Survey says: TIME IS RUNNING OUT

(And still so much left to do)


Christmas decorations dominate the London scenescape now.

Barely 12 days left. Not even two weeks. And still so much left to do and see and eat before I leave for the United States.

It's already beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here. So maybe I should reward myself by splurging on at least one (or more) European experience before leaving. Hmm, yes, good idea?

See Spamalot (and other London plays)
Smashing: I love Monty Python. Although the play premiered in the United States, it'd still feel more authentic to see it in London. Also, I want to see part II and III of Alan Ayckbourn's "The Norman Conquests." Part I was brilliant. I feel I'd be wasting a huge opportunity to not see the rest.
Bollocks: I can always see Spamalot sometime in America. Also, I already am seeing Les Miserables with my theatre class on Tuesday. Once I see, the best musical of them all, and one that started in London - why risk sullying it with another play?

Have a London shopping montage
Smashing: London, the most fashionable city in the world (besides Milan, I guess), makes you so self-conscious about everything you wear that the city forces you to shop for something new. Also, Christmas sales have many items listed at 70 percent off. And Lord knows, I need a new pair of jeans.
Bollocks: Shopping is pretty easy in America. Actually, in any developed country.

Watch Coheed & Cambria play its entire fourth album in concert
Smashing: I hate this band's first two albums. And then the third album suddenly was awesome. The fourth -Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow - magical. And this concert - called Neverender - will involve C&C playing each of their four albums in their entirety on four consecutive days.
Bollocks: Sure, this type of concert is unique, but they're American band. Why see that in England? Also, my favorite song eva!?!... Welcome Home was on Coheed's third album, which I did not enjoy as much as number four as a whole. But how can I attend a Coheed concert and not hear Welcome Home (fingers crossed for an encore?)

Take a daytrip to Liverpool/Wales
Smashing: Well, I'd be lying to my readers if I didn't go to Liverpool, but I might have to with time running out. But at least, I can always take a three-hour day trip to Cardiff, Wales so I can at least visit one country out side of England.
Bollocks: Do I want to take a five hour bus ride to Liverpool for a day trip? What the eff is there to do in Wales?

Take a trip...on hard drugs and hallucinate going somewhere cool?!
Smashing: Hmm, ummmm. It's wild.
Bollocks: Not really a good use of time when I'm preparing to leave London for - who knows how long. Once I return to Syracuse and recognize how boring it is compared to Europe, then maybe I'll consider.

Well, those are the potential Christmas gifts to myself. Woo. Selfishness! One more gift I'll be rewarding myself with is eating lotsa and lotsa cool food. The other day I ate a Syrian meal. Try the kebabs, ok?

By the way, Christmas is a huge holiday here. In America, the end of Thanksgiving signals the start of the Christmas season. Here, where there is no Thanksigiving, I've been hearing frikkin' Christmas music* since early November. The decorations also are in full effect:


Welcome to Oxford Street


Decorations all ova the place.


Steakhouses getting in on the Christmas spirit.

--
Foot notes:

*Three favorite Christmas songs of the moment:
1. Carol of the Bells - the Home Alone version.
2. Santa Claus is comin' to town - The Boss
3. Merry Xmas, everybody - Slade

Day 81: ONE FINAL THING I'M THANKFUL FOR...

(That I wasn't eaten by this big ass fish)

This is Nobby.




Nobby is a giant gourami that inhabits my landlord's office. Normally, this is where I'd link to a wikipedia entry about giant gouramis. But that's not neccessary. All the wikipedia page would say is that "giant gouramis are pure evil that represent all that's wrong with the world. They, on occassionally, will eat your soul.*"

Today we paid our rent for the last time. This means the threat of being fed to Nobby as a result of missing a deadline is no longer a fear that haunts us every night in our sleep*. As I mentioned in a previous entry, our landlord looked oddly like Snatch villain Brick Top, who fed his enemies to pigs. While our landlord a much kinder fellow, we always feared in the back of our minds that if we effed up, our flat would be fish food. We were told Nobby killed his wife (although according to the wikipedia giant gouramis with big lips are female...like Nobby?!) and also another fish placed in his tank. So the next logical step would be humans. Once he's had his first taste of human blood...may God have mercy on our souls.

