Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Art and Random Craziness
I went with my housemate to the National Gallery today. It was wonderful. To be honest, I loved the building almost more than the art, but the pieces were really amazing. And the fact that all of them are so incredibly old really awed me. My housemate knows a ton, literally shocking amounts, of information about the various periods of art and how they influenced and flowed into each other and what in society was influencing the particular movement, etc. It was like a complete art history course in one afternoon. Fantastic. Turns out I like Baroke or Borroc or however the hell you spell that art period. Also like modern art like Picasso and Degas, as well as older stuff like Rembrant and this other guy who's name escapes me. One of my favourite pieces was by Degas, I forget what it's called which is hilarious. Three Dancers, I think it's called actually. It's really simple but also really beautiful up close.
The afternoon really got me thinking about art because it's something I've never really bought into. To me, what some people call art is really just nothing. Absolutely nothing. And I learned today that it's all due to some guy in 1917 who did an exhibit and put a toilet seat in the exhibit and called it 'art'. Since then people have been doing all kinds of crap and setting up all kinds of ridiculous exhibits and calling it 'art'. Whatever, maybe I'm just not as enlightened as some of the more 'artistic' individuals out there. Or maybe I'm just more of an auditory individual in that I feel music is one of the purest forms of art. Tho clearly there's some total crap out there as well, but I can at least appreciate the total crap if it's catchy or fun to dance to. When visual art is crappy, it's just crappy. Buuuuttttt, in saying all of this, I am attempting to be open minded. My problem is that it seems that if you're Jo Dumbass and you decided to pee in a glass bottle and put a green cork in the bottle and then decide to place that bottle on a podium under some light and call it art, people will believe you. And then along comes Dave Stupidhead and Dave decides he 'totally gets' your art is 'is deeply moved by what your art is saying' and agrees to pay you, Jo Dumbass, a ridiculous sum of money for this piece of 'art' and suddenly Jo Dumbass is some world renowned artist simply because people assume that if one Stupidhead is willing to pay craploads of money to a Dumbass for that Dumbass' art then that Stupidhead must know/see something the rest of us can't and that the Dumbass really is some amazing artist. And no one is going to admit that they don't understand what the hell is so deep, moving or inspiring about urine in a bottle with a green cork on a podium under some light so they go along with it, stroke their chins, walk around the podium and disuss its dimension and use of the colour green (which may or may not symbolize how money is the cork with which we stuff our bottled lives, hoping the urine that is our lives will appear somehow more like liquid gold). I'm opting to just stay out of it and experience art in museums only. I will have art in my home, of course, but I'll stick to more urban and cultural art and stay away from any kinds of 'movements'. And if you ever hear me say I spent more than $500 on a piece of art, slap me. Slap me hard. And if the piece of art does not take up an entire wall for $500, then hit me with your shoe and remind me what that $500 could have bought me at Forever 21.
Now the random craziness of my day. There were two instances. The first was returning home from the gallery, in the Charing Cross underground, there was this woman. At first as we walked up to her from behind, I noticed her swaying a bit. Then as we got closer, I could swear that she was shaking her booty but she was wearing a pretty bulky jacket so I couldn't be sure. As we passed her, I turned to look and she was wearing head phones, her bags were on the ground, her eyes were closed and she was definitely boogeying down. It was alot more visible from the front because her jacket was open. She was proper grinding away by herself to whatever music she was listening to. And then she started say 'ooh', ya', 'oooooooh', 'ya', 'woooh!', 'uh'. And with the way she was dancing I would have to assume she was listening to some old school R&B or soul intended for the bedroom like some Teddy, or Luther or Barry . But I had to give it to her, she was really enjoying that song and grooving down right then and there, regardless of the crowd of people on the platform, even throwing in some slow motion pelvic thrusts as well while making an 'ooohhh, yes' face also more appropriate in the bedroom. And then the train came, we got on, and she did not!!! She just kept on dancing right there. Too funny.
The second random craziness was at the Co-op (grocery store). This woman started yelling at this stockboy that there was no organic milk and how the last six times she'd been there, there was no organic milk. She wanted to know what the hell was going on and if they had even placed an organic milk order, or if they even planned to continue stocking organic milk. She made it clear that she was furious and expected there to be some organic milk in stock on her next visit. Totally hilarious. Especially cause the stock boy completely ignored her after she began her rant. When she first yelled 'excuse me!', he went over, then when she started asking why there was no organic milk, he shrugged, said 'sorry maam, I can not help you' and went back to stocking his shelf and then ignored the rest of her rant. So funny, I was dying inside.
Ah London, how I love your random craziness. We don't get craziness like this at home and I assume it's because there are less people and therefore less crazy people.
