tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203512112024-03-07T02:34:12.143-05:00Englishgirl in IndianaBringing a soupçon of Europe to the American Mid-West. A sometimes-updated rambling of a European city girl's shockingly quiet life in rural Indiana.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-27261937175315645532007-04-03T09:39:00.000-04:002007-04-03T10:04:52.171-04:00The EndI have finally made the decision to stop blogging here at blogspot. The new site is pretty much up and running with just the usual aesethics to put in place. I'll be updating the sidebars and getting them sorted but other than that the new site is working well. I shall no longer be posting here but you made see some minor changes as I clean up and move out. <p>
While I blog really only for family and friends thank you to all of you who have shown your support and offered advice/criticism/encouragement. There is always a story in my head - thank you for being a part of it.<p>
<span style="font-size:130%;">To continue reading about englishgirl please click on </span><a href="http://www.englishtraveller.org"><span style="font-size:130%;">this link</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. The new website is www.englishtraveller.org</span> </p>
<p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-18310054210339511232007-03-19T09:12:00.000-04:002007-03-19T10:03:09.430-04:00Kimi's crapulerie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQGWAV1k_PExWrFOVtJV3b5suUXHT8Wb03syM069CDQswaF6xYdi0E-OZT9eC9vvC3w7UJ4xF9xe3ddCJRpVtpcK-bqn6R1nG_Eel9NKZEMrTEKVbD9lB8eNAGIyK1fMotPr9/s1600-h/KimiMelbourneAP+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQGWAV1k_PExWrFOVtJV3b5suUXHT8Wb03syM069CDQswaF6xYdi0E-OZT9eC9vvC3w7UJ4xF9xe3ddCJRpVtpcK-bqn6R1nG_Eel9NKZEMrTEKVbD9lB8eNAGIyK1fMotPr9/s320/KimiMelbourneAP+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043635715292238626" /></a>
Whilst watching the Australian Grand Prix yesterday I heard one of the commentators chatting about how Mr Kimi Räikkönen had recently entered and won a snowmobile competition, the 24k Enduro Sprint at the Kopparberg King back in his native Finland just a week before the opening grand prix of the 2007 season took place. So that Ferrari wouldn't find out that the errant scoundrel had entered he used an assumed name. And the name he used? That of the illustrous and equally scoundrelous F1 driver <a href="http://www.formula1.com/archive/halloffame/driver/326.html">James Hunt</a>.
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Fittingly, the French Word-A-Day word for today is <a href="http://www.french-word-a-day.typepad.com/">crapulerie</a>. I love it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-45546154685408550492007-03-18T13:46:00.000-04:002007-03-18T14:05:42.311-04:00Fisico fizzled in Australian Grand PrixI'm beginning to think that perhaps Giancarlo Fisichella doesn't have the potential to be a truly great race driver. Once again his qualifying position and Grand Prix finish, fifth place just smidgens ahead of Massa, leads me to believe that unfortunately Fisi is merely a mediocre driver. I sincerely hope he proves me wrong this season, no doubt to be his last. His driving technique is truly a pleasure to watch, he is at times a true Italian driver, his narrow miss with Trulli when he came out of the pit lane shows he can be aggressive when he needs to be. I just think sometimes the "domani" mentality follows him onto the track. There's just no way he has a hope of any kind of Championship though unless he qualifies better than his typical fifth or sixth. Kimi has the right car this season and Alonso is just the right driver and Fisi has got to qualify better if he is to have any chance of success this season.
<br> Fantastic drive by Lewis Hamilton who came home in third place, helping to put McLaren Mercedes on top for the Constructor's ratings. Now that's a driver with potential and young enough to be able to maximise it fully.
<br> Come on Fisi, prove me wrong....please.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-50392316214695089432007-03-15T14:29:00.000-04:002007-03-15T15:04:55.784-04:00Can I talk about it?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW8CzJIeShKq0dB6IFppP8rTx60WSMIvXRt_mbRlMsGTyizMpFxuStgsG5tJGwioCx3HebnSYgM7iCaudhA4-W2sPRFNTsndEjQ7xlZjsjAwncqbRywSGvYj6lYr1GZ6e60HM/s1600-h/adimage.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW8CzJIeShKq0dB6IFppP8rTx60WSMIvXRt_mbRlMsGTyizMpFxuStgsG5tJGwioCx3HebnSYgM7iCaudhA4-W2sPRFNTsndEjQ7xlZjsjAwncqbRywSGvYj6lYr1GZ6e60HM/s320/adimage.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042228030258251314" /></a>
I've been sooo good in not mentioning it and trying to concentrate on other things but...it's the first <strong><a href="http://www.grandprix.com.au/">Formula 1 Grand Prix</a></strong> of the season this weekend. Practice tomorrow, qualifying Saturday and the race on Sunday. Couple the excitement of the impending race with the fact that I'll be spending the weekend packing for a four-day cruise to Mexico and a week back in England (yeah, englishgirl is finally travelling again) and I'm going to need more than just the relaxing aroma of lavender over the next few days. Trying hard to contain myself but the thought of those engines revving and those hard-helmeted drivers...quite positively makes a girl's heart pound!<br>
