Areas of Unrest

22 May 2001 - In Praise of American Plumbing

QOTD: "About 80% of the audience of after dinner speeches are having sexual fantasies." - Fred Hoar

Reading: Benjamin Woolley, The Queen's Conjuror

Listening to: The Clash, Combat Rock

I got back from my vacation late yesterday afternoon. I managed to get over to the post office to pick up my mail and did some essential grocery shopping. But that was about as ambitious as I got. I still haven't gone through most of the mail. Nor have I unpacked, done laundry, or answered email. I'll get through those chores over the next few days.

I'm hoping to get a travelogue written within a week or so. The short version is that Malta is rather like a less expensive version of Italy. There's wonderful 16th and 17th century art to gawk at, mixed with Copper Age temples and colorful seaside villages. Getting to London is always a shock to both the senses and the wallet. But it is well worth it to spend some time with Robert. Most of which is not for public consumption, but I'll let my current sleep deficit speak for itself. Chemistry is a very evil thing. I'll also note that he reverts to a strong Bronx accent when he talks on the phone to his mother. I think that is just incredibly cute.

I should also mention that I did manage to drink several bottles of bitter lemon during my travels. But I also discovered yet another soft drink I like. It's called "kinnie" and is made from bitter oranges and herbs. And, of course, it is entirely unavailable in the United States. In fact, it is unavailable everywhere other than Malta. Which softens the blow, since the really annoying part of the bitter lemon debacle is that I used to be able to buy it easily.

Anyway, I did make it into work today. It appears that my work computer decided to take a vacation as well. It booted up just fine - and promptly froze. It didn't make much difference since, within minutes of getting in, someone caught me in the hallway and told me about a meeting in Azusa that I needed to be at. So all I really had time to do in the office was pick up pay stubs and trip reimbursement checks and make a first cut at clearing out voicemail. I guess tomorrow will be the catch-up day. Assuming, that is, that the computer actually works. Otherwise it will be one of those "call customer support and wait around for them to show up" days.

Finally, there is one reason to be extremely happy to be home. I refer to the 45 minutes I spent in the shower this morning. Malta has been independent since 1964 but still has British plumbing. Robert's apartment, being in London, has British plumbing. The British may be civilized in some ways, but they have never mastered the concept of water pressure. Being able to stand in rapidly flowing water which is neither freezing nor scalding is an underrated luxury.

G-d bless America or at least American plumbing.