Thanksgiving abroad

Thanksgiving dinner:
Tonight we enjoyed a lovely curry, on which the Vol-in-Law worked extra hard. He had to ring the take-away three times, because their phone was busy.

Tomorrow, I go to the restaurant where we’re having Thanksgiving this Sunday with over 100 expats. We’ve arranged with the venue to “test” the food to make sure it’s, you know, authentic.

The meaning of the holiday:
Yesterday before I left a pretty intense training course, I wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do. Anyway… some grumbly ol’ cuss said “What’s the point of that holiday anyway?”

I said “You’re supposed to reflect on what you’re thankful for.”

“Like thankful you’ve invaded foreign countries?” he said.

Long pause. Silence falls across the room. “Yes, if that’s what you’re thankful for.”

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Well, I’ve been reflecting today. Not as much as I should, but more than the Grumbly Ol’ Cuss, I bet.

I’m thankful for all sorts of things – friends, family, reasonable health. A decent job. I’m thankful to be living in London in such interesting times. Really, I’m incredibly lucky. I’ve seen a lot and done a lot. I like the talents I’ve been given. Even if I can’t be in America celebrating this holiday, I have loads of good memories of Thanksgiving with my extended family.

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Happy Thanksgiving.

She’s still gagging for it

Looks like the British attitude to rape extends all the way to the judiciary.

Since when does slumped in a hallway mean consent to be penetrated by a security guard?

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. Today I am not doing anything for Thanksgiving. Some years I do and some years I don’t. Given that I no longer have a working oven, this will be a year without a big home cooked Thanksgiving dinner (maybe I’ll get some turkey steaks and do them on the George Foreman). I will be attending a big Thanksgiving event on Sunday with around 120 members of the American community. But in our host country, today is a working day and so those of us with British employers or clients are working.

Sometimes it can be a little sad that you’re not gathered round a big table eating turkey and whatever sides are traditional in your family – but it could be a heck of a lot worse. I’m working at home today, so even though I have a lot to get through, I am indeed thankful that I’m not commuting. I’m also thankful that I’m at home and not on the road.

The worst Thanksgiving I spent in the UK, I had to travel up to the northwest. I spent the afternoon of Thanksgiving interviewing senior police officers and then standing for around a half hour in front of the closed police headquarters in the freezing weather waiting for a cab. I spent the evening dining alone at the Holiday Inn Preston Ringway and watching tv in my hotel room. I mostly just tried to pretend that it wasn’t Thanksgiving.

So enjoy your day and be thankful you’re not in Preston.