There are a few things I've noticed while over here in the UK that America needs to do to make the country better as a whole. Now before anyone gets all huffy, I do like America...well parts of it anyways, I just think it could use a bit of improvement in the way it does things.
1.) All stops lights should have the yellow light come on with the red light a few seconds before the light turns green. This would speed up traffic a bit because you could be ready to go as soon as the light turns green...although on second thought people in Michigan aren't good enough driver to handle that, there probably would be a ton of rear end collisions.
2.) We need a mass transit system that that doesn't make you cry when you get on it. I see no reason for ever needing to own a car over here, especially if I lived in a decent sized city. Buses run about every 5 minutes to parts of the city and every 15 minutes to London. Once in London you can take the tube where ever you want to go. If I could catch a city bus to school everyday I would even be able to explain to someone how much gas I could save.
3.) We need to ban smoking in all public places...this one doesn't need an explanation. I'm just going to tell you it's nice to go anywhere and not have to be around a ton of smokers.
4.) We need diesel powered cars. Come on they get 2 to 3 times more mpg's then petrol engined cars. Why don't we have them? Oh ya we think they are noisy, pollute, and smell bad...I can put your mind at ease, none of these are true.
5.) We need other coffee shops that aren't Starbucks. There are at least four different chains of coffee shops here other then Starbucks...and they are all cheaper.
6.) We need pedestrian zones were you can just walk about looking for stuff.
7.) We need parks, there is nothing more relaxing then taking a stroll through a park on a nice day...ok so I've done it once, but seriously this is England, they don't get nice days.
8.) We need Orange Coke, I'm serious people this stuff is awesome!
9.) We need to learn how to properly spell and say different words. I'm sorry the Queens English does sound more proper and after hearing some Americans from the south today it is pretty disgraceful. At least in the northern part of the Midwest we speak the standard dialect that is used on TV.
10.) We need credit cards with chips in them so you don't have to worry about the magnetic strip becoming wore out. Everyone here has a chipped credit card, it's weird when I try to use my debit card because they have no idea what to do with it.
See that wasn't so bad now was it? I mean even if American did half of these I'd be happy.
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
The Oxford Deluge
In case you haven't heard, and given the idiocy of the US media I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't, Oxford is underwater. It's pretty bad, people have had to be evacuated from their homes, roads are flooded, bridges are out, the train stations is shut down, and there are very few buses. Oh and the power could go out at any moment, which would be awesome since we'd loose heat, water, lighting, and pretty much all forms of entertainment...save for a kebaba pizza.
I went for a walk today to see how bad the flooding really was. I know the media around here has made it sound like we should start gathering two of every animal, but it's not THAT bad. Here are some photos I took so you can see what I see.
This was over on Botley Road, not that far from school. I think I was able to walk there in about 10 minutes. This is just a little bit of the flooding, I couldn't cross the water because it was too cold to go barefoot and I didn't really feel like getting wet. But further down the road there are houses and what not under water.
A little bit closer to school this is the scene, cars parked in a few inches of water. It's not bad, but that used to be a road, not a canal. I know these Brits are a bit backwards but they still know how to park a car.
So ya, not to worry, I'm not going to die. I might be stuck in this place for a little while longer then expected, but other then that I am fine.
Update: Watch the video of how the whole city looks
Click Here for Video
I went for a walk today to see how bad the flooding really was. I know the media around here has made it sound like we should start gathering two of every animal, but it's not THAT bad. Here are some photos I took so you can see what I see.
This was over on Botley Road, not that far from school. I think I was able to walk there in about 10 minutes. This is just a little bit of the flooding, I couldn't cross the water because it was too cold to go barefoot and I didn't really feel like getting wet. But further down the road there are houses and what not under water.
A little bit closer to school this is the scene, cars parked in a few inches of water. It's not bad, but that used to be a road, not a canal. I know these Brits are a bit backwards but they still know how to park a car.So ya, not to worry, I'm not going to die. I might be stuck in this place for a little while longer then expected, but other then that I am fine.
Update: Watch the video of how the whole city looks
Click Here for Video
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
You Know I Don't Speak Spanish
Getting a phone call from my mum the other night and having her pretty much order me to go somewhere else on this trip of mine...yes I had to be told by my mum to spend money and to go on a vacation somewhere...what great parents I have. Most parent's lecture their because they GO on vacations.
Anyways after about 10 minutes of deliberation and checking various weather reports I've decided on going to Barcelona for a few days. The best part was I got a plane ticket there for about £230, a tad expensive when you think about it, but given that a train to Scotland or Paris would have been £288 and a plane ticket to Munich would have been some £300, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where I should go. But what really sealed the deal is the weather...yes the weather! I'm so sick of cold and rainy days that anywhere remotely warm was going to fantastic. I didn't think it would be THIS good though, checking the 10 day it shows high 80's and nothing but sun.
