A new life; same as the old life?

Europe takes the hat-trick! For the third successive year, Europe took home the prize; the Ryder Cup. In a performance that would have made Motherdear happy, Tiger was mediocre at best, despite his win. The US have the top three players in the world rankings and still only one of those won, and it was a close thing. The Europeans, who also hold three of the top ten world rankings (the lower half), always seem to be able to step it up at this level. Colin Montgomerie is unbeaten in singles in this tournament. So well done boys, rock on 2008, when we will go for a 4th straight victory! There is more news and reviews over here at the official site .

We recently had an event at work to help raise morale. It is a continual battle to keep people motivated in a highly stressful environment. The theme of this event was a carnival, you know, ring toss, balloon animals, bozo buckets (apparently invented by some guy from Chicago; scroll down to the second picture and there is some text there about it.), candy corn, etc. Whilst discussing this in a meeting the day before, someone jokingly suggested that I should dress up as a clown. I said nothing, but though, duh, why didn't I think of that, and hatched my plan. Where would I find an outfit, at one day notice, with make up and all the doin's. We found a place not far away, with reasonable priced outfits, and the plan was in motion. Everybody thought it was very funny, apart from Steve who is"scared" of clowns. Anyway not much of a tale, but I thought you might enjoy the pictures.

Ha, famous at last . The Azores were on full alert in readiness for me, but in true style (not a word Charlie!) I just hit the Azores in a much weakened state . Winds around 75mph were barely enough to classify me as a hurricane. Thanks to Olly for this.

Well almost, actually, the very first McDonalds was run by two brothers Dick and Mac in San Bernadino, CA. Raymond Albert Kroc was the exclusive distributor of a five spindle milk shake mixer, that they were using in their restaurant. He heard they were using 8 of them side by side and decided to go take a look for himself. He was so impressed by their operation and the speed of service, that he hit upon the idea of opening a chain of similar places, planning to sell many milk shake machines to each. Upon further discussion with the brothers, he decided that, in fact, he would open them himself. He opened the first in Des Plaines, IL in 1955. His first day's sales $366.12! That particular restaurant is no longer functioning, but is in fact a museum, with another retro style venue across the street. There is lots more to read over at the McDonalds website . Why do I care, most of you are probably asking. Well, I care, because apart from eating a lot of Mickey Ds as Charlie would ca

Last night I went to what may well prove to be the last Cubs game I see this season. I hope to catch a few more, but there are only a few left and I have a lot to fit in before I go home to the UK in a few weeks. If this was the last game, what a game to go out on! I had managed to score tickets to some of the best seats in the house. Seats that don't cost a lot of money ($60) but that are nigh on impossible to get. Seats that you are not allowed to swap, even for the one right next to you, which I think is a little strict, but hey ho. We were in Cubs Box seats, right behind the GO of Chicago on the roof of the Cubs dug out. Row 2 if you please. The seats were awesome, but it did mean that I will probably be spoiled for ever sitting anywhere else! My neighbour Sean had already invited me to go to the game with him in the 200 seats, and we were up for it, until these tickets came in. We decided to try to sell his tickets at the ball park, but there were very few biters. It turns out

5 years later, the wounds still exist. People are still raw. The movies and the documentaries meet with criticism. Some think it is still too early, some think never will be too soon. I actually managed to offend someone this morning by saying that it was our generations John Lennon moment, our JFK. He felt that I was comparing the death of one man with that of several thousand, when all I was trying to say, was that it was one of those moments our parents and grandparents talk about. I can still remember where I was when....... a world defining moment. There is no comparison of course between 9/11 and John Lennons death, or for that matter July 7th in London. So many people have said this so much better than I, there are many in the blogging world, but the bottom line is this. Never forget the day the world changed forever.

Sorry, not had much time for posting lately. Trying to plan a trip home, a party, catch a few more ball games before the end of the season, and get ready for Fall & Winter. A couple of friends sent me these the other day and though they were excellent. No explanation required, form an orderly queue. The guy who sent me this is a closet redneck.