What would you do?

What would you do if your company hired a department head that has no experience in processing plans in the jurisdiction you do business and constantly has comments related directly to their lack of experience?

As in, the comments have no real merit, and therefore require explanation that should not be necessary.

Should I go over his head, to the people I directly reported to prior to their hiring? Keep in mind that I basically performed his position and mine for over a year while the position laid empty.

Broken Writsts

So...I broke my wrists. Snowboarding, 4 weeks ago today.

It hurt. It still hurts (though not nearly as much).

I see the doctor next week. Hopefully...all will be healed by then.

The weather has turned for the better...BBQ and beer is word of the season.

That is all for now...

On ARod...

So, it is well known that upon arrival with the Yankees, Alex Rodriguez has struggle mightily in the post season.
Now, it can't be that bad since his career average (after the division series w/ Minnesota) is 0.291, but when a big spot was up, he wasn't coming through.

I submit that he was terrified of being found out with regard to his steroid use. He saw how much Barry Bonds was vilified and feared the same happening to him. With the positive test exposed this past off-season, I believe this enabled Alex to play more loose. He seems to have a smile on his face more and seems more involved with the high-fiving, jumping around celebrations with the team than in the past.

We saw the results in the Minnesota series. Here is to AROD coming through against the Angels.

Go Yanks! and AROD!

Complaints about Jacob Clark

My complaint about Mr. Jacob H Clark

Although, ultimately, you will need to make up your own mind about Mr. Jacob H Clark, I have a number of things to say that you may find useful. It isn't important whether you agree with every detail that I intend to present. What matters is that you begin to realize that you should not ask, "To what lengths will Jacob go to worsen an already unstable situation?", but rather, "Why can't he value a diversity of approaches without needing to rank them as better and worse?". The latter question is the better one to ask because I recently informed him that his flunkies pit the haves against the have-nots. Jacob said he'd "look further into the matter." Well, not too much further. After all, his apparatchiks have tried repeatedly to assure me that he will eventually tire of his plan to lead us, lemminglike, over the precipice of self-destruction and will then step aside and let us make this world a kinder, gentler place. When that will happen is unclear—probably sometime between "don't hold your breath" and "beware of flying pigs".

While Jacob has a right to his opinion, he coins polysyllabic neologisms to make his fairy tales sound like they're actually important. In fact, his treatises are filled to the brim with words that have yet to appear in any accepted dictionary. He is like a broken record, using the same tired cliches about family and education and safer streets, yet his cringers remain largely silent when asked about the correlative connecting him to scapegoatism. The rare times they do deign to comment they invariably skew the issue to prevent people from realizing that if you've read this far then you probably either agree with me or are on the way to agreeing with me.

Jacob should start developing the parts of his brain that have been impaired by authoritarianism. At least then he'll stop trying to make the pot of solecism overboil and scald the whole world. I admit that I'm not perfect. I admit that I may have been a bit stingy when I stated that Jacob is a bit teched. Still, that doesn't justify the name-calling, rudeness, and simple ugliness that Jacob invariably finds so necessary. Nor does it justify his challenging all I stand for. That's all I have to say. Thanks for letting me express my feelings.

This is of course a Joke...and the website used is the following: http://www.pakin.org/complaint/

Bleh...

It has been awhile, and while much has happened, nothing quite stood out to post to the world.

Unfortunately, I still have nothing exciting. I think I may do some painting tonight, I will let the world see it if I actually ever paint.

I am currently reading The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan. A fantastic book. And...thought provoking, which is probably the point.

I would prefer to translate my field of work to a more green/sustainable situation, but can't seem to find any pieces that fit. Anybody got anything?

Oh, and I have a cold. Great. I love using a box of tissues hourly.

Welcome to VA, Spokane.

