I arrived back in London this morning and am now (at 15:36) in my flat and am staying in the rest of the night. Yes, I know it is New Year's Eve but it is cold, cloudy and foggy here and I am NOT going out to battle the crowds and such. I'm looking forward to putting on my PJs, cooking something for dinner, watching a movie, watching CSI episodes on TV (the first 2 episodes with the miniatures! And, actually the first CSI episode I ever saw - a few years ago with Tiggs - it has a minature and a death at a Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas). Anyway.
The flight back was ok but I got only about 2 hours of sleep - which is unusual for me as I am a great plane sleeper. The woman next to me was probably in here early/mid 80s and obviously had arthritis / joing aches. Fine. I completely understand that sitting for 8 hours can be torture, especially when in pain. But, she kept rubbing her leg/knee, sometimes rocking back and forth with the motion, and changing her sitting position, and getting up to walk around. Every time she did this, she inadvertently hit me in the leg or arm or side or whatever. It made sleeping impossible! Somehow, I am still awake and not a zombie. Weird. Staying awake until midnight will be interesting.
I got back and all is well in my flat (although it is cold!). Went to the grocery and dry cleaner. Am doing laundry and unpacking. You know, the usual single-female-in-the-city activities on New Year's Eve. Wait, I must've missed that episode of "Sex and the City"
I want to go see the London New Year's Day Parade tomorrow, work on Friday, then musuems and packing this weekend. Movers come in exactly two weeks!
Anyway, happy new year to all!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
It figures
Taking the lead from Tiggs' blog, I'll say "U know what this means". I have a cold/flu. And it figures as I generally always seem to get one on vacation.
The flight from London to Cincinnati on Friday was fun. For about 3 hours I was freezing cold to the point of teeth chattering, and the ends of my fingers were feeling tingly. So that was 3 hours of internal panic. Then, that ended and I started getting really warm and achy. When we landed, it was all I could do just to walk through the airport to meet my dad at baggage claim.
We got home and I immediately put on my PJs and laid down on the couch. We took my temperature and it was 104!!! My face was on fire but the rest of me was cold. I just laid there with a cold washcloth on my face, eating cheerios and drinking water. My dad kept bringing me whatever I needed, would hold the cup of water for me so I wouldn't have to sit up - basically being great (he also has the most amazing immune system (knock on wood))! My mom just tried to stay away so she wouldn't get any germs.
My brother and sister-in-law are saints though. Whenever I fly in on a Friday, the whole family goes to Price Hill Chili and I get a goetta grilled cheese sandwich and mac-n-cheese (this is really good mac-n-cheese and the woman who makes it only works on Fridays). Anyway, Adam & Heather got an order of goetta and mac-n-cheese to go and brought it to me for dinner!
I then went to bed and slept for 12 hours. Fever is nearly gone, but still have this chest cough and every time I cough, my head feels like it's being squeezed.
Bah humbug.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Paris police find dynamite at store
Yes, I have seen this news item.
No, I have never shopped there ; but, yes, I know where it is.
Am I concerned? Not really. I mean, I'm as safe in Paris as I am in London as in Boston as in ...
No, I have never shopped there ; but, yes, I know where it is.
Am I concerned? Not really. I mean, I'm as safe in Paris as I am in London as in Boston as in ...
Friday, December 5, 2008
T Work Damages Old South Church
This is truly heartbreaking to me.
From boston.com: Some breaking news, literally: a large crack has developed in Old South Church, one of the grand landmarks of Copley Square.
At a joint news conference today, both the church’s senior minister, the Rev. Nancy S. Taylor (above left), and the MBTA’s assistant general manager, Charles L. O’Reilly (above right), said the crack was caused by work done by a T contractor installing elevator shafts to make the Copley Square T station accessible to the handicapped. O’Reilly said the multi-year, $45 million construction project has been indefinitely halted...
read the full story and see a picture
From boston.com: Some breaking news, literally: a large crack has developed in Old South Church, one of the grand landmarks of Copley Square.
At a joint news conference today, both the church’s senior minister, the Rev. Nancy S. Taylor (above left), and the MBTA’s assistant general manager, Charles L. O’Reilly (above right), said the crack was caused by work done by a T contractor installing elevator shafts to make the Copley Square T station accessible to the handicapped. O’Reilly said the multi-year, $45 million construction project has been indefinitely halted...
read the full story and see a picture
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Don't Chu-Know
The cities: where people take a great deal of time and effort…personality is a full-time job down in the cities.
This is from the November 24th News from Lake Wobegon, from NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion. I really like that assessment. It reminds me of a quotation I had written down, but cannot remember the source (book? TV? Movie?) – the character ‘no longer had the energy to be completely superficial’.
How true is. Really makes me think about in what ways I am superficial, or how tiresome it is keeping up appearances. And, I think I’m fairly low key. I know some people for whom this really is a full-time job. I feel sorry for them.
As the Buffett lyrics go :
You can sing every song that’s been sung
Conquer the moon and the sun
But if you asked me it’s all both been said and been done
It’s true. We’re all in this race full of pretenses, and what does it really prove? Where does it get us?
Personality is a full-time job down in the cities
He/she no longer had the energy to be completely superficial Just interesting to ponder.
This is from the November 24th News from Lake Wobegon, from NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion. I really like that assessment. It reminds me of a quotation I had written down, but cannot remember the source (book? TV? Movie?) – the character ‘no longer had the energy to be completely superficial’.
How true is. Really makes me think about in what ways I am superficial, or how tiresome it is keeping up appearances. And, I think I’m fairly low key. I know some people for whom this really is a full-time job. I feel sorry for them.
As the Buffett lyrics go :
You can sing every song that’s been sung
Conquer the moon and the sun
But if you asked me it’s all both been said and been done
It’s true. We’re all in this race full of pretenses, and what does it really prove? Where does it get us?
Personality is a full-time job down in the cities
He/she no longer had the energy to be completely superficial Just interesting to ponder.
Cultural disappointment
I’ve sat on posting this a few days because I was hoping my view would change, but it really hasn’t. True, I’m not as fired-up-angry as I was, but still disappointed. I know I was tired Saturday night, so that probably played into it; but I feel my “megativity” was also warranted.
I went to an Advent Carols by Candlelight show at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. As soon as I got there and paid 1 £ for the program, I realized I had made a mistake. I should have gone to the 16:00 Family Christmas Carols concert. Yes, you read that correctly, I actually said I should’ve gone to a “family” show.
I know Advent music is more contemplative and Christmas carols are more joyous and bright. And I know that generally the latter aren’t sung until just before Christmas because the Advent season is for more reflection than celebration. But still, I guess I just needed some celebration. I mean, I live alone and have no friends in London, I have plenty of time for contemplation!
Overall, my gripes about the performance :
1) That is was just that – a performance. Or a concert. The choir, nor the organist, came across as there to sing/play holy advent music. Rather, it was just a show, a concert, not carols. At one point, the director said in one of his speeches, it’s “like a college chapel with a hint of a West End show”. If I wanted a West End Show for Christmas, I would’ve found one.
2) After every song, the lights were turned up and the director made some sort of comment about the next song. At no point did one song go into the next. It completely ruined the mood. And, people applauded after every song, even the ones we sang along to; again, ruining the mood. Why call it a “candle light” concert when the lights were turned up just as much?
3) Behind the choir, one of the windows in the upper section was open for air – fine. But, there were two floodlights streaming in, which I assume when the window is closed is somewhat dampened and provides for a nicely illuminated altar area. Instead, I had two bright points of light always in my view.
4) I’ve come to accept that for every show you attend in London, you have to pay for the program. But why have that for a concert where the lyrics to some of the songs are printed and you’re invited to stand and sing-a-long? If you want the audience to sing, don’t charge for the book with the lyrics! Or at least have a double-sided sheet of paper with those specific songs on each seat.
5) Related to that – I didn’t pay 25£ for a sing-a-long. I paid to hear the choir sing. If I wanted to sing-a-long, I’d just go to church and sing the hymns!
5) This isn’t really a complaint about the concert, and it doesn’t bother me now, but it was just one more thing to annoy my Saturday evening – the people sitting around me. The woman behind me was humming along to lots of songs and she was sick (I could just imagine her germs floating forward to me) ; the 2 guys next to me loved their Red Bull and one even was ‘recording’ a song or two on his phone ; two rows in front were two lovey-dovey-beautiful-people couples – blech. I know, I know, this is all petty. I’m glad they were all out attending this concert, getting culture, getting into the Christmas spirit, and all of that. But I just wanted to complain.
6) Overall, the concert didn’t even come close to getting me in the Christmas spirit. Last year I went to the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus concert and that was fantabulous! The London Gay Men’s Chorus shows are sold out / days when I’m not in town. Bummer. At least I went to church Sunday morning and the opening hymn was O Come, O Come Emmanuel and that was all I needed to hear to be ready for Christmas.
At what point in life was I supposed to switch and appreciate Advent Carols (I don’t remember them growing up) and not sing Christmas Carols until just before Christmas? What is so wrong with that?
Family concert (* indicates that audience invited to stand and sing-a-long)
*Once in Royal David’s City
Ding Dong! Merrily on high
*O Little Town of Bethlehem
A Great and Mighty Wonder
*God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
I Saw Three Ships
Torches
*Away in a Manger
Coventry Carol
*O Come, All Ye Faithful
Past three a clock
*Hark! The Hearald Angels Sing
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Advent Carols
The truth from above
*O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Veiled in darkness
E’en so Lord Jesus, quickly come
Remember O thou man (I liked this one, hadn’t heard it before)
*Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Es ist ein Ros’ entrprungen (Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming)
On Jordan’s Bank (I liked this one, had never heard it)
*O Thou Who Camest From Above
Angelus ad Virginem (organ sounded like a calliope, overpowering the vocals)
Magnificat in D
Personent Hodei (didn’t like this one)
*Of the Father’s Heart Begotten
Zion hört die Wächter singen (did not like this one)
*In the Bleak Midwinter
Christmas Day
*Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
What Sweeter Music (liked this and it was new to me)
Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day (I like this, but I think the Old South Church choir sings it better)
I went to an Advent Carols by Candlelight show at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. As soon as I got there and paid 1 £ for the program, I realized I had made a mistake. I should have gone to the 16:00 Family Christmas Carols concert. Yes, you read that correctly, I actually said I should’ve gone to a “family” show.
I know Advent music is more contemplative and Christmas carols are more joyous and bright. And I know that generally the latter aren’t sung until just before Christmas because the Advent season is for more reflection than celebration. But still, I guess I just needed some celebration. I mean, I live alone and have no friends in London, I have plenty of time for contemplation!
Overall, my gripes about the performance :
1) That is was just that – a performance. Or a concert. The choir, nor the organist, came across as there to sing/play holy advent music. Rather, it was just a show, a concert, not carols. At one point, the director said in one of his speeches, it’s “like a college chapel with a hint of a West End show”. If I wanted a West End Show for Christmas, I would’ve found one.
2) After every song, the lights were turned up and the director made some sort of comment about the next song. At no point did one song go into the next. It completely ruined the mood. And, people applauded after every song, even the ones we sang along to; again, ruining the mood. Why call it a “candle light” concert when the lights were turned up just as much?
3) Behind the choir, one of the windows in the upper section was open for air – fine. But, there were two floodlights streaming in, which I assume when the window is closed is somewhat dampened and provides for a nicely illuminated altar area. Instead, I had two bright points of light always in my view.
4) I’ve come to accept that for every show you attend in London, you have to pay for the program. But why have that for a concert where the lyrics to some of the songs are printed and you’re invited to stand and sing-a-long? If you want the audience to sing, don’t charge for the book with the lyrics! Or at least have a double-sided sheet of paper with those specific songs on each seat.
5) Related to that – I didn’t pay 25£ for a sing-a-long. I paid to hear the choir sing. If I wanted to sing-a-long, I’d just go to church and sing the hymns!
5) This isn’t really a complaint about the concert, and it doesn’t bother me now, but it was just one more thing to annoy my Saturday evening – the people sitting around me. The woman behind me was humming along to lots of songs and she was sick (I could just imagine her germs floating forward to me) ; the 2 guys next to me loved their Red Bull and one even was ‘recording’ a song or two on his phone ; two rows in front were two lovey-dovey-beautiful-people couples – blech. I know, I know, this is all petty. I’m glad they were all out attending this concert, getting culture, getting into the Christmas spirit, and all of that. But I just wanted to complain.
6) Overall, the concert didn’t even come close to getting me in the Christmas spirit. Last year I went to the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus concert and that was fantabulous! The London Gay Men’s Chorus shows are sold out / days when I’m not in town. Bummer. At least I went to church Sunday morning and the opening hymn was O Come, O Come Emmanuel and that was all I needed to hear to be ready for Christmas.
At what point in life was I supposed to switch and appreciate Advent Carols (I don’t remember them growing up) and not sing Christmas Carols until just before Christmas? What is so wrong with that?
Family concert (* indicates that audience invited to stand and sing-a-long)
*Once in Royal David’s City
Ding Dong! Merrily on high
*O Little Town of Bethlehem
A Great and Mighty Wonder
*God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
I Saw Three Ships
Torches
*Away in a Manger
Coventry Carol
*O Come, All Ye Faithful
Past three a clock
*Hark! The Hearald Angels Sing
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Advent Carols
The truth from above
*O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Veiled in darkness
E’en so Lord Jesus, quickly come
Remember O thou man (I liked this one, hadn’t heard it before)
*Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Es ist ein Ros’ entrprungen (Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming)
On Jordan’s Bank (I liked this one, had never heard it)
*O Thou Who Camest From Above
Angelus ad Virginem (organ sounded like a calliope, overpowering the vocals)
Magnificat in D
Personent Hodei (didn’t like this one)
*Of the Father’s Heart Begotten
Zion hört die Wächter singen (did not like this one)
*In the Bleak Midwinter
Christmas Day
*Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
What Sweeter Music (liked this and it was new to me)
Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day (I like this, but I think the Old South Church choir sings it better)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tissues
Ok, mundane topic, but couldn't pass this one up....