Oh and spring was only teasing the other day, reaching out his long tantilising fingers and then whipping away the duvet before we'd woken up properly - it's 40 degrees and windy today and some folks even had snow when they woke up. Bloody weather, I ask you. And yes I do have an unhealthy obsession with the weather and a desparate need for sunshine. I'm English, it goes with the territory.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-57999878042293136922007-03-15T09:01:00.000-04:002007-03-15T09:45:24.928-04:00Et tu Brute?I know I should be celebrating the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ides_of_March">Ides of March</a> with a suitably fitting extract from Julius Caesar or setting up hexes to ensure no tomfoolery or bewitchery befalls my way, but instead due to much hinting from the husband I'm going to write about the terrific job that he has done retiling our bathroom. Many months ago Keith came home with a job lot of tiles, "because they were a great deal and you never know when something might need tiling". The tiles then sat in our garage for the next six months. Until the day when I was standing in the shower and kept hearing all this cracking going on in the walls - eek. The bathroom tiles were obviously put up in two lots, the bottom half that are real tiles and were originally blue-green and then painted white and now starting to show as blue-green again and then the top half of the tiles which upon removing we discovered were actually plastic. Either way as soon as I mentioned the crackling I could tell that Keith was itching to take a sledgehammer to the whole lot. And then several weeks ago I came home from work after Keith had had the day off to find this, (yes, that is a secret hidden window we discovered!)<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6KWItOWc_suUSiLbpZFgEPqvCk8fQFciwVnvNOZV-3oNcRc4GzPmIy4FFImh_2SNgBbQOr1ZeCwE6RzkTQ7EcB4hhnQ3o9qtidG61wMM63pGWei8_GIuLU6XX3bGsDznJ-yE/s1600-h/Extra+window.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6KWItOWc_suUSiLbpZFgEPqvCk8fQFciwVnvNOZV-3oNcRc4GzPmIy4FFImh_2SNgBbQOr1ZeCwE6RzkTQ7EcB4hhnQ3o9qtidG61wMM63pGWei8_GIuLU6XX3bGsDznJ-yE/s320/Extra+window.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042145768749630722" /></a>
The retiling project had started! Now several weeks later, the retiling for the shower portion is complete and we have a lovely retiled bathroom and one very happy and self-satisfied Keith. He also reenamelled the bathtub, much needed. The next thing will be to take the sink (a rather ghastly vanity that is okay but just very blah) and replace it with something more fitting (already chosen from Lowe's) and then retile the area where the vanity cabinets were. That bit will wait awhile though as I think Keith's ready for a few weekends off!<br>
Photos taken throughout the bathroom's destruction and reassembly may be viewed from the Photo Albums link in the sidebar. Ironically I've just realised I haven't downloaded the photos showing the finished result...oh well, it's all your fault Caesar!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-50697745278027061782007-03-13T09:52:00.000-04:002007-03-13T10:37:38.868-04:00The American DreamBoth Keith and I had been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new FX production of <a href="http://www.fxnetwork.com/shows/originals/theriches/main.html">The Riches</a>, starring <a href="http://www.eddieizzard.com/home.izz">Eddie Izzard </a>and Minnie Driver and I'm really pleased to say that we weren't disappointed. While the show wasn't as I expected from the many months of trailers, it surpassed my anticipation. It's a bit darker than I thought with some good black humour that borders on the fine line between situational and human tragedy. The actors were cast wonderfully and my views regarding Minnie Driver's abilities have shot up hugely. She plays her part brilliantly. Eddie is of course...Eddie. Having seen him for so long in his role as "executive transvestite" whilst performing his uber intelligent and off-tangent meandering stand-up comedy, it's surprisingly refreshing to see him in a lead TV role. The dialogue was witty, emotional, perfectly delivered by each actor. There was even a little bit of Eddie's trademark comic delivery thrown in..."...we have painted it with dust!....including you glum-faced child." We're already looking forward to next week's episode.<br>
On another tangent I'm excited to say that spring may have finally arrived here in the rural mid-west! They're forecasting 75 today! I know, totally fantastico (and a little wierd in that but-it's-only-March-must-be-global-warming kind of way). Either way it was an incredibly beautiful sight to look out onto the garden yesterday and see grass with merely a few piles of the most frozen snow remaining. Jay can finally see his diggers again which have been "in hibernation" (i.e. hidden underneath the snowdrift that ensconced itself between the garage and the fence we share with Deb) and I cannot wait to start spending weekends working in the garden again. You know, when it's sunny and reasonably warm I almost rather like Fort Wayne. Now if only there was ocean nearby...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-18594774133588771732007-03-12T11:11:00.001-04:002007-03-12T11:11:14.598-04:00 La femme chocolat <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/c2GjwQaK3d4' name='movie'></param><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/c2GjwQaK3d4'></embed></object></p><p>I love this video. Even if you don't understand French I think it's fairly self-explanatory and I have no doubt it'll make every woman who has a love affair with chocolate smile! Enjoy with scrumptious pleasure...</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-27924357446985422022007-03-11T20:01:00.000-04:002007-03-13T10:37:49.665-04:00Home James!*Conversation between Jay and I upon leaving the supermarket the other day...
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Me: "Home James!"<br>
Jay: "I'm not James, I'm Jay! Who's James?"<br>
Me: "No, it's an expression. James is the chauffeur."<br>
Jay: "The chauffeur?"<br>
Me: "Yes, a chauffeur is someone who drives people's cars. When the people are ready to go home after shopping they get into their cars and say 'Home James!' It's just an expression that crazy English people use when you're ready to go home."<br>
Jay: "James is the chauffeur?"<br>
Me: "Yes"<br>
Jay: "Are you James?"
