The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Paris tomorrow
19:25 Nov 27 2009
Times Read: 787

Stabb was off work today, so we slept in a bit. We've been waking at 6:30 every other day. He had a special outing planned for me and took me to Earl's Barton to look around the quaintest British town ever. It's the kind of town you'd dream up. We had visited the oldest Anglo Saxon church in England that is still standing and in use as a parish church. It was on a picturesque little hill with rooftops going down to a little valley. There is an unbelievable cemetery in the churchyard where the markers are so old that many are unreadable and moss has grown into the letters in odd alphabet shapes. We warmed up with tea in a small tea shop, did some shopping, and even waited for the bus in a pub that Dickens might have penned. This whole trip has been the stuff of magic...time outside of time.



We rode the bus home, stopped at the grocery and loaded up on snacks to take home. We're ordering Indian takeaway, then we're going to watch the Star Trek movie. After that, it's off to bed after packing up. We have to wake really early to get to London. We'll drop our bags at our hotel on Regent's Park in London. Then, we catch the train for Paris!



I'm hoping that my dog has been kept alive and my kitty. I am really happy to hear that Thanksgiving was so nice for my family. My son arrived early, 10:30 for a 6 PM meal, and my mom wasn't happy ... but then, he was raised by wolves ;P As much as I don't want to leave, I can't wait to talk to everyone about my adventures. And make no mistake, this has been the adventure of my life.



I love you all,



Jo

10:20 Nov 26 2009
Times Read: 811

Irony and I had lunch in Birmingham at a lovely little Chinese place. I had the eggplant in black bean sauce and it was great even if I had to call it aubergine.



We had a very rude train driver leave us on the platform, but that Irony knows how to fly up stairs and we were soon on our way. We rode a bus and finally got to her town, walking up a small hill to a flat filled with her books and her warm personality. We girl talked until it was too soon, time to head back.



Oh, I forgot to say that I saw chavs! And British Wal Mart, a gorgeous town center and church, and an old rock she's going to check the history on.



Her husband of the lovely dimples and Scottish accent, drove us to the station and we had until Birmingham to squeeze in all the rest of our visit. We giggled over a Bunny Suicide book she brought along (my girls are SO getting one in a stocking).



Then it was hugs and love and good byes laced with next-time plans, and I was headed back. When I stepped onto the platform, Stabb was waiting with my coat. He helped me into it and we walked back to his flat where he had a beautiful pasta baking with tomato and cheese. The flat was wArm and smelled like heaven on Sunday. We had dinner, listened to

music, then turned in. Perfect day.

16:03 Nov 25 2009
Times Read: 832

I'm at Irony's house!!! She's THE Awesome!

10:09 Nov 24 2009
Times Read: 865

I was so tired when I wrote yesterday. That, plus I'm writing from my iPod equals typos I'm afraid. I only get 30 minutes

Of Internet on this cafe, too.



Yesterday, I got lost. I felt like a dumb American, stuck on a tour bus for hours. Stabb saved me, meeting me along the Embankment. It turned out to be pretty romantic. I got off at Westminster abbey and walked and walked. He walked from St Paul's cathedral all the way to the river. I was nervous and cold in the dark with people everywhere...then, suddenly, a tall man in a long dark coat was walking towArd me, smiling. I was late and he'd worked all day but he wasn't cross. He thought it was funny and sweet.



I was treated to the best hug of my life and a stroll along the river and an extra tube ride ;)



we caught the train in early to London this morning and had breakfast at Ollie's. He wanted

me to have beans on toast...not gonna happen. I do love British breakfasts, though. Cheap and good. Grilled mushrooms and tomatoes can always be added to eggs, mmm. Stabb had piles of meat and something he called bacon that looked more like ham to me.



He's off to work in his office and I'm heading to the museum of London. I may tour St Paul's after lunch, too.



Thursday I'm off to the Globe and a stroll along the Thames. Tomorrow I meet Irony for lunch and girl lovin. (irony, I'll email you tonight or skype you. We won't be late tonight since I'm staying away from tour buses!



Friday Stabb and I will probably just take it easy since Saturday will be our day in Paris. I can hardly wait! love you all...I'm off to get pics of old hinges!

