My very scary Halloween

Halloween.

You would think that dressing up as witches and princesses and trick-or-treating for candy would end at around.. umm...15. Well, at least that's what it did for me anyway.

I'm realising that this day is actually kind of important for most people. Why? Nothing religious or pagan or anything.. but I'm realising that a lot of people like celebrating it because their inner child comes out. Their hidden playmate. The excuse to be silly and dress up and wear black nail polish and let loose. It's a good way to spend the evening watching scary movies with your girlfriends or being silly with your guy friends and pretend that you're 10 again.

The day is less of a big deal over here in the UK than it is in America, but all the same, people get their outfits on. What was I? Well, for about 4 years running, I was a vampire. I have no idea why, I've just always loved vampires. I did the whole shebang: black satin cape with red lining, black trousers and black turtleneck, hair slicked back, face painted the requisite "undead white", and blood dripping down the corners of my mouth. And the fangs. OH the fangs. They looked cool for about 20 minutes, but after a while, I had to chuck them out, because I was drooling so much I might have been mistaken for someone who escaped the psycho ward.

I think I was a clown one year as well, complete with rainbow afro.

The last time I got dressed up was probably 5 years ago back in New York, for a friend's party. I think I dressed up like an 80s fashion victim. Yeah, I know, really original.



*note..this is NOT a real pic of me from the 80s- it's a program that I found online that lets you take a pic of yourself and insert it into a yearbook picture from the 50s. 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s. www.yearbookyourself.com


Today? Well, I had hoped that the mister and I could stay at home and watch scary movies, but he's out with his boys, and since every single one of my girlfriends here has kids, I'm short on company.

So tonight, it will probably end up being me, some wine, and a Sex and the City marathon. Now I think THAT is much scarier than a bunch of ghosts and goblins.

And hey, I can always dress up, but the neighbours might get a bit freaked out.

Getting close (possibly to the Apocalypse)

Whatever your political predilections are, everyone seems to have an opinion lately. This is the most highly charged presidential race I have ever seen, and it's really exciting to see the Facebook generation doing their part. As an American now living in London, I have an interesting perspective on all of this, and it's nice to view things from afar. But apologies in advance if I'm going to offend anyone, it's not my intention. These are just my personal thoughts and opinions, and I feel like I need to get some things off my chest.

As we watch this Shakespearean drama unfold, it concerns me more and more that this country doesn't seem to have any concept of moral responsibility. I don't understand why, when Obama talks about "redistributing wealth" so that the people on the bottom can benefit, people start freaking and calling him a socialist. Ummm... AND? Since when did socialism (i.e having a social consciousness about the plight of others in the same country you live in) become a bad thing? Wow, I didn't know we were back in the Reagan Red Scare years?

I am sick and tired of people electing officials because they tell them they're able to protect their wealth, they don't have to get taxed, and let them keep their gun. So every one's safe and sound in their little padded rooms and don't really care if a country goes to war on a lie. As long as they get to keep their gun. Those people end up not giving a shit about the people on the bottom rung of the ladder who can't afford health insurance and who have to live on food stamps. The might as well walk around wearing a t-shirt that says "Hey, I'm rich and you're not. You're not my problem." Fucking greedy that country is. And I know, because I was brainwashed into thinking that for a long time.

When the cops were assholes or the country went to war, or I had to pay through the nose for my health insurance and I still didn't get what I needed without paying extra, you know what I said?? "oh well. Welcome to America.." And finally, the mister had to slap some sense into me and say to me "Wake up. This is NOT ok to feel like this. NO one speaks up in this country".

And he's right. The country is so large, that people feel like they can't be heard. The country is too big to be run by one person. And for that one person to be a Republican cokehead hick that has a penchant for modern colonization? Even worse.

The US, as amazing as it is, if it doesn't change its habits, is going right in the shitter. It has GOT to get out of the grips of the neanderthal idiots who have a death-grip on their cash and their guns, and has to get back to civilization before greed destroys it completely. Wake up realise that there is a bigger world out there and that people need to help each other out rather than get their fat heads stuck inside their honeypots. Please share.

And here's a lovely epic missive from one of my favourite comedians.

A year. A year has gone by. WHAT?!?!!!