The afternoon really got me thinking about art because it's something I've never really bought into. To me, what some people call art is really just nothing. Absolutely nothing. And I learned today that it's all due to some guy in 1917 who did an exhibit and put a toilet seat in the exhibit and called it 'art'. Since then people have been doing all kinds of crap and setting up all kinds of ridiculous exhibits and calling it 'art'. Whatever, maybe I'm just not as enlightened as some of the more 'artistic' individuals out there. Or maybe I'm just more of an auditory individual in that I feel music is one of the purest forms of art. Tho clearly there's some total crap out there as well, but I can at least appreciate the total crap if it's catchy or fun to dance to. When visual art is crappy, it's just crappy. Buuuuttttt, in saying all of this, I am attempting to be open minded. My problem is that it seems that if you're Jo Dumbass and you decided to pee in a glass bottle and put a green cork in the bottle and then decide to place that bottle on a podium under some light and call it art, people will believe you. And then along comes Dave Stupidhead and Dave decides he 'totally gets' your art is 'is deeply moved by what your art is saying' and agrees to pay you, Jo Dumbass, a ridiculous sum of money for this piece of 'art' and suddenly Jo Dumbass is some world renowned artist simply because people assume that if one Stupidhead is willing to pay craploads of money to a Dumbass for that Dumbass' art then that Stupidhead must know/see something the rest of us can't and that the Dumbass really is some amazing artist. And no one is going to admit that they don't understand what the hell is so deep, moving or inspiring about urine in a bottle with a green cork on a podium under some light so they go along with it, stroke their chins, walk around the podium and disuss its dimension and use of the colour green (which may or may not symbolize how money is the cork with which we stuff our bottled lives, hoping the urine that is our lives will appear somehow more like liquid gold). I'm opting to just stay out of it and experience art in museums only. I will have art in my home, of course, but I'll stick to more urban and cultural art and stay away from any kinds of 'movements'. And if you ever hear me say I spent more than $500 on a piece of art, slap me. Slap me hard. And if the piece of art does not take up an entire wall for $500, then hit me with your shoe and remind me what that $500 could have bought me at Forever 21.
Now the random craziness of my day. There were two instances. The first was returning home from the gallery, in the Charing Cross underground, there was this woman. At first as we walked up to her from behind, I noticed her swaying a bit. Then as we got closer, I could swear that she was shaking her booty but she was wearing a pretty bulky jacket so I couldn't be sure. As we passed her, I turned to look and she was wearing head phones, her bags were on the ground, her eyes were closed and she was definitely boogeying down. It was alot more visible from the front because her jacket was open. She was proper grinding away by herself to whatever music she was listening to. And then she started say 'ooh', ya', 'oooooooh', 'ya', 'woooh!', 'uh'. And with the way she was dancing I would have to assume she was listening to some old school R&B or soul intended for the bedroom like some Teddy, or Luther or Barry . But I had to give it to her, she was really enjoying that song and grooving down right then and there, regardless of the crowd of people on the platform, even throwing in some slow motion pelvic thrusts as well while making an 'ooohhh, yes' face also more appropriate in the bedroom. And then the train came, we got on, and she did not!!! She just kept on dancing right there. Too funny.
The second random craziness was at the Co-op (grocery store). This woman started yelling at this stockboy that there was no organic milk and how the last six times she'd been there, there was no organic milk. She wanted to know what the hell was going on and if they had even placed an organic milk order, or if they even planned to continue stocking organic milk. She made it clear that she was furious and expected there to be some organic milk in stock on her next visit. Totally hilarious. Especially cause the stock boy completely ignored her after she began her rant. When she first yelled 'excuse me!', he went over, then when she started asking why there was no organic milk, he shrugged, said 'sorry maam, I can not help you' and went back to stocking his shelf and then ignored the rest of her rant. So funny, I was dying inside.
Ah London, how I love your random craziness. We don't get craziness like this at home and I assume it's because there are less people and therefore less crazy people.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Mr. Rickman and Me - Part II
Last Saturday my aunt had a party for her birthday. It was all very impromptu having been planned that Thursday night but it turned out great with about 60 or so people showing up and having a wonderful time. The wine was non-stop, there was sushi (can you imagine how happy I was?!), oysters, prawns, fish pie (think 'Shepard's Pie but with cheese and different kinds of fish. Sounds disgusting but is actually insanely addictive. I could actually go for some fish pie right now...), cake, bread and even more wine. Basically all the ingredients required for a great party. I was actually planning on going out that night but ended up staying in to party cause I knew it would mean alot to my aunt. Turns out to be The Best Decision I Ever Made. Why? Well the party was also attended by Sam Neil and...yes, you guessed it: Alan Rickman! AND Imelda Staunton. Who is that? That is the hated Delores Umbridge from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!!!
