally from London to Istanbul. The organizers are emphasizing on the green future of supercars with displays of eco-supercars in major cities along the route. Read the full event schedule below or keep an eye on our dedicated Gumball 3000 fansite for the latest news and gossip.
Gumball 2011 Route
Disclaimer: GTspirit takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this map. We hope Gumball HQ knows where Belgrade is when they are actually driving there ;)
Gumball 2011 Schedule
London to Istanbul, 8 days, 8 countries, driving 3000 miles, an adventure of a lifetime! With key check-points and parties on route in London, Paris, Barcelona, Monaco, Venice, Belgrade, Sofia and finally the mighty Istanbul. The event combines automobiles with music, film, and entertainment throughout the 3000 miles, closing the streets in each city to create a Gumball festival! 25th & 26th MAY
Starting for the 10th time in England’s capital, we will be hosting the most extravagant Gumball event in our 12 year history. We will register each driver on the 25th before they attend the VIP launch party. The next morning on the 26th is when their adventure will truly begin!
City: London, England
Date: Thursday 26th May
Location: Covent Garden
Time: 9am – 4pm
What’s happening: Come to Covent Garden to see the celebrities and over 100 amazing vehicles on display including the future in eco-supercars, buy the official “Tour T-Shirt”, and soak up the atmosphere before the flag drops at 1200 26th MAY
A short drive under the English Channel, our first tour stop on our 3000 mile adventure is Paris! We’ll be showcasing Eco and Green concept vehicles within a stones throw of the Eiffel tower & experiencing fine Parisian dining by candle light before partying all night with our ‘Baller VIP’s!!!
City: Paris, France
Date: Thursday 26th May
Location: Outside VIP Rooms and the Collette store
Time: VIP Rooms 6 pm onwards. Collette all week.
What’s happening: Fantastic Eco-car displays outside VIP Rooms and the Collete store, showcasing the most jaw-dropping futurustic cars and supercars 27th MAY CHECKPOINT 1
City: Albi, France
Date: Friday 27th May
Location: Circuit D’Albi, Albi
Time: Gumballers arriving & departing between 12pm – 4.30pm
What’s happening: The public are invited to watch the Gumball drivers take their own Gumball cars and the incredible super eco-race cars around the race track. CHECKPOINT 2
The ‘Ballers will draw up to Barcelona sea front for the car display. Once they’ve checked into their rooms, dinner will be served overlooking the beautiful turquoise Med.
City: Barcelona, Spain
Date: Friday 27th May
Location: The W Hotel, Barcelona
Time: Gumballers arriving from 1730 staying until 1pm 28th May
What’s happening: Check out the disply of all the Gumball cars! 28th & 29th MAY
Prepare for the serenity of the French countryside to disappear as the sound of 25 Formula One cars hits you straight between the eyes! A dazzling 2 days of non-stop partying in the capital of indulgence is ahead!
City: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Date: Saturday 28th May
Location: No public event
Time: No public event
What’s happening: Eco-car displays within Monte carlo – exhibiting the future in automobiles and the Green concepts to hit the market. 30th MAY
Pick up a speed boat ride to the steps of the Gumball Hotel, the Betsafe girls will be on hand to help you recoup your Monte Carlo losses at the Betsafe Poker Tournament!
City: Venice, Italy
Date: Monday 30th May
Location: Tronchetto
Time: Gumballers arriving from 1700
What’s happening: The longest car disply of the rally stretching along the water-front, showcasing an amazing display accessible by water bus or private taxi – great photo opportunities! 31st MAY
CHECKPOINT 1
City: Zagreb, Croatia
Date: Tuesday 31st May
Location: Checkpoint at the Mimara Museum
Time: Gumballers arriving & departing between 1pm-3pm
What’s happening: Gumball 3000 arrives in wonderful Zagreb on it’s national celebration day. CHECKPOINT 2
Entering Begrade is like entering no other city on route!!! Crowds on motorways and bridges will line the way as Gumball fever grips the city and fans besiege the route!
City: Belgrade, Serbia
Date: Tuesday 31st May
Location: Hotel Continental Belgrade
Time: Gumballers arriving from 9pm
What’s happening: Huge live event of music and Gumball merchandise on sale, large public car display within the grounds of the Hotel Continental Belgrade.
