Better, or Just Different?

I'll begin this post with a simple disclaimer: I've never pulled an all-nighter, for any reason, until today. Because of the five hour time differences between the East Coast and the UK I was forced to keep my eyes open throughout my 6 hour flight and suffer the consequences. I am, for those that don't know already, not someone who fares well without sleep. Thus, my feet are really heavy, my vision is rather blurry--could be the contacts--and I'm rather irratable.

With all that aside, I'm in Scotland! It is, believe it or not, really nice here. The weather is warm, even warmer than Maine, things spell nice, and, well I love Scotland.

As I've said before, I'm living in a little village named Bridge of Allan, which is, for those of you familiar with Scottish geography, about 30 miles from Glasgow, 35 miles from Edinburgh, and right next to Stirling--the place where William Wallace (aka Mel Gibson) kicked major English ass in 1297.

This location will make for a lot of fun. It's close to two great cities, each with major attractions, which are both easily accessible by bus or train.

So, besides the sleep deprivation, and getting used to looking at traffic coming from the opposite directions, things have been great so far. Yet, there is one thing that has really made me think--when my brain/body can spare the energy. Life is so much simpler here.

As the title of this post reflects, my personal jury is still out as to whether this is actually better. But, in case ya'll want to ponder along with me, consider this.

1. All the cars are smaller. I mean, they are no trucks other than those used for delivering things. Most of the cars are those which would be considered "compact" or "sub-compact" in the U.S. Thus, there are no Hummers, no Expeditions, no F150s. People drive Focuses, small Audis, BMWs, etc. You get the picture. Why you ask? Well, gas costs around 1.5 pounds per liter! That means upwords of $7 a gallon. We would be committing suicide en masse if we had to deal with prices like this. Yet, because of the UK's place in the world economy, prices have been at this level for a long time. Thus, public transportation is utilized a lot, and people drive far less.

2. All the houses look the same. Granted, there are some that are bigger than others. But like Agrestic or Stepford, these houses make up an endless sea of brown stone, making equity a normaility.

3. Food is wicked expensive. As I was buying food today I noticed that everything in the grocery store is priced in pounds what I would expect to see at home in dollars. However, as we all know, the pound is about $1.67 these days. Thus, food is wicked expensive. Most striking is how expensivev fresh produce is. I'm guessing this has to do with the fact that the UK doesn't produce much domestic produce, and is forced to import from countries like Morocco and Egypt who charge exorbotent tariffs.

The bottom line is that people are much more humble here, and live far more simpler lives. This obviously has to do with the economic situation in the UK and throughout Europe, yet I wonder how much of it stems from pure culture.

We in America believe that we should be free to do whatever we like, especially make as much money as we possibly. Fine, that's capitalism. Yet, we do this at times without thinking about the situations of others. I won't be as bold as to speculate whether Scots genuinely care more for each other than Americans do, but having universial health care, more welfare benefits, etc. seem to push that point to be the case.

Are we just too self absorbed? Do we really care about our neighbors? Does the simpler life I see here make more sense, and if so is it ever attainable amid an exceptionalist America? These are all questions that bother me.

I know that this may be a very lenghthy post, but I'd really love to know what other people think. Feel free to chime in.

Until next time, cheers!

Here We Go...

Here it is, the day of departure. Today I embark on a trip to one my my favorite countries in the world, Scotland. The trip will be grueling--2 hour bus ride, followed by a 6 1/2 plane ride across the Atlantic and a loss of five hours thanks to the beauty of Greenwich Mean Time. However, once the dust has cleared I'll be in little Bridge of Allan.

I know this isn't my most poignant writing to date, I couldn't sleep well last night and the coffee hasn't really set it yet. However, I felt it worth the embarrassment to write this little piece before I left.

I will do my very best to keep this updated over the next five weeks, to let ya'll know what I'm doing. Most of my activities will inevitably be linked to castles, soccer, and beer but seeing as those are three things people don't experience too regularly I figure it's still worth mentioning.

So here we go, let's hope that jet lag doesn't hit me too hard. I'll write more when the chance presents its self. And, as they say in those parts, If it's nay Scottish, it's crap!

