Too Hyped

I can't sleep. Tonight, I had a pre-birthday celebration with friends. We had some yummy food, really yummy desserts (or shall I say "puddings" which are desserts, not pudding which is called "custard") and some good wine and excellent conversation. Usually when we go out we are, hands down, the loudest cackling hen party in the place but tonight we were totally upstaged by a group of at least 20 women celebrating the end of the school year. They were chanting songs like they do at football matches here and even banging on the tables! Quite unusual for what I have seen in the past two years. They were all teachers and I can completely relate to their reason for celebration. I plan on yelling and chanting that loudly on September 6th when my darlings return to school.

Just a Blog Before I Go

On Saturday, ClanMcCarter are off to the wilds of Wales to go narrow boating along the Welsh and Shropshire Canals with three other couples and their kids. (For more information than you ever needed regarding narrowboats, click on the highlighted word.) Each of us will have our own boat, except for two families who are sharing one so three boats in total for the non-Maths whizzes. This trip came into being when we were discussing a newspaper article over curry at one of the neighboUrhood curry nights. My neighboUr and yoga instructor, Val, turned around and had information about it a few days later and so the plan was hatched.

Craig and I have a hunch that Owen will be the first one of us to "fall" into the canal, but a very close second and third are our neighboUrs, Hamish and Ian (father and son). Owen is beyond excited as the trip involves:
a) water,
b) fishing,
c) mud,
d) outside adventure, and
e) crossing this aqueduct:
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Even Finn and Evan are willing to give it a go. I really, really, really hope it doesn't rain during many of the days because I really, really, really don't want to be trapped on a narrow narrowboat with three boys and a man-boy. Here is a layout similar to the one we have rented but we do not have the second bedroom and bathroom in the back. Instead, our kitchen table converts into a full-size bed.
All I want is a good pub meal on the evening of my birthday and to finish The Pillars of the Earth. That's not too much for a girl to ask.
Is it?

Not An Everyday Occurrence

Craig went on a run and saw a house's roof being dethatched. He told me about it so I took Owen over to look. We sat and watched for all of two minutes before the thatchers took a break; must've been tea time. Here's a photo of a partially thatched roof. I love the little ladders.

Legal Tender

This blog is for my sister-in-law, Jenny, who I have recently discovered is a money collector too.

I love money, mainly for its artistic value and the nationalism it conveys and just the stories behind the symbols. A few months back, I was filling up the tank with petrol and went in to pay. I decided to get a snack. We cannot charge anything but gas on our government card so I pulled out some coins to pay. I hand a pound coin to the cashier and he looks at it, throws it on the floor, catches it in its bounce and says, "Can't take this one." He looks at its side and hands it back to me. Of course, I ask why. He says it's counterfeit and I'm like, "Cool!" mainly because I had a genuine counterfeit (oxymoron) coin and also because he knew it was fake even before he examined it. So for months, I have had this coin sitting on my dresser because I have wanted to blog about it and I am keeping it forever.

The coin isn't much different in weight or color (even though the photos seem to show that)
Legal coin above, counterfeit below
but it definitely makes a different sound when dropped and the art isn't as clear. The main and most obvious difference is the side of the coin. It's a really bad copy and nothing like the legal pound coin.
I just think this the coolest thing ever. I also was surprised the clerk handed it back to me. Aren't they supposed to confiscate that stuff? I also hope Big Brother doesn't monitor my blog posts or decides to barge into the house to arrest me. LOL. What a nerd I am...

It's NEVER Easy

Answer: Bureaucracy.

Government bureaucracy has pretty much been on my "dislike greatly" list since maybe 1984. Well, today it topped the charts on that said list.

