Seen at the...

...local Target:

Whilst cruising clearance at Target recently I came across this end cap filled with soaps and shampoos  and other beauty products for human beings.   

 

At first glance, I thought this was a line of beauty products aimed at some new segment of the population that I was not familiar with.  Perhaps the people that wear dog collars?  I've not seen a lot of people wearing dog collars in North Renton, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.   

 

Upon further examination this is shampoo to neutralize smelly pooch odors, freshen coats and build body and elasticity.  Obviously this is for animals and not humans.  But Target has placed it among products for humans.  What if some pet loving person thought this was cute and bought it for themselves?  I mean, they'd be morons for not reading the fine print on the back.  But there is NOTHING on the front to indicate that this is for animals, I mean, besides the bone, obviously.

Seen at the Statue of Liberty

Think the Statue of Liberty might not be a hotspot on a random Monday in February? Well you'd be wrong.

Check out all of the people on the boat that arrived just as we were leaving. Jope!

Seen at Times Square

Times Square is all about getting your attention. We stood in one place and counted the video screens we could see (over 35) and there are large billboards EVERYWHERE. One of my favorites was the one for the Mini Cooper. There were Mini Coopers mounted on the sides of buildings. It reminded me of something the Top Gear crew would do, but they would put Richard Hammond in the car and ask him to drive across the building.

On a slightly related note, are those lights or video cameras?

Seen at the Beach

When we were at the beach in Seattle a few weeks ago we walked by what appeared to be a dead man lying next to the pathway. Everyone that walked by was startled at first and then laughed...because what do you do? I kinda wanted to go over and poke at him to make sure he was alive, but then I noticed his chest moving and since he was breathing, I left him alone. He's like a human Garfield. The sun came up in Seattle and he just fell asleep.

Seen at the Olympics 14

The Olympic Flame & Cauldron

It was so cool they had to open an observation area so that the clamoring tourists could get a better view of it.

Seen at the Olympics 13

Even lines for Japadogs

The only line for non-Olympic related things was for the Japadog...

...at 2 different locations even.

What is a Japadog? According to their website there are a few different versions:

One is Bratwurst with Edamame, Wasabi and dried seaweed. Having to ride a train for 4 hours home, I decided against something that may or may not make me sick. Next time I'm in Vancouver, I'm going to give Japadogs a try.

Seen at the Olympics 12

Lines, lines, everywhere lines.

This one is to see the Cauldron from above.

Who has 8 hours to stand in line for a zipline ride? I mean, seriously?

Though, truth be told, it did look like great fun.

Seen at the Olympics 11

HUGE Vinyl Signs...

...on the sides of buildings. Most of them were advertisements. This was one of the only cool ones. (And totally trumps "Seen at the Olympics 5.")

I"m not sure if this is vinyl or not, but it's pretty nifty as well.

Seen at the Olympics 10

The Infamous RED MITTENS

All of the Canadians had them (having purchased them around Christmas time). We lowly tourists had to wait in line for 3 hours just to enter the section of the store that may or may not have the red mittens in in stock.

Seen at the Olympics 9

Great Architecture.

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The ceiling at the Vancouver train station.

Seen at the Olympics 8

I'm Batman!

Seen at the Olympics 7

This Billboard.

Saw this a few times - totally cracked me up!

Seen at the Olympics 6

Random Guy Riding a Unicycle in His Underwear

Yet another slightly creepy street performer. At least his socks match - kind of.

Seen at the Olympics 5

Canadian Flags hanging from ALL buildings.

Sometimes multiple flags. This one was a bit crude with the flag tied/stapled to an old 2 x 4. Mighty resourceful, those Canucks.

Seen at the Olympics 4

Shiny Silver Elvis

Street performers were around every corner. And some of them were a bit creepy.

Seen at the Olympics 3

Kid drawn lantern with Strong Bad on it.

The non-kid drawn lanterns made reference to these things being called luminaries. But they aren't. They are lanterns. Whatever the Canadians choose to call them, I hope the kid that drew Strong Bad on it knows just how cool a kid they are.

These are luminaries:

Seen at the Olympics 2

Crazy Canadians watching Hockey in the pouring rain.

More Crazy Canadians...this time watching the Canada vs. Russia Men's Hockey game outside in the pouring rain.. It started with a couple of hundred people and by the time I left there were SO MANY people watching the game that I couldn't get out of the amphitheater area to go catch the train back to Seattle. I felt like Inigo Montoya with the "Excuse me. Pardon me, it's important." and wished for Fezzik with his: "Everybody move!"

If I hadn't learned already by spending 2 days with Jon and his constantly looking for Hockey highlights: Canadians sure like their Hockey. Pouring rain, I tell you, POURING.

Seen at the Olympics 1

Crazy Canada Hats!

Not only the crazy Canada hats, but crazy Canadians with their faces painted and with flags tied around their necks or wearing the flags as jackets.

I don't remember this much USA stuff at the Salt Lake Olympics. But I could be wrong.

By the way: Hooray Canada! So excited you did so well.

New Feature: Seen at the...

We're starting a new feature here at Ranee Days and Mondays called "Seen at the..." in which I will share what I have seen at different places at which I have been. We'll be starting with the Olympics in Vancouver 2010. I rode the train up from Seattle and spent about 6 hours in Vancouver hanging out with the world. For the next few weeks you'll see some of what I saw. Enjoy!

The Inuksuk