Boston

The weekend just gone, Erik, Hongi, Stefanie, and I went up to Boston for the weekend. Our first trip since Hongi bought her car. Things didn't exactly start off well as the car's fuel gauge is broken. Thinking we better fill up before we go any further we decide to top up. As Hongi stopped outside the petrol station before pulling in, the car died. Empty tank. So hazard lights on, Erik and I had to get out and push the car into the garage on a very busy road. As we pushed into the station, the road goes downhill - our job done. The problem was, that I think the steering wheel locked and the brakes aren't the best in the world. As Erik and I stood at the top of the hill, we watched as the car rolled towards the petrol thing and collide into the post to protect the fuel dispenser. The bumper wasn't dented but lost a bit of paint, great start.

The rest of the journey was fine with no problems. I entertained myself by trying to learn German via a German travel guide and the Google Translator App on my phone. Apparently the translations it gives are rarely accurate, and my pronunciation of words is terrible, to the point of Hongi and Stefanie bursting into fits of laughter once they figured out what it was I was trying to say.

Hongi At Harvard

Once in Boston, we stayed at Taylor's residence at Bentley University. We met her briefly in Washington, yet Stefanie knows her from Germany as Taylor did an exchange year to Stef's university last year. We were made more than welcome by the girls that lived there as Erik and I made ourselves comfortable on the sofa and floor each night. With a pub crawl organised for Saturday night, we left to the shop to stock up on beverages for before and after. This is where America becomes the most annoying place on earth. Hongi and I left our passports back at the house. Shop number 1: I managed to convince the staff that between my driving license and copies of my passport and visa that they could serve me. Unfortunately because Hongi didn't have hers, no one in the group could get served. Shop number 2: I couldn't get served because I didn't have a hard copy of my passport (that if I lost, would have to pay a fortune for another and to change the details on my flight home). Shop number 3: Only I had to buy anything so went in alone. The man at the desk called out the manager who was not an American Native himself, I'm guessing at Turkish or something along those lines. After inspecting my details he began to ask questions. Do I not have my passport, (I don't want to lose it and get stuck here). Being stuck here is good isn't it? (I don't think my mum would be too happy). But you could have just photocopied your face on someone else's passport, (I have credit cards, student id's both home and here, all with my name and face on). Do you come from Blackburn, (yes). Who do you support, (Blackburn Rovers unfortunately). What happened to them, they used to be really good with Shearer, (Well it's a long story but we got taken over by people who don't know what they're doing, sacked the manager, got relegated, now the manager has left and there is talk of getting Shearer back as manager). Serve him, I'll take responsibility, I can tell that's an authentic accent.

Could We Look Anymore Foreign?

Mary Poppins Guy

The day after Taylor took us into Boston using the metro. I can happily report that this metro system actually works well. Especially in comparison to Washington. They were however, a lot busier. We didn't do as much sight seeing as Washington, instead we just walked around really. We stopped off in Harvard Square where the place was bustling with people performing and selling those paintings that you do with spray paint. You tend to see them a lot in Mediterranean holiday destinations. After walking around Harvard University to feel somewhat intelligent, we moved onto the park. The park was very nice although there were signs everywhere saying not to walk on the grass, which I found strange. There was a man at the entranceway that reminded me of the guy out of Marry Poppins. He must have had every instrument under the sun attached to some part of his body.

To Study, or Just Pose For Silly Photos?

Now this will sounds strange, but for some reason we decided to go to the library. Not exactly somewhere you go when you're sightseeing but apparently this library is a tourist place to go. Once inside we could see why. It was mainly to do with the building as the architecture was fantastic. After having a nosey round, we went outside to the courtyard which was extremely peaceful with plenty of greenery and a fountain in the middle. Not exactly a bad place to go and study.

Anyone Want Their Very Own German Delivered?

Now it didn't take long before we had to go looking at shops. We are travelling with women after all. The pleasant thing however about Boston is that the shops don't necessarily look like shops. You walk down the street and it's more like old houses that have been made into shops. I don't really know how to describe it, but Erik and I just tended to sit on the stoop of the shop and people watch. It was, however, on one of these streets that I found something I just had to climb on.

Naming An American Pub Crawl After A German Festival? Ok, Whatever.

Now since I have been in America I have noticed how well thought of the British are. However, I was still very surprised when I nipped into a shop for a can of coke to find two magazines dedicated to our royal family. Now I know that Harry can get up to some funny things, but I doubt even he can get into enough trouble each month to fill pages in a magazine.

First Time I've Had Smaller Feet Than Someone In Ages. 

