Dear England, My Old Friend

Dear England,

I miss you, my old friend.

I know you probably won't believe me, but it’s true. Yes, I know I haven’t called, I’m sorry. I could have sent an email or text, hell, I didn’t even write on your Facebook wall. It’s just a bit too soon. I’m trying to get settled here in the States, in Detroit.

I enjoyed our time together and I want you to know you that you will always hold a special place in my heart.

I wouldn’t be who I am today without the time we spent together. You have given me so much and I've grown in amazing ways since we first met.

You even introduced me to my husband, thanks for that. It was your history, traditions, and charm that first set my heart racing. And I miss so many things about you.

I miss the New Forest, which was just minutes from our home. In 1079, William the Conqueror declared this land his royal hunting forest and in 2005 it became a national park. I love the wild ponies that roam freely on the land.

And by roam freely, I mean they will stop in the middle of the very narrow roads and pissed off patient drivers must wait for them to meander off on their own. The New Forest ponies are protected; if you hurt one in any way you just may land yourself in jail.

A wild pony roaming in the picnik area of the High Corner Inn.We didn’t go to the beach very often but it was nice to know that it was there, again only a few minutes from our doorstep.

I mean, an ocean is much better than a lake, right?

I’m not much of a beach bum, but I loved the beach huts and the Bournemouth Pier. And your gardens, you have such lovely gardens.

A row of beach huts in Bournemouth.Of course I miss our friends and family most. I miss the little things, the everyday life things, as much as I miss the big events.

My husband and his mates in Cardiff watching their hometown footie team, the Bournemouth Cherries, in the finals in 2003.I’m not sure why it didn’t work out between us.

Maybe the timing was wrong or maybe I just didn’t try hard enough. Yes, we had some great times and grew close but I never felt I could be myself when we were together. Really, it wasn’t you, it was me.

My husband and I hope to visit soon and I’ll be the first to give you a great big hug.

I know I'll appreciate you even more than I did the first time we met.

And yes, I do remember the first time we met. I was overwhelmed with wonderment and excitement as I walked up the steps of the London Underground and laid eyes on you for the first time. It was an adventure that I will always cherish and won’t ever forget.

All my love,

Becks

The Pinball Wizard & The Spanish Inquisition

Whether you have smallish children, teenagers, or in my case, a husband that is a 6 years old at heart, Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is a delight. Now, to be fair, we were the only adults not accompanied by children when we visited this spectacle that is part museum, part arcade and a whole lot of interesting.

Marvin's Magical Mechanical MuseumSeriously, this place has everything from Ms. Pac-Man, which sadly wasn’t working, to WaveRunners, fortunetellers, electric chairs, a bank of pinball machines, and the Spanish Inquisition. Now, I wasn’t expecting the Spanish Inquisition. (Everyone all together: “No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.”)

Old amusement machines.Marvin Yagoda is the mastermind of this place; he has been collecting these machines for over 50 years and opened his arcade in a strip mall in Farmington Hills in the early 1990’s. Jeremy Yagoda, Marvin’s son, now manages the museum.

My husband enjoyed the more modern games; he drove a crazy taxi and an 18-wheeler before settling on pinball. After he broke The Simpson’s pinball game he moved on to the Lord of The Rings version with gusto. Ok, he didn’t actually break The Simpson’s game, a ball just got stuck. Thank god he’s good at pinball, that saved us tons of quarters with all the replays he was getting and he was happily occupied for a good 45 minutes.

My husband, the pinball wizard.I liked looking at the older machines, the many planes hanging above, and the overall decoration of the 5,500 square foot indoor playground. The Spanish Inquisition game first got my attention with its gruesome figures promising floggings and torture. What kept my interest, though, was that this particular amusement was first displayed on the Brighton Pier in England. Brighton was one of the destinations on my original itinerary on my first trip to the UK but I didn't make it there on that trip. And even though the coastal town is only about 2 ½ hours from our old home in Bournemouth, I still haven’t been there.

The Spanish Inquisiton "amusement" game.There is also a snack bar, a carousel for the little ones, and a version of skee ball. Honestly, I can’t describe everything that’s going on here. The kids all were having a fabulous time and the parents didn’t have that eyes-glazed-over bored look. One unexpected bonus is free wifi.

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum will appeal to geeks, video game addicts, history buffs, curiosity seekers, and any kid or kid at heart. Raid those piggy banks and coin jars and take plenty of quarters. If you forget, there is an ATM and change machine.

Marvin's is located at 31005 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. Phone: 248-626-5020.

Elvis, Pierogies, & Art

So, what’s going on in Detroit this weekend? Plenty! There are always festivals going on in the summer in Metro Detroit but I think the following list is quite diverse.

