Land of the Free Market

It's been an unseemly time since my last missive, so here goes with an update...

It's still fingers-crossed time, but it looks almost definite that we have a new home! Everything is set up and we just need to go in and sign documents at Escrow on Friday. Whoop Whoop!

Things are looking up slightly on the work front too. I've connected with a number of theatre companies and it looks like I am directing an Opera in November (La Fille Du Regiment) and possibly another event in October, as well as linking up with Education departments around that time. Before that I'm doing some work for my old friends at FreshMinds - researchtastic! - and playing a 50 year old Irish Police Chief/ Vampire in a reading!

So, things are getting busy busy, which is good after 3 months of virtual lethargy.

On to other matters - I have been accused by various people of being overly negative toward my new homeland. I think this is unfair - we Brits bond with others by pointing out their faults, and we're the one country that is allowed to do it to the US without being invaded (the special relationship) so I like to take advantage of that - but nevertheless it may be time to redress the balance.

America is great! It is big and beautiful. The scale of everything is awesome, from the mountains and forests to the Grocery stores, where you can buy everything you could ever need! And it's all pretty reasonably priced (bought a very nice crockery set for 8 the other day, for less than 100 bucks). The pace of life is a little slower, and having fun in the outdoors is mandatory. People are also pretty predictable - downtown dwellers = liberals, suburbanites = independents/ centrist republicans, those in the countryside (otherwise known as real America) = far right crazies. So as long as you stick to the cities or certain suburbs all is good!

They brew fantastic beers here, not the sharp lagers so prevalent in the UK, but very flavourful ales and bitters. Their food is varied and of a high quality, with excellent and knowledgeable service. TV is constant, and includes highlights of UK TV, particularly premiership football at all hours.

Seattle in particular is like living in a city and in the country at the same time. Right on Puget Sound with a beach and numerous lakes, and easy access to many sights of natural beauty and vacation spots. And you can get a place in the equivilent of Zone 1 for the price of something in Zone 6. Public transport downtown is also better than expected, as I have been riding the buses for fun. In the downtown section riding buses is also FREE!

So - there - I love America. Yes, I said it. Now I can go back to finding fault, as I remain an Englishman at heart - and sure of the inate superiority of anything Blighty based. Rar.

DD out