Awesome TV

No I am not refering to american television programs - I just bought a 42” LCD TV and it looks AWESOME and my multi-region dvd player arrived so I can watch my collection of films.

So I am in my new place and it’s coming together. I have my bed, sofa, cutlery, crockery and the like. Still a few things to buy but I’m starting to feel at home.

Work is going well and has started to pick up with work which is good cos I was feeling a little under-used and starting to get concerned that they didn’t really need me here.

Horrible, horrible day

So it looked like being a good day, my last box finally arrived.

Then the bank called to say that my request to move my loan from my UK branch to my US branch could not be completed because i don’t have a credit history here (duh!).

Then I unpacked my computer to discover that something has been broken while it was being shipped.

Then my new bank cards didn’t arrive as expected, but hey, 6 completely useless cheque books did.

Then work failed to provide me with my first pay check.

It was just one of those days I guess…

On the plus side I now have an apartment in Ballston, one block from the mall and 2 from the metro (yucky US phrases dripping into my vocab).

I'm going to Washington

One week to go and so many annoying little tasks to do, I’ve done all the major stuff, but now it’s just odds and ends to tie up before I leave and they always take longer than you think. I’m looking forward to going, though of course I am going to miss London and the UK. At my leaving drinks yesterday I realised just how much I will miss all my friends here.

Unfortunately I don’t get to relax once I arrive as I immediately have to get a bank account, social security number and find accommodation then organise broadband, cable, a mobile, furniture and 101 other things. I figure it will be 2008 before I’m truly settled.

My folks are being really cool about it, but I know they are worried about me and if I’m making the right move, but I know I am. I get to work with some really smart people on issues I’ve only scratched the surface of so far so I expect to learn loads. I get to see another culture and experience something new and professionally international experience never looks bad on a CV.

I’m looking forward to the new challenges, friends and home and the opportunity to visit loads of places in the US.

Nothing much to report

So not much going on in my world at the moment (no news on the Washington move), but it felt like time to add another blog. So inspired but the visual bookcase and as I covered books there I’m gonna wax lyrical about my favourite films.

So here they are in no particular order

The Shawshank Redemption – the plot line sounds like a standard prison movie, possibly why it did so badly at the box-office. The real glory of this film is in the emotional sojourn. The main character’s refusal to be beaten down by life and circumstance along with his endurance through enormous trials is inspiring. There is an unusual relationship in the film – one of a deep and dare I say it loving friendship between two inmates. Now for those of you sniggering in the back, let me clarify that there is nothing homosexual in the relationship and without saying so in the film this is very clear. One of the amazing things about the film is that it doesn’t shy away from some of the more disturbing elements, but also doesn’t feel the need to show you all the details. I’m going to stop now as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it – if you’re in this group – rent, buy or borrow it now.

The Usual Suspects – a beautifully constructed and well paced ‘twist in the tail’ movie, but one you can watch again and again. The characters are all brilliant and unique, brimming with…well, character.

Pulp Fiction –The blended storylines shown out of order keep your mind trying to connect the dots and that’s clever but it’s the stylish slick gangsters and the razor sharp script that make it great. If you had to be a gangster you’d buy a black suit and tie, you’d want to go and collect something and ask the question ‘do you read the bible…’

Lord of the Rings (Peter Jackson’s) – Magnificently epic in scale and despite cutting huge chunks of the story (as any film that didn’t want to last four days would) managing to keep the overall story intact (at least in the extended version I have). Managing to capture the spirit of the books containing; darkness and grandeur, humour and sorrow. Huge armies, demons of the earth, mighty wizards, dead kings and elven lords –, I have to admit, no matter how geeky this makes me sound - I love it.

Love Actually – My favourite romantic comedy and not just for Keira Knightley. In the film we have un-requited love, love betrayed, un-expected love, childish love, bold declarations of love and quiet embarrassed declarations. All the stories are interesting and all have twists and turns

Back in the UK and still suffering from jet lag

So I finally figured out how to add a blog application on facebook (all posts now moved to here) and given the numbers of idiots, sales people and wierdos on myspace I think I’ll keep this up here from now on.

Yes I am back. Feels kinda odd, especially as I may be heading back to the US in a few months. I’m still looking the wrong way for cars when I cross the street and missing the local deli I frequented in Washington, but it is good to be back.

I saw my folks in thier new house in Bournemouth this weekend and though they’re having some serious re-decoration done at the moment I think it will be a good move for them.

I am so tired I can’t write much more as my brain is not working right but my body won’t sleep, tomorrow’s 8am meeting will be interesting.