Ok, way behind on life and the blog. So I'll try to bring you up to speed. Unfortunately, this post will be near the bottom. I couldn't post pics for some time, but looks like things are in proper working order.

This is Sarah and I posing in front of Edinburgh Castle. She ended her trip here before flying out the day before the chapstick/terrorist plot incident.

I thought I should post a nicer, more virtuous pic of my sis as compared to her Gerkin episode. Truly, my motive was to determine whether or not my parents are reading my blog and I've found that they really don't love me, nor care what I've been up to. So, the Gerkin pic stays until I feel the wrath of the parentals from afar. Sorry Sarah...peer pressure, never give in.

Hello Mo To

Happy Birthday Maureen. You're 25! You're getting old.

In commoration of the 340th anniversary of the London plague, our town has decided to allow trash to pile up to great heights enabling the rats and flies an unobstructed view of Canary Wharf. Whereas one might think that the sanitation crews on strike would get the best of the city, oh contraire. Our climate has rapidly changed from 40/100 degree heat wave to a mild 20/65 temperature. The stench has been curbed by the soft rains that have formed trash lakes and streams throughout the streets.

Strike contingency plans!! Hello. Anyone ever heard about contracting out the trash service? A little union busting, think people.

Oooh, I see a truck as we speak! Not a city trash truck.

So I'm thinking the call to action will be when either a small child is toppled over by the 8 foot high composts or as our weather changes. No joke on the 8 ft...it's truly disgusting. Three weeks people, no trash pick-up, we all live in small flats, single family residences....please. It's not New York, but we're not in Kansas either.

Good times.

Laura

Anyone up for Les Mis? Sing with me people...

And now I'm all alone again
Nowhere to turn, no one to go to.
Without a home, without a friend
without a face to say hello to
But now the night is near
And I can make-believe he's here

So bottomline is that I have no friends. My two bosses are in Canada...and I don't want to hang out with them anyways. Sarah went home. And my friend, Anthony from my MBA class who lives down the street, he's in Dubai and then starts the job on Monday. Snooze!

Campaign...Want to Get on My School Bus?
Campaign...Want to Play in My Sand Box?
Campaign...for the love of god and all that is holy, will someone be my friend?

Desperate times call for desperate measures. So I hit the streets, not in the lady of the night kind of way. I was fully clad due to the cold rain and headed to my local bar, Ha Ha. There I stood all by my lonesome. Yes there were stares, really it was gawking. There are no bar stools here people so you just can't hind that you're so solo. I just needed to make it through one class of wine and then would permit myself to go back to the flat. However after a good ten minutes, bartender Emily gave me a kick-save and came to the rescue with some brief conversation. Fabulous! School bus door opened....all aboard.

Just as I finished the one conversation, I was chatted up by a couple fine gents with the punchy line, "surely you're not here on your own." I refrained from quoting Airplane and seized my opportunity for 2 more potentials. I made it to the second glass and then we moseyed to O'Briens for another cocktail. Success folks! I built a sand castle....ya-woo. So I have plans on Wednesday night. Good stuff.

It is daunting, but a swift kick in the arse and open body language I'm determined will help fill my school bus.

Cheers, L

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, New Guard.


Holy Moses!

What in the world is a girl to do without any freakin chapstick or lipstick on a 10+ hour flight? I have to come up with a plan. I'm taking suggestions. Clearly, I'm happy that the plot was foiled, but I need to strategize and 6 weeks will be here before you know it.

And yes, Sarah made it back to CSUC(K)I; she was on her merry way on Monday morning and finally arrived. As for John, remember the City Attorney from a few weeks back, he may have quite the delay getting back, but who's in a rush to get back to work...Matterhorn, Torrance, Matterhorn...Torrance. Yeah, I'm not feeling it.

So where should I hide the chapstick?

I was thinking I could put a clear lining on my hand and nonchalantly apply every so often. It may get a little slimy, but at least I'd have it.
Coat a credit card?
Fill medicine caplets with lip gel?
Tissues?
Wear a locket??
Somebody please, help me....help me, please!

Good thing I'm flying American or maybe not.

6 week countdown and looking forward to it. It's my grandparents anniversary, Police Chief is retiring, Rachel's getting married...yada, yada, yada. Good people, good times.

It's cold here and summer may be over. Sadly, just as I receive my summer dresses and shoes from my mom, I'm closing up the windows each night and am dreading the possibility of another UK winter.

Contrary to popular belief, I'm applying for the UK work permit and should have a good chance. Thankfully, the COT salary gave me a little boost to qualify me for the Highly Skilled Migrants Program. If I don't succeed, I'll be another illegal alien just trying to get a job and make a better life for myself. Oh, how the tables have turned!

First Mover's Advantage------
Do you think I could capitalize on the recent terrorist threats with the creation of fashionable, transparent, carry-on bags for the jetsetter? It's just not really convenient to carry an open trash bag on a plane. Fashion First! Hello?

Cheers, L

Sarah and I are headed to Edinburgh this weekend for the Edinburgh Jazz Festival and the start of the Fringe. Staying with Ian in the City and hoping to see the rest of the Edinburgh crew.

SARAH....pull it together!!!

Sometimes when I check my emails and see that I have no love from friends and family, I'll turn to my blog to see if anyone posted a comment and then realize that I'm really just talking and amusing myself.

Sarah's keeping me company in London. On Sunday we enjoyed the Columbia flower market, vintage shopping, a walk through the "City"/financial district, Tower Bridge and a walk along the Thames. We indulged with a pitcher of PIMMS, a cocktail concoction that is common in these parts.

Good times.