Orlando, Harry, Oxford, Stratford, and still haven’t started my essay

I should be working on my essay... but instead I’m procrastinating by writing on my blog :). As usual.

OK, so not much writing tonight.. because like I mentioned.. I still haven’t even started my essay.. and it’s due on Wednesday.. so I guess I should try to get something done tonight.

Friday, my plan was to visit the National Gallery again as part of my working on my essay... see I have been working on it... lol then stop by the Duke of York theater to see if there were any tickets for the Orlando Bloom play (insert 12 year old shriek here) then some grocery shopping because I had nothing to eat except for bread... i need more than bread.

Unfortunately a monsoon decided to hit London in the morning and only seem to get worst... so I waited until noon (when it finally died down) and headed to the theater first. When I got there I had a lovely surprise waiting for me. Apparently the theater offers 20 tickets of the most sought after (not to mention expensive seats) for 20 pounds (originally 45 pounds) and because of this I managed to snag THIRD ROW!!!!!

OH.MY.GAWD!!!!!

I’m going to be able to see him sweat!!!! Didn’t notice the rain, the dampness, my wet sneakers or jeans. This was better than the time we got those amazing seats for Challenge.. lol.


I just had to celebrate.. I went to the National Gallery as planned and tried to see the Arnolfini Portrait by van Eyck, except these giraffes stood dead center in front of the painting for over 5 mintues.. I had to leave I was ready to make rude comment... seriously... get a clue and develop some manners. They say me trying to get a look (among other people) and didn’t budge.. they almost destroyed my happy I-got-third-row-seats buzz. So I left, I’ll be back later. Picked up a gift for Jeannie (can’t wait for you to see it!) then headed up Charring Cross to Tesco.

On the way there I discovered that between Charrings Cross and Tottenham Court are a lot and I mean a lot of bookstores, used and new. Now I know where I’m going to be spending my money for the next week, ugh! (And that’s where I spent most of my afternoon today. I didn’t go too crazy lol) Did my grocery shopping and got home in plenty of time to get ready for my night with Orlando (eeeeeeeeeee!)

I changed outfits 3 times, I hate dressing up when I don’t have my complete wardrobe at my disposal! After the play my flatmates wanted me to meet them at a place in Soho off Regents called the Ice Box. Apparently it’s a bar made out of ice, seats, bar, walls cups..everything! It sounded exciting. The only thing was reservations where for 1015 and I wasn't expecting to get out of the play until 10pm, and reservations where set, they only allow you to sit in the Ice Box for 45 minutes otherwise it’s dangerous. I really tried to make it.. but ended up getting out of the play at 1015. Oh well, the girls said I didn’t miss much.

Back to Orlando, what can I say.. he was freaking HOT! Inspite of the weird slick back hair and mustache, the weird accent and corduroy jacket. None of that mattered because I WAS THIRD FROM FROM STAGE!!! AND HE WAS RIGHTTHERE!!!! Will Turner was RIGHTTHERE!!!! I seriously almost shrieked when he came on stage (he was the first to come on stage). So yeah, it was a very gaaahhhh moment for me. lol

But once I got past - Oh my gawd it’s Will Turner!!! - I really got into the play. His character doesn’t speak much, he’s the strong silent type who towards the 2nd half has a very emotional breakdown.. he ends of freaking crying! It was very convincing. The play is all very deep and dark. Three son’s are home to celebrate there parents 40 year anniversary (what looks like the 60’s) and there are secrets from their childhood ( a fourth son dies, he was the oldest) no one ever talks about. Solid acting and I wouldn’t mind going back to see it again.. this time to concentrate more on the play less on Orlando (even though I don’t see how I can do this - it’s WILL TURNER!!! lol)

Afterwards there was a mob outside where the actors leave and I so wanted to wait and see if I could get a picture of him but I had to meet the girls.. I should have waited.. but I can always go back and wait outside and try a different night.. maybe I’ll do that this coming week

I took the tube to Picadilly Circle and was in the middle of all those lighted screens (kind of like Times Square in New York) it was amazing, so many people about, a lot of them dressed as witchs and Harry Potter characters.. because in just a couple of hours the book will be out! And me and my two flatmates where going to go get our copies too! lol

Finally make it to the Ice Bar, sit and wait for the girls since they are already in. Once they come out we have a drink then make our way to Oxford Circle where the Borders is and get in the HUGE line, 3 blocks long. It’s insane!!! Once they started to sell it we waited in line for an hour before we got ours.

See below, Alisha and Megan taking a rest while I stand in line.





Once again lots of people dressed up, we saw several Harry Potters and students from Hogworths. Some brought chairs to sit in (smart people) and there was lots of hollering and whopping. Everyone was so freaking excited to get the book! It was crazy, and cold!!! For the first time I was freezing!

We made it to the front, got our books and headed for the bus stops, the tube was closed by this time. I still haven’t started it, both my flatmates have finished the books and I already know what happens (I asked Megan to tell me lol, I don’t mind knowing), I’m going to read it on the trip back to America. But I’m so sad!!! :( And that’s all I’m going to say. lol

And tomorrow I’ll post pictures of my trip to Oxford (lots of pics from Christ Church where they filled Harry Potter) and Stratford. For now, I really got to get some research done for my essay.

Until tomorrow! :)