Hampstead Heathing and an Overload of Theatre!

This past week has seen some expensive homes in Hampstead Heath, the discovery of an amazing frozen yoghurt shop (Yoghurtry) and a fabulous overdose of theatre. We were so close to seeing Whoopi Goldberg perform live in Sister Act at the Palladium but in our haste we missed her dates... Alas. but Sister Act was indeed brilliant and I'm glad we went to see it. Then a dose of Adam Garcia (the Aussie heartthrob from Coyote Ugly all those years ago) went down nicely in his new show Tap Dogs which is utterly mind-blowing and has given me a new appreciation for men who can tap... And then... the dark horse, of which we knew so little about, Avenue Q! Wow! hilarious! It may have topped the lot... It was so enjoyable and challenged a lot of stereotypes about racism, sexuality, puppets getting it on on stage and friendship. It's opening act are along the lines of.. 'I have just graduated from college with a BA... now what?!' Well you can sing and dance and live vicariously through some puppets on the West End. No, it was really good. If anyone has an opportunity to see it, you must.

The news in pictures...

Posh Hampstead Heath

Tap Dogs with Jo and Adam Garcia

Jo is so close to Adam.. look how happy she is?!

Whoopi for Whoopi!

So close to seeing Whoopi live but alas not meant to be.. She is in Sister Act from now until 30 August. I just can't justify spending money on another ticket when I've just seen it.. :( 

Avenue Q

The underdog - what an incredible production! We were in stitches!! 

Upcoming events

Not sure if I'll be able to see Priscilla but I've heard it's very very good. A girl/guy playing a girl can dream.

Million Pound Question... So, Julie, umm what do you DO all day?

Yes, yes, we're in London for a couple of months, I don't have a job due to various unforeseen circumstances (largely beyond my control... ggrr NHS grrr British governance grrr inefficiency grrr I discovered the joys of not working grr will I ever be able to work full-time again? grrr), my husband works all day and night and I am trying not to spend too much money.. so what do I do all day? 

Well funny you should ask (and you and you and you and you) but when you are left on your own a lot, it is amazing how creative one can be. We don't have a TV or high-speed internet (the latter by which I was much accustomed in Chicago - hulu - I will see you soon!) so this left me with an opportunity to buy a radio and a whole lot of second hand books on Amazon. I have now developed a healthy rhythm of doing domestic chores (which aren't a lot at all seeing as no-one is home for meals except maybe for a speedy breakfast), listening to the radio (I need to be informed about the society that I am potentially going to live in), cross-stitching (a habit from childhood to make spending time in front of the TV worthwhile..), meeting my husband for lunch and attending theatre productions at least once a week! Throw in one or two trips to the country, regular dinner with some family and London exploring and I have had a pretty awesome summer. I think once I am back in Chicago in -20 C weather working and living in the American way of life, I will look upon this time fondly and wistfully. That being said, I am excited to start work again as I don't think 'professional cross-stitcher' is a very lucrative career. Never mind the crick in the neck.. 

Evidence...

  I finally finished this Oriental lady - I started her at the beginning of the year but never really got round to finishing her. Finally. Not sure what I'm going to do with her or where I'm going to put her.. 

I think this one will be for our kitchen in Chicago. The walls of our apartment (which I haven't seen) I assume are very bare and need some cheering up. 

Books

All the following books are available from Amazon. I borrowed a few and found a few in the local supermarket and ordered some for 1p second hand (excluding postage) from Amazon - wow a great service - wish we had a local one in SA - Kalahari.net just doesn't cut it. Here are some good suggestions for summer/winter reading which I highly recommend.

Enjoy!

P.S. after to listening to LBC (London's Biggest Conversation) radio station, I am not sure that I want to live in the UK... seems to be a few problems to say the least.. When I am back in the States, I am going to have to give it the same treatment and brush up on my current US economical, political and social affairs so that I can make an educated decision about where to settle down!