26.2

2009-09-12T13:18:00.004Z

Much needed escape...

The Peak District via push-bike.

Windy campsite at the top of th hill. Great views, though.

Crags and Vallies

My transport. My camp. My entertainment and respite.

2009-09-08T13:27:00.000Z

Kevin in the Big Smoke.

Good times all around.

2009-06-11T22:16:00.006Z

26.2 = 3:58:38

I've got another magic number. Sunshine relentless; shade and breezes elusive; willpower tried and true.

('some things money can't buy')

Thanks for the support!

2009-03-21T15:26:00.003Z

Day out in Stratford.

Lovely. Just a jaunt round the gardens, the town and river and finished with a tasty Pub Dinner.

2008-09-29T18:57:00.003Z

Last summer weekend...

Helen's birthday hike up Snowdon--complete with random lithuanians and a foggy summit. The fresh air did us both good.

2008-09-24T21:04:00.003Z

Liverrrrpooooooool.
(that is how the scousers say it)

A bit of beach, a bit of art... a bit of archimatekture (old and new), a bit of shenanigans...and not enough time.

2008-09-16T20:29:00.007Z

Wish it was still summer...

But who knows what adventures lie ahead...

2008-09-07T21:56:00.003Z

Fresh New Look.

Three years and I thought I'd change it up a bit. Give it a brighter feel. Enjoy.

2008-09-06T13:02:00.006Z

yUK vs. US:

There are a few things Britain does well. For example:
Tea (If I failed to mention this, I would be committing blasphemy)
Rain
Dry Humour
And Real Ale (Perhaps the only relief the Britons gain from the afore-mentioned... perhaps also why Britain has apparently the highest number of alcohol related incidents and illnesses in Europe...)

A few things Britain clearly does not do well:
Mexican food (or any semblance of 'chips and salsa' or a margarita)
Pizza. (blek)
Sunshine (what is that slightly bright glow coming from behind the grey clouds?)
Customer Service
and Coffee (we've already discussed this)

And yet, I am still here. I am starting to wonder, however, why so many people have decided to reside on such a small island that is clearly rejecting human well being. It is a battle to gain entry, but once here, it is like the Hotel California--"you can check out, but you can never leave..."

Help! I'm melting!!!! Or turning into an amphibian--which could actually be kind of cool. But never mind, where was I? Oh yeah, procrastinating on running till the rain subsides to a drizzle... and moaning about the fact that once again England has failed to produce any semblance of summer and in the first week of September we are once again embarking upon another rainy winter.

If anything changes, I'll let you know.

2008-09-01T23:25:00.005Z

Born in the USA...

Which is why even though I have cultivated the patience and enjoyment of watching English Premiership Football I still naturally love baseball games and the smell of a sweaty basketball court squeaking with intensity.

Which is also why even though I have become more Britishly reserved in my approach towards confrontation and daily interactions, I still appreciate unabashed blunt honesty.

2008-08-08T17:15:00.002Z

The Centenary Architectural Ball
(aka a lot of old men)

Katherine, Patrick and I... my wounds strategically covered!

2008-08-03T16:16:00.012Z

The Best of a British Summer

So I suppose it isn't all bad here. It is like Seattle a bit--the dreariness can get you down, but when the weather is good, it is really good. Too bad there is just no consistency. Anyway, so here are some of the things I've been up to while the sun shines here in the Motherland.

Surfing in Bournemouth! First time--I'm hooked, though--next time I'll find a beach with a few more waves, but the sun, sand and time away was much needed therapy. (Just a shout out to Eddie Bauer with a picture of my trusty backpack on the beach... EB, when you said lifetime guarantee, you meant it--I got that backpack in sixth grade and it is good as new!)

And then there was the day trip to Stratford upon Avon--by cycle, of course! Out of the four of us, Laura hadn't been on a bike since she was 12--but guess who biffed? Yep, me!

Kneedless (har-har-har) to say, I had to change my outfit for the Architecture Ball that evening to trousers! Still got to wear my sweet new shoes, though! Pics later. :)

2008-07-12T17:21:00.005Z

My Lovely Orchid and a trip to the Farmer's Market

Life's pleasures are in the little things. For one, there are so many roses in bloom around my house! Every morning and evening I can't help but stop and smell every rose I pass--they all smell different and so beautiful.

Lately, my orchid has revived itself again and this time it is lovelier than ever--it is all thanks to Chris. He's the one who told me the best thing to do with an orchid is put it in the bathroom window and never water it!

And lastly today, amid a scattering mix of warm sun and soaking showers Nat and I braved the high street farmer's market and came home with a lovely bunch of funky mushrooms, dirty potatoes and fresh fruit--not to mention chicken that was "running around yesterday" as the farmer told me. I am excited to try a new Chicken Au Champagne recipe with my fresh funky mushies!

Viva la Weekend!

2008-06-28T16:19:00.002Z

Hellllooooooo!!!!

Since Barcelona, I have been locked in a cave... well, it did have windows and free fruit--but no time for dilly-dallying. Work has been full-on, and there is at least one more high-strung week to come--but at the end of the day, we are getting results. And that is what counts, right? Plus, it is high summer in Britain and (fingers crossed) not as rainy as expected.

Summer in Britain is a time of long-lasting light (not always sunshine, but light).. it doesn't get to headlight hour before 10pm these days--sweet. It is also a time of cycling--fair weather cyclists take to the streets in their high-viz and panniers thwarting the year-round hard-core cycle-commuters. Cars can get a little feisty about cyclist too. Sometimes I wish I had a car horn on my bike. Or a big sign that would pop up and say, "Watch it, you Idiot!" Oh well, we can dream, can't we?

I find cycling to work is becoming a necessity. Not only does it free me from the frustrations of an hour (or longer) bus journey through too-small windy streets, but it boosts my energy level and gives me a fresh start to the day. At the end of a long day (yes, even at 1:30am) it is a refreshing burst to make me feel better about sitting on my bum and frying my brain for 16 hours straight. Not to mention, it only takes 18-23 minutes going and 25-30 coming home (mostly downhill to work!). Try it! It is awesome! Who cares if your clothes get a little wrinkled and you have to invest in a second hairdryer and set of straighteners--it is worth it!

Am I sounding convincing yet? The only down side is on a Thursday I have been forgetting to stop by the bus stop and get my free copy of ShortList--the best magazine ever. I have to remind myself this Thursday.

In other news--tomorrow I am off to Manc to see a Radiohead concert at Old Trafford Cricket ground. Awesome. I'll let you know how it is.

Also, friends--be sure to let me know how your 4th of July celebrations go--I'll miss the fireworks, but I might make patriotic cupcakes for work. I'll upload a photo. :)

2008-06-09T23:21:00.007Z

Back to Barca...

A little bit of archimatektre, a little bit of beach and a whole lotta fun...

PS. If you get the chance to stay in a 5-Star Hotel--do it! Fab.

2008-05-22T20:48:00.002Z

I will not get wound up.

Don't cry over spilt milk... or should I say a steamed milk...
Cappuccino or Latte, it is still coffee, right? So, I simply won't expect the drink I ordered anymore. To be honest, it isn't really worth getting wound up about. No need. (But... I like cappuccinos and I don't like lattes... maybe I am too used to the customer being right--but I payed for one thing, I don't want another!)

Ok, so the first step is admitting you have a problem. This battle, however, is far from over. For the time being I am simply going to avoid the place that winds me up.

2008-05-01T23:11:00.002Z

Election Day.

All I can say is that we thought "Dimpled Chads" were dubious... how about an ink jet printed ballot marked with a pencil? Never mind that all you have to do to prove your identity is recite your name and address to the poll master.

This place is great.

2008-04-28T22:09:00.007Z

Up and Running...

