Words About Things

Ever since I read Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas I have wanted to travel across America in an open topped sports car, seeing the film cemented this desire. I don’t plan on ingesting a car boot full of drugs but driving cross country really appeals to me. Unfortunately I don’t have an attorney to take with me but I’m sure I can improvise. Las Vegas is the obvious choice for a final destination in particular Circus Circus although if it’s anything like it is in the film I may have to make a hasty retreat.

There are plenty of great books and films which use the wide expanses of the American landscape and a backdrop to events. The great thing about a road movie is that the constant movement drives the action forward so there is never a dull moment. Jack Kerouac’s On The Road is another fine example, a vibrant narrative driven by a cross country journey in a beat up old  Hudson. On The Road was written on one long roll of paper in a stream of consciousness style aided by large amounts of coffee, its physical dimensions referencing the endless highways which cross America horizontally.

I have always wanted to hire a car on one side of America and drive all the way across to the opposite coast stopping anywhere that seems interesting. I have even gone so far as to look into car hire in the USA to see if this is possible. Clearly this couldn’t be done in an ordinary car, it would need to be a convertible and preferably red, a Dodge Charger or a Ford Mustang would do fine.

American actress Eva Mendes is probably most famous for being the face (and body) of Calvin Klein lingerie and perfume. Her filmography varies from the grammatically ridiculous (2 Fast 2 Furious) to the frankly awful (Stuck On You) but we will let her off as she also stared in Children Of The Corn 5 which was amazing (I’m assuming). Like a lot of actresses she has branched out into a new field in order to make a little extra money. Her contract with Calvin Klein probably means she is unable to launch a fragrance so she has created a range of bed linen. The new range come is a variety of colours and will be sold by Macy’s under the name Vida.

“Vida is about easy luxury – the colours, fabrics and textures that I live and love, brought to life in a stylish, comfortable and affordable way. I’m excited to partner to see my passion for design come to life.”

It is unclear if Eva is going to take the world of bedding by storm. If the sheets sell well maybe she will launch her own range of double beds and give up on acting all together.

If you’ve seen Saw (or Saw II, III, IV or V for that matter) you will be familiar with the combination of fear and exhilaration the series is known for. But, if you prefer your psychological torture a little more real how about a Saw themed rollercoaster with a beyond vertical’ drop of 100º from 100ft? If that’s your idea of fun then you need to get yourself to Thorpe Park to experience Saw: The Ride. Judging by the video below it’s pretty full-on.