Jason's Daily Notes

The road trip to northern England begins!

Mike had his final meeting for work in the morning (which, as usual, he pulled off very well), and then he biked to Oxford Street to buy some wellies and swimming trunks.

I left around 10 to meet Bernadet at the car rental place in Battersea. The road was closed near Vauxhall, so my bus took a diversion which made me a little late. The rental place did not have a car available in the size we reserved; they wanted to give us a Golf (too small) or a 7-seat van (too big). Eventually we learned that they had a Focus available - just right! We added Asia as an additional driver (but not me). Bernadet picked up some stuff from her place then we went to our place. Mike was there; we hung out for a few minutes, having breakfast and snacks, since Asia wouldn't be ready until 1:30pm.

We drove across London to Asia's place and picked her up. The road trip was on! We kept my iphone plugged in and played songs on shuffle, which worked out really well.

It took us about 3-4 hours to get to Nottingham. It was already dark. We parked and walked around near Nottingham castle. Asia and Mike then began the first of many snowball fights.

We had some drinks and snacks at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, "the oldest Inn in England." There was a game that involved tossing a ring onto a small horn. Mike got it quickly, getting a sticker as a prize, then I was all like, "aww, I want a sticker." So I did. Booyah.

We then walked to the city center, bought some drinks at Tesco and headed onward to our hotel in Rotherham. We got there around 7:30pm, and learned that the fitness center/pool/sauna had last entry at 9. So we quickly went to the nearby pub for food, but they were sold out for the day! (Wtf?!) Whatever, we snacked a little bit (peanuts for me) and then went to the aquatic center. It was great - I swam a few laps (discovered that I am really out of shape), sat in the hot tub and the saunas. I felt so relaxed in the jacuzzi. Awww yeah. We stayed until they closed (10pm), then ordered lots of Chinese food and ate in the hotel room.

I didn't sleep well again. I just have too much on my mind. So when I wake up in the middle of the night, my mind starts racing and I keep worrying, and nearly an hour goes by before I get back to sleep. (And why the hell am I worrying so much? Just because of the uncertainty in my future, and my envy of everyone else who has a more stable future? Doesn't make sense. I'm trying to apply some meditation techniques to calm my mind but they didn't really work.)

Anyway, personal rants aside, I was awoken my mike leaving for his last day at the office, around 8:20. Felix got up by 10 and got ready to leave. We said bye/see you soon and I basically promised that I'd visit him in Stuttgart soon.

I wrote a greeting letter to Ragnhild and sent it off. Then, I continued to sort through the things in my room and packing them up, and throwing away unnecessary things. Packing is an emotional process.

In the afternoon, I went to Borough to return a couple library books and to register my Oyster card with my railcard discount.

Mike returned from work. We had dinner (faux chicken). In the evening, we went to Covent Garden to have one last drink with Fernanda. Svein was there. It was bittersweet. Tears were shed.

After going to bed at 5pm, I naturally slept in until around midday. I was half awake when I got a text message from Demi: "Please are you home. I am hoping you can show the flat. Around 12:30pm. Snow is made me stuck in Kent."

About 15-30 minutes later, the doorbell rang. Kayleen answered; there were two women to view the flat. I was not happy! Another guy arrived, John, and Mike started showing him around. Felix was getting up at this time. John seemed likely to take my room. The girl, Sarah or something like that, was interested in Mike's room. Whatever - it's not really our problem anyway.

Mel arrived, to move more of her stuff to her new apartment in Canada Water.

Mike, Felix and I then went out to Brick Lane, walking slower than normal thanks to the snow that was falling. I was "mesmerized." We immediately grabbed food and met Fernanda and Svein. After our meal, Felix, Fern and I bought chocolate cupcakes. Mike wanted to buy gloves, but there were no stalls on the street. We then went to the playground and played in the snow! It was fun; but then a group of kids, all boys aged 10-12 came and attacked us. We had a proper snowball fight with them! But when we were done and stopped, they kept pelting us. It was annoying at first, as if they wouldn't get the hint. Immaturity. Whatever. I was covered with snow, which is still really awesome.

We made another snowman, this one much more easily because there was fresh light snow everywhere.  Felix was tired, and we all needed to warm up and dry off so we went to Dirty Dicks and got some drinks (coffee, Bailey's, mulled cider). After that, we went home, taking the tube and saying bye to Fern and Svein.