Last Thursday, at about 10:30 am, I receive a text from my lovely wife Michelle. In said text is a picture of a 6 month old puppy named Apache. She is a Australian shepherd/border collie mix. "Can we adopt her?" follows. My initial response was "Are you crazy?" However, after thinking about it for the rest of the day, I realized that Michelle wouldn't have asked if she didn't really want this dog. I sent a reply later that said if she really wanted her, she could bring her home.

So, Friday night around 10:45 pm, the newly re-named Spokane came out of the special baggage claim and into our lives (well, my life, she had been in Michelle's for the past couple days). Spokane is a good puppy, she just needs a bit of training. Living on a reservation, she didn't have a lot of training. She knows to signal that she wants to go out for the bathroom and we are trying to teach her how to sit. We have to get her comfortable in the house and around our 3 cats who after 2 days of living with a new sister are doing well. They are a bit apprehensive, but so far, not bad.

We have just under 3 weeks until Michelle begins year number 3 of Vet School. In that time we need to get Spokane trained to obey most standard commands. If we are unsuccessful, I am not sure that we can keep her. There won't be much time to train her after that point...luckily, there was another girl on Michelle's RAVS trip that would like to take her if we cannot. I think we can, but we will need to work at it. Hard.

Is this over? The blog that is?

Nah...just haven't felt like writing much lately. I have been busy at work, too busy when you think about how I thought I wouldn't have much to work on by now.

Went to LA for a long weekend about a month ago, Michelle is home for the summer, the AC repair man is fixing my AC unit (must remember to put vinegar water in the drain pipe 2x a year)...81 in the house w/ people coming over? HOT!

Going to the OBX next weekend for some time with my long lost friends.

The next step is always a block away...I need to figure out what block I want to go down.

Bought some art in LA...Nelson de la Nuez...check it out.

Murder, Murder, Murder, Kill, Kill, Kill...

So, it has been a little over a month since my previous random spoutings...and I had a troubling dream or nightmare as it should more appropriately be called late last week that seems to have me a bit creeped out.

The dream went down like this: I was sleeping upstairs and heard a noise outside that for some reason I decided to go investigate. After trudging down to the basement, I flipped on the light near the television and wandered over to the patio door. I flipped the lock, slowly slid the door open and saw a VERY bright flash and heard a loud bang...and then I woke up.

I am assuming that I was shot and killed. But I suppose that it could be like the final Sopranos episode where what happened is up to the viewers imagination. The problem is that the viewer is me. Now, every noise I hear at night has me wondering what is going on outside. I remind myself that it is nothing and have no problems falling asleep, but still...this has got to stop.

Now, as to what this could mean? Who knows. With some help from the wife and google, it could be that I want to change something drastic in my life...like my job? Otherwise, I think I am happy...well, other than the damn VT hoops team keeping me on pins and needles every year only to be punched to the NIT. I digress...

What say you?

Taxes and not paying them

Does anyone else have a problem with that commercial on TV these days that highlights how some law firm will work to get your owed back taxes reduced? I do. No wonder we don't have the funds to adequately perform routine park maintenance, or build further rapid transit systems, or just maintain the roads that we have. The commercial goes something like this...Do you owe back taxes? I owed over $50,000 and with their help, I paid only $2,000. This goes on and on. It shows a Doctor who owed $3 million in taxes but only paid $1 million. I realize that is no small amount, but come on? They were liable for the full bill, where is the tax payment when the money being made to warrant that bill was coming in? I pay my taxes. Do I wish they were less? Sure, but these people are ridiculous and the law firm that represents them is even worse.

Oh...and what the hell is the deal with Marion Barry? How can you be in serious threat to go to prison for not paying your taxes and then not pay them on time for the 7th time in 8 years? Do you expect me to believe that a DC councilman does his own taxes and since he was sick, couldn't submit them? He has an accountant...throw the both of their asses in jail.

Come on DC (and I really mean you Ward 8? folks), Barry has shown over and over again that he has no business being in office. I understand that in general your part of town is a little down on your luck and that Barry is much like many of you, but come on.

