Nick's Research trip to America

Final Call for passenger Tolson......

2010-05-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

well....that's it! I am at Newark Airport waiting for my flight to board. I have had a wonderful time here in the USA. Not only have I learnt a huge amount (my notes will take weeks to deciper!), but I have met some lovely people and made some new friends. I have some excellent ideas that I will attempt to impliment in the next few months. I have no doubt that National Churchwatch will be a different organisation by this time next year!!!!!!

There is my call for my aircraft......so long.......speak with you all soon.

getting there.......

2010-05-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

It was a good day today takinng it easy, doing a little shopping before having a lunchtime meeting with a couple of security chaps. We had some very interesting discussions about the similarities between the way churches in the uk and US, and the very distict differences too. I have always found it amusing to try and explain how churches operate in the UK and how clergy are appointed and paid! It is especially fun when the people have no idea how the Church of England operates. I have been working in the church of england for 25 years and I dont even understand how it operates always!

Well, I have one more appointment left. I am flying tomorrow to New York and then driving to Baltimore to visit another MEGA church. They have kindly invited me over so I am looking forward to the visit. From there I will be travelling back to New York and then back over the pond. (Ash cloud allowing!) I have so much to think about, so much information to filter and so many nice people to thank! I'm glad its a long flight perhaps I can get some work done!

It's a small world

2010-05-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

There i was visiting the Fire Station to chat to the paramedics and firemen about responders etc, when I was introduced to the Battalion Fire Chief. "Where abouts in the UK are you from?" he said in his yankee accent, "I'm from Somerset." says I, "Do you know Shepton Mallet?" he said, "My granmother lived there before she came to the USA."
On chatting to him, his Granmother lived in a house on Commercial Road about 25 feet from where my house is!!!!!!!!
We had a lovely chat and I was able to show him some photos of the town I had on my phone.
What are the chances of that!!!!!

Its a small world!

Canada

2010-05-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I saw Canada today (well nearly!) I had a trip to Lake Erie. On the way we looked at some of the very isolated churches. Without exception the ones we went in were open and had some very nice stuff inside that you could steal! (I didn't!). Its really interesting seeing the different approach to churches. Its also really interesting seeing the huge variety of different denominations and trying to understand their litergy from their titles! We saw a lot of Lutheran churches along the way as this was a German area. I had a fun trip on the ferry to one of the little islands and went around the 2 mile island on a golf buggy! Fun. Be back soon, although I see the volcano is throwing up ash again, so maybe not!

Excitment in the Windy City

2010-05-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

Well, sorry I have been off line for a couple of days as I have had problems in Chicago! Its a long story but basically our evening flight from Nashville to Chicago was cancelled so they suggested going via Washington Dulles. That plane was late so we missed the connection so had to stay in a hotel in the clothes we were wearing! In the morning the early plane was full so we eventually got to Chicago at lunchtime to attend a symposium with 500 non profit companies. I decided to attend the 'leadership' workshop and ended up wanting to jump up and slap the presenter!He was advocating creating a culture of fun with pom pom training at the start of staff meetings and if you dont join in you are gone! ARG! It was a fun session though, watching the dynamics of him working the workshop and getting people to do what he wanted them to do! I think it is healthy to see someone with completely the wrong idea of leadership. Im glad i didnt jump up as it wouldnt have gone down so well. I'm in Columbus, Ohio now for a few days and already have had a great visit to the police station. Nearly time to come home......booooo (volcanic ash permitting of course)

Nashville

2010-05-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

I arrived late last night and realised that I have left he sun behind! It was raining when I arrived. I am attending the Gallagher 2010 Convocation for Roman Catholic Dioceses with about 188 people from all over the US. There are some very interesting workshops and I am hoping to talk to quite a few people about how they promote security within their Dioceses and what sort of problems they face in relation to crime. It seems that the Dioceses have been hit quite hard with the child protection scandal so it will be interesting how they deal with these sort of internal crimes. The hotel I am in is rather posh, which is nice! (Although I have to pay for the internet! boo)

sorry for the gap

2010-05-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

well, i apologise to anyone who has been following this. Google decided to change the e mail address and password associated with this blog without telling me! ARG! Its taken me this long to break back into my account!

Anyway, a fairly quiet few days. I have been working on my idea and this is developing nicely. Tomorrow the real work starts again when i fly to Nashville (Which, incidentially, is still underwater so that'll be fun!). The only downside is that I arrive at 2300hrs tomorrow night but that is central time so it is really midnight on my clock so goodness knows when I'll wake up! I have really enjoyed my time in Florida it has been really informative and educational. I have made some great contacts and seen some really interesting set ups. Now, back north towards the colder weather (boo) but lots of good people to meet (hurray!). Catch you all in a couple of days.......

