Holy Crap! 2-ish days til takeoff

[mizarchivist]

purple_terror  and I wing off Wednesday night. I have now acknowledged this trip for real is happening, and I'm not keyed up and twitchy about what needs to be done and then there's the waiting. This is why it's convenient I don't really acknowledge travel til a few days before, usually. The gym co-owner assumed I'm going with my husband. I didn't have the energy to correct her. Said husband is razzing me about running away with my boyfriend. I did say I was coming back.
Said husband has work on Wednesday (yay! ) and expectations of more work for a new company within the next few days after that, so fingers crossed on that. There's also serious union business going down. It'll be too bad he isn't with us, but these things must all be done (and he did just have an inadvertent 6 months+ off)

Do you want a postcard?
Say so in comments.

There is a lot to be said about this trip and how I"m not as tense about it as I feel I was for Italy. For one- I will speak the language (mostly). That really helps. I've also been there before, even if it was just that one time when I was 13 and totally didn't appreciate it. It also helps p_t has done this countless times, has been to PicoCon, knows the rail system very well, and we get to stay with Tom & Carol, rather than some unknown hotel. So far, plans include:

• Borough Market
• PicoCon
• Must find Lush (thanks, Weegee- now I'm stoked to shop)
• See some major landmarks- maybe ride the Eye
• Look for The Doctor
• Have dinner with Tom's sister (I think sister? Some sibling)
• Go to St. John for weird food (tm)
• Have some curry
• Fish n' chips! Because we must. Moral imperative.
• Get to know Original Cambridge

I think that's enough.

In the meantime, I have a swarm of interns that now need my attention, and of course now is when I'm going on vacation. Sorry, kids. We'll have to get creative. And in the intervening days, I have meetings every day with an intern or volunteer.

Comments

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

Postcard please-n-thank you.

[bkdelong.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. There are a few nice LUSH stores. We went to the one in Piccadilly (80-802 Regent St) but that was a few years ago. The shopping all around that area was nice and look for good recommendations for a GOOD Fish n chips shop. Definitely well worth the experience.

Book Aid is well worth a quick visit if you have the chance. We first donated to them (http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/features/charity) after losing an auction for something J.K. Rowling donated to Sotheby's auction - proceeds were going to Book Aid so we donated what we raised as well, despite not winning.

[trouble841.livejournal.com]

I'd love a post card!

are you keeping addresses here, or via email? I don't know that you have my current one.

[asciikitty.livejournal.com]

I would love a postcard!

Have thiiiiiiiis much fun! ::holds hands as far apart as they go:: ::realizes it's not far enough::

I'm glad that you're getting to go! I loved visiting England. :)

(And you won't have my biggest problem there - I could not find a cup of coffee to save my life.)

[fidgetmonster.livejournal.com]

There's a Lush in the new Lion Yard in the middle of Cambridge. You don't have to go very far into the new mall to find it. Hotel Chocolat is also near there, if you want to Ooh and Ahh over pretty edibles. You will have SUCH FUN! yay! Last week all the snowdrops were out, and you should still be able to see them and other early spring stuff if you happen upon a garden-like place. Right now the Cambridge Botanical Garden is free during the week (10-5). Right now the winter garden looks pretty neat. If you do end up in Picadilly for shopping or a show, go to the Waterstones bookstore. One, because I think you might orgasm at its prettiness, and Two, it used to be a Simpson's--the very same department store where Are You Being Served got its inspiration.

[mizarchivist]

I hope p_t is taking notes.
Yay books!
I think it'd be neat to see the pretty gardens, too.

[mizarchivist]

I'm swayed. Excellent. Will give me something to do in Cambridge.

[fidgetmonster.livejournal.com]

haha - As small as it is, it's simply impossible to be short of something to do in Cambridge! (I count gawking as an activity.)

[mizarchivist]

Yes, gawking totally counts

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

You totally beat me to it; the Lush and the Hotel Chocolat in Cambridge are the DUO OF DEVILMENT. Soooo happymaking...

Edit: Hmmm. I wonder if the scents at Lush will seem different to you in your present state. I don't think I need to warn you about the booming rush of scent that hits a person when they walk in the door. I love love love it but J can't deal with it. (oh yes, that's another point; you might not be able to get XY accompaniment when you go in there. I've known lots of guys who LOVE Lush but there does seem to be a gender bias all the same.)

[fidgetmonster.livejournal.com]

And the Lush is right next door to The Body Shop. I gave them a wide berth - I can't even imagine the olfactory assault. Still never as bad as a Yankee Candle Shop.

hotel chocolat has these yummy blueberry truffles right now.

[kazmat.livejournal.com]

Oh, books, right! One of the places Doug wants to take me is Foyles. I bet you'd love it there, too: http://www.foyles.co.uk/

[catness.livejournal.com]

++ fish & chips (and I don't even like cooked fish)
++ the eye is awesome - I never get bored with it

Do you need an Oyster card? (Ask K)

[mizarchivist]

I do need an oyster card. It's a plan to acquire 'pon our arrival.

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

In case no one had warned you, Borough Market gets ZOMG CROWDED as the day progresses. Seriously wall of people. And it's much worse on Saturdays. Try to go on Thursday or Friday. Are you going with someone who's been? If not, let me know and I'll offer more pointers.

[mizarchivist]

We're going Thursday morning, actually. p_t and I. He's been, so no big.

cards for the kids

[drwex]

I wouldn't mind but won't feel left out. The kids would probably enjoy getting cards more.

Re: cards for the kids

[mizarchivist]

Nod- I am likely to send to kids of households and hope the adults are content to read those, especially since I'm trying to send to each kid- you know, it's a thing.

[kazmat.livejournal.com]

When I get back to London (possibly for xmas this year), I want to ride the eye. It wasn't there the last time I was. Going to the museum might also be interesting, but since I've been to the Vatican, I think most other general historical museums will pale. I know that Doug will take me to some of his favorite places, too, so some of my days will be taken up by that. Trying to decide what else I might like to do while I'm there (besides see other parts of Europe, which might be a bit much unless I get to take more than a week).

[samuraizergling.livejournal.com]

Postcard here as well, and please to be addressing it to my Shiny New Boston Address! :)

[mizarchivist]

Wey-hey!