Lost in translation

We've now been in New York for 7 weeks, and we are starting to feel settled. We have found a permanent place to live just by Battery Park, and we are spending a small fortune so that if we crane our neck out of the window the we can just about see the statue if liberty:

One of the most entertaining things about living in the good old US of A is the language barrier. England and the USA are two countries separated by a common language. Take exhibit A. This is the nameplate that arrived for me at work:

Is Garris even a name?

Every trip to the supermarket brings more entertainment as I scour the aisles for products with ridiculous names. Two of my early favourites were Nips (butter rum flavour of course):

And 'Toss n Done' by none other that 'Arm & Hammer':

(Note the "Fast & Easy" promise!)

Top of the list though for me is 'Nads' hair removal cream:

Primarily because it reminded me of the funniest amazon review that I have ever seen:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R231U4ZG0YDNHD

In my short time here, I felt it important that I take in as much American culture and history as possible. So made tracks to Las Vegas. My dad, brother, Rich, Andy and Pete all made our way there for Cinco de Mayo, and whilst I will live by the mantra of what happens on tour...STAYS on tour. I will divulge some high level details of the carnage. We arrived around 9:30pm on Friday, and popped out for a single beer to help us sleep. At 8am the following morning, I emerged on my own from a night club having lost everyone else and with the sun high in the sky. I took myself home to the hotel to find that (after my dad) I was the first one home. The less said about the ~10hours in between...the better. The details can only incriminate people.

The two things I can talk about are the boxing (Matweather vs Guerrero) which was one of many highlights of the weekend. A card full of great fights and. 12 round headline fight with Mayweather dancing around the ring and rarely getting caught to win unanimously on points:

The other disclosable topic is Hugo's Cellar which was a restaurant caught in a 1980s time warp with the best steak I have EVER eaten. It's in the basement of the gaudiest and most retro casino in old Vegas called The 4 Queens, and is well worth escaping the strip for.

A final word of wisdom filling my first adult trip to Vegas, and this cones care of the ever wise Rich. When leaving Vegas, get on the earliest flight that you can. That last hungover guilt ridden sober day in Las Vegas is one to be avoided!