Okay, I think the link to my photos should finally work. I hope. Warning: I haven't deleted any of the unflattering self portraits, hundreds of duplicates of Big Ben and friends or done any editing at all. They're still pretty rough.
I made comments on some of them but then I got bored. Here they are. Enjoy, or you know, not.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
The best part of my vacation?
I lost 4 1/2 pounds! Lbs not £. Now that could be because I was walking around for 6-8 hours everyday in London and even on my sickest day in Edinburgh I still did a three hour walking tour, or it could be because I couldn't afford to eat. Which is pretty much all I've done since I got home. Eat and sleep.
I did drag myself to Macaroni's field trip to the Art Institute yesterday. Even with jet lag I won't pass up the chance to go to a museum. And Macaroni was so cute, he had me, his grandparents and his dad there. Coolest kid in the class or the biggest geek ever? Little of both I think.
I did drag myself to Macaroni's field trip to the Art Institute yesterday. Even with jet lag I won't pass up the chance to go to a museum. And Macaroni was so cute, he had me, his grandparents and his dad there. Coolest kid in the class or the biggest geek ever? Little of both I think.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Goats and monkeys
I should have extended the vacation and gone to Hamburg. Ewan will be there signing autographs next week...check out how hot he is in this pic! Damn.
Speaking of hot photos, I found some publicity shots from Othello. Ewan was so freaking delicious as Iago. And Chewital? OMG! Amazing.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
34% complete
I've been uploading photos to Flickr for about four hours now. And I'm not even half way through with London. Just London. I took way less photos than I thought I had because I have the setting on my camera for the highest resolution. Or something like that. Anyway, our computer is slow.
So, until the link to all of them is ready, here are a few of my favorites from London. Or a few that are uploaded already any how.
@ Buckingham Palace
Tower Bridge
view of The Gherkin from Tower Bridge
So, until the link to all of them is ready, here are a few of my favorites from London. Or a few that are uploaded already any how.
@ Gatwick Airport
a single @ The Russell Hotel
The Wellington Arch
@ Buckingham Palace
Tower Bridge
view of The Gherkin from Tower Bridge
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Trafalgar Square lion
Trafalgar Square
My Happy Place
Trafalgar Square lion
Trafalgar SquareMy Happy Placeaka The Donmar Warehouse Theater
where I saw Ewan in Othello. Twice!
The Queen's Theater
...
Oh yeah, I haven't gotten a good photo of my new tattoo yet, but Morag posted one on her blog. It's gonna need more work, my poor lion is kind of lost in Scotland right now.
Why Scotland will always be better than England
My bathroom at the fancy Russell Hotel in London, very posh and clean:
My bathroom at the really old, slightly run down Tailor's Hall Hotel in Edinburgh, two words: Deep. Tub.
Well that, and Ewan McGregor.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Just finished my grocery shopping...from Edinburgh
Sitting @ the airport waiting for my flight. Finished reading emails, caught up on some Ewan and Joss news and just ordered groceries so the boys and I can eat tomorrow. On my way to Amsterdam now, should be back in Minneapolis around dinnertime.
Now I'm going to try to find out more about the writer's strike. Is it really over? Can I watch the SCC:Terminator episodes I missed on the plane? Maybe I won't just sleep all the way home.
Now I'm going to try to find out more about the writer's strike. Is it really over? Can I watch the SCC:Terminator episodes I missed on the plane? Maybe I won't just sleep all the way home.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
One hour till a new tattoo
Sitting at another internet cafe waiting for my appointment for my new tattoo. I'm feeling a lot better today, although super stiff. I've taken more soaks in the tub this week than I have all of last year...but I've got a new tub at home! My parents stopped in and said the bathroom looks good so far.
Gonna do some shopping after my appointment and I think I've figured out how to get to the pub where my friend Georgia is working tonight. It's about an hour walk, which might mean an hour and a half with my knees. Just want to make sure it's safe to walk alone at night. I think I might do a ghost tour or go to the castle tonight too. I've already done both so won't be a big deal if I miss one or both.
Can't believe this is my last day here. The shuttle picks me up at 7:50 tomorrow morning.
Oh, and yes Shayne, I ditched the Americans at the coach station. Unfortunately the flu was a parting gift.
Gonna do some shopping after my appointment and I think I've figured out how to get to the pub where my friend Georgia is working tonight. It's about an hour walk, which might mean an hour and a half with my knees. Just want to make sure it's safe to walk alone at night. I think I might do a ghost tour or go to the castle tonight too. I've already done both so won't be a big deal if I miss one or both.
