The Church

What a mad weekend! One of the best I’ve had since arriving in the UK.

Saturday was spent as usual at Belushi’s where I saw Emett – his hair was longer and he had the beginnings of a beard. I hadn’t seen him for many months as he’d been travelling throughout Europe. It was so good to see him again for a chat.

After a total 1 hours sleep I got a call from Alina who ordered my ass out of bed so she and I could head to the Church. Not any old church, but a huge abandoned theatre in Kentish Town where they hold a ‘Sunday session’ every week. http://www.thechurch.co.uk/ It’s vital that people get there early as the lines are massive after about 11am. Everyone takes a bottle or two of beer/lolly water for the wait.

Once in we were given a beer ticket and could go and collect three beers in a bag to tie onto our belts. We met up with some really cool muso mates of Alina’s who we spent the day/night with. Every half hour there was a different act on stage ranging from ‘fat bastard’ who sings whilst he strips (avert your eyes ladies) to Stevie Starr, the guy that swallows 8-balls and goldfish! He was amazing in a gross kind of way – had he killed the fish I wouldn't have been laughing...

At about 4pm when the Church closed we were on too much of a high to stop so we headed a good half an hour and two tube swaps to The Walkie in Shepherds Bush. During the ride we played corners which is even more fun in a tube with 15 odd people than in a car with three lemmi tell you! The Walkie was packed and I spent the night dancing with Lina, a hottie called Mark and co.

Its now Monday, I’ve had very little sleep and I have a 12 hour shift….

Good times.

rachixxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Star Sighting

Oh oh oh my god! I am way too excited. I just sat on the sofa with PAUL WALKER!

He came into C4 to promote his latest movie - no idea what the movie is...do I care...I just sat on the sofa with PAUL WALKER! Okay so I was sitting on the arm of the sofa and he came and sat down but WHATEVER!
It just takes me back to when I was with my ex, we'd be sitting on the sofa watching Fast and Furious because he was obsessed with the film...now I'm in London sitting on the sofa with the star of that movie!

Yes I am a sad loser but I don't care...he is Paul Walker and he's hot.

See that photo? Well he is just as hot in person. He was wearing lovely denim jeans and a suit jacket and had the most amazing skin - just tanned enough. He was so softly spoken too.

Here's one for the ladies......

Sleeping Rough

Hiya

How is everybody? Guess whose coming to Tassie in two months – Me! I am waaaay excited.

The weekend was great, I spent most of the time shopping in Kingston (the UK version) then later on Claire and I had a couple of bottles of wine then headed to Elk for the evening. Met up with some friends who we spent the evening with. Claire proceeded to wrap herself around some tall black haired bloke and could be found in a darkened corner.

Flat update: Claire has found someone for her half of our room – Soph. She already lives at the flat but is thinking of buying a place so she wants to spend less money and our room is like £100 less rent per month. It will be so sad to see Clairsey go but its good news for me in that I know who is moving into the room as I have lived with Soph since November.

Found out some surprising news. I have always been quite emotionally affected by the hundreds of homeless people along the streets of London. As you walk along they reach out, begging for money usually, sometimes food. I had one little lady that came up and asked for 50p for the bus just the other day. I gave her the money then as I walked away I looked back and noticed that she didn’t even get on the bus. That made me think so I decided to look into the facts. Turns out 70% of those that are arrested for begging tested positive for Class A drugs. Money given innocently for a bus fare or a cup of tea is helping feed their habit. It stated that although those who needed it could have a free bed in hostels across London, people actually choose to sleep on the streets. Of those arrested 42% gave a fixed address and the last official count identified that there were only 169 people sleeping rough in the whole city.* I find it quite shocking that people resort to sleeping rough (and let me tell you in London it is rough) just to feed their addiction.

rachixxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


*Civic Watch Newsletter Victoria Spring 2006.

My love for London

It has been the longest winter ever, I've had a cold throughout most of it and up until yesterday I had no appreciation for it whatsoever. But that all changed. It snowed! It was the prettiest, softest snow I’ve ever experienced.

There are so many things I love about London and I have had some of the most amazing times. Every time I see a plane fly over the city it reminds me of the night I spent on Emmett’s roof watching all the aircrafts and trying not to slip.

I love walking down the street in the cold with a smile on my face, trying to brighten the days of grumpy grimacing Englishman and seeing how many smile back.

I love the cookie and cake culture, where if anyone has been away on holiday or are having a birthday they bring in a whole lot of baked goodies and send an email around the department.

I love having my own little community in Fulham where, when walking down the street I’ll always see someone I know. I love the friendliness of the bar staff, bouncers, DJ’s and the managers.

I love having Europe on my doorstep but feeling no rush to get over there because there is so much of London I have not seen...and having the freedom to see Europe when I want.

I have a love hate relationship with the crowds, I hate the early morning/evening rush but I love that you can feel safe in a crowd and that the city is always buzzing whatever the time.

I just love London…

rachixxx