As I sit here with my can of Coca-Cola (in a valiant (yet fruitless?) attempt to stimulate my jet-lagged brain), I am led to ponder about the taste of Coke in the UK vs. Coke in the US. In the UK, as many of you know, Coke is made from sugar rather than corn syrup. To be perfectly honest, I didn't really notice a difference until someone mentioned it to me. Although it's my favorite soda, I must not drink it routinely enough to notice such differences.
However, this time upon my travel to and return from the US I can definitely tell a difference. Now I'm trying to decide which I like better. Most people seem to prefer the sugar Coke taste rather than the corn syrup taste. I *think* I do as well, but at the same time there is a nostalgic part of me that found it refreshing to drink the Coke I grew up with while I was home. When I first had Coke during my recent trip back home, my brain thought "now that's what Coke's supposed to taste like." But now that I'm sitting here at my desk in the UK drinking the sugar Coke, I'm thinking that it tastes a bit better than what I was just drinking back home.
So I guess I'm just confused!
Monday, 24 August 2009
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Springtime in Britain (or why the masses come out)
As weather perks up here in England, I am finally beginning to understand the British (and probably European) obsession with being outside on nice days.
When we first moved here, we noticed that a nice day (defined as a day with more sun than clouds, no rain, and a temperature that doesn't require a winter coat - medium/heavy-weight coat maybe, but not a down coat) caused the populace to come out en masse and flock to every open area available, fill every last seat at outdoor cafes, etc. At the time this seemed rather odd to us. Now, having lived here two years (I arrived two years ago yesterday!) and endured two British winters, I am beginning to understand.
I am now a firm believer in seasonal affective disorder. The short days throughout winter in England are just plain depressing. I think this is why the British have this obsession with being outside on nice days. Today is one of those nice days, and as I was walking back from lunch I felt this inexplicable pull to just stay outside. Now, I've always enjoyed nice weather as much as the next person, but rarely have I felt the need to stay outside if I have other things to do. But today there was this very real feeling that there was a very distinct possibility that this beautiful weather may never (really, never) come again, and so I should stay out and enjoy it while I could! Of course this is nonsensical, I'm sure we'll have this weather again within a week, if not tomorrow. But my brain was convinced otherwise.
I will freely admit that the stresses of study may be affecting my judgment, that the lure of a beautiful day outside was far more enticing than an afternoon behind a computer. However, I think perhaps there is this irrational yet very real feeling when you live in a northern area that the sun may never come again and you need to enjoy it while you can. That's my working hypothesis anyway!
When we first moved here, we noticed that a nice day (defined as a day with more sun than clouds, no rain, and a temperature that doesn't require a winter coat - medium/heavy-weight coat maybe, but not a down coat) caused the populace to come out en masse and flock to every open area available, fill every last seat at outdoor cafes, etc. At the time this seemed rather odd to us. Now, having lived here two years (I arrived two years ago yesterday!) and endured two British winters, I am beginning to understand.
I am now a firm believer in seasonal affective disorder. The short days throughout winter in England are just plain depressing. I think this is why the British have this obsession with being outside on nice days. Today is one of those nice days, and as I was walking back from lunch I felt this inexplicable pull to just stay outside. Now, I've always enjoyed nice weather as much as the next person, but rarely have I felt the need to stay outside if I have other things to do. But today there was this very real feeling that there was a very distinct possibility that this beautiful weather may never (really, never) come again, and so I should stay out and enjoy it while I could! Of course this is nonsensical, I'm sure we'll have this weather again within a week, if not tomorrow. But my brain was convinced otherwise.
I will freely admit that the stresses of study may be affecting my judgment, that the lure of a beautiful day outside was far more enticing than an afternoon behind a computer. However, I think perhaps there is this irrational yet very real feeling when you live in a northern area that the sun may never come again and you need to enjoy it while you can. That's my working hypothesis anyway!
Friday, 3 April 2009
Tipp-Ex vs. Wite-Out
As I use correction fluid YET AGAIN during my research writing...I have cause to reflect on the merits of British correction fluid vs. American correction fluid.
