So Xmas was lovely. Christmas Eve, J and I, kerryn and Tracey all went for dinner at Marco and Aste’s (Marco is in Kerryn’s band, a friend from SA, and used to live next door to J. Aste is the girlfriend, who has a kid, Seth) which was really nice. Watched some American football, Seth put out milk and cookies for Santa, and we all just hung out eating and drinking mulled wine.
Woke up early Christmas morning. J and I opened stocking gifts, and drank some of the “saved for special occassions only” Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. A bit later, all the neighbours and houseguests from next door came over and we made a big breakfast and opened presents. J got me a sweatshirt (I am always stealing his) and music and Yahtzee and bath stuff, but the big birthday present was a spanking new digital camera (5.2 megapixels, 3x zoom, video recording, auto and manual settings), which is gorgeous, however I think I am far too dumb for most of the advanced stuff on there. I got him a glass chess set, lots of American Jif peanut butter, and a Thierry Henry signed Arsenal jersey. We all sat around watching movies and eating, and playing Yahtzee, had a big dinner, and a birthday cake (!) and more movies til about 1 am.
Boxing Day, the neighbours made a big brunch, and then we all went to Camden, walked around drinking mulled wine, and shopping, then settled into the World’s End pub for quite a spell of beer and chat. J and I came home and had a late dinner (tons of leftovers!) and watched some dvds until late.
Monday, went next door for another big group breakfast, and headed off to Wimbledon for a bit of browsing at the sales (looking at wedding tops, and digital memory cards and dvds) then lounged around all evening, playing with my new camera, and just generally being cosy.
Tuesday we lazed around for a bit, then braved the wilds of Oxford Street. Madness and chaos everywhere, like a massive herd of cattle let loose on the sidewalks. Coming out of the tube station, we headed the wrong way down the high street, and by the time I realised it, and we had turned around and fought our way all the way back, I was grouchy, and bruised, and cursing all manner of gods and people. Every few minutes, my New York navigation instincts would completely take over, and I would just say “fuck this”, and start barging through the crowds, weaving and dodging and pushing like a madwoman, leaving J in my wake, trying to keep up. I can’t deal with the British crowd mentality. People just meander like a bunch of drugged sheep, walking four abreast on the pavement, coming to a dead stop in the middle of pedestrian traffic flow, trying to cross neck deep in the middle of the stream when they see something shiny in a shop window which catches their eye, bringing pushchairs into the narrowest most crowded store they can find.
I suggest the following rules and regulations:
No pushchairs or children under 5 on weekends.
Large groups should be attached via leashes and walk single file.
People with large bags or purchases should be required to ship them home, I don’t care if they only live 20 minutes away.
If people can’t learn to walk properly, they should install conveyor belts in the pavement.
Anyway, after all that hubbub, we had dinner with the neighbours, watched some telly, came home and played chess (I lost, but I did managed to capture J’s queen, which for me, is almost as good as a win!), and had an early night.
the perfect combination of relaxing/indulgent/companionable.
see the pics here