tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-103325802011-05-18T21:41:11.632-05:00The Observations of a Brit-out-of-water in Middle America.britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.comBlogger1101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-39076824104390822632011-05-18T21:41:00.001-05:002011-05-18T21:41:11.684-05:00

Baby Girl Monogram Birth AnnouncementDesign your birth announcements with Shutterfly.View the entire collection of cards.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-45417153060864378172009-12-06T11:54:00.001-06:002009-12-06T11:54:34.954-06:00

Super awesome aluminum tree. I feel so Betty Draper!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-54591036727447273362009-04-21T12:23:00.002-05:002009-04-21T12:44:36.691-05:00

Running along the harbour path in San Diego has reminded of how much I miss running alongside water. There's something just very peaceful about it. I'm not fussy though, lakes, rivers and the sea work equally well...

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-35245860516633910502009-04-21T12:11:00.002-05:002009-04-21T12:17:44.985-05:00

An afternoon breather away from the conference and the city. Is there anything more calming than a body of water?

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-64988630723713447882009-04-21T10:01:00.001-05:002009-04-21T10:01:43.662-05:00

Is it just me, or is there nothing more lonely than a beautiful sunset and no one to share it with?

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-29756254396320917572008-10-26T17:45:00.004-05:002008-10-26T18:39:44.810-05:00

No matter what the context, shirtless men whipping each other is gay, gay, gay.Annual elevator inspections are important.Don't allow your employees to bring their pet rats to work.Pest control is important, don't leave dead bodies just lying around or you will get rats.Affordable health care is a necessity, otherwise people are forced to go to Haiti for surgery and get turned into

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-1257132095318689172008-10-15T11:02:00.003-05:002008-10-15T11:11:10.604-05:00

I don't eat much chocolate, or at least not in the giant chocolate bar kind of form and if I do occasionally fancy something it's usually a packet of M&Ms or even more rarely a Snickers both of which are the same as their UK counterparts. This may in part explain the vast delay in realising bizarre differences in naming of their chocolate bars by the Mars corporation...Snickers (UK) = Snickers (

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-2091100541337866122008-08-02T08:42:00.006-05:002008-08-11T20:57:40.755-05:00

The view from my morning run along the lakefront path of Lake Michigan in Chicago. It was perfect running weather and clearly the whole of Chicago thought so too. In fact I'd be entirely unsurprised to hear that business and industry ground to a halt due to everyone being out on the lakefront enjoying the beautiful Summer morning.To the right I have added the route, I'm sure this satellite image

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-50858668940352787852008-07-15T11:09:00.000-05:002008-07-15T11:13:32.139-05:00

"Dude, I didn't even know this was an option!"

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-43492441227873684992008-06-17T16:47:00.003-05:002008-06-18T17:50:57.479-05:00

I hear the rain a comin'It's rollin' 'round the bend,And I ain't seen the sunshine,Since, I don't know when,I'm stuck with Gary England,And time keeps draggin' on,But that rain keeps a-rollin',On down to Lexington.When I was just a baby,My Mama told me, "Son,Always be a good boy,Just keep Gary England on,"But I stepped out on my front porch,Just to watch the sky,When I hear that siren soundin',I

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-82257563027849280942008-06-02T08:32:00.001-05:002008-06-02T08:32:43.018-05:00

"Why didn't you fix the bathroom up like this before?" The bathroom renovations meet with Iggy's exacting standards.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-27688511760460764712008-05-20T12:08:00.002-05:002008-05-20T12:16:05.136-05:00

So the next phase of the project is to fix the sash window as one of the cords had broken and I'll be damned if I'm going to paint the window frame and walls and make it all pretty only to have to remove the window frame and damage the paintwork to make the window functional. To do this I had to remove the sash window itself and open up the frame in order to get to the weight mechanism inside.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-7417657510984661562008-05-14T10:33:00.001-05:002008-05-14T10:42:03.055-05:00

For those of you following my bathroom renovation saga, the sink (and floor and wall tiles) is finally installed. It's been very trying not least because I don't have access to my dad's huge pool of tools and also because Americans call tools and materials different things so it's been a linguistic as well as practical application experience.On top of that Iggy was not entirely sure about this

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-77177102739857109982008-03-29T10:03:00.001-05:002008-03-29T10:03:08.975-05:00

Well, this was a great way to launch back into running. A little jaunt around the southern end of Central Park with hundreds of other runners. I don't see this many people running in Oklahoma unless it's a race and even then only at the big races. It was a weird sensation.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-6258238839808448442008-03-27T16:24:00.001-05:002008-03-27T16:24:26.495-05:00

Start spreading the news...

