An Exercise to Exorcise

I may have made a mistake. When I started posting my thoughts, I wanted to stay somewhat anonymous so I could write whatever I wanted. This meant I would tell few friends and no family about this site. Kid Crash and SMC are close friends to whom I end up telling pretty much everything anyway so they know. There are a few other friends also in that category. However, in recent months I may have become a little too proud of my writing and, as a result, sent a link to a couple people that I wish I hadn't.

Its not that I have anything against them. Rather I feel I have to be careful about my content. I don't want to post anything about them or anyone that they know as it could be a little too revealing. I'm not sure what. I just think there might be something. So I've written a few entries that I have yet to post because of this.

That is why I am writing this now. An exercise in simply writing. I had not planned to write about why I am writing. Instead, I resolved to start typing and publish whatever came out...interesting or not...revealing or not. After all, I have been quite absent from my own blog while having plenty to write about. My trip to England and Ireland for intsance.

Ali invited me then her sister Beck decided to get married and Ali left for America. Their dad, Patrick, would still be around to welcome me in....until he was called away on business. That left Ali's other sister, Joanna. She got stuck with the guy from America that she had never met or even spoken to. But she was cool about it. In fact, she was willing to show me around and introduce me to many of her friends. What can I say? Very cool. About one week in to my stay, I heard Jo tell a friend on the phone, "My cousin from America is here." I whispered, "I'm not your cousin." (hilarity ensued) I didn't know where that idea came from but it was probably better that she thought I was more than just some guy her sister had invited. At least until we got to know each other a little.

Strangely, my mom now tells me that we are distant cousins. I don't remember how it goes but it is through marriage somewhere way back. Whatever the relation, I felt welcomed. While I don't throw the word around lightly, I think I would call Jo a friend. That's my side of it anyway. It is hard to tell with her. She's generally nice and outgoing. So its hard to say how much of a bond there was. Time will tell. A long time, in fact. There is a lot of water between here and there so its not like we can meet for drink any old time. That's the tough thing for me. Friends are important. And being away from them aint nice. That's one of the reasons I am glad to be home.

I came back about a week early but kept it a secret so I could surprise my mom on Thanksgiving. That was fun. My sister recorded "the reveal" so we have a video of it. Then I surprised SMC, calling him at work. We met that night at the Yard for some Guinness (pretty good actually. I was worried it would pale in comparrison to what I had in Dublin) then went to see Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. The movie was a bit of a let down but I was there with the right person.

Good to be home and longing for other places.

SEEYa

COFFEE! NOW!!

This was written in a cafe in London on Monday the 6th...some thoughts from the moment...

I was trying to avoid familiar things like fast food (Burger King seems to be the most popular here), Subway (for some reason, I don't think of that as fast food), and Starbucks. I spend an hour or so in a Starbucks about 4 or 5 days each week back at home. I'm here for new experiences.

While walking around London yesterday, I found a Starbucks (wasn't looking for it; just stumbled upon it; maybe it found me). I decided it would be a good idea to remember where it was in case I found myself in withdrawal at some point in my trip.

...BTW, a couple people have already told me there are Starbucks everywhere. Well, they don't know what "everywhere" means. I've only found the one in my whole trip so far. In SoCal, you can't swing a cat (with a city-block-long tail) without knocking a freshly brewed venti caramel macchiato out of someone's hand...

Anyway, I spent a while in the National Gallery today and, after having walked through London for four hours yesterday, I fealt like I had hit the wall. I had plans to meet Jo for dinner and still had an hour and a half to kill. But I didn't feel up to anymore walking. It occurred to me that I was not far from the aforementioned 'Bucks which was also near Jo's work where we had agreed to meet.

I started looking for more reason to take this familiar path. I could easily go to one of many other coffee houses in the city that are of the same vein as Starbucks. However, I haven't had what I think of as a decent coffee since I got here. There is a slight but noticeable difference to me.

Then it hit me. What about the differences with the British 'Bucks? There are bound to be some just as most everything else here is similar but different. Since I am exploring, I need to investigate this. Turns out the place is very familiar (except that the music differs...possibly better...Riders on the Storm was just on) and the coffee is just as it should be, as far as I am concerned. I am enjoying a hazelnut latte and am, obviously since I'm writing, inspired.

That leads me to my first finding of this trip: I love L.A. That's not a knock on London, mind you. I do like it here. But I have yet to find anything significantly special about the place. Its like L.A. but different. Still, I am only one week in and have a lot of time to experience more.

(Bowie's Changes just finished playing.)

That's what I wrote while sitting in Starbucks. Afterward, I met up with Jo and she took me to Soho. Without going into detail, we walked past at least four more 'Bucks and had a great time at two bars. So already my impression was shown to be off.



SEEYa

Tally Yooooo!

Its late Saturday night in England...I ought to know. I am staying with friends in Chislehurst near Kent. Rather, I should say I am staying at a friend's home. I was invited to visit by my friend Ali who I met when she visited California during the summer. I got my travel plans set then she had to leave all of a sudden. Now she is in the States and I am at her flat.

Luckily, Ali's sister Jo stuck around and was able to welcome me. She's been great, too, setting me up at the house and showing me around town. On my first night, we stayed in since she had to work in the morning. The next night, she treated me at their local Indian restaurant which was quite nice. Today, she took me around Bromley, a nearby town that is bigger with more shops and places to eat.

Now Jo is off for the night to visit some friends she had plans with so I have the run of the place. I decided to stay in and try for an early start tomorrow. I will be taking the train in to London and start acting like a tourist. So far, I haven't taken any pictures but I'll have the camera glued to my hand tomorrow.

Much more to come...I hope.

SEEYa