Just got back from the grocery and bought some tissues. They don't seem to have Puffs here, so I buy Kleenex brand. But the "Ultra Soft" is ultra-NOT soft. A reliable brand, good to have around the house, just not when you have a seriously runny nose. I digress.
Back of the box says : Available in pocket pack, cube, regular, and mansize formats. Mansize - I'm not kidding. What? Why not put "Caveman size" and call it a day?
And, if I go to the website listed on the product packaging and I'm asked to do a survey and I oblige, don't make my only choices for where I live be states in America. If I can buy your product overseas, adapt your survey.
Mansize. Seriously.
Just got back from the grocery and bought some tissues. They don't seem to have Puffs here, so I buy Kleenex brand. But the "Ultra Soft" is ultra-NOT soft. A reliable brand, good to have around the house, just not when you have a seriously runny nose. I digress.
Back of the box says : Available in pocket pack, cube, regular, and mansize formats. Mansize - I'm not kidding. What? Why not put "Caveman size" and call it a day?
And, if I go to the website listed on the product packaging and I'm asked to do a survey and I oblige, don't make my only choices for where I live be states in America. If I can buy your product overseas, adapt your survey.
Mansize. Seriously.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Patriots to play in London in 2009
Ok, I don't care if I'll be living in Paris then - I've got to get tickets for this!!!
The NFL announced Monday that the Patriots will play the Buccaneers next season in London.
The game, which will be the Patriots' first regular-season game outside of the U.S., will be held Oct. 25, 2009.
The game, which technically is hosted by the Buccaneers, will be at Wembley Stadium.
"We are proud to be selected by the NFL to be featured in next year's international game," New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a press release. "We have had a lot of memorable moments in recent years. I am sure our trip to the United Kingdom next year will prove to be an unforgettable experience for our players and coaches, as well as the many fans that will travel to the game. I think it is fitting that New England's first game to be played outside of North America will be in England. I know that the UK is home to some of our most passionate Patriots fans and we look forward to the experience."
The NFL announced Monday that the Patriots will play the Buccaneers next season in London.
The game, which will be the Patriots' first regular-season game outside of the U.S., will be held Oct. 25, 2009.
The game, which technically is hosted by the Buccaneers, will be at Wembley Stadium.
"We are proud to be selected by the NFL to be featured in next year's international game," New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a press release. "We have had a lot of memorable moments in recent years. I am sure our trip to the United Kingdom next year will prove to be an unforgettable experience for our players and coaches, as well as the many fans that will travel to the game. I think it is fitting that New England's first game to be played outside of North America will be in England. I know that the UK is home to some of our most passionate Patriots fans and we look forward to the experience."
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Working Moms - What do you think?
Ok, I fully believe that households can have two working parents and still be good parents - provided that both parents take part in the child-raising and house-running. And that women should have the right to stay home with their children if they want, or work if that is their choice.
But I was surprised by this article by Maggie Jackson on the Boston Globe's website. One part being : "Yet, however politically strategic and privately compelling, Obama's decision to be foremost the "first mom" potentially sends a wrong message: that high-level paid work and motherhood don't mix, or that women need to be the ones to step down to care for family."
I mean, how many women are faced with raising two young children in the White House while being the wife/confident/friend of the President of the United States? How could the standards for being a 'working mom' in Minnesota even begin to compare to being the working mom in the White House? Never mind the ensuing security issues and such that would arise from Mrs. Obama working - if Obama isn't using email, could she?
Ms. Jackson continued, writing "More than ever, we need female role models as we dig out of this horrendous economic mess. The fate of working mothers is a bottom line issue."
WHAT - the fate of working mothers??? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for closing the gender gap, for women working, for equal pay, for strong male rolemodels at home and strong female role models in business - but give me a break! All that Ms. Jackson's viewpoint shows me is that women are held to a higher standard, expected to do it all, and will be criticized no matter what they choose.
Congrats to Michelle Obama for choosing her family - her daughters and husband.
But I was surprised by this article by Maggie Jackson on the Boston Globe's website. One part being : "Yet, however politically strategic and privately compelling, Obama's decision to be foremost the "first mom" potentially sends a wrong message: that high-level paid work and motherhood don't mix, or that women need to be the ones to step down to care for family."
I mean, how many women are faced with raising two young children in the White House while being the wife/confident/friend of the President of the United States? How could the standards for being a 'working mom' in Minnesota even begin to compare to being the working mom in the White House? Never mind the ensuing security issues and such that would arise from Mrs. Obama working - if Obama isn't using email, could she?
Ms. Jackson continued, writing "More than ever, we need female role models as we dig out of this horrendous economic mess. The fate of working mothers is a bottom line issue."
WHAT - the fate of working mothers??? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for closing the gender gap, for women working, for equal pay, for strong male rolemodels at home and strong female role models in business - but give me a break! All that Ms. Jackson's viewpoint shows me is that women are held to a higher standard, expected to do it all, and will be criticized no matter what they choose.
Congrats to Michelle Obama for choosing her family - her daughters and husband.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
My Thanksgiving
Amazing how relaxing Thanksgiving can be when you're by yourself, with no other Americans around, in the U.K.!!! So what did I do?
-- I celebrated by wearing jeans to work today (and no one commented on me being casual - I guess wearing a nice sweater and heels counter-balanced them?).
-- I treated myself to a Starbucks chai latte this afternoon (the only thing I get there since I detest coffee).
-- I called my parents during the morning US time.
-- I called my grandma late afternoon US time.
-- I'm having chicken kievs (but they're ham/cheese filled, which to me is cordon-bleu, but here they make regular kievs and also ones like this).
-- I'm having this wonderful rice medley I discovered at Rossi Pasta in Marietta, Ohio. It's a 'combination of dry roasted wild rice with cranberries, almonds and other rices' and has a 'maple/apple seasoning' too! It's by Rice River Farms.
-- I'm watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (I own it on DVD). (on IMDB ; ABC ; and Wiki)
-- I'll later watch an episode of Bones (actually the latest one!) and CSI (the Las Vegas series, I absolutely despise the Miami one, well actually only David Caruso on it).
One of the best parts? The last five things are all being done in my pajamas. This is how Thanksgiving should be! Quiet, relaxing and comfortable :) Hope yours was the same.
-- I celebrated by wearing jeans to work today (and no one commented on me being casual - I guess wearing a nice sweater and heels counter-balanced them?).
-- I treated myself to a Starbucks chai latte this afternoon (the only thing I get there since I detest coffee).
-- I called my parents during the morning US time.
-- I called my grandma late afternoon US time.
-- I'm having chicken kievs (but they're ham/cheese filled, which to me is cordon-bleu, but here they make regular kievs and also ones like this).
-- I'm having this wonderful rice medley I discovered at Rossi Pasta in Marietta, Ohio. It's a 'combination of dry roasted wild rice with cranberries, almonds and other rices' and has a 'maple/apple seasoning' too! It's by Rice River Farms.
-- I'm watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (I own it on DVD). (on IMDB ; ABC ; and Wiki)
-- I'll later watch an episode of Bones (actually the latest one!) and CSI (the Las Vegas series, I absolutely despise the Miami one, well actually only David Caruso on it).
One of the best parts? The last five things are all being done in my pajamas. This is how Thanksgiving should be! Quiet, relaxing and comfortable :) Hope yours was the same.
Happy Thanksgiving !
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! I’m celebrating by being at work in London and I don’t know what I’m having for dinner yet. I will watch an episode of CSI on TV (big surprise) and the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special, which I have on DVD.
The below is for anyone reading this who is not from America and who is not familiar with the holiday of Thanksgiving. (I was surprised by the number of people in my office in London who thought Thanksgiving was a Christmas-related holiday in the States ; and that no similar holiday exists in the UK – the only holiday they have that is a big family gathering, has as much hoop-la, is Christmas.) And, if you are American and just want a refresh in history, keep reading.
***
Thanksgiving Day is primarily a North American secular holiday and traditionally is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. Most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals which have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday has religious undertones related to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the brutal winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Thanksgiving Day commemorates the celebration held in 1621 after the first harvest by the Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims who traveled from England on the Mayflower landed on December 21, 1620. The harsh winter claimed about half their number. The local Wampanoag Indians, who were friendly to the newcomers, furnished seeds and taught them how to plant corn. The corn and the crops grown from the seeds they had brought with them produced a bountiful harvest. Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day to celebrate the harvest. The celebration brought together the colonists and the Indians, who were led by their chief Massasoit. The colonists provided water fowl, wild turkey and fish; the Indians contributed deer to the feast.
The tradition of observing a day of thanksgiving spread throughout the colonies, but was celebrated on different dates. In 1789 President George Washington proclaimed a National Thanksgiving Day in honor of the new United States Constitution. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. U.S. Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States (not necessarily the last Thursday in November).
The family and friends present at a Thanksgiving table are not expected to give gifts to each other and the point of the meal is to reflect upon and be thankful for the things that have passed over the last year. While most hosts will say a short prayer before the start of the meal, this is not obligatory and there is no overt religious significance to the holiday.
Just as important as the food associated with the day are two other traditions – watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (caution - sound on website!) and watching the Detroit Lions play football (U.S. version). Also, the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S. as it ‘starts’ the Christmas shopping season.
Food :
The centerpiece of contemporary Thanksgiving in the United States, and Canada is a large meal, generally centered around a large roasted turkey. The majority of the dishes in the traditional American version of Thanksgiving Dinner are made from foods native to the New World.
Because turkey is the most common main dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, Thanksgiving is sometimes colloquially called Turkey Day. The average cost of an entire Thanksgiving feast was approximately $41 in 2007. It has been estimated that 16-20 percent of annual turkey consumption in the US is attributed to Thanksgiving and as much as 30 percent of consumption occurs during the combined Thanksgiving to New Year holiday season.
Most Thanksgiving turkeys are stuffed with a cereal-based stuffing and roasted. Sage is the traditional herb added to the stuffing (also called dressing), along with chopped celery, carrots, and onions. Deep-fried turkey is rising in popularity. One or several of the following may be added to the dressing/stuffing: oysters, apples, chestnuts, raisins, celery and/or other vegetables, sausages or the turkey's giblets.
Many Americans would say the Thanksgiving dinner is "incomplete" without cranberry sauce, stuffing or dressing, and gravy. Other commonly served dishes include sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls or biscuits, and a Waldorf salad. For dessert, various pies are often served, particularly apple pie, mincemeat pie, sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie. Other nontraditional dishes reflect the region or cultural background of those who have come together for the meal.
The use of the turkey in the USA for Thanksgiving precedes Lincoln's nationalization of the holiday in 1863. Alexander Hamilton proclaimed that no "Citizen of the United States should refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day", but turkey was uncommon as Thanksgiving fare until after 1800. By 1857 turkey had become part of the traditional dinner in New England.
Fun facts :
-- The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.
-- The state of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817.
-- President Franklin D. Roosevelt restored Thursday before last of November as Thanksgiving Day in the year 1939. He did so to make the Christmas shopping season longer and thus stimulate the economy of the state.
-- Sarah Josepha Hale, the enormously influential magazine editor and author who waged a tireless campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in the mid-19th century (from 1827-1863!), was also the author of the classic nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
-- Of those Americans traveling for Thanksgiving in 2007, approximately 80 percent (31.2 million) were expected to go by motor vehicle, 12.1 percent (4.7 million) by airplane and the rest (2.8 million) by train, bus or other mode of transportation.
-- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Minnesota is the top turkey-producing state in America, with a planned production total of 49 million in 2008.
-- Just six states—Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri and Indiana—will probably produce two-thirds of the estimated 271 million birds that will be raised in the U.S. in one year.
-- The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.
-- The cranberry is one of only three fruits—the others are the blueberry and the Concord grape—that are entirely native to North American soil, according to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association.
-- According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust. [what is it with people and the Guinness Book or World Records? I mean really, isn’t there a better use of people’s time and resources?]
-- Originally known as Macy's Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy's employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.
-- Tony Sarg, a children's book illustrator and puppeteer, designed the first giant hot air balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. He later created the elaborate mechanically animated window displays that grace the façade of the New York store from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
-- Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. As the Flying Ace, Snoopy made his sixth appearance in the 2006 parade.
-- The first time the Detroit Lions played football on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934, when they hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit stadium, in front of 26,000 fans. The NBC radio network broadcast the game on 94 stations across the country--the first national Thanksgiving football broadcast. Since that time, the Lions have played a game every Thanksgiving (except between 1939 and 1944); in 1956, fans watched the game on television for the first time.
Above information taken from Wikipedia (twice), The Holiday Spot, American Holiday Calendar, and History.
The below is for anyone reading this who is not from America and who is not familiar with the holiday of Thanksgiving. (I was surprised by the number of people in my office in London who thought Thanksgiving was a Christmas-related holiday in the States ; and that no similar holiday exists in the UK – the only holiday they have that is a big family gathering, has as much hoop-la, is Christmas.) And, if you are American and just want a refresh in history, keep reading.
***
Thanksgiving Day is primarily a North American secular holiday and traditionally is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. Most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals which have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday has religious undertones related to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the brutal winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Thanksgiving Day commemorates the celebration held in 1621 after the first harvest by the Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims who traveled from England on the Mayflower landed on December 21, 1620. The harsh winter claimed about half their number. The local Wampanoag Indians, who were friendly to the newcomers, furnished seeds and taught them how to plant corn. The corn and the crops grown from the seeds they had brought with them produced a bountiful harvest. Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day to celebrate the harvest. The celebration brought together the colonists and the Indians, who were led by their chief Massasoit. The colonists provided water fowl, wild turkey and fish; the Indians contributed deer to the feast.
The tradition of observing a day of thanksgiving spread throughout the colonies, but was celebrated on different dates. In 1789 President George Washington proclaimed a National Thanksgiving Day in honor of the new United States Constitution. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. U.S. Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States (not necessarily the last Thursday in November).
The family and friends present at a Thanksgiving table are not expected to give gifts to each other and the point of the meal is to reflect upon and be thankful for the things that have passed over the last year. While most hosts will say a short prayer before the start of the meal, this is not obligatory and there is no overt religious significance to the holiday.