At home, I cooked chili (to the best extent that I could given the limited ingredients we had). I also baked cornbread. It took like an hour. Mike left to meet his girls :)

Felix and I watched a little bit of TV and then decided to go out for some night sightseeing, since it was his last night in London. We took the bus to Parliament square and walked around there and Trafalgar Square. We ended up at the Sports Cafe, where there were lots of Americans watching the NFL playoffs. Felix and I watched the end of the 49ers-Falcons game (49ers won). I bought the second round of drinks, and they had an option for cashback, which I selected. But they guy said he couldn't give me any cashback and that I needed to talk to the manager! WTF. No way. I angrily demanded my money, and after about 20 minutes he sheepishly came up to me and gave me my money. Mike arrived with his friend Kim (the Dutchie) and they had a drink as we watched the Patriots-Ravens game. We left at halftime, walking Kim to her bus stop.

Back home, bed time. Felix slept in Mel's room.

I woke up around 9:30 and browsed on my laptop while Felix was still sleeping on the floor. Eventually, we both got up and had some coffee/tea. Fern was gong to Camden with her friend Svein and I said that we would meet up there.

Felix and I got ready and headed out. Mike was still asleep. As Felix and I left, Demi was just arriving. He had more viewings set up for today. Mike was not happy about it.

Arrived at Camden, we met Fern and Svein at the Camden Eye pub. Hungry, we got a kebab from the nearby kebab shop which was delicious! Mike was up and heard that we were going to Primrose hill, so I told him to meet us at the market and we would walk together. We stalked Kane at the pancake stall. Felix and I bought Brazilian churros. Time was running short, so we rushed ahead to Primrose Hill and told Mike to just meet us there. There was a lot of snow, and we started playing and built a snowman, whom we named Kane! Mike arrived, and we played in the snow some more.

We climbed to the top of the hill; there were lots of kids (and adults) riding plastic sleds down the hillside. And a guy selling the sleds - a great business idea!

Fern and i were the only ones who were enchanted by the snow. My shoes had too much grip for me to slide on the snow/ice. We walked to St. John's Wood, throwing snowballs across the street at each other the whole way. Fern was not a good shot. It was a long walk to the tube, and we were right by Abbey Road, so we decided to do the crossing, something of an afterthought.

Hopped on the tube. Kristi msged me that she wouldn't make dinner but wanted us to go out clubbing. Fern and Svein alighted at Waterloo to go on the London Eye; Mike, Felix and I went to Southwark. Hungry, we grabbed snacks from M&S and walked to the Tate, which we explored. Felix's friend was nowhere to be found.

We went home (buying beer for dinner) to rest for a bit before going out. Around 7:15 we were dressed and traveled to Bond Street to finally eat at the Golden Hind. We were seated promptly and had our dinner. A hind is a female deer. We then headed to Old Street to meet everyone (including Mike's girls).

The pub I had chosen (the Angel) was closed; instead, we went to a tapas bar across the street. Felix and Mike had coffees; i drank whiskey colas. Everyone else was slow to arrive. We were making up text messages one word at a time, like an improv game. It was last call when Kristi, Kristine, and Ken arrived. Mike's girls soon arrived - Thora, Kim, and ?. Another group of girls arrived as we were leaving, including Wiebke.

It was around midnight when we got to the club. Mike's girls did not want to pay the entrance, so they left to find a pub. It was XOYO, which was actually the exact place I was for Silicon Drinkabout. We coat checked and then hit the dance floor; downstairs was much more happening than upstairs. It was pretty good. We were having a good time. Dancing as friends. No one hooked up or anything. The music was loud electronic, but it was good. I got on stage to dance.

The club shut down around 3 and we were then on a mission to find another place. We took a bus to Holborn, and Kristi got food at McDonalds. Kristine took that bus home. Ken and Kristi led us to a place allegedly called The Den, hidden in a dodgy alleyway off High Holborn. It was £15 to enter, no deal. We parted ways; Kristi took a taxi. Ken joined us on the first bus to E&C; from there, 2 more buses took us home. It was 5 am. Goodnight!

I woke up somewhat early, around 8:00, and couldn't go back to bed. I made myself some coffee and said good-bye to Mike as he went to work (for the last day). I went to my room and began to write more cover letters. Job-searching is exhausting and emotionally draining too.

Around this time, snow started falling! And it started accumulating. Everything outside was getting covered in snow and becoming white. It was simply magical.

I made plans to meet Kristi in the afternoon. I wanted to give her a card and play in the snow :) But first, I mailed a card to Ziva, and then I went to Tesco to return the cable (I found the other ones that I had already). I then had a few hours, so I went to Green Park to take picture of London in the snow. But guess what - I forgot that I was charging the battery for my camera, so I couldn't take any pictures! I immediately returned home to get my battery. There was no way I could miss taking pictures in the snow.