Owen is now ten and rates a dependent military ID card. We went to get it today. Craig has all the instructions, the form, the necessary miscellaneous crapola and we are off to the further away base (1.5 hour drive one way) because the one closer to us (40 minute drive one way tops) is down-sizing and no longer will do ID cards. Owen's all excited. We get to the base at 10 am. The one person that can do IDs is putzing around (surprise!) and there is someone ahead of us so I go to the US Post Office and the bank and return a half-hour later to see them still waiting. Owen must have been literally climbing the walls because as I walk into the office, I see Craig replacing something that had fallen off a bulletin board and Owen looking sheepish. So now it's Owen's turn. Craig hands in the paperwork, she looks into the computer and Owen's name doesn't even exist in the system. For my Little Britain friends, the computer literally said "NO!" and if she could have given a passive-agressive slight cough at the end, she would have. She then (with a sigh) was going to put Owen into the system and asks for his birth certificate. Silence. I should back up and say that as we exited the car upon arrival to the base, I asked Craig if we needed Owen's birth certificate. He responded that nowhere on the form does it state we need to bring it. Well, we needed it. I switch into annoyed non-government employee mode and ask if we can fax it after the fact. She needs to "see and scan it" I guess during the process (hmmm...). I am just mad because it is a huge production to get Craig to take a day away from work, drive far and now we have to do it AGAIN! I then ask if it is REALLY necessary for Craig to be present because I am much more flexible (in terms of my time, not my personality for all of those wondering). She said I could come in solo with Owen. So we leave. Luckily Owen isn't too dejected and we bribe his happiness with chocolate and a trip to the gigantic commissary (well, bigger than the one we have closer to us). Surprisingly, Craig and I aren't really that upset. I guess deep down, we expected something like this.

Now Craig and I do not actually believe that I can come in without him because we are certain that they will need to see Craig's actual ID which is necessary for the whole process to begin - they scan it. I can't have his ID because he needs it for work so he is going to have to come with us. I think that woman is going on vacation next week and knows that when we come in next week, she won't have to help us so she could tell us whatever she thought necessary to get us to leave. I am such a pessimist.

Snooze

We are doing nothing. It's been a slow week. I get no computer time when the kids are home. The only time really is at night and I am too tired to write. I have been making arrangements for camps and vacations and cleaning the house and cooking. zzzZZZzzz...

Two Outta Three Ain't Bad

We have officially been in the UK for two years.
We are still loving the adventure.

We celebrated early with another American couple at the pub last night.
Owen and I went to the car boot sale (swap meet) at the racecourse early this morning.
Craig went on a long run and then shined some shoes.
Then Craig, Finn, Owen and I went to the Junior School and played tennis in the California-like weather we are experiencing.
Finn and I have been taking tennis lessons and I can honestly say Craig was impressed with my skills.
Tennis, anyone?

School's Out for Summer

The Alice Cooper oldie but a goodie, School's Out, has been running through my head all day. That's because it's the last day of Summer Term. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to "having a proper lie in" (aka "sleeping in") for the next month and a half.
As it was the last day of term, it was also the Senior School Speech Day. This is sort of like graduation day, but the Upper Sixth Form students (aka "seniors") don't wear caps and gowns; the teachers do! And it's not so much the graduating kids who are honored but all of the Years' achievers. Each Year has an overall cup winner (each Year has a different named cup/award) and then an award is given for the highest achiever in each academic subject and sport.

I am about to brag about the stellar performances of every American child who goes to the Senior School. Firstly, every single American child was in the top ten of their Year (of about 70 kids per Year) in Maths. Most were in the top five, including Finn McCarter in Year 7 who won a Gold Certificate for achieving the best score for Year 7's on the Maths Challenge and third best score in Key Stage Three (KS3 = middle school)! Another American in Year 8 came in first overall so US kids were two of the three top spots in KS3. Awesome. Evan got a Bronze Certificate in Maths and was #6 in Year 10. Many American kids took away top achiever in a variety of subjects and three won overall cups. I should note that the prize is an actual trophy cup.

It was a sort of bittersweet day because the Headmaster was stepping down after nine years in his present position. The guest speaker was interesting. She was a confidante of Princess Diana's and ran Tiffany's of London for awhile, but is now an advocate for developmentally delayed children in the UK and Bulgaria.