After we returned we got ready for the pub crawl, named ironically, Oktoberfest. Dressed in our silly t-shirts we got on the free shuttle from the University back into Boston centre (yep that's spelt with an 're' rather than 'er') We had a really great time mingling with the girls that live with Taylor. I also met another doorman who looked at my passport and asked if I was a Rovers fan, (he actually said Rovers not Blackburn). Well this is where I blocked the queue talking football before getting pushed along. The downpoint of the night, however was probably having to hop over piles of sick whenever you went to the toilet in the last pub. Jesus, that was some slippy spew. Now this is something that Erik and I still can't get our heads around. You're in Boston, a major city, on a Saturday night, and yet the pubs still shut at 1.30 - 2am. Apparently in Sweden you don't return until 5am at the earliest. Making our way back to the dorms, we bumped into a lad who lives in the same building as Taylor and gave me a crick in my neck. For those who don't know me, I'm 6foot4 with size 13 feet (uk). This guy was huge, with massive feet - I almost felt normal stood next to him.

It's As Bad As The Man Utd Shop. Anything They Can Slap
A Badge On & Sell - They Will

Wherever There Is A Posh School - There Will Be Rowers

The day after, head a little hazy, Hongi, Erik, and I did some more wandering. Stef on the other hand was meeting up with a guy from Harvard she met the night previous. We had a look around the Harvard shop - three floors of books and clothing with Harvard scrawled across the front. The prices of these were stupid though. A cardigan cost $130. No thanks. We then walked along the riverside where there was a boat race, but this didn't really interest us enough to stay and watch it. We went to another section of Boston (don't ask me where) where you could buy food from any country. It smelt fantastic. After finally deciding on Japanese we sat to eat in an enormous food hall. Once eaten we walked along the streets of Boston where it seems that there is some form of street performer every ten yards. The thing is these are the ones you see in Europe with a guy and a cap. These have expensive speaker systems, microphones, sponsors, all sorts. Very strange, but they were entertaining. From a group of black lads dancing, a guy juggling with chainsaws, a guy turning his body into positions that it really shouldn't go in, and a booth similar to that in the Crystal Maze where kids went to collect leaves.

Sleeping Like A Bum At The Metro Station

Unfortunately I probably didn't get the most out of this day as I was so tired, (I blame my mother for me get over tired) attempting to get any form of shut eye whenever we got on the metro. I do like Boston, it is a fantastic city and I hope to return at a later date. The only down side is that there are so many homeless people sat on the street begging. I've never seen as many in my life. Luckily, despite my best efforts on the metro platforms to sleep rough, we've been told we can stay at Taylor's any time so we may have to take advantage of that.

Gangnam Style - Revisited (Eton Style)

After some very quick research, I am led to believe that Psy's 'Gangnam Style' has already made it to the top of the charts back home in the UK at the beginning of the month. Entering the top 40 in late September and reaching number one by the beginning of October. While Psy has topped the charts in Britain  he is also hoping to recreate similar success in America, after signing up with Justin Bieber's management team, fronted by Scooter Braun. Following the announcement of the collaboration, Braun said: 'We've come to an agreement to make history together. To be the first Korean artist to break a big record in the United States.'

It has just appeared on Sky News and on Facebook that the craze is beginning to take fold back home with a surprise parody from the boys at Eton College. It makes me proud to be British.

Wake in the morning at 8:30 pretty standard,
If you don't haul arse to chapel then you're late, and reprimanded,
They'll close the doors right in your face and they will leave you stranded,
Then you're in tardy, chin up buddy.

I've got my fixtures here, it's got a list of all my peeps,
We go to chambers here, it's where you go to speak to beaks,
There's college library there, we got originals from Rousseau and his mate Voltaire, 
And they're just sitting there ('cause we don't care).

We may be awkward, frustrated, lonely and insecure, (hey) yes insecure (hey),
We don't like conflict with other people, so just don't try, (hey) don't be that guy (hey),
'Cause if you push is then we'll just break down and cry.

But we've got Eton Style,
Eton style (yah yah yah yah),
Yah we've got Eton Style,
Eton style (yah yah yah yah),
Yah we've got Eton Style,
Hey, sexy lady, (yah yah yah yah),
We've got Eton Style,
Hey sexy lady, (yah yah yah yah),
Hey hey hey hey.

Me and my homies runnin around and getting dizzy,
Don't even know what we drank but we'll take it if it's fizzy,
I think it might be Moet at a hundred pounds a bottle,
'Cause here we drink that just like water.