Just as important as the food associated with the day are two other traditions – watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (caution - sound on website!) and watching the Detroit Lions play football (U.S. version). Also, the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S. as it ‘starts’ the Christmas shopping season.
Food :
The centerpiece of contemporary Thanksgiving in the United States, and Canada is a large meal, generally centered around a large roasted turkey. The majority of the dishes in the traditional American version of Thanksgiving Dinner are made from foods native to the New World.
Because turkey is the most common main dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, Thanksgiving is sometimes colloquially called Turkey Day. The average cost of an entire Thanksgiving feast was approximately $41 in 2007. It has been estimated that 16-20 percent of annual turkey consumption in the US is attributed to Thanksgiving and as much as 30 percent of consumption occurs during the combined Thanksgiving to New Year holiday season.
Most Thanksgiving turkeys are stuffed with a cereal-based stuffing and roasted. Sage is the traditional herb added to the stuffing (also called dressing), along with chopped celery, carrots, and onions. Deep-fried turkey is rising in popularity. One or several of the following may be added to the dressing/stuffing: oysters, apples, chestnuts, raisins, celery and/or other vegetables, sausages or the turkey's giblets.
Many Americans would say the Thanksgiving dinner is "incomplete" without cranberry sauce, stuffing or dressing, and gravy. Other commonly served dishes include sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls or biscuits, and a Waldorf salad. For dessert, various pies are often served, particularly apple pie, mincemeat pie, sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie. Other nontraditional dishes reflect the region or cultural background of those who have come together for the meal.
The use of the turkey in the USA for Thanksgiving precedes Lincoln's nationalization of the holiday in 1863. Alexander Hamilton proclaimed that no "Citizen of the United States should refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day", but turkey was uncommon as Thanksgiving fare until after 1800. By 1857 turkey had become part of the traditional dinner in New England.
Fun facts :
-- The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.
-- The state of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817.
-- President Franklin D. Roosevelt restored Thursday before last of November as Thanksgiving Day in the year 1939. He did so to make the Christmas shopping season longer and thus stimulate the economy of the state.
-- Sarah Josepha Hale, the enormously influential magazine editor and author who waged a tireless campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in the mid-19th century (from 1827-1863!), was also the author of the classic nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
-- Of those Americans traveling for Thanksgiving in 2007, approximately 80 percent (31.2 million) were expected to go by motor vehicle, 12.1 percent (4.7 million) by airplane and the rest (2.8 million) by train, bus or other mode of transportation.
-- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Minnesota is the top turkey-producing state in America, with a planned production total of 49 million in 2008.
-- Just six states—Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri and Indiana—will probably produce two-thirds of the estimated 271 million birds that will be raised in the U.S. in one year.
-- The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.
-- The cranberry is one of only three fruits—the others are the blueberry and the Concord grape—that are entirely native to North American soil, according to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association.
-- According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust. [what is it with people and the Guinness Book or World Records? I mean really, isn’t there a better use of people’s time and resources?]
-- Originally known as Macy's Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy's employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.
-- Tony Sarg, a children's book illustrator and puppeteer, designed the first giant hot air balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. He later created the elaborate mechanically animated window displays that grace the façade of the New York store from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
-- Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. As the Flying Ace, Snoopy made his sixth appearance in the 2006 parade.
-- The first time the Detroit Lions played football on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934, when they hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit stadium, in front of 26,000 fans. The NBC radio network broadcast the game on 94 stations across the country--the first national Thanksgiving football broadcast. Since that time, the Lions have played a game every Thanksgiving (except between 1939 and 1944); in 1956, fans watched the game on television for the first time.
Above information taken from Wikipedia (twice), The Holiday Spot, American Holiday Calendar, and History.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Castro's Favorite Color: US Officials Flunk Test of American History, Economics, Civics
Castro's Favorite Color: US Officials Flunk Test of American History, Economics, Civics
On Howard's blog he has a link to an overall civics test which I found fun.
I scored 78.79% on this test; good in comparison to the elected officials average score of 44%, but on par with average of 78.1%. However, it pales in comparison to Howard's 97%.
How did you do?
On Howard's blog he has a link to an overall civics test which I found fun.
I scored 78.79% on this test; good in comparison to the elected officials average score of 44%, but on par with average of 78.1%. However, it pales in comparison to Howard's 97%.
How did you do?
Monday, November 24, 2008
Mental Floss
--Advice : If you’re looking for a hotel in Paris and prefer the Hilton chain, don’t google Pairs + Hilton
--Advice : If you buy a coat (or a skirt) that has a pleat in the back and there are two loose stitches forming an X at the end, remove these! The number of people I’ve seen in winter coats who keep this stitch in is amazing! Then, the coat ‘buckles’ in the back where the pleat is. I just want to walk around with scissors and help people.
--It seems to be a universal thing – when a subway car pulls into a station, the people waiting to get on immediately cram in front of the door, making it near impossible for the people to get off. If you’re in such a rush to get on the T car, then let the people off first!
--London is lacking in trashcans. Good luck finding one on the street, or if you do, you’re luck if it’s more than miniscule in size. The amazing thing, there’s virtually no trash littering the streets; but you do not see trash-picker-uppers walking around.
--In one of the hotels I often stay in when in Paris, I can not only touch the ceiling in the elevator, I can put my palm on it. That’s just not right.
--Advice : If you buy a coat (or a skirt) that has a pleat in the back and there are two loose stitches forming an X at the end, remove these! The number of people I’ve seen in winter coats who keep this stitch in is amazing! Then, the coat ‘buckles’ in the back where the pleat is. I just want to walk around with scissors and help people.
--It seems to be a universal thing – when a subway car pulls into a station, the people waiting to get on immediately cram in front of the door, making it near impossible for the people to get off. If you’re in such a rush to get on the T car, then let the people off first!
--London is lacking in trashcans. Good luck finding one on the street, or if you do, you’re luck if it’s more than miniscule in size. The amazing thing, there’s virtually no trash littering the streets; but you do not see trash-picker-uppers walking around.
--In one of the hotels I often stay in when in Paris, I can not only touch the ceiling in the elevator, I can put my palm on it. That’s just not right.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mercy, not judgment
The sermon series has been on The Lord’s Prayer. Last week’s was on the line ‘give us this day our daily bread’ and was just not good (or rather, it wasn’t good to me). This week’s was on the forgiveness line (whether or not you say it with debts, trespasses, sins, or something else).
I grew up saying trespasses and for the past 8 years have said debts; but I remember a sermon at Old South where an anecdote was given about a church in Connecticut deciding what to say, and ultimately voting on sins – ‘forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.’ I think that was the first time I ever heard it said that way. And it stuck with me – mainly because it’s easier to understand the meaning. But in Sunday's sermon, it was given a new perspective. Pastor D’Elia said that debts and trespasses are both breaches of human interaction, a horizontal action if you will. However, sins are breaches with God, a vertical action. That makes the use of ‘sins’ in the prayer that much more relevant and applicable and understandable to me.
Other things that were said in the sermon and service that stuck with me were :
-- To whom much is given, much is expected
-- Reach out and let the spirit of God touch you
-- If we lose our sense of what sin is, how do we confess?
-- Be a living example of God’s mercy
-- The concept of justice versus mercy.
Mercy, not judgment. I like that.
I grew up saying trespasses and for the past 8 years have said debts; but I remember a sermon at Old South where an anecdote was given about a church in Connecticut deciding what to say, and ultimately voting on sins – ‘forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.’ I think that was the first time I ever heard it said that way. And it stuck with me – mainly because it’s easier to understand the meaning. But in Sunday's sermon, it was given a new perspective. Pastor D’Elia said that debts and trespasses are both breaches of human interaction, a horizontal action if you will. However, sins are breaches with God, a vertical action. That makes the use of ‘sins’ in the prayer that much more relevant and applicable and understandable to me.
Other things that were said in the sermon and service that stuck with me were :
-- To whom much is given, much is expected
-- Reach out and let the spirit of God touch you
-- If we lose our sense of what sin is, how do we confess?
-- Be a living example of God’s mercy
-- The concept of justice versus mercy.
Mercy, not judgment. I like that.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Remembrance Sunday
Church was surprisingly good today, including the sermon.
I had to laugh when the assistant minister started off by saying “This is the day the Lord has made”, in somewhat response to the rainy London weather. If someone had said that to me yesterday, while standing in the pouring down and sideways rain, I would not have been amused. But, when you think about it, that phrase would have been just as true on that rainy afternoon as it was on a sunny morning.
I digress. Today is Remembrance Sunday in the UK, and Europe. 11/11 this year marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the Great War, in which 1.1 million Brits lost their lives. That’s 1,100,000 people. Mind boggling.
A member of the US military was there and gave a speech for remembrance, and it was quite good. I liked his line, ‘glorify the warriors, not the war.’ Being in Europe for this day has made me think more about the Wars, and the act of remembrance. In the U.S., I feel like Veterans Day is a forgotten day, which is a shame, when you consider what these men and women did for the safety, security, and liberty of all of us. He quoted part of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (given 19 Nov 1863), and it is fitting for all of us to remember :
… But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain …
Also referenced, and relevant is the passage read from Isaiah 2:1-5, with v4 as follows :
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
As the speaker said, ‘what we choose to remembers defines us individually and collectively.’
What, and whom, do you choose to remember?
I had to laugh when the assistant minister started off by saying “This is the day the Lord has made”, in somewhat response to the rainy London weather. If someone had said that to me yesterday, while standing in the pouring down and sideways rain, I would not have been amused. But, when you think about it, that phrase would have been just as true on that rainy afternoon as it was on a sunny morning.
I digress. Today is Remembrance Sunday in the UK, and Europe. 11/11 this year marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the Great War, in which 1.1 million Brits lost their lives. That’s 1,100,000 people. Mind boggling.
A member of the US military was there and gave a speech for remembrance, and it was quite good. I liked his line, ‘glorify the warriors, not the war.’ Being in Europe for this day has made me think more about the Wars, and the act of remembrance. In the U.S., I feel like Veterans Day is a forgotten day, which is a shame, when you consider what these men and women did for the safety, security, and liberty of all of us. He quoted part of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (given 19 Nov 1863), and it is fitting for all of us to remember :
… But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain …
Also referenced, and relevant is the passage read from Isaiah 2:1-5, with v4 as follows :
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
As the speaker said, ‘what we choose to remembers defines us individually and collectively.’
What, and whom, do you choose to remember?
Lord Mayor's Show
Saturday, I braved the rain and went to the Lord Mayor's Show for The City (of London).
From Blue Guide - City Guide: London
"The Lord Mayor is elected each autumn and holds office for one year. The first was in 1189 [819 years ago]; all have been men. [hmph] ... On the second Saturday of November each year, the new Lord Mayor of London processes to the Law Courts to take his oath of office before the judges of the Queen's Bench. The ceremony is an ancient one, dating back to King John's time [1199-1216], and has taken the form of a pageant for over 500 years, originally often travelling by river, but for more than 200 years now by road, using the Lord Mayor's coach designed by Taylor and kept in the Museum of London. Today the show takes the form of a procession from the Law Courts to the Guildhall in the City. Each Lord Mayor chooses a theme, usually relating to trade or contemporary issues."
If there was a theme, I'm not sure what it was other than: rainy, windy, and wet. Also, drum corps, military, and horses.
The website has interesting information on the history, the route, the procession, etc., but I would NOT call this a "grand" fireworks display. For those of you from Cincinnati, it reminded me of the Harvest Home Parade - a big deal to those involved and from the area, but otherwise a let down.
Photos uploaded to Flickr (photo link on top right of blog)
From Blue Guide - City Guide: London
"The Lord Mayor is elected each autumn and holds office for one year. The first was in 1189 [819 years ago]; all have been men. [hmph] ... On the second Saturday of November each year, the new Lord Mayor of London processes to the Law Courts to take his oath of office before the judges of the Queen's Bench. The ceremony is an ancient one, dating back to King John's time [1199-1216], and has taken the form of a pageant for over 500 years, originally often travelling by river, but for more than 200 years now by road, using the Lord Mayor's coach designed by Taylor and kept in the Museum of London. Today the show takes the form of a procession from the Law Courts to the Guildhall in the City. Each Lord Mayor chooses a theme, usually relating to trade or contemporary issues."
If there was a theme, I'm not sure what it was other than: rainy, windy, and wet. Also, drum corps, military, and horses.
The website has interesting information on the history, the route, the procession, etc., but I would NOT call this a "grand" fireworks display. For those of you from Cincinnati, it reminded me of the Harvest Home Parade - a big deal to those involved and from the area, but otherwise a let down.
Photos uploaded to Flickr (photo link on top right of blog)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Change Can Happen
Well, it’s a big day in the UK – Guy Fawkes Day – which is actually one of the specific things I remember from senior year high school AP European History. Basically, a foiled attempt to blow up Parliament (fun trivia : as a result, the basement of Parliament is searched every day). There are fireworks (aka bonfires) all over the place, and they’ve been going on for a week or so, and probably will continue for another week. As my landlady said (paraphrasing) ‘this is the only place where people celebrate almost killing their king!’.
Am I out celebrating? Nope. I chose to stay home at watch last night’s The Daily Show : Indecision 2008. That’s right, they’re actually showing on the More 4 channel the episode from Election Night – yeah!!! It was kind of sad for me here as I wasn’t able to celebrate with friends when results came in. All day I sat at my computer with a goofy grin and just an overall great feeling inside. Wow.
Anyway, The Daily Show was good, but the jokes weren’t as strong as usual; well, they got funnier as the show went on. Understandable because it was an emotionally charged night, full of nerves. Interesting how they were reporting state results with only 20-40% reporting – when comparing with the final map with 100% reporting, the early results were about 95% accurate. That’s pretty amazing. Was surprised at how quickly, and almost under his breath, John Stewart announced that Barack Obama was the winner.
