Spring Break Woo!

Despite two wonderful spring breaks while living in the US, all I think of when I hear someone say Spring Break is Chandler from Friends, and his need to shout "woohoo" in a weird, twisted, high-pitched voice after anyone else says Spring Break.

American schools only get a week to relax for Spring Break, but with Nicole heading back home to California, I jumped at the opportunity to take some time off from work and head to the West Coast with her. Ah relaxation!

Barely turned my computer on this whole time. Been soaking up the SoCal sun, a welcome break from the frigid winter in Wisconsin. Played mini-golf, seen numerous movies, caught-up on reading, done some retail therapy, and experienced gourmet cuisine. Maximum chill-out time.

Back to the real world Monday. :(

A blog post about Twitter- tweeted on Twitter by my blog

Technology these days.

I have now immersed myself even further into the social networking world (as if a blog and Facebook wasn't deep enough), by embracing the social media that could easily be known by members in my family as "the one to do with birds"!

I have become a tweeter.

For a long time, I was a doubter. For an even longer time, I wondered what kind of use anyone would even have for Twitter. I thought it was a pointless spin off of Facebook, just another website for me to tell people who I am "kind of" friends with that I was currently "feeling tired" or "eating a sandwich". After all, who wouldn't want to know my day-to-day routine? I know everyone out there wants to know when I am going to the bathroom!

Anyway, tweets and twitter grew and grew, and I finally decided to reinvestigate. Nicole talked about how great it was. Amazon regularly sent me emails about its daily deals on twitter. Everywhere I looked, a little blue T could be seen next to the blue F.

So I dived in. And I have been very impressed. Obviously, you choose who to follow. So I focused on news outlets, music sources and information centres which interest me. Now, when I log on, I get instant updates from hundreds of different sights. Take the news for example: every time something new happens, I get a tweet about it, whether it be via the BBC, the NYTimes, the Huffington Post, Fox news, or something more local to Madison. Each tweet contains a link to the full article, so I can click on the stories I am interested in, without having to browse through multiple websites.

It's simplicity- or perhaps indicatively of our society- laziness. Everything there, at my fingertips, in once place.

But it's incredible, as in a just a minute I can scroll through tens and tens of stories, and really get a feel for what is going on. It's good for the brain.

Of course, it's also very distracting, as I end up browsing various few music sites and blogs, courtesy of Twitter links.

And I suppose if you are so inclined, you can use it to keep up with the gossip. After all, who doesn't like to vent their feelings from time to time!

With the wonders of technology, I can even post this blog piece straight to my Twitter and Facebook, via a link created between the three. Check either FB or Twitter, and you will be directed here, to read my prose!

In 2011, there really is no excuse for not being connected.

PB+J------Just too American for me!

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich- the quintessential American "snack" lunch, if ever such a meal could be described as American.

And it just isn't for me.

Firstly- Peanut Butter... personally not a fan at all. Maybe because I was never brought up on it- it just isn't that easy to come by in the UK; Maybe I just like to eat peanuts on their own; Maybe it's too sweet for me?



Or maybe I just don't like it. Yet peanut butter can be found in just about everything here in the US. Cookies, cereal, chocolate. If any product comes in "various types and flavours", you can guarantee one of them will be peanut butter flavour. And of course peanut butter comes in multiple types too- the land of choice. Like these for example

And then there is jelly. Ok so actually I like "Jelly" a lot. Only its called jam. You spread it on toast. Jelly is something that comes in rubbery cubes to which you add hot water, and it then subsequently 'wobbles'. American's call that by it's brandname- Jell-O. What store brands are called, I don't know.

I am a fan of putting jam on bread- toasted or untoasted. In fact, I am very partial to banana and jam sandwiches.

That's right, banana and jam! If you like PB+J- try B+J- it's good stuff!

Down in Capitol City

Home of the Wisconsin protesters. For those who have made the Capitol their literal home for the past few weeks, they prefer to not think of themselves as protesters. Or the hippies. Or the pains in the ***. They prefer it if police call them "the rotunda community". At least, that's what I overheard the police talking about.

