"I feel like a blow-up doll." –Mary (Kelly), 8/29/03
"Talking sex with the family–yes." –Shelley, 8/30/03
"Mom, I'm not going to base whether or not I like a girl on her butt, okay? It's like a bonus–a Christmas bonus." –Michael (Kelly), 8/30/03
August 31, 2003
time 10:33 am CST, 4:33 pm GST feeling my eyes hurt reading Cat's Cradle wearing gray shirt, velvet pants music anything fall ready for stability next more in-flight entertainment (which may include sleeping)
Out of control out of control out of control! Nothing better sums up the last few weeks, hours even. I hate seeing little kids crying when I'm feeling down because it makes the tears rise at inopportune moments, such as walking through security today into the gates and away from my love, my security, my sunshine, for yet another Minnesota chill.
OK, OK, so we've all heard this story three or more times before, and everything turns out alright; still, even for the last year, the instability returns and just adds to this whirlwind. By now you know what this means for me, so I'll try something fresh and bold and keep the weepy eyes inside...and talk about my awesome trip!!! So I was trying to keep things down around here about this Labor Day London trip (although technically Labor Day is tomorrow, alas, I requested to be sent to the Cities a day early to ensure my academic attendance; nerd much?) however I soon found that this was not to be–and why ask why (No, not 'try Bud Dry', Chris and Matt–but thanks. More 'hey guys, don't tell anyone about the team deodorant..." –me, September 2002) anyway? Basically I had my sister's roommate's boyfriend asking about this trip, thus I realized that news travels fast. PLUS–I have some family that I won't see for awhile, and I'm sure they want to hear, too...
Shit. This is already loads too long and I have 68% of my battery left (which, by the way, is another story entirely). Oh well, deal or scroll down, take your pick. So London was awesome. Keep in mind I had never been to Europe before this summer, so to have gone in May to see Jenny and now with the Kellys is like double whammy man. I have to get on with explaining the weekend but holy crap! Two hours ago I turn on the little entertainment thing and what is on but YOU'VE GOT MAIL!!! Alyssa Alyssa Alyssa!!! I wished in that instant that I could have called her...we watched this thing seriously two or three times the week school started last fall (well, Alyssa probably watched it about 12 times, but whatever). I used to really hate it but of course after seeing it three times I had to give it up; that was years ago anyway. AND How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days was on, which I'd never seen, and since I have problems staying awake in films I had to take this opportunity. Thus two romantic comedies at once, plus updating. I think I can handle it, I usually don't deal in such mindless things anyway. (Oh. Yeah. By the way, this is again the ridiculous placement in business class; I swear to God I will not get addicted to this, because I sure as hell cannot afford to.)
But on to the story. So yeah, if you want the whole reason of going to London you're just going to have to talk to me or something, but I digress. We arrived Thursday after spending Wednesday night in NYC (just the way it worked out flightwise) and amazingly I felt no jet lag. After stumbling into Jenny's apartment in Spain last May and finding myself babbling a slurry soup of English, Spanish, and German post-flight, this was a blessing of all sorts. London was amazing. It is so incredibly rich in history, tradition, all these things we just don't have. The buildings were beautiful, the people oh so friendly (seriously!) and just everything so well-kept, I was stunned. It had never been a place high on my list of places to see before I die, nevertheless I was as always surprised and pleasantly so. And the parks! Oh no there is a lady holding her baby coming down the aisle and now she thinks I am a kidnapper. Great. Plus these flight attendants (a) call me 'madam' (b) surely think I'm some freak as I have no etiquette for this class and no Matt to save me. They likely think I made a boatload of dollars as a writer perhaps? (Right. I wish.) Or just a baby brat. I can't decide...YOU BE THE JUDGE. Anyway. So the highlight of Thursday was definitely 'Jimmy' and "Yasir' trying to hang out with us. After 'resting' at our beautiful hotel, we went out to a lovely dinner and then to see–get this–Youngblood, Judy (Skogen)'s kid's band. Yeah, they were paying there. Weird. Through some wire crossing, we in fact missed Youngblood and saw Dave just as they were wrapping up. At this point 'Jimmy' (the guy driving us around) and 'Yasir' (Whoever TF that was!) kind of latched onto us. Hah. So whatever, we dealt.
