In the words of Billy Joel, I have not exactly been in a New York State of mind but unplugged with soft golden sand between my toes on the Jersey shore for the last week.
I cannot recall the last time I slept as much as I have and as vacations go, this was one of the most restful. Mentally I "unplugged" where the biggest decision of the day was where were we going for breakfast?
Have you ever painted a pot? I have not picked up a brush to paint in the artistic sense for many, many, years until this week. As an escape from the heat of the beach, my wife & I headed to paint a pot and whiled away a good three hours. As this was the only thing I truly concentrated on all vacation I found myself in an artistic zone and throughly enjoyed painting again for the first time in a long time.
My reading list included "Lost Daughters from China" given our adoption plans, this book has been high on my must read list when I have the time. This week I had the time and promised myself to read this book before any other beach thrillers that normally sit in my hands on vacation.
Lost Daughters of China is a fantastic book. I thought I knew a great deal of the adoption process, and in particular the journey of "little blossom" the name we have for the moment use in family circles when discussing our daughter. Her name will be announced at the time we receive a refferal and photograph.
The book explains many cultural issues and the history of the one child policy among many other things that any adoptive parent from China should read and understand before completing the adoption process. I certainly know more today than I did last week.
And finally, this year I had my bike at the shore, after many years of always wanting to taken bikes to the shore it was a pleasure to cycle to breakfast and mooch around the quiet back roads with the other cyclists.
Plugging back in to the real world, I did see some of the Democratic Convention from Boston my views will follow in due course. In the meanwhile I am watching the situation develop in the Sudan.
LONDON CHIMES by Malcolm Friend. An expat Brit from London who now lives near Philadelphia.
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Monday, July 19, 2004
An Englishman in America
Anniversaries are great times to look back reflect and comment. Four years ago, July 20 was the date I boarded a Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow, waved off by virtually every member of my family as I headed to Newark, New Jersey my port of entry to America and traveled a short hop north of Philadelphia, my new home.
After four years I feel less of a stranger and more of a “local” in these here parts. Yet it has only been the last year that I have truly felt America fits more like a comfortable glove rather than my perception of “back footing” four years-ago.
If I asked my wife have I changed as a person since leaving Britain, the answer would be a solid no. (You may take a man out of Britain, but you cannot take Britain out of the man). Since July 2000 my personality has not changed, my surroundings have and I am more comfortable than ever with these surroundings.
Yet regardless where I would live in the world, I am soon to undergo a life change; in so far I am soon to be a Dad to a dear daughter, currently called “Little Blossom” within the family until we announce her given name.
While I have time to adapt to the role and responsibilities of being a Dad, the best I can be, this life-change would be the same regardless where I live.
Moving to America has opened my eyes to another culture. Four years ago, I had in comparison simply had to reconcile one fact. “that I believed I could live and wanted to live in America”. The reconciliation took many months of hard soul searching as I wrestled over the matter in my own mind, would this work, was this the right thing to do. Twenty-twenty hindsight is a wonderful thing. Since arriving nothing but good things have happened to me. This is not to dismiss the wonderful things that happened in Britain, but to move forward I had to take the road less traveled.
The America portrayed on popular television shows that are broadcast in Britain generally do not capture the essence of America as they are formulated to be many things to many people, just as the British shows in America do not capture the spirit of Britain.
Travel it is said broadens the mind, this I have found to be true.
America is a land of opportunity, this too I have found to be true.
On being an Englishman in America.
“The accent thing” I have been blessed with a London Suburban accent, to date only one complete stranger in America has focused my specific accent to within three miles of my home town. A clear accent does help, yet even after four years of intent ally slowing the speed of my speech, and unintentially changing my can dense so that my modulation drops rather that rises at the end of a sentence or phrase, I have a better “news reader” type accent than I ever had in England.
An English accent is a great conversation starter in America, the voicemails I leave result in polite replies, one most recently mentioned that of all the messages on their voicemail, my message brightened up their day.