Can't believe this is my last day here. The shuttle picks me up at 7:50 tomorrow morning.
Oh, and yes Shayne, I ditched the Americans at the coach station. Unfortunately the flu was a parting gift.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Arthrtis and the flu be damned
Guess what the fat girl with swollen arthrtic knees and a nasty case of traveller's flu did today? I climbed a mother fucking volcano!
Last time Heather and I were in Scotland we spent very little time in Edinburgh itself and although I love this city, I'd rather be up @ Loch Ness or on Skye right now. But this flu has been pretty gross and I get car sick even on my best days, so I decided not to do a day trip. Instead I've walked every inch of Old Town, hit a nice exhibit @ the National Museum, did a free walking tour and today climbed to the peak of Arthur's Seat.
I think it's a 251 meter climb. I went to Rouge-a-velt though, so I have no idea how far it is. But let me tell you, it wasn't pretty. My fat ass was huffing and puffing before I even got to the end of the Royal Mile, so congested. Up was really hard, I was getting passed by old people and preschoolers. Once I was up there though, totally worth it.
And anyone who's had to climb stairs with me recently knows that although up is harder down is much scarier. And down was all mud. I was almost to the bottom, maybe 200 yards from an actual path, laughing to myself about how I not only made it all the way to the peak but didn't even hurt myself when...wham...slipped and fell flat on a arse! I'm covered in mud. So embarrassing. My back hurts but it's not unbearable. Yet.
I'm at a little internet cafe now, headed toward the hotel. Hoping to meet up with Georgia tonight or tomorrow. Tomorrow I get my new tattoo...and the I have to pack. I'll be glad to get home. I miss my boys and my bed, and I hear that my bathroom is coming along nicely. Can't wait until I win the lottery though so that I can come back, with someone. I think a trip to Mexico all alone would rock. Sleep on the beach, eat lunch, read on the beach, eat dinner, go to bed, repeat. Europe alone, not so ideal. Although even on a beach I think I'd be bored of me after a few days.
Oh well, it's been a blast. Considering the ghost tour tonight, we'll see how my back is feeling.
Last time Heather and I were in Scotland we spent very little time in Edinburgh itself and although I love this city, I'd rather be up @ Loch Ness or on Skye right now. But this flu has been pretty gross and I get car sick even on my best days, so I decided not to do a day trip. Instead I've walked every inch of Old Town, hit a nice exhibit @ the National Museum, did a free walking tour and today climbed to the peak of Arthur's Seat.
I think it's a 251 meter climb. I went to Rouge-a-velt though, so I have no idea how far it is. But let me tell you, it wasn't pretty. My fat ass was huffing and puffing before I even got to the end of the Royal Mile, so congested. Up was really hard, I was getting passed by old people and preschoolers. Once I was up there though, totally worth it.
And anyone who's had to climb stairs with me recently knows that although up is harder down is much scarier. And down was all mud. I was almost to the bottom, maybe 200 yards from an actual path, laughing to myself about how I not only made it all the way to the peak but didn't even hurt myself when...wham...slipped and fell flat on a arse! I'm covered in mud. So embarrassing. My back hurts but it's not unbearable. Yet.
I'm at a little internet cafe now, headed toward the hotel. Hoping to meet up with Georgia tonight or tomorrow. Tomorrow I get my new tattoo...and the I have to pack. I'll be glad to get home. I miss my boys and my bed, and I hear that my bathroom is coming along nicely. Can't wait until I win the lottery though so that I can come back, with someone. I think a trip to Mexico all alone would rock. Sleep on the beach, eat lunch, read on the beach, eat dinner, go to bed, repeat. Europe alone, not so ideal. Although even on a beach I think I'd be bored of me after a few days.
Oh well, it's been a blast. Considering the ghost tour tonight, we'll see how my back is feeling.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Another city, another frikken MacDonalds
I made it to Edinburgh. I've had about 4 hours sleep in the past 48 hours. It's 9:20 here and check in isn't until 2. I managed to find directions though, wifi is nice when you can find a signal.
Alas, no photo with Ewan. If I had known I could check my luggage at the train station I would have hung out in Covent Garden all day looking for him. Although I'm sure he's got an assistant to shag coffee and stuff. And I don't think he's smoking, still. Well, Ewan is smoking, smoking hot. So instead I sat at the coach station for 2 and 1/2 hours trying not to poke my eyes out. First time I'm not enjoying London? When I'm on a bus with a bunch of Americans.
