the ashes

things are going great here. Work is getting increasingly busy, which is nice and i've had some success on a few projects so I think they are happy with what I am doing. My boss was quite busy so after my list of assignments on thursday last week we weren't really able to catch up much until just yesterday, but she seemed happy with what is going on.

There is cricket fever sweeping the country today and it's all everyone is talking about at work. Right now England and Australia are starting the first of a five day "test" to win thecup of ashes (similar status to the stanley cup in canada I think)... cricket hasn't been huge here but England hasn't come close in 16 years or so, so everyone is picking it up really fast.

all these years i've heard the family talk about cricket, but I should have paid a bit more attention I guess. I think i've got the gist of how it works, but little did I know that a game lasts five days... Since today is the first day everyone is hoping that England gets off to a good start.

Last night my housemates all went out to the pub, but I was feeling a bit sick and having some allergy problems from something at work all day, so I just stayed in and had a quiet night. I think we'll all go out tomorrow and on saturday we are doing a day trip to either a place called Horseworld or something else which sounds similar to African Lion Safari... should be fun. They seem to be a fun bunch and like to travel a bit - they did a road trip to Paris a few weeks ago, and love to go driving so they were really interested to hear about my trip to Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans this year.

I've seen a lot about New Orleans on the news... it's so sad. It seems like the city might never be the same again. I remember the tour guides telling us that the city was below sea level and that if a hurricane ever hit it would be disastrous... I'm glad I had a chance to see it when I did, hopefully i'll be able to go back someday and see it revived. The British news is covering it all the time, floating around in boats and talking to people who refuse to leave their homes, interesting to watch but a bit overwhelming. I assume its probably the same there.

Anyway, i'm just starting work and got here a bit early so I thought I would put up a quick post... but it's time to get back down to business.

- Chris