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Black Friday without Thanksgiving

November 27, 2015 by wroolie Leave a Comment

Ever since I moved to the UK nearly 18 years ago, each year I say “this year, I’m going to make a Thanksgiving dinner”.  And I haven’t done yet.  It’s not that I don’t want to keep some cultural traditions in the family . . . it’s just that it’s not easy when everyone has school and work.  It’s just a normal day here.

However, yesterday, I made a roast chicken dinner.  I know it’s not turkey, but it was huge.  The kids, as they do, came in for the meal and left before dishes  . . . but they enjoyed it.

One interesting thing here in England is that I hear all about Black Friday.  There are Black Friday sales everywhere today.  But . . . not Thanksgiving.  Black Friday, of course, is the federal holiday (part of the long Thanksgiving weekend) where everyone goes out shopping.

We have Black Friday . . . but not Thanksgiving.  We observe the shadow and not the object.

It always amazes me.

Filed Under: Living in the UK

An Overdue Update

April 20, 2015 by wroolie Leave a Comment

It’s been five months since I posted to this blog. I’ve actually been writing a lot on the Overpass blog, but don’t usually make the time to write here. It’s not for lack of things to write about … just the motivation, I guess.

The past few months have been very busy. Last year, I stopped contracting full time and am focusing on apps full time. It’s scary but also a lot of fun. There are times when I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through the month and other times when I can’t figure out why I didn’t do this sooner.

I’m making a lot of Youtube videos for Overpass. I make a weekly video called “A Minute of Overpass” which is was terrifying at first, but now I really enjoy it.

I’ve wanted to create some videos for the past few years, but always felt silly doing it. I don’t like seeing or hearing myself and I’m extra critical. But, after doing 43 episodes of a Minute of Overpass … I’m getting used to it. It’s strange to think that thousands of people have seen me talking about apps. The Overpass youtube channel has over 160,000 views so far. Luckily, so harsh words yet.

I’m just getting passed the “suck” phase of videos. Like, my early stuff was no good, but I’m getting better. I wouldn’t say I’m great at it, but I’m definitely getting more comfortable.

When I made my first few videos, I wrote a script and read it. I just used my voice and no camera. It was not great. Now, I just wing it, and it comes across a lot more natural. It’s strange to meet people (potential clients) and they already know me.

Anyhoo, I’ll try to keep this site up to date a bit more. There is so much I can share here that I would not share with the Overpass audience.

Filed Under: My Life

The Evolution of Halloween in England

October 31, 2014 by wroolie Leave a Comment

Today is Halloween. And I can’t believe how much it has changed in the 16 years I lived here.

When I moved to England in 1998, going trick-or-treating was very awkward. Hardly anyone did it. When my kids got old enough, I would take them door to door. We encountered a lot of older people who had no idea what we were doing. Sometimes, we even saw friends of my kids standing in the doors because their parents didn’t believe in it.

And forget about finding a good costume back then. It wasn’t easy. Now, Sainsbury’s has an entire Halloween section.

It’s nice to see it gain popularity.

But now. . . . I’ve kind of gone off it!

Filed Under: Living in the UK, My Life

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