I find that, increasingly, I use way more Americanisms than “Englishisms”. This has also been a conscious decision on my part for a few underlying factors; a) through increasing American contacts and b) the TV and film industry.
Having married an American, I now have an increasing amount of American’s who I’d like to communicate with – the easiest way to do so is through using Americanisms. I don’t feel like this is a bad thing, and I don’t feel like I’m neglecting where I came from or who I am by doing so. The aim is communicating well across the board, no matter who my audience with.
I feel like this is more allowed due to the way TV and film have affected the way we talk and have given us a huge amount of exposure to American culture (albeit probably an exaggerated version). I think about it logically, and actually all of my favourite TV shows (bar Match of the Day and Topgear) are American – even in the sport arena, I’m longing for the NFL season to get up and running again! American’s, in my opinion, do not have the same exposure to English culture. I am using phrases or words such as “diapers” or “stroller” over their English counterparts, “nappies” and “pushchairs”. If truth be told, then I’m sure most of my English friends know exactly what a diaper or stroller is, because we are exposed to that culture and set of words.
It’s not a bad thing, and I don’t feel any guilt in doing this. I just want people to understand me, ya’ll.
P.S. I wonder just how many times in the above I’ve been very “English” as opposed to “American”… is it time for me to eat my words yet?
Monday, 6 September 2010
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
How Freakin' Cute is My Daughter...?
Josephine Kate is now 8 weeks old. Can you tell how she's already managed to get daddy wrapped around her little finger???
Monday, 2 August 2010
Yesterday was the first day I’ve been “let loose” on a sporting field for about 16 weeks (following Mr. Ben Leaman’s broken shin). It also meant I got my first sporting injury for, ohh, about 16 weeks!
After church we had a picnic and a friendly game of cricket. For those American’s reading who are unsure of cricket, I’ll give you one basic rule that will make this story clearer: If the batsman hits the ball over the boundary line (like the edge of the field in baseball) and it has touched the ground before passing said line, four runs are scored by the batsman.
In this “friendly” game, a friend who was batting just too well hit the ball fairly hard- me being me chased after this ball, and not wanting to let four runs go past me, I slid on my leg for a few metres, stopping the ball with my foot and launching it back towards the bowler. This was the result:
I subsequently had the most painful shower I’ve ever had. Followed by one of the worse nights sleep I can remember. Followed by feeling nauseous all day as a result of lack of sleep/ leg pain. And people thought I’d be tired because of a baby… they obviously don’t know me too well!
The silly thing is, that given the same scenario, with the benefit of hindsight, aware of the risk involved, I’d do exactly the same. Put my body on the line for the win!
After church we had a picnic and a friendly game of cricket. For those American’s reading who are unsure of cricket, I’ll give you one basic rule that will make this story clearer: If the batsman hits the ball over the boundary line (like the edge of the field in baseball) and it has touched the ground before passing said line, four runs are scored by the batsman.
In this “friendly” game, a friend who was batting just too well hit the ball fairly hard- me being me chased after this ball, and not wanting to let four runs go past me, I slid on my leg for a few metres, stopping the ball with my foot and launching it back towards the bowler. This was the result:
I subsequently had the most painful shower I’ve ever had. Followed by one of the worse nights sleep I can remember. Followed by feeling nauseous all day as a result of lack of sleep/ leg pain. And people thought I’d be tired because of a baby… they obviously don’t know me too well!
The silly thing is, that given the same scenario, with the benefit of hindsight, aware of the risk involved, I’d do exactly the same. Put my body on the line for the win!
Friday, 9 July 2010
It's a Girl...!
It’s probably an indication of how I’ve become a [lacklustre] blogger and a slightly more devoted reader that I feel guilty for not posting about our new delivery yet – despite how demanding having a new baby can be. I think people will be more compassionate about the lack of blogging than the Facebook photo requests, but still, this is my platform to brag about my wonderful daughter!
So, my son certainly knows how to make an entrance – mainly due to the fact a daughter popped out! Josephine Kate was born on Sunday 27th June and thankfully came just in time to save me from the apparent disgrace that was England 1 v 4 Germany. This is the first World Cup in memory that I’ve not suffered some form of England-not-being-as-good-as-I-thought-they-were-depression. This is an indication of how much love I have for out new bundle of joy!
After 47 hours of labour, 4 different world cup games watched, countless games at Wimbledon seen through, wearing my Marathon Men tee for most of the duration (I think Liz blames this a tad), Liz kicking my butt at Nerts a few times despite having awful contractions and having a diet of Doritoes and Haribo for three days, a wonderful surprise package came out.
