Cool

It was pushing 100 degrees fahrenheit when we set off today. Couldn't drive off straight away for fear of third degree burns off the steering wheel.

It's no surprise then that this hot looking gent (not that kind of hot) took some time to cool down on the New York sidewalk. I certainly wasn't asking him to move over for a shot.

Took in another trip to Universal today, this time to the Studio section of the park that included this recreation of some historical New York type streets. Less straight out thrill rides over here, more interactive and show-based attractions. Still all amazingly slick and polished and came away pretty amazed at how they can funnel so many people through each one as regular and smoothly as seemed to happen today. Favourite of the day had to be The Simpson's ride (also the longest queue, but nothing compared to to what they seem to be preparing for the much busier weeks to come). This ride really did fool the old brain into believing you were inside a Simpson's episode and not just stuck on top of a robotic arm with seven other folk. And it was pretty funny too, not the strained type of humour that some of the other human led side-shows were full of (then again, having to crack the same joke dozens of times a day and repeat the same lines day in and day out is bound to have a diminishing return effect).

Another near miss on losing valuables again tonight - not me this time - where someone who shall remain nameless left the 'wee' camera in Mel's Diner. Returning to the restaurant the duty manage initially advised us to head over to the Lost and Found desk as nothing had been handed in. But, as we headed out out, one of the kitchen staff came running after us with the camera safely stored away in a rubber glove. Honestly, we can't be trusted with shiny things, and it's costing us a fortune in reward money.

We hung around for the fireworks at the end of the night and had to fight our way through the hundreds of movie goers kitted out in their full Hogwart's uniforms - some of them were even near the age the books were aimed at - as they waited in line for the first showings of the last Harry Potter movie in the series.

There was a lot of traffic on the drive home but it never seemed to get to the frustration point like it does back home. There's something to be said for the ability to overtake in any of the four lanes on these highways that maybe contributes to everything moving along despite it looking absolutely jam packed. It certainly keeps you on your mirrors anyway.