Paddy in the Big Apple

Around the World in 5 Minutes

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:20:00 +0000

How many places have you been?
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Tags: .Around the World in 5 Minutes,Speeding Around The World in Under 5 minutes Time Lapse .

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Proof that Hot Dogs are bad for you..

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:55:00 +0000

Proof that Hot Dogs are bad for you.

Tags: .Proof that Dogs are bad for you....

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How far can you run on an 'EMPTY' tank of gas?

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:02:00 +0000

I'm all about deals and bargains these days cos' of the economy don't ya know. I stumbled upon a u$d19 per day Hertz car rental rate a while back so I block booked every weekend from October 2011 to June 2012 with the option to cancel and/or extend the weekend rental for as long as I like. Since we hadn't made concrete plans for Christmas / New Years I decided we would extend the 2 day rental to 16 days and drive from New Jersey to Florida (1,250 miles / 2,000 Kilometres) x 2 for the journey back.

The trip was great and escaping the cold North East Winter for the warmth of Florida beaches was shhhplendid. Herself doesn't drive (or have a license yet) so we took our time and stopped off plenty on the way there and back. I managed to avoid all pitfalls like breakdowns, flat tires, speeding tickets, getting lost etc. As we were close to home I noticed the tank was close to empty but I was in the express section of the highway and we were making good time and the warning light hadn't come on so I decided to 'let it ride' so to speak. Soon enough the needle was at the big 'E' for 'EMPTY' but I figured as soon as the fuel warning light came on I would turn off and get 'gas' aka petrol so no probs.

Finally the fuel warning light came on but I was now only about 10 miles from home and I remember seeing that episode from Seinfeld where Kramer pushes the boundaries of how far he can get on 'EMPTY' so I went for the same. Unfortunately, I didn't fair as well as Kramer and after 5 minutes I heard 'put-put-put' coming from the engine I knew we were doomed'. Luckily I was able to pull off at an exit and roll down to the toll booth exit where we called Hertz who called the NJ Turnpike Assistance who came and gave us 'emergency gas' for u$d37 so it could have been a lot worse. It will however remain one of my more unusual Facebook location check-ins.

Tags: .How far can you run on an EMPTY tank of petrol / gas?..

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Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:53:00 +0000

Highlights from 2011

Positive - My teeth are in great shape. The number of times I visited the dentist became a running joke in work (20+ visits) and I now have 3 shiney gold teeth (not a joke!) - apparently they are more durable.

Negative - I need to work 3 more years than originally planned to pay off my dentist

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Positive - I am no longer dependent on public transport

Negative - I only have a bicycle

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Positive - The bike only cost u$d100

Negative - The lock and 4 punctures (burst tire) have already cost me u$d300

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Positive - My Dad turned 80 years old

Negative - He still kicks my arse at golf

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Positive - My wife got her Green card

Negative - It was actually pink in color?

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Positive - I live 2 blocks from a huge German style beerhall :-)

Negative - I live 2 blocks from a huge German style beerhall :-(

Happy New Year!

Tags: .Happy New Year 2012!..

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Lunch with Johnathan Ross

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:07:00 +0000

So me and the missus have been driving around East Florida for the holidays and today we stopped into an organic cafe called 'The Jungle' for lunch in the middle of a no name town called Melbourne cos' herself is a part time vegan when she's not tossin' a cow on a barbie. It was hard not to notice the family at the table next to us, what with each of them having hair color a different shade of the rainbow and more body piercings than 'The Sex Pistols'. The missus says to me in a low whisper - "Do they not know Halloween is over?!"

We paid little attention to them after that and it was only when they were leaving that I caught a glimpse of the head of the group and I thought he looked familiar. That looks like Jonathan Ross, I said. - Who? - said the missus. Nah can't be I said. Why would he (a UK celeb) be hanging out with a bunch of pierced neon hair drop outs in Florida? Out of curiosity I decided to google "Jonathan Ross Family" and guess what I found..(taken a few years before the body 'art' I reckon)...