The pessimist in me was ‘expecting the worst, hoping for the best’, thus expecting a McCain win and thus preparing to live in France the next 4 years. Thank you for making it appealing for me to move back to the States earlier, if I so choose. (Granted, I also realize I’m less likely to have many of you visiting and staying with me in Paris for extended periods of time!) Anyway, to all of you who voted for Obama/Biden, thank you (thank you Ohio!!!).
Am I out celebrating? Nope. I chose to stay home at watch last night’s The Daily Show : Indecision 2008. That’s right, they’re actually showing on the More 4 channel the episode from Election Night – yeah!!! It was kind of sad for me here as I wasn’t able to celebrate with friends when results came in. All day I sat at my computer with a goofy grin and just an overall great feeling inside. Wow.
Anyway, The Daily Show was good, but the jokes weren’t as strong as usual; well, they got funnier as the show went on. Understandable because it was an emotionally charged night, full of nerves. Interesting how they were reporting state results with only 20-40% reporting – when comparing with the final map with 100% reporting, the early results were about 95% accurate. That’s pretty amazing. Was surprised at how quickly, and almost under his breath, John Stewart announced that Barack Obama was the winner.
The pessimist in me was ‘expecting the worst, hoping for the best’, thus expecting a McCain win and thus preparing to live in France the next 4 years. Thank you for making it appealing for me to move back to the States earlier, if I so choose. (Granted, I also realize I’m less likely to have many of you visiting and staying with me in Paris for extended periods of time!) Anyway, to all of you who voted for Obama/Biden, thank you (thank you Ohio!!!).
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A good omen?
My daily calendar quotation for today is :
"Ideals may be beyond our reach but never beyond our fondest hopes." -- EC McKenzie
Here's hoping...
"Ideals may be beyond our reach but never beyond our fondest hopes." -- EC McKenzie
Here's hoping...
Monday, November 3, 2008
Please vote responsibly
If education is important to you, or health care, or not sending young men and women to war, or social security, or individual freedom, or tolerance, or … please vote Obama/Biden.
If the future of America is important to you, vote Obama/Biden.
If you want an America which your children and grandchildren will love, vote Obama/Biden.
Clear your head of any preconceptions of what you think a Republican is, or what you think a Democrat is. Historical categorization can change. Change is good. Look at the two candidates, their choice of running mates, and determine who you think would be a better leader for our country. Read Obama's views here.
Barack the Vote.
If the future of America is important to you, vote Obama/Biden.
If you want an America which your children and grandchildren will love, vote Obama/Biden.
Clear your head of any preconceptions of what you think a Republican is, or what you think a Democrat is. Historical categorization can change. Change is good. Look at the two candidates, their choice of running mates, and determine who you think would be a better leader for our country. Read Obama's views here.
Barack the Vote.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
New music
I got the new Lucinda Williams CD, Little Honey, yesterday. It's pretty good, but I found her lyrics to be somewhat upbeat, and I wasn't expecting that. Also, it's nothing that breakthrough great, either. Don't get me wrong, even her 'worst' stuff is 10x better than what most radios are playing and than what most artists are producing. She has a great voice, great music, and her lyrics actually tell stories.
The review from Rolling Stone magazine was good (then again, they seem to give everything a high star ranking)
The BBC review was quite harsh, but more honest, I felt.
The review from Rolling Stone magazine was good (then again, they seem to give everything a high star ranking)
The BBC review was quite harsh, but more honest, I felt.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Football (American style) ... and Poppies
NFL and Sundays (and a jigsaw puzzle in front of the TV). Life is good. It reminds me of last season when my friends and I would get together in a bar in Boston and watch the Pats play. What a great way to spend a Sunday.
Some comments from watching...
There are no commercials. In place of this, there are other announcers - the British guy looks like he's about 20 and has never gotten dirty in his life. There's another guy, and then Jerry Rice. They're doing a good job. The announcers during play are the same CBS guys you in the States listen to. Kudos to the announcers for wearing poppies* on their lapels.
I don't think I remember hearing the song "God Save the Queen" before - I was surprised that it's the same melody as used in the US song that ends with "...from every mountainside, let freedom ring." (oh, right, My Country Tis of Thee) - is it the same tune? Must google/wiki this.
It's halftime. They're showing clips and there used to be a Europe league or something? They just showed a clip and said "touchdown London." That just sounds wrong. London Monarchs?
* Poppies
An emblem on tombstones to signify eternal sleep. From ancient Greece, to symbolise resurrection after death. In the UK, it is used for wartime rememberance and you see it everywhere now, as we are approaching Rememberance Day on Nov. 11. You can read more here.
The significance is also shown in the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, a front line personnel in WWI from the Royal Canadian Army:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
Some comments from watching...
There are no commercials. In place of this, there are other announcers - the British guy looks like he's about 20 and has never gotten dirty in his life. There's another guy, and then Jerry Rice. They're doing a good job. The announcers during play are the same CBS guys you in the States listen to. Kudos to the announcers for wearing poppies* on their lapels.
I don't think I remember hearing the song "God Save the Queen" before - I was surprised that it's the same melody as used in the US song that ends with "...from every mountainside, let freedom ring." (oh, right, My Country Tis of Thee) - is it the same tune? Must google/wiki this.
It's halftime. They're showing clips and there used to be a Europe league or something? They just showed a clip and said "touchdown London." That just sounds wrong. London Monarchs?
* Poppies
An emblem on tombstones to signify eternal sleep. From ancient Greece, to symbolise resurrection after death. In the UK, it is used for wartime rememberance and you see it everywhere now, as we are approaching Rememberance Day on Nov. 11. You can read more here.
The significance is also shown in the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, a front line personnel in WWI from the Royal Canadian Army:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
My Current Desktop Wallpaper
My friend posted this: Castro's Favorite Color: My Current Desktop Wallpaper - and I thought it was an interesting post.
So if you click here, you can find what my current desktop is (recently changed from a picture from my holiday in Canada this year). Select October and it should be the first picture, of the Atlantic puffin, or as I call it, 'the flying penguin.'
I love National Geographic. Did you know they have photography contests? And you can order prints/copies of most of their photos?
So if you click here, you can find what my current desktop is (recently changed from a picture from my holiday in Canada this year). Select October and it should be the first picture, of the Atlantic puffin, or as I call it, 'the flying penguin.'
I love National Geographic. Did you know they have photography contests? And you can order prints/copies of most of their photos?
Future Generator
On the London Transport Museum's website, there is a 'game' called Future Generator. It's a fun and informative way to look at how current choices will shape the future landscape of life in a city. It breaks it into 4 possible scenarios (as listed in my results below). Some of the potential results are interesting - such as playground games will replace electronic games!!!
While the Intro is interesting, it's the same global warming information we're all used to. Skip the Intro if you're on board with saving the environment. Watch it if you're one of those crazy people who think global warming isn't a problem.
There are 16 questions total, given in batches of 4. Interestingly enough, if you 'play' again, some of the questions are different. They're set up somewhat like the Myers-Briggs personality test, that is 'which do you prefer: a or b'. At the end of each set, a pie chart appears showing your 'future.' Be careful though, after question 16, you can click on your results, but you won't see this pie chart again.
I was 17% carbon controlled; 73% local living; 0% energy shock; and 10% always on.
Play the game and let me know your results! Click here
While the Intro is interesting, it's the same global warming information we're all used to. Skip the Intro if you're on board with saving the environment. Watch it if you're one of those crazy people who think global warming isn't a problem.
There are 16 questions total, given in batches of 4. Interestingly enough, if you 'play' again, some of the questions are different. They're set up somewhat like the Myers-Briggs personality test, that is 'which do you prefer: a or b'. At the end of each set, a pie chart appears showing your 'future.' Be careful though, after question 16, you can click on your results, but you won't see this pie chart again.
I was 17% carbon controlled; 73% local living; 0% energy shock; and 10% always on.
Play the game and let me know your results! Click here
Museums and Opera
Today (Sunday) I am relaxing at home. I had every intention of going to church and then to the British museum, but yesterday was a busy day for me and it is raining / windy / raw today.
Then, I took the bus over to Royal Albert Hall where I picked up my ticket for the evening’s performance of Carmina Burana. Since I had time to kill, I walked down the street to the Victoria & Albert Museum.
The V&A is a crazy place. There is just so much stuff there. It’s like a garage sale of historic stuff. I mean, do you really need to have that much of everything? And, the museum is laid out in a bizarre way. It’s almost as if they said, ‘hey, we need more space, let’s add a room here. What? Who cares if you can’t get here from the other side of the same floor and you have to go down a flight, cross to the back half of the museum, and then come back up. It’s art!’ The website seems much better. But, the museum is free and it was good to see so many people in a museum enjoying themselves. However, as I was a bit overwhelmed and over stimulated by everything inside, I only spent about 45 minutes there and then wandered until I found a place for dinner.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/
The best part of the museum was the Dale Chihuly piece hanging above the main information desk. It is huge and beautiful. I love his glass work. As a kid, my family and I went to the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Museum (now the Contemporary Arts Center) to see a showing of his work in 1992 and I’ve loved it every since. I think that is the one family, cultural outing as a child that I most vividly remember.
Yes, you have heard of Carmina Burana. It’s mainly sung in Latin, with a little Old German thrown in. I bought the program (yes, here you do not get the program for free, you have to pay 3-5 GBP for it!). In following along, my Latin was coming back to me more and more as the concert went on!
So what am I going to do today besides boring chores such as filing, cleaning, and laundry? NFL !!!! You read right. The NFL is playing in London today at Wembley Stadium. Saints v/s Chargers (when will the Pats be over here?). So I’ll be watching this on TV this afternoon and doing a jigsaw puzzle :)
-- Here is a clip from nfl.com about the players’ reactions to being over here (two well-spoken players)
-- This is a clip showing the NFL’s 30 year history of going overseas. Quite hilarious shots in Japan.
Yesterday (Saturday) I went to London’s Transport Museum and really enjoyed it. First though, my complaints. It is a loud museum – when I walked in, I was overwhelmed by the noises – there were speakers everywhere playing sounds of buses, subways, trains, etc. I get it. Transportation is loud. But I don’t need to be assaulted. Also, besides the children’s game of ‘find the numbers and get a stamp on your piece of paper’ game, there was no clear indication of the order in which to walk through the museum. If you did it right (i.e. followed the children’s game), you went in chronological order. Otherwise, if you just wander as I did, you go from the 1800s to the future and then work your way back through the 20th century.
What did I like about it? Well, I always like transportation stuff. The power, the purpose, the machinery. I think it’s part of the reason I so love Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. The museum is in the old Flower Market at the edge of Covent Garden and they’ve maintained the building structure and incorporated it well. The old buses and sections of train cars they have are very cool. It reminds me of the Smithsonian American History Museum in DC.
Interesting things I learned / saw : (1) almost every picture of London they had used St. Paul’s Cathedral as the center, or it would be just a map showing the train lines and the image of St. Paul’s as the one landmark. I know this is in “The City”, but a bit bizarre that say, Big Ben wasn’t used. (2) In the 1800s, if you walked 30 minutes from St. Paul’s in any direction, you were in the country (I didn’t write down specifically what year this was. Sorry.) (3) In 1801, London had nearly 1M people; a century later, 4.5M. In the 2001 census? 7.2 M. (4) The wartime section was the most interesting to me – how women became in charge of a lot of the transport, how people were warned to wear white at night and that bus drivers couldn’t even see what stop they were at because of the complete darkness as a result of turning off all lights due to possible enemy bombings. (5) The museum has its own Flickr page. The ‘mega map’ and ‘Objects’ links are very cool
Then, I took the bus over to Royal Albert Hall where I picked up my ticket for the evening’s performance of Carmina Burana. Since I had time to kill, I walked down the street to the Victoria & Albert Museum.
The V&A is a crazy place. There is just so much stuff there. It’s like a garage sale of historic stuff. I mean, do you really need to have that much of everything? And, the museum is laid out in a bizarre way. It’s almost as if they said, ‘hey, we need more space, let’s add a room here. What? Who cares if you can’t get here from the other side of the same floor and you have to go down a flight, cross to the back half of the museum, and then come back up. It’s art!’ The website seems much better. But, the museum is free and it was good to see so many people in a museum enjoying themselves. However, as I was a bit overwhelmed and over stimulated by everything inside, I only spent about 45 minutes there and then wandered until I found a place for dinner.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/
The best part of the museum was the Dale Chihuly piece hanging above the main information desk. It is huge and beautiful. I love his glass work. As a kid, my family and I went to the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Museum (now the Contemporary Arts Center) to see a showing of his work in 1992 and I’ve loved it every since. I think that is the one family, cultural outing as a child that I most vividly remember.
Yes, you have heard of Carmina Burana. It’s mainly sung in Latin, with a little Old German thrown in. I bought the program (yes, here you do not get the program for free, you have to pay 3-5 GBP for it!). In following along, my Latin was coming back to me more and more as the concert went on!
The opening and closing song / melody has been used in several commercials. Here are two – one for Gatorade (too bad it’s ruined by them using Manning and Jeter!) and one for Carlton Draught (a slight parody, quite funny).
The full lyrics are: (but the Garoade commercial starts in the middle of the second stanza and then cuts a few lines along the way)
O Fortuna
velut luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis ;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
Sors immanis
et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
status malus,
vana salus
semper dissolubilis
obumbrata
et velata
michi quoque niteris ;
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris
sors salutis
et virtutis
michi nunc contraria,
est affectus
et defectus
semper in angaria.
Hac in hora
sine mora
corde pulsum tangite ;
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite !
O Fortune,
like the moon
you are changeable,
ever waxing
and waning;
hateful life
first oppresses
and then soothes
as fancy takes it;
poverty
and power
it melts them like ice.
Fate – monstrous
and empty,
you whirling wheel,
you are malevolent,
well-being is vain
and always fades to nothing,
shadowed
and veiled
you plague me too;
now through the game
I bring my bare back
to your villainy.
Fate is against me
in health
and virtue,
driving on
and weighted down,
always enslaved.
So at this hour
without delay
pluck the vibrating strings;
since Fate
strikes down the strong man,
everyone weep with me!