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* I'm not entirely sure where the expression Home James comes from, possibly taken from the British TV comedy that aired in the mid 80s by the same name and starring Jim Davidson as a cockney chauffeur. My mother, being a cockney herself, has always used the expression so it's possible that it has been in play well before that. Not sure why the assumption that all chauffeurs are called James!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-6354150865295835702007-03-09T14:14:00.000-05:002007-03-09T15:24:05.628-05:00Resistance is futile...unles you're driving a Bugatti<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEzfVhocraPIiaUaCWXi1YMtfqrW29B2imcgmMcrXyDIc5JxQxdpOmwOu0gEQPJVH72UGiIdTpitMK4VjZPRalg5FxrCfcWol7fQ_OKRslTGrODKjpcR7Xrtx7R_TAOKsufm6/s1600-h/gpscover1-lg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEzfVhocraPIiaUaCWXi1YMtfqrW29B2imcgmMcrXyDIc5JxQxdpOmwOu0gEQPJVH72UGiIdTpitMK4VjZPRalg5FxrCfcWol7fQ_OKRslTGrODKjpcR7Xrtx7R_TAOKsufm6/s320/gpscover1-lg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040023157257241746" /></a>
I'm reading a fascinating book at the moment, one of many actually. As usual I have about three books on the go, apparently I have an inability to read just one book at a time. Anyway the book that is being heavily devoured during my lunch breaks is Joe Seward's <a href="http://www.morienval.com/latest.html"> The Grand Prix Saboteurs</a>. Despite the fact that I've found several edititorial mistakes, it has been an enthralling read. The story tells of three Grand Prix drivers from the 1920s/1930s who went on to become part of the British Special Operations Executive, a branch of secret agents whose mission was to establish a sabotage network in Paris and act as a catalyst for the French Resistance during the second world war. Having never studied modern history at school, (my school determined that learning the names and unfortunate demise of Henry VIII's wives and the intricacies of the Hundred Years War would be more beneficial to its students) I am learning so much from the Saboteurs. The book focuses on exactly what the three men went through to get such sabotage networks set up. The training was intense and a fluency of French obviously a must. There are some nice tie-ins as well. One of the <a href="http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/beaulieupalace/index.htm">SOE's Finishing training schools </a>for the agents was at Beaulieu, fitting particularly for Willy Grover and Robert Benoist of course due to Beaulieu's connection with <a href="http://www.beaulieu.co.uk">classic and vintage automobiles</a> and made more so for me because of the personal connection I have with Beaulieu. My mother's embroidered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reredos">reredos</a>, completed while she worked and lived at the Lodge, remains a beautiful addition to Beaulieu Abbey Church. I have discovered how influential Bugatti was in the world of racing and how they provided a cover for one of the SOE agents, enabling him to travel across France in one of their cars. I have learned about the captivating history of Garage Banville - worthy of a book in itself I feel - and feel well versed in the trials and tribultations of a network radio operator in Paris at this time.<br>
This book was a long time in coming. The author Joe Seward had been researching the tale for about 18 years but it was only in 2003 when the offical records on the SOE agents were released by the British government, that Mr. Seward was able to complete his book.
If you're at all interested in the clandestine operations of the second world war I urge you to read the book.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-15580561368796481752007-03-06T13:37:00.000-05:002007-03-11T22:53:43.952-04:00Unconstructive CriticismAm feeling just the tiniest twinge of guilt at all my Fort Wayne bashing, so here are some of the things I do like about Fort Fun, oops, sorry, Fort Wayne...
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<li><a href="http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=shoe+repair+shops&near=Fort+Wayne,+IN&radius=0.0&amp;cid=41130556,-85128889,3399940756011428104&li=lmd&z=14&t=m">Sara's Family Restuarant</a> - so far the nicest fish and chips I've had since being in the US. Big, fat chips healthily laden with salt and proper Sarcen's vinegar.
<li>The lake at uni - I love walking around the lake at college during my lunchbreak. The back end of the lake butts up against the train tracks and then a huge cemetery beyond. There's something wonderfully Doylesque about walking back there, particularly with all the snow on the ground. I feel like I'm missing an opium pipe and a deerstalker.
<li><a href="http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=shoe+repair+shops&near=Fort+Wayne,+IN&radius=0.0&cid=41130556,-85128889,3399940756011428104&amp;li=lmd&z=14&t=m">The Shoe Cobbler</a> - does a wonderful job of keeping my shoes looking pretty.
<li>Oakdale neighbourhood - I love living on a street where I know all the neighbours. I love the fact that during the summer evenings we can sit on the front porch with a glass of wine or a beer and chat with everyone while the kiddlywinks cycle their bikes up and down the pavements.
<li>Gogos Tailoring - already raved about
<li>Energy Plus 24 AGPlus - biodiesel for my baby
<li><a href="http://www.3riversfood.coop/">Three Rivers Co-op</a> - purveyors of local bounty and the scrummiest lemon bars.
<li>Indianapolis Motor Speedway - so I know it's not in Fort Wayne but it's a dream to be only an hour and a half away from the US Formula 1 Grand Prix.
<li>Foster Park - roll on summer so I can play tennis and walk around the golf course.
<li>My house - I love it.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-35060620113135058142007-03-02T14:42:00.000-05:002007-03-02T14:59:19.772-05:00Packing up, travelling shoes on!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe-NP13ngK8nHosma4AjL5IPhCbTFPVjoodqG69iKS4ZzBgajyppbcWapuMbIXAN3dNUYz19BcQ5MvE-CHmNfRkkvSticHdNOyxmvw9Xmy5_pFa3K-auO1N20kT-1ErW5nfcb/s1600-h/future-logo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037418513296388818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe-NP13ngK8nHosma4AjL5IPhCbTFPVjoodqG69iKS4ZzBgajyppbcWapuMbIXAN3dNUYz19BcQ5MvE-CHmNfRkkvSticHdNOyxmvw9Xmy5_pFa3K-auO1N20kT-1ErW5nfcb/s320/future-logo.gif" border="0" /></a>
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.livingdot.com">www.livingdot.com</a>
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Englishgirl will soon be moving!