I have already blogged about the protesters indirectly, but I wanted to take the time to focus directly on them. Because quite frankly, I think they are incredible. Even if they do smell a little bad at times.

Because, they have shown such incredible dedication. I was all for turning up and chanting a little, holding a sign high up in the air, pumping my fists in the air etc. for a couple of hours. But for over 3 weeks? When this all began, we were experiencing an incredibly mild week in February. Everyone put the large crowds down to the weather. "It's just because it isn't freezing out here." "They'll be gone when the weather turns."

Well the snow came, and the crowds grew. As the weather got colder, more and more people turned out to support the cause. It really does blow my mind how people just kept on turning up, giving up all their spare time to come and fight for something they so passionately believe in.

It's truly inspirational.

And perhaps a little stupid too, when people started sleeping overnight OUTSIDE of the Capitol, in a small camp dubbed "Walkerville."

Teachers and public workers have all taken their precious personal days, or given up vacation time in order to come out here. Students from across the state volunteered to help out, many often sleeping overnight on hard marble floors in the Capitol. People have driven or taken buses from right across the whole state- some even further afield than that. And the crowd is so varied, with personalities from all walks of life, young and old, male, female, public and private workers, Democrats and Republicans. Entire families have turned up, sacrificing a weekend when they should perhaps be relaxing together, just to defend the modest way of life they are accustomed to.

But it's fun for the kids. And its educational. It's a true lesson in democracy, and the value of peaceful non-violent action. Mr. King would be very proud indeed. I certainly am.

Because the countless rallies and gatherings have been completely peaceful. Perhaps at little rowdy at times, and undoubtedly very vocal. I'd be the first to admit that the endless drum circles gets a little tiresome. But there hasn't been a single hint of violence. Even when tea partiers threw an opposing rally, protesters simply carried on as normal, carrying signs reminding people to remain peaceful. Sure some words were exchanged, but largely, when the two different sides met, they logically discussed their points of view.

Not only have the protests been peaceful, but they have been incredibly well organized. Unbelievably so. And I don't just mean getting people to meet at the same time for a mass march to the Capitol, or organizing stages and speaker systems so celebrities like Bradley Whitford (Josh from the West Wing), Jesse Jackson, and just this weekend Michael Moore, can speak and be heard. Those are no simple feats in themselves. I mean the kind of organization that has ensured people have beds and pillows to sleep on, continuous food to eat (cold and hot!), and remain healthy and fired up.

Whether that requires a dose of medicine or some first aid, some group yoga exercises, or even a 10 minute turn in the massage chair. I kid you not; all of this could be found at the Capitol.

Volunteers set up in a whole wing of the building, turning it into a one stop shop for all protester essentials. Food, drink and funds were donated from across the country; New York, Florida, California, Texas, even from other countries. Hand warmers- check. Painkillers-check. Toothpaste-check. Tampons-check. Ian's pizza, a phenomenal pizza place here in Madison took so many donations, it closed it's regular business, and just shuttled endless numbers of continuous pizza boxes to the Capitol. Protesting is hungry work.

If they didn't have what you wanted, you could add suggestions to a wish list, and on the next donated shopping run, requested items would be purchased.

Perhaps most absurdly, a family centre was set up, to provide day care and other services many parents protesting in Madison were in need of!

Walking around the second floor one night at 4am was certainly an enlightening experience. All the alcoves were filled with groups of people all huddled up together. Some had huge air mattresses and actually looked surprisingly comfy (the 3 guys soundly spooning in their sleep on one mattress did make me laugh). While most dreamt their protesting dreams, some dedicated volunteers walked around "checking" on everyone. Some protesters had taken it upon themselves to be marshals, helping to control the crowd and providing help and advice. Some walked around carrying earplugs for anyone that wanted them. Two others carted bottles of water and breakfast bars for anyone that was waking up. Others used donated cleaning items to help try and keep the Capitol in great shape.

And they did a surprisingly good job.

And it has helped their cause no end- to be so peaceful, and so responsible. It really focuses all the media's attention on what they are protesting about, and not silly little incidents that take over the argument. Their peaceful (largely quiet) persistence has been their greatest asset, and they have even showed up legislators, who have got into vocal arguments and shouting matches, while protesters remained calm and collected.

I am so glad I got to witness this incredible public outburst. It really has shown to me what can be accomplished if people care deeply about something. In England, student protesters lasted a day when tuition fees rose, and a large amount of media coverage was about the  violence and vandalism which resulted from those marches. They oughta to take a lesson from everyone here in Wisconsin.

If he were here today, MLK would undoubtedly be amongst them.

A Question of Ignorance

This time I'm not talking about Governor Walker. I am referring instead to a wonderful TV quiz/comedy show in the UK, hosted by one of my favourite actors, comedians and all round entertainer- Stephen Fry. I am talking about QI.

I came across a special show they were filming of QI for Comic Relief-or Red Nose Day-, and was fortunate enough, due to the time difference, to be able to watch it live. Comic Relief occurs every year in March, and is a day when mostly comedians, but other celebrities now too, gather together for an evening of entertainment in order to raise funds to help children in the UK and Africa. Nicole did make a very good point- why just Africa, why not Asia or anywhere else? My best guess- tradition, and because Comic Relief began in the 1980's when Africa was on everyone's radars.

It's tradition on Comic Relief to wear a red nose! Like a clown. They're redesigned every year, so you'll spend £1 to buy a new one, and thus contribute to a fantastic cause.  Many schools and individuals often do silly, comical things for Red Nose Day in order to raise money.

Anyway, in anticipation of Comic Relief, David Walliams- the genius behind Little Britain and various other shows- hosted a marathon 24 hour panel, which featured a variety of classic BBC comedy quiz shows.

A true education in British humour! If you're reading this from the US or anywhere outside of England, I thoroughly recommend you check out either the whole session, or at least some select segments. Most notably, Blankety Blank was always hilarious, and the Generation Game was classic Saturday night viewing. Just a minute- talking for a minute on a random subject without hesitation or repetition- is incredibly difficult and always good for a laugh. If you think you're a smart one, you could always have a go at Mastermind!

But my favourite of all, a show which combines wit, crude humour and interesting facts, is QI. A true comedy quiz show, which always turns out to be incredibly informational. Sadly this episode was without regular Alan Davis who is always a verbal punching bag, but David Walliams filled in very aptly. Fry was on top form, despite demonstrating the limits of his knowledge on a number of occasions. I particularly liked his multiple hand demonstrations!

Not only do you laugh at this show a lot, but you also learn some incredible facts. For example, during this last episode, I learnt that:

A blue whale's tongue weighs the same as an elephant;

the natural colour of an Orange is actually green;

Starbucks is called Starbucks because in Moby Dick, the first mate on the Pequod likes to drink coffee, and his name is Starbuck;

That the best colour to wear in warm climates to keep cool is actually black, not white- black allows your body to radiate heat outwards better- that one could be useful!;

The ruby shoes in the Wizard of Oz were originally silver, but changed to red to show off the wonders of technicolor- Oz being only the second movie filmed that way;



And that the Duck-Billed Platypus has the most dreams of any animal, even compared to humans. About what, we don'tknow!

Finally, I also learnt about the origins of the Hokey-kokey. From that, I learnt from Nicole that in the US, it's called the hokey-pokey- which also makes sense. BUT!- Americans sing a slightly different version-more concise than ours- and they don't do the classic ooooohhhhhhh the hokey-kokey *running into the centre of the circle* knees bent-arms stretched rah rah rah! Can you believe that!?

Well, if you have learnt something today, then I want a share of the quiz money you win at the local pub quiz if you use one of these facts. Better yet, if you have learnt something interesting, get onto the comic relief website and donate some money to a great cause.