Smaller ones

2010-05-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

Hi,
been looking at the smaller churches today. There are a huge number of churches in the US. The average attendance for churches in the US is actually less than 200 so these are the 'real' churches for the majority of christians. What I have noticed is that they are all very clean and tidy, they look used even if they are not open. It is a vital lesson for churches in the UK, churches that look closed and look uncared for are often the targets of criminals. Just heard that the Gaylord Covention Centre in Nashville is at risk of being flooded! We have all been moved to another hotel for next week's convention. I hope the airport is still open (Could be interesting if it isnt!) Weather is still boiling, actually saw a cloud today, the temperature only reached 94 degrees! Phew

The wonder of Disney

2010-05-02T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all, well I was out late last night. I went working with the Orange County Police Department. It was fun as they patrol all around the Disney area. At midnight we snuck in the back 'cast members' door and watched 20 minutes of fireworks in the magic castle! It was magical apart from there were 10,000 18 year old graduates who were having a rave! Arg! It was interesting though if you had 10,000 18 year olds in the UK you'd hav lots and lots of drunkeness and loads of police officers. There were three of us there! The yanks are very well behaved I was impressed! Perhaps Mickey had threatened them to behave!
Fun day overall....enjoying the weather 95 degrees today.....I am working, honest!

Paperwork

2010-04-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Today has been a quiet one so I have taken the opportunity to catch up with the paperwork! Got some great ideas over the last few meetings and am firming up a way to open all the churches in the country! Its clearly going to be difficult but i liked one of the methods of doing a project which involves can of SPAM! (The chap who gave me the idea had a tin in his office and I asked why?) S=Simple P=practical A=Achieveable and M=Measurable. I shall develop this idea over the next couple of days. I thought I was out with the police today but I am out with the police tomorrow (Actually the Orange County Sherriff's Dept). That should be fun. I managed to sunburn my knees yesterday (nowhere else, just my knees!) dont even ask why! looking forward to a couple of days off this weekend and then back to the grind on Monday!

At the target in front of you..........

2010-04-29T05:05:00.000-07:00

today was very busy. I had a number of appointments. We went to one church where the pastor is the religious advisor to the president! The security, as you can imagine, was very high. They escort special guests with a secret service like team and are very well equipped, including armed response. Their average sunday attendance is 10,000 which is quite impresive! I then had a nice surprise when they took me down to the range and I was able to fire some pistols! They were quite surprised when I was pretty good. I think they thought that being english i'd be afraid of weapons! I eventually told them i was trained in shooting pistols in the air force and i shoot all the time in the air cadets at home he he he. The weather is great, more busy days ahead!

LARGE congregations

2010-04-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

I had a full day today. From 0900hrs I had meetings with various churches all over Orlando. All of the churches had more that 2500 people in their congregations on a Sunday. One church is about to build a $30 million mega church as they have 10,000 - 15,000 in their congregation on a Sunday. The figures are incredible. It is almost impossible to imagine the numbers in church. However, some churches are great at the practical side of security but have no planning skills, some are great planners but have no practical experience. It will be great if they are able to get together and exchange ideas. Its a sort of Churchwatch system!
I also took the opportunity to visit a Civil Air Patrol Sqn this evening. They are very much like the Air cadets at home. However, a big difference is that the adults have a search and rescue aircraft that they fly and they assist in searches all over the country. The cadets actually are part of civil emergency and assist in disasters. very different. Im hoping to create a link and maybe bring a few cadets out next year.............
A busy few more days now, at least its stopped raining!

i'm still ridin along

2010-04-23T15:11:00.001-07:00

well, 350 miles in 100 degree temperature, what a lovely ride. I've stopped off in a rather dodgy motel but as i went out to look for some food I came across this rough, abandoned looking pizza place that had all the curtains drawn. But there was an open sign so i popped in. Well, it was like stepping into a magical place. it was full of people chatting, and eating pizza. I sat at the last table and ordered a pizza. When it came it was the best tasting pizza I had ever had. I was mouth watering, and so unexpected! So i have staggered back to the motel, trying to ignore the mexican gang that are sat outside (Im sure they're not really!) and have the air con at full blast. I really enjoyed travelling through the countryside of Georgia and into Florida. It was great to see the land change from plush green to gator country! I knew I was in florida when i parked up and saw the "Watch out for Gator's" sign next to the lake! I have to give back the bike tomorrow boooooo but I have a very full week next week so onward and upward! (If the gators don't get me in the night!)

