Walk Or Take the Train Down Memory Lane

It's Saturday. Aside from immense frustration at the Minnesota Twins, it's been a good day. I went to a few open houses and saw a lot of people that I haven't seen for a while, so that was nice. The other day I dropped by my high school and said hi to my high school band director. He told me to call him and he'd have me and my friend over for a beer at his house and tell us all the stories he couldn't tell us until we were 21. Score.

Re-acclimitation has been going well, but I've noticed some definite changes in how I think and act. Being abroad and seeing America in a new lens definitely liberalized my political standing. For many years I have been blind to politics in America, which is really a shame, since political action was one of the great founding principles of this country. I decided to become more political, and take more of a stand for those newfound ideals. In short, as a result of my liberal leaning political tendencies and general common sense, I've been trying to live more environmentally conscious. No, Al Gore did not turn me over to the dark side. It's just a more fulfilling way to live, I feel. Part of my personal campaign is going to try and utilize public transportation, as well as biking and walking more often. The car is a wonderful thing, it truly is. But do I need it to walk to my grandma's house, or to drive what would be 15 minutes on a bike? No. It's just stupid. One thing about England is the incredible walking culture. That's the one thing that I truly appreciate more. I love to drive, and I love America's driving culture as well. But that's a culture for the open road, for driving Route 66, for epic road trips. Not for driving downtown to a Twins game while there's a perfectly good light rail that will take me instead.



One little thing I loved about Nottingham was public transportation, which I utilized frequently. Took the 53 to campus, the 77, 78, 79, or tram downtown, and the 34 from uni to the city centre. It makes you feel like such an urban citizen, so street smart. Not only do you save on emissions, but you get to see the people who live where you do, and that's cool. Friday, as I was taking the light rail downtown, a service disruption forced us to take a bus service from Lake Street to the Metrodome. As I sat on the bus, I noticed the incredible diversity surrounding me. I sat next to a middle aged hispanic woman who happily chatted away at me about the overloaded bus. On the other side sat a pseudo-goth woman. A middle class white family stood in front of me. A few black teenagers stood a bit of a way down. An Indian-American talked on his mobile. I loved being a part of this, this wonderful diversity that our country features. I think riding the tram or bus helps you be a little bit closer to the "essence" of this place. Yes, it takes longer. Yes, it probably costs the same as the gas that would take me downtown. Yes, sometimes it's cramped with people. But it's the right thing to do, I like doing it, and dammit, I don't care.

Wasting some time this afternoon, I stopped into the Barnes and Noble near my house, which is sort of my hangout. Nerdy, yes I know, but something about Barnes and Noble is very soothing. It's got a certain mellowness to it that relaxes you, as well as makes your wallet scream "BUY BOOKS! SPEND MONEY!" Plus, I like to think that I'll finally get around to reading all the books I want to. But I found myself in the travel section, facing a shelf chocked with guidebooks to Britain and London. And for the first time, I had a gut-wrenching pang of desire for my English home. It's been great to be home in America, no doubt. And that is the honest truth. But a part of me is always going to be English now. Looking at books designed to guide green Americans through my second home was just very strange. I felt a certain satisfaction, knowing that I no longer need such literature. But also, a certain burst of uncomfortability and longing, knowing that it will be quite a while before I return. Ah, sadness.

What to do, what to do. Well, I got a new pair of shorts that actually fits me. I had a cup of tea. I swore violently at my new internet capable mobile as I learned the Twins lost again to a bad team. And now, I think I'll watch an episode of The Office (UK version) on good old TV links. Some things never change, no matter what continent you find yourself on.