"15 Minutes"

Last week, in one of the free London dailies, there was a picture of a guy riding on the underground, looking like a working stiff-- Ipod earbuds, bored look, wearing shirt and suit jacket with a poppy pinned to it. (As the news story later revealed the photo was taken during November, a time where many people wear the poppies because they are a symbol of Remembrance Day- equivalent to our Veteran's Day). The photo was apparently taken on the sly by a girl from Bavaria visiting London. She was too shy to approach him, but not too shy to take a picture. After returning back home, she apparently regretted being too shy, and started emailing his picture all over the place (the news story says it circulated among 1000s of Londoners), in the hopes that someone would recognize him, and help her to get in touch. I guess the email landed on someone's desk at this paper, they published her story and the photo, and within a day, he was found...Ben Moon, 27, and newly single as of 2 weeks ago. Talk about your timing! The paper is now offering to fly this tourist back to London to have a date with Ben, once the two potential lovebirds have agreed on a weekend. So for a short while here, at least until the date happens I presume, these two have landed themselves their very own 15 minutes of London fame It's a funny old world :)

And in other news, there is actually a serious campaign happening at the moment, sponsored by the Scottish National Party, to have Scotland separate itself from the United Kingdom. More at the BBC web site. So let me add, it's also a crazy old world.

I'll get you my pretty...and your little dog too!

After ages and ages spent trying to get tickets to see Wicked on Broadway in NYC, by hook or by crook, including waiting on line, or having friends wait on line in various attempts to win lottery tickets for the front row (available two hours before every show on Broadway, unfortunately not something they are doing here yet in the West End)....I finally saw the show last night, at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in central London last night. The actor playing the role of the Wicked Witch of the West, or Elphaba, was Idina Menzel, who originated the role on Broadway. The resident hottie of the show was none other than Adam Garcia (of Coyote Ugly fame), and wisely the director of the show did not ask him to change his I-could-just-eat-you-up Australian accent. Other names you may or may not have heard of included Miriam Margoyles as Madame Morrible (most recently of Professor Sprout fame in the Harry Potter movies), and Nigel Planer as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

For those of you who have not heard of the musical, first of all, where have you been?!!! Moving on, it's based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, where he takes the original story of the Wizard of Oz, and tries a new perspective on the Wicked Witch of the West...what if....what if, she wasn't evil, just misunderstood? A victim of slanderous propaganda? The old argument of nature versus nurture raises its tired head-- and in the musical it's pretty obvious she's been shaped by her environment, by people using and abusing her, by things beyond her control. Although, the nature versus nurture thing is a bit of cheat, considering she isn't evil, per se, in the musical.

I don't want to spoil it all, and I don't think I will by going on to say the musical follows Elphaba through her school years, where for a time she is friends with Glinda (the Good), through the events found in the original Wizard of Oz, up to and including the melting scene. (Though Dorothy does not make an appearance, this is the Wicked Witch of the West's story after all.) I think that it's an absolutely gorgeous love story-- and I don't mean with Mr. Australia, I could get lost in your eyes. It is Elphaba's and Glinda's story, the meaning of true friendship and love, even when circumstances pit them against each other, that brings tears to your eyes.

It's an amazing show, from the music to the set to the story. If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for, GO SEE IT! Several colleagues are now planning to see it because I had a container of Malteasers for a treat during the show...and barely touched it (I may have eaten four) I was so engrossed in the show. (I brought in the rest for them to share today.) They figure that's heavy praise ;)

I cannot do anywhere near as good of a turkey as my dad can do, and wouldn't know how to post the sound clip on here anyway, so Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I do believe that mostly everyone who passes through here is family or friend, so let me take a small moment of your time to say thanks for being you, and thanks for being a part of my life-- it is that much richer because of you. I am blessed with a warm and loving family (this includes you Heilalas, Burks, and Aveyards) and I am blessed with caring, loyal friends. I think in this life you should count your lucky stars if you manage to find just one true friend...I must have done something right in a past life, because I have several who would do anything for me as they know I would do for them (you know who you are). I would be lost without you, in both good times and hard times. You all are the reason that my life is meaningful. I will be thinking of everyone today...my housemates and I are celebrating with a small turkey dinner tonight as Nicole and I decided we had to do something for the actual day. But the big feast with lots of friends and acquaintances is on Saturday. So I'll be thinking of you all then, too :) From the bottom of my heart, Happy Turkey Day. Love, Allison.