While the common name of correction fluid in America - 'Wite-Out' - makes far more sense to me than the common name in Britain - 'Tipp-Ex' (I was very confused the first time I was asked for Tipp-Ex...the poor Brit had to think hard about what to call it so I'd know what he was talking about!!), I must say that Tipp-Ex wins over any correction fluid I used in America, hands down. I imagine the basic chemical composition of the two substances is basically equivalent, but the applicator for Tipp-Ex is far more effective. Rather than a brush, Tipp-Ex uses a tiny wedge-shaped sponge that is the perfect size to cover mistakes in a typical computer-printed type size. Double the width covers your typical College-ruled paper. The sponge applicator gives the correction fluid a very smooth application, none of that roughness that a brush leaves behind. It has all the adhesion of the fluid with the surface of correction tape (I find correction tape frustrating because it tends to tear when you write over it). Perfect!
As a disclaimer, I was so frustrated with the Wite-Out brush applicator that for the last couple years in the States I used correction tape rather than fluid. So if there has been an advance in correction fluid applicators in the US since I last used them, my apologies to Wite-Out!
While the common name of correction fluid in America - 'Wite-Out' - makes far more sense to me than the common name in Britain - 'Tipp-Ex' (I was very confused the first time I was asked for Tipp-Ex...the poor Brit had to think hard about what to call it so I'd know what he was talking about!!), I must say that Tipp-Ex wins over any correction fluid I used in America, hands down. I imagine the basic chemical composition of the two substances is basically equivalent, but the applicator for Tipp-Ex is far more effective. Rather than a brush, Tipp-Ex uses a tiny wedge-shaped sponge that is the perfect size to cover mistakes in a typical computer-printed type size. Double the width covers your typical College-ruled paper. The sponge applicator gives the correction fluid a very smooth application, none of that roughness that a brush leaves behind. It has all the adhesion of the fluid with the surface of correction tape (I find correction tape frustrating because it tends to tear when you write over it). Perfect!
As a disclaimer, I was so frustrated with the Wite-Out brush applicator that for the last couple years in the States I used correction tape rather than fluid. So if there has been an advance in correction fluid applicators in the US since I last used them, my apologies to Wite-Out!
Friday, 9 January 2009
Snow in Cambridge!
Well, I can't believe it, but we actually had snow in Cambridge TWICE in the last week! Of course, those of you living anywhere vaguely north will scoff at the 'snow' we received here, but I still found it very exciting to wake up to see white stuff on the ground :-). Last year the only snow we saw was at Easter! So this is an improvement. However, I still don't know where they get all those gorgeous photographs of Cambridge in the snow! These two not-so-gorgeous photos are taken from right outside our front door and from our back window.
There were a couple nice views on the way to work this morning. The one on the left is of Parker's Piece. On the right is a view from the huge window wall in my new computer lab.
Of course, the flip side of having snow that I can actually photograph is that it is very cold and cold enough to keep the snow on the ground. So cycling has been ... well, cold! This is a picture of a bike parked at the Engineering department (not mine fortunately...our bikes are stored in a nice dry shed overnight!). Below that is the frozen water on the fountain in the cycle park at the Engineering department.
So that's the latest excitement here - SNOW!
Thursday, 4 September 2008
British Hospitality at its Best
Last week I went to Hungerford, in southern England, to collect water samples for my research. While there I stayed at two Bed and Breakfasts, as they were SO much cheaper than the local hotels (£35/night at a B&B vs. MINIMUM £95/night at a local hotel), and I like Bed and Breakfasts better anyway.
I had to stay in two different Bed and Breakfasts because I made my reservations at the last minute, and this being a popular tourist destination for cyclers on the Kennet and Avon Canal, and it being the end of summer, most locations were all booked up. So I stayed at one B&B the first night and another the next two nights.
