Wildwood, NJ: #30 of Time's "Authentic American Experiences"

We love Wildwood, NJ. My parents vacationed there before I was born. My first visit was somewhere around my second or third birthday, and one of my favorite memories is my older cousins coming down while we were on vacation and taking me out for a long walk on the boardwalk with "the big kids". I love the long boardwalk, I love the deep beaches, and I love the smell of the salt air. So, it is nice to see the Wildwoods getting some love as #30 on Times 50 "Authentic American Experiences".

The Difference Between The US and UK: Therapists

An American expat living in London, Delia Lloyd, recently discovered what she believes to be the major difference between Americans and Brits. She went to her doctor looking for a general therapist and the doctor's reaction was, "You're not sick, so there's really no one I can refer you to." Through this, she realized that where Americans will complain, Brits choose to grin and bear it, coming up with their own workarounds. It does explain why Americans tend to be less content, but things seem to (at least from our side of the pond) get done faster than our European friends.

Americans are losing their religions

A new study is confirming what we have been expecting. Americans of this generation are far less religious than those of past generations. Of most interest to me was the fact that the change does not appear to be specific to region or ethnic group, and even unassimilated immigrants are tracking with the trend. Does this mean that we are headed toward purely secular societies like Europe, or is it a sign that the poll is too tied to older religion designations and is ignoring new movements like the "Emerging Church"?

Things we take for granted

This observation is profound, and reminds us of some unique strengths of America.

...The colleague had been touring the young democracies of Eastern Europe during the American election, and he found it wasn't so much Barack Obama that immediately knocked out observers but Mr. McCain's concession speech. This is the first American transfer of power they'd seen in eight years, and they couldn't get over the peacefulness and grace with which Mr. McCain accepted the people's verdict...

Why Americans will never embrace soccer (European Football)

I admit that I am mostly posting this to get the reaction of Sean and CRChair to this article which posits 7 reasons why soccer will never be a popular American sport. Personally, I only ever find soccer interesting if one of my friends is playing - and never if I am playing. But I have been lectured on numerous occasions by AYSO parents, referees, and players as to why I should find it interesting and how soccer is in fact the ultimate sport.

1. Americans don’t have the Attention Spans.
Soccer is a continuous game that is heavily influenced by a teams endurance and stamina. Unfortunately, Americans do not understand that concept. While the most popular sport in the United States involves watching a car go around a track for 600 miles, soccer is players running constantly for 90 minutes. Unlike soccer, however, NASCAR also involves the elements of horrendous crashes, pit stops, and fan favorites. Football also stops after every play, and during the four quarters of the game. The same goes for the innings of baseball, and the quarters of basketball.
2. Low Scores.
Because soccer is such a competitive and trying sport, the scores remain relatively few and far between. Americans like scoring, in all ways, forms, and meanings. Look at every other sport and their average scores, and then compare them to a high scoring soccer affair involving 5 – 6 goals. While scoring a goal is exciting, you have to remember spectators endure 90 minutes of passing balls and running in order to witness the goal.

What is your (American) Accent?

I took the test, and I think this is pretty accurate. I grew up in NJ before moving to the NYC suburbs of CT, and then went to upstate NY for college. I think I sound pretty American-neutral.

What American accent do you have? (Best version so far) Midland ("Midland" is not necessarily the same thing as "Midwest") The default, lowest-common-denominator American accent that newscasters try to imitate. Since it's a neutral accent, just because you have a Midland accent doesn't mean you're from the Midland.

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