My gran threw me into a mood this morning, as the first question at breakfast was "what are you going to do with all your stuff when you have to go back to America?" I told her I wasn't planning to go back any time soon. "But what happens when you can't find a job?" The conversation turned more pessimistic after that. My savings are going to run out, I'm not going to be able to find a suitable job, and even if I do I'll never be able to find an affordable place to live. Thanks for the pep-talk, Gran.
8:11:00 PM
She was yar.
I've just seen that Katherine Hepbern died yesterday. She was my favourite of the old-school actors, and I've read three of her biographies & seen a dozen or so of her old films; I liked The Philadelphia Story and Bringing up Baby the best, and have never seen African Queen.
8:11:00 PM
Friday, June 27, 2003
Here's a title for ya
At last, almost all of the boxes I sent have arrived, including two with odds and ends from my desk and bookshelves from home; souveniers, photos, trinkets, computer odds & ends (including the mouse pad), etc. Since I've unpacked the place feels a bit more like home and less as if I were just staying in a hotel or guest house.
Yesterday I sorted my DVDs and CDs. I've bought 9 PAL (English) DVDs already but I don't own a DVD player so I can only view them on the laptop.
I'm really going to have to hire a van to move all this stuff when I find a job/flat.
9:49:00 PM
I lurve iTunes...
I went to the local Library on Saturday, and had a look at their audio-video section. They have DVDs, VHS tapes, and CDs available to rent for a fee. CDs are about $1.60, and DVDs are as much as $5.25, for a week's rental.
I found five CDs straight away that I had seen on Amazon.co.uk (which aren't available in the States) and will get another five tomorrow. Beats paying $17 each for them.
And since I'm sure you'll ask, they are Erasure, Boyzone, Peter Gabriel, Michael Ball and Robbie Williams.
9:44:00 PM
Thursday, June 26, 2003
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I'm just back from watching Bruce Almighty at the Banbury Odeon (two screens, fifty seats between them, $9.50 to get in). I wasn't really expecting much, and I'm not a huge Jim Carrey fan at all, but it was light and entertaining in bits, and I like Morgan Freeman. Worth renting if you haven't seen it already.
I still can't get over how much more expensive some things are here than in the States. Sorry to go on about it. I took two shirts to two different cleaners today, to see how much they charge & how well they do. One shop charges $3.30 for each shirt, the other was $4.15. Yes, for one shirt. The daily newspaper I usually buy, the Express, is about $0.65. The local WHSmiths advertises paperback books on sale for 2 for $17. And I've had to seriously re-think my 2-litre a day diet coke habit, as I can't see shelling out $2.70 for each bottle.
10:53:00 PM
The other side of the family
Inspired by Sparky, I had a look at the Ellis Island website, and seem to have found my great-grandfather, Stefan G.
Name: G, Stefan
Ethnicity: Hungary, German
Place of Residence: Marxloh, Germany
Date of Arrival: January 22, 1910
Age on Arrival: 30y
Ship of Travel: President Lincoln
Port of Departure: Hamburg, Germany
12:54:00 PM
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
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I spent the day taking care of administrative type stuff. I balanced my checkbook and--this never happens to me--I found I'd made an error and I have $229 more than I thought.
I checked in with the JobCentrePlus and showed them that I've spent the past fortnight looking for work. No other news on that front.
I also started matching receipts from the US Post Office to the boxes that have arrived, and realized I still have eight of the 25 boxes I'd sent left to come. I had not thought it was that many. I think I mentioned before that I haven't had a full night's sleep since I arrived, as the first post arrives before 8 a.m. I have to answer the door as Gran never hears it. If I'm able to get back to bed, I'm usually awakened an hour later by the Parcel Force staff, who deliver the big boxes. If not them, then its the birds (who start up at 4:40 a.m.) or the two houses that are hammering and sawing in a race to complete their assigned DIY projects.
