TUBE STRIKE

The tube workers went on strike today for the second time in protest of proposed cuts. During the last strike in mid September I had no problem getting to work. I laughed at people like my boss who had to walk from Paddington. I got to work quicker than usual actually. And I had no problems getting home.

I assumed today's strike would be like the last. I was wrong. Very wrong.

I checked online and saw Moorgate was closed, yet I figured I could just get off at London Bridge and walk for 15 minutes. Well I knew when walking to the tube that my plan was going to fail. Normally I see a few trains pass by, this time I saw none. Further, upon reaching the platform I saw it was crowded, it's NEVER crowded. Then no trains were going via the Bank branch. So I got on a Charing Cross branch and figured I would transfer at Camden. Wrong again. I couldn't even get onto the Bank side at Camden it was so crowded. And there wasn't going to be another train for 15 minutes.

So I checked my London mapbook and saw there was a bus straight from Camden to Moorgate! Great!! Wrong again. I literally waited 40 minutes for the 214 bus. During those 40 minutes only one came and it was TINY. I probably could have forced my way on but I thought another one would soon follow. Well at 905, already late for work, I made a decision, I would walk to Moorgate from Camden. A distance of about 4 miles. So walked I did, getting to work over an hour late.

I learned my lesson.

The way back was fine. Well, on a normal day it would be hellish, but after the morning it was a walk in the park. I waited about 15 minutes for a Northern line train at Moorgate. There didn't appear to be any Edgware bound trains so I just went on the High Barnet line and made a point not to attempt to transfer at Camden, instead riding it to East Finchley where I caught a bus.

Ridiculous. I feel like my whole day was consumed by the strike. And they have more planned! OY VEY.

There was, however, one exciting thing that came out of today. My tale of woe made it onto the BBC.

And I quote:

"1058: Hayley from Golders Green e-mails to say she was 90 minutes late for work in Moorgate after she could only take the Northern Line as far as Camden Town. "It was so crowded that I couldn't even get on to the Bank branch platform (later I saw they had locked the station)," she writes. "I gave up on the Tube and decided to take the 214 to Moorgate. It was a tiny, tiny bus and only one came in 40 minutes. So I gave up and walked from Camden to Moorgate." She says she has no idea how she'll get home."

WIN WIN WIN

HOME ALONE

None of my housemates have been home all weekend. I LOVE IT! I never talk to them anyways (yup, real social house), so I don't miss them. It was great yesterday with Ruth and even better by myself today. I've had the whole house to myself, which means I've been able to binge watch TV all day.

Now I'm watching X Factor and eating carrot cake. I wish I had started watching X Factor when it first started, it's AMAZING (I know it's not a new thing at all... haha). I think my family will love it when they start the American version.

That is all. Yum cake.

I also just realized that three years ago today I moved into my staircase at Oxford. Three effing years!!! How is that possible? Anyways, here's the first of many photos I took in Oxford.

Weekend again

So a clothes update since I know you're all eagerly wondering what I decided on. I returned the H&M sweater and Gap dress number 1. I replaced Gap dress with a top I really liked, that was luckily half the price of the dress so I still got 8£ back. Happy days.

Then Ruth came over and I made her seriously the most amazing dinner. Gordon Ramsay's Mac and Cheese, as featured in the Guardian. It was way too complicated for students (who it was apparently designed for) and it was a lot more expensive than the stated cost, but so delish and it provided a lot of leftovers. And I bought a 5£ roasting pan to cook it in, so now I have something good to cook mah dinner tonight in, Roast Vegetables.

Also, I need to stop spending money. For real this time.

Anyways, Ruth and I watched the Wire and an ep of Law and Order UK, where Ruth told me how it's an inaccurate portrayal of the UK justice system. SAD. Then we watched youtube and she slept on mah floor.

This morning we went to Carmelli's the famous Golders Green Jewish bakery. I didn't think their bagels would be great because now entering my third year in the UK (including Oxford CRAZY), I have yet to eat a decent bagel. Well... Carmelli's have AMAZING bagels. Win win win.

Now I'm laying in bed watching the rain and yet again wishing I had a boyfriend to holddd meeee. And I can't believe the weekend is almost over.

how have I not seen this before?!?!?!

AMAZING

aw yeaaa

The rain I was promised today was started. It makes my cops watching all the most acceptable. American Cops... so so amazing.

Weekend... revised

I just went to Oxford Street with the thoughts of getting a new jacket (a nice autumn casual one) and hitting up Primark for some cheap basics/ a makeup bag. I ended up getting said jacket and a cheap chic sweater. I started walking to Primark and that's when I got in trouble. I saw a sign in Gap. A sign that read SALE. And there went

my money. I LOVED everything I tried on. I had to stare at various items for like half an hour before I could decide which would make the cut. In the end I decided on two sweater dresses, SO much nicer than the ones I tried on in H&M and they originally were 50£ each. But I really really shouldn't have spent that much money. I'm going to have to really consider returning something/ not eat for a week. Ugh! I'm trying to console myself for the fact that I haven't gone shopping in forever (aka two weeks), but I know I've been a bad girl.

Anyways, here's the stash.

Also I just saw an advert for a travel agency that ca

ters to people who have no one to go on vacation with. My future. And I'm watching Cops.

Luckily Ruth is coming over tonight for a slumber party, so I will have some social activity this weekend. And she can provide me with her opinion on the clothes.

Sweater from H&M... I'll probably return this one, though I really need sweaters. It just makes me look like a fat tay.

Though it looks good with my super cool new jacket.

Obsessed with this jacket. Obsessed! But I def think the sweater will be returned.

Gap Sweater dress 1. I'm not sure. I really liked this one in the store, though the angle etc may take away from its cuteness.

Work it girl.

Gap Sweater Dress 2. Really like this one, though it doesn't look that great in the photo. I had a few days last week where I felt like I was dressed like an intern. I think this dress will transcend me into the YP category.

October Song

I look forward to October every year so this can be my theme song. I remember the moment I fell in love with it, walking across University Yard at GW Freshman year and just thinking it described how I felt at that moment so well. I guess not so much lyrically, but as a whole package.

Well, I always thought it was by Bert Jansch, now I learn it's by the Incredible String Band, another Glasgow act, that Jansch used to dabble with in the 60s. Well, here are both versions. They're both amazing. Though I'm still partial to Jansch's ridiculously haunting voice: