London Chimes

X-37B

2010-12-04T14:01:00.002-05:00

Continuing an ongoing theme of space travel and pushing back the final frontier. Another milestone was reached this week with the return of the X-37B US Military unmanned spacecraft.

As this projected started as a NASA program, there is some information in the public domain about this prototype spaceplane. But there is growing speculation about the future purpose of the X-37B.

This week the craft returned to Vandenberg Air Force Base in Californina after seven months in orbit.

Smaller than the space shuttle at only 8.9m (29ft 3ins) long and with a 4.5m (14ft 11ins) wingspan, designed to be a reusable craft it is about one-quarter the size of the space shuttle.

One of the interesting differences between the shuttle and the X-37B is that while the space shuttle uses a fuel-cell power-system, X-37B is powered by a solar array and lithium-ion batteries.

The auto-pilot return to California is historic as the first autonomous re-entry and landing in the recorded history of the US space programme.

London Underground Etiquette!

2010-11-20T11:10:00.002-05:00

From comments received from my last posting... I wanted to share a couple (and so far I have found over 33 etiquette rules ) - Copied without permission... but you will get the general idea!

On the Train
Eye Contact
If God had wanted us to make eye contact on the Tube, then why did he give us the Evening Standard?- Unless you have a significant other to make eye contact with, or indeed, relatives and suchlike, eye contact is a London Underground etiquette no-no. On no account does a person make eye contact with another passenger on the Underground, in any circumstance, even accidentally.

Verbal Contact
Unless it is to ask the way, to ask for a newspaper which someone has read, to say 'excuse me!' to get to the Tube doors, or the persons with whom you wish to converse fall into the categories outlined in the past two sections, under no circumstances are you to engage in conversation with anyone on the Tube.

Facial Expression
None, save for looking sullen, downcast, and generally depressed. Smiling should not occur, as it is generally seen that there is no valid reason for any positive emotion to be expressed while using this means of public transport. If any emotion is to be expressed, then it is usually in response to an announcement along the lines of:

I'm sorry for the delay, but we're being kept here for a couple more minutes to let the Rayners Lane train go first - why they couldn't have let us go first as we got here before them, I don't know... but anyway, sorry for the delay...- Eastbound Heathrow branch Piccadilly Line driver, on approach to Acton Town, morning rush-hour

Even in response to an announcement like that, one should not exclaim vocally. To make known your disquiet, affect a slight grimace, wrinkling your brow very slightly, roll your eyes, or sigh very gently.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-20T08:51:00.004-05:00

"The attitude of gratitude".

With thanksgiving just a few days away, I wanted to share my perspective of this most inclusive of American holidays and why I beleive it is one that should live in all of our hearts throughout the year. (Without getting too mushy).

On a scale of one through ten, how grateful are you towards others year-round. Five perhaps.. more? Less?

Since arriving in America, I made an effort of making eye-contact and be polite to people I would meet. Not making this effort would give an outward impression of rudeness, something that I would like to think I am not. In no time effort gave way to habit, and a great habit to have.

If you like to be thanked and appreciated, do-as-you-would-be-done-by!

Year-round I work with volunteers, "thank you" is a small word for what all of these people do to help others. Yet is it the most appropriate expression of sincere gratitude I can share with them each day.

This approach typically goes against the british-reserve, where even eye-contact is avoided. for example there can be over 914 passengers on a tube train in London, with not one person making eye-contact to another.

Common-courtsey goes a long way, and trust me, will make you feel better too.

I digress!

Thanksgiving encapsulates a year-round habit of thanks. "Lets Celebrate" with those near and dear to us, but equally importantly let us continue to build an attitude of gratitude for our fellow man.

Will we look back and say... that was a good year?

2010-11-13T12:20:00.003-05:00

The 2009 Grand Prix season was a cracker. If it was a fine wine it would be one of the best vintages to savor.

Short memory? 2009 was the year Jenson Button won the championship in the all-new Brawn F1 team.

As the sun sets on the 2010 championship tomorrow will fans view this as an equally vintage year for Formula 1 Grand Prix racing?

This year is certainly no beaujolais nouveau (which is released this Thursday and another story). In so far it has been a rough year of unending team dominance. For the championship to head "down to the wire" in the final race is thrilling for the spectators and armchair enthusiasts world-wide.

My 6 year-old has cheered loudly for her "Blue Babies" (Red Bull), jumped up and down when the silver car would lead a race (McLaren), and loved the red cars, as they are as close to pink, her favorite color (Ferrari). At least this year has given us all variety.

I cannot recall as interesting a season-end as Prost-Senna in Japan if I recall correctly who took each other out at the start of the race to decide a championship in an unorthodox fashion.

Alonso (Ferrari), looks to take the drivers championship through his consistency this season.

Webber (Red Bull) the number one driver in the team on points is playing a supportive role to Vettel who while on a lower number of points appears to be a favorite by a team who have not declared who their number one driver is year-long. Yet their actions appear contary to their postion.

Hamilton (McLaren) mathematically stands a chance to win, but probabilty is against him. But on the last race of the season and starting on the front row there is every possibility something will happen, or break, or a pit stop go wrong, or a pig flies over the track (just checking to see if you are reading this).

Regardless, enjoy what will be one of the most memorable races for a long time to finish a season that perhaps will not be as unique as last year but every part as interesting.

That racing!

London Chimes Rewind to 2002

2010-11-13T11:55:00.003-05:00

This weekend is the annual Wales Rally GB, also known in the past as the RAC Rally, Network Q Rally and probably the most famous association of all the Lombard RAC Rally for those who are as old and as long in the tooth as I!

Today the event visited Epynt and a return to Radnor not used on the event for 10 years.

The event clearly is as muddy and cold as every other year... part of the charm. While Rally HQ continues to be Cardiff, but not City Hall in Cathay's Park.

Sadly the event does not event merit a mention on the BBC News Sport website pages who clearly have their motorsport attention on the F1 finale this weekend. Rightly so, but hey Beeb there is other motorsport and the RAC used to be the biggest spectator event in the UK.

So in honor of my friends from Green Belt Motor Club here is a rewind to a posting 8 years ago on London Chimes....

Rewind to 2002 London Chimes Posting:

In recent years the event has been based in Cardiff, South Wales and has been run in the forest to the west of the City over 3 days. A far cry from when this event over 5 days visited England, Scotland and Wales and included Sunday stages designed for the fans who watched the Rally heroes yump their way through the grounds of Statley Homes and super-special stages at established race tracks. - Ah! They were the days! It has been my privilage over the years to have led marshalling teams on a variety of motorsport events, the most important being the Network Q RAC Rally and titled in the past, (The Lombard RAC, in the distant past). Rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Event sponsors have come and gone. Next year the Network Q are to be replaced by the nation of Wales as the main sponsor. Allowing a rally enthusiast to reminice: My first encounter with this WRC event was marshalling at West Midlands Safari Park at Bewdley in 1983, as the sealed roads of the park were being used as one of the Sunday special stages. The park as it is now, closed for the winter season had moved many of its residents to enclosures not being used for the Rally. As the stage was one of the first to be run, and that the marshals needed to be in place along the stage (hours) before Car 1, I drove a car full of fellow GBMC members up to Bewdley the previous evening. We had been given permission to park in the grounds of the Safari Park to sleep in cars and the radio caravan over night. After I had dropped off my passengers to sleep in the caravan, I found an enclosure that I discovered was right next to where the lions had been moved to, and was kept wake by the continued pacing and growling not more than 50 feet away.
In the late 80's when I freelanced for Competiton Car Magazine, together with friends Nick and Andy, we drove the route moving from stage to stage as best we could. This is the only time I have ever visited Scotland, the moors of Yorkshire and deepest Sweet Lamb in Wales. There was an instance in Wales when one of the top teams service barges drove far to close to our car smashing the drivers door mirror. Asa we progressed north, I have memories of driving around the Lake District trying to find an open Ford dealership to purchase a new mirror as the car we were using had been hired and it was cheaper to make the repair than suffer the penalty when we took the car back.

The following year I drove friends Ed and Trevor all the way up the snow covered M1 to some country house in Yorkshire. Even though this stage was being televised, there is still nothing quiet like watching it at the stage. We arrived in time for car 1, and the local spectators throwing snowballs at TV crews who took advantage of blocking the view of some spectators that had been standing in the snow patiently at a great viewing spot for some hours. Almost an international incident.

Of all the Sunday stages I have the fondest memories of two in particular. Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. A beautiful setting for a classic event and Donington Park, the venue for final marshalling appearances on a World Rally Championship event.

As a seasoned marshal on the RAC my last three visits as a marshal at Donington Park in the East Midlands were the most fun, and the coldest I have ever been. The first of the three visits we were assigned a stretch through trees in the infield area. Plenty of slippy-sideways action close-up.

Friends James and Tim came prepared with a great primus cooking set up that enabled us to make bacon sandwiches, hot dogs and boiling hot tea in the hours we waited until the first car.

The other two visits we improved our catering, and were assigned a stretch of the main circuit taking up position in the marshals post at the bottom of the Craner Curves. With no spectators to contol at this point, we were afforded a great view of most of the stage and could concentrate on cooking up those bacon sandwiches! The stage started on the old circuit, long since abandoned in favor of the current layout. The cars ran behind our post first, on the loose muddy track down to the old hairpin, then onto the racing circuit track, in the opposite direction to normal racing, past our post and up the Craner Curves to the entrance to the infield. The primus stoves were set up in the marshals post that had recently been upgraded to a cage with a solid metal framework that provided us with a shelf for our mustard, English and French, Ketchup, etc. My final trip to Donington proved to be the longest of all my marshalling days on the RAC Rally. The stage was run twice, early morning and late in the afternoon. With the a classic rally made up by old historic rally cars of the 50's and 60's running through the stage in the middle of the day. With beautiful blue skies all day, for November it was cold. While thankfully we were at the bottom of the hill and out of the wind. As the sun set, car 1 started the stage for the final time as the thermometer hit 32F, freezing, before windchill factors. It just got colder, and colder. To combat the cold, I was wearing my race suit, and nomex under my race suit with a pair of hiking boot over 3 pairs of socks. Add one gortex jacket and a Scandanavian ski hat I was as warm as I could possibly be. Given that our food supply was extensive, the marshalling team from GBMC were well looked after with food and hot drinks supplied from our "catering cage".

As a veteran of RAC's I think that "we finally got it right" at the Craner Curves with the catering and and excellent viewing spot. As the last cars past us it started to snow, the temperature was well below freezing and the mustard pots had frozen to the marshals cage.

Great times, to especially to Nick, Trevor, James and Tim I thank you from the bottom of my heart for some of the BEST days I have ever had on the RAC Rally.

My hats off to all the volunteer marshals who make the biggest sporting spectator event in the UK safe for all. It may seem a wonderful job, but it is long hours. When I undertook this task the marshals have to be in position before the public are allowed to access the spectator areas. This could be over four hours before the course cars would be seen on the stage.

In 2002 the entry list seems smaller than other years where I recall 200 odd cars. Starting at minute intervals followed by a thirty minute delay after the due time of the last car. Then another delay as the course closing car passes through the stage, offering a thank you on the PA and a cheery wave for standing still for up to 7 hours. Our day at Donington was over 12 hours, so you see why it was necessary to make the best of it.

November is National Caregivers Month - US and UK analysis

2010-11-06T08:27:00.005-05:00

November is National Family Caregiver's Month (NFC Month).

Thank you is a very small word, but the most appropriate expression as I honor every person who provides care to a wife, husband, family member, friend or neighbor.

So frequently people do not see themselves as carers but as a family member, friend or neighbor taking responsibility and doing "what anyone in their position would do."

Respectfully, if you know someone who is a family care partner, give them a call, thank them, send them a message, see if you can help them in a meaningful way.

Act today!

And don't forget the tomorrows that are not part of a "special " month.

Analysis:

There are more than 50 million family caregivers / care partners in the United States who provide 80% of the long-term care services. Estimated at over $306 billion annually on "free caregiving services" to their loved ones."

In the UK the proportion of people caring for others has doubled in the last ten years. Estimated at over 5 million of all ages aged 16 or older,or one in eight. Half provide more than 20 hours care each week and one third more than 35 hours or more.

R2

2010-11-06T07:52:00.003-05:00

It would appear we have come very long way from the days of Robbie the Robot. NASA and General Motors have developed R2, who appears to be more like a Star Wars Bounty Hunter than a small beeping triped.

Robonaut 2, or R2 for short has flown into history as the first humanoid robot to be sent into space. Quoting from Michio Kaku, " R2 is designed to help astronauts perform tedious and dangerous missions. It's designed so that it will eventually be able to vacuum air filters, do space walks, flip switches, and go into dangerous toxic environments."

In the early 21st Century this is a first step towards the complex androids in the world of Star Trek and Star Wars. But look how far robotics has developed in the last 25 years.

R2 may be considered the disposable robot designed for one-way missions, for example to the moon.

Heading towards the final frontier has a price-tag. That said, the advantage of R2 is that you can accomodate off-the-shelf technology to put a robot quickly on the moon.

Michio also adds in his report, "Moon rockets these days are not so expensive; putting R2 on the moon can be done with half a billion dollars, which is pocket change compared to the price tag of a manned mission to the moon: $150 billion."

Will this ignite excitement of space travel and possibilities for the next generation? Consider what is possible in the next 25 years.

Korean RallyCross

2010-10-25T15:10:00.002-05:00

"Wildcard Race"is probably a better term to use than fiasco at the Korean Grand Prix yesterday.

At the end of the race in rapidly fading light the million dollar race-cars looked akin to their RallyCross cousins at Lydden Hill in Kent as mud plastered the sleek polished panels.

The maths still gives 5 drivers a chance to win, although barring serious problems with the other four drivers Jenson Button will pass over the championship laurels to someone else at the end of a remarkable 2010 season.

Ferrari are the dark horse in the championship race - pun fully intended as they had a great performance due to the atrition of Red Bull.

I have many questions, many about the organization and the decisions of the stewards. But the race is done. Finished and won. Lesson learned, perhaps not to be repeated in 2011.

Mine Safety

2010-10-23T11:53:00.002-05:00

In the category "I have no real idea what I am talking about". I have been pondering over the 33 miners from Chile who were rescued safely after 69 days underground.

In this day and age of technology it I find it hard to fathom why nobody has developed a vehicle to rescue workers from similar dangers.

OR perhaps someone did... it just has not been created for real.

Thanks Gerry!

Inagural Korean GP - Wheeltracks Special!

2010-10-23T08:49:00.003-05:00

Tommorow the lights will go green for the inagural Korean Grand Prix for Formula 1 race teams.
Mathematically, with only three races left in the 2010 season, there are five drivers who could take championship glory.

New circuits come with challenges and complaints. But this close to the end of the season it is a Formula 1 curve ball in a competive season.

Wheeltracks a previously published column in Competition Car weighs in with analysis and review for this weekend's race.

The track:
Has been driven over hundreds of times in the last two days by Formula 1 cars to create a cleaner line on one side of the track. Offline remains very dirty and will create grip issues.
Compounded to this is that the night before the race wet weather is forcast and there is a question on whether the track will be dry enough for the start of the race. The first corner is a double apex hairpin. (Turn 1 and Turn 2). Consider the problems seen at Spa over the years in first bend incidents - then add possible grip issues on relatively cold tyres and we have a recipe for every much an entertaining first lap as Japan two weeks ago.

Jensen Button in 7th place on the grid in his McLaren of the five leaders has possibly most to worry about. However Vettel in his Red Bull on pole has made very aggressive starts recently, and would be unwise to risk crashing with Mark Webber in a first lap incident.

Equally concerning are both turns 3 and 4 at the end of long straights that will possibly favor the McLarens, but are tight hairpin configurations offering overtaking opportunities.

Tyres:
Hard or Soft? Tyre wear is hard on this new track. Drivers have seen their tyres badly worn from initial testing at the track. Strategists are possibly considering starting on the harder tyre and once there is some rubber on the racing line, switching to the softer option tyre.

If there is an early race incident and the safety car is called out I would question any strategy to switch tyres before lap 15.

Reliability:
Red Bull have improved their reliability that has seen podium places from starting at the head of the grid. Webber has elected to use a new engine compared with Vettel's used engine. Will this make a difference over 55 laps?

Alonso in his Ferrari continues to quietly impove to the detriment of both McLarens.

Button and Hamilton in the McLarens have everything to loose in Korea. They need to win to keep their championship hopes alive. Both will need to drive like they have never done before and hope that Red Bull and Ferrari have problems. The McLaren has a reputation for being fast in a straight line, ideal at Monza (Button 2nd) or Silvestone (2nd and 4th) - but Korea has some slow bends.

Valencia:
The European GP in Valencia Spain 2008 was a contemporary race on a green track the top three of this race was the same as the first three on the grid. If we apply the same general scenario then tomorrow we are looking at a 1-2 for Red Bull with Ferrari third.

Sticking my neck out!
I do not beleive the Valencia model will hold in Korea tomorrow. Jenson Button's championship hopes have faded. The podium tomorrow I forsee will be:

1st Webber
2nd Vettel
3rd Hamilton

I personally hope that they do, but the odds are not in their favor.

Space... pushing back the final frontier

2010-10-23T07:55:00.002-05:00

I was six and a half when man landed on the moon in 1969. I vaguely recollect watching Neil Armstrong take one small step for man that July.

The Space Race as it was so named in the most frosty years of the cold war between Russia and America personally ignited a lifelong interest in mankinds journey into the stars both real and science fiction.

As a child as part of a what do you want to be when you grow up art exercise I was told by my teacher that there would never be a British astronaut.

