Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
Nov 11, Armistice Day
I was surprised to learn that we share the "Veteran's Day" remberance with the English. They call it remberance day and they honor veterans of WWI and WWII at 11:00am on Nov. 11th. This year the Queen dedicated a memorial to New Zealand for the 1800 soldiers they lost in WWI and I can't remember the number in WWI but the % was very high. Very few people lived in New Zealand during those wars. Anyway, the memorial looks a little odd on TV, but I am sure it is cool in person. The design includes chards of metal sticking out of a grassy mound with some sort of insignia on each one... I will try to get to see it in person. Anyway, people wear these cute little red poppy lapel pins that old people sell for some charity. It is good to know that we aren't the only ones who appreciate what our veterans have done for us and the rest of the world. (of course, England, Ireland and Europe have way more veterans than we ever thought to have... hello... the Crusades!! oh I could go back to BC with the list.
Anyway, a very cool thing, my cousin shared a piece from letters that my Grandfather wrote to my Grandmother on Armistice Day, Nov 12, 1918, while he is was stationed in France... this true history, albeit my Grandfather's opinion...
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
November 12, 1918
My Dear Annie,
The old French expression “C’est la guerre” will soon have to sink into oblivion, for the Armistice has been signed and Germany given thirty days notice to sign a peace treaty or have their country devastated the same as they themselves ruined Belgium and Northern France; and no one can conceive of the German people, who, at last, are free agents, wishing to renew hostilities.
Last Saturday night the news reached here that the Armistice was about to be signed, and everyone was excited as only the French can and, from then on, until 11 o’clock yesterday morning, thousands upon thousands lined the streets in front of the News Agency anxiously awaiting some more news, but nothing encouraging came over the wires until about 10 o’clock yesterday when it was announced that the Armistice had been signed and at 11 all fighting would stop. Then the fun commenced and I don’t expect to see such a sight again if I live to be eighty years of age. Everyone nearly went crazy.
Men, women and children were running around kissing each other and shouting, “Vive l’France, Vive l’Amerique”, and waving flags and, every once in a while, a bunch would get together and sing the Marseillaise. Our band started to parade through the streets but they were nearly taken off their feet and, in an hour or so, they returned looking as if the battle of the Marne had been fought all over again. There was as at least four or five thousand people following them, and they surely went crazy when they got within the Headquarters grounds. It was an hour or more before the crowd could be dispersed. All the sirens and church bells and every other contrivance was utilized to make known the good news and it was impossible to talk, much less hear, so about 3p.m.we closed up the ‘shop’ and all went downtown. It was the greatest crowd I want to see, Americans, Frenchmen, Englishmen, Scotsmen, Canadians, Algerians, Brazilians, Japanese, Russians, Greeks, Serbians, Belgians, Italians, Portuguese, Chinamen, and Lord knows how many more, all celebrating the downfall of one nation.
I guess every man, woman, and child in this city turned out, for it took us about an hour to walk four blocks. All the stores, restaurants, cafes etc. closed up and even the streetcars had to stop, for they could make no progress whatever
within the crowds.
Around six o’clock the crowd began to be more jubilant than ever, so, in order to show up favorably, about eight hundred of us marched in columns of squads all through the principal streets. We got the reception of our lives and we had no trouble in securing flags. Everybody was willing to give up theirs and, of course, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse them, so, at the end of the parade, every one of us had at least one flag. The streets were all decorated in bunting and flags and, to our delight; we found that the Stars and Stripes was second only to the Tricolor. These French surely appreciate us and, take it from me, they know how to celebrate. It was our first opportunity to be with them on such a day and, believe me, it will be long remembered. I thought the Fourth of July celebration was great, but it couldn’t hold a candle to this one.
No doubt the States went crazy also yesterday, but I don’t believe that they show it like these people. They are naturally excitable and, given the chance to show it, they can’t be beat. Of course they have much more to be thankful and joyful over than our folks, for it was their soil that was in danger of occupation by the enemy and, yesterday practically meant the ceasing of such dangers, as menaced their country for the last forty years, forever.
