The most recent I am going to talk about first. Now those of you from the UK maybe thinking, “what do you mean its happened?” as back there the digital switchover is this process that is going to take up until the end of 2012 to finish. Each region being updated and switched over one at a time with loads of publicity and talk about how to get your TV ready and how amazing it is going to be. In the US it has been done slightly differently with much more of a “well tough” attitude. There has been publicity on every major network but on Friday June 12th the entire countries analogue signal was switched off for good. This is no easy task and has taken a lot of work from the industry and government to sort out – the original date of February 17th was pushed back due to not enough people being aware it was even going to happen!

Around one Million were left without signal despite the networks best efforts to let them know they needed to buy a digital converter. On the Tonight Show at the point when NBC switched over O’Brien made fun of this by pretending the mothers of all the cast and crew phoned them in the studio to ask how to get their new converters to work as their TVs were blank.

Having been one of the few around here who had analogue TV, I can tell you that the digital service is much better and well worth the upgrade. Not only can you actually see the picture you do get a lot more channels, and thanks to WTTW 11 for showing the best of TV from the UK. However I have been finding much more value in Hulu as it is basically a DVR for your computer. I hope for those in the UK that you get access to Hulu soon as I know it’ll be as big as the BBC iPlayer. Also I wish the BBC and allow access to the iPlayer from over here!

Moving onto the other major switchover that has happened, Leno to O’Brien. There really is no equivalent in the UK. The weeknight talk shows are a US institution and something they do extraordinarily well. The only shows that come close are the Graham Norton Show and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.

O’Brien has been lined up for many years now as Leno’s replacement when the time finally came to pass on the reigns. Mean while he has been on the show directly following Leno’s, NBC’s the Late Night Show. On here he gained a loyal following and on June 1st O’Brien started his stint on the Tonight Show. Meanwhile Jimmy Fallon (a former regular on Saturday Night Live) took over the Late Night Show back in March so that O’Brien could prepare his new show. Whether or not Jimmy is going to be lined up to take over the Tonight Show as well is yet to be seen. The writing needs to improve a lot as there are often awkward un-funny moments (and we are 67 shows in now, you would have thought they would be in full swing by now).

The Tonight Show I think is great and I have enjoyed watching O’Brien as he spoofs the daily news and celebrities with his own very unique sense of humor. This doesn’t mean though that he hasn’t experienced some problems as there has been a failry sharp drop in viewers from the first night. I think this is probably only an initial drop and that once the Tonight Show starts getting into its rhythm it’ll be a sure fire hit.

However there is another man whose weeknight show is still going strong, and many argue should have been the one still running the Tonight Show, David Letterman. At 62 years of age he still looks to be a strong contender for best weeknight show with The Late Show on CBS. Still as entertaining and often controversial as ever he is a real character, not just a stand up, and someone who can move very easily from comedy to serious and almost effortlessly interview those that go on the show, getting interesting and fun comments from the guests.

I find both shows entertaining and if I had cable I would certainly DVR them so that I could watch both.However my favourite late night talk show will always remain The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

I now know certain areas of the city ok and can get myself to most places. Still looking the wrong way when I am about to cross a street though, not sure what that is about. I haven’t picked up many American habits, just the words I use (trash, store, soccer etc). If I was out here for a year or more I think I’ll definitely pick up some more Americanisms.

Meeting new people all the time and really enjoying the overall kindness people have been showing me. A few people are now wanting to come visit the UK when I am back, so my place may turn into a hotel for a few months!

Its the start of the Cubs vs Sox baseball series here today. The rivalry between the two teams is huge, most nights I have been out there is usually at least one comment made. For those back home the only way I can sum it up is Southampton vs Portsmouth or Man City vs Man Utd. This series is going to be pretty exciting with both teams struggling in the first half of the season. So its all about pride right now, hopeful I’ll get to see the game on TV as its sold out tonight at Wrigley.

I definitely need to go see some more sports games. Its baseball and soccer season so I will be buying up some tickets soon. Really enjoyed being able to watch the NBA finals, congrats to the Lakers!

The weather has been a bit of a mixture these last few weeks. It’ll hopefully be picking up soon as I am getting beach withdraw symptoms!

Still having a great time and really glad I came out here. Its been a big adventure and in other ways a good learning curve.

Here’s to the second half, oh and of course LETS GO SOX!

Its safe to say I feel very much at home now and a lot of that is down to the people here I have met. My friends have all been fantastic (thanks guys) and the new people I am meeting, whether behind a cash register, at the gym or randomly out and about have all be great. Its one of those things that you don’t really expect when you get to a new place but are so thankful for when it happens. I am yet to meet a person who hasn’t made me feel welcome. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time but so far so good. Everyone seem to be very friendly and always ready to have a conversation.

So whats new, not a lot really. Just enjoying myself and getting out and about as much as possible. I feel like I need to be meeting more people, networking more and generally making new friends. more than I have been anyway.

Off to watch the new and apparently amazing Star trek film tonight with some people, should be good fun. They’ve been advertising this film so heavily over the last few months the studio are clearly very confident about it. Plus the reviews have been pretty amazing so I am looking forward to it.

Tomorrow night I am off to a Blue October gig, my friend’s favorite band. He’s seen them 20 times! Crazy. I guess they must be ok for someone to want to see them that often.