The full lyrics are: (but the Garoade commercial starts in the middle of the second stanza and then cuts a few lines along the way)
O Fortuna
velut luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis ;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
Sors immanis
et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
status malus,
vana salus
semper dissolubilis
obumbrata
et velata
michi quoque niteris ;
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris
sors salutis
et virtutis
michi nunc contraria,
est affectus
et defectus
semper in angaria.
Hac in hora
sine mora
corde pulsum tangite ;
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite !
O Fortune,
like the moon
you are changeable,
ever waxing
and waning;
hateful life
first oppresses
and then soothes
as fancy takes it;
poverty
and power
it melts them like ice.
Fate – monstrous
and empty,
you whirling wheel,
you are malevolent,
well-being is vain
and always fades to nothing,
shadowed
and veiled
you plague me too;
now through the game
I bring my bare back
to your villainy.
Fate is against me
in health
and virtue,
driving on
and weighted down,
always enslaved.
So at this hour
without delay
pluck the vibrating strings;
since Fate
strikes down the strong man,
everyone weep with me!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Paris
Here are some photos from my trip to Paris for work a week ago. I went the first weekend for the 'Bloom While You Work' seminar at the American Church in Paris on 'working in France' and dealing with the French culture, visas, customs, etc. Very good. I stayed the second weekend because the bell choir was playing at ACP that Sunday, and for a concert for Habitat for Humanity Saturday night. As I am now part of the bell choir there, it was best I stayed!
This time, I only got 5 bug bites (one on my back right where my bra strap is - NOT comfortable; one on the back of my left shoulder and one on the front; one at the end of my right eyebrow; and, one literally on my left eyelid, right at the base where the lashes are, closer to my nose than the outside edge - NOT comfortable!)
ACP - set up for bells (obviously).
Went to Monmartre with Amy the first Sunday and walked around - way too crowded for my taste! The guy in the blue shirt in the middle of the steps was playing the song "Hallelujah" (on the Shrek soundtrack) and everyone was singing along. Very cool. I love that song!
This time, I only got 5 bug bites (one on my back right where my bra strap is - NOT comfortable; one on the back of my left shoulder and one on the front; one at the end of my right eyebrow; and, one literally on my left eyelid, right at the base where the lashes are, closer to my nose than the outside edge - NOT comfortable!)
ACP - set up for bells (obviously).
Went to Monmartre with Amy the first Sunday and walked around - way too crowded for my taste! The guy in the blue shirt in the middle of the steps was playing the song "Hallelujah" (on the Shrek soundtrack) and everyone was singing along. Very cool. I love that song!
The ACP is just on the other side of the bridge. The steeple is that little speck to the right of the Eiffel.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Bugs
Well this is fun – I somehow got 7 bug bites…two on my upper left arm, one on my left forearm, one on my 2nd knuckle on my left hand (that one really hurts/itches), one on my left eyelid (that’s attractive), one just above my eyebrow ring (no, I don’t wear it to work), and one on my forehead where I part my hair.
My guess is either from sleeping with my windows open in the hotel Tuesday night, or when I was at the GDF SUEZ LNG Conference in Chantilly (just north of Paris) Monday/Tuesday – that was a more wooded area. But seriously, why do biting bugs have to love me so much?
My guess is either from sleeping with my windows open in the hotel Tuesday night, or when I was at the GDF SUEZ LNG Conference in Chantilly (just north of Paris) Monday/Tuesday – that was a more wooded area. But seriously, why do biting bugs have to love me so much?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Megativity
Gwen and Amy came up with this phrase for me Sunday night. They said that it’s not that I’m mean, it’s just to me the glass is always half-full, and even the half-full part could be contaminated, too hot or too cold, or sparkling when you wanted still, or you shouldn’t have it now because you might need it later, or… well, you get the idea.
And, actually, the past two days this has described me perfectly I think. I’ve been in Paris since Friday night – I went to a seminar Saturday and then Mon/Tues was the “1st LNG Conference” for GDF SUEZ. It ended at 17:30 Tuesday, but I left early (14:30) with two guys from GDF with whom I got a ride up. Honestly, I wasn’t getting anything out of the conference. Even at lunch as others were talking about the presentations, I felt like they had been in a different room than me since the things there were discussing I had completely missed.
I don’t know why I felt like I had to come back early. In my mind, I’m trying to make it a bigger deal, tell myself I was near panic or something just to validate my decision more, but that’s not it. Basically, François said he was leaving, asked me if I wanted a ride back, and since I rode up in his car, I said yes. The whole uncertainty (in my mind) of the end of the event - getting everyone to the train or to the tour bus, was beyond my comfort zone. The indecision of it all was too much. And, everyone else telling me which option I should do was too much. I was too nervous to say no to the offer of the ride and then have to face leaving at 6 p.m., and getting back to the city late but then during the whole ride back and even in the office, I was nervous because I left early for no good reason. That is, I’m nervous because I ‘cut class.’ If it were just me, I could’ve gone to the train station and been fine getting back. But, since it was with about 175-200 other people, all scurrying about at 5:30, I knew I couldn’t handle that. Why is it I felt fine doing the train by myself but then couldn’t handle the fact of everyone being scuttled about together? Part of it, I think, is that the last thing I wanted to do was walk around with people and lug my luggage and be a slow, fat, sweaty, red-faced person at the back of the line.
But, I know I was already in a bad frame of mind:
-- I wore navy tights Monday with black skirt. Not a problem for some people, but for me that threw me off since I thought I had packed black tights. I didn’t plan on that and just felt uncoordinated all day.
-- On Monday I had a 9 a.m. meeting I forgot about and was ‘fetched’ by one of the participants at 9:30 – and I have no idea what the meeting was about since my expertise is not in the financial hedging side of things per se, but people seem to think it is.
-- I was supposed to be working on a project, and I was, but then my boss and another coworker evidently had lunch with others to discuss. Later in the afternoon we had a meeting with the traders to discuss and I was 100% lost in all of it, even though I am the one through whom the ‘orders’ flow and then when others were leaving for the conference, my boss suggested I go with them – basically, to me, it felt like I was asked to leave the meeting early, that I was not needed.
-- My room at the conference center was nice, but the window had been open so there were a lot of flies in my room.
Things I did learn at the conference were:
Logistics
-- Never give people click-pens or else when they’re bored or trying to stay awake, all you hear is the clicking noise.
--The translation service was about a 5 out of 10 and the headsets really hurt your ears. And, because I was trying to listen to the French too, I think I lost even more of the content.
-- There was a photographer and a videographer and they were very intrusive, getting right up in your face and in your conversations to take pictures. Come on, use a zoom lens.
-- It started about 16:30 on Monday and ended 17:30 Friday. So Monday’s work day was horrible as you had to leave by about 14:00, and your Tuesday night is horrible. Why not leave at 8:00 Monday, have a morning welcome, then lunch, then speeches and dinner. Tuesday have more speeches, then lunch, end with a cheesy picture or something, and everyone can be back in town before too late?
-- They didn’t budget time well - things never started when they were listed on the agenda, speakers were rushed along, for some there was no Q&A time, etc. If you’re going to plan this, plan it well. And, there was no agenda other than speeches, coffee break, speeches, lunch, etc. – we had no idea the overall flow of information we were receiving, etc.
Participants / Purpose
-- The “experts” in the company are all middle aged white, French men.
-- A lot of the presentations were lacking substance – I felt it didn’t really address us as “one” group, nor did it explain well our operations, nor our “shared objectives.” It never became clear to me the purpose of the event, or how LNG is across the Branches, let alone in our Branche. I saw / learned no “common vision”.
-- If you want the “experts” of your company to come together to share skills, how is sitting in a darkened auditorium looking at PowerPoint slides the best way to do that?
-- The “big” actions launched by this committee thus far are publishing a list of members (employee list), organizing this meeting, and publishing an 8 page newsletter. That’s “big”?
-- If our working language is English for our Business Unit, why did our leader speak in French?
-- Wouldn’t the fact that no one was asking questions be an indication that something wasn’t going well? Usually there are questions when people are engaged, dead silence when bored.
-- Some of them have no idea how to summarize their responsibilities / job description in 15-seconds on less. You'd be surprised by the rambling.
Quotes
-- The mediator / announcer actually said ‘leaving the male world of seafarers now…entering the more female world of communications’ – this is 2008, right? Did I go back in time by traveling to Paris? To top it off, he continued by talking about the newsletter as a ‘newborn’ and other such baby analogies.
-- Someone actually said, or it was translated as such, that we should ‘capitalize on the fault lines’ – what? Take advantage of others’ distress?
-- One speaker would’ve made any speech professor proud by outlining his points, ‘I have 3 points on…’ but then he had 2 points, then 3, then 4, then 3…
-- ‘Size matters’ and, ironically ‘size doesn’t matter’
-- One presenter actually said ‘corporate culture is by no means a hurdle’ [to the success of a merger]. Really? Seriously?
-- It was an office bingo lovers paradise with enough buzz words to make your head spin – synergies, develop relationships, stakeholders, objectives, optimization, strategy, trends, scope, etc.
Well Miss Megativity, what were the highlights?
-- Remember those flies in my room? I literally killed 9 of them against the sliding glass door w/ my shoe and left the guts on the window and floor. I think that was what made me feel best all day Monday.
-- UIOLI = use it or lose it. That’s a good acronym, and fun to say.
-- We had little boxes w/ 7 buttons numbered in a circle w/ an “ok” button in the middle, to be used for interactive quizzes. The numbers were red and the ok was green. I literally found it therapeutic to press the numbers so they would light up (all would stay lit up) and then press the ok button – it would turn green and the numbers would turn off. I kept doing that over and over during the speeches. I felt like smiling and clapping at my success, much like my 17-month old niece would do.
I guess I should’ve just taken a ‘happy pill’ or ‘drank the Kool-Aid’ and put up with all of it, but I just can’t ‘turn on / turn off’ as some people can. For someone who is an ISTJ (Myers Briggs), this just wasn’t my thing. The “I” in me was being trampled on and the STJ part needed more structure. I think I was just tired and need of some “Megan time” since I hadn’t had that since last week.
-- Friday: went to work, took the train to Paris, getting in at 20:30 p.m., then met Julia, Gwen & Marissa for dinner. Away from ‘home’ (flat / hotel) from 6:00 to 23:00
-- Saturday was a day conference on ‘how to work in Paris’ that involved socializing and interacting with strangers from 9 to 5, from there Julia and I met Gwen & Marissa for dinner and drinks. Away from ‘home’ from 7:30 to 23:00
-- Sunday: went to church with Gwen, walked around and had lunch, then directly met Amy and walked around with her (to Monmartre), and then met Gwen for dinner with Amy. Away from ‘home’ from 8:00 to 21:00
-- Monday: met Gwen, Marissa, and Amy to take bus to work, then to conference. Away from ‘home’ from 7:00 to 00:30
See the trend – NO time to myself over the ‘weekend’ and I think it just really got to me. Anyway. Am hoping for the next three days to be ok in the office. And am looking forward to bell choir rehearsal Thursday night and playing in church (in Paris) Sunday.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The eyeballing game
I just took this really cool "quiz" - my score was 5.3, what's yours?
Castro's Favorite Color: The eyeballing game
Castro's Favorite Color: The eyeballing game
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Good intentions
I tried to go to church today, honestly.
I woke up at 8:30, took a shower, got ready and left. However, I should've realised the signs pointing for me to stay in bed. (1) it is raining outside. and I have a cold, so going out in that isn't too smart. (2) the DLR ('tramway' that takes me to the Tube) is closed for repairs, so bus replacement service. (3) I waited for the bus for 20+ minutes in the rain. I told myself if it wasn't there by 9:50, I'd leave. Of course, it shows up at, literally, 9:49:53. (4) I get off at the next stop, Canning Town, to take the Tube. But, the Tube's Jubilee Line is also down for repair today.
At this point I would've had to wait for another bus to take me further west to Canary Wharf and get the Tube there; but, it was already after 10 and church is at 11 and I was pretty much exhausted from this little bit of activity. So, at that point I turned around and loandbehold a bus back to my stop was approaching. Stopped at the convenience store for a croissant for breakfast and a frozen lasagna for dinner and got home about 45 minutes after I left.
I'm back in my PJs and much happier about spending this rainy Sunday afternoon indoors.
I woke up at 8:30, took a shower, got ready and left. However, I should've realised the signs pointing for me to stay in bed. (1) it is raining outside. and I have a cold, so going out in that isn't too smart. (2) the DLR ('tramway' that takes me to the Tube) is closed for repairs, so bus replacement service. (3) I waited for the bus for 20+ minutes in the rain. I told myself if it wasn't there by 9:50, I'd leave. Of course, it shows up at, literally, 9:49:53. (4) I get off at the next stop, Canning Town, to take the Tube. But, the Tube's Jubilee Line is also down for repair today.
At this point I would've had to wait for another bus to take me further west to Canary Wharf and get the Tube there; but, it was already after 10 and church is at 11 and I was pretty much exhausted from this little bit of activity. So, at that point I turned around and loandbehold a bus back to my stop was approaching. Stopped at the convenience store for a croissant for breakfast and a frozen lasagna for dinner and got home about 45 minutes after I left.
I'm back in my PJs and much happier about spending this rainy Sunday afternoon indoors.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Last Mango in Paris (or rather, last Train)
He went to Paris, as Buffett sang, but good luck leaving, I say.
The good news was, I got to go shopping. (Well, if you know me, you know that’s more like bad news as I really cannot stand shopping. And, I really don’t like wasting money buying things I don’t need. And doing this while jet lagged added to the pain.) But, as I flew to Cincinnati with only my carry-on bag from my trip to Paris the week of Sept 8, I needed to buy stuff. I just could not make 3 days worth of clothes stretch for 10!
What happened? Did you see the news, about the fire in the Eurostar tunnel (the “chunnel” under the English Channel that the Eurostar train uses)? Well, I had a 16:13 train out of Paris Thursday the 11th (yes, Sept 11th) and we departed just fine. About an hour into it, we stop. The announcer tells us there is a problem in the tunnel and we’ll be sitting on the tracks about an hour. After that hour, we reverse directions and head back to Gare du Nord (“North Station”) in Paris. Oddly enough, passport control was waiting and they just put two parallel lines through the top left corner of the “left France 11/09/08” stamp in my passport – that’s as technical as it gets? Two pen lines?
