Here is something I find oddly entertaining: The large majority of the time, whenever I tell Europeans that I’m from Texas, their immediate reaction is to do something stereotypically Texan. Last night was my first night at my new bartending job (more on this below), and I met two of my coworkers, a French bartender and a Polish chef. Both of them, upon their completely separate encounters of learning I am a Texan, responded in their best effort at a deep southern accent, saying “TEEEEEXUSSSSS!!!!” very elatedly. Shortly after, they also both inquired regarding my affiliations with George W. Bush.
So, yeah, I guess I have a job now? It’s at a tavern/pub/restaurant on Fleet Street, which is pretty cool to say. I met a Canadian girl at this huge election-watching party, and she said her bar manager wanted to hire another girl since she was the only one. I had a trial shift last night, bartending and serving for a private party for about 7 hours, and I didn’t mind it really. It was fun making drinks and pouring the 19084390 pints of lager. I also got free food, and made it a point to befriend the chef. The tavern itself is pretty cute in the Old English style you’d imagine… really ornate ceilings, built in sofa-seating lining the outer walls of the area, stained glass, etc. It’s only part-time, which I’m fine with for now because I work the 4pm-12am shift a couple days a week, they’re closed on Sundays, and I’ll only have to work maybe one Saturday afternoon shift a month. I’ll take pictures soon.
Last weekend, Ben and I celebrated Guy Fawkes Night, which is a silly kind of celebration here. If anyone has seen the movie V for Vendetta, you’ll have some idea of what I’m talking about. Back in the 1600s (I think), there was an elaborate plan made by Guy and his homies to blow up Parliament with the use of fireworks, also employed to celebrate freedom from the reign of religion and monarchy or something. It was foiled though, and so every year England celebrates the foiling of the gunpowder plot (“Remember, remember, the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot”) by having a ton of fireworks everywhere. It’s also referred to as Bonfire Night, because they reenact Guy Fawkes’ burning at the stake, but that’s a bit out there. So we scootered up to the 2nd highest point in London where there was this huge city festival going on, and we watched a 40-minute fireworks display, complete with classical music blaring out of the speakers everywhere. Pretty cute.
Anyway sorry but this had to be a quick one. Going to the UK’s ‘burbs for the weekend to visit Ben’s family and meet his mom/mum.
THANK GOD I HAVE MONEY NOW. No Tiny Tim Christmas for this little girl, thankyouverymuch.
