Dancing with an Oompa Loompa

Untitled, originally uploaded by daradactyl.

As it happened, it was another gorgeous weekend in London. Sunny, warm...perfect weather. I don't even remember the London of December with its snow and rain and freezing temps.

I was lucky enough to spend an ample amount of time with my dear Disney friends, Mohit, Dawn, Scott and Clay. They've been doing presentations for Tangled in Germany and here in London. So, the first night, we met up in Chinatown for dinner. As we approached Gerard St, we could hear music blasting from a stereo. And then we saw them. About 20 Oompa Loompas. And they were dancing. As they do. Everyone stopped and pulled out their cameras. I mean how often do you get to see Oompa Loompas - dancing no less!

One spotted me and made a bee line. The photo depicts his purposeful walking in my direction. These people always find me. Partly because I make eye contact and partly because I want to be found. Once a ham, always a ham. Although I must admit I wasn't quite prepared to dance.

And so I found myself in the middle of a circle of Oompa Loompas, dancing. And they were all taller. Geez - I can't even out-measure an Oompa Loompa! I did manage to get a photo mid-dance. Note the lip-bite of concentration, the hands poised, almost going for the batusie. And then the song was over and that was the end. Good thing as I was hungry.

Once inside, we got the usual table upstairs. I've been to this place several times and never sat on the first floor. I think you have to be family to do that. We asked the waitress to take our photo and she warned us there was a £5 charge. We politely declined and I tried to hide the camera, least she try to snatch it, take a photo and demand her fee. Stoned faced, she motioned for the camera and said, "No. It's free." Wow. She's good. She should play poker. We had no idea she was kidding. Awkward!

Around that time, I noticed the Dancers had left and we were now listening to the soothing sounds of a saxophone baring out Careless Whisper. Thinking back, I'm not sure if he played anything but the sax solo.

London is starting to top LA in random, odd happenings. Maybe this stuff just follows me. Either way, it makes me happy.

Now with more London!

Let's change the topic to London for a bit, shall we?
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Happy Valentines Day!!

Happy Valentines Day!!, originally uploaded by daradactyl.

I have to admit that pole dancing is just not quite as fun out here as I had imagined. I realized tonight that it's partially because they need to make it a fitness class in order to sell broadly. So there is no dancing or real attitude involved. And that is the real reason they don't wear shoes. ahhhhh. It all becomes clear, There is a certain impersonal feel to it, and that feel is not unlike the general attitude I find in many places. Not unkind. Not impolite. Not cold. Just not really interested in your personal business, so please don't talk about it or show it.

Two Lips

Two Lips, originally uploaded by daradactyl.

Something about the seasons - seeing the little buds starting to peek out, feeling the drizzle that's just a bit warmer than last week, looking at the clock as it turns dark and happily seeing it's yet later in the day.... Something about living in LA and having a winter consist of a "cold" morning of 45 degrees, then returning to normal heat by afternoon - but in contrast, the long nights, the long damp weeks, the never ending cold... Once seeing those little signs of Spring, it feels more than ever like a affirmation of life. It feels like hope.

M

Saturday night was the big show in Hammersmith with Tony Moore, the keyboard player from Cutting Crew. And also a founding member of Iron Maiden - who knew. Anyhoo, he hosted a wonderful show a few weeks ago showcasing a number or very talented singer-songwriters in the area. This show was more of a magic show with a couple of songs about the origins of the Universe thrown in. He did a card trick, some memory tricks and was able to recall all US Presidents and all Prime Ministers AND pi to the 200th decimal. I wish I had that kind of free time.

I did get to play assistant, which is of course, my favorite. I do miss the stage..... And I suppose this counts as being on stage in London???? Perhaps. Not exactly what I had in mind though.

Fish Out of Water

It's been 2 months since I arrived on the island. My plan to better aquaint myself with myself is starting to work, but mostly in ways I didn't expect. But when someone is taken out of their comfort zone, you learn a lot about who they really are as they attempt to adjust. And so I find myself still in the spinning cycle of discombobulation. There is far more different here than I ever expected.

If you ever come over, be prepared that people will ask you if you are all right in such a way that you think certainly you must appear to be in distress. Which does in fact put me into distress. I was convinced for the first week that my mascara was running and I looked like I was crying. It sounded that bad when people said, "Are you alright???" The correct answer is, "Fine, thanks."

And London has a particular smell. I rather like it. It is a combination of coal dust, diesel and old rocks. It's fitting I think.