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-26440198813652416462008-02-18T15:03:00.005-06:002008-02-18T15:30:55.653-06:00

...Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet Just a girl and her will to survive… I am the girl in the class with the gym bag.I am the girl with wet hair straight from the gym.I am the girl who never takes the lift.I am the girl who can’t make appointments earlier than noon on a Sunday,As I have to run. I am not the girl who looks down on others for not going to the gym.I am not

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-26250127096084874662008-02-13T16:31:00.012-06:002008-02-13T17:25:32.116-06:00

This is Iggy. Many people that come to visit us may come to wonder whether or not we actually have two cats. Rufus is all up in your face begging for love and attention and this ellusive cat called Iggy is nowhere to be seen. Well rest assured people, I have photographic proof, and not just your bog standard here-is-my-cat-asleep proof but Iggy being the cheeky monkey that you never get to see

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-21459706156142479692008-01-31T12:41:00.001-06:002008-01-31T12:41:36.331-06:00

Sadie is not entirely sure about all this...

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-74619192311006998262008-01-31T11:57:00.000-06:002008-01-31T11:59:39.750-06:00

Yay! This is exactly the weather I love to cycle to evening classes in... At least it's stopped hailing!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-67945654316613608372007-12-20T12:14:00.001-06:002008-02-14T12:15:13.895-06:00

Thanks to everyone that sponsored me doing the British Heart Foundation Santa Jog this Christmas. I managed to raise just under £100 and got mud in my beard in the process. It turns out that there is nothing more entertaining than 400+ santas doing aerobic warm-ups in a park.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-6460143094256789512007-12-07T09:35:00.000-06:002007-12-07T09:37:46.428-06:00

Today is the day. I'm really very mostly packed and really very mostly nervous and excited. So many hours sitting still may just drive me crazy though...Amanda was right! Antlers for Olive the Other Reindeer. Yay!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-89355876620474461782007-12-06T09:29:00.000-06:002007-12-07T09:35:44.980-06:00

I am nearly packed. Sort of, maybe...Nooooo Rufus! Don't eat the snowman holding Olive. He keeps knocking people into the bin, little monkey.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-59185468228666870552007-12-05T18:43:00.000-06:002007-12-05T18:46:58.886-06:00

Still unsure as to what else could be lurking behind these remaining few doors...SANTA! And I was sure he'd be last. He's got to check his list twice first though I suppose.I wonder what I'll get tomorrow!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-46071496783133009442007-12-04T18:38:00.000-06:002007-12-05T18:46:14.893-06:00

Day 22, I am beginning to wonder what there is left to add to my little scene. Amanda and I have conferred and we are quite sure that Santa will be day 25 although she did also suggest Olive's reindeer antlers though I'm not sure how those would work. I am also beginning to be a little bit sad that I wont get to enjoy this once all the pieces are out as I'll be off to lands afar. So, anyway, what

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-42765127550361721362007-12-04T15:12:00.000-06:002007-12-04T15:18:39.141-06:00

I made this delightful item at We Hate Sheep, We Love Holiday Sweaters. I think maybe I should have hit the unravel button at some point... I might have to chart this thing out and knit myself a real life version!*Sweater used rather than jumper as I've never seen quite the same level of old lady Christmas Joy in sequin applique and intarsia insanity in England.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-46595941014317658392007-12-03T22:48:00.000-06:002007-12-03T22:51:33.273-06:00