Phew, wot a scorcher!

2010-04-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

well, im in Atlanta and have had a great couple of days with the director of the Stressed Clergy Association. For the first time I have heard someone talking about the violence, aggression and abuse that clergy here in the US are suffering from. There is definately a problem here in the US with Pastors and clergy being abused. They also have the same problem as us in that there is no formal arrangement to report abuse, nor do they get the support they deserve. I hope i was able to pass on some of the good practice from the UK. The temperature is now 85 degrees and rising so its lovely to ride the motorbike in. I am off to Orlando tomorrow with a very full week of appointments which is great. The trip is really interesting and I cant wait to find out what happens next!

ooo ah

2010-04-20T06:10:00.000-07:00

well, missed yesterday as I was riding for 10 hours from Virgina Beach to Atlanta! Phew! It was a lovely day though and it was interesting seeing the countryside change and the temperature get warmer. Im now in Mississippi and its a very warm state.....except i got up this morning and it was raining! I'm off today to stay with a Methodist minister and his family and to see how the 'deep' south churches deal with their crime issues. I am out of contact for a few days now so I'll catch up with you all later in the week................

Travelling South

2010-04-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

Had a long trip yesterday (about 500 miles) it was interesting seeing the change of scenery from washington dc to Norfolk, Virginia. When i arrived at lunchtime i was thrown straight into the deep end and spent the afternoon and evening with the local police force cruising the sea front and visiting some of the churches. One church is huge and and we came in during a youth service where there were 300 youngsters having a great time. Interestingly, this is meant to be one of the more security aware churches yet the three of us walked through the main door and were heading for the worship area before someone challenged us. When the kids kicked out there were no visable security that i could see. I'm off to a civil war battlefield today, which should be interesting! Then off for more visiting with the police and churches

Washington National Harbour

2010-04-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely day today when i attended the first meeting of the DC Metro Area Church Safety Roundtable. There were a number of people of there from mainly independent churches of the DC area. Most counted their congregations in the thousands, one church has over 20,000 every sunday! that must be a sight to see! I was interested that they nearly all had armed guards at their services and that some paid policemen to attend church in uniform! It wasnt quite the Church of England. and yet......this was the first meeting between churches like this. We have been talking between churches for many years, in fact in the UK we often have a dialogue between faiths! In this we are ahead of the americans but they are learning fast and i think these roundtables will be a great bonus to the community, and ultimately will make churches safer. I was very pleased to be invited to meet these people and i wish i had more time to visit the MEGA churches! Ah well, cant have everything. Going to have a writing day tomorrow. I have reams of notes and need to start getting things together in my mind!!!!

Rain Rain Rain

2010-04-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

"there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes" said Billy Connolly. Well, i proved a point today, it rained a lot and I got soaked because I only had my fleece with me! Mind you I had a very interesting meeting with the Association of Police Chiefs in Washington DC. I thought I was going to meet with one chap but found seven waiting for me from a variety of law enforcement agencies including the local police, the US marshall service and even a Captain from the national Turkish Police! We had a great discussion. I then went to visit Arlington and saw the tomb of JFK and the unknown soldier. The cemetary is HUGE! I then had a meeting in a 'annoymous' location shall we say with the Jewish Security organisation ADL. We exchanged lots of information and I got some really good ideas for good practice from them. The weather was awful but I managed to nip to see the White House and was nearly run over by a motorcade coming from the big nuclear security meeting. So that was different!

Run Away!

2010-04-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

had a really exciting day today. I travelled to Newark airport to pick up a car and found that they wouldnt accept my card, so despite having paid in full for the car I had to hire another one from Hertz for three times the ammount I paid! Arg! Had a pleasant 4 hour drive to Washington DC and have arrived at my hotel to find that I wasnt booked in! (Thank you Expedia!) Well, I must say things started looking up as the hotel room i was given eventually turned out to be a suite of rooms. Its very pleasant! Got lots of meetings tomorrow, a busy day! Onward and upwards

A weekend of visiting

2010-04-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

A busy busy two days doing some visiting. I did the tourist thing by going to central park and the Met museum. I was a bit museum'd out by the end of Sat.

