Up to now I’ve found the best way to deal with jetlag to be a couple of gin and tonics (“Easy on the tonic there”) and an Ambien sleeping pill in the British Airways lounge just as we get called for boarding.

Typically my chemically induced sleep overtakes me as the airplane climbs out of Seattle and turns East looking for the sun. With a bit of luck next thing I know is the clunk as the landing gear comes down as we approach Heathrow.

Yes, I know you’re not supposed to take Ambien with alcohol, but this works for me. My helpful doctor even marked the prescription with “For The Treatment Of Jet Lag.” It says it right on the pill bottle.

While it might not be quite as effective in defeating jetlag, I now have a more natural alternative that prepared me very well for a 7 ½ hour flight to Seattle.

The bus from Reykjavík to the airport takes about an hour. The road takes you across the Rekjanes peninsular and passes through a very stark, but beautiful, mesmerizing landscape formed by the lava flow of a long forgotten eruption.

I live in a place full of trees and the only greenery on the drive to Keflavik is the lichen living on the rocks themselves.

But rather conveniently the busses will take a short detour off the main road and drop you off at the Blue Lagoon. A large pool filled with milky-blue water at a little over 100f (38c). It’s a windy place, but once you are out of the changing rooms and into the water it’s perfect.

There is quite the ritual to these places in Iceland, and there are a series of pictures letting you know that you shower before you put your loaner swimmers on.  After showering and rinsing it’s time to make the short dash between changing room and opaque sea water.

After two hours of soaking, sauna, steam room and quite a lot more soaking we were ready for the long flight to Seattle. Well, almost. Another day would have been nice, but isn’t that always the case?

Is it busy, full of tourists? Yes rather, but the feeling of being that relaxed, with our skin exfoliated and every bit as soft as promised in the brochure, is well worth it. The worst bit is getting out and dealing with the 50 degree difference in temperature as you run into the changing rooms.

In other words, it was awesome.

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There will be about 8 of my twitter followers that will care about this. To everyone else I’m sorry, go to my other blog and look at pictures of Reykjavik.

I’m a Coventry City supporter and former regular at Highfield Road. No idea how I ended up looking for CCFCs results first when they start rolling in on a Saturday morning, but I do. I lived in Coventry for a few years and strongly believe your football club chooses you, not the other way round.

Coventry City Football Clubs current “issues” are well publicized, one thing I know is there is plenty of blame on both sides. The problems go back to the former chairman Bryan Richardson leaving the club close to 60 million in debt when he moved on after relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2001 season. Since then they have been on the brink of administration. 15 managers in 25 years shows the problems run deep at this club.

It all came to a head last winter when they owners of Ricoh Arena, their “current” ground, requested the administrators were brought in. There are plenty of sources that cover this better than I can, and if you care you know all about this already.

During my 20 years as a Coventry fan there has been little to celebrate. There have been plenty of decisions, players, managers and owners I’ve not agreed with, but I’m no different from any other football fan.

While Sundays “home opener” sounds like great game that ended with a 5-4 win for Coventry, but it should have been played in Coventry, not 35 miles away in Northampton. I’m not sure why the league caved to the owners, Sisu, and allowed it to happen, but they did.

As I said there is plenty of blame to go around, a significant part lies at Sisu feet. The owners of Ricoh Arena is ACL, and their decision to initiate the administration process when investors who were interested in buying the club were in Coventry is inexplicable.

I believe the team has an appreciation for the situation the supporters are in. The Coventry captain Carl Baker said he understands the position that the fans have been put in, and added that the players don’t want to see the club move away from Coventry.

If ACL and Sisu had come to their senses a bit earlier, we wouldn’t be in this mess and significantly more than 2200 people would have seen a classic 5-4 win against Bristol yesterday. Played where it should have been, in Coventry.

