Running and Music

12-7-2008

Time is running out. I have a few options. Run around this city like a chicken with my head cut off, stop at the sites and snap a quick picture, and just get completely wiped out. Or I could take the little time I have and fill it with meaningful London experiences that I know I’ll enjoy and cherish. I chose the latter of the two. 

I got a little extra sleep this morning in preparation for an intense run up Primrose Hill. Why I waited till the last week in London to see this beauty of a park I’ll never know. It’s wonderful and much closer than I thought. Just on the other side of Regents. Since I was running, I didn’t have my camera and hence didn’t get a picture. But this is one of those moments I’m going to keep with me, locked in the synapses of my mind just like all my Regent’s Park runs.

Primrose hill before me. Scatters of people about the park, but not too many as it was a chilly morning. I took on the hill with full vigor. I passed a young woman jogger on the path up. I know the kind of damage getting passed can do to one’s running ego, so I felt a little like a douche. But that’s the way it is in life, sometimes you just get passed. I made it to the top. A crowd of people were there. I swear many of them were watching me. Made me feel like I’d just crossed a finish-line. It looked like it too, as a woman had flown out about 30 mini kites all on the same string and they were flying along the hilltop. A small dog was doing circles around his owner and came to give me a sniff as I began some stretching. I looked up and there was the city. Littered with construction cranes,  just barely visible through the haze. This is Primrose Hill.

I leisurely ran back to MTH, had a shower, and made my way to Westminster Abbey for my third Evening Sung there. This one was probably the best, as I got my way into the choir loft and truly felt the presence of this boisterous choir. These fine male musicians were only the beginning of the amazing music coming my way that evening.

Months ago, I snagged tickets to see Wisconsin brewed musician Justine Vernon, also known as Bon Iver. From the first time my ear holes were filled with his sound, I was taken away by his soulful, falsetto tones. He was tickled pink as he filled the Apollo Victoria Theatre with his music. According to him, this has been the largest venue he’s played in Europe. This theatre just so happened to also be the home of Wicked, where that show plays every night of the week except Sunday. Hence why Justin had to play beneath a giant metal dragon.

I have a new found respect for his song Wolves. He had the audience sing along to the repetitive chorus-like “what might have been lost” lyric. Once we’d all sung through that plenty of times, he encouraged everyone to scream. Scream with all the anger, hate, love, frustration, whatever they had inside them. Utter release. I bet the Wicked cast never got that kind of response from an audience. 

Portobello Glass Blowing

12-6-2008

I really enjoy the people I travel with. Everyone has their own unique interests and it seems everyone from the UWSP group is getting something different out of their time in London. For instance, Deb has been getting to know the London glass blowers association quite well as she took it upon herself to pursue training with them. I am lucky enough to be friends with Deb, because this friendship led to her taking Kim and I on a tour of their studios today.

 

It was actually their annual open house this entire week, but had it not been for Deb, I’d never known that. But beside the typical open house stuff, Deb also took the time to explain some of the process to us and introduce us to a some members of the team, who just so happen to be some of the most talented glass blowers in the world.

 

Watching them work made me appreciate every wine glass I’ve every drank out of and every vase I’ve ever put flowers into. The skill, speed, and fluidity with which these guys have to work brings awe to anyone watching them work their craft.

Once we had finished watching multiple artists make an ornate bowl, a wine glass, and a pitcher we decided there was plenty of daylight left to take in Portobello Road. This market specializes in antiques from old school binoculars to books and doll houses. My favorite vendor had a wall of antique beer signs which if I had a place in London, I’d purchase way too many of those. They also had the usual t-shirt shops and vendors that you’d find in Camden. From one of these guys, I got the greatest t-shirt known to man. Perhaps you'll see me wearing it around. I could post a picture of it here, but that just wouldn't be as fun.

 

Plus we saw my favorite busker again, puncture kit, only this time he was joined by a...let's say less talented musician, but they still entertained the crowd. 