An English accent can also result in longer than necessary taxi-trips, I have heard from other Brits, especially traveling to tourist type destinations.
“The humor thing” in England I was not blessed with a wit based on sarcasm. In a country where being sarcastic could be understood, in the US such behavior would be seen as rudeness and insulting that could easily get one into trouble.
To stereotype an American is a truly difficult thing to do, but and this is one honest generalization, graphic talk, swearing and rudeness is not tolerated. I have stopped using sarcasm as a tool of humor for fear of deeply offending somebody. Yet if I watch a British film at the cinema or on television, I recognize the sarcastic humor and laugh along with it. Case in point last night on watching the BBC America series “Little Britain”.
After four years I feel less of a stranger and more of a “local” in these here parts. Yet it has only been the last year that I have truly felt America fits more like a comfortable glove rather than my perception of “back footing” four years-ago.
If I asked my wife have I changed as a person since leaving Britain, the answer would be a solid no. (You may take a man out of Britain, but you cannot take Britain out of the man). Since July 2000 my personality has not changed, my surroundings have and I am more comfortable than ever with these surroundings.
Yet regardless where I would live in the world, I am soon to undergo a life change; in so far I am soon to be a Dad to a dear daughter, currently called “Little Blossom” within the family until we announce her given name.
While I have time to adapt to the role and responsibilities of being a Dad, the best I can be, this life-change would be the same regardless where I live.
Moving to America has opened my eyes to another culture. Four years ago, I had in comparison simply had to reconcile one fact. “that I believed I could live and wanted to live in America”. The reconciliation took many months of hard soul searching as I wrestled over the matter in my own mind, would this work, was this the right thing to do. Twenty-twenty hindsight is a wonderful thing. Since arriving nothing but good things have happened to me. This is not to dismiss the wonderful things that happened in Britain, but to move forward I had to take the road less traveled.
The America portrayed on popular television shows that are broadcast in Britain generally do not capture the essence of America as they are formulated to be many things to many people, just as the British shows in America do not capture the spirit of Britain.
Travel it is said broadens the mind, this I have found to be true.
America is a land of opportunity, this too I have found to be true.
On being an Englishman in America.
“The accent thing” I have been blessed with a London Suburban accent, to date only one complete stranger in America has focused my specific accent to within three miles of my home town. A clear accent does help, yet even after four years of intent ally slowing the speed of my speech, and unintentially changing my can dense so that my modulation drops rather that rises at the end of a sentence or phrase, I have a better “news reader” type accent than I ever had in England.
An English accent is a great conversation starter in America, the voicemails I leave result in polite replies, one most recently mentioned that of all the messages on their voicemail, my message brightened up their day.
An English accent can also result in longer than necessary taxi-trips, I have heard from other Brits, especially traveling to tourist type destinations.
“The humor thing” in England I was not blessed with a wit based on sarcasm. In a country where being sarcastic could be understood, in the US such behavior would be seen as rudeness and insulting that could easily get one into trouble.
To stereotype an American is a truly difficult thing to do, but and this is one honest generalization, graphic talk, swearing and rudeness is not tolerated. I have stopped using sarcasm as a tool of humor for fear of deeply offending somebody. Yet if I watch a British film at the cinema or on television, I recognize the sarcastic humor and laugh along with it. Case in point last night on watching the BBC America series “Little Britain”.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
An Englishman in America - reports on the severe weather in New Jersey.
This is being written in a lull before a second storm system descends into New Jersey in a matter of hours.
Monday saw parts of southern New Jersey deluged by up to 15 inches of rain in one day. It was not a hurricane, but the effects of a severe storm system that moved and reversed in circulation in this area. Link to story from the Philadelphia Inquirer
I recall Hurricane Allison in June 2001, dumping ten inches of rain one Saturday evening in my home neighborhood and with it lives were lost. I had never before seen flooding like it, while my commute home on Monday night was a splash through deep puddles; I was not close to the areas that really suffered.
