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:

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?

A Full Friday

10-24-2008
This random Friday became rather eventful rather unexpectedly. Kris and I took a journey south of Hyde park to see the sights there. The first sight to see was the Marble Arch right outside speaker's corner.

Our ultimate destination today was the Saatchi Art gallery. It's an art gallery completely dedicated to contemporary Chinese artists.

Zhang Xiaotao

Feng Zhengjie: Chinese Portrait P Series 2006 No. 1

Sun Yuan and Peng Yu: Love it! Bite it: (and entire city made from dog chews)

Sun Yuan and Peng Yu: Angel

Bai Yiluo : Civilization

Since we were just a few blocks away, we decided to edumacate ourselves by going to the Science Museum just outside the Imperial College of London.

We saw the worlds first computers, planes, jet engines, an exhibit on plastic (most exciting), model ships, and a whole array of things you'd expect to find in a science museum. Excluding, however, the one thing I did expect to find, on of those pipes you hover your hand over to make your hair stand up. I mean, come on, how do you miss that?

The coolest section was the interactive children's section. The only downfall, all the damn kids. Although they didn't have the electric hair stand-up thingy, everything else made up for it's absence. This computer monitor to the right was one of my favs as it taught children about sound waves and audio. Basically what I do every day.

We took a bus home, I grabbed a panini from ISH, and hopped the tube over to Brick Lane where I met up with Chad, Mike, and Luke for an Alaska in Winter concert.


Before even arriving, we got a concert of our own on Brick Lane as we drank our cheap beer from the shop. This guy wheeled his kit around London and played wherever he wouldn't get kicked out of, and believe me, he knew what he was doing. Check him out.

The concert was...I don't want to say a dissapointment because I love his music, but it wasn't what I expected. I expected a full group with strings, piano, trumpet, vocalists

and someone dropping beats, however it was just one guy with video of himself behind him playing all the instruments, all in sync of course. It was an experience.

But all around a solid Friday.