You Gotta Laugh

Hubby and I ventured out on a cloudy, chance of rain, autumnal Sunday. It was nice to amble into town (central Boston) for a quick saunter. I eyed the clouds regretting that I didn't search for the umbrella. I had put it away but it fell towards the back of the cupboard and well, I figured I'd hunt for it when I needed it...

As we left a shop, spots of rain started to fall. I apologized to Hubby, again, for not retrieving and bringing the brolly along. He forgave me, then offered me a stick of gum saying:

"Forgot I had these; I bought them when it was raining,"

to which I replied

"Really? Doesn't make for a very good umbrella?"

I laughed, he gave me a shake of his head and a muttered 'I'm laughing on the inside'.

Nothing like a good giggle on a rainy day!

Presidential Debates

The Presidential Elections are looming and tonight (Oct 3) is the first debate between the two candidates.

I can't vote and I'm glad because I haven't a clue what either party is standing for. I've kind of got my head around the whole what's a Republican/Democrat thanks to a history book I'm reading (on and off) but that makes little difference if their polices are not 100% clear. The ads aired have so far been one accusation after the other about not paying the correct taxes, failing on increasing the job market etc. Confusing for me a non-voter, can you imagine if you had to make a decision to bring one of these men into office?

As I watched the CNN election coverage, they reported that people, especially young people, need to come out and vote. And it reminded me of what someone said about elections - make it more like a contest as the American public respond in their millions to a competition then they do a campaign.

I said to Hubby that they so need to do that. The American Idol Presidential Campaign Debate. The judges (of course) Simon Cowell, Randy 'Dawg' Jackson...

SC: What's your name?
BO: Barack..Barack Obama
RJ: Okay Barack, what are you going to sing?
BO: Let's Stay Together by Al Green
SC: At least it's not Adele
MR: I'm singing 'If I were a rich man'...ha ha I already am! Seriously, I'm going to sing 'Chasing Pavements', - that's Adele isn't it?

And then the ultimate showdown  - a TLC Steel Cage match...WWE is the most watched program, so it's gotta be done. In the red corner, Mitt Moneyman Muscles Romney and in the blue corner we have Barack Fire Assassin Obama. Throw in the 'Money in the Bank' contract...and it could just work.

But in all seriousness, I don't envy the American public this November when they'll cast their votes. It ain't gonna be easy who to choose. However, one thing that should be made clear is if you don't vote, you can't complain.

When life gives you...

....bananas.

I blame myself for the vicious cycle that I've got us in to - buying them, they start to go off, I make cake.

I'm not a huge fan of the fruit. Admittedly I've partaken of a banoffee pie once or twice, even if it was more 'offee' than 'ban'. But Hubby likes the herbaceous plant - all that potassium loveliness. However, the problem is that his good intentions of eating them fly out the window once we get home. Or rather, remain in the polythene bag on top of the cookie jar.

As I mull around the fruit aisle, pondering whether to get a mango or a pineapple, I innocently ask Hubby if he'd like a banana. As well as clinging to the hope it will be consumed, I envision the effect of my question akin to that of when 'Eric eats a banana...'

Yet it never happens - either becoming Bananaman or the fruit being eaten. Instead they linger, their skin blackens, an intense aroma wafts in the air - so appealing. The upside is that these yellow fingers need not worry about being cast aside, no they become a key ingredient; one of the few foods that can be used in their deteriorating state as they are sweeter tasting and easier to mush.

As I looked at the latest offering this week, seems that banana muffins beckon. And I'm sure next time I wonder through the supermarket, I'll stop before the pile of musa acuminata and think, 'wonder if Hubby would like a banana? (sigh)

The Olympics are on?

As the Olympics draw to a close I admit that I was never one to jump for joy over them. I supported the bid - pleased that London won but didn't know that I would be stateside when they took place.

Fast forward to 2012 and the Opening Ceremony. I channeled hopped thinking that at least CNN would show something of the celebrations in London. Nope, nothing, nada...I voiced my concerns/bitched on FB as I read the 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from UK friends. What time did it air in the US? Seven in the evening...why? Apparently so NBC could edit - edit what? I appreciate in the country that's home to Benny Hill and Page 3 one would need to be careful but really, what's to edit? Yet they found something - the 7/7 reference. I'm sorry would American's not understand the bombings on that day? Or is it not as significant as 9/11? And that was just the beginning of NBC's awful coverage of the games.

I appreciate the time difference dictates how many 'live' events can be shown and so in part understood the airing of recorded races. They dedicated whole channels to basketball and soccer - both men and women. As well as a general '2012 Summer Olympics' channel. This channel, when I happened to flick onto it, would show either gymnastics or swimming. With the odd synchronized swimming and water polo thrown in for good measure. Joy. Didn't catch the athletics, so missed Team GB's triumph's as well as Jamaica's Bolt as it's not clear when it's scheduled to air. NBC has been slated for their poor programming and spoilers so people who had taped an event knew before they watched it who won gold.

But was has bugged me is the utter lack of acknowledgment of the other competing countries. I appreciate everyone will have a bias towards their own nation but if you're reporting on the whole of the Olympics, I hate to break it to you NBC, but there are about another 70 odd countries competing too. And I can't even be narky with just them, CNN was/is just as bad - with one report they didn't name the competitor just "Britain took the bronze and someone from Russia took Gold". Okay, we may not be familiar with their names, but show a little courtesy as say who they are, it's not their fault Team USA came in 7th!