So now we sit waiting a second storm front not 48 hours from the deluge of the last. My concern is that the ground is so sodden, the high winds expected could with trees in full leaf, topple many from the ground.
With family members on vacation on the Jersey Shore, a major route linking them to us has lost a bridge that will take millions of dollars to repair. Given that summer season is fully upon us and that the road takes between 17,000 to 22,000 vehicles each day. Plans to erect a temporary bridge 2-lane bridge in time for this weekend are planned but further weather delays will add to the misery of the holidaymakers change over.
As of now, we are all on a tornado watch, not that tornado’s are expected, but the storm system heading towards us and those in southern New Jersey are favorable for hail, excessive lighting and tornados.
An Englishman in America will always make a point of discussing the weather.
The promised posting from an Englishman in America celebrating his 4th anniversary will follow by July 20.
Monday saw parts of southern New Jersey deluged by up to 15 inches of rain in one day. It was not a hurricane, but the effects of a severe storm system that moved and reversed in circulation in this area. Link to story from the Philadelphia Inquirer
I recall Hurricane Allison in June 2001, dumping ten inches of rain one Saturday evening in my home neighborhood and with it lives were lost. I had never before seen flooding like it, while my commute home on Monday night was a splash through deep puddles; I was not close to the areas that really suffered.
So now we sit waiting a second storm front not 48 hours from the deluge of the last. My concern is that the ground is so sodden, the high winds expected could with trees in full leaf, topple many from the ground.
With family members on vacation on the Jersey Shore, a major route linking them to us has lost a bridge that will take millions of dollars to repair. Given that summer season is fully upon us and that the road takes between 17,000 to 22,000 vehicles each day. Plans to erect a temporary bridge 2-lane bridge in time for this weekend are planned but further weather delays will add to the misery of the holidaymakers change over.
As of now, we are all on a tornado watch, not that tornado’s are expected, but the storm system heading towards us and those in southern New Jersey are favorable for hail, excessive lighting and tornados.
An Englishman in America will always make a point of discussing the weather.
The promised posting from an Englishman in America celebrating his 4th anniversary will follow by July 20.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
An Englishman in America - 6 days to go.
July 20 marks the fourth anniversary of my arrival to the United States
In celebration, a special post will be added here that is currently being written.
In the meanwhile I have added Kelvin Green and his friend Liam both Brits in America to the blogroll on London Chimes.
Please take a moment to visit their sites
In celebration, a special post will be added here that is currently being written.
In the meanwhile I have added Kelvin Green and his friend Liam both Brits in America to the blogroll on London Chimes.
Please take a moment to visit their sites
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Weekend posting.
It has only taken 2 months to transition, but I have kept the same look
for the new home of London Chimes.
I thought of changing the title even to something far out, like London Chimes 2" but
I am rather proud of LC so the title stays. There are as you see links from
each site to the other.
Forthcoming posts may include my thoughts ands opinions on among other topics,
Farenheight 9/11
The Presidential Race in the US.
and for those who continually email me, posts of trainwreck stories in London
It would appear that searches on the subject identify very old posts on
this subject and given the complexity of the questions asked of me, the
students are either researching thesis and in once case a newspaper conducting
background research on historic accidents. (Have I found a niche?)
for the new home of London Chimes.
I thought of changing the title even to something far out, like London Chimes 2" but
I am rather proud of LC so the title stays. There are as you see links from
each site to the other.
Forthcoming posts may include my thoughts ands opinions on among other topics,
Farenheight 9/11
The Presidential Race in the US.
and for those who continually email me, posts of trainwreck stories in London
It would appear that searches on the subject identify very old posts on
this subject and given the complexity of the questions asked of me, the
students are either researching thesis and in once case a newspaper conducting
background research on historic accidents. (Have I found a niche?)
Friday, July 09, 2004
A very British Grand Prix
My recent silence has been spurred on by the reemergence of my brother in laws blog Glenn Frazier by whom many other blogs espire towards only to fall of the edge, (including London Chimes). So thanks Mac for the moment at least getting me started - again!