The mister and I have been here over a year now. Amazing, how the time disappears into some kind of void. I look back at all the chaos that's happened... I quit smoking. I joined a gym. We moved house (twice).We're about to move again. We bought a car. We bought a boat. I had a job. I lost a job. I partied heavily (not as a result of all this, just because so many people here do.). I bought too many shoes.

I think I've made my point. And yet, I still have so many stories ahead of me, so many that are developing, so many layers to these stories. So, to be brief, I'll just make a list.

Here are the things that I've observed along the way:

The British really, truly, cannot walk without crashing into people- I suspect that it's some of some kind of depth-perception disorder.

The food here is amazing- so much so, that due to a lack of additives and sugar in their food, I have successfully avoided sensitive teeth and cavities (which has always been a problem for me).

I've gotten used to the weather- and my complexion has gotten better as a result of not being fried by the sun. It also makes me appreciate sunny days much more. They're like gold dust.

The party scene is a bit too much for me, and I finally feel that it's not boring and nerdy to say that, and it's okay to go home at 11.

I live in a country with historic castles and 16th century churches right on my doorstep, and I've found the magic in that.

Figuring out roads and addresses wasn't that much harder than the NYC grid system.

Girls here start idealizing, at a young age: orange tan, pancake makeup and fake boobs. Though I'm sure the opposite sex wouldn't complain about the boobs.

The cobblestones, bumps in the pavement, ridges in the road are a nightmare for any heel height. Flats are necessary.

Scarves are a must. Actually, let me rephrase that: anything that is a light layer that you can take on or take off, as well as an umbrella and gloves, are MUSTS for this schizophrenic weather.

People take many more risks with fashion here, which makes it an amazing country to people-watch.

The GAP is fantastic over here for cheap, but well-cut and flattering styles. WAY different than in the US.

Having a car is almost a necessity- central London can feel really claustrophobic sometimes, and it's heaven to be able to escape to the country for the weekend.

Everything is expensive here, and it's easy to spend too much money.

Pubs are lovely, cozy little corners to hide in on a rainy evening, and no one pushes you out if you've been there for 4 hours.

A mews house is my dream to own someday. Like the real estate equivalent of a box of chocolates.

People tend to keep themselves in their own circle of friends- it's hard to be included, even if you're the spouse.

People work hard here, but they play even harder, in order to "de-stress" for killing themselves at work.

Men here are interesting to watch: they tend to "work" their politeness/shyness and know that it intrigues women if they're not too forward, which, as a result, makes them seem charming and a bit naughty. They know exactly what they're doing, even if they profess not to.

Women, on the other hand, are much more forward here, they tend to drink with the boys a lot more, and seem to flirt much more openly.

I've noticed that I stand out here: I'm tall, bony, I dress in stripes and leggings, hair in a ponytail, very tomboyish. And with the amount of estrogen that these women are throwing around, I actually like that I'm the nerdy girl on the outside looking in sometimes.

I miss my family so much, and the distance makes me take them for granted a lot less.

It DID take me over a full year to feel like I finally fit in and be my own, independent, self-confident self. And that's pretty great.

Wishes

I have a very lucky life, I have my health, I have people who love me, and I try to be a good person. That being said, I still have wishes for my future, for the world's future, for my family's future. And today is the day that I am taking a little liberty of releasing them into the universe.

I wish and hope...

That I always giggle like a 5-year old.
That I never take for granted the love notes that my mister leaves me under my pillow.
That I try and see the forest instead of the trees more.
That I get to see my children's children.
That kids stop knifing each other for no reason.
That Babchya gets to be a great grandmother someday.
That my parents-in-law finally get a well deserved break from their chaotic magazine duties.
That people wake up and realise that they need to get involved in the fate of their country and VOTE.
That our children's children still have a semblance of a natural world to exist in.
That I always make time to play rock music and dance around in my underwear whilst singing into my hairbrush.
That I learn to forgive myself more.
That I keep reminding myself that it's okay to make mistakes.
That I make time for lunch.
That learn to slow down and take in every day magic.
That all the people in my life know how very much I love them.
That I'm always thankful for my beautiful life, my amazing husband and my delicious family. They are the presents that I get to have every day.