Economic Stimulus on Low Rate Home loans? Lets give it a try.

So, this morning on NPR, they were discussing the idea of government backed home loans set at 4%. This would put money in the pockets of homeowners and make the government a little bit of money. I suggest that it would make the government more than a little bit of money. The discussion hinged on the government being able to sell T-Bills at 3% interest and then loaning the money at 4%...therefore making 1% on the loans. Excellent idea. Puts money in the pockets of homeowners and puts money in the pocket of the government...win win.

Here is where it gets better for the government and a little less beneficial to the homeowner. Note, I say a little, because it would still equal more money in the pockets of the homeowner. The reason it makes more money for the government is due to less interest being paid by the homeowner, therefore resulting in less interest deductions on their income taxes resulting in MORE tax being owed to the government. This program would cost the government nearly nothing as it would probably be routed through Fannie or Freddie and it would make more money for the economy by putting more money in our pockets and make money for the government by the money earned from interest and higher taxes.

Now, you may say...why pay the lower rate if it will result in higher taxes. Well, for me, I currently pay about $2500 a month for my mortgage (this includes principle, interest, property taxes, & insurance). At 4%, I would pay about $2050 a month. This results in approximately $500 a month back in my pocket. Now, with that being said, I would probably end up owing an extra $200 a month in taxes due to lower interest deductions. At the end of the year, I would still have and extra $3600 dollars. And the government, just from me, would have an extra $3500.

Imagine if the millions across the country refinanced in this manner? Not only would the economy get a boost from people having more money in their pockets, the government would have BILLIONS more to pay down the national debt, build subways, finance Social Security.

Oh, and the other benefit would be that this would perhaps make peoples mortgages more affordable if they are in risk of defaulting...a much needed thing these days.

Welcome, Mr. President.

Mr. Obama or I suppose after 12 noon today, Mr. President-

I am excited to have you leading us to change. It will be a difficult time without doubt. The challenges facing us are perhaps unprecedented. The challenges are not necessarily new ones, however, they have morphed. We continue to have infrastructure issues, transportation issues, power grid issues, food issues...

As a civil engineer, I understand how much our infrastructure is in need of major maintenance. I am also aware of transportation issues as I live in Virginia, outside of Washington DC. While we need to fix our roads and re-design certain arteries to work with current issues more appropriately, we need a renewed investment in mass-transit. Speaking purely in the DC area, but applicable to many areas, I believe we need a light rail system, similar to what was installed in San Diego or Portland, which traverses the major arterial routes throughout the region. This would allow more options to get people to work. The routes would be permanent, but the stops could quickly be relocated as ridership dictates. A line circling the beltway is necessary as well. Be it Metro or rapid transit. This would allow workers that may ride from Maryland to Virginia the ability to skip the ride all the way into DC and out. Lines are needed in Virginia up and down route 50, 29, 236, etc. These could connect with Metro stations as well. But enough about transportation needs...As mentioned in Michael Pollan's Open Letter to the "Farmer in Chief", I think we need to take a look at how we receive, grow, and process our foods. I won't go into it hear, but if you are interested read the letter mentioned above. I agree with it, I think. Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html

The economy is in shambles, can we fix it by new investments in clean energy? Partially, I think the answer is yes. Our power grid is woefully inadequate and outdated. Investments in a modern grid, with modern ways of transmitting power is important. So are solar farms and wind farms as well as perhaps energy from algae and other cellulose materials. Lets get moving. This will help our energy independence, carbon emissions, and possibly our power bills (think solar on every building or home...). Finally, we need to think of ways to really fix our Health care system. Costs are spiraling out of control. Not only are people without insurance, but many who don't work for huge companies pay TOO much for the insurance they do receive. Heck, I pay about $6000 a year for my wife and myself, and who knows how much my employer shells out...That is far too much, especially since my co pays continue to rise.

That is all I have for now...with that, I say Thank you and Good Luck. We are ready to work with you.

