AOSFYC

I just received a good-bye card from the other staff members of the All-Ohio Youth Choir. That was sent the 31st of August (took a long time to get here, good lord). But that card was awesome. It really helped with my slight homesickness today. It really showed how much my pervision has rubbed off on other people and how much they love it.

Thanks Guys, It really meant alot.

Low Batteries and "urges"

Atop London

The feature picture of this post is a shot I took from atop St. Pauls Cathedral.

Saturday the 23 of October I journeyed forth unto St. Pauls Cathedral. It was a spectical to see. So ornatally decorated with gold, oak, mosiacs, it was in one word, breathtaking.There was no photography allowed, so no that many pictures.

I first lit a candle for my father, which was pretty cool I must say. I said a prayer, took a moment and continued my stroll. There were ornate golden grates in the floor that let you see down into the Crypt of the church which was filled with more sightseers. I also walked through the American Soldier remebrance area of the church. During WWII part of the Cathedral was destroyed towards the back of it, when they rebuilt it, they made it a memorial for all the American Soldiers that were killed defending Britain soil. It has a book with all the names in it and a sword. It's quite nice. On the floor there is a sentance that I can't remember excatly but got the jist of thanking the Americans. It was nice.

After 30 minues on the ground floor looking over every minute detail, I decided to take the 500 some stairs up to the dome. From there you could look down into the congregaton area on the ground floor and see the sun shinning through the glass of the dome casting beautiful designs on the marble floor.

From there I went outside where you got a great view of Lonon. One picture I took on the dome are is facing the front of the Cathedral, which I saw later was the same picture a professional photographer had taken, I rock what can I say.

I'm a professional!

After about 20 minutes at the dome I decided to go to the very top of St. Paul's. So I did.

Once at the top I took the picture that is at the top of this post and afew of parliment from the top. The view was so great I just stayed there for close to an hour taking in the view from all the angles. Why? You should allready know the answer. Well, after taking two picture, my camera said "Low Battery" and freakin' shut off! I was not pleased...AT ALL.

It was disgusting though all the grafitti that was on the dome of St. Paul's. There was one though that was somewhat cool. It said "Alex, I Love You!". That one was ok, but the others, not so much.

Well it got REALLY crowded up there so went back down to the dome look out area. From there I heard the clock at St. Paul's chime 4. Then about 5 after 4 I got an "urge" if you will, and the "necessary room" was in the Crypt...a.k.a. the basement, and I was at the dome lookout. NO GOOD! Then I looked towards the exit and saw the sign say 500 some stairs till the ground floor.

I bolted! Ran "gently" down the stairs, looked towrads the map for the Crypt found the stairs, ran past two coffins, and a gate dedicated to Churchill and saw a sign with an arrow pointing to a dooe that said "toilets" I ran inside, and saw...WOMEN! Iwas in the wrong restroom. I stood there like a deer cought in headlights "holding in" and the women were likewise. So I retreated like a dog with it's tail between his legs, found the right Loo and did what needed to be done.

Yup, only me.

Since the camera wouldn't turn on, and the tramatic experience of "the incident" I left to go back home.

The next day (Sunday, after recharging my camera) I went to try and take the tour of Parliment and Buckingham Palace. But since it was Sunday, it was closed. Buloxe! I took out my map and thought I would just stroll through Hyde Park, but on my way I found the Secret Churchill War Rooms. So Heck! I went in!

It was amazing that they spent 6 years of there life donw there planning and co-ordinating the war, while they could still hear the bombs dropping above them.

It was almost too much for words.

Halfway through the tour of the war rooms there was a sidetrack into the Winston Churchill museum. It was very impressive. Splitting the museum in a diagnal was a table with a computer interactive table top. It started with the year 1847 when Churchill was born and ended with the year that he died. You would touch which year you wanted to look at, and it would list which month had any details in it. It had everything, including dates he wrote letters with a copy of it to read and pictures, which you could view. For any major event in history during his life time like WWI or WWII or the sinking of the Titanic the whole tabletop would whiteout and the whole table would view that event i.e. I hit 1912, April, Sinking of the Titanic. The whole table whited out and scrolled the headlines and had commentary from eyewitnesses . It was awesome.

The Table where Churchill and his advisors Made the decisions of the war.
Churchill never overuled his advisors decisions.

Chief's of Staff Conference Room

Charicature of Hitler one of the Chief's of Staff drew on a map.
Transatlantic Telephone that was secret to even the people working in the War Rooms.
When the war ended, these men got up , turned off the lights and went home after 6 years.
This room was found the same way it was left.
One of two Churchill bedrooms in the war rooms. This one was used for midday 1 hour naps and where he made his speeches to the British people via radio.
A picture of Churchill on his 90th B-day(a few months before his death) with the pasts Churchills cheering him on!

