Oh TV, How I Have Missed You!

It has been almost two months since I have had access to television, so I am happy to report that we finally got the TV installed yesterday.  I am confused to report, however, that the phone will take another few weeks and then, by law, we will need to wait at least an additional five days for Internet access.  I am not sure about the specific perils associatied with timely access to myriad forms of telecommunications but apparently the British have some concerns.  Hopefully the full package of services offered by Sky will be availible before I graduate.   You will also want to marvel at the size of my tiny, tiny new TV.

And Here Is My Street...

Pictures of the London Flat

By popular demand, here are some photos of my flat in London.

The Flat Has Furniture!

We finally had our furniture delivered this week!  Most of it is cheesy corporate stuff, but I am very happy to have a bed.  We are still getting everything settled so more pictures will be forthcoming.   In the meantime here is a picture of my tiny bedroom.  You know you are jealous of the 70's style mirrored closet doors!!

European Security Alert

I have been slack in my postings lately so I have lots to report today.  As some of you may have heard there is an increased security alert in Europe right now because of the threat of terrorist attacks.  My route to school takes me right by Downing Street and Westminister and let me tell you I can definitely tell that there is more security around.  I literally pass a police officer about every three feet.  Last night the "unarmed" British police had their machine guns on full display in front of Downing Street.  It may just have been a shift change, but it was an unexpected sight in the UK.  I didn't dare take a picture of the cops, so a picture of the Downing Street sign was the best I could do.

First Week of Classes and a Lecture With Ingrid Betancourt

Classes have started this week and it is all a little overwhelming.  I think I have a good handle on my required Political Sociology course, but I am also taking a Political Communications course and hoping to get into Comparative Politics in Europe.  The classes don't have the same sort of Mon, Wed, Fri or Tues, Thurs structure as we do in the States so it is sometimes hard to keep straight when you are supposed to be where.  The courses typically have both a seminar and a lecture, and then sometimes a supplementary lecture that is not required but recommended.  Or the professor recommends that students attend a 200 level course that is optional but will help you prepare for the following week's lecture.  It is all rather confusing at this point. 

LSE also offers an amazing lecture program that is totally optional and not connected with any class.  Most of the time it is free, but ocassionally you have to pay for tickets.  Last night I went to a lecture by Ingrid Betancourt  She is the woman who was running for President in Colombia in 2002 when she was kidnapped by FARC guerrillas.  She was held for six and a half years before she was rescued by the Colombian government.   She has now written a book about the experience.  It was an amazing talk, and let me tell you it made me feel pretty stupid for complaining about have to sleep on the floor for a few weeks.  Tonight I am going to another lecture about Gordon Brown's time at 10 Downing Street.  Clearly we still have no TV so I have lots of time to kill!

The Southbank

Yesterday was another big walking day.  I walked across the Thames on Vauxhall Bridge (which is near my flat) and then walked along the Thames River path all the way to London Bridge.  This route takes you past Westminster and Big Ben, the London Eye, the Globe Theater, Burrough Market and the Tower of London.  I then walked past St. Paul's Cathedral.  It took about 5 hours, but I got to see lots of London.  Here are some pictures of the journey.

Classes start tomorrow and furniture gets delivered on Tuesday.  Yeah!  It occured to me this morning that it has been more than a month since I have slept on a real mattress.  Remind me again why I thought this was a good idea ;)