I wrote this almost ten years ago. I was managing a toy store, and found myself working with a high ratio of women to men (high school girls = lots, guys = me). I ran across it and laughed enough to post it here. Even though the tone in the post is complaining about the amount of estrogen, it couldn't have been that bad. One of the females mentioned was so beautiful and awesome, she's now my wife!
I'm outnumbered. It's hopeless, and I give up. The game is thrown, and I am left as alone as Tom Hanks and as beaten as the Arizona Cardinals.
That's right, I work with a store full of girls. I am the single male in the workplace. I am constantly seeing girls running around dressed like Eskimos while whining incessantly about the temperature. The employee journal and dry erase board are full of doodles of flowers and hearts. Easter candy is popping up in my box, and I know the Easter Bunny hasn't come yet. He wouldn't be able to make it through the stack of purses and lovely handbags.
The bathroom is clean and smells rosy fresh. I've even been trained to put the toilet seat down. Husbands may not learn their entire lives to do this, but that's because for them the female to male ratio is one. For me, it's around fourteen. When you've been cornered by fourteen angry girls, putting down the toilet seat is easy to do.
I am critiquing prom dresses by the dozens. I am now considered an expert. You see, I am not naive or dumb enough to say what I really think. Each and every dress is stunningly gorgeous on each of its models and brings out the best qualities of each girl. I have made the innocent mistake of flattery, and now they're hooked. They parade before me in colorful costumes clammering for accolades.
I am learning to gift wrap. Even though I cringe and develop a twitch when a customer requests this service, I can now fudge my way through it. I still have plenty to learn. My idea of wrapping a gift involves the funnies page and a twisty tie. A girl's idea of wrapping a gift includes sharp corners and immaculately flat sides. I think they use an iron to get the wrinkles out. Cards, stickers, and fourteen feet of ribbon are essential. This is no light undertaking. Plan on using an entire afternoon or longer. We actually have customers coming back to pick up their gifts days later. My wrapping does not qualify as a work of art, but it will get you on your way in thirty seconds flat. I accept no responsibility if you are later coerced into bringing the present back because it looks like it had a run-in with with Senor Papershredder and Monsieur Weedeater in a dark alley.
Speaking of gifts, the girls feel compelled to aid me in my routine searches for (belated) gifts. If I know it's my dad's birthday, I will buy something, and quick. The girls despise this, because it "shows no thought". A girl, even if flawless in every other way, needs her gifts to "show a little thought", which is defined as "shopping every store in the known universe until the recipient is dead, in which case you should do the thoughtful thing and pick up a sympathy card as well."
Hmmm...a sympathy card. That would be a nice touch. I sure could use one. I could decorate the envelope with pretty stamps and stickers. But first, I need to go get a sweater because it's really cold in here. Really, really cold. I'm freezing.
I love that one time you were my boss and one time I was your boss.


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Home » Daily » Families call for more action on 'missing men'
Families call for more action on 'missing men'
Mar 3, 2019 by British Broadcasting Corporation
One of the last messages Vicki Jones sent her son Thomas, 18, was typical of any loving parent wishing to know their child is safe after a night out.
"Ring me when you can. I'm your mum, I worry about you – that's my job."
But she never heard back from Thomas.
And nine days after that text message, Thomas's body was found in the River Severn, not far from where he had left a local nightclub in the early hours.
"You see it on the news; a missing child or a missing person," Thomas's dad Ian, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, told BBC Radio 5 Live Investigates.
"And you think, 'thank God it doesn't happen to people like us'. But of course it does, because they're just normal families – and it's the worst news in the world that you could ever want to hear."
A coroner recorded an open verdict into University of Worcester student Thomas's death, which happened in September 2018.
A tragic death in precarious surroundings, late at night, after an evening out.
As Ian said – cases like this do make the news.
Tales of men going missing after last being seen in similar circumstances, happen with some frequency.
New research published by University of Portsmouth has revealed just how common it is.
Academics found that between January 2010 and December 2018, there have been at least 150 cases across the UK where men have died after going missing on a night out.
Most of them were under the age of 35 and, where the information is available, the majority happened as a result of accident or misadventure; 85% were found in water.
Former Home Office crime researcher Geoff Newiss, now a visiting fellow at University of Portsmouth, conducted the research.
While working for the charity Missing People in 2011, he noticed a recurring pattern in missing people reports – young men out in pubs, bars or clubs reported missing after not making it home, and later being found dead.
It made him think that this was a specific group of people, in particular circumstances, who were more vulnerable to fatal accidents.
Men on a night out were a "discernible risk" group.
"I was struck by a small group of cases involving men who failed to make it home safely after a night out," Geoff explained.
"The risk of fatality is strikingly high if the person isn't found within a couple of days."
Geoff's research shows that there are between 10 and 20 such cases per year, with 45% of those involved under the age of 21 and a third being students.
Thomas – or Jonah to his friends – was certainly not the first man never to make it home in these circumstances.
And Vicki and Ian are gravely concerned that unless more is done to prevent these cases, he will not be the last.
They think there should be better protective barriers by rivers, brighter lighting and improved CCTV provision.
These calls are echoed up and down the country by families who have lost someone in very similar circumstances.
Geoff said changes to police recording systems could also help prevent future deaths.
"The addition of a night out 'flag' on missing person systems would allow us to easily identify all new cases – including those found alive."
He argues this would help improve the evidence police have – which would in turn improve their response.
The National Police Chiefs' Council has said that where evidence-based suggestions for improvement exist, they will consider these as part of their regular review of operations.
'Send a text'
And for Vicki and Ian, still struggling to come to terms with their loss, they believe there are some other very practical things that could make all the difference in the future.
"Just make sure that if somebody's worse for wear you don't just say, 'oh, you're OK'," Ian said.
"Instead, put them in a taxi or go home together."
Thomas's schoolfriend James Noyce echoes Vicki and Ian's view.
"Regardless of gender, make sure everyone gets back home," he said. "Look out for each other. Send a text when you get back."
Vicki and Ian – and other families of young men who never returned home after a night out – wish desperately that they had received such a message.
Source: Families call for more action on 'missing men' – BBC News

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Lucy Frazer wins South East Cambridgeshire vote in general election 2017
Lucy Frazer won with a 53.3 per cent majority
Anna Savva
Cheers filled the room as it was announced the Conservatives had held the seat in South East Cambridgeshire.
Cambridge University graduate and former barrister Lucy Frazer, who has represented the constituency since May 2015 has won the public vote for the second time.
Ms Frazer was surrounded by friends, colleagues and family, including husband David and daughter Mia, as it was declared she had won the seat with a large of majority of 33,601 votes, up 4.9 per cent since 2015.
Liberal Democrat candidate Lucy Nethsingha won 11,958 votes, Labour candidate Huw Jones achieved 17,443 votes.
'We were swamped by a national tide': watch Liberal Democrat Julian Huppert's speech after losing in Cambridge again
The turnout for the constituency was 73.4 percent – up slightly from the 70.4 per cent at the last general election in 2015.
The result was announced at the Ross Peers Sports Centre in Soham just after 4.40am – more than six hours after counting started.
This year three candidates stood in the constituency, two less than in 2015 as the Greens and UKIP failed to field candidates.
Ms Frazer, who will be living in both Snailwell and Hampstead said: "I am really pleased to have retained by seat. It is not possible to win without a huge amount of support and a lot of people came out to vote, which I am immensely grateful for.
"So thank you to everyone who came out to vote."
'Glued to the TV screens in South East Cambridgeshire'
When asked what the main areas she will be focusing on first in the new parliamentary term, she said: "I said last time I would concentrate on three things which I was in the middle of working through and I will continue to work on those.
"One was fairer funding for schools which we did get, with £6 million more pounds for our area so I will work to ensure we get the most of of that arrangement, to press for funding and other things for our schools locally.
"I also campaigned on infrastructure. The Ely bypass is coming to fruition and will be finished next year and there are lots of other projects I will be concentrating on as well: fixing the railways and various rail projects throughout the constituency, and I will continue to work to improve our broadband and mobile speeds."
She added that she will be celebrating her win by "getting a little bit of sleep" and spending some time with her family.
Labour's Huw Jones said he was pleased with Labour's result in Cambridge and neighbouring counties as Daniel Zeichner retained his seat in the city and new wins were declared in Peterborough and Ipswich.
"I think Labour can start to make inroads in Cambridgeshire," he said.
Liberal Democrat County Council leader and MP candidate for South East Cambs Lucy Nethsingha said it had been a mixed evening for her party.