Alas, we've all survived (as long as we remember to turn in our keys...). And over the months I've grown quite fond of the fish. So I put together a brief video and photo story about my time with Nobby. Make sure you hit play on the music player before viewing the video and photos. If song one makes the experience all-too-terrifying, then switch to song two for a happier tale about life with me and my pal Nobby.








Bum bummm...


Bum bummmm...


Bum bummmmm bum bum bum bum...


Bam your dead, fool!

Then again, if Nobby ever did become too big of a threat. The people of Thailand* did provide us with this option. :( Just kidding.

--
Foot notes

*Actually, that's almost what the wiki entry says. Here's an excerpt: "If other fish are added to a tank, either large or small, they might be killed within a short period."

*Fact: Nightmare on Elm Street would be a scarier movie, if in fact, Freddy Kruger was a giant gourami*.

*Fact: Taylor, after passing out on a couch one evening, woke up an hour later in a cold sweat. He had just endured a dream where a gnarled Nobby IN HUMAN FORM partied all night long at the same house party Taylor was at!*

*This story is 100 percent valid. Taylor didn't sleep again for two or three days. And he couldn't party for at least eight hours.

*Thailand has a whole bunch of big ass fish. Click here, and scroll down to the section entititled "Fishing in Thailand" and prepare to scare yourself ****less. Never ever, ever go swimming in Thailand. Not even in a swimming pool. These are freshwater fish. Evil freshwater fish. If Satan has a fish tank, these are the fish that live inside it.

Day 80: THANKSGIVING AT THE PHOTO HOUSE

(A traditional turkey chicken dinner- with a side of photos)


What's a Thanksgiving dinner without crossaints, chicken and photography?

Celebrating Thanksgiving can prove to be difficult in Europe. The tradition of honoring the pilgrims for slaughtering feasting with Native Americans is not too important to British culture BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

But that's fine by me since everybody knows Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday. I hate 90 percent of the food, I have to watch the ***** Lions play football and plus I don't need a holiday telling me when I should be thankful. Instead, I believe we should just be thankful everyday. (That's my justification for disliking this silly holiday. It's not a very good justification. shhhh...) The good news is in London it's actually easy for me to follow my "always be gracious" mantra.

This would normally be the point where I list all I'm grateful for here in London. Eh, but it's too cliche. OK, I'm actually not doing that because I'm too stuffed from eating pies. My favorite Thanksgiving treat. Still, it's true from the new sights every day to the accents to the history to the theatre to the doner kebab, it's impossible to not to feel so lucky and privileged to be spending four months here. Now if we could only find some damn pumpkin pie?

For Thanksgiving dinner at the house, it's been almost impossible to find any of the traditional Thanksgiving food. That's good news for me. Our resident chef Will Halsey led the charge in cooking the meal. No turkey. Instead tastes like chicken! Apple pie replaces pumpkin pie (all pie* is delicious, so this is acceptable). No stuffing, but there is sweet corn. No, um, turkey. But there are choreos. Mmmm. Now this I can appreciate. And we still managed to keep the Thanksgiving tradition of nearly burning down the house.*

Living in the photo house has been an interesting experience. Nine people. One house. One non-photo major (me). The goal I wanted to accomplish this semester was to see the world from completely unique perspective. From another culture's point of view. And hell, that was even possible in my own house. The age-old battle between photographers and writers (me) still rages on, but learning to see the world through a lens is something I struggled with in past classes. To not only spot a brilliant image, but to have the guts to get right in there and snap that shot and to frame it just right - you must see the world with both an artistic and frantic eye.