So first Sam Neill. I went downstairs quite early, pretty much before the party had really started and only two or three guests had arrived so far. I was in the kitchen by myself pouring a glass of wine when the door opened and Sam Neill popped his head around the corner, I did an extreme double take and then just stared while my mind tried to remember what movies I'd seen him in. He looked at me then put down the bottle of wine he was carrying, looked at me again, gave a super awkward half smile and then pretty much ran out of the kitchen. That was when I realized I was staring. Hehehe. And then it hit me: Jurassic Park!!!! One of my favourite childhood movies and also the reason I love Jeff Goldblum. I clearly did not play it very cool but I was caught unprepared so it really doesn't count.
I then circulated the party for a while and then returned to the kitchen to find none other than Mr. Alan Rickman in the kitchen chatting with some less important people. I was thrilled! In these close quarters this was my opportunity to meet and talk to Mr. Rickman. I confessed my plan and obsession to my housemate Konstantinos and he decided he would help me by introducing my to Mr. Rickman. Konstantinos has lived with my aunt and uncle for two years so he's met Mr. Rickman on several occasions and also Mr. Rickman directed a play starrring an actor that Konstantinos used in one of his films so they ended up going for coffee and chatting about directing and such a couple times. Perfect. I had a plan. So we circulated and worked our way closer to Mr. Rickman. And then the moment arrived: Mr. Rickman was chatting with my aunt's close friend and Konstantinos and I were right beside them. Konstantinos interrupted and introduced me to them both. I said hello to Mr. Rickman, SHOOK HIS HAND, then said hello to my aunt's friend and shook her hand and ended up chatting with her because I didn't want to be too obvious that I was dying to meet Mr. Rickman. Pretty anti-climatic, I know. But don't worry. There's more.
So later into the evening I'm outside with Konstantinos and my aunt, trying to recover from the oyster I just tried for the first time (turns out I like to chew my food so oysters aren't for me) and this tiny little woman comes out into the garden and my aunt starts shrieking. The tiny woman looks familiar and then it hits me: Delores Umbridge. Delores Umbridge is standing about 15 inches away from me. I discreetly ask Konstantinos if I am correct and he confirms that I am. My aunt then introduces Imelda to Konstantinos, she shakes his hand, says hello. And then my aunt introduces her to me and she says: 'Oh, you're gorgeous! Just lovely!' and I went into shock. I replied thank you so much and smiled but that was all I could manage. I was very cool tho, don't worry, my shock didn't show on my face and I was only second in a line of people she was introduced to so there was not awkward silence or staring. It was played extremely cool. A while later she returned to the garden and Konstantinos and I were still out there discussing what a nice evening it was and she turned to us and said 'it's really quite warm out tonight, isn't it?' and I said 'yes, we were just saying that, it's really lovely' and she said 'I guess I don't need this coat, but I love it' and I said 'It's a really nice coat' and she said 'thank you, you know I've had it for twelve years' and I said 'wow, really?! What a great buy! It still looks great' and she said 'doesn't it? I just love this coat'. And then someone else asked her a question. But yes. That was my conversation with Delores Umbridge, who is real life, is ridiculously lovely. Tiny and smiley and really sweet.
Even later on in the party, I found myself chatting with a rather lovely lady who I later found out is Mrs. Rickman. We had a very interesting conversation about the differences between Brits and Canada. She asked me some really thought provoking questions. So that conversation ended (Kind of a good thing cause I was a bit buzzed and my thoughts weren't happy being provoked) and I found myself standing beside Konstantinos as he and Mr. Rickman continued the conversation they'd been carrying on for at least the past thirty minutes. I was determined to speak to Mr. Rickman, to somehow inject myself into their conversation and remain in it. So I hovered there a moment semi-awkwardly but very determined and then, an opportunity arose! They were discussing Avatar!! Excellent, I haven't seen it but I've read a lot about it and thought now or never, I better jump in! So I turned to face them and Mr. Rickman said 'hellooo' in a very awesome snape-like way. And I said 'I heard you guys discussing Avatar and I wanted to know what you both thought of it', turns out neither of them had seen it but both wanted to. I joked that I thought I was the last person in the world not to have seen it and they were making me feel much better. And then Mr. Rickman mentioned that it's nominated for best film. Mr. Rickman is part of the Academy and had just done his voting the past week. (ACK!) He started telling us how there will be 10 films in the best film category this year. And then Konstatinos explained that it's a money thing cause each film nominated gets an additional two months in theatres cause so many more people want to see it after the oscars. Both Mr. Rickman and I were like 'ya, that does make sense' and then Mr. Rickman told a joke and I laughed and I made a joke and he laughed. And then. And then. *sigh* And then I spent the next 17 or so minutes discussing films and the Oscars with Mr. Rickman and Constantinos. Mr. Rickman named the films he'd seen and described what he liked about them. I had seen none of them but heard of all of them (thank God for my obsession with watching trailers on Apple.com) and so could contribute to the conversation. There were a few films he told me I should see and I will definitely see them, if they come recommended by Mr. Rickman, they must be good, right?! The entire time this conversation was happening I had to keep reminding myself not to do a happy dance and to breath and to PAY ATTENTION!! And not to just smile and stare whenever he was speaking directly to me. God forbid Mr. Rickman should think I'm an idiot. It was wonderful. Amazing. We chatted, we laughed, we joked, I was witty, intelligent and very cool and he, well, he was Mr. Rickman.