This Sunday is the very British of Formula One Grand Prix races to be held again at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire.
To create something of an extra buzz, London was part of the action as the closed off Regent Street and Picadilly Circus to let old, bold and current formula one drivers perform along Regent Street to the delight of a number, you pick, between 250,000 and 500,000 spectators.
The notation of closing off the premier shopping street in London to all traffic for a handful of million dollar race cars seems at best crazy, until you realise that there is a underlying agenda at play.
The Silverstone race is back in the hands of the BRDC, The British Racing Drivers Club, their president no other than Sir Jackie Stewart. Despite heavy financial investment in the roads to the circuit, and the facilities at the circuit, Silverstone this week is being threatened by Bernie Ecclestone the organizer of the worldwide F1 circus that the race is not secure in the future.
For a couple of months the idea of a race around the streets of London, passing Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Picadilly, Trafalger Square has been more than quietly whispered in motoring circles. The actuality that a major road was closed this week and race cars performed their loudest certainly not their fastest lends weight to somthing is stirring, and it has the backing of the recently re-elected Mayor Livingstone.
As a stalwart motor sport enthusiast and organizer of events in the home counties to the north of London, I feel suitably qualified to add my opinion to the mix.
Formula One is more than a sport, it is all about business, and making money, for the sponsors, the organizers, the venue etc. This rolling worldwide sporting machine is huge and commands the attention of heads of govenments to offer incentives to bring the circus to new towns and countries for the obvious benefits F1 attracts.
The 2004 season contains only two street circuits the race in Australia and historic Monaco.
Formula 1 is in crisis, the total dominance of the sport by Michael Schumacher, in part address by his skill, in part by the superior technology behind the farings of the Ferrari team and their car has much to be challenged. Despite other teams being fractions of a second slower each lap, over a 70 lap race, team tactics employed, passing is now in the pits and not on the track. Visually not excting to watch and like Nigel Mansell said this week in London, Formula 1 is boring, I can't sit and watch a race from start to finish any longer. I have to agree.
Something has to be done.
Monaco is the only race this year Schumacher did not win, - he crashed out. Perhaps street circuits offer something different, a slower challenge to all drivers and cars, although the prospect of a Ferrari crashing into the plate glass of Liberty's of Regent Street or Hamley's does not appeal.
If street circuits are being reviewed by Bernie Ecclestone, London has obvious benefits with the existing public transportation and access. However, it is the same access that would create obvious logistically problems ring-fencing a large area of the west-end off for three days and that is just the start of the challenges.
I read thast marshalling would cost a fortune, wrong. Historically marshals are all experienced volunteers and volunteers fundamentally are a negligable cost in the whole model. What about the potential of lost income from some businesses unable to function inside the track for three days. The upheaval in building the track, this is a logistical nightmare but one that London and Londoners might just be up for.
In years past, motor racing has tried to be brought to Docklands in London without any real success. Although national motorsport is not Formula One and vice versa the animals are very, very different.
If a London Grand Prix is given a green light and actually happens against all odds should this be an additional event in the UK or a replacement to Silverstone, or should we hark back to the days of alternating years between Brands Hatch and Silvestone?
Personally, I love Brands Hatch in Kent, although since its last Formula One race it has languished and needs significant investment and rebuilding vast amounts of track to bring up to current and future needs of Formula 1. I site the new circuit in Malaysia as a guide to the future standard of the facilities needed for the sport.
Silverstone I have seen develop from a weathered air base to a state of the art, but no Malaysian circuit and figurehead for british motorsport. Although it is too fast and not challenging enough for the spectators. From trackside it is difficult to see much of the circuit than that in front of you. Not visually exciting.
Donington, used once for Formula One - a European Grand Prix that arguably the late Ayrton Senna performed a magical opening lap that sits in the history of the sport is a great compromise of both Brands and Silverstone, yet as the poor cousin I am not sure Bernie Ecclestone will ever take the cars back their.
