I have reserved my ticket to London for mid-March. I am off to see a friend get married. Frankly, I always assumed he was gay, so this is kind of a nice surprise. He may still be gay, of course, but he's getting married anyway. And I have to be there. Unfortunately, my wife is not coming, so I will be off in London by myself. Automatically, that makes it less fun. It will be a busy trip. I have old friends to see -- buddies from law school who are there, friends from back in the day when I lived in London, my old fencing master who I just love, and all the wedding insanity, of course.
There are also some museums I have missed and some, very small, shopping to do.
I also just want to wander about and see some old buildings/friends and retrace my steps on some favorite old streets. I always need some quiet alone time in cities I've lived in before. I can have that quiet alone time with my wife along and actually prefer to have her along for that but I have to have it. Something about revisiting the scene of youthful indiscretions, misdemeanors if not quite crimes. I like to totter along and see if I left any part of myself there, if I'm quick enough, I might just find myself in a favorite old pub, or cul-de-sac. A younger me, with less gray in my hair and more optimism about the future, dressed impeccably having embraced the English bright shirt and tie thing, hurrying along imbued with the joy of living in London and being 25. I'm going to be looking for that guy. I don't think I'll see him, but I'm going to look.
I also want to go to Simpson’s on the Strand for breakfast one morning, if I can get a moment. Oh, and the book store. And maybe buy a tie. And get more perfume for my wife (a top priority)!
I have way too much to do in London. I feel pressed for time already. Isn’t that ridiculous?
Posted by Random Penseur at February 9, 2005 02:22 PMYou should just relax and view it as a nice opportunity to take a small breather from your hectic life. At least you'll be able to read a little on the plane!
Posted by: GrammarQueen at February 9, 2005 05:42 PM"My old fencing master whom I just love. . ."???? Who's calling whom gay here?
Posted by: John Bruce at February 9, 2005 06:55 PMWell, I do love him. He was a mentor to me. Should I deny that for some reason? I can't imagine why. As for my friend who I thought was gay, it never bothered me that I thought he was gay, I just wished he'd sort of make up his mind because I figured he'd be happier if he did. He's a very dear friend and, as a matter of fact, I love him, too. Why else would I head off to London at great incovenience to watch him get married?
Posted by: RP at February 10, 2005 05:32 AMDon't forget to put dinner and drinks with Helen on the list!
Posted by: Jim at February 10, 2005 05:45 AMThank you Jim, I was beginning to feel neglected here.
Now I feel like an imposition! :)
Posted by: Helen at February 10, 2005 07:49 AM