She reflected: "I'm delighted that Ed Davey and Vince Cable have regained their seats but it's obviously hugely sad that Julian Huppert didn't win in Cambridge and the loss of Nick Clegg is a blow not just for the Lib Dems but for the whole country."


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Jeff Nichols
Mud (2013)
Preacher: Season One (2016)
King Arthur (2004)
Animal Kingdom (2010)
Black Mass (2015)
Bug (2007)
Kangaroo Jack (2003)
Revolutionary Road (2008)
Machine Gun Preacher (2011)
The Iceman (2013)
Freeheld (2015)
Elvis & Nixon (2016)
Asylum (2005)
The Great Raid (2005)
The Equalizer (2014)
Tamara Drewe (2010)
Love & Mercy (2015)
Hostiles (2017)
Wildlife (2018)
An easy realism and an intimate domestic perspective on events that became consequential to national history...replacing histrionics with a genuine curiosity about what it must have been like to live this story from the inside.
123 min. Focus Features. Director: Jeff Nichols. Cast: Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton, Michael Shannon, Nick Kroll, Marton Csokas, Bill Camp.
One might call coincidence the universe's way of practicing irony. Certainly few historical coincidences have been as apt as the last name of the interracial married couple who fought all the way to the Supreme Court to have their marriage recognized by the state of Virginia. Their name was "Loving," and now that name also belongs to Jeff Nichols' film about the couple and, indeed, about the gerund.
The Rob Reiner version of this story would likely focus on the courtroom battle, with the couple portrayed as hyperarticulate crusaders for justice, the lawyers delivering big courtroom speeches, and the film's composer laying on thick orchestration to reassure us of what we're supposed to be feeling. Writer-director Jeff Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter, Midnight Special) eschews all of that, instead enabling an easy realism and an intimate domestic perspective on events that became consequential to national history and the civil rights movement.
Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga play Richard and Mildred Loving (née Jeter), a couple that marries, winds up thrown in separate cells for violating the Racial Integrity Act, and reluctantly begins a long legal process to affirm their basic human right to live as one in their home state of Virginia. As characters, the Lovings each evince a distinct brand of quiet strength, of plainspoken integrity. The film takes their lead, replacing histrionics with a genuine curiosity about what it must have been like to live this story from the inside.
As a result, some will find Loving dishwater dull or, perhaps, perversely withholding. Nichols frequently builds up tensions that the story doesn't pay off in accordance with the expectations and conventions he teases. This, too, resembles life: what actually happens during personal crisis is bad enough, but the psychology of stress stokes paranoia of worst-case scenarios that rarely come to pass.
Nichols' good-luck charm Michael Shannon turns up here, as Life magazine photojournalist Grey Villet, in a sweet little sequence recreating a photo shoot that (along with the HBO documentary The Loving Story) helped to inform the production. Also quite fine in his understated scenes of racial animosity: Marton Csokas as the sheriff who throws the couple in the slammer. And Nichols effectively pulls a Steven Soderbergh by casting a comedian (Nick Kroll) in the essentially dramatic role of Bernie Cohen, an ACLU lawyer who's learning on the job.
Of course, the film belongs to Edgerton (The Gift) and Negga (also wowin' 'em on TV's Preacher), who both seem likely to garner well-deserved Best Actor and Best Actress nominations. In this story of two Americans who just want to live in peace, together, high spirits turn to melancholy. Even in victory, the bell of racism can never be un-rung. As we all learned in school, "Loving v. Virginia" brings justice. But Nichols shows us the human-sized dimensions, the ironies left out of the history textbooks. What did Richard Loving do for a living, and for the love of his family? He was a construction worker. And so, in scene after scene, he builds walls.


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Ringwood Manor opens carriage barn exhibit, holds historic fair Sunday
David M. Zimmer
RINGWOOD — Ringwood Manor is set to reveal more of its rich history Sunday as state park officials open the doors to a carriage barn fit for royalty.
Set to open at 11 a.m. on May 6, the new carriage barn exhibit will feature three horse-drawn carriages and original harnesses, saddles, and other equipment that date more than a century.
Owned by the famed Hewitt family, the carriages were among a collection of more than 40, one of which was used by Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
The three carriages are due to be on display each weekend through October and on select weekdays by appointment.
The nonprofit North Jersey Highlands Historical Society bought the first carriage in June 2012. Ringwood State Park procured two more, in May 2016 and March 2017.
"We're always trying to open up new areas and buildings, but we have to do it properly and that can take time," said Sue Shutte, the Ringwood Manor historian in an interview earlier this year.
Outdoors:10 peaceful places in New Jersey to relax and get your zen on
History:Find history 'boring?' Ringwood Manor has your fix in historian's tour series
Sports:Kentucky Derby: A look at the history, memories over the years at Churchill Downs
Lined in imported heart-of-cypress paneling, the stucco-clad barn is well built and adorned – more house than barn in some aspects. Used from the 1850s through the 1920s, the barn features a drain-fitted carriage washroom, double sized stalls for thoroughbreds, gravity-fed feeders, heat grates in the floor, and a special room to fit the horses to the carriages.
Through much of its life, the barn provided the first glimpse of the Hewitt family's lavish wealth and housed the property's official form of transport.
Sarah Cooper Hewitt, or "Miss Sally," had a 1905 Renault with coach work by Mühlbacher and Fils of Paris but reserved the little-used car for her European travels. Showing her preference for horse and carriage, visitors to the state-owned summers estate were forced to park their motor-powered machines a mile from the manor.
Story continues below video.
Hewitt was known to privately ride horses Western style on manor grounds. However, the opening of the carriage barn exhibit Sunday will feature an exhibition from riders using the side-saddle style she adopted in front of company.
Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, riders and carriage drivers will be on site as the barn opens for its first, free self-guided tours. Tractor-driven hay rides and self-guided manor tours will be available for a small fee, an announcement on the manor website said.
The day will also feature two 19th century baseball games at the manor starting at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Teams, including one comprising borough residents, will use period equipment, uniforms, and rules dating to 1864.
The games and equestrian activities are free to watch, though steady rain will cancel those events.


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Kolondieba is a small town and commune in the cercle of Kolondiéba, in the Sikasso Region of southern Mali. At the 2009 Census, the commune had a population of 57,898.

In the local language, Kolondieba means "Big White Well."

See also
 List of cities in Mali

References

Communes of Sikasso Region

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Top Lift company in Bangladesh List 2023 Updated
OTIS Elevator Bangladesh Limited
OTIS ELEVATOR (BD) LTD (Lift company in Bangladesh) is a dynamic organization in Bangladesh for importing and supplying lift/elevator, offering its product & services towards the country. We represent superiority in Engineering Design, Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning and after-sales services for all kind of vertical transportation. Our spectrum of product includes all kind of Elevators, Escalators, ARD, Spare Parts, AVR and other vertical transportation solutions.Otis Elevator ensures the ultimate satisfaction of the customer by providing most efficient and cost-effective solutions in the Vertical Transportation Industry. We work together in China with total commitment to Quality, Safety and Customer Satisfaction.
Products: Passenger Lift
Hospital Lift
Capsule Lift
Address: House # 63 (Ground Floor), Road # 14, Sector # 14, Uttara,, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh
Contact No.: +8801912203520
Website: http://otiselevatorbd.com/
For more: Finance company in Bangladesh
Euro lift
EURO LIFT Company was formed in 2004 by the current CEO Engr. Md. Nazrul Islam Sikder who is has over 16 years experience within this sector. Since formation we have focused on our customers and driven to provide them with ultimate service and support and have grown year by year. We realize that our equipment plays a vital role in your day-to-day operation. With this in mind, we are dedicated to earning and maintaining your trust everyday and feel compelled to design and build rugged, top quality equipment that is reliable.
Observation Lift
Hydraulic Lift
Cargo Lift
Home Lift
Rhino Lift
Impro Lift
Inclined Lift
Address: Ka-3/C, Plot No-5B, Evant Amir Complex, Basundhara Main Road, Basundhara Main Ghat, Sector-13, Uttara, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh
Website: http://www.eurolift.com.bd/
For more: Seo service provider company in Bangladesh
Property Lifts
Property Lifts – the leading importers of Lifts, Forklifts, Generators and Lift Spare Parts in Bangladesh as a sister concern of PRAN-RFL GROUP Since after its inception in 1988. Property Lifts is serving the market importing superior quality lifts of European and China origin. Providing site services including installation, testing, commissioning, service and maintenance of lifts. Currently we are representing Macpuarsa(MP) of Spain. SRH of Germany & China, Shanghai Mitsubishi of China and world top class brand KONE for Lifts. We also locally assembling another lift brand which is Master Lifts.