And like any market, this place had loads of good eating:

 

Once we’d shopped till we were about to drop, we walked back to a bus that’d take us home. But we also came upon a house that Deb and Kim were certain belonged to Elton John. No one was 100% but we’re going to say it was.

Getting Edjumacated

12-2-2008 

My work experience has been teaching me a lot lately.  Two week ago when Life FM won the Radio Academy award, we went out to the pubs with a whole bunch of audio engineers afterwards to celebrate. My supervisor taught me that night how to seize an opportunity and network without shame. I threw my contact info at a bunch of producers and managers that night hoping to get a bite in the UK job market, but I got the next best thing, an invite to come to London’s Kiss FM offices and take a look around.

A radio imager for Kiss, Simon, was one of the panel speakers at the Radio Academy awards and I was thoroughly impressed by the way he approached radio sound. So in the pub afterwards, we got to chatting and then today I was in his office and walking about the Kiss studios seeing what corporate stations with lots of money can do and can afford. State of the art studios with mics that hang from the ceiling and adjust at the slightest touch, counsels that allow a single presenter to DJ four stations simultaneously that are broadcasting throughout London, and production studios that shame the ones I’ve worked in. He was even kind enough to show me the specific software programs he uses and exactly how he uses them. A very informative hour at a hustling and bustling station, where a team of 10 do the jobs of 1 person at Life.

I had already arranged to have today completely off of work, as I traded my normal Friday off for today. So I took advantage and got to know the immediate area around the Kiss offices which just so happened to be Regent’s street.

The world’s largest toy store, Hamley’s, lived up to it’s reputation. I could have played in there for hours…well hours beyond the hour and a half I did spend there browsing and playing vids.  I also found a children’s piano / chimes-like instrument that I swear was tuned in mixylidyon mode. Might as well start them young.

After that I went to my favorite toy store, the Apple Store. As if I wasn’t already infatuated enough with Mac after getting this MacBook Pro, this store made my feelings stronger. There show room is simple to showcase their product and let costumers really play with them. I liked that. The best part by far though was the theatre in the back where every hour they have a demonstration from a professional on everything from transferring from Windows to a Mac, to using iTunes, to the programs I stayed for Garageband and Logic. If you are ever in the area of a Mac Store, do yourself a favor and get to know them.

The night ended at the Ain’t Nothing But (the Blues) Bar. Where Sister Mary and the Choir Boys entertained the crowd to the point of rowdy dancing and glass breaking by the end of the set. I’ve been wanting to get to this little venue for a while now, but since it is literally a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ kind of place, it fills up fast. Happy to say I finally made it there, and made some awesome new London friends.

A Swell Monday

11-24-2008

Best musicians ever? Is that an over statement? Perhaps, but they are the most soulful musicians ever: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. They are the stars of the movie Once. Which if you’ve never seen, get on it. Glen is also the front man of The Frames, an all around solid group out of Ireland.

Glen was like a child on that stage in Royal Albert Hall, not that he was unprofessional in his way, but in the wonderment he had for the space he was in. Watching him pound away on his guitar and passionately yell into his tessitura was like watching Brett Favre playing football. Strange comparison I know, but hear me out. As any Packer fan, or football can for that matter, knows, watching Brett is like watching a kid in the backyard, just loving the game. This was Glen. On stage and loving it.

He started solo….completely solo, without even a sound system. Just him and his beat up acoustic guitar at the front of the stage and filling Royal Albert Hall with “So this is what you’ve waited for.” He was then joined by Marketa for “When your mind’s made up.” Then the rest of the band came out and I was trapped in Swell Season euphoria.

One of the openers came and joined the band playing the fiddle on a few numbers as well. All around, an absolutely fantastic show.