And while, I might never take one photo as good as any of them. I believe I'm learned from seeing my flatmates shoot thousands of pictures of the semester. I ask questions, and little by little I'm feeling more like I'm seeing the world better through the camera's eye. So thanks for that. I'm impressed by what y'all do.

Furthermore, while I have trouble taking photos of cool images. I have managed to find success taking photos of photographers taking photos of cool images. Taken from throughout this current semester, here are shots of photogs making memories: (Except Sarah, who managed to be elusive enough to escape everyone one of these photos.)

The cast of "St. Mary's Mansion Photo House"


The obligatory "British soldier" shot


Haircut in da house!


Brad surveys a good location for him to rule London from.


Dat's good beer.


That face says it all: "I've taken zero good photos at Hampstead Heath."


Tower of London


Bahhh.

I think I was in the way on this one.


Work that chicken, Will.


Halloween.
--
Foot notes

*What's better pie or cake? Overall, I feel there's a greater quanity of delicious pies (pecan, pumpkin, pudding, apple). But nothing is more savory than a rich, moist slice of chocolate cake. Let the age-old debate rages on.


*

This photo may look out of focus, but it's actually all the smoke in the room. And this photo is out of focus.

Let's play: "AVENUE Q"

(Where puppets and Gary Coleman collide)


The original London cast of Avenue Q.

The huge Broadway hit Avenue Q is also a huge hit in London. Avenue Q is easily the most high-profile play we've seen so far. Only Les Miz will top it in prestige during the class's finale.

Let's rate it on a sale of 1 to 5 Hugh Laurie's. Cool, House is British! That's right.

FOUR AND A HALF HUGH LAURIE'S OUT OF FIVE

"Avenue Q"
Directed by Jason Moore
Noel Coward Theatre
2 hours / Runs until April 25, 2009

--
"Avenue Q"
By Matt Levin

As the orange-hued Princeton slides down a a row of doo-wopping boxes and soars into the air, it becomes quite obvious. Puppets make everything better.

I had heard the Avenue Q soundtrack before could never get into it. But seeing it all in context - with elaborate puppetry and ingenious props, it's impossible to not appreciate the complexity and cleverness of the performance. Add in a witty script that get its humor by towing the line of good taste and Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez's "Avenue Q" is one of the most unique musical hits I've ever seen.

The Noel Coward Theatre stage looks like something out of an episode from Sesame Street. Pastel colors and flamboyant set pieces remind viewers of the kid shows they watched back in the day. However, the theatre has signs outside intended to remind you this is an "adult" puppet show. And not even every adult might enjoy seeing puppet sex in their theatre. That's where the plays humor comes from: taking kiddie things and nostalgia and making them adult. It coincides with the theme those on Avenue Q are realizing: the "real world's" not as simple and wonderful as it might seem on television. These themes are explored through issues like commitment, homosexuality (thanks to two Ernie and Bert-like puppets) and finding meaning in a drab life.

The play stars puppets alongside three human characters, who all live in an apartment on Avenue Q - run by former child star Gary Coleman.* All our trying to find their "purpose" and escape their dilipidated home. This is displayed through amazing music sequences featuring the best damn puppet choreography anyone could imagine. It'll leave you wondering how 'How did they think of this stuff?" The puppeteers are mind-blowingly good at everything they do on stage. When their puppets "speak," the actors' faces express the emotions that puppets often have trouble showing. Some puppets required two actors and each actor would move and emote flawlessly in-sync.

The singing was also phenomenal. Rebecca Lock as the lead female puppet, Kate Monster, and Daniel Boys as the lead male puppet, Princeton, both showed off fantastic voices. The songs are often hilarious or oddly affecting. The song "I Wish I Could Go Back To College" does th e best job of bringing out the bittersweet by juxtapositing the"real life" on Avenue Q and the pretend life that precedes it is. While "The Internet is for Porn" is one of the funniest numbers you'll see on stage.

Not every song from the soundtrack won me over in the performance. "Everybody is a little bit racist" sends an idiotic and muddled message. The plot is weak, too. Ten minutes into the performance, it's apparent how the play will end. So it's up to the script and the actors to keep the play entertaining up until that final anti-climax.

