do do do doot doot do do do, Woo Hoo!

In London most flats come with at least some furniture, and many come fully furnished. Along with furniture come decorations. Pictures, paintings, plants, marble busts etc. Well our flat has a rather unique self illuminating piece or art that hangs on the wall next to the fireplace. It’s one of those things that would have been really cool in college, but is slightly strange when you’re 26.

One night a few weeks ago we decided that we would use it as the celebration light. A decree went out to all in the land:
WHEREAS, there are often things to be celebrated; and
WHEREAS, a proper celebration ritual is required.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the orange light thingy next to the fireplace be henceforth know as the light of celebration.
BE IT FURTHUR RESOLVED that it shall be illuminated whenever there is cause for celebration.

Why am I telling you this? Well guess what, today the celebration light is on! Why is that you ask? Because after three job offers, my beautiful and intelligent wife has finally accepted one! That’s right she is now officially employed!!!! Yea!!! (nine exclamation points incase you’re keeping score, ten if you count the title)

The thing really lights up the room. You can see an orange glow emanating from our flat from down the street. It reminds me of the leg lamp with skirt lampshade from A Christmas Story that Raphie’s dad wins in the contest. You know the “soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.”

Yea!! Congratulations my dear, this light’s for you.

More pictures of the Celebration Light.

I went to my first cricket match with a few coworkers this week. It was part of the twenty20 cup. A twenty20 match has only 20 overs per team, meaning that a match can be finished in an evening (instead of 5 days like a typical “test” match). The twenty20 games are new, instituted within the last 3 years to help bring fans and excitement to cricket matches.

The teams were Middlesex and Surry. Both are from the London area, and both are very good (I’m told). One of the most interesting things that happened (in my opinion) was that the umpire was not in position to tell whether a ball bounced before or after it went outside the rope. If it bounced before it would be four runs if it bounced after it would be six. The umpire after a little while signaled six runs and looked at the fielders in the area. The fielders signaled four runs to the umpire (which was the correct call) and the umpire promptly changed his call. Nobody else seemed to take note, but I thought it was fascinating that an official would rely on the players to make a call. I suppose there is some sort of honor code or something.

I was also suprised to see a steamroller come out between innings to flatten the dirt between the wickets. Kind of like a zamboni, but the crowd wasn’t cheering like they do at hockey games.

Well in true British fashion the rain came after 11 overs in the second team’s inning, so the game was called. After waiting for about 30 minutes they announced that Surrey was the winner (even though Surrey had nearly twice as many overs). Apparently they have a magic formula to determine the winner in this situation, and nobody seems to know what that formula is. The official result:

Surrey: 180-7 ( 20.0 overs )
Middlesex: 78-4 ( 11.0 overs )
Surrey beat Middlesex by 22 runs

hmmm…

I’ve posted pictures. Enjoy!