From today's press release:

Commercial space travel has taken one more step forward today in New Mexico. The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) today dedicated the nearly two mile long “Governor Bill Richardson Spaceway” at Spaceport America, representing significant progress toward launching commercial customers into space from the desert of New Mexico.

Governor Bill Richardson, Sir Richard Branson and approximately 30 of more than 380 Virgin Galactic future astronauts attended the event along with guests from around the world and watched a flyover and landing by Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo, in a captive carry with SpaceShipTwo.

Sir Richard Branson commented, “It is incredible to be here today with Governor Richardson and be part of the runway dedication at Spaceport America. To see for myself how far the construction has come from when I last visited New Mexico is truly inspiring – I for one can’t wait for the grand opening – today has brought it one step closer to reality for me. The last few weeks have been some of the most exciting in Virgin Galactic’s development. Our spaceship is flying beautifully and will soon be making powered flights, propelled by our new hybrid rocket motor, which is also making excellent progress in its own test program. The investment deal with our new partners Aabar has successfully closed, securing funding for the remainder of the development program and we are seeing unprecedented numbers of people coming forward to secure their own reservations for this incredible experience. To be here in New Mexico to witness this historic moment is the perfect end to a great month.”

The 42 inch thick spaceway is designed to support nearly every type of aircraft in the world today. It is made up of 24 inches of prepared sub-grade, followed by four inches of asphalt, and finished with a 14 inch layer of concrete. The spaceway will accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles.

Time for Tea!

2010-10-09T12:37:00.002-05:00

My morning simply does not start off without a good-old cuppa-tea. PG Tips continues to be my tea of choice, more easily available in the Philadelphia area than ever before.

Today I learn that one of the world's leading tea-producing nations, Sri Lanka, has just become the scene for a new official world record - the largest cup of tea.

A giant red mug was filled with 1,000 gallons of water, 141lb of tea, 1,929lb of malted milk powder and 353lb of sugar.It was almost three times the size of the previous record, set last year. The red mug had the capacity to hold 32,000 "normal" cups.

In something akin to a Goon Radio sketch, the tea was later driven around the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, and handed out to locals in small plastic cups.

The tea came from Sri Lanka's famed estates, and was brewed for hours in 44-gallon urns in a way that is popular in South Asia - with sugar and malted milk power. - "Seems more like stewed than brewed" adds London Chimes.

Some rough calculations would suggest it would take one person 87 years to drink this cup at the rate of one cup a day.

10-10-10

2010-10-09T09:27:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow which happens to be October 10, 2010,

In binary code, "101010" symbolizes 42, a number with special significance to devotees of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. In Douglas Adams' masterpiece, the number signifies the answer to "Life, the Universe and Everything."

Dear reader...

2010-10-02T08:58:00.003-05:00

Absence it is said makes the heart grow fonder. However in a world of instant communication, email and social media, who remembers London Chimes? Who remembers what a blog is.. or was?

London Chimes was my main personal blog for many years but I intend to knock the e-dust off the cover of this, work on the page layout and promote myself on Twitter and Facebook neither of which had the following that they have now.

Personally, nothing much has changed, I still live the suburbs of Philadelphia. Only better 'burbs than before. I love my wife and daughter very much and continue to be inspired through my work and the volunteers who step up to help improve the lives of others with multiple sclerosis.

My perspective on life continues to broaden.

A recurring theme on London Chimes in the past has been train disasters. Today the headline news is about an accident in India that is being blamed on signalling. But I ask for your indulgence as I wanted to bring to your attention two books by Clive Cussler & Justin Scott. The Chase and The Wrecker from a new series introducing us to Isaac Bell and the Van Doren Detective Agency. Unlike other books that are contemporary in nature. These are set about 100 years ago. Both involve to a some degree the growth of the railroad across America.

In typical fashion, I heard the second book first. Heard, not read. I have been introduced this year to the pleasure of audio-books which is my new vice to help me on my commute each day. I stumbled upon a wonderful audio talent Scott Brick who truly brings the books the life. A recent vacation gave me the opportunity read book one (The Chase - pictured) and this week I have returned to book two on CD as this offers a fresh perspective on the building of some of the main characters.

Find out how a train is found at the bottom of a large lake in Montana!

The Wrecker... book two is playing in my car this week, is full of dasterdly dealings and more than a couple of accidents on the rails to light the imagination. Aided by Mr. Brick.

Once in a while I am fortunate to stumble upon a fictional book series of note. Ted Bell, and his Hawke series have I understand just published the next installment. I would describe this as James Bond with a dash of The Persuaders Lord Brett Sinclair will give you a flavor. I am looking forward to reading this next summer perhaps.

Tom Clancy, master of them all has it is rumored a new Jack Ryan book in the offering due closer to the end of the year. Two of my favorite characters, John Clark and Ding Chavez are in the next plot which I hope will add a little spice and return to the days when Clancy was at his best.

With the holidays approaching... any offering unabridged by Scott Brick would be most welcome in my stocking on Christmas morning. However my collection of his offerings by Cussler is growing.

I am delighted to be back and hope to add a little something each week!

2010 Ten Years on.

2010-10-02T08:45:00.001-05:00

Blogging it would appear has taken a second step to Twitter and Facebook and other social media.

It has only taken me three years to reset my password to London Chimes and I hope to be back with new insights, perspectives and commentary very soon.

Still here...

2007-10-06T14:41:00.000-05:00

News of the author of Rittenhouse Review, has inspired me to dust off my password and start to blog.

Everybody Falls Charity CD benefits Multiple Sclerosis charity

2006-12-09T09:25:00.001-05:00

Have you heard Erik Kjelland singing Brighter on the Everybody Falls CD that benefits those in the multiple sclerosis community through the programs and services provided by Multiple Sclerosis Association of America?

If not please link to the official site to hear Brighter and What If two of the tracks on this great album.

Erik and music producer Jilladair Carlson have dedicated significant time and energy into this CD that is only available through the official web site EverybodyFalls.com at a mere ten dollars plus shipping and handling.

This voluntary effort has a target of two million dollars. Efforts are being made to get the CD into the stores before National MS Awareness Month in March although with some stores demanding 40% for their own profits, somehow the concept of charity rings somewhat hollow, even during this season of giving.

In the interests of disclosure I am closely involved with this project as a representative of Multiple Sclerosis Association of America and have been holding periodic teleconferences for our volunteer team interested in helping with promotion, media outreach and sales. Those interested in learning more about the next teleconference scheduled on December 18th at 8pm eastern, should email me directly.

Everybody Falls makes for a great stocking stuffer this year and helps those with MS too.

Everybody Falls makes for a great gift to offer customers and clients alike while showing your charitable stance.

Please support all those challenged with MS by purchasing a copy for yourself and one for a friend.

Please consider volunteering on this project in the new year, information can be found at www.volunteermatch.org and on the volunteer page of www.everybodyfalls.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I can be contacted at mfriend@msaa.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-532-7667 x117

Please make all those you know aware of this important project. Simply send them an email taking information from this post.

MSAA is a national charitable organization that has served over 40,000 Americans with MS through the programs and services we provide, including equipment distribution (including electric scooters, bath rails, and modified eating utencils for those with motor skill difficulties), personal cooling equipment for those with heat sensitive MS, assistance to fund MRI's that both identifies the diagnosis of MS and tracks progression of MS. A toll-free helpline - 1-800-532-7667 available Monday-Thursday 9am to 8pm eastern and Friday 9am to 5pm eastern. Together with a public education program, support group program and more.

MSAA do not operate a chapter network and perform our outreach with a national staff complement of under 50 staff with the support of dedicated and valued volunteers.

Tis the season.

2006-12-09T09:12:00.000-05:00

I have been ready for Christmas since Thanksgiving. There is something about watching the arrival of Santa in the New York Macey's Day Parade followed by a turkey dinner that sets me in the mood for Christmas.

This year Thanksgiving fell as always on the third Thursday in November, but was earlier in the month than normal so I had to wait over a week for the "holiday" movies to start to be shown on television every night.

There are some films that just have to be watched each year, Miracle on 34th Street is a huge personal favorite, the colorized version over the black and white is preferred; Its a wonderful life, a classic that I only watched for the first time in the US, and the "You'll shoot your eye out and the misadventures of little Ralphy in his quest for a gun for Christmas".

Everybody Falls an anthem for the MS community

2006-10-21T11:36:00.000-05:00

Brighter is the title track of a new charity album raising funds to enrich the quality of life for those with multiple sclerosis.

The album Everybody Falls is now available through www.everybodyfalls.com and in some select retail stores across the US. See the foot of this posting for additional information

Brighter has been written by Erik Kjelland and produced by Jilladair Carlson from La De Da Productions. This is an anthem to all touched in someway by MS.

You can listen to Brighter at EverybodyFalls.com, please then purchase a copy for you and your friends. MSAA are actively recruiting volunteers to help with this project, visit www.volunteermatch.org and search on any zip code. Live outside the US, search on 08002

Please help forward this information to all you know. Start a simple list, who do you know, where do you go, what do you do. You will be amazed at your circle of influence.

LYRICS OF BRIGHTER – Erik Kjelland

It’s not that easy just to turn around and face the day.

You heard the news now you’re life is going to change.

Inside your mind there is a sea of fear and pain
You know the little things will never be the same

Smiles seem to fade, they’re smaller each day

I think you should know

We are all stars, everybody falls sometimes

How you stand up, and get there

Makes you stronger and brighter

This brand of torture takes the cover off your nerves

Pick up the phone and get the help that you deserve

A friend to hold you when your sun can’t seem to shine
All of the answers to the questions in your mind

And the road won’t seem fair, but I’ll always be there

I think you should know

We are all stars, everybody falls sometimes

How you stand up, and get there

Makes you stronger and brighter

Now please remember that you still have a life

We’ll put down our fears, we’ll stand up and fight

Its your life just take it, here’s my hand we’ll make it

And know it will all be alright

Your eyes cannot see what you mean to me

I think you should know

We are all stars, everybody falls sometimes

How you stand up, and get there
Makes you stronger and brighter

We are all stars, everybody falls sometimes

How you stand up, and get there

Makes you stronger and brighter

I am thrilled to be part of this project working with the MSAA team. Sadly more than a couple of retail outlets want 40% of the CD cost, modestly set at $10.00 Everybody Falls is a great music CD and stands up as a quality recording with other mainstream music who usually charge $17.99.

Thank you for your help and support with this valuable project. The funds raised are helping those with MS. Through MRI financial assistance, equipment distribution including cooling equipment for those with heat senstive MS, a helpline 1-800-532-7667 and more. Visit www.msaa.com and review the programs and services or to make a donation.

If you can help this project in a siginificant way, please contact Malcolm Friend at MSAA directly by email at mfriend@msaa.com

Everybody Falls

2006-10-21T11:28:00.000-05:00

Update:

The Everybody Falls Charity CD was produced this week and is for sale. Link to www.everybodyfalls.com for all the information on this project including

The Release Party in New York on November 17th at Guest House

How to volunteer

How to help with local media

How to plan your own release party.

Funds raised through CD sales and the party including the Celebrity Auction are benefiting Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

Please share this posting with all you know.

Everybody Falls

2006-09-18T15:05:00.000-05:00

Everybody Falls is a charity CD that benefits Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.

Please visit the official web page to learn more of the

September 2006 Updates.

Release Party and Celebrity Auction on September 17th in New York

Purchase the Everybody Fall Charity CD including the title track Brighter

Volunteer

Tribute: Raymond Baxter

2006-09-16T07:47:00.000-05:00

It is with sadness that London Chimes reports the passing of legendary broadcaster Raymond Baxter.

World War 2 Fighter Pilot with the RAF, commentator on motorsport events, but most known for his appearances heading up BBC Tommorrows World. Thursday night required viewing in the Friend family household was TW and ToTP, one educational... one not so.

As a child growing up through the space race, first, second, third... men on the moon, Concorde, Hovercraft and a whole host of technology dicoveries, including one that sticks in my mind the Debit Card, negating the need for us to carry cash in the future and ATM/Cashpoint machines all seemed so futuristic at the time but now are yesterdays world. It truly was a golden age of invention and technology all explained to me as a child by Raymond Baxter.

His BBC accent was one to which we should all aspire too.

I had the opportunity to watch the great man in person give a commentary at the Goodwood Festival of Speed some years ago on the air display. He came out of the commentary booth for the hillclimb event stood in the middle of a dressage paddock looked to the sky and gave a flawless and articualte commentary. This man not only knew his subject but had flown these planes in battle. I stood with a good friend of mine Nick Grout and watched Mr. Baxter with total respect.

Raymond Baxter was a broadcasting icon, his passing will be missed.

How do trains get their names

2006-09-08T15:22:00.000-05:00

Returning to the roots of London Chimes that of stories and facts of interest surround the railway industry past and present, the following bulletin has been found and is reproduced here without permission from the author, who by the way did a great job.

The late poet and railway enthusiast Sir John Betjeman is having a train named after him. But how do trains normally get names?

What have Michael Palin, Dr Who, Lady Penelope and Brookside got in common? They've all had trains named in their honour.

And now the late poet Sir John Betjeman, the laureate of the melancholy railway ride, has had a train named after him - with a ceremony held on Friday at London's Liverpool Street Station.

The poet caught the romance of train travel in the English countryside and the sprawling suburbs - and the train named after him will operate on the route between London and Norwich, a trip reflected in the poem A Mind's Journey to Diss.

But how do trains - and more precisely, locomotives that pull trains - get names? Every time you go through a mainline station, you see these nameplates - but who decides what they should be called?

The tradition of naming trains is as old as the railways - back to the 1820s and George Stephenson's Rocket. This followed in the convention of naming ships - and gave an extra sense of character to the technology. Catching the Flying Scotsman sounds more of an event than the 11.37 from King's Cross.

Before the railways were nationalised as British Rail, companies such as Southern, Great Western and LNER had their own themes, such as naming trains after racehorses, schools, Arthurian characters or famous castles.
Then, as now, names were decided upon informally by the individual companies, without any official process. And there have been all kinds of weird, wonderful and even downright dull selections.

Dr Who appears on the nameplate of one of Virgin's Voyager trains - along with other explorers including Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, Yuri Gagarin, Sir Walter Raleigh and that other great historical figure, Michael Palin.

Does it make a difference? If you were travelling on the Captain Robert Scott or Sir Ernest Shackleton would you be less inclined to feel the cold?

"It adds a little romance and gives something extra - or maybe gives a flavour of an area," says Virgin spokesperson, Lee West. For instance, in Cornwall, Virgin's train has a Cornish name - Vyajer Kernewek.

The naming theme was taken even further with Virgin's rescue locos - which retrieve broken-down trains. These have been named after Thunderbirds characters - Lady Penelope, Tracy Island, Brains, Fab 1, Parker and so on.

The company that makes many of the modern nameplates is Newton Replicas in Nottingham.
This specialist firm made the Thunderbird nameplates - all in blue except pink for Lady Penelope - and has produced the plate for the newly-launched Sir John Betjeman for railway company, One.

Chris Donovan, who runs the company, has been commissioned for all kinds of nameplates, from the poignant to the ponderous.

He remembers making a plate called Sophie, in memory of a girl who had been killed on the railways. Another train was named after a driver who had died in a collision.

As well as enjoying evocative names such as Tintagel, he recalls a freight company naming its trains after the women working in its office.

And there have been outsized names for trains which have been so long that they're "more like essays". These have included the snappily-titled London Borough of Havering Celebrating 40 Years and the even more extended London Borough of Newham Host Borough 2012 Olympic Bid.

There is one name that should be there, but for which so far he's never received a commission: Thomas the Tank Engine.

Responsibilities

2006-03-19T14:16:00.000-05:00

To take an opportunity to reflect and review what is on my list of responsibilities is a rare occurance. This posting is more something for myself rather than others.

- Husband
- Dad

- Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, Director of National Volunteering Services and Special Events
- Volunteer Programs:
Public Education Ambassadors
Resource Detectives 2.0
Independent Volunteer Fundraisers
EZFIND Envoys
Cell Phone Recycling
- New Technology Projects, of which there are two
- Spring Intern Program, Intern opportunities will be on offer on April 6 at the fair being held at Philadelphia 30th Street Station, including PR, Communications, Web, Volunteer Management, Social Services, Statistical Modelling and Evaluations, MRI.

- Weekend and wedding curator at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral

Back-breaking Oscar potterings

2006-03-04T10:48:00.000-05:00

The Oscars scheduled tomorrow is a subject far better penned by my fellow colleague Neal Zoren, entertainment correspondent from time to time on CN8 and in the Delaware printed media.

Nevethless, I did comment in December that Oscar should look favorably on King Kong and there are a couple of nominations. Brokeback Mountain I have not seen, but am aware of the subject and the following on jokes banded around.

Oscar rarely nods to popularity the films that the paying public watch in the theaters. Shame! Last year Peter Jackson won big after the third of the Lord of the Rings films. I have all three in my DVD collection and Oscars nod was just reward. This year I am reminded of the year American Beauty won best film and reinforced that Oscar is more about the Hollywood politics rather than Hollywood popularity and honest-to-goodness entertainment.

Walk the line a phenominally popular film will more than likley be steamrolled by Brokeback unjustly within a little more than 24 hours we will know for certain and I will be eating crow, or vindicated!

I will not be watching the Oscars this year, my true interest is limited to one British film and one only. Wallace and Gromit and the case of the were-rabbit. I watch this last weekend with my daughter, it was simply hilarious and a fitting triumph to Aardman Animinations if Oscar heads to Bristol this weekend.

Mr. Movie I am not... but I know what I like and respectfully the people not members of the academy should decide on the winners of the most prestigious awards in the film industry but tradition is what it is. The Academy vote and while Hollywood politics plays over Hollywood popularity things are not going to change.