This armistice, of course, does not necessarily mean peace, but it is a long step toward that goal, and I don’t believe that the German people, now that they have the government in their own hands, will ever permit hostilities to break out again, for, if they do not accede to the allies’ demands now, nothing short of entire occupation of Germany will satisfy us. The peace conditions are hard pills to swallow, but it is their own medicine and they must accept them.
Who in this wide would could have foretold five months ago what was to happen yesterday? The end came about as quickly as the affair started, and to-night report has it that the Krons-prinz has been assassinated. Now how about the Kaiser?
Everything is going along the same as ever, and this morning found us back on the job as the last of our celebrations was last night, although the French extended the holiday to to-day.
I received your letters of Oct. 13th, 11th, and 10th last night upon my return and, as usual, I was glad to hear that you were all in good health and pray that this letter still finds you the same. We hear a great deal, over here, about the Spanish Flu in the States, but I hope that you and the folks will be spared the ordeal of this sickness. Some of the boys up the line have been hit pretty hard, but it seems to have been checked, thank God.
I also received your clipping showing the pictures of the crowd at Golden Gate Park on the day on which the big affair in which you participated took place. It surely reminded me of the good old days of a year or so ago, but I hope that, before another year passes, I will be able to again look the old familiar spots over.
We are having some fine weather here and yesterday especially was warm for November. To-night it is a little cooler but just enough coolness to make the air fresh and brisk. Up north the weather has been rather cold, but nothing like that down here. Do you wonder why I consider myself so lucky?
Give everybody my best regards and tell them just because the war is almost ‘finis’ they shouldn’t think that no more letters are interesting. Keep us supplied with news and things will along better here.
Hoping that the peace which is about dawning will have risen in all its glory by the time that this letter reaches you (as we now have accomplished our purpose) and that you are all enjoying the of health, I will close.
As ever
Joe
Corp. J. A. Bosque
Pretty cool, this was written almost 90 years ago... he was so descriptive.
Anyway, a very cool thing, my cousin shared a piece from letters that my Grandfather wrote to my Grandmother on Armistice Day, Nov 12, 1918, while he is was stationed in France... this true history, albeit my Grandfather's opinion...
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
November 12, 1918
My Dear Annie,
The old French expression “C’est la guerre” will soon have to sink into oblivion, for the Armistice has been signed and Germany given thirty days notice to sign a peace treaty or have their country devastated the same as they themselves ruined Belgium and Northern France; and no one can conceive of the German people, who, at last, are free agents, wishing to renew hostilities.
Last Saturday night the news reached here that the Armistice was about to be signed, and everyone was excited as only the French can and, from then on, until 11 o’clock yesterday morning, thousands upon thousands lined the streets in front of the News Agency anxiously awaiting some more news, but nothing encouraging came over the wires until about 10 o’clock yesterday when it was announced that the Armistice had been signed and at 11 all fighting would stop. Then the fun commenced and I don’t expect to see such a sight again if I live to be eighty years of age. Everyone nearly went crazy.
Men, women and children were running around kissing each other and shouting, “Vive l’France, Vive l’Amerique”, and waving flags and, every once in a while, a bunch would get together and sing the Marseillaise. Our band started to parade through the streets but they were nearly taken off their feet and, in an hour or so, they returned looking as if the battle of the Marne had been fought all over again. There was as at least four or five thousand people following them, and they surely went crazy when they got within the Headquarters grounds. It was an hour or more before the crowd could be dispersed. All the sirens and church bells and every other contrivance was utilized to make known the good news and it was impossible to talk, much less hear, so about 3p.m.we closed up the ‘shop’ and all went downtown. It was the greatest crowd I want to see, Americans, Frenchmen, Englishmen, Scotsmen, Canadians, Algerians, Brazilians, Japanese, Russians, Greeks, Serbians, Belgians, Italians, Portuguese, Chinamen, and Lord knows how many more, all celebrating the downfall of one nation.
