All Work and No Play

I arrived in London late on Saturday night.

Let me note that I was once again pleased with my British Airways experience. I think the trick is to fly during the day; each day flight I have been on has been half empty. I do much prefer to have the seat next to me empty, it is just more comfortable. My red-eye experiences were not nearly as nice...apparently Brits love to fly at night because the plane was packed!

I took a cab home from the airport. Like every other country, the cab driver asked me how to get where I was going; like every other country, I told him that I had no idea! I should not complain - at least we spoke the same language. The difference here was that once I told him I did not know how to get to my flat (apartment), he pulled out his sat/nav (GPS) and typed my address it. Apparently, he was resisting technology at all costs!

I got home on Saturday and spent my first night in my new flat. I wasn't up for much that first night, so I unsuccessfully tried to make myself sleep. There is nothing like taking prescription sleeping pills and laying it bed awake for three hours!

Sunday was officially "move in day". I woke up at 12:30 pm (after unsuccessfully trying to work through my jet lag) and it was game time! I began unpacking all my goods, shortly realizing that I had no hangars. I took a walk over to the mall and scored the goods: hangars, some basic food supplies, some tp, and some cleaning stuff. I spent the rest of the day unpacking, cleaning, washing all the new dishes (not manually of course), and washing some clothes and towels. The appliances are great, but like most UK homes, I have no dryer. So, I have to hang dry my clothes in a drying rack in my third bedroom. I thought it may be annoying, but I have to admit, it was actually somewhat satisfying (don't ask for explanation, I have none).

The flat is great. There are pics in my slideshow. My landlord had it all hooked up and furnished by the time I got here. Unfortunately, he was not able to get the cleaners in before I moved it (have no fear, they are coming on Saturday). Being it was all redone, there is that construction-type dust all over the place. I also haven't gotten my tv/broadband/phone installed yet either. That is happening next week. Until then, I get to enjoy my local aerial tv broadcast and enjoy some internet from one of my neighbors (thanks much). Beyond that, all is great! Oh yeah, I still don't have the codes to my alarm system, so come and rob me now.

Monday came and it was back to the office. This is a very long, important week of work, so I have my hands full there!

There is something special about coming home and living my bachelor/China life again. Not in general - don't judge me - I miss my wife and my son horribly! The special part is coming home and eating like a starving college student! Not that I have to, I am just tired and it is so easy! Soup and toast Sunday night....mmmm! A tuna and corn (yep...and good) sandwich last night. Tomato soup and crackerbread (some cardboard tasting stuff that is great with soup) again tonight! It's quite funny. I figured after all of the eating I have done the last couple weeks, it couldn't hurt. I suppose one of these days I should get some real food and use my fantastic kitchen - beyond the microwave. I have to practice for Liz you know!

Beyond that, everything is calm. I have actually been pretty bored at home since I got back. English local TV is horribly dry and the internet is only fun for about five minutes. It has give me some time to get some extra work done which is nice. Remember, for the last three months, I have been living with a roommate. I got used to chilling out with someone else, having a drink and conversing is not so bad. Now I am alone....until March 5 - I can't wait!!!

For all of you concerned, Nigel will be coming out sometime in May once he has completed his six month waiting period!

That is all for now. Hope all is well.