Churchill being born in the mid to late 18oo's was born into a time of infantry, two world wars no electricity, and died in a age of nuclear weapons. What a lifetime to live.

Couldn't have done it without them. Thanks Baba

After the War Rooms I went to Hyde park for the remaining daylight hours and saw non other then my people..Squirrels!

Squirrel!

I'm so jealous of this man! He would feed squirrels...FROM HIS HAND! Maybe he will divuldge his secret to me and I shall take his place.

SQUIRREL MAN!

Look! The Daw family is infamous! We are al lover the streets of London!

As Spak would say...DAW!

Sweeny, Sweeny Todd, the Demon barber of Fleet Street!

Didn't see him though.
Didn't see the Muffin Man :(

Need I say more?!

Ya'll come back now, Ya Hear?

Color or Colour?

My Favorite Tower of London Picture. I wish their wasn't city behind it.

For the sake of viewing purposes, please read in your underwear.


Not really you perv!

The London Gang
Reading from left: Val, Matt, Irene, Nikki, Jimmy in the back, Bill, and Mike.

Well where doest I begin? How about last Monday? How about me not asking questions to myself for you to read. Yeah, that's the ticket!

Well, the Internship isn't quite what I was wanting, or expecting. The internship or "work experience" as they call it here is based on production management. So, though it's not a "news" atmosphere it is still in the media. So I will still hopefully get valuabe experience that I can put on my resume. Though, so far I've been putting information in excel, and reorganizing the video archives. I'm praying I can go on a shoot, sooner rather than later. I guess it's all of what I make of it. I just need to warm up abit, I guess.

I met one woman that works their that was making fun of my American accent, which I just loved. She was teaching me how to pronounce some words. ROCK-IT!

Classes are interesting: "Gender and Identity", and "Phtotojournalism". They are classes, so nothing really to say about them yet besides already having papers and large projects due within two weeks.

Now that the boring stuff is out of the way, now comes PICTURES! Woo-hoo!

I started Thursday or Friday with a trip to the 500 year old pub. It was awesome, all the buildings were literally built around that pub. Which is just amazing. Established in 1546 it's 230 years older then our country! Just to imagine that there were people sitting there talking about "Those damn New Englanders" trying to break from the crown. The whole pub is steeped in history it's just like walking back in time. No pictures yet, but that will soon change.

Starting Saturday they had the Thames festival. Which is really a great idea. The Mayor of London opens buildings that aren't normally open to the public and people from all around come to walk the Thames and walk into houses and government buildings and old homes. It's quite a site.

So Saturday began around 14:30 (they use military time here, which I didn't know), once everyone woke up and got ready and walked over to the Flat. We went to Brick Lane which has 300 years old homes that people actually still live in and can't do anything to the building unless it is approved by the gov't and maintains the "feel" of the building. It was pretty interesting, no picture though, too crowded and I was getting the "closties" as my family would say.

From there we walked past a painting of Jack the Ripper in a ally way that catches you off guard and gives you a bit of a shock as you walk down the road. We also walked past a pub that is still in existence that Jack the Ripper took his pray to for a pint before he would kill them. Freaky.

Cheers! To your soon to be gruesome murder!
Next up: Sunday!

I woke up early so I could have a head start on attractions to see. I walked down the road, made a left and right in front of me was none other then St. Pauls Cathedral. It is quite large, I'm not sure how I've missed it over the past two weeks. Though since it was Sunday the touristy section of the cathedral was closed for the day, so I walked in, looked around and walked out so I can see it at another time. As I was walking out a photo shoot was in progress so I took afew shots myself.

Thats right darling! Yeah, baby! Yeah!

Just a stroll at St. Pauls

From here I started across the Thames when I saw a statue commemorating the Firefighters of the Blitz. Thought it was quite impressive and reminded me of those Firefighters on 9/11.

This way!
St. Pauls from Millenium Bridge

Tried to make it to Shakespeare Globe theatre, found out it was closed for a perfomance. I am determined to find the brick with my sister and brother-in-law's name on it. Though looking through the gate, I'm praying they have some sort system to find their name's or I'll be there a week looking for that brick!

Then I was off to TOWER BRIDGE!
It was pretty cool. I walked across the bridge then on the way back I got to walk across the top walkway! The view was pretty cool I got to take yet more pictures of the Tower of London. It was cool. There were scale models of other bridge designs that were, lets say..Interesting.

Up, Up and away!

Imagine these in place of Tower Bridge

They went with the right choice.

