Parker Lewis... what happened to you?

Why is it that such a large amount of actors become scientologists? It makes me really wonder.

Dearbhla and I hade such fond memories of the show that graced the Fox airwaves back in the early 90's.


ahhh. Parker Lewis... I think you have lost. However I do agree that that show was ahead of it's time I can't remember how accurate my memory is, of the show but it's kind of like Saved by the bell meets Malcom in the middle. Bring it back?

Orange crush colored sky

last night as I lay in bed... I stared out the window... I haven't put up my curtains yet... bet my neighbors have had some interesting flashes from me... but anyways. The sky, the sky was the colour of orange crush (fanta to some) it was quite surreal. I lay there wondering if it really was that colour or if it was the three double vodkas that I had had previously.

It was really beautiful.

The sun is shining and I skipped lunch today...

About to break out and head off to the gym... Diner tonight with lovely miss Binee and Jo jo isn't working so she's be joining in.

David has added the most interesting picture on his site... If you refresh the page a couple times you'll come to it... it appears from the banner... it's a pic of a broken handcuff on a fence, goodness knows he found this in London! I'm interested to know the story behind how it got there!

26 years 1 month and 14 days

That's how old I be...

It's kind of strange when you write it out like that... The reason why I've written it down is because I remember noting that on my father's death certificate it has his exact life span

61 years 8 months 21 days

Funny just how mortal you feel when you write out your life like that... Try it. I feel somewhat younger after having written it.

Hmmm

Dress up Jesus, Jarvis Cocker and all that free experimental music

This was sent to me this morning by Dearbhla. Highly amusing!

It was indeed nice to be back in London this weekend. Went to Mantos on Friday night for Jo's b'day. Didn't stay that late but it was sure nice to see Kerri and Suresh... bundled home and caught some zzz's.

Ventured of to Camden to procure the skirt the KJ was lusting over while I was in Toronto. It's a very interesting place to go... kind of nice when you want to just disappear into the crowd. Had a quiet night at home Sat. mar the screaming eastern European neighbors who where having a BBQ outside in the pouring rain...

Sunday Hazel and I met up with Esmerelda for a free concert at Southwark tube station. It was an experimental piece 30mins in length. Can't say I thought much of it but it's always nice to do something different. After the performance we headed to a few watering holes and chit chatted till night fell. Oh yea,... on the way to meet Esmerelda we sat on the 38 next to Jarvis Cocker from Pulp. Tee hee. Can't help but feel like a bit of a wanker for writing these things sometimes...

Siobhan wrote to tell me that she will be coming for a visit at the end of the month! I can't wait to see her, it should be a lot of fun! Dom also wrote and spoke of the possibility of stopping in London whist visiting his friend Dom in Amsterdam... he arrives on this side of the pond on the 8th!

Mum and KJ seem to be doing well, everyday sans da seems to be getting easier...

Back in London town

Life is slowly re-gaining normality... Still in a bit of a daze but I'm sure that will pass. Work is really slow but the weather is nice so it's a nice balance.

I've been a good little gym bunny this week, managing to go twice already... A good work out sure helps get out some residual stress.

Saw the Royal Tenambaums (sp?) and Gosford park on my flights... nothing to write home about, perhaps it was just my mood, but I was quite disappointed in Air Canada for Blurring out the offensive parts of The Royals... Funny thing is, that they deemed a lesbian embrace as offensive as a close up of the other character's suicide slashes on his wrist. Hmmm Discuss?

I breathe it all in. Inhale. hold it till it hurts. Ahh that's life.

After winter, must come spring

I've just returned from the grocery store... or should I say emporium... I was like wading through the cast of the supranos... woa... life here is very different. I puttered around to collect the few items on my list... I was there to collect all that was needed to make my grandfather some poutine... having had his request the day before I am honored to make it for him.

I have no concept of cost here any more. I managed to spend 33$ on purchasing no more than 6 items. I was so dumbfounded when I got to the cash and realised that I didn't have enough money to pay as my mum only gave me 30$ I feel like a stranger in a place that is supposed to be my home. I guess with the grief and such everything is compounded. Seeing Hazel tomorrow will be such a happy thing... it will be a connection between what I have here and the new chapter of my life back in London.

I promised myself that I would make an effort to do something pro active today other than staring out into the back yard... I'm supposed to go for drinks at falicte (sp?) tonight with Noeleen when she finishes work.

