|
|
|
Time is flying by, isn’t it? More than a 20th through 2011 already! With so much to do, I don’t need distraction. Imagine my joy when renovation began on the building opposite.
‘ACE’ it isn’t. Still, getting used to the noise. Plus it’s been a real eyesore so can’t complain. Anyway, something far more serious has happened; the cat’s started sitting in my in-tray…
…creating an obvious barrier to work. Okay, so I should just move her but these subtle demands to be ‘processed’ are preferable to the constant meowing and leg-rubbing 
I haven’t written a cat-related post for a while – and don’t panic, not my intention to make a habit of it – but I couldn’t resist this one, featuring our ultra-photogenic cat, Bert…
He’s taken to using my MacBook, when hooked up to my monitor, as a heated cat cushion. He is an odd little fellow but very sweet with it…not to mention inventive
We’re in. And though not totally back to normal, we’re getting there. Aside from a big broadband delay (AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!) it’s been pretty much plain sailing.
As you’d expect, I’ll be sharing my photos over the coming weeks. Initially though, something a bit quirky; the rather un-glamorous view from our second floor landing…
There are arguably far better views from our other windows. I love this one though, as it perfectly frames Cheltenham’s only ‘skyscraper’, the locally-loathed Eagle Tower.
Posts will be more regular from now on, though we’re concentrating on retail right now. Plus it’s only eight days until our West Coast trip! Don’t you just love being busy?
Sorry for being a bit flaky recently. To explain, we’re in the midst of moving house, it was my birthday this week and we’re just about to host a big World Cup party.
If you didn’t know, England are about to take on the US in both nations’ opening game. I won’t bore you with footy talk, I’ll just share our pre-party decorating effort.
I’ve expelled nervous energy by hanging miles of bunting, multiple flags, a photo montage (with Karen’s help!) and an interesting (hope you’ll agree) hat sculpture!
I wanted to post before kick-off, in case it goes horribly wrong, which is quite possible. Oh, don’t panic, I don’t plan on posting a blow-by-blow account of the tournament!
Of course, with our US connections, we do want them to do well…just not against us! So, here’s hoping we both have a good game and progress to the next stage…
Here’s a quick picture post for anyone interested in where we live…not our new home, that’s (hopefully) coming soon, but the town where we happen to live; Cheltenham.
The sun was shining the other day for a change so I took some random shots of villas, terraces and streets which, to me, sum up what I love about Cheltenham.
I can’t do it justice with a few photos, these taken just up the road from us in Montpellier, but you can see how wonderful the – mostly Regency – architecture is.
It’s weird, the more we travel, and see amazing sights across the world, the more I realise how great our own town is. Come what may, we’ll always have a base here
Unhappy Hipsters is a blog – more of an institution really – that I’ve been visiting and sharing with people for a while now. I thought it was time to give it some formal credit.
If you haven’t visited, do so. In a nutshell, they add amusing and insightful captions to deliciously styled lifestyle photographs from various sources, like Dwell for instance.
The ‘Hipsters’ are pictured alone, or with family, seemingly trapped in their achingly cool, mostly stark living environments. Worth it just for the pics. But there’s more…
The captions are truly hilarious, bringing images to life in ways the photographers couldn’t (and wouldn’t want to) imagine. I could look at this site for hours. And do
I want to dispel a myth (in England at least) about US folk; namely that most are fat. Based on my own crude sample – Boston, Chicago, New York – it’s simply not true.
There are obvious differences between city and country life – as everywhere I think – but the general picture is certainly much different than people often paint it here.
We are continually astounded by the volume and frequency of runners along US streets, parks and waterfronts, looking far fitter and healthier than I can dream of!
That said, I recently bought some running shoes and have adopted a new fitness regime…currently consisting of a jog around the local park and back home again!
Hopefully one day I’ll confidently brush shoulders with joggers flanking the River Charles, breezing alongside Lake Michigan and racing around Central Park!
Quite simply, I adore football (or ‘soccer’ depending on your persuasion) so the quad-annual FIFA World Cup is a pretty significant occasion for me, to put it very mildly.
As usual, newspapers are stuffed full of over-optimistic proclamation. Seemingly, so the nation falls that bit harder when the inevitable quarter-final penalty exit arrives.
But this time it could be different. Sure, the manager seems to be (finally) getting the best from England’s over-paid under-achievers…but that’s not the main reason.
It’ll happen because this time I’ve tempted fate. We’ve booked a trip to the West Coast, beginning just prior to the World Cup final. I’ll be in Vancouver on the day.
My logic is simple. If England win, it would be the single greatest time to be in the country since 1966. But I won’t be here. Which, in my mind, makes it far more likely.
I know, the world doesn’t revolve around me. But it’s gotta be worth tempting fate a little. Plus I’d rather watch the team win the cup (in Canada) than lose (in England)
Edit: obviously that didn’t work, as Englad had just about the worst World Cup of my lifetime. I’ll have to come up with a better plan for 2014…
I know some don’t appreciate my cat posts but at the risk of alienating a few (and hopefully amusing a few more) I had to share this picture, featuring our cat, Egg…
Such a girl; adjusting her position to make the most of the remaining sun cover!
I mentioned that most of our sales come from the US. I think we’ve subconsciously made this happen by the way…due to our [very obvious] obsession with America.
During our interactions, visits, and all-round familiarisation, we’ve come across lots of differences – between the US and England – which I thought it’d be fun to share.
So, over the coming weeks and months (until I get bored or run out of material!) I’ll be highlighting some contrasts, some connected to our business, some plain random.
To kick things off, how about flags? Anyone who’s visited will be struck by the sheer volume on display all-year-round; so not just when the FIFA World Cup is on!
Maybe it’s ‘cos America’s history is so recent? Maybe because being American signifies freedom and opportunity? Maybe Americans are just happy to be American?
There’s even a designated ‘Flag Day‘ (14 June) within ‘National Flag Week’, when the president issues a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the flag for the week.
Whatever the reason for this flag passion, you see it everywhere! On houses, public buildings, store fronts, cars, boats, clothing, the list goes on…and on…
Americans also sing their national anthem prior to every sporting occasion. Is this because their anthem is better than ours – and it is – or some other reason?
All the same, it’s refreshing to see people behave so passionately about their home nation. Not that we’re all unhappy being English of course! We’re just ‘different’
|
|
|
