Tales From the Trip - Another Thing

Ok look. I get that a lot of hard-core right wing Republicans don't like President Obama. He's not the guy you wanted for the job and you don't like his policies. And although I've only been here a short time I can see he has problems.

But will you stop referring to him as "The Anointed One"? Seriously... I'm sure you think it makes you sound clever and intelligently sarcastic or something but it only makes you sound petty and like a sore loser. The man was elected by a majority of the country to be its President. Sure YOU didn't vote for him, but your guy lost. Suck it up, buttercup. Work on a better choice for next time and stop wasting time and energy calling him childish names.

Thus endth today's soap box talk. Carry on...

Tales From the Trip - Conflicted

OK, I admit it. I'm feeling a bit conflicted about being back in New England.

I didn't think this would happen as I didn't feel this way in the slightest when I came back last time in 2004. Maybe because I'm back in summer - or what passes for summer in New England - and it's a lot nicer than winter in New England. Maybe it's because Her Majesty and Clive are really enjoying their grandparents. Maybe it's because I'm older and am feeling nostalgic.

But when I get a whiff of the salt air of the Atlantic, or hear how much I can earn back at my old hospital as an oncology nurse, or see how inexpensive everything here is (dear Americans, stop complaining as you have no idea), or think about how close I could be to my family... and I haven't even been to New Mexico yet to see Momma Mooselet... I'm tempted.

There, I said it.

HOWEVER... what would I have to give up to come back to all that? A job I love. National health care. Schools I trust. University education for my kids that won't cripple us financially. A pretty sweet life.

And not everything here is tempting. There is little rational political discourse, at least none that I see. Of course my in-laws watch a lot of FOX News so my views my be coloured. I suspect that if I fully came out of my agnostic closet it would be more of a big deal here than back in Australia. New England winters suck. I don't have a lot of faith in the school system (and yes I acknowledge I come from them... what does that say?) There is more to life than cheap soft drinks.

But when I look up at the sky and the Moon looks normal to my Northern Hemisphere-raised eyes... man I'm tempted.

Tales From the Trip - Random Thoughts

I've been back for a few days now and am nearly over my jet lag. Unfortunately I can't shake this sinus congestion I've been fighting since a week before I left. It's just the right side, so I'm wondering if maybe it's more serious than your typical head cold. Then again it's not funny colours so I'll likely put off going to a doctor a while longer.

Anyway, some thoughts on my first days back in the States:

Less than impressed with all the freakin' security checks at the airports. The initial customs/immigration guard herding people into lines was shouting at passengers like we were convicts. “Have your passports and customs forms IN YOUR HAND! Get with the program, people. LET'S GO!” Yeah, welcome to the United States. How about some signage on the long ass walk from the gate to immigration telling us to have our passports and forms in our hands rather than just you step into line? How about just being polite and having a pleasant tone of voice?

On the bright side, the customs guy checking our luggage was funny. He asked if we were bringing anything in and I replied “Just some cookies.” He must have looked at our form where I listed the TimTams and Mint Slices, because he said “TimTams?” I nodded. “Well TimTams are illegal.” What??? Uh... “Yeah, you'll have to give those to me,” he said, making smacking noises with his lips and giving me a sly grin. Ah... “You'll have to fight my mother for them then,” I answered. Sparky was most impressed that the guy had a sense of humour.

Flight from LAX to Boston was delayed for an hour due to mechanical problems. Something about a window... and the co-pilot not turning up on time. Good thing some window had to be fixed then, wasn't it?

Summer in New England? Sucks. I'm freezing. It's colder here than in Brisbane and it's winter there!!! I was watching the weather last night when they said it would continue muggy and warm, with temps in the mid-60sF (18ishC). That's not warm to me anymore. That being said it's supposed to warm up tomorrow and for the weekend.

I must admit I do miss the shopping here. Everything is so freakin' CHEAP!!! 10 2-litre bottles of Coke for $10? A kilo of chicken breasts for $4? And I haven't even been clothes shopping yet (I'm saving that for New Mexico), although I did check out prices today and was sorely tempted by the sale at The Gap (that's the clothing store, not the suburb back in Brisbane). Sparky was saddened by the fact the way-cheaper-than-Australia Xbox games won't work back in Oz.