Perhaps I should just consider going to bed before 11:30, but it's barely dark out.
11:41:00 PM
You look just like my mother
My cousin Paula and her husband Philip came for tea yesterday evening. I hadn't seen either of them since the first time we'd met, when my Uncle passed away in '95. Neither of them had changed much and Paula still resembles my mother, not just physically; many of her mannerisms are strikingly similar.
We had a very nice but short chat, and they've offered to come rescue me for an evening out some time. Poor Gran, I think she probably missed half the conversation as I was able to (finally) talk to someone at a normal clip and volume.
11:26:00 PM
Get out of my way
I went to the grocery store Saturday afternoon, to get some foodstuffs for my cousin's impending visit.
The place was absolutely packed with families towing screaming brats, grannies fumbling with their wheelie bags, and staff who looked as if they'd been subjected to both for eons. The town centre and the shopping precinct were both as bad. I'm seriously considering staying home on weekends now, to avoid most of the crush.
11:23:00 PM
Monday, June 23, 2003
Go, speed racer
Apple announced new G5 hardware and previewed the new version of the OS X operating system, 10.3 (codename=Panther) this morning at the World Wide Developer Conference. Several of the mac news sites had live reporting during the keynote, which was available via webcast later in the day. The combination of the two will do much to improve Apple's standing among the professional desktop crowd. I'm very happy with the little mac I have, though.
The good news is that the final version of Apple's web browser Safari has been released, along with a preview of the new chat program. I've been able to track down a copy of the developers' release of Panther and will investigate it later in the week.
9:08:00 PM
Saturday, June 21, 2003
Gimme gimme
I wouldn't refuse a package if one were sent to me containing any of the following:
Low Fat Pop Tarts (Strawberry or Brown Sugar & Cinnamon)
Would someone in America please tell me how many ml are in a standard can of cola? For some reason, I believe the UK cans are slightly (but notably) smaller, and I want to make sure it's not my imagination.
I've had food on the brain for the last week or so, as I walked to the two other grocery stores in town recently, just to see what they were like & how they compared to the one I usually go to in the town Centre. Sainsbury's is a 15 minute walk south of town, but has a huge selection and is very much like an American grocery store like Giant or Safeway. Not quite a Super G, but much more selection than I've seen before. Morrison's is a ten minute walk the other direction, and it's not nearly as nice and doesn't have as large a selection but, as Gran would say, it's not as dear (expensive).
Both had some things I was suprised to find, including many american brands like Kelloggs cereal and Campbells soup and PopTarts, and had some other items I'd never seen like frozen Indian entrees, solid honey-paste, and Celeriac. Unfortunately, I can't consider buying some of these until I get my own place, as Gran's fridge is even smaller than her washing machine. Also, there is a site that sells American groceries in the UK by mail, if I get desperate.
10:37:00 PM
I could build a bridge out of 'em
Two more large boxes arrived today, along with the package from Amazon.co.uk that contained all the items I purchased to pad my order for the new Harry Potter book in order to get free shipping. The two large boxes were winter coats and shirts, so I'm well prepared now for whatever weather the UK has in store. The one thing I haven't rec'd yet, and which I'm really missing (but for which I refuse to go pay a local shop £5) is a mousepad. It's in the box that contains my Desk Contents, which I dumped and shipped the day I left. Should be here any day....
10:01:00 PM
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Rooting
My return flight back to the States was supposed to leave two days ago, so I guess I'm stuck here for awhile.
Two more packages arrived this a.m. -- books this time. I'll have to hire a van or something to move all my stuff when I finally settle in London (or wherever).
Mass this morning has thrown me for a loop, and I can't plan what to do next. Perhaps a cup of tea. Royal Ascot has been on TV all day this week, and Wimbledon will be for the next fortnight.