Thoughts of the Day

I haven't been posting as much lately...part of that is due to the fact that it's very hard to get access to the one computer at the day hospital lately. And part of it is also due to me being sick and tired of sitting in front of the computer. I mean, one of my big reasons for hating the corporate world was being plonked in front of the computer for most of the day. Anywho, hope that hasn't made the blog less interesting-- maybe it's even for the better, without so many postings from me per day to wade through.

This week I've been back on the inpatient wards for the afternoons (last week I was stuck at the day hospital, working on my appraisal, which did not by any means take up all my afternoons, leaving me bored as usual). By the way--only 3 DAYS LEFT on this rotation-- and really not even that. Tomorrow is pay day, which means I go out for a nice lunch with the basic grades and we spend all afternoon together for our monthly meeting. And Thursday, Ann and Annette are taking me out for a nice long lunch. So really, only two mornings and Friday are left. But as I was saying, today I was on one of the inpatient wards, speaking to an older woman who seemed like she really couldn't have cared less. She was fully functionally independent, and safe in that regard to return home. The only reason she was somewhat ok with dealing with me was because she'd been told as soon as the OT assessed her, they'd send her home. As it turned out, they then decided that she needs a psych assessment to do with issues of depression, so she did not in fact get to go home this evening. Anyway, throughout my entire session with her, she behaved as if she were totally bored, and just wanted to get it over with...except when I started to thank her for her time and get up and leave to write my report. Then she grabbed my hand, and wanted to know about my accent. I told her I was American, and she didn't believe me, telling me I didn't sound American. But then she decided that since I'm American, I must have men falling all over me. And so, with a twinkle in her eye, she asked me, "You must be courting a lot, eh?" and winked at me. At first I stood there stunned, at the huge switch in her behavior and attitude towards me, and then I started to laugh. In a couple of seconds, my brain processed the word courting which I don't believe I've ever heard anyone use before except for in Jane Austen movies...and thought of its connotations or, if you prefer, its association with long term, as in, end result of life partner. When I'd finished laughing, I answered her in the negative, thanked her again, and began to walk away again when she called out "Don't worry, they will!" And I thought to myself, no, they won't. Because the truth is, I've never been courted. I've been pursued, most definitely, still am, and thus probably I should have told her yes, because she probably meant courting in a more modern sense. But I've never been with anyone who has looked at me with an eye to the long term. In a metaphorical sense, for me the game has always ended once the cat has caught the mouse, because the cat then realizes it doesn't know what to do with the mouse. The chase was the fun part. Theoretically "long term" is a nice, warm, fuzzy idea, and I am over the moon for my friends who have found their life partners. Realistically, it's pretty scary, because it seems near impossible you'd ever find someone to stay with you through thick and thin. I'd rather rely on myself. And maybe, just maybe, that means for once, I'm no longer wearing my heart on my sleeve. I've wished I could be that way for so long, and I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing, but it's a change of pace for awhile.

And no, I'm not disregarding my rule from way back when I started this blog to not discuss my dating life on this semi-public forum. As the above are just my current thoughts and theories (which most of you know are likely to change at any given moment), and nothing to do specifically with any one person I'm dating, I don't think I've really given anything away, have I? As always, specifics are only through personal emails. ;)

I'm safely back

Man, fall out of internet contact for a week and a half, and major things happen in the lives of the people you love!!! Let's see...Amanda Aveyard-Elo and her husband Darin have a new baby boy, Cooper, in their family. Jean and Bob Aveyard (Amanda's parents) are my set of Mom and Dad #3. And yes, it does stop there, I only have 3 sets of parents, lol. Jennifer Flory, sweetest girl in the world, someone I have known for 13 years, and someone I am happy to count among my closest friends, is finally engaged to her Chris! Apparently it happened in Philly, on the steps of the Museum of Art ("Rocky", anyone?). She waited and waited for me to show up on msn or skype and finally sent an email, to which she received my krappy automated response that I was on holiday. I am SOOO sorry hun, and I am absolutely overjoyed for you both! I am overcome with the news, and I thank my lucky stars for you that you've found the right person-- he knows I'd kick his ass if it ever came to that, but I know I'll never have to, because I have had the privilege to see in person what is between the two of you. It's a rare thing you share, I know you know that, and I feel blessed that thus far family and friends have all had the wisdom to hold out for what is right. All of that being said, please, please pick a date after April of next year. I've also come back to find out that Rob and Nicole will be tying the knot on 31 March next year, right smack in the middle of my Thailand/Phillipines jaunt. :(

Let's see what else, what else...the brother of one of my closest childhood friends (thought not someone I'm really in touch with anymore unfortunately) has gotten married also. Tressa, who has now been in Rwanda for almost a week, forwarded some pics. This is a boy I have adored for most of my life. However, not someone I would have imagined getting married this young. Funny how almost everything is opposite of what I thought would happen, in terms of people who are already married or will be getting married, and those who are single. I wonder if those who get out all their wildchild stuff in early adolescence and college are therefore those who recognize what a gift it truly is when they find something special. Meanwhile the rest of us are still just struggling to find ourselves.

