Hey baby, what’s your sign?
Sign outside The Great Northern Hotel in Queensland. I’m sure there’s a very good reason for this…I’ve yet to figure that reason out.
The famous Hollywood sign. It’s there…somewhere…in the equally famous Los Angeles smog. This was taken on a particularly clear day.
‘And possibly also’ – My favorite words.
Impromptu late-night road trip from Darwin to Alice Springs. We never got there…but we could have, damn it!
How one salt-water croc can completely mess up your day…
Best. Sign. Ever.
Gotta love that last line…
All photographs: Alex Autin
LA has smog? It’s not how I imagined it. I thought it was mostly hills, everyone drove “visible” environmental cars there, and that the only industry was Show Business. What causes the pollution?
April 25, 2012 at 6:11 am
LA is infamously smoggy.
To quote Wikipedia…’Modern smog, as found for example in Los Angeles, is a type of air pollution derived from vehicular emission from internal combustion engines and industrial
fumes that react in the atmosphere with sunlight to form secondary pollutants that also combine with the primary emissions to form photochemical smog.’
I hope this answers your question FM!
April 25, 2012 at 6:19 am
Great choices … and the fact that you have seen these is even better. That Aussie travel sign cracks me up.
April 25, 2012 at 6:17 am
It cracks me up too Frank…and I like to notice signs wherever I am. I’m thinking of doing a series of ‘stick figure’ signs…you know, the one’s with the red line slashed across them implying Don’t Do This. These are usually pretty funny. Stick Figure Guy gets himself into all kinds of danger……I don’t think he’s too bright.
April 25, 2012 at 6:29 am
I love the last line..”Do not throw garbage anywhere you feel like it!” hahahahahahahahaha…also, we were once driving to Florida..LONNNNNNNG day, We started VERY early, drove all day and I wanted to keep driving until we reached Ocala Florida. . I told my husband, I can keep driving, I can DO it….his response…”Ocala closes at nine.” I had no idea cities closed at a certain time. LOL!
April 25, 2012 at 6:23 am
But no one apparently paid much attention Suzanne! I have a pic of the beach in front of this sign…covered in litter.
LOL! And yes towns do have to ‘close’, how else are they to roll up the sidewalks?
I think when driving people often underestimate the size of Texas and the length of Florida.
April 25, 2012 at 6:32 am
And don’t forget the length of Georgia and Alabama!
April 25, 2012 at 6:36 am
True!! Especially if taking I-20.
April 25, 2012 at 6:43 am
OH MY LORD!! Don’t remind me!!!!!! ENDLESS!!!
April 25, 2012 at 7:02 am
Even though highway 90 is longer I like it better than I-20 or I-10. At least there’s more to see then endless McDonald’s.
I would LOVE to drive 90 from California to Florida…one hellofa road trip!
April 25, 2012 at 7:14 am
No kidding! Oh the sights you’d see!
April 25, 2012 at 7:20 am
April 26, 2012 at 4:55 am
Great pics! You’re pushing my wanderlust into high gear.
As far as the first pic, yeah, I have a petty good idea why you’d want to be seated.
Tequila Fanny Bangers anyone?
(50 points to anyone who gets the reference)
April 25, 2012 at 6:23 am
I’m kinda doing that to myself as well Guapo…and it’s quite intentional.
Tequila Fanny Bangers?!! I’ve no idea, but sign me up…I think….
April 25, 2012 at 6:35 am
Bloom County. They were one of Steve Dallas’ favorite drinks.
April 25, 2012 at 1:20 pm
I should have known this…
April 26, 2012 at 4:56 am
Great pics Alex! Do you have more to share? Stickman is closely followed by the square car – how many road end signs do you see with that little car tipping over?
April 25, 2012 at 7:01 am
LOL!!
I’m convinced that Stickman is so often seen as a pedestrian because his license to drive was revoked for tipping over Square Car…over and over again. This needs further investigation!
April 25, 2012 at 7:12 am
April 25, 2012 at 2:14 pm
April 26, 2012 at 4:56 am
Great stuff. So long as I have to sit to drink I might as well hang out and sit for an extended period. Hell, I might even sleep there.
April 25, 2012 at 8:58 am
I’m sure they could hook you up Mike!
I’m not opposed to sitting while drinking, just confused as to why it’s a ‘MUST’.