I am in the process of setting up a new house and will be winding things down here at the blogspot address. Until the new site is fully up and running I will continue to post entries but not much else. I will of course let you know when the switch has been made. For the time being you can check on progress over at my hosts Living Dot at the web address <a href="http://www.englishtraveller.org">www.englishtraveller.org</a>
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It was the jaunty beret that got me... </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-13349754773684590102007-03-02T13:56:00.000-05:002007-03-05T08:27:00.039-05:0070 years on - what's changed?As with most of the articles I find, I stumbled across this one whilst trying to find an article on another topic, and as with anything that seems to hint at the now rather boring debate over working mum v. housewife I almost didn't read it. However I am thoroughly glad I did as it is a charming article. It touched me particularly because I struggle so much with wanting to be back in England and near my friends, especially now that many of them are having children. It saddens me that Jay is missing out on the experience of an English childhood and the American cultural childhood experience that I expected, saw on tv, (The Wonder Years, Stand by Me) and heard about from American friends no longer seems to exist. Daily I wonder just how my path in life directed me to this small town in the American mid-west and just how long it'll be before I can get back on the road to pastures new. I know that my struggle is cultural, far more evident here than in Arizona where many of my friends were also lost Europeans having found their way to the desert - I have yet to meet another "foreigner" in Fort Wayne, let alone another English person*. Cultural understanding and empathy that I took for granted in Phoenix seems somewhat lacking here and I have yet to find a truly decent restaurant, (I'm not sure I'm willing to count Biaggi's as <em>real</em> Italian). So the sense of lonliness that I often feel, despite being back at work, which I love, and having made some dear friends, (Emily, Renée), stems truly from feeling like a fish out of water. That disjointedness seeming to be magnified with a child who corrects me when I say digga as opposed to diggerr. Anyway I'm digressing into melancholy stupor and getting sidetracked because one of the things I kept thinking about as I was reading the article was how lucky I am to have friends all over the world with whom I can correspond instantly through email and IM. I rather like the thought of starting a Cooperative Correspondance Club between us all...another one of my ideas to be momentarily shelved along with the building of a new Garage Banville, (Donald Trump call me on this one, I'll run the place, got the ideas, location, you've got the financial backing, sorted), my bookshop, etiquette school, leading Grand Tours with Josh Bernstein etc, etc. Sorry, digressing again, it's Friday and my bloggage brain is sadly lacking, must be time for a coffee, my thought process is all over the place, suffering from the Molly Blooms.<br>
Enjoy the article...I did...<p>
<a href="http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article1453340.ece">"<em>In 1935 a reader’s letter to the magazine Nursery World began with the words: “Can any mother help me?” It was a cri de coeur from a young woman, bored and isolated at home with small children, desperate for distraction from her “brooding” thoughts. Readers responded — some with sympathetic understanding, others with bracing advice —and the young woman wrote again, regretting that she couldn’t afford to reply to each of them personally and suggesting that they form a correspondence magazine: each contributor would write pieces on any subject, mail them to the young woman who would stitch them together inside a cover and post to the first name on a prearranged list; that person would read and/or write any comments in the margins and send on to the next name and so on until the magazine had been fully circulated. (Click to continue reading article)</em>."</a> <p>
* I lie, the tailor I go to, George, is Greek. Brilliant tailor by the way, highly reccommended. Gogos Tailoring can be found at 1230 E State Blvd.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-39354733734409793742007-02-28T10:48:00.000-05:002007-02-28T11:09:40.038-05:00Not good Heikki...Watch the guardrail!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaeE9IZ9d6QYaDkeiIYl1x2lvk6b7yDeJ2CPmjCEnphsLAxgmJYrGs9O6bjxqkuDoLEuzr6eJCeK3agKX-_GUuRtpvKTJe0wTbbERFOCwP5ZPLW29qnRzg66YpicxKAJ8yYR3/s1600-h/R27+Crashing+Heikki.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmaeE9IZ9d6QYaDkeiIYl1x2lvk6b7yDeJ2CPmjCEnphsLAxgmJYrGs9O6bjxqkuDoLEuzr6eJCeK3agKX-_GUuRtpvKTJe0wTbbERFOCwP5ZPLW29qnRzg66YpicxKAJ8yYR3/s320/R27+Crashing+Heikki.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036612644937965762" /></a>
It <em>was</em> a nice car....
