DMJ and VGG acquiesced to my wishes so we went to the movies on Saturday night. Sigh. I love the movies. And I love American movie popcorn. I got the "small." Delicious.

It was a bit surprising to spend a Saturday night at one of my most loathed locations: a shopping mall. But hey, we wanted to see Pixar's latest, "Up," and that's where it was playing.

I was touched to see how many families were enjoying a Saturday night together. And they were all quiet and well-behaved.

However, DMJ, VGG and I laughed UP-roariously. What a great movie. I laughed. I cried. I highly recommend it. 

I did my part for the U.S. economy today. In the same hour, I bought a car and signed a sales contract on a new house.

* eep *

This car purchase was truly historic for me.

(1) I bought my first automatic transmission car. Reluctantly.

(2) I got a hybrid car. Happily. Yep, they greened me up pretty good over there across the ocean. I figured that with all the driving I'll have to do, I should try to minimize the effect on the environment. I'll let you know how it goes.

The house is a story unto itself. I'm so pleased and grateful. Stay tuned.

There are a number of reasons I'm glad to be back in the States. I know because every time I think of one, I write it down.

Today I planned a full day of errands. In Northern Ireland this would have taken me about 6 hours. Here it took me 2 1/2.

I had Moe's Southwest Grille for lunch. Fantastically fattening. I'll have to impose a moratorium on trips there.

I listened to NPR morning, noon and night. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.

Letterman is on tonight!

Particular sights in the first 24 hours:

— Viewed on a backpack, "Dixie Fellowship"

— Sign outside a Decatur school, "Grandparents and Grits, May 22"

— Chik-Fil-A

— About 200 American flags per city block

— NASCAR!

— Evander Holyfield Highway and Bobby Brown Parkway

NEWARK, N.J. — I am here at the Newark airport and one glance at the newsstand reminds me how very out of touch I am with popular culture.

Who are Jon and Kate? And why should I care?