It's Monday. It's Monday now and I leave on Friday and arrive on Saturday and if that weren't excitement enough I get to run 3 miles in a Santa suit on Sunday. What could be better?!And I thought it was gearing up yesterday! Today there's an elf tethering one of the reindeer to the sleigh. Quick Comet, put down that cup of coffee and stop being so nonchalant, it's time to get cracking!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-72493587529330682732007-12-02T22:44:00.000-06:002007-12-03T22:48:33.835-06:00

Dagnammit, 5 days to go. I must think about getting my suitcase out.Wow. Things are really gearing up at Santa's castle. I was initially confused by this strange item but Amanda informed me that it is a starry lamppost with speakers for The Cookie Parade. I am a fool. Clearly.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-82893499906810798532007-12-01T22:37:00.000-06:002007-12-03T22:44:21.327-06:00

Day 19, what on Earth will the clever makers of the Olive the Other Reindeer Advent Calendar think to put behind the door today?!!Okay, this is a little bit weird, verging on the bizarre. It appears to be a gingerbreadman taking a photo. I put him taking a photo of Olive and Percy but frankly I think he's odd. Sorry Mr. Gingerbreadman but there's something not right about photographer gingerbread

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-9091953910821428042007-11-30T14:44:00.000-06:002007-12-03T14:49:40.109-06:00

The 18th!!! Already?! But I'm not ready yet. I haven't packed or finished getting presents or anything! Arrrrrrrrrrgh!Nelson the Naughty Penguin is AWOL. He was possibly eaten by Iggy the constantly hungry or Rufus the Ruthless. We're not sure. This little penguin is forming a search party and it off on a rescue mission. According to Amanda he is on an icycle.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-78532187042590184822007-11-29T20:10:00.000-06:002007-12-03T14:43:16.640-06:00

Just a week to go now and not only am I brimming with excitement but the pressure's really on to finish my Christmas shopping, oh, and pack!Behind the door today was yet another penguin. He's building a snowpenguin but Amanda reckons he's only feigning playing nice and is in fact a cohort of Nelson the Naughty Penguin's. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt but he must continue to

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-74527982655757408152007-11-28T21:11:00.000-06:002007-11-28T22:15:38.383-06:00

Day 16 of the countdown. 9 days to go until take-off. I really ought to make sure I have some clean clothes and some fun airplane/airport activities.Today behind the door was another Elf. I put him in with the other Elf in the toyshop. It's getting rather hectic in Santa's Castle so it's all hands on deck to prepare!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-41765405363141144742007-11-27T17:58:00.000-06:002007-11-27T20:48:35.652-06:00

YAY!!! Day 15 which can only mean just 10 days until I fly which is THE most exciting thing ever. I wonder if London will still look the same and whether I'll remember how to use the ticket machines on the tube....Behind this door was another reindeer drinking a cup of coffee. You've got to perk up and be alert to be useful to Santa. The stables are getting rather full now that they're each

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-13174970943348952902007-11-26T17:54:00.000-06:002007-11-28T08:19:35.939-06:00

So day 14 soon I shall be in single fingers on the countdown ticker and figures with a 2 at the start on the advent calendar. Such fun! Maybe I ought to think about packing... Any requests?Behind this door I had an elf. But this one was running. Clearly Nelson was after him so I put them together. What a naughty boy Nelson is. No presents for that one.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-64166531910544581072007-11-25T17:01:00.000-06:002007-11-27T18:27:20.389-06:00

13. Unlucky for some...Not unlucky for me, or for Santa. It's a helpful Elf. I've put him in the workshop with the bag of toys so that he can be working on the finishing touches.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-61920474703771071832007-11-24T16:53:00.000-06:002007-11-27T17:00:54.286-06:00

Day 12. What if I can't wait? What if I explode with excitement?!What will we have today? Will it be an animal or a person or an object?A tree!! Firmly in the object category though a living one. At least once upon a time. I wonder if it's planted or in a pot or cut and standing in water... I hope Nelson doesn't start throwing snowballs at this, he could displace the star....

