In case you have not yet found out we have landed safe and sound. We touched down in the US on Thursday June 26. It is good to be back in our own house with our own stuff. We had an exellent time but I think we were getting just a little tired of being cramed into that little flat.
My brother had a pig roast the saturday after we landed. This year he did a cow leg as well as a whole pig. It was exellent! I wish I had taken some pics to show everyone who was not present as it is hard to picture what a pig and a cows leg looks like on a spit.
The gang in London gave me lots of nice presents to send me on my way. In fact I am wearing my Union Jack socks right now. I already stained my green grape shirt. Hopefully Katie can fix it or Katherine will give me hell for already wrecking it.
I plan on making some videos of the house and the secret passage to show the London crew. I've got to finish cleaning the place so it doesn't look like a dump. I'm also going to make a best of London video.
After that I don't know what I will do with the blog. Our European vacation is done which is the point of the blog. I think I might have to modify the mission statement of the blog to just be a general place for me to post random videos and pics. I won't do a weekly update as I am not that interesting.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Week 24
So I missed a couple weeks in the end there, so I wanted to post them now.
On the 14th of June we went and saw the trooping of the colors which is when the queen's birthday is celebrated. Her real birthday is in April. She rode in a carrige down the mall (a road in front of Buckingham Palace). We were about 20 feet away from here when she rode past. Unfortunately she turned her head to look at the oposite side of the road when she went past us. We also saw Camilla, Prince Henry, Prince William, and the Duke of Edinborough.
After the parade we went to Regents Park which is a very formal garden like park which little paths, fountains, and hedges. The London Zoo is located in the park but the Zoo is tiny so we never bothered to go in.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Week 26
The last weekend has come and gone. We came to the realization that we had overlooked the Tate and the V&A - two major museums. So we went out to see them. The V&A was great. They had tons of activities to do. The May pole, ethnic music from multiple locals around the globe, a guy showing off odd instruments, an art/music workshop. Along with "Architecture hat" making. I wish we had gone earlier during our stay.
The Tate was really small and off by itself south of the Big Ben. They had some fun things going on but it paled in comparison to the V&A. They had art projects kids could do which focused around various paintings. Morgan decided to make a dioramas of a room. The painting we were to study was that of a man standing in a bed chamber with his children, dead wife in the bed, and his new wife in a chair. I thought it was an odd painting to have kids study so we didn't go into depth on that.
We are exited to be going back soon and we are working on packing our bags. Its been a great experience but we will be glad to be back among family and friends on American soil.
The Tate was really small and off by itself south of the Big Ben. They had some fun things going on but it paled in comparison to the V&A. They had art projects kids could do which focused around various paintings. Morgan decided to make a dioramas of a room. The painting we were to study was that of a man standing in a bed chamber with his children, dead wife in the bed, and his new wife in a chair. I thought it was an odd painting to have kids study so we didn't go into depth on that.
We are exited to be going back soon and we are working on packing our bags. Its been a great experience but we will be glad to be back among family and friends on American soil.
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| LondonWeek |
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Top Gear
British Tele is something most Americans and I think most Brits dislike with a passion. We get BBC1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In the US this would be like getting Channels 2, 4, 5 ,7, and fox. Morgan does not realize there are only five channels and just flips through 10 times thus equalling the 50 channels we are used to having at home on basic cable. So you can imagine there are many nights with nothing on. The worst are the soaps, tweeny tv shows, the news, dramas, and most comedies.
There are some moments of entertainment. Dr. Who for example scares the shit out of me. I mean us Americans are used to the good old days of Dr Who when I guy in a ridiculous scarf and bad teeth would run away from a upside down garbage can yelling destroy. Those days are long gone. They now have some awesome special effects.
The BBC also has all the major US shows like the Simpsons, CSI, Law and Order and so on. The problem is the Brits don't do tv series the same way we do. In the US we have three major seasons for TV, The fall (Sept - Dec), Spring (Jan - May) and Summer which is all re-runs mostly. A show on British TV only lasts 6 weeks then it changes. There are less re-runs so that is a good thing but by the time I find a show I like it goes away. I can never develop a schedule.
My favorite British show is Top Gear http://www.topgear.com/. Its these three guys who are given automotive challenges. For example drive to the north pole, or make a limo. They do others things as well like test drive cars we will never afford to own, and make celebs race around a track in a crappy car. By the time I found this show the season was near over. Well the next season starts this Sunday so I get to see one more episode.
I also found out that they are coming out with a US version. Here is the link to that.
http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/2956/
I hope the pilot program is successful so I can watch.