CHECKPOINT 3
City: Sofia, Bulgaria
Date: Wednesday 1st June
Location: Checkpoint at the National Art Gallery
Time: Gumballers arriving & departing between 12.30pm-2.30pm
What’s happening: Stunning car display outside the National Art Gallery, which is on the main route to Istanbul through the fantastic city of Sofia! 1st JUNE
The climax of our tour is the mighty Turkish city of Istanbul! This current ‘European Capital of Culture’ better prepare for a new ruler…GUMBALL 3000 2011 is about to invade!!!!!! Its going to be one hell of a finish party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
City: Istanbul, Turkey
Date: Wednesday 1st June
Location: Central Location, Istanbul
Time: Gumballers arriving from 8pm
What’s happening: Final destination and car display. The Gumballers cross the finish line of their 3000 mile road trip in the beautiful city of Istanbul.
Gumball 2011 Entrance Fee
The fee is £25,000 per car (two people), for a full-on week of partying, high jinks and adrenaline fuelled adventure! The fee includes hotels each night, food, parties and checkpoints on route.
Gumball 2011 Information and Updates
Like last year GTspirit will host extensive Gumball 3000 rally coverage at the dedicated Gumball-3000.com fansite. You can also join us on Facebook for the latest updates live as it happens and exclusive previews!
So much speculation continues to surround the death of Lady Di that we long to forget how she died, and strive to remember how she lived. As if the cloud hanging over the British Empire seemed to pass with the marriage of the DOC's - Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Will and Kate) another [cloud] edges its way in. As if to say, London, you will always reside amidst the storm - hence the poor weather. ( bad joke) Perhaps the gods have shunned the British Empire for quite some time. I've heard of a few scandals involving this particular royal family. (sarcasm)
Enough of my pseudo rant - on to the issue at hand. What we have here is a documentary that will premiere at Cannes on Friday. Already facing harsh criticism from British critics - here's a great summary by blogger Sharon Knolle of MF (Movie Fone).
via Sharon Knolle:
An as-yet-unseen documentary about Princess Diana is causing outrage for what it claims to show: a photograph of the late princess as she lay dying after her car crash in a Paris tunnel.
The film 'Unlawful Killing,' by actor and filmmaker Keith Allen, alleges that Diana predicted her own death by "accident" four years before it happened and that the royal family and other British officials have conspired in an elaborate cover-up.
The 90-minute film, which Allen calls "the inquest of the inquest," is reportedly backed by Mohammed Fayed, whose son Dodi also died in the infamous crash. British cinemas have refused to show the film due to its graphic content, but it will be screened this Friday at Cannes.
Watch the trailer for the film, which features interviews with Fayed and Piers Morgan, after the jump:
"Screening this film in Cannes for the world's media will be both exhilarating and terrifying for me," Allen tells the London newspaper The Guardian.
"[The movie] is not about a conspiracy before the crash, but a provable conspiracy after the crash," Allen says. "[It's] a conspiracy organized not by a single scheming arch-fiend, but collectively by the British establishment –- judges, lawyers, politicians, police chiefs, secret services, even newspaper editors."
Really really can't wait for Steve Aoki to play DC this Saturday. IT'S THE RIGHT TIME TO CATCH HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME. Just as his latest collaboration with Laidback Luke continues to tear up nightclubs all over the f'ing place - it's a great time to catch him. AND TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
Funny thing, I was just in the Bay Area this past week and had to visit one of my fave towns on the PC, Santa Cruz. I took a little walk around town and UCSC, but this time thinking, "Hmm...so this is where Aoki went to school? What a great choice! Killer town, killer scene!
Anyway, Mr. Aoki, CAN'T FCUKING WAIT. I DON'T CARE IF THERE'S MAJOR TURBULENCE, I WILL GET THERE. IN MY MIND - ALREADY IN DEPARTURES.
Many heavyweights in the industry have been touting Axwell as the next in line to join uber elite status as a solo artist. The central figure of the infamous Swedish House Mafia, Axwell has seen his star rise, exponentially, within the last two years.
Now, he HAS already had one hell of a solo career, establishing himself as one of the Top 10 DJs in the world. But is it enough? I would love nothing more than to sit down with this Swedish mad man and interview the heck outta him and politely remind Ax that all eyes are on him. I must admit, still waiting for that MONSTER SOLO track from Axwell. Bring it like we know you can.
As for tonight, come to Glow and see the driving force behind the Haus, why he's a Global Top 10 DJ, and why there is so much buzz around this mafioso.
If you are as busy as I am when at work, you really don't have much time to plan out your vacation to - a - T. Live with it. Nothing, not even your vacation will ever be perfect. Case in point, I got swindled into paying 700 CZ K for a 10 minute cab ride from the Charles Bridge to my hotel. People, that's about $40 USD. We don't even need to go into who's the fool...
