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Advicenators discussion: Europe's Economy...
ChevyIINova wrote Wednesday June 18 2008, 12:17 am:
Just wondering if it's as bad there like it is here. For an example, it's getting the point that the some police departments are having their officers walk their beat instead of driving. It's only going to get worse. Due to the flooding in Iowa there'll be shortages of corn. They are now saying that SUVs are a dying breed. Few people can afford $150 USD at the pump (about $100 EUR). Sorry to ramble on. I'm just curious. I've actually thought about moving there if it was any better. I guess I have a romantic idea on how England is, good weather, good beer and more bang for the buck.
isis wrote Wednesday June 18 2008, 7:20 am:
I love England, it is very green and pretty with some very romantic, Olde Worlde villages but things are changing here too unfortunately.
Due to the current crisis petrol is £1.16 a litre where I live, down south, but elsewhere I believe it's topping £1.30, which is just ridiculous!
Due to the appalling summer we had last year, rain, rain and more rain, food prices have increased, a loaf of bread can cost from 70p to £1.90.
We are getting more bobbys on the beat now but we also have the Community Police Service, Neighbourhood Watch and Special Police Officers. The CPS are not exactly police officers but they are attached and patrol areas to keep an eye on any trouble points. The NW are groups of citizens in their own areas who keep an eye on their nieghbourhoods for any suspicious activities and the Specials are volunteer police who have full time jobs and work as police officers in their spare time. They are on foot a lot of the time and do a great job. My best friends son is a Special, he loves it and wants to be a career policeman soon.
As for large cars, the taxes on these are becoming prohibitive to all but the wealthy so we don't see a lot of them except in the countryside. Our roads are smaller than US ones so they're not really that practical anyway.
We don't have as much rain and fog as is commonly thought abroad, and temperatures can reach 40c on occasions! Skin cancer is a growing problem due to the good weather and lack of care.
Apparently we do have good beer (not a fan myself) but the guys do seem to prefer their beer warm and their lagar ice cold. It seems the room temperature of the beer brings out the flavour. It's not cheap either, £2 a pint or so I think.
Houses are REALLY expensive, eg. £180,000 for the cheapest in a not good area, I live in one of the most expensive parts of the UK with Millionaires Row a couple of miles away. Unfortunately we don't have one of those properties! :)
More bang for buck? I'm guessing that means more for your money? Unlikely, we're a small island and have to import a lot of our goods which puts the prices up. However, there are worse places and at least we are free to say what we want, when we want and how we want. Riots are rare and so is most trouble. There are always going to be trouble spots in any country but the police are very quick to deal with these.
We're a very friendly country and love US people so even if you come over for a holiday I guess you'd be pleasantly surprised. But it's NOT cheap.
I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else, though I am fascinated with other countries especially the US. It's so big it's difficult to imagine. We grumble at having to make an hour's trip to go somewhere, you lot seem to do it all the time.
Now who's rambling? Lol.
ChevyIINova wrote Wednesday June 18 2008, 9:39 pm:
"Apparently we do have good beer (not a fan myself) but the guys do seem to prefer their beer warm and their lagar ice cold. It seems the room temperature of the beer brings out the flavour."
If I am correct I believe the first lager was from Germany. Lagers are bottom fermented, requiring much colder brewing and storage temperatures while the ales and porters are top fermented. Thus it's better to drink it warm, or actually room temperature.
German immigrants that came to the US carried their love of beer with them they had direct influence on our beer. Today most American beers are lagers and therefore we drink our beer cold. It's actually a shame in my opinion that most folks here haven't even tasted an ale or porter. You get so used to a certain brew that you don't realize that there's a world of difference just across the Atlantic. I'll admit I'm very much a beer gourmand and nothing intrigues me more than partaking of something that's been around for well over one thousand years!
"Due to the appalling summer we had last year, rain, rain and more rain, food prices have increased, a loaf of bread can cost from 70p to £1.90."
That's really inevitable. The more the weather is bad for the farmers the higher the price of food will be. Really too, it has a greater impact on the global economy than I think we realize.
"We don't have as much rain and fog as is commonly thought abroad, and temperatures can reach 40c on occasions! Skin cancer is a growing problem due to the good weather and lack of care."
Holy cow! That's insane! I figured being that far in the Northern hemisphere that, that type of temperature was impossible. I'm from Texas and it reached 101F (38C) today. It's funny because I've always assumed England gets a ton of rain and fog. (London fog)
"We're a very friendly country and love US people so even if you come over for a holiday I guess you'd be pleasantly surprised. But it's NOT cheap."