Before Speech Day begins, the guests bring their own picnic lunch or pre-order a barbeque lunch from the school. Everyone sits on the lawn. It was just one of those British things. Oh, and there is a Pimm's tent run by the PTA. From Wikipedia: "Pimm's No. 1 Cup is based on gin and can be served both on ice or in cocktails. It has a dark tea colour with a reddish tint, and tastes subtly of spice and citrus fruit. It is often taken with 'English-style' (clear and carbonated) lemonade (aka Sprite - my addition), as well as various chopped fresh ingredients, particularly apples, oranges, lemons, strawberry and mint. Pimm's is also mixed with champagne (or a sparkling white wine), called a 'Pimm's Royal Cup'. It is 25% alcohol by volume." They also add cucumbers here which is why I think I am not a fan of Pimm's but most people enjoy it.

Craig and I ended the afternoon walking down to a nearby pub to wish one of his British colleagues bon voyage as he is moving to Colorado. We grabbed take away curry and burgers for the kids and headed home.

My Girlie London Day - A Sister Act

Yesterday, I traveled to London via coach with my friends, Nancy, Jane and Jane's sister, Maria, and Maria's kids, Dane and Brooke. It was a sort of early start, but well-worth it because we had a full day. Jane and her family went off to do a lot of sightseeing while Nancy and I went our way.

The first thing Nancy and I did was eat because it was close enough to elevenses for us. Then we headed over to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square to look and see if any good West End shows had cheap same-day matinee tickets for sale. Lo and behold, decently priced tickets were on sale for Sister Act so we decided to get them. I will talk later on that experience.
This is in Leicester Square and the area is dubbed "Swiss Court" to commemorate the lasting friendship between Switzerland and the UK. It is an antique Swiss sign post with the coats of arms of the 26 cantons of Switzerland.
I loved the bears and the hyper electric goat.

Next, we walked over to Covent Garden where we, as McCarters, always seem to wind up. Nancy had never been there, so we walked through and took in the sights.
Our main objective however, was pretty much right behind Covent Garden. We were looking for the Courtauld Gallery which houses Nancy's favorite painting A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Manet. The gallery was amazing. It had so many of my favorite French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and les Fauves artists under one roof: Seurat, van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec, a Degas and a Monet as well. A truly enjoyable experience. It is worth noting that the Courtauld family were French immigrants who set up a gold and silversmith shop in London. They then expanded into textiles, including the development and marketing of rayon so one can imagine the wealth. Samuel Courtauld, a descendent, was an avid art collecter and he had a fabulous eye for the good stuff. His legacy lives on and acquisitions continue.
Nancy and 'her' painting
Some examples of Fauvism follow.
We looked through the gift shop and then took the Tube to Oxford Circus where Sister Act was playing at the London Palladium theatre. We were so totally impressed with ourselves that not only did we pick a good show that was well-timed with our departure but the theatre was right near a Tube station which was only two stops away from our final destination, Victoria station, and on the same line meaning no transfers! Well done us!
Needless to say, Sister Act was thoroughly enjoyable. We laughed. We cried. I really miss our season tickets to the Hippodrome back home and I didn't realize how much I miss going to musicals. I just love them. The show ended and we exited, came to a standstill at the Tube station because the gate was closed! We were like, "WHAT?!?!" and had a moment. Then Nancy saw that the entrance across the way was open so we had to cross a couple of busy rush-hour absolutely bumper-to-bumper streets and join the maddening crowd slowly making its way down the steps. Talk about cattle... The train was packed, hot and humid. Ick.

We arrived at the coach terminal with 15 minutes to spare after grabbing a take away pasty for the ride. We reconnected with Jane and her family and boarded the coach. The coach driver agreed to let Nancy and I depart at a stop closer to home (and a shorter walk). We walked instead of having a husband pick us up because Craig was watching the Spain v. Germany football match (boo - Spain won) and our arrival coincided with the last minutes of the game and Nancy's husband had driven us to the bus station that morning. I am such a good wife.

So our sister act of a day came to a close - Jane and her sister had a great time; my London 'sister' for the day, Nancy, and I had a great time. And it didn't rain once.

I Stand Corrected

Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the release of the movie Back to the Future, not the date to which Marty McFly traveled. I should have checked my sources before publishing and can't believe I didn't. Luckily no one pays me to write this blog. The date to which he traveled in Back to the Future II was October 21, 2015 which will be the 26th wedding anniversary for Craig and me. That fact is definitely true.

Hey, McFly!