April 25, 2012 at 9:23 am
Stumbling drunks? A drunk person falling on the buffet and ruining it? Someone hurling in the direction of Mrs. Lieutenant Needacock and messing up her pretty and pretentious dress?
April 25, 2012 at 10:00 am
LOL!!! Mrs. Lieutenant Needacock! Now that’s a story waiting to be written.
April 25, 2012 at 10:16 am
Oh I could write it, trust me on that. What do you think of the name clitia or clithia (like tricia) for a character?
April 25, 2012 at 10:18 am
Please write it!! And definitely go with Clithia…in fact I DARE you to write it!
April 25, 2012 at 10:28 am
April 25, 2012 at 10:31 am
LOL! And you’re writing this…yes?
April 25, 2012 at 10:38 am
Only if you allow me to read it to you personally.
April 25, 2012 at 10:38 am
Oh course…you mean so I can help with punctuation and stuff…
April 25, 2012 at 10:42 am
Yes Alex, since you are a keen writer yourself.
April 25, 2012 at 12:58 pm
That’s exactly what I meant Mike
April 26, 2012 at 4:57 am
LOL! These are great, Alex. I think the first is my favorite. Maybe . . . maybe the margaritas are made with some sort of anti-gravity mix, and they don’t want you flying away on their property.
April 25, 2012 at 10:19 am
Heheh!!!
That definitely sounds like it would be a liability Cara, but I’d want to try one (or two) of those anti-gravity margaritas. Can you imagine if someone was to try to stand….oh, oh we have another floater!!
April 25, 2012 at 10:32 am
LOL! I can just hear the bartender grunt, then mutter under his breath, “Hold ‘em down. I’ll go get the anchor weights.”
April 25, 2012 at 10:40 am
‘Alert air-traffic control!’
April 25, 2012 at 10:44 am
We should do stand-up . . .
April 25, 2012 at 10:50 am
LOL! We should take this on the road. You ever been to Alice Springs
April 25, 2012 at 10:57 am
I’ve never! Can I drive there? I’m afraid of planes . . .
April 25, 2012 at 11:18 am
Of course!
Umm…just be sure to go to the bathroom before setting out. It’s a ‘wee’ bit longer than driving across Texas…and no Buc-ee’s along the way.
April 25, 2012 at 11:33 am
Good tip, thank you!
April 25, 2012 at 11:37 am
LOL!
Don’t mention it Cara
April 26, 2012 at 4:58 am
LA’s smog used to be MUCH worse.
April 25, 2012 at 10:23 am
I was last there about a year and a half ago Kim…it was pretty bad. I hope it’s gotten better.
April 25, 2012 at 10:35 am
This was great! I love that, “Possible mine shafts…..bring your dog!”
April 25, 2012 at 11:12 am
LOL!!
Now, let’s be fair Amelie…it does say the dog must be on a leash. Which only means that if your dog also happens to stumble across any of those Possible Unexploded Munitions…he’s taking you out with him.
April 25, 2012 at 11:26 am
Alex,
I’d love to visit your part of the world some day. My wife’s father lives in Sausalito on a house boat… One day soon, I hope. Love pics, my friend.
Le Clown
April 25, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Le Clown…I’m glad you enjoyed the pics! As for my part of the world, well…that happens to be any part I’m currently in
I’m envious of your wife’s father! A houseboat would be cool!
April 26, 2012 at 5:07 am
Love these signs Alex! I always wonder whether those who have written them realise how many chuckles they have brought into the world!
April 25, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed them Colline! I’m thinking of posting more inspired by Kanerva’s comments above.
April 26, 2012 at 5:11 am
Please do – they are fun!
April 26, 2012 at 5:14 am
It gives me an excuse to carry my camera with me everywhere!
April 26, 2012 at 5:42 am
Very Funny – Loved the last sign!
April 25, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Morning White Lady! That’s my favorite as well. That last line is hysterical! It sounds like my mother wrote it!
April 26, 2012 at 5:12 am
The last one is a classic! I love signs where the writer has a sense of humor or two innocuious signs that put together have a whole new meaning. Thanks for the laugh!
April 26, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Thank you futuredoll…and thanks for the visit!
April 26, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Love the signs!! I always notice weird headlines or silly puns. Pretty funny!!
April 26, 2012 at 6:52 pm
Glad you liked them AMS! Maybe I’ll do a series of signs found in airports, here are some really good ones there…I mean depending on your idea of ‘good’.
