1-11-11

Today is January 11, 2011 - 1-11-11. Unfortunately I was working and didn't recognize the time at 11:11 this morning on 1-11-11. But hey, can look forward to that in November!

Okay - I'm back in the good 'ole UK! I thought if I'd put an ! it would make it a positive thing. I arrived back on Sunday afternoon to a very quite and lonely house. I threw out the few veggies left in the fridge and made a trip to the grocery store. Unpacked all my bags, put stuff away - it's amazing how much you can cram into large suitcases. I don't just bring back clothes - this time I included picture frames, a small lamp, table cloths and other odd trinkets. It helps this place feel more like home.

I decided before leaving Portland that I was going to buy a TV once I got back here. It's just too lonely and let's face it, sometimes you just want to sit your ass down in front of a tele. So on Monday, I drove over to John Lewis (the only department store nearby - thankfully it's a very nice one) and bought not just one tele - but two! One for downstairs and omg - one for the bedroom. Once D arrives - the bedroom tele will go to the guest room. And, oh, I drove to JL in my new BMW!

I got home last night, immediately unpacked the TV for the living room and was in the middle of setting it up when the doorbell rang. Okay - it's dark by now and I really didn't want to answer it, as I was in my normal evening garb - sweatpants. I answered it and it was the water meter reader. Of course. Lord knows what he thought of me. The hallway is littered with the TV box and all the wrappings - it looked like a ten year old tore through the box at Christmas time. In addition, I had to move my big purple chair out to the hallway to make room for the television. It was laying on it's side - you couldn't even walk by it. So he comes in and is standing there in the hallway, and I start blabbing about being new and moving crap around and lord knows what. He's just staring at me. We make it past the chair and unluck the door to the basement - he goes down. And I realize I should know where the main water valve is to turn off (ya never know when I'll need to do that). He says sure - come on down. So, I'm in the creepy basement with a guy I don't know with only a flashlight - and I wonder if I'm going to make it back up alive. (I'm not kidding - I seem to like to freak myself out in these positions).

Of course, I made it back up just fine. Said good-bye and was told I would see him in another six months.

Back to the TV. I set it up, turned it and what do you know - it worked!!! I don't have cable, but am pleasantly suprised to see how many stations you get here - a ton of them. I found the Simpsons and called home to D. He was shocked and laughing that I was so quick to buy a TV. He asked why I didn't shop around. Really? Why? It couldn't be because stores are only open until 5 - maybe 6. JL is the only store near work. If I didn't do it now it would be two weeks from now that I could go into Manchester or drive around aimlessly trying to find a freakin' sale on a TV when it doesn't even matter becuase I get to expense it anyway!

And perhaps you wonder why I couldn't go shopping for a TV this week-end. Well, that's becuase I'm off to Paris with a new girlfriend. Wow! Not only did I finally make a friend - but we're off to Paris.

Okay - I suck. With such good fortune I'm waiting for something bad too happen.

But no, more good news. Today I came into work to find out they give me a petrol card - meaning I don't have to pay for gas. Do you know how expensive gas is here? I had to fill up my rental car (VW Golf) and it cost £60 - that's like $100 US dollars. Crazy.

So happy 1-11-11.

(And yes, I know I still need to call home and talk to mom. Who really hates me now.)