11:38:00 AM
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
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In case you haven't heard, the fifth book in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series will be released Friday at midnight. I am not fanatic about the series, and I don't own either of the films, but I enjoyed reading the books after Todd S's wife Laura offered me hers when she was done. I have ordered the new book, however, from Amazon.co.uk, mainly because they listed it for half price, with free shipping on orders over £39. I've purchased the Adult edition.
An interview in today's Express indicates how distraught Rowling was when she killed off one of the main characters this time; after finishing writing the scene she burst into tears.
My guess is it's Hagrid.
5:05:00 PM
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Three more of the packages I sent myself from the States arrived this morning. Only five or so to go. I spent a shitload of money on postage!
11:20:00 AM
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
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I registered for a General Physician (GP) through the National Health Service this afternoon. My doctor is Dr. Mobey, and he's at the same Surgery that my gran goes to. I have an appointment for a routine exam on Monday, and I've been asked to bring a water sample, but not given a container of any sort. I suppose I can be creative. Milk bottle? Flower Pot? Clothes Peg Bag? Let's see, what else is laying around here?....
10:33:00 PM
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Eddie Izzard is my favourite comedian. He'd recently announced through his website dates for his upcoming world tour, and the UK dates were released today. Not knowing where exactly I'll be in December (but seriously believing I won't be in country the week of Christmas, which is when he's playing in London), I bought one ticket tonight for his show in Birmingham on the 9th of December.
10:31:00 PM
Monday, June 16, 2003
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A waste of a day. I couldn't get motivated to do much of anything. No new jobs on any of the web sites I follow. Finally, however, the wireless 802.11g router I ordered (and for which I was charged) on 23/5 will be delivered tomorrow. It will be nice not to have to be a recluse on the 3rd floor.
I forgot to mention I went to a Fair sponsored by the town yesterday. It was crap - charity and volunteer organizations had stalls selling crap, there were crap rides for kids, crap music playing from competing loudspeakers, and really really crap fairground type games. Still, it was sunny and was a day out of the house.
10:43:00 PM
Saturday, June 14, 2003
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Today, in honour of the Queen's official birthday, the 51st annual Trooping the Colour took place in London. I completely missed it, which is a shame because it was another beautiful day and I had considered going in to London.
According to the BBC, although the 77-year-old Queen's real birthday is on 21 April, the celebrations take place in June because good weather is more likely.
The day also saw the release of the Birthday Honours List, with England soccer star David Beckham receiving an OBE and actor Roger Moore a knighthood. Also honoured were Helen Mirren, Mick Jagger, and chef Jamie Oliver. The BBC has a page explaining the different honours.
9:30:00 PM
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Today: Laundry (whites)
Yes, it takes all day - don't laugh.
5:23:00 PM
Friday, June 13, 2003
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Two days ago, I was feeling a bit discouraged. I've sent out over two dozen applications/CVs, and had only heard back from two, negatively. I'm carefully rationing my money but there's going to be a point where I'll have to just accept *something* in order to pay my monthly bills, if I want to stay over here, or I'll have to consider packing up and going back. Although I have been able stay in bed as late as I want each morning, I haven't really had a good night's sleep since the night I arrived. And my stuff is taking forever to get here.
That's turned around a bit today, as one of my packages arrived from the States, the weather is absolutely gorgeous out, Gran seems a bit better, and I finally received a call back about a position that sounds ideal. I'll give more details next week if I find out it's moving forward, but I'll just say here that it's not what I first envisaged.
Wouldn't it be great to get a job this soon and not have to worry about running out of cash? Then I could tell that JobCentrePlus what they can do with their benefit....
4:59:00 PM
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She does have some strange ideas in her head.
Last night, I was cooking my dinner, late, at 7:15 when gran's "friend" Danny Shehan called. I answered & he asked for Gran.
"Oh no! Blast, I forgot he might come."
"Do you want me to tell him you'd rather he not?" (since she'd been at the A&E the night before, and since I was about to have my meal).
"Oh, no, I'll talk to him."