Ok, so it has been a whirlwind 4 months... I don't know where the time has gone! I have allowed myself this little lapse in concentration as a step in the recovery process--I was frivolous with love and money, disobeyed all my healthy rules, spent my time socialising and fostering new friendships--all the while wanting only to pause the world and reconnect with myself. Inadvertently, all this madness did exactly that. I am now ready to cook fun and delicious food, read educational and introspective books, and even open up to people again little by little...

Here are a few highlights:

Skiing trip with the girls to Bansko, Bulgaria

Jam House with Old Friends

Day Out in London: Visit to the Tate and fun up in Islington

A day out in the country: Compton Verney, an estate converted into an Art Venue... and tea and scones in Warwick on a rainy day.

More to come this month:

May is notoriously busy. As some of you may remember, last year at this time, I was in good old Chicago... This year, I will be in (hopefully not too glum) Brum. However, it will be good--Footie coming to a winning close, birthday celebrations (there are several in May) and a trip up to Edinburgh to see Helen run the Marathon! I promise to bring my camera...

2008-03-08T19:58:00.002Z

Tea Round

When I first started working in the UK I wrote about the tea culture in the workplace. This is a reminder/update. Tea is a sacred ritual here in the British Isles. I think it subconsciously reminds a Brit of their historic dynasty of trade and colonisation throughout the world, especially Eastern Asia. Coffee is more accepted here now, though scoffed at under most people's breath. "Huh, a coffee drinker!" At the same time, they make a bitter mockery of the coffee culture with stale Nescafe instant granules dissolved in too much lukewarm water. However, I digress—coffee in Britain is an entirely separate entry.
Tea rounds start the day, they space themselves strategically throughout the day, and they must not be missed. If in a meeting during a typical tea time, there better be tea provided. If it has been forgotten, or is late being delivered, people lose concentration and eyes dart around the room wondering when someone will pop in with a cuppa. No work can be expected to be accomplished with an outstanding tea break.
Apart from tea being a scheduled routine in a Brit's day, there is an unwritten culture to Rounds. Rounds manifests itself at the pub in terms of pints as well, but tea is much more important. If one fancies a cuppa at about the regular morning, mid-morning, or mid-afternoon time, they must ask several people who sit in close proximity if they fancy one as well. This results in one person always making between 2-8 cups of tea at once. If you are included in a round, you are silently obligated to make a round for those same people later—or tomorrow, if it is a big round. Although obligated, you are also privileged—it is like a select clique. If someone repeatedly skips out on a round or only offers it to half the people, they are scorned behind their back.
There are those who narrowly avoid judgement, for example irregular drinkers, or people who never have tea. As long as the irregular ones put in a round here and there and regularly decline rounds they avoid being categorised.
This entire ritual is a prime example of the passive-aggressive nature of the British islanders. Too polite to point out when you are in the wrong, but disgusted with you for not naturally knowing how/why/when you are. God, I love them. Check in later for the coffee episode.

2008-01-31T15:17:00.000Z

49 Regent Road

When I rang the estate agent she said she couldn’t believe we’d been here this long (10 months?). I was thinking that I can’t believe we’re leaving. I love this house. As I dash down the stairs I remember what hope and joy filled us as we moved in. It took a little work to tidy it up and make it feel like home, but that is what it was—our home. It was a labour of love. I did think we would spend 2-3 years here; our next stop a house we’d buy. If only the walls could speak. I am sure we are not the only story they would have to tell. I am sure there have been generations of love found and lost in this house.

It will be with fondness that I will remember this house and this chapter of my story which has come to an end. Now on we each go separately to write new chapters in our stories—in other houses which will soon become our homes.

2008-01-14T13:22:00.000Z

Recap:

Hi folks, I know it's been a while--I've been too busy to post! I've hardly got all my photos downloaded... but here we go...

Thanksgiving I took a whirlwind trip back home and had a relaxing few days with the fam. Sorry, no pics.

8th December 2007:

Natalie's 30th birthday party--Kate and I had a blast dancing it up at the karaoke bar while Nat and her look-a-like sisters finished the wine!

14th December: Office Trip to Berlin.

Team Nicola Randomness

Sweet. I am not sure I can say more... I had planned on being sensible, but there is so much to do and see in the city that never sleeps... so, I only slept 1 out of 3 nights... I tell you, that is the way to do it in Berlin!

22nd December: Home Again

23rd: NYC with the fam--saw Santa and the Broadway show "Avenue Q."

24th: Annual Christmas Eve Do at the Burtons... always a blast, and always a lot of wine...

25th: Presents then up to El Ranchito, in the mountains of New Hampshire... I would have pics of Sooz and I skiing the following day, but my camera was dead. boo.

28th: Off to Montana! A full New years weekend with hot springs, boarding, and two-stepping at the Snow Creek in Redlodge. Good times, great friends.

3rd: Danielle visits and we hit up the NE. Yale University Art Gallery and School of Art, Boston (including Harvard, Quincy Market, and th North End), and Providence... all in a weekend. Whew!

And now I am back to reality in the rainy UK... it isn't so bad now the days are getting longer again... yay!

2007-11-10T16:10:00.000Z

Pumkin Pie, Tomatoes and My Favourite Shoes on a Saturday..

Last Saturday we had Bonfire Night round Jade and Nigel's... 3 hours of fireworks and a fire that was too big for the tiny back garden... and dangerously close to our garden shed directly behind it...

About 2 hours before the festivities started I looked at the pumkin on our stoop and decided to make a pumpkin pie. It was worth the effort--better than any canned pie filling, that is for sure. And it went down well with the brits.

Due to my hectic work schedule the last few months and the crummy summer (weather-wise) my vegetable garden became a bit abandoned. :( My pumkins got to be about the size of an apple then rotted because it was such a wet summer. My spring onions were eaten by the cat next door... and I had four gherkin-sized cucumbers. A slug ate the most beatuful one. They tasted good, but I was a little dissapointed to say the least. My tomatoes at this point hadn't even flowered and the weather ad turned cold, so I kind of gave up on them. Then, today when I went out to tidy the mess I found four of my tomato plants had fruits! They are green, but still hanging in there! Hopefully they will go red and be tasty. I love pleasant surprises like that!

And last but not least, I thought I would share with you something silly, but that makes me smile... picking what shoes to wear in the morning! Look at that closet--it needs organising! I do wear them all, too!

2007-10-27T22:09:00.000Z

Nothing Exciting...

No cycle trip coming up--it has turned cold and I am dead broke. Bought a ticket home for Turkey day, though (hence the financial crisis). Weekends when it is cold and I'm poor mean a lot of cleaning, laundry, caulking, and ... the odd jog. Looks like my duldrum is coming to a quick close though--my calendar for the next two months is jam-packed:

3rd Nov: Bonfire night (when a guy named "Guy Faulks" tried to blow up Parliament 400 years ago and failed. Now they have fireworks, bonfires, and burn effigies.) Oh yeah--and I have a driving lesson this day, too--psh. I seriously can't be bothered--who needs a UK license anyway? Funny thing is, people here seem to think I do, as if mine doesn't count...but then again I think you might remember how I feel about the British way of thinking...

10th Nov: Just footie.

16th Nov: Meet the parents. (well, I already know them, but we're just having dinner)

21st Nov: LHR-BOS. woot. I don't really like turkey, but Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday.

7th December: Driving test... if I decide I care by then.

14th Dec: Office Christmas party--a weekend in Berlin!

22nd Dec: Home for Christmas.

Ok, so I seriously should have some pictures of upcoming events--I meant to take a picture of me resealing the shower, but I couldn't find my camera. I have since located it and it will be ready for action by Saturday. Last year Danielle and Lauren were here for Bonfire night... this year has flown.

Check back soon--pics next week!

2007-09-22T21:57:00.000Z

What I've been up to....

