I heart London: part 1

I blog about London a lot. Probably an abnormal amount, but, I can't help it. I can't quit London.

The affair began 20 years ago, grew into a steady crush and then, five years ago, exploded into a full on relationship. The most challenging, emotional, beautiful relationship of my life. And I do not say that in hyperbole. It really has been one constant in my life that no matter what, no matter my fears, my heartache, my anything, I can return to an alleyway I love, to a shop I frequent, to a bench I've sat and things make sense. Which is, all in all, just beautiful.

London holds a special place for so many reasons--my mom loved it; it was the first place I became a real grown up; it holds the West End; I have beloved friends who live there; some of my fondest memories are from there (some of my most painful memories too, but, not important!)--it is, my happy place.

This time, I was overjoyed to take my friend Susan to London--she hadn't been there in 9 years, so I wanted to take her to see ALL THE THINGS!

I got us tickets to see Once (and later found out that a friend of a friend is the wardrobe mistress, could've gotten free tickets, I don't want to talk about it), and of course, Les Mis. Because that is our favorite! I was prepared to take her to my favorite resturants, pubs and old haunts. I wanted to introduce her to my friends, to show her my favorite hidden coffee shop. To show her my old office, where this happened, where that happened, etc.

AND I DID.

Our first stop in London was Geale's, which is where I drag everyone. When I went to the city five years ago, it was where my professor and I had our working dinners regularly. It's more popular or touristy now that it was then, which annoys me, but, whatever, I won't stop going there.

Greetings from Notting Hill!

Then we hit up the Tower. As one does whilst in Londontown...

I left my trench on the plane and wasn't really upset till I saw this picture--it's so damn cute!! (yes, I've called BA, they don't have it. Sad)

Where I manned more cannons.

I had to fight off some kids for that picture!

My hair looked like this:

I mean, really?! I'm not trying to brag, but, daaaaaaang. Best hair day of my life wasted on dreary London!

And I posed like a douchetool.

Hello, let me show you my pink iphone, my David Yurman and my Burberry

If I hold my purse like this, I can pretend I am flexing my bicep!

Then it was off to one of my favorite places in the city--Soho! I love Soho. It's loud, it's crazy, it's busy, it's obnoxious. It's wonderful! There are several pubs/bars in the West End/Soho that I pink puffy heart., but my most favorite is Balans. Oh, my, Balans! I can't even explain how much I love Balans, but, it's the best. Open 22 (nope, not 24!) hours a day, a stone's throw from the Queen's, some of the best food and drink you will find.

After I bought all the clothing on Regent Street, we went to see Once, and then trekked across the street to Balans!!

Somehow I ended up at Ted Baker. I really don't know how it happened.....

Susan and me at The Phoenix Theatre to see Once. I cried. A lot. 

After we dried our tears and I was SO STRONG and did not go into the Artist Club (a great little place, but, we were hungry!), we ran across the street to meet my friend Alex for dessert and drinks at Balans where we laughed too much, ate too much, stayed out too late.

Blueberry lemon frozen calorie laden goodness

 ALL THE FOOD!!

I could tell you everything that's happening here, but, it's Fight Club. Just know I had eaten curry, Susan was drinking a p0rn star martini and we were dying of laughter!

 I forced friends to stay out past bedtime....

Me and one of my dearest friends, Alex, who, despite what it looks like here, really does love me. This is his "Ally made me come into Soho and I have to work tomorrow" face I think!

Because we were busy eating, drinking, chatting, and I hadn't seen Alex in months, we ended up staying out later than anticipated.....But! We ate before the late night menu changes (I've never actually been to Balans as early as we were there, ha!) so I missed my eggs con papas y chorizo. ARGGGG!! Even so, we got back to our hotel so late that the doors were locked. That was only mildly embarrassing. The oh so cute concierge had to let us in. Oops.

Then we acted like fools up and down the hotel hallway because I wanted a picture in my MOST FABULOUS TWIRLY DRESS.

