New York, New York

Over the attitude -- New York does that to you. I like cities and it is a great city.

Stayed at a very nice hotel in the mid-East 30's, the Affinia Dumont. Affordable by Norwich standards, where flea bags run GBP100/night. Huge rooms, it is advertised as a "studio hotel", anyway, I recommend it. Even the room service was good.

Visited my ex-bartender, Michael, at Splash. Such a fun guy and a nice guy. I do wish I had more reasons to be in town when he is bartending...

Cold, cold, cold. That pretty much sums up the weather -- not snowy, just COLD. So much so that I stuck close to the heat and was not out sight seeing. Fun lunch with my friends Howard and Art at an upscale meat market, Del Frisco. Great beef, great wine - it was a good afternoon.

The flights were uneventful -- just the way I want them to be...

Strange as it probably seems, I am happy to be back in Norwich. This place is rather like a coccoon. Nice and warm.

Getting an attitude

Well, it was going to happen sooner or later, I am either getting an attitude or becoming a cranky old man (maybe a bit of both). I am SO tired of know nothing people, people who (seemingly) whine for a living, people who are SO busy that they never actually complete anything, babbling people, people who cry all the time over trivial problems, people who agree to anything and do nothing, people who promise things they were not asked to promise and then don't deliver, and people who are plain dumb ass stupid for their living.

I know that some people are less bright than others, they are occassionally born without a sense of humor, or they're just drugged out. And I don't care. I can usually avoid those people. These days that seems to be the problem -- I can't. Damn.

The Political Rut

The rut is when male deer are overwhelmed with their desire for female deer and they go mad. In this season, many, many deer are killed in road accidents.

We are in the season when politicians overwhelming desire for power drive them mad -- the Political Rut. Hopefully, we can keep them out of the roads.

Hillary Clinton interests me. Normally very savvy. She is the most polarizing individual in politics today. So, naturally, she is running for the Democratic nomination for President. She is formidable. She has Bill's political machine and Bill's money -- for that matter, she has Bill. Can she be nominated? Very likely. Can she be elected? Hmmmmmm (doubt it)

Obama also interest me. Great charisma. Great speaker. An intellect. So, naturally, he is running for the Democratic nomination for President. Lacks the machine. And, let's be frank, the man is black (is America ready for a black President?) Can he be nominated? One hopes so. Can he be elected? Again, one hopes so (but, doubt it)

There is also conventional wisdom. Only one Senator has been elected President in the history of the Republic. And that relied to some degree (blush) on the candidates father and a friendly Illinois political machine (ah-hem). (the dead were voting in Chicago that day)

There is also the electoral map. Neither party has a lock on enough states to take the election. Therefore, the swing states hold the decision. My feeling is that we need a Governor and preferably a Governor from the South or one of the Border States to take enough swing states to take the election. I suspect the rut isn't over.

Political correctness marches forward

HRH Prince Charles has announced that he is cancelling his ski vacation to Switzerland in order to reduce his "carbon footprint". Ok, nice example made. Good one.

However, I am concerned that this is all a half thought out idea. What about those poor Swiss (giggles all around, now silence!) people and their need to entertain tourists -- at admittedly alarming prices? Will there be fewer flights? Fewer cars on the Swiss roads? Fewer fondue pots?

Some "environmentally friendly" things do make sense to me, eating locally grown produce instead of Kenyan green beans or Chilean raspberries makes sense. So does minimizing packaging, even if it means getting the odd bruised apple. I do walk alot, this is a conseqence of not driving, not virtue.

I do favor international travel -- maybe not for British royals, but for 99% of the population. I think it makes for a more understanding world and I mean, come on, the world can use as much understanding as it can get...

I am not particularly in favor of all the long distance movement of commercial goods, although I do not see an affordable alternative. Also, the more we can raise the general prosperity across the world, the less likely that events will be allowed to spin out of control in the future. (rich people are not suicide bombers -- or are they?)

I am very much in favor of getting our energy from non-petroleum sources (let's start capping some Middle Eastern oil wells) and getting much smarter about how we build and maintain things. Generally I find it amazing that we dig vast holes in the earth to get materials and then dig new vast holes to bury the same materials after we use them once. I am dubious about burying green house gases, as it is a gas, I really do suspect it will just percolate up over a long period of time. (etc.)