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPkaZq6c8SGoR70s6J_afbUgyor_fREOFrs08Fpit2NRx8AV28gRyQ5rpCS91Wm4tpLeiLnU-z-ulqSCbqHVpQv_JxhVbqM8deOyUOekRAYgVgopPSuWOQPv4sOstK2Y-UFeK/s1600-h/Crashed+R27+Heikki.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPkaZq6c8SGoR70s6J_afbUgyor_fREOFrs08Fpit2NRx8AV28gRyQ5rpCS91Wm4tpLeiLnU-z-ulqSCbqHVpQv_JxhVbqM8deOyUOekRAYgVgopPSuWOQPv4sOstK2Y-UFeK/s320/Crashed+R27+Heikki.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036612644937965778" /></a>
No car but there is the Bahraini sun...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX3ky3w2I-ZVZCh0hXBWI4X65JiDcI9Fv3rjChSUjTYLskHrneCHX2KlHBOKAdkRtt5sI-LuEYxW5AsISEmRo9ndF8J5nzvIzcA9F0b7VCZmImKUxxSFqH7E_PW2CQGlAyCHE/s1600-h/Heikki+no+car.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX3ky3w2I-ZVZCh0hXBWI4X65JiDcI9Fv3rjChSUjTYLskHrneCHX2KlHBOKAdkRtt5sI-LuEYxW5AsISEmRo9ndF8J5nzvIzcA9F0b7VCZmImKUxxSFqH7E_PW2CQGlAyCHE/s320/Heikki+no+car.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036612649232933090" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-91599045386255129632007-02-27T09:20:00.000-05:002007-02-28T10:32:16.914-05:00Racing Green<br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4UPEAiKa7tvW21ILJMx4WjEAfyINw9dO1cN5QAhVlBLbCvPA58u5ktsASOLSMYWYhL0EIzxi-2ZIBaWIghk0iwzYywfGgS73ur7iiII3EUuCNVmQbyp7fURUYbkx4RTS7uyO/s1600-h/hondaf107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4UPEAiKa7tvW21ILJMx4WjEAfyINw9dO1cN5QAhVlBLbCvPA58u5ktsASOLSMYWYhL0EIzxi-2ZIBaWIghk0iwzYywfGgS73ur7iiII3EUuCNVmQbyp7fURUYbkx4RTS7uyO/s320/hondaf107.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036225774486813938" /></a>
The <a href="http://www.hondaracingf1.com/en/">Honda F1 Racing</a> team, during the unveiling of this year's new car livery yesterday, announced a new approach to the world of F1 racing. Instead of their RA107 being kitted out with corporate colours and sponsorship logos, the car has simply a giant picture of the earth painted onto it. It's a move unsurprising for the manufacturer Honda (who are among the top tier in producing cars that are environmentally friendly), but progressive and leading-edge for the world of Formula 1.
<br>Nick Fry, Honda F1 Racing's CEO, stated "<em>F1 is a hugely powerful communication device with audience and global reach only behind that of periodic sporting events such as the Olympics and the World Cup. We believe that F1 with its huge global profile and cutting edge technology can play an important role in not only highlighting the issues but also playing our part in developing solutions</em>." He goes on to say that
"<em>Climate change is probably the single biggest issue facing the global community and F1 is not immune from it. The FIA recognises the opportunity for F1 not only to raise awareness, but also to showcase innovative technologies for the benefit of society for the long term. For example, by 2009, devices for energy recovery will be in place on the cars</em>."
<br>In a gas-guzzling, environmentally selfish sport, (despite F1's current 'carbon neutral' status), it's fantastic to see a team breaking the boundaries of what is considered the norm and while my passionate support still lies with Renault and the lovely Giancarlo, my loyalty will certainly be inclined towards a team that expresses responsiblity towards global environmental issues.<p>
If you want to make a pledge to <a href="http://www.myearthdream.com/#root/home">myearthdream</a>, help raise awareness of environmental issues and have your pledge appear as a pixel on the RA107 or simply to let Jenson and Rubens know they rock, <a href="http://www.myearthdream.com/#root/home">click here </a>to offer your support.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-88154047701357079322007-02-26T14:30:00.001-05:002007-02-26T14:34:23.640-05:00Will and Jack and OscarI didn't watch the Oscars (bathroom tiling and Battlestar Gallatica took preference) but have spent a good amount of time trawling the web today looking at the fashions and the highlights and was a bit distressed to see that I missed two of my most favourite comedic actors (Will Ferrell and Jack Black) doing a musical number. But of course because we live in the modern world of now technology I knew I'd find it on YouTube and guess what....
<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/UJIAYZ9PFNk' name='movie'></param><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/UJIAYZ9PFNk'></embed></object></p><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-27945181375460390192007-02-23T08:48:00.000-05:002007-02-23T10:01:13.157-05:00The End's Not Near It's Here<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfujEJiitTjCQ-z9y4rcK37OZeSXZXRmTGD0VdwaeifsA1NliL-HwM2RuA27Q5CgKnQ9ZF2XqsvBhGb35IMbxjpZhb037sJiiH_kFQOD5RQRJ2lHKd7YIQa1gPLmJU3i243tG/s1600-h/TheOC.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034738203973909730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfujEJiitTjCQ-z9y4rcK37OZeSXZXRmTGD0VdwaeifsA1NliL-HwM2RuA27Q5CgKnQ9ZF2XqsvBhGb35IMbxjpZhb037sJiiH_kFQOD5RQRJ2lHKd7YIQa1gPLmJU3i243tG/s320/TheOC.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<span style="font-size:85%;">From left to right - Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), Taylor Townsend (Autumn Reeser), Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher), Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson), Seth Cohen (Adam Brody). Front - Kirsten Cohen (Kelly Rowan)
</span><p>