What does it matter now? It's coming to an end and there have been some amazing feats of endurance and teamwork. Congratulations to all the athletes, they're brilliant. As Celine sang, "since the dawn of man, the strength of just 'I can', has bought together people of all nations....feel the flame forever burn, as the world gives us it's best, it's the power of the dream that brings us here..."  Okay a little twee to quote but it's what the Olympics is all about. Perhaps the American media should take note that there's land beyond the east and west coasts...

Writers on the Block

I was on a writing course last week. Armed with pen and paper, I entered the small classroom. My anal retentiveness had kicked in and I realized I was twenty minutes early. But no worry, the teacher was already there and I'm the queen of useless chit-chat so the time went by quickly.

For a course that ran from ten to one each day, I expected a few older women - perhaps a couple of yummy-mummies. Nope, I was the youngest one there. The women's ages ranged from late forties to mid seventies. I suddenly felt inadequate and then a little down, I'm not far off from my forties so there wasn't that much of an age difference after all!

Expecting a room of budding or published novelists, I was surprised to hear that a couple were writing memoirs, many had an idea but not sure where to start and some just had chapters floating around, but nothing connecting them. An air of slight smugness surrounded me. I had written a few short stories and finished my first novel in draft, currently halfway through the second. Yet I haven't had the courage to get an editor to look at it. Maybe spending the week with these experienced women may help.

As the week progressed, the lecturer Jane Katims gave us exercises and prompts to get our creative juices flowing. And wow did they help. I knew my first novel needed some improvement but wasn't sure where to go. After day three of the course, I saw a myriad of ways to add some 'oompf' to the story. Thursday night was student reading night and I read a short piece entitled 'Home Depot' - all about a couple having an argument in a truck. Compliments from my fellow classmates and peers flew and I became cocooned in a world where people actually liked what I wrote.

I awoke on the Friday to find three presents waiting for me. My constant support, Hubby, gave me three notepads, a box of pens and the Chicago Manual of Style. I felt even more energized to write and get published - there's nothing like writing on the first page of a new notebook.

By the time the week ended I had met a wonderful set of writers; the woman whose memoirs focused on her mother's mental illness, another with a charismatic character called Harry and one whose young pianist Eva, admired a music teacher who was a holocaust survivor. I sincerely hope they find the courage to finish and publish; for they certainly have given that to me.

Another Year Granted

I been a bit lackadaisical with my posts, it's amazing how much time reading takes up. But moving on...some good news that I should have shared a while back - Hubby and I have been granted a year's extension on our visa - hooray. And it was appropriate/ironic timing that we found out/got it confirmed a couple of weeks before July 4th. 

Let me tell you it was a dire few months until we got the confirmation. We spoke to HR...okay Hubby spoke to HR and found out that the head honcho left, leaving little notes (ain't that always the case?!) and the new HR lady was wondering why the company paid for me. Cue soapbox...Why pay for me? Er maybe because I'm the wife...?! As much as Hubby would relish the odd days just to lounge around play Gears and eat pizza all day...he'd miss me! (Wouldn't he?) Do they not know I'm the epitome of a 1950s housewife - who will do his laundry? make his beloved lasagna? Okay, I know Hubby can manage a lot of things on his own...and heck why am I justifying myself? I'm his wife, reason enough.

Stepping off the soapbox, they eventually said 'yeah go on then,' and we're happy.

We like it out here and although next year we have to move from Cambridge (we're after a two bed apartment) I'm looking forward to another twelve months of the constant yet changing, sometimes extreme weather, interrupted sleep by the street cleaning crew, moving out the way of people who don't say thank you (for doing so), Starbucks - the place where everyone knows your name...

And for all my American family and friends there's only one thing to say - 'the British are coming, the British are coming'...

The Quiet Carriage

Heading back home from NY recently, Hubby and I clambered aboard the Amtrak train at New Haven into the "quiet car". Great...it's one of those carriages that you know about and long to be in when you hear the chatter of some rowdy gang of teenagers or the businessman behind you bitching about the latest presentation that he had to deliver on time. Yet when you get there suddenly the need to speak rather loudly is overwhelming.

However, this time I was fine with it - I was knackered and needed to kip. As I sat there shifting trying to get comfortable, Hubby came back with lunch. I cringed as I tore apart the cellophane surrounding the sandwich cursing the makers as the crinkle and crunching seemed to reverberate around the carriage.

Lunch eaten I eventually drifted off to the lullaby of rumbling train-tracks. Only to be awoken by the rather loud announcement of the train arriving at a station. Shouldn't there be a volume for the quiet carriage? As I settled back into the seat chasing sleep again, the clickety-clack of knitting needles was heard behind me. Boy are knitting needles loud. At first I was impressed by the speed of this anonymous knitter but after a few moments thought - should they now put on the notice of quiet talking only and no cell phones also no knitting, just crochet after all that only requires one needle?

As we approached Boston South Station, the rustling and movement of the carriage became marginally louder as people gathered their belongings together, yet they still obeyed the rule of hushed tones. It wasn't until the train came to a complete halt at Boston that I spoke at a normal volume. By which time two women were discussing a lost phone which one of them had put on vibrate....good luck finding that one love...ah one the perils of sitting in the quiet zone!