The Official Color of Britain

My brother pointed this out to me and until he did, I didn't really notice. After that - it is all I could see.

Whether you are in construction...

Ride a bike...

Do a little gardening...

Drive a bus (Mick, our daily driver)

Are a policeman....

Or cycle, run, drive a truck (lorry), ride a motorcycle, empty garbage or just plain ol' walk the dog... Flourescent Yellow is the name of the game. You gotta be hi viz (high visibility) or you just don't fit in. Is it because it is dark all the time?

Fun and Games

This weekend, I did finally get out a bit. I know, I know.. things have been a bit boring around the blog lately. But what did you expect? This month is the first month in 13 months that I am not going to be getting on a plane. (Flying back on January 2nd does not count). Needless to say, I'm trying to get caught up on my housework.

This past Friday, I did go downtown with some out of town colleagues to see The Mousetrap. Like a moron, I forgot to take pictures of us by the marquee or anything London related for that matter. But, you'll just have to take my word for it that we saw a play in London that has been running for 56 years! And no, I am not going to tell you whodunit. Go see it for yourselves! http://www.stmartinstheatre.co.uk/

Thus with, no pictures, I thought I'd share my Sunday night pub quiz activity. The triathlon group took over the local pub for quite the competitive game. (A bunch of atheletes, competitive? Nah!)

My team, Credit Crunch, was soundly in 2nd place if not for a few typos on our end. I didn't actually contribute much except for successfully identifying Jim Henson's photo (Mr. Muppet creator) and getting a Spiderman quote correct. Thank goodness for the token American!

And lastly, I'll just leave you with a picture of my dog sleeping in the pike position. I accidentally took him on a 13 mile run on Sunday so he was very tired. I told you, I don't have much this week. Blame work!

Sunrise..Sunset... Is there a Difference?

When I first moved here in June, I woke up the first few mornings to bright sunshine and immediately thought I was late for work. I looked at the clock only to find that it would read 4:45AM. Huh? With my new move comes a new latitude. The sun came up early and was out all day - often after I went to bed. Did I move to Alaska? Now however, with the onset of winter, it's dark. A lot. The sun rises around 8:04AM and sets at 3:50PM. Well, technically. Some days with the clouds and rain that I'm not sure the street lights turn off. So what does one do when it is dark all the time? You ask for a few specific Christmas gifts.

Here, Tucker models 'his' new present to help when we run in the dark. What? You don't get it?

How about now?

Even better - it blinks!

Safety first - that's our motto.

Can You Ever Have Too Many?

In my old house, I stored the crystal wine glasses in the china cabinet. They are my 'good' wine glasses so they only came out with the 'good' wine. The kitchen held my every day drinking glasses. Those are the ones that you can put in the dishwasher and use when just having a glass with dinner. And the storage cabinet held the 'party' glasses. The wine glasses you need when you have lots of people coming over.

Sadly, in the flat here - all the wine glasses are in one spot and it makes a bit of a statement. Is it possible to have too many?

38 wine glasses

4 champagne glasses

4 port glasses

3 pilsner glasses (there would be 4 if I didn't break one)

I think I'm ready to entertain.

Red Light Green Light

How technology helps the parking lot.

The giant supermarket is more crowded than you can believe. All the time. So they've made it easier when you drive in - above each parking spot is a light. Green if it is empty and red if it is not. Hopefully you can tell in the photo. So, no creeping along - look up, find your spot, grab your trolley and join the queue for groceries......

Win Win

Posted next to an elevator in NYC

NYE in NYC

On my way back to London I stopped in New York City to celebrate New Year's Eve with friends. Although I dashed about the city for a few days checking out Times Square, running in Central Park, meeting relay buddies for lunch and scavenging at the post holiday sales, I've narrowed the picture selection to just a few...

Upper East Side view. Holly has a great view from the 9th floor but we decided to scramble to the roof for a better picture.

Where the Twin Towers used to be. A good reminder to start off the new year remembering and celebrating the people in your life.

Statue of Liberty on the left, Ellis Island on the right. A reminder that everyone in the U.S. was once an immigrant. (Don't ask me why I had to take one photo instead of two. I think I was blinded by the sun)

My New Year's Eve partners in crime - good friends Carey and Alicia (who are getting married in August), me and Holly. Are we smiling because we just polished off dessert or because my luggage finally showed up?

What I Learn From My Dog

Sometimes, you just have to take a nap in the sun. (Yes, the sun does come out in England) I think he's excited to be back after two weeks in the kennel, don't you?

Three Things I Love

About Southern California...

1. Bike Lanes

2. Sunshine in December (althought Christmas is still kinda weird without snow)

3. My little brother being nice enough to pull for me.

Thanks to the family for a fun Christmas and the new camera. I know y'all are excited for that one..