More famous sightings, borrowed goods and other observations

Another week in London and that means more ecletic ramblings for you to hear: I saw Ricky Gervais from 'The Office' in Soho the other day - another one to add to my famous-people-spotting list. I finally indulged in my first jacket potato since my arrival way back in May - a firm favourite with the poms. I quite enjoyed but perhaps not the delicacy they rave about.

Another brolly was lost thus another one gained from The Glassblower - I have not bought a single one since I landed. Go the unclaimed lost property!

Off to Paris tomorrow with the girls for Mon's 25th birthday - excited. Pics and descriptions to come.

A congratulatory shout-out to my Uncle Beau as well - he landed a role in the new Guy Sebastian film clip - Jennifer Hawkins is also starring. Uncle is one happy man at present...


Bonjour from Paris aka channeling Faulty Towers

Finally it arrived, Mon's birthday weekend in gay Paris. Everyone but I was a little worse for wear due to the festivities at the pub the night before but I managed to destract Mon from her headache. As we lined up to get through customs at Heathrow, a security guard noticed an unattended bag, RIGHT NEXT TO MONICA AND I, and yelled out for the owner to get it. It was a very pompous and well dressed man (Mon says he was speaking on his mobile in German, I said French and we both then think we heard an English accent...), who simply didn't want the burden of carrying the (very small leather) briefcase through the line and preferred to slide it gently to the front each time he met with the bag. As you do.We both beeped in the metal detector due to our bangles and got a nice little rub down from the gloved security guard as a result!

The flight was delayed for an eternity but finally we boarded, got to flying and landed in Paris.Two things stike you when you step off the plane in Paris - the fresh air and the pugent smell of urine. The underground was a curious mix of the latter and Clearasil pimple cream! Mon and I naviagted surprisingly well and found our lovely apartments with ease. It was great to see Pam and Stevie, and Lara who I haven't seen in a bit and to meet Erin, the girls' friend from home.

Mon and I staged a nice little Parisian inspired picnic in our room (which I might add came equipped with a fancy mini dishwasher) aka cheese, cheese and more cheese. Later we wandered round the local streets - once again we managed to be located very close to the red light district - quite the re-occuring theme in my travels.

We decided to purchase a 2-day bus tour ticket which meant we could travel round the city (Paris is huge), getting off at different significant locations and have some excellent historical commentry via the provided headphones, without being bored to death. By this time Paris was rather icy, especially on top of an open-air double-decker bus. The sites and history of the city are amazing, and we were to learn, mostly built for the 1900 exhibition...

Next stop was the Louvre and it was straight to Mona Lisa. And yes, we may have indulged in a few bars of the Craig Mc Laughlin classic 'Mona', perhaps, as we viewed this iconic painting. Actually the whole weekend was a bit of a musical act, with a song to follow nearly every statement, observation and comment made. Another highlight was Venus di Milo and the ancient Roman and Greek pieces - this made me want to be in Greece again. The Louvre is a stunning building in itself. The ceilings are so detailed and visually spectacular. We noted the Da Vinci Code tour option (no jokes) but declined. The day included The Eiffel Tower - only around not up as it was very overcast, The Arc De Triomphe, Notre Dame and general wandering. Sunday was more site seeing on the bus and a cruise on the Seine - this was a great way to see the city.

Along with breaking into song, staged photos and siteseeing, food was a rather large part of the trip - well Monica is a 'foodie'. We generally stuffed ourselves stupid with cheese, bread, pasteries, more cheese, potatoes, bread, coke and a little more cheese for good measure. The last day (or so Mon and I thought - more to come on that later) we staged a last supper as such. Mon was dying for some snails - everyone else joined in the fun except for Stevie and I - we were happy to watch. We all proceeded to gorge on huge meals and were quite the sorry looking bunch afterwards, barely able to move.

We said our goodbyes and Mon and I trudged off to the airport, sad to be facing real life back in London. We were a bit confused with checking-in at the airport, perhaps it was to do with the fact that Mon actually booked us on a Nov 29 flight back home, rather than an Oct 29...We laughed and nearly cried, especially when we were told that we could not get a seat till Monday 1pm. We arranged all this for a plausible fee, but a fee nonetheless, and called our respective bosses to let the know we wouldn't be in the next day due to a slight booking mishap. Mon was determined not to have to sleep at the airport so off we went to a local airport motel - the plastic, cheap and nasty variety. We were going to go for Formula One (yes they are a worldwide chain, folks) until we found out that you don't have your own bathroom, so we opted for Etap, the closest in price. Firstly the woman on the desk was arrogant and rude - not our first encounter with such in France but certainly our worst - and on arrival to our room we learnt that you certainly do get what you pay for. Etap is French for shitty motel room, indeed! The shower was a hole in the wall and the loo was a separate little box - no actual bathroom with a functioning door. There were a collection of hair samples on the top bunk bed - a CSI crew would have a field day with their rolly-pick-up-hair-device. Hence Mon and I shared the double bed but not before scouring it for stray hairs etc. Tres clean!

