The Story of Stuff

GSE Team vs. Luggage
GSE Team vs. Luggage

We’ve segued from London down to Eastbourne for the Rotary District Conference. And I honestly think the trip to the train station was more problematic than the actual train ride. We dragged our luggage on double decker buses, pulled suitcases up flights of upstairs, wrestled bags on the train and then played a game of Tetris to make every piece of luggage fit in the train car.

But we made it! And no luggage was lost. Success.

Bruce @ Logan Airport.
Bruce @ Logan Airport.

And although we’ve told this story to virtually everyone we’ve met here in London, I haven’t shared it here.

Steve, Bruce and Ray each show up at the airport with multiple suitcases bags. Meanwhile, Sarah and I resigned ourselves to one suitcase apiece. We joke about the men overpacking, while the girls kept it simple. Done, right?

No.

Bruce goes to check his luggage and realizes that his behemoth suitcase is 30 pounds over the weight limit. 30 pounds! He then begins to re-pack, right on the floor at Logan. Still sorta hilarious.

But then we realized that he seriously brought too much stuff. And the rest of the team obligingly pack some of his shirts into each of our carry-ons. I spent the 6 hour flight manuevering around Bruce’s dress shirts to try and access my books or my iPod. Slightly less than funny.

But don’t worry, Bruce heightened the hilarity by finally explaining what he packed. Dude brought five pairs of shoes! And ten shirts! And god knows what else.

Luckily, he didn’t bring his Sherlock Holmes costume.

*Just an aside: I’m sitting in my hotel at Eastbourne, pretending to get ready for a black tie gala this evening (but I’m actually just blogging) and guess what I’m listening to? Car Talk! In real time! My dad would be so proud.

Welcome to WiFi

I finally have reliable internet! And the chance to upload photos! Rejoice!
(PS: I’m really enjoying rocking out to the Beatles in England. Somehow feels more real, yes?)
London Bridge @ Night
Tower Bridge @ Night (From Thames Clipper)
Thames Cruise
Thames Cruise (From Boat)
Wine on Thames
Wine on Thames

Rockin' Leicester Square (During the "Free Weekend!")
Rockin' Leicester Square (During the "Free Weekend!")

Camden Market
Camden Market

Charlton Football Match
Charlton Football Match
Visiting the AMAZING Chicken Shed
Visiting the AMAZING Chicken Shed
Studying Theatre Marketing at V&A
Studying Theatre Marketing at V&A

Church with Margaret Thatcher

I’ve seen way too many of London’s fast food joints.Instead of stealing McDonald’s free WiFi, I’m paying for Subway’s internet cafe.

So here’s just a quick note of my recent adventures. Photos to come.

  • Victoria and Albert Museum – We visited the museum on a Friday night, totally unaware of their amazing late night activities. There was music and wine and tons of people and a seriously great vibe. There’s nothing like wandering around a world famous museum at 9PM on a Friday night. (And did I mention that the V&A has a stellar theatre exhibition, complete with a fully loaded costume trunk? Needless to say, we tried on every ridiculous costume and couldn’t stop laughing at each other. Sarah wins for her TweedleDum costume. Photo to come.)
  • Charlton Athletic Football Match – Brits really love their football. But after watching a two-hour game that resulted in zero goals, I gotta admit that I still don’t really get the hype. Plus, they don’t allow beer in the pitch. What’s the deal?
  • Camden Market – Wandering aimlessly though this punk-bohemian-junky-DIY flea market was an absolutely ideal afternoon activity. Even in the rain.
  • Royal Hospital I went to a Sunday morning church service with Margaret Thatcher. OK, maybe not with her . . . but she was only 3-4 pews away! I feel blessed. And not because I was at church.

My internet is less than reliable this week, but stay tuned for photos and stories.

PS: Congratulations Randy and Bridget Kimball! Wish I could have been at the wedding on Saturday . . . can’t wait to see photos / hear stories!