Started a new job a little over 2 months ago... I love it, though it has been a lot of hard work and long hours. Well worth it. Got one last summer weekend in to Brighton on the south coast. Had fish 'n chips on the old pier, swam in the channel, and watched paragliders jump off the green cliffs outside the city.

the old pier that burned down... proper fish'n chips...

paragliding?...

acclimatising to the water... brrrrr!

The every-day mumbo-jumbo seems to be getting to me and it is either nothing to write home about (hence the lack of posts) or I am too tired to post... But, I am going to make an effort to update a little more regularly... next month I am planning a 3-day cycle trip on the Isle of Wight... should be a good time--time well needed for me to step outside the hard city life that wears me down after a while and reconnect with me, myself, and I. Woot. I'm also about to do another painting for the wall... so when I am done i'll post that too.

2007-07-02T16:32:00.000Z

When in Rome...

Walked: over 30 miles in 2.5 days

Saw: ancient ruins, monuments, fantastic architecture--new and old, a lot of Americans... stylish shops and smartly dressed Italians...

Ate: pizza, pasta, croissants, cappuccinos, lemon fanta, water, water, and more water...wine and "one large birra!"

Some things money can't buy...

2007-06-24T18:23:00.000Z

Cycling Hadrian's Wall

Two weeks ago, my good friend Corinne and I met up between Scotland and England on the ancient roman divide between the two countries--Hadrian's Wall. In 2 days we cycled 100 miles along the length of the ancient wall--intact in some places, merely farms in other places. I was a bit ambitious in the route planning as we did 55 miles of hills the first day--and I mean hills! The second day started with a bits of downhill that sent us flying up the tiny hills on the other side. We didn't even need to pedal. It flattened out to be a good recovery day of 45 miles all the way to the east coast past Newcastle. It was fantastic. I can't explain it any better, so here are a few photos of our feat.

25 miles in--lunching at the top of the first major incline.

The first evidence of the wall still in existence. We were too busy trying to survive the hills to stop and enjoy the other ones....

Corinne fighting to the top of what we thought was the last of the uphill journey... unfortunately for her, she was on a mountain bike... I know, it looks relatively flat from this perspective, but like I said earlier--we couldn't stop and take pictures of the really steep ones--we were just trying to get up them!

Foster's Gatehead in Newcastle

2007-06-17T18:57:00.000Z

A Time of Growth.

My seedlings are growing quite well, unhindered by the 4" of rainfall in one night... perhaps they have a lesson for us all about determination. The raised bed is working well to fend off slugs-- Slimey buggers!

2007-06-17T18:48:00.000Z

Wedding.

The first of many on this end... As my friends started getting married a couple years ago, and continue one after another (and congratulations to you all), Mick's friends have now started...

I like weddings, they are a time of happiness and love. But I wish I could also attend your days of celebration on the other side of the Atlantic.

2007-05-26T20:38:00.000Z

Seedlings!!!!!

I am attempting to grow vegetables for the first time, and I started from seeds. I was really worried I would do something wrong, but they seem to be happy so far! Perhaps Monday I will plant some of the bigger guys out into the new raised bed in the back garden! I have cucumber, moneymaker tomatoes, squash and bell peppers (which haven't come up yet as they have a longer germination period). I will also be planting carrots, spring onion and parsnips straight into the garden. woot.

Wish me luck, I'll keep you posted!

2007-05-26T20:23:00.000Z

Painting.

This is Shane's painting on my wall--in England. This situation has many implications, the least of these being that there are now holes in the wall. It makes me feel more at home here in some ways--like I brought a piece of myself back over that I had previously left behind (due to my state of impermanence). I like to look at it because it means many things to me. I can sit and ponder it for ages; my thoughts drift and take me far away. Come see it.

2007-05-20T21:14:00.000Z

The Bird. Again.

Whilst in Chicago for my prize trip, David (fellow team-member) and I hired a sweet convertible eclipse and drove up to Milwaukee to see the Bird. (aka the Milwaukee Art Museum by Calatrava) Good times.

2007-04-30T20:59:00.000Z

Phil's 31st Birthday.

Yes, we threw him a surprise Scooby Doo party...

2007-04-27T22:22:00.000Z

News Flash:

Ok, I admit it. I actually DO like Britain. Even though there are some things about it that will continue to drive me mad... not the least of these things being the general lack of common sense and efficiency. I think they actually have forms you have to fill out in order to request the form you need for things... that is the kind of daftness I am talking about.

But anyway.... more later...

2007-04-13T09:31:00.000Z

April Showers...

Hello friends, I know it has been a while-- (I think the last several posts have started with a similar phrase...) March flew by in soggy swiftness, and April's sunshine and warmth is running quickly away as well...

So, for the news:

Sooz visited in early March and we had a whirlwind tour of London and Brum... good stuff.

I've been playing on an official Women's Footie team (Soccer) and we have been doing quite well...

I've also moved house... to a lovely 4-bed townhouse in the middle of a great neighbourhood... 2 minutes from the "high street" (local shops, pubs, bus stop), 5 minutes from work and 10 from town... sweet.

And, last but not least, I was in a team of 3 that won an Urban Design competition in March! Here's our entry:

2007-02-19T21:19:00.000Z

Exciting Weekend Up North...

Steam Trains, hiking in the Moors, and fish'n chips at the seaside... can't really get much better...

Sticking our heads out the Steam Train window...

Ooooh, haunted train!

Baaaaa! Ancient Earthwork

Pigs or Sheep? Castle ruins

2007-02-10T08:35:00.000Z

February already? Oh man... well, Christmas in Olde England was a good one... New Years was not bad... and January flew by in a blur of 50 hour work weeks (paid hourly woot!), yoga, soccer, and sorting my life out... what I mean is: switching banks, obtaining a permanent contract with my firm... preparing all the documentation for a work permit application (soon to be underway), and stuff.

February reared it's beautiful head with warm sunny days before dropping into the teens and then snowing us in! My mom is in town this week for graduation (which happened two days ago) and England has had more snow in the last two days than it has since 1984! I think it is raining now and melting off... a good time, though. I'll post pics later this week when I get them all sorted.

2006-12-04T13:03:00.000Z

Back and Better than ever...

It has been a while... but much has been accomplished. I had a fab trip back to Chi-town mid-September for Jen and Loren's wedding, my parents visited the UK, I moved to a new house, Danielle and Lauren visited, and I sucessfully finished my thesis!

It has taken the last month for my brain to mostly recover... and I am starting to get my life back. WOOT. Here are some photos of what I've been up to.

*Danielle, Lauren, & I with loads of leaves!

*Jade, Danielle & I at Bonfire Night

*Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire

*York Shambles-restored in 1600

*Whitby, a Seaside Yorkshire Town

Stay tuned for more... December is bound to be an exciting month!

2006-09-25T00:32:00.000Z

Cycle trip to Bristol

First bit of catch-up on the blogging scene... September first I put my "new ride" to good use and cycled 100 miles to a football tourney--in which I played (soccer). We (myself and a random bloke who need not a name) cycled 70 miles the first day through the beautiful (and steep) Malvern Hills, down into flat and rural Hereforshire into an undulating Forest of Dean. The weather was on our side as it was sunny and warm with a refreshing breeze (also known as a right headwind!). Day two was rainy and cool as we finished 30 miles a bit slower, but not as hard as we anticipated. We crossed the Severn Bridge which was a great motivator as it was a bit over half-way and so cool! (pictured Below) And then on to the friendly 5v5 football tourney...

Surprisingly, I had enough energy to play half-way decent 5v5 for a few hours, then go for a solid night out. Which was fantastic, by the way. I went there knowing one person (Mr. Nameless whom I didn't want to know anymore by the time we got there) and I met so many cool people from all over the UK... and Australia ;) Good times. I think I like cycling. From my new place (moving in a week or so) it will be a nice cycle ride to work. Stay tuned for an update on my stint in the States.

