The London Times

The first week here was a bit of a non-starter. The first two to three days I was getting over my jetlag and falling asleep in the mid-afternoon. I was just getting over that, when Mindy fell ill with a high fever and I spent my time taking care of her during her convalescence. Somehow the word had got around her work that I'd arrived although she swears that noone knew. So naturally her boss and everyone assumed she was "sick" from work because I'd arrived. Oh well - seems like no trouble from it anyway.

This week I've done more exploring around town. Mindy and I went to the National Gallery and the British Museum in the past few days. The artifacts in the museum are pretty incredible, if a little daunting - it seems like the most precious items from a handful of cultures are boxed up in that building. Including an almost complete ancient temple from Turkey. The gallery was great, but a bit overwhelming - too many classic paintings in one go. I did visit again on another day and went through another wing. I'm not sure the place ends anywhere.

I've been looking at the UK job market out of curiosity and was getting a bit discouraged after applying for a plethora of jobs online without any results. I mean, I was hoping at least for a couple of rejects or "we'll keep your CV on file" responses. But.. nothing. So, like I say, I was getting a bit disheartened when today I called up a recruiter that Mindy had recommended. I got through and the recruiter I spoke to said my CV sounded "brilliant" over the phone. I sent through a soft copy and she emailed me back details of three positions that she thought sounded suitable for me right now. I'm meeting with her tomorrow to talk through some details. So once again feeling better about the whole deal! Obviously I'll have to head back to Sydney for a couple of months more at the least to finish my uni exams this semester.

Speaking of which... have to check my exam timetable and make sure I don't have any assignments creeping up on me. Pretty sure that I have another week in the clear, but I should probably get started on my next c++ programming assignment. Damn I'm hating c++ right now!

Oh, and some new photos are up from London!

Tired, so very tired

It's a mistake to stay up until 11pm and then get up at 5am two nights in a row. I keep yawning and my eyes feel heavy. I'll have to do some packing tonight, i think, and get the majority done so I can run around like a headless chicken on Saturday morning frantically searching for things that I've already packed. Flight is at 2:35pm Saturday. Not long now!

Starting to get excited, despite my tiredness...

Wednesday

Just got back from soccer and I'm feeling a lot better, i think. Even though I wasn't looking forward to it, it was fun to run around and chase a ball again. I made a couple of good runs, but both times the ball was nicked off my boot just as i was winding back to shoot. In frustration, i took a punt at goal from further out, but only succeeded in hitting their fat defender in the ribs under his arm. Oh well, at least it was a good kick.

Work was really hectic and strange. I've only got one important project to finish before i go on Friday, but I keep getting given this little trifling stuff that's pretty distracting. I figure as long as I get the big one done it doesn't really matter about the others.

As I got home, Eugene was just showing another potential tenant around the house. Markus and his friend Marie. After we were clear that we were only looking for a single tenant (and they said that Marie was just a friend, not moving in) we got to chatting and sat down and had some tea. Markus seemed ok, if a bit stiff. I got a phone call while we were chatting and it turned out to be another girl who was looking for a place. She introduced herself as Kimberley, and she'd moved up from Melbourne and was working for Channel 7. As I was planning to work later tomorrow night, I arranged for her to come see the place on Friday night. I got a good vibe from her and we were able to chat for a while. She sounded really positive and keen on the house as she'd already decided that she really wanted to live in Glebe. So, we'll see i guess!

Right now, Zatoichi is on tv - awesome movie! Blind swordsman comes to town, fights with swords, administers justice. Transvestite geishas out for revenge, Mad deluded Samurai boy, lots of sitting on the floor and drinking sake! Gonna go watch it now