Mario Kombou will be performing at Elvisfest and he's English!Hydroplane races return to the Detroit River with the Chrysler Jeep Superstores Detroit APBA Gold Cup; July 10-12. General admission ticket prices are $15 for all 3 days but there are also discount tickets available for the unemployed.

The American Polish Festival is taking place this year at the American Polish Century Club; July 10-12. Last year they served 20,000 pierogies! Check out the event schedule, which includes The Polish Muslims.

Michigan Elvisfest is descending on Ypsilanti to celebrate the King of Rock and Roll; July 10-11. It takes place in Riverside Park on the banks of the Huron River and is billed as the “best and largest tribute concert in North America.” Sounds like a lot of fun and an opportunity to snap some great pictures.

Taylor Summertime Fun Festival; July 10-12. This doesn’t seem to be your average community festival; they have mud volleyball tournaments, a BBQ cook off, and a No-Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament.

The Royal Oak Outdoor Art Fair is a juried event taking place at Memorial Park; July 11-12. The fair features both fine art and crafts.

I mean, how do you choose between fabulous Polish food, Elvis, and boats? What are your plans for the weekend?

Party Like A Rock Star at The Whitney

In 1894, when the David Whitney House was completed, the Detroit Free Press described it as,

"an American palace enjoying the distinction of being one of the most pretentious modern homes in the state and one of the most elaborate houses in the west."

It’s an amazing structure built in the Romanesque Revival style with Tiffany windows throughout. Unfortunately, David Whitney only lived in the house for 6 years before he died. The house has had few owners since then and today we know it as the fashionable and upscale restaurant, The Whitney.

The historic Whitney Mansion.But the Whitney isn’t just for fancy schmancy dinners. It also has a cool vibe side; they have been doing their 89x Garden Parties for a while now on Thursdays. Earlier this summer they started Twilight Tuesdays and it has caught my attention.

Twilight Tuesdays, like the 89x parties, are also in the garden. It launched on June 2nd and will continue throughout the summer, rain or shine. If it rains the party just moves from the garden to the Ghost Bar. Why did Twilight Tuesdays catch my eye? The party is from 8pm-1am and there is a $20 cover. But, and this is why it got my attention, that cover gives you an open bar from 8pm-11pm. I know a lot of people who could make that $20 worth their while. Oh, and there is music with DJ Captn20. All this on beautiful summer evening at one of the most pretentious homes in the Midwest. Yep, sounds like a good time to me.

Oh, and they have a happy hour. The Whitney offers “rain or shine” happy hour Tuesdays through Fridays from 5pm-7pm. The happy hour specials are $3 domestic beers and $5 cocktails.

So, we have Twilight Tuesdays, 89x Garden Parties on Thursdays, and “rain or shine” happy hour. As a special bonus there are people who say the old Whitney mansion is haunted. Oh yeah, I’m so there.

The Whitney is located at 4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. Phone: (313) 832-5700. Please remember to drink responsibly and use a designated driver.

Hot Dogs In A Jar & Other Nonsense

Today, July 4th, I would like to say thank you America and happy birthday. I’m grateful to be back in my homeland and I’m proud to be a citizen.

Of course, I’m happy to be near my friends and family again. And I’m all giddy about the freedom and opportunities this fine country has given me. Oh, and that “no taxation without representation,” that’s a good one.

But today America, I thank you for not subjecting me to this:

Hot Dogs in a jar.Yes, I give you hot dogs in a jar. And please note, they are “American” hot dogs. This is what was on offer in the UK. In a jar? Really? I don’t think so.

For my second exhibit, I give you:

Macaroni & Cheese in a can.Yep, that’s macaroni and cheese in a can. I have never missed a blue box so much.

So, thank you America. I love you and your hot dogs that plump when you cook them and the cheesiest mac and cheese in a blue box. Oh, how I have missed you.

Did I mention that there isn’t any good Mexican food in the UK? There isn’t even bad Mexican food to be found, no Taco Bell. Actually, rumor has it that there is a Taco Bell in the UK. It’s on an American Armed Forces base. That didn’t help me at all.

How did I survive such travesties? Suitcases full of ranch dressing, onion soup mix, Cheetos, and Fritos helped. I can also now cook some pretty damn good Mexican food and homemade macaroni and cheese. I must say my guacamole is pretty outstanding. Those hot dogs, however, I just stayed away from.

I must give a big shout out to Britain. Thank you for challenging me and my taste buds. I probably wouldn’t have taught myself how to cook my comfort foods if you didn’t offer the appalling options mentioned above. But, hey, your cheese is amazing; I’ll give you that.

Happy Independence Day to all my American friends! Enjoy your BBQ's and be thankful that your hot dogs don't come from a jar.