I love your Fayishness.

Cindy, thanks. You know what for.

ETA: Not that it seems to have mattered.

them-and-us thing

I'd say this is true of most of the expats I know. I'm guilty of it myself from time-to-time...my only excuse is that I'm exactly the same way about large swathes of America, so maybe I've moved so much that I'm An Expat of One.

But yeah, those ex-pats can be real charmers. It's a watered-down version of the Ugly American (and hey, we had two of these arrested here last week for being such), or whatever nationality (although in my experience Aussies and Canadians aren't bad about it). They tend to call what people like Fay do, making friends and such, "going native."

More in a second - kebabs are burning.

And, it seems like a friend from college has the same morning lack of clarity as me, as he just called to see if I was ok...even though I don't leave until next week, which he seemed to realize mid-message.

But I called him back and let him know all was good. We were in college for 9/11 and spent most of that day together, and I think a lot of it was coming back for him. I guess it's habit- something bad happens, call everybody you know.

Cereal:

The Today Show just broke to the local news update. The story? People waited hours in line at the DMV this past week.

No, really. That's news.

I guess it's habit- something bad happens, call everybody you know.

Yeah, on 9/11, everyone was calling their parents, and it's like...my family is in Arlington, Texas. They are totally and utterly safe. But I guess we have to make sure. Just to check and confirm. Cause when the world goes crazy, you never know.

we had two of these arrested here last week for being such

Wow. Remind me to prettify if I ever come see you!

They wouldn't let Egyptians into the club, Fay?!

Color me gobsmacked. WTF? What is this, 1870?

Now, I admit that while I was in London, the majority of people I hung out with were Americans -- because I was living in a house full, and all my profs and fellow classmates were American. Also, 19 years old, and not exactly the brazen wench I am today. But I simply didn't understand the kids who only ate at McDonalds, and complained about the "fuuny accents" and no ice, and all that crap. I was all like "Why the fuck did you COME here?"

People are STUPID. The older I get, the more apparent this truth is.

Also, what do you all think of this no zero-grades policy? I think it's pretty ridiculous, but I'm interested in seeing what others think.

Oh dear. Thanks, Polter-Cow. Cause I don't think my mother's in England, but... it can be hard to know, with her.

50% for not turning in an assignment? That's stupid. I can see saying that if you try at all, you don't get a zero, but for not trying...that's what zeroes are for.