Oatmeal just ain't porridge

On my second night here, I went to the supermarket for essential supplies. One of them, of course, was breakfast (the most important meal of the day folks - a cup of coffee just isn't enough!).

The range of cereals on offer was a bit much to absorb in my befuddled, jetlagged state, but I espied a box of oatmeal. "Ah!" think I. "That's just like porridge isn't it? Well that'll do me, I love porridge".

Oatmeal ain't porridge. Porridge has more texture, less glugginess, and, paradoxically, more of a feeling like it's sticking to your ribs and cushioning your body against the demands of the day. The stuff I got sticks to the tongue, yes, but not the ribs. I should have been warned when I read the preparation instructions - just add boiling water. You have to cook porridge for at least 3 minutes before it's ready to eat.

Maybe it's just cause I've never bought easy-to-cook porridge at home, but if this is what all oatmeal is like, it's really not the same thing. Oatmeal is porridge's poor, weak cousin.

P.S. Even wikipedia thinks they're the same thing, however, look at the picture of the "instant oatmeal". Porridge shouldn't be shiny like that. I think there lies my mistake - I'll know better next time. So many traps for foreigners...

In San Francisco

I like fog. Which is lucky, since it's a daily occurrence here. But it is cold, and I'm finding it harder to wake up in the mornings without sunshine. Mind you, that might just be the jetlag.

I've been here for three days, and I'm slowly getting more adventurous. On the first day I went to work, and the apartment I'm staying at - a full 15 minute walk away. Plus the drive from the airport to the apartment, but I don't think that counts.

On the second day I went from the apartment, to the office to (gasp) Trader Joe's, where those who know me will probably be amused but unsurprised to learn that I bought a basil plant (plus pine nuts and parmesan cheese - yes, I intend to live on basil pesto). I liked Trader Joe's, and would thoroughly recommend it as a shopping experience for any visiting the U.S.

But the highlight of my week so far was definitely last night, when Mariko took me to a Yelp party. Thanks Yelp for the free Guinness! I spent a happy forty-five minutes chatting with Mariko, Kqm (pron. Kim) and Matt while we were queuing for the free beers (Matt was wearing an Australia jumper, turned out he'd visited in March, and Kqm had been over for the Sydney Olympics).

Then Mariko and I found a corner (can't say a quiet one, there was nothing quiet about the place), where we chatted happily for an hour and nearly finished our pints of Guinness (which was pretty impressive since I normally struggle with a half-pint) before Marc showed up. Not having eaten much that day (and not being much of a drinker), I was feeling pretty light headed by now, so Marc and Mariko took me off to a very nice cafe which I can't remember the name of. On the way we picked up a copy of The Onion - it's in print here! For Free! I had some yummy Nachos and a great time. Thanks guys!

PhD widows on facebook

Thanks to Tamar Wilner, we've got a place to get together and whinge:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2453604453