Oh, and I had a great time at your concert on Sunday. Good to see you there.

Thanks.

Bicycles and accidents...

So...driving to pick up Michelle at the Metro Monday night I hit a girl on her bike. Now, she was not hurt and did not even fall to the ground, but it was very nerve racking. It went down like this, I stopped at an intersection and stop sign to turn right. As I was in the middle of turning right, a girl coming from my right trying to cross the street from right to left was suddenly right in the middle of the car. Luckily I was moving very slowly at this point after having just come from a stop. I don't know why I didn't see her, but I do know this...she was riding her bike on the wrong side of the road from the sidewalk in the opposite direction of traffic. The only thing I can think of was that I did not expect someone to come at me from that direction.

Bikers (Of which I am an occasional one...) - You are supposed to be riding WITH traffic. You are technically a vehicle. With her coming from the direction she did, it was no different than a car driving down the wrong side of the road. Having not seen a pedestrian and looking to the left for other traffic, I never saw her. Should I have? Probably so, but I didn't.

I offered to pay to fix her bike, if anything really is wrong with it. Her brakes wouldn't release, but that isn't a big deal...I will update when I hear something back from her. I will also kindly advise her about general traffic laws. I understand why she was on the sidewalk coming from where she was...she most likely was trying to be a safe as possible by being out of the road, but at the same time, it can result in what happened by not following general paths of traffic. It also would have been different had she been on the sidewalk on the other side of the road going with the flow of traffic...

Be careful out there...you never know when some guy in a blue Honda may want to make a right turn.

Cynical...

Cynical. Why am I becoming a jerk? I tend to be making mean jokes and being just plain mean to folks lately. Curt responses or no response at all seems to be what is flying out of my mouth. This is not good. Or nice. I don't seem to be able to convey thoughts in a good way. For instance, last night my wife made dinner with shrimp. I asked why the tails couldn't be removed prior to eating, but the question was not posed in a very nice way. I didn't mean for it to come out the way it did, but of course...during the same dinner, I asked if there was more sauce for the meal, which apparently was a dumb question b/c it wasn't a meal made with sauce. Which infers that I did not like the meal. All I needed to do was thank her for the meal (which was good...) and go from there, but of course all I did was seemingly complain.

Ass.

So much for 2009 starting off well.

Hello 2009.

So...it is a new year. I have been saying that it is great that 2008 is over as it was such a crappy year. Is 2009 really going to be better or are we hoping for the best when the worst is yet to come? I don't know and neither does anyone else.

Reasons 2008 sucked:

• 401K tanked
• General investments tanked
• Fear of losing job
• Telecommuting policy cut back
• Home appliance repairs
• VT lost Orange Bowl to Kansas (Game preparation anyone?)
• Too many hours at work
• Garfield getting blocked

Reasons 2009 may be better:

• If the stock market stabilizes (buy cheap...)
• VT won the Orange Bowl against Cincinnati (I know, it's only Cincinnati)
• Won a big job at work...cash flow is necessary to remain employed
• Michelle will hopefully be working at home over summer = less driving for me
• No further home appliance repairs (All of them are new (3 years or younger)) Knocking on wood
• May win the lottery?
• Obama is president (See ya w)
  

Okay...so that is all I have. A lot of hoping.

This past week Jacob and I went to Ray's Hell Burgers in Roslyn. Might I say...DAMN tasty and juicy burgers. A fork was necessary after eating half of the burger. I had a grilled burger, medium rare. They come standard with lettuce and tomato. You can choose 3 ways for your burger to be, grilled, blackened, etc. and you can choose from a specialty burger. Or...you can just choose your cheese and toppings. I chose the basic blue cheese for $1.50 more. Next time...who knows. I'll see what the mood strikes. At any rate, I highly recommend this burger joint.

I resolve to be more careful with my money in 2009. Less beer = more money. Less starbucks/easy chair - more french press at home = more money. Less soda and beer when dining out = more money. And the big one: lower gas prices = more money.

