Countdown

[Big Papa Zone 93]

question, why do airports LOVE to sell sam adams? i dont know very many people who drink this beer on a regular basis in normal life?

I know!! I drink it ONLY when I'm in airports!!! Weird.

[Barry and Jackie 0]

super! at the very least, your delays were AFTER the big stuff had already gone smoothly.

question, why do airports LOVE to sell sam adams? i dont know very many people who drink this beer on a regular basis in normal life? i think its a boston-ish/new england (mini-mega) brewery, but i live in new england and we dont really drink it.

cheese fries + transatlantic flight + possible hangover complications = good decision.

: D thanks for the upate!

That is so true about sam adams, wierd never even gve it a second thought until you mentioned it! I also came across goose Island, honkers ale I think, when going through Chicago Airport. I have never come across it since though.

I swear blind that US ale is a hell of a lot more gaseous than the British/European stuff, my gut just does not seem to get along quite so well with the stuff. Its missing its usual stuff. They are crazy about Newcastle Brown here too!

Damian, good to hear everything went nearly, completely hassle free.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

Is that the reason ........god and I thought you had been kicked off the plane for being drunk......

You never called you A H

See you in Dallas for the road trip to see Nich

x

[dillon 6]

Alrighty, morning all!!

Firstly, thank you all for your kind words - you're a good bunch. Now then, a summary of the days events:

I travelled down from Brum the night before and stayed at the Heathrow Central Travelodge, just to make sure there were no f**k ups at the London end. Checked in no problem, left the airport to go to a branch of my bank to electronically transfer my cash over here, back to the airport, ####### on plane, no problemo. So far, so good. And then things got even better at the POE.

I entered at Minneapolis/St Paul, and there was a dedicated line for new immigrants (I know a lot of people have asked whether or not you go through the USC line or the visitors line. Well, MSP has a dedicated, clearly marked line just for us!) I handed the officer my passport and brown envelope (you know, the "must not touch at any costs" one, which only contains the boring ####### you've already sent the embassy) and he asked me when we were getting married (I said "dunno - April sometime"), then asked me if I was familiar with the whole AOS procedure that follows the wedding. With a knowing smile, I informed him that I was VERY familiar with said procedure. He seemed thankful that he didn't have to go through it all with me, welcomed me to America, and sent me on my way. I was with the guy for no more than 5 minutes - that easy.

I then proceeded to customs, who waved me straight through without so much as a "by your leave" - marvelous. And then things started to go wrong. You see, on this trip, I'd brought something with me that I didn't normally bring - my Dean, Dimebag Darrell tribute guitar. And because I didn't normally bring it with me, I totally forgot to pick the damn thing off the baggage reclaim belt. As you know, once you've cleared customs, there is absolutely no entry back into the baggage reclaim area, so I had to rather sheepishly ask one of the TSA staff if she wouldn't mind retrieving it for me. She gave me a look that said "idiot" (quite rightly) and escorted me back to the baggage reclaim belt, where I duly retrieved the guitar. Now then, because I'd come back in to an area I shouldn't have, I had to go to the "9 extra questions" area of customs (the ones about meat, fruit, insects etc). After I answered in the negative on each occasion, he asked me what flight I'd come in on. I told him I'd been on NW103 from London. He paused, and then asked me the weirdest question I've ever been asked: "did you bring any haggis?" Erm...........#######!!??? I came from London, mate, not Glasgow!!!!

After I was eventually admitted (again) I re-checked my bags onto the St Louis flight, and proceded to marvel at the vast array of bars and restaurants they have at MSP. I bought myself a typically American dish of Philly cheese steak and gourmet fries (chips smothered in cheese and bacon bits ), washed it down with a Sam Adams or two, and made my way to the gate for my connecting flight. And that's when the ###### delays began . Apparently, our plane was delayed in Chicago (I hate that bloody airport - delay central) and so I didn't get on the plane until 2 hours after it was supposed to leave. I realy didn't need that after a trans-Atlantic flgiht. And 'er indoors and young'un, who were patiently waiting for me at Lambert, didn't need it either!! We didn't get home until 1am, ffs.