The second Bed and Breakfast I stayed at was truly remarkable. It was Berries B&B, where the hosts are Mick and Lynda Berry. As I mentioned, I had to stay at a different B&B the first night, but couldn't check in until 5 even though I arrived in Hungerford at 2 (this was outside my control). I stopped by Berries B&B when I first came into town as they had agreed to lend me their bike to cycle up and down the canal (where I was taking water samples). Here the remarkable nature of the Berrys started to become evident. That they allowed me to use their bike was remarkable in and of itself - bikes aren't all that cheap, after all, if I happened to take an unintentional dive into the canal. But then they offered to let me store my luggage at their B&B while I went back out for the afternoon to start my sample collection. They were tremendously friendly, and I talked to them about an hour before heading out. That evening, once I was checked into the other B&B, Mick DROVE MY LUGGAGE over to the B&B so I wouldn't have to carry it myself. Amazing! The next day, the Berrys invited me to have lunch with an angling friend of Mick's who was coming into town to fish for the day. It just so happened this gentleman knew a bit about the canal and the river that I was studying. It was so kind of them to allow me to intrude upon their lunch for the benefit of my research! Later that evening, when I checked into Berries B&B, Mick drove me over to the old B&B to retrieve my luggage, and then drove me to a takeout restaurant to pick up some dinner. Unlike many bed and breakfasts, where they seem to shoo you off to your room and don't want to see any more of you until breakfast the next morning, Mick invited me to eat in the kitchen and we chatted a bit while I ate. The next day, Mick drove over to the train station to pick up Aaron, who came in for a day to help me. That evening, he drove us out to a local pill box - the canal was considered a possible point of defense in WWII and was lined with them. I had told him Aaron was interested in WWII history, and so Mick drove us out to see one just outside town. Then he dropped us off at a local restaurant, and we called him once we were done and he came into down to drive us back to the B&B. The next day he drove us to the train station at the appropriate time, and waited to make sure we set off ok. We exchanged hugs all around when we left!
It turns out that Mick and Lynda spent a year in a motor home in the US, and have so many stories to share. They run a bed and breakfast because they want to meet people and hear new stories. Lynda is a great cook, and served some of the best scrambled eggs I've ever had. They have three wonderful dogs - which are kept outside the main living areas, but are close by if you want to seek them out. The bedrooms are beautifully decorated.
I had to stay in two different Bed and Breakfasts because I made my reservations at the last minute, and this being a popular tourist destination for cyclers on the Kennet and Avon Canal, and it being the end of summer, most locations were all booked up. So I stayed at one B&B the first night and another the next two nights.
The second Bed and Breakfast I stayed at was truly remarkable. It was Berries B&B, where the hosts are Mick and Lynda Berry. As I mentioned, I had to stay at a different B&B the first night, but couldn't check in until 5 even though I arrived in Hungerford at 2 (this was outside my control). I stopped by Berries B&B when I first came into town as they had agreed to lend me their bike to cycle up and down the canal (where I was taking water samples). Here the remarkable nature of the Berrys started to become evident. That they allowed me to use their bike was remarkable in and of itself - bikes aren't all that cheap, after all, if I happened to take an unintentional dive into the canal. But then they offered to let me store my luggage at their B&B while I went back out for the afternoon to start my sample collection. They were tremendously friendly, and I talked to them about an hour before heading out. That evening, once I was checked into the other B&B, Mick DROVE MY LUGGAGE over to the B&B so I wouldn't have to carry it myself. Amazing! The next day, the Berrys invited me to have lunch with an angling friend of Mick's who was coming into town to fish for the day. It just so happened this gentleman knew a bit about the canal and the river that I was studying. It was so kind of them to allow me to intrude upon their lunch for the benefit of my research! Later that evening, when I checked into Berries B&B, Mick drove me over to the old B&B to retrieve my luggage, and then drove me to a takeout restaurant to pick up some dinner. Unlike many bed and breakfasts, where they seem to shoo you off to your room and don't want to see any more of you until breakfast the next morning, Mick invited me to eat in the kitchen and we chatted a bit while I ate. The next day, Mick drove over to the train station to pick up Aaron, who came in for a day to help me. That evening, he drove us out to a local pill box - the canal was considered a possible point of defense in WWII and was lined with them. I had told him Aaron was interested in WWII history, and so Mick drove us out to see one just outside town. Then he dropped us off at a local restaurant, and we called him once we were done and he came into down to drive us back to the B&B. The next day he drove us to the train station at the appropriate time, and waited to make sure we set off ok. We exchanged hugs all around when we left!
It turns out that Mick and Lynda spent a year in a motor home in the US, and have so many stories to share. They run a bed and breakfast because they want to meet people and hear new stories. Lynda is a great cook, and served some of the best scrambled eggs I've ever had. They have three wonderful dogs - which are kept outside the main living areas, but are close by if you want to seek them out. The bedrooms are beautifully decorated.
