A Second Reading According to the Gospel of Fosters

11-9-2008


I took it easy last night anticipation for today. After all, today is Sunday, and that means going to Church. The group of Wisconsinites heard of the escapade Luke, Kallie, and I had a few Sunday's ago and now wanted a taste. Chad, Kim and I walked our way to Camden, which is just a few blocks walk from MTH and stopped to enjoy three beers with the highest alcohol content we could find.




As usual the pews (a.k.a. dance floor) were full. The congregation (drunk people in their 20s) sang (yelled) hymns (pop songs) of praise (party hits).


The body (a stripper) and blood (beer) was shared with all to unite us as one. The priest (comedian) used lessons (jokes) to show us the way to the truth (the toilet).




Some were even more moved by the service than others. These gentlemen were so entranced, they turned smurf.











Some of the Wisconsin ladies were so moved they converted to nuns of the church as they joined almost every lady in the room on stage for one last drunken dance.






Wow, this is the most sacrilegious thing, I've ever written....do take it lightly.

Following Church, we had our Sunday Brunch at a little hookah bar in Camden. Then around 7:00pm, I rested (passed out).

Living London During a Wet Parade

11-8-2008

Let me preface this with a huge "I told you so." I knew I'd get waaaayyyyy behind eventually, but I never anticipated writing a blog from Nov. 8th on Nov. 25th, but do not fret, I have the memory of a drunken elephant and will not leave out a single detail!

Of course, I always have an excuse for getting so far behind. This time it's the fact that I've been blogging for Life. So do check out those...

Today I educated myself on the going ons of London, both historically and presently. The day started with sprinkles of rain, the picturesque kind that Londoners know so well. Eventually that little sprinkle came fully equipped with some spurts of full out downpours.

Of all the days that London could have used a dry one, today was it, the day of the Lord Mayor's Parade. From my understanding, all the floats, which followed the route below, were put on by organizations that in one way or another receive their funding from the Lord Mayor. Eventually, I'm going to get a video edited and uploaded here but for now suffice it to say that I saw some sweet floats, lots of horses and impressive carriages, and sharp, classy marching bands...and all of them were soaking wet.

Since it was quite a wet one, Chad, Kim and our visiting guests decided to check out the London museum. This step back in time focuses specifically on the London area, from the dawn of man in Western Europe. I learned just about everything I'd need to know about London's history and more than I ever wanted to know about the Great London Fire of 1666.

The most interesting part of this fire was the fact that like any city ablaze, the citizens were gathering whatever they could out of their homes and getting what they could on to boats on the Thames. At this time, many Londoners with a bit of cash had a small ornate piano-like instrument in their home (the name of which escapes me right now) which was rather expensive, however also rather lightweight. So of all the articles in the home that could be saved, music was one of them.

The other coolest part of the museum was the display of medieval foods that two cooks had set out. They were there to field questions and I purchased a cook book from them!

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.

Beautiful Brent

11-6-2008

I took advantage of my lunch and the beautiful weather today and walked about Brent. Once one ventures off High Harlesden Street and into the residential sections, the real beauty of a neighborhood that is centuries old shines bright. The neat rows of multi-colored homes remind me of a mainstreet at Disneyworld. Or better yet the beginning of 101 Dalmations where Rodger is writing music and Pongo changes the clock to hook up his pet with a beautiful woman. Whatever it reminds one of, it's fantastic to see. Especially if you use the formal 'one' when talking.


And in my walks, I picked up a copy of the Willesden & Brent Times and found out why the normal annual festivities that accompany Nov. 5th weren't happening:

Every one's feeling the crunch.

Guy Fawk This

11-5-2008

Obama is president, meaning today was a day of celebration for all. So what better way to celebrate than with the ever popular Guy Fawks day!

Supposively Londoners commorate the foiling of his"Gun Powder Plot"every year on the day he attempted to destroy Parliment: November 5th, 1605. Fortunately, or as some think unfortunately, the 800 kg of gun powder was never lit, so Londoners celebrate the fact that he never got away with it. It's my understanding that many also celebrate the fact that he attempted anarchy, claiming that Guy (Guido) Fawks "was the only person to ever enter Parliment with honest intentions."

From what I've heard, the celebrations are many, across the city on the streets and in the sky with fireworks, everyone is up in arms about this day of rememberance. However, this wasn't quite true. There were fireworks, we heard them, but never saw them. We walked to all the famous sites that would hold a massive party (Parliment square, The London eye, Leicester square, Trafalgar square), but to no avail.

We'd walk to one point, hear bangs in the distance, and by the time we arrived to the sound's source, there was no fire in the sky. Then we heard more pops and sizzles in another direction, and we'd make our way in that direction and nothing. Each display seemed to go on for no more than 4 minutes tops, and when we did arrive from where it seemed the source was, there was no party. Disappointing to say the least.

But we didn't let it ruin our night....