Chipper as a bird on the phone, "come on over."
Then, to me: "You'll have to sit on a stool in the kitchen and eat your meal."
4:52:00 PM
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
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I had my 5,000th visitor yesterday, and it was ... me.
3 cheers.
11:29:00 PM
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It was a day of fits and starts. I'd overheard Gran telling mom on the phone that she wished she could have some home-made soup, so I offered to make some for her. She very enthusiastically accepted. Shouldn't be too hard to make, right? I went to the store to get the ingredients but when I got back Gran had decided she wasn't hungry, and went to lie down. A few hours later she got the idea in her head that she wanted to go to the hospital's emergency room, to get a tonic to give her some more energy. She's been exhausted from coughing all the time.
The nurse took her details and we only had to wait about an hour for the doctor, who gave her a thorough examination and told her nothing more than what Gran's GP had told her last week; she just needs to rest, eat well & drink lots of liquids, and the body will mend itself. No other prescription. Perhaps now she'll follow that advice.
11:01:00 PM
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
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My meeting with Ms. White at the JobCentrePlus did not go nearly as well as I'd hoped. I arrived early and though they were short-staffed, she saw me immediately. I had all of the paperwork which they requested of me, filled out, and all the various supporting documents and identification. I was ready to find out whether I qualify to receive any sort of income support from the Government while I'm looking for work.
Mind you, the only reason I was filing a claim was because Ms. White's colleague, whom I had met when I visited the job centre my second day in country looking for advertised positions, indicated I might qualify. I had though that last week's phone interview was all that was required to gather the necessary information. I had thought.
Ms. White was very nice about it, but essentially her first question was "what makes you--a foreigner who has never worked in this country or any other in the EU--think that the Government will hand over loads of cash weekly while you conduct your job search?" I indicated her colleague had suggested the idea and in any event there was no harm in asking, was there?
The good news is that the claim will start the process of acquiring a National Insurance Number for me (like the U.S. Social Security number), which it seems everyone has been asking me for. That's a separate process requiring a face-to-face interview in Oxford some weeks from now. The second process, a two parter, will determine whether I qualify to make a claim for unemployment benefits, and will start paying benefit if I qualify. Don't know how long either of those will take. Could be weeks.
In the meantime, I'm to act as if I'm receiving benefit, and am to show up every two weeks to show that I've been unsuccessful at finding a job & to look through their job vacancies. If my claim is approved it will be backdated to May 21. I'm sort of back where I started.
I also did the ironing today.
9:29:00 PM
Sunday, June 08, 2003
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Things I've noticed are different here in England:
It gets lighter much earlier in the day and stays lighter much later. Around 4:30am, it starts to get light and the all birds start up. Damn birds.
Some shops have doors that open indward instead of outward. I think it's the law in the U.S. that all doors have to open outward so people can push to get out in an emergency. Here, it isn't consistent.
A "fillet" sandwich is pronounced "fill it", not "Phil lay".
The fashion here (at least at the moment) is for men to wear their shirt collars turned up, in the old "preppy" style
Odd.
9:04:00 PM
Friday, June 06, 2003
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I've had trouble this week doing the wash. The machine only holds about a quarter of what a standard american washing machine takes, and I had to do it early enough in the morning so they can dry on the line. The weather, sporadic at best (sunny/rainy/windy/sunny/rainy/hail), doesn't often cooperate and I've had to be creative. I did a load Tuesday but failed miserably at drying -- every time it looked sunny outside I'd hang the stuff on the line, only to have a cloudburst or light drizzle. By early evening, the sheets were no dryer than when I'd started. I tried hanging them up on the (short) indoor clothes line in the living room -- very classy, I know.
"Oh, that's no good," Gran said. "You'll just have to chuck them in the dryer."
The dryer.
She has got a clothes dryer, in the basement. I've been here three weeks and I didn't know.
