Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Trying to take artsy shots!


This is a photo of St Paul's Cathedral I took after Murmle and I spontaneously went to see a production of Pericles at the Globe theatre. Admittedly there was too much sky in the photo, but I suppose that's the joy of cropping and scanning! Posted by Hello

As Promised...


My friends Rich and Murmle at London Broncos Rugby - fun day and we won! Posted by Hello

Monday, June 13, 2005

De-populating the World

I was wondering yesterday: if people were to stop reproducing today, how long it would be until there was nobody left on earth. I spent a long time thinking about it, and then realised the answer's really quite simple. Oh well, it kept my brain active for a little while at least. I can be a bear of little brain sometimes.

I went for a big run on Saturday - about 5.5 miles I think. The only problem is that a lot of it is downhill, so I arrive at home feeling like I could do another 5! I hope I manage OK on a long flat course! Three weeks yesterday until the big run! I picked up my pack yesterday, and need to get fundraising now.

My Canadian friend Ashley is back in London now. How exciting! She brought me a Gordon Lightfoot CD too. I am so happy!

Friday, June 03, 2005

Rising to the Challenge

I tackled my first rugby game on Sunday, and it was fabulous! Great sport! Great sport! I went with my friends Gill (Murmle) and Rich (Rich), and we learned some important lessons.

1. Whereas a bottle of beer in Canada is something like 355 mls, one must remember that at a British rugby game they are 500 mls, and therefore one shouldn't be surprised when one sees the world in a different perspective upon standing up at the end of the game having drank a few of those afore mentioned 500 ml bottles, thinking they were equivalent to two pints over two hours, as opposed to two litres over two hours.

2. The teams switch sides half-way through the game

3. Sadly, contrary to how it may appear on TV, when you see the game live, one cannot hear what the miked refs are saying

4. A few G&Ts shared among friends is a nice way to while away an early evening whilst overlooking Green Park, where birds chirp merrily and families do wholesome things like play frisbee together.

5. It is pretty much as exciting as hockey

6. The players are actually quite young and many of them seem to be lawyers, or interested in being lawyers. The whole stupid rugby player thing is a bit of a myth!

7. The game is actually no where near as violent as it may appear.

8. After a meander through the West End, and a fine dinner at a well-known Italian coffee-food emporium, a small half-pint of fine imported ale, a glass of orange juice, some water and some wonderful chocolate ice cream is a nice way to finish a fine day with two (and later joined by two other) friends. And leaves one feeling refreshed and ready to tackle a 25 Km hike the next morning!

9. It would seem that the world of rugby is very small - Rich seemed to know half of the people there!

This next part isn't so much a lesson, but a confession that will shock and appall all of you who know me! It would seem that drinking on the tube is a bit of a regular occurrence here, which neither Murmle nor I could understand. We hypothesized the reasons as being:

a) it is normal, like drinking coke on the tube
b) one wants to seem cool
c) one has a problem
d) (This was later suggested by one of Rich's friends) One is a builder and has had a long day of building.

We decided to test which of the above is most likely, and saved a dribble in our bottles to take with us on the tube. We didn't know when we'd have the chance to do this again, and thought it be best that we do it together to rule out possibility c). It would seem that perhaps a new category needs to be added, as it was the one that was most applicable in our case. e) one didn't have time to finish it before leaving the venue. Anyways, I don't think we're really any closer to the answer.

Pictures will follow...

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Well my dears,

I'VE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

A year ago at about this time (maybe actually around 10:30, come to think of it), I was being picked up by Danni at Gatwick and going through the day in a state of shock basically.

And so I am today as well. It seems so strange that the people who I know and adore here, I didn't know a year ago. People and places are starting to become very comfortable to me, and I'm really starting to feel settled - I am so glad I decided to come over for longer than a year. It just wouldn't have been enough.

I went hiking through East (or maybe it was West) Sussex for the day with some friends yesterday, and as we were marching across the fields I looked around and realised that I really do love it here, and I'm really starting to feel like I belong.

