Stevens in the States

So here I am. Back in the UK, and noticing all the things I never noticed in my first 27 years of it.

Air Conditioning

Apart from on the tube, I'd never really felt much need for air conditioning here. Sure, it was always nice when hotels or company cars had it, but it wasn't the be-all-and-end-all of life. Now, however, I'm really noticing the lack of it. From the train from the airport, the hotel I was in on Friday when meeting friends, my friend's car this morning, I'm really noticing the lack of cool air.

Now admittedly, it's the hottest time of the year here, but I miss air-con. I tried to get a bit of a kip this afternoon, and couldn't because I was just so warm. Now I know how Americans must feel when they come here.

Good newspapers

I bought the Independent at Gatwick airport and had forgotten how good a good newspaper can be. (For the record, I normally buy the Guardian, but the Indie is smalled and thus easier to read when also dragging suitcases around.) The whole paper was fascinating, from the front-page story about the right to protest, which then took up the next 3 pages, through to the international news, the pull-outs, and so on. I found a whole handful of articles that had I been at home in Dallas, I would have cut out and stuck on the kitchen cupboards.

I have missed the exploration of subjects and interests that are new to me. It's probably as much lifestyle as anything else, but I used to read a newspaper most days on the underground. For safety reasons, I don't do that while driving to work on I35! I also used to get a lot from the BBC (it's hard to avoid when working there) so I must make a point of watching more KERA and BBC America's news simulcasts.

Ad-hoc nights out

This is what London is great for. A phone call or two and suddenly a whole unplanned evening of fun is going on.

On Friday afternoon I was in London for a couple of meetings. Then, one phone call led to another, and before I knew it, I was sitting in a pub garden by Hyde Park (The Swan if you're interested) with some good friends, bumping into other radio people, and generally having a blast. It was a great, great time. And totally unplanned.

London's pub scene is really good for that. There is a pub everywhere - literally everywhere - meaning you can meet anywhere. Though it got to 11 o'clock, and last orders was called - I'd forgotten about that! Although pubs can now open beyond 11pm, not many do, meaning the structure of the evening is different to Dallas. I think Dallas wins there - the whole 11pm closing thing is a bit of a farce. After all, if you're sitting outside the Old Monk, enjoying a pint, you don't want to have to leave at 11pm!

(Another note for Americans - London's tube system shuts down at just past midnight, so leaving the pub at 11:30pm means you'll not miss the last train, which can be useful! And we generally start drinking straight after work as it'd take too long to go home and come back again.

Money

My close US friends know how much I hate $1 bills (notes), though I do like the ability in the USA to pay everywhere by plastic. My debit card is my best friend. So to discover pubs that won't take plastic is a nightmare, especially when you've just ordered four drinks.

And, vending machines don't take notes here. That's a shame. Hurrah to America on that one!



This afternoon I went to a small fayre here in Ely. It was very British, with the local Majorettes dancing, and your chance to win £5 (Yes, £5, ladies) if you got the highest score of the day in the table games.

You could look at a fire engine, hook a toy duck, and pop into the beer tent. The Americans would have loved it - very quaint - I, however, just felt like I'd gone back 20 years.



I'm sure there's more to share, but I can't think of it right now.