We decided to make the most of our situation and trekked down to the convenience store for tucker and booze - mini cheeses, red wine, butter and pre-sliced bread from a basket that we believe may have been complementary but which we still continued to empty completely as they would not sell us whole baguettes - a girl's gotta eat. What followed was a slightly raucous night in our stylish room, including not one but two more trips to the shop for booze. The room did somewhat resemble a rubbish tip in the morning, but such rock star behaviour only seemed fair after our ill-treatment my the night receptionist...

Mon's very cheap suitcase had my now got a ghastly rip in it and she was required to wrap it in a large plastic body bag - or as we christened it, 'The Schapelle Bag' - my bag also needed wrapping due to its myriad of straps. Once again, we have pics. So we arrived safe and sound and with a fierce tendency to add 'le' in front pretty much everything we say. London welcomed us with a beautiful grey day and now that the clocks have changed it is virtually black at 4.45 in the arvo. Le fabulous...


Pumpkins and moaning bosses

Halloween fever over here - even the pumpkin soup in the supermarket has special themed packaging! Discovered some great stir-fry packs over here - fresh veggies, noodles and sauce that you simply chuck in the wok and there you have it - A-grade stir-fry...mmm. Hope there is such a product back home when I get back.

I did some voice over lines for a TV ad today at work - they liked the idea of an Aussie accent. Allegedly they thought it conjured up images of sun, health, salads etc (the product is for a healthy breakfast cereal) - shame I am pasty, bloated and so not fit...

Wretched boss at work told me how much I let the team down by being away yesterday due to Paris flights - one co-worker said they only noticed 4 hours in to their shift that I was gone! Ha. Next time I will be sure to swim back if stuck...Birmingham trip is off but Katie and I are having a productive Saturday at the markets and the Tate Modern. Sunday is a road trip with the female housemates, probably to Bristol. That's if I survive the week at my horrid job...

I'm no one's wife, but I love my life...

I saw Chicago last night and it was excellent and yes, Ashlee Simpson gives a fine performance. She mastered the singing, acting and dancing with aplomb. The dancing in general was amazing. Also in attendance was the American actress Jenna Elfman, from Dharma & Greg. She is gorgeous.

It was the opening of Spamalot just up the street at another theatre - I was tempted to linger to catch the celebs going up the red carpet but laziness got the better of me.


More theatre, nurseries, retro tunes, breakfast beverages, kebab shops and general good times

Went to another show on Thur with Mon - 'Caroline or Change' - an excellent piece set in 1960's America looking at politics and social issues. Very different and edgy, and brilliant performances.

I ran into Lucy by chance in Soho this week, which was a lovely surprise. We picked up Alyssa from nursery - she was quite shocked to see me standing in the doorway as evident in her honest facial expression and stopping dead in her tracks - it was very cute. I was then proudly introduced to her teacher and friends as her Auntie Kate - bless.

Friday night was drinks for a work farewell and then onto G-A-Y at the Astoria - perhaps the most fabulous club for all you lovers of 70/80/90's tunes (and topless men who have no interest in you). As Lara would say, I was loving myself sick on the dancefloor! The party continued back at Studio 28 aka Hetley Road, until the wee hours - wine does not qualify as a healthy breakfast we soon learned...

Saturday was silliness in Fulham - first at Club 16 aka Katie and Tash's place, then Belushi's then back to the girl's. Not too much booze but crazy behaviour all the same. Some intriguing dance moves and songs were sung by us all. There was also a brief hijacking of the kebab shop on the way back from Belushi's - a re-occuring theme with Carina, Katie & I - Santorini anyone???

So yes the fun continues despite the rain.

Standard musings
It would seem that a large portion of France migrated to London this weekend - for those who work in the hospitality industry this is a very bad thing indeed. We had to serve masses of them at work on Saturday and NO TIPS, I repeat no tips were left despite us bending over backwards for them. Je`deteste...

