Mind the Bloody Gap

So in the past for this blog, I've only been posting things when I have filmed and edited videos...which frankly doesn't happen that often so, I've decided I'm going to post more stuff sans videos. I just spent a lovely weekend in Lithuania which my next post will be dedicated too (after all the video stuff is done of course) but today I just wanted to talk about the amazingness of what just happened. I just looked at the weather forecast for this week in FOGGY old London town. The next week is supposed to be mid to upper 40's, sunny AND NO RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I realize that I am jinxing this by writing it on here but I cannot believe how nice its going to be. Looks like spring is finally here.

I woke up and walked out of bed this morning slightly confused because of these strange bright shapes on the ground. Oh wait. That's the sun actually shining in through the window. I had almost forgotten what that looked like :) So I am very excited to got for a long walk through Greenwich this afternoon. But before I do...

Just wanted to discuss something interesting about the airport yesterday. We landed in London at Gatwick airport yesterday afternoon. As we were walking through to get to customs there were 3 signs posted up as to where you should line up. 1)Flights coming from Ireland (they do customs before they get to the UK). 2) UK and EU (european union) citizens. 3) All other passports - including UK visa holders and US citizens. Now for me, I didn't really think anything of this but my friend Sarah who is Australian looked at me and said "Why in the world do they have to specify US citizens on there when it says ALL other passports?"

So let me tell you about the first time I came to the UK many years ago. Now mind you I was naive and it was the first time I had taken a flight and gone through customs on my own. I got to where you line up at Heathrow and had no idea where to go. I saw lines for UK and EU passports and one for ALL other passports. I had to go up to someone and ask where US citizens go because I thought we would have our own line. Pathetic I know but I've spoken to other americans who have done the same thing. And this exact scenario is why they have now written it on the signs. Americans are raised to have an 'us against the world' mentality where we think we are so important that we couldn't possibly be grouped in with the rest of the world.

This got me thinking about the fact that we are brought up saying a pledge of allegance to our flag every morning of school, our national anthem is sung at the beginning of every sporting event and almost every single business or public building has an american flag flying out the front. Yeah...no other countries have a mandatory school pledge to their flag. Every foreigner I've talked to thinks its quite cultish and that I'm insane when I can recite it at the drop of a hat. Haven't found another country where they sing the anthem at EVERY game...only major sporting events. And I didn't even realize the flag thing until Joel came to visit me in Wisconsin and the flags are everywhere...just take a look outside next time you're driving around. I haven't noticed the excessive flags anywhere else that I've traveled. Now you may argue that this is just patriotism which in a way it is and there is nothing wrong with loving your country...but its a little obsessive pushing on mild brainwashing as far as I'm concerned. I mean making little kids put their hands over their heart and swearing their allegiance to something. Kinda crazy when you think about it.

Now you may say I've become jaded when it comes to America but I tend to think of America as my "younger sister". I can say whatever bad things I want to about America but as soon a 'foreigner' says something I will defend the crap out of my country. I love her and she made me who I am today but that doesn't mean that she doesn't have her issues.

So because of all of this I just kinda want to urge you all to travel. Go see the world. See how different other cultures are. Experience more than what you've known. I guarantee it will be such an eye opener for you...it has been for me.

And I'm coming off my rant now...hope you have a good day :)