That's no problem. When a play has characters like the buxom "Lucy the Slut" and wit to match the raunchiness, it'll leave you laughing and never able to look at Sesame Street the same way again.*



Lucy the Slut. In case you couldn't tell.

--
Foot notes:

*I thought it was strange Coleman was kept in the British version. I doubt most British understand what he's talking about when he's asking whatcha talking about, Willis? Apparently, when the play first came to London, he was taken out and replaced by Gary - the "former child tv star." For Americans, it was probably strange just to see a Gary Coleman that was taller than the entire cast.

*Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, my reviews are too long. Why can't I write short?

Day 68: JOURNEY TO THE EIFFEL TOWER

(Featuring a digression on...stereotypes!)


Trippin'

Seriously, Big Ben sucks. While the Eiffel Towel totally lived up to the hype. The building is ginormous. And while, it's not very wide, I still managed to get lost in it. A woman from Iran and I both couldn't find the exit down from the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower. It doesn't even make sense, but at least my complete lack of a sense of direction led to a cool conversation.

I'm not sure how to spell out her name, but it was Persian for "beautiful lotus flower," which is much cooler than Matt. Dressed in an orange parka and purple scarf, I never would've guessed she was from Iran. It didn't fit the image. She spoke five languages - Persian, English, Russian, Arabic and French. And while we searched for an exit, we conversed in the one language* I shared with her. We both found the Eiffel Tower awe-inspiring. She talked about Tehran (Milad) tower that was just built in Iran's capital. Of course, she also made sure to mention that she was relieved to see George W. Bush "the clown of the world" out of office. By the time, we reached ground level again and went our separate ways,* I was kicking myself for having not asked her more questions. And also for not having read Persepolis yet.

For me, she put a face to a country that's attacked so harshly in the West. But this woman was not the crazy, anti-American face that mainstream American culture seems to paint all Iranians with. Without ever meeting somebody from the country, it's so easy to not realize there's a difference between Mahmoud and Iranians. Conversely, there's a difference between Dubya and Americans.

In my American foreign policy class, we discussed how foreign countries stereotype peoples from other countries based on what that country's government is like. So it unfairly makes sense to assume all Iranians are anti-West, sexist, etc. because the government gives that impression.

Americans aren't the only ones doing the stereotyping. For example, the Brits (and Western Europe) seem to stereotype Americans during the Bush years as belligerent cowboys / religious fanatics. How many of those Western Europeans have actually been to America, and had a conversation with an American? I can't speculate, but I bet the ones who have spoke with an (educated) American - and therefore can put a non-Dubya face with the name "American" then it becomes a bit more personal and a bit more easier to get along. This of course is my segue into France. Americans' favorite country to stereotype. Americans call them cheese-eating, wine-guzzling, smelly, snobby mimes. Obviously, it's not true. But more importantly, I lived three days with some French people in Paris (by lived, I mean lived, not stayed in a hotel) and the French are awesome. More on that to come later.

But first I leave you with this hilarious article. No two allies showcase more tension than the English and French. It's like a cute,little sibling rivalry. Aww.



View from Montemarte.


View from the park outside the Louvre.


View from somewhere closer than the Louvre.


View upclose and personal.


Boring view from the Eiffel Tower. But listen to that wind rustle!

--
Foot notes

*Pathetic. Can somebody make me fluent in Spanish? Or Portuguese? Or Tagalog?

*I'm not sure how spectacular my debating skills on U.S. foreign policy are, I'll leave that to Joe Biden. But I will argue this music video is the worst one of all-time. It takes place on a dock/warehouse-area that appears to be behind a J.C. Penny's. Steve Perry and company are quite obviously stalking a woman around the dock. And worst of all - air keyboard!