Stumbled across a band that resembled what the Scissor Sisters may very well look like in 20 years - very impressive - bless the local. Lisa and I were even asked if we were dancers due to the fine moves we were displaying!Off to se Chicago tomorrow night - very excited.Paris is booked but Scotland is proving problematic - quite expensive to get there. Fingers crossed.


Latest offerings
A huge sign has been erected in the next street seeking witnesses for an assault on a man last weekend - we now finally know what was happening when the street was blocked off for 48 hours. He must still be alive as I have seen one of these signs in Piccadilly stating someone was murdered at the site - honesty...

We also discovered these fabulous vege chips at Pret - they are literally shavings of vegetables, baked so that they shrink up into a chip-like matter - they are delicious.

Nothing else to report - general shenanigans at work - 3D are lazy sods and we get stuck cleaning their mess, Lisa and I being clowns etc etc. She leaves on Tuesday - how will I cope at Rushes without her???

I saw 'Wicked' last night - IT IS AMAZING. Loved it - huge thanks to Lucy for the ticket. It is so cleverly written, especially how it refers to the 'Wizard of Oz', and alot of political and social undertones as well. Reminded me of Orwell's 'Animal Farm'.

The dancing, costumes, lighting and sets are equally brilliant - feeds the mind and is a fantastic visual feast as well.Adam Garcia and Helen Dallimore are lead roles - go the Aussies! And the Wicked Witch Of The West is played by the actress who played Maureen in the original Broadway production of Rent and in the movie - she is mind boggling. So in short, see 'Wicked'!

As previously expressed, I LOVE SOHO. The job is average and the pay ghastly but thank goodness the location keeps me entertained. After some research I sussed out that the shoe-box size pub, 'Molly Moggs', at the end of Old Compton Street has nightly drag shows that are free. So off Tash and I went tonight to check it out. It was fabulous - we belted out the athems (Cabaret, Lady is a Tramp, Don't Tell Mama, All That Jazz etc etc) - and I was simply in fag-hag-heaven...

Lisa came up after work and agreed that it was gold and that we are certainly coming back, and next time the drinks will be flowing - we behaved tonight as it is a school night. "Bette Rinse" loved us Aussies and even asked if we went to Steve's funeral - we explained we have been in London for awhile hence we missed it.

News here as it breaks people...

Been very lazy - sorry all - here are my postings (from bebo) to cover the 2 weeks:

Divine Decadence
OH MY GOODNESS...I SAW LIZA MINNELLI!!!

I was walking to work in Berwick Street and there she was, in her standard uniform of a black velour tracksuit, jet black hair and telltale shake/tremble. My jaw nearly hit the floor. I messaged Mum straight away as she is a huge Liza fan. Coincidently I am off to see Cabaret on Saturday.

Little else to report from here. Hope to watch the ARL Grand Final on Sunday at the Slug & Lettuce in Fulham even though I am not too sure who is playing...Very excited that the new baby (Justine and Patrick's - not mine...) is nearly here - there is so much fabulous baby stuff to buy here - I must show restraint.

Another Friday in London
Well Michael and I sang and danced up a storm this morning, well ok, I sang and Michael laughed. We exhausted all show tune and musical options on youtube - we had Bassey, Rent, Sinatra, Cats, Chicago, Cabaret, Susperstar to name a few. Look out Broadway.

Back at work now - grr. Had a nice afternoon peruse in Primemark, or shall I say Primarni as Nikki calls it - bless the shop that sells HOT red flats for eight quid.

Random London sighting today - smack bang in the middle of Oxford Street there are spots for cabs to park. Imagine a little space for cabs to park in the middle of George Street in Sydney. Madness.Lara sent me a text yesterday describing Oktoberfest as the easter show with beer and lots of slapping - good times!

Midnight Madness
At work last night (in fact this morning - bless the graveyard shift) some of the staff came back to the office after farewell drinks to scam their free cab home - that's the spirit. Dear Jamie had started rather early and gone pretty hard i.e. he was asleep! In a moment of sober clarity (I was the only sober one - what an insane feeling that was), I decided it was time to draw on his face. I started with a simple "Hi" then the boys took over with some other not-so-nice-words. The floodgates were seemingly open so I follwed suit by drawing the obligatory penis near the mouth sketch. I felt like I was in a teen movie!Best part was that Lisa and I got to see Jamie and his brother Charles home in the same cab, so we got to laugh at him for an extended period! Charles was far more contained so he got to relish in it as well.Once again, London brings out the maturity in us all...