Tags: ..Lunch with Johnathon Ross family dyed hair pink orange..

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Driving in Dublin in 1974

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:40:00 +0000

Nice blast from the past of my roots aka Dublin back before the rise and demise of the Celtic Tiger. Some interesting Irish 70's fashion for good measure. Enjoy! Hat Tip Bobby Mckane
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Tags: ..Driving in Dublin in 1974..

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Best Time to Travel to Bermuda

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:49:00 +0000

I have been lucky enough to visit Bermuda twice and consider it one of my favourite island destinations. It's not your typical tropical island paradise in that it's not really tropical weather like you get in the Caribbean. There is a great laid back / safe vibe about the place (unlike many Caribbean islands.) It's hot (85F) but not sizzling in summer and mostly mild / cool in Winter except hurricane season (Oct-Nov). It's only a 2 hour flight from New York but can cost you a small fortune to visit in peak season (April-September). Flights can cost u$d500+ with beach front hotels costing up to u$d1,000 per night.

If you want to experience an amazing island with beautiful pink sand beaches you can do it for a fraction of the price in low season (November-March). I scored weekend flights for u$d150 in March and stayed at a waterfront B&B for u$d150 a night. There wasn't a great deal of WiFi when I was there so I'd recommend phone cards for calling home. Taxis are also very expensive but difficult to avoid on arrival at the airport. There are no car rentals allowed but there is a great and cheap bus service (not at airport) and you can rent a scooter/moped reasonably near the beaches.

Tags: .when to go to Bermuda, off-season low season, cheap Bermuda ..

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The Office

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:16:00 +0000

I was browsing some old photos and found these pics which were taken when I worked in midtown Manhattan in 2004. I brought my missus to check it out. Not a bad view from my office back then. Now I have a windowless cube between the pantry and toilet in New Jersey. Where did it all go wrong?

Tags: ..The Office..

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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas..Anarchy!

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:03:00 +0000

The day after Thanksgiving in the USA is called Black Friday where bargains are to be had in the stores. Long lines of people, some queuing for days and sleeping in tents wait to snag that special bargain for that special someone. This year has seen a little more drama with one woman using pepper spray on people in the line and this little kerfuffle in Walmart (see vid below)

Tags: ..It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas MAYHEM..

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3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit for Apple iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:34:00 +0000

I've been playing around with some iPhone lens attachments which snap on over the lens via a magnetic ring you stick onto the phone first. I'm pretty happy with the results and for USD $20 you can't go wrong. Google "3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit for Apple iPhone" if you want to get your own. Click each individual image below to get a better idea of the difference.

Without Lens Attachment

Macro Lens Attachment

Fish-Eye Lens Attachment

Tags: .Sample photo images 3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit for Apple iPhone 4 in 1, 5 in 1 , 2 in 1..

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Hong Kong Timelapse

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:06:00 +0000

This brings back some fantastic memories of 15 months in Hong Kong

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Tags: .Hong Kong Timelapse..

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What the 'F' is Murmuration?

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:40:00 +0000

I had no idea what it was until today but now thanks to Paddy in BA - here's the official laymans explanation. Murmuration = Loads of birds (starlings) flying in formation like a swarm of very fast bees - Catch the amazing video after the break.

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Tags: .What the 'F' is Murmuration?..

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iPad Halloween Horror

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:14:00 +0000

Just in time for the snowy Halloween in New York/New Jersey, this is some pretty slick sleight of hand

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Tags: .iPad Halloween Horror..

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UNDERCITY New York City urban exploration

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:04:00 +0000

This is without doubt a side of New York you have not explored before. I read about this a while back but seeing it on film is 'believing'..
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Tags: ..expore illegal New York sewer subway underground climb Williamsburg bridge UNDERCITY New York City urban exploration w STEVE DUNCAN, dir. Andrew Wonder..