I also booked the coolest hotel...well ok looking at the pictures it's a pretty good looking hotel. It worked out to be about £60 a night, which isn't bad since the hostel I found was £49 a night. I will pay an additional £11 to not have to sleep in same room with a bunch of people and have a chance of my stuff getting nicked. The hotel though is right right outside of the main downtown so that is why it was cheaper, but still I have no idea how I got that price, their website says rooms are typically around £145 a night...£145! I booked it for more then 50% off. I love deal shopping, it's one of my most increase skills since I've been here...I know my mum would be proud of me for that.
This is the stuff adventures are made out of though, spur of the moment trips to a land where you know nothing of the culture, the language, the food, or anything. I'm not worried, I'm to excited to be worried.
Anyways after about 10 minutes of deliberation and checking various weather reports I've decided on going to Barcelona for a few days. The best part was I got a plane ticket there for about £230, a tad expensive when you think about it, but given that a train to Scotland or Paris would have been £288 and a plane ticket to Munich would have been some £300, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where I should go. But what really sealed the deal is the weather...yes the weather! I'm so sick of cold and rainy days that anywhere remotely warm was going to fantastic. I didn't think it would be THIS good though, checking the 10 day it shows high 80's and nothing but sun.
I also booked the coolest hotel...well ok looking at the pictures it's a pretty good looking hotel. It worked out to be about £60 a night, which isn't bad since the hostel I found was £49 a night. I will pay an additional £11 to not have to sleep in same room with a bunch of people and have a chance of my stuff getting nicked. The hotel though is right right outside of the main downtown so that is why it was cheaper, but still I have no idea how I got that price, their website says rooms are typically around £145 a night...£145! I booked it for more then 50% off. I love deal shopping, it's one of my most increase skills since I've been here...I know my mum would be proud of me for that.
This is the stuff adventures are made out of though, spur of the moment trips to a land where you know nothing of the culture, the language, the food, or anything. I'm not worried, I'm to excited to be worried.
Saturday, 21 July 2007
God Send Me Some Ark Plans, Please
I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens. Genesis 6:17
Ok God really hates this country, I mean really hates it, after being in London today I'm convinced. I can't believe the amount of flooding here, they were actually closing tube stations due to the flood waters. This made me leave London much earlier then I wanted, but I figured I did not want have to pay a king's ransom to stay there for the night so I was going to catch a train when I could.
On the train ride to London today I saw huge "lakes" forming in the middle of open areas that weren't there on the train ride into Oxford 3 weeks ago, I saw river boats in various fields around the Thames, I saw trees under water, it's unreal. I've never seen anything like this before and it just keeps on raining. In the past two days it hasn't gone more then an hour without pouring and I mean just pouring rain. It even thundered today which was a bit odd since I don't think it's done that since I've been here. Just goes to show you how hard it's raining.
I wish I would have been able to take pictures but it was raining so hard that I couldn't even see across the street. Not to mention with the rain comes a great deal of fog, it's rather creepy out right now, especially looking at all these old buildings.
Here are some photos from the BBC, this is in Worcester near Birmingham, not all that far from Oxford to tell you the truth. By the roads it's 80 miles.
Quote from the BBC: Rags Mahone: "This was Droitwich High Street at 10.00 on Saturday morning."
Quote from the BBC: Matt Capper took this while stranded in his Evesham flat: "We are surrounded by about 4 foot of water and have RAF helicopters flying very close by."
I'm safe so don't worry but I can't imagine the US news cares about this at all, even though the damage surpasses Katrina. At the start of July the flooding had already caused £1.5 billion in damage and the news is reporting that damages will be over £16 when it's all said and done...that's $32 billion USD, Katrina's final bill was slightly less then $24 billion USD.
I'll be curious to see when I get back into the states how much press this gets, I'm going to assume not a whole lot since on CNN right this very minute these are the order of the stories.
The Headline:
Fate of German hostages disputed
Other Stories:
Harry Potter Review
Harry Potter Ending
Bush's colon results...seriously I don't want to know
Sex Abuse charges against someone in the UN
OxyContin fined $600 million + USD
Bush altering interrogation rules
UK rains cause flooding
Shark Bite Victim happy to be alive
If it's animal it's on the menu
Gore's son in possession of pot
Something about Obama
Something about a rocket launcher
Harry Potter again
Jewelery store owner scolds criminal
It's 7th on the list, this is one of the worst natural disasters to happen in a long time and it gets beat out but Harry Potter twice and President Bush's backside. Fox News however is even worse, they don't even mention it on the front page. I can safely say I don't think I will be able to watch American news when I get back home, either they are just really sheltered from anything outside of the Middle East or they are just stupid.
Well at least I found an online Bible so I know how to go about building my ark. Just in case any of my other Oxford friends care to help, I'll be on the forbidden lawn trying to figure out what on earth a cubit is.
This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. Genesis 6:15
Ok God really hates this country, I mean really hates it, after being in London today I'm convinced. I can't believe the amount of flooding here, they were actually closing tube stations due to the flood waters. This made me leave London much earlier then I wanted, but I figured I did not want have to pay a king's ransom to stay there for the night so I was going to catch a train when I could.