There were so many people at my dad's visitation last night he would have just loved it. I can't even begin to explain how emotionally draining it was to stand there in a sort of receiving line and console all those people. I was honored by Yvonne's most generous and beautiful flower arrangement and by Mark and Cathy and Andy's visit as well by seeing Audrey and Griff. My friends are most wonderful. I have had nothing but support and well wishes from all the people at my office and Hazel is just a dream.

Lauren Hill is so very right.... After winter, must come spring.

A Passing

As a bizarre irony my previous blog was a lot closer to the mark then I could have ever imagined. Seeing that my dad passed away suddendly Monday morning. I've managed to live 26 entire years without losing a soul that was near and dear to me. I have seen my friends through losses but this time, this time it's my time.

I think that my head is still in a dream like place. I woke up in London and went to bed in Toronto. I never knew that an 8h flight could last an eternity. It's so strange to be home, and even stranger to be sitting her on my dad's computer writing this blog, knowing that he's gone. He didn't suffer and wasn't even sick so for that I am thankful. Tomorrow is the service and the visitation for friends. Its going to be a tough one.

My friends are most amazing and have been so supportive, I just find it really hard to adjust to let other people take care of me as I am much more in my element when I take care of others. It's an intersting experience. The photographs we've collected for the visitation had memories pouring out of places I didn't even know I had. Nostagia is a powerful thing. I sat on my front patio almost all day long with my mum and sister and aunt and grandfather... at one point my sister had found my old sticker album and my youngest cousing sacha leafed through it with great enthusiasm. God how I used to treasure those stickers. It's almost a lifetime ago. I amd sun burnt like you can't imagine... whoever says global warming is a hoax must spend a day in the Toronto april sun and then come and talk to me!

Running some errands this evening with my sis in the shopping centre I was acosted with questions by shop clerks asking me where I was from citing that my accent was not from here. They didn't belive me when I swore I was born and raised here. Canadians have an eternal reverence for all that is foreign. It was kind of disconcerting and didn't help my reverse culture shock much... but when social energy is low like it is it doesn't take much to drain you.

I'm not sure what I'm going to say at the service tomorrow. I don't want to connect to reality by organizing... I wihch I was confident enough to be able to come up with something nice off the cuff... don't trust the water works too much and so I think I have to bite the bullet and write some things down.

Man, it's so unfair... how my father would have loved the beautiful sunshine we had here today. But who knows... maybe it's sunny everyday where he is now:)

Famous Last Words...

"Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur" (Marie Antoinette, after treading upon her executioner's foot).

I think it could be...

the sunshine marring my ability to blog as of late... perhaps the soy latte at lunch? Who can tell?

I've been having a fab time with Mr.. Sean McCann visiting me! It's been so nice to have a familiar face from the great white north. We went to Carl Cox last Sunday. And although I was still sickly we managed to last till almost 4am. It was a fun night. I couldn't get over the scores of people queuing outside the venue. God love Sean for making us buy tickets in advance. It was a Carl Cox branding extravaganza... they were even selling freaking Carl Cox balloons. What is the world coming to?

The Friday before... we were in town meeting up with Sean's cousin... don't quite know how it happened but we ended up at G.A.Y at the... wait for this... Atomic Kitten concert! They were distributing glow in the dark whistles and everything. I was thoroughly horrified. The night was good fun however... Sean's cousin's friends were having the best time! Bless. This was the first time they were ever in a large club in London... Unfortunately fatigue from our visit to Pop stars the previous evening coupled with my failing health I ended up having to leave before the kitties even came on!

This week has been gloriously warm and sunny. It certainly does put a spring in your step. it's been really nice to break out the skirts again!

Dan and Sally and Sally's best friend from Oz are coming to town tomorrow night... goodness knows what we'll get up to. I'm sure it will be fun. They'll be the first to try out this new futon I picked up from this kind guy in the LOOT paper. Only cost 50£ and he delivered it! Much more comfy than the piece of press wood we have now!

Off to Verona next weekend with my lovely Hazel. We were looking at places to stay last night whilst skimming through travel books at Waterstone's... found a convent that only accepts women guests. Their curfew is 11pm unless you have tickets to the opera. Imagine! I think my residual catholic guilt would get the better of me if we stayed there! Looks like we'll be staying here instead looks fab!

From Pop stars to Phish dumplings...


Headed to pop stars on Friday night fueled with after work martinis... danced and danced and then ventured home on the oh so handy N73.