Saturday at the Office

11-15-2008


I went into the office today. I feel like a real employee coming into work on a weekend. Before I went in though, I had to hit up Primark once more for some essential cheap yet smart clothes. Upon my walk there, I passed by a department store, whose name I can't recall, yet it resembles a Harrods. Anyways, the point is they had this slogan in there impressive window displays. The phrase disgusts me: "The More, the Merrier," implying the more crap you have the happier you'll be this Christmas. Because let's face it, that's what the holidays are all about right.....(hope you picked up the sarcasm there)

I was asked if I wanted to come in today, so I was going in under my own free will. I figured it wouldn't be the end of the world coming in for a panel discussion with some of the local community, and would actually be beneficial. The goal was to get feedback from invited youth and artists in the area to find out how LifeFM (soon to be Bang radio) can better cater to the needs of the community. Unfortunately, do to a very low attendance (no one from the community came at all) the meeting was cancelled. But it wasn't a complete loss since there was in fact work to be done, as usual, so I did some of that.

Did I ever mention this whole Life turning to Bang thing? It's actually been quite exciting lately. Life FM will be changing to Bang Radio on Dec. 8th, a complete re-branding. The music format / target audience isn't changing but the station is streaming-lining quite drastically. I've seen a lot of presenters that I've come to know well be let go as their show didn't quite fit the sound Bang Radio will embody. It's definitely been a good learning experience.

The other excitement of today was seeing a friend's band play at the Barfly off New Oxford Street. The first night I went to the opera with Luke, we were interviewed by a couple who worked for the English National Opera. We had a drinks with them afterward and we agreed that we'd go out on the town some night and see some live jazz. Turns out that the cameraman, Roney, was in a band back in the day that was playing a sort of reunion gig tonight. So I went out and saw him play at a tiny little basement venue that was way too loud. Pretty sweet gig though, they had quite the local following for a little band from a big city.

En route home, I stumbled upon Newman Street and one of the most famous, and believed to be the largest, pieces of graffiti art done by the genius man known only as Banksy. This guerrilla graffiti artist does works all over London and I believe the UK. Done in his very recognizable minimalist style, Banksy's works are always thought provoking and make wonderful statements about the corporate world we live in. If they don't do that, they are random for the sake of random. He puts a little extra spice to life. Turns what would be a blank, dank, dark alley into a work of art. Check out some more of his works here.

Cambridge, It's Not Just for Scholars Anymore

11-14-2008

There he was. I haven't thought about him since my childhood, and even then, I never thought I'd ever come face to face with him. Never thought I'd come face to face with a legend. A man who built a dream. A man who took science and played god.

A man who would spare no expense.

Who is it you ask? We'll get to that later in the day. We're going to Tarantino it. The suspense will kill you.

I voluntarily got back together with the majority of the UWSP International Programs travel group, despite the fact that towards the end of the two week continental tour, I was not looking forward to traveling with that large group again. But it was a Friday, I had off work, nothing to do, and Cambridge sounded like a splendid little day trip. So, after about an hour and a half drive we made it to one of the world's first college towns.

Every building looks like a different section of the Hogwarts campus, beautifully ornate buildings with immaculately well kept grassy knoll courtyards surrounded by the four wings of a particular college. This grass is no ordinary grass. It is privileged grass. Only professors of Cambridge can walk across it, making those tiny blades educated sacred ground.

My understanding is that there is somewhere around 20-30 different colleges as a part of Cambridge University. Each college has it's own name, symbol, subject of study, great hall (for dining and socializing), flag, and each has their own dorm-like building that serves as both living quarters and small group class sessions.

As nifty as it was learning about a University that I am no where near smart enough to go to, my favorite part of this town was the gondola-like punts that slowly floated up and down the Cam river. We rented one and piloted ourselves around, seeing this lovely little town of about 100,000 from a completely different view.

Mike, Chad, Michelle, Shannon, and I wove ourselves through the river on the punt. When I first heard that you can pilot one of these bad boys on your own, I envisioned a row boat. I was pleased to find out, however, that we got to take the same boats that we saw the guided tours taking. The only way to maneuver them is with a 15 foot pole that is used to push off the bottom to propel oneself and dragged behind to rudder in any one particular direction.