Products: Imported Lift
Shanghai Mitsubishi
Master Lift
Address: 105 Bir Uttam Rafiqul Islam Ave, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Website: http://www.propertylifts.com/
For more: Shipping company in Bangladesh
BD.LIFT LIMITED
LIFT LIMITED is one of the leading importers of elevators and escalators in Bangladesh. The company offers a range of services including installation, testing, modernization, commissioning, service and maintenances of elevators and escalators.
We are conveniently located in different parts of the country to cater to your needs. The company has employed more than 100 employees to provide reliable and efficient service to our valued customers. All our elevator technicians have years of experience and are experts in repairing and upgrading all kinds of elevators. We are currently representing KOYO brand from China.
Products: ELEVATOR
PASSENGER CONVEYOR
Address: House # 3B, Rd 49, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Website: http://www.bdliftltd.com/
For more: Software development company in Bangladesh
KONE LIFTS & ESCALATORS Bangladesh
We are one of the best LIFT & ESCALATOR companies in Bangladesh, and one of the leading LIFT & ESCALATOR companies worldwide.
Being one of the best in the industry we provide you with the elite experience that you deserve. With a variety of models to choose from, call us today for your desired product.
At KONE, our mission is to improve the flow of urban life. As a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, KONE provides LIFTS / ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS, AUTOWALKS, AUTOMATIC BUILDING DOORS, and TURNSTILES. We also provide solutions for maintenance and modernization.
Through more effective People Flow®, we make people's journeys safe, convenient and reliable, in taller, smarter buildings. Together with our partners and customers around the world, we help cities to become better places to live in.
Products: PASSENGER LIFTS
BED LIFTS
Design Your Own Lift
Address: House 1258, Road 9 (New, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh
Website: http://www.koneliftbd.com/
For more: Electronics company in Bangladesh
Easy Tech Lifts & Escalators Ltd
Easy Tech Lifts & Escalators Ltd is one of the best lift and escalator company in Bangladesh. It was founded by Major General (Retd) Quadir on 1st July 2017. After being incorporated as a Private Limited Company, it has formed a body of diligent personnel in operating the company. In a short span of time Easy Tech has grown rapidly because of its highly qualified professionals and engineers. All our personnel is well experienced and their expertise in the lift & escalator business is admirable. Since its inception, the company is engaged in importing, installing, and providing after-sales service of elevators, escalators, and cargo lifts. Remarkably, it has served over 73 different customers and has sold over 56 lifts all over Bangladesh.
Products: LIFTS
LIFT RETROFITTING
Address: House 884 Road, 11 Avenue 2, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh
Website: https://easytechlifts.com/
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City Lifts (Pvt.) Ltd.
City Elevator is one of the foremost and progressive Engineering & Services oriented Company in Bangladesh. City Elevator is a pioneering leader in the management and applications of Electrical, Electronics and Energy, City Elevator today, is a well-known private sector extensively engaged in Installation, Testing, Commissioning of Lifts, Escalators, Generator, marketing high technology electrical products, services related to Lifts, Escalators, Generator & Spare Parts.
Address: 29/A purana polton, 1000, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Contact No.: +88-01917-703761
Website: http://www.cityelevatorbd.com/
For more: Security company in Bangladesh
Arohi Lift Ltd.
Arohi Lift is one of the fastest growing Elevator Company in Bangladesh providing highly advanced elevators, escalators and spare parts since 2008. The core purpose of Arohi Lift Limited is to provide high quality products with advanced security system, maintenance-programs, services & consultation for with flexible approach to their clients for high rise Installations.
Products: HOME ELEVATOR
OFFICE ELEVATOR
INDUSTRIAL ELEVATOR
Address: 50, 5th Floor, Hazi Shofu Miya Mansion, Purana Paltan, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Website: http://arohiliftbd.com/
For more: Cement company in Bangladesh
SIGMA ELEVATORS BANGLADESH LTD
SIGMA ELEVATORS BANGLADESH LTD is the only Company that manufacture and sale of elevator in Bangladesh from China Tachnology Korea manufacturer by China. Sigma SIGMA ELEVATORS & ESCALATORS (SUZHOU) COMPANY LTD. Our Bangladesh company is located in Dhaka city, the most developed area in Bangladesh. It enjoys the convenient transportation, within one hour driving from anywhere from here.
LANDING DOOR
COP&LOP
MOVING WALK
FREIGHT LIFT
Address: 3rd Floor, Puspo Plaza, 71 Kawran Bazar Rd, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh
Website: http://sigmaelevatorltd.com/
For more: It company in Bangladesh
Classic Lifts Limited
The Classic Lifts Limited as a modernized professional elevator enterprise offers design development, manufacturing, marketing, installation and service the vertical transportation systems since more than a decade.
We design & install full range of passenger elevator, V V V F elevator, goods elevator, hospital elevator, dumbwaiter, observation elevator, escalator and passenger conveyor.
Putting quality always above everything else, Our purchase system, production process, installation & inspection, training, technology support, branch agency management are in the effective control.
Address: DIT Rd, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Website: http://www.classiclift.com.bd/
For more: Software company in Bangladesh
Top Pharma Companies In Bangladesh List 2023 Updated
Top Real estate company in Bangladesh List 2023 Updated
Top Electronics company in Bangladesh List 2023 Updated
Top Insurance company in Bangladesh List 2023 Updated
Top 10 Construction company in Bangladesh List 2023 Updated
Top Builders company in Bangladesh List 2023 Updated


text:
Tell us about your F1 race experiences in 2010
2010 F1 season review
5th December 2010, 14:30 6th December 2010, 15:38 | Written by Keith Collantine
Crowd, Monza, 2010
Did you go to an F1 race in 2010?
Throughout the year we've heard from loads of F1 fans who witnessed the season from the stands.
If you made it to a race in 2010, share your experience with us in the comments below.
Did you enjoy the experience? What did you see? And will you be going back again? Tell us about your F1 race experiences this year.
More stories from the stands
Several F1 Fanatic readers have already shared their experiences of going to races this year at length. Read their reports here:
Steven's view of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Tom Hitchings watches the Japanese GP at Suzuka
Behind the scenes with a track marshal at the Singapore Grand Prix
Jamey Price watches the Italian Grand Prix at Monza
From the stands: Carol Treurnicht watches the Belgian GP at Spa
Tommy B and Katy watch the German GP at Hockenheim
Nikolai Vogler watches two races in one week
Ten F1 fans' stories from Silverstone
David Entrican watches the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte-Carlo
Going to a race in 2011?
Have you already made plans to go to a race in 2011? You can find other F1 fans who are planning to go to next year's races via the links below:
2011 Bahrain Grand Prix discussion
2011 Australian Grand Prix discussion
2011 Malaysian Grand Prix discussion
2011 Chinese Grand Prix discussion
2011 Turkish Grand Prix discussion
2011 Spanish Grand Prix discussion
2011 Monaco Grand Prix discussion
2011 Canadian Grand Prix discussion
2011 European Grand Prix discussion
2011 British Grand Prix discussion
2011 German Grand Prix discussion
2011 Hungarian Grand Prix discussion
2011 Belgian Grand Prix discussion
2011 Italian Grand Prix discussion
2011 Singapore Grand Prix discussion
2011 Japanese Grand Prix discussion
2011 Korean Grand Prix discussion
2011 Indian Grand Prix discussion
2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix discussion
2011 Brazilian Grand Prix discussion
The complete F1 Fanatic 2010 season review
Lewis Hamilton voted best driver of 2010
The best guest contributions of 2010
F1 Fanatic?������s 50 best articles of 2010
The 2010 F1 season in 100 pictures
2010 F1 driver rankings part four: the top three
Vote for the best F1 driver of 2010
2010 F1 driver rankings part three: 8-4
2010 F1 driver rankings part two: 17-9
2010 F1 driver rankings part one: 27-18
Browse all 2010 F1 season review articles
Picture courtesy of Jamey Price. See more of Jamey's photos on his website and follow him on Twitter.