This was the best we could do. Doesn't it look like Leisl's 16 Going on 17 dress? I want to wear it forever!

I literally never wanted to take that dress off and am busy plotting events where I can wear it. Apparently, I can't teach pure barre in it. Which is really just dumb.

We giggled ourselves silly, fell asleep and readied ourselves for a day with my expat friends and running amok all night long (all night....) including smuggling a bottle of wine out of a pub and getting hit on by a gay hipster. Who I actually kind of wish would text (he has my number) because he'd be a fabulous gay BFF.

Stay tuned!

(ps. I only broke these posts up because I didn't want y'all to have to read The Longest Post Ever) (well, that might be the post about Stoke-on-Trent, but, it will be worth it. Trust)

"The dream that you wish will come true"

We interrupt your regularly scheduled "Shabbs Made A Whole Lot O' Bad/Awesome/Hilarious Decisions in Europe" programing to share with you this (don't worry, the story about booze smuggling is coming up next!)

I haz the wallows. 

I tend to wallow when I get home from the UK. I tend to wallow when I am not thrown head first back into cuddles and snuggles with those I love (those I love happen to be in bloody England and or at the family ranch currently, I am in neither of those places). I tend to wallow after a major catch up with my actor bff--it's hard being so far away from someone who is my person--who brings with him "my people" and puts myself back together. I wallow when I can't talk to Molly about going to The Anchor and what happened on Eurovision. I wallow when I can't share a table at Balan's with my British best bud. I wallow because I think of "what if" and the "what could" and the "why not".

I wallow.

And I dream.

And I hope.

And although I am an Ariel, lesbihonest, I fancy myself a Cinderella--and I dream some more.

"No matter how your heart is grieving, If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true..."

Maybe someday I will have the life I dream of when I am fast asleep. Maybe someday I will wake up to the future I've always longed for. Maybe one day, the dream that I wish, will come true.....

Until then, I shall wallow.

And also tell you about stealing booze from a pub and wearing/ruining $700 (I GOT THEM FOR A STEAL ON SALE I DIDN'T ACTUALLY PAY $700 CALM THE HECK DOWN) shoes in Stoke on Trent. Because, those stories are just funny! And, really, kind of awesome.

"Bonjour! Good day! How is your family?"

View from our hotel room 

Why yes, we will just sing Beauty and The Beast. Yes, I know I wasn't in France, but, I also wasn't in Austria and these fools speak French, so, it was only right to act out Beauty And The Beast (especially since the PERFECT "16 Going on 17" spinny twirly dress did not make its way to my grubby hands until London)

So perfectly European!

So, Luxembourg is a hilarious little country (duchy?) that is just so cheesily European camp that I could've stayed there 100 years. And it's literally the size of my pinky finger. That is how hilarious it is.

It's this little place that speaks three official languages--none of them English, fyi--and can't really make up its mind if it is French, or German or what. Well, what it is, is awesome. It's quaint, and sweet, and lovely. We explored old town and I got to run through the business district and downtown (hello, shopping!).

They don't speak English, but love them some American food!

Cathedral du blu de blue blue--I don't speak French

We stumbled across lovely little homes, an old cathedral, and of course, ruins of the Casemates, which are these ridiculous old underground barricades that were used as part of a fortification of the castle (which no longer stands) and then eventually as trenches in the World Wars. Sure, there is no castle, but, these freaking things survived. (sidenote, I just wanted to sit my ass down in a coffee shop and eat gelato.... but...! It ended up being fun!)

Casemates du Bock, aka barricades of death 

So, we paid our 3 Euro each and went in. Naturally, there were no maps, no directions, no anything, so, we just kind of wandered. And wandered. 

And wandered some more. 

Lost in the barricades...

I found cannons.

I tried to fire them, didn't work. Sad.

I refused to go up questionable staircases.

This is my "oh hell no" face

I had also run a half marathon not 12 hours before, so, no, I did not want to traipse up random stairways.