While on the train, I called our London office and our wonderful admin/travel woman and she helped me get a flight out of Paris Friday morning at 07:20, landing at London City Airport at 07:30. (The last flight of the night, BA Paris to Heathrow, departing at 21:55 was booked – because everyone else on a train or waiting in the station was also talking to travel agents.) Fine, I figured I could land and get to Gatwick for my 10:25 flight.
I then take the Metro to meet my colleagues/friends who were still in Paris as their train wasn’t until Friday noon. Of course, I took a few wrong turns in the crazy maze of walkways under Gare du Nord and ended up using 3 Metro tickets because I just couldn’t get to the line I wanted. I get to the station and when I come up to walk to their hotel, of course it is raining. Can I find my umbrella in my bag quickly? Of course not. So I show up at their hotel looking like a wet rat in a now sheer light yellow oxford shirt. The cover girl of fashion I tell you.
Marissa let me stay with her because I just didn’t feel like going through the hassle at the train station of booking a hotel with the Eurostar people. I wanted simple, easy, and fast. Plus, hotels were a hot commodity as the Pope was coming to town for the weekend. (Oddly enough, one of the last times I was in Paris was in 1997 with my dad and brother, just before Pope JP2 visited.)
After a delicious Indian dinner just off the Champs Elysee, we’re back in the hotel. Of course, I cannot sleep as I keep running through the timing of my 07:20 and subsequent 10:25 flights. Talking it through with Marissa, and looking up train times online (to get to Gatwick from the city), we realize that everything would have to be beyond perfect for me to make it, and even then, just barely. With rush hour traffic, and allowing for things like customs/immigration, we realized it just wasn’t possible.
So, I get on the phone with Delta at midnight – for an hour. They guy was very nice (and he was American, Delta must not farm out this service to India) and tried all he could do to help. But, he couldn’t change the departure city of the flight. He advised me to go to Charles de Gaulle in the morning and the ticket agent there could do so and I could be on the 11:45 flight. Perfect. I get about 3 hours sleep (after about 5 hours the night before due to going out for drinks after dinner at Harry’s and Kitty O’Shea’s – I know, an “American” bar and an “Irish” bar in Paris. Whatever.)
I just kept my cab for 05:00 figuring it’s better to be safe than sorry. At that time of the morning, nothing in Paris is moving, so I was at the airport by 05:25. Even the first flight out of this terminal (the Air France terminal) wasn’t until 07:15; the first Eurostar leaves at 06:43 I believe; even Starbucks doesn’t open until 07:30. Nothing gets moving early here – that will be a big adjustment for me!
I talk with the nice Delta man (first I started in French, and did quite well thank you very much; but he eventually switched to English). He couldn’t change the city of departure either since I had basically booked the cheapest fare. But, he could issue me a new ticket for either 1900 Euros or 50,000 Delta miles. As I had about 53,000 miles, I went for the latter and just paid the airport taxes. Now, I have a “return” flight from Cincinnati to Paris in February that I can change for $100 for use in the next year. Fine.
Of course I was bummed about not being able to actually have gone back to my flat to pack more clothes and things I’ve bought that I wanted to take to Cincinnati. Oh well. Now, I figure I’ve finished my Christmas shopping! Really, so long as you have your passport and a credit card, you’re all set. And, I just tell myself – it could always be worse.
The good news was, I got to go shopping. (Well, if you know me, you know that’s more like bad news as I really cannot stand shopping. And, I really don’t like wasting money buying things I don’t need. And doing this while jet lagged added to the pain.) But, as I flew to Cincinnati with only my carry-on bag from my trip to Paris the week of Sept 8, I needed to buy stuff. I just could not make 3 days worth of clothes stretch for 10!
What happened? Did you see the news, about the fire in the Eurostar tunnel (the “chunnel” under the English Channel that the Eurostar train uses)? Well, I had a 16:13 train out of Paris Thursday the 11th (yes, Sept 11th) and we departed just fine. About an hour into it, we stop. The announcer tells us there is a problem in the tunnel and we’ll be sitting on the tracks about an hour. After that hour, we reverse directions and head back to Gare du Nord (“North Station”) in Paris. Oddly enough, passport control was waiting and they just put two parallel lines through the top left corner of the “left France 11/09/08” stamp in my passport – that’s as technical as it gets? Two pen lines?
While on the train, I called our London office and our wonderful admin/travel woman and she helped me get a flight out of Paris Friday morning at 07:20, landing at London City Airport at 07:30. (The last flight of the night, BA Paris to Heathrow, departing at 21:55 was booked – because everyone else on a train or waiting in the station was also talking to travel agents.) Fine, I figured I could land and get to Gatwick for my 10:25 flight.
I then take the Metro to meet my colleagues/friends who were still in Paris as their train wasn’t until Friday noon. Of course, I took a few wrong turns in the crazy maze of walkways under Gare du Nord and ended up using 3 Metro tickets because I just couldn’t get to the line I wanted. I get to the station and when I come up to walk to their hotel, of course it is raining. Can I find my umbrella in my bag quickly? Of course not. So I show up at their hotel looking like a wet rat in a now sheer light yellow oxford shirt. The cover girl of fashion I tell you.
Marissa let me stay with her because I just didn’t feel like going through the hassle at the train station of booking a hotel with the Eurostar people. I wanted simple, easy, and fast. Plus, hotels were a hot commodity as the Pope was coming to town for the weekend. (Oddly enough, one of the last times I was in Paris was in 1997 with my dad and brother, just before Pope JP2 visited.)
After a delicious Indian dinner just off the Champs Elysee, we’re back in the hotel. Of course, I cannot sleep as I keep running through the timing of my 07:20 and subsequent 10:25 flights. Talking it through with Marissa, and looking up train times online (to get to Gatwick from the city), we realize that everything would have to be beyond perfect for me to make it, and even then, just barely. With rush hour traffic, and allowing for things like customs/immigration, we realized it just wasn’t possible.
So, I get on the phone with Delta at midnight – for an hour. They guy was very nice (and he was American, Delta must not farm out this service to India) and tried all he could do to help. But, he couldn’t change the departure city of the flight. He advised me to go to Charles de Gaulle in the morning and the ticket agent there could do so and I could be on the 11:45 flight. Perfect. I get about 3 hours sleep (after about 5 hours the night before due to going out for drinks after dinner at Harry’s and Kitty O’Shea’s – I know, an “American” bar and an “Irish” bar in Paris. Whatever.)
I just kept my cab for 05:00 figuring it’s better to be safe than sorry. At that time of the morning, nothing in Paris is moving, so I was at the airport by 05:25. Even the first flight out of this terminal (the Air France terminal) wasn’t until 07:15; the first Eurostar leaves at 06:43 I believe; even Starbucks doesn’t open until 07:30. Nothing gets moving early here – that will be a big adjustment for me!
I talk with the nice Delta man (first I started in French, and did quite well thank you very much; but he eventually switched to English). He couldn’t change the city of departure either since I had basically booked the cheapest fare. But, he could issue me a new ticket for either 1900 Euros or 50,000 Delta miles. As I had about 53,000 miles, I went for the latter and just paid the airport taxes. Now, I have a “return” flight from Cincinnati to Paris in February that I can change for $100 for use in the next year. Fine.
Of course I was bummed about not being able to actually have gone back to my flat to pack more clothes and things I’ve bought that I wanted to take to Cincinnati. Oh well. Now, I figure I’ve finished my Christmas shopping! Really, so long as you have your passport and a credit card, you’re all set. And, I just tell myself – it could always be worse.
Changing Channels
TV is bad…I am now sitting here watching Columbo (give me some credit, the Hallmark channel just called it a “classic” one of two pilots that ‘cemented the shows status for 30 years’). Actually, I’m trying to find any show like CSI … Law & Order, Cold Case, even Diagnosis Murder (i.e. Dick van Dyke, 1993).
What is hilarious about these “older” episodes (1990s) is how unsophisticated the criminals were, and the police investigations! Or maybe it’s just that CSI is so advanced? I mean, in some of these, the criminals are not wearing gloves, they leave clues behind, etc. And the cops never seem to find it. But, in CSI, they can solve a murder from a miniscule trace of a jacket’s fabric.
Anyway, I figured this was a great time to post this link about “People Who Live Without TV”. (And, if you have kids, I really suggest reading the article.)
This was me for 6 years; and, in retrospect, it was nice. I’m sitting here wondering what I’d be doing without a TV right now. Granted, having a cold and having my whole body ache (wait, that’s the flu), I’d probably be watching a DVD on my laptop; but otherwise, I’d be reading, going for a walk, going through the piles of papers around my flat, emailing, and being otherwise productive.
I’m not sure what I’ll do in Paris – part of me says only basic TV, so then I’m forced to listen to the language but part of me says getting a full cable package would be good for days when I just want to listen to English.
Anyway – do you think you watch too much TV? If you didn’t have TV, what would you be doing this weekend instead?
(oh, p.s., in the article, I was not the “guy” interviewed in Boston! Although I wish I had met him!)
What is hilarious about these “older” episodes (1990s) is how unsophisticated the criminals were, and the police investigations! Or maybe it’s just that CSI is so advanced? I mean, in some of these, the criminals are not wearing gloves, they leave clues behind, etc. And the cops never seem to find it. But, in CSI, they can solve a murder from a miniscule trace of a jacket’s fabric.
Anyway, I figured this was a great time to post this link about “People Who Live Without TV”. (And, if you have kids, I really suggest reading the article.)
This was me for 6 years; and, in retrospect, it was nice. I’m sitting here wondering what I’d be doing without a TV right now. Granted, having a cold and having my whole body ache (wait, that’s the flu), I’d probably be watching a DVD on my laptop; but otherwise, I’d be reading, going for a walk, going through the piles of papers around my flat, emailing, and being otherwise productive.
I’m not sure what I’ll do in Paris – part of me says only basic TV, so then I’m forced to listen to the language but part of me says getting a full cable package would be good for days when I just want to listen to English.
Anyway – do you think you watch too much TV? If you didn’t have TV, what would you be doing this weekend instead?
(oh, p.s., in the article, I was not the “guy” interviewed in Boston! Although I wish I had met him!)
Friday, October 3, 2008
postings to come
Ok, I know I am behind as I need to write about the Eurostar fiasco, my holiday in Ohio, my trips to Paris, the new bell choir I've joined (in Paris), and a variety of other things. I figure if I list all this out, put it in writing, I'll actually write and post it.
But, right now I just got home from Paris, and what is about a 5-6 hour commute, and I have a cold. I hate being away from home with a cold - and I am saying London is "home" because this is where my Puffs Plus are (I just want to hug that box and wipe the tissues all over my face because "boutique" hotel tissues are sandpaper; my Sudafed; my tea; my Vicks; a few other things I am probably forgetting; and my bed are. I just want to get a cup of tea, go to bed, and sleep til about noon. So much for doing anything cultural or touristy tomorrow.
Good night.
But, right now I just got home from Paris, and what is about a 5-6 hour commute, and I have a cold. I hate being away from home with a cold - and I am saying London is "home" because this is where my Puffs Plus are (I just want to hug that box and wipe the tissues all over my face because "boutique" hotel tissues are sandpaper; my Sudafed; my tea; my Vicks; a few other things I am probably forgetting; and my bed are. I just want to get a cup of tea, go to bed, and sleep til about noon. So much for doing anything cultural or touristy tomorrow.
Good night.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Life in Paris
Ok, on this trip to Paris I am being hit by major culture shock. There are several contributing factors:
1) I just didn’t want to be in Paris this week. Sure, I scheduled the trip, but there were meetings beyond my control that I needed to attend (such as my former boss from North America being in town). And, it’s Gwen, Marissa & Julia’s last week in the London office, so I’m missing that. Plus, I’m here for the entire week (Mon morning train & Friday late afternoon return).
But, it was good for me to be here all week because
(a) I got 2 days here myself w/ only one other person from the London office here;
(b) Some of the people I had to meet won’t be available the later part of this week; and,
(c) Gives my week some continuity
2) The Metro line that goes to our office is like the B line in Boston – the destination is Saint Denis University so it is overly crowded and mostly not with business professionals, but rather sardine-packed with students and crazys.
3) I got my new “GDF” laptop (I put that in quotations because even though we are now GDF SUEZ, we all still talk in terms of GDF things and SUEZ things). And, we are in a former GDF building and have to deal with GDF IT rules.
My laptop complaints:
a. It is a much larger (i.e. heavier) HP laptop and will have to give up my trendy little Vaio upon my move in January.
b. All the software is in French. Sure, you think you know MS Office and all of its menu commands well, but trust me, you don’t.
c. It uses Lotus Notes email, with which I am familiar, and like more than Outlook, but again, it’s all in French
d. And, I have my new email address, but it is only viewable on this new laptop and they do NOT have webmail and they do NOT allow forwarding to another account. So if someone emails me at that account, I will only see it when I am in the Paris office
e. Most frustrating of all is it has a French keyboard aka “azert” instead of “qwert”. Try typing my name with this layout. It took me sooo long yesterday to do any work whatsoever.
f. It uses Windows 2000. Don’t laugh. Yes, it really does look antiquated. Supposedly next year we’ll be upgraded to Vista (is that really an upgrade?) and switch from Lotus to Outlook.
g. I don’t have access to the LNG Department folder in “My Computer” – you would think that would be a given, wouldn’t you?