Posted on 5th December 2010, 14:30 6th December 2010, 15:38 Author Keith CollantineCategories 2010 F1 season, 2010 F1 season reviewTags 2010 f1 championship, 2010 formula one championship, F1, f1 2010, f1 2010 season, f1 racing, formula 1, formula 1 2010, formula 1 2010 season, formula one, formula one 2010, grand prix, motorsport
35 comments on "Tell us about your F1 race experiences in 2010"
Keirdre (@keirdre)
I mentioned my trip to the Korean GP just after the race. The race itself was exciting, and the weather was not the organisers fault…however the organisation was appalling: confused, unclear and highly frustrating. Shuttle bus success seemed like pot luck, my ticket hadn't "arrived in Korea" yet and my grandstand hadn't been built yet. The facilities (like decent food, drink and adequate toilets) were dreadful, and the place was just a gravelly mud-bath.
The Koreans are embarrassed easily, and any loss of face is bad. The general feeling after the race was that they had made a mess of it on a very public scale, which is a shame.
I enjoyed myself, and will return next year (if I'm still living here) and I fully expect it to be massively improved.
A couple of pics here:
Hmm, link failed in my previous comment…
A couple of pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keirdre/sets/72157625110376097/with/5112482705/
newnhamlea1 (@newnhamlea1)
Spotting Lucas di Grassi riding into silverstone 10 minutes before friday practice started was fun, he was on the back of somebody elses moped and he drove straight past the queue of pople waiting to get in.
Rob Knight
I went to Silverstone this year, I arrived just before 5am and left at around 3pm. It was amazing how cold it was first thing in the morning, then how hot it was in the afternoon (I got sun burnt!). Before anything happened I went to have a look around all the stalls and I was a bit confused when a fleet of buses started coming around the track. The support races were good to watch as well, I was in the general admission area opposite the 'Silverstone Wing' so I had a very good view from that mud bank I was on. The atmosphere was exciting when the F1 cars came out, I was deaf by the time the cars had all gone to the grid (should've put ear plugs in earlier!). Great to see the fans cheering on Lewis and Jenson, everyone was shouting encouragement at Lewis to catch up with Mark Webber. And everyone was laughing and booing at Vettel when he finally came past with his puncture, very funny!
We have be to Silverstone and Spa in the past and when we found out Spain and Monaco were going to be back to back in 2010 we decided we had to go!
12 hours before we were due to depart Edinburgh Airport for Barcelona our flight was cancelled due to Scottish Airspace closing due to the ash cloud. We were gutted, the company we were flying with sent us a text message informing us of our cancelled flight and we were left with a flight from London to Barcelona but no way of flying to London. We didn't know if to stay put or take the chance of making our own way down to London in the hope that we can still fly out. To cut a long story short we booked the first train down to London from Edinburgh and during the journey we phoned customer services to try and reschedule our flight from London to Barcelona (as we were not going to arrive in time for our original flight). Also on the journey we got a phonecall from Mclaren Mercedes offering us a paddock tour during the Monaco weekend! Things were looking up!!
We arrived at Heathrow, checked in and waited to board. It was so surreal, we were surrounded by Mercedes and Virgin team members. We jumped on the bus waiting to be transferred to the flight and the last folk to jump on included Jenson Button! After much deliberating we didn't talk to him, didn't like to bother him… we sat on the flight and he then was stood right at our sides as he waited to get to his seat… We were sat in amongst Mercedes team members, and had a brilliant flight hearing stories about F1 behind the scenes, so interesting. Our flight companion said to come down to the Mercedes garage and ask for him after we had the Mclaren tour when in Monaco.
After the flight we went to baggage reclaim. Jenson came and stood right next to us. We couldn't let a third oppertunity pass! I said hello and asked if he minded if I got my photo taken with him. That was no problem and we had a quick chat as we dug out the camera, he was so polite and down to earth. It was the most surreal day ever, especially since it looked like we were going no where the night before!
Barcelona at the track
We just went general admission at the track for the three days. We went round all the grandstands on the Friday it was great seeing the action from different angles. On Saturday and Sunday we sat in amongst mainly Alonso fans on the hillside, the atmosphere was electric! Every time Alonso went past on the track they were up on their feet cheering him on. The build up to the race was intense, air horns going off, mexican waves on the hillside, giant balls being bounced across the crowds. Great entertainment! The race itself was good, we missed kangaroo TV so struggled to follow what was going on, but was sat not far from a big screen. It was exciting watching Button try to get back at Schumacher… when Hamilton stopped on track the crowd went crazy!
We stayed in Barcelona and got the train up each day. It was a piece of cake and really cheap! A bit of a walk to the track but we managed it no problem. We bought sandwiches from the bakery in Montmelo each day to take in to the track and was not too expensive.
The day we were booked to fly to Monaco was the day the ash cloud decided to descend on Spanish airspace would you believe it! It resulted in a long day at Barcelona airport waiting and an unexpected night stranded at Geneva airport with no flight to Nice with that airline until Thursday! Thankfully the very nice concierge at the hotel we booked into knew of another airline that flew to Nice and we got booked on to the flight first thing the next morning. Thank goodness for credit cards!
We stayed in Nice and took the train in to Monaco each day, again very easy. On the Thursday we sat in grandstand T and got a great view of the pits. On Friday we sat in Casino Square to watch the GP2 race then we had our paddock tour with Mclaren. On the Friday, remember to take your weekend grandstand tickets with you, as it allows you to walk past all the team garages! We didn't take ours and were gutted not to get in… Never mind, we just stood waiting for our tour to begin. Whilst standing we noticed the boy we sat with on the plane to Barcelona, he was taking to a GP2 driver. He remembered us and took us along to the garage. It was amazing to see the cars up close. We could ask whatever we wanted, I got to hold Nico's steering wheel. We took loads of photos and spoke to other team members too. It was now time for our Mclaren tour, so we said our thank you's and good byes and headed to the meeting place. The Mclaren tour was a bit more restricted, we weren't allowed to talk to the mechanics or get into the garage properly, but the guy leading the tour fairly knew his stuff! We then walked the track, saw Jenson relaxing on his boat! Then headed home to reflect on an other very surreal day!
On the Saturday we sat in V opposite the pit entrance, it was amazing being so close to the cars. We had a big screen in front and Kangaroo TV too.
On Sunday we sat in N beside the swimming pool, it was so crammed with little legroom and it was hot! We would sit there again but would try for the back row so you could stand or sit as you pleased without bothering anyone around you. It was a good race, apart from Button only lasting a couple of laps. It was great seeing Webber win again too. The atmosphere was a bit more refined compared to Silverstone and Barcelona, you got the impression there were a lot of people sitting there who were not really big F1 fans.
We had an uneventful flight home a couple of days later and we have been left with memories and photos of the holiday of a lifetime!
6th December 2010, 8:23
That sounds like quite an experience! I think the ash cloud situation just made this whole trip more intense. I hope to have enjoy an f1 trip like that in some point of time in my life.
Graeme
This year I went to 3 GP's, Malaysian, Turkish and European. I think as an Australian can't get much better than that than Mark racing at every meet, although he had incidents at 2 of these, which I saw with my own eyes.
Wow – did he crash at Valencia right in front of you?
After following F1 since 1997, although I did doze off a few years after the 2002 season, I finally went to Hockenheim this year to watch the German grand prix. It was pretty exciting. Finally watching F1 cars in the flesh. I went to Robert Doornbos' demo in 2004 at the DTM weekend at Zandvoort and I remember his V10 revving up all the way to 20.000+ rpms, it was the best thing ever. I almost still get goosebumps six years later.
So after a long drive I finally was at my seat at the süd tribune watching the Porsches go by Saturday morning, eagerly anticipating free practice three. I remember Liuzzi coming by and after the first shock and realizing that yes, finally, this is not TV, I'm actually here, I couldn't help to feel a tiny bit of disappointment about the whole F1 live experience. Don't get me wrong, I love F1 and being there was great, I've expected more somehow. More noise, more insight. During the race the cars come by very quickly and you're thinking cool! But that was pretty much it.
Now watching a couple of hundred races live on TV you kind of get used to all the info you're getting. Especially during the race with live timing, the live blog and all. I missed that a lot. During the race I remember feeling bad for Felipe and understood the team telling him about Fernando being faster as my neighbor told me, but had no clue of the sour taste it apparently left with everybody.
During this weekend I came to realize I didn't really care that much (or enough) about the current noise and the cars coming by. It didn't seem to be enough, that was a bit of a disappointment. But I'm still very glad to have gone. I'd like to go again, but I wouldn't want to more than one in a single season (besides not knowing how to finance that, but if). I wasn't that insanely great as I had anticipated and hoped for.