I accidentally pulled a handrail out of the wall. Evidently that shit can survive a war, but, not 110lbs of exhausted runner. I told my friend LK this and he couldn't stop laughing. Rude.

This is my "I'm smiling but I really want to die" face

Vanna White skillz showing you how narrow these stairs really are. Makes The Tower look like a dang cake walk

It was seriously, the best money we spent. (I was going to say the money we spent in Stoke was the best, but, um, we didn't spend a pence! Thank you LK, Michael, Ian, Wayne and Regan, we love you!) We laughed hysterically, I tried to take pictures with all the cannons, we got lost--it was just hilariously FUN!

Tell me this isn't where Dracula lives, I mean, come on!

Afterwards, because I was grumpy and hungry, Susan and I went to the Chocolate House. Which, is exactly what it sounds like. Well, ok, maybe not. It's not a house made of chocolate, in case that's what you were thinking.

It's a restaurant that only serves chocolate and other delicious treats.

Their specialty are these HUNKS O' CHOCOLATE that you melt into hot milk so you are basically drinking pure chocolate. With whole milk. These fools don't do "fat free". There is a WALL of these and basically you stand there for 30 minutes deciding which one you want. You eventually decide on lavender because you are a hippie yoga teacher and then because they don't speak English you just point at a cake in the display case and hope it is yummy.

That's not hot chocolate, it's chocolate soup. OMG.

It is.

And then you don't eat again.

ALL THE FOOD!

Possibly until the airport. Where you also smuggle mini bags of gummi bears and croissants into your purse to tide you over for the very long flight of 85 minutes to Heathrow.

But then they feed you on the flight, so, you land in Heathrow 17 different kinds of chubby which really defeats the whole "Hot In Stoke" idea you had going on for yourself.

WORTH IT.

And then, then we went to London. Where a whole bunch o' things happened that trust me, you want to hear about! Stay tuned!
xox

The race that almost wasn't

As we have discussed to no end, I ran a race in Luxembourg. It almost didn't happen.

If you follow me on twitter or instagram (@shabbyprincess) or if we're friends on facebook, you know what happened....

Either way, my flight was cancelled. So, my genius idea to hop to Heathrow, pick up my friend Susan and flit to Luxembourg was toast. They kept delaying the flight to begin with, so, by the time it was officially cancelled there were no flights out to anywhere even close to Europe. I stood in line for FOUR HOURS crying to my dad, my best friend, my dad again trying to get them to find me a ticket, any ticket to get me to Luxembourg before the race.

Bonjour, Luxembourg!

We couldn't find anything. I was devastated.

At near midnight, I made it to the ticket counter and burst into tears. After some major favors--and what I believe were a few lies--the amazing folks at British Airways found me a flight to Amsterdam the following afternoon that had a connection to Luxembourg. They even kept my business class seats because of my race!

If I made the connection in Amsterdam, I would arrive mere hours before the race and everything would be ok. If I made that connection. Clearing customs and everything in less than 50 minutes. Sure.

I couldn't sleep on the plane, so, instead I watched some Hugh Jackman movies and then sprinted like a Kenyan through the Amsterdam airport where I barely made my flight to Luxembourg and one hour later, greeted my Red at the world's smallest international airport--no currency exchange even-- and we were off to the race!

Expo outtakes 

By the time we got to the start of the race, I had maybe slept 6 hours in 40 hours, but, I was ready to run! Exhaustion has nothing on adrenaline. And the fact that the hotel restaurant closed at 11pm so, really, I had to run fast, I wanted fooooooooood!

Pre race smiles 

Anyways. You haven't lived until you've been at a race start line where no one speaks English and they are all jamming out to The Black Eyed Peas.

And no one speaks English.... 

Nor, have you lived until a bunch of drunks hand you vodka NOT water at mile 8--let me explain how quickly I gagged that up!