Right off it was a bit of a challenge getting the punt headed in the direction I wanted it, but a few meters down river and I had the hang of it. The other guys in the punt didn't quite have the same experience I did and we simply spun in circles. We wanted to make it back within our one hour time limit so we wouldn't have to pay more, so I took the helm again so we could get back in time. All that summer camp canoeing paid off.

As did all those voice lessons. Since I was standing on the back of a boat with a long pole steering people down a sexy little river, I felt it most appropriate to sing whatever oratorio or art song came to my head to complete the gondolier persona. I also gave an amazing tour full of fun facts that couldn't have been further from the truth and came to me just as fast as I was saying them.

We walked around a bit, did some shopping at a sweet flea market where I found a Waupaca police patch! For those of you who don't know, Waupaca is a town in Wisconsin and here I am finding a patch from there in Cambridge. As we walked we also found an Irish piper named Dicky Deegan:

I still count my blessings for seeing the legend. At first no one believed me, said it just looked like him. But it WAS him. John Hammond, billionaire tycoon who built Jurassic Park....well, the actor who played him at least. His name is Richard Attenborough, and had I known his name at the time, I would have ran up to him and asked for a picture. But I didn't know. I just knew him as John Hammond, the man who harnessed DNA from mosquitos to create dinosaurs on an island off the coast of Costa Rica. Since I didn't know him name, I had to suffice for the candid picture:

I also didn't wanna disturb the walk he was having with what looked like a wife and son.

Here he is close up, Mr. JP himself. I first saw him earlier in the day as we were on a guided walking tour. We popped into the King's College Cathedral and were seated while the guide told us about some centuries old graffiti on the walls in the church. I, on the other hand, was way to occupied with this man who looked like John Hammond.

My friends all doubted me, until we saw him again in the street, and one said, "hey is that the guy you're talking about?"

"Yes it most certainly is," I replied, and I ran to get the picture. Later that day when we got home, Chad IMdb'ed Jurassic Park and we found out that Mr. Attenborough was born and raised in Cambridge. Yes it was most certainly him that we saw.

We finished our day with an Evening Sung done by the boys choir of King's College. Incredible. I even got a seat right behind the choir and was reading the music over their shoulder and becoming immersed in their sound as I felt like a member of the choir. They did an absolutely unreal Tavener piece called Magnificant and Nunc dimittris Collegium Regale. Simply brilliant.

A lovely day in Cambridge.

Joyful Thursday

11-13-2008

This evening rocked harder than I expected it to. I did expect some rocking, more than a baby in a crib kind of rocking, but not quite as much rocking as I got.

Kaity and I made plans earlier in the week to see The Joy Formidable, whom we saw open for Does it offend you, Yeah?, a couple of Sundays ago. After 'Formidable' finished there set that night, we decided we'd have to try and find them again before we booked out of London.

Before we went to see them though, stopped by the ISH bar and saw posters for the World Dinner put on by the International Student's House which was starting just as we were entering the building. Down in the theatre, they set up a buffet on each side of the floor, one side veggie and other other with meat, and in the middle large bean bags served as seating. For a free meal, this buffet had it all: shrimp, chicken legs, deep fried meat on a stick, barbecue wings, all done with a unqiue flair from somewhere around the world. Plus free sangria and another ethnic alcoholic beverage that included a lot of crushed leaves and fresh spices. They even supplied a DJ who was spinning clubbing tracks from around the world. The atmosphere was very clubbish as you had to yell over the music to talk, which was rather odd for a dinner. But all around a pretty solid meal.

After the food, which rocked, we got our socks rocked off by The Joy Formidable at the Wilmington Arms just off of Farringdon. A solid show of which I will post some video eventually. Super nice folk as well. We chatted a bit after the show. Gotta love down to earth indie artists.

And probably the best part of the night was the munchies afterward, as Kaity pulls out

her McChicken and it was missing a bottom bun. High quality eating.

Quantum of Site-Seeing

11-7-2008

This poster is everywhere in London. Bus sides, tube stations, billboards, corner stands, anywhere there is advertising space, it's there. I would not be surprised if the marketing for this movie costs as much as the making of the movie itself.