Saturday morning I was six shades of green and Hazel trotted off to work while Jo jingled around the flat getting ready to go boxing with Matt... oh yea, I'm supposed to go too. Martinis- thy name is evil. So I drag my ass out of bed and prepare to head down to Canary Wharf to the boxing club... 2h later my hang over is gone and I'm on a post work out high. It was good fun. The following two days of pain that I've been going through, are however- another story.

Saturday afternoon post boxing picked up a cheapie TV to go with my new DVD player that lovely miss Hazel bought me for my b'day. Rented some films and collapsed in bed. Sleep is so so wonderful!

Sunday we headed down to the south bank to the national theatre to meet the most lovely Esmerelda. It was South Pacific day and the place was throbbing with yuppie children. We ate some sugar cane... drank a latte and then nosed around the book market... oh yea... and Esmerelda ate fish dumplings while Hazel ate an entire fried fish of sorts... head and all! I ran away yelping in fear of what they were eating while nibbling my veggie frittata. We ended up at the retro bar where miss Jo J o my most fabulous flat mate, made a rare appearance... she didn't show up until 7pm so she missed the ever so stimulating game of operation that we played with some Hebrew speaking guy with whom we shared a table. I love the retro bar! All they need is tidily winks and their board game collection will be complete!

The scratchy throat caught up with me with morning and I wrestled with the idea of calling in sick. I braved it and stumbled in to work at around 10am. *sigh* only 3 more days of work and 4 more sleeps till Sean arrives!

Oh yes, and Hazel's B'day trip is now booked. We are heading to Verona on the 11th instead of Prague or St. Petersburg. It will be so nice to have a break!

I confess...

I watched the Milli Vanilli behind the scenes special on VH1 last night with great interest... in fact I ended up doing more cardio than normal at the gym, just to get the full scoop. I have reached a new level of sadness. Someone please help me!

Happy Birthday to me... almost.

So the day is on Sunday and there is much merriment in the cards. Not quite sure how I'm going to be able to fit it all in (the drink that is)

Heading out for some pints after work tonight and then off to my cousin's in Richmond tomorrow and then to Bricklane on Sat. Night. Sunday afternoon we're going to the Porter House on Maiden Lane in Covent Garden (Chosen by no other than Ireland's official representative here at Frameworks... Dearbhla Clarke)All are welcome... I'm sure many will come, not necessarily for me, but most certainly for old St. Paddy.

Heard from Charlotte today which was most fab. She is as well as ever, which is always good to hear.

I am now officially registered as a British Citizen, my National insurance number is to be delivered within the next 3 months! Whilst on my mission through Dalston to get to the Municipal office I found the most exciting pair of Prada rip off (black ankle boots) a must have for just £25! I was so relieved to remove my soaked through ratty trainers and have pranced around the office all afternoon breaking in the new boots... simple pleasures!

London Falling

"If it's not their bridges falling then the very ground they stand on is sinking. Londoners learned this week that satellite images show parts of central London are sinking by up to five millimeters a year. The two areas are each about 2.5 miles long and up to 250 yards wide -- running from Bermondsey to Waterloo and Westminster, and from Battersea to Putney. The sinking appears to have resulted from excavation in recent years. "The displacement follows exactly the same line as was tunneled for the Jubilee (Underground) Line extension and the electricity tunnel," an NPA Satellite spokesman said. The images show the land has sunk about 25 millimeters in the last five years. " - www.wired.com

My question is... who gives a monkey?

After 6 months of living here in London I have finally closed in on the gap of becoming an actual full pledged member of society... sure I have a British passport and all, but I am soon to become the holder of treasured National Insurance number... I can honestly admit, that I don't have a clue what it actually does... but hey if it took me 6 months for my "interview" then I darn well expect it to be something good! It reminds me a bit of the "Carte de Sejour" business I went through while living in France... but with that you had to purchase a "timbre fiscale" at the local tabac shop... this wee stamp cost 250FF! I almost fainted, imagine handing over 25£ to your local corner shop and getting a little stamp in return? With this piece of paper in hand I had to tromp down to the local police come immigration centre... queue for an hour... get grilled by some woman behind a plastic divider. It was a large production that took over two months and several visits to my friend behind the plastic glass, and finally I was issued my coveted "carte de sejour". I guess a six month for this National Insurance thing isn't so bad after all...

Now, all I have left to do is show up! I was all geared to go today, then I realized that it's not till Friday. I am so dim at times...

Irish/Cuban bar in Prague?