I think I do my bit to a point. I read newspapers and magazines online, instead of the print versions. I have asked the telephone companies to keep their huge yellow page books (even though they really want to give me one, as adverts pay for them). I have an energy saving refrigerator and air conditioner (that my landlord paid for). I take corporate shuttles to and from work and work in an environmentally friendly building. I drink tap beer, as opposed to bottled beer (ok, I'll quit -- this is getting a bit weird)...

Last word -- live your life and do your bit. Ski Switzerland!

Windy (again)

It is shortly before 5:00 a.m. and the wind is screaming again... supposed to get worse tonight, some predictions are for 80 mph stuff.

Fire alarm last night at midnight. The ususal drill. Freeze on the sidewalk while the firemen search for the culprit. Everything is conspiring against a good night's sleep!

Gonna try to catch a hour's catnap....

Sunny Sunday

After a prolonged spell of nasty weather, this morning broke windy but clear. I watched the BBC Sunday morning news shows, took a very luxurious bath, and escaped about noon for a nice long walk. Finished the walk over by a pub with the delightful nickname of "Murderers" (I suspect because they pump Murderer's Ale. I ducked in for a bit of lunch.

One of the nice things about the UK is that you can still get quite a lot of food brought back from "the Empire." Today was a very tasty Indian-style chicken curry. One of the unfortunate (to my tastes) things is that for much of the currays, satays, and even the Mexican foods, the teeth have been pulled and they tend to be quite bland. Today's curry was referred to as "medium", which in India is enough to send the tourists running for the water troughs, no such risk today. Still, it was quite satisfying.

Came back to the hotel to find the early sessions of a snooker tournie on this afternoon, and they are advertising the finals of a darts championship this evening. I will be happy.

Tales of drama from SoBe -- I suppose that I am lucky to be well located to be out of the field of fire. It is January, the beach is in the doldrums, why not a bit of drama to stir things back to life?

Lots of good rocks in Rob's auction this week (www.irocks.com). It will take an alarming amount of discipline not to spend a fortune. Ah, well, it is only a fortune...

Bangers and Mash, $20

The costs in the UK continue to amaze me. I am sure this is partially the result of a 17% value added tax on almost everything, but still! Yesterday I was in a pub at lunch time (do not ask!!), so I had a pub lunch. Rather good sausages (bangers) and badly mashed potatoes (mash) and some "mature" green peas, for GBP 9.95 ($20). This was in addition to a pint of very good beer (GBP 3.10, $6). Actually, I had two ($12) beers, they really were quite good. So, a decidedly simple lunch in very simple surroundings and a very spartan tip took $36 out of the wallet.

I am looking at apartments. The original grand thought was to get a 3-bedroom apartment. A 3-bedroom apartment rents for about GBP 1,000/month. Then there is a mystery referred to as "Council Tax", which is I am informed is equivalent to dumping money into a landfill, and the usual utilities, etc. Bottom line, it will cost GBP 1,500 per month ($3,000). ARG! So, I am downsizing to a large-ish 1-bedroom for a bit more than $1,500/month (GBP 750).

Now the Government is talking about raising the cost of flying -- presumably putting it back to the days of only the wealthy flying and everyone else moving about on land transport. I was looking at flights from London to Miami over the Easter holiday (admittedly a high demand period), anyway, coach class flights were GBP 1,500 ($3,000). With a bit of ingenuity, I then looked at flights from Amsterdam, coach class flights were $600. (the difference in Business Class tickets was even more stark) PLUS flying out of London requires going down (presumably by train) the night before (hotel room) and taking a taxi out to whichever airport. That will add at least GBP500 to the total price of the trip ($1000). A person can fly out of Norwich International Airport (try not to be too impressed!) RT to Amsterdam for about $300, taxi and hotel within Amsterdam will add another $600 (so about the same price), but I get to drink beer with old friends and generally have a good time.... (some decision)

Getting used to British prices is taking a bit of getting used to, as a frugal Yankee, I doubt that I ever will.

