Congratulations Antonia and Brian

When I first walked into apartment 303 in September of 1996 I think the first person I met was Antonia and her mum. They were cleaning. We lived together for the next four years. My favourite memory of Antonia is the time she cranked the music and danced on the stairs with a towel over her head. ( exam stress)
I miss living with Antonia, but now she'll be living with Brian in a strange, grown-up way: They're getting married!
She asked me to link to her wedding blog. So Laurier friends, check it out.
http://somedaysihavefun.blogspot.com/

In a more self-obsessed way, I've been thinking a lot about September. It's the end of summer, so everything (included patios and warm, summer nights) dies. But the cool weather brings new possibilities. For school, for jobs, for that perfect halloween costume.
Here is what I've been doing over some significant Septembers.
My 27th September- I'm in London. Not sure exactly what I'm doing.
My 23rd September- I'm in Toronto. Just starting Ryerson.
My 22nd September- I'm in Sydney. I'm done with travelling and ready to come home.
My 21st September- I'm in Jasper. Against my better judgment, I'm starting to really love it there. So I leave.
My 18th September- I'm in Waterloo. Meeting Antonia and most of her wedding party.

It's exhausting. My Septembers have been stressful.

John and I have both agreed that we like Stoke-Newington. It's a lovely part of the city and is still quite close to the center. Biggest problem for John. It's too nice. Biggest problem for me. The scary amount of young families. Think Parkdale. I'm not sure if I'm ready to move to the family-friendly section of London. Isn't London supposed to be swinging?
Oh, the other bit of excitement is that we're getting a landline. Now keeping in touch won't be terrifyingly expensive. Though given my exciting news of late, I wouldn't blame anyone if they didn't want to keep in touch.

Brunch

Week Highlights: We found a good breakfast place in Camden with Patricia this Saturday. Not a greasy mushroom in sight.
Got a spangly new duvet and pillows (those who have spent time budget travelling will understand the excitement)
I'm sorry about not updating the blog more often, but the job search thing has been occupying most of my internet time. I'm looking into wireless options for my laptop...stay tuned.
Just applied for a job at the BBC that I am actually qualified for. Cross fingers, please.

John and I went to see this sculpture the day it was unveiled in Trafalger Square
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4247000.stm
Verdict: we approve. nice lines

My feet are sore

Okay, so I lied. London is rainy and cold and foggy. Maybe it’s only nice once in a while to lure the unsuspecting, those who succumb to its siren song of history, architecture and grand, leafy parks. Somehow it’s all managing to seem romantic, minus getting drenched by a van driving through a small lake that had formed beside the sidewalk. Despite the rain, we’ve been exploring London on foot. On Friday night we walked up through Leicester Square, avoiding Piccadilly Circus and ended up in Hyde Park. It was very quiet (that’s the strange thing about London. Seven million people allegedly live here and it is often very quiet). We stood on a bridge and listened to strange-looking ducks making strange- noises. Willow trees dipped pastorally in the mist-cloaked water. Slightly eerie (and randomly placed) pot lights glowed in the murky air. It was romantic and creepy at the same time.
Then to the Thames by way of Big Ben. After debating whether or not the London Eye actually stops to let people on and off (anyone know?) we walked through Covent Gardens and the hundreds of people drinking on the sidewalks and roads outside the pubs.
Down a side street we spotted a huge maple leaf and homesickness forced an investigation. The maple leaf was over a pub called, shockingly, The Maple Leaf! Trying to peer through the windows and not seem Canadian was difficult, but it just looked like every other pub in London. Could it be filled entirely with Canadians? Would that be very good thing or a remarkably bad thing? I’ve always been really jealous of the Winnipeg ex-pat community in Toronto. This could be my change to be part of an ex-pat community. But a pub called The Maple Leaf. Why, oh why does Canadian “culture” outside of the country smack of lame? (btw. There is a Quebec embassy in London!? Are we sure Quebec hasn’t separated).
Saturday arrives with…more walking. This time our sights are set on the Tate Modern. A place neither of us have been. It’s great, but as usual, I run out of steam after about an hour. And while I like contemporary art, so much is dark (depressing) and thought-provoking (doesn’t make sense). We see a Monet (I find that in person, his large scale works display a sense of movement entirely missing from the ubiquitous university poster version). I am excited by the chance to see a Pollock, and have to admit that I find Rothko moving. But not the wanky description beside the painting about the darkness of humanity blending with hope or something.
Then we go to the best market ever. Borough Market. Stalls of gourmet olive oil, fresh bread, cheeses, flowers, wine, organic produce, tarts, meat (ahem). John buys a venison burger and talks about it for the rest of the day.
And to round-out our London experience, we spend Sunday afternoon watching Eastenders and eating hobnobs. Perfect.
The Arcade Fire is on Top of the Pops. right on. That makes up for The Maple Leaf

Settling in

It’s hot and sunny here. Seriously. All this ‘London is raining and cold’ talk must be to keep out the tourists. Right now we are staying at our old moldering hostel, but found a place round the corner that is cheaper and nicer (nicer meaning not moldy)
Inexplicably, I’ve started staying bin and cash point (with no prompting), however I still refuse to say loo. I refuse. Or jumper.
We met up with one of John’s friends from work for a drink on Tuesday. As we were meeting him at 3:45 I assumed that meeting for a drink meant one drink. Five hours later…
Completely off my head. I can’t keep up with these people. I even tried Megan’s trick: ordering shandies. I was laughed at and ultimately ignored. Sigh, sorry liver!
Thanks for the send-off on Saturday. It was a bit hectic, but I couldn't have managed it without you all.
Well I must run. I'm off to spend the afternoon wandering along the Thames.