Digest #6: Screw you Bus-102, or: Dear Kettle Chips, please sell your Salt & Balsamic Vinegar chips in the States. Thanks.

I have learned an important thing while being here, and I know Kathryn has learned this as well: When offered tea by a co-worker, just say "Yes, please" instead of "No, thank you". Sure, you then are obligated to drink this tea but if you're like me and like tea, it's okay. If you don't like tea, well then the first question that needs to be asked is, why are you in England again? Because it's either tea or instant coffee, and the former is certainly better than the latter in my personal opinion (personal opinion seems a little redundant doesn't it?). We've only been here for two weeks and I feel as though I've been here much longer. British accents, while still present, are not as noticable and distinct from when we first stepped onto the airplane. I also know that I'm not alone in thinking this because I mentioned it in passing to Kathryn, and she confirmed it for me. England doesn't seem as though it should be terribly different than America, but it really is... and it isn't just the driving on the opposite side of the road. There's a different atmosphere and a different life about it that I won't attempt to articulate here, or ever probably. I hesitate to say that I'm completely immersed in England, mostly because I feel that that is generally reserved for living in another country where you do not speak the language. But, in all honesty, British English is different than American English, and not merely in accent. Anyway, as I said I don't know how to explain it. Needless to say, I really like it here and I won't elaborate further as it might be construed incorrectly (or perhaps all too correctly) by those reading this.

Anyway, it snowed for the first time here in awhile. According to Kieran (Sarah's eldest son) the other day, he estimated that it had been a year or two since it had last snowed. Normally, I would smile and just think he was exaggerating, but I'm more than positive that he was correct in his assessment. According to The Evening Standard the inch of snow that was on the ground this morning caused "chaos" for motorists (their phrasing, not mine). All I know is Kieran really wanted it to snow, and it has, though it melted probably an hour or two after I arrived at the museum. Initially, I found the work to be dull and a little disappointing but I actually enjoy the work a great deal now as I take the time to actually read through the books that I'm databasing. Some of the books are quite, quite old and impossible to find. Like today I found an incredibly delicate book published in the early 20th century of German poetry and Jewish art. I hope that they'll let me wander around the stores of artifacts after I'm done with the book inventory. Working at the museum has its perks though, I am allowed to go to any speaker, event, and/or exhibit for free as I'm staff. Really, I can't emphasize this enough: If you're in London, just happen to be in Camden Town, and like Judaica--Go to the Jewish Museum. The Judaica that they have in their collection is breathtaking. I think that the next time I work in Camden Town, I might wander around upstairs again on my lunch break. It really is an amazing collection for such a small museum. (Special Note: The picture to the right is the Ark that they have on display from 1600. I absolutely did not take the above photo and do not claim to have taken it in the slightest. I believe Ian took it, but even though I can't say for sure. I wish I could take photographs in the museum, but I am not allowed to. But check out that Ark! It is absolutely huge. I think Ian is a great photographer, but this just does not do it justice. It leaves you slack jawed when you see it in person it's absolutely magnificent)

Anyway, as promised, I have pictures from the Tower of London. However, half of my photographs I ended up taking as raw images which my computer cannot read and they are absolutely huge. I am heading to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare this weekend to see Richard III. This did not get terribly rave reviews in Time Out Magazine. Though we did see Twelfth Night at the Old Vic on Monday, and it was absolutely fantastic. It was performed by the Propeller Company which is an all male theatre troupe. I was incredibly impressed. I love this theatre course, I love that my homework is going to plays. Anyway, I will post those pictures from the Tower of London right now. I was only able to take one picture of the Crown Jewels, only I used Kathryn's camera phone so I don't actually have that picture right now. The first picture by the way up yonder is of the Tower of London. Anyway...

(Clockwise from top left: 1) A "beef-eater" (this name, I find to be kind of gross). 2) Tower vistors. 3) Children sitting upon the cannon screaming "READY! AIM! FIRE!" over and over again. 4) Guard in a winter uniform (or else, that's what I assume). 5) Grass view of the houses within the wall)

ps: can you sign your comments please! danke!