Got Eton Dorney there, put our school in the Olympics,
Windsor Castle there, direct phone right up to Prince Harry,
Eton's cannon there, I think we stole from the Russians,
Won it fair and square (well, not really fair)

We may awkward, frustrated, lonely and insecure (hey), yes insecure (hey), 
We're not too social, can't talk to women, although we try (hey), we're just too shy (hey),
If you approach us then we'll just break down and cry.

But we got Eton Style
Eton style (yah yah yah yah)
Yah we've got Eton Style
Eton style (yah yah yah yah)
But we've got Eton Style
Hey, sexy lady, (yah yah yah yah)
We've got Eton Style
Hey sexy lady, (yah yah yah yah)
Hey hey hey hey

No, I don't know,
Why we all wear these clothes,
But baby, baby,
Just come on and watch me row.
No, please don't go,
Oh we can take it slow,
Baby, baby, I still got a lot of land to show you. (You know what I'm saying?)

We've got Eton style!

Hey hey hey hey hey hey,
Hey, sexy lady (yah yah yah yah),
Yah we've got Eton Style,
Hey, sexy lady (yah yah yah yah),
Hey hey hey hey hey hey,
We've got Eton Style.

Earthquake

The halls of my residence are all a buzz, as 15 minutes ago the building shook for 5-10 seconds as an earthquake hit nearby. Led on my bed doing some reading for my fiction class, the bed began to shake and the walls vibrate as I heard items falling to the floor in the distance. I thought I was imagining things until a mate from down the corridor came into my room to see if I felt it. It reminded me of back home in Clitheroe when we felt an earthquake in the mid 00's and everyone got all excited. At least back home there were reports of chimneys falling off houses, unlike here. So in my 25 years on this earth, I can say that I have survived 2 earthquakes to date.

If anyone wishes to send aid to help me during this difficult, traumatic period, I accept care packages containing money, Strongbow, and freshly baked goods - thankyou.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-earthquake-rattles-new-england-20121016,0,4966683.story

Boston Celtics Vs New York Knicks

Knicks Free Throw

As basketball season approaches, there are numerous pre-season friendlies being played around America to promote the sport. Luckily the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks were playing in Hartford, roughly a 15 minute drive from CCSU and Hongi, Stefanie, Jon, Erik, and myself managed to get some tickets for roughly £30 a piece. We all piled into Hongi's new car and drove to Hartford before the game for a few drinks and some food before entering the stadium. I may not be the most educated in Basketball, but I would say we had some cracking seats, despite being in the second tear in the corner. It's not exactly as if we were in the top of the Nou Camp.

Lucky Gets The Crowd Going

It appeared that Boston Celtics were classed as the home team as the number of green jerseys far outnumbered the blue and orange of Knicks. They were also selling Celtics jerseys outside. Just to further confirm my suspicions, there appeared to be an idiot dressed in stereotypical Irish clothing called 'Lucky' running around the arena during time outs, and between quarters. Apart from looking like a bit of an idiot, his job seemed to be to get the crowd going by doing acrobats, throwing free t-shirts into the crowd and giving away free tickets.

The thing that I seemed to notice was that the crowd seemed to get most animated during time outs when the camera for the big screen in the centre of the court, spanned the crowd looking for close ups of the fans. Because of this, the majority of the support jump up and start dancing to the music in an attempt to be on the big screen. A little bit idiotic if you ask me, but then again, I'm a uptight Englishman.

Not The Worst Seats In The World

The game seemed decent enough, although Hongi (who actually follows the NBA) said that it is obvious that it was a pre-season game because the tempo wasn't as high as usual. The atmosphere seemed a little low up until the final quarter when things livened up a bit. With seconds to go Knicks missed a chance to win the game taking it into Overtime. In overtime, Knicks took the lead and defended well to clinch the game which made me happy as I picked them to support, especially as they had been behind for the majority of the game.

 

Highlights Of The Game

'Gangnam Style' Sweeps The Nation

There is a new style here in America. Imported from the depths of South Korea, this style is nothing that the west has ever witnessed before. It can be seen in pubs, clubs, sporting events, or simply on the streets amongst friends. Why? Who knows. The name of this style, is Gangnam Style. For a little background info, I've requested the help of Wikipedia:

"Gangnam Style" (Korean: 강남스타일, IPA: [kaŋnam sɯtʰail]) is a single by South Korean rapper Psy. The song was released on July 15, 2012, as the lead single of his sixth studio album PSY's Best 6th Part 1. "Gangnam Style" debuted at number one on the Gaon Chart, the national record chart of South Korea.^[1] As of October 13, 2012, the music video has been viewed over 460 million times on YouTube,^[2][3] and is the site's most watched K-pop video.^[4]