For the most part.

2006-02-04T10:26:00.000-05:00

For the most part citizens/residents are decent law abiding individuals who live their day-to-day lives in harmony with the majority of civilization. Sadly as we all bear witness to from the news on a daily basis, we may consider ourselves civilized, yet there are a small number who are less than civil and seek to commit crimes against decent law abiding individuals.

It has been brought to my attention of street crime in London this week. Specifically one incidence, a mugging. My heart goes out to the young teenager who was attacked by a small group of other teens, who beat and kicked her so that she needed medical attention took her valuables including her cell phone as she walked home from school.

London Chimes sincerely hopes that the individuals responsible will be brought to account for their crime and that they will be punished to the full extent of the law. But what is that?

I have read various press reports on this type of crime. Sadly where teen(s) are the perpertrators, teen(s) are also the targets of the attacks. In the instances I have read, it is at least two or three attackers, brutally punching and kicking a single target while pockets are raided, jewelery ripped from ears, necks and fingers and anything of value, not just cash and credit cards but cell phones and other portable electronic devices are taken. Why?

Crime figures in some areas continue to rise while others fall. Questions are asked about the background of those offenders. What responsibility do their parents have, and how has their upbringing affected the teens to a life of criminal activity?
Sadly more questions.

In an effort to try to answer some of these, London Chimes offers the following observations and openly invites comments from readers.

The Law: Street Crime on the totem pole of criminal acivity to be persued by the police is not exactly a priority. As the numbers of bobbies on the beat have declined, resources are used to work smarter and the disconnect with the community has widened from a crack to a chasm. Hence the Neighborhood Watch program supported by the authorities yet does little to affect the street crime figures. Those reports that can be found of arrests made and court appearances sadly do not reflect well for justice for the law abiding person. One instance where a knife was used resulted in 10 months prison and a fine for a teen. So where the weapon was feet and fists is the threat of incarsoration in a prison or other detention center going to act as a deterrent, sadly no. For that I truly feel for those who are the victims of a personal attack, a crime that physically and mentally affects an individual.

The Theft: Teen criminals engaging in this callaous crime are probably not sophisicated enough to dispose of the items stolen from their target. Cash is cash. But what teenager walks the street with significant sums of money upon them. To that end who does anymore. A teenager is unlikely to have credit cards so again what is the motivation. Teenage girls may wear some jewelery, earrings, a necklace, perhaps a ring or two. But what of these will be of value when worn to school? The most valuable items are probably the I-Pods, the Cell Phones and MP3 players. Again those mugging may want these items because they don't have them, or want them to sell them to get cash. Perhaps to sustain a habit. But what value - if anything is this all worth? Probably very little to those committing the crime if they can dispose of the stolen items at all.

Upbringing: Is is related to drugs, did their parents "let them run wild", have no control over their kids, perhaps their is a history of this behavior. Perhaps the crimes are being commitmitted to fund some other habit. Each criminal probably has their own sorry story to tell - but in their wake they leave those they have physically attacked while those near and dear to them demand a level of justice and community policing to prevent acts like this from happening.

For the most part, individuals are law abiding. Once in a while, hopefully a very long while, individuals are touched directly by those who are not law abiding, or know of someone near and dear who is the victim of a criminal act. In instances like this a teen or teen mugging, those responsible possibly live locally and for the victim, simply a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Justice is blind, but justice should take a long hard look at what is important to those law abiding individuals.

Whales

2006-01-22T14:56:00.000-05:00

It was one of those odd situations I found myself in yesterday.

I attended a Volunteer Fair at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, a beautiful building with a stunning view of Independence Mall, including the home of the Liberty Bell and and Indepdence Hall. The table reserved for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, was front and center line through one of the most historic sites in America.

A video wall to my right played 24-hour news to those assembled and through the day I watched, without sound but through reading the scrolling information of the tale of the whale in the River Thames in London.

This was a first, since records began of a whale being found so far upriver. It amused me that the London Aquarium along the south bank of the river was not called upon more for comment in the rescue of the whale.

Despite the best efforts of many well wishers and experts. The whale died through good intentions. A sad end to an amazing story.

Happy New Year

2006-01-02T14:53:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to all readers of London Chimes.

King Kong - Oscar Hopeful

2005-12-31T15:13:00.000-05:00

I have most recently had the opportunity to see a screening of the latest remake of the classic King Kong, produced by Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame.

For three hours, you are transported to Skull Island the home of Kong and other creatures both large and others you can only wish were smaller - insects and other bugs that literally make your skin creep. This is NOT a film for those under 13 as it will solict nightmares.

King Kong was in the thirties a film to go see, a real experience. Peter Jackson's version some seventy years later is as much a go-see and experience on the big screen with surround sound.

The use of technology only enhances the filmmaking. The cast, expecially Jack Black who I personally do not usually like, is well suited for this role as a villian of the piece as are his fellow cast members in their roles. Kong is impressive, very impressive and you will cheer for him at times and be saddened by the eventual and well known conclusion to the film.

King Kong is a film you will want to see more than once, if only to pick up on the subtle details. I will be adding this to my Amazon wish list in the future and score this as a 10+/10.

I expect that King Kong will be included in some ways among the Oscar nods in the New Year, we will see in time. Best film possibly not as I would suggest that Memoirs of a Geisha will be a hot runner for this category. Nevertheless, Best Actress / Best Supporting Actor have to be considered together with a host of technical nominations.

Sad goodbye to 05

2005-12-31T12:52:00.000-05:00

I am saddned that 2005 is coming to an end, personally and professionally it has been a banner year for me, first and foremost in becoming a Dad, a parent to my daughter Celeste.

Johnson and Johnson are currently running a commercial (advert) here in the US with the tag-line that "A baby changes everything" a little sentence that I have experienced first hand means so much than a couple of words can attempt to illustrate.

Having had the opportunity not to work since December 22nd, I have spent quality family time with Celeste and my wife Taney through the build-up to Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and a family trip to the zoo in the run up to New Years Eve, just the three of us a handful of other families and a host of animals that Celeste if not could name, could recognise from her books.

I have watched Celeste use her imagination having he first pretend tea-party with her new friends, La-La (TellyTubbie) Bear (Panda-Bear) Elmo (Seasame Street) and Mulan. I have walked in to the nursery with a welcome shreek of "Daddy" and arms held upwards. Each day she does something to surprise me and to see her grow a little more each day since May has been a wonder unto itself.

As she opened her first stocking gift, a coloring book she called for crayons having little idea that there were a mountain of gifts to be opened that morning with her name on. The first couple of gifts were nibly opened with small finger tearing carefully at the paper. By the time we reached the gifts under the tree Celeste was overwhelmed at the generousity of her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Through the year, I have watched my daughter day-in day-out with wonder. 2005 marks the end of our adoption journey, us waiting for Celeste, and Celeste waiting for us.

As 2005 is reviewed it will mark other stories, those reported on the BBC, CNN and Fox. Celeste's story will not be among them, but is to me the most important and best of all.

A baby does change everything - for the best in ways you truly cannot fathom until you reach that stage in life.

2006 will arrive I resolve to be the best Husband and Daddy I can possibly be.

Routemasters anchors and nostalgia.

2005-12-16T14:10:00.000-05:00

In the last week an icon of the roads in London, the red Routemaster double-decker bus ceased service, only to be replaced by more modern accessible buses in the London Transport fleet.

I for one mourn the passing and from 3,500 miles way, I am nostalgic in my memories of jumping on and off the back of the number 26 (North Finchley Gaumont to Victoria) 260 (North Finchley Gaumont to Willesden Garage), 2B (North Finchley Gaumont to Crystal Palace) and 13 (sharing the same route as the 26 in later years), along Ballards Lane in Finchley.

Over the years the routes and terminus points changed but the sight of the buses stopping at the stops and passengers holding out their arms at the request stops, was as common as red phone boxes.

As a young teenager I recall trying to walk down Oxford Street faster than the buses. At least during busy traffic periods then you could at least jump on and off the stationary (or slightly moving) buses rather than be trapped behind the hydraulic doors of the new buses as you can only alight at stops along the route.

A tourists perception of visiting London and crass American films in London would always include the obligatory black cab and routemaster bus.

Recently they have with few exceptions been sold off after two months short of 50 years service on the roads of London. Some have been bought up and refurbished for corportate entertainment, others as shelters for the homeless, others simply driven by since retired drivers nostalgic to own a piece of history.

There will continue to be two routes served by routemasters in London, so they are not completely vanishing, although they will be more of a novelty than a matter of everyday life.

You would have thought given the advances in technology that someone would have come up with a design that meets current access requirements while retaining some of the design elements of the original in some way. Akin to BMW remaking the Mini and maintaining some of the character traits loved so much.

In the same week that Sir Trevor McDonald said his final, “and finally” on the News at Ten, the route master, not originally favored by the public when they arrived 50 years ago have been taken to the hearts of those who have traveled on them. These are both statements that nothing lasts forever no matter how much we want them to.

Returning to the subject of Sir Trevor, considering the recent departure of many main news anchors in America as well, and the cancellation of one of the ITV news channels because of low ratings compared with other news channels in the UK (BBC and Sky), the shape of news broadcasting is changing, not least that individuals have multiple ways and sources to gather and receive news. Perhaps the traditional anchor is like the routemaster, affectionally thought of but redundant in this day and age.

I suppose this is considered progress.

Hold-on-tight-please “ding-ding”.

Buncefield Disaster Hemel Hempsted Dec 11.

2005-12-13T15:51:00.000-05:00

Am I possibly in a minority of one over the recent Buncefield disaster?

I wanted to post this record as a reminder in the months that follow that officials may have been to quick to call Buncefield an accident and that more sinister dealings were in the hands of terrorists and I offer to explain why.

Let me start by qualifying my interest in this news story. I was a resident of Hertfordshire for many years. During that time I both organized and competed in a large number of treasure hunts promoted by a motor club in the county under the rules of the RAC Motor Sports Association.

Buncefield sits in the middle of Ordnance Survey Landranger Series Map 166 (Luton and Hertfordshire) and the country lanes to the north and north-east of the site were frequently used for 12-car rallies and treasure hunts.

Its location very close to both the M1 motorway, and M10 link for access to the M25 orbital motorway around London would provide easy access both to the site and from the site for would-be terrorists.

Buncefield is clearly marked on maps and is not a secret installation.

The area most affected is towards the north of the site bounded by a small country lane, not more than 16 feet wide with woodland on both sides of the street providing cover to anyone attempting to cut through the chainlink fencing to gain access to the site possibly undetected under the cover of night when security could be at its lowest.

The British Oil industry has a remarkably good safety record, there are marks against it of course, Piper-Alpha Oil Rig comes to mind in the North Sea, but the stringent safety and construction of the 3 million gallon oil containers and the infrastructure around the site is not in my opinion in question.

Here are a few simple facts:

Terrorists have threatened oil installations.

Buncefield is a soft target, but strategic insofar it receives oil from the North Sea, and serves two of London’s Airports, including Heathrow and Luton.

Such an attack could cause loss of life and significant property damage, which thankfully only the latter has proven.

Buncefield is an obvious economic target that if terrorism was the cause could have created increased oil prices, difficulty in providing oil to Heathrow and Luton and the spiraling effect could cripple the UK economy and the South East. Refer back to the recent oil blockades, demonstrating against the petrol tax to the UK government. It took some time after the peaceful blockades were removed for the country to get back to normal.

Any attack on allied oil installations would impact the price of oil and create further economic pressure.

So on the first day of the fire the cause was announced by police and officials as an accident and this is the story they continue to tell. Meanwhile the heat and devastation caused by the fire and subsequent explosions may be enough to cover the tracks of any terror campaign as evidence has melted in the intense heat or been destroyed from the many explosions.

An official inquiry will be started, questions will be asked, fingers pointed to blame for any number of reasons, (echo’s of the finger pointing after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans), and the truth or a version of it will eventually out.

One thing is for certain, in this current economic climate, an attack on the oil industry and let us not forget the American interests as Chevron is one of the parent companies, is not what Britain or America needs right now.

Just placing my marker on this one and no doubt will be reviewed in the future.

I AM NOT SHOUTING.

2005-12-07T21:04:00.000-05:00

THE FACT THAT THIS POST IS IN CAPITALS DOES NOT REFLECT THAT I AM SHOUTING - A COMMON PRACTICE IN BLOGGING TODAY. THE KEYBOARD BEING USED THIS EVENING TO UPDATE THE SNOW FIGURES IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY.

Hurricane Season.

2005-09-24T17:18:00.000-05:00

Southern Britain has begun a massive clear-up operation after the worst night of storms in living memory. The date of this event October 16th 1987.At least 13 people are known to have died and many dozens have been injured, mostly by falling trees and buildings.Rescue workers faced an unprecedented number of call-outs as winds hit 94 mph (151 km/h) in the capital and over 110 mph (177 km/h) in the Channel Islands.
Weather forecasters have faced criticism for failing to predict the severity of the weather.The worst affected areas were along the south coast - in Kent five people died including two seamen in Dover Harbour, and in Dorset two firemen were killed as they answered an emergency call.The stormy weather was first predicted at the beginning of the week when the Meteorological Office identified a depression strengthening over the Atlantic.Last night BBC weatherman Michael Fish reassured viewers the system would track along the English Channel, but instead it cut a swathe right across the south of the country.Commuters were today advised to stay at home as hundreds of roads and railway lines remain blocked by fallen trees.Some houses and apartments had their roofs blown off. On the Isle of Wight the famous Shanklin Pier, nearly a century old, was reduced to driftwood and in Jaywick, Essex, a caravan park was flattened.Along the south coast damage to yachts and boat yards was extensive. In Folkestone a Sea Link ferry was blown aground and its crew had to be rescued.

The insurance industry is bracing itself for huge payouts. Most household policies cover storm damage, and thousands of homeowners have already started claims.In the London of Borough of Ealing alone, 600 calls came from people whose homes and cars had been struck by falling trees and debris.Len Turner of Ealing Council said central funding from the government might be needed to deal with the exceptional clean-up costs local councils are facing."It's going to take an enormous amount of effort and money; I hope we can look to the Government to support us because the burden on local rate payers is going to be enormous."

The storm cost a total of 18 lives and an estimated £1 billion in repairs and clear-up costs. Hundreds of people were injured.Around 15 million trees were lost and hundreds of thousands of homes were without power for more than 24 hours.By the time most people went to bed, exceptionally strong winds had not even been mentioned in national radio and TV weather broadcasts.Michael Fish's famous line that there wouldn't be a hurricane was actually correct. He was referring to a tropical cyclone in the West Atlantic.Officially the gusts were locally hurricane force in strength but not sufficiently widespread.According to the Met Office the last storm of similar magnitude in England occurred in 1703.

for those of us who remember this night, and the difficulties of travelling in the days to follow have the smallest measure of understanding of those displaced or have lost their homes and livelehoods from Hurricane Katrina and today, Rita.

Personally I cannot truly fathom the unfolding tradgedy from New Orleans and a surrounding area the size of England caused by Katrina alone. The 24 hour news coverage confines the horror through the lens alone and those who have witnessed the devistation and aftermath of Katrina confim that news coverage is helping to define the aid that is needed, but cannot express the damage done.

I do recall October 1987 in the UK, this morning as Rita ravages the southern gulf coast line between Texas and Louisiana, there is a gentle breeze blowing under blue skies and whispy white clouds in South East Pennsylvania.

I am pleased to have played a very small part in helping Charity in Action who locally have been helping those in Gulfsport Mississippi. While the world media have concentrated on New Orleans, an area equal to 0.2% of the total area affected by Katrina, there are others equally in need.

Everyone I know has played some part in reaching out to help those displaced by Katrina. Personally I have been disgusted by the federal fingerpointing within days of Katrina while New Orleans still was surrounded by several inches of water and the levys had not been repaired. Sadly it was a classic case of government workers pointing to other groups to defer blame.

Personally speaking I believe the only bad decision made was not evacuating earlier. FEMA in particualar responded well with the resources they had in the time available. One challenge was the decision to use the sports stadium in New Orleans for those who could not be transported out of the city. Only to have the stadium loose power and those inside suffer the worst possible conditions, only beaten by the flooding outside.

Meanwhile, while I sit here in South Eastern PA, under a warm autumnal sun, my thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have had their lives and livelehoods turned upside down thanks to Katrina and this morning Rita.

It is my hope that Rita is the last of the hurricanes that seeks to destroy and damage America, Americans and at the last count, 1 Briton dead and over 30 still missing from Katrina.

Terror Attacks in London - July 7

2005-07-07T23:58:00.000-05:00

Londoners have ridden a rollercoaster of emotion in 24 hours, from the jubilent high of winning the 2012 Olympics to the lows from the terror attacks on three tube trains and a London bus this morning.

I am and will always be a Londoner at heart. I may live and work in America, but I have travelled the tube tunnels bombed this morning, I have commuted into London, Kings Cross, Aldgate scenes of the two worst train bombs today, and over the years have ridden on plenty of red London buses since I was old enough to purchase a Red Bus Rover ticket and armed with a free bus map, head off to explore parts of London that I was less familiar with.

The attacks today are very personal to me and although I do not feel as gut-wrenched as 9/11/01, where I was too close to New York for comfort, today I could only sit, watch, read and listen to the reports coming from London 3,500 miles away.

Like looking into a fishbowl, everything seemed so familiar, yet I was far enough removed from any danger.

I applaude the actions of the emergency services who are well trained at dealing with emergencies of this type in London. Bombings sadly are not new in London. I have been used to them all through my earlier years, except, more often than not there were warnings a sporting way to execute terror. Very British.