2006-09-20T03:03:00.000Z

Hold Tight...

It has been a while since I posted... but it's coming--a lot of good stuff. I am on holiday now, but next week I'll have some fun stories for you. Promise! :)

2006-08-27T14:51:00.000Z

Love my new ride.

2006-08-27T14:43:00.000Z

Day out in Worcester.

A public art instillation--Jenny would be proud...

2006-08-21T22:35:00.000Z

Scotland Rocks.
That is pretty much all I can say to describe how much I love it. A fly-by weekend with Corinne and two others: we hiked a solid hill and just missed the storm (thanks to our quick decent pace--despite getting off track and bushwhacking a bit) had the best mushy peas and fish tea ever (that means a fish'n chips dinner with a cup of tea--very Scottish)... and then killed a 10k trail run--and they weren't kidding when they said "multi-terrain." The rest is for me to languish and you to glimpse:

2006-08-10T22:22:00.000Z

Shakespeare in the Park.

Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I could understand the jokes, hear them and wasn't bloody freezing my arse off... but it was still a good laugh.

2006-08-10T22:10:00.000Z

Site Visit.

Finally got to trompe around the site that I have already "Urban Designed"... a little backwards, but I spose it is the British way.

Does that look like a public right of way to you? Yeah, me neither... but we went through it anyway.

How positively medieval...

2006-08-06T18:29:00.000Z

A Proper Night Out with the Lads.

Mates Chris and Mike--and that is Chris' arm around

Mike, not mine... now, now, boys!

Starting at 5 o'clock on Friday, we closed down three places (12am, 1:30am, and 3am) before calling it a night... and my hang-over remedy? Cycling to Jenny's to help her paint her kitchen and bath all day--then a nice curry before cycling home.

And today I did a leisurely 2 1/2 hour ride along the canal and through a "country park." Just over 20 miles. Slow, I know--but that included looking at the map when I was lost and dragging my bike up/down canal access stairs! Next time will be quicker--have to warm up for this 100 mile cycle ride in a few weeks. Oh, and check this out--the canal goes through a mile-long tunnel with no towpath--this is what it looked like when I got there--creepy!

2006-07-29T22:46:00.000Z

2006-07-29T16:51:00.000Z

Um, Yeah....

It has been a while since I did some good 'ole Brit-bashing, so I thought I would highlight some of the strange flavours they market... though not as bad as Doritos selling Peking Duck flavour in China...

There are all sorts of crisp flavours... to me, they seem like a meal, not a snack flavour--too bad they were out of the "Lamb & Mint"... mango chili (not pictured) is one of my favourites, though...

In case you can't read it... Thai Sweet Chili, Vintage Cheddar + Red Onion Chutney, and Bacon Rashers--a term from Post War times, I believe... interesting.

Yeah, that is a load of mayo (those of you who know me, know how much I love mayo...) and Salad Cream--an egg-ier type of mayo for salads. Sick. We have Ranch, they have Salad Cream. But I actually will miss the almost instant Indian food--similar to our quick and easy Mexican cuisine, they have curry sauces by the truckloads. Just brown your chicken and simmer in a flavour of your choice (I like Jalfrezi)

2006-07-28T21:37:00.000Z

Wherever I go, there I am. So why not enjoy it?

So often we spend our time only partially engaged in the 'now' while the rest of our energy is spent in the possible futures. We do this without realising and before we know it 'now' is past and we don't know what happened to it. As hard as it is to step back from planning and contriving, worrying and stressing about the future, if we don't not only will the present be gone, the future will be as well!

So here are a few things coming up in the near future for me (the 'now')--my way of making every moment here count:

* 10th August: Shakespeare in the Botanical Gardens

* 18th-21st August: Glasgow--hill hiking Saturday, 10k trail run Sunday

* 27th August: Traditional English 'Sunday Dinner' at a friend's

* 31st August- 3 Septemeber: 2-day cycle ride to Bristol (100 miles) for a Saturday football tourney--all with strangers

* 6th September: Alton Towers theme park--I hate roller coasters, but I am going!

* *Intermitant Random Stuff*

* 15th October: Half Marathon in Cardiff, Wales with a few friends

So Stay tuned! And, I got my new camera, so superb photos are on the way!

2006-07-23T16:10:00.000Z

Day out in Cardiff (Caerdydd) Wales

In need of escape from a land-locked city plagued with the shopping bug, Jenny and I opted for a coastal jaunt. Found some surprisingly decent architecture and public spaces at the Cardiff Bay, took a water taxi to Penarth and had a picnic on a cliff overlooking a rocky beach. All-in-all, a much needed respit.

2006-07-20T23:06:00.000Z

Some interesting English I found on the UK Immigration website. And they say we don't know the language--my arse!*

Only permitted to work 40 hours/week during the VOCATION time

We will ADVICE you

International companies with a BRUNCH in the UK [Brunch--oh yes, of course! I'll have eggs over-easy, please.]

A Sole Representative visa --if you need to find OUR how you can invite a consultant without having THE BRUNCH UN the UK , please check the information how you can start the office in the UK

If the vacancy advertising is needed or you do not meet advertising requirements for the work permit application it could take up to 4 weeks. If you are going to fill the position in job is in a shortage occupation category... [Punctuation, perhaps? Sentence structure, maybe?]

Regarding Internet there is a restriction: it is suitable if you can prove t hat Internet is the best way of contacting potential workers under this position in particular. [Whaaaat?]

* With the exception of a few capitalisation and colouring modifications, the precedingg is an accurate depiction of the site.

2006-07-18T16:41:00.000Z

Luck, Karma, or the Wrath of God?

All of the afore-mentioned are commonly used to explain away bum deals.

When I was five some big kids threw my bike in the sewer ditch in the woods behind our houses. Dad got it out and cleaned it off and that was that...
When I was about nine I received a package in the post with my wallet in it. I hadn't known I'd lost it and all I kept in it was a homemade ID card with my address on it.
My first day at IIT my bike seat was lifted off my bike within three hours--right in front of the dorms!
Five years later I had a total of 2 more seats and 2 more locked bikes stolen. But that is the South Side for you, right?
Once I found a ten dollar bill.
Last year, I left both my phone and my wallet in a cab within 2 weeks of each other. My phone came back to me, my wallet did not.
Here in Brum I bought a crap bike for Â£20 and actually left it by accident on the main street outside the grocery store (unlocked) overnight. Still there.
Today, after I got two new tyres and innertubes for the rubbish bike, it was stolen (locked up) within 2.5 hours while I awaited my tardy prof for a thesis meeting at the University.

So which is it, then? Have I sent a mixture of good and bad deeds into the atmosphere only to return to me as this Karma? Or does God for some reason NOT want me to own a bike? Or perhaps it is just the luck of the draw and they are all isolated incidents. What can I learn from this?

Don't buy even a rubbish bike, find it in the bin!
Make sure to have the strongest lock possible, or
don't dare lock it up because then no one will think it is valuable!
or maybe, stick to running--no one is going to steal your legs.

2006-07-13T21:04:00.000Z

Pheromone Phrenzy.

They always say things happen when you least expect them... or in my case when I could care less... I keep checking the mirrors for the writing on my forehead that says "Hit on me, please!" or the sign on my back that says "Look at my bum--it's cute!" I know, I shouldn't be moaning about it, and to be honest the most annoying bit has passed (or so I hope) but just when I get to a place where I am content to keep to myself and my meager circle of friends/activities, guys start circling like vultures. There was a scene in Pride and prejudice where she turns down a marriage offer and he takes it as "playing hard to get." She has to practically yell that she is serious, not playing games! ha!