So what else? I've seen tons...
Alas, no photo with Ewan. If I had known I could check my luggage at the train station I would have hung out in Covent Garden all day looking for him. Although I'm sure he's got an assistant to shag coffee and stuff. And I don't think he's smoking, still. Well, Ewan is smoking, smoking hot. So instead I sat at the coach station for 2 and 1/2 hours trying not to poke my eyes out. First time I'm not enjoying London? When I'm on a bus with a bunch of Americans.
So what else? I've seen tons...
- The Tate Modern
- The London Eye
- Tower Bridge
- The Tower of London
- Covent Garden Market
- London Dungeon
- Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham Palace & the changing of the guard
- Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament
- Regent, Hyde & Green Parks
- Ewan & Chewital in Othello in two AMAZING performances
- Les Miserables matinee
- almost every inch of the London Underground
- The Marble Arch
- Piccadilly Circus/theaters
- Edinburgh Castle @ sunrise
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Eye patches are sexy, right?
I'm sitting @ the airport, quickly ruining my vision. This fucking thing is tiny. A tiny, expensive toy. If I can figure out how to upload photos it will have been worth it. If not, I'll be blind and broke when I get home.
Wish me sleep on the plane. And a not gross vegetarian meal. I'm almost out of here. And hey, I managed to pack, shop AND take a nap! Now if I can just manage to have fun by myself for 2 weeks.
Wish me sleep on the plane. And a not gross vegetarian meal. I'm almost out of here. And hey, I managed to pack, shop AND take a nap! Now if I can just manage to have fun by myself for 2 weeks.
And the winner is...Sloth!
Jboy and I had a nice talk the other day about The Seven Deadly Sins and which ones were our favorites. Obviously I'm hanging out with Gluttony and Sloth, my two best friends. Right after you, Shayne, of course. I decided that I'm much lazier than I am piggie. Can you imagine how big I'd be if I could move my fat ass into the kitchen to cook something? Chunk and Sloth, together again!
So I'm sitting here wondering if procrastination is a diagnosable disease. Could I be getting meds and/or worker's comp for this? Cause it's painful. Not as bad as the arthritis but much worse than the back ache I got from sleeping all funky. Sleeping funky because of all the crap laid out on my bed that I was too lazy to move.
My suitcase is on the couch, nearly empty. I did however manage to cover the recliner with clothes I might, maybe want to wear in Europe. And I leave in 10 hours.
I'm so freaking lazy! If I get off the computer fast enough I'm going to go out to the mall to buy a little tabletop tripod. That I've been meaning to buy for months. So that I can come home from London with lots and lots of photos. Of me with Big Ben. Of me with the London Eye. Of me with Ewan McGregor! Of me wearing the same clothes in every photo because I was too lazy to pack. Uggh.
Where is that personal assistant I ordered? And why did the spell check on this site stop working? Like three or four posts ago? See? See why I need a personal assistant? Okay...here I go. Gonna go pack now. Riiiiiight now. Now. Um, after another cup of tea?
So I'm sitting here wondering if procrastination is a diagnosable disease. Could I be getting meds and/or worker's comp for this? Cause it's painful. Not as bad as the arthritis but much worse than the back ache I got from sleeping all funky. Sleeping funky because of all the crap laid out on my bed that I was too lazy to move.
My suitcase is on the couch, nearly empty. I did however manage to cover the recliner with clothes I might, maybe want to wear in Europe. And I leave in 10 hours.
I'm so freaking lazy! If I get off the computer fast enough I'm going to go out to the mall to buy a little tabletop tripod. That I've been meaning to buy for months. So that I can come home from London with lots and lots of photos. Of me with Big Ben. Of me with the London Eye. Of me with Ewan McGregor! Of me wearing the same clothes in every photo because I was too lazy to pack. Uggh.
Where is that personal assistant I ordered? And why did the spell check on this site stop working? Like three or four posts ago? See? See why I need a personal assistant? Okay...here I go. Gonna go pack now. Riiiiiight now. Now. Um, after another cup of tea?
Friday, February 08, 2008
101 Things To Do Instead of Packing for Europe
1. Bitch online about not getting tickets to this. Can you hear my heart breaking?
2. Make another cup of cocoa.
3. Play with my new toy.
4. Pee in an almost completely gutted bathroom, gazed at the nearly 100 year old insulation spilling out between the studs and wash your hands in the kitchen sink.