And that, folks, is Part II of Mr. Rickman and me. Much much better than Part I and hopefully not as good as Part III. I'm still in shock and would almost have thought I dreamed it if Konstantinos hadn't been there. By the way, he confirmed that I did, infact, play it very very cool.
I would like to thank my aunt for being born and having a party last Saturday to celebrate. I would also like to thank Mr. Rickman for being born and being available to attend the party on incredibly short notice. And I would like to thank Konstantinos for talking to Mr. Rickman and giving me my in. If I do absolutely nothing else this entire trip, it will still be the best trip ever.
Sam Neill
Mr. Rickman
Imelda Staunton
So first Sam Neill. I went downstairs quite early, pretty much before the party had really started and only two or three guests had arrived so far. I was in the kitchen by myself pouring a glass of wine when the door opened and Sam Neill popped his head around the corner, I did an extreme double take and then just stared while my mind tried to remember what movies I'd seen him in. He looked at me then put down the bottle of wine he was carrying, looked at me again, gave a super awkward half smile and then pretty much ran out of the kitchen. That was when I realized I was staring. Hehehe. And then it hit me: Jurassic Park!!!! One of my favourite childhood movies and also the reason I love Jeff Goldblum. I clearly did not play it very cool but I was caught unprepared so it really doesn't count.
I then circulated the party for a while and then returned to the kitchen to find none other than Mr. Alan Rickman in the kitchen chatting with some less important people. I was thrilled! In these close quarters this was my opportunity to meet and talk to Mr. Rickman. I confessed my plan and obsession to my housemate Konstantinos and he decided he would help me by introducing my to Mr. Rickman. Konstantinos has lived with my aunt and uncle for two years so he's met Mr. Rickman on several occasions and also Mr. Rickman directed a play starrring an actor that Konstantinos used in one of his films so they ended up going for coffee and chatting about directing and such a couple times. Perfect. I had a plan. So we circulated and worked our way closer to Mr. Rickman. And then the moment arrived: Mr. Rickman was chatting with my aunt's close friend and Konstantinos and I were right beside them. Konstantinos interrupted and introduced me to them both. I said hello to Mr. Rickman, SHOOK HIS HAND, then said hello to my aunt's friend and shook her hand and ended up chatting with her because I didn't want to be too obvious that I was dying to meet Mr. Rickman. Pretty anti-climatic, I know. But don't worry. There's more.
So later into the evening I'm outside with Konstantinos and my aunt, trying to recover from the oyster I just tried for the first time (turns out I like to chew my food so oysters aren't for me) and this tiny little woman comes out into the garden and my aunt starts shrieking. The tiny woman looks familiar and then it hits me: Delores Umbridge. Delores Umbridge is standing about 15 inches away from me. I discreetly ask Konstantinos if I am correct and he confirms that I am. My aunt then introduces Imelda to Konstantinos, she shakes his hand, says hello. And then my aunt introduces her to me and she says: 'Oh, you're gorgeous! Just lovely!' and I went into shock. I replied thank you so much and smiled but that was all I could manage. I was very cool tho, don't worry, my shock didn't show on my face and I was only second in a line of people she was introduced to so there was not awkward silence or staring. It was played extremely cool. A while later she returned to the garden and Konstantinos and I were still out there discussing what a nice evening it was and she turned to us and said 'it's really quite warm out tonight, isn't it?' and I said 'yes, we were just saying that, it's really lovely' and she said 'I guess I don't need this coat, but I love it' and I said 'It's a really nice coat' and she said 'thank you, you know I've had it for twelve years' and I said 'wow, really?! What a great buy! It still looks great' and she said 'doesn't it? I just love this coat'. And then someone else asked her a question. But yes. That was my conversation with Delores Umbridge, who is real life, is ridiculously lovely. Tiny and smiley and really sweet.
