Cell phones, Mayonnaise, and Clubbing

Somehow, I have spent ten quid on a total of two phone calls to the U.S. (Vicky and Ben, feel privileged. Feel very privileged.) Here’s how else I determined the money could have disappeared: 1) Calling the mobile phone companies to sort out my phone number switching between SIM cards (which STILL has not happened); 2) being charged when I check my voicemail (rip-off number one); 3) being charge to find out how much money is left on my plan (rip-off number two). However, calling to find out how much money I had left was useless, because my phone call today was cut off mid-sentence, anyhow. So much for my pence-to-minutes math.

Other random observations:

When I accompanied my friends Michelle and Angela to an Alpha class at the local Church of Christ the King—this is a class for “people seeking God” and I like Michelle and Angela’s company, so I figured attending couldn’t hurt—we were fed a meal before the speaker got up to tell us how Christianity was not “outdated, impersonal, or irrelevant.” The meal consisted of orange juice, lasagne, and salad. These foods seemed pretty unremarkable, and I remained undisturbed until I moved up in line for my portion of salad. The server scooped some greens onto my plate and motioned to a bowl at the edge of the table. “Mayonnaise?” I took a good long look to make sure I had heard her right and was seeing correctly. Yet, there it was: a big bowlful of white gloppy mayo, clearly intended to be spread upon our fresh vegetables. Slowly, I made my way back to my table, trying not to throw up in my mouth. Mayo is just one of those foods, and on salad…?

Another interesting custom here involves dance clubs. Apparently, it is completely normal and acceptable—assuming you are female, that is—to dress up as imaginary characters in order to go clubbing. I walked into Event II, a dance club in Brighton, with another American living with me in Holland House, Amy, and was instantly assaulted by visions of girls prancing about in nurse, bunny, fairy, and cowboy costumes, amongst other interesting apparel. It was quite a show. I plan to go dancing again tonight, so we shall see what sorts of spectacles present themselves this time. Maybe I will take my camera; I wonder if any of these Brits are exhibitionists?