Almost there...

Hi all- Jamie here. John is in Frankfurt today for work. Don't worry- he isn't leaving me home alone two nights before we leave for Christmas. He left this morning and is returning this evening. What a jet-setter, huh?

Today is my last day at my temp job until the new year. YAY! I am really looking forward to tomorrow- when I will watch Miracle on 34th Street and wrap presents!

But the most interesting thing about tomorrow is that John and I are going to see a Panto. Panto is a phenomenon here. All the theatres all over the country do these shows at Christmastime. From what I gather- they are silly musical takes on fairy tales with famous tv stars acting in them. We're quite excited, but not just because we're taking in some culture. We are going to see Peter Pan and guess who is playing Captain Hook...

HENRY WINKLER!!!!!

That's right- we're going to see The Fonz playing Captain Hook in a silly English show!

Thursday morning we will rise early, have a big breakfast, give the cats their stockings, make a quick trip to the gym and head home for the holidays. We are so looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on our extremely short visit.

If we won't see you, we wish you a very Happy Holiday and a Joyous New Year!

Christmas Time

  

It has been a busy two weeks!

Jamie and I went to a Christmas party with some people from a theatre group with whom Jamie has been workshopping off and on. It was at a house 2 stops south from us, so it was close and convenient. I had a great time, met lots of new people who seemed cool. The house was the main event - it is owned by Terry Johnson, the playwright of Piano/Forte. Terry wasn't there, but everyone seemed to be his close personal friend. Seeing his home really cements some of his literary devices. Two well formed devices for those who are familiar with Terry's work.

Speaking of theatre, Jamie and I saw Gates of Gold on December 4th. The guy who produced the Dreamweave Arts festival that Jamie worked on over the summer directed and produced the show. The show was good, if sentimental. It seemed to go over well with Sir Ian McKellen who sat next us. Ok, not next, but 3 seats over on the aisle with his friends as a buffer. Of course, the theatre seats 60 in a thrust, and Ian (as I now call him) was the main attraction.

Speaking of famous sightings, I had fun at my work support team Christmas lunch (support = it, hr, finance, reception). Apparently there was a famous ex English rugby player there. The ladies were bedazzled by his perma-tan and bleached smile. I was more of the "Huh?" crowd. It was a fun afternoon into evening into morning lunch.

Speaking of Lunch, Jamie, Myke, Drew, and I went to Bath over the weekend for a bit of Christmas shopping and R&R. It was quick trip, only one night. We'll post links to pictures soon. It was great - we took a bus tour with a witty tour guide. The guide had a penchant for bullshit, which was fun. We then walked around the packed market for a while and took care of stuffing our faces with sausage. On Sunday we went to the new Spa - it's fantastic! There is a heated open air pool on the roof. The pool has views of the abbey and the surrounding countryside. Four aromatherapy steam rooms are complemented by a central waterfall shower fed by the water of the hot springs. Myke decided to taste the water. I'm surprised he didn't spend the rest of the trip on a toilet. After a relaxing two hours Jamie and I caught the Arsenal game while Myke and Drew toured the roman baths. All in all, a successful trip!