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-7393230454839519812007-11-23T16:33:00.000-06:002007-11-24T16:38:29.170-06:00

So, today is day 11 and it's really gearing up for Christmas at Santa's Castle and gearing up for departure to London for me! I wonder what we'll find behind this door to aid the Christmas preparations.Ooooh...TOYS!! Awesome. Now we're really on our way to being ready for the Christmas Eve off. The instructions on the door told me to put them in the workshop so there they are, awaiting further

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-63705499256276711652007-11-22T10:16:00.000-06:002007-11-23T10:24:49.042-06:00

Day 10. Now we're into double figures. I wonder what we'll find today... Percy is still misbehaving but I think we'll just have to banish him to the shed where he can happily throw snowballs at the walls.It's Santa's sleigh! This one is tough to see in the photo but it's sitting ready to go on top of the Helipad. I think maybe this was just a practice and then it will have to go back to the

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-78922101156936099052007-11-21T18:31:00.000-06:002007-11-21T18:39:48.910-06:00

Day 9! Soon it will be single digits! Well sort of soon. Will I be able to contain myself?!Nelson the Naughty Penguin is continuing to be naughty. He is throwing one of those hissy fits and shouted at Mrs Claus that he "didn't want any of your stinking biscuits anyway!!" Can you imagine that?! Shouting such a thing at Mrs Claus and about her super awesome cookies for the Cookie Parade. Silly,

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-90372015238892976072007-11-20T21:07:00.001-06:002007-11-20T21:11:09.285-06:00

So today is day 8 of the countdown and I really, really hope that something can done about Nelson the Naughty Penguin he's really running amok around Santa's Castle and it's a sorry, sorry tale for sure. Hooray!!! Mrs Claus to save the day!! She wont stand for Nelson's Nonsense. She'll withold those yummy cookies she has on that tray until he proves he can behave!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-7479593914581018112007-11-19T21:00:00.000-06:002007-11-20T21:06:54.094-06:00

So, seven eh? Lucky for some. I wonder if it will be lucky for poor Olive and Percy who are still suffering a barrage of snowballs from Nelson the Naughty Penguin...Aw...it's a Birdigloo which is like a birdhouse only much colder. Not much use against Nelson but awfully cute perched atop of the reindeer stable.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-21509974366517063902007-11-18T21:03:00.000-06:002007-11-18T21:10:38.485-06:00

How about today, will someone finally arrive on the scene that can thwart Nelson the Naughty Penguin's naughtiness?No!!! Dagnammit. It's a bloomin' lamppost. It's a Nelson enabler. Now he can be naughty late into the night. Silly town planners! Poor terrorised Olive and Percy.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-86770505969480804572007-11-17T20:07:00.000-06:002007-11-17T20:15:52.302-06:00

So, day 5. Soon the countdown ticker will be into days starting with a 1 which is very exciting indeed. What will we find behind the door today?! Will it perhaps be someone to tame Nelson the Naughty Penguin or will he continue to run amok?!Ooooh a reindeer! The instructions on the door said I had to put him the stable (lift the roof!) so he's no use against Nelson the Naughty Penguin at all. Oh

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-66020827693580862862007-11-16T20:03:00.000-06:002007-11-17T08:32:41.748-06:00

So here we are - day four of the countdown already. Such excitement!! Opening the next door is almost as exciting as the prospect of being in London itself....well, almost...Today we have another penguin. We'll call him Nelson the Very Naughty Penguin. Straight out from behind his cardboard door and what does he do? Head straight for Olive and her friend Percy the Very Pleasant Penguin who are

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-30807264111024505152007-11-15T19:24:00.000-06:002007-11-17T08:32:26.379-06:00

So now it's day three and I am wondering whether I will be able to keep up my witty Advent commentary for 25 days but I will try my best.Today behind the square window we have a mousie. I put her so that she's hanging out with the rats round the back of the workshop. She's a bit disdainful. They are slightly grubby and do not have cute pink outfits.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-18525565282189603952007-11-14T18:24:00.000-06:002007-11-17T08:32:00.580-06:00

Today was day 2 of my Christmas Countdown Advent fun. What would be behind the door today? What friend for Olive would I find hiding behind the snowflake decorated cardboard? YAY!! A penguin for Olive to play with. There they are hanging out by the Reindeer Stables having a cozy chat. They are the best of friends already. Rufus still hasn't eaten them. He is more interested in my knitting.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-19002426540480333722007-11-13T15:10:00.002-06:002007-11-17T08:31:47.608-06:00