Related articles

• Coventry City owners considering land near Warwick University for new stadium
• Telegraph says: Sisu should bring Sky Blues back or sell up
• Coventry City fans boycott club’s move to Sixfields Stadium in Northampton

There was a moment of total relaxation, it came on a Thursday, just before lunchtime to be precise. We were wandering through a vineyard near St Helena and it just struck me how incredible this life is. The warm glow was probably helped by the very recent sampling at the V.Sattui winery.

I was ready for a few days away relaxing with good company, great food and wonderful wine, but the feeling of being that relaxed took me a little by surprise. And despite the best attempts of people around me at work the post-holiday relaxation glow lasted well into the following week, it really was all rather spectacular.

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It took a great goal from Davy Arnaud to mark what was otherwise a very forgettable game. However the season has started and an evening watching football, and enjoying good beer with friends will always time well spent.

My Twitter (@davekean) proudly proclaims I am a beer snob, I like good beer and the allegations that Anheuser-Busch (owned by Europe’s InBev) is watering down their beer made me nod knowingly (and  feel a little superior). Yep, of course they are, have you tasted it?

Anheuser-Busch has of course denied these accusations and stated, rather flatly, that they are in compliance with labeling standards.

Is Anheuser-Busch watering down Budweiser? Probably, yes. Years ago I went on a tour around the Coors brewery in Memphis (twice in a row, second time for more free samples, I was a student at the time) and at Coors the guide talked about how they “condition” the beer to bring it to the correct specific-gravity.

“Conditioning” involved adding spring water, and specific-gravity is a fancy way of saying alcohol content. The poor tour guide, having to deal with 5 British students who were clearly there for the free samples, finally admitted that conditioning did involve watering the beer down.

Now I know more about the process and have been involved in a few home brewing experiments, understand that there will always be differences batch-to-batch. It’s a very controlled process on an industrial scale, but inevitably there will be little things that alter it a little one way or another.

It makes sense that if you want a consistent 5% alcohol by volume beer then you would aim to brew it a touch stronger and water it down a little to get your perfect 5% every time. I think I’m am experienced and somewhat picky beer drinker, but I’m pretty sure I can’t taste the difference in a beer with 4.5% AVB and one with 5% ABV.

While I do think the Coors, Budweiser and Miller is tasteless to begin with (and watering it down will not improve that), it does very well in the market place. Over three-quarters of American beer drinkers choose these rather flavourless, fizzy beers and their beers of choice on a Saturday night.

There is nothing wrong with that, but it’s so unnecessary.

We live in an exciting time for beer in the US, the variety and quality of craft beers have gone through the roof. Unencumbered by tradition there are thousands of small craft breweries making some very interesting and innovative beers. With in 15 miles of my house I know of 8 craft breweries and at least three proper alehouses with an ever-rotating assortment of top class local beers. Some breweries are in strip malls, others in converted garages, but they nearly all have tasting rooms or attached bars.

I have friends that would turn up to my house with a 6-pack of Budweiser in hand and they would be pressured into trying something else, stretch themselves a little and explore what beer can be. It can be a slow journey, but is so worth it.

Rob made it to 42 years old as a staunch Miller guy, that was his beer of choice and that was that. Over the last couple of years he’s slowly wandered along the path and will pull a Wheat beer or even a Pale Ale off the shelves in Safeway. He’s a long way from the deep hoppy bite of an Imperial IPA, and indeed may never get there, it’s not for everyone. But he does know that beer should have some flavour and is able to recognize what he likes in a beer. And that’s good enough for me.

American style IPAs, a little lighter than a traditional IPA, are just one example of what local craft brewers are giving us.

Everyone lives close to a brewery, give them a visit and look for something brewed locally in the supermarket. You may be surprised, like what you are tasting and want to learn more. And you’ll be doing something good for your community.

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Local Everett Brewers (opens into a new browser) 

Scuttlebutt Brewing ‪

Diamond Knott

Lazy Boy ‪

American Brewing Company

Big E Ales

Foggy Noggin Brewing ‪

Sky River Brewing ‪

Brick Yard Brewing

London is a wonderful place to be, when it’s not so good I am happy for the invention of goretex. 