I'm on day nine minus one day of pre arranged amnesty (Sunday) on my non smoking mission. It is not at all an easy feat. One must pack it up eventually... now is as good a time as ever.

The trees are all in bloom and although damp and kind of gray this morning, spring is in the air!

Got a package from my most fabulous seestor yesterday containing birthday goodies... the day fast approaches and I will soon say goodbye to my mid twenties and hello to my late.

Had a good weekend, went to the White Chapel gallery to see the Nan Goldin exhibit. She had some really nice stuff. Our overall impression was that her pictures were quite overtly self indulgent... I guess it's all in the artistic license. Don't get me wrong... it was a nice way to spend a late Sunday afternoon. After the gallery, we headed to brick lane and sat in this bar/cafe across from 93 ft. east and sipped a reasonably priced bottle of red wine... and then another.

Our plans have changed back to Prague for Hazel's b'day... we seem to have missed the deadline to apply and get a visa in time for St. Petersburg... there will be other times. I am so excited to go to Prague... Tim is going theist weekend with his fiancé... while looking at places to go while in Prague, he stumbled upon what could quite possibly be, the word's first Irish/Cuban bar. It is called, get ready for this... O'Che's I say no more... for I think I have, quite possibly seen it all!

"Sarah... there is a definite cadence infection!"...

says Mark. It was really great to catch up with him after nearly two months. Man how time flies. He informs me that I have a cadence infection, followed by gifting me a new title... poverty jet set. That's me! It's a person who travels from country to country, works at decent jobs but just never has any money! I love it!

I don't seem to be able to get enough sleep as of late. Ever since returning from my travels last week, sleep has become this mad, addictive drug that I can't get enough of! Last night I was in the land of the fairies by quarter past ten. What will become of me now?

Got my hair cut at lunch today... going back maybe in a week or so to get the colour done... I saw this picture with these very cool highlights... aqua blue and sea green tips. Looked neat... all that's left is to convince myself that I'm insane to pay 40£ to have it done! *rubs hands together*

Mum is away on her tropical holiday this week. I'm so happy for her, she really deserves a break. KJ is home sick. poor thing! It's her birthday on Friday, so I hope she feels better by then. Jo Jo's b'day is also on Friday. We're having a do for her, should be fun...

Work is finally evening out a bit, after the big tradeshow rush ends next week, it will be nice to have some not so hecticly urgent things to work on. The vibe in the office is so much better... *sigh of relief*

I return...

weary and tired but glad to be back. awakening at 4 am two mornings in a row followed by an almost luxurious wakening at 6am this morning is just so so not glamorous.

I've seen the likes of the Eningen fashion crimes consisting of numerous offenders spotted wearing white Birkenstocks with black or brown socks... discovered that irony is not at all understood by our German clients and then moved on to explore the finer points of Optical transport technology... Need to know about jitter and wander? I'm your woman!

France was lovely. I was overjoyed to have the chance to return to Lyon. It made my heart jump with glee. It's such a beautiful city. I only wish I could have stayed longer there. I played with some Euros and bought some French novels and some cheese and wine... 70 euros later and I was ushered out of Monoprix as it was closing...I had a fab dinner with Mahrez and retired to a nice hotel room near place des Jacobins (much nicer than the 80's theme that was going in Germany)

It is nice to be home! Drew clapped with glee last night when I said that. He was amused to hear me consider myself at home here in London. Strange indeed, this is my new home:)

Managed to muster up enough energy to go the jazz bar for a few cheeky ones. It was a veritable gay bloggerama! Don't think the "offstream" night is going to work, but we'll see. The owner is dragging his feet on the flyering issue. It was a fun night. David and his friends are most lovely!

I just love the information super highway... *smirks*

but this is pretty cool!

To France with me... and to Germany too!

I'm so excited... from Monday to Thursday morning next week I am going on a business trip to Germany and France. The best pat is, that the Wednesday evening I will be in Lyon. I Haven't been back there since I finished my 3rd year of University there. *rubs hands together*

all things little...

I have a confession to make... Of late I have found myself indulging in several miniature pleasures....It started with Crunchy Nuggets and then just today was wooed by these for the love of god, I think there is no other explanation than that I am the victim of some sort of bizzaro target marketing... one that which targets mad female project managers in their mid 20's who have a propensity to miniature sized chocolate treats!

Please help.

On another unrelated subject thanks to Fabulous David for posting our pending Offstream soiree at the Jazz bar. It will be oodles of fun. See you all there!