Carpetblogger: Dispatches from London

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December 31, 2005

Dispatches from London - Heathrow Calling

Since I’m posting this well after I started writing it this morning (about 4 am EST) when I was waiting at Heathrow, and only now (6 pm EST) finishing it….

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Anyways…
I intended to write more from London – I really did. I was going to do nightly blogging, discuss the days events. It’s not that I think you really care whether or not I went to the British Museum – it just felt like the cool thing to do.

I had witty observations about the British! Squares are Streets. Circuses (Circusi?) are Circles. Pudding is dessert. Candy are specific. One moment, you’re staring at a mirror image of the States – TGI Fridays, McDonalds, and Borders Books. The next moment, you’re hovering over Bangers & Mash, Mushy Peas, and Christmas Pudding (which is completely disgusting…)

But I did get one of the two things I came for (the other being that whole family bonding thing…)

That’s right – I got photographed crossing Abbey Road. Even though, as Mr. Casey so graciously pointed out on my Flickr account, I’m crossing the wrong way & I don’t have the correct stride. But I would like to point out that in fact in England they drive on the left, so therefore things are backwards and Mr. Casey’s assertion that I am going the wrong way is merely the result of American arrogance and imperialism. But who can blame the bloody colonial?

But alas, I got too busy being a tourist and relaxing to write. But I do want to now hit some of the highlights of my trip.

On what was probably the worst weather day of the year in London, I went to both Abbey Road and Lord’s Cricket Grounds. I tried to use my production industry creds to get myself into the studio whether the Beatles recorded – “No, I used to TEACH at Full Sail…” (Who cares if I was just a lab instructor for a few months, it still counts… YES it was in Lighting…)

I can’t quite decide if my tour of Lord’s was the equivalent of touring Fenway Park, or Yankee Stadium.

Apparently, England is not a very good Cricket team (Fenway 1, Yankee 0) but everyone in England is a fan of the English team – they’re hardly the underdogs (Fenway 1, Yankee 1). The Grounds have been there since the mid 1700s (Fenway 2, Yankee 1) but they’ve been renovated including a press box that is positively modern (Fenway 2, Yankee 2). But the field slopes 8 feet from end to end, giving it a positively unique feel (Fenway 3, Yankee 2) – so once again, Fenway Park and by proxy the Red Sox win this battle. Thus, using the English & Lord’s Cricket Ground as evidence, the Yankees suck.

I’m pretty sure I understand Cricket now. The Bowler (Pitcher) bowls (pitches) the ball towards the Batsman (Batter) in attempt to collect the Wicket (no equivalent). If he collects the Wicket, it’s an out. He collects the Wicket by knocking it over. If the Batsman hits the ball, he can run to another Wicket to collect a run. If he hits it beyond the outfield, he can collect 6 runs. He apparently carries the bat with him as he runs, in order to beat the defense into submission. And if the Batsman glues the Wicket, the bowler can’t knock it over and it’s a Sticky Wicket. This is the equivalent to a Spitball.

Another cool thing about the British – when we hit a bird with a Baseball, we feel guilty. When the British hit a bird with a Cricket Ball (who knows what it’s actually called), they stuff the Bird. And pose it.

Another important “pilgrimage” I made was a trip to the Globe Theatre. Sure it’s not the original, but it still has the feel, the smell, of a true Cathedral of Theatre. Between the Globe and seeing Mary Stuart on the West End (which was quite excellent) I’ve spent more time in theatres this week than I had in the past year. It’s reminded me to get myself involved in some local theatre around the District.

The Brits have a reputation for bad food and warm beer. That’s only 15% correct – the desserts (or “puddings”) are awr-ful. But the food itself is fine, and the beer is awesome.

Fuller’s makes several good Ales – I recommend the ESB, and the London’s Pride. And get this – they come out of Casks you have to pump rather than more traditional kegs. The next time I am at the Brickskeller (which will likely be this week) I will consider procuring some English beer. And no, it’s not served Warm.

Another thing I noticed is that the crowd at Indie night at clubs is universal. It was like looking into a weird kaleidoscope and seeing the same people from Bar-BQ-Bar and DC9. I suppose there’s a certain cookie cutter element – after all, we all danced to the same music.

Yes that’s right – I said danced. As in I danced. As in I got out on the dance floor and grooved. For those who aren’t aware, I’ve often been quite anti-dance. As in Orthodox Jew anti-dance. And yet – I felt the urge to boogie. I figured why not? If I was terrible and got laughed out of the club, they would forget about me by the next time I got to London.

But I enjoyed it! I liked dancing! Granted it’s not something I will do all the time, and certainly it would’ve been more fun with friends – but I did have fun and will definitely dance again in the future. As long as it’s to pretentious indie rock.