bollocks!...

...that's me, practicing my British. mmhmmm. let it not be said that the Brits are always so polite. clearly, they're not, when schooling Americans on our untoward pronunciations of words.
it's been incredible to be back. there's obviously something inherently terrific about being in a foreign country, far away from all of your cares and work and duties, but coming to spend time with friends and do normal city-things: grocery shopping, the odd art gallery, meeting other friends for dinner and drinks and such--that is really lovely.
i mentioned to lara this morning that it was so terrific to be here, but that it only just occured to me this morning after over 24 hours here that i really ought to remember better that i'm in london, a good quarter-world away from where i usually am, and that i ought to take advantage of the situation. she noted that i was, after all, here for the race. after some thought, the reality is that i've lived in two major cities and already visited a great many other, including this one, and when you've seen them one, you've pretty much seen them all.
therefore, i'm left with feeling that really, the reason for being here is not to experience the different places, but the people in those places, particularly those friends that are few and far in between, and as i'm doing that to the full, i can count this a trip well spent, even if i don't make it to the V&A this time.
i've often thought that the best way to see a place, anyway, is through either a sporting event or even just a sport, so if i managed to play a game of pickup volleyball in new york, or pickup soccer--sAHrry, futball--here in london, i'd be well within my limits to call it a trip well spent. as it is, i've gone swimming in the serpentine already TWICE, and there's obviously plenty of other athletic adventures to be had while i'm' here in britain, so i can rest easy that i'll be making the absolute most of this trip anyway.
not that that was ever a worry.
lara's new place in montagu square is absolutely gorgeous. there is a ton of light, which makes the most of her inherently good taste in arrangement and furniture. it's been nice to spend time with miles and jody, as well, who were very very small when i saw them last. seeing roj is always a good time--part of me always wonders what to say to husbands of friends during dinner or whatever, but it never turns out to be a worry when the people around that table are smart and have things to say and experiences to relay.
saw mark hudson today for dinner and drinks, and finally finally met ilyana, his girfriend of 12 long years. it's always a bittersweet meeting with mark--we were pen pals in college, and when we see each other it's always with the underscored point that we're too far away to actually see each other on a regular basis. there is always a ton to say and do, and getting to know a whole new person is always nice.
so. two days until race start. mmhmmmm.