The Euro Crashes and Socialism's Father Rests

This weekend’s been somewhat of a wash, so there’s really not too much to say. In other words: this will be short.

Most of yesterday was spent writing (draft) essays for various scholarships I’m applying to for the 2012/13 school year, and when I wasn’t doing that, I was helping Nic run lines for his show that opens in about two hours (8PM Central)—break a leg, baby! Later in the evening, however, I joined KG & MM  for "EuroCrash! The Musical," which was written by their landlord. The synopsis is as follows:

“Meet Mark and Gilda—the Hansel and Gretel of Euroland—as they discover the fantasy world of the single currency. Meet Papa Kohl and Madame Mitterrand, the charming couple who hold it all together; meet the Snake, a clanky prototype; Jean-Claude Trichet, the last great eurocrat; the PIIGS, paying for past profligacy; the dark eminence of the mighty Bundesbank; and the wild, exotic currencies of central Europe. All this packed into a pantomime. Vicious rhymes, great music. From the creators of last year’s sell-out Broke Britannia!” ~ "EuroCrash! The Musical" Official Website

 

 

Image Courtesy of "EuroCrash! The Musical" Website

 

Now, I know what you’re thinking: that sounds…interesting. And you would be correct. It was actually quite amusing for the most part, and I walked away with a much better understanding of the euro’s history than I ever had before. The acting was good, and the lyrics to the songs were very cute! Who knew an economic downturn could be so much fun?

Following the show, I joined KG & MM at The Sun Inn for dinner and drinks (the second round; the first being at the show). The food was excellent, as was the atmosphere, but the company and conversation are what put it over the top as wonderful!

The Sun Inn / Image Courtesy of their Website

Somehow, today was even less productive than yesterday. Once again, I helped Nic run lines for a good portion of the day. Then, this evening, K&M went to her cousin’s house for a bit, so I went out for some British Chinese take-out at Xiong Mao. Instead of the stereotypical fortune cookie, however, I received two chicken wings. And no chopsticks. I was confused—either the hostess really, really liked me (hence the wings), or she hated me (hence the lack of a cookie and chopsticks)—so, of course, I took to the Facebook-program-store to state as much. Fortunately, a more worldly friend clarified that the fortune cookies are an American thing, and that the wings were probably because it’s Chinese New Year’s Eve, and then another friend, who lives in Cornwall, said that he’s never known Chinese take-away over here to come with chopsticks. Ah, cultural adjustments… Seriously, these are the types of tidbits that should be in one of those London: From A to Zed books!

At any rate, at home with my take-out, I turned on the telly, and what should I find: “Come Dine with Me.” I swear, that show is like crack and I’m a filthy junky! After noshing away and enjoying this week's batch of participants, I chatted with Nic and the folks for a bit, and then retired to watch BBC iPlayer in bed—which is currently streaming “Doubt,” an AMAZING movie if you haven’t seen it yet!

Well, that’s enough for now. Not sure what’s on the schedule for tomorrow yet—the hunt for housing resumes, and laundry happens. Those two things are definites. Beyond that, though, I may do the Westminster Abbey tour tomorrow.

P.S. to Cultural Studies and Queer Lit friends: I just found out that Karl Marx and Radclyffe Hall are buried in the SAME cemetery, and that it’s not far from here. Who’s going to be a creepy graveyard stalker? This guy!

Karl Marx Memorial (NB: This photo is NOT mine!)

Radclyffe Hall's Memorial (NB: This photo is NOT mine!)