The O.C. Englishman's blog » Culture

If you deny climate change you are an idiot

The Englishman — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:02:20 +0000

I used to think Americans were dumb. Then I met some I liked who are actually quite clever. Then I started paying attention to current affairs. Now I’m back in the “Americans are dumb” camp.

I cannot believe how it’s ok to not “believe” in climate change (or “global warming” as it’s still inaccurately often referred to). Listen people, something is true whether you believe it or not. Sticking your fingers in you ears and going la-la-la I’m not listening may have worked when you were five years old, but not so when you are supposedly all growned up.

Also, just because it snows a bit in New York City, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t global problems. You really don’t get the whole climate thing if you think that weather in one city in one state in half of one continent represents the planet. No, Earth is much bigger than America. I know, it’s hard to believe.

What really tops it off are the fanatical right wing bat shit religious nutjobs (and many not so nutjobby) who believe in god and that the bible is literally true…even though there is not one shred of evidence to prove the existence of god. Yet they think that climate science is more than a bit made up.

I therefore conclude that if you deny climate change you are an idiot. A complete fucking idiot.

Wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley

The Englishman — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:52:07 +0000

As part of my “birthday fortnight” celebrations (it was my 40th) along with three friends, Jenn and I took at trip to wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Like a lot of these things, we found ourselves asking why we hadn’t done it sooner/more often given that the area is only a couple of hours’ drive from Orange County.

Simply put it is such a beautiful area, and on the day we went the weather was perfect – bright and sunny with clear air due to the early November winds.

We stayed at the Hadsten House in Solvang – a rather pleasant hotel despite it having been converted from a bog-standard motel. From there we had arranged a day’s wine tasting with Mark Chumley of Silver Cloud Transportation Servicves. He picked us up as scheduled and we hit the wineries.

I’m not a wine man, preferring beers. However, I must admit wine tasting is actually pretty good fun. Ok, none of us are experts but we really enjoyed trying reds, whites and the differing styles of each grape type.

Mark took us to some great places and looked after us well – the minivan was clean, he supplied waters and even bought us lunch (included in the cost of his hire, of course).

All in all a pleasant day and highly recommended.

Chase cashback debit card

The Englishman — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:42:41 +0000

A recent TV commercial sees two brothers “competing” to pay for transactions at shops, fast food and gas stations. To the sound of Duelin’ Banjos they “race” to pay before the other and proudly declare they’ve “Got it!”

Why? Because by “getting it” with their Chase cashback debit cards they get – you guessed it – cashback. This is usually a small percentage of the transaction’s total – upto 3% in Chase’s case, but I’m prepared to wager it’s a lot less most of the time.

Why is this commercial annoying and stupid? Because if the brothers actually let the other pay, they’d save ALL of the cost of the transaction. What’s better? Getting 3% back on a $75 purchase, or just keeping all of the $75?

Magic Castle Madness

The Englishman — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:51:22 +0000

This week we were invited to go to The Magic Castle in Hollywood. Originally I thought it was something like Chuck E Cheese’s, but alas not. It bills itself as the world’s most famous club for magicians and magic enthusiasts and is an “exclusive” members’ only club. However, on the Saturday night when we visited it seemed it was strictly limited to half the population of L.A.

We were invited to go as guests of a friend of a friend of a friend of a member. Or something like that. We weren’t that fussed about going if truth be told, but our friend was very persistent about us going with them. Unfortunately there was also in our party a couple who were perhaps the most odious un-christian christians we’d ever met. Needless to say that took the edge of the evening.

Other than that, what did I think of the visit? After being relieved of $50 just to get in to the place, we headed straight for dinner. The food was overpriced and over-salted but palatable. After dinner we fought through the crowds to a ticketed magic show in an intimate theatre. It was interesting but nothing I hadn’t seen performed by Paul Daniels on Saturday night tv when growing up.

We had an unpleasant incident with the obnoxious Christians that bought us to the end of our magic-mojo and had us heading to the door earlier than we’d have liked.

All in all we came out around $200 worse off.

We’ll put this one down to experience, although I’m still traumatised from the hand-holding saying of grace in the restaurant (really? People do that without any thought for others?). If I never again get to hang out with the alpha-Christians it won’t be too soon.

The Happiest Place on Earth wasn’t so happy

The Englishman — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:19:07 +0000

Today the mother-in-law took us and Jennifer’s sister and husband for an anniversary meal at Walt’s magic kingdom – Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Conveniently for both couples, our anniversaries are only a few days apart.

Unfortunately it was the middle of spring break. This meant that the place was heaving. I’ve never seen it like that before, and will be happy if I never see it like that again.

I tried my best to remain calm as we made our way to the restaurant of choice, and thankfully the wait wasn’t too long. Fed and watered, we had a bit of a wander, ride on the train (it had the shortest line!) and a whiz round Pinocchio ride. No Space Mountain or Splash Mountain for us.

I thought it amusing that in a place that claims to be the Happiest Place on Earth, there were an awful lot of people looking very miserable. Families bickered, kids whined and motorized scooters barged through the crowds. Nice.

Return to USA after first trip home to UK

The Englishman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:30:36 +0000

I landed back in California last week after my first visit to the Mother Country since moving here.

I had spent a couple of weeks visiting family and experiencing the chilly tailend of the worst UK winter in years.

Aside from the obvious difference in weather, a couple of things stuck out during my visit.

Smoke

Of course people smoke here in California, but it is known for a relatively low rate. Soon after my arrival in the UK, one of the first things I noticed was the smell of smoke as everyone who smokes has to do so outdoors since the smoking ban. There’s been an indoor smoking ban in California for years, but I hardly notice the smell as I walk down the street.

Shops

I found it quite pleasant that I could enter most shops and not have to exchange pleasantries with the store employees or fend them off as they asked if I “need help with anything”.

Beer

I never thought I’d say this but I was missing my American bottled IPAs! I only had a couple of pints in the UK, but was yearning for a drop of the good stuff.

Trash

There is trash in the streets of California but it’s nothing compared to that in the UK. The grass verges and gutters are full of fast food wrappers, cans and bottles.

Weather

Ok, I will mention the weather. It was cold and wet in the UK. To be expected in February of course, but the day before I flew out form the USA, it was in high 20s °C. It was just taunting me before leaving on that jet plane…

St Valentine’s Day madness!

The Englishman — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:51:41 +0000

The first year in a new country is going to be a year of ‘firsts’ as one experiences how occasions are handled in the new culture.

Valentine’s day looms and it seems the country has gone into overdrive when it comes to expressing ‘love’ in its many forms.

I can’t believe how everyone has gone card crazy. Jenn has been sending and receiving cards all week from and to – including but not limited to – mothers, sisters, grandparents and friends.

What’s that all about? Sorry, but I think it’s a bit weird. This one is definitely a cultural difference! As far as I’m concerned, there are only two types of person you send a Valentine’s card to: 1. your significant other; or 2. Someone you’d like to be your significant other. That’s it. Anything else is just creepy.

Then again, if you can convince people to send cards to pretty much everyone, just think how many cards you can sell. Call me cynical if you like.