I've been asked in the most solemn terms to address something. According to a colleague in the Chicago office, the British are suffering under a dangerous illusion... regarding the origins of Banoffee Pie. I must confess to thinking that it was American, but apparently I was sorely mistaken. It's British through-and-through, and doesn't have a trace of Americanism within its numerous layers of banana and toffee goodness. I have my doubts as to this, but I've been asked to spread the word to all of England to correct this terrible misunderstanding, so what better way than through this blog?
I was similarly told in the same evening that the English also invented Imperialism first - that I couldn't deny, but I had to point out that we got over it about 50 years ago.
17/08/2006
15/08/2006
Home
A thought just struck me. There's no colour or imagery on my blog. So that has to be rectified. So here's a photo of the building where I'm currently writing to you from. I'm on the 19th floor, so feel free to count up to find my exact location. You might even see me waving to you. Or not. Please don't be dissapointed, no-one told me they were taking the photo, and I probably wasn't there when they did.
Self Control
I was going to start by complaining along the lines of: 'America has robbed me of my self control when it comes to eating', but then I thought that someone (probably Lotti) would comment that I never had any the first place, so I thought better of it.
The situation is thus. I don't know how much I weighed when I got here, and I don't know now. What I do know is that when I got here I could fit into my trousers and shorts quite comfortably, and I needed a belt on my suit trousers. Now, my trousers are tight, shorts uncomfortable, and my suit trousers are perfectly happy holding themselves up without any external assistance. This might have something to do with the fact that three course lunches are not uncommon. Correction, free three courses lunches are not uncommon. Whereas an English company would take people out for drinks, an American company takes people out for dinner - and that's great, so long as you know when to stop, and I, apparently, don't. So I guess it's the same problem. Some people drink too much and get drunk. Some people eat too much. I seemingly, am getting quite good at the latter.
The downside to this is that I have made no progress on my muffin face-off (sorry Stuart) as I haven't been able to face the thought of eating anything. In fact, after yesterday's lunch, I haven't actually had dinner or breakfast and I'm still not hungry. The office lunch-break is thirty minutes away and I'm scared.
The corresponding upshot to this is that I've been to the gym. I'm quite like to pause for dramatic effect, but I don't think I can. Yesterday evening I spent two hours (2 HOURS!) trying to work out, and if my mental arithmetic was right (and after two hours on a treadmill it might not have been) I burned off 1000 calories. Which is roughly equivalent to one of the chicken dumplings I had for lunch. Small steps. Small steps.
So America, you're showing me a great time, but please, for all our sakes, can we lay off the entrees?
The situation is thus. I don't know how much I weighed when I got here, and I don't know now. What I do know is that when I got here I could fit into my trousers and shorts quite comfortably, and I needed a belt on my suit trousers. Now, my trousers are tight, shorts uncomfortable, and my suit trousers are perfectly happy holding themselves up without any external assistance. This might have something to do with the fact that three course lunches are not uncommon. Correction, free three courses lunches are not uncommon. Whereas an English company would take people out for drinks, an American company takes people out for dinner - and that's great, so long as you know when to stop, and I, apparently, don't. So I guess it's the same problem. Some people drink too much and get drunk. Some people eat too much. I seemingly, am getting quite good at the latter.
The downside to this is that I have made no progress on my muffin face-off (sorry Stuart) as I haven't been able to face the thought of eating anything. In fact, after yesterday's lunch, I haven't actually had dinner or breakfast and I'm still not hungry. The office lunch-break is thirty minutes away and I'm scared.
The corresponding upshot to this is that I've been to the gym. I'm quite like to pause for dramatic effect, but I don't think I can. Yesterday evening I spent two hours (2 HOURS!) trying to work out, and if my mental arithmetic was right (and after two hours on a treadmill it might not have been) I burned off 1000 calories. Which is roughly equivalent to one of the chicken dumplings I had for lunch. Small steps. Small steps.
So America, you're showing me a great time, but please, for all our sakes, can we lay off the entrees?
09/08/2006
Muffins
So, it's 9:35 in the morning and I'm at 'work', but there's no work to be done. I should get some in an hour, and then we might pop down to the Federal Courts to see some justice American style.
What to do in the meantime? Write on my blog of course. What to write about? Muffins, less of course. Those who know me may well know that I have a thing about a good muffin. The Jack award for best muffin so far goes to, of all places, the Imperial War Museum in London for their Blueberry and Yoghurt muffin. However, America is the birthplace of the sweet muffin, and so it's now facing some stiff competition. I'd long been interested in running a sort of muffin face-off, so here's my chance. I intend to keep you all updated with my quest to better my best muffin. Which also, if I needed it, gives me a nice excuse to indulge - all for your reading pleasure of course.
What to do in the meantime? Write on my blog of course. What to write about? Muffins, less of course. Those who know me may well know that I have a thing about a good muffin. The Jack award for best muffin so far goes to, of all places, the Imperial War Museum in London for their Blueberry and Yoghurt muffin. However, America is the birthplace of the sweet muffin, and so it's now facing some stiff competition. I'd long been interested in running a sort of muffin face-off, so here's my chance. I intend to keep you all updated with my quest to better my best muffin. Which also, if I needed it, gives me a nice excuse to indulge - all for your reading pleasure of course.
08/08/2006
Better late than never?
As you can see, I'm somewhat late. Again. I've spent five out of the past six weeks working at Jones Day and Lovells in London as part of my Summer vacation scheme programmes, and I've had a good time. However, things have just got quite a bit better, for Lovells, in their infinite generosity have sent me to Chicago for two weeks! Horray!
We've been here since Saturday morning and it's really quite fantastic. We've already been to a BaseBall game where we thankfully sat next to some people who actually knew what was going on and were happy to share their wisdom with us. Or rather, we did after we moved to get away from some rather drunk college-girls who took a strong fancy to our English accents. Nevertheless, a fun day.
The Lovells office is quite special, with wonderful views over the city. Unfortunately, Mr. Trump is building a new tower directly in front of this one which will cancel out the above, but luckily for us, we're on the 19th floor, and Mr. Trump has some way to go before his tower reaches that, so we can still enjoy it. The best thing though has to be the fact that there are packets of microwave popcorn in the staff-area, and the microwave even has a dedicated popcorn button. Amazing.
The workload isn't too bad at the moment, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to keep people better updated with the happens and goings-on in Chicago over the next two weeks. Who knows, it might even spur me onto actually keeping this thing going when I'm in Utrecht.
Until next time then. Take care.
We've been here since Saturday morning and it's really quite fantastic. We've already been to a BaseBall game where we thankfully sat next to some people who actually knew what was going on and were happy to share their wisdom with us. Or rather, we did after we moved to get away from some rather drunk college-girls who took a strong fancy to our English accents. Nevertheless, a fun day.
The Lovells office is quite special, with wonderful views over the city. Unfortunately, Mr. Trump is building a new tower directly in front of this one which will cancel out the above, but luckily for us, we're on the 19th floor, and Mr. Trump has some way to go before his tower reaches that, so we can still enjoy it. The best thing though has to be the fact that there are packets of microwave popcorn in the staff-area, and the microwave even has a dedicated popcorn button. Amazing.
The workload isn't too bad at the moment, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to keep people better updated with the happens and goings-on in Chicago over the next two weeks. Who knows, it might even spur me onto actually keeping this thing going when I'm in Utrecht.
Until next time then. Take care.
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