“Z pick up your blocks!’ - ”Why Daddy?”
“Z eat your dinner!” - ”Why Mummy?”
“Z hold my hand as we cross the street.” - ”Why, why why?”
Feb 202012
Feb 082012
Finally I’ve gotten through the worst of my cold and my sinuses are starting to clear up. I wish I could say the same for Mrs Almost American, who now seems to be going into the worst of it. Luckily Z has escaped this round of illness – so far! Since I’ve got to feeling better I thought I’d write a little more than I have the past two nights, and so I wish to talk about pub quizzes. Continue reading »
Jan 272012
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother. – W. Shakespeare (Henry V)
In Shakespeare’s play Henry V, Monarch of England, rallies his vastly outnumbered, fearful and dispirited troops before the battle of Agincourt. The Saint Crispin’s Day Speech might be one of the most inspiring speeches in classic literature. As King he reaches into the hearts of his troops, equalizing himself as their brother, shrugging any notion of self-interest and uniting them their dangerous but potentially glorious pursuit.
Jan 172012
Remembering back to my school days in the U.K. I recall the immediate joy I felt upon hearing the fire alarm for the required annual fire drill (the activity whereby the occupants of a building practice leaving the building in a safe, orderly and quick manner). The best part was knowing that with the lesson interrupted it was highly unlikely it would resume until the following week.
Source of Fire Alarm Frustrations
I do also, however, recall the unpleasant feeling of standing in the pouring rain and bitter cold as the student body awaited its signal to return inside… which was usually delayed by the necessity to account for every pupil. This simple task was complicated by the fact that Timmy, and those like him, had requested to go to the bathroom at the beginning of class and still hadn’t returned. In actuality Timmy had usually already escaped the building and left school premises to skive his classes.
If you’re wondering why I’m reminiscing about something as mundane as a fire drill it all comes down to a strange – and rather spooky – coincidence today. Continue reading »
Jan 102012
Welcome to Almost American. This is my site to document the trials and tribulations of being British by birth and upbringing and living in America!
It was almost nine years ago when I moved to the USA and promised myself I’d start to write my story for all to read. It seemed an especially good idea for my family back home, whom, although hear the highlights of my life, generally miss out on the more mundane day-to-day happenings. So, here it is, “Hello, Word!” – Almost American is born… nine years late and not to be confused with “Gigi: Almost American” a episodic comedic enterprise produced by BBC World Wide Productions. Continue reading »
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