We Kicked Your Butt

And they don't care! I went to a party in South London for the 4th of July. The theme was "Americana" though there wasn't really anything Americana about it, except the two token Americans (me and one of the guys who lived at the house). I expected people to poke fun of us Americans--beer bellies, flannel, guns, etc. Nope, there were cups that looked more like a Puerto Rican flag than the US flag. Perhaps I just had high expectations. But I guess that's the way history is told from the loser's perspective. Oh well. In fairness they did have a lot of American liquors like Jim Beam and Jack Daniels; oh and Everclear--VT's drink of choice!

Sorry for the lack of thoughtful posts. I am actually back in the US, but my computer power cord started sparking and electrocuted me while I was in London. So now it doesn't work and I am borrowing a computer to complete other observations I had during my vacation.

Holy Weather Batman!

Hot and steamy days usually usher in refreshing, and sometimes welcomed, thunderstorms. My influences have ingrained this setup since birth--both the swamps of DC and the Pacific islands of the Philippines--have made me believe that this is FACT. But not today folks; I have been proven wrong again by the British isles.

Yesterday was probably the coolest day since arriving last week--the high was maybe upper 60s. I definitely need a jacket yesterday, and my feet were pretty cold in sandals. At night it drops to the 50s, which I think is pretty cold.

Today I wake up to periodic bouts of torrential downpour, something I have always envisioned London to be like at all times. But I would never guess that this country can support a weather front to produce thunderstorms! It's no where as powerful and amazing as it is back in DC or in the Philippines--just an occasional small rumble of thunder followed by lots of rain--but it happens. I wish I brought my galoshes, or as the people here say, "Wellies."

Fascinator v. Hat

So I attended my very first English wedding (though Andy Mac would insist it was more British since he is Scottish) and it was very posh and elegant. It took place at a country house in Oxfordshire (the city of Oxford, renown for the university, was a few miles north). I have been told that the wedding was the ideal summer English wedding--country home, sprawling garden, lovely weather, etc.

I think hats and fascinators also added to the ambiance of the affair. It was also interesting seeing who wore what, with the younger folks typically wearing fascinators whilst the older folks wore hats.

I had a frustrating time with my fascinator! First, I really didn't know where to put it on my head to make me look fashionable. With the help of Anne and Helen, they decided that on the side would look best. And since my fascinator was attached with a comb, it had to be secured strangely so it wouldn't fall out even though it was trying it's very best to. There was also a breeze that day, so my hair was blowing all over the place including getting caught in my fascinator. I didn't care so much, but I recall Dan fixing my hair here and there. I still don't know if I liked my fascinator that day, and I think mostly it's due to the frustrating time figuring out what to wear. Still $6.75 (or £2, found on eBay) isn't so bad. Right before the wedding I found a blog entry explaining how to make your own (perhaps an Etsy project for Ana???). It's still a strange and mostly unnecessary piece of accessory, though I'm sure you can say that about any old accessory. Perhaps I'll just start the trend in the US and see if it picks up...

Lost In Translation

The reason for my visit this go around is to attend a wedding tomorrow. The dress requires a hat, which angered me. After much research and consultation, I have a settled on a fascinator: an accessory for the head made up of feathers and other frilly things to wear on special occasions in lieu of a hat. We definitely don't have fascinators in the US, or at least I have never come across them before. Dan's sister steered me in the right direction--eBay--and I was able to find one for $7 (I was imagining spending around $100). Perhaps it will pick up in every day use in the US and I can once again wear my $7 feathery thingy.

Another word that is lost in translation is "bobby pin". I am pretty sure that I won't be able to secure my fascinator to my head since my hair is quite slippery when it comes to putting accessories in it. So I asked Dan to look for bobby pins, and he had no idea what I was talking about, which is understandable since he is a boy. I described it to him, and I guess they call it "hair grips", and according to Wikipedia, they are also known as "kirby grips". Very strange indeed.

Anyhoo, look for two posts in the coming days regarding weddings and a 4th of July with the enemy. Be safe Americans!