OMD

On Tuesday night, Jim and I got our 80's on and went to the Roundhouse Theatre for OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, for those of you not in the know). It was an experience!

First I have to describe the crowd: let's just say that Jim and I, at the not so young ages of 33 and 31 respectively (I'm the younger one, just in case anyone was wondering), were considerably younger than most of the people there. But, despite our 'youth' we were pretty lame compared to everyone else. People were dancing (80's style, of course) and singing and cheering and screaming and knew all the words to all the songs--true fans. There was a little bit of a fashion faux pas on stage (Men who are almost 50 and do not have the physique of Mick Jagger should stay far, far away from skinny jeans) but the lights were really cool, the band sounded just like the old days and the 80's dance moves were spectacular. Unfortunately we didn't do any video-taking and I can't describe in words what said moves looked like, but it was....so so 80's/robot/something. I would definitely go to OMD again! They're fun!

stowaway

Yes, more cat blogging, but it really is hard to avoid it when there are cute cats doing cute things all the time around here. Tonight Jim found Jack snuggled up in my backpack, ready to go to the gym (or wherever the pack may take him). Maybe he's wishing he was traveling around the world with his beloved Meg and Dan.

Horses

I woke up this morning, tired and groggy after the OMD concert last night (that's a whole other blog, which I'll wait to post until Jim sends me the pictures he took) and not feeling like going to work. But as I trudged down the hill, I heard the unmistakable sound of 35 horses coming up behind me and, for once, I was prepared with a camera to capture the moment. There is nothing like seeing a large number of horses, in formation, clopping down a busy London street and it always improves my spirits. The thing that's really special about it is that it doesn't seem to happen at the same time every week (although maybe it's me that doesn't happen at the same time every week), so it's always a magical and unexpected experience.

Sticker shock

It has rather suddenly come to my attention that shopping in Hampstead is beyond the abilities of my bank account. I seek a pair of black boots, which, around here range in price from about $300-600. I also popped into an innocent looking maternity store where I glanced at the price tag for a simple top--95 pounds (that's about $200, folks!) Looks like I'll be heading to Brent Cross, land of the common man for my shopping needs. How much things cost in London never ceases to amaze me.

On the flip side, I love indulging in freshly baked bread and other such luxuries that we couldn't access in our old neighborhood. The park is incredible and we love our flat, which is bringing us much joy. Who needs boots anyway? And I swore that I wasn't going to buy any more maternity clothes. So, problem solved!

Don't mess with Finchley

Things get serious when he wants food.


Watch your appendages.

Friends from long ago

This weekend we got to visit with our friend Will, who we haven't seen since high school (oh the glory of Facebook!). He and his girlfriend Anna are in London for a few days and it's been great catching up on old times and enjoying getting to know each other as adults. We wandered around some key parts of London yesterday, stopping in warm pubs along the way (because now it's not exactly warm anymore and yesterday evening it almost felt bitter.)


Cute Jim in the tube:


The advertisements have peeled off the wall in the tube station, which makes for good artsy picture opportunities (courtesy of Jim, of course):

Riddle me this....

If your house is very large and costs far more than I make each year to maintain (energy-wise) and you have a SUV, a non-fuel efficient sports car, several OTHER houses and who knows what else (private jet? yacht?), how much difference does having an electric car really make in saving the environment?