Cheers all...here is to a better 2009.

Try anything once?

Perhaps he means, try anything 3 times...

Yes...this is a dis on you JC.

That is all...resume your current affairs.

Hiking anyone?

So...I have a new idea. I think I want to hike the Appalachian Trail. Understand this - I have never actually backpacked. I go camping, but it is technically Car Camping. As in, we drive to a nice park, set up the sweet 3 room tent and venture into the woods for several miles and come back to home base. I may carry my camelbak and have a sandwich or two in the bag, but this is the extent of supplies carried with me.

Why you might ask do I want to do this? Well, it has always been in the back of my mind. And...the last 2 books that I have read that I can't seem to put down have to do with getting out of the world and into nature. I am currently reading a Walk in the Woods, which is no difficult read by any stretch, but I am nearly finished and have only been reading for a week. 300 pages in a week is unheard of from me unless the title is Harry Potter or....Into the Wild. Which was the other book that I flew through and couldn't seem to put it down...

At any rate, the question is...do you start at the Traditional beginning or in Alabama where the new connector trail begins. This is the actual beginning of the Appalachian Mountains. Next...if you make it all the way as a thru-hiker, do you continue on from Maine into Canada to the end of the Appalachian Mountain chain which you also now can do? The next question is, where do I find 5-6 months to do this? And how to afford such a venture? Donations or sponsorships are welcome!

Anybody with me?

Vote!

So...I woke up this morning at about 4:45 so that I could vote before my meeting this morning. I was at Oakton High School at 5:40 and in line by 5:45. There were about 200 people in line in front of me. This is a total guess, but since I did not actually cast my vote until 6:45, I'll stick with it. Polls open in Virginia at 6, so such a line prior to opening must be pretty rare.

I voted for the Obama-Biden ticket. I also voted Mark Warner for US Senate. After today, Virginia will have both Senators and our governor as Blue Staters. The continued transformation of Virginia from Red to Blue makes me happy. I used to think that I was Red, but after actually paying attention to what they stand for, realized I was crazy as I don't believe in anything they do. Well, maybe the death penalty, but nothing else.

Here is to hoping history is made today. 4 years ago I watched Barack Obama give the key note speech at the Democratic National Convention. I said that day that Barack Obama would be President some day. I never thought that it would be just 4 short (long) years later, but...thankfully it is. We (the USA) need it.

Here's to HOPE and CHANGE. It can not be worse than what we have suffered through the past 8 years.

Get out and vote.

Splat.

Sometimes you are the windshield and sometimes you are the bug. Do you ever have a period of time in your life where you feel that nothing can go right? I am in one of those funks right now. I wouldn't really call it a Funk, but I just did...I am generally in a good mood except for the aforementioned not being able to do things correctly.

I will start with the hot water heater. Two weeks ago, I returned home from Blacksburg to find the overflow pipe of my hot water heater leaking from the top between the heater and the fastener. After countless Google searches as to what this would entail...it was determined that a new heater would be necessary. $1400 down the tubes or put another way, another flat screen for the bedroom...or to stay in savings for these lean economic times. The following week I return home only to find that my electric disconnect for my HVAC system is bad. $250 down the drain. I knew this was coming from last winter when the fuse blew a couple times. The heat must use more power than the AC because this only happens in the winter. And the final house item happened at 3:30 AM last Wednesday night. The damn smoke alarm starts beeping. EVERY MINUTE. This of course means that the battery is dieing. I went looking for a 9 volt and found one in the freezer. With hope, this would do the trick. It did not. That battery must be dead too (although licking the end still gave me a jolt). So, with the alarm still beeping, I grabbed the wire cutters. Cut the sucker off from the house's electric system. I will now have to re-connect it and get a new battery, but at least I could sleep.

