I arrived back in London this morning and am now (at 15:36) in my flat and am staying in the rest of the night. Yes, I know it is New Year's Eve but it is cold, cloudy and foggy here and I am NOT going out to battle the crowds and such. I'm looking forward to putting on my PJs, cooking something for dinner, watching a movie, watching CSI episodes on TV (the first 2 episodes with the miniatures! And, actually the first CSI episode I ever saw - a few years ago with Tiggs - it has a minature and a death at a Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas). Anyway.
The flight back was ok but I got only about 2 hours of sleep - which is unusual for me as I am a great plane sleeper. The woman next to me was probably in here early/mid 80s and obviously had arthritis / joing aches. Fine. I completely understand that sitting for 8 hours can be torture, especially when in pain. But, she kept rubbing her leg/knee, sometimes rocking back and forth with the motion, and changing her sitting position, and getting up to walk around. Every time she did this, she inadvertently hit me in the leg or arm or side or whatever. It made sleeping impossible! Somehow, I am still awake and not a zombie. Weird. Staying awake until midnight will be interesting.
I got back and all is well in my flat (although it is cold!). Went to the grocery and dry cleaner. Am doing laundry and unpacking. You know, the usual single-female-in-the-city activities on New Year's Eve. Wait, I must've missed that episode of "Sex and the City"
I want to go see the London New Year's Day Parade tomorrow, work on Friday, then musuems and packing this weekend. Movers come in exactly two weeks!
Anyway, happy new year to all!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
It figures
Taking the lead from Tiggs' blog, I'll say "U know what this means". I have a cold/flu. And it figures as I generally always seem to get one on vacation.
The flight from London to Cincinnati on Friday was fun. For about 3 hours I was freezing cold to the point of teeth chattering, and the ends of my fingers were feeling tingly. So that was 3 hours of internal panic. Then, that ended and I started getting really warm and achy. When we landed, it was all I could do just to walk through the airport to meet my dad at baggage claim.
We got home and I immediately put on my PJs and laid down on the couch. We took my temperature and it was 104!!! My face was on fire but the rest of me was cold. I just laid there with a cold washcloth on my face, eating cheerios and drinking water. My dad kept bringing me whatever I needed, would hold the cup of water for me so I wouldn't have to sit up - basically being great (he also has the most amazing immune system (knock on wood))! My mom just tried to stay away so she wouldn't get any germs.
My brother and sister-in-law are saints though. Whenever I fly in on a Friday, the whole family goes to Price Hill Chili and I get a goetta grilled cheese sandwich and mac-n-cheese (this is really good mac-n-cheese and the woman who makes it only works on Fridays). Anyway, Adam & Heather got an order of goetta and mac-n-cheese to go and brought it to me for dinner!
I then went to bed and slept for 12 hours. Fever is nearly gone, but still have this chest cough and every time I cough, my head feels like it's being squeezed.
Bah humbug.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Paris police find dynamite at store
Yes, I have seen this news item.
No, I have never shopped there ; but, yes, I know where it is.
Am I concerned? Not really. I mean, I'm as safe in Paris as I am in London as in Boston as in ...
No, I have never shopped there ; but, yes, I know where it is.
Am I concerned? Not really. I mean, I'm as safe in Paris as I am in London as in Boston as in ...
Friday, December 5, 2008
T Work Damages Old South Church
This is truly heartbreaking to me.
From boston.com: Some breaking news, literally: a large crack has developed in Old South Church, one of the grand landmarks of Copley Square.
At a joint news conference today, both the church’s senior minister, the Rev. Nancy S. Taylor (above left), and the MBTA’s assistant general manager, Charles L. O’Reilly (above right), said the crack was caused by work done by a T contractor installing elevator shafts to make the Copley Square T station accessible to the handicapped. O’Reilly said the multi-year, $45 million construction project has been indefinitely halted...
read the full story and see a picture
From boston.com: Some breaking news, literally: a large crack has developed in Old South Church, one of the grand landmarks of Copley Square.
At a joint news conference today, both the church’s senior minister, the Rev. Nancy S. Taylor (above left), and the MBTA’s assistant general manager, Charles L. O’Reilly (above right), said the crack was caused by work done by a T contractor installing elevator shafts to make the Copley Square T station accessible to the handicapped. O’Reilly said the multi-year, $45 million construction project has been indefinitely halted...
read the full story and see a picture
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Don't Chu-Know
The cities: where people take a great deal of time and effort…personality is a full-time job down in the cities.