On the train ride to London today I saw huge "lakes" forming in the middle of open areas that weren't there on the train ride into Oxford 3 weeks ago, I saw river boats in various fields around the Thames, I saw trees under water, it's unreal. I've never seen anything like this before and it just keeps on raining. In the past two days it hasn't gone more then an hour without pouring and I mean just pouring rain. It even thundered today which was a bit odd since I don't think it's done that since I've been here. Just goes to show you how hard it's raining.
I wish I would have been able to take pictures but it was raining so hard that I couldn't even see across the street. Not to mention with the rain comes a great deal of fog, it's rather creepy out right now, especially looking at all these old buildings.
Here are some photos from the BBC, this is in Worcester near Birmingham, not all that far from Oxford to tell you the truth. By the roads it's 80 miles.
Quote from the BBC: Rags Mahone: "This was Droitwich High Street at 10.00 on Saturday morning."
Quote from the BBC: Matt Capper took this while stranded in his Evesham flat: "We are surrounded by about 4 foot of water and have RAF helicopters flying very close by."I'm safe so don't worry but I can't imagine the US news cares about this at all, even though the damage surpasses Katrina. At the start of July the flooding had already caused £1.5 billion in damage and the news is reporting that damages will be over £16 when it's all said and done...that's $32 billion USD, Katrina's final bill was slightly less then $24 billion USD.
I'll be curious to see when I get back into the states how much press this gets, I'm going to assume not a whole lot since on CNN right this very minute these are the order of the stories.
The Headline:
Fate of German hostages disputed
Other Stories:
Harry Potter Review
Harry Potter Ending
Bush's colon results...seriously I don't want to know
Sex Abuse charges against someone in the UN
OxyContin fined $600 million + USD
Bush altering interrogation rules
UK rains cause flooding
Shark Bite Victim happy to be alive
If it's animal it's on the menu
Gore's son in possession of pot
Something about Obama
Something about a rocket launcher
Harry Potter again
Jewelery store owner scolds criminal
It's 7th on the list, this is one of the worst natural disasters to happen in a long time and it gets beat out but Harry Potter twice and President Bush's backside. Fox News however is even worse, they don't even mention it on the front page. I can safely say I don't think I will be able to watch American news when I get back home, either they are just really sheltered from anything outside of the Middle East or they are just stupid.
Well at least I found an online Bible so I know how to go about building my ark. Just in case any of my other Oxford friends care to help, I'll be on the forbidden lawn trying to figure out what on earth a cubit is.
This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. Genesis 6:15
Friday, 20 July 2007
God Hates the UK
This has been a theme throughout this trip, we've pretty much all decided that God hates the UK. Why do you ask?
Well, let me give you an idea on what it's like outside right now. It's cold, rainy, and kind of foggy, there have been more days like this since I've been here then not. How these Brits put up with this weather is beyond me, one second, yes one second, it can be clear and sunny and the next it can be cloudy and raining. It's even rained when the sun was out before. Think Michigan weather on Speed and that's pretty much what you have here in England. I never been to such a place so extreme before.
Before coming to Oxford, while in Maidenhead, I saw a weather forecast in the paper that said something to the effect of:
Today will be warm and sunny with a few intermittent showers, clouds and cooling.
I had read that the weather forecasts were like this before I even left the states but I thought all the authors were just joking. It honestly says that in the paper, and I think every paper here in England could run that exact same forecast everyday and never be wrong...oh what an easy job these British meteorologist have. Maybe I should think about changing majors?
I'm not quite sure what England or rather the UK in general did to get the hatred of God, maybe it was the reformation but that was back in the 16th century, some 500 years ago. I think these people have had enough, but then again Brits seem happy in the rain.
In fact I think the only unhappy Brits I've seen since I've been here are the ones that run or jog (there are no happy runners), and the ones that work in public service (Brits love people as long as they aren't at work).
I'll be home soon enough, back to the 90 degree heat, 99.9% humidity, and dry climate of the Michigan summer...actually on second though maybe God hates Michigan too. This readers is something to ponder.
Well, let me give you an idea on what it's like outside right now. It's cold, rainy, and kind of foggy, there have been more days like this since I've been here then not. How these Brits put up with this weather is beyond me, one second, yes one second, it can be clear and sunny and the next it can be cloudy and raining. It's even rained when the sun was out before. Think Michigan weather on Speed and that's pretty much what you have here in England. I never been to such a place so extreme before.
Before coming to Oxford, while in Maidenhead, I saw a weather forecast in the paper that said something to the effect of:
Today will be warm and sunny with a few intermittent showers, clouds and cooling.
I had read that the weather forecasts were like this before I even left the states but I thought all the authors were just joking. It honestly says that in the paper, and I think every paper here in England could run that exact same forecast everyday and never be wrong...oh what an easy job these British meteorologist have. Maybe I should think about changing majors?
I'm not quite sure what England or rather the UK in general did to get the hatred of God, maybe it was the reformation but that was back in the 16th century, some 500 years ago. I think these people have had enough, but then again Brits seem happy in the rain.
In fact I think the only unhappy Brits I've seen since I've been here are the ones that run or jog (there are no happy runners), and the ones that work in public service (Brits love people as long as they aren't at work).