Today, was different, yes, London always has known it was a target, although the tube and buses are considered a soft target. In what is clearly a coordinated attack to tie in with the first day of the G8 meeting in Scotland, the M.O. the speed at which responsibility by a group with the same name as those who bombed the trains in Spain seems to quick.

There is the other obvious connection, the date 9/11 5/7 (day and month) if we are simply looking at numbers. One might question the number of bombs, I have failed to search on any current reports that Scotland Yard have 2 unexploded bombs from this morning, that would lead t clues of the bombers and the builders of the bombs. Where were these found? do they actually exist. If so 6 bombs could have some significance, is this a political message to 6 of the major G8 countries who have a stake in the current war on terror? Or is this all simply a coincidence.

Perhaps Britain has been caught out with its pants around the ankles and no inteligence to warn of this attack - and perhaps Jack Straw is simply protecting those agency MI5 might have in the UK working inside the cells to ensure nothing worse is being planned.

The bombs are clearly a message , a political one.

Yet, thinking back to New York, Washington, the fields of Pennsylvania and the railways of Spain, this is not a big attack in London as shocking as it still is.
London could so easily have been hit with chemical weapons this morning, or perhaps the security in the UK is so good that this effort is the best the terrorists could muster.

One thing is for certain, Scotland Yard will be pouring over hours of video tapes from camera in stations and streets of London to identifiy the bombers. This will be done in quick order.

In medieval times wrongdooers would have their heads cut off and place on spikes along the walls of the Tower of London and London Bridge as a dederrant to others. Perhaps this sentance would fit the crime of today, despite Britain beingn a civilized multi-cultural society.

London - Olympic City!

2005-07-06T07:49:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to London for beating Paris to host the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Wedding Dress Shopping

2005-06-24T17:13:00.000-05:00

Celeste, my daughter has now been my life for the last 5 weeks, and already I wonder what life was like before this sweet bundle of joy was placed in our arms, thousands of miles away last month, forever a family.

Life has started to revolve around nap-time, night-time and every day activities as necessary.

One special occassion we are working towards is Celeste's baptism. As a new Dad, I thought it might be years before Celeste would ever have me in a wedding shop. Although a one-year old, who is very tall does not fit into the traditional baptism gown, we have explored options.

Our trip to the Wedding Dress shop had Celeste try on two dresses, one was more a flower girl dress, and swamped her in the yards of fabric. But the smile she showed when she was all zipped up and standing in front of a dressing mirror was enough to make my heart melt.

Daddy's little girl, yes. Quilty as charged.

Did we get the dress, no, there is a far better traditional option available to us.

Flag Day June 14.

2005-06-15T11:42:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, June 14th is Flag Day in the USA. If asked to describe a monument of the Stars and Stripes, then the famous Iwo Jima memorial would come to mind. For those of you who cannot place the name, the monument with the American soldiers erecting a flagpole is one that is not easily forgotten.

Today I received an email entitled Six Boys. I cannot track down the original author and do not have permission to add this to London Chimes. But considering yesterday was Flag Day, there is no more poigenent reason to add this text for your thoughts and understanding.

A Tale of Six Boys"

Each year I am hired to go to Washington, DC, with the eighth grade class from Clinton, WI. where I grew up, to videotape their trip. I greatly enjoy visiting our nation's capitol, and each year I take some special memories back with me. This fall's trip was especially memorable.

On the last night of our trip, we stopped at the Iwo Jima memorial. This memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the most famous photographs in history -- that of the six brave soldiers raising the American Flag at the top of a rocky hill on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, during WW II.

Over one hundred students and chaperones piled off the buses and headed towards the memorial. I noticed a solitary figure at the base of the statue, and as I got closer he asked, "Where are you guys from?"

I told him that we were from Wisconsin. "Hey, I'm a cheese head, too! Come gather around, Cheese heads, and I will tell you a story."

(James Bradley just happened to be in Washington, DC, to speak at the memorial the following day. He was there that night to say good night to his dad, who has since passed away. He was just about to leave when he saw the buses pull up. I videotaped him as he spoke to us, and received his permission to share what he said from my videotape. It is one thing to tour the incredible monuments filled with history in Washington, D.C., but it is quite another to get the kind of insight we received that night.)

When all had gathered around, he reverently began to speak. (Here are his words that night.)

"My name is James Bradley and I'm from Antigo, Wisconsin. My dad is on that statue, and I just wrote a book called "Flags of Our Fathers" which is #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list right now. It is the story of the six boys you see behind me.

"Six boys raised the flag. The first guy putting the pole in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an all-state football player. He enlisted in the Marine Corps with all the senior members of his football team. They were off to play another type of game. A game called "War." But it didn't turn out to be a game.

Harlon, at the age of 21, died with his intestines in his hands. I don't say that to gross you out, I say that because there are generals who stand in front of this statue and talk about the glory of war. You guys need to know that most of the boys in Iwo Jima were 17, 18, and 19 years old.

(He pointed to the statue) "You see this next guy? That's Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire. If you took Rene's helmet off at the moment this photo was taken and looked in the webbing of that helmet, you would find a photograph... a photograph of his girlfriend. Rene put that in there for protection because he was scared. He was 18 years old. Boys won the battle of Iwo Jima. Boys. Not old men.

"The next guy here, the third guy in this tableau, was Sergeant Mike Strank. Mike is my hero. He was the hero of all these guys. They called him the "old man" because he was so old. He was already 24. When Mike would motivate his boys in training camp, he didn't say, 'Let's go kill some Japanese' or 'Let's die for our country.' He knew he was talking to little boys. Instead he would say, 'You do what I say, and I'll get you home to your mothers.'

"The last guy on this side of the statue is Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona. Ira Hayes walked off Iwo Jima. He went into the White House with my dad. President Truman told him, 'You're a hero.' He told reporters, 'How can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit the island with me and only 27 of us walked off alive?' So you take your class at school, 250 of you spending a year together having fun, doing everything together. Then all 250 of you hit the beach, but only 27 of your classmates walk off alive. That was Ira Hayes. He had images of horror in his mind. Ira Hayes died dead drunk, face down at the age of 32 .. ten years after this picture was taken.

"The next guy, going around the statue, is Franklin Sousley from Hilltop, Kentucky. A fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. His best friend, who is now 70, told me, 'Yeah, you know, we took two cows up on the porch of the Hilltop General Store. Then we strung wire across the stairs so the cows couldn't get down. Then we fed them Epsom salts. Those cows crapped all night. Yes, he was a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. Franklin died on Iwo Jima at the age of
19. When the telegram came to tell his mother that he was dead, it went to the Hilltop General Store. A barefoot boy ran that telegram up to his mother's farm. The neighbors could hear her scream all night and into the morning. The neighbors lived a quarter of a mile away.

"The next guy, as we continue to go around the statue, is my dad, John Bradley from Antigo, Wisconsin, where I was raised. My dad lived until
1994, but he would never give interviews. When Walter Cronkite's producers, or the New York Times would call, we were trained as little kids to say, 'No, I'm sorry, sir, my dad's not here. He is in Canada fishing. No, there is no phone there, sir. No, we don't know when he is coming back.' My dad never fished or even went to Canada. Usually, he was sitting there right at the table eating his Campbell's soup. But we had to tell the press that he was out fishing. He didn't want to talk to the press.

"You see, my dad didn't see himself as a hero. Everyone thinks these guys are heroes, 'cause they are in a photo and on a monument. My dad knew better. He was a medic. John Bradley from Wisconsin was a caregiver. In Iwo Jima he probably held over 200 boys as they died. And when boys died in Iwo Jima, they writhed and screamed in pain.

"When I was a little boy, my third grade teacher told me that my dad was a hero. When I went home and told my dad that, he looked at me and said, 'I want you always to remember that the heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who did not come back. Did NOT come back.'

"So that's the story about six nice young boys. Three died on Iwo Jima, and three came back as national heroes. Overall, 7,000 boys died on Iwo Jima in the worst battle in the history of the Marine Corps. My voice is giving out, so I will end here. Thank you for your time."

Suddenly, the monument wasn't just a big old piece of metal with a flag sticking out of the top. It came to life before our eyes with the heartfelt words of a son who did indeed have a father who was a hero. Maybe not a hero for the reasons most people would believe, but a hero nonetheless.

We need to remember that God created this vast and glorious world for us to live in, freely, but also at great sacrifice. Let us never forget from the Revolutionary War to the current War on Terrorism and all the wars in-between that sacrifice was made for our freedom. Remember to pray praises for this great country of ours and also pray for those still in murderous unrest around the world. STOP and thank God for being alive and being free at someone else's sacrifice.

God Bless.

REMINDER: Everyday that you can wake up free, it's going to be a great day.

The Easter Tour

2005-03-25T22:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter to all.

My thoughts on this Good Friday have turned back in time over a few years to my participation in the Green Belt Motor Club annual three-day treasure hunt event known as the Easter Tour.

During the year a number of Sunday afternoon treasure hunt events would be organized in and around Hertfordshire, Essex and Bedfordshire, most notably in Herts, The Holiday Express and Christmas Tree events, in Essex the Last Chance and in Bedfordshire The Old Fox.

The Easter Tour though was a special event insofar it would take treasure hunt teams further afield, my first in 1983 was into the Lake District. Starting in Bakewell, home of the famous tarts, through the Peak District and north into the Lakes. All previously uncharted terrority but areas that over the years I would revisit on other motorsport activities.

Wales was a popular destination, as was the south of England. Over three days each team would notch up at least 500 miles by the time they returned home, many over the old highways and byways in search of the answers to cryptic clues and navigating on Ordnance Survey Maps using tried and tested forms of navigation like map references, tulip diagrams and herringbones.

Britain by the backroads is stunning at Easter and I wish to salute my former team mates on these adventures over the years including, Trevor Williams and Nick Grout, David Howe, Colin Anthony and on one year, Robert Taylor and the first I was navigated by Kevin Scanalan.

I had swapped seats driving on some events and navigating on others. I have very happy memories of these events, stopping at some neat little country bed and breakfasts to hotels such as the Chainbridge Hotel outside Llangollen in northern Wales. But of the memories I hold dear include, following Colin Anthonys Lotus watching it bottom out along narrow country lanes, a tight right over a small bridge yump in the Mini of Nick Grout with Trevor holding onto the roll cage in the back - a classic 1973 Orange Mini. Renting a Ford Orion with Dave Howe, and having muy brakes go a little soft over the Hardnott and Wrysenose passes in the Lake District to the east of Ravenglass in the Lake District in a Ford Cortina. Not the only time that brakes got a little too warm driving down twisting mountian roads.

Of course it was all about finding the clues, and keeping one step ahead of the competion. Jim Perkins, Adrian Gladwin, Tony Strong, Robin Rushforth, Dave Howe, Ian Davis, Robert Taylor, Des Meldrum and Wally Cenick to name but a handful of the regulars who treasure hunted on the Easter Tour over the 80's and 90's.

I have no idea if Green Belt Motor Club continue to organize this fun event, although to enter was serious and all wanted to win.

Happy Easter and my heartfelt thanks to all those who made these easters past an experience I will never forget.

Little Chef... coming soon

2005-03-06T20:14:00.000-05:00

Not another story of how to boil an egg but the demise of the chain of restaturants along the highways and byways of Britain.

With assistance from my PB Correspondent (Thanks Dad!).

Formula One - Injection of rules and interest

2005-03-06T19:48:00.000-05:00

Since 1983 I have been a devoted follower and critic of Formula One Racing. My involvement with motorsport generally has over time been much more than an armchair enthusiast, yet in this one area of the sport I do along with millions of others worldwide watch this twentyfirst century version of gladiators in millon pound chariots.

For the last seven years, F1 has declined to the point I was loosing interest. Races were being won and lost by pit stops and not through the skill of the driver. All the time F1 continued to take hold as an international business first, sport second. Then something happened.

The rules were revisited to reduce the overall costs of F1, tobacco sponsorship bans across Europe forced teams to look to other sponsors to help pay for the teams, travel and development of cutting edge technology. New rules were thrashed out and implementment for the start of the 2005 season, the Australian F1 Grand Prix.

Yesterday the grid formed for the first race of the season, Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari was at the back of the grid, penalized for an engine change since the practice session. This alone was enough to spark my interest that this was going to be a different race.

Benetton Renault had their car on pole, the new Red Bull F1 Team, formerly Jaguar F1 formerly Stuart Grand Prix who had promised much and never truly delivered had a car of 4th spot driven by David Coulthard (GB) formerly of McLaren, ahead of the McLarent cars.

Mark Webber, formerly of Jaguar had secured a coverted seat with Williams and was on third place on the grid racing in front of his Australian fans as the ozzie driver on the grid.

I am not aware of all of the new rules and I will take some time to bring myself up to speed include the banning of tyre changes during pit stops. Exceptions are that one tyre may be changed in the event of a puncture, and all tyres may be changed from slicks to wets if needs be. This rule challenged the tyre manafactures to develop a hard compound tyre that would last race distance at race speeds.

At the end of the race those cars have their engines sealed by the F1 scrutineers and must start the next race with the same engine.

These two rules alone dramatically change the landscape that has been F1 for too many years. Anything to add a little drama and excitement is a good thing. I do however hope that this one race was not the exception of a desert of clinical races of previous years. I figure that it is time for armchair enthusiasts who have been forced to seek out NASCAR as an alternative to look back again at F1. This could truly be the year the winds of change blow for the better in F1.

My predictions for the 2005 season.

Ferrari will as always be strong, but not as strong and dominant as previous years.
Williams have good drivers especially Mark Webber that will bring their performance to a higher level and should include a couple of wins.
Benneton Renault are the dark horse that will take on the prancing horse of Ferrari and surprise everyone.
McLaren, favored will not fare as well as they should.
Watch out for Red Bull, formerly Jaguar in the first six races. They will move back down the grid as the season progresses but show well enough to secure additional sponosrship for the european races.

It is difficult to assume anyone other than Schumacher will win the drivers championship this year. I predict that it will be a hard fought challenged and will not be secured until the last or penaultimate race.

The constructors championship will be won by Renault.

I am sticking my reputation on this, such as it is these days.

A royalist in a republic: Charles and Camilla

2005-02-12T20:10:00.000-05:00

It has been a couple of days since the world heard of the announcement of a royal wedding between HRH The Prince of Wales and Mrs. Camilla Parker-Bowles. Much has been aired and written on this subject, many in favour of the wedding, others vermentaly against this royal union. London Chimes sits somewhat precariously atop a metaphoric wooden fence that is painful from the splinters of opinion.

Fact: The constitution surrounding the royal family and the standing of the monach as the head of the Anglian church is being amended. We are witnessing a moment in history that the following line of ascent History, particually royal-history pomp and circumstance, in the twenty-first century is beyond a world away from the King Edward and Mrs. Simpson royal scandal in the 30's.

Great Britain has changed, the moral high-ground and the royal family placed as the pefect family has as the country and world has witnessed in a most public forum to the point of public entertainment as some rude soap opera.

Interest in this wedding will gather momentum for any number of reasons in the coming weeks.

As will interest in the arguments surrounding succession to the throne and the head of the Church of England.

London Chimes continues to watch this unfold.

Superbowl Sunday - Go Eagles.

2005-02-06T08:58:00.000-05:00

As a Philly blogger I cannot let today pass without posting on the Superbowl.

As a Brit' I cannot fully understand the complexities of the game, yet through this season I have been glued to my radio 1210AM the Big Talker every game morning to hear Sal give his prediction and his record of now just picking the winner but also the final spread of points is uncanny.

Sal predicts: Eagles 29 - Patriots 26, with a heck of a lot of field goals in the game and but he does not want to be held to this, the possibility of the game heading into extra time, a first for the Superbowl ever, with the win secured by a field goal.

Philadelphia Eagles have come oh-so-close to appearing in the superbowl since my arrival in the US, that I am delighted Andy Reid's team have made it after a phenominal season from the team.

This scoreline does depend upon the fitness of T.O. and at the 12th hour this is not totally known, will he play, he says he will, against doctors orders, but this is the superbowl and I expect him on the field. How effective he will be - who knows, but if he is fully fit and working with Donovan McNabb the eagles will surely fly to victory.

T.O. is the lynch pin, if he is injured and does not impact the game pulling points into the bank, I fear for a really close game that will be won by the Patriots (24-23). Either way this is going to be one heck of a close game. But heck, I don't understand the game so how on earth can I truly predict the Patriots. I am with Sal and I say.

E-A-G-L-E-S, Go EAGLES!

Philly needs a great party, give them one.

Parallels between Home Shows.

2005-01-16T09:14:00.000-05:00

From Earls Court to Philadelphia, one thing is certain, your feet still ache and you are constantly whacked around the legs by visitors who have purchase the gotta-have gimmick that invariably is on a long pole and can't carry it safely as they are laden down with bags of literature for things they will probably never own.

The Philadelphia Home Show that opened yesterday for a week plus run was my first opportunity to compare a US Home Show, (post television programs like Trading Spaces) to my memories of visiting the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition in Earls Court London.

There is always one "gotta-have" that you can't get in the shops available at these shows, many years ago I purchased a mini food processor that works by hand, which I still have and rate as a good deal for a few quid. So yesterday I was on the look-out just in case.

Philly is a smaller show, with booths and not the grand houses built in London, yet that is pretty much the only difference. For every room in the house and the garden there was something for everyone. Walking in to the entrance was a exhibit stand that contained a selection of grand clocks, mothers, fathers and all relatives in between. They also had a restored wooden bar that look out of the Queen Vic in Eastenders, compete with the canopy and glass racks a snip at several thousand dollars. The counter even had the long indent on the bar keeps side for the beer pumps to be located.

