http://burlaki.com/blog American expat family in London Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:10:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Remember my posts about usage differences in English language? Here is a little illustration. As I was walking by this sign posted at a construction sight, I had to stop and spend a few moments to juggle the different meanings of the words in my head so they ... http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/12/03/random-illustrations-separated-by-common-language/ Here is an amazing notebook that can turn into practically anything. And even provide sustenance on occasion. These and other clips are the creation of Evelien Lohbeck. Real cool! Via Exler. http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/12/02/a-magical-notebook/ You realize that you have a problem of Babylonian proportions when you address a waitress at a Paris café, "Mademoiselle, un peu plus de pain, por favor". With throaty 'r's , no less. http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/12/02/pardon-my-french/ Leaden skies, low temperatures, long intervals of drizzling rain, intermittent gusts of cold wind. I could be talking about your boilerplate British weather of late autumn. In fact, it was the weather that accompanied our weekend in Paris. As if that matters! We love Paris too much to ... http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/12/01/a-getaway-to-paris/ On 799th day from this blog's inauguration, I finally reached my 500th post, at the rate of only .63 posts a day. Not very prolific, I know, but I wasn't really aiming to be such. In fact, in the first 466 days of this endeavor, I only posted ... http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/11/28/post-500/ I celebrated the great American holiday with only 9 hours at the office. As opposed to now habitual 11. At least, there was a sumptuous feast waiting for me at home. Turkey is a rare type of meat that I have only lukewarm feelings about, so we ... http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/11/27/some-kind-of-holiday/ I guess, in the current environment, I should be happy with the amount of work I suddenly have. Except, to be honest, I've been starting to forget the time in my previous life when I habitually put in 11-12-hour days, and I don't believe regret has been figuring as ... http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/11/25/random-illustrations-canary-wharf-dlr-station/ I learned today that my friend Jason conferred the "I Love This Blog" award upon my humble soapbox. I sincerely appreciate your kindness, Jason. It is a bit embarrassing to me that you emphasize "a fascinating outsider's perspective on American and British life", which is something that appears less and ... http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/11/24/an-unexpected-honor/ One of my favorite "fun in pictures" sites on the web, The Village of Joy, has got a hilarious collection of motivational posters. They vary in the strength of message, but they all are pretty funny. See for yourself: 25 Motivational Posters. Nerd that I am, I especially liked ... http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/11/23/how-about-some-motivation/ I mentioned a few times in this series the notion of my own very first cassette tape. In fact, there were two of them. Both were recorded for me by my Uncle, who owned a Sharp dual-deck stereo recorder - a rarity in those days. While he ... http://burlaki.com/blog/2008/11/22/youtubed-memories-blue-suede-shoes/