TresSugar

Carnival Around the World

CitizenSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:14 -0800

While today may be Mardi Gras, carnival has partied its way around the world for the last week. From the rain forests near Rio to the Alps in Germany, see how the world celebrates sin in my slideshow!
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Get Thee to a Nunnery!

GiggleSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:00:00 -0700

When sinning is out of the question, creative methods of anger management are key.

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Roller Coaster Ride From Hell

GiggleSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:00:00 -0700

I'm one tough cookie when it comes to extreme roller coasters, but I'd definitely end up with my head in the nearest trash can after exiting this ride. I counted 100+ revolutions and these buckled-in nut jobs were clapping at the end! Where's the "performed on a closed course by (roller coaster riding) professionals" disclaimer? Cuz that's the only way I can see anyone willingly enduring this. (That's assuming there was consent. Is this what happens when a carnival worker goes postal?)

"Fun House" Lives Up To Its Name

GiggleSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 09:00:00 -0700

Or not. The following woman didn't know what she had coming when she entered this attraction at a local carnival. I always thought the name "fun house" was blatantly ironic (tell me, who's amused by looking at distorted reflections of themselves?), but now I know that's the case. This woman ain't having much fun. Her friends, on the other hand...

Instant Carnival Ride

GiggleSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:00:00 -0800

These construction workers gotta get their jollies somewhere, and if it means fewer catcalls to womankind, I'm all for this alternative entertainment! I just wouldn't want to be the employer paying or insuring them. (Thanks, eBaums World!)

Oh Snap! Fashion Blooms in Indonesia

TresSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:30:57 -0700

A model showcased a flowery design yesterday, during the Jember Fashion Carnival in Jember, Indonesia. More than 400 models will parade down the city's longest street, celebrating culture and alternative fashion. World unity is the theme of this year's festival.

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Girl Crush du Jour: Kristen Stewart

TresSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0700

In addition to being the vampire crush Bella in Twilight (you've heard of that movie, right?), Stewart played a troubled-but-sensitive carnival worker in Adventureland and as badass rock star icon Joan Jett in the upcoming The Runaways. I love her laid back style and that she doesn't seem to take her fame all that seriously.

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Boo, I'm Osama bin Laden? Are Certain Costumes Off-Limits?

CitizenSugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:00:12 -0700

While it may be a bit until Halloween, all those "Spirit Stores" are popping up selling costumes already, and they made this story jump out at me. This week a senior British police officer found himself in hot water over his choice of costume for the local carnival parade. He's been advising the Afghan government on counter-terrorism, so I suppose he thought his costume was true to the theme: he showed up dressed as Osama bin Laden.

Despite the fact that the officer works to fight terrorism and has attended 9/11 memorial services in New York, his superiors were not amused by the flowing robes and turban. A spokesman for the officer's unit released a statement condemning the costume: “While we believe that his actions were misguided rather than malicious, they were clearly inappropriate, and we would condemn any such actions by any police officer as unacceptable.”

Even though Halloween is more and more (it seems to me anyway) about dressing as sexy and shocking as possible, was this beyond the boundaries of taste? It's certainly a scary enough costume - and they sell Osama masks online - but are certain costumes automatically off-limits?

It's Not How You Feel on the Rides - Fairs Are Going Green!

CitizenSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:00:21 -0700

Ah, state fair season! I can still feel the bruises on my forearms from scooping ice cream at mine when I was in high school. Though they're good old fashioned fun, fairs are kind of a suck on the planet. Just because that fried Twinkie on a stick has less packaging than the one you'd open at home, the generators required to heat up the fryers, the napkins - the carnival of waste is almost endless.

Some states are working to combat the rough on the earth reputation the way John McCain wants to cut out porkbarrel spending. (Get it? McCain? By a giant pig?) The Illinois State Fair is giving a green vendor award for the first time - the Donut Family won for serving in paper instead of styrofoam - and California and Washington have installed solar panels to make electricity, and turn all of their cooking oil into biofuels. See?! That deep-fried Twinkie is good for the environment.

Recycling is beginning slowly - and given the cost to fairs to haul trash - $165,000 in Illinois for 37 tons a day for 10 days, the move toward conservation could be perfect for man, beast, and pies alike.

Are you heading to your state fair?

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Northern California Must See Spots

DearSugar — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 08:11:10 -0700

Dear Sugar
Vacation time is here and this year my husband and I are headed to visit his family in San Jose. It is my first time in this part of CA and I can't wait.

The plan is to roll it into a week of; family, San Francisco,
Napa/Sonoma, and anything else we can fit in. Can you help me fill out my must do/see list?

I need a locals take on things like the best wineries to visit, the best sushi, best shopping, the best fancy restaurant (we enjoy eating). Just help me make it a sensational vacation! Cal Gal

Dear Cal Gal
Check out this post Honeymooning In San Francisco we wrote. They know their town so get after it and have some fun.

Town Hall and Gary Danko are the two top schmancy restaurants in San Francisco - and right now Town Hall is hotter than ever. Try and call ASAP for a reservation (rumor has it they book up two months in advance).

As far as "must see spots" in San Jose, I recommend going to Santana Row. It's the city's finest shopping district (Gucci, Escada, Tods, etc...) with a collection of fabulous restaurants as well. Blowfish (sushi) is a must eat as well as Amber India (Indian) and Straits Cafe (Malaysian).

Gilroy Outlet Stores are 20 min south of SJ. There are 145 stores there if you are really looking to tear it up.

Big Basin State Park has beautiful hiking trails in the coastal redwood groves. If the weather cooperates, it's a nice place to hike and picnic.

In downtown San Jose, there ain't a whole lot happenin outside of work hours, but there are a couple of good places to eat. The Fairmont Hotel has a nice fancy brunch, there’s an upscale restaurant called Arcadia in the Marriott Hotel and Kubota, in Japantown has amazing sushi.

Outside Of San Jose there are several attractions as well:
The Monterey Aquarium is about an hour and 15 min from SJ. It's a bit touristy, but also a fun place to buy souvenirs, eat ice cream, rent kayaks and see the beach and the seals.

About an hour West of SJ is the famous Santa Cruz boardwalk. (They filmed The Lost Boys there, remember the carnival scene?) It's sort of an Atlantic city on the west coast.

Also, about an hour 15 min drive is the quaintest town I've ever encountered called Carmel By The Sea. It's filled with restaurants, art galleries, candy/cheese shops and cottage homes by the ocean. Clint Eastwood used to be mayor here!

Carmel Valley is in the same vicinity. The weather is almost always perfect and it’s a wonderful, rural alternative to Carmel. The top hotel, restaurant and winery is Bernardus Lodge - the fancy restaurant there is called Marinus. Have a fantastic trip.