9:30:00 PM
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I played around with my phone a bit more yesterday and after figuring out how to get Bluetooth to work was able to wirelessly synchronize the phone numbers stored on my mac, palm and the phone. I could add the iPod into that mix as well. Pretty neat trick! Also, not to bore you to death with technobabble, but after much trial and error I was able to get a DVD player on this laptop to play an english PAL DVD I'd ordered (Eddie Izzard's Circle).
Gran is still sick as a dog, and a trip to the doctor yesterday didn't help much. She was in bed early last night and slept most of the day away today. I did some grocery shopping for us. I didn't take advantage of it this time, but have I mentioned that the grocery store here delivers for free if you spend over 25 pounds? I didn't try out delivery service in the USA, but I don't know why more people don't take advantage of it. Essentially, you shop as you normally do, pay at the till, and leave your groceries there. Sometime during a two hour window later in the day (that you choose), someone delivers your stuff. Cold stuff stays cold, eggs aren't broken--it's super.
Tomorrow there's a walking tour of Banbury which I'm planning to go on. We've had iffy weather but it might clear for the two hours.
9:10:00 PM
Wednesday, June 04, 2003
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I got my phone working today, but it was a bit anti-climactic as I don't have anyone to call. Still, I'm impressed with its size, weight and features. The photo below doesn't do it justice. It's a Sony Ericsson T68i on the T-Mobile network. It has Bluetooth to connect to my mac & can send and receive email, photos and text messages in addition to the "normal" cell calls.
9:20:00 PM
Tuesday, June 03, 2003
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I was very busy yesterday afternoon, and found about 12 jobs I was interested in and applied for. I have two rejections already, but that's OK. I figure it will be a long-ish process, particularly if I don't just settle for something. Unfortunately someone rang this morning while I was upstairs, and my gran answered but couldn't hear who it was. They just rang off & I've no idea who it might have been or whether they'll call back. My Gran doesn't have an answering machine, so I had all the more reason to see about getting a mobile.
Today, finally, I was sent a copy of my bank statement with my English address on it, which I can use as proof of residency. I got a library card and joined Blockbusters, and then went down to the Castle Quay shopping centre to see about a phone. I found a really nice one I like, and signed up for the "pay as you go" service, but I don't know what my phone number is yet.
8:08:00 PM
Monday, June 02, 2003
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High speed internet is UP AND RUNNING.
I'm going shopping.
10:49:00 AM
Sunday, June 01, 2003
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I took a break yesterday and made a spontaneous decision to take a day trip to Oxford. There's a 20 minute train from Banbury that dropped me off near the town center. It was the second day of near-record heat & sun, so it was a nice day to be out walking. I toured around a bit on my own first, and was glad that I did as I managed to find my way down to the river where one of two yearly rowing regattas was taking place.
After viewing awhile, I met up with a Blue Badge Guide for a walking tour of Oxford & Christ Church college. There were about twenty of us in the group and the guide, Rita from Rome, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We saw one of Christopher Wren's earliest designs, the building where Clinton lived when he studied there, and the Great Hall and grand staircase which were used as models for the Harry Potter films.
Oxford's oldest building, a Norman tower, was built in the 11th century, but there were many many examples of architecture from before 1492. I'll post some photos after I get my broadband up and running.
11:43:00 PM
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Friday was a relatively unproductive day. I was able to get my desk put together, with more difficulty than I'd envisaged, but I haven't spent much time in that room as I'm still waiting for the broadband connection. British Telecom had until 6pm to activate the line, and the internet provider I've chosen doesn't have telephone support after 5, so when the line wasn't working by early evening I knew I was out of luck until tomorrow morning. It's frustrating because there's a lot I need to do online and it's just impossible on a dial up connection.
I also haven't yet received the copies of financial documents I'd requested be mailed to me from various State-side institutions, which I need in order to establish residency here so that I can open a bank account, get a library card, or even rent a video. I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels...
11:33:00 PM
