3 things I like about British politics

First, party conventions are really conventions. In the states, conventions are really just advertisements for the presidential candidate. Here, the party debates and determines their platform. Imagine that! I read in the Guardian today that Tony Blair is really taking heat from the Labour Party at the convention that is currently underway. In the states, it would be heretical for a Republican to tell Bush that they weren't happy with him or for a Democrate to tell Clinton that they weren't happy with him.

Second, it's illegal for candidate to advertise. This is nice b/c we don't have to endure the commercials, billboards, and yard signs. Also, you don't have to be rich or have rich friends to run for office. It makes the democracy much more open and democratic.

Third, everyone gets something in the mail requiring them to register to vote. It seems like such a simple solution. Politicians in the states always talk about getting people to register to vote. Why not send everyone a form to get them to register? Maybe politicians don't want everyone to vote...?

I hope that someone will comment on this...

This is a deep-fried Mars bar. I know what your thinking: that's the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. That's what I said too. But it tastes soooo good. We've seen deep-friend candy bars everywhere over here. If you visit, there's a good fry bar only a few hundred feet from our door. We'll share a deep-fried Mars bar. 

Avez-vous la valise?

We found some incredible deals on ryanair.com the other day. For only 1 pence, we can fly from Glasgow to Paris. It sounds like a good deal at first, but then you convert it to dollars and realize that it actually costs about 1.8 cents. Seriously, there were a lot of fees--it ended up costing about $40 each round-trip. Still, you can't beat $40. We're going on October 6 and coming back on the 9th (in time to hear the Auburn game on the internet).

This weekend, we had our own "French Day." We ate French food, checked out some French guidebooks, and bought some phrase books at a second-hand shop. It's fun reading the British French books. They say things like, "France is, of course, our nearest neighbour and you can hop over the Channel and escape for a day or so in order to practice your French." Sounds like a jolly-good idea! A guidebook reads, "We know: you were dragged around [the sights] on the school trip to Pars, but the city's top ten tourist draws are enduringly alluring, so have a look...." Yes, yes. Those buggers dragged us all over Paris when we were wee. What torture!

UGA game

Stacey and I watched the Georgia game online yesterday at ESPN Gameplan Online. We had on our UGA shirts, ate tailgating food, and drank beer. It was great. Technology is incredible. We were watching the game from our computer in Scotland which IMing friends in the states. Meanwhile, my parents in Georgia had to settle for listening to the game on the radio.

We went to a new church this morning call St. Leonards. It was founded in 1199, but it's not the oldest church in town. It had a younger feel than the other church that we went to (which was founded in 1140). Our friend from Princeton, David McNutt, is the Parish Assistant there. The people were very friendly and the worship service was good. Afterwards, we had tea in the fellowship hall.

cheap golf

I went down to the Old Course this afternoon and hit some balls (I've always wanted to say that). It rained some but it didn't matter because I was in my own stall with a roof over my head. They have a really nice practice center, six courses, and two clubhouses--all open to the public and reasonably priced. Apparently, I can get a membership as a student for 110 pounds/year and play as much as I like. I can't wait. They also have two courses for beginners like me. If your interested, go to www.standrews.org.uk.

things are different here...

The other day, we worshipped at Trinity Parish Church. On the sign outside, is said the church was founded ca. 1140. I think most of the founding members still attend there.

The other day, I read in the newspaper that there is a national shortage of shepherds in Scotland. I've never even met a shepherd, but apparently there are less than 1000 shepherds left in Scotland.

The other day, everyone was making a big deal over the Celtic vs. Barcelona football game (soccer). The game took place in Glasgow--home to the Celtic FC and rabid Celtic fans. But they had to start the game 45 minutes late because so many of the fans were late getting there. Apparently, there was a bad traffic jam outside the stadium when everyone decided to arrive five minutes before the game.

Mongers

We finally got decent internet, so I can blog away now. One thing I've wanted to blog about is all the mongers here in St. Andrews. We have a Cheesemonger, a Fishmonger, an Ironmonger, and a Musicmonger. It seems that if you sell something, you can just name that item, put "monger" behind it, and be in business. The ironmonger doesn't really sell iron, though--the ironmonger is more like a hardware store. But I guess "hardwaremonger" was too long. Every time that I pass the cheesemonger, I just about fall over dead. The smells that come from that monger are incredibly putrid. And I haven't even been inside yet. The fishmonger has nothing on the cheesemonger in the way of smells. After I return to the states, I think I might call myself the theologymonger, or the spiritualitymonger, or maybe the sermonmonger.

Here's a picture of us on the bridge over the Swilken Burn on the 18th hole of the Old Course. That is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club behind us to the left, and the North Sea is to the left of that. On Sunday, the Old Course becomes a park and you can walk around on it. It's much different from Augusta. A tourguide told me that the National was Disneyland because we colored the water and the grass, among other things. The Old Course is on public land and the citizens of St. Andrews play on it year round for a nominal fee. It's an nteresting contrast to Augusta. 

phone #, etc.

We finally have a phone number and internet. Now, we feel like real people again. Our # is 01334 471018. In order to dial that from the states, I believe you must preface it with 011 44 and then drop the first zero in our number. In other words, 011 44 1334 471018. If I'm wrong, then please reply to this posting and let me know. Also, if you're looking for a good international long distance service, then you might want to go to onesuite.com.

We hope to hear from someone soon (we hope that Frances hasn't washed everyone away).

whisky and a haircut

Lately, I've become very shaggy--so I was happy to read in the local newspaper yesterday that there was a barber shop in town where I could get a haircut followed by a complimentary shot of whisky. So I went to the barber shop and found this ad to be completely true: for £4, I got a haircut and a shot of whisky (all before noon).

We've moved in and all is well, but we still don't have internet access. As such, my blogs are still a bit short and sloppy. Check back in a few days for more content.

Cheers.

long time...

It's been a while since my last post. Since then, we've been all over Edinburgh, battled a hostile hostel infestation of mites/bed bugs, we met up with some folks from P'ton Seminary, and we got free tee shirts for drinking 8 pints in 8 different pubs.

Life has tamed a bit since arriving in St. Andrews on Sunday. Our B & B was wonderful--no infestations and breakfasts fit for royalty. This is a great town. There are only 18,000 people here. We have wonderful scenery with the North Sea, the Old Course, and the castle and cathedral ruins.

This afternoon, we move into our new flat. We can't wait. As soon as we get an ISP, we'll upload some pictures to our website.