I'll be home soon enough, back to the 90 degree heat, 99.9% humidity, and dry climate of the Michigan summer...actually on second though maybe God hates Michigan too. This readers is something to ponder.
Thursday, 19 July 2007
It's Something Unpredictable, but in the End it's Right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Cheesy Green Day lyrics aside, I really am having the time of my life here. I've done things that I never though I would do and see things I never thought I would see. There is so much more to the world then the little bubble we call the United States and I'm really glad I could see another place and spend a decent amount of time here.
Now allow me to get all philosophical...ok maybe that's not the right word here. Whatever the word I'm looking for may be I would like to talk about the two things I've found while I've been here.
1.) I truly have great parents, I knew this before but I really know this now. They gave me so much to be here and I really do not know how to thank them. It's not just the huge amount of money they gave me to be here, but it's support they gave me as well. I'll admit I was a little nervous (even though I wouldn't tell you) about coming here for so long, I've never been away from home by myself for more then a week before. My parents assured me I was going to be alright and that I was going to have the best time ever. I'm glad I listened to them because this seriously is the coolest things I've done. I'm so glad I have such great parents and I appreciate everything they do for me so I can have these cool experiences.
**Edit: I really need to thank everyone who helped me get here, grandparents, aunts, and friends. I have good people surrounding me and I wouldn't want it any other way.
2.) I truly have great friends and I've made a few more along the way. My friends are great, they really are and so are my new friends that I've met here. Yes you are always going to have your family and that's great, there is nothing better then having your family by your side but every once in a while you do need to cut loose with some friends. I know the guys back in the states have been keeping tabs on me and I appreciate that to, and I felt bad for a microsecond that I left you guys for a month....hahaha come on guys it's merry olde England! But I'm glad I have good friends to go back to, minus one girl (maybe plus a few more though) and I'm glad when I get back I will have a group of friends that are really different but have the same thing in common...we survived a month at Brasenose and their anti-grass walking policies.
Everyone have fun in the states, I'll be joining you soon, not by choice though. Although while the heart and mind are willing, the wallet is not. Oh well, I'm only 20 and I have my whole life a head of me and I hope one day to be looking back on this and think of that cheesy and cliche Green Day song because I really did have the time of my life.
Cheesy Green Day lyrics aside, I really am having the time of my life here. I've done things that I never though I would do and see things I never thought I would see. There is so much more to the world then the little bubble we call the United States and I'm really glad I could see another place and spend a decent amount of time here.
Now allow me to get all philosophical...ok maybe that's not the right word here. Whatever the word I'm looking for may be I would like to talk about the two things I've found while I've been here.
1.) I truly have great parents, I knew this before but I really know this now. They gave me so much to be here and I really do not know how to thank them. It's not just the huge amount of money they gave me to be here, but it's support they gave me as well. I'll admit I was a little nervous (even though I wouldn't tell you) about coming here for so long, I've never been away from home by myself for more then a week before. My parents assured me I was going to be alright and that I was going to have the best time ever. I'm glad I listened to them because this seriously is the coolest things I've done. I'm so glad I have such great parents and I appreciate everything they do for me so I can have these cool experiences.
**Edit: I really need to thank everyone who helped me get here, grandparents, aunts, and friends. I have good people surrounding me and I wouldn't want it any other way.
2.) I truly have great friends and I've made a few more along the way. My friends are great, they really are and so are my new friends that I've met here. Yes you are always going to have your family and that's great, there is nothing better then having your family by your side but every once in a while you do need to cut loose with some friends. I know the guys back in the states have been keeping tabs on me and I appreciate that to, and I felt bad for a microsecond that I left you guys for a month....hahaha come on guys it's merry olde England! But I'm glad I have good friends to go back to, minus one girl (maybe plus a few more though) and I'm glad when I get back I will have a group of friends that are really different but have the same thing in common...we survived a month at Brasenose and their anti-grass walking policies.
Everyone have fun in the states, I'll be joining you soon, not by choice though. Although while the heart and mind are willing, the wallet is not. Oh well, I'm only 20 and I have my whole life a head of me and I hope one day to be looking back on this and think of that cheesy and cliche Green Day song because I really did have the time of my life.
Sunday, 15 July 2007
J-J-Jaded so Jaded
...and London you were the one that Jaded me.
Yes, I've been jaded in my car spotting endeavors while in London. Yesterday totally ruined it for me, I actually stopped caring about seeing Ferrari 360 Modena's and Aston Martin V8 Vantages, both are extremely uncommon in Michigan. I believe I lost count after 20 360's...yes I saw over 20 of the same Ferrari yesterday while walking about London.
Lets just look at some of the more interest spots of yesterday shall we? This actually gives me an excuse to figure out the picture posting on blogger.
An Aston Martin Vanquish V12, a $280,000 car back in the states and this one was parked in front of a run of the mill flat near the South Kensington Underground Station. The sad, ok well not sad I was jumping for joy when I saw them, part is that I saw 3 more of these after spotting this one. I mean come on, this is a bit to easy for me.
