Weekend Update...
Mar. 20th, 2007 02:13 pmA little update of things various.
I got back from Raleigh on Friday after almost 9 hours in aircraft - that place is really in the middle of nowhere. Can't say I'll rate it as an interesting part of the country. Flat, manicured and a little too spread out. Sure, the housing is huge and apparently cheap, but that isn't everything. Friday evening was lovely, and I wished we had something to sit on out on the deck to watch the sun go down. Of course, the problem then was Saturday dawned bright and WET. Still I managed to struggle up to see the Rugby.
First surprise was the pub being full at 6.45am, second was the amount the people were drinking. It's rare to see a pub in the US with that many people in it during the hours of daylight, let alone just after dawn. Still, I got somewhat into the spirit with a reasonable facsimile of an Irish breakfast and a few pints of Guiness. The rugby itself was nerve wracking and I still can't figure out who I'm more annoyed at, Ireland for letting the final Try trickle over, or Scotland for letting the final Try trickle over.
Met up with some workmates and also![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
marykaykare turned up for some chat. She was most disgruntled by a group of 20somethings who wanted her to down a Whiskey she'd got. Silly kiddies. Which brings me onto the discussion we continued back at the flat over a cup of tea. Why is it that American youth are so silly around booze? I know it's a gross generalisation, but even with the problems the Daily Mail tells me we have in the UK, I am astounded at the go out and get trashed quickly culture I see in people around Seattle. One of guys who works for me is 27, sane, nominally sensible, but will insist on trying to match me drink for drink when we're out. Firstly I'm about 40kgs heavier than he is, secondly I'm 10 years older and have been doing this sort of thing longer. Finally, what he never seems to notice is that I often skip rounds and I drink a lot of water these days. If I didn't, the hangover would cripple me for days...
Most odd.
Anyway, the rest of Saturday was a bit of a write off on account of the weather and we lounged around the flat, pausing only to get some DVDs in. Watched Mike Judges Idiocracy, which while not as good as Office Space, is well worth watching. It was also slightly uncomfortable as M and I are prime examples of the McGuffin that he uses for the downfall of humanity. It's not high art, but it is also easy to see why the Studio killed it. The lawsuits from Starbucks alone would have been a nightmare. Destined to be a student Cult Classic.
Sunday we went to talk to the Honda people about the car, reaching an accord (excuse the pun) about collecting the vehicle prior to the test, of which more later, and then on to Costco.
We went into Costco with the goal of buying some patio furniture. $340 later we had no patio furniture but we had lots and lots of other stuff. I've decided I quite like Costco, it's a wonderland of crap and stuff you'll never buy but always wondered where it came from. If I ever need a Neon "Open" sign, I know where to go.
We did get all the plastic plates, cutlery and cups we'll ever need, plus some gymwear, some jeans, some shorts, a new broom, some bulk fruit, some party food for a brunch we're having next weekend, some cheap wine, some bulk washing powder and some other stuff.
When I got home I bought the patio furniture online. It should come this week, huzza!
I got back from Raleigh on Friday after almost 9 hours in aircraft - that place is really in the middle of nowhere. Can't say I'll rate it as an interesting part of the country. Flat, manicured and a little too spread out. Sure, the housing is huge and apparently cheap, but that isn't everything. Friday evening was lovely, and I wished we had something to sit on out on the deck to watch the sun go down. Of course, the problem then was Saturday dawned bright and WET. Still I managed to struggle up to see the Rugby.
First surprise was the pub being full at 6.45am, second was the amount the people were drinking. It's rare to see a pub in the US with that many people in it during the hours of daylight, let alone just after dawn. Still, I got somewhat into the spirit with a reasonable facsimile of an Irish breakfast and a few pints of Guiness. The rugby itself was nerve wracking and I still can't figure out who I'm more annoyed at, Ireland for letting the final Try trickle over, or Scotland for letting the final Try trickle over.
Met up with some workmates and also
marykaykare turned up for some chat. She was most disgruntled by a group of 20somethings who wanted her to down a Whiskey she'd got. Silly kiddies. Which brings me onto the discussion we continued back at the flat over a cup of tea. Why is it that American youth are so silly around booze? I know it's a gross generalisation, but even with the problems the Daily Mail tells me we have in the UK, I am astounded at the go out and get trashed quickly culture I see in people around Seattle. One of guys who works for me is 27, sane, nominally sensible, but will insist on trying to match me drink for drink when we're out. Firstly I'm about 40kgs heavier than he is, secondly I'm 10 years older and have been doing this sort of thing longer. Finally, what he never seems to notice is that I often skip rounds and I drink a lot of water these days. If I didn't, the hangover would cripple me for days...Most odd.
Anyway, the rest of Saturday was a bit of a write off on account of the weather and we lounged around the flat, pausing only to get some DVDs in. Watched Mike Judges Idiocracy, which while not as good as Office Space, is well worth watching. It was also slightly uncomfortable as M and I are prime examples of the McGuffin that he uses for the downfall of humanity. It's not high art, but it is also easy to see why the Studio killed it. The lawsuits from Starbucks alone would have been a nightmare. Destined to be a student Cult Classic.
Sunday we went to talk to the Honda people about the car, reaching an accord (excuse the pun) about collecting the vehicle prior to the test, of which more later, and then on to Costco.
We went into Costco with the goal of buying some patio furniture. $340 later we had no patio furniture but we had lots and lots of other stuff. I've decided I quite like Costco, it's a wonderland of crap and stuff you'll never buy but always wondered where it came from. If I ever need a Neon "Open" sign, I know where to go.
We did get all the plastic plates, cutlery and cups we'll ever need, plus some gymwear, some jeans, some shorts, a new broom, some bulk fruit, some party food for a brunch we're having next weekend, some cheap wine, some bulk washing powder and some other stuff.
When I got home I bought the patio furniture online. It should come this week, huzza!