SPOILER Alert. If you have the "Olive the Other Reindeer" Advent Calendar at home you might not want to peek at my blog as I'm starting to open my doors now...Such excitement as I approach the first door of the advent calendar. What will I find behind the door. Which character will I get to add to my little village first? Will Rufus try to eat whatever's behind the door...YAY!!! It's Olive. She's

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-32402247917104202592007-11-13T10:02:00.000-06:002007-11-17T08:31:24.597-06:00

So, as usual I'm freaking out with joy about Christmas and this year I'm freaking out with even more joy because I get to go to London and do the whole Christmas with the Vargas' thing which is like Christmas nowhere else on Earth. So much was I freaking out with joy that I nearly forgot that I would have Advent Calendar troubles what with leaving on the 7th. What is a girl to do? Bring her

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-38833753985258833442007-10-28T19:24:00.001-05:002007-10-28T19:24:33.827-05:00

Pumpkin carving fun: a very scary cat & a terrifying cyclops.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-42166183319596219422007-08-31T14:51:00.000-05:002007-08-31T14:52:03.523-05:00

Oklahoma City has chosen to honor some of it's most famous residents with an Alley. Not a road, not an avenue or a boulevard but an Alley.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-37009684824190041872007-08-07T13:53:00.001-05:002007-08-07T13:53:26.546-05:00

From the phone of Amanda: This is the "Volunteer String Band", an unlikely-looking but incredibly talented bluegrass group. We stumbled upon them on our first night in Nashville and deliberately returned the second night to enjoy their mix of traditional favorites and original genius such as "Ain't Going Back to Gatlinburg". On the second night we won a free CD for being the most enthusiastic

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-75767122196675926122007-08-06T12:03:00.001-05:002007-08-06T12:03:56.065-05:00

Amanda and I sitting at Elvis' piano in RCA Studio B in Nashville. The studio where he, along with many other musical greats including Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers recorded hit after hit. Awesome!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-30904337091415881062007-08-05T22:22:00.001-05:002007-08-05T23:18:44.197-05:00

Straight from the phone of Amanda: We got matching shoes and we don't even care because they're so darned cute!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-60934170738105131432007-08-05T18:06:00.001-05:002007-08-19T11:00:57.276-05:00

Chasing that rainbow all the way to Eastern Tennessee and Dollywood. The Dolly Parton Museum was worth the trip all by itself. Much fun was had by all.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-60584615792902187182007-08-03T18:46:00.001-05:002007-08-03T18:46:40.856-05:00

Straight from the phone of Amanda: The Unclaimed Baggage Resale Center in Scottsboro, Alabama was a joy and truly worth the drive. So many bargains and exciting treats people have sadly lost for us to gleefully find. I felt sorry for the brides and cheerleaders whose lovely days were spoiled, but man do I love my new shoes! They even had a museum of exciting finds, including Hoggle, the Jim

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-35802288954984350182007-08-03T16:29:00.001-05:002007-08-03T16:29:42.164-05:00

From the phone of Amanda: This is the terrifying assortment of stickers available at the gas station along the Alabama highway. I can't decide which I like best!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-72753291786888543752007-08-03T11:59:00.001-05:002007-08-04T07:39:21.317-05:00

Just over the border in Alabama. Making good time. There's hope we'll make it to the Unclaimed Baggage Center after all.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-8927418151676688862007-08-03T08:53:00.001-05:002007-08-03T08:53:08.420-05:00

I have been pants, but I'll try to be good henceforth. We've just crossed from Louisiana to Mississippi and we're angling up towards Alabama. We've seen the space station, swam off the Gulf Coast, seen alligators, plantations, heard much jazz and eaten our weight in great food. I'll bring the whole shebang up to date with more words and pictures when we get some wi-fi access.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-64819533298310185332007-07-04T19:53:00.001-05:002007-07-04T19:53:49.318-05:00

There was neither guts, nor glory. It was probably for the best.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-61270003966092795752007-07-04T19:28:00.000-05:002007-11-17T08:30:56.460-06:00