I guess every man, woman, and child in this city turned out, for it took us about an hour to walk four blocks. All the stores, restaurants, cafes etc. closed up and even the streetcars had to stop, for they could make no progress whatever
within the crowds.
Around six o’clock the crowd began to be more jubilant than ever, so, in order to show up favorably, about eight hundred of us marched in columns of squads all through the principal streets. We got the reception of our lives and we had no trouble in securing flags. Everybody was willing to give up theirs and, of course, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse them, so, at the end of the parade, every one of us had at least one flag. The streets were all decorated in bunting and flags and, to our delight; we found that the Stars and Stripes was second only to the Tricolor. These French surely appreciate us and, take it from me, they know how to celebrate. It was our first opportunity to be with them on such a day and, believe me, it will be long remembered. I thought the Fourth of July celebration was great, but it couldn’t hold a candle to this one.
No doubt the States went crazy also yesterday, but I don’t believe that they show it like these people. They are naturally excitable and, given the chance to show it, they can’t be beat. Of course they have much more to be thankful and joyful over than our folks, for it was their soil that was in danger of occupation by the enemy and, yesterday practically meant the ceasing of such dangers, as menaced their country for the last forty years, forever.
This armistice, of course, does not necessarily mean peace, but it is a long step toward that goal, and I don’t believe that the German people, now that they have the government in their own hands, will ever permit hostilities to break out again, for, if they do not accede to the allies’ demands now, nothing short of entire occupation of Germany will satisfy us. The peace conditions are hard pills to swallow, but it is their own medicine and they must accept them.
Who in this wide would could have foretold five months ago what was to happen yesterday? The end came about as quickly as the affair started, and to-night report has it that the Krons-prinz has been assassinated. Now how about the Kaiser?
Everything is going along the same as ever, and this morning found us back on the job as the last of our celebrations was last night, although the French extended the holiday to to-day.
I received your letters of Oct. 13th, 11th, and 10th last night upon my return and, as usual, I was glad to hear that you were all in good health and pray that this letter still finds you the same. We hear a great deal, over here, about the Spanish Flu in the States, but I hope that you and the folks will be spared the ordeal of this sickness. Some of the boys up the line have been hit pretty hard, but it seems to have been checked, thank God.
I also received your clipping showing the pictures of the crowd at Golden Gate Park on the day on which the big affair in which you participated took place. It surely reminded me of the good old days of a year or so ago, but I hope that, before another year passes, I will be able to again look the old familiar spots over.
We are having some fine weather here and yesterday especially was warm for November. To-night it is a little cooler but just enough coolness to make the air fresh and brisk. Up north the weather has been rather cold, but nothing like that down here. Do you wonder why I consider myself so lucky?
Give everybody my best regards and tell them just because the war is almost ‘finis’ they shouldn’t think that no more letters are interesting. Keep us supplied with news and things will along better here.
Hoping that the peace which is about dawning will have risen in all its glory by the time that this letter reaches you (as we now have accomplished our purpose) and that you are all enjoying the of health, I will close.
As ever
Joe
Corp. J. A. Bosque
Pretty cool, this was written almost 90 years ago... he was so descriptive.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Nice Ride...new car.
Today, Sunday, Nov 12, I took a drive to Brighton. I felt the need to see the sea. (No pun intended.) After a frustrating morning with my network connection, I decided a nice long drive in my pretty blue new car was just what I needed. By the time I left the house it was 2:00pm. I set the "Nav" system to the "Kings Road," Brighton.
In my reference book on England it is referred to as the place where Victorian men would take their mistresses for rendevous. When they wanted a divorce, they would also bring photographers to be able to verify infidelity. Seems a little odd..
It was a very easy ride... south M404, east on M25, southwest M23... about one hour and thirty minutes. After the freeway experience, like Hwy 17, it dumps you into the town of Brighton. Unlike Santa Cruz, this is not a sleepy little beach town. It is very much like San Francisco, the Marina district to be precise. Parks, shops and three to six story buildings, all facing the sea. The buildings all have bay windows, similar to those in the Marina, but I am sure much older. There was some sort of 10k race going on in one park and every field had a soccer (football) game being played.