As it looks now, I should be in Hungary next season. I think I should rent a kangaroo (right?) set next time and bring some more mates. Can anyone relate to this tiniest bit of disappointment?
kowalsky
i had the same feeling last year at the turkish gp. The noise was disapointing, and the luck of power too obvious. I am glad i am not alone outthere.
Dangarcia
I went to the Abu Dhabi grand prix for the second year in a row. Had a seat just after the 50m board on the long straight.
While we all know the limitations of the Yas Island circuit – I wasn't going to spend my own money to go there but a supplier offered me a ticket – I was blown away by the heat of the brakes. I have watched F1 since the early 90s no know how hot they get. But to be on the 2nd row of seats and feel the heat coming off them was incredible.
My seat also included a long distance view of the start/finish straight. I saw Vettel coming on to the straight and I could see the chequred flag but a whacking great advertising board was in the way of the actual event.
Won't be at a GP next year but hopeful of going back to Silverstone the following year as I will be back living in Milton Keynes.
Hey Keith, I went to the British Grand Prix this year and really enjoyed it. We were sat just before the start of the new section, it was really tense sat up there. We watched the GP2, GP3 and Porsche Supercup races before the F1 race started. When it started, I heard them roaring down Hangar straight and when they came to the new section, it was Webber in first and Lewis in second. But I had no clue where Vettel was (I am not keen on Vettel) so I was asking my dad where Vettel was and he said that Vettel was in the lead and I was like 'NO HE WASN'T' as Massa trundled past us. A long time afterwards, Vettel finally came past and I cheered so loud, I must have been the loudest in the crowd. There were these group of Polish people in ridiculous Renault hats who obviously cheered for Kubica. But everytime Lewis came on the screen or went past us, they booed and hissed and shouting 'LEWIS, SAFETY CAR' (Because of the incident in Valencia with the safety car) but when Kubica went out, somebody stood next to my dad was looking through the binoculars saying 'Kubica's car has had it' and all three of the Poles stood up and you could tell they were gutted. Robert parked up in the pit lane (Being shown on the big screen), all of them sat down and one of them looked at us as if to say 'Okay, you can start cheering now' and we cheered, they had their faces in their palms for literally 20 or so laps. I should have started singing 'He's going home, he's going home, Robert Kubica's going home' but I didn't. My dad fell asleep for the last few laps, I woke him up when Webber won but he was in no mood. That was my 2010 British GP, I am planning to go in 2011 as well.
Smudgersmith
Went to Monza for first time with my girlfriend who is now addicted to F1.
We were in the stands 200 metres after the start line and I was the only one wearing a Jenson Button tee shirt in a sea of red and I gave them loads of stick until the pitstops, still convinced Mclaren shouldn't have blinked first, after that the Tifosi had their revenge and returned the banter, but all good nature
We hired Kangeroo TV,s which were simply brilliant, just wish we could have had more car to pit radio.
Monza is magical,a must for any F1 fanatic !!
NickV (@nickv)
I went to my first GP this year at Silverstone. I went on the sunday in Hangar straight grandstand. The view was good as you could see the cars coming through Becketts then out of view for few seconds under the bridge then all the way to the braking point of Vale. You could also catch a glimpse of them in the new arena section. Saw some good overtakes into Stowe and is also a good place to see the downforce the cars have. However next year I am camping all 3 days with general admission as same price for one day in the grnadstand!
Seaney_T
I was lucky enough to go to the Italian Grand Prix this year and it was undoubtedly one of the best experiences I've ever had.
We flew out from Gatwick on the wednesday before the grand prix with barely a clue of how to get to the circuit. Considering this, it was pretty easy and inexpensive to navigate our way, firstly to Milan central train station, and then on to Monza-town. The circuit itself is a little way out of Monza-town, meaning a taxi was neccesary for the final stretch. This was quite hard to come by but we did get to the circuit campsite just as it was getting dark.
The campsite itself was basic, but had a great atmosphere, with music pumping out until all hours and fans chanting late into the night. It was expensive as campsites go at 60 Euros per night but this was made up for by the party atmosphere. It was mostly filled with the tifosi, but there were a good number of fans supporting Red Bull, Mclaren and the Renault of Kubica too, which made any trip around the campsite a lot of fun.
On thursday morning we awoke and found out our exact position, which was about 100 metres from turn one! We couldn't believe our luck.
We decided to get to know the place and started to walk around the boundaries of the track, watching the maintainence crews do their final preparations, and the drivers go out on their track walks. It seemed the whole Virgin team accompanied di Grassi on his track walk, whilst other drivers like de La Rosa took only two engineers with him. Pedro gave us a wave as well, which was pretty cool.
It was great to explore the circuit when it was quiet. Its set lush park land which is beautiful in the early autumn and filled with faded reminders of its past.
A trip to the old banking is a must for anyone visiting Monza. You can get onto it by clambering through a wire fence as the banking passes over the back straight. Pictures and videos do not do justice to just how steep it is. You need to be on all fours and probably take a run up to stand any chance of getting to the top as it must be around a 50 degree angle.
Once at the top the views are tremendous; we watched the safety and medical cars familiarising themselves with the track, blasting through the tunnel below us as we clung onto the barrier at the top of the banking. The medical car sounded particularly good.
A pitlane walk is available to all three-day ticket holders in Monza on thursday afternoon and was definately one of the highlights of our weekend. I was expecting to just be herded along the pitlane looking into the garages, watching the mechanics work and occaisionally seeing a driver. Instead, the teams put parts out on display, started doing practice pitstops in front of the crowds, and Renault even let us go on their pitwall and take pictures of ourselves looking as if we were making difficult strategy decisions!
Then the drivers came out. I was really impressed that most of the drivers came out for a good half an hour to sign autographs and meet the fans. They were happy to have photographs taken and most seemed to be enjoying themselves. The crowds outside the big teams were pretty huge but it was easy to see the drivers further down the pitlane. The Force India, Virgin and Williams guys were very friendly, Barrichello even signing my friends Bruno Senna picture with a wry smile (my mate had missed the handing out of the Barrichello cards!)
Kovalainen was my star of the show though.He was so friendly and approachable. After he'd had his picture taken with the Monza fire brigade (perhaps getting some tips should his car ever burst into flames!) I chatted to him for a bit about drumming, given his recent collaboration with the finnish band Nightwish. Then he signed an autograph for me and asked if I wanted a picture. He was just such a nice bloke.
After two hours we were ushered out of the pitlane, truly buzzing from meeting so many drivers.
I was woken on Friday by the sound of the Formula BMWs practicing. Today was going to be a day with a difference as one of my friends knew somebody in the Ferrari team, and said he would try to get us in the garage for free practice one.
We waited nervously outside the paddock wondering if this was all a bit too crazy to be true, but 5 minutes into FP1 a man in a red appeared, gave us hospitality passes and led us in. He was a PR guy for Shell, Ferrari's fuel supplier but for the life of me I can't remember his name. He was great though, answering our questions as we walked through the paddock. He said Ferrari had Fabio Cappello and Hugh Grant visiting this weekend so it was so good of him to spend his time showing 3 scruffy students around.
He led us to the heart of the Ferrari garage, letting us view the mechanics in work. Rob Smedley appeared and I wondered if it was slightly odd to be star-struck in seeing a race engineer! Then Massa himself appeared. He really is tiny. We watched his side of the garage at work, and even spotted ourselves on TV standing just behind him, a moment I have since enjoyed on i-player several times and stuck as my facebook profile picture. Alonso appeared next and it was great to watch him, just a few feet away, deep in discussion with Andrea Stella, his race engineer. We couldn't take many pictures in the garage, but the few I did get can be seen in the link below.
We were then taken to look in the analysis rooms at the back of the garages before going up to Shell's laboratory that they take to every race. It was fascinating stuff, talking to the guys about their research into fuels. I should probably point out that I'm not a Ferrari fan. I really respect them, but I like Mclaren, plain and simple. I told our host this but this didn't stop him treating us in anything other than a warm and friendly manner. The whole team was great to us and I'm so grateful to them for giving us a truly unforgettable experience.
After this we walked around the track watching the cars as they blasted by at unbelievable speeds just a few metres away. We watched from the inside of the Parabolica which gives tremendous views of the cars close up, whilst in the afternoon session it was brilliant to watch the cars as they thundered along the long straight towards Ascari and tackled the Lesmo corners. Webber coasted to a halt infront of me at Lesmo 1 which gave us a chance to see the RB6 up close.
