London, baby

So, Dr. Boy and I snuck of to London last weekend. He had a conference, and asked me along to see old friends and keep him company. Plus, this was city #2 on a weeklong business trip for him, his first since the back trouble started. I went along for moral support and my shoe-tying ability. Just in case.

And, you know me, I hate London. But, gotta say, I see the appeal now. I had a great time.

The last time I was in London, it was a dreary weekend and I was a college kid from Texas. Broke, wet, cold and suffering from food poisoning. Breaking up with 2 boys over Transatlantic phone calls. Miserable. So unhappy that one day, my roommates went sightseeing, and I just stayed in bed. I liked London that much.

What made the difference? 4 things.

1. I had one perfectly sunny, gur-juss day. It was, to quote British twits, bee-yoo-tiful. Apparently, their 1st sunny day since July. Hold god.

2. It turns out that London is Boston writ large. With better museums. I love Boston and museums. Score.

3. I am now a certified Strap Hanger. The Tube does not scare me.

4. Lala gave me a great "to do" list. It gave me a great place to start.

So, all in all, a lot of fun. I was supposed to leave work early Thursday, drive home and park, and catch a flight to Gatwick where I would meet Dr. Boy. And there the adventure begins. I couldn't find parking, so I decided to drive to Newark. Rush hour on a holiday weekend, and I was out of gas. It took an hour and a half to get off of Manhattan. Then, there was road work, and detours... I got lost in Newark. a 30 mile, 2 hour detour that cost me my flight. So, I was rebooked on a different airline and flew into Heathrow. Needless to say, Dr. Boy and I did not connect on Day 1. Pretty much all I did on Day 1 was buy a guidebook and plan my weekend. In a gay bar. Yep, the streak continues. First place I stumble into will always be a gay business.
That night I went bananas in the Harrod's food court - upshot; I bought a ridiculous little fruit cake. Will post pictures and review once I eat it. It's good til December 31st. Yick. And, Laduree lives up to it's reputation, even in a satellite location. Had a great pub dinner, and have determined that I love Steak and Ale pie, but only when it's done well.

Day 2 I did a little of everything. The V&A for the Fashion exhibit, which was great. Truly beautiful, even when FILLED WITH LOUD-TALKING BRITISH TWITS. As a people, the English have no fucking clue how to behave in a Museum. It's sacred space, you assholes. When I've paid good money to stand in the presence of original, genre-shifting Balenciaga and Dior, DO NOT stand in front of it for 5 fucking minutes jawing with your fugly friend.

BTW, lots of bad fashion in London. If it comes here, je refuse. Bleach blonde, flat-ironed Mullets on women, those bad puff-bang pony tails, and hot pants with silver shoes. Every fucking girl in silver shoes. Hideous.

On the good side, I am a skinny bitch by London standards. And, no paler than anyone else. Loved it.

Ok, right, enough with the Anglophobia... off to Notting Hill to run an errand for Brigid. She wanted this book on Julie Arkell's work, and it gave me an excuse to explore. For the record, do not walk up Portobello Road. Full of fucking British twits, who can walk and slurp on each other every 3 feet. I understand why they have a separate word for slurpy making out. Americans do not snog, especially not while walking, riding a bus in the seat next to me, or while visiting museums. G-R-O-S-S. Where was I? Ah yes.... then off to Wagamama. Yum! My Boston friends have been raving, and it lived up to the hype.

Next, the Imperial War Museum. Fan-fucking-tastic. I flipped through the V&A in an hour and half. I was in the IWM for 3.5, and would have stayed if I'd had the time. Honestly, not the best exhibits I've seen, and the Holocaust section felt like a rip-off of USHMM. But, what it lacked in depth it more than made up for in breadth. I wish I'd had 2 more days there to really read and explore. And, they did a special exhibit on propaganda posters. Imagine. My thesis, hung up on a wall. Bought a few books and posters, and I'm going back, for sure. And, I need to find those thesis discs. Dinner with friends, and drinks with others.

The next day, Dr. Boy was free to play. So, we went to the Cabinet War Rooms, and then off to lunch with friends. Then we hit the British Museum. It was just Ok. Dr. Boy was tired, and his back was sore. And, I was zonked. I fell asleep in one of the mummy rooms. So cool. We had 2 dinners that night - highly recommended Indian, and then I insisted on another Steak and Ale pie before we left.

XOXO,

M