Tag Archives: US

Julia Roberts’ best friend (Rousse)

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Dreamaticus

My planned move to the US would be an adventure, although not without regret. I knew, for example, that I would miss the pals that I left behind in the UK. ‘Please don’t worry about us’, actress Julia Roberts assured … Continue reading →

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Housework for a ride (Rousse)

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I had an appointment to meet Steve Rickman in his office at the university at 8:00am. It wasn’t far along the coast, so I planned to walk along the shoreline to our rendezvous. I hadn’t considered that this would be … Continue reading →

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Identifying elite US and UK universities (Rousse)

Posted on March 14, 2025 by Dreamaticus

I told a gaggle of American students that everything that I had ever learnt about elite US universities came from watching films. They were impressed that this ‘strategy’ of mine was so successful. I then asked them if they could … Continue reading →

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Corridor encounters with Bob the Drag Queen and Alan Cumming (Rousse)

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Dreamaticus

All dolled-up, Bob the Drag Queen rushed along the corridor without acknowledging me. In contrast, Alan Cumming – also in drag – grinned and threw me a wink when we brushed past one another. I made a mental note to … Continue reading →

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A cycle ride across the US (Rousse)

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Dreamaticus

I cycled miles and miles across the US. The most terrifying part was on the inside lane on the freeways; the most adventurous through dense forests, where the trees and the sky were my only company.

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A neglected guest witnesses wax flowers, uncovers a property tax dodge, and sticks up for non-smokers (Rousse)

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Dreamaticus

I visited J and GC at their new house in the US. They had relocated there for G’s job. His role now extended beyond sound production and included procurement. These days star-struck hopefuls would approach him seeking fame and fortune … Continue reading →

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Dot.com heyday reunion party gatecrashed by secret lover (Rousse)

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Dreamaticus

The huge Sun Microsystems Sunrise reunion was hosted in a massive chain hotel in a major US city. It was almost as if the heady days of the dot.com boom had never ended. My boat was so late docking in … Continue reading →

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Naked swimmer’s shame (Rousse)

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Dreamaticus

TPR was about to bring even more shame upon us. After our long swim downstream, he hauled himself out of the river in the middle of a densely populated American city, peeled off his wetsuit, and declared that it was … Continue reading →

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A fateful ferry ride (Rousse)

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Dreamaticus

The hire car was parked just 200 yards away. I was meant to walk this short distance down the road and drive it back to the house. Instead I embarked on a road trip with colleagues TF and RS, and … Continue reading →

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Brown bear transport to Hawaii (Rousse)

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Dreamaticus

SC confessed that she had frittered away all her savings on foreign holidays, so I was somewhat surprised when she said that she was joining me, JC and TPR on a trip to Hawaii. BR helped make the travel arrangements … Continue reading →

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