This is my new blog. Welcome. Feel free to look around. It won't take long, at least not at first.
You probably already know me, but just in case, my name is Rich and I'm moving to England.
I've spent my post-college years bouncing around four newspapers in three states, working first as a sports reporter and later as a news copy editor/page designer/Web updater/de-frightener of technology. Recognizing that perhaps newspapers aren't the panacea they once seemed and not wanting my admiration of the Titanic's many ballrooms to result in my going for a swim, I've decided to up and move to England to see what I can find over there.
Question time. Because I have to practice if I'm ever going to be Prime Minister.
Why are you moving to England?
Because it's there. OK, it's slightly more complex than that, but not really. Quite simply, a series of opportunities has lined itself up in such a way that I feel like this really is the best option for me, at least right now.
What will you do for money?
Well, that's a fine question. But that's not the point, at least at first. The point is more to explore the country and take advantage of an opportunity a lot of people don't get.
No, really, idiot. What will you do for money?
I'm willing to do pretty much anything, at least at first, whether it's finding a "real" job or serving coffee to people with "real" jobs. This really isn't about my resume. That said, if you happen to know of anything, I'm taking tips.
Where will you live?
In the house left to my father by my late grandparents, who lived there for many decades. It's in the village of Portchester, which is next to the much larger city of Portsmouth, which is on the South Coast, pretty much right smack in the middle. Portsmouth has a lot of naval history and a Premier League soccer* club of dubious quality. One is more of an appeal than the other. I'll let you guess which one.
Does this mean you'll have an English accent?
Probably, but only enough of one to make Americans think I'm English and the English that I'm American.
Can I come visit?
Sure. Bring an umbrella.
Why should I come back?
Because before you can come visit, I'll check to make sure you've been reading.
Oh alright. Because it'll be interesting. I plan to chronicle my overseas journey and what I discover about being a pseudo-American Englishman living in his native land, at least as much as a land can be native when you've never lived in it.
And in addition to that, there'll be all sorts of interesting things to keep you coming back. Well, they'll be interesting to me anyway. And possibly my mother**. The rest of you I expect to read out of sympathy.
Well, no. Sympathy only gets you so far. I just don't want to make promises I don't end up keeping. But it'll be exciting, I promise.
I'll start with some travel-logging of my journey back East, then spin off into whatever awaits me overseas. And, really, that's why I'm not making any promises: Because I have no idea what awaits.
*Soccer will be referred to as football upon my arrival in England. Keep coming back and you'll learn all sorts of British English.
**My mother will be encouraged to read this blog. Whether she actually will is debatable, and I somehow get the feeling that "I blogged about that" will not suffice as an excuse for not telling her about something. We'll see.
8 comments:
I'll be reading with a healthy dose of jealousy :-)
Two things. One, I'm probably the only person who completely understands every point you're making in this blog. Because what other person in the world is fellow English-bred, American-raised, half Dixie/half Yankee who was born in Holland. Yea, that's right.
And two, if Mom reads this blog, will you have to leave out the most interesting parts? :)
First thing I wanted to do when I came to the US was eat at a mexican restaurant, because you couldn't get it in England then. Now there's Chiquitos at Port Solent. http://www.portsolent.com/dining/chiquitos
Shona: You assume there will BE interesting parts. :)
Dad: I've seen that. I've questioned how good it'd be. But I've seen it. I suppose I'll have to try it; if it's good, then my list is ruined. RUINED!
Curious what you think of it and what other items make the list...
You forgot Sean Hannity.
Also, I am with Shona - just because the space isn't within the borders of your new country doesn't mean it isn't there. The access you're gaining to dozens of new countries and cultures will be a really good distraction for our purple mountains majesty & fruited plains.
Yes. Be prepared to be continually disappointed in EuroMexican foods. Be prepared to fall in love with chip shops and curries.
OH RICH! So freaking excited for you!
Is that the Kansas state tree by that gas station - the telephone pole?
Actually, that bit's in Colorado.
And I'm still not sure what the entire field full of some sort of pole with matching flashing red lights, at least 100 of them, was. I'm thinking wind generation machines.
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