Saturday, October 29, 2011

London in October

My first trip to this most cultured city, where people still say things like: sorry, and how can I help? and thank you, and pardon me (and actually wait whilst you move out of the way).  It was a refreshing experience and upon arriving back in the states I found myself feeling like the poor second cousin.  The American attitude is so tiring and tedious.  The in your face name calling is childish and reeks of abuse. 

In the UK, commentators on news shows actually ask politicians questions like this, "don't you think what you're saying is an excuse for the Prime Minister's actions?"  AND the politician is allowed to give a complete, unedited response. 


Enough commentary, some pics. 

The Thames, a 2 minute walk from our hotel

Big Ben, Parliment, Westminster in the background

London's Eye

Big Ben and Big head

A ship in the bottle in front of the National Gallery (and my head)


Arsenal beats Stoke City 3-1  ARSENAL!  ARSENAL! ARSENAL!

Weird face but getting ready to have afternoon tea at the St Martin's in the Field Church canteen

At the Tate modern with a risque Picasso (or is that redundant?)


Traditional English food: fried kidney, bacon(ham), boiled potatoes and cooked cabbage with some mustard.  Such great comfort food! 

we don't eat the cheese on what anyone says...

I read the above quote from a pro football player who, when asked about his coach "calling out" another team, made that statement.

"we don't eat the cheese on what anyone says..."

He did go on to say that his team needed to play the game and win.  I understand that part.  But not eating cheese because of what somebody said makes no sense.  All types of cheese?  A select few?  And what does eating cheese have to do with a statement made by a person?

So a challenge to see who can come up the most innane statement.

Here's mine: "we don't drive goats on how people look at us"

Rules:
1.  Your statement must start with the word "we".
2.  Your don't-won't-shouldn't-wouldn't-etc part of the saying must include the word "on" to connect it the end of the statement.
e.g.  "WE can't swallow turtles ON silly rumors"

Give it a try when you're feeling silly or had too much to drink or are sick of watching politicians lick themselves.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

It's the Time of the Season...

Anyone remember the above line in the song by the Zombies?  I love this phrase, and although the Zombies were thinking of love, I was thinking of cleaning out the closet; or rather, fixing the closet shelves since they pulled off the wall.  Too much stuff:  too many pants and shirts and sweat shirts and sweaters!  So I combed and culled and put a trash bag full of the gleanings in a large trash bag for the homeless.  Everything cleaned and pressed and two nice sports jackets as well (the homeless are always trying to find that certain "look" only a blazer can provide).

Now remember I'm retired, living in khakis or camo pants, a tie dye shirt, maybe a golf type shirt, but that's about it except when I go to a school as a science coach or to church.  Then, I even wear socks!  So I later counted my shirts, just the ones in the closet, hanging on the shelves.  Guess the number?  Now remember, this is after culling.  61 and a dozen pairs of slacks and 7 sports coats (guessing the homeless I will be stylin').


You can't see my sports jackets and my t-shirts and other shirts are in a chest of drawers.  Suffice to say I still have too much-of everything.

And I got despondent, My shirt and pant size has not changed over the last 25 years and I'm hoping it doesn't change now.  So, I have more that enough dress shirts and slacks until, I, I, I die!  That's scary for me since I remember cleaning out my father's clothing four years ago and thinking, why did he have all this stuff yet wore the same 3 pairs of pants and the same 6 shirts? 

Oh, well, just need to start wearing button down collared shirts when taking care of the chickens.  Maybe even add a tie!  Wait, I need to count those as well since I must have over a hundred ties and you know they are always wearing out...  I wear a tie to a wedding, funeral, and when I want to get "dressed up", about once a year.

Any thoughts regarding this topic?

I started a few years ago, if I get some new clothing, something had to passed on.  Wish I would have started 25 years ago with the same motto.  I'd now own 10 dress shirts and 5 pairs of khakis.