A stunning couple of nights in London, now it’s time to prepare for the main event on Tuesday. I hope you are all having as much fun as I am.

A year ago I seriously I seriously started to put finger to keyboard writing a book about my journey since Mum died and my divorce being final. I’ve learned a lot about the process of writing and telling a story, but that’s only been a small part of the journey. It really has been fun, and that’s been the biggest discovery for me.

1. Find a time that works for you.

Someone told me when I started this that I would need one of the following: insomnia, proper coffee maker or a case or two of Red Bull. I know that every conversation I have with Sharon the editor she keeps pausing to take continual sips of coffee, but I never developed a taste for the stuff. I’m not in a rally car sponsored by Red Bull any more, and that stuff is spendy when purchased by the case. Ignoring the amphetamines option just leaves insomnia. After everything that went on last summer I still struggle to keep my energy level up all day, it is often lowest in the evening after work. So I adapted and discovered that by getting up at four I get a couple of hours in with good energy before I’ve got to go to work.

2. Prioritizing my writing

You don’t get to be a proper storyteller by putting it so far down “the list” that it’s sitting between “Ride a Motorbike around Alaska” and “Climb El-Cap”. I have discovered I enjoy writing (editing less so), more than I expected and while I don’t spend two hours every day writing it is something I make sure to carve a little time out for. I am a writer because it’s not just what you do, but rather, it’s part of who I am. And something that important to me becomes a priority.

3. It’s not supposed to be easy

What’s more, for me it’s probably not going to get much easier. Dad once said that stuff really worth doing (I think he was trying to talk me into paint the front of his house at the time) requires a lot of work and skill. I’m starting this as someone who got “could try harder” in English Lit at school, so I’m less prepared than most. This writing thing is hard work, but that’s fine, it’s going to be worth it in the end.

4. Dealing with fear

One of the themes through my writing is how I deal with change and fear. That could be fear of the unknown, failure, what I will become if I don’t change or fear of what people will think. A little preparation, being pragmatic about it and fear is diminished. I have found that if I face my fear head on and it’s gone. I was told at a conference last year that people who fail at writing typically do so for one of two reasons. First they were lazy, or two because they were afraid. I’m not lazy, so if I failed it would be because of the second. What’s the worst that can happen?

Is writing a book is going to see me fed to the tigers in the coliseum?  Nope.

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OK, it’s my first thanksgiving as an American, so I’m supposed to let the world know what I am thankful for. This has been an incredible year full of connections and change for the better.

My on going sanity check and extended American family.  Steve, Carl, Cheryl, Matt, Tracy, Beth, Carey, JB, Heidi, Rob, Rob, Robert, George, Jillian, Chris, big Rob and 80’s hair Chris.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done. It’s been an awesome year.

The Sounders for doing what Coventry City are seemingly incapable of, being successful.

For “Team Dave”, I know you don’t like the label, but it will look awesome on the t-shirt, I promise. You’ve made a marginal project manager look competent, and that’s quite the achievement. Andrew, Scott and Bryan, three leaders who gave me the freedom to be successful.

Lorna and Michelle who have just taken care of business for me for the last three years so I don’t have to worry about it. Peter and John for showing me what an editor can do. Mick for his infinite patience in refinancing my mortgage and friendship, you won’t have to deal with being threatened this time, I promise. The finest team of professionals headed by Mike and Mike for keeping me healthy. 

For my family in the UK, for supporting and being there.

Finally, but not least: The ponytail. Thank you hun. 

Siting on an airplane heading home and reflecting on how the last two weeks have flashed by. I’ve taken dozens of trains, went to 14 events, seen British athletes win gold a couple of time, stood in hundreds of lines and loved every second of it.

First is that they were superbly organized. The creation of the Olympic Park was inspired. Seven years ago it was a polluted wasteland in the middle of one of the poorest parts of London. If you walk the mile and a half or so from West Ham station to the Park on you pass through some of still derelict parts of Stratford.