After all, Barack was now our president. We had reason to celebrate. I walked around all night with two delicious bottles of fine Tesco champagne in my bag, and I was determined to put them down.


We stopped at Trafalgar square, climbed onto Nelson's Column (the monument that dominates the square), and drank to the future of America.



Later on we found a park. Not sure which park as it wasn't Hyde and it sure wasn't Regents, but it was one of the other hundreds of green spaces throughout the city. We drank another bottle there. I also was 5 seconds away from accepting a £50 wager to jump into whatever body of water was in this park. Don't judge me.... credit crunch is hitting everyone.

Look familar? I also got my favorite picture of iconic London landmarks but at night.

"The Day America Became Cool Again"

11-4-2008


My dad left this morning, but truthfully I had more to be excited about the day rather than sulk in the fact that my visitor had left. IT'S ELECTION DAY.

Being in the United Kingdom during this historic election has completely changed my views on America and my feelings about being American. Ever since starting the continental tour in September, Europeans have been asking me what my political views are. I knew that the entire world kept it's eye on America, but I had no idea it would be like this.


It seemed many Londoners cared more about the election than some US citizens I know. My boss told me multiple times how unfair she thinks it is that people in the UK, and all over the world, have no say in an election that affect them so much. I completely agree with her.


With the "credit crunch" as it is called here and the world in an economic crisis, a war, and environmental systems at the breaking point, our election does matter to everyone. America is the superpower. I've heard that time and again in the states, and I always thought it was an egotistical statement that held some weight but couldn't be 100%. I've learned here is is absolutely true. The direction America takes will dictate the direction of the rest of the world.

That day at work I wore a suit with one of those little "I Voted" stickers on my tie as I had sent in my absentee ballot the week before.

I have never been more proud to wear a sticker in my life.

My co-workers applauded me saying they hoped more voted like me. I hoped the same. It was a long day awaiting the night that would dictate the future of so much.

I got home around 6pm and was so energetic for the night ahead. But I knew it wouldn't last, so I would have to nap. But I had all this energy, what to do? Run.


I ran 4 laps around Regent Park's inner circle all on pure adrenaline. This is going to sound ridiculously cheesey, but I felt like I was running with hope for a better tomorrow... I told you, cheesy. But seriously, every time I hear Obama speak (mostly on Youtube), I feel that many things which upset me about America can change, like tomorrow is going to be alright. I was having a great run just thinking about the future, about the hope that could come. I kept passing by two groups of cyclists, since we were heading opposite directions around the inner circle of Regents. Around the 3rd or 4th pass we started cheering each other on, giving a little "keep it up" shout. I could have ran all night, but I had more important things to do that night.

Like celebrate the future direction of America by partying on election night!

ISH Dean Kevin Coyne opened the bar from 11-3am for an election party. American flags were the decor of choice and for one night in London, it seemed everyone was from the states.... and it seemed all of them were democrats. Every time Obama took another state the bar would erupt in shouts of joy. Many were biting their nails earlier that day. My fear was that the young generation Obama had campaigned towards for the past two years would drop the ball, not make it to the polls. All I could do what hope for the best. Can I use the word hope more in this post?

As it turns out Obama supporters, young and old, showed up to the poles. I'm proud to say I sent in my vote via proxy, and while I wasn't able to be at the voting booth that day, I supported Obama in a different way:

Every time Obama took a state, we took Vodka Red Bulls. Which is probably why I didn't make it to his official victory around 4:30am GMT. But I was coherent for when he dominated Ohio and as far as I'm concerned that's when Barack Obama won the presidential election.

An ISH bartender gunning for Obama.

The title of this blog was a headline that one of the London evening newspapers ran the morning of November 5th. It's funny but it seemed the UK hated America a little less the next day.

The Little Things

11-3-2008

Everyday I go to work I get off at Wilseden Junction, my tube stop. There's a 40-some-step flight of stairs outside the station that leads up to Harlesden High Street from the station. For the past two weeks I smile just a bit every morning I get off the train and every evening I get back on it. 

About ten stairs from the top is a pair of gray panties with little white and blue dinosaurs on them. Best. Panties. Ever. Rain or shine, those little hip huggers are there refusing to become extinct. 

Some train rides home I'd do nothing but come up with stories as to how those panties made their way onto those steps. Sooner or later I'll publish a novel revolving around those stories. 

For the past week however, I've come to realize how much cheaper the bus is, and truthfully not that much slower. Except for rides home during rush hour. But the trusty number 18 doesn't have half as many delays as the Bakerloo. 

Today was a sad one though. For I finally did take the tube again. It looks like they finally got around to cleaning the steps and now some Wilesden Junction custodian is the proud owner of grey dino panties....lucky bastard. 

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.

Happy New Month!