It took me three attempts to wipe away tears and check to see if it really was a daughter before coming to the conclusion that our darling girl must have produced the mother of all finger-wieners during our 12 week scan. Proud moment for me right there. What’s more is that despite calling her “him” for so long, it didn’t feel weird or wrong holding a daughter, it felt natural and right. Not that I wouldn’t have been over the moon with a son, but it doesn’t feel like there’s a son shaped hole in our lives – Josie is more than I could ever have wished for and if one day I’m blessed with a son I will be equally overjoyed.
She has gotten all of her positive attributes from her mom – her good looks and her chilled out personality – and a double chin and big hands and feet from her dad!
In short, I am the proudest man alive – have been for 15 glorious days now (she’s only 12 days old, but the Friday-Sunday of labour Liz was astonishingly laid back, coped fantastically well and made me beam with how well she coped with the ordeal!) and will be for the rest of my life. I know every child is the most beautiful and the most special and loved alive, but Josie is the real deal. There are so many things that I love about her already, when she yawns I swear there is nothing cuter, after she sneezes she makes the most hilariously funny noise which has her dad in hysterics, she finds the best positions to get out poop causing her to either throw herself around my torso or demand mom so that she can poop on her (3 times now!).
I’ll try not to make this a “Phil is bragging about his family again” blog- but no promises. They are simply and utterly wonderful.
P.S. Good luck Sarah Nichols… who is having a girl (??) so very soon. We can’t wait to meet her!
*Regretfully, I will not be posting pictures on this blog – we have taken the stance that only password protected sites will have photos on them.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
New Purchases...
On Saturday, Liz and I got the last of the “essentials” before baby comes along. We ended up getting things that I never thought I would purchase or have never purchased before, including a shower cap (which I actually tired out this morning!), a sieve (they just always seem to be around!) and some Colgate Plax Mouthwash (buy on get one free – ohhh yeah!)
It is with the Colgate Plax that I take particular issue with. On the back there is blurb about “fighting plaque” and “keeping cavities healthy”… the usual, the stuff that store brand 3 litre bottles for 50 pence also say. On said packaging there was a call to use it before you go to bed and wake up “feeling great”…
In my mind I pictured* waking up, rolling over and smooching my wife with amazing minty freshness - with her amazed face certain it was kissing a cool breeze- and getting along with the day feeling so great that I even forgot to brush. Turning up to church and people literally turning their heads and chasing after me to say one thing: "I've never smelt such minty goodness extruding from one's mouth before.What on earth do you use?"
When I woke up, it smelt like something had died in my mouth. Seriously. My feelings of grandeur were immediately expelled and I let my wife lay in ignorant peace for another few hours.
You lied to me, Colgate. You lied.
*I have no minds eye, and therefore cannot conceivably “picture” anything in my mind. When I read Harry Potter I imagine my old secondary school because I know the layout and don’t need to picture anything
It is with the Colgate Plax that I take particular issue with. On the back there is blurb about “fighting plaque” and “keeping cavities healthy”… the usual, the stuff that store brand 3 litre bottles for 50 pence also say. On said packaging there was a call to use it before you go to bed and wake up “feeling great”…
In my mind I pictured* waking up, rolling over and smooching my wife with amazing minty freshness - with her amazed face certain it was kissing a cool breeze- and getting along with the day feeling so great that I even forgot to brush. Turning up to church and people literally turning their heads and chasing after me to say one thing: "I've never smelt such minty goodness extruding from one's mouth before.What on earth do you use?"
When I woke up, it smelt like something had died in my mouth. Seriously. My feelings of grandeur were immediately expelled and I let my wife lay in ignorant peace for another few hours.
You lied to me, Colgate. You lied.
*I have no minds eye, and therefore cannot conceivably “picture” anything in my mind. When I read Harry Potter I imagine my old secondary school because I know the layout and don’t need to picture anything
Monday, 21 June 2010
Happy Father's Day...
A day late, I know, but I was distracted yesterday by the most amazing wife giving me a great father’s day. Despite the fact that our kid is now 9 days overdue so I haven't gotten to physically hold our child yet, Liz summoned the energy to make me feel like an amazing father already – I even got a card signed from the little one!
Everyone who knows me (especially those at my wedding reception) will know how much my dad means to be. Indeed, the only time I cried during the whole day was to address my father during my speech! I truly believe that if I turn out to be half as good a dad to my children as he has been to me, then my family will flourish. I find myself increasingly not wanting to take him for granted, as I know many out there do not have this kind of relationship.
I wanted not to just mention this great man, but another who in football terms may be described as his opposite number; my father-in-law, Bob Watkins (or Big Bob to most).
