An early Halloween

"Hef" "Helga"

It's Michael's first Halloween. So why not celebrate at the biggest party in Miami? Well, that's exactly what we did. We had people over to our place first then headed to Vizcaya. We had a great time at the party, but we are paying for it today with a hangover to match!

Furniture update + TV

So much excitement!! We thought we found a nice daybed online. Not cheap, quite big, fitting in the room perfectly.... so wrong. We opend up the first of five boxes, pulled out the first part and this is what we got


We didn't even bother opening the rest and had it shipped back today.

On a more positive note we went to buy some more chairs for the dinning table/sitting area. They are great!


Oh yeah, I forgot. Our DirecTV was disconnected. Apparently they subcontractor didn't process our application. So after 6 weeks of normal service they noticed that no bill had been paid for our line, which was still in the name of Sandra Diaz. We paid our bill, but they screwed up and cut our service. Now we are back on and it all looks fine. Still waiting for an apology, though.

Package from Germany

Before leaving Cambridge I packed a package with some things I could not fit in my suitcase - winter jackets and a blanket. I thought I won't need those immediately in Miami. After looking at different mailing options it was clear that sending it directly to the US was far too expensive. It was actually cheaper to mail it to Germany and then forward it to the US. Why is everything to bloody expensive in the UK? And why is service so poor there? Anyway, today the package arrived.



Front and back of the package didn't look too bad, a little dirt and the paper a bit torn, just what to expect. One corner, however, was completely smashed and there was a hole punched right through one sort side of it. Luckily I put everything inside in plastic bags so it stayed dry and clean. I now have 3 (!) warm winter jackets (2 leather, 1 wool), a puffer vest and a thick llama wool blanket. When will I need those, if today we still have 31C / 90F?

American Football

is not Cricket, but they also postpone a game if it's raining too hard and I mean torrential downpour.
Went to see the Miami Dolphins play the Oakland Raiders. Miami hasn't won this season and saw an opportunity against the equally bad starting Raiders. Well, Miami got beat 35-17 and people started leaving at the beginning of the 4th quarter.
Nevertheless, we had fun and enjoyed my first American football experience, beer and hot dog included.