Even later on in the party, I found myself chatting with a rather lovely lady who I later found out is Mrs. Rickman. We had a very interesting conversation about the differences between Brits and Canada. She asked me some really thought provoking questions. So that conversation ended (Kind of a good thing cause I was a bit buzzed and my thoughts weren't happy being provoked) and I found myself standing beside Konstantinos as he and Mr. Rickman continued the conversation they'd been carrying on for at least the past thirty minutes. I was determined to speak to Mr. Rickman, to somehow inject myself into their conversation and remain in it. So I hovered there a moment semi-awkwardly but very determined and then, an opportunity arose! They were discussing Avatar!! Excellent, I haven't seen it but I've read a lot about it and thought now or never, I better jump in! So I turned to face them and Mr. Rickman said 'hellooo' in a very awesome snape-like way. And I said 'I heard you guys discussing Avatar and I wanted to know what you both thought of it', turns out neither of them had seen it but both wanted to. I joked that I thought I was the last person in the world not to have seen it and they were making me feel much better. And then Mr. Rickman mentioned that it's nominated for best film. Mr. Rickman is part of the Academy and had just done his voting the past week. (ACK!) He started telling us how there will be 10 films in the best film category this year. And then Konstatinos explained that it's a money thing cause each film nominated gets an additional two months in theatres cause so many more people want to see it after the oscars. Both Mr. Rickman and I were like 'ya, that does make sense' and then Mr. Rickman told a joke and I laughed and I made a joke and he laughed. And then. And then. *sigh* And then I spent the next 17 or so minutes discussing films and the Oscars with Mr. Rickman and Constantinos. Mr. Rickman named the films he'd seen and described what he liked about them. I had seen none of them but heard of all of them (thank God for my obsession with watching trailers on Apple.com) and so could contribute to the conversation. There were a few films he told me I should see and I will definitely see them, if they come recommended by Mr. Rickman, they must be good, right?! The entire time this conversation was happening I had to keep reminding myself not to do a happy dance and to breath and to PAY ATTENTION!! And not to just smile and stare whenever he was speaking directly to me. God forbid Mr. Rickman should think I'm an idiot. It was wonderful. Amazing. We chatted, we laughed, we joked, I was witty, intelligent and very cool and he, well, he was Mr. Rickman.
And that, folks, is Part II of Mr. Rickman and me. Much much better than Part I and hopefully not as good as Part III. I'm still in shock and would almost have thought I dreamed it if Konstantinos hadn't been there. By the way, he confirmed that I did, infact, play it very very cool.
I would like to thank my aunt for being born and having a party last Saturday to celebrate. I would also like to thank Mr. Rickman for being born and being available to attend the party on incredibly short notice. And I would like to thank Konstantinos for talking to Mr. Rickman and giving me my in. If I do absolutely nothing else this entire trip, it will still be the best trip ever.
Sam Neill
Mr. Rickman
Imelda Staunton
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Chicken Fingers!!
Yes, that's right. I successfully made delicious chicken fingers using my own random recipe. I marinated the chicken strips in soy sauce and spices then I mixed flour, an egg, water and more spices together for the batter. Then for the breading, I used a mixture of breadcrumbs and crushed seasoned croutons and a bit of garlic salt and spicy seasoning. After the chicken was marinated I dipped it completely into the batter then rolled it in the breadcrumb mixture. I then fried the chicken fingers in vegetable oil. Sooo delicious! I'm so excited! I've been meaning to try this recipe I had in my mind for weeks now and I finally did and they turned out fantastic.I recommend you try it too. Or come visit me and I'll make them for you. It'll be worth the trip.
I'm still on a complete cooking bend here. Last week I made Caribbean patties and they were so delicious my aunt, uncle and cousins ate them all (I was not impressed). This weekend I'm going to try to make oxtail because I love it and I've never made it. I'm determined to make it as delicious as my aunt's oxtail tho it may take some practice.
This weekend I'm also thinking I'll do some museum-ing. There are so many museums here and some of them are free (which is my exact price range right now). I'm also going to mail out the Christmas cards I bought before Christmas. Sorry people, I haven't forgotten you, I'm just terrible at correspondence. I have stack of cards and post cards all written up, I just keep forgetting to put them into the actual post.
I've been here four months now and I've noticed that I'm picking up certain British words and phrasings. Like the word 'proper' which the British use instead of 'actual' or 'real'. Ex. Canadians might say "pppfffft, you haven't seen 'real' snow" while the British would say "ppfffffttt, you haven't seen 'proper' snow". Love the word proper, use it all the time. If you've talked to me recently, you know this already. I've also picked up loo and loo paper as well as arse. I've also picked up the word 'sort' and its derivatives (ex. sorting out, sorted out, sort out).