My favorite at these shows are the demonstrators, pruning shears that would cut through the toughest branches, pressure cookers that served up chicken and potatoes while you waited, blue mops that would magically clean any kitchen floor, by far the most popular gotta-have, indicates across Philadelphia kitchen floors will sparkle this Spring. The first demonstration we came across was for a hand held electric food processor, handing out delights on small spoons so we could savor the cream and fruit this marvel could make. Nothing like feeding your customers to get hold of their credit cards for the impulse gotta-have purchase.

The upside of visiting on the first day is that the exhibitor staff were motivated and engaging. If you have never manned a booth to talk to visitors before, try it for a day, then imagine doing this for over a week. From personal experience after running a booth at the Motor Sports Fair in Olympia several years ago for four days it is a tough job.

Both Taney & I agreed that the one booth that could have very easily sold us, was for Cutco the knife manafacturer. We have from the generousity of others a number of these knives, including a spreader which is one of the best knives we own. They now have a potato peeler that both of us can use (with one left hander and one right hander in the home, the left handed peeler is not the most versatile). An ice cream scoop, a cheese knife and pizza cutter. Cutco are not cheap, but quality comes with a cost. We walked away, no-sale for now!

The Philadelphia Home Show was a fun day out for us both, especially with China Town a couple of blocks away and Wong-Wong Restaurant a favorite of ours where dinner and a tip still comes in less than the minimum credit card payment of $15 (Seven pounds 60 pence there of there abouts, including soup, noodles, tea and soda).

Finally, we walked out with a bag full of stuff I doubt we will even read through, in something a little more fancy than a plstic bag.

Dinner Party!

2005-01-15T08:39:00.000-05:00

Last night Taney & I were invited to the home of John and Beth for a dinner party, with three other couples. The stone built house sitting on the side of a gently sloping green hill was warm and inviting.

I had the pleasant opportunity to meeting John and Beth a couple of months ago at our church society Friday supper. Friday supper is an old tradition in the Bryn Athyn Society that together with our other friends, once a month, we have made every effort to attend.

One of our hosts "hobbies" is home brewing. Not from one of those awful kits that you can buy in the supermarkets for a couple of quid that tastes "rough" and has consequences for drinking the stuff. No, John served up some great beer, great for this side of the pond anyhow.

Perhaps the general ambience helped. The lower level of the house was set last night with a roaring fire in the fireplace, there was a small bar and two stools to one side with comfortable seats to quaff the beer and feel the heat from the fire.

Both my wife and the wife of another guest who also happens to be English exclaimed how much this looked like an old pub. I could not agree more. Add a few old horse brasses, a large mirror engraved with a beer company and a couple of watercolors of fox hunting in merry old England and you would have the type of bar that I used to travel miles into the depths of Hertfordshire to find, located of the highways and byways and snuck into the little narrow lanes that only joined one small village to another smaller hamlet.

The whole evening was charming.

Normal routine resumes tomorrow

2005-01-02T21:03:00.000-05:00

I am very fortunate to have been away from my office since December 23. An opportunity to unwind, kick back and sneeze! Christmas simply would not be in the wise words of my parents "Christmas without Malcolm having a cold". Not that it happens every year but this year it did. Regardless, I wanted to blog that this year in particular the run up to Christmas from Thanksgiving on has been a cracker of a Christmas. I note that next year I will be a Dad and that this year is the last for Taney & I as just the two of us.

Well, a normal routine resumes tomorrow with my first commute in a while back to the office to pick up on the volunteer programs in progress and work on those new volunteer needs in the new year. A throughly incredible challenge and worthwhile task ahead. I am raring to get back to business.

The last week for all has been focused on the tragic loss of life from the tsunamis. I want to highlight a comment I made a week ago, "that the crisis management of dealing with a disaster of this magnatude will be rewritten in the light of what happens over the coming days, weeks and months ahead. I am disapointed by some parties who have taken an opportunity to reinfoce a political agenda so soon in the aid efforts by governments and private individuals. The divide between the US and the UN has never moreso been displayed publically than in the last week, causing major embarrasment to the United Nations.

The speed at which aid has hit the ground given the scope and size of the disaster has been very impressive, given the distances involved, assets needed and prioritizing what needs to be done. There are plenty of people out there who say it is not quick enough, aid is not reaching those who need it. This disaster is of epic proportions and it is not as if there are stockpiles of aid waiting to be flown out at a moments notice to help victims of a disaster of this type. The speed in which so many agencies have responded and are responding is heartrendering.

Tonight I went to church with my wife at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral for a special service dedicated to those touched by the disaster. It allowed for a moment of reflection and prayer and the lighting of candles.

While a normal routine resumes tomorrow, there are many along the coastlines of the Indian Ocean who can only pray for a normal routine will resume someday soon thanks to the international community and the personal donations from millions to help make "normal" and "routine" something to look forward towards once the grief and heartaches have subsided.

New Years Eve, a family look back.

2004-12-31T16:25:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends:

Today is New Years Eve. It is a time to look to the future and to look back at the year that has gone by. 2004 has been a good year for this friend house as Malcolm and I have been busy preparing for the new arrival to our family, our darling daughter.

This past Christmas marked our 1-year anniversary of the signing of our adoption agency application. By that stroke of the pen and with the ringing in of 2004 started us in the whirlwind of paperwork, letters of references, social worker visits, more paperwork, police clearances from the US and the UK, FBI checks, more paperwork, fingerprints, medicals, state clearances, more paperwork, a visit to the state capital of Pennsylvania, multiple phone calls to our agency, more paperwork, a very late night call to New Scotland yard, 3 visits to the British Embassy in DC, 4 visits to the State department, 3 visits to the Chinese Consulate in DC and more paperwork. All of this “Paperchasing” came to a finish where I made one visit to the Kinko's/FedEx and copied the completed documents required and sent the originals off to our agency in Colorado. Where they the agency translated all of the paperwork into Mandarin and sent it of to the offices of the CCAA in China. We heard officially that on August 30 we were officially logged into their system and so now we wait. The wait we were warned that it would be the most painful part of the adoption journey. Truthfully I did not believe them but they were right.
How the system works is that the CCAA works by months. In September they sent out the referrals out to those that had their paperwork logged in by March, October. April and so on. Sometimes things have happened which either doubles up the Months and sometimes things out of anyone's control like SARS can happen which can cause months of delay. No one really knows when they are going to send out the referrals next, not even the agencies. It is all down to China and of course Divine Providence. As one seasoned adoptive parents said to another perspective parent who was complaining during the wait, “Just wait till you meet your child you will be glad that you waited because you would not be matched with her if you didn't.” Awe, Divine Providence.

So as you ring in the New Year say a little prayer for our daughter waiting for us in China. We hope to get there as soon as we can.
We wish you ALL a Very Happy New Year.

God Bless.

Taney & Malcolm

Tsunami

2004-12-28T18:39:00.000-05:00

My heart reaches out to everyone touched by the tragedy surrounding the underwater earthquakes that caused the tsunami's that have taken lives, homes and livelyhoods of millions across 10 countries.

The amateur video footage from the hotels in Thailand is captavating, yet the power of mother nature at her furious worst is not easily captured with a camcorder.

My concerns are for the areas that we have not yet seen images from. An ITV news crew have footage from a plane at some altitude that shows low lying ground that has been simply destroyed as if trees are matchsticks and buildings are boxes made of paper. Even this does not guage the breadth of the tragedy that unfolds on the hour through the 24 hour news programs.

The help being offered by the Americans ($35 Million) and many other countries including Britain ($1.3Million) including the practical help being put in place right now is essential. Yet history will show this as the event that reshaped the crisis procedures for multi-national aid.

It has been reported that France has offered $136,000 in help. In comparison with other first-world countries who are providing assistance calculated in millions, this is a highly inappropriate response. Time may modify there level of help.

I do not profess to being a geologist, but I do understand that the plates surrounding the earth can trigger quakes caused from disturbances elsewhere. Without any evidence to back up a link, I find it something of a coincidence that this earthquake follows another major earthquake only days before that is not widely reported.

The following is from the BBC News dated December 24, 2004

Penguins escape huge earthquake
An earthquake on a remote Antarctic archipelago home to 850,000 King Penguins was the strongest on earth in four years, seismologists say.

The quake hit 400km (250 miles) off the Macquarie Islands on Friday, measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale.

Penguins appear to have escaped a major disaster as the quake occurred deep under the sea, far from inhabited land.

There were no tsunamis, or large tidal waves, because the quake moved horizontally rather than vertically.

The tremors were felt in Tasmania, 1000km (600 miles) away, but because the epicentre was 10km underground, few observers noticed the initial quake.

10 BIGGEST QUAKES SINCE 1900 (December 24, 2004)
Chile, 1960: 9.5
Alaska, 1964: 9.2
Alaska, 1957: 9.1
Kamchatka, 1952: 9.0
Near Ecuador, 1906: 8.8
Alaska, 1965: 8.7
Tibet, 1950: 8.6
Kamchatka, 1923: 8.5
Indonesia, 1938: 8.5
Kuril Islands, 1963: 8.5
Source: US Geological Survey

Buildings on the islands shook for 15 seconds, seismologist Cvetan Sinadinovski said.

"If this had happened underneath a population centre it would probably have destroyed a whole city," he said.

The quake was the biggest anywhere on earth since an 8.4-magnitude tremor off the coast of Peru in June 2001. That killed 74 people.

Friday's earthquake was caused by the collision of two of the major tectonic plates which make up the earth's crust layer, the Indo-Australian and the Pacific plates.

The last quake of a similar magnitude in the Macquarie region was in 1924, Mr Sinadinovski said.

Despite its size, 22 staff of the Australian Antarctic Division slept through the tremors.

"Nobody felt anything," a spokesman said.

Attention must be given to the threat of disease in those areas affected by the tsunamis. The rising waters may have taken the lives of thousands, the effects of disease have the opportunity to do as much if not more again.

The aid agencies are unable to react with speed to everyone concerned, I fear we must pray for those in these areas that help arrives in time to prevent more lives lost.

A couple of days ago, with a little time on my hands I was considering to write a review on the news stories of the year. Yet somehow the news of today overshadows the news of the yesterdays in the past year.

First Snow

2004-12-20T13:29:00.000-05:00

December 19, we had the first snow of winter decend in these here parts followed by an artic freeze that continues today with temps hovering at arounf 9F (-13C) before windchill is factored in what is a windy day! BRRRRR!!

The snow has left a thin white covering to remind us that the first day of winter officially starts tomorrow.

The last week has seen much merriment in the Friend family household with the tree in the house and decorated, the last of the lights adorning the outside of the property and I have lost count the number of holiday festivities that have been attended, not least Tableaux, the Childrens Holiday Concert, full of good traditional Christmas carols the society sing, complete with the annual pastoral skit loosely based around "its a wonderful life (in Bryn Athyn) and the MSAA holiday party to name but a couple.

This is a wonderful time of the year, while both Taney & I long for the news of our adoption referral in early 2005, this will be our last christmas without our daughter . Yesterday I noted the silence in the house before heading out only to remind myself that the silence will be anything but soon.

December 10

2004-12-10T21:28:00.000-05:00

The holiday season is here. I seem to have done little but eat and drink since Thanksgiving!

Last week I had the opportunity to meet Michael Smerconish www.mastalk.com and a copy of his book flying blind signed. To be honest I have not done this at a book store since I met Dr. Who (Tom Baker) years ago in North Finchley where I got three books signed, one for my brother and one each for my cousins Anthony and Elizabeth as Christmas gifts. I could not have been more than about 12 at the time.

Standing in line I felt somewhat foolish, but meeting Michael was a pleasure he is a genuine nice chap and is already part of my morning routine as I listen to him on 1210am the big talker talk radio station in the Philly area.

Waiting for him I scanned the weather in the farmers almanac for this area to read a deeper than average snowfall expected this winter. First snow due next week perhaps I have set the snow counter to 0.

Last weekend I surprised my wife with a "Taney Day" that in the end involved a day out in Philly China Town, lunch in Chinatown and returning home, a trip to see National Treasure the new hit film with Nicholas Cage. They filmed much of this in Philadelphia in the summer of 03 so this has taken a while to hit the silver screen. It is a MUST SEE film and I rate this a strong 10/10 worthy of the DVD eventually find itself into the Friend film collection.

This weekend includes the 12th, the anniversary of my Gran's Birthday and the traditional date the christmas tree is brought in and put up for the twelve days leading up to Christmas. This is a great tradition enhance further this year by selecting the tree from a tree farm, having the pick of the crop literally and with the help of my brothers-in-law bringing this home tied to the top of a Jeep.

Now where did I store the snow shovel and the tree lights?

Thanksgiving 2004

2004-11-24T05:57:00.000-05:00

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. Turkey day is tomorrow, yet I truly enjoy this one holiday that everyone in America participates in and takes but a moment to be thankful for the year.

This year I am truly thankful to the people at CCAI (Chinese Children Adoption International) our agency in Colorado and especially Hillary in the Dossier Team, together with other wonderful people we have met along our adoption journey who have the experience delightful. Martine at the British Embassy is another, and how can I not mention the notary at our local bank who has worked with us and not charge one cent for notarizing many pieces of paper needed for our dossier.

I am also truly thankful for family friends and co-workers who all express great interest in learning about our adoption journey, and have participated in one way or another, giving us furniture for the nursery, helping to prepare and decorate the nursery, passing along helpful baby items that we will need, giving us bears for the room.

I am thankful for my family on both sides of the Atlantic, in England, Wales, Pennsylvania America and British Columbia Canada. I am thankful for the opportunity to have travelled to Britain over labor day weekend to catch up family and spend time with Kevin , Louise , Hannah & Dan in Wales and to see my Mum & Dad. Although the trip was too short I truly loved every minute.

But most of all I am thankful to my wife Taney. This last year has been one interesting rollercoaster with our adoption journey. We signed the paperwork with CCAI last Christmas Day and everything that has followed has taken us both through every emotion and I am thankful that we could share the great days and support each other thorough the days of waiting and delays in the paperchase.

This holiday season the jigsaw puzzle pieces fit into place to make a colorful picture. We are expecting our Daughter sometime soon. The reality is far closer than it was this time last year. I truly love my work at MSAA and am thankful to the thousands of volunteers who have come to MSAA whether to help with fundraising, public education, special projects, support group leaders or professional volunteers.

I could go on, but here I stop, simply thankful. Happy Thanksgiving.

The Polar Express

2004-11-13T19:49:00.000-05:00

Tom Hanks is an executive producer and provides the voices to more than a couple of characters in what is surely to be the must see family film over the holiday season, "The Polar Express". A computer generated (CG) animated style film based on the book of the same name.

The Polar Express is a beatiful film that evokes the spirit of christmas and belief in Santa / Father Christmas living at the top of the north pole. For a seven year old boy the magic of Christmas seems to wane after reading that the north pole is barren and desolote and he leaves his younger sister to put out the milk and nibbles for Santa on Christmas eve night before heading to bed, trying oh-so-hard to keep awake all night.

Just before midnight the Polar Express stops outside his house and so an adventure with other children begins.

The Polar Express is a good solid family film, the young families who shared the theatre with us certainly enjoyed the film that had a good solid message for all children both young and not so young before the credits rolled.

Hollywood seems to be rolling out more than just a couple of "must see" offering before the end of December. National Treaure starring Nicholas Cage filmed in Philadelphia is one of the must see's on our family list. The concept of a treasure hunt is appealing especially as it entwines American history into the plot.

The Incredibles is another that is critically acclaimed, again a CG animated style film that has strong writing talent to appeal to both young and old audiences. I have heard that this is THE film to see.

US Election 2004 - A commentary from an Englishman in America

2004-11-10T23:36:00.000-05:00

Not that I have any responsibility for the fact but I feel compelled to write and apologize on behalf of this Englishman for the coverage of the result of the Presidential election in the mainstream printed newspapers in Britain.

Months ago on London Chimes I predicted that President Bush would win the election, that it would be a very close race regardless who ended up as the democratic candidate. Since then I have watched the political campaigns rollout as a very interested observer unable to vote in the election.

Pennsylvania was marked early on as a battleground state and it was very interesting to watch the buildup to the election unfold in my back yard.
I have always kept a finger on the pulse of the mainstream media in the UK. To see the goings on in Britain and to see the UK's side of the story. But recently the days following the election results I have been thoroughly disgusted by the Guardian and the Daily Mirror to name but two of the traditionally left-wing newspapers. The Guardian attempted to interfere directly prior to election day with an editorial asking where presidential killers when you needed them most insighting an individual to take the life of George Bush. In another instance writing to voters in Ohio directly as a measure to interfere in the election process from outside the United States.

The front cover of the Daily Mirror was beyond insulting.

Truly the mainstream media not only in the UK but also the US has truly flown their true colors up a flagpole that clearly show their deep set political bias.

Thank goodness for fair and balanced reporting, talk radio, in particular Philadelphia's Big Breakfast Talker Michael Smerconish, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and blogsphere who are in some instances going head to head with main media and they inturn complain of people wearing PJ's sitting in front of computers all day. Not at London Chimes.

I am a "W" guy, thanks Michael for the term.

I am delighted that George Bush and Dick Cheney were elected by a majority including the popular vote and that morals was a significant factor in choosing Bush by 4 votes to 1 for Kerry.

Morals may surprise many outside the US. America is not hollywood, what you see on TV is not an accurate portrayal of what America is like or how the people think. Middle American is not dumb, they have a voice and last week they screamed so loud the world had to hear them.

George Bush is not everyone favorite person, but he is the elected president with a significant mandate from the people who did vote, more took up their right than since President Reagan. The French, Germans have to deal with W. Tony Blair I am certain is relieved with the level of support Americans gave Bush during a time of war, and yes we are at war. With a General Election in the UK soon, I will ensure that I do vote and my vote will be made based on the needs of global politics and that vote might just make me vote for a party I have never voted for before, being brought up and living in an area represented by Maggie Thatcher.

