Six degrees of separation to Harry Connick Jr
My life in the USA is kind of bizarre and that’s probably why I love it!
Last year I filmed a TV show for the Investigation Discovery Channel called Deadly Affairs: To Catch a Cheat. When you’re on set you chat, hang out and make friends with the other extras.
On set that day was Shaina from Baltimore and we did a couple of scenes together – and she was very cool. And then yesterday I see a commercial for the talent show American Idol and, blow me down, if she isn’t one of the top 24 contestants on the show!
This is ‘Shi’ (that’s her stage name), bottom left of this pic.
Shi, bottom left corner
That is very, very cool. I hope she wins!
This is our scene together in the show (it’s bad quality, but hey, you can make us both out!)
And the reason I say I now have six degrees of separation to the insanely talented Harry Connick Jr is that he was on the panel for the American Idol audition Shi attended and is one of the judges for the whole show. But what do I know about it all, I don’t watch it! But I might now that both Harry and Shi are on it!
Electric Shocks
Question: how come I keep getting electric shocks here in Columbia, MD? Like effing loads! Like on the nose of my poor cat! Like 10-15 a day. Weird.
Keep getting zapped!
Brits in the USA
It has come to my attention that are loads of us Brits here in the USA, especially in this area on the East Coast. I find more and more of them everyday! And they all love it here! And I love them – they’re so positive!
I’m not sure if there is a plan to take over America, or whatever, but if there is, I missed that memo. 😉
Taking my plate
Argh, it’s been nearly three years and this still bothers me in restaurants: taking my plate before the other person or people I am eating with have finished.
It’s just not deemed to be a British table etiquette thing and I can’t help but balk at it when it happens. But, when it happens, I just smile and say sorry and thanks, though, because that it is my British way 😉
ukdesperatehousewifeusa 
The reason you keep getting loads of effing shocks is the lack of humidity. You create static electricity every time you shuffle your feet, slide off of a chair, etc. When you touch your cat or something that is “grounded” your electricity is discharged. Sometimes when you take off a sweater in a dark room you can actually see the sparks fly. This will ease up in the spring or a humidifier can also be helpful. 🙂
Thank you, super clever clogs 😉
I don’t mind at all when the waiter removes someone’s plate from the table before all have finished eating but if it bothers you that much just tell the waiter to leave yours and he will. Simple solution.
It really doesn’t bother me that much at all! It’s just one of those cultural differences that I like to write about. I can live with it, honestly! Much bigger issues in the world! If that’s the way it’s done here, so be it. Happiness reigns. Plus, I’m British, so god forbid I say anything! That’s not in our nature! 😉
I’ve moved here recently, and I find it strange when people take my plate away in restaurants! I wrote about it recently on my blog and received some interesting comments… Our two countries are so similar in some respects, and so different in others. And as you mentioned Brits on the East Coast – I’m on my way to a British expat meet-up tonight 🙂
…I so agree re the plate removal. To me, it undermines the idea of a meal as a social, community thing, and replaces it with the idea of a meal as just an opportunity for the individual to eat. I also hate it if they bring the next course and put it in front of the one you’re still eating. A meal out is an occasion: it’s not just about the food.