With ever increasing numbers of political figures internationally talking to Bernie Ecclestone to attract the circus to new countries, the thought of a econd race in Britain seems very unlikely. But in formula one, tradition is something that seems to be forgotten from time to time.
The british government were involved in investing heavily in new roads to Silverstone in recent years. To see a reasonable return on this investment, I cannot see the bills necessary to be passed in the various chambers to clear racing on the roads of London passing smoothly.
There is a question on the unseen "grey" or should I write "gray" suits in London who want to prevent any major event from happening due to issues of liability. The London Marathon of course is something of an exception, it the liability of a runner falling over is nothing compared with the potential of an accident with an F1 car into a London store front. Then there is the charitable perspective that the Marathon raises millions of pounds for a range of good causes, while F1 that and this is a little known fact does have a charitable image, it is not as high as the Marathon.
So where from here?
It is silly season for the news during the summer. I expect that a London Grand Prix will be spiked as a great newsstory that ultimately will not happen, but makes for good news, especially when the drivers, teams, and the mayor are in principal at least in favor of the initial proposal.
Silverstone has to watch out, with great facilities in the far east being developed and the lack of tradition in F1 followed for the sake of business deals before sport. The British Grand Prix has a real threat of loosing out. The British Drivers Racing Club BRDC may not be the professional promoter that Bernie Ecclestone is looking for. BRDC is very professional in all other events and the way it is managed, yet somehow from this side of the Atlantic looking back to Northamptonshire it would seem like a deep rooted feud between Ecclestone and the BRDC continues for reasons so lost in the midst of time can anyone remember.
This weekend is the British Grand Prix. I shall sit and watch around 8am EST and expect to see a processional race with both red ferrari's at the head of the racing snake. Jaguar may make the top eight, Jordan will make a good showing but sadly again fall outside the points. McLaren may make a third place podium. Then again a mess on the first corner might just mix everything up enough to make for an exciting race.
That is formula one, predicably, unpredicable on occassions.
This Sunday is the very British of Formula One Grand Prix races to be held again at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire.
To create something of an extra buzz, London was part of the action as the closed off Regent Street and Picadilly Circus to let old, bold and current formula one drivers perform along Regent Street to the delight of a number, you pick, between 250,000 and 500,000 spectators.
The notation of closing off the premier shopping street in London to all traffic for a handful of million dollar race cars seems at best crazy, until you realise that there is a underlying agenda at play.
The Silverstone race is back in the hands of the BRDC, The British Racing Drivers Club, their president no other than Sir Jackie Stewart. Despite heavy financial investment in the roads to the circuit, and the facilities at the circuit, Silverstone this week is being threatened by Bernie Ecclestone the organizer of the worldwide F1 circus that the race is not secure in the future.
For a couple of months the idea of a race around the streets of London, passing Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Picadilly, Trafalger Square has been more than quietly whispered in motoring circles. The actuality that a major road was closed this week and race cars performed their loudest certainly not their fastest lends weight to somthing is stirring, and it has the backing of the recently re-elected Mayor Livingstone.
As a stalwart motor sport enthusiast and organizer of events in the home counties to the north of London, I feel suitably qualified to add my opinion to the mix.
Formula One is more than a sport, it is all about business, and making money, for the sponsors, the organizers, the venue etc. This rolling worldwide sporting machine is huge and commands the attention of heads of govenments to offer incentives to bring the circus to new towns and countries for the obvious benefits F1 attracts.
The 2004 season contains only two street circuits the race in Australia and historic Monaco.
Formula 1 is in crisis, the total dominance of the sport by Michael Schumacher, in part address by his skill, in part by the superior technology behind the farings of the Ferrari team and their car has much to be challenged. Despite other teams being fractions of a second slower each lap, over a 70 lap race, team tactics employed, passing is now in the pits and not on the track. Visually not excting to watch and like Nigel Mansell said this week in London, Formula 1 is boring, I can't sit and watch a race from start to finish any longer. I have to agree.