I think that's it tho, so that's not too bad. Still quite Canadian because I say 'make out' instead of 'snog' and 'strapless' instead of 'boob tube', I also say underwear as opposed to 'pants' although that has caused some confusion in more than a few conversations when I'm talking about pants and they think I'm talking about undies. I'm trying to think of what other British things I've picked up...I don't talk on the tube and I stare offendedly at people who do. Hehe. I also have started hugging and double kissing people now because people seem offended when you hug them and go for just one kiss and they were going for two. There's just no way to know who's gonna go for one and who's gonna go for two so I just go for two. Better to seem very friendly than rude. Also, one big Canadian thing is that I say 'how are you?' as opposed to 'y'alriiiight?'. I still don't even know how to respond to that properly because it doesn't actually mean 'are you alright?', it's more like the British version of 'sup', it can essentially mean hello, how are you, looking good, hey, and I think in some cases it can also mean 'wanna have sex?'. I'm still sorting out the particulars.
I think that's it. I'm still 98% Canadian and maybe 2% British.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year!!!
Hope everyone had a good holiday season! I had a lovely one. A nice British Christmas complete with homemade breadsauce, minced pies and a proper English trifle. Good times. Also went to Bath finally, to visit my aunt. It is a freaking beautiful city. My pictures are on Facebook so check there, but I've also put a few up below. I also went to Bristol while I was out there and it's gorgeous there too. Some pics below of Bristol as well.
New Years was good too. Went to a party at a bar on Portobello Road for New Years Eve. Good fun, great music. Then for New Years Day night I went to a massive party at a bar in 02 arena (where Michael Jackson's show was going to be performed) and it was not fun. Way too many people, the music was totally unvaried and got annoying quickly. Total waste of an outfit, not to mention the money I spent on the ticket and cab rides there and back. But whatever. It just reminded me that I've been wasting too much money clubbing in London, I need to start traveling. So, first big trip is planned for around Feb 18 to Barcelona (thanks to the voucher I got from MCG!). It's not booked yet cause I have to get the time off from work first (still at the College, my contract has been extended) but right now that's what I'm planning for.
Then Paris in March. And then, the world! Hehe.
Super excited for 2010!!! Can't believe that last year this time I had just decided to make this trip and now I'm actually here. This time next year I want to have done and seen a lot. I also hope to still be blogging pretty regularly. My current lack of blogging is due to my current boring lifestyle. But all that is about to change. I hope. Fingers crossed!!!
Pictures are below:
My cousin's school in Bath. Pretty sure Harry Potter also attends this school.
The Circus. If you ever visit here, go to the centre where my cousin is and sing or yell. The acoustics are crazy!
My aunt's house in Bath. The one on the left.
Bristol Cathedral...no wait, Bath Cathedral. Sorry.
YES! Love olden day racist street signs!
White ladies, your health centre awaits! Hehe, Whiteladies is actually a road and apparently an area.
Here we go, this is Bristol Cathedral.
New Years was good too. Went to a party at a bar on Portobello Road for New Years Eve. Good fun, great music. Then for New Years Day night I went to a massive party at a bar in 02 arena (where Michael Jackson's show was going to be performed) and it was not fun. Way too many people, the music was totally unvaried and got annoying quickly. Total waste of an outfit, not to mention the money I spent on the ticket and cab rides there and back. But whatever. It just reminded me that I've been wasting too much money clubbing in London, I need to start traveling. So, first big trip is planned for around Feb 18 to Barcelona (thanks to the voucher I got from MCG!). It's not booked yet cause I have to get the time off from work first (still at the College, my contract has been extended) but right now that's what I'm planning for.
Then Paris in March. And then, the world! Hehe.
Super excited for 2010!!! Can't believe that last year this time I had just decided to make this trip and now I'm actually here. This time next year I want to have done and seen a lot. I also hope to still be blogging pretty regularly. My current lack of blogging is due to my current boring lifestyle. But all that is about to change. I hope. Fingers crossed!!!
Pictures are below:
My cousin's school in Bath. Pretty sure Harry Potter also attends this school.
The Circus. If you ever visit here, go to the centre where my cousin is and sing or yell. The acoustics are crazy!
My aunt's house in Bath. The one on the left. 
Bristol Cathedral...no wait, Bath Cathedral. Sorry.
YES! Love olden day racist street signs!
White ladies, your health centre awaits! Hehe, Whiteladies is actually a road and apparently an area.
