Norwich eccentricities

The subject of adjusting to British eccentricities has come up again (and again). In turn around being fair play, the Brits see me as being very eccentric – and they’re not so sure that they approve. What am I doing in Norwich, for months at a time? And it seems like I may be here for months yet!! First of all, yes, I am eccentric but I am not about to go into that with a bunch of East Anglicans. I have found it very common for locals to be deeply suspicious of new comers, so really give it no thought. For example, after several months of drinking beer, I drank rum and coke last Friday night – my bartender was ready to summon the medics. It was all my fault because I had broken the established pattern(!)

Anyway, this is about British eccentricities. First of all there are the funny names – for food, for places, and for things. Knowing the name often gives little insight into the thing. Spotted Dick and Toad in a Hole being good examples…

Then there is the mystery shopping. I tried to buy a shirt the other day. In a good shop you need to know the collar size and the sleeve length when selecting a shirt. I was in a good shop, collar size was readily identifiable; however, sleeve lengths were nowhere to be found. I suppose everyone in the UK with a 16-1/2 inch neck has the same arm length… Short sleeved shirts were an alternative, but not for me. I asked a clerk and received a shrug for a reply. I suppose his wife buys his shirts for him.

I have lived in places before where the names of streets change without notice. That is very, very common here, although here a street can claim a new identity for a series of blocks only to revert to its old self further along. To confuse the Russians (or Napoleonic French), I suppose.

My apartment is a study in eccentricity – mood lighting in the bathroom makes shaving a death defying act, water that automatically shuts off without request or warning makes showering fun, etc., etc.

Norwich is certainly no more eccentric than Zurich and no less than Paris. Still, it will be nice to visit home and the eccentricities that I have come to accept.

Weekend Hello from Norwich

Weekend Hello from Norwich

Doing this a bit early as I have an Internet connection and I am bored. Snowy day. There is lots of heavy snow over much of the southern third of the country. Somehow we largely avoided the worst of it, although it continues to drift down. The English don’t handle snow well – think Atlanta or Washington. Therefore, I am “working from home” today.

I have discovered the catch in real estate rental in the UK. A “furnished” apartment basically requires a kitchen, a sofa, a bed, and (wisely enough) a commode with seat – I am not about to ask where that requirement came from. So, while I have possession of the keys, the apartment is not ready to be lived in – bother. Hence, I am back at the George Hotel, watching the snow drift down. I need to buy bedding and some odds and ends immediately, a TV and miscellaneous electronics, plus a living room suite and dining room table at some point. Aside from the furnished aspect of the apartment, I need to do something about all of the utilities, etc. Learning curves are fun…

Work continues to bump along. The gossips’ tongues are wagging, etc., so, I guess all is, in general, right with the world. At least, I am finding the work interesting.

Reports from South Beach indicate that Superbowl Weekend was totally over the top. The “Tiaras at the Palace” party hosted by Peter du Barry is already woven into SoBe legend. Alexis reported extensively on it via his blog. With the snow, I am certainly ready for Easter in SoBe.

The stock market is treating me right, particularly Cisco. (yeah!) It all feels right for a correction, although that could just be the after effect of the spaghetti Bolognese from dinner last evening.

Shrub continues to amuse, with his budget providing the latest belly laugh. Unfortunately, he may have the Dems over the barrel in doing anything meaningful about it. At least it will be a bit of a distraction from Iraq…

Several notes this weekend. Chuck reports that the weather is fine and hot in Palm Springs. A couple of surprise notes from old colleagues – all of whom seem to be doing well. Near daily updates from the Beach reporting no things too scandalous to make the blogs (fun stuff). A note from Steve that he is surviving the Iowa winter. Smoke signals from David that he is enjoying his Amazonian expedition. And indications that Jesse has had enough of the Long Island winter and is about to undertake a job hunting expedition to the wilds of Miami (and it goes without saying, the wilds are pretty wild).

Plotting my 55th birthday. Something rather grand with just enough sleaze for spice…. (more later)

Have a great weekend all. Stay warm!

Good things from mid-winter boredom

Lots of planning going on. What else can one do when mid-winter boredom settles in? I am hip deep in maps, schedules, price lists and brochures. As an old fart, I need (and deserve) considerable vacation time. So, my planning is focused on get aways.

Amsterdam, Paris, Zurich, Alsace, and the south of France all demand a certain amount of attention. This is not to mention the new UK places -- Edinburgh, London, lots of country places, etc., etc.

Will there ever be enough time?

Reality isn't personal

There is an interesting article in the IHT this morning that says "Las Vegas isn't fun when you know the odds." True enough, it was for me. Neither are Lottos. They say "you've got to play to win," they could as truthfully say, "we won't have your dollar if you don't play." There has to be a mathematical term for this: you've got to play to win, but you're not going to win.

An old friend of mine in the latter months of his life became very bitter because he did not win the Reader's Digest contest. I thought it was silly, but I also thought it very sad. A grown man should not care about such nonsense, let alone become genuinely bitter about it.

Long odds are long odds. Very unlikely to happen. The people who can afford the odds, tend not to play. So, the unfortunate truth is that people who really cannot afford to play, do. So, for the non-winners, nothing personal, just mathematics (and thanks for the dollar.)

There is an interesting version of this [legal scam] in the UK. The TV networks set up a "competition" during a movie or other long show. They ask a question. You answer the question by calling a toll phone number (and not the cheapest toll). Let's just say the questions are not particularly challenging... Anyway, a huge pool of "winners" is created from which a name is drawn and quite a nice "prize" is presented. Hmmmm. Millions of winners -- seems to be the person collecting the tolls isn't exactly a loser... To my mind, this is a true scam, because how can you be a winner -- when you don't win anything. Rather like Mom suggesting that the competition itself was reward enough, sorry Mom, I didn't buy that line when I was 4...

Actually, I am not free of superstition. I do believe that there is a germ of truth in the concept of karma. Bad things happen to good people, true enough, but also bad things happen to bad people. I try to stay in the positive karma area, not the bad. Just in case it isn't all mathematics...

Weekend Hello from Norwich

OH, my, I have been a busy fella... New York was as wonderful as New York gets. Great lunch in a genuine meat market with Howard. Great burgundy and the expectable over the top chocolate dessert. Howard looks great and happy!

Good flights. BA has a coach+ class that I bought my way into. Not cheap, but I would say it was worth it. In real coach, I get off the plane feeling like crap -- in coach+ it was much, much better. No champagne, so I brought my own, the stewards were tolerant (I was smart enough to share).

Saw Michael at Twist Thursday and Friday evenings. Such fun. Such a great guy. Oh, New Yawk!

Stayed at a hotel in the mid-E. 30's. It was a superior room and it was terribly cold outside. So, if I am going to be cooped up in a hotel, why not there?? Very good. The Affinia Dumont.

Alexis has been doing his job, making me jealous. Superbowl Weekend in SoBe. EVERYONE is in town. Have fun boys!! Yes, I am jealous.

Have rented a 1BR apartment (flat) in central Norwich. Quite a pleasant place. Tiny garden in the back, concerned about my gardening responsibilities. A weed wacker is probably called for...

Work is progressing well. Some bumps (go figure), but nothing fatal.

Speaking of fatal -- I made it to 1 February!! I may be around for awhile! (seems good to me!) I will go and surprise my Doctor when in SoBe in April.

Called in at my local for beer and dinner this evening. Quite nice...