I need a t-shirt that reads: Kid yourselves all you want, I am seriously NOT INTERESTED. Come talk to me on my side of the world sometime next year. Thanks. Buh-Bye.

2006-07-08T17:06:00.000Z

Post Script.

I forgot to mention why the pictures of the Rotunda renovation are in that last post... Construction is meant to cease at 18:00 (that's 6pm America). So, at 20hrs when I was happily grilling out, construction started up again--and on my side of the Rotunda! There was plaster dust and tiny mosaic tiles flying about from above--I had to dodge some--it was like a meteor shower! I took those pics from my porch--see, my porch is the same roof that the Rotunda springs from and it is literally 10 metres away. They didn't tell us about the construction when we moved in... it started about a week later... in fact, this morning I woke up to my bed shaking like an earthquake--only a 3.6 or something, but enough to wake me. Normally they don't start until 8am, so unless I am having a bit of a lie in (like on Saturdays) I don't really mind because I am already up. But anyway, that is the Rotunda by Urban Splash and Glenn Howells Architects for those of you who are interested... or not.

2006-07-07T22:19:00.000Z

Happy Independence Day!

I still don't get why they don't celebrate it over here. I mean, they pick worse things to celebrate, like the banks going on strike 250 years ago, and an unsuccessful attempt at blowing up parliament 400 years ago... oh, and May Day. I mean, why not celebrate the day they got TOLD?

2006-07-02T20:38:00.000Z

Chicago Week in Birmingham:

Need I say more? But I will anyway... these Brits are all about shrubberies. What I don't have a picture of is the giant shrub football at the other end of this street in celebration of the World Cup... Riiiiight.

So while they had soooo many events going on for the public, I happened to miss all of them and instead caught an epic version of Shakespeare's Mid Summer's Night Dream by the Down Syndrome Acting Society. Huh. Not bad, but not what I was expecting.

Ironically, while I was in London for the night I met one person who is moving to Chicago, and another who is from there already... Enjoy the Fourth. I bought chicken skewers and potato salad to celebrate by myself. Seems as though none of my British friends are happy to join me. Sore losers, I reckon.

2006-06-30T09:45:00.000Z

Where are our Bucks going?
We pay big bucks for perfection, consistency and speed. So, even though I respect the good-naturedness of employing disabled people, employing just plain stupid people is unacceptable! When I have to tell you 3 times which drink I am ordering, then tell them how to make it (when it is on the menu, thank you very much)... I think I am not unreasonable in expecting my beverage for free. Of course, in a very British, passive-aggressive way, I didn't demand a refund, I simply made displeased facial expressions at everyone else in the queue... then accepted my drink with a "Thank You."

2006-06-19T23:07:00.000Z

A Day out in the Malvern Hills

How British. A flat field with sporadic cow pats and just enough space between them to have a picnic and play a dodgy game of rounders (baseball). Then a walk in the hills before a cuppa tea at Alex's place... and to all of our amazement, Nina whipped up a batch of fresh scones and cream in the same time it took to make the tea! I think I might go back to the hills for a run once a week.... my bum could use the incline!

2006-06-17T23:05:00.000Z

Yes, I am the enemy... or so Zach tells me... I thought I had found a clever alternative to empty calorie alcoholic drinks when 'out on the town'... but I forgot about the caffeine. Whoops. Guess I'll be up all night writing random blog entries...

2006-06-12T22:45:00.000Z

Now THAT's a Belt Buckle....oh yeah.

2006-06-12T11:45:00.000Z

One night in Glasgow... or is that meant to be Bangkok?

If you are thinking about moving to the UK, I would suggest Scotland. It is just waaaay cooler than England-Birmingham, anyway... went for a whirlwind weekend to visit a friend, Corinne who's just moved up there. It was a blast full of warm sunny days , festival streets, and Glasgowian house parties... We spent a day in Edinburgh and saw the highly debated Scottish Parliament Building (see below)... which I actually really liked. Headed off to a friend's BBQ and spotted a US Left-hand drive double slug bug--fitted out with an Oregon Plate on the way!!! Sunday we did a little running, a LOT of walking, had a few pints at a street festival and saw just about all of Glasgow-the good bits anyway. Loads of fun, great city--reminded me a lot of Chicago, actually. Anyway, enjoy the photos... ~S

2006-05-21T10:45:00.000Z

Angry Goose!

Running along the canalside in Birmingham has its good sides, such as the lengthy routes and lack of petrol fumes... it has its dodgy bits and slippery pavements, too. But I can deal with those things. The angry geese, however, actually perturb me. I'll be cruising along the path, with no harmful intent and all of a sudden a goose will go mad--coming towards me, beak wide open hissing! It actually causes me to stop sometimes--twice today I had to reason with one before he would let me pass... Look at the photo and tell me you wouldn't do the same.

2006-05-14T11:55:00.000Z

Drama up in this piece--holy cow... Aina is a mess because she is dating a psycho... why she doesn't just say "see you later, gator" I don't completely understand. She takes so much crap from him, he treats her terribly--emotionally, that is. He really messes with her mind... not good. Then my "Birthday" night out with some of my classmates turned into more of a party for some than others. Since I didn't pre-party with Lithuanian whiskey, I ended up on Drunk-Duty in the loo and felt significantly better Saturday morning the than rest of the lot... enough said.

I'll have some pics to put up later of the night before it went bad.... funny thing is, when people here asked about the night out and I mentioned the occurrences, they ALL replied: "Well, it was a good night, then!" Crazy Brits!

Peace out--S

2006-05-09T21:12:00.000Z

DK-10k Race 03-05-06

Would you believe that is an 8:25 mile pace?

Pink and I pulling through...

2006-05-06T23:02:00.000Z

Night at Nobu and beyond--
a fab Sushi restaurant near Soho, NY
with Krissy, Tim, and Mike

2006-04-30T16:22:00.000Z

A few more pics:

Anya Leading at Cheddar Gorge

No, the negative did not get reversed, I am actually driving on the other side of the car...

2006-04-30T15:49:00.000Z

Back again... here's a quick synopsis of Anya's visit to the yUK:

We started with a half marathon in Reading, England. Our homemade shirts are a little sweaty, but mine is a strawberry and hers is a banana. They are running. Then we put the miles and the date at the bottom: 13.1 - 9.4.06 Good stuff. 1:57 was our final time... not bad for a fun run.

Then we drove past a pre-historic landmark. Perhaps you have heard of it?

Saw a tropical rainforest in a spit-bug-type building made of biodegradable plastic... and gave our hands a bit of a microderm abrasion treatment on the famous Peak Gritstone. (people pay hundreds for that kind of thing on their faces from the plastic surgeon!) There was a lot more, but you'll have to ask one of us about it. ;)

2006-04-02T20:09:00.000Z

Recovery Time...

Someone once told me that you can't make up sleep, your body has to gradually get back on track. I believe that now. Since my review on Friday I have been exhausted! I finally tidied my room--it was a disaster area! The last two days have been a blur of sleeping late, running, a slow-paced outing with Aina and evening tele... lame, but we both are totally beat.

I also found out that if you haven't had more than a half-pint at a time in over 3 months that your tolerance drops severely... not really that big of a problem, actually... saves on money and calories since there is no lite beer here...bugga. Our class went to the pub for a couple of pints after the review. Two pints served me well for the evening, however, I actually had a hangover the next day! Sadness. I think the effects were exacerbated by my utter exhaustion.

Anyway, there will be great photos and exciting news once Anya arrives this Friday!