Home delivery

A friend in New York claims that you can live very well in Manhattan without ever leaving your apartment, because everything can be ordered and delivered. (I am not going to go too far down that road...)

Well, the same seems to be true in the sophisticated city of Norwich. Although the Internet, itself, seems suspect -- use of the Internet to simplify your life is greatly improving. I think I am going to like this place...

Weekend Hello from Norwich

1. TGIF!

2. God, it is windy! and rainy! but not particularly cold (thank goodness!!)

The wind has been blasting for days. It has been sufficiently annoying that it is hard to sleep much of the time. It cannot keep this up for long... (he writes, hoping)

With all of the wind, I have not been doing much except work. Looked at some apartments last weekend, but did not find a fit. I am just going to have to downsize my want list (doesn't everyone demand a wine cellar?) Opening the bank account was the achievement of the week. Only the apartment remains, so...

Lots of SoBe pictures on Alexis' blog this week -- he's just torturing me. The Brits don't get why an American would leave SoBe to come over here. (I agree, it is damned odd) Besides, most of them grew up within an hour or two of Norwich, so, it probably is a bit of a stretch for them. Quite a parochial view -- the Swiss held much the same views. Actually, they do travel, but I suspect they don't really breathe until they get home again.

I have been enjoying British TV. Darts was the subject of the week. Interesting that a pub game can become such big money. The promoters have turned the tournies into a bit of a WWF (wrestling) event, quite amusing.

I have been planning some travel. South Beach for Easter (early April), Zurich & Alsace Mayday (early May), and Paris for the Spring Holiday (late May) -- after which, I will likely need a holiday from the holidays.

The Brits gave Shrub's Iraq speech heavy coverage. They describe him as "detached from reality", which I think is rather harsh but probably fair. Just how do we botch something up as badly as has been done in Iraq? I still do not think that the DC Boys actually realize that this is a mess of their making. I read, what I thought to be, an excellant analysis by an "old Arab hand" at some London think tank. His analysis was that the removal of Saddam allowed the old (real old) strife between Shia and Sunni to rekindle. He looked at Lebanon as another example (Hammas = Shia). If that is true, Iraq is just a stage for a much larger play and we will never get that genie back into the bottle because it isn't about power sharing -- it is about domination, and we don't play that game.

The Bank of England gave the local interest rates a hike (inflation being the issue). Seemed to surprise everyone and gave the pound a shot in the arm. It's all OK with me as I don't borrow money, and I am compensated in pounds.

A few notes. Hap is at sea (literally this time). Bob Brooks is visiting South Florida. Patrick is struggling through an Amsterdam winter. Maureen and Peter are (or will be shortly) visiting SoBe, etc., etc.

Well, it is 0420 and the wind has calmed down, so I am going to go back to bed and try to get a couple of hours of shut eye. You all have a fantastic weekend. I suspect it will be wet here, but I am re-growing webbed feet, so no big deal. Have fun!!

the royal "we"

Did anyone else notice that during Shrub's Iraq speech, he substitututed the words "the American people" for a personal pronoun? Is this the 21st century version of the royal "we"?

Whatever, it didn't work. Lyndon Johnson's 1966/67 speeches keep ringing in my ears, same storyline, different set.

Things I don't care about

In Britain the BBC has a fun show "Cranky Old Men" in which gentlemen of a certain age make milding caustic observations on a variety of subjects. And, Bob Shiefer, who I have always had a certain respect for, has a fun article out with the subject, "Things I don't care about." So, this has gotten me to thinking...

What don't I care about? - oh, Lord, there is so much... I don't care a whit about Britney Spears, K-Fed, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, et al, I don't even know why I know their names. I really, really don't care about Brad Pit or Leo DiCaprio (and all the other tabloid babies), I am sure they're nice enough fellows, but I've never met them and don't plan to.

I don't care about Nancy Pelosi -- don't be shocked -- because I do think that she will be a footnote to a footnote in the history of the Republic. (hopefully, this will change) I would not care about Shrub, except that he is President, and I find this sad.

I certainly do not care about the gory details of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. The poor lady is dead, let her rest. For that matter, I do not care about 99.99% of conspiracy theories, which I believe are the product of paranoid people and a bored press, both with too much time on their hands.