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Travel to Maine for a weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:55:00 +0000

We decided to do a spur of the moment weekend trip to Maine to catch the Fall foliage and sample the famous seafood.

I scored some cheap w/e special flights with Continental for $139 and rented a car from Hertz using a corporate discount for $35 per day. After touchdown in Portland on Saturday a.m. we headed 30 miles north to the historic old town of Bath. A tip from a review on tripadvisor about a coupon on roomsaver reduced the hotel price from $189 to $89.

We spent Saturday and most of Sunday exploring the picturesque coastal inlets before heading back to Portland for the night.

Food highlights included haddock chowder, wood oven roasted whole sea bass, oysters with cranberry and garlic mussels. Beer highlights included a mandatory stop at the Shipyard brewery with free samples. The IPA is a personal favorite.

eBay Madness

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:39:00 +0000

I'm a man gone MAD on eBay in the last 48 hours. I have bought from eBay in the past (several times) but never sold before. I decided to 'bid' farewell to my ol' pride and joy iPhone 3G on eBay yesterday and got the reasonable sum of u$d179. I don't even want to tell you what I paid for it 30 months ago (factory unlocked and without a contract) but it did me proud for the time I had it.

I've added another 5 electronic bargains on eBay today so it remains to be seen if they'll be snapped up as quick as the iPhone. I somehow doubt it :-(

Update: I got busted by the eBay police / Apple for selling a fake iPhone I had picked up in China. They forcibly withdrew the item even though I only wanted $20 for it. I only managed to sell a camera for $25 - everything else went unwanted / unbid on :-((

meanwhile on eBay - WTF?

Tags: .eBay Madness..

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My Blackberry Is Not Working!

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:16:00 +0000

Tags: .My Blackberry Is Not Working!..

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Ode to Steve Jobs - RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Love him or hate him, he was a visionary and genius at delivering innovation - RIP Steve Jobs

(click to enlarge - maybe click 2 times!)

Tags: .Ode to Steve Jobs - RIP..

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GIVE me a RAISE..or...

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:49:00 +0000

...

Tags: ..Razor..

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Remembering..

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:30:00 +0000

Sunset at Ground Zero on the eve of 10 year anniversary. MSNBC.com Photojournalist Jon Woods

.8:30pm 9/11 2011.

Tags: .9-11 Twin Towers, Ground Zero, Memorial..

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NETFLIX vs CUEVANA (TV / MOVIES)

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:19:00 +0000

Update: Now that MegaUpload.com has been taken down Cuevana is not working as smoothly as before. Most of the content that Cuevana.tv points to was stored on MegaUpload.com

Netflix which is already a market leader for movie streaming in the USA is now available in Latin America. I believe it will NOT be successful in the developing world for 2 main reasons.

1. Price - e.g. Argentina (unlimited streaming) - arg$39 pesos = approx u$d10 per month is too expensive i.e. where the average household income is a fraction (approx 1/5th) of the USA equivalent.
2. Competition - Cuevana.tv (unlimited streaming) has a better selection and is FREE! (albeit not quite legit)

Both services offer streaming movies and TV programs. Netflix has some more bells and whistles and can be added to some of your existing home entertainment systems (WII, XBOX etc). Interestingly Cuevana has been available globally since 2009 and is the brainchild of 3 twenty-something year old Argentinians.

Which service do you use and how much do you pay to watch movies at home?

UPDATE: CNN interview with Cuevana founder Tomas Escobar
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Tags: .HOW DOES CUEVANA WORK, IS IT LEGAL, HULU VS CINEMA NOW VS NETFLIX vs CUEVANA TV MOVIES Google TV, Boxee, Roku, Apple TV, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Crackle, torrent, EZTV, ViaAmerica.

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There's a FLOOD in my Hood

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:22:00 +0000

So we survived Hurricane Irene and even though the first two floors in our building were evacuated, we stayed put on the 5th floor and watched as the rain poured down like never before. By 9am, after a solid 12 hours of rain the floods were pretty severe. At noon we ventured out for a stroll and took some video and photos below. - Check out the 360 Panoramic too - Enjoy!