Today is the date that Marty was sent to 25 years in the future via Doc's Delorean.

USA Today in Worcester

As today was an American holiday, Craig had the day off and our wonderful children did not. So Craig and I left the house by 9 am to hightail it up to Worcester (home of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce and Royal Worcester china, of course) to visit the Worcester Cathedral and have lunch. It was a great day.

It was also a weird day. I don't know if we were extra attuned to American stuff but here are some things we saw while in Worcester:

a guy in a bookshop wearing an Oklahoma University shirt

American flags at a pub which also had a placard with an American-themed menu from yesterday including hot dogs, sloppy joes and onion rings
said pub had chili on the menu (rarely see this) which I ordered and it was three-alarm chili, probably the spiciest British meal I have ever had (vindaloo curry doesn't count; it's technically not British)

said pub also had about a dozen old US license plates from PA in the late 50's, a few from the mid to late 70's and two from '89 & '96 mainly from Alabama, Michigan and Florida
a guy wearing an Indy 500 shirt

a guy at a petrol station wearing a USA shirt

and finally, while waiting at the light outside of Owen's school we saw a US Post mail box
Here are some photos of the cathedral. We opted to pay for an hour tour (3 GBP each) since we rarely take tours with kids in tow. Our guide was perfect for the job. He could have talked all day, but his voice was not cooperating so what could have been a three-hour tour with the Professor was shortened to a 1.5 hour tour (sigh of relief from Kris). I am reading Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and actually understood much of what he was saying and I got all of the historical references. I felt so smart especially since history is definitely not my forté. Reading really IS fundamental.
outer cloisters
the pulpit
the organ
I'm not sure if they are dumping this corpse into the river or roasting it over flames.Apparently, one can 'twin' their toilet. Who knew? The toilet in Worcester Cathedral in Worcester, England is twinned with one in Giharo in Burundi, Africa.

Hey Baby, It's the Fourth of July, Part 2

The title of this post comes from the main chorus of a song we always play on this day, Fourth of July by X, which is a fabulous rocking tune, but melancholy as well although I can't say we are feeling melancholy.

We all celebrated Independence Day at a grand BBQ held through Craig's workplace. A ton of people were there again this year and the weather was gorgeous warm, sunny and breezy. I picked the kids and friends up early from school as a treat and so did every other family and they listed the kids' reason for early dismissal as "American holiday party".
We had the typical American fare - hot dogs and hamburgers. I ate my first hot dog in pretty much exactly a year since last year's party and I can say that I actually missed them this time around. The kids wandered around and we hardly saw them the entire day. I helped out with games again this year. The kids also loved the three-legged races and they were really fun to watch. Our family won the family of five relay, but we did not have stiff competition.
Yesterday, Craig did a major pruning of the back hedge and we spent most of the day feeding the branches into a really cool shredder our landlords left for this exact purpose. Owen made a hut
in true Bear Grylls fashion using some of the branches. I won't be surprised if Owen grows up to be just like him (and Craig). Owen also spent part of his day making gladiator shoes so he might grow up to be a lot like me. Here is the result:
Now I am watching Braveheart
and rooting for the Scots to gain their independence. Unfortunately, I know how it ends. As an aside, Mel Gibson sure didn't age well and turned into a real kook politically. Bummer. I think he is mad because he did not age gracefully.
Happy Independence Day!

My World Cup Prediction

As I type, Craig and I are watching the Paraguay v. Spain World Cup Quarterfinals football match. I am pulling for Paraguay since it's the native country of my friend, Maria, and it's an Americas nation. So far, it's been a boring game unlike today's earlier match where Germany ran over Argentina with a Mack truck and last night's match where Uruguay was victorious over Ghana in an epicly tense and gut-wrenching penalty shoot out. Ghana played some amazing football and in a way redeemed the US loss, but I was still rooting for Uruguay because I just really enjoy watching Diego Forlan and Uruguay is also an Americas team. I think it would be totally awesome if Uruguay played Paraguay in the final - an all Americas final - but I doubt Germany will lose against either Paraguay or Spain and I predict Holland will beat Uruguay. So my prediction is Holland v. Germany in the final.