A Rolls Royce Phantom, a $333,350 car in the states, not to mention you'll probably never see one no matter how hard you look for one in the southeast lower Michigan area. This one was just sitting outside a street vendor selling paintings on Piccadilly road near Green Park. Once again I think I saw probably 5 of these yesterday alone, not to mention the others I saw in past trips to London.
I think this is the most ridiculous of them all though, now this is a list of cars over $100,000 and they were all parked in the same area...the Dorchester Hotel. Before I begin explaining the cares here, let me tell you about this hotel. Rooms start, yes start, at £285 for the smallest room with one bed during a weekday and go all the way up to a mere £2,935 on a weekend for a double. Needless to say I was there on a weekend. Just to put this into perspective for a resident of the United States, the citizens of the country with the worst exchange rate in the world, a night in this hotel would cost you $5,968.97. That's mind boggling.
Now that I've wowed you with the most expensive hotel I've ever seen, I'll show you the caliber of cars these people drive...errr rather have driven for them. Lets start with a photo shall we?
You can ignore the Chrysler Town & Country MPV sitting outside, I'm guessing maybe it was some poor family that thought they could stay there.
But on to the cars:
- A Maybach 62, $386,500 starting price, this is before you put things like electric closing shades in the back.
- Another Rolls Royce Phantom, as stated earlier $333,350.
- BMW 760Li, not overly impressive but still comes in at $122,600.
- Ferrari 355 Spider, $133,075 when new back in 1997.
- Mercedes S600, $127,950
- Porsche 911 GT3, $106,000
Total Worth: $1,209,475
As you can see, I'm j-j-jaded.
Yes, I've been jaded in my car spotting endeavors while in London. Yesterday totally ruined it for me, I actually stopped caring about seeing Ferrari 360 Modena's and Aston Martin V8 Vantages, both are extremely uncommon in Michigan. I believe I lost count after 20 360's...yes I saw over 20 of the same Ferrari yesterday while walking about London.
Lets just look at some of the more interest spots of yesterday shall we? This actually gives me an excuse to figure out the picture posting on blogger.
An Aston Martin Vanquish V12, a $280,000 car back in the states and this one was parked in front of a run of the mill flat near the South Kensington Underground Station. The sad, ok well not sad I was jumping for joy when I saw them, part is that I saw 3 more of these after spotting this one. I mean come on, this is a bit to easy for me.
A Rolls Royce Phantom, a $333,350 car in the states, not to mention you'll probably never see one no matter how hard you look for one in the southeast lower Michigan area. This one was just sitting outside a street vendor selling paintings on Piccadilly road near Green Park. Once again I think I saw probably 5 of these yesterday alone, not to mention the others I saw in past trips to London.
I think this is the most ridiculous of them all though, now this is a list of cars over $100,000 and they were all parked in the same area...the Dorchester Hotel. Before I begin explaining the cares here, let me tell you about this hotel. Rooms start, yes start, at £285 for the smallest room with one bed during a weekday and go all the way up to a mere £2,935 on a weekend for a double. Needless to say I was there on a weekend. Just to put this into perspective for a resident of the United States, the citizens of the country with the worst exchange rate in the world, a night in this hotel would cost you $5,968.97. That's mind boggling.
Now that I've wowed you with the most expensive hotel I've ever seen, I'll show you the caliber of cars these people drive...errr rather have driven for them. Lets start with a photo shall we?
You can ignore the Chrysler Town & Country MPV sitting outside, I'm guessing maybe it was some poor family that thought they could stay there.
But on to the cars:
- A Maybach 62, $386,500 starting price, this is before you put things like electric closing shades in the back.
- Another Rolls Royce Phantom, as stated earlier $333,350.
- BMW 760Li, not overly impressive but still comes in at $122,600.
- Ferrari 355 Spider, $133,075 when new back in 1997.
- Mercedes S600, $127,950
- Porsche 911 GT3, $106,000
Total Worth: $1,209,475
As you can see, I'm j-j-jaded.
How to Speak like a Brit Part I
I've picked up a couple things while I've been here that are really good sayings and words. I figured I'd enlighten my American friends on how to speak proper English rather then the mish mash of stuff we speak in the states. I'm going to do a couple of these so I don't bored you beyond belief with everything.
Queue = a line of people, cars, anything really. Brits know how to do this better then anyone in the world I'm going to guess.
Quid = Money.
Rubbish = Garbage
Zebra Crossing = Cross Walk
Lorry = Truck, Juggernaut = Semi Truck
Banger = sausage or a junker of a car
Till = where you pay for your stuff at
Motorway = Freeway
Hash Sign = #
Mack = Raincoat
Minger = Someone who's ugly
Offy = Liquor Store
Pushchair = Stroller
Queue = a line of people, cars, anything really. Brits know how to do this better then anyone in the world I'm going to guess.
Quid = Money.
