Lawyers and tax collectors....

... a summary of my day today, as well as a customer visiting us from down South (Virginia) - which gave us an excuse for a working lunch that we could order from Panera: much-loved and highly recommended. I spent over an hour on the phone to the DOR (Department of Revenue) and lost two hours of my life sorting out stuff for a law firm relating to tax codes.

The paperwork involved in business in the US is overwhelming compared to the UK. I used to think it was just the fact that I understood the system here less than I understood American football; but it really is just more intensive and designed to keep several lawyers, CPAs and consultants in gainful employment.

Things America does really well: #1: Sports bars

I have a two lists I keep adding things to: (1) things that America does very well and (2) things that, er, aren't so good (or don't even seem to exist, such as lane discipline on the freeways).

After an evening in the Stadium Sports bar in South Boston watching the New England Patriots ('the Pats' - which seem to be hated with a passion by everyone outside New England) play the Philadelphia Eagles, I have to admit that when it comes to showing sports in a place that serves alcohol, the Americans have it sussed. Great range of beer, a gazillion TV sets, decent food, lots of bar room. KD was my 'football' guide - (apparently I have to stop thinking it's like rugby) and I'm starting to understand bits of the game but find it really slow as the ball seems out of play most of the time.

Yes, the Pats (undefeated at this point in the season) won. Though this was a close call and everyone (outside New England) is excited that the Pats don't look as unbeatable as they once did.

A tale of 50 quarters

I have become fascinated with quarters - as I now live in an apartment where 'laundry' is done in the basement and requires twelve quarters to wash and dry each load. So I have a 'quarter piggy bank' and am obsessed with hoarding them at every opportunity.

While waiting for the dryer (sometimes you have to stand guard or you lose your slot) I started looking at the back of the coins and the different states on them (in place of the American eagle).

So started my obsession with collecting coins (hangs head in shame). Though it turns out it's not just me - over dinner the other night, M admitted she too collects them - and trades them with nine-year olds back in her hometown. Apparently the US Mint releases the states in the order of their formation (ie Delaware first and Hawaii isn't out yet) at five per year. Gazillions of people are doing the same thing - [if you are desperate to take part check out the Mint's schedule is here].

So M and I are going to get our coins together and trade. Am also looking for a suitable map or holder to put my collection in- I would love a wall map, I have seen a kit to make your own wooden one, though that making my own might just be a bit too geeky...

I'm going to look for one missing state at a time (I did have a list, but that's just too train spotting). Texas is the current one I'm after, though Delaware (as the first is also occupying a small piece of my mind)....

God, what's happening to me????

Exceeding the gazillion-calorie boundary

Things I ate yesterday:
1. Turkey
2. Creamed potatoes with cream, cream cheese, butter and chives
3. Carrot and cheese soufle
4. Sweetcorn pudding (made with twice the butter, apparently)
5. Pumpkin pie (with cream)
6. Apple pie (with cream and ice cream)
7. Squash pie (with enough cream to forget it was squash)
8. Pecan and cranberry pie (with cream)
9. Pumpkin bread pudding
10. Pumpkin bread
11. Creamed onions
12. Chocolate chip cookies
13. Grapenut pudding (even afterwards still not clear what it was)
14. Shrimp
15. Cranberry and orange stuffing
16. Sage stuffing
17. Cranberry and walnut sauce
18. Brioche (with specially softened butter....)

Mix up with a few drinks and a very welcoming American family (we did grace and also had to write on cards what we were thankful for - these were read out by a top hat-wearing seven year-old at the end of the meal).

Then spent the evening in a friend's 'ski lodge' back porch with a few vats of red wine.

It's a fabulous holiday: just about getting together, no decorations, no fuss and no presents (I did sneak some to people that have been so sweet and accommodating: it's tricky to let go of the Christmas mentality).

I'm a convert, though never want to do the getting up at 6am to bake pies (the whole of America seems to do this).

Thanksgiving

Well, it's Thanksgiving. I was here (visiting) last year and managed to upset a whole table of people by offering my 'radical European view' on Israel and Palestine (I only said that they couldn't view every Palestinian as a terrorist), anyhow this year I am more experienced and know not to:

1. Comment on Israel / Palestine
2. Say ANYTHING about World War II
3. Generally avoid history. And not ask anything about people's jobs, ages, relationships or beliefs.

I plan on just getting drunk, shouting random words then passing out. That way I can't upset anyone, surely?

The Boss

I went to go and see Bruce Springsteen tonight at TD Gardens in Boston. He was fabulous (I wasn't even a real fan, though I am now) - and made The Police (who I saw last week) look like Saint Winnifred's School Choir.

There were no fancy graphics, props etc. No support band or headliner. He was amazing and raw, and somehow it felt very, very American. The classics (Tunnel of Love etc) were tingling and great - but it blew me away when he sang 'The Rising' - the crowd's response to it was amazing, overwhelming and simply beyond my writing skills to describe.

Maimed by martinis

I've never physically hurt someone or caused them to pass out. Until today that is, when avoiding shopping hoardes (pre-Thanksgiving rush to buy Martha Stewart-inspired turkey-illustrated napkins, tableclothes and centre pieces?) in Brownstones near to Back Bay station. Drinking companion was B, a local boy whose g/f had got caught up in the Martha-loving stampede.

I turned up early, around 3pm. B, who had been on errands with g/f, got there at least an hour late (all fine: he let me know and I had a book, and a bored/creative bar maid who wanted to make different martinis for me to try).

Chatted, all fine and fun. Until 8pm -when I returned from the loo to find that B had passed out cold on the bar (after he'd had THREE martinis).

Alarmed, I went to make a call only to come back and find an empty bar stool. He had vanished - leaving behind his wallet, inhaler, keys, coat, phone. 20 minutes later the bouncer and I called off the search and I called his g/f who as much admitted this was a regular thing and he'd get home and pick his stuff up in the morning.

I know martinis are strong, but three? In an area where everyone has some level of Irish blood flowing through their circulatory system????

A tale in the Sting

Hmm. I don't think The Police like each other anymore (did they ever?).

It was my first trip to the 'Gardens' as a venue and I loved it and found myself looking around as much as I did to the stage. We had great seats, and it was all fab but it really felt as if the three of them we had clamoured to see didn't want to be on stage - not together anyhow. I swear I could see Andy Summer's eyes roll when Sting spoke.

PS Sting looked like a teenager, Andy Summers looked like the sort of grumpy uncle that scared you when you were a kid, and Stewart Copeland looked like my ex did when we did Rag week at uni and you had to dress up as an elderly member of the opposite sex.