I then went to Oxford Circus, walking down Oxford Street and taking pictures of the snow falling. I made it to Marble Arch, then tubed it to Queensway to meet Kristi. She was a bit late, because of tube delays (thanks to the snow). We then frolicked and played in the snow! We made snow angels, threw snowballs around, etc. We also caught up, which was good. And then we went inside Kensington Palace (my first time) and warmed up with some hot chocolate and a cappuccino.

It got dark, and we walked to High Street Kensington, where we parted ways.

Back home, Demi was showing the flat to potential renters. I was somewhat surprised by this. It's a weird feeling; it's already time to leave London and I'm so unprepared.

It was a clear and sunny day. I sent out a few job applications (just to not feel guilty) in the morning, then met up with Fernanda at 11:30 (I was slightly late, of course). We met at Canada Water, got some food at the mall, and walked to Stave Hill.

It was really nice. We took pictures along the way - we were really impressed with the weather; the frost; the water was frozen over with a sheet of ice. After the hill, I walked her to the Mayflower, and then over to the Angel. We talked and bonded. She was meeting a guy who was moving to Brazil at 3:30 (but it was actually scheduled for 2:30; oops).

I returned home, with a solid list of about 12 things to do. Things like calling the Oyster Card office, messaging friends, and  I simply did them, one after the other, without hesitation. It felt good to be so productive. Also, to check how much space I had to travel with, I packed all my clothes into my luggage. Remarkably, they all fit (pretty much). So I likely won't need to ship boxes of stuff home.

Mike returned; we made dinner (sauteed chicken in pasta) and watched some of the snooker championships; Mike taught me how snooker works. Then, we walked to Tesco, to buy an ipod cable and a thank-you card for Mike's coworkers (since it was officially his last day the next day).

The month is already half over. Fuck!

I woke up early, because I had a job! I was to help out Mike with his market research project. It basically involved going to supermarkets in the city and observing buying behavior. It was not bad at all, and it didn't take much time. And Mike paid me £40. :)

A helicopter had crashed in Vauxhall. It was all over the news. 2 people died. The streets were all closed west of Oval. My uncle called me from LA (calling at 5am California time) because he couldn't sleep and saw the helicopter crash on the news. Also in the news, they have discovered horse meat in Tesco burgers.

Back home, I continued to search for and apply for jobs, but I have become increasingly disenchanted. The chances of me landing a job in London at this point are very close to zero. It looks like I'll be going to Europe and back the US. :( But that's mostly my fault - I want a job that I like and that keeps me energized. I want that as much as I want to live in Europe. But I want it both. I am not willing to compromise, and that is what has created my situation.

It is cold. Electricians came by to check for the smoke alarm installation.

I went to Tesco, bought some stuff, including veg stuff for Felix this weekend. Mike came home, having nailed it at his meeting with senior management (which he initiated himself - seriously, impressive!), and we made chicken coconut curry with rice.

We went out for drinks in Leciester Square, meeting up with Marie, the Canadian girl who couchsurfed with Mike while I was in LA. She's nice, kind of quiet, and living in London working at a restaurant. O'Neill's was full, so we went to De Hems, the famous Dutch pub in London. Mike loved it! We drank Lindeboom and ate Kasesouffle. Yum! We also talked about what alternative names we would have. Mike wants to call me Ricardo; I tried to get Sean to stick to him, but he wants Frederick. Took the 159 bus home, a loud drunk woman got on, who we though was the same as the girl from several weeks before. But it wasn't. She was hilarious though!

I uploaded pictures from our Barcelona trip to Facebook. I spent much of the day removing extraneous photos of me from fb as well. I continued to send out job applications.

Around noon, I went to Baker Street to check on my lost Oyster card. No luck. They told me that they would have notified my bank already. So I was then told to call the Oyster hotline and just transfer my balance to my new Oyster. Oh well. At least I won't have a monetary loss, just the sentimental value gone.

Then, I deposited some cash into my bank account (paid-in). I then walked over to Marylebone, down Marylebone High Street (which is really nice) and took the tube home from Bond Street.

In the evening, Mike returned home from work. Fern had invited us out to burgers in Brixton, so we went out to join her. Mike was really really excited and giddy; he had a great day at work. His boss said that he was a great worker and that they needed more people like him. Good for him! (Seriously, how does Mike do everything so well?!) He also told me that he would pay me to help him out with some work tomorrow - hell yes!

Dinner was great, even though we sat outside because inside was full. Mike's energy cheered up Fernanda. We were carrying her down the street toward the tube station.

I was going to return Sandeep's beanie, but he didn't respond.

Back home, I strummed the guitar then went down and hung out with Mike until after midnight. It was chill but great. I'm going to miss these nights.