The present match just got exciting - two penalty kicks (one for Paraguay then one for Spain) within two minutes and now Spain has to re-shoot theirs after just making the point. PARAGUAY BLOCKS THE SECOND SHOT!!! Wow.

Damn with eight minutes to go, Spain just scored. I hope Paraguay equalizes it. They have worked so hard. Not to be. Spain it is.

England v. USA - A Guest Blogger's View

So while I am in the football theme, I thought I would type Craig's experience from the US v. England game on the 12 of June.

"Went to watch a World Cup opening match between England & the USA today at a pub in Cheltenham. It was full of about 300 very passionate England fans and me. I kept a low profile with some colleagues from work. English fans are renowned for being unruly and not mixing well with opposing fans. During the pregame show while talking about the US team, the song I'm So Bored of the USA by The Clash was playing in the background. It was a message received loud and clear. After that, I kept thinking of the song I Predict a Riot by the Kaiser Chiefs for what would happen if I cheered too much and if the US managed to win.
The pub was more like an American style bar and was called Après because it's styled after a Nordic après-ski lounge with lots of blond wood and red leather. Apparently in addition to a projection TV, it sells eight pint pitchers at minimal cost. Could have done with a good English pint, but had a few Becks with the gang. Funny how many Brits actually like lager. Most of it tastes like Bud, but you will rarely find a Brit who will say anything complimentary about American beer.
As the match got ready to start I witnessed a rare event - Brits singing God Save the Queen - just don't hear it very often. I think the lyrics are humorous with an American ear. They're all about the Queen and her prosperity and health and really nothing about Britain or its people. Compare that with O Canada being all about the land being glorious and free, or The Star-Spangled Banner being wrapped up in the simple "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave"!
Anyway, I stood quietly and respectful as the screen showed the English mouthing the words. Then it was the USA's turn. Instead of quiet and respectful, just about every Brit booed and jeered at the US anthem. Another sign to stay low key (musical joke...). The US team alternated between singing and standing quietly. It would be interesting to hear their reasoning for either approach. I figured the standing quietly guys were saving their energy or staying focused or just drinking it all in. Nothing like representing your country and hearing your anthem.
I had been talking a lot of crap all week at work and in the pregame 1 1/2 hours I was there keeping it unemotional for the most part. I was solidly predicting a 2-1 US victory thinking David James aka "Calamity James" was going to play as keeper. Well, they showed the England line up and to my horror, Fabio Capello decided to start Robert Green instead of James! Not good for the USA's chances as Green is a great shot stopper. My keeper banter looked to worry a lot of people. They didn't seem too confident in Green either as most seemed to favor the third keeper, Joe Hart.
The match got off to an absolutely horrible start. 1-0 England in less than three minutes. Ugh! Still can't believe it.
After that, the USA started playing better and putting on some pressure. At 34' Clint Dempsey took a hopeful shot from outside the area direct on goal. It bounced twice and didn't look too dangerous. Green went to one knee and reached down. Inexplicably, the second bounce seemed to spin just a little to his right, but his right thumb and slowly trickled off toward the goal. He turned quickly and lunged at the ball but it was too late. The ball rolled over the line; the USA was tied 1-1 and my prediction of the England keeper gifting a goal was spot on!
I immediately used the dead silence in the bar to break out one chorus of "USA!! USA!!" before wisely letting it trail off before too many hooligans could triangulate the source. My mate, James, quickly took one full step away from me and later admitted he expected a bottle or two to enter my airspace. Riot time?
The rest of the match was tense with neither team having a clear advantage. Near the end, Altidore got a clear shot off and I thought all of my predictions were set to come true! But it was not to be.
The match ended 1-1. I survived and had to think about getting home. I don't think draws make people as violent. People are mad if they lose or cocky if they win but the disappointment of a draw seems to sap their energy and emotion. Football is probably some sinister plot by the Queen to control the masses.
To my surprise it was still bright outside (or nearly bright) at 2130 being so close to the Summer Solstice. James offered to give me a ride home to prevent me from walking through the center of town as planned. I noticed him drinking Cokes since the half and gratefully accepted. Along the way we passed a group of 20 or so youths and were glad I didn't have to find out if I was lucky or fast!"