Let’s see what the Cute Monster says about me:

What Your Cute Monster Says About You

You are a very natural, real person. You’re comfortable with who you are – and your spirit truly shines through.You are free of inhibitions and hang ups. Because of this freedom, you tend to be very creative. Your inner demon is greed. You can’t help but lust after wealth and shiny objects. People think you’re cute because you are so lively. Your natural glow makes you charming.

Today was the first snowfall of the season.  It had been predicted more than a week ago.  However, when I looked at the forecast yesterday, there was no mention of snow, not even a snow-rain mix.  I even wrote my friend Anke to let her know.  This morning when I woke up, I saw only rain.  I’m a little tired of walking in the rain now even though it has done marvelous things for my hair…  After we stepped outside though, you could notice some snowflakes in the mix.  By the end of the walk, it was nearly all snow.  When I drove in to work, there were only large feather-like flakes, albeit wet ones, falling out of the sky.  What a beautiful morning!

I’ve been very delinquent in reporting about the trip to London.  It’s been a busy couple of weeks!  I do want to quickly remark about our Saturday night though.  After a day of sightseeing, we had dinner in Chinatown.  The restaurant where we ate was nice but unremarkable.  Afterwards, we decided to first try to get into one of the pubs near Piccadilly and Leicester Square.  We saw an Irish Pub called O’Neill’s and went for it.  How anticlimactic!  We walked right in and straight up to the bar with no problem.  So, it was two ciders and up to the second floor.  We staked a good location to hang out and watch the people and there we stayed the entire night.  The music was Irish folk for about 20 minutes after we arrived and then switched to good ol’ rock.  We sang and danced until about 2:30 AM with anyone deciding to hang out near “our spot”. 

After leaving the pub, it was a small walk to McDonald’s for some quick food and then a long walk to find a taxi.  Before we decided to hike to find another taxi (this was actually going to be what would have been a disastrous hike back to the hotel,) we ran into a black market taxi.  The man wanted 20, but Uli refused to pay more than 15.  After a few fun moments watching Uli and driver bargain over the price, the man gave up.  I told Uli he was master.  Uli then said, ”There is no way I was getting in that car.  We would be kidnapped and raped.”  That was a good laugh.  After about 30 minutes of walking in the general direction of our hotel, we found a legitimate taxi to take us home.  When we arrived at the hotel, Uli tried to pay with a credit card.  The Taxi driver said, “Where do you think you are?  New York City?”  Again, another good laugh.  We went down the street a bit to an ATM, grabbed some cash and paid for the ride.  I had a great night, but it was definitely time for bed at that point.

Oh, and the title of this entry?   After about my fourth cider and while returning from a trip to the bathroom, I stumbled across a group of people doing pushups.  I’m not sure what was said, but I hit the floor and knocked out a few good Army pushups until they said I was worthy of another drink.  Yep, this old man still has it

O'Neill's Irish Pub at 14 New Row, London, WC2N 4LF

Because my life revolves around my dogs, aka “The Boys”, I changed my work hours to reflect the diminishing evening light.  I was getting home around 5 PM or so, leaving us with not much more than an hour to run around in the woods before it got too dark.  This coming Sunday, the hour will fall back and it will be dark close to when I would come home.  Fortunately, I work with great people, who recognize that what I do seldom requires me to be in the office at the same time the rest of the people are there.  Now, I’m in and out early enough to get the boys outside for a good 90 minutes of running around.

Side note:  If you’ve been waiting for me to get my lazy ass in motion and redo the About Pages, they will be finished by the end of the week.  I downloaded some new photos to add and am sufficiently motivated now.

I have been to London twice this year, and on both trips, I decided to see a musical on Friday, the day of arrival.  This time my friend Uli went with me, and we saw Les Miserables.  I have been a huge fan of the story since seeing the movie with Charles Laughton and Fredric March when I was a teenager.  When the musical came out in 1980, I wanted to see it, but never did.  This time I put my money where my mouth is and saw it.  I was not disappointed.  The acting was superb and the music very good.  I don’t know that focus of the book, but the play took a more religious tone than the movies.  It’s always been a story of redemption.  As an ex-convict unable to find work, Jean Valjean’s life is changed by the kindness of a priest when he does not press charges against Jean for stealing the silver from the church.  Jean decides he must become a new man and repay that act of kindness by also being generous and saving lost souls.  However, as a former prisoner, this isn’t possible, and he decides to change his identity and violate his parole.  This brings in the other part of the story, one of obsession and blind obedience to the letter of the law.  He is constantly pursued by a policeman, Javert, who refuses to accept that a person can change.  The story covers a period of 20 years and ends shortly after the Student Revolt of 1832.  There are stories within the story, all dealing with Jean’s redemption and love for life.  It is a moving and beautiful story, and the music is memorable.  Next musical on the list is Monty Python’s Spamalot.

In spite of the rain, or maybe because of it, today is a beautiful autumn day.  There is no wind to speak of, and the rain is falling straight down; not heavily, but steadily.  The colorful leaves are coming down gently.  Were I walking in the forest where the trees muffle the sounds of civilization, it would almost be like a dream.  I can only hope that it’s like this after I’m released from the prison of the workday and enjoying a walk with my boys.

Today is the anniversary of my first day in the United States Army.  I joined the Army in March 1980 and October 14, 1980 was my first day on Active Duty.  That day forever changed me.  I remember not sleeping very much, being yelled at and sleeping in a strange bed with over 20 other men in the same room.  The time went by very quickly and I had many adventures.

I love Boston Legal!  One of the things I like best is the relationship between Alan Shore, a bleeding-heart liberal, and Denny Crane, the die-hard conservative living on the edge of lunacy.  As different as they are, they have a strong bond for each other; love would not be putting it too strongly.  They have sleep overs, hug and occasionally hold hands, all in a very platonic way.  I’m sure the fact that they can rise above their differences and still be friends amazes many people.  It is Hollywood, after all.  But, I have a friendship that is similar.  I consider myself a left-leaning Republican.  He is a far-right Republican and would NEVER consider me conservative in any way.  We have had our share of debates on various issues, mostly defense.  I would actually say that we disagree on nearly everything of importance.  Yet, we are still friends.  It has escaped us why this is.  It just is.  I guess that’s part of what being friends is all about.