Last night, Amanda and I went on our first date since we came to the UK. A coworker and his wife came over and watched the kids while we went to a formal black-tie ball put on by the kids' school. The girl took the picture here of Mom and Dad looking sharp. I think the flash might not have gone off, which is why its so grainy.
Amanda and I had a great time with dinner, dancing, and conversation. Dinner was Duck breast, which was quite good. There was a band of geriatrics who were just not the right people for this party. They played one set of awful renditions of various types of music, and then the DJ started. Hardly anyone was dancing to the band, but as soon as the DJ started, the dance floor became packed. The band took a hint, and packed it in. I got to meet a lot of the parents that Amanda had already met through school and (since I don't dance) had a great time talking with the other dads (who also don't dance). One of them told me to just tell my company to "Sod off" and move to the UK permanently. Quite honestly, its just a bit tempting.
The event started at 7:30 and we didn't get home until 1:30! The time flew by, plus the weather was unbeatable. It had been sunny and warm (about 65) all day (finally, no rain!). The ball was held in a large reception tent out on the athletic field. Since it stays light until after 10, I didn't even realize that it was getting late until I looked down at my watch and saw that it was already 11:30. Amanda and I didn't feel like leaving in the slightest. It really was a great time.
Last Wednesday I went gym climbing. I did a few bouldering problems and then did routes. I was crap. Not climbing for three weeks really screws up your skills and your grip. I'm thinking I'll get a squeeze ball or something for the times that I can't get to the gym. I also need to go in early next time and show the staff that I know how to lead. The gym is about 70% lead only routes, so I've started to get bored with the limited top rope routes.
Sheffield has two large climbing gyms, The Foundry and The Edge. (There is also a large bouldering-only gym.) I have climbed both places and The Foundry is better, but The Edge is closer and has the climbing club thing where they will pair me up with other climbers. Anyway, the Edge was absolutely packed on Wednesday. I figured it was just all the rain had driven the area climbers indoors, but I found out it was also that The Foundry was flooded and had not yet reopened. It really is awful how many homes and businesses were lost or damaged. June was the wettest on record (over 100 years), and the locals all agree that it has never rained like this in their memory. Here's hoping July is better.
Next weekend my parents are coming to visit! The whole family is very excited and looking forward to seeing them. Then I'm off to Reno to present at a metrology conference. Back in the UK for a couple of weeks. A short trip to London with my parents. Then back to St. Louis for my second and final interview. Finally, the family is planning a trip to Ireland for mid August.
Oh, we also bought Amanda a car today. It needs its MOT inspection, and so the owner is going to do that and we will get it on Tuesday or Wednesday. It's a Peugeot five-door hatchback. Automatic transmission (an essential for Amanda). Seems to be a fairly decent car. It is always a gamble, but I think we'll come out O.K. on this one.
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