Got to see the old engine room of Tower Bridge.

Wow, those engine workers had it good in the early 1900's! They had 21st century pop machines!

They had it pretty good down there!

On my way back from Tower Bridge I passed Pizza Express, a restaurant whose name is false advertisement, Because they don't have good pizza, and it's definitely not express.

False Advertisement!

I also entered "The Clink" the first prison in London along the river Thames and saw a chastity belt...that's right I came to England and saw a chastity Belt. That's what I'll tell people when I get back home. I also learned that the original London Bridge had 19 arches that supported it and was the only bridge to cross the Thames for a few hundred years and actually had houses on it. Pretty cool.

Can you imagine living on that as the only bridge at the time?

I also saw a replica of a ship who's owner I can't remember at the moment that circumnavigated the world and a old harbour that 150 years earlier housed Tea Clippers. Just imagining it is pretty cool to think about.

The old Tea Clipper Harbour.

Random! I saw this on my way home. An old Church, just in the middle of London! I love this City. An Old Church!

Blessed be! Ruins!

And a lighted sidewalk! Oh! Shiny!

Just give me some spandex, and we'll have some 80's fun!

More A.D.D. photo's:

There was a horse balloon floating over London, so I decided to take a pic! Here ya go!

Giddy-up!

I saw then The Templar Knights chapel, (which was closed) but they are rumored to be the guardians of the Holy Grail (which reminds me of Monty Python, thanks to the Siblings Daw, which rock!) and since it was closed, I took a picture of the statue in front of the chapel.

Protect the Grail!

After that we went home for a bit and came back for the Fireworks on the Thames. Which I only got 1 good picture of, but they were better than even Disney's fireworks, they pretty much rocked my world. Even though I'm not a fireworks person.

oooooooh, ahhhhhhhh!

The highlight though would have to be none other then A WIZARD!

I was officially dubbed Sir Alex of Daw when a wizard on the Thames Knighted me.

So, I've decided while I'm here to adopt their spelling(because that's what I do). Such as instead of "color" its "colour" The same goes with favourit, harbour, you's a whour...not really that list one, just thought I'd throw that in. Programme..Craziness.

that's pretty much it. Their are people talking around me and too me so my A.D.D. is going crazy as you've all witnessed at one point or another.

Keep in touch! I can't tell you how much it helps. Hopefully I'll be able to walk through Buckingham and parliament at some point over the next week and finalize my trips through the semester.

Buh-Bye

I soon shall storm a Castle.

The Little Things

The White Tower!

Cheerio!

Sorry for waiting 2 weeks, but if your read the previous post, you'll get the picture.

So, ready for two weeks worth of updates? I'll try and condense it all...ok? ready?! Annnnd GO!

Beginning the Monday before last I FINALLY got to go to the river Thames and check out Buckingham Palace, Wesminster, parliament, and the Tower of London! HOLY AWESOME!

Just walking through Greene Park and seeing as you turn the bend Buckingham Palace with the Victoria Monument in the center of the roundabout was spectacular. To know that the Queen was either just waking up with bedhead to go brush her teeth and scratch her behind, or sitting down with a cup of Earl Grey (Like Captain Picard) in jeans and a "I'm with Stupid" T-shirt on. was pretty cool. To think she could have peeped through her curtains and seen me her new love (sorry Em) is pretty cool. Though I think she was in Windsor..eh.

The Ham of Bucking!

Around the roudabout were pillars, which said names of countries which I can only assume were at one point or are ruled by the Queen. I saw one for Malastates (whatever that is), Canada, and Australia. Which I took a picture of, since it was the day our beloved Steve Irwin died. CRIKEY!

In Honor of you "Sir Steve of Irwin"

I did get to see the crazy men in furry hats, but no changing of the guard. They only change at the beginning of the day and I wasn't up at that time. Though the guards did march in a line to stretch their legs. Which I had no idea they were allowed to! And I saw the British flag waft in the breeze above the Palace, it was pretty nifty.

You Go Queeny!

From Buckingham we (Nikki, Bhav and myself) walked down Birdcage Road to find parliament. It didn't take too long! Right as the trees overhead parted Nikkei and Bhav both looked at me awkward as I did the "excited, I can't believe I'm actually seeing Big Ben with my own two eyes, crouch slowly with a silent giggle and wide smile looking as though I have to pee" type expression! (those who have seen me react to anything Lord Of The Rings, has seen this moment). I just couldn't believe I was seeing it in person, not in a James Bond flick, or V for Vendetta, but in real life. BIG BEN!