4) There is actually office space set up for us in the Portfolio Management team (5 of us) but we are at the complete other end of the hall, in the hinter lands. How we’re supposed to interact with the Operations and Shipping teams is beyond me. What, are we just expected to wander down there and ‘hang out’? From my experience in North America, proximity is key because if these teams haven’t had Portfolio input before, they’re not going to remember to stop and walk down the hall to ask us. Makes the job that much more challenging, and not in a fun way.
a. But, for someone who does like quiet, this location is good. However, for an introvert like me, it’s not that useful for job effectiveness
b. At least now I have a desk where I can leave stuff instead of lugging some of my things back and forth
5) Tea. I like to have a cuppa tea on my desk to sip on for a few hours. However, there is NO kitchen space in the Paris office. You cannot even bring in a kettle to plug in as brining in outside things to plug in is NOT allowed in big, giant, corporation land. Anyway, there is a little “coffee machine” out of which you get a really small cup of coffee / cappuccino / tea / hot chocolate / etc. All for 0.05 euros. It’s addictive – so cheap and the thrill is gone before you’ve started. The disgusting part, though, is the tea. You select the option without sugar yet what you get tastes like heated up Lipton tea from a can. When you’re finished, you can see the sugarwater at the bottom of the cup. Gross.
You may be thinking – what is her problem? Really, a laptop, a keyboard, a cup of tea…get a grip, right? Well, it’s these little things that add up to culture shock for me. Sure, I expect people to speak French, to not understand menus, to have to study maps, etc. but things like this that catch me off guard really put me off kilter! True, on my next trip here, I’ll be expecting them, but it’s still an adjustment. Really, this keyboard thing is troublesome!
1) I just didn’t want to be in Paris this week. Sure, I scheduled the trip, but there were meetings beyond my control that I needed to attend (such as my former boss from North America being in town). And, it’s Gwen, Marissa & Julia’s last week in the London office, so I’m missing that. Plus, I’m here for the entire week (Mon morning train & Friday late afternoon return).
But, it was good for me to be here all week because
(a) I got 2 days here myself w/ only one other person from the London office here;
(b) Some of the people I had to meet won’t be available the later part of this week; and,
(c) Gives my week some continuity
2) The Metro line that goes to our office is like the B line in Boston – the destination is Saint Denis University so it is overly crowded and mostly not with business professionals, but rather sardine-packed with students and crazys.
3) I got my new “GDF” laptop (I put that in quotations because even though we are now GDF SUEZ, we all still talk in terms of GDF things and SUEZ things). And, we are in a former GDF building and have to deal with GDF IT rules.
My laptop complaints:
a. It is a much larger (i.e. heavier) HP laptop and will have to give up my trendy little Vaio upon my move in January.
b. All the software is in French. Sure, you think you know MS Office and all of its menu commands well, but trust me, you don’t.
c. It uses Lotus Notes email, with which I am familiar, and like more than Outlook, but again, it’s all in French
d. And, I have my new email address, but it is only viewable on this new laptop and they do NOT have webmail and they do NOT allow forwarding to another account. So if someone emails me at that account, I will only see it when I am in the Paris office
e. Most frustrating of all is it has a French keyboard aka “azert” instead of “qwert”. Try typing my name with this layout. It took me sooo long yesterday to do any work whatsoever.
f. It uses Windows 2000. Don’t laugh. Yes, it really does look antiquated. Supposedly next year we’ll be upgraded to Vista (is that really an upgrade?) and switch from Lotus to Outlook.
g. I don’t have access to the LNG Department folder in “My Computer” – you would think that would be a given, wouldn’t you?
4) There is actually office space set up for us in the Portfolio Management team (5 of us) but we are at the complete other end of the hall, in the hinter lands. How we’re supposed to interact with the Operations and Shipping teams is beyond me. What, are we just expected to wander down there and ‘hang out’? From my experience in North America, proximity is key because if these teams haven’t had Portfolio input before, they’re not going to remember to stop and walk down the hall to ask us. Makes the job that much more challenging, and not in a fun way.a. But, for someone who does like quiet, this location is good. However, for an introvert like me, it’s not that useful for job effectiveness
b. At least now I have a desk where I can leave stuff instead of lugging some of my things back and forth
5) Tea. I like to have a cuppa tea on my desk to sip on for a few hours. However, there is NO kitchen space in the Paris office. You cannot even bring in a kettle to plug in as brining in outside things to plug in is NOT allowed in big, giant, corporation land. Anyway, there is a little “coffee machine” out of which you get a really small cup of coffee / cappuccino / tea / hot chocolate / etc. All for 0.05 euros. It’s addictive – so cheap and the thrill is gone before you’ve started. The disgusting part, though, is the tea. You select the option without sugar yet what you get tastes like heated up Lipton tea from a can. When you’re finished, you can see the sugarwater at the bottom of the cup. Gross.
You may be thinking – what is her problem? Really, a laptop, a keyboard, a cup of tea…get a grip, right? Well, it’s these little things that add up to culture shock for me. Sure, I expect people to speak French, to not understand menus, to have to study maps, etc. but things like this that catch me off guard really put me off kilter! True, on my next trip here, I’ll be expecting them, but it’s still an adjustment. Really, this keyboard thing is troublesome!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Podcasts and Your Health
I’ve been so engrossed in podcasts these past several weeks that I haven’t been reading as much - otherwise it’s just too much information, too many words, during the day. Also, I think I approached my entrée into podcasting the same as I did my entrée into TV land back in June. I’m insatiable – I feel like I have to listen to everything, just because it’s there and to figure out what I like. And I only download NPR and Slate.
Currently, I’m making my way through NPR’s: Technology; Economy; Environment; On Health; Religion; News from Lake Wobegon; On Science; Pop Culture; and Sunday Puzzle. Plus, I haven’t even started on the backlog of Car Talk; Fresh Air; Intelligence Squared; Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!; and This American Life. Whew!
If you have suggestions for podcasts that you think I should listen to, or would enjoy, please let me know!
Of all that I’ve listened to the past few weeks (podcasts dating back from June to present), some were informative, but I’d say the ones that have stuck with me, or that I’ve enjoyed are: Lake Wobegon; Sunday Puzzle; and On Health. And I want to share these two things from On Health.
1) NPR’s Health Care for All series. Tagline, “In Europe, it’s a reality.”
They did studies of the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Japan. In each case, highlighting the +/- of that country’s system, interviewing people, and comparing it to the U.S.
“Countries with governments and economies similar to the United States have come up with a variety of methods to make sure that all of their citizens receive health care. While residents in Europe and Japan may pay higher insurance premiums or taxes than Americans, in the end, when all costs are added up, Americans spend more money on health care per person — with fewer people covered.”
Click the “Interactive Graphic” for a comparison of the different countries’ policies versus the U.S.
I’d be better off staying in France if I ever decide to get sick during my lifetime. I worry that when I’m older (1) Social Security will be gone so I cannot rely on that for income; (2) cost of living will be much higher; (3) I will have to rely on my current investments for retirement income, and the state of the US economy is doing nothing to calm me; all thus leading me to point (4) it’d be very easy to go bankrupt in the US when faced with health problems.
Just because you have insurance doesn’t mean you’re covered. It could be coverage only up to $100k (and that doesn’t cover a lot for a major illness); or doesn’t cover some types of surgery, rehabilitation, medicine, etc. And, who’s to say there will be enough doctors in the future?
2) WHO Patient Safety Checklist
Hard to imagine that there wasn’t such a checklist before (see it here) – I mean, having to put on paper, and check off, that everyone in the operating room has introduced him/herself to the rest of the team; or stating what procedure is going to be done; etc. seems redundant. But, you hear horror stories of people having the wrong operation, having medical instruments sewn up in them, etc.
If I ever have to have surgery, I’m taking this checklist with me! Maybe I’ll even create my own checklist for regular doctor’s visits – i.e. review what was written in my chart; ask what alternatives to the suggested treatment are available; etc.
Hope these are helpful and informative to you.
Currently, I’m making my way through NPR’s: Technology; Economy; Environment; On Health; Religion; News from Lake Wobegon; On Science; Pop Culture; and Sunday Puzzle. Plus, I haven’t even started on the backlog of Car Talk; Fresh Air; Intelligence Squared; Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!; and This American Life. Whew!
If you have suggestions for podcasts that you think I should listen to, or would enjoy, please let me know!
Of all that I’ve listened to the past few weeks (podcasts dating back from June to present), some were informative, but I’d say the ones that have stuck with me, or that I’ve enjoyed are: Lake Wobegon; Sunday Puzzle; and On Health. And I want to share these two things from On Health.
1) NPR’s Health Care for All series. Tagline, “In Europe, it’s a reality.”
They did studies of the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Japan. In each case, highlighting the +/- of that country’s system, interviewing people, and comparing it to the U.S.
“Countries with governments and economies similar to the United States have come up with a variety of methods to make sure that all of their citizens receive health care. While residents in Europe and Japan may pay higher insurance premiums or taxes than Americans, in the end, when all costs are added up, Americans spend more money on health care per person — with fewer people covered.”
Click the “Interactive Graphic” for a comparison of the different countries’ policies versus the U.S.
I’d be better off staying in France if I ever decide to get sick during my lifetime. I worry that when I’m older (1) Social Security will be gone so I cannot rely on that for income; (2) cost of living will be much higher; (3) I will have to rely on my current investments for retirement income, and the state of the US economy is doing nothing to calm me; all thus leading me to point (4) it’d be very easy to go bankrupt in the US when faced with health problems.
Just because you have insurance doesn’t mean you’re covered. It could be coverage only up to $100k (and that doesn’t cover a lot for a major illness); or doesn’t cover some types of surgery, rehabilitation, medicine, etc. And, who’s to say there will be enough doctors in the future?
2) WHO Patient Safety Checklist
Hard to imagine that there wasn’t such a checklist before (see it here) – I mean, having to put on paper, and check off, that everyone in the operating room has introduced him/herself to the rest of the team; or stating what procedure is going to be done; etc. seems redundant. But, you hear horror stories of people having the wrong operation, having medical instruments sewn up in them, etc.
If I ever have to have surgery, I’m taking this checklist with me! Maybe I’ll even create my own checklist for regular doctor’s visits – i.e. review what was written in my chart; ask what alternatives to the suggested treatment are available; etc.
Hope these are helpful and informative to you.
Fruitcakes
Just couldn't let these three things I've read this week go by w/o sharing. And this doesn't include all the crazy political and economic news of the week!
NEW ZEALAND - More mysterious lard-like lumps have washed up on lower North Island shores, proving a beacon to dogs and fortune hunters. (Read about it here)
And...
UNITED NATIONS - Michael Douglas had to field questions Wednesday about the financial turmoil shaking world markets from reporters recalling his role in the 1987 film "Wall Street." (Article is here)
Lastly....
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A West Virginia man who police said passed gas and fanned it toward a patrolman has been charged with battery on a police officer. (Read more here)
(As a coworker said, "I could have charged my brother with battery all those years ago???")
NEW ZEALAND - More mysterious lard-like lumps have washed up on lower North Island shores, proving a beacon to dogs and fortune hunters. (Read about it here)
And...
UNITED NATIONS - Michael Douglas had to field questions Wednesday about the financial turmoil shaking world markets from reporters recalling his role in the 1987 film "Wall Street." (Article is here)
Lastly....
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A West Virginia man who police said passed gas and fanned it toward a patrolman has been charged with battery on a police officer. (Read more here)
(As a coworker said, "I could have charged my brother with battery all those years ago???")
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Trying to Reason With Hurricane Reason
Want to know where I've been lately?
Trials and tribulations getting from Paris/London to Cincinnati involved the fire in the Chunnel. Read here.
Once in Ohio...the fun continued. Read here. We are still without power (entering 72+ hours now); my brother got it back last night.
More details will be posted once I have more than 30 minutes online. Using the internet at my brother's is a bit tricky since it also involves watching my very mobile and curious 15-month-old niece.
Am afraid of what will happen when I leave for Marietta tomorrow!
Trials and tribulations getting from Paris/London to Cincinnati involved the fire in the Chunnel. Read here.
Once in Ohio...the fun continued. Read here. We are still without power (entering 72+ hours now); my brother got it back last night.
More details will be posted once I have more than 30 minutes online. Using the internet at my brother's is a bit tricky since it also involves watching my very mobile and curious 15-month-old niece.
Am afraid of what will happen when I leave for Marietta tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Best, simplest dinner ever
I am in Paris for work this week (again). And, no, it is not glamorous. The Eurostar always makes me feel about 20% queasy. Just enough to make me feel weird, but not enough to actually be sick, or not go in to the office. I’ve tried eating / not eating; drinking / not drinking (free wine in business premier class); sleeping; doing work. Nothing seems to work. And I’m not a motion sick type of person in cars or planes. Can read happily there.
Met two colleagues / friends at near their hotel for dinner tonight (there are about 10 of us from London here this week). (Why am I not at their hotel? Well, always best to stay near one’s boss, in terms of location and price…) Anyway. Got off the Metro at Ave Victor Hugo, got off at exit Ave Raymond Pic… and started walking. Got to Avenue Foch and basically said Fooccchhhh! I knew I had gone the wrong way. This is about the widest Blvd ever, and richest street in the city I think. Turned around, walked UP the hill, and met my friends. We had dinner. Fan-tab-u-lous! The goat cheese (chevre) salad was perfect. Just lettuce, three pieces of toasted baguette (crostini?) upon each was placed a huge slice of chevre thicker and wider than the bread. Had great wine. Had crème brulée for dessert. My absolute favorite (after Graeter’s chocolate chip ice cream of course). This was the BEST crème brulée ever. No pretenses. Just basic vanilla. In a dish nearly the length of my forearm. Perfect. Thank you and good night!
Met two colleagues / friends at near their hotel for dinner tonight (there are about 10 of us from London here this week). (Why am I not at their hotel? Well, always best to stay near one’s boss, in terms of location and price…) Anyway. Got off the Metro at Ave Victor Hugo, got off at exit Ave Raymond Pic… and started walking. Got to Avenue Foch and basically said Fooccchhhh! I knew I had gone the wrong way. This is about the widest Blvd ever, and richest street in the city I think. Turned around, walked UP the hill, and met my friends. We had dinner. Fan-tab-u-lous! The goat cheese (chevre) salad was perfect. Just lettuce, three pieces of toasted baguette (crostini?) upon each was placed a huge slice of chevre thicker and wider than the bread. Had great wine. Had crème brulée for dessert. My absolute favorite (after Graeter’s chocolate chip ice cream of course). This was the BEST crème brulée ever. No pretenses. Just basic vanilla. In a dish nearly the length of my forearm. Perfect. Thank you and good night!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Don't Chu-Know
One of the other things that has been weighing on my mind (there have been several), is something my friend Vivian told me when I was at Cornwall’s a few weeks ago (on my 2nd weekend in Boston last month). She said she’s learned more about me from reading my blog than she knew about me before. And we’ve known each other for several years – granted, we’d see each other about once a week at Cornwall’s on Fridays after work, and once a month for dinner, but still!