Rubbish = Garbage
Zebra Crossing = Cross Walk
Lorry = Truck, Juggernaut = Semi Truck
Banger = sausage or a junker of a car
Till = where you pay for your stuff at
Motorway = Freeway
Hash Sign = #
Mack = Raincoat
Minger = Someone who's ugly
Offy = Liquor Store
Pushchair = Stroller
Friday, 13 July 2007
When in Oxford do as an Oxonian
One thing I've learned in the few weeks I've been here is that in order to be better served and better respected you can not act American. It's not that the Brits dislike the Americans because they don't, we come over here and spend a ton of money on their cheap and tacky trinkets. But you won't be treated the same if you a blazing American.
Case in point: While in Stratford this past week, Audry and myself went into a pizza place for dinner. Now it was clear we were Americans because as soon as we opened our mouths our accents gave us away, but we had decent service, a tad slow but the pizza place was quite crowed. The other group of four girls had terrible service because they were louder and came off as the typically Americans. The lesson here is you NEED to act like you belong here, even if you don't sound the same...although I've been told I have a pretty decent British accent sounding like someone from Kent where ever that may be.
So what are some things you can do to not look like the typically American tourist?
1.) Do not wear a baseball cap, it's a dead giveaway that you aren't from here. If you feel the need to wear one do not have a Texas A&M one with a giant longhorn on the front of it as this one girl on our trip does (she's the biggest stereotypical American I've ever met).
2.) Say cheers instead of thank you, people like it better I'm finding out.
3.) Use British words, it's not a freeway it's a motorway, it's not a cell phone it's a mobile, it's not a mall it's a shopping centre, and it's not under any circumstances soccer it's football. I'm trying to use these words and it's working, I'm starting to pick them up.
4.) It's pronounced "zed" not "zee" when you are saying the letter z. Especially when talking with car guys, a 350Z should be spoken like "three fifty zed".
5.) Expect small portions, if you complain to a Brit you'll look very American.
6.) Do not let rain bother you, these people grew up with lots of rain so just go about doing your normal activities when there is a shower. I've already gone for long walks in the rain and it doesn't phase me anymore.
7.) Mind the Gap, only tourist stand right on the edge of subway because they want to run onto the train for some reason. I think if I had a choice between standing because you didn't get a seat or having a passing train suck you into it's moving parts because you were to close to the side, I think I would have to choose minding the gap.
There are other things one should remember but if I told you all of them you wouldn't have anything to learn if you ever come to the UK. I'm by no means the expert on this subject but these are things that have made my life much easier since arriving here.
Case in point: While in Stratford this past week, Audry and myself went into a pizza place for dinner. Now it was clear we were Americans because as soon as we opened our mouths our accents gave us away, but we had decent service, a tad slow but the pizza place was quite crowed. The other group of four girls had terrible service because they were louder and came off as the typically Americans. The lesson here is you NEED to act like you belong here, even if you don't sound the same...although I've been told I have a pretty decent British accent sounding like someone from Kent where ever that may be.
So what are some things you can do to not look like the typically American tourist?
1.) Do not wear a baseball cap, it's a dead giveaway that you aren't from here. If you feel the need to wear one do not have a Texas A&M one with a giant longhorn on the front of it as this one girl on our trip does (she's the biggest stereotypical American I've ever met).
2.) Say cheers instead of thank you, people like it better I'm finding out.
3.) Use British words, it's not a freeway it's a motorway, it's not a cell phone it's a mobile, it's not a mall it's a shopping centre, and it's not under any circumstances soccer it's football. I'm trying to use these words and it's working, I'm starting to pick them up.
4.) It's pronounced "zed" not "zee" when you are saying the letter z. Especially when talking with car guys, a 350Z should be spoken like "three fifty zed".
5.) Expect small portions, if you complain to a Brit you'll look very American.
6.) Do not let rain bother you, these people grew up with lots of rain so just go about doing your normal activities when there is a shower. I've already gone for long walks in the rain and it doesn't phase me anymore.
7.) Mind the Gap, only tourist stand right on the edge of subway because they want to run onto the train for some reason. I think if I had a choice between standing because you didn't get a seat or having a passing train suck you into it's moving parts because you were to close to the side, I think I would have to choose minding the gap.
There are other things one should remember but if I told you all of them you wouldn't have anything to learn if you ever come to the UK. I'm by no means the expert on this subject but these are things that have made my life much easier since arriving here.
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Motovation through Ancient Britain
Yesterday was the Ancient Britain tour which was good without actually being overly interesting. I was very disappointed in Stonehenge because they took one of the greatest structures of the ancient world and made it a stupid tourist trap, it was £6 (which I didn't pay) to go in and you couldn't even get nearly the sarsen stones. To me having to pay for a structure that is 5,000 years old seems a bit dumb, there isn't really any upkeep on the place other then the cutting the grass and manning the tourist trap places, if you just got rid of that it would be free and more spectacular.
The thing that gets me about Stonehenge though is how good of a motivator were the high priest of the ancient world to get about 600 of their closest friends together to drag these huge stones across the rolling hills. I mean you couldn't pay me enough to go out using deer antlers to shape the rocks then hook large ropes to them and start pulling. How or why a civilization 5,000 years ago did that is beyond me. I mean I know it has to do with the seasons and everything but still I can't get over the amount of effort these people put in, you have to be one heck of a motivator to encourage people to do this...or I guess they could have just put the fear of the gods into them.
