Painting the river green
So what have I been doing these last few (still freezing) days. Oh yes, painting, painting and more painting, oh and stuck at Detroit Airport for five and a half hours on Friday. Something about having a seat on a flight booked for 5pm Sunday night when it should have been 5pm Friday night. Great.

The weather is still cold, we were dumped on by a huge snow storm on Friday night as the winter in the Windy City continues. I spent both Saturday and Sunday decorating at my new place, helped by my Aussie mate yesterday but I did find time to get out for another friends birthday on Saturday evening and stayed out a bit longer than intended.

I read on Casino Avenue about the St Patricks Day parade in London. Well the whole thing is huge here and lasts for about 2 weeks. They famously colour the Chicago River green (photo's above taken from my apartment) and there are two massive parade's - one on the North side and one on the South. Of course you won't meet anyone Irish, just lots of drunk American's wearing silly green hats and beads.

Not surprisingly I have become patriotic since I have been here and if the red cross of St George gets bad press at home, then it certainly doesn't here because no one has a poxy clue what it represents.

Last year on April 23rd I took some colleagues out for a pint of warm bitter and a pie in this quasi English pub in recognition of St Georges Day and with this year's falling on a weekend I plan to step up the celebration.

I agree with ex home secretary David Blunkett that we should stop being "apologetic about our history" and start to positively celebrate St George's Day. (more)

As for a public holiday, we don't even get Good Friday off here because it is too politically incorrect!  ¶ 20:00