Signs of the Times: Truth in advertising (albeit misspelled)

Posted on August 7, 2015 by sglaser

Buena Vista, Colorado, USA, February 2013

When Amy, a dear friend of mine from Australia, and her mum, Irene, came to visit in me rural Colorado, I needed to show them some entertainment — something they couldn’t find in Adelaide, SA. After going to Wal-Mart (which did not disappoint), we headed to BV and Trader Tad’s.

Mind you we did not go inside — really the outside signs say it all. Actually, I was too scared to go inside. Since enough of my BVHS students had warned me about TT and his questionable state of mind, a quick drive-by was sufficient.

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Signs of the Times: SCARY stuff at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

Posted on June 19, 2014 by sglaser

Hey everybody, I’m sorry I’ve been absent from Travel Oops and neglectful of the WordPress community. In May, I traveled to Vietnam to get more material and mishaps (definitely that was a given — just trying to cross the street in Saigon was comedy.) At any rate, to jump back in, I’m sharing some gems from the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. By the way, although I was only in the airport on a layover, I’m sure Taiwan is a lovely place to visit.

Sign at arrival gate at the Taipei Airport.

Taipei, Taiwan, May 2014. It’s not like I travel with cocaine in my colon, but there is something VERY disconcerting about the above drug trafficking sign nevertheless.

Then there are the escape contraptions. These signs were not comforting, especially since the day before my friend Debbie and I arrived in Taiwan, a massive stabbing spree had taken place in the Taipei metro. I’m curious as to whether these escape routes have been tested.

Is this an escape laundry chute? Are your travel frocks that stinky??

The Escape Sling is definitely intriguing. I wonder what the punishment is for inadvertently using it. Actually, I don’t want to know…..

Signs of the Times: Stick Figures in Action

Posted on April 3, 2014 by sglaser

I’m a big fan of stick figure signs, especially when the stick figures have a personality. While never having been electrocuted — just minor tingling when I tried to unplug my hair dryer with a wet hand — I’m guessing the second sign is a more accurate depiction of what it’s like to touch a high voltage power box.

Sign One (sorry about the blurriness)

This stick figure could easily be on a caution sign as someone climbing, dancing, falling off a swing etc.

Sign Two

Now here is someone that accurately reflects (I think) being electrocuted. Plus, how evil high voltage can be!

Signs of the Times: Happy Trails? I think not…

Posted on December 4, 2013 by sglaser

YIkes! I don’t think I’ll go any further.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, USA.

This is one way to keep people from tromping off the path — and, really, ON the path as well. Notice in the photo below that there is a bench right in the poison ivy patch. Good thing poison ivy is a perennial.

I think I stand, from a distance, thank you!

Have a seat? I think I’ll stand, from a distance, thank you!

Signs of the Times: See A Mountain Lion? Put Up Your Dukes…

Posted on October 13, 2013 by sglaser

Utah and Colorado. Wildlife is great and all, and who doesn’t want to see animals in their natural habitat? There is something disconcerting, however, when you see these kinds of signs in the areas you will be camping or hiking. It’s even worse that the advice they post is pretty dang ridiculous — in that you’d actually be able to perform these death prevention techniques. Continue reading →

Signs of the Times: Time to get the crane for this one…

Posted on September 9, 2013 by sglaser

Nothing to misinterpret here.

Port Adelaide, South Australia. I’ve found that Australians tell it like it is. They say what they mean, so better bend your knees and lift from the legs on this one — or get a crane.

The super heavy container.

Signs of the Times: Slipping with Serious Style

Posted on August 23, 2013 by sglaser

Jazz hands everyone! Falling can be flashy..

From Ski Cooper, Colorado: Jazz hands everyone! The Flashy Fall.

It seems like in every country, we know that yellow or orange signs signal caution. But that doesn’t mean these signs have to be boring and the same! I’ve noticed that “Slippery When Wet” signs vary quite a bit. The above sign is my favorite — this guy knows how to slip and land on his bum Broadway Style. Jazz hands everyone!

The following photos are part of the Slipping with Style collection.

Ski Cooper, Colorado. Skiers may know a few things about falling so there’s nothing wrong with adding some style — like the can can

Love the high kick on this one. Time to do the Can Can Save!

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Signs of the Times: Really “Rustic” or “No-Frills” Yurt?

Posted on August 4, 2013 by sglaser

The convenience of cabins off the highway.

Highway 285, Colorado, USA.

Along this highway that winds down from a mountain pass on the way to Denver, CO, two signs advertising cabins and lodges show up. Location is everything, but placement may be more important. These signs appear right next to a domed pump station. Due to the weathering of the signs, it’s difficult to even see that mileage to the cabins is actually displayed. So, a person who wants that rustic mountain experience may be convinced that the pump station is really some kind of high tech or really no-frills yurt.

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Signs of the Times: Travel Poops (sorry, I couldn’t help the pun…)

Posted on July 25, 2013 by sglaser

A friendly clean up your dog's poop sign

This is sort of the hippie make-love-not-poop (but if you do, it’s okay) sign.

From gentle reminders to accusations of destroying civilization, signs are everywhere prompting people to clean up their dogs’ poops. (Sérieusement, Paris, France, écoutez-vous?)

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Signs of the Times: Hey, Audrey — Cut that Crumpet with a Chainsaw!

Posted on July 12, 2013 by sglaser

Audrey is good with a chainsaw and good with the troops.

All I have to say is that Audrey must be pretty badass. After teaching To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee for 10 years and having an annual “Boo Radley Day” where my students and I carve Ivory soap sculptures with plastic knives, I can only imagine what it must be like to whittle wood with a friggin’ chainsaw.

Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”

Not to mention that one just doesn’t expect a chainsaw wielding woman to necessarily be named Audrey. I keep thinking Audrey Hepburn and cutting a crumpet for breakfast with a chainsaw at Tiffany’s just seems a bit off.

By the way, I’m not saying Chainsaw Audrey isn’t as elegant as Audrey Hepburn.

At any rate, Chainsaw Audrey is darn impressive with her creations.