What a F@$ki&g Commute!

Okay, so it's only my 3 day of actually commuting to and from work at rush hour, but toda might have been one of the worst commutes in London history, well in Tara's London history. So at 5:30 I left the office and head down the street to the Tube. It's only a 3 minute walk, and all was well. When I got into the station, I had to reload my tube pass, and the first machine I went to was out of order (I should have known then it was going to be bad). I went to get on the train, and my train was delayed. When we went to get on it, the first train had a fault and was running through empty. The next train was SO packed that nobody could get on at my stop. The same happened with the next 3 trains. I then just got on the next train, even though it wasn't going to my destination, but figured I would be able to change trains down the line. We were packed like sardines, and yes, my claustrophobia was in full effect, but I perservered, and made it to the station where I was going to change trains. Then, over the loudspeaker I hear "Ladies and Gentlemen, we're sorry to inform you that there will be no further District Line Service in either direction". Just what I needed! Now, I had to walk from this station all the way home. I first stopped to call Mike, but my phone died. It just gets better. Luckily, I thought to bring a pair of sneakers in my purse and changed out of my 3 inch heels...thank God because I had to walk just under 3 miles to get home. You may be thinking "Why not hop on a bus, or grab a cab?". Well the bus lines were about 100 people deep and there certainly were no cabs to be had. I wasn't even 100% sure where I was going, but there was a Chelsea Football game tonight, and I just followed the Blue Jerseys home. As soon as I got home, I ran to call Mike b/c we had gotten cut off earlier, and he was having a similar issue. He was stuck at Victoria station and couldn't even get as far as I had. He was able to get on a bus, but then, they kicked everyone off this bus! Gotta love London transport! Luckily, he was able to get a cab, but in approaching the stadium, he had to get out because the roads were closed. He too had to walk about a mile home. Needless to say, we both needed a beer when all was said and done! Let's hope for a better ride tomorrow!

Tara's 1/2 day = A Whole 3 Day Assignment

Yes, I completed my assignment by lunchtime today. After lunch they were scrambling to find something for me to do! Basically, my whole task was to collect RSVPs for this big event the Institution of Mechanical Engineers are having to launch a new program for affliation. I certainly have collected RSVPs before, but this company had an ass backwards way of doing it, so I redid the whole thing. The girl that was overseeing me asked how I knew how to set up the spreadsheet, and when I told her I was a marketing analyst for Toyota, she was surprised. She said that whenever they get temps they are usually not experienced at all. Unfortunately, my experience didn't lend to any more challenging tasks, but I was busy for a good portion of the day. The only time I didn't have anything to do, they literally told me to 'have a look around the internet for awhile.' Fine, twist my arm!

One funny thing that happened to me---I went to a sandwich shop around the corner and got a sandwich and soda to go, and I went and sat in St. James's Park to have my lunch and read my book. There I was minding my own business, when along came a squirrel on the bench next to me. At first I didn't think he realized I was there, but when I went to shoo him away he literally hissed and clawed at me. I jumped up from the bench and he ran away. Damn people always feeding the squirrels, the little bastard thought I was going to feed him!!! It kind of reminded me of the squirrel I used to feed birdseed to in the backyard when I was a kid--he turned on me too! He used to come and knock on the door when he was hungry and when we stopped feeding him he went crazy if I remember correctly. Something to note: Squirrels aren't wrapped too tight, so keep your distance!

Do you know what we do to fish in London???

We catch 'em, batter 'em, fry 'em up, and eat 'em for dinner along with some chips! That's exactly what we did to the Dolphins tonight! It was a great game tonight at Wembley Stadium. Though it was a "Miami Home Game", and they really tried to maintain that with the Miami annoucers and the Miami cheers and stuff. The crowd I would say was 1 part curious English people, 2 parts Miami Fans, 3 parts Giants fans, and 4 parts random NFL fans. There were Cheeseheads from Lambeau, Jets fans wearing helments, Viking fans wearing their horns, and yes, there was even a Pats contingent. The game was a little sloppy on both sides, but I suppose that was due to the weather--Luckily the seats were all covered! The highlight of the game for me had to have been the streaker! No, that wasn't Mike running across the field naked--though he was kicking himself for not thinking of it! Just Kidding! Mike only had one outburst, which was warranted, but still an outburst at that stadium was defintely a scene--at some points I think you could hear a pin drop!

I have my first day of work tomorrow, so I think I probably should get to sleep! More tomorrow!

Fall Back...

Just a reminder that we're different from the US here. We've already changed our clocks. So until you all change yours we're only 4 hours ahead of you. Happy Sunday and GO GIANTS!

...and the day just gets better!!!

I have my first temp assignment starting on Monday! I'm working in the events department for the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Apparently, they have a very large event coming up that they need help organizing--and that's my specialty! The assignment is only booked until Wednesday, but the temp agency said it COULD go longer. We'll see. I'm just happy to have something to do! It's not one of the "big bucks" jobs, but it's an income. It's better than watching old episodes of Two and a Half Men all day! This means I can't overdo it at the Giants game. Oh well.

We Got 'Em!!!!!!!

How exciting! We got tickets to the Giants Game on Sunday!!!! They released the unused players tickets this morning, so for all we know, we're sitting in the Manning family section. Actually, I'd hope they'd give them better seats than the 500 level, but maybe they're the water boy's family tickets! Regardless, we're very excited to go! Unfortunately, we have to cancel the party that we were planning on throwing for the event, but I don't think anyone will be too put out! SO! Mike's coworker Marygrace is having a tailgate party at her house- also in Fulham, and we'll all go to the game from there! Her dad even flew in for the game!

The good news...

The good news is that apparently I type fast enough to get a secretarial job and that's where all the big bucks are. (Can you sense the sarcasm in my blazing fast typing?) So I'm officially signed up with the temp agency, and if they don't call me in the next week or so, I have to call them. In speaking to Mike, he said the pay may not even be worth it--For the "good paying" secretarial/PA jobs, they pay 12-15 GBP, for the other regular office type work it's 6-12...So like I said I can get paid the big bucks, so I guess we'll see! By the time I get taxed, etc, it's going to be next to nothing...