Something has to be done.
Monaco is the only race this year Schumacher did not win, - he crashed out. Perhaps street circuits offer something different, a slower challenge to all drivers and cars, although the prospect of a Ferrari crashing into the plate glass of Liberty's of Regent Street or Hamley's does not appeal.
If street circuits are being reviewed by Bernie Ecclestone, London has obvious benefits with the existing public transportation and access. However, it is the same access that would create obvious logistically problems ring-fencing a large area of the west-end off for three days and that is just the start of the challenges.
I read thast marshalling would cost a fortune, wrong. Historically marshals are all experienced volunteers and volunteers fundamentally are a negligable cost in the whole model. What about the potential of lost income from some businesses unable to function inside the track for three days. The upheaval in building the track, this is a logistical nightmare but one that London and Londoners might just be up for.
In years past, motor racing has tried to be brought to Docklands in London without any real success. Although national motorsport is not Formula One and vice versa the animals are very, very different.
If a London Grand Prix is given a green light and actually happens against all odds should this be an additional event in the UK or a replacement to Silverstone, or should we hark back to the days of alternating years between Brands Hatch and Silvestone?
Personally, I love Brands Hatch in Kent, although since its last Formula One race it has languished and needs significant investment and rebuilding vast amounts of track to bring up to current and future needs of Formula 1. I site the new circuit in Malaysia as a guide to the future standard of the facilities needed for the sport.
Silverstone I have seen develop from a weathered air base to a state of the art, but no Malaysian circuit and figurehead for british motorsport. Although it is too fast and not challenging enough for the spectators. From trackside it is difficult to see much of the circuit than that in front of you. Not visually exciting.
Donington, used once for Formula One - a European Grand Prix that arguably the late Ayrton Senna performed a magical opening lap that sits in the history of the sport is a great compromise of both Brands and Silverstone, yet as the poor cousin I am not sure Bernie Ecclestone will ever take the cars back their.
With ever increasing numbers of political figures internationally talking to Bernie Ecclestone to attract the circus to new countries, the thought of a econd race in Britain seems very unlikely. But in formula one, tradition is something that seems to be forgotten from time to time.
The british government were involved in investing heavily in new roads to Silverstone in recent years. To see a reasonable return on this investment, I cannot see the bills necessary to be passed in the various chambers to clear racing on the roads of London passing smoothly.
There is a question on the unseen "grey" or should I write "gray" suits in London who want to prevent any major event from happening due to issues of liability. The London Marathon of course is something of an exception, it the liability of a runner falling over is nothing compared with the potential of an accident with an F1 car into a London store front. Then there is the charitable perspective that the Marathon raises millions of pounds for a range of good causes, while F1 that and this is a little known fact does have a charitable image, it is not as high as the Marathon.
So where from here?
It is silly season for the news during the summer. I expect that a London Grand Prix will be spiked as a great newsstory that ultimately will not happen, but makes for good news, especially when the drivers, teams, and the mayor are in principal at least in favor of the initial proposal.
Silverstone has to watch out, with great facilities in the far east being developed and the lack of tradition in F1 followed for the sake of business deals before sport. The British Grand Prix has a real threat of loosing out. The British Drivers Racing Club BRDC may not be the professional promoter that Bernie Ecclestone is looking for. BRDC is very professional in all other events and the way it is managed, yet somehow from this side of the Atlantic looking back to Northamptonshire it would seem like a deep rooted feud between Ecclestone and the BRDC continues for reasons so lost in the midst of time can anyone remember.
This weekend is the British Grand Prix. I shall sit and watch around 8am EST and expect to see a processional race with both red ferrari's at the head of the racing snake. Jaguar may make the top eight, Jordan will make a good showing but sadly again fall outside the points. McLaren may make a third place podium. Then again a mess on the first corner might just mix everything up enough to make for an exciting race.
That is formula one, predicably, unpredicable on occassions.
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