5. Listen to Jboy whine about wanting the computer.
6. Pee again because of all the cocoa.
7. Email friends and try to make plans with an old friend in Edinburgh.
8. Be awesomed by Joss.
9. Download updates for the new toy.
10. Watch a really sad story about adoption gone wrong.
11. Try to convince yourself that you can just go to bed, get up early and do all the packing tomorrow.
Okay, so that's only 11 but if I keep trying to come up with things I really won't have time to pack. Which I'm going to start doing now. Yep, right now. Here I go...getting up. Yeah, right.
2. Make another cup of cocoa.
3. Play with my new toy.
4. Pee in an almost completely gutted bathroom, gazed at the nearly 100 year old insulation spilling out between the studs and wash your hands in the kitchen sink.
5. Listen to Jboy whine about wanting the computer.
6. Pee again because of all the cocoa.
7. Email friends and try to make plans with an old friend in Edinburgh.
8. Be awesomed by Joss.
9. Download updates for the new toy.
10. Watch a really sad story about adoption gone wrong.
11. Try to convince yourself that you can just go to bed, get up early and do all the packing tomorrow.
Okay, so that's only 11 but if I keep trying to come up with things I really won't have time to pack. Which I'm going to start doing now. Yep, right now. Here I go...getting up. Yeah, right.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
It's 11° and snowing here
Weather
3-Day Weather Forecast for London GB
SUN 10
55º F / 12º C
40º F / 4º C
Foggy
MON 11
54º F / 12º C
40º F / 4º C
Mostly sunny
TUE 12
50º F / 10º C
42º F / 4º C
Partly cloudy
3-Day Weather Forecast for London GB
SUN 10
55º F / 12º C
40º F / 4º C
Foggy
MON 11
54º F / 12º C
40º F / 4º C
Mostly sunny
TUE 12
50º F / 10º C
42º F / 4º C
Partly cloudy
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Old enough to vote
The crowd at Sanford (yes, that Sanford!) last night was amazing. Over 400 people in our precinct alone. Lines were out the building.
We ran into Carrie from Church™ and both she and Jboy were elected delegates. Too cute. Of course I just about died when Carrie said she was going to be 30 this year. And then just about cried when the women behind Jboy, who just heard him call me mom, asked if Carrie was his sister. What?!?!?! I started early but come on, not that early! Sheesh. Here I was feeling old anyway. (note: Carrie has the same last name as us...so I get why the woman asked...but still.)
I still haven't gotten anything done for my trip or the remodel. I did however get all of my San Fran photos up on Flickr. Gotta have priorities after all.
Off to Subway for lunch. Wish I could fit in a nap today.
2 days
67 hours
4035 minutes
242113 seconds
We ran into Carrie from Church™ and both she and Jboy were elected delegates. Too cute. Of course I just about died when Carrie said she was going to be 30 this year. And then just about cried when the women behind Jboy, who just heard him call me mom, asked if Carrie was his sister. What?!?!?! I started early but come on, not that early! Sheesh. Here I was feeling old anyway. (note: Carrie has the same last name as us...so I get why the woman asked...but still.)
I still haven't gotten anything done for my trip or the remodel. I did however get all of my San Fran photos up on Flickr. Gotta have priorities after all.
Off to Subway for lunch. Wish I could fit in a nap today.
2 days
67 hours
4035 minutes
242113 seconds
Monday, February 04, 2008
I love The Onion. And onions.
Cute "nerd" list that features Joss and my all-time favorite speech of his, here.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
You'll never guess what I did last night...
No, I didn't pack. Nope, didn't clean my house either. Silly kids, I certainly didn't do any homework.
I had dinner here with Kathleen. (This was one of our every other weekend haunts for a while, along with Balimbi Bay and Figlio's and the drunken stumble to Pizza Luce at 2 AM. Those insane weekends are known as Baby Daddy Fridays, BDF's for short. Thankfully we don't go out as often as we used to...Kata's in school now, like a grown up and my liver couldn't be happier.)
After dinner I came home for a little disco nap because...I went to see this Midnight Madness show with Jboy and Mary at the Uptown. It is my very favorite movie. I've seen Serenity about 40+ times on the big screen and still manage to notice new things every time I see it. I was hoping it would be showing at the Glasgow Film Festival because I've seen Serenity twice in LA, but how cool would it have been to see it in another country? Yeah, I know. I have no life.
