Long Walk to Work

[dotinthesky]

I woke up at 5.30 in the morning. I tried Reiki and meditation to go back to sleep, but nada. So I got up, ate some soda bread with butter, accompanied by black tea, orange juice, a blueberry muffin and a banana, listened to classical music, wrote on my journal and read the second part of To the Lighthouse.

At 7:50 I took a shower. I then got dressed and left the apartment. I walked to work; it took me two hours.

I went past Paddington station; a few people sat outside Starbucks, drinking coffee and smoking (Kevin and I went to Starbucks yesterday, near Queen's Park; we both drank the Mint Chocolate Frappucino while something excrutiating by Alanis Morrissete pumped out of the speakers); men in suits and women in crisp skirts walked past me, heading for the office buildings that have risen beside the canal. I cut my way through side streets until I reached Hyde park.

The grass in the park has recently been cut; it felt brittle under my feet, dried up from a week of heavy sun with no rain. A few people were cutting across the park for work; others lingered about with their dogs or sat on benches doing nothing, waiting for something.

I walked past Buckingham Palace, the Big Ben and the House of Parliament. I crossed Westminster Bridge, where a group of excitable German teenagers were taking photos of the Big Ben. Meanwhile, there were hardly any tourists waiting to get on the London Eye. I reached the National Theatre and sat on a bench facing the Thames to give my feet a rest. My right ankle was feeling sore. I read a little bit more of To the Lighthouse.

I wish I didn't have to work today.

Comments

[psyfi.livejournal.com]

sounds like a perfect summer afternoon....:-)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I'd be happier to spend it this afternoon then be stuck in the office, like I am right now. :)

[izzybees]

I think I'm going to have to start Lighthouse again from the beginning. I've started so many other books and have lost my concentration. Maybe I'll bring it with me on the plane.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. I first started reading it in 98, but gave up halfway through; I couldn't concentrate and felt like I needed to read pages three times before I fully understood what was going on. This time, I've been completely captivated for some reason. I never realized it took place in Scotland (there I went, doing research on Wikipedia as names were dropped)! It's really such a lovely novel, specially for the Summer. I'm also jotting down tones of notes so I can write a proper review when I'm done. :)

[izzybees]

I didn't pay much attention for the first thirty or so pages (I have a bad habit of daydreaming while I'm reading - I'm not sure how this is actually possible but I've been doing it since I was a kid), but have become captivated now; unfortunately I've missed lots of crucial information, so starting over is probably a good idea. What I have read and understood (mainly on the relationship between mother, father, and child, and how their respective sexes affect how they live their lives and interact with and perceive one another) is really fascinating, and I am looking forward to that review!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I think Woolf is the kind of author, too, where you can pretty much start reading her novels from anywhere you like. The narrative is so circular that you would gain something new from starting on page 200 then going to the start, etc. I'll put my review under a cut so I won't spoil anything for you and you can check it out whenever you want. ;)

[twinner.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a lovely morning for your first workday of the week.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I`m considering walking to work more often, taking in the sights. :)

[hunterjr.livejournal.com]

everything seems to be so normal in there!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

It's back to normal for us.

Virginia Woolf

[msanthropist.livejournal.com]

After seeing "The Hours" I was fascinated and immediately bought "Mrs. Dalloway", and several of Woolf's other books including "To the Lighthouse". I quickly devoured "Mrs. Dalloway" but hadn't gotten around to any of the others...perhaps I'll begin the one you're on...thank you for your kind words about my friend in response to my post, Ollie. You're very kind.

Re: Virginia Woolf

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :)

I loved Mrs Dalloway and now I've fallen in love with To the Lighthouse too. I find them, actually, perfect reads for the Summer.

[gorecky22.livejournal.com]

I love Starbucks!! Maybe because it always reminds me of my first journeys to London… snif snif…

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I try to avoid Starbucks if I can go to a more unique cafe (support the individual rather than the chain, etc.) But I have to confess that their coffee is delicious.