14:31 Nov 23 2009
Times Read: 884

Sitting in Pret A Manger in London. Just met Stabb here for lunch. I spent the morning in St.Bartholomew's. It's the oldest surviving church in Lobdon. The proprietors were incrediy nice to me; I think it's because I cried. Overwhelming place. It was built in the 1100s during Henry I's reign (son of Willi the Conqueror.) A Norman church still standing I'm London!



It made it mostly through Henry VIII, the fire, and many wars. I Stood where young Thomas Beckett, Ben Franklin, and countless others had. Took pictures... Hope they come out.



Having great time. Sooooo tired.

Old friends rock
22:15 Nov 19 2009
Times Read: 919




Joli says:I think you should.

Joli says: You're young and it would be a great adventure

Ockham says: I'm ___ , that's not young :(

Ockham says: I feel like a goddamn old man half the time :P

Joli says: Stop backtalking me, whippersnapper!

Ockham says: GET OFF MY LAWN

Ockham says: and my, whatchamacallums, my intartubes

Ockham says: *shakes cane*

Joli says: I keep a revolver in my chiffarobe next to my divan just for smartmouths like you, sonny

Ockham says: Don't make me go get ol' Bessy off my mantle, you impertinent little whelpling!

Ockham says: cracks my back terribly to reach up that high, you know.

Joli says: you need the rheumatiz bottle behind the churn. But it's MINE!

Ockham says: oh you did not just go there. Denying me my meds?!

Ockham says: we will settle this with ELDERDOME.

2 old people enter.

1 old person leaves.

Joli says: I will clamp my false teeth to your prostate and swing my lowslung boobs IN YOUR FACE!

Ockham says: THE EQUIPMENT STOPPED WORKING DECADES AGO YOUR DISTRACTION TACTICS WILL NOT WORK!

19:54 Nov 19 2009
Times Read: 933

I haven't written about it yet...I'm goofy about personal details sometimes. But now that it's here and my tummy is doing flip flops with excitement and nervousness...I'm going to Europe!



I've dreamt of it my whole life and here it is. I fly out tomorrow after work. I'll be visiting London and Paris. I'll be visiting Stabb and his family, and Irony and her husband.



I have never taken a vacation just myself, no kids. I have never been to another country, except Mexico.



I always hoped that when I was able to get to Europe, I'd have time unplanned. Time to follow my impulses and whims, time to sit on a bench and watch people and the scenery I chose. Time not to be rushing to the next sightseeing mark on the agenda.



Stabb will be working 4 of my 9 days. I'll have basically 6 hours alone each of those days to go anywhere I like at the pace I choose, without having to worry about annoying someone else who wants to go go go. I can sit and write, sketch, listen, absorb.



I can walk to St. Paul's Cathedral, the Globe, and the Museum of London. I can see my fill of old Roman stuff...and the train station is across the street from Stabb's office, so I can also go anywhere I like.



He'll take me to Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. His mom wants to take me to a traditional pub. His grandmother is preparing a meal for us one night. I'm imagining what my British Thanksgiving dinner might be...bubbles and squeak? Fish and chips? Toad in a hole? Puddings that Bill Cosby never met?



On my last day, we're taking the Eurostar to Paris and we'll walk around and spend the day there.



I want this to be a vacation that opens itself up and becomes what it will. I have no preconceived ideas and I love that. Stabb seems excited...he's visited me twice now, and this is his opportunity to show me around before he moves here. I told him that I want to see old stuff. He assured me that they have a little bit of that laying about in England.



Wish me well. This is an adventure I barely dared to dream, and it's here. Tomorrow, I fly :)

18:23 Nov 07 2009
Times Read: 994

My two teenage girls, a medley:



"Are those my jeans you have on? Take them off right now."

'We're in McDonald's.'

"Your point?"



"I'll give you 20 bucks if you clean my room."

'Show me the money'

"...you can wear my jeans."

'I already wear your jeans!



C: Mom! Allie is kissing Bradley!

Me: Tell her I said to share her toys.

C: oh god, ewww





(them in tandem) "MOMMMMMMMMMMMMM! Make her stop!"

Me: (opens mouth)

(them in tandem) "Here comes the sarcasm!"