ARRA Stimulus Act Stupidity

In 2009, President Obama signed one of his signature pieces of legislation - the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (a.k.a., The Stimulus Act; a.k.a., The Recovery Act).  President Obama promised us this was going to fix the economy.  Despite adding millions to the deficit, it failed to add jobs with those "shovel ready projects."  Instead, it has resulted in the kind of situation below.  On Tuesday, we can decide if we want four more years of this, or if we want something different (which may or may not be any better).

Terrorism in Egypt

On a recent trip to Egypt, we saw this sign.  I thought it was interesting that the Government would warn folks about making false terrorist threats.  It was an interesting sign.

Egypt’s Tahrir Square

On a recent trip to Egypt, we went to Tahrir Square one night and they had an exhibit in the subway station under the square of protest art.  I was very moved by the power of the people and their willingness to resist the forces of oppression.

Pasta Sexy in Volterra, Italy

On a recent trip to Volterra, Italy in Tuscany, I found this little sign on the door of a restaurant.  There are so many signs that don’t translate and you have to wonder what they were thinking. We think this one was meant to be “pasta spicy” but have no idea.

Diamond Jo Casino

Readers of our travel blog know that my family is from the midwest – rural Iowa to be exact.  In early July I made a quick trip out there we were heading through Dubuque, Iowa on our way to Galina, when I spied this sign for the Diamond Jo Casino.  This is why aliens steal cows.  This sign is witty and remarkable!

Quiet Ya'll - Bedtime Greenbrier Style

On a recent trip to The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, I snapped this shot.  The Greenbrier is known for is extremely bold interior decor.  But every evening, they rolled out these lovely little signs imploring guests to be quiet with a small amount of Southern charm.  Now that's relaxing!

Poop Notice at the Camden Adventure Aquarium

A friend of mine recently took her daughter to the Camden Adventure Aquarium. She knows of my love of odd signs (and took a few pictures for me in Argentina last year). So when she saw this bird poop notice sign and took this picture for me. I love it!

Genuine Fake Watches from Istanbul, Turkey

My uncle recently took a Holy Lands tour to Istanbul, Israel, etc. He knew of my love for crazy signs, so he took this and sent it to me. The store was packed full of fake Patek Phillipe, Breguet, IWC and Rolex.

Watch Your Flush

On our recent Holland America cruise, I spied this sign in one of the bathrooms. Not throwing trash into the toilet is obvious. But less obvious is not flushing while seated. Since the toilet uses vacuum technology, well…I’m sure you can take a guess what Holland America is worried about.

Gift Shop and Jewish Cultural Center

In downtown Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, I found this building. It houses the Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg Chabad Jewish Welcome Center and the Purple Papaya gift shop. You can get your tacky t-shirt and your salvation – but it’s absolutely cheesy.

Holland America’s Message to Parents

Holland America has a reputation as being stodgy and for the older crowd. Even though we’re in our 30’s, we love Holland America because it’s a bit more elegant and nicer than other cruise ship companies. However, during the holidays, Holland America tends to get a lot of families…including a lot of wealthy families with uber-entitled uppity rich brats. Holland America posted these signs on their Holiday Cruises to try and get some control on the brats.

Holland America Cruise Ship Dining

Cruise ships are notorious breeding grounds for viral outbreaks. If you want a virus, cruise ships are prime places to catch them. To thwart the spread of viruses, Holland America instituted modified food service procedures. I thought this sign was striking in its honesty about the risk. Cruise ship companies have been criticized in the past and I thought this was a good step – even if it did mean long, long lines for food.

Iceland Moose Crossing

In Iceland, there is a plethora of animal crossing signs. We found this moose crossing sign on the Southern Coast of Iceland.

Iceland Sheep Crossing

In Iceland, there is a plethora of animal crossing signs. We found this sheep crossing sign in the Southeast part of Iceland.

Iceland Cattle Crossing

In Iceland, there is a plethora of animal crossing signs. We found this cattle crossing sign on the Southern Coast of Iceland.

Iceland Photo Radar

Iceland is a strange place. Something like 80% of the country’s population lives in Reykjavik. Outside of Reykjavik, there’s not much else. We found this sign in the middle of nowhere – also known about 30 minutes outside of Hofn. When we encountered this sign elsewhere in Iceland, it was usually found just before a photo radar device. But not near Hofn. This sign was literally out in the middle of nowhere – it really confused us.

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

At the Blue Lagoon outside of Reykjavik, Iceland, they have this sign all over the bathrooms. The idea is encourage people to take a full shower (without swimsuits) before entering the pool – paying special attention to wash the zones in red. A little funky, but I noticed some German tourists struggling with the idea of hygiene, so perhaps these signs are necessary.

A Matter of Fidelity

I found this ad in the shop at Hershey Park – called Hershey World. It’s brilliant!

Getting Lubed at Hershey

If you love lube, you’ll love Hershey…especially if it is raining. Every ticket to Hershey Park comes with a free lube job.

Leirhnjúkur, Myvatn Region, Iceland

This sign typifies much of our experience in Iceland. We’d found ourselves asking each other the question: how the hell do you pronounce this?