Don't tell.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-11248744446579461232007-07-04T16:32:00.001-05:002007-07-04T16:32:14.803-05:00

Knowing that they would have some British guests the Clays endeavoured to make us feel at home through the choice of target for the potato cannon.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-3810744994865972562007-07-04T14:45:00.001-05:002007-07-04T14:45:54.036-05:00

Your money or your beer. Either way really.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-6328574538287019212007-07-04T14:22:00.001-05:002007-07-04T14:22:23.225-05:00

The British are coming.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-45354605263234517972007-07-01T16:12:00.001-05:002007-07-01T17:04:36.771-05:00

...Yes, that is a duck...It has been raining. A lot. For days actually, so many that some record for the most days of rain in a row set in the 1930s was broken.Normally I quite like rain. I like to run in it and then come home and change into nice warm, dry clothes. I like donning wellies and sploshing about or being smug under an umbrella while trying not to poke anyone's eye out. I don't, as it

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-88062635220440723962007-06-24T15:00:00.001-05:002007-07-01T17:04:51.491-05:00

I am proud all the way up from my toes! Happy Pride.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-17131097826711057842007-04-30T08:51:00.000-05:002007-07-01T17:05:38.603-05:00

So I did it, I finished the marathon. It took me longer than I had hoped but the weather and my hips were conspiring against me so it's not bad considering.The race started out well. I stuck with the 4:45 group until the first water table where I lost them. Retrospectively I probably should have actually signed up to run with this group or at least tried harder to stick with them rather than

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-32702643896904447712007-04-29T16:01:00.000-05:002007-04-30T10:20:55.901-05:00

Summary number of finishers:1255 number of females:545 number of males:710 average time:04:39:25 overall place: 901 out of 1281 division place: 62 out of 101 time: 5:00:40

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-30901676150791605912007-04-29T15:38:00.001-05:002007-04-30T08:48:59.473-05:00

Sprint finish! I realized I'd really have to pull my finger out to make sub-5 hours and just made it. I'd hoped for a little faster but my hips weren't playing ball from miles 10ish onwards. The 27°C temp didn't help much either.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-52030432863565958262007-04-29T15:33:00.001-05:002007-04-30T08:48:59.473-05:00

I actually wanted to die at this point. Even the mind games that there's only a little 5k left did me no good.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-8391034397049793422007-04-29T08:08:00.001-05:002007-04-30T08:48:59.474-05:00

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-47826527613472713612007-04-28T13:50:00.001-05:002007-04-28T19:26:51.145-05:00

I'm at the Expo and have my number. I suppose there really is no going back now.------------UPDATEOK. So I'm back from the Expo, trying to drink water, eat things with salt in, rest my legs and generally take things easy.It was an exciting day, I had to pick up my number and the chip for my shoe so that I can know the exact time it took me between crossing the start and finish line. Then we

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-45095917778210486632007-04-21T08:08:00.000-05:002007-04-21T08:25:34.501-05:00

8 days to go?! Dagnammit that ticker at the top of this page is making me nervous!Right now I have two concerns:1) My hip has a dull ache2) The weatherFortunately I think that issue #1 might go away with a strict regime of yoga and the reduced mileage that my taper has me doing anyway. Tomorrow is nice easy 10 miler (whoever thought that those words would come out of my fingers?!) and my schedule

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-11902769691278318942007-04-01T16:48:00.000-05:002007-04-30T08:49:17.670-05:00

Will add more to this post later but I have to go and sit down with my legs on a bag of ice. This is the satellite image from my GPS of my run today with the OKC Landrunners along the marathon course in Oklahoma City just to prove I did it. This is my last really long run before the big day and was tough but doable. I just hope my legs can carry me that last 6 miles on the day!!------------------

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-58577273148630736162007-03-30T18:41:00.001-05:002007-04-30T08:49:28.919-05:00

The sirens are going and I'm wearing a winter coat and crouching in a closet. Oh the fun.------------------------------------------------UPDATE:10 minutes later - all is well and I have left the closet. The rotationy part of the storm has moved up to Moore, presumably attracted by all the trailer homes.Note: Yay! The mobile blogging is working again. Hopefully this will continue for Marathon Day