We've become reacquainted with our cat, Junior, since being at Mother and Father Hermit's. They took her in when we moved for our initial 2 year jaunt to Australia... she's 12 now. Whoops. Her Majesty was a little freaked out by her at first, and Junior is a little schizophrenic, but they have reached a detante. Clive is not bothered in the slightest, and Junior has to good sense to still hide from him.

A 40 hour travel time helps with the jet lag. I was so disoriented when I arrived on Cape Cod, especially with having to stay awake for large chunks of that for kids and airports, that it no longer mattered. The little kids, who slept for longer periods (but never more than 4 hours at a stretch) have faired a bit worse than I, but then again I'm used to functioning on limited sleep.

Yes, it really did take us 40 hours to get here what with airport waiting times and the flights.

Air Pacific is a nice airline. The food was good as was the service. My only complaint is the movies only played a couple of times. With a 10 hour flight I would have thought they would be on a continuous loop.

Why bother to have 3 flight attendants on the American Airlines red-eye flight from LAX to Boston? The safety demonstration was done via video and the only service was beverages, which went down once at the beginning of the flight. The rest of the flight they sat in the back galley and talked. When I got up towards the end to use the toilet and asked for a glass of water I didn't even get a smile. Nice...

Clive's favourite toy at Grandma and Grandpa Hermit's house? The automatic garage door opener.

Massachusetts drivers still earn the title Massholes.

That's all for now. I've taken some pictures which I'll post to Facebook a bit later. I've had enough of trying to figure out how to interface with Father Hermit's Mac and why Blogger won't completely load on Firefox.

Tales From The Trip - Starting Soon

Like this poor blog hasn't been neglected enough, we're flying out tomorrow for a month long visit back to the land that spawned us, the US of A. The journey to Massachusetts, our first stop to stay with Mother and Father Hermit and see Hermit's Big Sis, will be long with layovers in Fiji (5 hours) and LA (8 hours). We did it this was as it saved us thousands of dollars, which I hope will be worth it. Given the behaviour of Her Majesty and Clive this morning I'm starting to doubt it. And I'm trying not to dwell on the trouble Miss Thing will no doubt get herself into as she stays behind and prepares to head back in August.

After two and a bit weeks in Massachusetts, we head to New Mexico for two weeks with Momma Mooselet and Shepster with a visit from brother Gabe and Mrs. Gabe while we are there. Talk about a crowded house!

I am taking my netbook computer with me and am hoping to get some updating done on the blog in terms of redesign and more consistent posts. I did briefly consider taking some work stuff with me to get done, but then I came to my senses. The only other form of recreational distraction I'm bringing are some books I've bought and haven't had time to read. I'm sure the kids will keep me busy enough that I still won't finish them, but hope springs eternal.

A virtual wave to all you US-based readers as I fly over or close to your state. To all my Aussie friends, I will see you in 5 weeks.

Tales from the Trip starts now...

Match Report Monday

Ok, so not really a match report like I used to do but I do have some great picture's from Her Majesty's game on the weekend.

Before I get to that, an update on how Sparky's team is going. In a word, fantastic. The Mighty Wests Panthers U15s are very competitive this year and it's nice to watch them FINALLY come together as a team. I wish I had some pictures but all their games have been on Friday nights bar one so far - makes for a long Friday for Yours Truly but on the flip side Sunday's are easier with only Her Majesty to worry about. Coach Thom does have some video which I may pester him for when I get back.

Her Majesty is indeed playing again this year and she's just a little legend. As a testament to her mad skillz, one of her team mates (all boys) decreed that she must be "half-boy" because she plays so well. Six is probably too young to explain the whole concept of feminism so we took the compliment in the manner in which is was delivered.

Miss WTF, photographer extraordinaire, came out to Her Majesty's game yesterday to take some pictures for me. That's a friend for ya, I tells ya. You can find the other pictures on my Facebook page if you're my friend, and if not then why not? What have I ever done to you? But here are a few for you here:

This is how you tackle.

This is NOT how you tackle... Her Majesty was hurt in this tackle when the young man choked her with her own jersey.

And this is what Clive thinks of those who hurt his big sis.