So today? All about cleaning and packing. But really, no homework.
I had dinner here with Kathleen. (This was one of our every other weekend haunts for a while, along with Balimbi Bay and Figlio's and the drunken stumble to Pizza Luce at 2 AM. Those insane weekends are known as Baby Daddy Fridays, BDF's for short. Thankfully we don't go out as often as we used to...Kata's in school now, like a grown up and my liver couldn't be happier.)
After dinner I came home for a little disco nap because...I went to see this Midnight Madness show with Jboy and Mary at the Uptown. It is my very favorite movie. I've seen Serenity about 40+ times on the big screen and still manage to notice new things every time I see it. I was hoping it would be showing at the Glasgow Film Festival because I've seen Serenity twice in LA, but how cool would it have been to see it in another country? Yeah, I know. I have no life.
So today? All about cleaning and packing. But really, no homework.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Uggh, it tastes like bile
I was going to title this blog entry "Bebé Jesús is bleeding" but that just seems all kinds of wrong. Although naming your imaginary ulcer after old JC is probably all kinds of wrong anyway.
I'm totally stressing out. To the point that even though I have TONS to do I went to bed at 5:30 PM last night. Fully clothed, didn't wash my face or brush my teeth or anything. Woke up this morning in a pile of unopened mail, with a thumping headache and some serious dreadlocks forming in my hair. Not a pretty sight.
I'm stressed about the remodel project and the solo trip to Europe. I just found out that my cell phone company doesn't have any access in Europe, so I'm screwed there. Hopefully nothing will go wrong with the project or I'm fucked. I'll have to check my email every day for sure, just in case they run into some huge, expensive problem.
I did finally book my hotels in London and Edinburgh. Decided to stay in the city rather than at Brendan's family's B&B. The 30 minute train ride every day wouldn't be a problem if I had someone to talk to but just seems like a waste of time by myself. I'd rather spend the extra money and sleep in a little longer every day.
So I've got my flight to London, tickets for the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, The Russell Hotel, tickets to see Ewan and Chewie in Othello, an overnight coach to Edinburgh, Tailor's Hall Hotel, an appointment for my tattoo and my flights home. Just need to find about 75 hours worth of stuff to do in between all that.
Not to mention doing some homework so I don't fail my online class and burst into Hypocritical Flames (poor Jboy is getting all kinds of crap from me lately) and emptying out my bathroom, hallway and garage. Uggh, it smells like dirty diapers in my head.
On a much cooler and way less stinky note: Jboy and Mandy are both coming to caucus on Tuesday and we're possibly going to see Hillary tomorrow. And Jboy got a cute little trophy for taking 4th place in the latest quiz bowl tournament.
I'm totally stressing out. To the point that even though I have TONS to do I went to bed at 5:30 PM last night. Fully clothed, didn't wash my face or brush my teeth or anything. Woke up this morning in a pile of unopened mail, with a thumping headache and some serious dreadlocks forming in my hair. Not a pretty sight.
I'm stressed about the remodel project and the solo trip to Europe. I just found out that my cell phone company doesn't have any access in Europe, so I'm screwed there. Hopefully nothing will go wrong with the project or I'm fucked. I'll have to check my email every day for sure, just in case they run into some huge, expensive problem.
I did finally book my hotels in London and Edinburgh. Decided to stay in the city rather than at Brendan's family's B&B. The 30 minute train ride every day wouldn't be a problem if I had someone to talk to but just seems like a waste of time by myself. I'd rather spend the extra money and sleep in a little longer every day.
So I've got my flight to London, tickets for the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, The Russell Hotel, tickets to see Ewan and Chewie in Othello, an overnight coach to Edinburgh, Tailor's Hall Hotel, an appointment for my tattoo and my flights home. Just need to find about 75 hours worth of stuff to do in between all that.
Not to mention doing some homework so I don't fail my online class and burst into Hypocritical Flames (poor Jboy is getting all kinds of crap from me lately) and emptying out my bathroom, hallway and garage. Uggh, it smells like dirty diapers in my head.
On a much cooler and way less stinky note: Jboy and Mandy are both coming to caucus on Tuesday and we're possibly going to see Hillary tomorrow. And Jboy got a cute little trophy for taking 4th place in the latest quiz bowl tournament.
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