In the UK I supported the Liberal Democrats. To the right of New Labour and the left of the tories. In the US I consider myself a moderate right. A "W" Guy , the man who will be president when I bring my daughter home from China and is a man who has the metal to make the hard decisions.

This President deserves, nay demands the respect of the mainstream traditionally left wing media.

A little campaign action… or how I almost escorted John Edwards up Route 30!

2004-10-20T22:40:00.000-05:00

No real bragging rights with this story, but it does make for an interesting tale.

Monday evenings are currently spent in the company of non-profit professionals at Villanova University. Moving in recent years from the for profit to non profit world this course is highly educational if not for the most part common sense. I digress!

Pennsylvania is a battleground state in the presidential election, both candidates and their running mates have visited the state and in particular the Philadelphia area frequently in recent weeks.

On traveling to Villanova on Monday afternoon the traffic news broke in that Route 30 around Haverford College was to be disrupted due to the visit by John Edwards, the democratic VP hopeful. “Phoey” was my initial reaction as my route up Route 30 took be past the college John Edwards was speaking at.

As I passed one of the entrances to the college I saw a couple of Kerry / Edwards supporters cheering hoping for a glimse of the candidate. To be honest I was somewhat surprised at the low numbers of well wishers. Except this was main line Philadelphia and strong Bush country (or so I thought).

Not a half a mile down the road, the police were directing all traffic away from Route 30, as I neared the junction the cars immediately ahead of me were allowed to continue down Route 30, a two lane high street with shops and roads on both sides. I was waved on down and followed as part of a convoy of only a couple of cars, with no other traffic in sight, nothing in the other direction and police cars preventing any turn off as we headed down to Villanova and the place I stop to eat on a Monday evening.

Within half-a mile the handful of Kerry / Edwards supporters swelled to hundreds all cheering as though these five or so cars were the VP candidate motorcade. I don’t know whether I was frightened to see so many enthusiastic democrats all waving and cheering at a driver who has a “GB” sign on the back of his car. (Someone pointed out it could be read to stand for George Bush” ) or whether they truly thought that John Edwards would be in a motorcade with a Saturn, two trucks and a station wagon! Or that they simply would cheer at anything that moved!!

Luckily the entrance to the car park of McDonalds, (there I admitted it) was open and within 30 seconds of getting off the road, witnessed a fast, loud motorcade with John Edwards heading towards the blue route to his next appointment.

The question I pose, is did the policeman who let us down Route 30 know that our presence probably held up John Edwards? Did our presence on Route 30 actually delay the motorcade for security reasons, it would be nice to think so!

October 20

2004-10-20T21:16:00.000-05:00

There is a certain satisfaction from painting the nursery…

The last couple of weekends have seen painting activity in the nursery; the yellow walls are now a beautiful shade of Disney Fairytale pink, the wooden window frame now white to match the rest of the trim in the room.

Taney paid a visit to Home Depot and with the help from the man in the decorating aisle purchased everything the novice decorator with a mission needs to decorate his daughters nursery.

From sheeting to masking tape (the best stuff in the world) the room was prepared and on the following day aided by our brother in law Chris completed all the walls with two coats of paint. The following day and for some days thereafter… having used muscles rarely used, I ached from the painting, yet had great satisfaction that I had done a “dad” thing!

Last weekend was more of top and tailing, Taney had applied a second coat of paint to the window frame mid week and on coming home one evening found the crib assembled. To walk into a pink nursery to see our crib was a moment but not as big as the one last Sunday. The same day Taney completed the crib we spent time together putting a changing table together, a task easier said than done with 6 screws left over at least the table is solid as all get-out.

We have put wall lights in the nursery, as the room had no overhead lighting. Taney found some wire plastic trunking for the walls to hide the cables and the lampshades with a “Waverly” design of a carousel, bears, rabbits and people fit the room perfectly. The week before we found the lampshades we were caught up with a “theme” and had discussed carousels before looking for lighting and shades.

Last Sunday, all but the closet door was put into place, the curtain rail was put back with new white curtains from the windows and the toys and books we have collected have been put into the room. Taney took care of the detailing and when I walked back into the room all neatly set out it truly took my breath away.

There are two little jobs to complete the nursery, one involving a door the other a chair and these will be taken care of soon.

Despite so much already bought or given to us, there is so much more needed. A mattress for the crib, a pad for the changing table, clothes we are still holding off on until the referral.

We are aware that couples who had their dossier to China in April have recently received their referrals, the best Christmas gift we could get this year is a photo and our referral, time will tell if our wishes come true.

A vote against John Kerry - a good reason.

2004-10-08T22:41:00.000-05:00

By Taney Friend.

Policy Memo: Kerry's Seven-Step Plan to Raise Taxes on the Middle Class

Memorandum
From: BC '04 Policy Department
A close examination of John Kerry's voting record, speeches, campaign documents and guidance from campaign advisers reveals a seven-step plan to raise taxes on the middle class. Here are the seven steps:
1. Get Experience at Raising Taxes
2. Make Promises for More Government Spending (Only Later Come Up with Enough Tax Increases to Pay for It)
3. Admit to Wanting to Raise More Taxes, but Say It's Just for the "Wealthy"
4. Start Expanding the Definition of the "Wealthy"
5. Ignore Who Will be Hurt by Raising Taxes
6. Start Adding Exceptions to Commitments Against Raising Taxes on the Middle Class
7. Wait Until after the Election to Reveal All of the Tax Increases
Step #1: Get Experience at Raising Taxes
Kerry Has Voted for Higher Taxes Hundreds of Times - Whenever given the opportunity, Kerry has voted against taxpayers and for more money going to the federal government in Washington, D.C. In his 19 years in the Senate, Kerry has voted 98 times for tax increases totaling more than $2.3 trillion. He voted at least 126 times against tax cuts totaling more than $5.3 trillion. He has also voted 73 times to reduce the size of a tax cut, 67 times for smaller tax cuts and 11 times against repealing tax hikes.
Kerry voted for the "largest tax increase in history" - Kerry voted for the 1993 tax increase, which the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) described as "the largest tax increase in the history of public finance in the United States or anywhere else in the world." (Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Congressional Record, 3/18/93, p. S3126)

Examples of middle class tax hikes Kerry has voted for:
*Voted twice to increase taxes on Social Security benefits.
*Voted twice to increase taxes on gasoline.

Kerry voted against the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts - Perhaps most importantly, the above votes include the times that Kerry voted against the President's tax cut bills in 2001 and 2003. These bills included the creation of a low 10% tax bracket, reduction of the marriage penalty and doubling of the child tax credit to $1,000. They are providing 111 million taxpayers an average tax cut of $1,500 this year.
(Source: Treasury Department press release, 4/9/04)

Examples of middle class tax cuts Kerry has voted against:
*Voted at least 22 times against marriage penalty relief.
*Voted at least 18 times against expanding the child tax credit.
*Voted at least 9 times against expanding Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).
*Voted at least 7 times against expanding the adoption tax credit.

An Englishman returns to England

2004-09-09T17:44:00.000-05:00

Making the most of a long American weekend, and in recognition that the weekend is probably to be the last holiday weekend that my wife Taney & I will be waiting for our daughter, on something of a spur of the moment, flew back to England to visit family for a 5 day, 4 night stay.

I have not been back to the UK for 3.5 years, and on that occassion for a family funeral. While I have been making America my home, my parents moved from the house I grew up in, my brother and his family moved from north London to South Wales, and my grandmother of 93 years young, moved from her home to a residential home for the elderly.

The family had grown, I had a new nephew already 3 years old that I had never seen while other newer members of the extended family who were toddling last seen, had grown, walking and talking and developing their own personalities.

Perhaps expats do over romanticize their memories of time living in the UK when they move overseas. Returning after such a length of absence was much more of a reality check but more importantly an opportunity no matter how brief to meet and hug family members that are important to me. This visit was all about people.

Here are a few observations:

1. Arriving at Heathrow, I joined the long line of visitors passing through immigration, this gave me a moment to look at what the best dressed immigration officers were wearing and compared to my daily office wardrobe. M&S Shirts, ties and trousers were clearly in evidence. Outside during the remainder of my stay I noticed there seems to be a style of wearing collared shirts opened at the top with ties worn low. It looked scruffy and unprofessional.

2. Perhaps it was the jet-lag. Taney & I took a long walk in the warm "heatwave" of a late summer weather that settled over England and Wales during our stay during our first afternoon. Our first walk the afternoon of the first day along streets of a town that I had lived in myself for eight years seemed familiar but not normal. It was the rip-van-winkle syndrome, as though I had woken up after sever years and although I recognized much, my orientation was off, cars for instance I had not seen before drove the streets, shops in the high street that once existed had gone, replaced by a growing number of charity stores. Even the simple things such as the marketing image of a candy bar was radically different, although the layout of the local Woolworths remained the same. We took a long stroll to a pub in a park, where half a pint of warm beer was the order of the day. Ummm one thing I had missed!

3. The Times. Not London Chimes but the Times and the Independent had reduced in size from broadsheet to tabloid size. Somehow it did not look quite right.

4. The cost of living. Six pounds plus for half pint of beer and a martini and lemonade, seven pounds plus for two return bus tickets to St. Albans... ordering one crispy aeromatic duck and pancakes a southern chinese delicacy and not peking duck for two was a small fortune and reminded us both how expensive eating out can be in the UK and why we did not do this very often.

5. Petrol / Gas Prices. Staggering! And certainly explains why most cars available on the British market and visable on the motorways are smaller and more compact than family sized vehicles in America where gas is on average one pound per gallon.

6. Ordering food. I never slipped up and ordered hot tea with milk, but I did slip up in a very nice Welsh restaurant for Sunday lunch and when asked what did I want to drink had the reply "everything".

7. Back in the pub. For a second time in 2 days, this time with my wife, brother and sister in law, on a Saturday night, I had forgotten what it was like to stand at the bar (for ages) waiting to be served, and then watching the barmaid ask a colleague how to make a martini and lemonade, while other gents, actually welsh rugby players jostled around you waving tenners and twenties to get attention, while my brother and I waited.

8. A myriad of english accents. I was warned this would happen, after not hearing english accents in great numbers (above 6) for a long time, I was taken aback by the Hertfordshire accents, and indeed my wife's American accent. There was one thing in particular that surprized me, the loose use of profanity and swearing in everyday language. Don't get me wrong, it has always existed, but living in America where such language is hardly ever used in daily language, it was a shock.

Our visit was too brief, it was lovely to spend anytime with my family and I saw them all. Have some memories from my trip and a collection of photographs. Not forgetting a huge haul of Ribena, KP Skips and Cadbury's chocolate.

For once the weather was wonderful, for early September. The area of South Wales where my brother and his family live is simply stunning. He has done very well for himself and I am deeply proud of everything they have all achieved since moving.

We did mange a quick trip to St. Albans in Hertfordshire, where buildings as old at 1300's could be handled and sat in and around auch as the cathedral and clock tower. It was important for both of us to visit St. Albans, a city full of history.

Leaving we even managed a British pudding and fish and chips in Garfunkles at Heathrow. A little overcooked but an appropriate way to complete a flying visit.

My heartfelt thanks to all my family who I love much and miss more. Although in seeing you all the missing does not hurt so much toda, and to my wife for being with me.

A four year review.

2004-09-01T18:39:00.000-05:00

Deep into the Republican National Convention in New York this week, Arnold, or Arrrnuld, as he may be called "The governator" hit a home run with his speech on immigants coming to America and the persuit of the American dream.

I have much more to say about this speech that had me applauding from my TV chair last night as the speech spoke directly to me. Moreso than any other political speech I have heard for some time.

I do have the text of the speech saved and I will return to this subject soon. "I'll be back".

A four year review may at first glance seem to be a review on the current Presidential term of G. W. Bush. Not so, this is simply stated advanced warning of a new posting due soon on the changes of the United Kingdom since 2000 as seen through the eyes of an expat in America.

I expect the research to be as enlightning as the post itself.

Sir Mark Thatcher - Checkmate?

2004-08-26T18:30:00.000-05:00

Son of former Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher, and a self made man of means was arrested yesterday in connection with the overthrow of a foreign power in Africa.

There is more to this story that the press have access to at this time and we await the soap-opera of a story to play out over the next weeks. Will HM Government step in? The overthrow of a leader in power since 1979 is the same year Maggie became PM, is their a connection?? One for the consipiricy therorists.

In the meanwhile my attention on Wednesday evenings is dedicated to playing chess with my brother-in-law Mac. This week playing at "home" rather than "away" I stepped away after loosing two games, the second being a bizzare game with my king stepping up and down the board removing pieces along the way. In a pincer movement between a queen I simply could not take and a rook that is a power piece in Mac's chess game I was squeezed into checkmate despite being one move away earlier in the game for a win.

I look forward to my Wednesday evenings, for the conversation and for the chance to stretch a few gray cells in a challenging game of chess. This week I beleive my game had significantly improved on our last game night two weeks ago. I look forward to next week.

Adoption update.

2004-08-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

For those following the complete story on The Red Thread we have just received work from CCAI in Colorado that translation of our dossier is complete and our papers are due to be sent to China within the week.

It is with some sadness that CCAI staff member Hillary who has so professionally guided us along the papertrail, passes the baton to another CCAI staff member as our adoption journey continues. Both Taney & I agree that Hillary has helped us both immeasurably over the last months.

Now the real waiting begins...

The more things change... the more others seem the same.

2004-08-23T19:06:00.000-05:00

I have not had any doubt that moving to America was a good thing for me both personally and professionally. In the last week I received an email from a former manager of mine, a senior manager who I deeply respect.

It would not be appropriate of me to publish who this gentleman is, or the company that I worked for at the time. I will simply refer to them as "Hatfield" and those who know be personally will understand.

Perhaps I should have called this post the seven-year-itch, things change other remain the same. The name of the organization has been changed under the new ownership that quietly passed me by. Yet the one thing I truly find interesting is that many of my old colleagues are still there. Doing exactly what I am not sure but one thing I have gleemed from the list of names this email was circulated to suggest that my role at this organization was as high as I could climb without a significant change or career path that indeed did happen.

Had I remained, my career would surely have stalled with no clear opportunity for advancement. My career path certainly took the road less travelled before moving to America where the sum of my accrued qualifications, skills and experience have taken me to heights truly unattainable in the UK.

This email is vindication of a sort that the choices I ultimately made were right not wrong. The scenery along the way has certainly been interesting and has forced me to take a long clear look at myself and my ambition.

In the UK I lived within pre-set parameters, this is all you could do, this is how far you could go, now more. My new rule book, "The American Dream" throws out this career model and replaces it with green lights down the highway as far as you are prepared to work for it.

I have a good and valued friend who also worked for this organization in the UK the same time I did. He moved on and on since into another industry where I do agree with him that the lessons learned in Hatfield prove very helpful in business today.

In conclusion, this email has clearly reported to me that the more things change (in my life) the more things have stayed the same (in a life I have left behind).

An Englishman in America, "Back to School"

2004-08-23T17:53:00.000-05:00

Villanova University September 20. Visit back again for my comments and thoughts

Boscastle, a conspiracy by the elements?

2004-08-19T00:34:00.000-05:00

Some 3,500 miles from Boscastle, or at least the remains of Boscastle Village and harbor my heart and prayers go out to those who lived and worked in the village so severely destroyed by a wall of water this week.

3,500 miles away today, I was engaged in a conversation with a colleague that in summary the point was how can two inches of rainfall create so much havoc, besides doesn't it rain all the time in England?

It is an interesting perspective and having some understanding of the mechanics of the water table and an appreciation for summer rainfall in New Jersey and Pennsylvania can offer some insight.

Boscastle is located in one of the most picturesque points along the northern coastline of Cornwall. To those needing a little more orientation, it is the pointed end in the south west corner, Boscastle is one of those little retreats, tucked out of the way not accosted by the trappings of commercial seaside towns like Minehead some way further to the east along the coastline in Somerset. For those looking for a slice of England's England, unchanged complete with local shops, a pub and a small harbor for the village fishing fleet that long since served as the main industry in favor of tourism you have some idea. A village with a narrow blacktop road leading alongside a pretty river towards the sea nestled in a green and pleasant valley.

The summer has been unseaonable wet, those in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the States located to the north and north east will testify that the summer weather patten has been similar here.

The water table has natuarally risen in the hills nestling Boscastle, that is to say the level of water underground has from all the rain increased to a level that the ground is waterlogged and cannot absorb any further rainfall. One practical example of this is to compare the level of water in a well in the summer and winter, the water level changes in the same way the water table changes. Different ground conditions can vary the level of the water table so that in any given area the height of the water table can vary significantly. Regardless of this lesson thie important fact is that the hills surrounding Boscastle had a limited capacity to absorb the two inches of rainfall that fell in the area in two hours. This matched the average rainfall in the area for the whole month in two hours.

While it certainly does seem to rain, or drizzle for more time than it seems to be dry or sunny in England, a popular misconception by visitors to the UK. The rain and drizzle while makes for damp and some may say miserable conditions, is not effective rainfall. The concept of an inch of more falling is unusual at least, while in the US summer storms can drop significantly more rainfall, creating flash floods that are reasonably well predicited ahead of time.

With the rain having no place to run off, the ground water simply used gravity to roll down the hillsides into the pituresque rivers that joined together and trickled normally next to the road past the village and into harbor and the sea.

The valley became a natural ditch, a one way for all the rain to channel and as more tain fell the wall of water reportedly nine feet deep swept down both rivers, joined to the south of the village and together ploughed thorugh the valley floor lifting and destroying everything in its path.