This is from the November 24th News from Lake Wobegon, from NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion. I really like that assessment. It reminds me of a quotation I had written down, but cannot remember the source (book? TV? Movie?) – the character ‘no longer had the energy to be completely superficial’.
How true is. Really makes me think about in what ways I am superficial, or how tiresome it is keeping up appearances. And, I think I’m fairly low key. I know some people for whom this really is a full-time job. I feel sorry for them.
As the Buffett lyrics go :
You can sing every song that’s been sung
Conquer the moon and the sun
But if you asked me it’s all both been said and been done
It’s true. We’re all in this race full of pretenses, and what does it really prove? Where does it get us?
Personality is a full-time job down in the cities
He/she no longer had the energy to be completely superficial Just interesting to ponder.
This is from the November 24th News from Lake Wobegon, from NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion. I really like that assessment. It reminds me of a quotation I had written down, but cannot remember the source (book? TV? Movie?) – the character ‘no longer had the energy to be completely superficial’.
How true is. Really makes me think about in what ways I am superficial, or how tiresome it is keeping up appearances. And, I think I’m fairly low key. I know some people for whom this really is a full-time job. I feel sorry for them.
As the Buffett lyrics go :
You can sing every song that’s been sung
Conquer the moon and the sun
But if you asked me it’s all both been said and been done
It’s true. We’re all in this race full of pretenses, and what does it really prove? Where does it get us?
Personality is a full-time job down in the cities
He/she no longer had the energy to be completely superficial Just interesting to ponder.
Cultural disappointment
I’ve sat on posting this a few days because I was hoping my view would change, but it really hasn’t. True, I’m not as fired-up-angry as I was, but still disappointed. I know I was tired Saturday night, so that probably played into it; but I feel my “megativity” was also warranted.
I went to an Advent Carols by Candlelight show at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. As soon as I got there and paid 1 £ for the program, I realized I had made a mistake. I should have gone to the 16:00 Family Christmas Carols concert. Yes, you read that correctly, I actually said I should’ve gone to a “family” show.
I know Advent music is more contemplative and Christmas carols are more joyous and bright. And I know that generally the latter aren’t sung until just before Christmas because the Advent season is for more reflection than celebration. But still, I guess I just needed some celebration. I mean, I live alone and have no friends in London, I have plenty of time for contemplation!
Overall, my gripes about the performance :
1) That is was just that – a performance. Or a concert. The choir, nor the organist, came across as there to sing/play holy advent music. Rather, it was just a show, a concert, not carols. At one point, the director said in one of his speeches, it’s “like a college chapel with a hint of a West End show”. If I wanted a West End Show for Christmas, I would’ve found one.
2) After every song, the lights were turned up and the director made some sort of comment about the next song. At no point did one song go into the next. It completely ruined the mood. And, people applauded after every song, even the ones we sang along to; again, ruining the mood. Why call it a “candle light” concert when the lights were turned up just as much?
3) Behind the choir, one of the windows in the upper section was open for air – fine. But, there were two floodlights streaming in, which I assume when the window is closed is somewhat dampened and provides for a nicely illuminated altar area. Instead, I had two bright points of light always in my view.
4) I’ve come to accept that for every show you attend in London, you have to pay for the program. But why have that for a concert where the lyrics to some of the songs are printed and you’re invited to stand and sing-a-long? If you want the audience to sing, don’t charge for the book with the lyrics! Or at least have a double-sided sheet of paper with those specific songs on each seat.
5) Related to that – I didn’t pay 25£ for a sing-a-long. I paid to hear the choir sing. If I wanted to sing-a-long, I’d just go to church and sing the hymns!
5) This isn’t really a complaint about the concert, and it doesn’t bother me now, but it was just one more thing to annoy my Saturday evening – the people sitting around me. The woman behind me was humming along to lots of songs and she was sick (I could just imagine her germs floating forward to me) ; the 2 guys next to me loved their Red Bull and one even was ‘recording’ a song or two on his phone ; two rows in front were two lovey-dovey-beautiful-people couples – blech. I know, I know, this is all petty. I’m glad they were all out attending this concert, getting culture, getting into the Christmas spirit, and all of that. But I just wanted to complain.