I totally do not care about the weird food coming out of some kitchens - leave chemistry to the chemists. Isn't this how we got all those poisonous fats that we are so fond of?

And, I absolutely do not care about the dreadful lives of incredibly overweight ladies, their equally huge "partners" and the bloated products of their "relationship" -- as exhibited daily on the string of TV "interview" and "reality" shows -- as in "Mum is preggers by my pimply-faced 14 year old boyfriend (whaaa!)". Give me Star Trek or CSI reruns (please).

And, as Bob observes, I am sure there are people who care about these things so I will leave them to them.

Courtesans

I heard from an old acquaintance the other day, who asked for a rather large loan (email accounts never expire). I wasn't surprised and I did not extend him the loan, as I know that particular definition of the term "loan."

This set me to musing on the issue of people who make a living off of other people. Being of an "age", I have run across my fair share of these sorts -- sometimes to great amusement, other times to not such good memories. The profession has been referred to by a number of terms over the centuries, "courtesans" in the old royal and noble courts is the classiest term, "mistress" is confusing, "companion" is closer to the mark, and on the lowest end of the scale, "users". Alexis is fond of referring to the various retail creatures of the Palace as "courtesans" -- he and I both understand that this is to give them far too much credit.

My, likely former, acquaintance is atypical in that he is extraordinarily good at this trade (and believe me to be successful, it requires real skill). Poor Mr. Versace's murderer, A. Kunnanin (spelling is likely wrong) was of the sort, but not nearly as skillful. "Bob" is both exceptionally attractive and exceedingly social and he has made a very good living off a series of, mostly, mature ladies for over 30 years. Why he is looking for money is an interesting question, but not one for which I want or need an answer. Besides, there is a phase where it always seems to come down to the need for one last score -- and one more -- and one more...

I met "Bob" through a very wealthy mature socialite friend in New York over 20 years ago. Back then "Bob" was her walker, travel companion, and (I have always assumed) occassional lover. In her own words, "I keep him in cashmere, he keeps me happy." (I do adore adult relationships.) My friend passed on about 5 years later and I have run into "Bob" in Miami, Paris, and Amsterdam on the odd, and unexpected, day ever since. Running into "Bob" is always a delight, promising a fabulous afternoon or evening full of scandalous gossip, lots of laughs, likely inclusion in a very rare social event -- an exclusive opening, a sold out recital, etc., and a huge food and bar bill as other "friends" accumulated over the course of the day. In other words, "Bob" gave social value for money. Fair enough.

The really interesting aspect of even a casual relationship with a courtesan is that affection is often shared on both sides, although friendship (if there is one) is strictly one sided. Once you understand that one fine point, the relationship becomes adult.

Guys and gals like "Bob" typically settle into retirement with a wealthy partner and they grow old and happy together. Such a result can be considered to be "Bob's" final compromise.

I may hear from "Bob" again, although probably not. Once a mark says "no", they move on, there are so many others in the book... Still, if I run into him in London, the champagne will be on me (would it ever be any other way?)

Saturday!

The weather forecast goes from bad to worse. ARG! Ah, well, I have me feet up and do believe that the weather can do its worst without endangering my mood.

Upon reflection last week was horrendous. Could get much worse, but I am confident that it won't. Still, need to get on the right side of the issues and manage effectively.

The BBC is reporting that the UK rat population is exploding. Shades of Washington, DC, when the ex-Mayor For Life (Mr. Barry) stopped the rat control treatment in certain parts of town where he did not get a majority vote (mostly the richer parts of town). In the UK, turns out that the "dear little old ladies" put out fruit piles for birds -- all you can eat rat buffets.... (are they really that silly? YES, have they ever heard of the Black Death? -- obviously not)

Well, I'm off, an English breakfast and some shopping. Hurrah, it's Saturday!!

TGIF

What a week, thank God it's Friday! Dealing with 50 year old problem children just isn't my idea of fun. Unfortunately, you can't slap them and order them to just get over it. (damn!)

Trying very hard not to contract a case of mid-winter blues -- there are enough depressed people running around. Mid-month is a week away and January is always the longest month of the year, SO! We will be back in the sun soon enough.