Speaking of adolescence and by implication, high school, I also got a message from my friend Wes, with whom I have kept sporadically in touch since graduating from high school. He has been in and out of London for work, and wrote last week to see if I'd be around for dinner and drinks. Doh! But he's in Oxford this week, so I've written to see if he'll be around for the weekend as well, because it's been a good long while this time since we've caught up.

And last, but most definitely NOT least-- I have been assigned to the stroke unit for my next rotation, by some complete and utter mystifying twist of fate. WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!! There is some serious karma working in my favor, or something!

I am too tired to begin on the trip, too much to say and I couldn't begin to do anything justice, but I'll be back tomorrow night with the first of my stories, and maybe some photos too. My love to all, and my heartfelt congratulations to all of you with new beginnings of one sort or another.

Another congratulations is in order...

I'm out again tonight for Jo's leaving "do" (part-ay), so while I am thinking of it...Kori and Chris are getting married tomorrow. I wish I could have been there, but I wish the both of you all the very best, a bright future together wherever it may take you throughout the world (Foreign Service one of these days for Chris I've no doubt). Don't forget, you've got a free place to stay in London next time you feel like hopping across the pond! (Kori was in Edinburgh while I was in Oxford, and Chris earned his Master's degree in Scotland, St. Andrews I believe).

unbelievable

Happy Anniversary to Carla and Brian! I can hardly believe it's already been four years since Steve and I toasted/roasted you at your wedding!!--Which makes it what, 12 total you guys have been together?! I kow-tow before you ;) Love you both! And I miss how often we used to get together and just take the piss out of each other...

Breaking News

Nicole Levesque and her boyfriend Rob got engaged on their holiday this past week (they were in Boston and Maine)!!! Congratulations you guys, I'm over the moon for you! Looks like they'll be heading back Stateside in February for good, with a spring wedding in the works...

"Love is in the air"

Thought a little Barry White was appropos with the mood of things around here this weekend. Dave turned up with a poem he'd written for Nicole about how she's the one he wants to be with for the rest of his life. He framed it with dried flowers and everything. Made me cry, reading it. Then the two of them took off for their posh night at a five star hotel in central London, just one part of the gifts that Nicole showered on him for his recent birthday. Still to come- a spa day together in October. Meanwhile, Leeanne's Italian stallion has been wandering around the house since Wednesday with his shirt off. She has announced that she is in love, will be going to visit him before her visa runs out in October, and that she may try to get a new visa altogether if he decides he is going to move to London. Haven't seen much of her today, ever since he left for the airport this morning. And as for me, well let's just say I had a good weekend too.

I have to say, I have been having a blast going out dancing since I've been here. Shake it like a salt shaker!! You can get a lot of great house music, reggae, lounge and all of that going out in NYC. Call me cheesy, but I love all the top 40 you get in clubs here, set to a house beat or whatever...you can dance and sing and basically have a ball. And being an OT, I love any opportunity to put on a little bling- dressing up, make up, the whole nine yards. I almost miss needing to wear business casual to work- almost. Cuz it feels good to look good!

Ok, so as for the interview...it went very well for the most part. As I wrote earlier, my presentation was probably more generalized than they would have liked. And I guess I was answering questions that way too, because they redirected me after one answer to specifically address how I would work with patients exhibiting aggressive, emotional problems. And I doubt I gave a very good answer, because I really haven't had to work with patients like that before. The facility was impressive, built in 1999, with its own therapy pool and everything. It's a jointly run venture, both NHS and private. I liked the feel of the place, I liked the staff, I liked the resources available...but they mainly have patients who have suffered some sort of traumatic brain injury. Not really stroke or SCI or anything. I will find out the results tomorrow, but I'm not so sure it's a good fit for me regardless. I'm not working in mental health because I realized it wasn't a good fit for me...traumatic brain injury patients are as much mental health patients as they are physical health, and more to the point, I'm specifically interested in working with stroke patients.

It's been an interesting day today, raining hard on and off all day, with a couple of brief rumbles of thunder thrown in midday. Great day for sleeping in, making phone calls, getting stuff done around the house, and cozying up with a DVD, as I plan to do now. I'll let y'all know the official word when I get the phone call tomorrow. Night!