What an interesting several hours - I have no major announcement, finding, or revelation, it's just been an interesting day...
I went in and out of sleep from 7am until 9:30am, in which time I had a dream about my mom. I dream about my mom with some regularity, but there have only been a couple of occasions where I have felt visited by her. This dream, I feel, was a visit. The context isn't important... I saw her as if in a crowd of sorts, told her I missed her, she blew me a kiss, told me she either loved or missed me (can't quite remember which). Last night I spent with my colleague in her flat, watching Pirate Radio, which I had seen before, but enjoyed even more now that I'm here - gawd, what great music (and Jen Sorkin and Shephard, I have been listening to your mixes alternating every day this week!). Anyway, my colleague has similarities to my mom, and last night reminded me of trips home as an adult - watching movies and such. I do not look at this lovely woman as a mother of sorts - we are fast friends and colleagues, and we have much in common, but I don't feel either the call or the urge regarding this woman as a mother figure - if that makes sense, but clearly, this experience brings about these memories and similarities, so perhaps there is a bit more meaning within this experience.
I spent the morning working, watching super nanny in the background - Jo is still awesome from here. Then I went to downtown uxbridge again - walked around outside. It was one of those lovely afternoons were solid rain gave way to a glorious sky and warmth.
This is the most diverse city I have ever encountered. Indian families, Sikh men walking deliberately about, West African men and women traveling together. I talked with two young girls (french speaking, so I figured they were from West Africa - "Je M'apelle Leticia, et toi? I walked into a little inside mall of sorts -similar to malls in the states, but with farmer's markets incorporated. Everyone either smells like cigarettes or strippers. Awesome or disgusting - which brings me to my point about the education of shopping centers. As the diversity is abundant, so is the diversity among the English - one is either very attractive, or a little hideous. This is a generalization, and for those who know me, I am not one to make those, as we are all individuals who make up the larger humanity of whatever, wherever. However, in this experience, I literally would walk by someone who looked like friggin Elle Macphersen, only to be followed by some version of quasi moto - in repetition. It was hard not to go, "oh how pretty... Oh dear, are you ok sir/miss? time after time.
Later that day...
I had a pint with two men from south London - total cockney guys, one was an avid Rugby player (who could give Tim a run for his money, Laura), and an avid football (soccer) player who attempted to distinguish the two, and why one was superior to the other. At this point, I'm leaning towards Rugby, merely because at this point it seems more entertaining and rugged.
I walked around some more, finally bought a watch from a mom and pop tiny little shop - when I left, she actually said "Cheerio Love" and it was all I could do to not jump up and down. I'm a complete dork!!
I went to the Frog and had a bite to eat - it was packed with many young men watching a soccer match (this is where I met the young West African girls) and wrote for a bit. It was really hard not to laugh heartily when I heard the guys call various players waynkahs (phonetic spelling).
Then I went to what is best described as my "favorite" local pub, and as I was beginning my blog, was approached by a Northern Irishman named Dermot (Kinda looks like Chris Cooper from The Town, with grayer hair). He talked about Northern Ireland - and yes, the Northern Ireland accent is really different and "thick" relatively. He was very proud of his country, and told me that if I ever go to Northern Ireland, I need to go to Derry. He was very nice and patriotic, and gave me an interesting perspective on his country's history.
It was a great mellow day. I have a lot more work to do, but am happy not to have to wake up early tomorrow. I may try to go to a cinema nearby for a movie...
Big Love,
J
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