Another great thing about Monza was the huge number of supporting series. GP2, GP3, Formula BMW and the Porsche supercup were all in attendence which meant there was no shortage of action inbetween the F1 sessions. Even if you aren't totally familiar with some of the series', the programme has a lot of really interesting stuff to get you into it and tell you who's who. Undoubtedly, buying the programme improved my enjoyment of things like GP3, which at the start of the weekend, I didn't know too much about.
On Saturday, we watched final practice from the inside of the first chicane before making our way to our grandstand for qualifying. We watched from the outside of the parabolica infront of the entrance to the pits. There were loads of big screens, usually right opposite the grandstands and occaisional ENGLISH commentary, meaning we were kept in the know of events, though there wasn't much to tell us about the different technical aspects of the Mclarens for example. We had worked out that Hamilton and Button were doing different things with the F-duct but it would have been nice to know a bit more from the commentary instead of just who was in what position.
The seats and views were good, but when we go again I think we'd go for seats at Ascari as it seemed like a better spot, even if it was a little more expensive.
The atmosphere when Alonso took pole was incredible. The crowd erupted and the obligatory 'Alooooonso' chants began. We'd marked ourselves out by wearing Button, Lotus and Force India hats, which meant that amongst the sea of red tifosi, we were easy targets for some banter, but it was all good natured and fun.
Later on, after enjoying more support races, we got to see Lewis Hamilton giving a VIP or two laps of the track in the safety car which was pretty cool. Lewis seemed pretty chirpy despite having only qualified 5th.
On raceday we got to our seats early. As with most grandstand events people tend to migrate to the places where they can see best, despite what their ticket number says. The drivers parade came and went with rapturous cheers for Alonso and Massa, but massive boos for Hamilton and Schumacher. The italian man I sat next to said Schumacher had 'betrayed' Ferrari and shouldn't expect a warm reception. The atmosphere at the start of the race was incredible. The noise from 23 cars (Kobayashi started from the pits) was unbelieveable. The crowd seemed deflated when Button got past Alonso at the start, but were soon brought to life when Hamilton crashed out at Lesmo 1. From then on it was tense to say the least, with Alonso hounding Button until the pitstops. We saw Button come into the pits, tyres billowing smoke, and the tifosi awakened, obviously sensing blood. As Alonso exited the pits the next lap, they erupted seeing that he was, by the tiniest of margins, ahead.
As the end of the race drew near, and despite the entertainment of the Webber/Hulkenberg scrap the crowds started to gather near the gates to get onto the track. If you want to get out onto the track for the podium you need to get to these gates quickly or you don't stand a chance. The horns and cheers as Alonso crossed the line, weaving across the track in celebration were deafening and it didn't seem long before he, Button and Massa were on top of the podium spraying champagne onto the crowds below. We weren't mightily close to the ceremony, but we could still see it and loved the carnival atmosphere that lasted on the track long after the drivers had gone inside to their press conferences and celebrations.
After the ceremony, we walked the track as part of a steady stream of fans eager to explore the circuit. We wandered, discussing the race, looking for some bits of car, and sitting down on the tarmac to see what it might be like to see the track from a drivers point of view. It was the perfect end to a perfect trip.
I've been to grand prix before and loved them, but Monza was really special. The organisation was good, the views were spectacular and the atmosphere was electric. I urge everyone to go.
Some pictures:
Scottie
I went with three mates, we're from Australia and was the highlight of my 3 weeks there.
It struck me how much emotion there is with the fans there… we were at the exit of parabolica ad they were all relently pleading to get out onto the track with cars still getting back to the pits.
Once the gates open, we were carried by the wave of fasn surging onto the track and suddenly bolted to the podium. I was lucky enough to have a good spot between the podium and the giant ferrari flag, just out of reach of the champagne though.
A sea of tifosi singing the italian national anthem all around you, and the massive cheers for their hero's is something to behold!
I'll never forget it, all in my first time O/S, and definately not my last!
JayGeeWales
I went to my first GP this year at Silverstone, the atmosphere was amazing and I had a smile on my face for the entire day. I was sat at Vale which wasn't very exciting but I did get an opportunity to see Vettel overtake Massa just infront of me – so it was worth going just for that!
I am a Vettel fan and it was nerve racking every lap when the cars appeared at the end of Hangar Straight and I had to work out the order (I couldn't see what was on the big screen on the other side of the track,and the tannoy was so muffled I couldn't make out what they were saying!)so it was red and yellow cameras for me.
I am definitely going back next year and if possible to SPA as well
You definitely get a better overall view of the race at home infront of the telly, but nothing beats the real thing.
My first trip to a GP this year. Me and my housemate went to Silverstone. We embarked on our 9 hour journey and finally collapsed early Thursday evening in the Woodlands campsite. We spent the rest of the evening walking around the outskirts of the circuit, spotting the odd Porsche flying by! Friday rolled on and we exploited our GA tickets to the max, putting ourselves down the pit straight for FP1 and the stand at the first corner for FP2. The noise? Just incredible. The initial few laps did us no harm but after that I started to appreciate the raw agression of those V8's. Having been to countless gigs, loud noise is nothing new to me, but those engines know no bounds, it was painful…and I loved it! Quali rolled around and we were torn between the track, the two TV's around Club and our timing apps! We feared we would miss the intricacies television offers but this came to nothing…still intense stuff! We waited for the race to come around and once it did we found a brilliant vantage point in the shade of the stand at Club without being removed from the action. Seeing a lack of Vettel on lap 1 instantly excited us…knowing we had a chase on our hands. Watching him climb back up, held behind an impressive Sutil was amazing.
Spa 2011 please!
ed24f1 (@ed24f1)
I was at Melbourne this year, my second GP after Melbourne 2008.
I flew down on Saturday morning. I watched FP3 at Turn 3/4/5. You get an incredible impression of the speed and grip through this section – particularly Turn 5. Luckily there was a marshall's gap in the fence, so you could see the cars unobstructed going through Turn 5.
For qualifying, I went to the big spectator hill at Turn 8/9. While you aren't particularly close to the cars, this location has a good atmosphere, and also a screen which assisted in following what was going on.
Then on Saturday night I went to the autograph area and got several autographs. The best to get was Schumacher, as I hadn't seen him in 2008 obviously, and it is a fantastic autograph to get. He seemed very relaxed at the time. Also, Button was nice to get as he had become world champion since the last time I saw him. It was nice to get Wurz's autograph on my Le Mans 2009 poster, as I already had Brabham – so two of the winners. Unfortunately I missed Gene, although he was there for Ferrari. I also got Massa, Webber and many others which is fantastic. I left the track at almost 10pm, and still many drivers hadn't left the pits.
On Sunday, I started off at the Turn 10/11 chicane for some of the support races. Along with F1, there was V8 Supercars, Australian GT, Formula 5000, Mini Challenge and other categories. Then, I moved to Turn 2 about midday to reserve a spot for the race – which was already packed.
This is a fantastic spot to watch the race. You are very close to the cars as they exit Turn 2, and also get a view of them into Turn 1. The start of the race was interesting, with Alonso spinning and having to dodge the safety cars and Virgins on his way back around. There was also a good view of lots of overtaking, as well as a good screen and audio access. Obviously the crowd was supporting Webber, so our hearts went into our mouths when we saw a Red Bull crashed (it turned out to be Vettel) and then a collective groan when Webber hit Hamilton.
After that, I sprinted to the podium, and just made it to see the top 3 enter the stage. It was a pity that Webber had a poor race, but it was great to see my other favourite driver, Massa, on the podium. In fact, it was a very likable podium with Button and Kubica as well.
My tickets are already booked for 2011, and writing this is making me quite excited already!
Yea I agree with Ed. Turn 5 is by far the best, and closest you can get to the action. Very good corner to be on as you get a great appreciation of the noise, speed and cornering ability.
Cheapest tickets in the house, but easily the best.
bwells
My son and I attended Montreal this year and what an amazing time we had… we were there from Thursday so not only did we get the full race weekend but were able to see lot's of that great city..:) The travel to the venue was simple as our seedy little hotel was one block away from the underground Metro which after one change took us directly to the front gates of the track.. :)
Line ups were acceptable for this scale of event and it seemed that even though Montreal had a year off they still know how to throw a party!!