The video has been shared on the Internet by numerous celebrities including T-Pain, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Tom Cruise, covered by music artistsNelly Furtado^[5] and Maroon 5,^[6] and featured in international media outlets such as CNN International, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, the Harvard Business Review,^[7] and the global politics magazine Foreign Policy.^[8] "Gangnam Style" flash mobs have appeared in cities around the world. The video has become a source of parodies and reaction videos by many different groups including The Oregon Duck, midshipmen from theUnited States Naval Academy, and the North Korean government.^[9][10] Psy has brought the "Gangnam Style" dance to various locations includingThe Today Show, Saturday Night Live, Dodger Stadium, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Samsung commercials.^[11]

"Gangnam Style" has been highly praised for its catchy beat and Psy's humorous dance moves in the music video and live performances. On September 17, the song was nominated for Best Video at the upcoming 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards to be held in Frankfurt, Germany.^[12] On September 20, 2012, "Gangnam Style" was recognized by Guinness World Records as the most "liked" video in YouTube history.^[13]

I was aware of this song back home in England when it was released. It appeared on the News as being the most liked video in YouTube history, but then never heard of it again. That was until I arrived here in America. I must admit that it is pretty catchy. 

Washington DC

Erik and Stefanie had already departed for Washington on Thursday afternoon, getting there in the evening and went straight to bed. Hongi and I followed on at 11pm after having a couple of beers in Hartford. After drinking Bud Light for so long, it was nice to find Hoegaarden on draft. It's hardly Strongbow, but it's better than American ale, Hongi seemed to like it anyway.

A Deserted Times Square

First we had to get the bus to New York, getting there for about 2.30am. With no room for us to sit alongside each other we both resorted to sitting with randomers. This doesn't bother me as I don't need to rest my head on anyone to sleep, but I did notice Hongi using the guy next to her as a pillow. Poor lad. Arriving in New York we were rather surprised, apparently this is the city that never sleeps, yet what we found was empty streets and closed shops? It's rather rare to get a picture in Time Square when it's empty. 

On the bus to Washington we once again had to sit with strangers as we made our way south. Our estimated time of arrival was 8am but unfortunately our bus broke down near Maryland and we had to sit around for 2 hours whilst we waited for a replacement. I ate a Dunken' Donuts, although 2 would have been better, and fell asleep on the bench. Finally we managed to get to Washington when our replacement bus arrived. 

Flying The Blue & White Halves

We checked into our Hostel which was surprisingly nice. Very small in comparison to others, but very welcoming. We rang Erik to find that he and Stef had befriended 3 German lads, poor Sweden was being surrounded and invaded! I don't think I have ever walked as much as I did this day as we wandered around the capitol city looking at monument after monument. Everything was spotlessly clean and reminded me slightly of London, just without as many cars or people. Also the Metro system is rubbish, the tickets don't work all the time and we rarely all got through the gate in the same instance. One of us would have a problem.

Me, Stefanie, Hongi, Erik, & The 3 German Lads Whose Names Escape Me Sorry

As we walked the streets, my day was made when a shout from an open top bus of 'ROVERS' was heard across the street as I flew the blue and white flag. Sorry but it has to be done. The day was perfect for sightseeing as the sky was clear and the temperature very warm. I'm quite surprised that I didn't burn, and amused that the German lads did. After our first day of sightseeing, we went for tea and I had my first taste of Sushi. Surprisingly I found it rather good and even managed to master chopsticks, although getting cramp in my hands resulted in me resorting back to the good old knife and fork.

Day 2 saw us visit the Capitol building and learn the history of America. I don't think I could repeat anything that I was told as this collided with the football back home, so for the most part I was looking at my phone following Rovers on the internet. And then the Rugby Final. Not very cultured of me but I have my priorities. We then went to the Pentagon and the memorial that is now there from 9/11, followed by a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. Personally I would have come here first to walk all around it, but we ended up getting there at 4.15 and the place shut at 5pm. This meant that we missed the opportunity to take a little trolley round the cemetery and learn about each section. 

Once we made our way home, we showered and changed and went to witness the delights of a night out in Washington. Luckily Stefanie met some friends who allowed us to join in with their "Happy 3 Hours" that they had won in a competition the night previously. $3 a drink rather than $6, can't complain in the slightest. The only annoying thing is that pubs tend to be spread out rather than in a strip so we ended up walking a fair distance to get from drink to drink. 