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Flood aftermath in our hood from PaddyinBA Quickroute on Vimeo.
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Tags: ..Hurricane Irene floods New York, New Jersey..

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Come on Irene

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Ever had that moment of mixing up the lyrics for a famous song and when you sing it to somebody and then they look at you like you are .......dumb...nah me neither except for this...doh! As we await the onslaught on Hurricane Irene after the earthquake on east coast USA a few days ago, I started to sing the following lyrics to peeps in work but got some funny looks and couldn't figure out why?!

Come on Irene, oh I swear what he means / At this moment, you mean everything / With you in that dress my thoughts I confess / Verge on dirty, ah come on Irene / Come on Irene / Toora loora toora loo rye aye.

OK - your turn - famous song - lyrics you misinterpreted - spill it?

Update: Was just sent this - Hat tip to Jack

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Tags: ..Come on Irene..

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Twitter is DEAD, R.I.P. - Enter Google+ (plus) - Facebook Beware!

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 02:51:00 +0000

I've never been at the forefront of technology but I've never been too far behind the ol' techie-8-ball either. I was an early adopter of BBS (Bulletin Boards) for chatting / idea / file swapping back in the late 80's. I was also an early adopter of FREE MONEY promotions on Amazon, eBay, PayPal, eTrade at the turn of the millenium when many scorned me as naive (aka there's no such thing as FREE! - Suckers were WRONG!). I embraced blogging, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin before most. I believe Google+ will eventually blow many social network sites out of the water. Why? Listen up..

1. Google size and reach - they already have a huge user base and finally have a viable product (Google Wave/Buzz sucked!) - this is the bulk of the reason they will be 'WINNING' - it's simple - it works - it integrates well
2. Features - ease of use - everything every other social network has and much more user friendly
3. Customization - Privacy settings - Easy to configure - Unlike Facebook
4. Financing - Google has so much cash on hand - they can swallow / incorporate new innovation / talent with ease
5. Less restrictive than twitters 140 character limit and less susceptible to spam bots

Facebook is safe for now because it will be hard to knock them off their pedestal with a 3 year jump start of gathering a user base but they better stay sharp cos' Google+ will come a knockin'

p.s. Ya See cuz Brendan, I'm not such a die-hard Apple FanBoy afterall!

Tags: .Twitter is DEAD, R.I.P. - Enter Google+ (plus)..

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Las Vegas

noreply@blogger.com (Paddy in BA (Quickroute)) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:37:00 +0000

Having arrived in New York with a lottery green card in 1995, I soon began my wandering ways and ended up in Las Vegas on my first US vacation. I still vividly remember the sight and sound of the slots in the airport terminal. Just in case you couldn't wait to get to your hotel, you had the option of pumping coins in the 'one arm bandits' immediately after touch down or before take-off as you were leaving.

Three Irish lads and a Scot explored all the brights lights and big city had to offer and then some. We expected our entertainment would be slightly limited since one of our group, my wee brother, was only 18. Vegas has always been considered a 'tolerant' city however, so luckily we were still able to do pretty much whatever we pleased. We partied and gambled the night away. One of our group (who shall remain anonymous - let's just call him Junior) partied harder and gambled more at the casino games than the rest of us combined. When I awoke the next morning, he was AWOL only to be found a while later still at the black jack table at 9am. His initial lucky streak had fizzled out in the wee hours and he would now need a loan from one of our group (who shall remain anonymous - let's just call him Senior) to subsidise him for the remainder of the trip.

This was to be the first of numerous adventurous 'Lads Trips' in the following years. I've mentioned a few on this blog before but if my memory allows, I'll try and share some more snippits of those trips here in the near future.

Have you been to Vegas? - How was it? - Share your experience in the comments below.

USA, Las Vegas, 1995 from Paddy Quickroute on Vimeo.

Tags: ..Las Vegas..

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