Not coming home

With an election result like that I feel less inclined than ever to come home. I almost feel betrayed that I leave the country and they re-elect a moron, with even more support than last time. They almost let him govern alone for goodness sake! A slimy git who is perceived as a good 'leader' over sound policy? Come on New Zealand, grow up.

Still kicking around

Mostly just a quick post to say hello and yes I am still kicking about in England. Essentially still looking for a job, although I do have a trial starting on Monday. Hoping that goes well, it seems like a pretty awesome job if it works out, it ticks all my required boxes, although the kids are borderline too old for me- 3 and 5, but I'm fine with that because it means broadening my experience. So, all good really. I'm definitely ready for a new job, can't wait to get started! It will be nice to be back in London too, and the location is totally win. *crosses fingers*

Okay time to sort out Christmas cards and possibly a few presents. I've already got a few from France over the summer so it's all good.

Commentary in society:

Last time I caught a late morning train to London we thought I had found the daytime equivalent to the nutter train (traditionally your last train home at night). That may be true of that service, but today I sat across from a couple of business managers/owners. I did actually contemplate moving as they irritated me with their general conversation. But mostly I couldn't be bothered. The girl across the carriage had an interesting looking book, 'the attack on university' or some such. I put on my headphones and life continued.

I was glad I didn't move, as girl with the book started chatting to them and it sounded debate-y so I took out my headphones. Brilliant, jobs, recession and benefit cheats. That is the best time I've spent on the train, we were joined by an MA student, and an ex-university lecturer, who basically ended up being arbitrator. More train rides should be like this!

New Job :-)

Back to London for me!

That's all for now. Much excitement and stuff. I will totally make sure I update properly later this week. There, I've written it on the internet now, it must happen.

xx

Mirror, mirror

On the wall
show me when
the love will come-
Missing Johnny

I know I have a knack for awesome,

But I just had a band cover Crowded House (Don't Dream it's Over) and *then* another band covered Gogol Bordello (Start Wearing Purple)!!! Talk about win. I'm in a country pub in England. Drinking delicious real ale. Nom nom nom!

A long-overdue update

Well, I see I haven't even put up anything about when I was in Paris, which means I have a lot of catching up to do.

Paris was neat but I had hardly any time off. And when I say neat, I mean I kinda fell in love and desperately want to move there. Yay for Paris! I climbed the 700 or so stairs they let you in the Eiffel tower, and then the lift to the top, putting me firmly in mind of Willy Wonka's elevator in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Following that I trekked all over Paris, walked past the Louvre (that's in line for a later trip where I actually have time), and went to the Notre Dame cathedral.

Pictures!

I have to admit that the Moulin Rouge wasn't all I had hoped for. As somebody pointed out, it was near the end of the season, so the dancers were probably totally over it, but it was still disappointing. They were well out of time, generally un-enthusiastic and rather out-shone by the acrobats and jugglers between acts (who were very good), which lead to the feeling that they were just trading on their name. Overall, for the price (we got cheap tickets at 90 Euros) I can't say it was worth it. But hey, it's the Moulin Rouge, and I've been :-)

After Paris I was back in London for a week, before getting right back on the Eurostar to Lille. This was approximately enough time to pick up a new solid shampoo bar from Lush and accept a new job in Athens, as I was still working the whole time. Oh and sick. I think I picked up something from the Eurostar, as I started to fail the next day, and then remained in a similar state for the next two weeks, which was not conductive to my holiday, but didn't ruin it.

Speaking of the holiday, that is being saved for another post, possibly a two or even three part post. For now, suffice to say that it was good and deserves to be done justice!

Writing this I am …..... somewhere over Europe, en-route to Athens. Believe it or not I can't actually post it mid-flight, so presume it is being posted from Athens.