Sarah Palin...Get Over Yourself

This just needs to stop. After a media storm surrounding David Letterman's rather crude joke about Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, there is more trouble in the frozen tundra.

Now, Palin and her slew of publicists are all up in arms about an Alaskan blogger superimposing the face of a highly conservative, Palin-friendly radio personality over that of her infant son Trig.

"Recently we learned of a malicious desecration of a photo of the Governor and baby Trig that has become an iconic representation of a mother's love for a special needs child," Palin spokeswoman Meghan Stapelton said in a statement provided to CNN. "The mere idea of someone doctoring the photo of a special needs baby is appalling." (quote taken from http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/).

Please, Governor Palin, either get used to the media coming after you or retire from politics. Political cartoons are, as we well know, a staple of political pundits and commentators across the world. Whether it be President Obama's ears, Governor Baldacci's rather bald head, or the shear stupidity of President Bush's quotes, this is completely mainstream. I get the fact that Governor Palin doesn't like it when the "liberal media" go after her. I'm sure if I were in her shoes I would feel the same way. But that's just the way it is. If Palin wants to be the "new face of the GOP," if she wants to have a shot at the White House again, or if she ever wants to be reelected to the Governor's mansion in Juneau, she needs to get a thicker skin.
You all might remember the last election cycle. Sarah Palin came out of nowhere. She was bold, somewhat articulate, good looking, and above all, she was conservative. Thus, she was catapulted into the media spotlight and expected to turn the McCain ticket around.

Above all of that, she shamlessly used her family as political ploys. As a staunch opponent of abortion, her choice to carry a child with Down Syndrome worked perfectly. I am not saying that Palin is any less of a caring parent because of these actions, but using her "hockey mom" image along with her brave demeanor as a mother who decided to keep her baby despite various setbacks, reeked of political pandering.

Now, simply because her son Trig has Down Syndrome, her entire family is supposed to be immune to political commentary. If this were any other baby I forsee a lack of such a response. But no. Since Trig is a "special needs child" it is cimpletely innaporpriate for him to be included in a political cartoon.

Maybe my utter dislike for Sarah Palin is shining through too much. I agree that the media--on both ends of the spectrum--can be rather harsh. But really, get over yourself Governor Palin. If you want to play the game dirt is going to fly.

Does This Change Anything?

In other news today...

The United States men's soccer team defeated Spain 2-0 to advance to the Final of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Who cares?

Soccer, for those of you who haven't noticed, isn't that popular in the United States. It's criticized for being too slow, too boring, and devoid of scoring. I, myself, tend to like it. Actually, I'm obsessed, as the title of this blog may imply. So, pardon me if I get a little excited when recapping what I see to be the importance of this match.

The FIFA Confederations Cup happens every four years, and is seen as the "run-up" to the World Cup--arguably the largest sporting event in the world. It's hosted by the country who will be hosting the World Cup in a year's time, and while it's merely for bragging rights it's an opportunity for the host country to test out its new stadiums and for top countries to see how they stack up against the rest of the world.

In comparison to the rest of the world, the U.S. 'aint that good. In 2002 we surprised the world by advancing to the final 16 of the World Cup in Korea, but failed to make it to the knock-out stages in 2006.

Not only is our general apathy noted by the rest of the world, but out lack of development shows. However, since we have to compete against the likes of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela in order to qualify for the World Cup we make ourselves look a little bit better than we normally would be in competition with other parts of the globe.

That was all in the past.

Following poor showings in the opening two matches of the tournament, the U.S. owned Egypt, beating them 3-0 and only advancing due to Brazil's dominance of Spain by the same score.

Today, the U.S. defeated Spain, the reigning European Champion, and a team that had won its last 35 competitive matches. They boast some of the top names in the sport--Fernando Torres, David Villa, Iker Casillas, and Carols Puyol--and frankly, they were expected to steam roll a United States team which was seen as undersized and underskilled.

Analysts will tell you that Spain did not play their best, which gave the U.S. a decent chance. They're right. But give the U.S. some credit, they played very well, looking confident and well coached.

They will now face the winner of Brazil-South Africa on Sunday. A game that they might have a shot of winning, whichever the opponent.