2006-03-28T20:30:00.000Z

More to come after this Friday, I promise! I think I am re-addicting myself to caffeine. At least my palate is being conditioned to crave the double tall skim latte with a dusting of cinnamon each morning... bad. It is so nice when caffeine actually works for you and not against you... Anyway, back to my project due Friday... here is a random pic to keep you entertained in the interlude:

2006-03-18T13:20:00.000Z

Crunch Time:

22 Days until my half-marathon in Reading (pronounced RED-ing) and the miles keep adding up--longer and harder, though I think my body is ahead of my mind...catch up mind! You can do it!
20 Days till Anya Arrives! WOOT.
13 Days until my Conservation Project is due. No Problem.
4 days until my Euro Cities project is due! AHH!

2006-03-10T23:21:00.000Z

Pics of Barca... Amazing time, a bit of rain, but nothing compared to the British weather...

2006-02-19T21:38:00.000Z

I was told I need to take more photos of my life here... problem is, it is pretty normal. I get up and go to the gym, then to work or school, then home to cook with Aina and get in a bit of studying before bed... Although, I do tend to go out on a Friday after class... and sadly I have no pictures of that... but--I do have a picture of a normal, but funny situation. Our washer/dryer was not drying properly...and then I noticed the "fluff filter" that said, "clean frequently." Whoops, I think we've been doing laundry for about 4 months without cleaning it! That could be the problem... but the gross thing about it was not only it's shape (think what you will) but that it was wet and soapy "fluff" because of the washer aspect... blek. Anyway, here is the action shot--and me laughing at the nastiness.

2006-02-12T11:07:00.000Z

Litchfield-the site of my conservation project. Actually a nice town. I might indeed visit again to simply enjoy it and get away from the world's biggest mall (Birmingham). Here are some photos.

And to think, the residents' main complaint is that there aren't enough chain stores! Blast.

2006-02-09T21:24:00.000Z

Note to users: The PHEDRINE in pseudophedrine hydrochloride makes you hyper.

2006-02-02T22:38:00.000Z

My list of things to do when I have nothing to do (by the way, the only reason I have nothing to do is that we have a one-week hiatus between quarters):

Well, I should never have nothing to do, first of all, because I should be working on my thesis in every spare hour! Uh, but besides that...
*Read (for my own pleasure, not for the betterment of my "urban design" career)
*Run/workout (I think I want to be a personal trainer on the side--I'll pursue that when my 1/2 marathon is finished)
*Play Guitar
*Watch the cinematic adventure version of the book I just finished
*I would go climbing more than once a week, but A*** is a putz.
*Find an additional climbing partner
*Go to Tesco with Aina (that is the local grocery store--open late, WOOT!)
*Make a list of things to do tomorrow
*Update my blog with useless information and no pictures (due to the unfortunate demise of my hard-disk)

Wow, when I am not overloaded with too many things to do, my life is kinda boring. Maybe reading for my thesis isn't such a bad option... although I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 hours at the gym today. I was about to say 2 leisurely hours, but they weren't. You know, my theory with things in general (especially fitness) is that it has to get harder before it gets easier. Today was a mini break-through because I was able to run my 5 miles at a faster than expected pace and still have energy left after lifting weights. Sweet.

Oh, and I found out today that I actually did get the part-time Urban Design position I applied for! I am excited--it should help me focus, not to mention keep me busier than ever.

~skr

Post Script: The blogger spellcheck does not recognize the word "blog."

2006-01-25T22:34:00.000Z

Oh yeah, and my hard drive crashed. The black screen that appeared when I booted up read something to the effect of:
"SMART predicts failure of Hard Disk/0 (and whatnot)
Hard disk failure imminent. Back up as much as possible and replace hard disk immediately."

Who gets to write those death sentences anyway? I like the usage of the word "imminent."
*Anyone want to meet me in Athens sometime in late April? Anya, what do you say--want to stay a little longer?*

2006-01-25T22:32:00.000Z

Sometimes my tongue ring squeaks when I drink hot things like tea.

2006-01-19T19:21:00.000Z

And, now I am back in the yuk, oh I mean the U.K.... They tend to do things a little funny over here...for no apparent reason. One thing is they start school a month later than we do so that Christmas break is two weeks before the end of term. I am not sure I will live to see the end of this term as a result, but if I do there are good things ahead!

Even though my roommate (who is super cool) has ditched me for her boyfriend (the kind that won't socialize with anyone but her)... I am managing. My studies are keeping me busy and I have officially started training for a half-marathon in April. Also, I found a climbing partner to hit the wall with at least once a week. WOOT.

Ok, folks. Enough procrastinating on my part tonight... back to reading and coloring maps! ~S

2006-01-19T19:05:00.000Z

While I procrastinate, I thought I would put up a few more pics of the fun time we had over break...

Getting Ready for the Big She-bang in the 'hood

The exposition of the turkey platter &
"I Love New York"

2006-01-10T23:35:00.000Z

All-in-all it was a fab three-week holiday. Chalk-full of family, friends and fun (even if it involved doing a whole lot a nothin'). I successfully ignored everything to do with the UK and its immenant future (which may have contributed to a bit of my shock upon returning yesterday...).

I got in a few days of snowboarding up in New Hampshire
Shopping at decent prices in Providence
New York City with the fam (and Lyndee + Mone)
Boston for a quick dinner with Craig
Driving in inclement mountain weather
Grand Christmas Eve extravaganza with Friends + Family
Neighborhood Progressive Bash (yearly boozing with the entire 'hood)
And even a bit of top-rope climbing--who knew?

So now I am back and the UK adventure continues... stay tuned, it is bound to be a good'n.

2006-01-10T22:29:00.000Z

Right....

It always makes me laugh...

And this is just a peek into New Year's Weekend...

2006-01-10T22:17:00.000Z

The Haircut...

...Need I say more?

2005-12-11T15:47:00.000Z

I've failed to post for a short while, I have been caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle... Some of you have been asking me about my studies. So, here's a little about what I do:

The MA Urban Design program is structured primarily for part-time students. Therefore, one day a week I do "first year" curriculum, and another day a week I do "second year" courses. Meanwhile, I am supposedly using all my free time to study and research for my Thesis. The courses are set up in 7-week "modules" and each week of the course is an 8 hour day. In the first year, we do basic, hands-on urban design learning.

In this module we take a field trip every other week to a notorious development that was "urban designed" according to a theory. We survey, photograph, and document in groups all day. By the following week we will have analysed the information and produce a presentation. Then, in our groups we are given an adjacent site and have a design charrette with plasticine clay. We are to design a new development using the principles from the one we surveyed and improve upon those ideas. The first week we went to Letchworth, the Garden City. Last week we went to Park Hill, a Corbusian high-rise development--"machines for living." See photo.
In the second year modules we are less hands-on and more theory. The first 7 weeks was an ambush of reading and complex theories, research and presentations. The current module is on sustainability. We have a site that we are to develop a document for (not a design project). In our document we are to give outlines of how a development should be designed on that site so as to be "sustainable." In addition, we each have a research project to complete. We have a guest lecturer every week in the morning, followed by a discussion and work time in the afternoon.

My thesis has finally taken some shape. I have a topic, I have done some preliminary reading, and I'll be well rested after a 3-week holiday to the States to tackle the main portion of my project. I will be looking at a sustainable future for the private vehicle in the city centre. We can't ignore cars, nor should we; but we can't design a comfortable city around them. I will be looking at different ways and theories on designing for the integration of cars and other transport, then applying my ideas on a case study. In this case (no pun intended) it will be Birmingham.

So there you have it, folks. Almost as good as arkimetekture. Maybe I can change the world with this degree....

2005-11-29T22:30:00.000Z

My computer has recovered its awareness of volume control...and it hasn't crashed today (knock on wood)--as compared with Sunday when it crashed 27 times in 8 hours...yep. Maybe it is getting better!

Had some mulled wine today at the German Christmas Market. It was yummy, though my feet eventually froze. They have some really nice things at the market (Christmas shopping!). And, it actually snowed yesterday! Hope it snows a bit more.

