Aloha Chicago Two weeks away from Chicago and the weather here is the warmest I have seen for a fair few weeks but I'm only here for a few days before I go kicking and screaming to Honolulu on Saturday with 'work.'

Of course there won't be any FA Cup semi-final distraction to worry about just a little end of seasoner up at that lucky hunting ground The Reebok, although other than last season's thrashing we haven't faired too badly up there in recent years.

This week I play my favourite work game of 'catch up' as well as entertain some ex-colleagues from London tonight and try to stay in one place long enough to get the lovely Maria to cut my hair.

Friday my boss (Chicagoan born and bred) has decided to take myself and another Englander and good mate out for an early St George's Day lunch. There is a pub downtown called The Elephant & Castle which doesn't do a bad job of steak and kidney pie and a pint of Boddingtons, so you will find me in there Friday afternoon although I expect the barstaff will not have a clue what the red cross on the white background stands for.

As I have mentioned on here before I have had all kinds of American intelligensia (sic) give me their college educated opinions on what the flag of St George is. Not one has yet guessed correctly with still the 'first aid flag' polling the most votes.

I have never been to Hawaii and before you get to envious you should read this article. I am hoping to get some respite from the work-grind to venture out though and take some photographs of the island of Oahu. Aloha.  ¶ 10:00