Good
I’m New York USA bound on Saturday, to be followed by DC (I
had to say USA there, as I know there is a New York in Lincolnshire in
England-bit of a story there too-maybe later-or even will tell in NY and DC, if
the peeps there remind me). I excited and nervous about this expedition. Could
be a whole new learning experience for me-maybe next year, or even this
summer/autumn I could be heading out again and staying longer in just the one
area-maybe get in some small town America (like in the Bill Bryson book). Must
admit if someone had said this to me last summer I would have said that there
is no way I would ever go to America-or
in fact anywhere abroad. But then I’ve said all this before.
The outdoors –ok it’s
cold,wet and sometimes miserable-BUT it is near perfect for getting outside and
away from crowded, overpriced gyms-not only are you saving money,but also your
sanity. The skies are clear,the air fresh and the craic is great. I cannot
explain the after effect of a hike over a hill/mountain in a cold and wet
day-when you step into the shower to get scrubbed down, and sitting with your
feet up supping a mug of something hot, and reminiscing on the days walk .
No More of those “special” TV shows-not a big TV fan –but those
“re-union” type shows never work in my opinion.
THE BAD
Digital Watches-and them ones
on peoples mobile/cell phones. What is wrong with the “real” watches. Ask
someone the time now (I don’t wear a watch-but have a pretty cool pocket watch
and a cheap one I got at a stall in a market which is usually shoved in pocket
in my backpack) and they bring out a smartphone (or whatever) and say “It’s
4:23” or GAWD FORBID “It’s 18:38” WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN? With the old
real watches with the two hands on them you would hear them say “It’s almost 25
past 4” or “It’s almost 20 to 7” 18:38? I have to use my mental arithmetic to
work out that 18 hrs is the same as 6pm . And the worst thing about these new
fangled monstrosities means an end to one of my favourite jokes:- “What time is
it Gerdy?” “It’s 10 past” “Ten past what?” “I don’t know, the little hand has
fallen off my watch.”
The Book People-every so
often these guys come round with bundles of books (and stuff). You can nearly
guess what sort of stuff will be there, depending on time of year.Prior to
Christmas, there are loads of recipe and children’s stuff. And around this time
it is diet books –and every year the women at work will discuss the diet books
claiming a particular author’s “last one” was very good and will sigh up for the
new one-“mustn’t have worked then” I say and what’s wrong with just sticking
with the old one? More I say-what’s wrong with getting out and exercising and
cutting down on the rubbish. In saying that, last time I got a great “Where’s
Wally?” book-kept me entertained for days…
The Whatever
THE USA TRIP-OK OK I KNOW I
KNOW-I’ve said this a great many times before. I am still in two minds about
undertaking this trip. I think I would have been happier going to a few towns
“down south”(Galway,Cork,Ballyvaughan,Kinsale,Glencolmcille
etc)-at least I am getting drink and crisps (ok ok potato chips) I know and
like. I am nervous about the idea of being airborne for 7 hours-and twice, the
jet lag, the size of the places I am going. But you never know I could end up
loving the experience and when I return I’ll be making a plan for a return
visit(s) (well there is 2 cities-3 if …well I’ll explain later). I hope to get
some scratch cards and do the lottery over there-imagine the headlines “Gerdy
from Derry wins massive jackpot in roll over
lottery.” Better bring my Derry away polo
shirt-just in case.
Any ways-that’s it-for now
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