You wind down through the city until you notice in front of you an open area that is blue... oh there it is, the sea!! There is a wide promenade overloaking the beach area that seems to stretch for miles. A pier supports several buildings, restaraunts, amusement rides, and game areas, similar to the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz but much older and smaller. Down the center of the pier is a covered area painted white, lined with black painted iron benches. Old style street lights line the pier as well. All of this lights up as the sun goes down. As you look back at the city you see rows of hotels, restaurants, stores and apartments all lined neatly across from the promenade.
You can just imagine the Victorian couples strolling along, enjoying the sea breeze, planning the evening, stopping for ice cream or a cold drink.
The wierdest thing of all was that the beach is not sand, it is rocks or I guess big pebbles, like Johnson's Beach at Russian River! That was a surprise.
The sun goes down about 4:30 and everyone was heading towards the beach or the pier to enjoy the sunset. I have to say, it was as beautiful as any I have seen in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Australia, Greece, Spain or yes, in the US... although I will say Kansas has some amazing sunsets!
A nice drive for a dull day... I hate Sundays... and Sundays alone are the worst!!
In my reference book on England it is referred to as the place where Victorian men would take their mistresses for rendevous. When they wanted a divorce, they would also bring photographers to be able to verify infidelity. Seems a little odd..
It was a very easy ride... south M404, east on M25, southwest M23... about one hour and thirty minutes. After the freeway experience, like Hwy 17, it dumps you into the town of Brighton. Unlike Santa Cruz, this is not a sleepy little beach town. It is very much like San Francisco, the Marina district to be precise. Parks, shops and three to six story buildings, all facing the sea. The buildings all have bay windows, similar to those in the Marina, but I am sure much older. There was some sort of 10k race going on in one park and every field had a soccer (football) game being played.
You wind down through the city until you notice in front of you an open area that is blue... oh there it is, the sea!! There is a wide promenade overloaking the beach area that seems to stretch for miles. A pier supports several buildings, restaraunts, amusement rides, and game areas, similar to the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz but much older and smaller. Down the center of the pier is a covered area painted white, lined with black painted iron benches. Old style street lights line the pier as well. All of this lights up as the sun goes down. As you look back at the city you see rows of hotels, restaurants, stores and apartments all lined neatly across from the promenade.
You can just imagine the Victorian couples strolling along, enjoying the sea breeze, planning the evening, stopping for ice cream or a cold drink.
The wierdest thing of all was that the beach is not sand, it is rocks or I guess big pebbles, like Johnson's Beach at Russian River! That was a surprise.
The sun goes down about 4:30 and everyone was heading towards the beach or the pier to enjoy the sunset. I have to say, it was as beautiful as any I have seen in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Australia, Greece, Spain or yes, in the US... although I will say Kansas has some amazing sunsets!
A nice drive for a dull day... I hate Sundays... and Sundays alone are the worst!!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Guy Fawkes Night
I forgot to detail my first "Guy Fawkes" celebration. Well, at about 5pm I arrived home from a shopping trip in Maidenhead...(when in doubt, SHOP!) to find a mound that was at least 12 feet high in the big field about 40 yards from my front door. The neighbors were taking trip after trip of garden cuttings and other burnable, non toxic items to the mound. I went over to get a closer look. On the top of this mound was a scarecrow looking thing supported by a makeshift pole. The "head" was a paper maiche pumpkin looking thing with a hat on it. (The kids down the lane had made it and painted it orange and black.) Anyway, I approached the mound and introduced myself to the two neighbors, John and Rob who were preparing the mound for burning. They said, well, welcome to the neighborhood and to our celebration of burning the Catholics... (at that point I decided to remember not to discuss religion with any of the neighbors!) Anyway, all in all, quite an impressive mound! I returned to my cottage to prepare the brownies and garlic bread that I had volunteered to bring.