In one case, it makes me glad that I have this blog, no matter how infrequently I write in it, because if people I see regularly don’t know me that well, then most likely friends I see twice a year when I’m in Cincinnati must not know me at all!
But, on the other, it makes me wonder if I just don’t share things with people. Am I anti-social?
Neither thought is one that I can explain/expound upon more. But Vivian’s statement does trouble me – I just cannot put my finger on how or why. I feel like the character on Earth in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who is about to discover the meaning to all life but then Earth is blown up to make room for a new outer space super highway. I’m just on the verge of understanding something more about myself, but it’s just out of reach.
The title of this post is a Buffett song, two lines go: “The more we learn the less we know; What you keep is what you can’t let go.” I wonder if that is applicable somehow?
In one case, it makes me glad that I have this blog, no matter how infrequently I write in it, because if people I see regularly don’t know me that well, then most likely friends I see twice a year when I’m in Cincinnati must not know me at all!
But, on the other, it makes me wonder if I just don’t share things with people. Am I anti-social?
Neither thought is one that I can explain/expound upon more. But Vivian’s statement does trouble me – I just cannot put my finger on how or why. I feel like the character on Earth in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who is about to discover the meaning to all life but then Earth is blown up to make room for a new outer space super highway. I’m just on the verge of understanding something more about myself, but it’s just out of reach.
The title of this post is a Buffett song, two lines go: “The more we learn the less we know; What you keep is what you can’t let go.” I wonder if that is applicable somehow?
Quiet Faith of Man
This is something I’ve wanted to write about for over a month now (as there have been many things), so I figure I got home at a reasonable hour (18:40), believe it or not I’ve actually seen the few CSI episodes that are showing on TV over here, and I’m having some of my duty free Jameson aged 12 year whisky, so why not write?
What is it I’ve wanted to write about you ask? Song of Solomon (the book in the Bible). (Is “book” supposed to be capitalized? Is Bible supposed to be in italics or quotes since it’s the name of a book? – yes, these are the questions that go through my mind. And, yes, all this on only one sip of whisky.) I digress. One reason I probably didn’t write sooner was that getting my Bible out meant moving the picture frames and other things in front of the religion section of books on my book shelf; ever previous time I was going to get it out I realized I needed to dust and then got sidetracked; and I kept losing one of the pieces of paper I had notes on. Anyway.
Why Song of Solomon? Well, within less than 2 weeks, I read 3 references to this book, 2 of which were the same passage. A bit weird. First, I was reading the book Oil! By Upton Sinclair (*see my thoughts on that below) and one of the characters, Vee Tracy, the movie star siren, quoted a few lines of scripture, more as a pick-up line (p338). Then, when I was going through the weekly offering plate envelopes from Old South, the one for July 6th had a quote from the same passage. Lastly, on July 9th, the UCC’s daily devotional was from the same passage!
Song of Solomon 2:8-12
The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag…My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land…” from The New Oxford Annotated Bible
As Rev Anthony B. Robinson wrote in his UCC reflection, “Aren't these lines of Scripture lovely? Read them aloud to yourself once more. Scholars debate whether the Song of Solomon is human love poetry that is all about the love of two people, or a metaphor of God's love for Israel and the Church. But does it have to be one or the other? Can't it be both?”
I have never read Song of Solomon, but am very curious to now do so as this passage is quite lyrical and unlike most anything else I’ve read in the Bible, especially the Old Testament! It is a very short book in the Old Testament. Plus, to have those three references to the Bible, to the same book in it, and to the same passage, all within about 10 days is a bit much.
* Oil! By Upton Sinclair: If you’ve seen the movie There Will Be Blood, it is my understanding it is NOTHING like the book. In fact, the cover of the book says it was just the inspiration for the movie. Characters, story line, everything are different. The book is ok, but the main character is a whining, self indulgent, can’t wake up to the real world type of socialist young man. The Jungle is a much more convincing book both for socialism as well as industry reform. Oil! misses the mark.
What is it I’ve wanted to write about you ask? Song of Solomon (the book in the Bible). (Is “book” supposed to be capitalized? Is Bible supposed to be in italics or quotes since it’s the name of a book? – yes, these are the questions that go through my mind. And, yes, all this on only one sip of whisky.) I digress. One reason I probably didn’t write sooner was that getting my Bible out meant moving the picture frames and other things in front of the religion section of books on my book shelf; ever previous time I was going to get it out I realized I needed to dust and then got sidetracked; and I kept losing one of the pieces of paper I had notes on. Anyway.
Why Song of Solomon? Well, within less than 2 weeks, I read 3 references to this book, 2 of which were the same passage. A bit weird. First, I was reading the book Oil! By Upton Sinclair (*see my thoughts on that below) and one of the characters, Vee Tracy, the movie star siren, quoted a few lines of scripture, more as a pick-up line (p338). Then, when I was going through the weekly offering plate envelopes from Old South, the one for July 6th had a quote from the same passage. Lastly, on July 9th, the UCC’s daily devotional was from the same passage!
Song of Solomon 2:8-12
The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag…My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land…” from The New Oxford Annotated Bible
As Rev Anthony B. Robinson wrote in his UCC reflection, “Aren't these lines of Scripture lovely? Read them aloud to yourself once more. Scholars debate whether the Song of Solomon is human love poetry that is all about the love of two people, or a metaphor of God's love for Israel and the Church. But does it have to be one or the other? Can't it be both?”
I have never read Song of Solomon, but am very curious to now do so as this passage is quite lyrical and unlike most anything else I’ve read in the Bible, especially the Old Testament! It is a very short book in the Old Testament. Plus, to have those three references to the Bible, to the same book in it, and to the same passage, all within about 10 days is a bit much.
* Oil! By Upton Sinclair: If you’ve seen the movie There Will Be Blood, it is my understanding it is NOTHING like the book. In fact, the cover of the book says it was just the inspiration for the movie. Characters, story line, everything are different. The book is ok, but the main character is a whining, self indulgent, can’t wake up to the real world type of socialist young man. The Jungle is a much more convincing book both for socialism as well as industry reform. Oil! misses the mark.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Cooking
Ok, no laughing, I for some unknown odd reason, have had the urge to cook rather than consume my normal grilled cheese or bowl of cereal for dinner. And I've learned my lesson.
If a recipe ever calls for anything “stuffed”, ignore it. I should’ve learned my lesson 15 years ago when I used to make spinach/ricotta manicotti. While they taste great, it’s about the messiest food prep ever. But, obviously memory fades over time, hence I tried a recipe for spinach/goat cheese stuffed chicken. Tasted ok (well, rather bland) and was extremely messy and somewhat difficult stuffing those breasts. And, they didn’t taste nearly as good as when my friend Betsy would make random stuffed chicken entrees without a recipe – just from the depths of her amazing cooking brain.
And, why is it people freak out if raw chicken is around but not raw beef or pork? What is it with chickens that makes salmonella (or whatever it is) a risk, but you can touch other raw meat without having to rush to the sink at the first blush of contact?
If a recipe ever calls for anything “stuffed”, ignore it. I should’ve learned my lesson 15 years ago when I used to make spinach/ricotta manicotti. While they taste great, it’s about the messiest food prep ever. But, obviously memory fades over time, hence I tried a recipe for spinach/goat cheese stuffed chicken. Tasted ok (well, rather bland) and was extremely messy and somewhat difficult stuffing those breasts. And, they didn’t taste nearly as good as when my friend Betsy would make random stuffed chicken entrees without a recipe – just from the depths of her amazing cooking brain.
And, why is it people freak out if raw chicken is around but not raw beef or pork? What is it with chickens that makes salmonella (or whatever it is) a risk, but you can touch other raw meat without having to rush to the sink at the first blush of contact?
Time to catch up
Time to get caught up on postings since I’ve been such a slug the past few weeks! Topics to include my two weekends in Boston, Houston, and random ramblings.
But first – great news! I’ve discovered that The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are both on TV here every night (the previous night’s show from the US). How exciting – now I can get the “real” news. Two of my favorites from the US Thursday show were the phrase “Alabaster friends” to describe the ‘old white man’ scene in politics and when John Stewart said “Barack Obama has an adorable white war hero uncle?....[If I were him] every time I campaign down south I’m having him strapped into a Baby Bjorn.” Classic.
But first – great news! I’ve discovered that The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are both on TV here every night (the previous night’s show from the US). How exciting – now I can get the “real” news. Two of my favorites from the US Thursday show were the phrase “Alabaster friends” to describe the ‘old white man’ scene in politics and when John Stewart said “Barack Obama has an adorable white war hero uncle?....[If I were him] every time I campaign down south I’m having him strapped into a Baby Bjorn.” Classic.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Travel
Heading off to Houston for a week of work this afternoon with some relaxing weekends before and after. I would say that I won't be able to post as much as normal, but as I've been such a delinquent in writing lately, you probably won't notice any change.
Houston in August? I know, but considering the location alternatives were Miami, Madrid or Trinidad, none were that cool!
Houston in August? I know, but considering the location alternatives were Miami, Madrid or Trinidad, none were that cool!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Batman
Just watched Batman: The Dark Knight today.
I was not as enthralled by it as every reviewer seems to be. Maybe I was just expecting way too much because everyone has been writing that this is the best movie, acting, dialogue, etc. in a long time – perhaps my expectations were too high? The dialogue was great and it gave you a lot to think about, but you were given no time to do so as things moved along quickly. The action scenes weren’t all that grand either.
I think I’ll watch my favorite Batman movie tonight as I have it on DVD – the Batman with Michael Keaton (best Batman if you ask me) and the Joker (Jack Nicholson who did an amazing job). I think I like that Tim Burton version better.
Maybe I just need to watch The Dark Knight again? (on DVD, I’m not paying 10 GBP ($20) again!)
And, maybe I’m just in a funk because John Edwards admitted he had an affair (after denying it; while his wife was battling cancer; while he was in the midst of the highest echelons of politics). Ggggrrrrrrr. Another chink in my faith in humanity. Sigh. And, I just now read that Bernie Mac died. It’s cool and rainy in London. Time for a hot toddy.
I was not as enthralled by it as every reviewer seems to be. Maybe I was just expecting way too much because everyone has been writing that this is the best movie, acting, dialogue, etc. in a long time – perhaps my expectations were too high? The dialogue was great and it gave you a lot to think about, but you were given no time to do so as things moved along quickly. The action scenes weren’t all that grand either.
I think I’ll watch my favorite Batman movie tonight as I have it on DVD – the Batman with Michael Keaton (best Batman if you ask me) and the Joker (Jack Nicholson who did an amazing job). I think I like that Tim Burton version better.
Maybe I just need to watch The Dark Knight again? (on DVD, I’m not paying 10 GBP ($20) again!)
And, maybe I’m just in a funk because John Edwards admitted he had an affair (after denying it; while his wife was battling cancer; while he was in the midst of the highest echelons of politics). Ggggrrrrrrr. Another chink in my faith in humanity. Sigh. And, I just now read that Bernie Mac died. It’s cool and rainy in London. Time for a hot toddy.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
I am soooo happy - one of the two camping chairs I ordered came today! It is the kind that you can fold up and carry with you, complete with head rest, extended foot rest, and cup holder. Now, I can actually sit outside on my patio and relax. And that is just what I have been doing tonight. I have a feeling my remaining months in London will be spent this way!
Sure, it helps that I am reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy. What a phenomenally amazing book. Its so well written, poignant, thought provoking…I wish I weren’t reading it so quickly so I could actually digest the larger issues, morality, consequences, etc. But the writing and story are just so good, I can barely put it down. I’m on page 200 and I just started reading it last night!
It just feels so good to sit and relax. I am in a bit of a funk right now with regard to work - just finding it difficult to be 200% motivated all the time. With all the merger stuff, trying to figure out who's moving when, who's responsible for what, who reports to whom, who has what title, when responsibilities are supposed to transfer, what IT platforms we're using, piecing together what someone heard from someone else that someone else was thinking about doing something or heard something...it's all a bit much. Things keep changing so quickly that when I think I have some of it figured out, the paradigm shifts again.
For tonight I'll just breathe in, breathe out, move on and sit and relax in my chair.
Sure, it helps that I am reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy. What a phenomenally amazing book. Its so well written, poignant, thought provoking…I wish I weren’t reading it so quickly so I could actually digest the larger issues, morality, consequences, etc. But the writing and story are just so good, I can barely put it down. I’m on page 200 and I just started reading it last night!
It just feels so good to sit and relax. I am in a bit of a funk right now with regard to work - just finding it difficult to be 200% motivated all the time. With all the merger stuff, trying to figure out who's moving when, who's responsible for what, who reports to whom, who has what title, when responsibilities are supposed to transfer, what IT platforms we're using, piecing together what someone heard from someone else that someone else was thinking about doing something or heard something...it's all a bit much. Things keep changing so quickly that when I think I have some of it figured out, the paradigm shifts again.
For tonight I'll just breathe in, breathe out, move on and sit and relax in my chair.
You Call It Joggin'
If anyone watches any of the Mazda London Triathlon this weekend, you will be watching the area around my flat. On the map, my flat is next to the #3 markers and almost in front of #2 (water side). I won't have a clear view from my flat as I face the inner courtyard area, but as soon as I step outside, I'll be on the run route!
My weekend, however, is hectic with plans both afternoons, but as Sunday races start about 7 a.m., I'll be able to watch some of that.
My weekend, however, is hectic with plans both afternoons, but as Sunday races start about 7 a.m., I'll be able to watch some of that.
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