I have only had the pleasure of spending about 6 weeks of my life with him, and only spoken to him on the phone a handful of times – yet his warmth and integrity and welcoming qualities shine through abundantly. His sense of humour and candidness are remarkable (typically after most of my punch lines Liz will tell me that it was a joke her dad would tell!), I remember asking for Liz’s hand in marriage and his response was: “Sure… you have to live with her”!!
We don’t appear to have much in common – we grew up an ocean apart; he’s into baseball, I’m into football; he’s incredible at Trivial Pursuit, I struggle with multiple choice questions; his scorecard reads like a soccer score, mine like a cricket score – yet I feel completely at home when with him, it's just so clear that he's a quality man. He’s quietly spoken, but will produce a real gem when he converses. I can sit for hours with him in a room without saying anything, and feel like we've had quality time.
This isn’t meant to be a soppy blog, so I'll stop before I've taken it too far (fearing that I already have); I just happen to have two great men in my family.
Happy Fathers Day, guys.
Everyone who knows me (especially those at my wedding reception) will know how much my dad means to be. Indeed, the only time I cried during the whole day was to address my father during my speech! I truly believe that if I turn out to be half as good a dad to my children as he has been to me, then my family will flourish. I find myself increasingly not wanting to take him for granted, as I know many out there do not have this kind of relationship.
I wanted not to just mention this great man, but another who in football terms may be described as his opposite number; my father-in-law, Bob Watkins (or Big Bob to most).
I have only had the pleasure of spending about 6 weeks of my life with him, and only spoken to him on the phone a handful of times – yet his warmth and integrity and welcoming qualities shine through abundantly. His sense of humour and candidness are remarkable (typically after most of my punch lines Liz will tell me that it was a joke her dad would tell!), I remember asking for Liz’s hand in marriage and his response was: “Sure… you have to live with her”!!
We don’t appear to have much in common – we grew up an ocean apart; he’s into baseball, I’m into football; he’s incredible at Trivial Pursuit, I struggle with multiple choice questions; his scorecard reads like a soccer score, mine like a cricket score – yet I feel completely at home when with him, it's just so clear that he's a quality man. He’s quietly spoken, but will produce a real gem when he converses. I can sit for hours with him in a room without saying anything, and feel like we've had quality time.
This isn’t meant to be a soppy blog, so I'll stop before I've taken it too far (fearing that I already have); I just happen to have two great men in my family.
Happy Fathers Day, guys.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Open Letters...
Dear Son…
We’re ready for you to come out now! Your room is decorated, you have a nice cozy place to sleep and a whole room to yourself if you so desire. The finishing touches have been put into place, so now we need a baby to come and occupy our lives, we have been waiting almost 10 months you know!
If I can meet you soon I would be most grateful.
Yours forever,
Dad
Dear World Cup,
I knew I was right to keep faith in you. I told you that the second round of games are now must win and will get more exciting. You’re welcome. Thank you for offering football for a whole month, right now, you’re one of my favourites.
Thank you also for scheduling my three countries to play today. The German quarter of me will be cheering at 12.30pm, the American side (which I know, I technically haven’t got one… but have fairly significant ties) will be vuvuzelaing at 3.00pm and the English ¾’s going crazy come 7.30. What a day.
Yours for a month more,
Phil
Dear world,
We will tell you when the baby comes… no need to keep asking! The standard response to “any signs yet” will continue to be “have you heard anything??”
Thanks,
Mean Old Man
Dear Freebie Friday,
Thank you for putting your leftover sandwiches out in the canteen at 2 o’clock… double lunch is unnecessary, but I’ll take it. Every week.
Never hungry on Fridays,
Phil
We’re ready for you to come out now! Your room is decorated, you have a nice cozy place to sleep and a whole room to yourself if you so desire. The finishing touches have been put into place, so now we need a baby to come and occupy our lives, we have been waiting almost 10 months you know!
If I can meet you soon I would be most grateful.
Yours forever,
Dad
Dear World Cup,
I knew I was right to keep faith in you. I told you that the second round of games are now must win and will get more exciting. You’re welcome. Thank you for offering football for a whole month, right now, you’re one of my favourites.
Thank you also for scheduling my three countries to play today. The German quarter of me will be cheering at 12.30pm, the American side (which I know, I technically haven’t got one… but have fairly significant ties) will be vuvuzelaing at 3.00pm and the English ¾’s going crazy come 7.30. What a day.
Yours for a month more,
Phil
Dear world,
We will tell you when the baby comes… no need to keep asking! The standard response to “any signs yet” will continue to be “have you heard anything??”
Thanks,
Mean Old Man
Dear Freebie Friday,
Thank you for putting your leftover sandwiches out in the canteen at 2 o’clock… double lunch is unnecessary, but I’ll take it. Every week.
Never hungry on Fridays,
Phil
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