Anyway, delays aside, it was the most stress free POE experience you could wish for. I'd highly recommend MSP as a POE (dedicated new immigrant line and all that). And there you have it.

Now on to AOS - AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Welcome to St Louis!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Is that the reason ........god and I thought you had been kicked off the plane for being drunk......

You never called you A H

See you in Dallas for the road trip to see Nich

x

Yeah, sorry mate, but I was just too strung out to call. Am totally up for the road trip

Welcome to St Louis!

Thanks, mate.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Is that the reason ........god and I thought you had been kicked off the plane for being drunk......

See you in Dallas for the road trip to see Nich

x

Yeah, sorry mate, but I was just too strung out to call. Am totally up for the road trip

Note to self: Start stocking up on mucho cases of beer....Redecorate one bedroom in DOLPHIN theme.... (inside joke)

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Note to self: Start stocking up on mucho cases of beer....Redecorate one bedroom in DOLPHIN theme.... (inside joke)

Yeah, ya gotta pander to those dolphin molesters!

[mr and mrs 187]

you know what would have been a perfect pairing for that sam adams? a nice hot bowl of all-american cheeseburger soup.

WHAT?

came across a recipe for it in a magazine at the gym today. i think im going to tell my boyfriend that its a traditional welcome meal in the northeast. : D

photographic evidence:

[wifetobe 2]

Nice one Mr P!!! I'm glad you made it nicely and safely to the other side of the pond.. The POE sounded like heaps of fun except going back for a further questioning you plonker at least you got your guitar and now we can do our AOS together. Let me know when you're ready.....

[Stinky Monkey 1]

I AM NO A MOLESTER IF I WAS I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD NO TRACE ON MY POLICE RECORD SO THERE DAYMO AND NICH

[mr and mrs 187]

we've had a quick turnaround since the jamie's interview approval. i pushed for him to come asap because i really wanted him here for my birthday (which is on the 10th. shaz, is that your travel date? i think it might be.) and i also think may 5th sounds like a nice day to get married.

so, today my countdown is at 3 days.

i posted this countdown at work (since i am always rabbiting on about jamie and they have to put up with me):

(and here's the one from a couple of years ago, because he's so nice looking and i spent a long time coloring in the flag):

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

A wedding on Cinco de Mayo. Nice! Something to Google if you're not familiar.

So....that looks like two different guys. One with very dark hair and glasses and one with light brown hair and no glasses. Do you have two fiances?

Edited April 26, 2009 by Nich-Nick

[mr and mrs 187]

ooh. hadnt thought of that. i am a BIG fan of the margarita (not any frozen, wimpy stuff). although mexican food and drink are an embarrassment here in the queen city (did you know that was burlington's nick-name?). BUT, i am now remembering that on my last trip to the uk, i purchased a miniature cocktail shaker at the poundstore! i love it! so i could whip up a (small but high-test) batch of maragritas to celebrate. i think celebrating with alcohol is an essential part of any good time. : p

i have just the one fiance. he has many looks according to the length of his hair. sometimes he looks beatle-esque, sometimes he looks as though he might be heading off to boot camp soon. he always looks nice though, i think because he is a genuinely nice person. he doesnt even get zits/spots. i do, probably i get one everytime i think a nasty thought.

aside: i tried on the dress ive decided to wear on the day. i bought it this winter at a cancer research charity shop in macclesfield. it cost £8 and its gauzy and grey and knee-length. i am wishing that my boobs were about one size smaller, but i may just have to have a lot of cleavage that day. trying it on is about as near to 'wedding planning' as i have gotten. : )

</chatterbox>

im avoiding doing my chores.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

We are flying out on the 11th so 2 weeks today, cant wait for Todd to get here on Saturday so he can give me a slap and calm me down a bit, just hope he does not bring a lot of luggage as I want most of his luggage allowance hahah

Good luck with the wedding Mr and Mrs, lets hope there are no probs with flying due to the Swine Flu

At least you have sorted out what you are wearing think I might get a new pair of jeans for the occasion LOL

[pothergavel 0]

Flying out 4th June, married 11th June. Anyone free in Vegas that weekend?!