Saturday will be my birthday, 24 years young. Its going to be awesome and kind of odd being over here to celebrate. Going to a party for another friends birthday and sort of hijacking my celebrations onto his lol! That should be great fun and I can’t wait. But then it’ll be the first time I celebrate away from home so I hope I don’t feel to sad about that. Am sue I’ll be too busy having a great time to notice.

Lastly I am really enjoying being able to listen to BBC Radio 1 whilst here. Managing to keep up to date on news in the home land and enjoying the late night specialist shows during my day time. Of course I am also listening into the local stations here in Chicago. WTMX 101.9, Kiss FM 103.5 and Jack FM 104.3 are particular favorites and of course not forgetting Tribunes WGN 720. Would love the opportunity to work at one of the stations here.

Ok well thanks for reading and I am sure I’ll have more to say very soon.

Lake Michigan on a very hot day.

P.s. The weather today is incredible. Be jealous.

I have been lucky over the years to witness a few games at different levels of competitiveness. NY Knicks vs Houston Rockets in 2002, Chicago Wolves Hockey game and DePaul Basketball game in November of 2008 and recently Chicago White Sox vs Detroit Tigers last Thursday (5/7/09). Also living in Wrigleyville the home of the Chicago Cubs I get to regularly witness the mass of long suffering Cubs fans as they go to, suffer at, and then stagger home from the game.

You really are in a minority in the states if you do not like any form of sports. Where as in the UK it is semi common to not like sports (well I know a few) here you are not looked favorably upon if you don’t like one of the major sports let alone no sport at all.

It is almost staggering how areas of the city will literally transform or even stop all together for which ever sport it maybe. Whether the area needs to be closed off to allow the mass of people through to the stadium or because people have taken a day off work to go see their team.

In the UK football is by far king with Cricket and Rugby following close behind. But you do not see the same level of commitment by fans (in my opinion). Yes their are rivalries and there are super fans but the US is literally so much bigger and often over the top. But it is so over the top many Americans don’t even notice. Its like everyone has been trying to out do the other for so long that it has got beyond the point of no return and there is no way back.

This even goes down to the lower leagues and college (University) sports. Chicago Wolves Hockey are the lower league team in Chicago. Compared to the Chicago Blackhawks they are nothing but they still command a big following. Something you wouldn’t really see in a second city team in the UK at all. The team intro is just as dramatic as any AA team with flames shooting into the air as the players skate as fast as they can down the tunnel, whilst their names are being read out and loud music is pumped throughout the stadium. The game is fast paced and dramatic and the fans love every single minute. When I went to watch DePaul Basketball I was looking forward to seeing how the college system fared to ours in the UK. Having been on the mens basketball team at Canterbury Christ Church (not the best player I’ll give you that) I was very surprised to see just how different it is. The player introduction, the massive stadium, the fans (not just just students) the mascot, the cheerleaders, the band, the half time show! Let alone the standard of the players on the court. It was impressive to say the least and I wish so much that we could get that kind of commitment and standards in the UK.

Having seen the Knicks and the White Sox play as well, I can tell you that the UK has nothing compared entertainment wise. We do the big shows and competitions but the US really does take things to the next extreme. Now you may say that is a good thing and that they go too far, and yes at times they do. But they do it well. There is a greater sense amongst the Americans that “yeah this is a bit far” but they enjoy it and go with it. Something we sometimes struggle to do. I was told enough times on Thursday to get up and sing and dance and be louder even when I thought I was being far more energetic than I would normally. I suppose I was trying to not look stupid, but that sense of feeling stupid is something that I need to get over if I am to fully enjoy a game again here. In the UK I am a Southampton FC supporter, so you’ll need to forgive me if I have forgotten what it is like to be happy at a sports game! The fire works after last Thursday’s game would make you think they had won a cup competition not just a regular season game.

Quite simply in Chicago sports rule supreme and I am loving every moment of it.

White Sox beat Tigers at Cellular Field.

It is such a great city and the weather has been fantastic. I have really enjoyed going downtown and walking around the city. The night life is fantastic as well and there really isn’t a dull moment. Just a shame I have to put up with the Cubs fans pretty much every day, they’re always in the way of when I want to get somewhere! I am keeping the fact I am a Sox fan very quiet as well, not sure it would be a good thing for people around here to find out.

Am going to see my first baseball game tonight, White Sox vs Tigers. Hopefully the weather will stay great for the game tonight. The one last night got rained off as a huge storm rolled in. Lets Go Sox!

People in Chicago are incredibly diverse, just a reflection of the country as a whole I suppose. I get the feeling though this is one of the more liberal cities. Which is great! Obama fever still seems to exist here as well with posters and even graffiti of him still visible around the city.

Swine flu, now there is an interesting topic. I have a friend who is a teacher here at the first school to be closed because there was a case of it. She seems fine as does her room mates and I certainly haven’t got any symptoms. But in all honesty I have seen very few (one person in the city so far) wearing a face mask. It is definitely a lot of hype by the media which has probably resulted in some mild panic, luckily it would seem most people are sensible enough to just get on with their lives.

So thats it for today. Will be writing again soon.

P.s. The Bulls had a great run this year, bring on the next season!

The Poppy Festival is currently happening in the city.

I am now sitting in the apartment in which I am renting a room for these months in Wrigleyville, an area that is always active and full of life. I don’t think there will ever be a dull moment here. So far I have met up with some old friends and generally tried to settle in, now whilst everyone else is at work I am on my own and it is time to start being more pro-active. I have some shopping to do and some people to contact.

If I get the chance I’ll be uploading some extra content as I go.

Sam