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-31408324467358759822007-03-26T11:22:00.000-05:002007-03-26T17:22:12.542-05:00

Amanda and I have finally found a way of watching British TV. We had for too long been subjected to the complete tosh that BBC America tries to force upon the American public and British ex-pats alike. But enough is enough and UKNova has come to the rescue. I actually can't say thank you enough to the team of people in the UK who must just feel sorry for folks like me stuck without British TV and

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-24680421337221536952007-03-26T10:36:00.000-05:002007-03-26T15:06:51.913-05:00

The OU women are out of the basketball tournament. We made it to the Sweet 16 but the Elite 8 was apparently not to be. And I was all ready to cheer and be proud in a pub, with beer and possibly nachos. Oh well, there's always next year...On Sunday morning, while the Sooner women were preparing to lose, I managed a second 18 miler. I was so panicked after last week's 6 mile-long sensation of

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-43635016843018975372007-03-22T08:06:00.000-05:002007-03-22T08:57:06.932-05:00

Our girls have made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Basketball tournament. I think this means they're one of the 16 best in the country but frankly I'm new to this whole sports watching thing and championships and league tables confuse me. They're winning a lot though so that has to be good, I may even have to go and watch their next game somewhere with beer. It seems that this is the most widely

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-41787953913775838622007-03-11T06:29:00.000-05:002007-03-11T09:16:56.829-05:00

This morning I have been thwarted in my attempt at an 18 miler. Stupid Oklahoma weather, it has been a constant battle for me while I've been training; the ice, the wind and now a giant all-day (possibly two-day) thunderstorm. Part of me wants to wait until it dies down and then step out, but on a 3h+ run I could wind up more than an hour and a half away from the house if it comes back and with

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-73231171640716579212007-02-23T11:18:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:44.206-05:00

I am apparently rubbish at maintaining a consistent blogging presence. I've been busy; term started and I had to do silly things like homework and reading and I'm now 64 days away from my marathon and running silly amounts.The weather has not been cooperating with my marathon efforts, there was ice and snow and wind. Oh the wind! I like to think of it as resistance training but I wish that it

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-42887440702787030372007-01-12T12:58:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:21.047-05:00

So Ice Storm number two of my stay in Oklahoma is coming. Actually it's here and it's not going anywhere. The last Ice Storm lasted a day and took more than a week to melt. This one is predicted to last possibly until Monday. Goodness only knows how long this will take to melt. It is hailing fairly hard and has been hailing since about 9 this morning. Although the roads are only just now cold

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-62910093555624350632007-01-09T10:22:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:51:20.861-05:00

I am a woman on a mission. May is nearing and May is Eurovision time, unfortunately for me Eurovision isn't shown on TV in America, not even on BBC America (which, by the way, shows nothing but Cash in the Attic, Benny Hill and Whose Line is it Anyway?). I could watch it online through my laptop but what's the liklihood of that working as it should and not crashing half-way through Bosnia's piece

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-64635922330501103582007-01-04T10:46:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:44.207-05:00

Since all the snow excitement there hasn't been much else to say, Christmas came and went and the New Year was ushered in with a tiny pop. On the 31st of December I finally took the plunge before the price went up and entered myself into the OKC Memorial Marathon. Time will tell whether or not this was a wise decision or not but on the 1st I duly began training in earnest. Fortunately this took

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-19516400567138936182006-12-01T12:43:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:21.048-05:00

Sights on the way to work.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-29118359944564186642006-12-01T10:12:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:21.048-05:00

The sun has come out but it's not going to be enough to melt the snow. I have to go to work at 1pm and I don't have any wellies. This is going to be interesting...

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-71441704519145611932006-11-30T17:37:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:00.440-05:00

We don't have a fire, but if we did, it would be delightful. It is cold and the furnaces are up full-blast. Tomorrow is looking to be a snow day too. I wonder how long our pantry will hold up to us being holed-up?

