When I first moved to London, a friend of mine gave me some good advice: “Notice things now, while they’re still strange.” All too soon, London ceased to be alien and exotic; it became, simply, the place where I live. I missed the sensation of vague disorientation, of living in a strange land whose customs are not quite my own.
Fortunately, I recently discovered a place where I can once again feel like a foreigner: the United States of America.
Funny signs
I’m sure that British people find American English absolutely hilarious. No doubt some of our most common phrases strike them as bizarre, or possibly obscene, but no British person would ever be so rude as to put up photos on their web page of signs that made them giggle.
Thank heavens I’m an American and have no such scruples. Herewith, my photo essay on Funny Signs of Britain. Warning: some of the signs are NSFWUYWIGB (“Not Safe For Work Unless You Work In Great Britain.”)
Mea Culpa
Lately, I’ve been shockingly bad about delivering on my promise of “Something Interesting Every Monday” (unless you find it interesting to discover that I haven’t been updating the site.) My apologies to my loyal readers. Expect a new entry within the next 24 hours, and then a return to my regular Monday schedule.
Revenge of the Sneeze Facists
I’ve returned from my travels jetlagged and with a bad cold and a mild fever to boot, not to mention a few deadlines for freelance jobs. As a result, there will be no Something Interesting this week; my apologies.
But to tide you over, be sure to check out the participants in International Write Yankee Fog For Me Day. Roger Peng wins the prize for Best Entry Via Trackback, and “JK” wins for Best Entry Via Comments. Judging was made easy by the high quality of their entries, and by the fact that they were the only two entries I received.
International Write Yankee Fog For Me Day
I’m trying to build up readership for Yankee Fog, and I’ve noticed that starting a campaign is a great way to get people to link to your site. Watching what other websites have done, I’ve seen campaigns for causes ranging from minor issues like opposition to the Iraq war to really important issues like the right to make new mixes of Beatles’ songs or eat pasta. However, it’s hard for me to imagine what causes might be well-suited for Yankee Fog. Put George Washington in Trafalgar Square Day? Go To Belgium And Stop In Every Chocolate Shop You Find Day? Neither of those seemed quite right. At the same time, I’m going to be traveling next week, and unlikely to have the chance to post my usual Something Interesting on Monday.
Thefore, I hereby declare this coming Monday, May 31, to be International Write Jacob’s Blog For Him Day.
Tottenham Court Road
As I enter the southbound Northern Line platform at Tottenham Court Road, I hear an eerie, unmistakable sound: weeping. Not mere crying, not muffled sobs, but genuine, wretched, uncontrollable weeping.
Gay Marriage Quiz: A Very Special Wednesday Bonus
I’ve already gone on at some length about my thoughts on gay marriage, but this week, as thousands of gay men and women in Massachusetts are finally getting the chance to wed, there’s one more thought I wanted to add. This debate–more than any other major political debate I can think of–is being argued in metaphorical terms. Is opposition to gay marriage as bigoted as opposition to interracial marriage? Or is it based on simple biological reality, like the opposition to incest?
Personally, I have no doubt that, in a few decades, anti-gay-marriage laws will seem as inexplicable as anti-miscegenation laws do now. But I don’t want to have to wait a few decades to prove it. I’ve therefore developed a short quiz. I’ve taken some quotes from people who believe blacks shouldn’t marry whites, and some quotes from people who believe gays shouldn’t marry each other. I then stripped the quotes of any words like “race” or “gender” that would give the game away.
Can you tell which anti-marriage argument is which?
When you’re ready to start, click here to take the quiz.
The Most Pressing Issue Facing Mankind Today
People often ask what things I miss most about the United States. The first thing is always the friends and family members who live there. The second thing is always living in a country whose fate my vote can govern. The third thing varies from day to day, but right now, it’s “Survivor: All Stars.”
Britain’s Next Prime Minister
In the wake of the Iraqi torture scandal, and in the face of steadily decaying public support for his role in the Iraq war, Tony Blair is now facing calls from within the Labour Party to resign.
Whether or not he does, it seems unlikely that the Labour Party’s two main rivals–the Tories and the Liberal Democrats–will be able to find make much hay from Blair’s troubles, unless they can find a viable alternative to present to the public. Such an alternative candidate for Prime Minister would have to be charismatic and witty. He would have to be a seasoned politician, as comfortable making backroom deals as winning the hearts of the hoi polloi. He would need a keen mind to grapple with domestic policy, and enough gravitas to provide international credibility.
It sounds like a tall order–but such a man does exist, and fortunately for the Lib Dems, he is both a Democrat and a liberal. His name is William Jefferson Clinton, and ever since he stopped being president of the United States, he’s had plenty of time on his hands.
Highgate Cemetery
Apologies for the lateness of this week’s Something Interesting. We were in Edinburgh for the weekend, and I’m trying to catch up.
Lauren and I recently spent an afternoon in Highgate Cemetery, in North London. Like most cemeteries, it’s a wonderfully photogenic place. For proof, click here