Europe On Tour

For the final day we did a bit of shopping and relaxed. We split up in the afternoon as Stefanie and I wanted to go to the Holocaust Museum whilst Hongi and Erik wanted to go to the Air & Space Museum. After experiencing a WWII Museum with a German (never thought I'd do that), Stefanie and Erik returned back to Connecticut in the afternoon leaving Hongi and I on our own until 10pm. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as kind to us on the final day as the heavens opened. We did however stumble across a festival that was starting that evening, where all the local businesses have stalls selling their wares for cheaper; mainly food and drink. There was also a stage at the front so I assume that some bands would be playing. Trying to escape the rain, with brolly in hand we went to start our Presidential Campaigns in our new home, and it seems that I was rather successful in doing so. 

President North

Returning home, we slept the entire way - minus the 2 hour break in New York - with Hongi fast asleep on my shoulder for the entire trip. Apparently I make a bloody good pillow.

The Big E

Every September in Massachusetts, an all American carnival comes to town. Now compared to the fair we get back in Clitheroe, this was more like a day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, just with more food. A lot more food.

Rather than going with the University on the tiny little yellow school bus, Jon and Connor volunteered to drive Erik, Hongi, Stefanie, Sofia (Spanish), Cristina (Spanish), Evan (USA), and myself to this weird and wonderful land. The Big E seems to be a mix of pretty much everything, with companies setting up stalls to advertise their products such as whirlpools, furniture, pots and pans, art etc. As well as pubs, burger vans, rides, games, and history. It is pretty much everything thrown together into one giant pot and stirred up. I found some American Cider called Harpoon and began to sample that, despite the huge price tag, yet found novelty in the fact that it was my first drink here served in a pint glass, albeit advertised in ounces. 

Erik goes to town with the Hammer whilst I sneak
past to stand out of the way.

The food stalls reminded me very much of going to Old Trafford. I never laughed as hard in my life as when I last went to watch Blackburn Rovers against Manchester United. I must have heard every accent except Mancunian  Everyone was armed to the teeth with Man Utd shopping bags, and there was an entire street full of these American style burger vans. Just replace the US flags with Irish tri-colours. 

This is also where we met the good old stereotypical American. At the gate you could rent mobility scooters, the only difference here is that they aren't exactly aimed at the elderly. Everywhere you looked there was a massive American sat on one of these eating a dustbin lid full of nachos, crisps, chips, all covered in melted cheese. It was almost as if you paid for the tray and you could fill it as much as you want, as long as it stayed on the plate. I've never seen food piled so high. Erik and I wanted to take our picture with one of them, but we chickened out. 

Erik & I beat up Hongi

After Jon, Stefanie, and Sofia went on a couple of rides, Erik, Jon, and I competed in the hammer game. I don't know what else to call it, but it's that game where you get a big hammer, smack the base and try to hit the bell at the top. Lets just say, that I didn't exactly excel at this particular game, getting about a quarter up the pole. Erik won getting about two thirds of the way up, whilst Jon just beat myself. We did however win inflatable Boston Red Sox hammers. Oh the fun I had hitting people on the head. 

Now there is a very happy chappy

Whilst there I also ran into a furniture company showing off their wares. I must admit that I got quite excited and took a look around inspecting the work with a trained eye. I must admit that it wasn't that bad at a cheap price, although I could tell where corners had been cut. Still, for the price, it was bloody good stuff. I thought that my geekiness was at an all time high, but then I came across an old fashioned Cabinet Maker surrounded by old fashioned tools. I was like a kid in a sweet shop. I was happy as Larry looking at all the tools and once we got talking, I could have stayed there all day. Also, you could tell that he was a master craftsman because he had half a finger missing. Technically, until I lose a digit, I'm still an apprentice. 

You can take the geek out of the workshop, but never the workshop out of the geek

On the way home we decided to have tea at Hooters. Now personally, I thought that this would be more of a pub for lads to watch sport and ogle the barstaff. How surprised I was to find families eating with their children in more of a restaurant atmosphere. There was a lad who had just turned 16 who was surrounded by the staff as they sung Happy Birthday and covered him in 'I Love Hooters' stickers. I think I know where I'm going for my 25th. I did like how there were televisions everywhere playing sport, although I was surprised at how little of the Ryder Cup was shown. Only one TV in the corner showed it, and that kept flicking over to something else, whilst the others were all devoted to American Football. USA were winning at the time too. No-one has seemed to bat an eyelid, whilst when I go on Facebook, everyone back home is over the moon, even those who don't follow golf. Odd.

Erik & I with the Hooters Staff

This weekend Erik, Stefanie, Hongi, and myself are going to Washington DC for 3 days. We've checked the weather and once again, it looks like I'm topping up on the sunburn. 

P.S - Finally Steve Kean has done the honourable thing and walked, although I'm now worried as to who Venkys will get as a replacement.