However, after seeing the film this afternoon and realizing how many on-site locations all over the world they had to shoot on and the amount of expensive car frames they had to destroy, I'd take that previous statement back. I watched Casino Royal for the first time the night before Quantum of Solace so it was an interesting experience taking in a whole new Bond in a mater of 36 hours. After much debate, I can honestly say I like it. He's darker and much more hardcore. This Bond, just like the Bond's of the past, fit the time in which he lives.

I started thinking about Bond films in a new way this time around as well. Instead of thinking of each Bond (Connery, Brosnan, Craig etc.) as completely different franchises, a friend explained to me how it's easier to think of each new Bond as existing in the same world as the previous Bond. The "code name" Bond is bestowed upon the new 007 agent who takes the place of the Bond before him who assumably retired or was killed. Make sense? Am I way off on thinking of Bond this way? Or is this a common understanding and I'm just way behind the curve? Anywho, enough film review.

We saw the film which was lovely. I must compare the cinema experience here in the UK to that of the US. Let say a movie starts at 1:15. The previews start at that time, the film, however, will not start until 1:45. And the previews do not just consist of upcoming films, but rather entertaining commercials as well. A good way to spend an afternoon in London after all. Following the Bondage (haha) we did a bit of window shopping in Camden.

The rest of my Friday was spent playing tour guide, which believe me, I don't mind in the least. Two of my roommate's friends came to visit for the weekend from Poland. So we figured it would be nice to show them around. It was actually really interesting watching some one's face light up the first time they saw Trafalgar square, Picadilly Circus, or Big Ben. I'm sure that's they way I looked just a little over a month ago. But now I feel more like a citizen of London and some of those sites don't wow me quite like they did. However, that's why taking people on a little site-seeing tour like we did is a great way to keep things in perspective. It's not hard to do, but I every so often I have to remind myself that I'm in London. I'm seeing amazing sites everyday, and living a life that I once only dreamed.

Our friends Nick and Sarah definitely didn't want to waste a second here and hence didn't take any of it for granted. We walked to Parliament Square then over to Trafalgar where we once again climbed upon Nelson's column. After chill'n there Nick tried out his freestyle walking and jumped off.

But not before we got a picture next to on of the four massive lions protecting Nelson. I know it's a touch dark, but that's me on the top riding the lion, riding him all the way home.

It was a perfect night for a bit of touring around London, as it was the first night the Christmas lights around the city were illuminated (at least, the first night I saw them). Stretching over Regents like webs spun from a spider-man on fluorescent crack were massive stars dropping down so low it looked like they were going to scrape the tops of the double-decker buses as they drove down Regents Street.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, London's got class. Their tasteful display of Christmas lights is yet another example of how the UK will always be more classy than the US.

Speaking of classy, it was time to go out clubbing. After all, we had visitors and there is no way one can say they've official done London without going clubbing once.

One can also not claim they've been to London without riding the tube. So we took them for a journey to the club on the most famous underground rail system in the world.

I would not, however, suggest running you fingers along the train as it pulls into the station. No damage will be done, but the blackness that forms on your tips will have you wondering just where the train has been. Definitely the least hygienic thing I've done since being in London.

Following that short dirty ride back up to Camden, we visited the Koko club, one of the best clubs in London. Most weekends featuring big name bands and every night of the week housing some of the best DJs around. Tonight there was a band that I did not know, yet they rocked the place with their classic British rock-pop sound.

Once the band finished we made our way to the cheapest drunk munchies we could find... and I mean cheap in every way: food, quality, and price. But there's no better way to end a day in Londontown.

London's Wildlife

11-2-2008

Today I felt like the late Crocidile Hunter, not because I got killed by a sting-ray, but because I was all about getting in touch with the wild side of London. It started with the pigeons surrounding the Marble Arch.

Then came the attack.....

All I wanted to do was touch this little guy's tail. Instead he found it necessary to nibble my finger and scratch my knuckle. He's just lucky I wasn't hungry.