I am utterly bereft - the last ever episode of The OC played last night and now I can no longer spend my Thurday evenings ironing in front of a dramatised Jackie Collins with 90210 undertones novel. There have been very few shows that I've watched from the start but The OC is one of them. I can even remember sitting in our first house in Phoenix watching the very first episode and thinking "That Ryan Atwood is hot!" And so yes I was totally sucked in to the dramatic lives of the rich kids of Newport: urging the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, Ryan, to keep his head in the heady, shallow world of the uber wealthy after the Cohens adopt him; watching Seth grow from a totally awkward high schooler to an only slightly less awkward graduate; pretending to be surprised but succombing to the inevitable of Seth and Summer's relationship; completely enthralled at Marissa's lesbian relationship with the totally sexy Olivia Wilde (who's busy living her own M&B storyline in real life, married to the Italian prince, <a href="http://taoruspoli.blogspot.com/">Tao Ruspoli</a>, son of Dado Ruspoli); not wholly disappointed when Marissa was killed at the end of season three (I always felt her character a little lacking) and pleasantly enraptured when Ryan and Taylor Townsend hooked up. It was thanks to The OC that I learned <a href="http://www.petergallagher.com/music.htm">Peter Gallagher </a>has a lovely, crooning singing voice which resulted in me buying 7 Days in Memphis and totally playing <a href="http://www.petergallagher.com/songs/Still_I_Long.mov">Still I Long For Your Kiss </a>and Leave Right Now to death. The often ironic, self mocking tone lent itself easily to iconic quotes and a cult-like status amongst its fans for the constant references that ran beneath the norm of mainstream popular culture, particularly in the realm of music and literature. The <a href="http://www.fox.com/oc/photo/index.htm?id=416&item=1&pane=0">final episode </a>was a suitably fitting end to a four year run, tying up all the loose ends, providing hope and promise of goodwill continuing as we are catipulted forward in time and watching snapshots of happy ever after, witnessing the circle of life in Ryan's final words, "Hey kid. Need help?"</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-18477505617240094292007-02-22T12:01:00.000-05:002007-02-22T15:25:29.359-05:00Me, me, I'll do itJust cannot write fast enough - I totally thought about doing this ages ago, I mean most of Harlequin Presents resides firmly in the F1 ideal anyway - Italian or French, scrummy, fit men; sexy, fast cars; fast living; girls with big boobs; summers doing the circuits; winters in Verbier or on the Riveria - totally my next book, I'm thinking of prefaces already...<em>In the world of love and Formula 1 more than just hearts will get broken...Jean-Luc was on his way to winning another F1 Driver's Championship, but could he win Katie's heart...There was only one love in Nico's heart - Formula 1 - until he set eyes on the blonde and beautiful Isabella Torleone...</em><p>
article taken from
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKYLKp1tUrR3x331UixsDsDy5SjhUjbt57DB9n8bMdol5SDIC71tvLyoN-Dkqrp_aIPwFhQGZcycvxhEVcY6DRAQ1pA3uxcVFK7qCyKtXtVb95vWfd6UsAaIZwS_c6mX1vZ1_/s1600-h/gpnavbar_news_s1.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034404832907361490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKYLKp1tUrR3x331UixsDsDy5SjhUjbt57DB9n8bMdol5SDIC71tvLyoN-Dkqrp_aIPwFhQGZcycvxhEVcY6DRAQ1pA3uxcVFK7qCyKtXtVb95vWfd6UsAaIZwS_c6mX1vZ1_/s320/gpnavbar_news_s1.gif" border="0" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns18049.html">FEBRUARY 20, 2007
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Another idea that did not happen in F1
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Formula 1 knows how to make money but there is not much obvious creative thinking going on at at the centre of the sport as NASCAR continues to push the envelope and look for new ways to sell itself to new fans. The latest idea is to create a series of romantic novels based around NASCAR. There are to be 16 paperbacks, published by Harlequin which will not only feature NASCAR settings but also offer real life characters as part of the promotion. The move is designed to increase the number of young female fans interested in the sport.
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It is a deal that makes sense.
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Shame F1 did not think of it</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-41812058303766533212007-02-22T10:57:00.000-05:002007-02-22T11:16:03.213-05:00Cavalier or a RoundheadI have to post this because it was the funniest thing I've read for a very long time - I've never heard this expression before but it had me laughing so hard that I was soon choking and spluttering, (not aided by the fact I was trying to eat one of those yummy yogurt pretzels that the Co-Op sells) prompting concerned "Are you alright Mélaine?" questions from my colleagues. Jeremy Clarkson commenting...<em>of course.</em><p>
<a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jeremy_clarkson/article1292587.ece">"Ski Sunday was always the highlight of my viewing week. In the olden days you had David Vine in the commentary booth, talking us through the brilliance of some tanned and muscular young man from Norway.
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You’d marvel at how he made it look so easy, his skintight suit revealing every sinewy twitch and, <strong>according to my wife, whether he was a cavalier or a roundhead</strong>. But let’s be honest, all of us, really, were waiting for the falls."</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-46876121550635417962007-02-22T08:55:00.000-05:002007-02-22T09:04:50.601-05:00Deuce...about timeThe All England Club, sponsors/hosts of one of tennis' biggests events, Wimbledon, have said that this year men and women will receive equal prize-money; a first in <u>123</u> years. Now if only the powers that be in the corporate world would apply the same kind of thought to top female performers in the boardroom, we might really see some progress.