Let's play: "TABLE MANNERS"

(Just in time for Thanksgiving: A play about dinner with the family that will make your family dinners seem normal)


Wild n' Crazy Norman, the namesake of "The Norman Conquests"


Uptight Sarah


The table from Table Manners

When I think of being a playwright, "Table Manners," the first of three plays in a trilogy called "The Norman Conquests" is the type of play I aspire to write. It's a simple set that's all about great writing and acting. I could never think of those elaborate sets like "The Producers" or "The Lion King." Nor could I write a straightforward drama like "Proof." I'd aim for an ideal mix of humor and poignancy. And from what I've learned there' s no better place to see this than from Britain's premiere playwright Alan Ayckbourn - at London's historic Old Vic (owned by Kevin Spacey or something like that).*


Let's rate this on a scale of 1 to 5 Tilda Swinton's because why the hell not?

FOUR TILDA SWINTON'S OUT OF FIVE.

"Table Manners"
Directed by Matthew Warchus
Written by Alan Ayckbourn
Runs to Dec. 20 / 2 hrs. 20 min (includes 15 min. interval)

--
"Table Manners'
By Matt Levin

Take three men. One timid, spineless and endearing. Another witty, playful but subdued. Then, there's the third - wild and almost uncontrollable.

Throw in three woman. All strong, female characters. But also a trio so indulged so indulged in their own lives that they barely have time to notice anything going on around them. Put them together around the dining room table, and witness family dysfunction at its finest and funniest.

Alan Ayckbourn's superb "Table Manners," the first of a trilogy of plays called "The Norman Conquests" pits the lothario Norman against his in-laws as he tries to woo his single sister-in-law, Annie, during one absurd weekend. At the same time, he's seene buttering up his brother-in-law's wife (Sarah) and coping with his own egomaniacal wife (Ruth). For the sake of competition there's also a skittish veterinarian (Tom) after Annie. And Norman's, brother-in-law Reg, is caught up in at all not sure how to react to any of it.

Matthew Warchus casts the play showing at "The Old Vic" brilliantly. Each actor embodies their characters neuroses, wit and emotions. Each cast member compliments Ayckbourn's almost-flawless script that features both profound moments and the best British humour.

In one breakfast scene, Norman carries on an obnoxious conversation with himself after Annie, Sarah and Reg have decided to give him the cold shoulder. After Norman upsets Annie and Sarah enough that they storm out of the dining room, Reg quips, "Norman, to be honest, I think you're an alright fellow. But I never want to eat breakfast with you again." On the tiny set, in the theatre-in-the-round, humor builds tension and reveals feelings. It illuminates themes about family life, relationships and just getting along.

Every item on the table is crucial to the story from napkins to a tin of cookies. Harsh lighting helps emphasize the exasperation of each character caught up in the nonstop verbal melee. The one flaw is when it ends, it still feels like there's something missing. Each play is supposed to stand on its own, but to get the whole picture of this excellently-written play it's definitely necessary to see all three parts. But part one was so damn entertaining, anyone who sees it must make time for the sequels.*

--
Foot notes

*The Old Vic is right next to the Young Vic. These theatres are not to be confused with the Old Vick and Young Vick found in America.

*Crap, I only have two weeks left. Do the "Norman Conquests" exist in America?

Day 76: HAVE A LOOK, HAVE A LOOK

(Exploring the markets of London)

"Wakey, wakey. Have a look. Have a look. All this for only 10 pounds," the vendors would shout at the crowds shuffling through the marketplace. Don't make eye contact. Or you're coming home with a pair of wool socks or a miniature double decker bus.


Cheap, gross clothes available at the London markets.

London is well-known for its open-air markets, and I finally decided to explore the bigger ones last weekend. On Saturday I hit up Portabello Road, a massive street with all types of goods. Most of them useless. And also fudge.

