Back in chilly State College again. This time we're staying at the delighful Marriott Residence Inn which has kitchens as well as a pool and a gym. I've managed to go twice already - exercise I sorely need. Just wish there were a few more hours in the day - or even days in the day! Everything just seems to take too long at the moment. Too much to do and too little time.

Saw Snatch last night with Tim, St and Barbara. Had its amusing points and Brad Pitt comes across very well but overall a thumbs down - it's like lock stock and two smoking barrels with less originality and humour and more pretentious camera tricks. Oh well. Had a luvelery time catching up with St and Barb though with great food at Galaxy Diner pre-film and then a good time at Cyrus' party before heading down to the Leopard Lounge to catch Susan's boyfriend on the decks. Immensely packed little space and for some reason completely full of Brits...

The end of our first week in State College, Pennsylvania working for AccuWeather. I actually slept 12 hours last night - missing Colleen's friend Sarah's party - catching up on a week that's been non-stop since about two weeks ago. We are, in theory, supposed to get Fridays off to compensate for the fact that it's taking us 10 hours of driving time to get there and back every week, but at the moment we're finishing off Lease.com at the same time so me and John are completely knackered.

State College, learning home of Katie "Katbert" Wegman - currently our cultural advisor on which bars to attend, is an extended town based around the College which is located dead center. It's one of those standard American towns where not having a car is effectively crippling. Of course, I'm one of only a few people on the team who can drive. Ooopsy.

Interesting facts learnt so far:

• There are no sorority buildings in State College Why? Because under PA law more than four un-related girls in the same building is defined as a whorehouse and hence illegal. We didn't quite believe this when Joe (Martin's friend) told us this but Katie informs us it is true, but there are special girl only dorms around town. They're the ones with the "Whorehouse" signs and Wednesdays is ladies night.
• Don't speed when the students aren't around Apparently when the students are in town (which starts next week) the police are pretty busy, whereas at other times they get mighty bored and stop anyone at half a mile over the speed limit.
• People get way too excited about WWF And that includes me. The bit in the Royal Rumble where Stone Cold Steve Austin got back up after an unfair attack had left his head gushing blood was heart stopping. He clawed his way back to win, although stupidly on the way he forgot to kick the Undertaker fully out of the ring so that luckily extended the fight to the correct end time. Phew!
• It's Groundhog Day Next Friday - 2nd Feb - Every year, Punxsutawney Phil is asked whether it will be a long or short winter. If he sticks his little nose out of his hole it will be warm, otherwise it will be cold a bit longer (or he's dead which is bad). We're contemplating a visit - but the 7.25am start is not encouraging.

Meanwhile it's all change here in NYC - everyone seems to be heading back home. Steve's just handed in his notice, official announcement next week. Kirsteen's back to UK end of March. Shola's going back next week having been here 8 years or so (Shola fact: Used to date the guy who does Ali G). Matt Tulett flew back last night - the first offical end of a secondment (Phil and Ben were only short term visits). As for me I've just extended my lease for another year - till Feb 2002 - but that can always be cut short if needs be. No firm plans though. On the plus side, Lesh is coming back from the UK.

So we went down to A Salt and Battery last night. It's a faux-English fish and chip shops. Got a semi-decent cod and chips for the bargain knock down price of $10.95... monster. Amazing the mark up you can get on a spud and a bit of fish. The deep fried Mars Bar was much better - only $2.50 and totally lush. Greatest Scottish invention ever (apparently Baird, the much touted inventor of the TV, was not actually the first with an American taking that crown).

An appropriate title given the year but it was actually meant for this. It's really pretty in a scary, mankind overrunning the world kind of way.

Resolutions update...OK, so I've started eating meat again (before the end of the month but I'd fallen ill), I'm drinking again (so I owe Tim $100 and for a really crappy margherita as well) and I've not been to the gym in a week now (but I blame visitors and illness for that - I'll go tomorrow - honest!). Time to make up some new resolutions to break next week.

My last New Year's missive seemed to get lost for some reason - sorry about that! We're now one week into the new year and I'm full of motivation and general getting stuff doneness. Which, as the man says, is nice. Just got back from the gym downstairs from another half hour of stepmaster antics, I've not drunk alcohol since New Year's Eve (although I'm probably still drunk from my excellent night at Whirl-y-Gig in Kings Cross) and I've been eating vegetarianily as well (although contemplating adding fish to that mix).

Tim has made this resolution thing a little bit more interesting. We're now in a bet for $100 (with occaisional discussions to move it to $1000) as to who can keep off the booze longest. Last night he phoned me at 9pm to say should we up the bet to $1000 - then I had a message from him at half past midnight suggesting we scrap the bet as soda water was doing his head in. I think I might be on a winner here... He called me during a fun night out with Quentin and Annette who had, that day, been laid off from Q as part of the 80 person cut. She was in a very good mood and the wonderful food at Hell's Kitchen (9th Ave btw 46/47th) helped as well. I think everyone else was more upset she was going thatn she was!

Oh and apparently, walnuts are actually quite bad for you and peanuts are much better...You live and learn.