Busy Bee

I seem to have kept the suspense going splendidly by waiting five days to update my adventures...many apologies for my delay. So it would seem that Manchester United was victorious on Sunday, as was I in my prediction of the final score (I really should have put some money on my bet). Bar Viva was crowded with rivals for Sunday's game and became enjoyably obnoxious as the night progressed, aided of course with a bottle of wine for my part. Man-U beat Arsenal 3-1 to go home with the glory...I took a taxi home at 3:30am with the hopes of being without a hangover the next day.

Monday (feeling fabulous) I took the tube to Piccadilly to view a flat in the heart of Soho. Although the location was amazing - the flat was less than appealing and the idea of sharing the small and dirty bathroom with a German doctor in the opposite flat was the deal-breaker. I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Soho and Picadilly - found my way back to Waterstone's. It was as if I wore a homing device and inexplicably found myself standing in front of the gates of literary freedom. I of course went in and perused the floors - this time in poetry. I've adopted a new interest in Greek Mythology and have begun a new journey, a rekindled journey, with Homer's Illiad and The Odyssey. The soup at the 5th View was Spicy Tomato today and equally delicious as last time - the view was even better. Shopped a bit on Oxford Street, people watched in Mayfair, walked through the drizzle on Bayswater, and eventually made it back to my flat - quite happy.

Tuesday was a fantastic day - I was a "tourist" leading a "local" around town. How is it possible that people who live in London have never been to Buckingham Palace? It's an outrageous idea to live on the outskirts of this bustling metropolis and to never admire the innate treasures. Lee came into London from Tooting Bec station and got a proper taste of London - Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James's Park, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, the Crypt Cafe at St. Matin-In-The-Field, Soho - Leicester Square, and views of Westminster and Big Ben - with plans to see them up close and personal another time. Walking through the museum again was perfect - and after revisiting my 18-20th century favorites, wandered into a new wing with Leonardo da Vinci and Rafael's works. Lunch in the Crypt cafe was delightfully eerie - the brick pillars and gothic arches above and the tombs of the dead below. Tuesday's adventures ended an amazing meal at Firefly in Balham (Mediterranean sample platter) with football at Viva and great conversation well into the morning hours.

Wednesday morning I found myself on Tottenham Court Road to help out a new friend. Pete, a local of Viva and friend of the others I have met, was going furniture shopping for a new sofa and I offered my assistance. Seeing a new part of central London was really enjoyable, the 8 furniture stores not as much...although we found some success towards the end of the journey. After the morning and early afternoon well-spent laboring over cushion firmness, we headed back to Balham and met with Lee for lunch at a pub. I completely forget the name, but it was a perfect balance of eclectic and urban trend -both in decoration and menu offerings. I had the Pumpkin and Coriander Chili with wild rice - truly amazing. Being completely unaccustomed to so many daily plans since my arrival, I was knackered and took a long nap...waking in time for football at Viva and time spent with friends.

Thursday, yesterday, was a day for movies. I went to the Cinema (also known as a Movie Theater). I also got my first glimpse of a proper Mall - how exciting! My journey included a ride on the double-decker red bus, which was not nearly as fun as I remembered from last time - maybe I'll have to sit on top on my next bus ride. Saw "Sherlock Holmes" - and I thought it was really fantastic. I'm not sure that my companions held it in as high regard as I did, but we all seemed to enjoy it. Did you know that at the cinema in London, it's rather rare to find salted popcorn (and it is never buttered) - generally the popcorn is sweet...hmm. I forwent the popcorn in favor of the create-your-own-candy-bag...and filled the bag with an assortment of treats. The evening held a viewing of the dvd, "The Hangover" - truly hilarious, and of course more lovely time spent with good people.

Today - Friday - is yet to be discovered. The sun is shining through my window and I can hear the swans at Kensington Gardens calling my name...it has been too long since my last walk there. Time to go and feel inspired.