Does anyone know how to play British DVDs on a US DVD player? I'd rather not buy a new DVD player to watch my Top Gear DVDs. I wondering if there are settings or dip switch somewhere that I can just switch to the correct zone.
There are some moments of entertainment. Dr. Who for example scares the shit out of me. I mean us Americans are used to the good old days of Dr Who when I guy in a ridiculous scarf and bad teeth would run away from a upside down garbage can yelling destroy. Those days are long gone. They now have some awesome special effects.
The BBC also has all the major US shows like the Simpsons, CSI, Law and Order and so on. The problem is the Brits don't do tv series the same way we do. In the US we have three major seasons for TV, The fall (Sept - Dec), Spring (Jan - May) and Summer which is all re-runs mostly. A show on British TV only lasts 6 weeks then it changes. There are less re-runs so that is a good thing but by the time I find a show I like it goes away. I can never develop a schedule.
My favorite British show is Top Gear http://www.topgear.com/. Its these three guys who are given automotive challenges. For example drive to the north pole, or make a limo. They do others things as well like test drive cars we will never afford to own, and make celebs race around a track in a crappy car. By the time I found this show the season was near over. Well the next season starts this Sunday so I get to see one more episode.
I also found out that they are coming out with a US version. Here is the link to that.
http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/2956/
I hope the pilot program is successful so I can watch.
Does anyone know how to play British DVDs on a US DVD player? I'd rather not buy a new DVD player to watch my Top Gear DVDs. I wondering if there are settings or dip switch somewhere that I can just switch to the correct zone.
Post 50 why my local McDs sucks
Hello, This is the 50th post I have written on this blog, so if you have been reading along then you have realized its a bunch of crap.
Yesterday Morgan and I went down to McDonalds on Bethnal Green while Katie and Gwen were out doing their own thing. Bethnal Green is the "high street" or main drag of the neighborhood. Its a dirty place with trash everywhere and stupid little market stalls clogging up the street and sidewalk. It's also a very diverse street which means there are many Muslims and Indians from India or perhaps Pakistan. Now there is really nothing wrong with all the diversity but I really dislike the practice of covering the head and face. I mean if I can't see your face I assume you are hiding something and are therefore not trustworthy and bad. What would the general public think if I wore a ski mask out on the street?
So back on track. We finally make it through all that and get to McDonalds. Now the menu does not cover what they actually sell nor does it list prices. What would be the point of that?! Instead it just shows the latest McCrap sandwich they trying to push. Something called the LA, Miami, and NY burgers. I just wanted a number one but they don't do numbers, so I have to ask for a Big Mac meal. The cashier says "oh you American (of course she does not speak English as a first language) you want it supersized" Just because I'm American does not mean I need a larger portion...I might want it but I don't need it.
So we manage to order and then it is time to pay. I wanted to just us my AMEX card so I hand it to the young girl and she points to the a slot to insert the card in. The British credit cards work like debit cards were you need to enter a pin instead of signing a slip. Of course my AMEX does not have a pin setup for it. I tell her she needs to swipe it and make the hand gesture of swiping. Total confusion ensues and I finally just pay with cash instead of getting the manager.
Now its time to find a seat. There are plenty of empty seats but a clean table is the problem. See the locals don't know they are supposed to throw their rubbish in the bins provided around the restaurant. I see the locals just throw trash on the street too which I find very annoying. In true American fashion I have no issue with telling them they are slobs and to pick up their mess. Its not just immigrants not picking up their own trash but the local Brits are slobs too. I've been in other fast food joints around the UK and I don't see this same level of disregard for cleanliness.
The time before last I had gone by myself and a bum actually walked in a begged for food from an old British lady. I got up to intervene but she didn't need my help. She chewed him a new one. You got to love those old east enders they have attitude and don't take crap from no one.
There are only five work days left.
Yesterday Morgan and I went down to McDonalds on Bethnal Green while Katie and Gwen were out doing their own thing. Bethnal Green is the "high street" or main drag of the neighborhood. Its a dirty place with trash everywhere and stupid little market stalls clogging up the street and sidewalk. It's also a very diverse street which means there are many Muslims and Indians from India or perhaps Pakistan. Now there is really nothing wrong with all the diversity but I really dislike the practice of covering the head and face. I mean if I can't see your face I assume you are hiding something and are therefore not trustworthy and bad. What would the general public think if I wore a ski mask out on the street?
So back on track. We finally make it through all that and get to McDonalds. Now the menu does not cover what they actually sell nor does it list prices. What would be the point of that?! Instead it just shows the latest McCrap sandwich they trying to push. Something called the LA, Miami, and NY burgers. I just wanted a number one but they don't do numbers, so I have to ask for a Big Mac meal. The cashier says "oh you American (of course she does not speak English as a first language) you want it supersized" Just because I'm American does not mean I need a larger portion...I might want it but I don't need it.
So we manage to order and then it is time to pay. I wanted to just us my AMEX card so I hand it to the young girl and she points to the a slot to insert the card in. The British credit cards work like debit cards were you need to enter a pin instead of signing a slip. Of course my AMEX does not have a pin setup for it. I tell her she needs to swipe it and make the hand gesture of swiping. Total confusion ensues and I finally just pay with cash instead of getting the manager.
Now its time to find a seat. There are plenty of empty seats but a clean table is the problem. See the locals don't know they are supposed to throw their rubbish in the bins provided around the restaurant. I see the locals just throw trash on the street too which I find very annoying. In true American fashion I have no issue with telling them they are slobs and to pick up their mess. Its not just immigrants not picking up their own trash but the local Brits are slobs too. I've been in other fast food joints around the UK and I don't see this same level of disregard for cleanliness.
The time before last I had gone by myself and a bum actually walked in a begged for food from an old British lady. I got up to intervene but she didn't need my help. She chewed him a new one. You got to love those old east enders they have attitude and don't take crap from no one.
There are only five work days left.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Week 23 Paris
Bonjour! We went to Paris on Saturday June 7. Originally we had planned to go two weeks prior but Gwen was really sick so we postponed our trip. The downside is we were going to see the Red Bull flue thing in Hyde Park on the Serpentine Pond. Basically people make "flying" machines that they ride off a ramp into the water. It was free so no big loss.
We got there by the Eurostar and then took the metro (subway) to the riverbank. Luckily the person at the ticker counter for the metro spoke some english. At the end of our transaction Katie said Bonjour (Hello) instead of Merci (thank you) or Au viour (Good Bye). We then boarded a double decker subway car.
We decided to start down near Notre Dame and walk along the river until we got to the Eiffel tower. We came out of the metro not were we wanted to be and wandered down to the river. We entered into an area with lots of little tents. Turned out to be a haven for bums to sleep. Not a great start, but eventually we got on the right track.
The city in general was exceptionally clean - even the bum tenting area was clean. However, there were many parts that smelled of urine. The French charge to use the toilet so its no wonder the place smells. The argument is that they are cleaned more regularly. Bull I say.
The Eiffel Tower was my favorite part of the trip. You see it all the time in movies, TV shows, and as little statues, and in those mediums it is not that impressive. However, when you see it in person it is massive. The line to go up the tower was way way too long so we decided to have some crapes and cotton candy (brits call it candy floss)instead.
On the train ride back our seats were not together. Katie and Morgan were together with another young (actually older then me) couple with a 9 month old from Toronto. Gwen totally dwarfed the other baby and showed her up by cruising up and down the aisle while the train was moving. The other baby had not yet crawled, but found Gwen to be fascinating. The other baby was an only child so he had no older siblings to follow. Morgan didn't really crawl much at that age. I don't think the story of Morgan made them feel better.
A guy in the group of seats behind us showed up in a tux like you would expect James Bond to do. As soon as the bar opened him and his party left. Katie and Morgan moved around to that group of seats to get a change of pace. Next weekend is the Queen's Birthday celebration. We know have less then two weeks left.
We got there by the Eurostar and then took the metro (subway) to the riverbank. Luckily the person at the ticker counter for the metro spoke some english. At the end of our transaction Katie said Bonjour (Hello) instead of Merci (thank you) or Au viour (Good Bye). We then boarded a double decker subway car.
We decided to start down near Notre Dame and walk along the river until we got to the Eiffel tower. We came out of the metro not were we wanted to be and wandered down to the river. We entered into an area with lots of little tents. Turned out to be a haven for bums to sleep. Not a great start, but eventually we got on the right track.
The city in general was exceptionally clean - even the bum tenting area was clean. However, there were many parts that smelled of urine. The French charge to use the toilet so its no wonder the place smells. The argument is that they are cleaned more regularly. Bull I say.
The Eiffel Tower was my favorite part of the trip. You see it all the time in movies, TV shows, and as little statues, and in those mediums it is not that impressive. However, when you see it in person it is massive. The line to go up the tower was way way too long so we decided to have some crapes and cotton candy (brits call it candy floss)instead.
On the train ride back our seats were not together. Katie and Morgan were together with another young (actually older then me) couple with a 9 month old from Toronto. Gwen totally dwarfed the other baby and showed her up by cruising up and down the aisle while the train was moving. The other baby had not yet crawled, but found Gwen to be fascinating. The other baby was an only child so he had no older siblings to follow. Morgan didn't really crawl much at that age. I don't think the story of Morgan made them feel better.
A guy in the group of seats behind us showed up in a tux like you would expect James Bond to do. As soon as the bar opened him and his party left. Katie and Morgan moved around to that group of seats to get a change of pace. Next weekend is the Queen's Birthday celebration. We know have less then two weeks left.
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| Paris |
Friday, June 6, 2008
Pictures of the Girls
Okay so here is my attempt at uploading the video of the girls. Hopefully it works this time.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Party in the Tube
Week 22 has come and gone. We have less then a month to go now. This weekend we went to Sir John Sloan museum and the Banquet House. The Banquet House, which is just a really large room, is all that remains of a larger palace that burnt down. It was originally built by King Henry the VIII then remolded by King Charles I.
Morgan steps in a yells out "This is it!?" I'm sure that is what the people working there want to here. We got in for free so who cares if it was just one room.
The Sir John Sloan Museum is a house next to Lincoln Inn Fields (a park that has seen better days) John Sloan was an architect and collector of architectural crap. Looked like he must have lived during the Victorian era or 19th century for those of you not up on your English time periods. It was very cluttered with things very fragile. Morgan was bored and Gwen was in no mood to site see. It was free too so no big loss I suppose.
We learned the Queen's birthday will be celebrated on June 14th. Her birthday is in April but the monarch's birthday is always celebrated on the second Saturday in June. We were lucky enough to see a practice parade down the mall towards the Horses guard from Buckingham Palace.
Next weekend we are off to Paris.
Oh yes the title of this week.... They banned drinking on public transport this weekend. Seems like an obvious thing to do and I am shocked it had not been done right from inception. Anyway, the last night before the ban everyone had a big bash in the subway. We saw it on the news and I'm glad we didn't need to go anywhere. The cops did nothing and let the masses trash every tube station in London. They showed workers the morning after using shovels to clear the mess out of Liverpool station. There were even mini kegs!
Here is another fun factoid.
The Brits are thinking of putting a 5p deposit on cans to encourage recycling. "What a great new idea" the news caster said. NEW IDEA!!! Geez we've only been doing it my entire life in the US. New Idea my ass.
Morgan steps in a yells out "This is it!?" I'm sure that is what the people working there want to here. We got in for free so who cares if it was just one room.
The Sir John Sloan Museum is a house next to Lincoln Inn Fields (a park that has seen better days) John Sloan was an architect and collector of architectural crap. Looked like he must have lived during the Victorian era or 19th century for those of you not up on your English time periods. It was very cluttered with things very fragile. Morgan was bored and Gwen was in no mood to site see. It was free too so no big loss I suppose.
We learned the Queen's birthday will be celebrated on June 14th. Her birthday is in April but the monarch's birthday is always celebrated on the second Saturday in June. We were lucky enough to see a practice parade down the mall towards the Horses guard from Buckingham Palace.
Next weekend we are off to Paris.
Oh yes the title of this week.... They banned drinking on public transport this weekend. Seems like an obvious thing to do and I am shocked it had not been done right from inception. Anyway, the last night before the ban everyone had a big bash in the subway. We saw it on the news and I'm glad we didn't need to go anywhere. The cops did nothing and let the masses trash every tube station in London. They showed workers the morning after using shovels to clear the mess out of Liverpool station. There were even mini kegs!
Here is another fun factoid.
The Brits are thinking of putting a 5p deposit on cans to encourage recycling. "What a great new idea" the news caster said. NEW IDEA!!! Geez we've only been doing it my entire life in the US. New Idea my ass.
Week 21
Okay so I know I'm late on week 21 here but for whatever reason I am having issues uploading my videos to google video so I was hoping to get that resolved. On Week 21 we went to Kew Gardens again. They have setup this catwalk in the tree tops. You climb up a whole bunch of stairs and walk around in a big circle. The structure is made of steel but it sways a little in the breeze so it is not for the weak hearted. We got some nice senic shots and what not. Morgan played in the Azela flower area. They have a large circle of Azela bushs in bloom. She collected the fallen blossems to make pressed flowers. I shot a video to the music of the flight of the bumblebee, and while shooting it I actually came across a bee. It rained the rest of the weekend so it was a total washout. I'll see if I can't get those videos fixed.
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