News From London, part 1

Morning all, here are some thoughts from the last few days (feels much longer). This began as a facebook note, but it struck me that it would make great blogging material, of which I've provided too little these days...And I can build on it in the next few days.

Note: stick with the overnight flight, because arriving during the day can create massive jetlag problems.

Note: check to see if there's going to be a strike on during your visit, esp, if said strike is going to result in limited service and hours at the archives (more than 2 hours to get documents!!). Good thing I have some documents left over from Saturday to keep me busy tomorrow...

Note: The good folks at the National Archives seem to be able to get Chancery documents a HECK of a lot faster than Exchequer documents. Probably has to do with the fact that Chancery documents are for the most part nicely bound.

Note: Don't lose your phone on the tube. Just don't do it. Bad idea under any circumstance. 'Nuff said.

Positive note: I walked into King's Mall the other morning, looking for postcards and a post office, and discovered that Sports Centre was closing their store--70% off a pair of Everlast jogging pants and a sweatshirt. The colors look suspiciously like those of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hmmm... Listed for a combined $100 (roughly); got them for $26. Go me!!! I am my mother's son...

Positive note: The hostel is pretty cool, as I'm in the newly finished room. Very nice. A week for about $120. Can't beat that in London, really. And the WiFi works in the room, since for a change I'm not on the bloody third floor. Cool beans.

Positive note: Maybe losing my phone will allow me to get that upgrade I've been dreaming about for a while. All those cool-but-useless features that let people know you're "hip" with consumerism. I kid. Sort of.

Positive note: Day off, to catch up: $4 (in other words, beer). Getting good advice from a close friend on how to tend a wounded knee; $1600 (roughly the cost of this trip!). Spending fun time with Kiwi friends in London: priceless.

Positive note: Berlin and my friend Kira on Friday. Life as the jelly doughnuts know it is about to end.

Very positive note: Having people on whom one can thoroughly rely to keep the conference rolling. My friends Emily and Dani are the reason anything is happening at all here. Visit the website and register: http://www.rochester.edu/College/HIS/Dissent/

So much to do, to learn, to read, and to write...and so little time. Back to work! I get to read drafts, a friend's proposal, and my own books today, and see how far I can get with this bulk order at the archives. Stay well, do good work, and keep in touch.