Not quite legendary material

Decided to scare myself alongside a friend at the 'picturehouse' this past week. We decided to see 'I am legend' with Will Smith. Similar to Colin Farrel in Phonebooth or Tom Hanks in Castaway, most of the movie was Will Smith - alone or with a german shepherd. Surprisingly, Will was able to pull it off. Well enough that I only had to check my watch once. It's my mark of a good film. If I get so absorbed that I don't notice that time has past - I know it's a top 10 film for me.

The subject matter is interesting when taken into context that this story (now film) was the basis of almost any 'zombie' movie we know watch. I definitely screamed you need to go down the stairs at one point. (It was a silent scream). The ridiculous parallels with that and Night of the Living Dead was absurd. I half knew what was going to happen, because I watched a 1980's film.

If you're looking for a good apolcaplytic movie though - go with Children of Men. It's nothing like the horrible book by P.D James. It's a fantastic movie with no half humans, just humans acting with no hope left. That was far more scary.

Are you a miss, madam, mrs?

I've been doing loads of errands in the past few weeks. Apparently, as set up as I thought I was.... I was completely wrong. Savings accounts, and the attempt for a mobile phone of my own has left me a bit frazzled. Needless to say, one was successful - one was not. However, the one that was successful was the one where the lady called me madam. Apparently I'm old enough to run something.... The one that didn't work, the man consistently called me Mrs. Enough so that I corrected him. I think that's what made him not help me anymore.
Apparently, I just need to accept people's titles for me. That gets me everything I want. I'm going back tomorrow for the mobile --- I'll accept any title if the URU finally agrees with me and my card.

absence

Hello, I apologize for my short absence and not routine postings on the Monday and Thursday. Errands (a surprisingly high amount for January), sickness, and sleep have gotten in the way. I hope to be a bit more consistent this month on the blog.
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On another note, a random style difference between London and Ottawa was noted on the tube this week. Men love the white hair tuft dye job. It's ugly, and I'm on the hunt for a picture to post. But normally on the front of their hair but not quite centered, there is a significant white patch on men that are about 30 to 40 years old. I'm not too sure behind the reasoning, (distinguished?) but it definitely is not flattering. Aren't people supposed to try to look younger?

Defending and Insulting in the same breath

My day to day life always involves the London tube. It's how I get to work, it's how I get home from work and it's often taken at one point on the weekend. I've recently noticed that it's gotten quite a bad reputation amongst people who go on it everyday and people who haven't been on it either recently or never had the pleasure. I understand the everyday people's frustrations. I have my day to day frustration with the tube. I once waited 17 tubes before I squeezed myself like a mouse into a small crack between two people's legs. However, I've noticed that people really don't value this system like they should.

The tube is fantastic mode of public transport. You can live 45 minutes away from the city and still never have to own a car because the tube will always be quicker. It's a complex system that is eons old. You wouldn't expect your refrigerator to still run even half as smoothly as one tube line does. At the end of the day, the tube will always be there. It may be late - but it will come.

Finally, if you travel with regular Londoners, you'll notice there are common courtesies. On my recent escapade with my huge luggage - I never had to carry both of my luggage. Someone always helped me man or woman. People will get up and let a pregnant woman sit down and not grumble. There's a good chance that if you look faint - someone will offer you their seat before you go down like a tonne of bricks. And sometimes, men notice that women's heels aren't great for long-term standing and will also offer their seat. It's politeness and it happens daily on the tube.
So once and a while I grumble and insult the tube and the lack of air conditioning. But the commuters always renew my faith that there are good people in London.