Today I was trying to get my enthusiasm up to go out, but the sun was shining so i thought I might as well go to see the Statue of Liberty. It was strangely moving to see the old girl for real. On the way back I thought I'd go to the World Trade Centre Memorial Centre. As I walked in a chap said, "Excuse me, are you with the military" He had seen I was carrying a Royal Air Force rucksack. I said "Yes" and he escorted me through a door and a joined a small group of people. "Its a special tour" he whispered. As we left the guides introduced themselves, they were survivors of the trade centre tower fall and they gave us a 2 hour tour. It was very emotional and at times people were crying (including the guides). What an incrediable experience! To think I wasnt going to go out. Live on New York! I'm off to Washington DC tomorrow!

On the beat

2010-04-09T19:10:00.001-07:00

Well, its 2200hrs and I have been in meetings since 0700hrs this morning! I have met with Episcopal Insurance people, Jewish security people and Roman Catholic priests! Talk about a variety. Everyone was extremely helpful and provided me with some great information.
At 1500hrs I arrived at 20th District of the New York Police Dept and went on patrol with a Sgt and another officer. We got to deal with a couple of domestics, shoplifters, qnd a violent attack on a girl. They certainly have a different way of dealing with things. Its interesting that the equipment that they are using are probably 10 years behind the British Police. The radios were old! I think the air cadet radios that we have are better! We stopped for coffee and had....yes you guessed it......cakes! (Sadly not doughnuts!)At the end of the shift the Sgt just accompanied me to the subway and flashed his badge at the gate getting me onto the train for free! Woooo, you wouldnt get away with that in the uk.
It has been a FAB day. Im going to have a day off tomorrow and do the touristy bit!

America land of the brave...and fire alarms

2010-04-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

Hi all, 0130hrs this morning the fire alarm in my room goes off. (only in my room) I stumble down stairs thinking the hotel is on fire to find a sleepy youth who says "Were you smoking?" He comes up to my room, looks at my very noisy alarm, stands on a chair, rips it off the ceiling, says "sorted" and disappears....different! I visited the NYPD headquarters today, that was an experience, the security was immense with three different searches and id checks. Then they let me loose on my own to find a dept on the 9th floor! The building was HUGE! anyway, it was a good visit as tomorrow I am reporting to a police station at 1500hrs to go out on a patrol! Slightly worryingly I am being fitted with a bullet proof vest before i go!
Tomorrow, I have a meeting at 0730hrs and then have meetings all day til I finish with the police at 2200hrs! I think sat is going to be a day off!
I am still not sure about New york. The people are all very nice, it is a typical international city much like Sydney or London but there is a definate edge to the city. The security is immense, I suppose after 9/11 it is understandable.

Phew

2010-04-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

Phew, im shattered! The pace of the city is incrediable. It is truely the city that never sleeps. I had a lovely morning going up to the top of the Empire State Building. The queues were incrediably long and it took me 2.5 hours but the day was lovely and I got some great photos. Did I mention that it was 88 degrees today, no... I take it that the UK was the usual cold! The afternoon was spent at a church in NY that we very interesting as it is the place where the President comes in to play basketball! (different!) As you can probably guess the security was immense but discrete and I got some great information from the chap there.

In the evening I went to meal with the NYPD Catholic Group. It was interesting as the policeman who was taking me didnt turn up as he was on a job and the others weren't expecting me! So I gatecrashed anyway! They were lovely and very welcoming if one or two very outspoken! I got some great contacts I am going to follow up tomorrow.

Disaster! The NY Yankees baseball team do not play their first home game until next tues when I leave arggggggghhhh. Perhaps I can catch a game in Washington DC?

Nick has arrived!

2010-04-07T06:57:00.000-07:00

Watch out New York, NIck has arrived! I fly in yesterday and was all ready for my first blog of the visit when I discovered that my hotel didnt have wi fi like it advertised! grrrrr Never mind I was only there last night and tonight I am staying at a hotel with Wi Fi so I can update today's adventures! (hopefully) The trip from the airport was an eye opener with the airport shuttle driver, a little lady, drove the whole 30 minutes talking into her phone and pressing her horn shouting in spanish at everyone! It must be New York!
Im off today to St Patricks cathedral, and I hope, a couple of other churches.

Hurray

2010-04-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well, my next Blog will be from the big 'ol US of A! It seems incredible that the trip is here already. Well, I've packed, just about, am now wondering whether my bag is too heavy! I'll find out in the morning! My flight is at the relatively civilised time of 1030hrs from Bristol so I need to be up there at 0730hrs to get through security. I must remember not to wear my metal toecap boots! It seems a little strange to be going on my own but I am really looking forward to it. Watch out New York, Nick Tolson is on the way......................................

it must be time

2010-04-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I am packing now so it must be really happening!

