Cowboys

Ok before I go too further into explaining my torrid affair with America, let me tell you one thing that has really caught my attention. It's American football.

Now that I have played rugby I can definitely say that it's somewhat of a meak kind of sport. You get all that gear to protect you from the hits and it really seems not so much hard work...I know, I know...I understand that it might seem upsetting to some of my readers that I say this, but let me add something before you pick up the phone and shout down my ears some random profanity - rugby is nowhere near so much fun as a sport.

You see, American football is all about action, speed and entertainment. Some rugby games are just plain boring since the guys are on the field for 80 mins constantly and if they are not in shape, they are all puffed out within the first 20 mins...American Football keeps you to the edge of your seat in a way rugby sometime doesn't - it is not about stamina, but it is way more about tactics and game strategy.

I know Bronwen, I know I have lost every right to ever make it back to London! I know that America is not spelled I R O N Y.

a clear day

I am looking at my classmates in disbelief when my Professor of Global Strategy asks if I can be a sweetie and go and write on the board. "I like your writing and you are so tall and look pretty by my side" is all I can hear as I am asked to step out of my chair and take my place next to the whiteboard.

I guess I have turned into the academic version of a "valletto" - an Italian Game Show institution normally the domain of hypertittied 20 somethings and occasionally the refuge of muscly beefcakes with lots of teeth but no brains.

The road to my MBA is getting more acclivitous by the day.

velcro

I have contacted a bunch of you to say that I will be in town in September. I am not sure I have all of you on my email list so if you are reading this for the first time don't be offended and complain to google instead who keeps on deleting my address book...

On a slightly different note, a guy at work just told me I have ethereal velcro ... I will leave to your imagination what the velcro is supposed to do...

P

a bizarre mix of postcard mountains and titties

A quick post to tell you about my weekend in Colorado. It all started with a very unfortunate incident with the TSA - two of them took issue with me looking Iraqi. From then on though it was all mighty exceptional. Dave and I went up to Pike National Forest and camped with some of his friends very close to South Park - the city of the famous cartoon series.

We found a secluded campsite that overlooked a creek set amidst fragrant pines - bears, deers and cows roamed the forest around us. I went off hacking trees and I am happy to report that me and my trusty axe managed to knock down three of them. Of course I am no lumberjack, but I managed to get three 20ft trees down which we used for the fire at night. I have made friends in the process with some of Dave's friends. I enjoyed their company a lot and I hope that they enjoyed mine! Bizarre conversations ensued which encompassed American and World politics, a crackers-marshmallows-chocolate sandwich called s'mores, some pregnant silences and not a shower in three days.

On our way down to Denver, Dave made some calls and managed to get two tickets to the Motley Crue concert. I have to confess that I enjoyed it more than I will ever admit and take comfort that they are a glam metal band (as labeled by NME) as opposed to thrash or death metal, which would freak me. What was bizarre about the concert? The presence of kids at a metal concert in which girls fought hard with each other to show their titties on Tommy Lee's camera, whilst videos showed scenes of girls licking each other nipples. Racy stuff America! I thought to myself whilst the whole bedlam was under way.

camping

Yep,

camping the real deal - up in the mountains in Colorado - away from everything with just a few other people and a fire at night. Will report on my experience next week.

P

P.S. Thanks Jamie for coming round so late and offer your book of hikes in Colorado.

अ ग्रेट weekend

last weekend independence day: kids jumping off red rocks into the creek, coolers packed with beers and food, the smell of barbequeing marinated steaks, our Hummer leaving a trail of red dust as we fishtail yetanother tightcornerwhilst a crazy blondeladyblabbersdownthemicrophone u n t i l the sky is huge and full of stars, we are holding hands in the dark, the quavering howl of a coyote, a shooting star we get to share before I am reminded that I don't need any explanation.