Up In The Air

[brightlotusmoon]

Adam is home all day, and may also have tomorrow off. Then on Thursday we leave for England. It hasn't hit me yet. I will be in London (Kentish Town) from Friday morning until Sunday morning. Seriously, London. Overseas. I've never been anywhere overseas. Sometimes I forget to breathe, I get so nervous. Cry more, little white North American girl, but still, you know, augh. I hope I don't have panic attacks. I also hope my cane won't be a problem with the TSA. It's metal. But it's collapsible. I could rest it in my lap on the plane. I don't always need it to walk, but it helps a great deal especially when I have to walk through a giant airport like Dulles. Adam says I could check it, but I'd feel better having it on me.

Rose apparently loves spirulina tablets. She stole and ate one yesterday. I've read that since spirulina is highly alkaline and cats do better with acidic systems, I can only give Rose spirulina as an occasional treat. It will certainly improve her immune functions and help her skin and coat, so I feel good about her eating one every now and then.

I think today is a day to sit back and relax. Also meditate, because my current biggest fear is my body responding too violently to anxiety.

It appears to be a Catnap Ahoy day. All the cats are sleeping draped in various positions: Luna on the back of the couch, Rose next to Adam on the couch, Jupiter on the wheelchair.

I've mentioned how much I love this, right? I love this:
http://www.vitacost.com/Natures-Answer-Natural-Green-Tea-Energy-with-Yerba-Mate

Comments

[notadoor.livejournal.com]

You're going to adore London! Have fun!

Pro-tip: get an Oystercard, the Underground is super easy to use and really efficient. (And cheaper than taxis.) Also there is an amaaaaaaazing crepes place just around the corner from the ... Kensington Gardens tube stop. It's on the yellow (Circle?) line, on a little side street to the right of the tube station entrance/exit.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

We'll be staying near the HMV Forum in Kentish Town. I don't know if it's near any of the places you mentioned. We'll be pretty limited. But I am looking forward to crepes!

[rokeby-venus.livejournal.com]

A note of caution regarding the underground - it can be a bit of a bitch if you need a cane. I'm a daily tube user and sometimes use a walking stick, particularly when I have broken bones (which covers most of 2010). A lot of stations have unavoidable stairs, so if stairs are a problem be sure to check for step-free access. Stations that have it are marked on the tube map (www.tfl.gov.uk). Also, changing at certain stations can involve a lot of walking, especially King's Cross.

Oyster cards are great, and you can use them on the bus and overground too.

[notadoor.livejournal.com]

Thanks for correcting the info :-) I defer to your superior experience and knowledge on the subject.

[unico-love.livejournal.com]

England? How exciting! I also have never been out of the US:( I hope that changes someday. I hope you have fun and don't panic!

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

TSA shouldn't give you any problems about the cane, it's a medical assistance device. They may however, give you a hard time about medications if you don't carry your prescription information, and they will probably ask you to go through the scanner or metal detector without the cane (I leave mine w/ my carry-ons and it gets x-rayed). If that's a problem, you can ask for a wheelchair, but then they may use the enhanced pat-down. Good luck, and safe flying.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

What if I have the bottle itself with all the prescription information? (Like, instead of a travel pill pack, the actual bottles.)

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

That should be ok; they've given me a hard time about some of the meds b/c they're pain killers and others because there are so many some of which have to be kept cold. I'm like WTF? I have arthritis, thyroid disese and fibromyalgia with all sorts of complications, of course I'm traveling with a huge number of pills and supplements; otherwise my body doesn't function.

But because there are so many of them (and a large quantity come in humongous packaging) I split them up into pill containers or TSA approved bottles with 2-3 extra days of each, then carry the original prescription info, etc. If I didn't do that, the liquids would be more of a hassle, and my carry-on wouldn't hold them all, but after lost luggage and "missing" medications I won't check them. Stupid body.

Of course, if TSA doesn't reduce the bullshit, we'll be driving across country next spring, because the backscatter machines aren't safe for someone like me, and I refuse to submit to an "enhanced" pat-down to fly. I'm thinking a vacation in Europe would be less hassle than a trip East - Mexico is only about 2.5 hours away, and we could fly from there w/out giving up our rights. Of course I need to get a passport and have money first :)

[saffronrose.livejournal.com]

I envy you the time in Kentish Town. I have friends in Putney. When they're in the Bay Area for work, as they often are, those nights/days not covered by some firm or other is when they stay with us.

What's the occasion taking you there?

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

My friends are huge fans of an English rock band called New Model Army. In October, the band came to New York for its 30th anniversary tour, which was to be the last time they would ever tour the United States.
Near the end of the second show set, my husband began chanting "Two more nights!" What he meant was "We want to follow you for your second tour, which will obviously be in a city in Europe!" So he and our best friends looked it up and saw that it was London. Adam's best friend, James, had recently landed a very high-paying job and could cover most of the costs. They found a bundled package for air travel and hotel, and because I didn't want to see the first show, a walking tour for me.
At first I was very reluctant, resistant, and hesitant - it was a lot of money to me, and I'm unemployed, etc etc. I love New Model Army, but not quite that much!
But they were so excited and they insisted that this would be like the honeymoons none of us actually took.
Adam booked me a balcony seat for the Saturday show, and I can bring my cane and everything.

[saffronrose.livejournal.com]

That's great! Have a very good time.

Which walking tour are you going to take?
I don't think Edward Petherbridge, who played Lord Peter Wimsey in the second series, with the books that Harriet Vane figured in, is leading walks (around the theatre district?) anymore. I would have loved to have experienced that.

[brightlotusmoon.livejournal.com]

Jack the Ripper!

[saffronrose.livejournal.com]

You won't likely see this for a few days, so I'll change the tense--
I hope you will have had fun on that tour.