Here we go, this is Bristol Cathedral.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Tooting on the Tube
I've noticed that some people think it's ok to toot on a full tube. It's not. It's not even a little ok. When like 100 people are packed into one compartment and no one can move and everyone is trying not to make eye contact with the person whose face is just inches from theirs, this is not the time to ADD to the extreme discomfort by tooting. Especially if you know your toots are deadly. Hold that shiz in!!!
This evening on the tube an older man was sitting next to me, though there was one empty seat between us and he was asleep. He was snoring a little and then he suddenly let our the Mother of All Toots. I'm talking loud and extended. I actually jumped then turned to stare as it went on and on and on. Seriously, with all that air inside of him, I'm surprised he wasn't floating. He continued to sleep, not knowing how he had shocked the other passengers so deeply. Luckily there was no scent, or at least it didn't reach me. But it was hilarious. I totally started laughing cause HOW FUNNY IS THAT?! You had to have heard it cause it went on forever. By far the highlight of my week.
My weekend plans? Nothing. This stupid freaking weather has ruined my plans way too many times. I'm not going to give it another chance. Instead I will plan to spend my weekends indoors and so no plans can be ruined. Ha! Take that weather!!! I will spend the next couple months' weekends catching up on my reading, seeing the occasional play or movie and trying out wondrous new recipes. This weekend I'm not sure what I'm making yet. I'm contemplating trying for some goat water or 'mannish water' as the Jamaicans call it. Also thinking I might do some fish. Mmmmm, fish. And I'm thinking wraps with chicken, goat's cheese and various pestos for my lunches next week. Tasty!!! I forgot how much I LOVE experimenting with wraps.
I'm also contemplating swimming as a fitness routine. Maybe an hour two or three times a week. I just need to buy one of those caps for my hair because we all know I will NOT be dunking my hair under water three times a week any time soon. Anways, apparently it's the best exercise there is because it literally works every single muscle in your body. So either I swim or I do the 'swimming' Pilates exercise on my mat for an hour. Either way, I will become more fit. Cause so far, I've miraculously managed not to put on weight, or at least only put on two or three pounds then drop it right away, but that luck may run out now that it's Christmas. Time to buckle down!!!
This evening on the tube an older man was sitting next to me, though there was one empty seat between us and he was asleep. He was snoring a little and then he suddenly let our the Mother of All Toots. I'm talking loud and extended. I actually jumped then turned to stare as it went on and on and on. Seriously, with all that air inside of him, I'm surprised he wasn't floating. He continued to sleep, not knowing how he had shocked the other passengers so deeply. Luckily there was no scent, or at least it didn't reach me. But it was hilarious. I totally started laughing cause HOW FUNNY IS THAT?! You had to have heard it cause it went on forever. By far the highlight of my week.
My weekend plans? Nothing. This stupid freaking weather has ruined my plans way too many times. I'm not going to give it another chance. Instead I will plan to spend my weekends indoors and so no plans can be ruined. Ha! Take that weather!!! I will spend the next couple months' weekends catching up on my reading, seeing the occasional play or movie and trying out wondrous new recipes. This weekend I'm not sure what I'm making yet. I'm contemplating trying for some goat water or 'mannish water' as the Jamaicans call it. Also thinking I might do some fish. Mmmmm, fish. And I'm thinking wraps with chicken, goat's cheese and various pestos for my lunches next week. Tasty!!! I forgot how much I LOVE experimenting with wraps.
I'm also contemplating swimming as a fitness routine. Maybe an hour two or three times a week. I just need to buy one of those caps for my hair because we all know I will NOT be dunking my hair under water three times a week any time soon. Anways, apparently it's the best exercise there is because it literally works every single muscle in your body. So either I swim or I do the 'swimming' Pilates exercise on my mat for an hour. Either way, I will become more fit. Cause so far, I've miraculously managed not to put on weight, or at least only put on two or three pounds then drop it right away, but that luck may run out now that it's Christmas. Time to buckle down!!!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Scary Randomness
Had a nice week. Working and such. Went for Thai last night for my friend's birthday. I've been eating a lot of Thai food since I came here. Thai food is great. You should eat some soon.
I'm sick also. Stuffy nose and sore throat and slight cough. I don't think it's H1N1 cause there's no headache or fever so it's all good. Except it sucks cause I hate being sick. I'm very lazy already and the sickness makes me even more tired. Today it took me four hours to work up the energy to get out of bed, shower and go to the grocery store. And it started pouring, which was LOVELY. So I got drenched. If I wasn't sick before, I am definitely sick now. Anyways, I decided to cook so that I'll have food to eat this week. I made this lamb dish that I'd been thinking of. Basically lamp steaks with coconut milk, spices, garlic, onions and button mushrooms in a dish and stuck it in the oven. Turned out great! Then I also made what I call 'Asian chicken'. I call it that because I made a it in a bit of a tangy sesame sauce. It's really good too actually. Both from scratch. I really may have to start a cook book while I'm out here so I don't forget these recipes. I also fried some plantain because I've been craving it for a while.