We continued walking through Hyde Park and came across the Peter Pan statue, commerating this legendary icon who refused to grow up. Also many beautiful fountains. The most impressive was not so much a fountain, as it was called, but rather a small concrete circular river. This was the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. It flowed from the high point of a small embankment and passed over what looked like stages of Princess Di's life, from smooth sailing over marble accompanied by light babbling, to rough seas over ridged rock which created a rapids-sounding caos, this beautifully constructed fountain was a unique rememberance of this life ended too soon.

We took a break by a lake side cafe to take in a tea and again the wildlife wouldn't leave me alone. 

We continued on and ended up at the south side of the park by the Albert Memorial statue where this time stone creates seemed to taunt me with their smug looks. Not going to lie, I really don't know a whole lot about this massive statue right across from Royal Albert Hall. But on each corner that surround who I believe is Albert are animals from different parts of the globe: a cow, bison, camel, and elephant. There are guided tours that can tell you more about this fantastic memorial, perhaps I'll hope on one of those sooner or later. 

After pondering what that statue was about for a while, we walked down Knightsbridge street towards Buckingham Palace to see one of the many homes of the Queen Mum, Buckingham Palace.

Our day drew to a close as we toured around Camden taking in the shops in the stalls. The Camden markets are a must see if you ever find yourself in Londontown. I will write more about this happiest place on earth in a later blog. 

My night ended with a concert at my place. It is super cool to live in student housing that brings some of your favorite bands to it's basement. Tonight Does it offend you, yeah? was headlining a FREE show. However, you had to book tickets in advance and I did not. But the bouncer just so happen to recognize me from the ISH bar and as I was walking away from the door disappointed, he quickly ushered those in line into the venue and called me back with a whistle, handing me a ticket. I love this place. Not only because of my free ticket in but because I also discovered a two new favorite bands who opened: The Operators & The Joy Formidable.

Gaming, Portraits, Evensong, Swashbuckling

10-31-2008

My dad and I took full advantage of today. We went to Leicester Square right off the morning to the ''day of'' tkts shop. There we got tickets for later that evening, which I'll write about after we've gotten through the day. I love building suspense!

From there we went to Trafalgar Square and ran into the London Gaming Festival. In Trafalgar, Electronic Arts was displaying their games, Leicester Square was featuring Microsoft's games (including the new Bond), and Charing Cross had Sony products. I had the opportunity to play a few games and catch some sweet new releases. 

We grabbed lunch with my roommate Luke since he works right off of Trafalgar square. Following our O'Neils meals, Luke took my dad and I on a personal tour of the Coliseum, home of the English National Opera.  The company was just finishing up with a rehearsal so we stayed to watch them tear down the set, very behind the scenes VIP kinda stuff.

We also took an hour to glance over The National Gallery,as it was also in Trafalgar. Neither of us were keen on spending hours upon hours at this gallery, however, I saw plenty of what I needed to see, including:

• Van Gogh's  Sunflowers, Long Grass w/ Butterflies (more abstract than I'm used to for Van Gogh) , and Two Crabs (which was different than any other kind of Van Gogh I've seen before)
• Seurat's Bathers at Asnieres 
• Velazquez's The Rokeby Venus (woman on a bed looking in a mirror, her reflection stares back at the viewer)
• Beuckelaer's The Four Elements: Fire, Air, Water, Earch; a series of paintings each portraying a different daily seen of a market
• Delaroche's Execution of Lady Jane Grey (takes place at Tower Hill)

From there were ventured to Charing Cross where shops and street performers entertained us for a few hours. A stunt man did tight-rope walking, knife juggling, sword swallowing, and all of it with humor and whit.  My favorite was a string quartet that not only played well, but worked the crowd as well. I'll get a video up sooner than later. 

From the buskers to the banks of the Thames. We walked around by the Eye and checked out the living statues and other street performers. I randomly remembered that daily Evensong at Westminster was at 17:00, which was coming up pretty quick.

