So long, farewell...

I'll try to keep this pretty simple because I think you've all heard more then enough from me about the trip and probably would like some more updated posts. I know I'd like to start writing about what I'm doing now. I've been back for a month now and just now getting around to finishing this. So lets just sum up the last few days in London. I came back from a blistering hot Rome to a kind of mild London. It was grey and a bit drizzly but nothing serious. I made my way over from Gatwick to Bayswater to check into the apartment hotel I had rented out for the last bit of the trip. It was great to have a kitchen and I think I'll definitely stay there again, even with the mousetrap maze of hallways to get to the room. The next day it was Oasis! At Wembley! The stadium was recently renovated and it looks amazing although a bit of a pain in the ass to find your way around the outside of the stadium. When I bought my tickets to Oasis I opted for the VIP package because it was that or hang out in the nosebleed seats, I think if the floor option was available I would have been all over it. Being near the end of my trip and being old and very tired I was so happy I did choose to spend the extra money. The Bobby Moore room is pretty spiffy (although filled with cougars) and it has its own little dance club and DJ within the stadium. That combined with the open bar you think would lead to some fabulous dance moves but alas the floor was empty apart from a few tweens during the "cool" songs.

I watched opening sets from The Enemy and Kasabian, both were enjoyable and now I need to go download some of those Enemy tracks. The Gallaghers did not disappoint, the sound system did however - twice! The band has been plagued with sound system issues on this tour and it was worrying that they'd hissy fit out and storm off stage. I've watched a couple of Oasis UK concerts on DVD and remember Noel commenting on how the english crowds have the best singing voices, I must agree. The sound of all those voices coming together was just overwhelming. You get the same thing in the US with the crowd singing along but in LA it just seems like they're phoning it in, maybe it was all of the beer but everyone was really into it. This show did have some beer throwing incidents but nothing like Hyde Park, someone in our area threw a beer into the rows in front of us and was quickly escorted out. After the show it took a while to find Michael who was on the floor for the show and we made our way through the most crowded station ever and onto a train back to Bayswater.

The next day we went into the center of London to check out Harrods and the action on the fourth plinth of Trafalgar Square. This plinth has been empty and before a permanent statue is placed they're offering one hour shifts to the public to do whatever they would like. The woman that was on the plinth when we went was wearing a fairy costume and had HAPPY FRIDAY banners on the plinth. She had a bubble machine going and was tossing treats out into the crowd, no message, no charity, just wishing a happy afternoon to everyone.

After wandering around town for a bit it was back to Bayswater for a quick set of bowling and some air hockey, we did consider ice skating but that was a bit pricey and frankly looked

dangerous. I being an American was of course victorious in bowling, my air hockey skills are still a bit sub par. That afternoon I also found my dream carport - it had a vintage Mini Cooper with a scooter parked behind it! I had to take a picture of it, also took a photo of the only LXV I saw on the trip. Having only seen one LXV I've now determined I have the ultimate poser bike but I don't care I still love my scooter. The next day it was time to bid a sad farewell to London and back home to reality. No more Eastenders, no more bacon sandwiches and cheap cider! I wonder if I'll ever know who the father of Heather's baby is, I doubt Eastenders is just going to give up that fact its probably going to be a Christmas reveal - damn you BBC.