There are some great people helping me out and I am looking forward to meeting some of those who have been e mailing me. I am really looking forward to going to Norfolk where I hopefully I can help them a little about cctv as much as i will learn from them! With a bit of luck i should be able to go out with the police as well whilst I am in the Norfolk area so it should be great!

Had a lovely Easter with my family, people keep coming up and saying good luck and hope you have a good time. Its really nice that there are so many people interested, I hope I can live up to their expectations!

Have a lovely Easter holiday all,

Last Shift!

2010-04-03T01:20:00.000-07:00

Well, my last shift working today before I leave for the states. I have just booked a meeting with the head of the Jehovah Witnesses in the USA in New York, which will be interesting! There seems to be some nice people working hard to get me some meetings! I do have a few free days which I am pleased about as I want to wonder into random churches all over the USA to see what they are like, whether they are open or shut, whether crime is a problem or not. I have a feeling that it is going to be a real education going over there as they seem to have a completely different view of how to deal with crime. Also they are very much involved in blowing their own trumpet. You have to say you are the best for them to believe it rather than in the UK where saying you are the best is rather frowned upon. I suppose the British reserve doesnt work in the US! I will see how it goes! 2 days to go!

6 days..................

2010-04-01T01:50:00.001-07:00

Went out to buy a bag that will fit on the motorbike yesterday.....failed. At least I thought about it! managed to book two appointments in Washington DC at the same time yesterday so had to grovel to the Chief of Police Association to get that time changed, mind you been invited to lunch with the Washington DC police so cant be bad! Appointments are coming in slowly for Florida, a couple of MEGA churches and I've been invited to give a sermon on a sunday so that should be fun! I probably ought to take out the swear words I usually use as I dont think the yanks will understand!

OMG 8 days to go

2010-03-29T03:12:00.000-07:00

Blimey, only eight days to go, I have booked lots of meetings, apparently I am going on national radio in the US which is a big thing (So Im told!) Its going to be a talk show type show so that could be interesting. I must remember not to tell the americans that they are numpties! (Only joking!) I mustnt mention the fact that they keep shooting british soldiers by accident too! (Not quite joking!)

The people I am dealing with are very nice. I have quite a few nights booked staying with people which is helping the research grant stretch! I am still a little worried that the money might run out but hey! lets not worry about that now!

nick

Meetings meetings meetings

2010-03-25T02:38:00.000-07:00

wow, 24 meetings booked and counting. As the word gets around I seem to be getting bookings from all over the US! I am going to give several talks to various church conferences and in particular my Florida connections are coming together nicely. It seems people are keen to have a chat and I have had a couple of contacts from some guys who say their churches are 'mega' churches, so that will be interesting to see what they mean. I've booked a couple of internal flights to go from florida to nashville and then nashville to chicago so my itinery is filling up. I have stops every day when i am on the motorbike, im not sure if that is good or bad! I must remember to build in a few rest days!!!!!!!!13 days to go....I think!

Itinery Firming up!

2010-03-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all, been away with the little darling cadets over the weekend and was sticking people back together with the paramedics all day yesterday so only just been able to write this blog today!

Incrediable things are happening! I have over 50% of my days in the US with meetings booked. People are coming out of the woodwork and assisting me. I am getting really excited now!

Having spent quite a lot of my grant on various accomodations and flights I hope it lasts!!!!!!!!

I hope in the next few days to book even more meetings. I really need to find some small pressies to take people, anyone any suggestions?

oooooo exciting offer

2010-03-18T03:42:00.000-07:00

this morning the United Stated Association for Church Risk has offered to be my american sponsor for the trip. (Not sure what that entails) it seems that they will help arrange meetings and media contacts etc. How jolly!

Otherwise I have begun booking things, the motorbike is confirmed and I have bought a GPS so I know where the hell I am going whilst in the USA! Hope it works. Getting really really excited now, its going to be great!

Thank Crunchie it's Tues

2010-03-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

well, just spent lots of money booking some of the places that I am going to. I'm trying to keep it simple at the moment. Had several contacts reply and have booked a couple more interviews in New York and Washington. Its getting quite close now and im really, really looking forward to the trip. I've even put my laptop in for repair so that it will be ready for the trip. (Its a little notepad thing which will be ideal for the flight!)

the sun is out

2010-03-13T01:38:00.000-08:00

hi all, the sun is out, the sky is blue, im in starbucks and everything is good. Had an e mail from the international police chief people. They have a team that works on church crime so they are putting me in touch with them, which is jolly good.