Once again these boys & men, ranging from ages 6 to 60, almost moved me to tears with their beautifully blended tones reverberating throughout Westminster Abbey. This time I was actually able to see them in action since we got to the Abbey early enough to get a decent seat near the choir stalls. 

On our way out of the Big Ben / Parliament area, I finally got the picture I've been meaning to get for a while and finally had a decent camera to take it with. 

And now to break the tension, the suspense. Have you been feeling it?? Aren't you just dying to know what show I saw tonight? Well, by now you've probably forgotten that I even mentioned I went to a show tonight. Dammit, I really need to work on my suspense building.

Anywho, we went to see Zorro: The Musical. Ever since I heard it advertised I figured it was going to be a cheesy show, more of a spectacle that a musical, but for some reason I was still ridiculously intrigued by it. I have to admit, I was thoroughly entertained. Not only by the artistically creative sets, interesting plot-line (that was, however, a little dodgy at points), and sweet sword fighting / fight scenes, but the music as well.

The music was all of spanish origin: flamenco, mariachi, and of course throw in a few musical theater ballads. But the dancing that accompanied the uniquely scored show sold it as well. All around a solid show for a new West End musical. 

They just need to do something about the tube trains that are loud and clear passing underneath that Garrick Theatre...

Harrod's Abbey Burana

10-25-2008
Much like yesterday, there wasn't a set plan for today. There was talk but no real plan. Eventually, Luke, Chad, Mike and I decided that a picture of us walking across Abbey Road was necessary and today would be the day. We got Kim to come along to be the photographer and ended up running into a slew of other folk who wanted to come along. So we all journeyed up the left side of Regent's Park toward Abbey road studios.

Our first mission was reading and signing the walled gate around the studio. It seems every visitor to this hallowed Beatles ground has to sign the wall with a "blah blah was here" or a nifty quote from the fab four. Pictured is yours truly next to my quote "Because the world is round...." Then we got in position, held up the traffic, and Jenny took one of the better pictures I've ever had the privilege to be involved in:

Sadly, I have learned that this isn't exactly where the Beatles crossed in their album cover as the city of Westminster has moved the crosswalk 20 meters forward to the actual intersection, opposed to the middle of street like it was in the 60's. I was told this by a camera man who worked for the San Diego Chargers who was simply sitting at Abbey Road, listening to the Beatles, and watching tourist almost get hit by cars. He is in town to shoot the game that the Saints and the Chargers will play tomorrow as Wembly Stadium. Nice guy. He loved photoshop.

Oh and here's another nifty quote from the wall of signage.

From Abbey road, we took the tube to Knightsbridge, walked down Brompton Rd. and visited Harrods (just thought I'd give directions in case any of you are looking to visit soon). Harrods, for those who are unaware, is a block long glamorous department store that carries everything a rich person could want.

My personal favorites were: the robotic dog that would shake, pant, and lean toward whichever side you were scratching him; fake snow that started as granulated powder that fluffed up when you add water; the £250 baby outfit; the leg bone of a dilopasaurus for decoration that was only £9,000 (stand included).

Speaking of dinosaur bones, I stopped by the Museum of Natural History after Harrod's to fulfill a childhood dream, see some real dinosaur bones. And I'm not talking some tiny dinosaur that was the size of a chicken. I mean real, mammoth-sized lizards, fully intact dino bones. I got my fill. And yes, the theme to Jurassic Park was running through my head the entire time I was there.

I finished my journey through the dinosaur graveyard as the museum was closing. Just down the street was my final destination for the night, Royal Albert Hall. There Jenny, Cody, Enmma and I met for a massive performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. I had the honor of performing this incredible piece as a member of the choir at UWSP about two years ago. So actually sitting back and taking in the whole performance as an audience member was a truly moving experience....and I must say it was difficult not to sing along.

And let it be known that I did not record this video, rather a fellow concert goer did. No, you are not supposed to film during the performance, but the damage was already done. What was I supposed to do, let the footage go to waste?