That's a surprise actually. Most folks I've met from the UK online hate the US and their foreign policies. I can't say that I don't disagree with them on our policies abroad. The US has dabbled too much into foreign policies and our current president, pardon my saying so, but he sucks. I personally love the British and would jump on the chance to visit or even move there one day.
"I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else, though I am fascinated with other countries especially the US. It's so big it's difficult to imagine. We grumble at having to make an hour's trip to go somewhere, you lot seem to do it all the time."
I've noticed that it seems a person living there can work, shop and live with in less of a mile (1.5K) of everything. I actually just moved to a town West of Fort Worth Texas. Everything I need to survive is very close and with in walking distance. It's true though, most places are spread out and to travel by foot would take days. This is one reason why I believe most Americans are obese. I, myself used to travel 60 miles (96K) one way to work. Speaking of being obese, another reason why I believe we are fat is because we are bombed with food commercials constantly. Not only that but in even the smallest of towns you'll find more eateries than any thing else. A perfect example is Joshua Texas. The population is around 4000 people but there's at least 10 pizzerias, a sandwich shop (Subway) and two diners.
"Now who's rambling? Lol. "
Ramble away. I think I got you beat. ;)
ChevyIINova wrote Wednesday June 18 2008, 9:46 pm:
Oh yeah, not to mention too the UK has brought us some phenomenal bands.
isis wrote Thursday June 19 2008, 7:33 am:
"If I am correct I believe the first lager was from Germany. Lagers are bottom fermented, requiring much colder brewing and storage temperatures while the ales and porters are top fermented. Thus it's better to drink it warm, or actually room temperature."
Well, you learn something every day! That's why the guys say beer tastes better at room temperature. They don't get that technical when it comes to downing the amber fluid, they just go for it. :)
We get some wierd and wonderful brews over here, Tanglefoot and Speckled Hen are two that come to mind. There almost seems like a competition to come up with the strangest name for a bottle of beer.
"That's a surprise actually. Most folks I've met from the UK online hate the US and their foreign policies. I can't say that I don't disagree with them on our policies abroad. The US has dabbled too much into foreign policies and our current president, pardon my saying so, but he sucks."
I'd agree with that part, we're not too keen on the old soak over here and we HATE being thought of as the USA's 51st state. We are far too independant to even consider that, politicians - yuck! Unfortunately, your guys in charge do seem to charge in to situations and drag us with them. However, it doesn't stop us loving the 'ordinary' citizens of the US, the food, the funny sayings (to us), the amazing scenery and sheer size of the country.
I live 4 miles from work and 4 miles from our nearest town and that's a pain as it takes a good 15-20 minutes to get to both, and that's when the roads are fairly quiet. We are following the trend of almost living in our cars as the public transport system is so expensive and inconvenient. There never seems to be a bus when you want one, they don't go to the supermarkets and carrying heavy bags any distance is not good, from where I live it's over £2 to get into town. As it's only £1.30 to park in a car park there for two hours and less distance to carry anything, what would you choose?
Our rail system is not cheap either. £50-£70 day return ticket to London from here, (about 100 miles), ridiculous! And as for a ticket to somewhere like Scotland, well, don't even get me started! Lol.
"It's funny because I've always assumed England gets a ton of rain and fog. (London fog)"
This is a legacy from the old black and white films. It added a dramatic atmosphere to the scene but there was a huge problem with it for some time. England (and in particular London) suffered greatly during the 1940's - 1960's from smog. If you've not heard of this, it's a combination of fog and smoke. During this time we used coal that produced a lot of smoke and during the winters it got caught up with the fog and turned yellow and heavy, smelt bad, got into clothing, affected chest conditions and some people took to wearing face masks because of it.
Then smokeless fuel was introduced at the end of the 1950's and the air began to clear. When central heating became affordable the problem cleared up completely, so no more smog.
Of course, now we're suffering from Global Warming like the rest of the world and things are becoming noticably worse. Warmer, damper weather upsets the delicate eco system and some plants and smaller animals are now in danger due to this. It also affects the health of the more susceptible people (like me), so we're all on a 'green' kick now, with discounted tax for cars with lower emmisions, recycling taken from the house, recycled paper, discounts in shops for reusing bags etc. Pretty good really.
"Oh yeah, not to mention too the UK has brought us some phenomenal bands."
Well, I do have to agree there don't I? But then the US turns out some good ones too. What is your idea of great UK groups?
Ramble is as ramble does. I could talk for England. Hey! I just did, lol.
ChevyIINova wrote Friday June 20 2008, 10:56 pm:
"We get some wierd and wonderful brews over here, Tanglefoot and Speckled Hen are two that come to mind. There almost seems like a competition to come up with the strangest name for a bottle of beer."