Life is a cabaret old chum
Loved Cabaret, even though the Sydney production was alot better and some of the performers voices were drowned by the music - it is simply one of the best shows ever and one cannot be disappointed.On Sunday some filthy thing decided to imbed itself in my eye and there it stayed for the better part of the afternoon, burning like an inferno! Good times. Thank goodness I had nurse Briony on hand to take care of me.Got to work at Motion Control today which is the production part of things (I am usually in post production) - it was good to see a different stage of the whole process, and it is MUCH calmer there than back at the Rushes offices.Waiting for news about the baby - Juz has been induced so I am eagerly looking at my phone every two seconds for the call from Granny Franny in Oz.


I AM AN AUNTIE
Justine and Patrick are the proud parents of little Isabel - not so little in fact - she was 9 odd pounds! Dark hair and eyes and just beautiful, of course. Mum and Bub are doing well.Am yet to speak to Mum but she will no doubt be doing cartwheels - she finally got a little girl after all these boys...


Grumbling in the rain
London is grey and wet. People's faces have dropped, umbrellas are a weapon and body parts are numb... I had a classic London moment as a black cab sped past and splashed a puddle the size of an olympic swimming pool, on me.

I have been raving on about my neice to anyone who will listen - I am doing a Fran! Everyone loves the pictures and agrees that she is beautiful. Bless.

Katie and I are in planning mode for Scotland and Ireland - how good it feels to be making travel plans again - GET US OUT OF DREARY LONDON NOW. I will stay on a bit in Ireland to do Belfast as well - really keen to see the difference from Ireland to Northern Ireland.

Plans for Paris are also underway albeit at a slower pace - damn travelling in a group. Have visions of us breaking into Edith Piaff (that was her name, right???) tunes after a few too many reds. Pam and Stevie will be over from Oz as well which will be fabulous.Stay tuned for more cranky ramblings, the direct result of this morbid weather.


Latest happenings in Old London Town
The battle lines were drawn last Thursday, Aussies versus Poms, and I was one man down with Lisa still crook at home. The silly boys at work think it is hilarious to say I am a convict and to bring back penal colonies etc etc. My weaponry words of choice revolve round our amazing country and climate etc etc, but they would not give up, insisting how lowly I was because I am from 'convict stock'. I began to point out to them that this too is English stock hence little difference in us - all comes back to Brits. This simple concept was lost on them - I stopped so as not to confuse the poor darlings.

Another regime that has infiltrated the Rushes kitchen is The GBK regime aka We-are-becoming-addicted-to-the-fabulous-Gourmet-Burger-Kitchen-and-are-ordering-it-for-dinner-way-too-much! See pics in my photos.

Walking home on Friday night I saw a curious site for the first time since arriving in London - street urinals. Not public toilets or those semi-enclosed urinals, simply a plastic frame that makes 4 joined urinals. When nature calls eh...

As I was standing on the platform at Piccadilly after my urinal education, I looked down at the tracks to see LOTS of tiny rats running along the tracks. We all know my aversion to rats but I remained surprisingly calm. There were quite a few, racing round like there was no tomorrow - theory does say there are more rats in London than people.

Next intriguing moment of my journey home from work on Friday was the activities only one street away from my own - police everywhere, yellow tape ropping off the street, broken glass and a big crowd. I was too embarrassed to ask what had happened but the street was still taped off the next day and night with police mingling - I took a snap as Lisa and I were making our way to the movies (Devil Wears Prada - good stuff). We didn't see anything in the paper, but another domestic/stabbing/shooting/fight no doubt. A bit desensitised to the crime now. Right near work today a street was quardoned off with police guard and the forensics crew taking evidence at the scene - in the jumpsuits like proper CSI workers. In such a big and populated city, you actually see such crime in front of you, wheras in Sydney it is less apparent.

I had a great day yesterday visiting Holly and Lucy - had been way too long but we made up for it and didn't draw breath. Lucy has wonderfully organised more tickets for me tonight, this time to Wicked, so full reports tomorrow. Alyssa is as gorgeous as ever - she loves her hummous and pita bread for dipping - very sophisticated, especially in comparison to the Vege sandwiches and chips that our pre-school lunches comprised of! Very cute.

Ali received a delivery of Mint Slice biscuits from home - mmm...