This was a rare example of the sheer power of mother nature in England.

Could the Boscasatle disaster have been averted? Probably not, the circumstances that led to the wall of water may be listed as a one in a 500 or 1000 year storm. Normally the hillsides have the capacity to absorb rainfall and that groundwater which runs off into the river has the capacity to flow at a higher level but safely into the sea. Boscastle is an old village, but the existing buildings are not so old to have seen a 1000 year old storm and possibly not even a 500 year flood.

Much of the coastline of Cornwall is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, aka Prince Charles. I was pleased to see that he was one of the first to the village and that the Ducy Trust will make a significant contribution that remains undisclosed at this time towards the rebuilding of the village.

Most likely the buildings will all be found unsafe by the structural engineers. Sadly a twee cornish village will be rebuilt with modern building methods and will look less like its other cornish village neighbors. Time will tell.

Meanwhile in the US we are in Hurricane Season, Friday the 13th saw Hurricane Charley hit the west coast of Florida, landing close to Fort Myers with winds in excesss of 120 MPH. I have a volunteer who lives very close to Fort Myers and his home still stands, but he is one of the lucky ones, others in his town are flattened, homes lost, lives ruined and as of yesterday fifteen lives losts. It was not easy to read his email to me to ask if our organization could send food and water. The American Red Cross and other aid agencies were already on the ground doing what they do best in very trying circumstances.

Other reports close to Venice Beach report that the locals are protecting the remains of their homes with guns and rifles to prevent looting. Other areas were pelted with heavy rainfall, hail and highwinds before Hurricane Charley headed north and east to be down graded to a tropical storm. By the time in reach PA / NJ it was away off to the east in the Atlantic, with only summer rainfall refreshing our streets and gardens.

The national US News reporting from neighborhoods in Florida destroyed by Charley only offer a glimse into the power and terror of a hurricane. My thoughts are with those tonight who are still without power, water, food, and in many cases a roof tyo sleep under that is called home.

It has been some 12 years since anything like Charley has been seen in Florida. Then Floridians rebuilt and continued their lives. This time will be the same. Floridians know the drill, understand the risks and balance this against the beautiful seasonless weather all year around.

Florida and Boscastle, two very different disasters zones, united in resolve to move on after the fury of mother nature.

An Englishman in America debates British Olympic Glory 2004

2004-08-13T09:26:00.000-05:00

Tonight millions worldwide will watch the opening ceremony of a summer olympic event that returns to its ancestral home in Greece.

Being part of the team that develop an olympic event remains but a dream. After other events I have had the honor and privilage of being part of, the olympics would be the ultimate event project. It is a good thing to have ambition, and for all the athletes competing in Greece in the Olympic Games, a gold, silver or bronze medal forms a part of their olympic ambition.

The summer of 2004 has not exactly been a great summer for British Sport, viewing the cumulative list of failures and good efforts, but not good enough in the field of professional British sport, one wonders how well the British olympiads will fare.

Twenty years ago the argument of many British athletes was that the sporting facilities in the UK were far and few between. The underdog argument that the Americans and the Russians who traditionally took away the bulk of the medals had better training facilities.

Fast forward to 2004. The British National Lottery has gone someway to providing funding for facilities. It has thanks to the weekly lottery players funds athletes through their World Class Performance Program. Some sixty-four athletes each receive between twenty and thirty thousand pounds each year for their training, performance standards are set by the lottery to enable them to receive this funding, yet the argument is placed that the standards are below olympic medal standards and furthermore some of these athletes meet the standards for their events but do not show clear effort to go the extra distance for olympic medal standard.

There are others who are accused by their peers of spending the lottery funding on playstations and games rather than use the funding for the purpose that it was truly given.

Do Britain have a team of athletes who are not up to the mark, but have "won" lottery cash to fritter away? The next two weeks will go some way to answering this question.

I would prefer to give the British Olympic Squad the benefit of the doubt. To perform a sport at the highest level does take a great deal of time and commitment. With the infrastructure and private funding to allow them to train to compete with the best of the best from other countries, the medal tables will judge.

How should we seriously measure the success of the British squad. Should it be as simple as how many make the finals of each event and the number of medals, a sporting gesture when 4th place is recognized as a good show, but no medal. Or should we look to each olympiad to do their very best and aim for gold?

An Englishman in America and an eclipse

2004-08-12T19:59:00.000-05:00

Five years ago yesterday, in the late morning I stood transfixed in St. James Park in London to witness a very unusual sight.

A partial eclipse some 95% of the sun by the moon was clearly seen in the sky over London and indeed most of the United Kingdom with the exception of part of Cornwall in the south west that witnessed a total eclipse.

The weather, a favorite subject matter, generally masks many solar events from the eyes looking upward from Britain, but on this day, five years ago, the sky was virtually clear, up until the time of the eclipse, (typically).

I stood by the lakeside in St. James Park on the north side of the lake; Buckingham Palace was but four hundred yards over my right shoulder. Those familiar with St. James Park will also be familiar with the hundreds of waterfowl, ducks, geese herons and pelicans that live on the lake.

As the moon traveled across the sun, the late morning turned the light to dusk and the birds started to settle down as they would any other dusk, except this one was some ten hours earlier.

The park was packed with people. Many from the surrounding offices of Westminster, Whitehall, St James Park and Victoria had strolled into the park to witness for many a once in a lifetime event. The rooftops of the government building the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Treasury could also be seen crammed with people who wanted to see something most extraordinary from the daily Whitehall routine.

Impromptu office parties started up, blankets were place on the ground, and bottles of champagne were opened to celebrate the occasion.

I had broken away from my group to stand alone a marvel at the sight from the reflection of the still waters of the lake, occasionally looking up to sneak the briefest of peaks at the eclipse.

I remember a couple of ducks took fright at the thousand in the park, around the lake, and the early dusk, who took to flight, vocally “quacking” their concern. But most of all I remember stillness and silence.

Then the sun started to reappear from behind the moon. The ducks and other waterfowl resumed their midday activities and the crowds of office workers, civil servants and I returned to our offices surrounding the park. This memory is so vivid it hardly seems five years ago yesterday.

Doomed and full of tears + 19 days = :)

2004-08-10T15:41:00.000-05:00

I invite you dear reader to visit my other blog The Red Thread, that chronicles the adoption journey of my wife and myself to bring home our daughter named until referral as "Little Blossom" from China.

International adoption is an emotional rollercoaster for many parents. I offer this post as a very a small slice of the turmoil behind the so called paperchase in dealing with government departments necessary to compile and authenticate the necessary papers for an adoption.

My wife posted the following nineteen days ago on the yahoo group APC (adopting parents from China) that has tens of thousands of people registered all at different stages of their adoption journey. The posting was titled Doomed and full of tears

Well I thought I would give you all an update on my saga of the I797 aka
I171H. On Monday and Tueday I have been holding my breath hoping against hope that
the I797 would be in the mailbox. As some of you know ...Marcia at the home
land security office in Philly sent a letter on June 23 that the CIS had
problems with our Homestudy and wanted an addendum from our social worker because
the SW paraphrased some lines so after finnaly getting a hold of our SW who was
on vacation for a week got us pages to replace the phrased ones. I sent that
to the Philly office which arrived on July 6th to Marcia who at this point said
she was going on a week vacation, a week and three days went by and I called
and I was informed that Marcia has been called to military service for a week
and will be back in the office Monday well now today is Wednesday and hope and
praying as I go to the mailbox today and again saw nothing I was near tears
and I called the office always fearing the worst and was informed that Marcia
was out of the office today. I just started to cry what do you mean she is out
is there someone who does paperwork when someone is away the lady on the other
end of the phone said we are short staffed and I said choking back tears can
I please speak to a superviser I tried to collect myself as I waited another
woman got on said she was the supervisor I told her my sagga and how I realise
that people have things to do but I have been waiting since my papers arrived
in your office July the 6th to hear anything, anything at all then it all came
upon me I started to cry I said to this lady that everytime I go to the
mailbox and hear nothing all I can think is that's one more day added till I see my
baby's face or that one more thing will be wrong sobbing I said please help
me. She asked did I send in I600 I said I sent in all that I was asked to send
in a I600A a homestudy the corrected pages and my fingerprints of my husband
and myself I gave her the file number she asked for my phone number I gave it
to her twice and she said your phone number is diffent on a message you left
with us before and corrected that number and said she would call me back.... she
didn't call me back today and now I am sitting here feeling like a fool I had
no idea I would simply burst into tears on the phone and since she has not
called me back I have had terrible thoughts like because I was sobbing down the
phone she won't want to deal with me so bottom of the pile etc.
I am having a really hard time being positive about all of this. I feel
doomed.
~Taney

Taney received nearly 100 emails of support from great people on APC who offered comfort, sympathetic words and support. It also created a very vocal thread of posts disgusted at the service provided by Homeland Security given the fees paid by adopting parents and the recent significant increases in fees. It was deeply touching.

NINETEEN DAY ON FROM THIS POSTING

I added the following post that is also available on The Red Thread blog.

Taney spent most of the morning, copying everything for our dossier, signing checks, credit card authorizations and sending our completed dossier documents to Colorado with the help of our local Kinko's and Fed-Ex.

Since we started writing our adoption agency application last December 25, it has taken 7 months, 16 days and a couple of hours, minutes and seconds to reach this part of our adoption journey.

When asked the value of the paperwork, Taney commented on the value of nearly eight months of blood, sweat and tears.

Adding up the miles that application forms, home study visits, trips to state capitals, fingerprinting, and Washington DC that have been made to move our mountain of dossier paperwork it is according to my estimates around 14,000 miles. It is only a little over 8,000 miles to Hong Kong from Hatboro and to our daughter. I would say that our dossier is one heck of a detour to China.

Nevertheless, Taney & I are thrilled and delighted that our dossier is heading to CCAI in Colorado where it is to be translated and then sent to China, (DTC) dossier to China anticipated in about a month.

The pressure of paperchasing is now behind us, the process of ensuring each piece of paper is correctly notarized and authenticated by the right people and more importantly in the right order. The confusion of having papers generated from the UK, and two states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey adding in the need to work with multiple government departments simply added to "fun" of the paperchase.

A deep sigh of relief can be heard from both of us today, August 10 will be a red letter day in the Friend family as the day the dossier was completed.

Now we wait for the call to tell us that our dossier has been sent to China. Then we wait a little longer for the referral of our daughter and our first photograph. Then we go to get Little Blossom!

I am not sure how I will cope with the waiting, at least for the past 7 months we have been active, doing something, getting papers together, making calls, chasing papers, chasing people, motivating others to get on board now we simply wait.

Taney and made it very clear in the last post that we have many people to thank. I want to add to the list a little more. To Taney who has truly managed the papertrail for us both and made sure that "one more day" was not an option.

If Taney has called me her rock, then Taney is my lighthouse who has lit the way along the adoption journey this far. Taney has made an awesome project manager in this part of our adoption journey and has created a binder that contains all our paperwork has grown and be ordered and organized just so that everything is easily to hand.

Thanks also to both our families who have provided an ear and a shoulder when the delays from Scotland Yard and the Homeland Security became unbearable.

Thanks to our friends and family who so kindly wrote such beautiful references as part of our home study.

To repeat Taney, also to Hilary, Manager of the Dossier Department at CCAI who has been a great source of help, advice and motivation.

And finally thanks to my colleagues at MSAA, especially those in my department who have heard the ups and downs of the last months and have been understanding in working with me around personal days used in the process, Terry, Tina and Brenda, not forgetting Gary, Peter and Mary.

There is very little I can write that portrays quiet as clearly the rollercoaster of adopting parents.

Every child deserves loving parents.

This is what we so badly want to give our daughter and that day has drawn so much closer today.

Thunderbirds are go.

2004-08-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

This afternoon I had the pleasure of joining two of my nephews aged 7 and 5, and their Dad to watch Thunderbirds, the new movie directed by Jonathan Frakes, aka Riker of Star Trek The Next Generation fame.

Let me start out by noting I am from geeksville when it comes to Thunderbirds the 1960's television program, produced and directed by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson using Supermarionation marionette technology and special effects by Derek Meddings who went on to build many of the special effects for the James Bond series of films.

There is little I do not know about this series and have faithfully watch rerun after rerun and on coming to the States seen the half hour episodes not broadcast in the UK for decades.

The premise of a secret base, a family of a billionaire astronaut, saving the world from disasters has over time proved that fiction can become fact, insofar there is a voluntary international rescue team of doctors and emergency specialists who will fly at the drop of a hat to help those in distress. The concept of the program, the missions and the strings attached have stood the test of time with only now, almost 40 years after the first program was aired has a live action film been made replacing the marionettes with a human cast and using the best technology to update the futuristic Thunderbird machines.

For many years a live action Thunderbirds film has been discussed much to the excitement of many cult fans like myself. Only for the plans to fail, until now.

I had deliberatly avoided trailers for the new film until recently. The opportunity to watch the film with my nephews, themselves fans of the original film was a delight.

I applaud everyone involved with this film, it was truly outstanding. It would have been very wrong of me to expect Jonathan Frakes to keep wholly to the original series, for the most part he did, the film is set before the TV series in time, Alan Tracy is still at school in the film.

These are the points I want to make note of for Thunderbird fans. There are still 5 Thunderbirds, they even retain the original color schemes, they look much the same although have been sleeked up in design. Old favorites like the Mole and the Firefly exist.

Thunderbird one still flys out from under the swimming pool, Thunderbird 3 appears from beneath a circular building, Thunderbird 2 still needs a ramp and has palm trees to fall back along the short airstrip. Thunderbird 4 is launched from Thunderbird 2 and in this film Thunderbird 5 sees more action than in the entirity of the original series.

Lady Penelope and Parker, continue to steal scenes, the Rolls Royce sadly has beebn replaced with a new car, similar in specification that also flys. We know that FAB1 is a Ford, and ford cars seem to feature very prominantly throughout the film, including a ford Thunderbird in one of the hangers.

The rescue sequences especially those in London are very well handled, I loved the monorail rescue, a hark back to classic episodes and the first rescue we see on burning oil rig.

This is a great kids movie, those of us with long memories can recognize the diversions from the original but they are all forgiveable.

Regardless I was going to love this film. I hope that enough people go see it so that a sequel may be produced. The scope of developing a franchise with Thunderbirds, much as Spykids, is very possible.

The stars remain the Thunderbird machines. Awesome, truly awesome.

Finally my thanks to Mac and the Tommy and Glenn who sat either side of me jumping up and down in excitement at this film, made the afternoon all the more worthwhile.

Baby Names - Statistics from the Department of Social Security

2004-08-06T13:53:00.000-05:00

The Department of Social Security keeps full and publically available records of the top 1000 baby names by year. Link for further info.

While we have already picked out "Little Blossoms" name, and until referral it is under wraps, I was interested to see how popular "Malcolm" is.

Just under the top 500 boys names in 2003, Malcolm is beaten by Bruce and beats out Rodolfo!

For the purposes of research only, I have entered in a number of family first names ranked in order of popularity, based upon the 2003 figures.

Most popular is my brother-in-law Christopher, in 9th place, beaten by Daniel, and beating out Anthony into 10th place.

Next most popular and somewhat surprising at 16th most popular boys name is Alexander, my father's name, beaten by Tyler and beating out John.

My brother Kevin is 31st, beaten by Gabriel and beating out Noah.

Now it gets interesting as we drop a couple of hundred in the listings.

My younger theologian brother-in-law is 208, beaten by Peyton and beating Dustin.

My youngest sister-in-law is 211, beaten by Makenzie and beating our Hanna.

My sister in law, wife of Christopher in 9th place is 404th in the girl baby names listing for 2003, beaten by Brittney and beating out Sage.

Another huge jump down the listings to 599 is my mother, beaten by Gwendolyn, and beating out Tanya.

My wife's eldest brother and my second eldest brother-in-law is ranked 664 on the boys listing of names, beaten by Aaron and beating out Judah.

My mother-in-law ranks at 974, beaten by Trisha and beating out Katerina, while my last look-up my youngest brother-in-law does not make the top 1000 names as the family often note his first name (and second) is pretty cool.

I am sure that there are some really great guys out there called Rodolfo!

Weekend Posting

2004-08-06T13:10:00.000-05:00

With our week of vacation only a week behind us, it seems a great deal longer, especially as the paperchase for the adoption of our daughter is heading into the final furlong.

My wife is taking a red-eye train from Philadelphia to Washington DC to visit the British Consulate, the State Department Authentication Office and the Consulate for the Peoples Republic of China, in what I can best describe as akin to the "Amazing Race" or a bizzare treasure hunt that I attempted a month or two back, only to fall at the last fence. Lessons learned from my trip (that took two trips) Taney is prepared!

At least returning to the office, I was relaxed on Monday and worked my way to being so relaxed by Friday morning that pulling myself out of bed was a challenge. Or perhaps this could have had something to do with a cool night, no humidity and the chance to sleep deeply.

Politically speaking, I have taken the current election build up with more than a dash of lightheartedness. John Kerry has had a challenging week with anti-Kerry adverts produced by members of his "band of brothers" that he fought alongside in Vietnam. They are vocally not supportive of his candidacy to the point the Kerry campaign are asking the media not to show the advert with veiled threats.

Switch into sattire gear, go and visit www.jibjab.com and run the animated "This land is your land" skit with GW and John Kerry, a cast of other familiar faces and three purple hearts. In what has been a cut and thrust political week this is the ideal thing to put us all on an even keel.

