Cheerio!

Instead of filling up everyone's inboxes with emails, I've decided to keep an online diary of my experiences... So this is the first of many entries The British Blogger.

Where to begin... Heathrow Airport- 20 September 2005. I arrived at London's Heathrow Airport and collected my three oversized and overweight bags and my adventure began. Unlike other international flights I've take lately, this one was without incident or the need for medical attention. Perhaps the most exhausting experience of my life was carrying my bags the 100m though Paddington station from the train to taxi stand. A five minute taxi ride landed me at the London House Hostel... which is a load of crap, because on expedia.com it's "Hotel" not "Hostel" a subtle difference that's all the difference in the world. I spent my first five nights on a rickety old bunk bed with a mattress about as comfortable as train tracks...

I spent the first few days house hunting and after many miles logged and flats inspected. I decided to move into "Hope Villa." It was Saturday 24 September, and I would not be able to move in 'till the following Sunday. So, I decided to upgrade my accommodations to The Hyde Park Towers for the coming week- sounds glorious doesn't it? I wish I had taken a picture. Literally the smallest hotel room I've ever seen. But it would do.

I started work on Monday the 26th, where I was promptly thrown into the mix. It's been about a week and a half, and I'll say I quite like the office, the work, and the people. Wearing a suit everyday, is, well, it makes me feel like the young professional I haven't exactly been for the past 3 years. Perhaps that's what was missing in Seattle and lead to all the tom-foolery and lack of "professionalism at Mercer." Although, I'm quite sure I've been the subject of multiple joke around the office for my color combinations, I think I'm quite posh. The culture of the group seems to fit me just fine, atleast twice already I've gotten boozy after work with my work mates... and last night I had my first pub quiz.

So, on Sunday I moved into the Hope Villa (left). And I'll say, I think I'm going to like living here. By the way, Hope Villa is the name of the house.

My housemates are great- all British... Chris, Fran and Charlotte. More to come on then... I'd take a picture of them for you, but they'd probably think I was a wanker.

It's been a good ride so far, seems like months so much has happened. There have definitely been time I've asked myself "what in the hell am I doing here?" But most of those times it's been while laughing at myself. I've made a few friends who've taken me out and introduced me around. And I do appreciate those of you who sent me contact info for friends or fiends of friends in London.

Did I mention the pub across the street from where I live? -

The Northgater

Tomorrow it's off to Barcelona to see Dave, Piedad, and Almudena...

cheers, Tim

Observation #1

The British really "fancy" stuff. They say things like... "Tim, fancy a drink after work?" "Fancy a trip to the canteen?" "Fancy a meeting to Birmingham?" "Fancy a shag?" (okay, nobody's asked me that... at least not yet)

Observation #2

The British hate "Z"s, in fact they call them Zeds. They don't like to use them in words like organization, so the write organisation. Finalize/finalise. Whatz up/Cheerio.