Random sighting to share: today at the grocery store, I looked over and this tall old man had dried blood all down the side of this ear and neck. It was disgusting. I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure if he was aware of the blood but he had to be because there was a lot. And how do you say that? 'Um excuse me sir, are you aware that you seem to be bleeding?' I was actually scared that he was crazy or had been in some kind of fight, or worse, was just bleeding from his ears. I didn't want to be around in case he went beserk or dropped dead so I quickly left the aisle. I'm still pretty shook up though cause it was REALLY gross. Eeewww.
Another random event: yesterday, took the tube home late, around 12:30 from my friend's bday dinner in the East end. At one stop, this young guy with a shaved head got on the tube and sat directly across from me and started staring at me. He was probably about 17 or 18 and had the creepiest green eyes. He was holding a beer and wearing all black. CREEPY. I wasn't certain he was starting at me but when I risked a quick glance at him, he definitley was. And he had this horrid little half smile on his face like he totally knew he was creeping me out and seemed to be enjoying it. At the next stop I practically ran off the tube, walked down and then got into another compartment. He did not follow me, thank God. But then when I got off the tube at my station, I noticed that he got off too, but I was behind him so he couldn't have seen me. I didn't know what to do so I walked slowly hoping he would be long gone by the time i got out of the station. But then he veered off to the right, into a corner, and opted to urinate. I pretty much ran past while his back was turned and got the hell out of the station. I kept looking back but thank God, if he came out of the station, he went the other way. Soooo creepy though. He just looked totally evil, you know? I've never met anyone who actually gave me a feeling like that from the moment I saw them.
So that was a lot of scary randomness between last night and today so I'm hoping that's my quota for the rest of...my life, maybe? Really hope so. I prefer the funny randomness to the scary randomness.
I'm sick also. Stuffy nose and sore throat and slight cough. I don't think it's H1N1 cause there's no headache or fever so it's all good. Except it sucks cause I hate being sick. I'm very lazy already and the sickness makes me even more tired. Today it took me four hours to work up the energy to get out of bed, shower and go to the grocery store. And it started pouring, which was LOVELY. So I got drenched. If I wasn't sick before, I am definitely sick now. Anyways, I decided to cook so that I'll have food to eat this week. I made this lamb dish that I'd been thinking of. Basically lamp steaks with coconut milk, spices, garlic, onions and button mushrooms in a dish and stuck it in the oven. Turned out great! Then I also made what I call 'Asian chicken'. I call it that because I made a it in a bit of a tangy sesame sauce. It's really good too actually. Both from scratch. I really may have to start a cook book while I'm out here so I don't forget these recipes. I also fried some plantain because I've been craving it for a while.
Random sighting to share: today at the grocery store, I looked over and this tall old man had dried blood all down the side of this ear and neck. It was disgusting. I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure if he was aware of the blood but he had to be because there was a lot. And how do you say that? 'Um excuse me sir, are you aware that you seem to be bleeding?' I was actually scared that he was crazy or had been in some kind of fight, or worse, was just bleeding from his ears. I didn't want to be around in case he went beserk or dropped dead so I quickly left the aisle. I'm still pretty shook up though cause it was REALLY gross. Eeewww.
Another random event: yesterday, took the tube home late, around 12:30 from my friend's bday dinner in the East end. At one stop, this young guy with a shaved head got on the tube and sat directly across from me and started staring at me. He was probably about 17 or 18 and had the creepiest green eyes. He was holding a beer and wearing all black. CREEPY. I wasn't certain he was starting at me but when I risked a quick glance at him, he definitley was. And he had this horrid little half smile on his face like he totally knew he was creeping me out and seemed to be enjoying it. At the next stop I practically ran off the tube, walked down and then got into another compartment. He did not follow me, thank God. But then when I got off the tube at my station, I noticed that he got off too, but I was behind him so he couldn't have seen me. I didn't know what to do so I walked slowly hoping he would be long gone by the time i got out of the station. But then he veered off to the right, into a corner, and opted to urinate. I pretty much ran past while his back was turned and got the hell out of the station. I kept looking back but thank God, if he came out of the station, he went the other way. Soooo creepy though. He just looked totally evil, you know? I've never met anyone who actually gave me a feeling like that from the moment I saw them.
So that was a lot of scary randomness between last night and today so I'm hoping that's my quota for the rest of...my life, maybe? Really hope so. I prefer the funny randomness to the scary randomness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)