Salisbury Cathedral was the same way, you paid to go in and look at something largely built in 1981 trying to pass off as something from 700 years ago. See the cathedral, according to the tour guide, was bombed during WWII and for some reason it took them 40 years after the war to fix it. Guess they didn't have the correct motivation.
I didn't like Salisbury, it was to money hungry, there were collection boxes everywhere and I don't think that is right, if you want to give to the church you should do so out of your love for the religion and the building itself, not be guilted into it (note: I didn't give any money). I hate ancient Britain now because of this, you should not have to pay money for something that is really old and is a "world heritage site".
Oh well, maybe I could jazz up the places we went by preaching about aliens or something, at least then when people run off the bus they have something to do once the 5 minutes of excitement wears off and they have to wait another hour for the coach to show back up.
The thing that gets me about Stonehenge though is how good of a motivator were the high priest of the ancient world to get about 600 of their closest friends together to drag these huge stones across the rolling hills. I mean you couldn't pay me enough to go out using deer antlers to shape the rocks then hook large ropes to them and start pulling. How or why a civilization 5,000 years ago did that is beyond me. I mean I know it has to do with the seasons and everything but still I can't get over the amount of effort these people put in, you have to be one heck of a motivator to encourage people to do this...or I guess they could have just put the fear of the gods into them.
Salisbury Cathedral was the same way, you paid to go in and look at something largely built in 1981 trying to pass off as something from 700 years ago. See the cathedral, according to the tour guide, was bombed during WWII and for some reason it took them 40 years after the war to fix it. Guess they didn't have the correct motivation.
I didn't like Salisbury, it was to money hungry, there were collection boxes everywhere and I don't think that is right, if you want to give to the church you should do so out of your love for the religion and the building itself, not be guilted into it (note: I didn't give any money). I hate ancient Britain now because of this, you should not have to pay money for something that is really old and is a "world heritage site".
Oh well, maybe I could jazz up the places we went by preaching about aliens or something, at least then when people run off the bus they have something to do once the 5 minutes of excitement wears off and they have to wait another hour for the coach to show back up.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
There is a Party in my Mouth
I thought I'd be adventurous this morning and give some new breakfast foods a try. The odd roll/scone things are pretty good although I'm not sure what it's filled with. Also having a ham and swiss sandwich isn't really all that bad at 8am either. But there was this spread for toast called Marmite. No one really knew what it was and since I'm the person everyone comes to when they have no idea what some sort of food item is I gave it a try.
Now before I tell you what it was like let me explain to you what Marmite is. According to wikipedia (it'll do for now):
Now before I tell you what it was like let me explain to you what Marmite is. According to wikipedia (it'll do for now):
"It is a sticky, dark brown paste with a distinctive, powerful taste that polarises consumer opinion. This is reflected in the company's marketing slogan: "Love it or hate it". It is similar to the Australian Vegemite and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. There is also an Australian version of "Marmite", although this uses a different recipe, and has a much stronger flavour that is comparatively sweet."
With that little explanation let me tell you what I did. I thought it would be good, I really did. So I took a piece of toast and put a nice little helping of it on the corner and took a big old bite. I think it had to have been the worst food experience of my entire life. I've never tasted something so awful before and I've had a lot of bad food in the past. I can't even describe what it was like, I guess mashed vegetables in salt and something bitter. Needless to say I tried to make everyone else try a bite but they all refused after seeing the look on my face.
I believe this is one of those food items that you have to be from Britain to like. I have had some of these, like the lemonade, and all up until now haven't been great but I could stand to eat/drink them. I'm sorry I can't eat these Marmite stuff. Maybe I had it in the wrong context, but who knows. I don't think I was to adventure down that road again.
I believe this is one of those food items that you have to be from Britain to like. I have had some of these, like the lemonade, and all up until now haven't been great but I could stand to eat/drink them. I'm sorry I can't eat these Marmite stuff. Maybe I had it in the wrong context, but who knows. I don't think I was to adventure down that road again.
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Minnesota is Fashionable
Well 231 years ago today the US celebrated it's independence. It's funny to be in a country where no one celebrates it...although you would think they might since the Brits did, as one man writes, "kick a bunch of rowdy teenagers out of the empire". The plus side to being here I don't have to listen to a bunch of morons fire off rocket after rocket into the wee hours of the morning while I'm trying to get some sleep. I don't even thing fireworks are legal here...although I did see a firework store yesterday but since this country is a tad different it might be some kind of drink or something.
Now on to what I really want to talk about. I went into a department store yesterday just to have a walk around as it seems every good Brit does. No one ever buys anything, they just walk around stores. Maybe I'm missing something though. So while walking through the mens department I came across some shirts, they looked like they were part of a line Abercombie rejected. One t-shirt was purple and in white letters the words University of Minnesota were emblazoned. Now consider this, we are not only about 4,000 miles away from the Twin Cities but the colours of U of Minn (I'm NOT calling it U of M) aren't purple and white, but rather maroon and gold. Why one earth would a Brit want to wear a shirt from one of the coldest places in America, with the wrong colours, and from a rejected Abercombie line? There are still many things I do not understand about this country.
