Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

I discovered something quite important the other day....newspapers DO NOT make a good alternative to umbrellas. I found myself without an umbrella in the middle of storm and with a 15 min walk ahead of me. At first I figured it wouldn't be that bad but the size of London raindrops definitely are something to be reckoned with. I would have imagined that making a quick run for it with the newspaper over my head for a bit of protection at the time, however, once I made back home I realized I was still soaked from head to toe, rain dripping down my neck and into my shirt and to top it all off newspaper ink had streamed down my wrist and into my sleeve leaving the headline of the Financial Times soaking into my shirt. That is how I discovered that newspapers DO NOT make good umbrellas.

The fat lady was singing...

Myself and a group of friend hit up Her Majesty's theatre to see who's been causing all the commotion there....apparently the mystery has been solved and it was the Phantom of the Opera. He caused such a ruckus with with bold yet soothing voice, and he caused so many problems for the wonderful couple Christine and Raoul.

It was a great show in an extremely old theatre which I'd have to say was a experience for my first musical production in London. Although I had to tuck my body into a tight little ball to fit into the seats, knowing that the theatre has been around since 1897 definitely makes it alright.

Unfortunately you aren't able to take pictures in the theatre during the show, otherwise I would have blinded the Phantom with my flash to get a small memory for myself.

Hmmmm.....that's a pigeon

When traipsing through the Tube station and getting ready to hop on the arriving tube, one may worry about getting accosted or attacked by some would be robber....well, in my case it was a pigeon. The attack was vicious and relentless and I'm quite happy to have made it with very little than a bit of emotional damage. I didn't see the attack coming as the pigeon had done a wonderful job of hiding under the seat and under a copy of the London Paper. I guess the idea of me potentially invading its territory had apparently set this vicious beast into a frenzy. Thankfully the next stop arrived and my strong defenses proved to much for the pigeon and with one last gift of droppings on my shoulder it escaped. I now know not to be worried about someone brandishing, perhaps a weapon, rather those damn pigeons.

The Gift of Gab

It's said that one who kisses the Blarney Stone will be endowed with the gift of eloquence or "gab". I happened to kiss that stone today and I feel as though I should be able to gab my way around anything. It's quite fitting considering the industry I work in...and it's quite fitting considering I gab so much as it is already. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to kiss the stone. The deed has been done and I'm ready for whatever comes my. Visiting Cork and the Blarney Castle has been an awesome experience. There's something to be said about about rolling hills being pastured by cows...that just makes you feel like big massive T-Bone steak! I'll just have to wait until I come home. For now, I'll enjoy 4 leaf clovers and sneaky little leprechauns.

There is a stone there,

That whoever kisses,

Oh, he never misses

To grow eloquent.

Tis he may clamber

To a lady's chamber,

Or become a member

Of Parliament.

The Path

Wardo to Munster to Swift to Rostrevor, cross Fulham Road, to Crookham Rd, left on Lettice to Parsons Green.....this is the path that I take everyday to go to the Tube station in order to travel to my many interviews. I know it well. I know the sides of the street i like to walk on. I know what cars I'm going to pass and I enjoy every second of it. I've been busy this last week with job interviews and errands but I can't complain one bit. A refreshing experience to say the least.....

My "Poll" Post

.....and now it begins. Although it's been one complete week since I've left the comfort of home in Calgary I have yet to set the tone for my new avenue for communicating to my friends and family. For that I apologize. I would say today I finally no longer feel jet lagged...albeit with increased clarity of thought I do realized that nothing is familiar anymore. No longer do I turn a street corner and feel like I'm in comfortable territory. No longer do I walk into my home and feel the warmth of familiarity. I can say nothing but fantastic things about feeling unfamiliar in my environment. I now have a great opportunity of starting anew with all the things I have learned and experienced in the past. What better opportunity to explore and be adventurous then to not know where you are going....let alone where you even are!

London has been fantastic so far, although I imagine the "honeymoon" feeling will wear off. With that I challenge myself, as well as all of you reading this, to take some time to find something "fantastic" and reflect upon it because we all know the feeling you have when you experience something for the first time is a unique and exciting one.

With this I open the portal to my new adventure of vigilantly dreaming big, never looking back....but always looking in the opposite direction here in London when crossing a street.

~IQ