11-1-2008

Dad and I started our day with a stop at Marylebone station where the Beatles filmed parts of
A Hard Days Night.
As we continued walking, we unexpectedly ran into the Church Street market. Along with cheap fashion accessories, this market carried everything for daily living, from toiletries to food. I picked up a light jacket for £1. Pretty sweet deals at this market all around, even better than Primark.


We got in a walk across Abbey Road and some pictures of the wall.

From there we made our way to the Dominion Theatre. We were a touch too early to head in so we grabbed a couple pints of London's Pride Ale at The Jack Horner pub.

After those beers, we were ready to see We Will Rock You, a musical based on the music of Queen. Like the Zorro show from last night, I was skeptical about this one. However, here my instincts served me well. It was more spectacle than musical, yet it was innovative in it's half stage set, half digital projection screens. But definitely an entertaining afternoon.


We closed out our evening with a jazz trio that was playing at the Bountiful Cow, a little venue with a great atmosphere of old obscure movie posters and sound proofing cut in angled patterns around the room.

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...

Taking Musical Theatre Back 5000 Years

10-30-2008

It was another one of those ''just get through the day'' kinda work days. I did however have a splendid lunch with my boss in which American politics was the main topic of discussion, and I do love a good political jabber so I couldn't really complain about the whole day.

After work I saw Monty Python's Spamalot. This one's been on my list for quite some time. You've seen Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail, right? Well imagine everything in that film on stage and sung. It was downright brilliant.

Snowy London on a Wednesday Morning?

10-29-2008

As if the snow in October wasn't a surprise enough for Londoners, the fact that it was on the ground the next morning made it all the more bizarre. My run in Regent's park this morning was a little more lonely than usual.

Upon arriving at work I found that most of my co-workers were blaming me for the weather. And truthfully I can't blame them.

I, however, blame my dad because he flew in last night and brought the snow with him. He met me at work after I had finished the AMAZING Indie Mega Match with Jo (satisfied Jo?).

Oh yeah, I was on-air live for the first time at Life today. I was Jo's broadcast assistant. So she basically ran the show and I piped in every now and then. Even though I have been on-air hundreds of times before, it's always a bit never racking going on at a new station for the first time. But it was a very fast hour and before I knew it my dad and I were at a Pizza Express and calling it a night.

One last item of my life today I almost forgot to mention. I had Burger King today. Sick and wrong, I know. But it was right around the corner and I was jones'n for a fast food burger. I was hungry so I was looking forward to sinking my teeth into a large juicy hunk of beef. 

So you can imagine my surprise when this mini-burger came out of my bag. It's so tiny. Just goes to show how portion control in America is a little askew.  

Blizzard in London

10-28-2008

''So, do you think I need to bring a winter coat to London?'' Before I left, I must have asked that question to 20 students who had previously studied in London. Everyone said just a rain coat will do. Apparently they did not get a cold weather spell like this one....

Kallie and I went to a tiny little piano bar called the Cellar Door. It's literally a stairway in the middle of a street that goes down to room that barely fits 40 people. However, everyone brings their sheet music and song books and the brilliant pianist plays while you sing your show tune or jazz standard. It was my kind of place.

We met a couple of guys who were more than interested in the election, exactly one week away, so we chilled with them for much of the night.

When we walked out onto the street at the end of the night, low and behold snow was falling and covering the ground. Not the big fluffy stuff we get in Wisconsin, but wet white flakes nonetheless. Kallie and I threw a few snowballs and made our way back to MTH.

''You're Such an American''

10-27-2008

A cold spell snapped into London today, at least to Londoners it was cold. For us Wisconsinites, it was a late-summer day. Something like 45-50 degrees farenhiet. So I wore a hoodie to work since it was all that was necessary. When I was walking out of the office at the end of the day, I saw the CEO of Bang Entertainment (corporation that LifeFM falls under), Jennifer.

She shockingly said to me, ''Shawn where's your coat?!?!''

''I'm from Wisconsin Jennifer. This is a summer afternoon where I'm from,'' I replied.

She gave a shiver and said, ''Oh you're such an American.''

The Church

10-26-2008

Today I went to church like the good catholic school boy I was raised to be. This church was a little different than good ol' St. Agnes or St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton in Green Bay.

This church had mass amounts of beer instead of wine, a stripper instead of a gospel reading, the homily was given by a raunchy comedian, the hymnals were sing-a-long party hits, and instead of a Eucharistic celebration we celebrated binge drinking in the form of competitions.

Everything sinful under one roof.

A mostly college-aged crowd, all taking advantage of what would otherwise be a mundane Sunday afternoon. Kallie, Luke, and I had such a good time that we'll definitely be sinning again at Church in the near future.

WARNING: video contains inappropriate language content.

We took a pretty drunken bus ride to Kings Cross / St. Pancras where Kallie simply had to visit Platform 9 & 3/4. While we were there, we had to see if it would actually lead to Hogwarts. The results were less than impressive: