The totally off-topic thread

[Quickstatus]

Dreams - What it's like to eat a $400-per-person, 3-hour dinner at Eleven Madison Park, the best restaurant in the world

Add $100 for matching wines plus 18% tips plus conversion rate = AUD$800

One thing i dont get is restaurants often have an reservation opening at 10pm but the official published closing time is 10pm
..

i will second that - we stayed at El Tovar at the Grand Canyon. We booked a year in advance.

We were at the GC in January this year. Did not get ElT (J/F) but Yavapai (Y). The place was completely full even in winter. (only the South Rim is open in Winter)

However there was a problem with the water mains - pump died and the entire GC was operating on reserves. Try getting an industrial pump just after new years eve. We had to eat off paper plates. Its not usually known that the elevation of the GC Rim is about the same as the top of Mt Kosziusko so water has to be pumped. Its an incongruity of National Parks.

 

[blackcat20]

i will second that - we stayed at El Tovar at the Grand Canyon. We booked a year in advance. We got two rooms without any problem, but all the nicest ones were gone. The booking agent told me that they had a lot of people who returned every year. We loved the Grand Canyon. An interesting walk - a few km, where they have info on the various rock formations at regular points and you can look out and see them. They are re-establishing condors and we were lucky enough to see them.

I've usually stayed in the cabins, but spent some time out on the deck at the El Tovar watching the deer wander past. I've seen Condors both times Ive been there as well, they're very impressive.

 

[Denali]

'Spiderman' scales four floors to rescue child from Paris balcony

 

[Quickstatus]

yes but were the adults already on the balcony unable?

 

[Denali]

The guy on the balcony was trying to get the kid to come to him but still dangerous. The kids dad was out shopping.

 

[Quickstatus]

So does this mean it's basically impossible to get a table at the restaurant?

You gotta book when the round of reservations are released.



0900 EDT is 2300hrs the same day in Sydney:
World Clock & Time Converter

I dont think you can book months ahead. Only one month at a time

I tried for last December but did not get in and unfortunately for us we only had a very specific 3 day window.

....

The guy on the balcony was trying to get the kid to come to him but still dangerous. The kids dad was out shopping.

Ah looking closer they were the neighbours who had to reach across the dividing partition.
Like I said swimming pool fences are not a guarantee ever

When my twins were 3 years old, they were able to open the council approved swimming pool fence gate. The 2 rascals dragged a high chair out to the pool. With assistance from his brother, one got on to the high chair and lifted up the magnetic latch. Then the other got a brick and chocked the swimming pool gate open. How did I know?. I watched then from my study. Sneaky little so and so's!!!

Oh, and the reason for getting into the pool enclosure? - they dragged the high chair inside and chucked bricks and other projectiles into the pool while standing on top of the high chair

 

[Denali]

Toddlers are exploring ninjas. If there is a way to figure it out, they do. Its Kindy that rots their brain to conform.

 

[Quickstatus]

We always got reports from kindy that the twins were always up to no good.

 

[Quickstatus]

Toddlers are exploring ninjas. If there is a way to figure it out, they do. Its Kindy that rots their brain to conform.

Or you can get them to run the house

 

[Katie]

USA minister has gone rogue - hes not even reading his notes anymore. The Queen looks a bit like WTF.

Can you give me a Hallelujah!

HAHAHAH, Elton Johns face!

Right about now, Meghan and Harry are regretting this guy as their choice

Catching up on old posts .. sorry if this has been covered ... was in the US when the wedding happened.

He's Bishop Michael Curry, the Anglican primate of the US (aka head honcho of the Episcopal/Anglican church in that country). Apparently, the Archbishop of Canterbury invited him, not the couple themselves. I would think that Welby consulted them, or understood their intentions for what they could control of the service, but I'm totally guessing.

 

[Katie]

Just who was that US fire and brimstone preacher?

He's Bishop Michael Curry, the Anglican/Episcopal primate of the US.

 

[Denali]

Or you can get them to run the house

It always ends up in a Lord of the Flies siege situation.

 

[Quickstatus]

WT...
Flash flooding in Maryland as rain soaks most of the state

 

[Denali]

WT...
Flash flooding in Maryland as rain soaks most of the state

Fox news - so I guess its Obama's fault.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Add $100 for matching wines plus 18% tips plus conversion rate = AUD$800
.

Fortunately Master FM and girlfriend don’t drink, so no matching wines and the tip is included. Both Per Se and Eleven Madison state that their price includes the gratuity which is an excellent system!

 

[Quickstatus]

Fox news - so I guess its Obama's fault.

Haha actually would be Crooked Hilary. Or maybe its still Tony's fault after all!

Fortunately Master FM and girlfriend don’t drink, so no matching wines and the tip is included. Both Per Se and Eleven Madison state that their price includes the gratuity which is an excellent system!

Some restaurants are going down this road, though many waitstaff still prefer the incumbent "tax/fine".
One SanFran restaurant we went to said "Gratuity included, but please dont hesitate to add an additional gratuity for exceptional service"
Some are now 20%

 

[love_the_life]

We always got reports from kindy that the twins were always up to no good.

And now they are 2 of the three P platers and extra insurance?

 

[Quickstatus]

And now they are 2 of the three P platers and extra insurance?

 

[Flying mermaid]

Some restaurants are going down this road, though many waitstaff still prefer the incumbent "tax/fine".
One SanFran restaurant we went to said "Gratuity included, but please dont hesitate to add an additional gratuity for exceptional service"
Some are now 20%

We generally tip 20% at restaurants - the Maths is easier, although sometimes they print it on the bill. The FAQ at EMP state that “gratuities are neither expected nor accepted.”

 

[JessicaTam]

OMG I am sitting next to Sheldon’s alter-ego.

Flight mode for 16 hours so next update tomorrow!