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<a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1423222.ece">Article: Women get equality at last at Wimbledon</a>
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Also an update and correction to yesterday's blog - Prince Harry will be heading off to Iraq in May and there has been another Royal to serve in combat during my lifetime, Prince Andrew flew helicopter missions during the Falklands in the early 1980s.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-85082558887757431572007-02-21T13:57:00.000-05:002007-02-21T15:11:56.705-05:00Forward...march!Although I did actually read Blair's statement to the House of Commons today regarding the withdrawal of British troops in Iraq, I have to confess to being rather out of the loop on British military operations. I therefore was somewhat surprised to read in <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article1419304.ece">the Times today</a> that Prince Harry might actually be deployed to Basra with the next lot of troop rotations. While I know that Prince Andrew served and Edward for a brief period I was trying to remember if any of the Royals have actually been deployed to a bonafide war zone. Certainly in my lifetime I think it would be a first if Harry were to go. While I'm sure it would be a huge risk to have the third in line traipsing around the battle field with his SA80 Assualt rifle whilst trying to avoid an insurgent homemade projectile, I can't help but feel very strongly that of course he should have to go. It's not like your regular Lieutenant Smith has any say in his, or her, decision to go to war<em>..."Excuse me, I don't really fancy going off to Iraq. I'm the last Smith you see and well,, I'd rather hoped to carry on the family name if you don't mind."</em>. I'd hate to think we're still living in an age where the rights of succession are such that Harry would be able to "get out" of going to Iraq on that mere possibility that he might one day be king. And if Harry were ever to become king,(legalised cannabis? Saturday night "Your favourite Socialist world leader" fancy dress parties? Playboy bunnies at Buck House?) I know I'd have a lot more respect for him knowing that he had actually served his country rather than just putting on a uniform and pretending to play the game.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SlG66FAGtymLlxPErKd5QFVGBoZ_QfSIVeqKcRM0zR0ahgy1vNqp-aTq-B6JgHcPSEHYTeaFBDVUxop69hwyk5AH0ERJk5HWpR4zLRPWuexWTfvg8_uawPU5j2WYZtdlvXGP/s1600-h/harry_army_70_142913a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SlG66FAGtymLlxPErKd5QFVGBoZ_QfSIVeqKcRM0zR0ahgy1vNqp-aTq-B6JgHcPSEHYTeaFBDVUxop69hwyk5AH0ERJk5HWpR4zLRPWuexWTfvg8_uawPU5j2WYZtdlvXGP/s320/harry_army_70_142913a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034082602985979074" /></a>
<a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article1419304.ece">"Around 1,600 British troops will return home from Iraq in the next few months, reducing the deployment of the UK force in the country to 5,500 by the end of the summer, Tony Blair said today...
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The Prince's regiment, the Blues and Royals, is among those expected to be deployed as 1 Mechanised Brigade replaces 19 Light Brigade for a six-month tour of duty in southern Iraq. Despite concerns for his safety and his attractiveness as a target for extremists, Prince Harry has stated his intention to serve on the battlefield if his unit is sent into combat.
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An MoD spokesman said the decision over whether Prince Harry will go to Iraq would be announced tomorrow."</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-13422386938966151212007-02-19T11:22:00.000-05:002007-02-20T08:50:23.921-05:00Shrove Tuesday "Pancake Day"While <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday">Pancake Day </a>doesn't seem half as wild and exciting as its partner <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras">Mardi Gras</a>, I still look forward to this day with a surprising amount of pleasure. There's something about the start of Lent that offers me the same anticipation as the start of the New Year. The opportunity to shed the past and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose. It must have been all those years at a C of E boarding school with chapel everyday and the comfort of ritual. I remember during Lent there was always additional Communion for those of us who could face the earlier than usual start, brisking the bitter spring mornings where the low mist from the lake hung over the playing fields like a swirling duvet, to capture a piece of early redemption before breakfast. Maybe it's the memories surrounding Pancake Day that I love - I still use the same worn and seasoned crêpe pan that my mum used and a recipe brought home from school one day by my brother in his grey shorts and flat cap. The tangy sweetness of the lemon and sugar melting on one's tongue into an acid syrup.
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I'm looking forward to the fact that this year Jay will understand it's Pancake Day (if not the sentiment behind it) and that for tea he'll enjoy bite after bite of perfectly rolled crêpes ladened with castor sugar and freshly-squeezed lemon, that he'll watch me flip the thin pancakes over and shout for me to do it again. He loves his Papa's American style pancakes, thick and fluffy smothered in maple syrup, but I know his English tastebuds, when confronted with the delicate slips of cooked batter, will allow the taste to creep into his subconscious, lingering until he's old enough to take the crêpe pan to his own home and recall madeleine memories of his own.
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Until then, I'll be the one using the crêpe pan, absolving my sins with every beat of the eggs, milk and flour, stirring away the past and pouring a new tomorrow into the hot pan only to watch it be gobbled up by a growing, hungry little boy with blue eyes and a cheeky smile.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-56539938047672374882007-02-16T08:37:00.000-05:002007-02-16T15:48:45.038-05:00Spartans! Enjoy your breakfast...Ὦ ξεῖν’, ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε<br>
κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sr1wFOvIAJ0/RdXD-Xv4thI/AAAAAAAAAa8/CSfdROVD4Zs/s1600-h/Modern+day+monument+to+the+Battle+of+Thermopylae.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sr1wFOvIAJ0/RdXD-Xv4thI/AAAAAAAAAa8/CSfdROVD4Zs/s320/Modern+day+monument+to+the+Battle+of+Thermopylae.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032143634950567442" /></a>
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Even better than watching Josh Bernstein explaining the finer points of ancient Greek weaponery and flexing his muscles when showing that with a little coordination shooting an arrow off the back of a moving chariot is really quite simple, is watching 300 Spartans stipped to their bronzed, ripped waists and brandishing frightening looking spears and xiphoi whilst holding off an army of Persians that should more than easily overwhelm them. Yes, I'm talking about the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. On 9th March the film, <a href="http://300themovie.warnerbros.com/home.html?dl=undefined">300</a> comes out in the cinema and iMax. As a long time fan of the Spartans, (women in Spartan society had far greater independence and involvement in the running of the society than their Greek counterparts and I'm all for everyone being made to run 20 miles a day and then for all male citizens to spend the day in loincloths practicing their battle skills in the town marketplace), I am eagerly awaiting this film. The film is based on Frank Miller's novel, (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Miller_%28comics%29">Frank Miller</a> of the Daredevil, Sin City, Ronin and so many others I can't name them all graphic comic book fame) and directed by Zack Snyder. The cinematography looks incredible and I've heard the battle scenes are truly works of epic masterpieces. The cast is largely, so it seems, made up of British stage actors with a few Europeans thrown in for authentic measure I suppose. Most happily Rodrigo Santoro (Love Actually) has a major part although unhappily has been cast as Xerxes, king of the Persians (booooo) instead of a Spartan (yeaaaa). Either way I am looking forward to the film release with a excitement that has me sharpening my battle cry, swords aloft boys, "...<strong>for tonight we dine in Hell</strong>!"