The Thursday pit walk was a bit damp but nothing was soaking my spirits for my first GP… the excitement of seeing the garages close up was amazing… the capper was a mechanic from Lotus came and took my camera into the pit and got some great shots for me! very different from other garages where they wouldn't let you see part of the cars.. lol…
Friday was awesome having the freedom to watch from other grandstands as we moved around the track… our seats were at Senna corner in GS11 but my favorite spot was GS21 right at the breaking zone for Epingle… it was amazing watching the cars accelerate out of turn 9, brake for the hairpin and accelerate on there way down Droit Du Casino… that was where the RBR's really shone… exiting that hairpin was truly crazy just how fast they were… :)
Saturday we packed a lunch and a 6 pack of beer in our backpacks.. (as per everyday..:) and headed to our seats… Quali was awesome because you could really see that the cars and drivers were getting to grips with the track… the speeds were dropping and the excitement was building! Watching Lewis pushing his car down the back straight on the big screen was a sight to behold.. never seen that before… lol
Did I mention that the City of Montreal really knows how to throw a party!! There was huge sections of downtown blocked off with stages scattered all over the area… Franco Bars every 40 feet so there was NO excuse to have an empty beer… every kind of music you could imagine playing all around you.. and great people that were more than willing to help out some "out of towners" with directions to the hottest clubs… but the atmosphere on the streets was where the real action was… we partied until 4am every morning then were up at 8 on our way to the track… the perfect schedule… 8)
Race day was almost too much to take for me… being my first GP I was asked a few times to settle down by the people behind me as I was jumping around like a school boy! The race was spectacular and the perfect weather so all was awesome!! as the last laps wound down we found a spot to crawl over the fence so we were ready… as the cars passed the start/finish line we bolted for the fence..
climbing the grandstand and hopping the fence… then sprinting towards the podium… obviously my son had an easier time of this but I kept up with him… :) We got there just as Lewis, Fernando and Felipe made it to the stage… what a moment!! We soaked in the atmosphere in all it's glory… when that was said and done we walked back to Senna corner looking for scraps.. I managed to find a piece of kevlar and many marbles as trophies… We carried on walking the pit wall watching the crews start packing up when we noticed a group of people in front of the Mercedes pit… there was Jock Clear having a Q&A session with the fans… the best question being about Micheal's driving during the race.. lol
So we made out way back to downtown and enjoyed one more night in Montreal before flying home Monday… the fact that we have to fly to our home race got me thinking that since we have to fly to Montreal, we might as well start flying around the world to watch GP's… so that's our plan for next year.. :)
I had a thrilling trip for my first GP and look forward to seeing not only Montreal again but other sites around the world…
Cheers… 8)
Toby Bushby
I only went to Albert Park this year. I only attend Sundays now after being there so many times. I'd much rather watch the rest at home with live timing and (of course) the live blog here to read! All FP's are live on tv in Melbourne when the GP's on, so no need to stand at the track (and pay for it) when you've been to a few weekends before.
The exciting moment for us this year was standing against the fence at the inside of turn 6, chatting to a VERY young marshal, when the cars came around and a white flash flew past our eyes, rubbing the fence, and then it seemed an explosion happened and we were all completely covered in black and white flecks of carbon fibre and foam! This was Kobayashi taking off and slamming into Hulkenberg and Buemi!
An all 'round check to make sure we were all still alive, a bit of dusting of each others shoulders and we all stared as some morons across the track were giving schtick to Hulk and Buemi as they stood beside the track fuming.
Otherwise, a fairly standard affair at the Melbourne GP – except when the security guards turned up in numbers to force us to stop looking at or taking photo's of the stricken Williams. I had a fair argument with them, but soon realised I'd be kicked out if I continued, so chose the better part of valour and walked off. ;)
Overall, the Australian GP weekend is a fantastic time, and I recommend to anyone who can, come down to Melbourne and experience it for yourselves!
Kathryn S
I attended Montreal with my husband and our two adult children…we attended several races in Indianapolis and were thrilled at the chance to attend a GP race again. We planned to arrive on Thursday in hopes that the paddock would be open as it had been at the USGP…to our delight, we were able to visit. Unfortunately, it was wet and very cold–however that didn't dampen our spirits too much. We watched both the McLaren and Toro Rosso teams practice tire changes and were delighted to see both of the Virgin drivers…Lucas surprised us all by coming out, signing autographs and posing with fans for pictures. Timo stayed in the garage, but waved a bit. We were also able to spot Jenson Button's dad in his garage, but no sign of Jenson. I did catch of glimpse of Rubens as he came in to the paddock area, but he was moving pretty fast so I did not get a photo. We left a bit early due to the cold…but we got to and from the paddock on buses that drove right on the race track, though traveled counter-(anti)clockwise.
Friday was MUCH warmer so that aspect was a lot more enjoyable. We settled in to our seats–stand 34–right at the inside of the apex of L'Epingle. The sound is unbelievable and seeing F1 cars on the track after a two year break was really fun. We spent the entire day at the track getting views of some of the other cars racing from a variety of different viewpoints.
Saturday was another great day…and an opportunity to see which cars were really fast in quali. We were a bit distracted for a while by some workers climbing the huge geodesic dome display that is a remnant of the island's history as the location for the World's Fair (1966, I believe)–I bet it was a great view up there! The biggest problem during quali was the inability to track of who was where. We had a Jumbotron directly in our line of sight, but the letters were too hard to see without binoculars…and if you were looking through the binoculars, you were missing the action on the track. But there is just nothing like being there!
Finally, race day! The day dawned bright with sunshine and warmth…and anticipation for a great race. As we all know now, that's exactly what happened. Although we missed a great deal of the action, our viewpoint at the hairpin was great…and I'm not sure if I would consider tickets anywhere else on the track.
We're not planning to go back for 2011, but not because it wasn't a great experience…maybe 2012?!?!?!
BasCB
I just love reading all these first hand stories of all of you visiting the GPs. Great idea to have them posted here!
Our Nige
I was lucky enought to get to 3 Grand Prix this year – The Spanish, Hungarian and the Italian Grand Prix and with a 3rd child coming along next year it will be a long time before I will be able to get to anonther…
Flying out of Belfast we were also caught up in the Ash cloud disruption, and we spent the night before coming up with Plan B, Plan C and plan D, looking up boat times and train timetables! On the day of travel our flight went out as if there was no problem, it was the only morning that week flights had been going so we were soo lucky!! I found the Spanish GP and Barcelona great – the Gp is well orgainsed with special trains well signposted and no hassle. The Spanish fans really love ALonso, and have an intense dislike for Hamilton which was evident when he went out in the last few laps. We bought food in a deli in Barcelona and brought the food with us – which was much cheaper than buying it at the circuit. We had tickets at the first corner and it was interesting to see Button trying to get a way past Schumacher – I would have just taken Schui out….
I flew from Dublin with Ryaniar (crap) and back with Aer lingus (great). Usual train and walk to the track – it was not too far and easy enough to find. We sat at the 1st corner and for 99% of the time did not think the price was worth it as the track is in a bowl and you can see more of the track from General Admissiion tickets – UNTIL the Schumacher Barachello incident right in front of us – AMAZING!!!! I swear people in the stands ducked as they thought Barchello was about to hit the wall and end up alongside us!! I text a guy who works for Renault hoping to get into the paddock but no joy.
If you are into F1 at all – GO THERE – it is an amazing track with great fans and history just drips from everything. I have been to the British, French, Austrian, San Marino, Spanish and Hungarian GP but Monza was without any doubt the best. We had tickets for inside the first chicane which was OK but being able to walk the track after the race and being at the podium was AMAZING!!! A note of warning, on Sunday morning at the track we were given an armband to get us back in if we left it. When I went to the mercandising area for a drink someone CUT if off my wrist – looking back now I remember them doing it but did not realise what had happened at the time – a tense 10 mins was spent at the gate on my return to the grandstand convincing the marshall to let me in!! I could go on about the Monza trip for pages and pages but if that was the last grand prix I ever go to I will be happy!!! Bernie – please do not sacrifice more of the traditional GP venues for more Bahrains etc – F1 NEEDS THEM – passion is more important than a few more quid…..
I went to the Turkish GP this year, it as epic!
The Friday and the Saturday felt more like a test as there was almost no one there, while it didn't have any atmosphere, I was really nice being able to park next to the main gate, walk in and get to our seats with in 5 minutes, there were no queues for anything. We got seats high up at the end of the start finish straight and I think we got the best seats in the house – they were covered (definitely needed in that heat), we were able to see all of the straight, the pits, the first and second corners and the complex of corners at the end of the lap. On the Friday we walked around the track and enjoyed watching a lot of drivers get it wrong at turn 8. It was a shame we couldn't get a kangaroo but we were able to follow the racing well enough. The race on the Sunday was really tense with the front 4 running so closely, all the previous races we'd been to had been rather dull and we were worried the same thing would happen here, then it all kicked off right in front of us and we couldn't believe our eyes. Definitely going back next year!
