Driving and UK Television

I'm about to master the art of driving on the left side of the road. Yesterday I drove to Maddie's school for a 2nd grade parents coffee. This school is much more interested in parent pleasing than our last one. I loved ISD, but those who had problems did not get great responses from the administration. But then, they were the only game in town. London is crawling with international schools as well as many other private and public English-speaking options. So ACS seems a little more interested in making sure parents know that they value our input and volunteer efforts.

So, not only did I get to and from Maddie's school, I also went and picked up all my membership info and the very posh health club I have joined, and I drove to the grocery store to get milk and cereal. The health club would be walk-able (although a pretty good hike), but I think I will usually drive just to keep in practice. Otherwise, I might go a week without getting behind the wheel and I think the repetition is what will make it easier. That being said, every time I go to get in the car, I still head to the passenger side and I can't even begin to parallel park.

Skip and I have both discovered programs that we like on Brit TV. You know the British pioneered the reality TV genre. Big Brother, American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are all British imports. Skip likes this show called "Who do you think you are?" which takes a famous person and traces their genealogy to see who their ancestors are. Last week they discovered that the Mayor of London has ancestor that include famous Turkish dissidents and illegitimate French royalty. Tonight, they're doing Jerry Springer. And then I have discovered "Last Choir Standing". It's like American Idol, but with entire choirs. I've come in late in the game, so there are only three choirs left--a men's chorus, a gospel choir and a youth choir. I am such a geek. It's just fabulous.

My explorations of London have been delayed by something leaking in our upstairs bathroom. I have been waiting and chasing and it looks like a contractor/plumber is actually going to come today. Hope we can get it fixed and then I really do have to get the house in order. Our downstairs living area is looking pretty good (we're still waiting for a love seat and I'm trying to give away a rug that doesn't fit), but our bedrooms are another story entirely.

Well, I've made it through a week without having to give any money away. I have a new exercise program. I plan to hit the gym several times a week, but to insure that I make exercise a daily part of my life, I have pledged that any day I do not get in at least 30 minutes of dedicated exercise time (walking to and from town doesn't count), I have to give $10 to the Republican party. I give myself one day off a week and last week, I made it. So depending on where your support lies, you can cheer on my success or hope for my failure.