Best Roommates Ever

Zeb: I thought someone was trying to steal our internet last night because the lights on the router were blinking.

Me: Yeah it was me, I was trying to blog. Thanks.

Zeb: Whoops.

Larisa: You're a paranoid idiot.

Cardiff is for Weirdos

I have been trying to work up the courage to take pictures of weird people I encounter on my travels. This is not going well, and people in this county can be fast walkers when I hover around with my camera. In the meantime, I have been taking pictures of strange things; which is great because inanimate objects rarely give you strange looks or demand you get that camera out of their face. Here are some of the strange things I found in Cardiff:

That cherub has too much sass for my taste. 

This mer-horse also troubles me. 

Her regular-sized features make me want to purchase that hat! 

This store needs to reassess its marketing strategies. 

No wonder the haircuts in the picture are so shoddy. 

I see no obvious correlation between America and nails. 

Why make a sculpture of salad? 

This I find weird but also neat. 

Not sure if this animal exists in nature. 

Lunch! Now it's time to eat your best friend, children! 

Men in Wales brought these to battle. War goats. 

Who doesn't need this stylish velcro wallet? 

This was on a chart featuring dozens of breeds of sheep.

I like nature, but not this much. 

Seriously, why would I need this knowledge? 

Ouch. 

The devil is less intimidating when he's only a foot tall. 

Tasteful. 

I found this in a church. It looks like Voldemort. 

She seems hungry. 

I was too afraid to see what the Welsh Hooters girls looked like. 

Cymru! Part Deux!

On my second day in Wales I went down to the famous Cardiff bay. I hailed a water taxi and took a relaxing ride down to the waterfront.

 On the way the driver told me all about Cardiff, the bay renovation projects, local history and he pointed out amazing sights along the waterfront.

 It costs about 200,000 pounds to live along the river or the bay. There are tons of ultra-modern high rise apartments along the river. I arrived at the bay and set off. I saw the magnificent Cardiff Millennium Center; pictured below. The building is vast and has several cafes and shops inside. There is also a theater, a performance space, and spaces for community gatherings.

One of the only opportunities I had to get a picture of myself. 

Here are some examples of the interesting architecture and sculptures around the Cardiff bay area.  

Banbury Canal Day

Recently, my friends and I strolled along Banbury's canal with 10,000 people at the cultural festival. There was traditional dancing, local ales, people in costume (some on stilts), and crafters. I took a tour of a house boat that runs on chopped wood. Lettuce and I got in the spirit by making hats and buttons. Although these activities were largely being undertaken by those under 7, we decided that as children at heart it was our duty to partake in the festivities.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when a man decided to do some impromptu poetry. He bravely stood up, shook out his long hair and began reading the poems scrawled in his notebook. Here are a few of his best poems:

And they say young people don't appreciate the arts.

Give me more of that wailin' sax!

I just returned home from Wales. The train from Banbury to Cardiff only took a mere three hours. This trip was the result of hours of planning, fevered "what ifs," and then more planning. I found a charming hotel, I got on the correct train and headed off.

I hope 7 pairs of shoes is enough! 

After I made my first transfer, the train conductor came to check everyone's tickets. Much to my dismay the conductor informed me that my ticket was not valid. The "Super-off-peak" ticket I had was only valid after 10 AM. It was only 9 in the morning. Thankfully I printed out my ticket conformation and he let me continue on my way. 

When I arrived in Cardiff I took a long look at my city map. And promptly got lost. It took me about 40 to find my hotel. The staff were friendly and accommodating.  

Cardiff is a city that is stepped in tradition and modernity. There is an auspicious, and immense, Roman fort running along one side of the city. There are also two ancient cathedrals in the city center. It's weird because I came hundreds of miles to see these ancient Roman battlements that now lay next to tennis courts. Here is a Medieval cross that is now in the center of a parking lot. 

My first day I wandered around, trying to navigate my map, mostly watching people and taking in the surroundings. Cardiff is a cosmopolitan city full of hipsters, Germans, students, women in full burkas, and the occasional Welsh person. The only landmark I got to was the Cardiff central library which was a huge building that has been featured on the popular (and totally awesome) TV show: Dr Who. 

It was a nice respite to the cold rain outside. The library is full of interesting seating and and dynamic views. 

After I ate dinner at a respectable little pub I walked home and fell into a dead sleep. 

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Am I a hipster if I say I went to Cardiff ironically?

Exercise Caution

I joined a gym in Banbury recently. When I rely this fact to my friends/ loved ones at home they display one of the following reactions:

• Spitting out juice 
• Dropping the baby they are holding 
• Going "Whaaaaaaaa?"
• Laughing heartily in my face

This may be because I am one of the laziest people I've ever met and deplore all exercise. I love nothing more than settling down on the couch for a 12 hour Law and Order SVU marathon. But I'm not a couch potato. I could rock in a hammock for days reading post-colonial Irish literature. I lounge on chaises, settees, love seats, bean bags, and more! 

In the past, this is about what me working out would look like: 

So get over your shock, because I'm in it to win it. I've been going to Pilates (sometimes you get to sit still on the floor, which is awesome!) and Lettuce has been my personal trainer. So far I've gained three pounds; Lettuce tells me that bringing milkshakes instead of water is not the best way to hydrate. 

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Accurate.

I Want to Live in America

To even things out, here are some thing I from America that are weird. In fairness I found some of these things at Walmart.

Alcoholic drinks for puritans. 

This book is an anthology of essential steampunk "literature."

Crocheting for hipster numskulls.

A cake to celebrate creepy uncles? 

And one for your dog's birthday. 

Ah, America.

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Truth, Justice, and the American way