Just one last note to ponder:

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." ~C.S. Lewis

2005-11-27T20:16:00.000Z

They don't typically have salted butter here... So, I have gotten in the habit of salting my buttered toast.

Oh, and you know your computer has a mental disorder when (among other things) it doesn't even recognize that it has a volume function and therefore will not let you control it...

2005-11-23T23:34:00.000Z

More Paris Pics...

Sticking my head through the fence like a kid...

Doesn't it look like the Eiffel Tower's
on the pot with it's pants down?

Hi!

2005-11-20T23:46:00.000Z

I love Paris in the Spring-time...

But November is actually quite nice as well... It was freezing... glad I brought my homemade scarf. Thanks Amanda! I managed to aviod the rioting, even though my flight arrived at 10pm...eeek! I was able to take a swift ride on the RoissyBus from CDG to l'Opera--which was right by my hotel... much better than the train! I checked in then went directly to Brett's hotel to meet him for a drink. Good thing Paris is a 24 hour city--it was midnight by this time!
The next day we started out fresh at the Eiffel Tour... ok, I know it is sooooo cliche, but even after living there for months, neither of us had ever been UP the tower... so we had to! And, in November when it is 20 degrees, not too many people got in our way.... We then hit up Sennelier (the art shop) to get some sketchbooks, BHV (a great department store w/ an art section...) and our favorite samich shop--Pan Coutillion--for a mozzarella, tomate, & Pesto...mmmmm.
Then on to Muji, and of course a stop by my old apartment... 204 Rue St. Martin. Awww, it was so cool living here! The best part was that the city was so familiar--I didn't feel like a tourist at all! Anyway, we stocked up on olives and the new Beaujolais Village (it came out fresh thursday) and then hit the Champs-Elysees. About 6pm we were Le tired, so we had a nap (then fire ze missles!) Ok, unless you know the silly cartoon (Ze end of ze world) you won't get that... but whatever. 8pm we met for dinner and couldn't find a nice little place we ate at before so we happily went to Little Italy--a place we had seen for months, but never eaten in. Great food, Better company, a good time all around... And that leaves just one silly story to sum up the entire weekend...

2005-11-20T23:14:00.000Z

The Jam Scandal

Ok, so I decided to splurge a bit on my accommodation for the weekend... with such a sort time in the city, why spend half of it travelling in? And, as you can see from the last post, my room was very nice... and you get free breakfast! So Saturday I enjoyed some granola and juice, a criosant and a bit of jam from a mini jar--how cute. Then later that day I noticed that the price for continental breakfast was listed as 17 Euros! Whaaaat? Hahaha. So, later that same day I asked the concierge (in French, btw) if my booking included breakfast. Nope. Now, you would think that spending what I spent on that room breakfast would be FREE! Grrr. Oh well. I had two options: 1. Cut my losses and eat at a cafe the next day, or
2. Buy the 17 Euro breakfast again and gank mini jams!

I opted for number 2. Plus, nothing beats eating in your hotel then you can go brush your teeth and stuff before you leave... so on my way out I am prepared to pay the 34 Euros when the guy at the desk says I am all paid up! SWEET! I stole jam for nothing! But now I have cute stocking stuffers.... hahahaha. I think the night Concierge felt bad and jury-rigged my billing. Anyway, here is a picture of the contraband, hehe:

2005-11-06T22:10:00.000Z

IKEA!!!!

WOOT. So I rented a car and drove on the wrong side of the road (stick-shift and all) so that Aina and I could have a taste of familiarity and take a day trip to Ikea. Much to my delight, they upgraded me from a Ford Focus hatch-back to a Passat Sedan. Oh, I loved it...
Too bad my camera ran out of batteries, so I have no pictures of the car... :( But, since we had the car for the entire weekend, we went to see the castle where Jane Austin's Mansfield Park was filmed... Kirby Hall. Fun, actually. A good laugh.

2005-11-06T22:01:00.000Z

Halloween...
Had a halloween party... sent out an e-vite to.... (drum-roll, please...) 4 people! Wow, I am so cool. Ha! But there were 8 of us, and it was actually a lot of fun. Only 2 of us had ever carved pumpkins before... Aina's looked pretty funny, I have to say....

2005-11-06T15:52:00.000Z

Man I can't wait for Mexican food... Too bad I won't be in Chi-town over Chrsitmas to hit up Panchos... In fact, it might be worth flying out there...just for Panchos.... I know, I am a crazy one.
So, here's what's been going on: Took the first year BArch students to London to see a bumch of Archimatekture... like the Gherkin and Lloyds of London.

2005-10-18T23:49:00.000Z

Looking through my old files, I came accross this from our trip to NY/PA in 2004...
(Loving thanks to all the contributers, Danielle, Tina, Scott, and myself) Spelling mistakes have not been edited to portray the condition of the authors...

DK - 3:28am EST Saturday, July31
Today, so far, has been filled with a lot of delays. All while in our vehicle. The traffic backup started in Markham with an accident that prevented us from getting on the road in a timely manner. Then, the Dan Ryan was backed up , so we got off at Cermak and didn't pick up Sarah unt il 12:30, a half hour late. Then...94 East was backed up, that delayed us. The skyway wasn't bad until after the toll, another 20 minute delay. The long and short of it...we got to Heather's 2 hours late...so, that cut into NYC time...bummer. As for me, I should be totally exhausted. But, my body HATES me lately (since I have been abusing it with 2 jobs), so I could only sleep a little over an hour, from 11pm-12am. I'm feeling sleepy now, but Sarah and Scott are sleeping. So, I am obligated to stay awake. SO, here I am, starting this journal, or memoir, of our trip. Hopefully, we actually continue this the whole time. Until next time...
TF - 3:37am EST Saturday, July 31
Right now I am driving. It is 3:27am. Aside from a 20 minuted uncomfortable nap, I have been awake for, wait, let me think, 17 hours. why danielle is letting me drive her car will remain a mystery. Stay classy San Diego. This is Ron Burgandy siging off. Let me "hang up now!" (quoting Danielle's use of the phrase in relations to the video camera)
DK & TF - 3:45am EST Saturday, July 31
Scott is snoring. And he has been sporatically snoring for the last hour. Too bad we don't have it on the ol' video camera. He's sleeping on it. haha also...we need gas, desperately...again yay! a stop in Danville, PA with gas and food! Here we go!
SM - 3:59am EST Saturday, July 31
Sigh wow I can't believe i'm really in PA right now.i mean, who would have ever that this is where I'd be sometime in my life. i've been sleeping for and hours or two sporatically. i got mad at my Cd player cuz I couldn't see buttons. But then, i opened my eyes to see the largest mountain i've ever seen in my life. that's PA for ya. we stopped and got gas. woudnt' that be funny if we got on the highway going west and didn't realize it. (I wish I didn't wakeup, i'm nervous about sleepy driving. Thank God for the alarm clocks on the side of the road. -interjection by Sarah) I can't wait til the sun comes out, and it'll be pretty, and it'll wake everone up and we'll say, "Hey, look at how pretty everything is!" I'm just trying to make things up off the top of my head; I really don't have anything to say. You can write that down if you want. Sarah's crabby. Neverous about what? I'm not tired. This is my time to shine. I dunno. Where'd you put it? Well, as of right now, just for a minute, yeah, til we get through this madness. (Sidenote from Tina: you have to tell the person typing when you want them to stop, otherwise they type everything you say) Hmm i'm trying to think. Buckhorn. Buck. What do we hit then, after Pennsylvania? So we spent like 5 hours in Pennsylvania? We arrived in Pennsylvania at... like 12:30.
TF 3:12am (Danielle can fix it to the way she wants later; I'm too tired/lazy) (4:12 am EST Saturday, July 31)
I'm SOOOO tired, and I really want to sleep because I know that if i don't, I will be super crabby in NYC, and I don't want that to happen. (that was a long sentence with lots of commas.) now we are listening to David Crowder Band. This song reminds me of Portugal and the palm trees, and I miss it. I can't hear anything because the music is from the laptop and obviously it is in my lap since I am typing. I can't really see anything else either because it is pitch black besides the monitor. Haha. I am funny. Look at me. I'm funny. Actually, I did have a couple good ones earlier at Heather's house. "OH NO! I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING! THE DISPOSAL IS JUST TOO LOUD!" and "you're not getting laid off, but you're getting laid!" yes, I am the funniest person I know. I'm allowed to be the only one laughing at my own jokes at times. I can accept it. I am proud. Now i'm rambling on and on because I am super tired. Imagine that. Fa la la la la la la la la. (a touch of Christmas) Good night.
Sunday AUGUST 1, 12:49 EST
Sarah-
Dear diary, um... we're on (side note: Where's Waldo) I-81 South, the road to your upmost satisfaction. Danielle is playing a racing game with her pennsylvanian friends. So we had a good time in New York City. and uh...even though averyone was tired, we stilled walked around and saw the cites and got plenty of I love new york t-shirts. Ok. It is me now, and I decided to type so that I can werite evertything that I want to say... Danielle is comparing colorado with Penn. Pennsylvanians are a rare breed, I tell ya. The blue she crab from maryland. you know ther are all about the she crab. And the Texan totally cut us off so thatr he didn't run into the back of the semi-- and danielle, i am so proud of her, uded her hron like a true chicagoan. even though she yells at me for honking too much. Anyone have some thoughts about NYC?
Well, I was hot, very very, hot, sweaty, me=smelly, very extrememly on an hour of sleep and wanted to die. Oh i love these diagonal rocks, i lerned aboutt them in geology And we were on the train and it was hot and grody down in the subway... and we missed the train because we didn't knnow it was the right one... see video tape for more... collapsed in the car after we left...(Scott)
I feellike a real human being today. iThatr is a weird feeling for me lately, I havent had that in a long time. Adn my achillies hurts. I actually got a lot a of sleep and a shower... (D)
6CYH28 Texan Chevy Suburban. Go Maroon 5. No more AMY!!!!
"How does it feel to kow you never have to be alone when tyou get home??? There muct be somthing on ly yuou and I can know, so that I can show you how to dream away evrything..." (M5)