The question for me is, does this change anything for this country? Media outlets across the world are calling this win historic. A team that is not highly regarded in the world took down the #1 team on the planet, by a decent score. Now, pundits may give the U.S. a shot of not only qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, but an adequate shot of going far into the tournament. U.S. stars liek Oguchi Onyewu, Landon Donavon, and Jozy Altidore may get a second look from the world's major clubs like Machester United, Real Madrid, or my beloved Rangers. And this win, although meaningless in the grand sweep of things, may start to get the U.S. the respect it deserves.

Yet, I predict that this story will not do much to advance the popularity of the sport in this country.

Those who pay attention, like me, will be astonished at the result, and may start to look closer at their own national team. Sportscenter will have the story covered well tonight, and it might even make the front page of the sports section of tomorrow's New York Times. But things will go on as usual, there will be no giant tsunami of soccer sweeping the nation. This win might get the team more viewers in the future, but it will take something far greater to change how this country percieves the beautiful game.

Like the Franklin drawn cartoon of old, the U.S. program has adopted the old motto, Don't Tread on Me. Maybe this win will allow soccer to not get trampled under the feet of the "big four" but other than that soccer nuts like yours truly will have to go abroad to get the latest headlines, watch the Primere League on the satellite dish and keep praying that the rest of the country changes their mind.

The Party of Family Values?

Now I must admit, I've never liked the Republican Party. I'm a Democrat, a so-called "bleeding heart liberal," and can't stand much of what the GOP has on its platform. But with all of that aside, I keep wondering how the GOP can hope to stand for "family values" when it's top politicians keep having affairs and furthermore lying about them.

Of course, the Democratic Party doesn't have a perfect record when it comes to extramarital relations. Everyone knows about Bill Clinton, so I need not spend any time talking about the whole Lewinsky business. And of course, on a more recent note, John Edwards, a man whom I once supported for President, cheated on his wife--a wonderful woman who is still battling cancer.

HOWEVER, this whole Mark Sanford business is completely ridiculous. For those of you not 100% familiar with the story Mr. Sanford, the Republican Governor of South Carolina left town, in what he claims was a stress-relieving trip following the end of the legislative session. Fine, take some time to blow of steam. This move seemed completely legitimate, especially when he said he was spending a few days hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Then, however, he just vanishes. Four days later his staff leaks the fact that he was not, in fact, hiking, but instead was on a trip to Argentina. Weird, but I've seen weirder things. The best part was yet to come. Turns out, Sanford wasn't just going down to see Buenos Aires, he was going to see his mistress. Yes, his mistress.

So, just a week after Nevada Senator John Ensign admits to sleeping with a campaign staffer, a governor, and the Chair of the Republican National Committee drives a government vehicle to the airport, leaves it there, and flees to another country to see a woman who is not his wife. Wow. Both men, among other things, were looking at possible runs for the White House in 2012. No more.

While I'm not saying that all Republicans are cheating scum-bags I do wonder what message this sends to the nation. As a keen political observer it may something different to me than it does for the rest of the country, but I feel that being a party whose core champions "family values" especially in terms of gay rights and a woman's right to choose, having its stars getting caught in affairs can't be good for their image.

Time will only tell.

"The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy."

Blogging and I have not always been the best of friends. I usually find that I like the idea at the outset and then fall behind or fail to come up with anything worth writing about. I hope that this blog proves to be the exception to this rule.

As the description above states, the first purpose of this blog is to be sort of a travel diary. I want people to know what I'm doing in Scotland over the next year. Who knows what this will actually entail. It will certainly have a lot to do with soccer (football), primarily Rangers FC--a team which I have an almost sickening passion for. I'll also write about what I observe, especially the things I know many of you will find interesting.

I also tend to be a very extroverted and outspoken guy--most of you know this. Thus, I'll use this as a rant page, an informational page, basically a clearing house for the things I find interesting, angering, perplexing, etc. Hopefully, getting to write about these things will save my friends from hearing me rant about them elsewhere--although I doubt it.

I find many blogs with be a little over-the-top and at times egotistical. While I like to think that what I have to say matters I know that most people would rather not know about it. That's fine. I hope people find this interesting because they care about what I have to say. If they don't, then I hope that they wouldn't waste their time.

So we'll see how this goes. Please bear with me. And if it's been a while since I've posted let me know. Cheers!