Friday, May 27, 2005

The time game

I can't believe that on Tuesday it will be my one-year anniversary of arriving here (although I guess technically I should count the time I went back to be in Ange's wedding, except that was such a whirlwind 4 days I don't really count it!) For the past couple of days I've been doing the "Last year at this time I was........" thing. We all do it I think, and I think we all sort of beat ourselves up for it. There's something almost magical about that one year bit. Last May 27th Andrea, John, Qu-Li, Chris, Cecelia, Meredith and I had one last dinner together at Ethiopia House (and one last coffee ceremony - Andrea's favourite!) It was a great night. I still have the card here with me!

It seems strange that in 4 short days when I think "Last year at this time I was..." I will have been in England. It's a funny feeling - it makes me unsure of whether I want to dance with joy for having made it this long, or cry...

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Back from my Polar Expedition

It was great! I saw lots of bears and other polar things.

Okay. You've caught me. There wasn't an expedition, but in the spirit of cheap ass games, it was fun to pretend I had been. The problem is that I didn't have the time to collect the relevent paraphenalia to be convincing about it. That reference will be completely lost on anybody but my brother and maybe my parental unit and sister (if they ever read this), but since this is my blog I can do what I want. Nya.

To be honest, I suppose I've been in a bit of a blogging slump. I've generally been feeling a big ho-hum about it lately (and let's be honest, work's been busy for the past couple of weeks and I've been trying to get out in the nice weather at lunch) I tried to update yesterday, but the computer seems to have eaten the page. I was pretty annoyed - it was a good one...

Let's see. Highlights: I discovered an amazing pub on Tuesday. It's called The Windmill and is in Brixton. I went to hear a Toronto Country band called Loomer because I had heard them on Radio 2 and they were fantastic. The problem is that I think we actually missed them - it seems the gig started earlier than it had said it would on the website (I was informed that before I got there some people sounding suspiciously Canadian were heard to be asking "Do you serve Canadian beeeer?"). Never mind though - it was still a great find. The poor soul that I dragged along to hear the band-that-wasn't-to-be described the pub as something you'd find in the outback. It had a dirty feel to it (dirty as in not-clean - not dirty as in what you'd find at the top of the magazine rack in Becker's) whereby although the couches were comfortable, you'd shudder to think of what had been spilled on them etc. The walls were a great combination of dirty orange and white paint with old smooshed posters all over them, and we were sitting beneath propellors, beer steins (with fake beer being poured out), tea pots and watering cans on the ceilings. I ended up sitting across the table from an ex-pat Newfie and had a brief conversation about Joey Smallwood and CN rail. Anyway, it did seem a bit of an oasis on a residential street in Brixton. I highly recommend it should you find yourselves in London. It's occured to me that frequenting such venues is probably a great way to find new bands...

My flatmate and I were witness to the BBC's 12:30 am"International" weather forecast that consisted of the weather in: Wyoming, Indiana, Buenos Airies and Lima, Peru. It really gave us a good giggle!

I've been continuing with my training (another 5K this weekend). My friend and I discovered that we can walk 10K in just over an hour, so even if we only run half of it, it won't be a disgrace! I'm feeling pretty confident about plugging my way through it though. I got slightly lost on a run this morning - these curvy London streets do my head in!

I'm going to my first Rugby game on Sunday (Rugby League) and am very excited! My summer camp friend Murmle is coming with Rich and I (you'll remember Rich from such blog entries as the London Racers experiences), and I'm really looking forward to it. It's supposed to rain on Sunday and that will make it that much more exciting!

Other than that, it's business as usual!

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

5K Down!

Oh yes, Anita and I completed a 5K on Sunday. Now to only put two 5Ks together!

Yay us!

Home for a Rest!

I've booked a ticket home. I'm so happy. Seee yooouuuu in September!