In Athens and Beijing some of the venues have become disused wastelands since the games. London’s Olympic Park started there and is now full of possibilities and a bright tomorrow. It’s an incredible journey and that little effort was made to hide the areas industrial history shows a level of maturity that other cities may not have.

These games were also about the future. The slogan “Inspire a Generation” was everywhere and the legacy left behind has been an important part of these games. A large, but perhaps intangible part of that legacy will be providing proof of regeneration and what it can do.

My father and I were leaving the Olympic Park in the early afternoon after a morning athletics session and were discussing where to go for lunch. For us Stratford may as well be on the moon, it’s just not a part of London we’d ever have need to be in before now. We got a recommendation, had a great lunch and know something of Stratford beyond the Park. It’s not alien to us anymore, and that can only be a good thing.

Beyond Stratford there was some spectacular places that showed the finest side of London.

Horse Guards Parade hosted the Beach Volleyball, whoever came up with that idea when the bid was being put together was a genius. It was perfect, the views outstanding and the atmosphere just astounding. Other than dad telling an American fan sitting next to him “It’s not really a sport is it? It’s really just some fun they give medals for…”  This was prior to USA predictably destroying Italy in a quarter final match. Lets just say some there did not wholly support dad’s opinion.

But the game was fantastic, the stadium rocked and dad acknowledged that they were indeed great athletes, even if the result was never in any real doubt this was a tremendous experience.

I went to a couple of un-ticketed events, the open water swimming in Hyde Park was one. The crowd was 10 deep around the Serpentine, the noise never stopped for a moment. And this was for endurance swimming. This is how London embraced these games.

Other examples abound, a million people lined the route of the Mens Road Race. OK, it was a week after Bradley Wiggins became the first British rider to win the Tour de France. But a million people standing on the side of the road to watch the cyclists zoom by?

The Marathon took in all the A-list sights in Central London. Like the road race there were vast numbers of people dedicating their Sunday to watching 60 elite marathon runners pass through their city.

Once the track started it was all about Usain Bolt and what he was going to do. He and his Jamaican teammates did not disappoint and dominated the sprints in a way we’ve not seen since Carl Lewis and the USA team in LA.

Coming into this the British face of the games was Jessica Ennis, and she held up her end of the bargain in winning the Heptathlon in style. Add in Mo Farrah completing a unique long distance double and the home team had enough to celebrate on the track

Elsewhere other parts of the Team GB machine were in rare form. The rowers exceeded the high expectations placed on them. The track cyclists prioritize the Olympics over every other event, and did exactly what was expected of them in the velodrome, they dominated.

Away from the home team David Rudisha’s win in the 800 was astounding. The way he won this race from the front, challenging others to come and get him, was one of the finest things I’ve ever seen. In addition to a new world record, seven of the eight runners in that final set personal bests or new national records.

On the same evening that David Rudisha rewrote the history books I saw one of the cooler moments as the decathletes took a victory lap of the stadium together after their final event.

I was told weightlifting was something very cool to see, I was skeptical, but on the strength of the recommendation I picked up a pair of tickets. I was blown away by the drama and the astounding atmosphere in the EXCEL.

All traces of amateurism have long disappeared, the medal table correlates very closely to the amount of funding given to sports. That’s undeniable, but the stories away from the elite end of the field were just as important. Women represented Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei at the games for the first time.  In the woman’s 800M Sarah Attar was handicapped by running in hijab and finished significantly down on the field, but the stadium never stopped cheering until she crossed the line.

Then you have the story of South African Oscar Pistorious and the list of inspirational moments from the last two weeks just keeps going.

Something this big is going to have issues, but the major one was turned into an opportunity. A few weeks prior to the games it was announced that the contractor hired to provide guards for the venues really screwed up and was tens-of-thousands of people short of it’s recruitment goals. The Army stepped in and became wonderful ambassadors for the country.

At worst these games were a welcome distraction from what’s going on in the world, perhaps if we feel optimistic it has shown what’s possible when a country puts their mind to it.

The best games ever? Maybe.
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