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Recommended reading: <a href="http://www.stevenpressfield.com/books/gates_fire.asp">Steven Pressfield 'Gates of Fire'</a><p>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sr1wFOvIAJ0/RdXFknv4tjI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/fIU_R74K9d0/s1600-h/cover_gates_fire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sr1wFOvIAJ0/RdXFknv4tjI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/fIU_R74K9d0/s320/cover_gates_fire.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032145391592191538" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-40643756969742281422007-02-15T16:36:00.000-05:002007-02-15T16:42:59.887-05:00How to assemble a Formula 1 carJust in case you're ever very bored, very rich or very crazy and have a mere 6-8 hours to spare, here's how to assemble a Formula 1 car...
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<a href="http://www.formula1.com/news/5639.html">How to assemble a Formula One car - Part One</a>
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<a href="http://www.formula1.com/news/5645.html">How to assemble a Formula One car - Part Two</a>
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<a href="http://www.formula1.com/news/5650.html">How to assemble a Formula One car - Part Three</a>
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<a href="http://www.formula1.com/news/5655.html">How to assemble a Formula One car - Part Four</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-60790211985618879912007-02-14T16:58:00.000-05:002007-02-15T16:44:09.806-05:00What we've been doing on Snow DayHAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
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Snowmen, solar systems and watching Harry Potter...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJA4mC5PBMH1fDTTJSP087vkckCbpuAqwuEL6xJT4517bseLrW5PMau-kC463Q8dP75vbuAPAhPFPjAXEz87-cmZh2gc-u5M-sjRzow2FoDCT9x2mrBU-acVM-bJeTfxTf4rB/s1600-h/DSC03777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJA4mC5PBMH1fDTTJSP087vkckCbpuAqwuEL6xJT4517bseLrW5PMau-kC463Q8dP75vbuAPAhPFPjAXEz87-cmZh2gc-u5M-sjRzow2FoDCT9x2mrBU-acVM-bJeTfxTf4rB/s320/DSC03777.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031514250443011538" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Lo1VRpkjPqFr1NlVpGMPYNCY3uqmwPoUUZ7JALqOik5MscHgpIRgQEvsPRlMnfkPfJKwWSDrxihYj5gUcnzZFx9ETTM0-9TykAHTYJCewFYPrCo0fhr9amCQ_mEVXOP6Zf1a/s1600-h/DSC03762.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Lo1VRpkjPqFr1NlVpGMPYNCY3uqmwPoUUZ7JALqOik5MscHgpIRgQEvsPRlMnfkPfJKwWSDrxihYj5gUcnzZFx9ETTM0-9TykAHTYJCewFYPrCo0fhr9amCQ_mEVXOP6Zf1a/s320/DSC03762.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031514254737978850" /></a>
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<a href="http://www2.warnerbros.com/orderofthephoenix/">Trailer from the new Harry Potter film, THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, due out July 13th</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20351211.post-29422408611898547332007-02-13T14:51:00.000-05:002007-02-13T15:19:52.492-05:00Snow DayPhotos from Jay's 3rd party have been posted in the Photo Album. It was great fun and as I said to Sophie, possibly made more so by the bottle and a half of champagne I drank pretty much by myself, (insert usual British over-indulgence of alcohol and American sobriety jokes here). Food was good, children behaved well and clear-up was minimal - an excellent party as far as I'm concerned. Jay received some wonderful pressies and is well on the way to having a large collection of Playmobil.
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Today I'm experiencing my first Snow Day. We're in the midst of a blizzard, (well a lot of snow and wind really, I'm not sure I'd really class it as a blizzard per se), so classes were cancelled and uni closed. Having discovered this after I'd dropped Jay off at school he was then utterly thrilled when I returned less than forty minutes later to take him home. Short school day! We spent the morning doing puzzles, finger painting and playdoh and then I've been working this afternoon, (modern technology means everything's accessible via the web nowadays so even work systems can be accessed from home - shame). It's rather nice though to be able to go and make a cup of tea whenever I get too frustrated with the Blackboard system. At least I can't access the dreaded ParScore from home because it's networked and not web-accessible! Anyway it must be bad outside because even Sweetwater, the never-ending money-making machine, is sending everyone home at four. One of the issues I think in Fort Wayne is tht we have a lot of people who live out of town in quite rural areas and getting to them proves rather tricky with all the snow. Thankfully FW employers seem to be quite cognizant of that fact. Anyway, I'm off to make another cup of tea...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0