6) Overall, the concert didn’t even come close to getting me in the Christmas spirit. Last year I went to the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus concert and that was fantabulous! The London Gay Men’s Chorus shows are sold out / days when I’m not in town. Bummer. At least I went to church Sunday morning and the opening hymn was O Come, O Come Emmanuel and that was all I needed to hear to be ready for Christmas.
At what point in life was I supposed to switch and appreciate Advent Carols (I don’t remember them growing up) and not sing Christmas Carols until just before Christmas? What is so wrong with that?
Family concert (* indicates that audience invited to stand and sing-a-long)
*Once in Royal David’s City
Ding Dong! Merrily on high
*O Little Town of Bethlehem
A Great and Mighty Wonder
*God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
I Saw Three Ships
Torches
*Away in a Manger
Coventry Carol
*O Come, All Ye Faithful
Past three a clock
*Hark! The Hearald Angels Sing
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Advent Carols
The truth from above
*O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Veiled in darkness
E’en so Lord Jesus, quickly come
Remember O thou man (I liked this one, hadn’t heard it before)
*Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Es ist ein Ros’ entrprungen (Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming)
On Jordan’s Bank (I liked this one, had never heard it)
*O Thou Who Camest From Above
Angelus ad Virginem (organ sounded like a calliope, overpowering the vocals)
Magnificat in D
Personent Hodei (didn’t like this one)
*Of the Father’s Heart Begotten
Zion hört die Wächter singen (did not like this one)
*In the Bleak Midwinter
Christmas Day
*Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
What Sweeter Music (liked this and it was new to me)
Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day (I like this, but I think the Old South Church choir sings it better)
I went to an Advent Carols by Candlelight show at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. As soon as I got there and paid 1 £ for the program, I realized I had made a mistake. I should have gone to the 16:00 Family Christmas Carols concert. Yes, you read that correctly, I actually said I should’ve gone to a “family” show.
I know Advent music is more contemplative and Christmas carols are more joyous and bright. And I know that generally the latter aren’t sung until just before Christmas because the Advent season is for more reflection than celebration. But still, I guess I just needed some celebration. I mean, I live alone and have no friends in London, I have plenty of time for contemplation!
Overall, my gripes about the performance :
1) That is was just that – a performance. Or a concert. The choir, nor the organist, came across as there to sing/play holy advent music. Rather, it was just a show, a concert, not carols. At one point, the director said in one of his speeches, it’s “like a college chapel with a hint of a West End show”. If I wanted a West End Show for Christmas, I would’ve found one.
2) After every song, the lights were turned up and the director made some sort of comment about the next song. At no point did one song go into the next. It completely ruined the mood. And, people applauded after every song, even the ones we sang along to; again, ruining the mood. Why call it a “candle light” concert when the lights were turned up just as much?
3) Behind the choir, one of the windows in the upper section was open for air – fine. But, there were two floodlights streaming in, which I assume when the window is closed is somewhat dampened and provides for a nicely illuminated altar area. Instead, I had two bright points of light always in my view.
4) I’ve come to accept that for every show you attend in London, you have to pay for the program. But why have that for a concert where the lyrics to some of the songs are printed and you’re invited to stand and sing-a-long? If you want the audience to sing, don’t charge for the book with the lyrics! Or at least have a double-sided sheet of paper with those specific songs on each seat.
5) Related to that – I didn’t pay 25£ for a sing-a-long. I paid to hear the choir sing. If I wanted to sing-a-long, I’d just go to church and sing the hymns!
5) This isn’t really a complaint about the concert, and it doesn’t bother me now, but it was just one more thing to annoy my Saturday evening – the people sitting around me. The woman behind me was humming along to lots of songs and she was sick (I could just imagine her germs floating forward to me) ; the 2 guys next to me loved their Red Bull and one even was ‘recording’ a song or two on his phone ; two rows in front were two lovey-dovey-beautiful-people couples – blech. I know, I know, this is all petty. I’m glad they were all out attending this concert, getting culture, getting into the Christmas spirit, and all of that. But I just wanted to complain.
