BBC Proms 2011

Decided to acquire the Proms Season Tickets again this year, but thus far, have only been able to get to the first one of the season, Prom 9.  Lovely program of composers I was not well acquainted with - a summer evening well spent:

Scenes Historiques - Suite No. 2  - Sibelius
Symphony No. 7 in C Major - Sibelius
Piano Concerto No. 3 - Bartok
Sinfonietta - Janacek



Besides the lovely program, two ah-ha moments.

(1) I clearly purchased the wrong season tickets this year...how does one intend to buy floor seats and end up with gallery standing only seats? No clue, but I did.

(2)  Once I climbed the 5 levels to the top of the Royal Albert Hall, I realized that I was with a different caliber of folk.  Not good or bad...just different.  Apparently, these people were packing for either hiking to Base Camp Level 1 or intended to overnight it at the RAH for tomorrow's BBC Prom #10.  These folks had brought air mattresses, rugs, blankets, pillows, coolers, food and wine, etc.  Many reclined in full horizontal position, shoes off, eyes closed...

it was downright odd.

Business travel...never would've thunk it...

....so you think my business travel destinations are glamorous?  Try Ivory Coast and Nigeria on for size!

Yea, that is what I thought....!

March Trip: Lisbon's Castelo de Sao Jorge

I know...it is a nice problem to have.  We are travelling so much, I can't keep up with downloading of the photos from the camera, uploading to them flickr, and posting updates to the blog. 

That said, March's trip took us to Lisbon for a very temperate weekend in this lovely city in Portugal.  Great time all round; although we took a slightly more leisurely pace that the Budman and Hachie Gal are apt to do and did not make it to Sentra.

So, the sights of Lisbon...first up, the Castelo de Sao Jorge, including the battlements, castle, the cobbled streets of Santa Cruz, and the wonderful views of Lisbon from the observation terrace.



A little history might be in order. Following the recapture of Lisbon from the Moors in 1147, King Alfsonso Henriques transformed the hilltop citadel into the residence for the Portuguese kings. A more lavish palace was built in 1511 but an earthquake in 1755 (apparently a really big one b/c there are references to almost total destruction to Lisbon and its buildings everywhere in the city) caused the palace to lay in ruins for almost 200 years. Restoration began in 1938 and voila!

Next round of Olympic Ticket Purchase

Technically, it has been round 2 and 3 of the London Olympic 2012 ticket purchase.  Sadly, because I received a "single" pair of gymnastics tickets in Round 1, I was not eligible for the "first come, first serve" Round 2 ticket purchase.  Not complaining, too loudly any way, as I know there were many people who did not receive a single thing in the first round.

So, as Round 3 opens today, only tickets to Football (soccer for you Yanks), volleyball, and wrestling events remain.  Think I need to take a pass and hope something comes available in the "friends and family" category, as I scored an additional 2 pairs of tickets through that route.

So, let the games begin...next year.

12 in 12 in 12

What?

I figured I needed to put it out there...into cyberspace...to make it real for me, although I think I have already bought it into it, both literally and mentally.

Next year's running goal is defined:

12 marathons in 12 months in 2012.

The selected race list is as follows:

*  January - Marrakesh, Morocco
*  February - Seville, Spain
*  March - Rome, Italy
*  April  - London or Vienna,Austria
*  May - Prague, Czech Republic
*  June - Midnight Sun Marathon, Tromso, Norway
*  July - Koenig's Marathon, Fussen, Germany
*  August - Reykjavik, Iceland
*  September - Berlin, Germany
*  October - Amsterdam, NL or Dublin, Ireland
*  November - Athens, Greece (home of the original marathon) or French Riviera Marathon (Nice to Cannes)
*  December - Lisbon, Portugal

I know, I know, I know.  Already heard it. 

Reason:  (1) because they're there, (2)  I'm a fan of destination running and (3) have a huge charity fundraising goal mapped out/

Can I count on your support?

Happy 4th

There was no day of, no Texas style BBQ or cookout (although the two Texas Gals, Cyn and Hachie Gal, did share a meal of Spanish tapas), but we did at least get out "Old Glory" at the London house....well, little Old Glory that is.



Was with ya'll in spirit!

Another Wimbledon come and gone

One of the things I have loved about living in London is being "in town" when Wimbledon takes place.  Not only can I watch the matches real-time on TV, albeit not as frequently as I would like (that pesky work thing gets in the way), but I have been able to visit the site of  "THE" most famous tennis tournament in the world.

Entrance to Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club.











Center court.



Courtside.







Nadal.











Djokovic.



Sidenote: I kinda feel like a parent who takes alot of photos of the "first born" and then not as many of the second child.  Downloaded my photos and found I had far more of Nadal than Djokovic.









One more thing off the bucket list...next one of interest, see the Tour de France.

enough of Pippa

I get that she is the new Duchess of Cambridge's sister.  She is cute enough, pleasant enough.  Unlike the rest of the world, I was not gob-smacked by the bridesmaid's dress although the green formal dress was a lovely color and looked good on her. 

But really...I am already drowning in a sea of "Pippa overdose".  I realize part of it is most of it is not her fault but everywhere I turn in the UK, I see "Pippa".  I understand it is worse in the US.

And if it hasn't gotten crazy enough, Pippa has even been offered a slot on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing (the UK version of Dancing with the Stars).  Apparently, the term "celebrity" is defined quite broadly now.

Large print

Question: What does it say when I have to use the "large print" London tube map?

Answer:  I think I know and I don't like the answer.

a few not not alot

Olympic ticket updates...although I applied for £1800 of Olympic tickets through the online lottery system, I cane up almost empty.  Actually, I received 2 tickets for an early round of gymanstics; in other words, about £80 worth of tickets.

No one I have met has fared much better.  In all but one other case, no one I know that applied for tickets received any...zero...nada...nothing.  Guess I should be happy I landed got the tickets I did.

That said, within less than 4 hours of notification of my mostly unsuccessful ticket ballot attempt, I was offered another set of gymnastics and a pair of men's volleyball set of tickets, increasing my total London 2012 Olympics ticket tally to three events.

Clearly the friends and family approach is a better route...let you know how I fare in round 2 which commences tomorrow.

Ginger 1993-2011

Ginger, had more than 9 lives...she had at least double that.  Her warrior spirit kept going as each new health issue arose; she was a bit like that Energizer Bunny.  She just kept on ticking.

After 18 years however, the little body just gave out.  Rest in peace, "Sweet Kitty"!

































Yea, that little yellow kitty liked to sleep!