Now with all of the household nightmares, I don't seem to be doing much better at work. It seems that every decision I make is not in accordance with my bosses thoughts on the topic. I know this will pass, but what can I say...I'm trying to make too many people happy right now. Trying to please clients so that we may get some work sent our way and at the same time not trying to spend too much money doing so. It is a tricky balancing act.

Should I dress as Waldo (From "Where's Waldo? fame) or Bret (From Flight of the Conchords fame)? Waldo may be easier, but Bret seems more obscure. HMMMMM. Decisions.

LEED AP and UK part 2

I passed my LEED exam today. It feels like a million bucks. I know that it is only a certification, but I have been studying pretty hard for it lately and off and on for 8 months now. It is a monkey off my back. I am now the only LEED AP in my office and most importantly can now get back to reading my book, Agent Zigzag. With some intense studying the past few weeks (2 months really) I haven't wanted to waste any time not studying. Spending two entire nights in the car after work eliminated most free time during the week.

So...I think we left it with our trip up to the British country side for Kate and Joe's wedding...we had a blast. I don't feel like getting in to it too much, but suffice it to say it was very nice and the setting was great. The day after the exam we caught a train in Evesham on our way to Edinburgh. We changed trains twice, once in...well, I don't really remember, and once again in Birmingham? It is getting fuzzy now. The second change we actually had to walk to a totally different station. Once in Edinburgh you come out of the train station right in the middle of the city, between New City and Old City. We were staying in New and headed to find our room. We rented a room during Fringe Festival at a ladies flat in a very nice old building. Her spot was quite nice. Fringe fest was fun as we saw 2 comedy plays. We also visited the Edinburgh Castle and wandered around most of the center area of Edinburgh. After a night, a full day, and another half day we headed on the train to St. Andrews. St. Andrews is home to the Old Course, the oldest golf course in the world. I wanted to hit this up and the British Golf Museum for sure. It is situated on the Ocean or Sea and quite pretty. We toured an old castle that was in ruins as well as the old cathedral which also was in ruins. Only it was now a cemetery...very cool. Having a couple friends that studied at St. Andrews, we were adept at the watering holes to pass the evening along until our night train back to London Euston. The night train was nice, picked us up in Leuchars, the train station about 15 minutes from St. Andrews and rode straight through the night to London. Our berth had 2 beds, a sink, and a desk. We got into London around 7 and then caught the tube back to Holland Park where while walking to our friends townhouse we ran into Petra...our friend with whom we were staying. I of course saw her right away and my wife with her ever lasting tunnel vision nearly blew right by her. Petra is Michelle's best friend so this was quite funny. Petra was on her way to work...saw our visit was short. Our last day in London was spent mostly wandering around with Gemma. We rode the double decker bus and went to the Arsenal stadium where I picked up my rad Arsenal Polo. That evening we met up with Sorrel, who with Gemma, visited us in the US a few years ago and Petra for dinner. We then parted ways and went home to visit with Petra and finish up the laundry so that we were prepared to head out the next morning. A whirlwind of a trip and a good time as well.

Oh...get out and vote. Unless you are voting for McCain. While it is your right to do so, I would prefer you don't. His beliefs are that of an idiot in my opinion and can't see how any one with half a brain would think that is the way we need to head. For instance, while discussing abortion and selecting someone for the US Supreme Court stated (paraphrasing here) "I don't have specific things that I look for in a justice as long as they are qualified. But if they believe in abortion, I don't think they are qualified." Uh...John...That means exactly that you do have specific things that you require. Just saying. Now, I am not so naive that I blindly think Mr. Obama can accomplish what he hopes to. Very rarely does a President actually get to do such do to dealing with congress. Well, if the President follows the Constitution anyway.

Hello non followers....Innit.

Have I lost all that read? Not that there really were any readers. So how has everybody been? Is the stock market low enough for you? What else will the government buy? Will the Rays beat the sawx?

