baseball and a busy culture week

Its been a busy week. Pete is still settling in and trying to figure out how to get a job in the US.

Last Tuesday we went to the baseball in the Bronx. We watched the Boston Red Sox vs the Yankees. New York is only about 90mins away by car so we could just go down for the evening with my work friends Bryan and Florian. Bryan is a huge Red Soxs fan but kept suitably quiet as we were surrounded by Yankee fans. Before the game we went to a diner which looked just like in the movies. We had hamburgers. Pete of course had a vegie burger and they even asked him how he wanted it done. The burgers were pretty gross and we were still full at lunch the next day. When we tried to get into the stadium I got stopped cos I had 2 bags - by handbag and my groovy red cloth bag that I take everywhere to avoid plastic bags. The bag had chips and drinks in it. The security person said I could only take in one bag. So I called Florian back and put my handbag around his neck (Florian is German and looks like someone that could feasibly have a man bag) THat wasn't allowed cos Florian was a man and couldn't bring in a bag - only women were allowed to have bags. So then I put my handbag into my red bag but that wasn't allowed either. The guard was getting shitty at this point and directed us out of the line. A different securty guard explained that my red bag could be used as a weapon. So we got a plastic bag and put the chips and drinks in (plastic bags are allowed and were supplied) I didn't even try to explain about global warming and America being addicted to oil, I just politely took the bag. A guard suggested we could just hide my red bag in my handbag and try to get back in. I was too scared though - NY security guards aren't friendly. So we went back to the car, dumped the red bag and went back in with my handbag and the plastic bag of chips. A true American experience.

The baseball was better than expected. It goes a lot faster than cricket. Half way through we got to stand up and sing God Bless America - only one verse though - I don't think the attention span is long enough for much more. A guy ran onto the field which is a $1000 fine - just like in Australia you are thinking - but no. He was fully clothed. (And the Americans thought I was strange cos I was disappointed that he was clothed.) The other difference was that at least 15 cops ran onto the field and tackled him. They could've just formed a circle around him, but no they had to try and dislocate his neck. Baseball was fun to watch though.

On Thursday we went to happy hour which was cheap beer and 20c chicken wings in 32 different flavours. Yum!

On Sunday we went to the US equivalent of a neighbourhood watch BBQ. We learnt that we are just around the corner from a place that helps down and out people. They have an international night once a month so we might go and talk about Australia sometime.

After that we went for a walk down Dixwell Ave which is through the black neighbourhood (yes segregation is alive and well). I felt conspicuous but Pete didn't. I felt like I was intruding. It was pretty interesting though and I hope Pete gets a job near there somewhere so we can learn more. There were kids everywhere outside playing and riding bikes. Is this because they can't afford an x-box or is it a cultural thing? There were lots of beauty parlours. African American women often have really elaborate braiding. We also walked past a lot of churches. Some that sounded like night clubs! And the men outside were wearing suits that were purple or gold etc, not boring black. Lots of people were also sitting on their front porch. It actually reminded me of life when I was a kid.

Big news - my first paper has now been accepted with minor corrections. Trevor tells me one down 99 to go before I retire. Seeing as it has taken 6 and a half years for one I'm not too hopeful of early retirement. I shall tell myself it is quality and not quantity.

By the way, we managed to find some summer clothes for Pete.