Friday and Saturday, my only full days there, we spent the afternoons touring around; trying to cram it all in you know for first-timers like moi. (Other weird thing: I kept speaking in Spanish. It is hard to realize that you are in a foreign country whilst they speak your language, albeit with different lingo, thus I believe I was trying to amend this). OK. So we saw just a crazy amount of stuff, our tour guides were on crack. The two most notable for me were the Tower of London (Jenny, Playmobil even sponsored an exhibit there!) and then Saturday we saw Buckingham Palace. That was pretty dang cool. I have pictures from various places which will be up....sometime. I promise.
At night we went to shows and then dinner. Friday we saw 'Jerry Springer - The Opera', which Mer and the rest seemed to dislike but Matt, Michael and I found hilarious. Man, we Americans look pretty messed up to the rest of the world, don't we? Still it is good to laugh at yourself, thus I enjoyed it...esp. the point wherein the KKK was TAP DANCING ON STAGE. Yes. I almost died. Just like 'Spring time - for Hitler - in Germany!' Holy God (or something like that). Saturday was 'Stones in His Pockets', an Irish play which was amazing simply for the impressive acting, however there was some confusion as to what was going on. Still, no matter what it is, when you see someone so good at what they do, you can't help but be amazed. I love it. In addition to this I have sustained my palate for the next 15 weeks: we had AMAZING food per Terry's reservations, which I suppose is kind of a no-brainer. I should think my yogurt, berries, nuts, and whatever shall serve me alright after these delights.
And, I think I said this, our hotel was lovely. Chris, Shells, Matt and I stayed in the carriage house (but not really) and had some fun Euchre playing and water 'borrowing'. Especially Matt making kissy noises! OH GOD. Hopefully I will make (select) pictures available, time will only tell. I think the most telling thing about London/England/Etc for me was the step away from the US. Once again, you can't see what you're doing wrong or right until you step outside of where you are. But this is another story for another time (one I am sure will arise in a short while as the US is certain to do something stupid sometime soon; our national pasttime you know)(and if that's not going to get me on the FBI list, dissing the gov't and chatting about the KKK tap dancing in London, let's say I'm pretty lucky).
The only bad thing that happened is that I left my CD player on the plane on the way here. STUPID! I was so worried about the rest of my shit that I left it. That is the best CD player Sony makes and I hear rumors that it is no longer sold. DAMN IT. Alas, a small price to pay for such a divinely decadent weekend...I still can't believe it. I lead the weirdest and most charmed life, for this I am very grateful. THANK YOU KELLYS. It was so much fun, Mer the star as always.
OK now I'm down to 29% battery and three hours to go. BAH. I know there is more to tell about this trip, but look at this, good heavens, already so long...("Good heavens, I think I blew my face inside out!" hah)....what can you do. It is so weird to be flying into Minne"snap"olis instead of watching Matt drive away, I am not sure I can cope. Then again I have yet to pass through customs in NYC so let's not get too exciited that I'll even make it. Although after my Dad and I almost Greyhounded it home that one time, I am pretty well-behaved around airport officials.
So things have been totally discombobulated for a few weeks, but we won't even go (mostly) there. Let's just say that in being a control freak I hate it when things don't go according to the plan, even good things! Losing the Discman is one for example, so obviously it's not that big of a deal. I moved into my new room (same apt), it is very cool. I look forward to seeing my roommates soon as well. AND MISTY came home from Australia for a few days, and I SAW her!!! Now THAT was screwed up (but lovely). I am all over the place! You'd think I was drinking or something (although after strange looks from the flight attendants I gave in and had a glass of Merlot - I know, at what, 10 am? Terrible. I'm just trying to ride the culture here.). Now it's noon CST, 6 pm GST, and time to sign off. I miss Matt, I'm pissed about the CD thing, but I am ready for an awesome SENIOR year and the surprises to come. Details later.
And OH YEAH, GO US and Chellsie!!!
---Lexi
Goodbye London, Goodbye My Love