April 27, 2012 at 6:14 am
I know – there’s a few overseas that are borderline obscene…to some people. Ha. I, of course, love them. I’ve got another post coming up soon on signs, but there are TONS of them out there. Let me know if you do and I’ll reblog it!
April 27, 2012 at 7:09 am
You just reminded me of the infamous ‘Snow Globe Threat’ sign you posted. It’s one of my favorites. I know most of these these signs are there to protect us… to provide information (or to cover their asses), but so many of them are so damn funny.
April 27, 2012 at 7:42 am
Omg. Smog. I lived there in the early 90′s. My car “emissions” had to pass LA standards and it was a new thing-no option to pass inspection! Whew! I was from Texas and it cost me $500 to get it approved. Hmmmmm…wonder if they saw me coming? Egads. Oh, but she (my cute car) did drive me to The Roxy a few times…:)
April 26, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Now I’m wondering what kind of car you drive that makes it ‘cute’…..
April 27, 2012 at 6:18 am
Good for you! We actually tried to make public transportation work in Dallas, but no-go. Ok if you live and work downtown, but not if you live downtown and work north – ha. What I drive? Now: Mini Cooper convertible. When people ask me: How can you drive something sooooo small?! (Texans.) I say: “How can you drive something sooooo expensive in gas?” Ha – I laugh all the way to the gas station…every two months or so. But WAIT! You laugh…all the time. It might be a smirk, I think. What I was driving then? a fully restored 1976 Stingray Corvette with T-Tops. Yeah, they saw me coming!
April 27, 2012 at 7:07 am
It can be a pain. I live in NE San Antonio and work on the Southside. I have an hour commute which I spend reading or listening to music…which has to be better than being behind the wheel cursing at other drivers on I-35.
One of the things I loved instantly when I first came to Texas was all the guys in their big trucks. It just seemed so Texas-y! And yes…a fully restored 1976 corvette…they saw you coming…and were quite envious!
April 27, 2012 at 7:51 am
April 27, 2012 at 8:25 am
My dad had a friend who bought cars at auction. (His friend was a Vietnam Vet, disabled from falling off TV tower and catching someone whose rope broke – oh, and the guy never said “thanks”) He loved painting and sanding old cars ready for the junkyard. I loved that car…but I got it at a steal.
April 27, 2012 at 8:32 am
I like the crocodile sign. That’s a cool collection.
April 27, 2012 at 3:54 am
Thanks Sartenada! I like that one as well. I find myself wanting to cheer for Stickman who appears to be trying to out-swim the croc.
I will say I wasn’t too happy with the sign on the morning I found it…I was all set for a nice, long, relaxing morning on the beach.
April 27, 2012 at 6:21 am
It took me so damn long to get here that I forgot what I was gonna say.
May 1, 2012 at 11:57 pm
It’s been more than two weeks. When are we gonna see you again?
May 19, 2012 at 11:52 am
YEAH! Like Smak said.
Hope your adventures in the world are going good, and your afforts there are being rewarded.
May 19, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Hi Smak and Guapo, thanks for checking in! I know it’s been longer than two weeks, when I wrote that post I had no idea how crazy things would get with the last month of the election…especially now that early voting has begun!
Once the election’s over (May 29th), I should have more time. I’m not sure if I’ll be coming back to Things I Love…I’ve been giving thoughts to starting a new blog. Either way I’ll let you guys know. I hope all is going well for you guys. I miss reading you!!
May 21, 2012 at 4:56 am
Whatever you end up doing, good to know all is well Alex!
May 21, 2012 at 7:28 am
In my wife’s Philippine language, Cebuano, dili means ‘no’ and ‘not.’ The Indonesian dilarang in the middle portion of the red sign appears to be related. I wonder why the sign didn’t include a Portuguese section.
February 6, 2013 at 10:03 am
That’s a very good question Steve! For some reason I assumed the top one was Portuguese, but looking at it again, I now don’t think so.
February 6, 2013 at 10:28 am
I did some delving and I now think that the first section is written in the East Timorese dialect of Portuguese. That’s why I didn’t recognize it. You can read more at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Timorese_Portuguese
February 6, 2013 at 11:03 am
Nice find Steve! Thanks for the research!
February 6, 2013 at 11:54 am