I ended up not voting in the election. I decided it was morally reprehensible. And I didn't remember until I got home. Tony Blair's won. Everyone seems quite blase about it. Including him. It's been interesting to be over here during an election.

I stayed up late to watch a BBC2 documentary about Conrad Black. It was very interesting to see him being shown over here. It was a joint BBC/TVO production - they tend to team up to do good things. It was also nice to see the Tim Hortons just south of Bay and Bloor and the TD Canada Trust on that corner in the background too. Home sweet home!

I've just finished work - I think it's a late record for me - 7:30 p.m. (except the nights once/3 months when I know I'll be working until 9:00). I can't imagine having a job where this is the norm. I find comfort in knowing that my manager will likely be very annoyed with me when she finds out I've worked so late and will demand I take time off in lieu. I wonder if late nights for lots of money is worth it. Somehow I doubt it.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Is this legal?

Back when I first arrived here, some ex-pat Canadians suggested I get on the electoral role. So I went to my Borough office and said "I'd like to be on the electoral role please", fully expecting to be turned down because I'm not a citizen of this country. Imagine my surprise when the lady behind little intercom box said "OK. Give give me your name and address" as a hand shoved a piece of paper under the little slot in the wall. I filled it in, fully expecting to, at some point, receive a piece of paper in the mail saying "You can't vote, you idiot. You're not a citizen." When that didn't come, I finally decided there must be a loophole whereby perhaps one does not actually get to vote, but can still be on the role.

On Friday I got home and my electoral card was waiting for me. Wahoo! So, I guess for some reason I get to vote this Thursday. I'm not going to question it anymore. All I know is that for whatever reason, I can show up on Thursday and put my little x in the little ticky-box (in the space reserved for the **political opinion witheld** party and walk away knowing that it was at least partially legal, and that I can't be held responsible if the British Goverment doesn't do their homework (unless there is no law against non-citizens voting). Sometimes, my friends, political ignorance really can be quite blissy!

But just incase, please contribute to the "Post Joanna's Bail" envelope when it comes around.

Oh - and imagine how exciting it will be if the Liberal Minority in Canada is chucked out on its ear this summer and I get to vote in two countries' elections in a span of months!

Friday, April 29, 2005

One More Step

I've just finished cleaning my "pending" (read shove everything somewhere) tray. I'm one step closer to being expendable...

One More Step

I've just finished cleaning my "pending" (read shove everything somewhere) tray. I'm one step closer to being expendable...

Squishy Like Kids

Yesterday my two colleagues (may I be so bold as to call them friends) and I went for one of our training runs. Being the adventurous and bored with roads ones we are, we decided to go Off Roading a bit and ended up running through a place with a typically British name: "Brook Farm Open Space" and encountered more mud and squishy bits than I have in a long, long time. After the initial "Oh dear, I don't want to sprain my ankle in this" bit, I realised that I haven't actively run through mud in a very long time and began to thoroughly enjoy myself. I came back with my trainers pretty much done in, mud all over my running attire and feeling much better for it. That's what washing machines are for!

I should go buy a pair of wellingtons soon and so some proper jumping, splashing and mucking about.

Life's too short not to, n'est pa?

Oh yes, and we also ran into (not quite literally - ha ha) the Chairman of the Board and possibly scored brownie points for our dedication to our organisation...

Habla Espanol (or English for that matter)

My amusing incident of the day is that someone who's currently in Peru had emailed me a link to one of those websites that do some handy translation for you. So I used it for a paragraph that went much like this (although I don't remember the exact wording 100%)

Your uniform isn’t as bad as I had thought it might be. I had imagined it to be much worse, although I can appreciate your not wanting to wear it for a night on the town! Do you have to wear long sleeves and trousers (I almost said pants – ha ha) year round, or is there a summer version as well?

