31-Aug

31-Aug, 2007

Well, it’s been a few days since we’ve moved in, and I think I can finally start referring to the place as home. Most of the furniture is here, and Leah and I haven’t wasted any time with adding a few personal touches here and there. (eg. Television, wireless router, toothbrush holder, etc.) Since getting the internet here, I feel like I can resume job hunting. I just got a call today for an interview on Friday of next week for what I expect to be a great job. Needless to say, it’s got me in a great mood.
So the learning for me continues around here. If you have a problem looking like an idiot several times a day, its better to stay home. Sometimes it feels like you’re learning how to live all over again. I found myself at a grocery store the other day not knowing where to get bags for the groceries nor how to swipe my credit card. For something so simple, I was fighting back to urge to demand that they place a big sign over the registers (tills) telling me how to buy things. Its ok though. Sooner or later I’ll figure it out and I’ll have the chance to unleash a loud menacing laugh when I see someone as lost as I was. I can’t wait…
The other day, Leah and took a walk a little ways north of our apartment (flat) and walked around a sizeable park reserve. I don’t think I’ve ever plucked anything from a branch in a forest and ate it, but there are wild blackberries that grow here, and that was more than enough for me to end that streak. We’re gonna have to go back up there at night and rip a few out of the ground and plant them in our garden.
Yeserday I met Leah at her work and met her co-workers. Except for the one girl that they all affectionatley call “The Brick Thrower”, they all seemed quite nice. After meeting the gang, we signed ourselves up with gym memeberships. My only complaint is that now instead of benching like 190, I bench about 80 because of the metric conversion. I was told it’s unlikely for me to get back up to 190 unless I’m willing to undergo a few intensive months of human growth hormone and steroid treatments. I’ll pass.

More later. Peace out. (Cheers)

22-Aug

Day 8

So far things are good. Today we moved into our new apartment in a quieter area. I neglected to get the internet ahead of time so it’ll be at least a week before I have reliable access. The apartment is nice though. It came newly furnished with just about everything we need to get things started. Right now I’m in the living (sitting) room with Devon, a Jamaican guy who’s finishing up the work in the kitchen. We got set up with a washer/dryer, a double bed in each of our two bedrooms (hint, hint potential visitors), brand new carpet, and a little yard with a garden. (I think some tomato plants are already started)
Last week, I spent most of the time in or near the hotel, but Leah and I took a few day trips around London. We went to Central London and saw some of the big ‘tourist’ sites. We saw Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and a few nice parks. So far, that’s actually been the most impressive thing. The parks are enormous, and do excellent jobs of making you forget that you’re in a big city. The landscaping, flower arrangements, and total ambience are first class.
Now that our bank situation (omitted intentionally due to lingering frustration) and living arrangements are both done, I’m turning my full attention to securing a job. I’m supposed to have an interview or two coming up for some nice gigs, but the numbers aren’t on my side yet. One more week, and I will be a household name in the job seeking market.
As I said before, we live in an area dominated by minority cultures. Leah and I have gotten rather used to Indian cuisine on a near-daily basis. In case you haven’t had it before and want to look like a pro your first time, just take the many things that are placed in front of you and combine them all together into one large pile on your plate. Then simply dip bread in and out of the mass until you’re content with what has latched on.
Despite my sarcasm, it’s actually really good.
Well that’s enough for now. Perhaps one day I’ll actually send out a link to this blog so I can share.

17-Aug

Day 3

Well I told myself that when we got over here I would keep a good account of everything that we dealt with and went through while getting acclimated to London. If for no other reason, it might be fun to look back once we're all settled and point and laugh at how dumb I was when I got here.
So far things have actually gone rather smoothly. Some of the "fun" started when our driver wasn't there to meet us when we got to Heathrow. Now I knew pounds were the currency, but when I had to ask for change for the payphone, I couldn't remember what the coins are called....
Pence. Damn ignorant Americans.
Our hotel is nice. Thick Victorian era walls laden with expensive paintings line the living room area. Thick carpets and lavish furniture fill each room. Expensive electronics. A small fire burns in the corner near a large oriental style rug. A labrador sleeps on the rug.....mmmm so nice but not very true. Actually, we are crammed inside a small room. I think the building was erected near the time that Earthly power was swinging away from reptiles and toward mammals. Whatever was just before Chromagnon Man.
The good news is that Leah and I were lucky enough to find a 2 bedroom apartment thats being renovated right now in a nice little part of West London. It comes fully furnished, it's close to the tubes, and will be ready for us on Tuesday. We couldn't be happier about it. Yesterday we worked on getting bank accounts, which was harder than it sounds. Without giving too many details, just think of a hobo walking into Goldman-Sachs and asking to finance a home. Well, not that bad...
The area where our hotel is is a strong minority area. (mostly Indian) We're headed into Central London today to get a feel for the rest of the city. It's interesting seeing people at work with men wearing turbans and women wearing traditional Indian clothing (sauris?). Maybe I will wear my ethnic 'two six-shooters and ammo belt'.

Out for now...