The official bonfire was to begin at 6:30pm. (or 18:30 if you are on 24 hr clock)... I left my house just in time to see the whole mound go up in flames... the Guy Fawkes efagy burned quickly, and the rest of the mound kept going. It was quite impressive. We stayed out there until almost 9:00pm, drinking wine and eating off the pot luck table set under a makeshift light. All around us individuals were setting off fireworks, and I mean fireworks...big bursts of color in the sky. Evidently, on any occasion they will shoot off fireworks. People have fireworks at their weddings! Our neighborhood didn't do fireworks because there were too many little kids. Anyway, it reminded me of our neighborhood Fourth of July parties, only with a bonfire.
I was invited back to my neighbor's house were a number of the bonfire watchers were invited for baked potatoes, salad and desert. It was very nice, good conversation and good wine. I found a Califorinia wine from Ironstone Vineyards Cabernet Franc at a local store and brought that as my contribution. Of course, I had to tell them all about the vineyard... Yes, I talk a lot, even to people I don't know... Anyway, it was a great night out for me. I haven't had many since arriving here. Not sure whether they will invite me back... I did give my opinion on Bush and Clinton... (I remembered not to talk religion but I forgot about politics.)
I am still trying to download a picture of the mound... soon to come.
The official bonfire was to begin at 6:30pm. (or 18:30 if you are on 24 hr clock)... I left my house just in time to see the whole mound go up in flames... the Guy Fawkes efagy burned quickly, and the rest of the mound kept going. It was quite impressive. We stayed out there until almost 9:00pm, drinking wine and eating off the pot luck table set under a makeshift light. All around us individuals were setting off fireworks, and I mean fireworks...big bursts of color in the sky. Evidently, on any occasion they will shoot off fireworks. People have fireworks at their weddings! Our neighborhood didn't do fireworks because there were too many little kids. Anyway, it reminded me of our neighborhood Fourth of July parties, only with a bonfire.
I was invited back to my neighbor's house were a number of the bonfire watchers were invited for baked potatoes, salad and desert. It was very nice, good conversation and good wine. I found a Califorinia wine from Ironstone Vineyards Cabernet Franc at a local store and brought that as my contribution. Of course, I had to tell them all about the vineyard... Yes, I talk a lot, even to people I don't know... Anyway, it was a great night out for me. I haven't had many since arriving here. Not sure whether they will invite me back... I did give my opinion on Bush and Clinton... (I remembered not to talk religion but I forgot about politics.)
I am still trying to download a picture of the mound... soon to come.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Today, I am whole! ... well, almost,
Today was a convergence of happenings. First thing this morning, BT, the ever friendly, non-customer focused telecom company, as promised, delivered an engineer who walked through my house in his socks, (because I have white carpet and live in a mud puddle...) and connected phone lines (oh, not free, mind you...to the tune of GBP 46.00, equivilant to USD 90.00 per line) so that I can pay Sky cable to connect my tv's to channels other than BBC 1,2,3, or 4... God is good!!
After that, I received an email to my work email, stating that my broadband connection (yes, another BT adventure) at home was now up and running.(How you would ever know without a work email is beyond me.) I am happy to say, after almost three months of not having internet access at home, I AM CONNECTED!!
Then, to top it all off, I was delivered my brand new (Seagate provided) car. A gorgeous, metalic blue, 320 si, BMW, salon style, four door with all the bells and whistles... blue tooth phone, sun roof, heated seats, parking sensors (yes, I need them!), "lovely" as the guy who delivered it said, beige interior. Also, a big plus, tires that don't go flat... can you imagine! What will they think up next? Oh, yeah, I have a "Nav.. system as well... no more excuses for being late to work. Anyway, I was only able to drive 10 minutes home from work, but I am going for a long ride this weekend!!
All in all, not a bad day for a Monday. I feel so lucky to have had such a day. What can possibly top this!!
Well, tomorrow is another day!