My first View of Ben

My favorite Big Ben Pic

From parliament we went to see Wesminster abbey, but due to the price to go in, I'll save it for another day. Also, across from parliament is a statue of Abe Lincoln. Not sure why, besides the obvious. But weird to see an American President statute infront of parliament. I kind of felt honored as an American.

The Abbey

Good 'ol Abe

We then "froggered" across the street to a ice cream man, so Nikki and Bhav could put an end to their craving, and I decided just to sit back and take in the view from the Thames of parliament. While I was in "aww" a man was selling bird whistles next to me and interrupted my tranquil moment. So for this rude interruption and annoyance I thought I would share it with a picture of the "Crazy Birdman"

Nikki and Bhav ending their craving for Ice Cream.

"Crazy Birdman"

Parliament from across the Thames

We moved on to The Tower of London and Tower Bridge via Underground, and happened across London Bridge!

It's Falling Down!

The Tower of London was beautiful to behold, just imagining 500 - 900 years of British History taking place here, And it's where the governor lives! Also imagining our American forefathers setting foot here to speak to the King and in the halls of parliament is so cool to think of. To walk through a place where battles were waged, Kings and Queens lived, villains tortured, and conspiracies plotted, is a bit overwhelming to comprehend all at once. There was so much their, it's impossible to talk about it and bore you all. So, we all know about the curse, that if the ravens were to leave The Tower of London, the British government would collapse, so here is one of the six crows who's wings were clipped to feed to superstition, which I wouldn't blame them!

Caw! Caw!

Within the courtyard you can see the tip of Tower Bridge which we think is London Bridge over some homes and trees.

Apparently the first walls build around the Tower of London , were build on pre-existing Roman walls, which are outline here, Those Romans always had to be the first didn't they!



One of my favorite words to use in any phrase is non other than "Poop". So to honor that here is a medieval Pooper, where Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, and Knights all shared a "Throne".


From that eventful Monday, much has ensued, which I shall sum up briefly,

Classes: introductory still, but looking promising.

Partying: Yes I have gone out to a few clubs, and have had safe fun. One night, letting the other students see a little more of the real Alex, by dancing. Thanks to moves learned from my brothers, sister and parents, I have been told that they have never seen moves like that before. And yes some were a little shall we say, sporadic! (which reminds me of a Junior Prom picture).

British Museum: Wonderful! I can see myself spending a lot of time there over the next few months. There wasn't enough time to see everything in the 5 hours I was there! One highlight was the Rosetta Stone, which I was so giddy about seeing. (A Dream come true ever since I learned about it in elementary school..I'm such a nerd. I know).If you don't know about it, you should. It's a cool piece of the past, at least for me. I suggest looking it up on Google. It's a quick history lesson. Also saw a real sarcophagus. SWEET!

Internship: I GOT ONE! It was with Media Trust (www.mediatrust.org) I'll be working behind the scenes and whatnot, more to come later. no BBC :( they didn't have any openings this semester. But looking into a week long internship next summer with the BBC.

Finally, if you can hold out just a bit more...

It's not the driving on the other side of the road, or the accents, or that everyone knows your American without even hearing your voice, that lets me know I'm in another country, it's the small things.

You would think that the paper size would be standard worldwide, or you wouldn't even think about normal paper size elsewhere, but it is a different size! Here, it is 210 X 297 mm, while back home it's 8 1/2 by 11. It's so cool! For those of you not willing to measure it out yourselves, their paper here is slightly taller, and thinner then ours. (Ours is wider and shorter then there's..kind of like our own Americans. BAD ALEX!, just couldn't pass it up).

There are coins galore! My goodness, they have coins for 1p, 2p. 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, 1 pound, and 2pounds, all in regular circulation, everyday. By pockets be heavy!

Mercedes over hear, makes trucks, busses, mini economical cars as small as a door width, and they're cheap! There like our Ford back home. Everything here is Mercedes. So why are there cars back home so expensive! Holy Moly!

Everyone hits the Pubs at 6 right after work, literally EVERY pub is busting at the seams, that people stand and sit outside the pub to have a their favorite lager.

And their Censorship..Whew! Not much at all, is all I have to say to that.

These aren't complaints, but observations and little newoncesn that show I'm not in the U.S.

Quick note: my tutor(teacher) told me that people from the U.S. when they come over here identify themselves by state, i.e. Hello I'm from Ohio, in the States. But by the end of their stay, they identify themselves by country, i.e. Hello, I'm from the States.

Thought that was interesting.

Well sorry for the length, and if I keep this up weekly, it won't be so long. Hope all is fine back home, and thanks for the posts on this page and e-mails, and facebook. I enjoy everyone.







9/11...I remember.

Alex