Strange things you're not used to

[Krikit 1,164]

oh, and I'd like to give a special call-out to the arsehole who sat two inches from my bumper this morning, blowing his horn, while I paused at a blinking traffic light and allowed the person waiting in the left turn lane opposite to go ahead of me, as he had been waiting longer

I'm so sorry I caused you an extra 12 seconds' delay; I hope the car I saw later, up to its axles in a ditch, was yours

[TBoneTX 45,267]

Really hate to tell y'all, but the biggest thorns in USCs' sides are immigrants driving. Always too slow in the left lane, always too slow in general, and oblivious to anything around them (or people trying to get by them from behind). The Orientals are by FAR the worst, followed by Indians, Middle Easterners, Mexicans, Nigerians (the cab-drivers are second only to the Orientals), and probably Brits (perhaps due to the use of treacle in their gas tanks). American advice for all of these people, in the spirit of adjusting to life here: Either speed up or get out of the way! We thank you for your attention and compliance, si man.

[franklie 0]

oh, and I'd like to give a special call-out to the arsehole who sat two inches from my bumper this morning, blowing his horn, while I paused at a blinking traffic light and allowed the person waiting in the left turn lane opposite to go ahead of me, as he had been waiting longer

I'm so sorry I caused you an extra 12 seconds' delay; I hope the car I saw later, up to its axles in a ditch, was yours

what color was the blinking traffic light? if it was any color BUT red you have the right of way and are not supposed to stop.

a blinking red light is treated as a stop sign.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

it was red

although an unwelcome and ignorant immigrant, I have read up on the road rules, and *gasp* know what I'm doing

and I find I drive at least as fast as those around me, and the people clogging up the 'fast' lanes all look pretty 'merican to me

[Krikit 1,164]

I miss being able to walk to the park, or the shops, or the lake. Everywhere you go, here, you have to drive. That makes me sad.

Really hate to tell y'all, but the biggest thorns in USCs' sides are immigrants driving. Always too slow in the left lane, always too slow in general, and oblivious to anything around them (or people trying to get by them from behind). The Orientals are by FAR the worst, followed by Indians, Middle Easterners, Mexicans, Nigerians (the cab-drivers are second only to the Orientals), and probably Brits (perhaps due to the use of treacle in their gas tanks). American advice for all of these people, in the spirit of adjusting to life here: Either speed up or get out of the way! We thank you for your attention and compliance, si man.

That's the Americans, you American! Especially the old Americans. Sheesh. Drives me bonkers.

[*julez* 124]

I miss being able to walk to the park, or the shops, or the lake. Everywhere you go, here, you have to drive. That makes me sad.

That's why we bought our house in a "walkable village". There is so much nearby for us to walk to and its great for us and the kids. Sadly, most of the US is not built that way, but we've been seeing a bit of a trend in WNY to promote walkable villages. They have really surged in popularity. Though I have further to drive to work, its worth it to live in an area where we can do things in our down time.

You should move here Krikit! Then you'd be closer to your beloved Canada (and me!! ). Not to mention Wegmans!!!

[Krikit 1,164]

I miss being able to walk to the park, or the shops, or the lake. Everywhere you go, here, you have to drive. That makes me sad.

That's why we bought our house in a "walkable village". There is so much nearby for us to walk to and its great for us and the kids. Sadly, most of the US is not built that way, but we've been seeing a bit of a trend in WNY to promote walkable villages. They have really surged in popularity. Though I have further to drive to work, its worth it to live in an area where we can do things in our down time.

You should move here Krikit! Then you'd be closer to your beloved Canada (and me!! ). Not to mention Wegmans!!!

I'm working on it, Julez, I'm working on it! I would looooooooove to be able to live in that area. Except for the cold, though. I wouldn't love that. But I would love the snow. Unfortunately, snow only comes in cold. But it's still nice, though.

[TBoneTX 45,267]

That's the Americans, you American! Especially the old Americans. Sheesh. Drives me bonkers.

Well, partially so, si perhaps man. It should be an automatic jail-felony for all individuals in any of these groups to be found driving in the left lane:

1. The handicapped.

B. Anyone on a cell phone.

iii. Anyone in a vehicle that has more than four tires.

d. Anyone in a Ford Econoline van.

5. Anyone older than the posted speed limit.

VI. Any immigrant -- especially Orientals.

I, the American Yanqui, have expostulated, si man.

[Jeraly 4]

That's the Americans, you American! Especially the old Americans. Sheesh. Drives me bonkers.

Well, partially so, si perhaps man. It should be an automatic jail-felony for all individuals in any of these groups to be found driving in the left lane:

1. The handicapped.

B. Anyone on a cell phone.

iii. Anyone in a vehicle that has more than four tires.

d. Anyone in a Ford Econoline van.

5. Anyone older than the posted speed limit.

VI. Any immigrant -- especially Orientals.

I, the American Yanqui, have expostulated, si man.

Guilty as charged... and not only that but we end up going faster than the other traffic as well!! Of course, we burn through gas like it is going out of fashion but that's why we are looking to buy a car!

[StillThePrettiest 3]

oh Krikit, I feel the same way as you about the walking... for over a year, I had two part-time jobs in London, which were BOTH walkable from my house, each through a different neighbourhood (and a different park)... I walked for about an hour every day (not counting any other walking I did, which was a bit) and probably covered about fifteen miles a week

now I'm lucky if I walk to the letterbox and back

and while it's fun to watch DVDs while I'm doing some exercise on the stepper, it's just not the same as getting out of the tube at Holborn so I can walk through some of my favourite streets up to Covent Garden, or seeing London Fields in all seasons and all weathers and all lights...

*getting maudlin*

I can't wait to move back to Europe

I just hope someone will take us

in other news - I have worked out why all the food here is so much cheaper than elsewhere - because it's all #######

I just got a can of Campbell's tom-AHHH-to soup out of the pantry (I'm making minestrone tonight) and when I looked at the ingredients, what do you think I saw?

yes - THE EVIL :angry:

I can't wait to move back to Europe &c &c

[Jeraly 4]

Hehehehe - I made minestrone and used canned tomatoes and broth instead of tomato soup and it worked well - at least Jeremy liked it I had to substitute in a few things we didn't have but it tasted good

I hear you on the walking thing as well - I can walk to a few places but tbh I am so not a window shopper so that's out and sitting in the park in 100+ isn't all that great either... of course now it is cooling down maybe we will have some picnics and things outside but otherwise... I just can't wait until I have a job and can cycle there and back each day

[StillThePrettiest 3]

what did you have to substitute? were you out of gallon drums of The Evil, and have to add it by the ladle?

it's a law, you know... EVERYTHING has to be at least 10% The Evil, or it can't be sold

[English Muffin 59]

I think THE EVIL is in everything here.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I'm assuming the evil is HFCS - I refuse to buy products with it, so it's possible (but not easy) to avoid it. Though sometimes I slip. There's some good websites that list HFCS-free products. Here's one of them:

http://www.stophfcs.com/list.html

[StillThePrettiest 3]

yes, The Evil (don't forget the capitals ) is HFCS... it's in EVERYTHING

no wonder people are getting used to everything being sweet...

thanks for the link