Now for a quick question

If you are invited to an acquaintance's house for dinner, and the person casually remarks that Titus Andronicus is his favorite (or is it favourite) Shakespearean play, what do you do?

The Post Where I Discover What is in a Mincemeat Pie

The other day, I mentioned to my coworkers I had no idea what a mincemeat pie was.

This is a mincemeat pie

So it was decided I had to try one.

This is me eating a mincemeat pie.

It turns out that there is no actual meat in a mincemeat pie. Rather, it is a a fruit pie (with several fruits inside). Though one of my coworkers assures me that at sometime in the distant past, there actually was meat included. hence the name.

This is the inside of a mincemeat pie -- no meat is to be found

So happily, one mystery of living in London is solved.

Thanksgiving in a Foreign Land

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and this year will feel strange. We are far away from family and friends and in a place where they do not know Thanksgiving. We have been able to find a turkey (not an easy task as here they eat Turkey for Christmas, not before). Some friends of ours from Denmark will be visiting as well as an American friend who also lives here now. Because of work, we will be celebrating on Saturday, which will be strange.

Oh well, lots of Americans in Notting Hill so I will keep on the look out for any pilgrims!

A few prelimiaries

Just to cover a few basics.

I am an American originally from Long Island but who has moved around a bit. I guess I had some wanderlust, and this is the latest and hopefully last manifestation.

I live in the Notting Hill section of London. And no, I never saw the movie, but my wife did. I work on the Southbank, just opposite the City. I am a consultant working for a large international company who shall remain nameless, though I like them and recommend them as an employer.

My reason for moving to London is that I always wanted to live in a foreign country, and for reasons of employment and language, London was the best fit.

I do not plan to make this permanent. At most, I intend to stay here 3 years, though I expect it will be less than that. Hopefully I will get the wandering out of my system, and move back home.

I have a wife and two small boys. The younger one (four) is starting to develop an English accent.

So, what is this blog about?

Yes, I have blogged before, mostly on politics (it was the presidential election year), soccer (my favorite sport), religion (I am Catholic) and my kids (my favorite subject).

This blog will focus mostly on adjusting to living in London. I have come here on a temporary work assignment. My children have started school, my wife has joined a social club, and I after 3 months I am finally understanding what people are saying to me at work.

Yes, it is true what George Bernard Shaw said -- Americans and Britons are two great people separated by a common language.

So we are adjusting and so far enjoying ourselves immensely. I hope to chronicle some of those things here.

Hello Again!

I am an American, just moved to Britain with my family. So I figure I would try my hand at blogging again.

So here is my family's new adventure!