6) Overall, the concert didn’t even come close to getting me in the Christmas spirit. Last year I went to the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus concert and that was fantabulous! The London Gay Men’s Chorus shows are sold out / days when I’m not in town. Bummer. At least I went to church Sunday morning and the opening hymn was O Come, O Come Emmanuel and that was all I needed to hear to be ready for Christmas.
At what point in life was I supposed to switch and appreciate Advent Carols (I don’t remember them growing up) and not sing Christmas Carols until just before Christmas? What is so wrong with that?
Family concert (* indicates that audience invited to stand and sing-a-long)
*Once in Royal David’s City
Ding Dong! Merrily on high
*O Little Town of Bethlehem
A Great and Mighty Wonder
*God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
I Saw Three Ships
Torches
*Away in a Manger
Coventry Carol
*O Come, All Ye Faithful
Past three a clock
*Hark! The Hearald Angels Sing
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Advent Carols
The truth from above
*O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Veiled in darkness
E’en so Lord Jesus, quickly come
Remember O thou man (I liked this one, hadn’t heard it before)
*Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Es ist ein Ros’ entrprungen (Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming)
On Jordan’s Bank (I liked this one, had never heard it)
*O Thou Who Camest From Above
Angelus ad Virginem (organ sounded like a calliope, overpowering the vocals)
Magnificat in D
Personent Hodei (didn’t like this one)
*Of the Father’s Heart Begotten
Zion hört die Wächter singen (did not like this one)
*In the Bleak Midwinter
Christmas Day
*Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
What Sweeter Music (liked this and it was new to me)
Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day (I like this, but I think the Old South Church choir sings it better)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tissues
Ok, mundane topic, but couldn't pass this one up....
Just got back from the grocery and bought some tissues. They don't seem to have Puffs here, so I buy Kleenex brand. But the "Ultra Soft" is ultra-NOT soft. A reliable brand, good to have around the house, just not when you have a seriously runny nose. I digress.
Back of the box says : Available in pocket pack, cube, regular, and mansize formats. Mansize - I'm not kidding. What? Why not put "Caveman size" and call it a day?
And, if I go to the website listed on the product packaging and I'm asked to do a survey and I oblige, don't make my only choices for where I live be states in America. If I can buy your product overseas, adapt your survey.
Mansize. Seriously.
Just got back from the grocery and bought some tissues. They don't seem to have Puffs here, so I buy Kleenex brand. But the "Ultra Soft" is ultra-NOT soft. A reliable brand, good to have around the house, just not when you have a seriously runny nose. I digress.
Back of the box says : Available in pocket pack, cube, regular, and mansize formats. Mansize - I'm not kidding. What? Why not put "Caveman size" and call it a day?
And, if I go to the website listed on the product packaging and I'm asked to do a survey and I oblige, don't make my only choices for where I live be states in America. If I can buy your product overseas, adapt your survey.
Mansize. Seriously.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Patriots to play in London in 2009
Ok, I don't care if I'll be living in Paris then - I've got to get tickets for this!!!
The NFL announced Monday that the Patriots will play the Buccaneers next season in London.
The game, which will be the Patriots' first regular-season game outside of the U.S., will be held Oct. 25, 2009.
The game, which technically is hosted by the Buccaneers, will be at Wembley Stadium.
"We are proud to be selected by the NFL to be featured in next year's international game," New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a press release. "We have had a lot of memorable moments in recent years. I am sure our trip to the United Kingdom next year will prove to be an unforgettable experience for our players and coaches, as well as the many fans that will travel to the game. I think it is fitting that New England's first game to be played outside of North America will be in England. I know that the UK is home to some of our most passionate Patriots fans and we look forward to the experience."
The NFL announced Monday that the Patriots will play the Buccaneers next season in London.
The game, which will be the Patriots' first regular-season game outside of the U.S., will be held Oct. 25, 2009.
The game, which technically is hosted by the Buccaneers, will be at Wembley Stadium.
"We are proud to be selected by the NFL to be featured in next year's international game," New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft said in a press release. "We have had a lot of memorable moments in recent years. I am sure our trip to the United Kingdom next year will prove to be an unforgettable experience for our players and coaches, as well as the many fans that will travel to the game. I think it is fitting that New England's first game to be played outside of North America will be in England. I know that the UK is home to some of our most passionate Patriots fans and we look forward to the experience."
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