It’s been a while

‘See, I’ve already waited too long’ The Smiths – How soon is now?

London was… London really. It’s not changed, not that I expected it too, but it doesn’t seem to have improved much either. It was nice to go and nicer to come back. I don’t miss living there at all and I don’t think I could honestly move back there. But we had fun whilst we were there. We spent Friday morning in the South African Consulate, waiting to get two documents photocopied and stamped. The guy looked confused by our request, I think it was cos we actually had the documents, everyone else in their had lost their passport – some people are very careless! After getting the copies we walked to the Confetti store on Tottenham Court Road and mooched round. They had some great stuff and it gave me ideas for the reception. We didn’t buy anything, but I didn’t really intend to, I just wanted to see what the stuff looked like ‘in real life’ before I order it from the catalogue next year. We had a late lunch in chinatown and a drink at a south african pub then went back to Helen and Adrian’s to relax. I’d forgotten how tiring it can be walking round London. We went to the Imperial War Museum on Saturday and to a pyrotechnics/firework thing on Saturday night. Apparently it was the Thames Festival, I think, organised by Mayor Ken – he needs better fireworks suppliers. There were hardly any calls for oohs! and ahs! Not impressive. On Monday we went to visit Highbury so Duncan could get photos and have a look round. He was very happy. Then we went to see David Blaine. I don’t understand what has surrounded his latest stunt, trick, insanity (delete as applicable). I don’t understand the venom and hatred that is being directed at the guy, I really don’t. Sometimes I wonder if I have a very simplistic view of the world, but the way I see it is this – David Blaine wants to starve himself to prove something to someone (maybe himself, maybe the world), so he sits in a clear plastic box suspended by the Thames. He’s not hurting me, he’s not hurting you, so what’s the problem? Is there really any need to throw stuff at him? What is that achieving exactly? Does it make people feel better to pelt him with stuff? And if I hear the line “what difference is one idiot staring himself making to the world?” one more time!! If you think that, ask yourself this, what difference are you making to the world? Really? Is your job so vital that without people would suffer and die? Do you give regularly and generously to charity? I help provide a service to deaf people, to help them watch tv, but it doesn’t change the world, it just means they can watch crap like 15 year old wrestling or repeats of sons and daughters. Plus, if Blaine is a publicity seeking idiot, then well done, you’re giving him publicity. I was so indifferent about the stunt when it started, but the attitude of others has just increased my support for the guy. I hope he publishes his journal, would love to read that.

Now that’s off my chest.. We left London on Tuesday, the one day that the rail workers couldn’t manage to replace the line properly and derailed a train at Kings Cross. We got lucky, we were only delayed by an hour, so it wasn’t too bad. Unfortunately the bug I picked up at Leeds returned on Monday night, so I spent the rest of my holiday feeling crappy and we did nothing else, which was a shame as we had all these plans.

I’m now back at work, sniffing and coughing my way through the new season of programmes (Charmed and Dream Team so far, things are slowly improving!). We’re hoping (well, I’m hoping) to go to a wedding fair in town this weekend, though Duncan can’t really see why. I don’t know why either, I just want to go. So far the only thing that indicates we’re getting married is the copied documents of Duncan’s and the stacks of wedding magazines around the house. I guess I just feel I need to do something to get me through the next few months until I can really begin planning.

Until there is a next time…

xx