I think I need a new rule for living in America. A clean break. I will try, as hard as I can, to avoid political arguments on Internet forums. Oh sure, I now know the Office of National Statistics website like the back of my hand, and I can whittle out the disinformation from a Department of Works and Pensions Press Release in about three to five minutes, but it never changes anybody’s mind, does it?

(having said that, I did enjoy a parting drive-by on Hacker News where I pointed out to an American that Obama became President in January 2009, not January 2008)

There’s still an air of ‘calm before the storm’ here in Snappish Towers. Packing was supposed to happen this week, but due to visa-related shenanigans, that’s been postponed until a week Tuesday, so I’ve been pottering around a bit. That all ends tomorrow with my first trip of two to London, involving a stay at the Barbican (CONCRETE!), my visa interview, and my final walk along the South Bank for at least five months. I know, I don’t know how I’m going to cope without seeing the Queen Elizabeth Hall for that long either.

I have already broken my ‘no political arguments’ resolution this morning. But I had to break out my collection of debt interest repayments as a percentage of GDP figures, I swear.

Finally, I can heartily recommend the Atomic Burger restaurant on the Cowley Road in Oxford. A little cramped, but good burgers (not quite up to OnlyBurger standards, but still tasty!) at reasonable prices. Plus, nerd overload with the comics and toys hanging from the ceiling!