The best parts of these markets is most definitely the cheap, exotic and always-delicious food. Sure, the festive atmosphere that came out in Petticoat Lane Market after the rain stopped was exciting. Someone even called another guy, "Mr. Bollocks Chops."*

But the food at the Sunday UpMarket was almost too delicious. There were eats from Portugal, Japan, Brazil, China - pretty much every Asian or Portuguese country. I bought a Dragon Tail for a pound 50, while checking out all the hipster designer t-shirts. Finally, from there I headed to Brick Lane. It was closing up when I got there, but I still had time to grab a cream cheese beigel from the best beigel place in the entire world. And picked up a pair of five pound shoes called Plimsolls. Suck on that Starbury.

Photo montage. With no discretion at all. I just threw in everything, which includes like two good photos. Hooray.

Portobello Road:

Big-ass seafood paella.


Fudge. Delicious, delicious fudge.

Petticoat Lane Market:

I came to Europe for the Houston Cougar sweatshirts. Bugger off, McNabb.

UpMarket:

Asian food inside the Sunday UpMarket. mmmmmm.


Here's the Red Dragon's Tail I ate (prawn, rice, seaweed, spiciness).


Inside the UpMarket tent carom tables were set up. A game that involves caroming.


Chowing at the UpMarket. Look they even have Hippie Bites!

Brick Lane:

Executions and oriental cuisine?!!? This market truly is the greatest.


Om nom nom.


More graffiti around Brick Lane.


The second most famous beigel place on Brick Lane (and my favorite).


Creepy dolls are available for cheap at Brick Lane.

--
Foot notes

*Someone screamed this name out, and everyone within earshot stopped. A guy not named Mr. Bollocks Chops turned around and asked "Are you talking to me?"

"No, him."

"Oh ok. Sorry"

okkkkkkkkkkayyyy.

Let's play: "FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD"

(Far from good. You like that one? Pretty witty if you ask me.)


No offense, but Bathsheba should be way hotter than that.

Three weeks ago (damn, it's been awhile since I updated), we headed out to Richmond. All the way out to the stereotypically quaint little town in Zone 4. The theatre itself is quite awesome to behold. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be same for this adaptation of Thomas Hardy's "Far From the Madding Crowd."

Let's rate this on a scale of 1 to 10 "British actors in Batman (Christian Bale*, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine)" cause Batman is really effing cool*. And that will definitely cancel out the uncoolness of this play.

1.5 CHRISTIAN BALE/GARY OLDMAN/MICHAEL CAINE'S OUT OF FIVE

"Far From the Madding Crowd"
Directed by Kate Saxon
Richmond Theatre
Run ended on Nov. 9

--
"Far From the Madding Crowd"
By Matt Levin

The problem with adapting a Thomas Hardy play to stage is that the way Hardy writes makes it almost, well, unadaptable.

Hardy injects so much of his own thoughts, opinions and wit into the narrative that its like another character. When that vital character is missing from the stage version of the play, it feels like a crucial part of the plot is missing too. Even the actors seemed to notice something was missing in an uninspired performance of "Far From the Madding Crowd" at Richmond Theatre.

Kate Saxon's adaptation of the play lacks the passion that Hardy created on paper, while telling the pastoral tale of beautiful Bathsheba Everdene and her strange love quadrangle. The actors look puzzled and unsure of themselves when delivering their lines. The story includes several awkward dance sequences, and despite the play's near three hour run time the plot feels hurried.

The stage itself is the most intriguing aspect of the play. In the historic Richmond Theatre, the set takes a minimalist approach but one that leaves wide-open spaces so multiple scenes can unfold at the same time. Inventive lighting and sound effects also create a nice ambiance. A pleasant atmosphere, however, cannot save a script without a heart. Even the stage, can't compete with the written word. As usual, the book was better.

--
Foot notes

*Yeah, he's British. Who knew?!

*Though let's be honest, The Dark Knight is not that grat. Heath Ledger's awesomeness aside, it's like a more complicated version of Saw.

Day 66: PARIS PACKING PLAYLIST PLEASE

(Let's Dance)


Hey it's French techno artists Daft Punk.