These pictures were taken the morning we left - the rooms look much more stylish when you arrive. It was just absolutely wonderful, Aaron and I both agree this is the best Bed and Breakfast we've ever stayed at. We really felt like guests of our hosts, not like customers. If you ever have a need to be in this part of England (and they are centrally located for things like Stonehenge, the Avebury Standing Stones, Windsor Castle, Stratford-on-Avon, etc if you have a car), you should definitely check them out!!
Thursday, 19 June 2008
St. Catharine's May Ball
There are a few fancy events in Cambridge which seem to be integral parts of the University and College culture. The common ones are punting events on the Cam, College formal dinners, and Evensongs. These all pale in comparison to the uncommon ones, the May Balls. These are extravagent affairs which last all night long and have live entertainment, games, food and drink.
The St. Catharine's May Ball was no exception. The theme was Narnia this year and there were people in character to greet guests as they arrived. There were 5 main stages on the Catz grounds with live music running on all of them for much of the evening. Some of the other notable things included: belly dancing, ice skating, fresh donuts, fire juggling, mechanical bull riding, unlimited drinks, lots of music and dancing, and a huge variety of foods from pizza to pig roasts to ice cream.
Some of the highlights for me included the tarot card reading (not that I believe in that, but I wanted to try it, I got a princess of swords card which means I need to cut out something, possibly obeying laws, I forget), the acapella band from Oxford (great show), the chocolate fountain (yummy), and the juggling where I got to participate and had a bread stick knocked out of mouth (and I was not even hurt). We whimped out and left around 3:30 am but the ball continued until 6ish at which point the survivors picture was taken (or so I hear). I was sad to miss that but Becky was not feeling well so we will have to catch that next time. It was certainly a night to remember and one of the many bonuses for students at Cambridge University.
The St. Catharine's May Ball was no exception. The theme was Narnia this year and there were people in character to greet guests as they arrived. There were 5 main stages on the Catz grounds with live music running on all of them for much of the evening. Some of the other notable things included: belly dancing, ice skating, fresh donuts, fire juggling, mechanical bull riding, unlimited drinks, lots of music and dancing, and a huge variety of foods from pizza to pig roasts to ice cream.
Some of the highlights for me included the tarot card reading (not that I believe in that, but I wanted to try it, I got a princess of swords card which means I need to cut out something, possibly obeying laws, I forget), the acapella band from Oxford (great show), the chocolate fountain (yummy), and the juggling where I got to participate and had a bread stick knocked out of mouth (and I was not even hurt). We whimped out and left around 3:30 am but the ball continued until 6ish at which point the survivors picture was taken (or so I hear). I was sad to miss that but Becky was not feeling well so we will have to catch that next time. It was certainly a night to remember and one of the many bonuses for students at Cambridge University.
Wicked in the West End
We watched 2 fairly big West End (this is the London equivalent of Broadway in New York) shows recently. Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. Of the 2 I have to say that Wicked was my personal favorite. It was a bit of a tough choice though since Phantom has fantastic production values and better music. I liked the story for Wicked better. It was actually an improvement over the original Wizard of Oz story in many ways.
Seeing a major West End show is something that anyone visiting London and the UK should strongly consider. I have not yet seen Les Miserables or Mousetrap but these are on my short list. The shows will probably run you around 50-60 GBP for decent seats and skimping on good seats when you are visiting is probably a mistake.
We grabbed a bite to eat in the nearby station so if you are watching Wicked or whatever show is playing in the Apollo Theatre there are plenty of nearby food options in Victoria Station. This is also a major underground station so transport is not a problem either. I recommend seats in the center of the forward half of the stalls or the forward half of the circle. They cost more but are worth it.
Seeing a major West End show is something that anyone visiting London and the UK should strongly consider. I have not yet seen Les Miserables or Mousetrap but these are on my short list. The shows will probably run you around 50-60 GBP for decent seats and skimping on good seats when you are visiting is probably a mistake.
We grabbed a bite to eat in the nearby station so if you are watching Wicked or whatever show is playing in the Apollo Theatre there are plenty of nearby food options in Victoria Station. This is also a major underground station so transport is not a problem either. I recommend seats in the center of the forward half of the stalls or the forward half of the circle. They cost more but are worth it.
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