And it gave me this:

Su uniforme no es tan malo como me imaginaba. ¡Los había hecho de alguna manera hacia fuera para ser mucho peores que son, pero puedo inmóvil apreciar su deseo hacer una tarde en la ciudad que lo usa! ¿Usted consigue una versión del verano también, o es mangas y pantalones largos (estaba a punto de decir los pantalones - ha ha) todo el año redondo?

I, being curious, decided to then enter what it had given me in Spanish to see what it would then give me in English, and I got this:

Its uniform is not as bad as it imagined to me. It had somehow done them towards outside being much worse than they are, but I can immovable appreciate its desire to do late in the city that uses it! You also obtain a version of the summer, or is long sleeves and trousers (she was on the verge of saying the trousers - she has has) all the round year?

It really made me laugh and laugh. Hooray for internet translation!

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Quick Update

Hi,

Now it's sunny at the back of the building, but not at the front.

It's doing my head in.

It really is...

PS Today is Danni's last day at work, and I'm quite sad about it.

Like a Drowned Rat

Just to say that I'm sitting at my desk dripping (yes dripping) because in this country, one can leave for a walk to the bank in sunshine and come out 15 minutes later to a complete downpour. It's like the clouds hide behind the sun, pick their target and then pop out and rain like they've never rained before.

Oh, wonderful Canada, I think I'd gladly take your minus 25 temperatures and 5 foot hight snowbanks anytime....

I think it's beginning to hail.

Oh, help...

Monday, April 25, 2005

On Being an Adult

Well, it's only taken me a year since finishing my MSW, but I have started making steps towards being a financially responsible adult. Since my parents have left, thoughts of "What will I do in two years?" have started crossing my mind, and, upon the realisation that I will be just a few months shy of being 30 when I leave here, I decided that whatever I end up doing, it would probably be best to be doing it with some savings in the bank. It would seem that many of my friends have been buying houses, planning to have kids and doing other very adult things, and it has made me feel slightly panicky.

So, after debriefing all of this to my fiscally responsible fund-raiser friend Lisa, she gave me some very helpful tips and emailed me a budget plan - I just have to fill in the numbers and stick to it. It certainly can't be that hard...can it?

At lunch today I went to the bank to make an appointment to change some of my accounts around, and left feeling very responsible and very grown-up. I even bought a reduced-price loaf of bread for lunch to celebrate...

Friday, April 15, 2005

Homeless

Yesterday I had my first homeless experience. I had one of those days whereby you spend the day wondering what else can go wrong. I had thought my day of craziness was over, and I was heading off to choir rehearsal when, as soon as I shut the door, I realised that my keys were on the other side of it. I think that must be one of the worst feelings in the world, you know. That sinking feeling thinking of "Well, I'll look in my bag, just incase" as the other half of the brain is realising that you didn't actually grab your keys from your bed as you had planned...

All of this would not have been such a problem had my flatmate not been a few hours' drive away until Monday.

Hmmmm...

Well, to make a long story short, I realised that I have friends who love me enough not to leave me outdoors on a park bench. I had three bed (well, a floor, and a couple couches) offers. It was a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling actually! My parents will be back on Saturday and fortunately they have a spare key. In the meantime I'm wearing brand new socks and underwear and thanking my lucky stars I just happened to have a change of clothes at work!

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Canadian Invasion!

Well, the PU is in town! I cannot believe how absolutely tired I was last night when I hit the pillow. It was so great to see them again though, that it was all worth it.

They're off to York for a few days now. It will give me a chance to recover!

Friday, April 08, 2005

Comments on my Blog

Well, I have received feedback from many of you, that you cannot post comments on my blog because you do not have blogger accounts yourselves. Hmmmmm...this leaves me in a bit of a quandary (did I use that word right?) I admit that I sometimes feel as though I am writing to a brick wall, but I'm not sure of the alternatives. Any suggestions? I say that realising, of course, that you cannot comment on my quandary for the reason my quandary exists. Oh, what a pickle.

I'll think it over later. Right now, I have £10 000 to spend. This is a rare opportunity for someone who works for a charity!