Louisepa
I went to SPA this year. It was fantastic, the weather made it even better. During practice 1 and 2 we walked around "The greatest corner" – Le Rouge! Friday it rained all day, and there was so much wind = very cold. But throughout the rest of the weekend the weather changed from wet to dry. The race was epic! Especially because the track was wet in some places and dry in others. I saw some great driving, especially the to Merrcedes GP made it fun. And me being a Hamilton fan, the weekend couldn't have had a better ending
I went to my first Singapore GP this year- my forth different overseas GP (try and make it to Silverstone every uear). I enjoyed it so much that I will be returning again in 2011. For a Spectator, this is the best GP I have been to eclipsing even Monoco for spectator experience.
Its a 12hour flight from London for me, but I got an over night flight and was asleep most of the way. My Hotel and and the circuit was a 20min taxi ride from the Airport.
I stayed at a trackside hotel and was able to walk to the circuit and return to the hotel inbetween sessions. Whilst the drivers may get driven to the paddock, you get to walk with all the other team personnel in and out of the circuit and they go to and from their hotel. Watching a GP under light is quite some experience, sound of the engines reverberating from the building was very different from a traditional track. There is spot where you can stand under the Esplande bridge and hear the cars raceing a few feet above your head – amazing! The concerts and off track entertainment (all included in the ticket price) was were all top notch. The underground train network has 4 or 5 stops around the circuit so it is very easy to get around and to pop in and out of the circuit to do other things, have meals etc between the 15.00 gates open time and the evening track action. You can get very close to the cars on this circuit. All seats have view of a big screen too so its eay to follow the action.
For those thinking of attending in 2011 I have written a list on how to get the most from the event, in the 2011 Singapore Grand Prix section.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/f1-2011-season/2011-f1-calendar/2011-singapore-grand-prix-discussion/
supernicebob
Went to Belgium this year and it was amazing. Having not been to a grand prix weekend in 10 years it was long overdue.
Some photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingness/sets/72157624857280222
Drove over with 3 friends and camped along with a lot of other people on here at the Elephant (didn't get to meet a lot of people thanks to the weather though!). The wet weather did make it tough going at times, but it also contributed to an unforgettable weekend.
Spa is a simply amazing track on which to watch the best drivers and cars in the world in action, and certainly the best track I've been to for viewing and photography (unless you get barged out of a good spot by an Italian photojournalist backed up by the police!). So many great areas that you can get to with a general admission ticket, though you do have to get there early for the best spots on Sunday.
I think we're going to tick Monza off the list in 2011, but I can't think of any reasons not to go back to Belgium.
After sacrificing 5 years to saving every penny I had, I was lucky enough to realise a dream and be able to go to all 19 races this season – it's been a hell of year!
So I guess you could say that I'm in a fairly unique situation in terms of being able to compare all the races.
Despite this though it's virtually impossible to pick just one stand-out venue, every race has it's own unique character – yes, even Turkey & Valencia!
Some fairly good advice though is to follow the rule of the 3 M's: Monza, Monaco, Montreal.
Monza – If you're a real race-fan, and after nothing more than the simple pleasure of man & machine hurtling around one of the all time classic tracks – then this one's for you.
Montreal – Fantastic track, brilliant fans, and a city that embraces the GP like no other. Take a trip down Crescent Street of an evening & it's a full-on F1 carnival!
Monaco – Well, let's be honest, I don't need to sell this one to you!!
If you're able to go a tad further afield, then Japan is an amazing experience, as much for Japan itself as for the stunning Suzuka track. Singapore is also an amazing spectacle to behold, even if the racing can be a tad dull. And not forgetting Interlagos, probably the best race day atmosphere I experienced all year. Don't be put off by the scare-mongering about car-jacking, you can jump on the metro & in 20mins you're at the track – safe & simple!
Obviously I could write tons on my experiences, but I won't bore you all! If you've any questions you think I could help with please just ask, I'll happily help all I can. You can get me on twitter: @alexjsnell, or on the message board of my blog: http://www.getjealous.com/alexjsnell.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
Wow! THE #1 fan! I've enjoyed your blog the whole second half of the season after Buxton tipped us all off.
tobinen
You picked a great year to do it! Brilliant!
jayb
Went to Monaco this year and nothing can quite match the magic of Monaco. If you've never gone then do try to see the race. The noise and the smell of the cars is something that you will never forget. Oh and don't forget your eye plugs!!! ive attached my Youtube videos i took on the sunday from stand K. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9wJw2KtnGc
I went to Interlagos this year, and it was thrilling as always (my 5th and last time was in 1995). This year I watched the Friday practices from right behind the paddock and couldn't see much "action" except for the cars leaving the pits and they managing to handle the Senna "S". First car I put my eyes on was Nico Rosberg, shining at the morning Brazilian sun… and Button's McLaren were… Oh man, what a moment!
Some pics HERE
I watched Saturday and Sunday's events from the Juncao, right from that big red stands you can see at the beginning of the straights. That was quite an amazing experience: the cars passing with low gears and rpm on Friday, and at full throttle on Sat and Sun.
I saw Emerson with his historical Lotus (shame it was only 2 laps), I saw Hulkenberg's pole twice (the first and when he lowered his time), I saw Massa colliding with Buemi on the opposite side of the circuit, on the Curva do Lago.
Not much happened in front of me (like Graeme above), but staying right there at Juncao makes your ears blow on the first lap, pal.
I was at Spa again this year.
My stuff should be dry soon.
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Winning chess championships has become a habit at Intermediate School 318 in Brooklyn.
Last Sunday, for the second time in three years, I.S. 318, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, won the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade sections of the National Scholastic K-12 Championship in Florida. In 2008, the school, accomplished the same feat. Last year, I.S. 318 won the sixth- and seventh-grade championships, but finished second in the eighth-grade section to Canyon Vista Middle School in Austin, Tex.
I.S. 318 is in the federal Title I program, which provides money for schools where many of the students are from low-income families. The school supplies most of the support for its chess program and also receives support from Chess-in-the-Schools, a nonprofit group that provides coaching and financial support to Title I schools in New York.
I.S. 318 was not the only New York City area school to win a championship. The twelfth-grade section was captured by the Bronx High School of Science; eleventh grade was won by Solomon Schechter in Westchester; Horace Mann School, in Riverdale, the Bronx, won the tenth grade; Hunter College Elementary School, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, won the third grade; and The Dalton School, which is also on the Upper East Side, won the second grade. In addition, SciCore Academy, a Hightstown, N.J., school, tied for first in fourth grade and won the first grade.
John Galvin, an assistant principal at I.S. 318, said that about 98 percent of the children in the school were from the local communities. But there are some in the program, including Justus Williams, the school's top player, who lives in the Bronx, who commute fairly far in order to go to the school. Galvin said that the reason some of the children did this was that I.S. 318 really had the only Title I middle-school chess program in the city.
Elizabeth Vicary, the school's chess coach, provided some winning games from the nationals from her students, which can be replayed above.
In its 1,500-year history, chess has imbedded itself in the world's culture and vocabulary. Ideas, terms and images from the game have long been used as proxies for intelligence and complexity. But chess is more than a diversion. Thousands worldwide play professionally or earn a living by teaching it to children. The Internet has transformed the game, making it easy for players anywhere to find an opponent day or night. Chess computers, originally developed to test the bounds of artificial intelligence, now play better than grandmasters. This blog will cover tournaments and events, trends and developments. Reader comments and questions will be more than welcome.


The sequel to this cover I did.
This was a commissioned gift for someone mixing Assassin's Creed 4 with Wind Waker.
Pretty fun stuff, I haven't played AC4 yet but I love me some Wind Waker.
My daughter's favorite movie is Ponyo (with Totoro in second place) so we had a Ponyo themed party this year for her and for my main gift I decided to redraw a scene from the movie (altered a bit) with her hanging out with Ponyo and Sosuke. She might not fully appreciate it till she's older, but she sure was happy seeing it and knew it was her with them.
For anyone who has kids and hasn't seen Ponyo I highly recommend it. It's an interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's story The Little Mermaid (not like Disney's Little Mermaid). And whats great is that there's no villains or scary bits in it like a lot of Disney movies have that parents usually fast forward through, its just a fun little love and adventure story.