Weds, 31 Jan 07

Wednesday 31 Jan. 07
Hard to believe I've only been gone a week... seems like I’ve been through 5 time zones and 3 countries… oh wait, I have…
Today is the big day, my first Premiership match… begins at 8pm, so we have plenty of time for happy hour beforehand. :) Don’t worry, I won’t be driving… the trains run very efficiently around here, and one stops just outside of the football stadium. My stop is only a 3 minute walk from the flat, and there is a pub (the Lonsdale) conveniently located there. So… the plan is to hit the Lonsdale for happy hour, watch some TV (since I don’t have that at home… likely the single biggest adjustment I’ve had to make so far…), and then ride to the game.
The other adjustments are primarily conversion related… Fahrenheit to Celsius, Lbs to Kilos (this was important in the gym the other night… almost ripped off my knee trying to lift 45k on the quad machine…), and the ever changing Dollar to British Pound Sterling. I’m losing money with my weakening dollar… so I’m going to move some more money into my new Lloyd’s account.
Joined a very nice racket club right around the corner from my flat on Monday – www.northumberlandclub.org
I’m going to miss the tennis social tonight, but they run every Weds night and Sat afternoon. Tues is racquetball night (played on a squash court, but it’s better than nothing…), and Monday is badminton night. (those should both do wonders for my tennis game.) most importantly… they have a TV in the lounge, and water pressure in the showers.
Finally made it a whole day without going to the grocery store on Monday, but yesterday I was back for cleaning supplies (and beer supplies). 6 trips so far since last Thurs… I’m also making quite a few trips to the local library for free internet access (since I don’t have that at home, either… we’ll put that at #2 on the adjustment list.)
No rain yet, very lucky so far… just watch, it will pour at the match tonight. Pics to follow!