I'm pretty sure I've heard of that Speckled Hen variety.
"Well, I do have to agree there don't I? But then the US turns out some good ones too. What is your idea of great UK groups?"
I don't need to mention the Beetles or Led Zeppelin.
However, Coldplay, the unforgettable and one of my personal favorites, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd to name a few. Sorry to cut the ramble short but my son just brought me an old tape of mine called "Appetite For Destruction" by Guns and Roses and the tape was out all balled up.
isis wrote Saturday June 21 2008, 1:31 pm:
Oops, that's not good for the music but it makes a great toy lol.
I love most music from the 1950's up to the present day. Buddy Holly to the Stones to Glam Rock to Coldplay, Oasis etc. So many to list. Not so keen on psychedelia music like the Floyd but hubby is. He was actually friends with Greg Lake from King Crimson and Emerson Lake and Palmer when they were younger. He's got a photo somewhere with little Greg at hubbys birthday party lol.
Anyways, enough with the name dropping, good luck with the tape, it doesn't sound too hopeful.
ChevyIINova wrote Saturday June 21 2008, 9:23 pm:
The tape was destroyed. Have you've heard of Amanda Ghost? She's from Northern London. Speak of naming dropping, my brother in-law has a bad here called the J. Walkers. They've already turned down a record deal and have won numerous awards and recently won the battle of the bands. You can check out their hit single "Losing Me" Now, they have some country music undertones but, they got it going pretty good. My wife's brother is the drummer.
ChevyIINova wrote Saturday June 21 2008, 9:24 pm:
LOL I forgot to post the link. Here:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
isis wrote Sunday June 22 2008, 2:23 pm:
Never heard of Amanda Ghost.
The band sounds good, looks good too, and so young!
Why did they turn down a music deal?
ChevyIINova wrote Monday June 23 2008, 12:41 am:
Well, for a few reasons, one at the time all members in the band weren't ready for a commitment. They didn't want to get into something, make it good for a minute and then have them crash. Plus, the record label who wanted to sign them is known for signing on Christian bands, which is nothing wrong with that but they would have rather a mainstream label sign them on. Rumor has it that Warner Brothers Records has their eye on them. We shall see! What makes them different is the fiddle. Most people are thrown off by it, but think, "Hey, that's pretty good."
They are young still. I guess that's the best time to start out! I was in a band once when I was 16 (laugh all you want, called My Band) but I never got to where these guys are. The most I ever did was party and play at bachelor parties and drunken parties. Which were fun and I got the chance to meet another cool band once called, "Coffee Bar Cult" who had an album produced by The Cave in Watauga Texas.
Besides that, we never did any of our own stuff, it was always covers. I sang and played harmonica and keyboard/piano but there wasn't much feeling for it. My best friend Dusty played lead guitar and while his dad played in a semi-successful band, we had disagreements on what we should play. I wanted to play rock while the others wanted to play country and classic rock. I didn't feel I had the voice for either. Some friends once said I sounded like Scott Stapp (lead singer for Creed) when I'd sing karaoke. I still have some tapes laying around LOL. Speak of singing, I love singing to Nirvana, especially the unplugged session.
Sorry to ramble on!
ChevyIINova wrote Monday June 23 2008, 12:42 am:
Sorry about the typos, I'm a little tired.
isis wrote Monday June 23 2008, 8:10 pm:
Mainstream are usually better I guess as they can get the music out to more people. Things have changed a whole lot since I was a teenager. We had 45's and 33 1/3's then, actual vinyl! Young ones today would probably wonder what they were lol.
Sounds like fun, maybe you should all have a get together and have a jamming session?
ChevyIINova wrote Tuesday June 24 2008, 12:29 am:
Naw, that was back in the day. I'd probably look like an idiot now. I remember vinyl too. I had some old 45s.
isis wrote Tuesday June 24 2008, 6:24 pm:
What's the point of getting older if we can't embarrass our kids by looking like idiots from time to time?
I try to do that on a regular basis, just to keep them guessing of course! I do have to be careful though and keep in mind that they will be choosing my old peoples home one day. :)
ChevyIINova wrote Wednesday June 25 2008, 6:00 pm:
LOL, yeah that's something to think about. My kids are still very young though. I'll save the embarrassment for when they bring their dates home to meet us. I'll be sure to show off some baby pictures.
isis wrote Friday June 27 2008, 4:37 pm:
I took naked baby pics especially for that occasion, much to the girls disgust.
I thought that if that didn't frighten prospective boyfriends off, they were there for good! It's worked with one of the girls lol.
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