Chess. When I was about eight, my granddad taught me how to play chess. He and my Nana that Christmas gave me a chess set that my Nana had carefully glued felt to the bottom of each of the red and white pieces so not to scratch the beautiful checked board my Granddad, a master joiner had made for me. Switch forward a few years, to eleven and twelve, I remember being a member of the St. Mary's School (Hendon) Chess Club, where I recall a fellow student Parvez Kahn (apologies for incorrect spelling) would wow a room of eleven year olds by playing multiple games with his peer group.

Sporadic chess playing followed, until I started heading to the Canaries for holidays with by good friend Trevor, who I recall beat me at every chess game we played.

This week, using technology, I have started to play again with my brother-in-law Mac author of his blogs that as I have mentioned previously we aspire towards only to fall. Playing over the net has its drawbacks, it is not as social and takes forever to play a game. Next Wednesday he & I will be getting together to play in the traditional way face to face across the board for a friendly game. I admit, I am looking forward to the pleasure of playing again. Mac has chess tournaments under his belt, so I am certain that I will learn much from playing this great gentleman.

Hymns for all people.

2004-08-05T16:24:00.000-05:00

The church has been on my mind today, possibly has something to do with an urban legend I heard on the radio this morning on WPHT (they should know better) about Bryn Athyn.

Regardless of this personal waffle, I found this listing on a Church of England site from the UK.

Hymns for all People

The Dentist's Hymn: .....Crown Him with Many Crowns
The Weatherman's Hymn: ..There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
The Contractor's Hymn: ..The Church's One Foundation
The Tailor's Hymn: ......Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer's Hymn: ......There's a Green Hill Far Away
The Politician's Hymn: ..Standing on the Promises
The Optician's Hymn: ....Open My Eyes That I Might See
The Gossip's Hymn: ......Pass It On
The Electrician's Hymn:..Send The Light
The Shopper's Hymn: ... .Sweet By and By
The Estate Agent's Hymn: I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop
The Massage Therapists Hymn: ...He Touched Me
The Doctor's Hymn: ......The Great Physician

AND for those who speed on the highway -- a few hymns:

45mph..God Will Take Care of You
55mph..Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
65mph..Nearer My God To Thee
75mph..Nearer Still Nearer
85mph..This World Is Not My Home
95mph..Lord, I'm Coming Home
Over 100mph..Precious Memories

Englishman in America on latest terror alerts.

2004-08-04T16:27:00.000-05:00

"I find these truths to be self evident".

Those of us living and working in either America or Britain should not be surprized that there are security issues developing daily that we do not know and perhaps should not know anything about.

This weekends increase in the security level around the financial institutions in New York, northern New Jersey and Washington DC are case in point. Here are the clear facts.

An alleged terrorist was arrested two weeks ago.

His computer was confiscated and has been found to discover detailed information on specific sites as potential terror targets.

The computer identifies some of the data some four years old, other data as recent as January 2005.

The political angle. The announcement by Tom Ridge the weekend after the end of the Democratic National Convention in Boston may have been clevery timed to draw interest away from John Kerry. Yet realistically, with my personal knowledge of the workings of government, for a computer seized in the arrest to be analyzed and reported by Tom Ridge within two weeks is a remarkable turn-around of information into the public domain. Is the timing of the announcement a political play, possibly, but would the accusation have been made if Tom Ridge waited until Monday, or today to make the announcement.

Tom Ridge, Director of Homeland Security has a damn'd if he does damn'd if he doesn't job. He was right to take this information to the public regardless of the date of the announcement. Interesting to note that politically the Democrats are not arguing that he made this statement, just the timing of the statement. A subtle political move in the electorial game of chess.

Meanwhile, of course there are thousands of federal agents, intellegence officers, police in America, Britain and other countries working together to keep the terrorists from achieving their goal. On a regular basis good detective work I am certain is preventing the terrorists from their objectives, that is why almost four years on from 9/11 there have been no further attacks on American soil. But there is every reason that we should all be alert and that the agencies involved should not for one moment let down their guard.

Interesting to note that in Britain today a number of arrests have been made in connection with terror activities, some in my local stamping grounds of Bushey, Hertfordshire near Watford and Luton, Bedfordshire.

The same report notes that of over 500 arrests over time only 14 have actually been charged with terrorist activity. Certainly middle eastern groups are crying foul, but to me 500 + does not seem like a witchhunt by the British authorities. Terrorist are by their nature not clearly identified, they do not wear a uniform, they do not carry the flag of a nation. Careful, ongoing policework has led to the arrests today and others to follow. It is the small, calculated measures that prevent mass public panic, civil unrest and worse.

What we see is responsible government in both countries. Yet, in a era of instant gratification and instant results, results do not seem to come freely to those who demand them. I suggest that results are obvious to see from the lack of succesful terror activity on mainland Britain or America.

Time for a breakaway from the neighborhood.

2004-07-31T06:28:00.000-05:00

In the words of Billy Joel, I have not exactly been in a New York State of mind but unplugged with soft golden sand between my toes on the Jersey shore for the last week.

I cannot recall the last time I slept as much as I have and as vacations go, this was one of the most restful. Mentally I "unplugged" where the biggest decision of the day was where were we going for breakfast?

Have you ever painted a pot? I have not picked up a brush to paint in the artistic sense for many, many, years until this week. As an escape from the heat of the beach, my wife & I headed to paint a pot and whiled away a good three hours. As this was the only thing I truly concentrated on all vacation I found myself in an artistic zone and throughly enjoyed painting again for the first time in a long time.

My reading list included "Lost Daughters from China" given our adoption plans, this book has been high on my must read list when I have the time. This week I had the time and promised myself to read this book before any other beach thrillers that normally sit in my hands on vacation.

Lost Daughters of China is a fantastic book. I thought I knew a great deal of the adoption process, and in particular the journey of "little blossom" the name we have for the moment use in family circles when discussing our daughter. Her name will be announced at the time we receive a refferal and photograph.

The book explains many cultural issues and the history of the one child policy among many other things that any adoptive parent from China should read and understand before completing the adoption process. I certainly know more today than I did last week.

And finally, this year I had my bike at the shore, after many years of always wanting to taken bikes to the shore it was a pleasure to cycle to breakfast and mooch around the quiet back roads with the other cyclists.

Plugging back in to the real world, I did see some of the Democratic Convention from Boston my views will follow in due course. In the meanwhile I am watching the situation develop in the Sudan.

An Englishman in America

2004-07-19T09:07:00.000-05:00

Anniversaries are great times to look back reflect and comment. Four years ago, July 20 was the date I boarded a Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow, waved off by virtually every member of my family as I headed to Newark, New Jersey my port of entry to America and traveled a short hop north of Philadelphia, my new home.

After four years I feel less of a stranger and more of a “local” in these here parts. Yet it has only been the last year that I have truly felt America fits more like a comfortable glove rather than my perception of “back footing” four years-ago.

If I asked my wife have I changed as a person since leaving Britain, the answer would be a solid no. (You may take a man out of Britain, but you cannot take Britain out of the man). Since July 2000 my personality has not changed, my surroundings have and I am more comfortable than ever with these surroundings.

Yet regardless where I would live in the world, I am soon to undergo a life change; in so far I am soon to be a Dad to a dear daughter, currently called “Little Blossom” within the family until we announce her given name.

While I have time to adapt to the role and responsibilities of being a Dad, the best I can be, this life-change would be the same regardless where I live.

Moving to America has opened my eyes to another culture. Four years ago, I had in comparison simply had to reconcile one fact. “that I believed I could live and wanted to live in America”. The reconciliation took many months of hard soul searching as I wrestled over the matter in my own mind, would this work, was this the right thing to do. Twenty-twenty hindsight is a wonderful thing. Since arriving nothing but good things have happened to me. This is not to dismiss the wonderful things that happened in Britain, but to move forward I had to take the road less traveled.

The America portrayed on popular television shows that are broadcast in Britain generally do not capture the essence of America as they are formulated to be many things to many people, just as the British shows in America do not capture the spirit of Britain.

Travel it is said broadens the mind, this I have found to be true.
America is a land of opportunity, this too I have found to be true.

On being an Englishman in America.

“The accent thing” I have been blessed with a London Suburban accent, to date only one complete stranger in America has focused my specific accent to within three miles of my home town. A clear accent does help, yet even after four years of intent ally slowing the speed of my speech, and unintentially changing my can dense so that my modulation drops rather that rises at the end of a sentence or phrase, I have a better “news reader” type accent than I ever had in England.

An English accent is a great conversation starter in America, the voicemails I leave result in polite replies, one most recently mentioned that of all the messages on their voicemail, my message brightened up their day.

An English accent can also result in longer than necessary taxi-trips, I have heard from other Brits, especially traveling to tourist type destinations.

“The humor thing” in England I was not blessed with a wit based on sarcasm. In a country where being sarcastic could be understood, in the US such behavior would be seen as rudeness and insulting that could easily get one into trouble.

To stereotype an American is a truly difficult thing to do, but and this is one honest generalization, graphic talk, swearing and rudeness is not tolerated. I have stopped using sarcasm as a tool of humor for fear of deeply offending somebody. Yet if I watch a British film at the cinema or on television, I recognize the sarcastic humor and laugh along with it. Case in point last night on watching the BBC America series “Little Britain”.

An Englishman in America - reports on the severe weather in New Jersey.

2004-07-14T13:12:00.000-05:00

This is being written in a lull before a second storm system descends into New Jersey in a matter of hours.

Monday saw parts of southern New Jersey deluged by up to 15 inches of rain in one day. It was not a hurricane, but the effects of a severe storm system that moved and reversed in circulation in this area. Link to story from the Philadelphia Inquirer

I recall Hurricane Allison in June 2001, dumping ten inches of rain one Saturday evening in my home neighborhood and with it lives were lost. I had never before seen flooding like it, while my commute home on Monday night was a splash through deep puddles; I was not close to the areas that really suffered.

So now we sit waiting a second storm front not 48 hours from the deluge of the last. My concern is that the ground is so sodden, the high winds expected could with trees in full leaf, topple many from the ground.

With family members on vacation on the Jersey Shore, a major route linking them to us has lost a bridge that will take millions of dollars to repair. Given that summer season is fully upon us and that the road takes between 17,000 to 22,000 vehicles each day. Plans to erect a temporary bridge 2-lane bridge in time for this weekend are planned but further weather delays will add to the misery of the holidaymakers change over.

As of now, we are all on a tornado watch, not that tornado’s are expected, but the storm system heading towards us and those in southern New Jersey are favorable for hail, excessive lighting and tornados.

An Englishman in America will always make a point of discussing the weather.

The promised posting from an Englishman in America celebrating his 4th anniversary will follow by July 20.

An Englishman in America - 6 days to go.

2004-07-13T19:21:00.000-05:00

July 20 marks the fourth anniversary of my arrival to the United States

In celebration, a special post will be added here that is currently being written.

In the meanwhile I have added Kelvin Green and his friend Liam both Brits in America to the blogroll on London Chimes.

Please take a moment to visit their sites

Weekend posting.

2004-07-10T08:06:00.000-05:00

It has only taken 2 months to transition, but I have kept the same look
for the new home of London Chimes.

I thought of changing the title even to something far out, like London Chimes 2" but
I am rather proud of LC so the title stays. There are as you see links from
each site to the other.

Forthcoming posts may include my thoughts ands opinions on among other topics,
Farenheight 9/11
The Presidential Race in the US.
and for those who continually email me, posts of trainwreck stories in London
It would appear that searches on the subject identify very old posts on
this subject and given the complexity of the questions asked of me, the
students are either researching thesis and in once case a newspaper conducting
background research on historic accidents. (Have I found a niche?)

A very British Grand Prix

2004-07-09T12:38:00.000-05:00

My recent silence has been spurred on by the reemergence of my brother in laws blog Glenn Frazier by whom many other blogs espire towards only to fall of the edge, (including London Chimes). So thanks Mac for the moment at least getting me started - again!

This Sunday is the very British of Formula One Grand Prix races to be held again at the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire.
To create something of an extra buzz, London was part of the action as the closed off Regent Street and Picadilly Circus to let old, bold and current formula one drivers perform along Regent Street to the delight of a number, you pick, between 250,000 and 500,000 spectators.

The notation of closing off the premier shopping street in London to all traffic for a handful of million dollar race cars seems at best crazy, until you realise that there is a underlying agenda at play.

The Silverstone race is back in the hands of the BRDC, The British Racing Drivers Club, their president no other than Sir Jackie Stewart. Despite heavy financial investment in the roads to the circuit, and the facilities at the circuit, Silverstone this week is being threatened by Bernie Ecclestone the organizer of the worldwide F1 circus that the race is not secure in the future.

For a couple of months the idea of a race around the streets of London, passing Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Picadilly, Trafalger Square has been more than quietly whispered in motoring circles. The actuality that a major road was closed this week and race cars performed their loudest certainly not their fastest lends weight to somthing is stirring, and it has the backing of the recently re-elected Mayor Livingstone.

As a stalwart motor sport enthusiast and organizer of events in the home counties to the north of London, I feel suitably qualified to add my opinion to the mix.

Formula One is more than a sport, it is all about business, and making money, for the sponsors, the organizers, the venue etc. This rolling worldwide sporting machine is huge and commands the attention of heads of govenments to offer incentives to bring the circus to new towns and countries for the obvious benefits F1 attracts.

The 2004 season contains only two street circuits the race in Australia and historic Monaco.

Formula 1 is in crisis, the total dominance of the sport by Michael Schumacher, in part address by his skill, in part by the superior technology behind the farings of the Ferrari team and their car has much to be challenged. Despite other teams being fractions of a second slower each lap, over a 70 lap race, team tactics employed, passing is now in the pits and not on the track. Visually not excting to watch and like Nigel Mansell said this week in London, Formula 1 is boring, I can't sit and watch a race from start to finish any longer. I have to agree.

Something has to be done.

Monaco is the only race this year Schumacher did not win, - he crashed out. Perhaps street circuits offer something different, a slower challenge to all drivers and cars, although the prospect of a Ferrari crashing into the plate glass of Liberty's of Regent Street or Hamley's does not appeal.

If street circuits are being reviewed by Bernie Ecclestone, London has obvious benefits with the existing public transportation and access. However, it is the same access that would create obvious logistically problems ring-fencing a large area of the west-end off for three days and that is just the start of the challenges.

I read thast marshalling would cost a fortune, wrong. Historically marshals are all experienced volunteers and volunteers fundamentally are a negligable cost in the whole model. What about the potential of lost income from some businesses unable to function inside the track for three days. The upheaval in building the track, this is a logistical nightmare but one that London and Londoners might just be up for.

In years past, motor racing has tried to be brought to Docklands in London without any real success. Although national motorsport is not Formula One and vice versa the animals are very, very different.

If a London Grand Prix is given a green light and actually happens against all odds should this be an additional event in the UK or a replacement to Silverstone, or should we hark back to the days of alternating years between Brands Hatch and Silvestone?

Personally, I love Brands Hatch in Kent, although since its last Formula One race it has languished and needs significant investment and rebuilding vast amounts of track to bring up to current and future needs of Formula 1. I site the new circuit in Malaysia as a guide to the future standard of the facilities needed for the sport.

Silverstone I have seen develop from a weathered air base to a state of the art, but no Malaysian circuit and figurehead for british motorsport. Although it is too fast and not challenging enough for the spectators. From trackside it is difficult to see much of the circuit than that in front of you. Not visually exciting.

Donington, used once for Formula One - a European Grand Prix that arguably the late Ayrton Senna performed a magical opening lap that sits in the history of the sport is a great compromise of both Brands and Silverstone, yet as the poor cousin I am not sure Bernie Ecclestone will ever take the cars back their.

With ever increasing numbers of political figures internationally talking to Bernie Ecclestone to attract the circus to new countries, the thought of a econd race in Britain seems very unlikely. But in formula one, tradition is something that seems to be forgotten from time to time.

The british government were involved in investing heavily in new roads to Silverstone in recent years. To see a reasonable return on this investment, I cannot see the bills necessary to be passed in the various chambers to clear racing on the roads of London passing smoothly.

There is a question on the unseen "grey" or should I write "gray" suits in London who want to prevent any major event from happening due to issues of liability. The London Marathon of course is something of an exception, it the liability of a runner falling over is nothing compared with the potential of an accident with an F1 car into a London store front. Then there is the charitable perspective that the Marathon raises millions of pounds for a range of good causes, while F1 that and this is a little known fact does have a charitable image, it is not as high as the Marathon.

So where from here?

It is silly season for the news during the summer. I expect that a London Grand Prix will be spiked as a great newsstory that ultimately will not happen, but makes for good news, especially when the drivers, teams, and the mayor are in principal at least in favor of the initial proposal.

Silverstone has to watch out, with great facilities in the far east being developed and the lack of tradition in F1 followed for the sake of business deals before sport. The British Grand Prix has a real threat of loosing out. The British Drivers Racing Club BRDC may not be the professional promoter that Bernie Ecclestone is looking for. BRDC is very professional in all other events and the way it is managed, yet somehow from this side of the Atlantic looking back to Northamptonshire it would seem like a deep rooted feud between Ecclestone and the BRDC continues for reasons so lost in the midst of time can anyone remember.

This weekend is the British Grand Prix. I shall sit and watch around 8am EST and expect to see a processional race with both red ferrari's at the head of the racing snake. Jaguar may make the top eight, Jordan will make a good showing but sadly again fall outside the points. McLaren may make a third place podium. Then again a mess on the first corner might just mix everything up enough to make for an exciting race.

That is formula one, predicably, unpredicable on occassions.

A fresh new look, a blog makeover

2004-05-25T18:20:00.000-05:00

The original "London Chimes" can be found at www.malcolmfriend.blogspot.com and has resided at that address since April 2002.

It is time for a change, time to move on and as such London Chimes will be found at this address www.londonchimes.blogspot.com

Hope you like the new look.