Looking forward to the bike ride part of my travels. This is from Washington DC to New Orleans. There are quite a number of churches that have suffered severe crime along the route and I need to decide which ones to visit. Looking at the map I will be crossing through the Washington National Forest which is quite mountainous! Sounds like fun. So, take my thermals or not??????? Decisions decisions.

oops

2010-03-12T02:01:00.000-08:00

oops forgot to update my blog, slap wrist naughty boy!

Been in contact with the American Chaplains organisation had an e mail back from the chairman who informed me that chaplains didnt do investigations (duh!) but he did give me a link to the International Chief of Police Organisation which, in great American tradition, only has American Police Chiefs in it! I have e mailed them and hope to have a contact back soon.

Apparently my grant cheque will be with me today or in the next couple of days so I should be able to start booking things. It is a bit scary as I will have to make firm decisions on where to go. At the moment I change my mind every other day so I now need to be decisive! (or not!)

Onwards and upwards

been away

2010-03-06T03:17:00.000-08:00

well, been away for a few days in cumbria running a seminar! I rode the motorbike all 560 miles there and back. I had to go to barrow in furness on Thurs and was riding along the lakes at 0900hrs in the sun and thought "I hope the USA is like this except hotter!" I must admit I was knackered when I got home at 2130 on Thurs. It was a lesson not to push it too hard on the bike in the states but to take my time. Now im back I'm back into planning mode, more appointments to make and people to e mail hurray!

More to do!

2010-03-01T02:02:00.000-08:00

I've just had my visa application through so that's good! I have arranged a meeting with a chap who trains clergy in karate in the US. He said I can stay with him a couple of days in his log cabin in the mountains! Sounds exciting! (I havent got a clue which mountains he's talking about, but he's near Memphis. mmmm perhaps I should pop into Graceland whilst im there? Anyone been there, is it worth it?

Its like a Snowball

2010-02-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

blimey, ever rolled a snowball down the hill? I now have four fixed interviews in different cities around Chicago. Looks like I'll be adjusting my itinery (again!). An insurance company have said they would like to 'host' my visit to their city. Not sure what that means, I hope it means a nice dinner with free wine!!!! It is a serious visit honest!!!!!!

Really looking forward to going now!

Nick

First meeting confirmed

2010-02-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

Well, how great is that! I have been asked to speak at the New York Police Department annual meeting which is on the day after I arrive in New York. Apparently lots of 'cops' will be present. Now to think of some jokes that the americans will appreciate........nah, I'll just stick to my usual old jokes!

Itinery number 97

2010-02-24T05:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I've had to make several changes in the itinery to fit in with the grant that I have in order to meet people that I want to meet. I have had lots of contacts and I am working through them to see who is available! I am split between the worry that no-one will talk to me and the reassurance that apparently the americans are very friendly and once I am there I will have no problem. Exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its Monday!

2010-02-22T01:21:00.000-08:00

Monday morning, almost awake. Had some really interesting e mails over the weekend with people to call in America. especially interested in a contact with the FBI's behavioral unit who specialises in people who burn churches. There have been six churches burned to the ground in the Southern States of the US and they think it is the same people. My itinery is firming up, with the beginning and the end fixed up. I am trying to leave the middle bit as loose as possible to allow for any contacts I make in the US as I go along. Still excited!
43 days to go I think!

It's Started!

2010-02-19T01:33:00.000-08:00

Well, airplane ticket check, first night hotel check! Its a little daunting that I am away for 44 days and will have to be super self efficient! (Just how much does Alison sort me out!) I may have to tweak my itinery a little due to the reality of the cost of living out in the US but my basic plan is ready to go! I am going to make contact with some of the churches along the East Coast to see if there are some friendly parishioners that will put me up on the odd night as I prefer to be with a family rather than a hotel given the choice.
Otherwise I am firing on all cylinders and going for it!
(I must remember that I have some other work to do!)

Action Stations!

2010-02-18T03:50:00.000-08:00

well, this is my blog that I am setting up for my trip to America! I'm really really excited about it and am making loads of contacts. Its actually really difficult to fit in all I want to do! I am going to try and keep this up to date most days during the preparation and throughout my trip. Its going to be exciting, I hope you enjoy following my blog!