So...I've been pretty busy here at work and at life in general. I've been studying every Tuesday and Wednesday with Jacob for our LEED AP exam which we are going to take on Thursday. Tuesdays are spent at the Starbucks in Oakton where I have had a girl somehow figure out that my wife is in Vet School (Shout out to Michelle...love you babe!) and ask if she knows any horse researchers that can work on her friends horse and I have had a girl try to flirt with me (I think) by discussing my rad USSR jacket and how she also has one. On Wednesday we study at St. Elmos Coffee in Alexandria, Del Ray to be exact. Sometimes there is a performance and sometimes it is quiet, but it is always different. Occassionally, my dad is in there, and as King of Del Ray, he introduces me to everyone that works there. What does this get me? Free coffee...well, nope. It gets me nothing but short term conversation. 3 of the last 4 weekends I have studied LEED in Newman Library at Virginia Tech while my wife studies something having to do with animals. I spend generally 3 hours there on Sunday and up to 6 on Saturday. Did I mention that I had better pass this damn exam?

I went to the VT vs. Nebraska game a few weeks ago. That was a lot of fun. I also got to see my Grandparents that are not getting any younger and I don't get the chance to see that often. The Nebraska game experience is a great one. They support their team loudly during the game, but shake your hand and congratulate you after. Never seen anything like it. I've seen people nice to each other before the game, but to seek out any opposing fan and congratulate them after losing is amazing. And strange. This must have happened 5 or more times to me alone.

Back in August, Michelle and I went to the UK. It seems like a different life ago, but in reality is only about 2 months ago. First we flew into London and rode the Green Tomato (Highly recommended by this writer) Car service to our place of residence in Holland Park. Green Tomato uses only Toyota Priuses as my way to save a bit of petrol. We were staying at our friends place in London for the first leg of our trip. Petra and Adrian live in London now. They were not there while we were here, but were very gracious to lend us their town house. It was about 3 blocks to the Holland Park tube stop and in a very nice neighborhood. Hello Ferraris parked on the street. We arrived in London around 6 am and were at the house by 7. Michelle and I napped until about 11. We then got up and walked up the road for a quick sandwhich. After our sandwhich we headed up to Hyde Park for some walking around and free art gallery viewing. We went to Harrods, Princess Di's memorial and then the grocery for some food. After dinner at home the first night we went to the local pub around the corner. A good first day in London. The next day we went to St. Pauls Cathedral (did not go inside b/c of the 12 pound fee), across the Millenium bridge to the Tate Modern, down the Thames to the Tower Bridge and then to the Tower of London. Had some Indian a couple stops away on the Tube and met up with Michelle's study abroad friends for some drinks a bit later...Day three in London (Friday for those scoring at home) we wanted to see the changing of the guard...which we did. Ehh. Did it. Don't need to again. Immediately got in line for Buckingham Palace tickets (word up 2 hour line!). Walked to Parliament and Big Ben for a bit of a bite to eat and then back to BP for the tour. Afterwards we walked to Trafalgar Square...what up NO PIGEONS! They had olympic boxing on the big TV. My camera died at that point, so there were no more pictures for the day. Met up w/ Gemma that night for some drinks somewhere...Angel? Yep. That's it. Angel. Saturday we went to the country for Borat and Kate's wedding. Well, Joe and Kate...we learned at the reception that Joe is fond of wearing a MANKINI...so I will now call him Borat. Very Nice. Can I say that Gemma is a crazy driver? She indicated that we would be in a bus, but by bus, she meant the smallest mini-van i've seen since those little Toyota's in the 80's. No curb went unchallenged and somehow, immediately after telling us that if you go over 100 you get your license revoked, you guessed it....we were going 105. You may think km, but no, Brits are a bit confused as they have MPH in speed limit and long distance but measure rooms by square meters. You figure it out.....

Part 2 of the UK Vacation will have to wait, we will pick up with the wedding and follow through to Edinburgh and the fringe festival, up to St. Andrews, the night train back to London and one final day in London...