In an hour or so I leave for Paris until Tuesday morning. Originally, when I arrived in England I had no intention of heading there. After mulling it over I realized that was stupid. Now it beat out Germany/Austria and Italy as the destination for my last trip because I just figured it was stupid not to go there. I mean if you're in Europe and you have four months, you need to hit up the City of Lights. Oui oui.

But first you need a Paris packing playlist. For the playlist, I decided to take music from each place I traveled to/plan n traveling to so far in Europe. It turned into, well uh you might not like half the songs, but it's certainly eclectic. There's everything from Dutch punk to Portuguese fado to Dutch metal. Now let's celebrate* this momentous journey to Paris (Hit play on that thing below. And you can skip backward and ahead, quite easily too):




London music:
Well there's too much good music out of England, so I had to limit it to Londoners. That means punk and David Bowie from the movie Labyrinth.

Netherlands music:
Okay, those quirky Dutch like two types of tunes.
1. Songs called "Twilight Zone.*"
2. Metal sung by female lead singers with a choir providing backing vocals.

Spanish music:
A hip-hop band in the style of flamenco (jipjop flamenkill) - that would be Ojos de brujo. And then there's everyone's hero Enrique Iglesias.

Portuguese music:
Ornatos Violeta is an amazing band that I first heard in a club in Porto, and the group does actually hail from the home of Port wine (well, before they broke up). Also, here's the song I heard by them in the club. It's glorious.
Also, here's some Mariza. Portugal's fabulous fadista, and the only act on this list I've seen in concert...in Daytona Beach. Yeah, it was random, mas muito bem! Also, random: Steve Perry, ex-lead singer of Journey is Portuguese. Never forget that (Or perhaps, Don't stop believing.)

French music:
First there's everyone's favorite French act Daft Punk. Don't forget to check out their oft-celebrated "Around the World" video, directed by famed French director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). Actually, check out the video Gondry made for his own band that he drummed in - Oui Oui.
The other French song belongs to Yannick Noah: a former French Open winner, husband of Miss Sweden 1978 and father of this beautiful man. Yannick can do it all.

Liverpudlian music:
That would be The Beatles. Too many songs to choose from, so let's just go with two that represent traveling, ay?

And then back to America:
The theme song to Team America: World Police. **** yeah!

--
Foot notes:

*Speaking of celebrating, Happy Anniversary Steve and Lori Levin. Congratulations on 25 years! I could barely live with either of you for 18 years so a quarter-century is impressive. Here reward yourself with some Air Supply.

Also, a happy 22nd birthday to both Catherine Lawson and Michelle St. Peter. You two just turned really old earlier this week, which means you both also deserve some Air Supply.

*Two more Dutch bands worth mentioning that are neither Dutch metal or singers of a song called "Twilight Zone." The irritating Venga Boys (Remember that "we like to party song"), and the quite awesome Urban Dance Squad. Do yourself a favor and check out: Deeper Shade of Soul.

Day 64: HOW MANY GOOD PHOTOS CAN I TAKE AT HAMPSTEAD HEATH?

(Zero)


There's a dog in this photo, I think.

I learned a pretty area does not necessarily equal interesting photos yesterday. It's a cool lesson. Hampstead Heath is a beautiful area that takes like 80 tube stops to get within proximity of - and then takes another 20 minutes of walking to actually reach. The heath looks beautiful with the fall foliage though.

The area serves as a fancy, rich area where young couples push babies around in strollers. Or where old, rich people fill the void of not having a baby by walking multiple dogs. Usually English spring spaniel triplets or vizslas. That's really all I can tell you about Hampstead Heath. I was told to say it's a lot like Park Slope in New York, but I'm not too sure what that means.

Here's photos I didn't take of Hampstead Heath, but anyone who goes to Hampstead Heath will find out they're the only half-way decent photos you can find there. Enjoy?


Fall Foliage in Hampstead Heath.


The view from Parliament Hill


The Kenwood House featured in Notting Hill. Helloooo Hugh Grant.


This giant desk and chair would've been great for a photo. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist anymore up on Parliament Hill.