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-30201476797999576332006-11-30T08:08:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:21.049-05:00

Norman is shut down. There is no school. There is no university. Ice is falling from the sky and the meteorologists are very excited. Apparently the library never closes though so I could be called in. This seems daft though, it's cold outside.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-46996031221447638022006-11-19T18:09:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:44.207-05:00

I rocked Route 66. I got my kicks and I smashed my target of 2:20:40. Not by much, admittedly, but by enough to make me a very proud young lady. And look, here I am after the race still standing and still smiling!It went really well, it was a very cold but sunny start but as you can see from the picture it was sunny by the end. I positioned myself in with the 4:45 marathon pacers and I figured

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-8428128223179371952006-11-19T17:55:00.000-06:002006-11-19T18:05:54.010-06:00

Ok, so something went wrong with the clever blog plan. As you can see it was working until I actually tried to blog about something interesting but let me assure you that the photos were fabulous and very, very interesting. Maybe one day the blogosphere will be kind enough to let you see them. Maybe not. Who can tell? Anyway, fortunately we were not entirely reliant on the mobile blogging devices

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-3330684920665975342006-11-19T10:30:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:44.208-05:00

2h20m right on target

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-60044510648552181972006-11-19T07:07:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:44.209-05:00

It's cool but not too cold, a gorgeous morning. I'm so excited I can't stop going to the bathroom...

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-21656888787009619562006-11-19T06:29:00.000-06:002007-04-30T08:50:44.210-05:00

Nearly time to leave and stand in the street in cold, dark Tulsa.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-5932441823261858502006-11-19T06:05:00.000-06:002006-11-30T08:57:34.409-06:00

It's 6am and I've been up for about an hour and a half forcing down coffee and porridge. I'm showered and dressed and have administered vaseline to the possible chafe spots. Just an hour left to pace before I get in the corral...

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-14808048872096438552006-11-18T17:59:00.000-06:002006-11-30T08:51:42.030-06:00

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-11402092251868576472006-11-18T17:46:00.000-06:002006-11-30T08:35:16.857-06:00

We've arrived in Tulsa and I have my bib and chip - a magical thing that will automatically log my time. The chip is on the shoe and I'm ready to go. 14 hours to go though. How will I contain myself?

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-17670423208686722842006-11-18T12:11:00.000-06:002006-11-30T08:26:19.049-06:00

It's fuel. Honest.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-58741968538727426542006-11-18T09:26:00.000-06:002006-11-30T08:25:25.604-06:00

And we're off. 22h35m to the race, about 2h to Tulsa. Am I ready? I hope so!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-73177330532816678482006-11-18T08:08:00.001-06:002006-11-30T08:24:10.860-06:00

I have made a list and I'll be checking it twice. Mustn't forget the special dual-layer socks or electrolyte containing jellybeans! I've nearly packed ready for the off in the morning and could just burst with excitement!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-1163474388885822912006-11-13T21:19:00.000-06:002006-11-14T08:14:05.954-06:00

I have been doing dramatic readings in an old cow poke voice all evenin'. I also learnt a southern word for skewiff: 'cattywampus'. How awesome is that?! Cowboy up dudes and gals!

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-1163263492114745102006-11-11T10:38:00.001-06:002006-11-14T08:14:05.783-06:00

I just wanted to quickly note that I am now a blogger on the go. Through the power of joining the 21st century and having my very own mobile phone with a camera I can now send pictures and messages from anywhere I have reception. I can't wait until next Sunday. Mobile, instant race reports will be mine...

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-1163190390603928492006-11-10T14:26:00.000-06:002006-11-14T08:14:05.337-06:00

This is the level to which Sooner madness has gone on the OU campus. Every soap dispenser on campus comes with this tiny, but heartfelt exclamation.

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10332580.post-1162654530057095552006-11-04T08:49:00.000-06:002006-11-14T08:14:05.131-06:00

This must be a record but it's Saturday morning and I had to get up at 6 am (which I'm thinking there should be a law against) and even though it's 9 am now I don't seem to have found my brain enough to do anything very productive. So I thought I would blog some more...As I might have mentioned (once or twice) I've been running like a fiend. I have two weeks left to go until my half-marathon in

britoutofwaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673804015312211494noreply@blogger.com1