After that, I received an email to my work email, stating that my broadband connection (yes, another BT adventure) at home was now up and running.(How you would ever know without a work email is beyond me.) I am happy to say, after almost three months of not having internet access at home, I AM CONNECTED!!
Then, to top it all off, I was delivered my brand new (Seagate provided) car. A gorgeous, metalic blue, 320 si, BMW, salon style, four door with all the bells and whistles... blue tooth phone, sun roof, heated seats, parking sensors (yes, I need them!), "lovely" as the guy who delivered it said, beige interior. Also, a big plus, tires that don't go flat... can you imagine! What will they think up next? Oh, yeah, I have a "Nav.. system as well... no more excuses for being late to work. Anyway, I was only able to drive 10 minutes home from work, but I am going for a long ride this weekend!!
All in all, not a bad day for a Monday. I feel so lucky to have had such a day. What can possibly top this!!
Well, tomorrow is another day!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
The English Lifestyle
Just a quick note so that I don't get out the habit of updating.
I have actually spent almost an entire week in my new place alone. It isn't creepy or anything. I am quite comfortable. I enjoy coming home at night to my cute little cottage with the white picket fence and nicely trimmed hedge. The kitchen is where I live because I don't have a TV in the living room yet. It is a brand new kitchen so I feel very "cosmopolitan" as I heat up my weight watchers dinner in the microwave and sip a glass of white wine. (No, I haven't lost any weight, and the reason I am drinking white wine is because red wine is not good for acid reflux...rrr it is a bitch getting old!) Anyway, I generally get home about 8pm because I talk to the states on the lease line at work and try to get caught up on the stuff I didn't get done with all the conference calls, meetings, etc. Don' t feel sorry for me though. One of the nicest things here is that we don't really start work until 9-9:30am. If you know me well enough, you know this is perfect for me!! Anyway, I have met a few of my neighbors and they all seem very nice. This weekend the "hood" is having a pot luck bonfire to celebrate Guy Fawkes day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night. Evidently this guy had planted explosives in the basements of Parliament, way back when, but he got caught. They burned him at the stake (thus, bonfire) and also exploded all the explosives so they also celebrate with fireworks... Hmmm, Fourth of July - Independence from England, Guy Fox day - England burns one of their own... Correlation?? "Don't be silly!"
I will report in after the event...
Bye for now, keep those comments coming, I love to read them.. keeps me connected!
PS: Any of you English teachers, (and you know who you are..) Don't be too critical of the writing... I am in a hurry...
I have actually spent almost an entire week in my new place alone. It isn't creepy or anything. I am quite comfortable. I enjoy coming home at night to my cute little cottage with the white picket fence and nicely trimmed hedge. The kitchen is where I live because I don't have a TV in the living room yet. It is a brand new kitchen so I feel very "cosmopolitan" as I heat up my weight watchers dinner in the microwave and sip a glass of white wine. (No, I haven't lost any weight, and the reason I am drinking white wine is because red wine is not good for acid reflux...rrr it is a bitch getting old!) Anyway, I generally get home about 8pm because I talk to the states on the lease line at work and try to get caught up on the stuff I didn't get done with all the conference calls, meetings, etc. Don' t feel sorry for me though. One of the nicest things here is that we don't really start work until 9-9:30am. If you know me well enough, you know this is perfect for me!! Anyway, I have met a few of my neighbors and they all seem very nice. This weekend the "hood" is having a pot luck bonfire to celebrate Guy Fawkes day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night. Evidently this guy had planted explosives in the basements of Parliament, way back when, but he got caught. They burned him at the stake (thus, bonfire) and also exploded all the explosives so they also celebrate with fireworks... Hmmm, Fourth of July - Independence from England, Guy Fox day - England burns one of their own... Correlation?? "Don't be silly!"
I will report in after the event...
Bye for now, keep those comments coming, I love to read them.. keeps me connected!
PS: Any of you English teachers, (and you know who you are..) Don't be too critical of the writing... I am in a hurry...
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