Isn't a "holiday" in Europe something like three months? American vacations are awarded on the basis of a few hours per month worked.
That's why you don't see many of us over there, or the ones that do get to the UK are always in a rush to cram everything in.

Despair.com is an Austin Texas company, where the city motto is "Keep Austin weird".

Another Austin company does strategic forecasting and has interesting reviews on the global political problems of the moment.

http://stratfor.com

They have a pay service, but also have some free intelligence reports you can subscribe to.

I'm sure my teenager's intention for many years was that I should leave bed, fridge (stocked) and wallet behind and move out. Didn't happen

You have to make them WANT TO LEAVE and make them think that it's their idea. Embarrass them. Only keep stuff in the refrigerator they don't like. Have granny visit. Minimize their privacy. Fix them up with somebody that will marry them. (That will make two grateful sets of parents.) Drive a car that a teenager would never want to be seen in, like a Nash Rambler or a pink pickup truck. Play mushy music. Watch birds, grow flowers and talk to squirrels.