2005-10-18T09:59:00.000Z

...REMEMBER THIS?

Two Beautiful Blondes at
Goddess Dietz's Bridal Shower

Yeah, that was a good time...<

The morning after... Pint of... ?
(actually you wouldn't remember
this as I was by myself--haha fooled ya!)

2005-10-15T22:00:00.000Z

My posh flat in the City Centre

Muffin is already at home :)

Moving House: As luck would have it, the day my flat obtainment FINALLY took place was the day of the most rainfall in Birmingham within the last 6 months... and it began just as we started our adventure. After going through the inventory and signing my life away, Aina (my fab flatmate) and I were to take the bus to our previous accommodation to retrieve our belongings. Enter torrenchel rains... hence flash flooding and horrid traffic. An hour later, as we were arriving at our destination (usually a 20 minute ride), the rain had subsided. We moved our belongings to the curb and called a taxi-hire. They said 10 minutes. Great, that is perfect timing. Except when they arrived 40 minutes late, the torrenchal rains had returned for at least 10 minutes already. Yeah, real great. Ha. Finally in our mini-bus, as they call vans here, with a driver who barely spoke English (but props to him for trying)... we were on our way...oh, we had a lot of stuff. Aina is a fashion design major, so she even had a sewing machine! Loading and unloading our junk twice more (door, elevator, door again) and we were there. *Sigh of relief* Except there was no loo paper (TP). Well, at least we made it in one piece. Hope you can come visit sometime! ~Rouds

2005-10-08T03:12:00.000Z

I'm homeless!

Well, i had to move out of my campus housing this morning at 8am... and my new flat isn't ready yet... hmmm. Lucky for me I have a wonderful friend (my course director) who has taken me in to her lovely home until then. And, I have my first official session with my 12 first year students on Monday... so far I have been in studio, but just assisting... they actually assigned me a section now! I am responsable for the architectural well-being of 12 kids! Wish them luck... haha.

2005-10-01T19:02:00.000Z

Mini Update:

I may be teaching first year Bachelor of Architecture students--hahahaha! Ah, to warp young minds...
I am moving to a new apartment in the City Centre this week, hopefully--it is Brilliant! I'll post pics when I have some.
I just found out there is a climbing wall at the school gym on campus. Sweet.
I finally have gotten back into running... there are hills here, though... hehe. I miss my lakefront...but soon I'll be running along the canals in City Centre. WOOT.
I actually have friends!
And... this is going to be the hardest year of my life academically speaking... but I know it will be worth it.

2005-09-27T18:07:00.000Z

A Few Things:

England smells of stale beer (the kind the gnats love--that yeastyness you know?) and mayonaise. Not surprising as those are most likely the two most consumed items here... blek.
They don't understand what to do when your credit card says "Check ID." They always ask for something that has my signiature on it after staring at it like it's writen in Chinese. Once, a guy asked me in all seriousness if that was my signiature. uh... right.
The train system here is very poorly run. Quite a change from the TGV's in Paris and the brilliant system in Germany... if you book train travel, you better not have any strict appointments, because it could be the next day before you get there... talk about needing to plan ahead and leave some extra time! The announcements in the train stations are all saying a train has been cancelled, or at best delayed. Ha! Next time, it is Easycar.com for me! Not to mention, trains are expensive!
There are way too many confusing mobile phone plans-even when you pick a "Top-Up" plan (pay-as-you-go), you can choose from 3 different plans with different prices and variying rewards! Oh man.
I have discovered a weird little custom: Pub Quiz. On off-nights (weeknights) pubs will often have a free to enter "Quiz Night" where you can win prizes and money for your team if you win. Last night it was music night. I knew nothing--they were all obscure facts about bands and songs in the 80's! (and British ones at that!). But, my team didn't do too badly coming in 3rd of 12...
They say "It was a good laugh" for "a fun time." Hmmm. I seem to laugh when people say that way too much!
They also ask "Are you OK?" for everything! It means, "do you need some help?", "how are you?", "What's up?" and the lot. Kind of like how the East-Coasters always say, "all set" for anything and everything....
Oh, and there are more Indians and the like here than I have ever seen in one place--for those of you at IIT, that is nothing... I think being white I may actually be a minority.

2005-09-27T17:59:00.000Z

Cambridge

In light of the fact that over the weekend I was not going to be able to see any of the apartments I had inquired about, I figured I would get out of town and keep my mind off the subject. So, I hopped a train to the renound city of Cambridge. It was, actually, lovely.

King's College

2005-09-27T17:57:00.000Z

"Modern" Architecure in England has somehow been equated with "really ugly" in my book...

2005-09-27T17:54:00.000Z

On the otherhand, I found Cambridge to be mostly beautiful... and I did a ghost tour to find out about the history through it's ghost stories. Very fun, actually. We started on a Pundt boat (like a gondola) and strolled up the canal. Apparently, this is an activity that locals love to do regularly--many have their own boats. Then we walked through the town and learned the history and ghost stories along the way. If you go, I would recommend it (and I am not one for touristy things...) The window at right apparently must always be left open to let the soul of a little girl who died in the room come and go as she pleases. No joke, it is written in the lease agreement. Otherwise there will be dreadful screaming and crying!

2005-09-27T17:43:00.000Z

My room (please excuse the mess)... and the rest of my 'flat'....hopefully that will change soon.