I did not PR that day, not even a little bit. I ran through rain, hail (seriously, my boobs had welts!) and 85degree humidity. I ran through cobbled streets, muddy parks and randomly, JFK Boulevard. I spent the entire time with a smile plastered to my face. I couldn't believe I had made it--that my legs had carried me this far. I never wanted to give up, I never wanted to stop. I laughed, I sang, I jumped, I ran. I had the best time I have ever had with running shoes on!

Mile 12! I FREAKING KNOW 

The entire town was out for their Saturday night activities which meant the streets were lined with spectators. Everyone cheering you on. Everyone having fun. It was impossible to NOT smile, to not laugh, to not have the best time ever. Even when I got a text from a certain British someone--while-- You Give Love A Bad Name was playing on my iPod--I couldn't stop smiling. It was, the best 13.1 miles of my life.

My Red was there to meet me at the finish line, I grabbed my medal and we booked it to the hotel where I ate ALL THE PASTA and ALL THE BROWNIES. And we watched New Girl. Because we are winners.

I wore pink Texas flag shorts. I ain't even ashamed. 

Thank you all for getting me to the start. Thank you for keeping me going this last year. For keeping me going those 13.1 miles, thank you for it all. For the bottom of my wee Texan heart, thank you!

I have so much more to tell--about London, about Priscilla Queen of The Desert cast parties in Stoke (yeah, they party waaaay harder than the Les Mis lot), and catching up Cambridge--it was a great start to a great "holiday". Eeek!

Highlights

I am back from a whirlwind adventure that spanned Dallas, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and the Midlands of England!!

I almost didn't make it to the race, and that is another story, but, until I recover from jet lag, here are a few of my favorite memories to tide you over! (I have plenty to say, so, don't fret, I will share all the stories post haste!)

Highlights....!

Having my very best Red there in Luxembourg to watch me race! 

My hair in this picture, seriously. Vain, I know, don't care. 

Arriving in Lux after 24+ hours of travel. Bestie Ro wants to frame this picture. Because she is weird. 

Flitting all over London in this gorgeous frock. Well, actually, just Soho/West End

Finally seeing THIS is person. A post of in and of itself. MY GAWD. 

Wearing ALL THE SPARKLES to a cast party in Stoke on Trent

Seeing my stagey BFF dance with his stage manager at a gay bar in Stoke aptly named "Pink"

And, of course, finally being reunited with this girl. 

The trip that almost wasn't ended up being the best trip EVER. Which, I tend to say a lot, but, it seems to always be true. The race was everything I hoped it would be, England was perfection, tears were shed, memories were made, it was, hands down, just magical! 

Feeling very, very blessed right now. A wee bit pissed off to be back in the States and not with my "people", but, whatever. :)

The time is now, the day is here

Well folks, we made it: the day I hop across the pond and head to Luxembourg for a race is finally upon us.

I had an amazing run on Sunday that really restored my faith in, well, I am going to be honest, myself. I smiled the entire time, laughed and felt like "hey! I remember this! I love this!". It was, to be sure, the best pre race long run I have ever, ever had in all my years of racing.

That doesn't mean I am going to go out there and PR, of this I have no illusions--I am just hoping to give it my all and cross the finish line proud.

This trip is a big deal to me for a lot of reasons. I consider this race to be my redemption run--the time to reclaim myself as a runner, to reclaim myself as a person. I am very excited for it and even went all nutso and got myself a Texas flag print sports bra to wear.

After Luxembourg, I am trekking back to my beloved England for a few days. A few days of catching up with Molly, old friends, and introducing one of my best friends to my London. I can't believe I get to show her my old haunts, my places, my memories. And I know she will love it as much as I do.

Gibbons take London! Me & Susan last October

We are seeing my two favorite shows, Once--which is, the most beautiful thing on earth--she will love it, which is great because I've only ever seen it by myself or with my parents, who hated it.  After the show, I'm dragging her to my favorite stagey bar. Fingers crossed I can sneak us in. Not that I have ever done that before or anything because I so haven't. (that said, anyone want to loan me their equity card for a week?)

