Creative ways to deal with the cold

Even though it's warming up here in London (finally), I've nearly forgotten how chilly it could get in the sometimes dreary months of November - February.

So I don't forget, and so all you Americans out there remember to appreciate your effective central heating systems and double paned windows, here's a picture of my home-made attempt to keep the freezing air from our drafty window outside our room. Yes. That is my flimsy summer duvet draped over our curtain rod.

Note: Just in case you think I'm some pansy, whiney ex-Californian, I will say that a temperature gauge in my room would read 55 degrees; that was when the heat in the house was ON. That's chilly folks.

The Little Ones in My Family

In case you forgot that my niece/nephews are adorable (post here and here), these pictures below from my trip to California in February will give you more reminders.

The whole little crew.

Brothers Bobby and Billy.

Cambry

Brothers Dallin and Thad

Bienvenido a Miami

I went to Miami for work a couple months ago - it's a pretty nice place. Especially when you're coming from a dreary mid-winter London to shorts, sun, flip-flops, and an ocean side hotel where there are literally dolphins playing in the water below.

Thanks to the jet lag, I got to enjoy the sunrises on the water and they were be-a-u-ti-ful. (Maybe sunrises are always pretty. I'm not too sure - I really only see them when I'm jet lagged...)

My overall impressions can be summed up in a few phrases: Spanish language spoken by everyone, colors you'd only see in Disney movies, SUN and warmth.

Thankfully, I brought my camera. Here's a picture of me during one of our lunch breaks.

It's about another time for a graph

This doesn't have to do with the big, important things in life. But I do get a lot of awesome (at least I'd consider them to be awesome) ideas of ways to entertain myself / my friends in my spare time.

Unfortunately, most don't come to fruition because of the curse of "diminishing motivation" related to awesome ideas.

As per usual, a graph represents my thoughts sufficiently. You can click to enlarge if needed.

Any ideas on how to improve this curve?

Disneyland

I was back in California in February, this time for a real period of time to soak up some sun...and see the family too I suppose.

One day a few of us hit up Disneyland. We did all the fun kiddy rides, met the princesses and rode the tea cups a few times.

I swear we had fun, though you probably can't tell from our faces here...

A Sunny Weekend

So I never blogged about this trip because I didn't have a photo. Thanks to Dave for posting this one up on the book face.

Way back when, July 9-10th, 2010 to be exact, the four of us drove out to Walton on the Naze for a quick day trip. Wanting a weekend in the sun, we checked the weather and randomly selected this little beach town. What a find! We left Friday night, hit up a carvery for dinner, basked in the warm evening sun, and set up camp on a cliff overlooking the sea.

Other highlights included:
-Convincing the parking attendant that we were not staying overnight as we held our pillows, blankets and small tent in his car's headlights
-Late night chat under the stars, including some probing "true or dare" questions
-Waking to the sunrise over the ocean
-Spending the day on a white sandy beach in the sun
-Taking a dip in the sea; the water was actually warm enough to swim in. Who'd have thought?
-Finding a book about improving your memory for Dave at the little shop above the beach
-Walking down to the seaside town for a dinner of fish and chips on the pier
-Lots more chatting, relaxing, card playing and bonding

A shot before we embarked. Dave, Emma, me and Erika.

Iceland: Home of the Bell

Judge if you must, but I'll be honest and let you know that this was a big highlight in the trip to Iceland - Taco Bell.

This is how it went down.

Me: "Haha, guys I thought that sign ahead was for Taco Bell and I got really excited! That would be funny. A Taco Bell in Iceland......WAAAAAIT A MINUTE! It IS a sign for Taco Bell!!! We HAVE to EAT THERE!!! REMEMBER WHERE WE ARE FOLKS!"

A day later, we were at the Bell. I've documented the meal for posterity. Yes kids: your mom loved the Bell. Not that that will be a surprise, you kids will be definitely be exposed to this food if I'm in charge of feeding you...

Oh the excitement. Fake cheeeeese nachos and cinnamon twists....they can't be beat!

Feed the beast!
The sauce packet reads "Ahhh...we meet again." Well said sauce packet. Well said.

We scarfed this stuff down in nearly 3 minutes flat.Booyah! It was the cheapest and - dare I say it - the best meal of the trip. Ok not really. But it did beat our homemade sandwiches which consisted of some sort of flavored cheese spread, cheese slices and some form of sandwich meat.