Learning about the Brits is keeping me a bit amused. I am not thrilled that they are so incredibly self indulgent. From a personnel management standpoint that is, of course, rather easily exploited, although it does get to be a bit like herding cats. Lots and lots of whining and "what about me?" sorts of questions. Certainly, it is not how I remember the British that I have worked with in the past.

Still in the 50'sF, which means lots of clouds. Gray, rather wet, and windy - of course it could be gray, snowy and windy (as in the Alpine Fortress). I'll take what we've got.

Strange rumors from the other side of the pond. I'm taking it as post-holiday exhaustion, which will tend to take care of itself. Well time for round 4 with the kids... (wish me luck!)

Optimism

Oh, for God's sake -- the world is not ending, the progress of civilisation will continue, foie gras will continue to be available...

Yes, I am an aging reprobate, and aside from being quite proud of it, I must say that the Angels of Death need to get a clue. In the "Bubble Bursting" of 2001-2003 period I lost a significant forture, in the last 4 years I have made it all back and more (actually much more). Clouds pass through the sky and block the sun, but they move on. Get a grip!!

Today a long series of talking heads appeared on British TV, which I assume is happening all over the world. They preached regarding the "inevitable results" of the religous conflict issues, the economic issues, the general decline of the social contract, etc., etc., save my soul, etc. I think it is wonderful that over educated and socially inept individuals can make a living spouting nonsense on a national TV show.

That people can make that sort of money is because people often tend to be pessimistic. I am no Pollyanna, however, WHY? I get up in the morning and notice the sun is shining, the little birdies are singing, and people are busing getting into their daily routines. Yes, there are those that would seriously mess with my world, but the trick is not to let them.

Why we would allow a statistically insignificant number of nasty people to affect us is beyond me. I have no idea of the statistic probability of being struck dead by a lightening, but I suspect it is greater than being hurt (not killed) by a terrorist event. I know that both London and New York have been stuck by awful incidents, however, in cities with populations in the millions, the losses are not significant in the whole (I certainly acknowledge the individual pain incurred and I do deplore it). Still, I suggest the Angels of Death need to put out to pasture and the Angels of Light given their day.

We live in a wonderful day in a wonderful world. Get used to it.

Social rules

I have no interest in assuming the mantle of Ms Manners, however an item on A.'s blog raised one of my pet peeves, "Fashion Fascists." An example is the widely misunderstood white pants rule. In SoBe, some inexperienced child of the great Midwest always seems to be on hand to point to someone in white pants around Thanksgiving. I should look up the actual reference, however, dear Ms Post did outlaw white pants after Labor Day EXCEPT IN THE SOUTH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80F. I suspect that is because light weight cotton pants would usually be white in the days when Ms Post was recording her thoughts. Of course when the child points out the error, he/she is making a worse error -- never point out a social gaff. Everyone in the know will know and if they don't, well.... So, pointing it out does not enhance your status, it actually diminishes it. Note: It is not out of bounds to look at an old friend with a raised eyebrow and whisper "Whatever was she thinking?", but always well out of earshot of the subject.

Another favorite pet peeve is how guests are treated. The Brits love to correct their guests, usually on some minor point. They seem to feel that doing so establishes Imperial superiority and keeps quests in their place. My Mother considers such a thing to be a serious breach of hospitality and would have skinned my sister and I alive if we corrected a guest. Guests cannot make an error -- at least not a minor one. Of course it is very possible for a guest to abuse hospitality, but that falls into an entirely different category of gaff.

And as long as I am getting this off my chest, the dinner party late rule. Unless pre-arranged if you are going to be more than 30 minutes late, call your host/hostess and beg foregiveness while explaining that your Father has died for the 4th time that year and you have been in a car accident while racing to the hospital and your ambulance is stuck in traffic on a causeway as you insisted your driver deliver you to the party... The notion that arriving an hour late somehow establishes what a busy and valuable guest you really are is just ego and crap. Oh by the way, you have still incurred a social debt and must settle it before you can expect another invitation from the same host. Everyone understands that things can come up and mistakes can be made, however, pay back is essential.

In summary:

Never point out a social gaff.
Never correct a guest.
Never show up at a dinner party more than 30 minutes late.