There were other shirts with universities and incorrect colours on them as well and they also had a line of the ugliest baby blue and pink (this is for the blokes mind you) t-shirts with things from California on them. They didn't make a lick of sense like "Surf San Francisco", which only the most foolish person would do. I really don't get things here...well at least with fashion anyways.
Oh and onto another car note, I saw my first TVR yesterday that wasn't from the 70's. It sounded brilliant, I really hope to see more because they are such funny looking cars yet so different. I really guess you'd have to be a Brit to like them.
Well I'm off to take advantage of the sun since at the moment it isn't raining, but I know that could change by the time I finish writing this sentence.
Now on to what I really want to talk about. I went into a department store yesterday just to have a walk around as it seems every good Brit does. No one ever buys anything, they just walk around stores. Maybe I'm missing something though. So while walking through the mens department I came across some shirts, they looked like they were part of a line Abercombie rejected. One t-shirt was purple and in white letters the words University of Minnesota were emblazoned. Now consider this, we are not only about 4,000 miles away from the Twin Cities but the colours of U of Minn (I'm NOT calling it U of M) aren't purple and white, but rather maroon and gold. Why one earth would a Brit want to wear a shirt from one of the coldest places in America, with the wrong colours, and from a rejected Abercombie line? There are still many things I do not understand about this country.
There were other shirts with universities and incorrect colours on them as well and they also had a line of the ugliest baby blue and pink (this is for the blokes mind you) t-shirts with things from California on them. They didn't make a lick of sense like "Surf San Francisco", which only the most foolish person would do. I really don't get things here...well at least with fashion anyways.
Oh and onto another car note, I saw my first TVR yesterday that wasn't from the 70's. It sounded brilliant, I really hope to see more because they are such funny looking cars yet so different. I really guess you'd have to be a Brit to like them.
Well I'm off to take advantage of the sun since at the moment it isn't raining, but I know that could change by the time I finish writing this sentence.
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Observations From a Yank in the UK
Ok I suck at this whole blog thing and yes I stole my title from a Bill Bryson book but whatever, it seems to fit since Britain is so small, I can't believe it. The Brits actually think 100miles is a long way, in Michigan we drive that far to go see a concert or a baseball game. Also everything here is like a smalled version of American things, take their SUV's for example, they have a Toyota RAV4 which in the states is a 5 door thing and is sort of big. Not here, it's a 3 door hatchback thing that looks like someone shrunk the American version.
People here are so friendly, more so then back in the states where if you asked someone for help they'd tell you to bugger off. Here if you even look lost someone will help you, and they all call you love and mate. It's wonderful. When I arrived I was a bit daft on using the pay phones and my mobile didn't work because AT&T are a bunch of blithering idiots. But some nice lady in the train station gave me 40p so and showed me what to do.
Things are much more efficient over here, most people don't drive gigantic cars, they actually have roundabouts, and everything is recycled. Only if America was more like that it would be a better place. The only people here that need a bit of common sense is anyone who drives a Land Rover or a Jeep...there isn't one place in southern England you can use those...actually on second thought anyone over here who buys an American car probably should be shot since there are so many other cars that are so much better.
Speaking of cars (would I talk about anything else?) I already have some favourites over here. I love the Ford Mondao and the Euro Focus, why either of these aren't sold in the states is beyond me. They would save Ford I'm sure of it. Also they have this VW that is smaller then a Rabbit (Golf) but has a 1.8T 150hp engine in it, it's called a Polo. I want one.
Anyways I love it here, things are clean, people are friendly, the motorcars are awesome, and their language is so much cooler then Americans English. I'm going to try to learn it for sure. I'm working on my accent as well.
People here are so friendly, more so then back in the states where if you asked someone for help they'd tell you to bugger off. Here if you even look lost someone will help you, and they all call you love and mate. It's wonderful. When I arrived I was a bit daft on using the pay phones and my mobile didn't work because AT&T are a bunch of blithering idiots. But some nice lady in the train station gave me 40p so and showed me what to do.
Things are much more efficient over here, most people don't drive gigantic cars, they actually have roundabouts, and everything is recycled. Only if America was more like that it would be a better place. The only people here that need a bit of common sense is anyone who drives a Land Rover or a Jeep...there isn't one place in southern England you can use those...actually on second thought anyone over here who buys an American car probably should be shot since there are so many other cars that are so much better.
Speaking of cars (would I talk about anything else?) I already have some favourites over here. I love the Ford Mondao and the Euro Focus, why either of these aren't sold in the states is beyond me. They would save Ford I'm sure of it. Also they have this VW that is smaller then a Rabbit (Golf) but has a 1.8T 150hp engine in it, it's called a Polo. I want one.
Anyways I love it here, things are clean, people are friendly, the motorcars are awesome, and their language is so much cooler then Americans English. I'm going to try to learn it for sure. I'm working on my accent as well.