Hins Lay Iggs
First full day in another sort of down under. It takes some getting used to. Once you remember that “not even” is not true and “wop wops” are the boonies and “she’ll be right” is another of way of saying…
Me Minus You is Such a Lonely Ride
We were up early for a travel day; checked-out, walked the 700 meters to the train; 6:40 AM Skyliner to Narita—and it was packed! Checked-in with Singapore, fast track security, then headed to the lounge. We had access to…
Every Life, Every Fun
Sunday. Sunny day. Clear, but not cold. It hit 17! We started out at the national Science and Nature Museum, always a barometer for how a nation views its environment. All the English placards in Latin. Huh. Japanese fun fact:…
Oral Peace, Human One, Data Sets in Digital Space
Saturday. Sunny day. Clear, cold crisp. Could have been Friday. Who knows without a phone? Could have been 1962 for all I know. We had a light breakfast, included in our rate at the hotel, then set out to Roppongi…
Can Not Go Back
Flight YVR to Narita left at 1 p.m. That’s an exceptionally low-stress and decent time to fly. Regular morning, no early morning panic, coffee, get out after the traffic rush, check-in, smooth sailing. Except for one small detail; I misplaced…
Darkness at Noon
No, really, not a metaphor, it’s like so grey it’s dark at noon. It was time to say goodbye to London (Cricklewood) and say hello to London (Heathrow). But AF had cancelled the Thursday flight and bumped me to Friday. …
Stuck Between Hope & Doubt
Super Tuesday. (Not an election post!) Met Simon’s friend Michael in South Ken, who’s a member of several galleries/museums, so he took me (free) as a member’s guest to three different shows. I think most people who walk into the…
Uncle Bill Puts on Uniform
A lovely autumn day. Took the tube south to Kensington Gardens. It’s an obligatory tourist thing. They ask you at immigration upon departure. If you haven’t been to Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens they fine you. I just didn’t want…
The Vista to the Water Not Impaired
Today I headed out to Greenwich. It’s both a wonderful and a manic choice for a Sunday. Families, dog-walkers, couples, locals and tourists throng there. But there’s space, almost 200 acres, it’s spread out, and whether it’s museums, architecture, the…
Victorian Properties
Friday it was time to say goodbye to the comfort of service–the well-to-do families whose children spoke in unequivocally perfect English (they all seemed German) and businessmen with loud, curt voices that seemed to declare authority even when ordering a…