I am going to show her my little pizza joint in Covent Garden, the hidden gems of St. James Park, the best hummus in the city (dude, to die for), the pubs where being a Southern American gets you whatever you want, the flat Molly and I almost rented, the place I used to have "working dinners" the professors. Oh, I am just so excited!

There will be a day trip to Cambridge and Stoke-on-Trent. There will lots of laughs. There will be food to eat, drinks to share and friends to see.

And, of course, the money moment: we are seeing Les Mis. I'm pretty sure it is a crime to go to London and not see "the longest running musical ever". Like me, she loves it to bits, and it will be a real treat to share it with someone who loves theatre as much as I do. It will be a joy to show her the back streets to the stage door, the old coffee shop down the way, and the little streets of Soho at night. I can't believe I am so lucky!

I know I will cry a lot. I have a lot to do in very little time.

I have a heart to reclaim, legs to recover and new memories to make. It will be, I desperately hope, the moment when the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

After all, I've been in this darkness for far too long.

When Sara & Mac came to town

Like a hundred zillion years ago, my bestie came to visit and she brought my baby nephew. It was, basically, The Best Weekend Ever since Broadway Birthday Extravaganza. For real.

Puppies and babies--my kryptonite

I sooooo needed a weekend with her. I can't even tell you. She just, she gets me. She completes me. This is how I know: we had a bag of Twizzlers and I brought a few into the living room and she looks and me and goes "why don't you have the whole bag?". That, that is the sign of true, honest to goodness BFF-ery. Well, that and geeking out over Hugh Jackman with me. 

Anywhoodle. And she brought my nephew, did I mention that? Well, that was awesome. I love, love, love that kiddo and he makes my heart so happy! I loved sharing my home with them and seeing the sweet, stubborn little kiddo he is becoming. Basically, he's Sara in miniature which means he's freaking rad.

"Aunt Ally! Let me go already, my god you are embarrassing!"

I picked them up from the airport and we had a nice quiet night at my house wherein my dogs fell in love with Mac (I think the feeling was mutual), Sara had a beer, and we introduced him to my favorite thng ever--Mariano's Mexican Hacienda.

Parenting win

More quesadillas, please!

The kid was a natural! And strangers gave us change so he could keep riding!

When Sara was here last, we went to the Renaissance Faire, which you can read about here--no, seriously, read it. I'll wait.

Ren Fair 2013

Did you read it? It's hilarious, isn't it?

Our big plan this year was to take Mac, even though we knew he wouldn't really understand it, we still wanted to try. And one of Sara's best friend's from St. Louis was actually visiting a friend in Dallas that same weekend, so they brought their kiddos and we met them for turkey legs and laughs.

Things were a little different this time; Sara had to manage holding a beer and pushing a stroller, we didn't get our fortunes told, and the day ended a little earlier, but, it was perfect. We got our flower crowns (but, no pictures to prove it!) and had a great day of laughing, people watching and catching up.  Seriously, the people watching. Want to feel good about yourself? Go to a Ren Faire.

That night, we did our standard ordering of Thai take out and watching musicals. I think that's our thing now, and I'm wholly ok with it! We ate Twizzlers, she listened to me whine, we laughed. A lot. We shared hopes and dreams and future plans. We swooned over Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Jackman. It was just what my heart needed.

Clearly, I'm cut out for parenthood--these are the toys I gave him

We finished up Sunday with brunch at Breadwinners and hanging out around the house. I fought back tears when I left them at the airport and then cried in my car on the way home. It was, the perfect weekend.

"Aunt Ally, WTF is this?"

"I wasn't thrilled a minute ago, Mom, still not thrilled..."

I cannot wait to see them again in July, when, after three years (!), Sara and I will finally see a stage production of Les Miserables together. Even more fitting that our Phantom, Hugh Panaro is starring in it. SO MEANT TO BE.

Sara, thank you for coming to see me! For braving a solo flight with a kiddo and for being My Person.  And? I hate Uncle Jamie!

I've even forgiven Mac for ruining my game. He better hope Hugh doesn't scare as easy!