And the winner is...
We received several "applications" to participate in the next Hennigan carribbean holiday. We had one person bow out due to family obligations and an A-Team reference which was very close. However, the winner posted the following:
"A familiar face to the entire Hennigan clan, I should be the person to be selected to attend the “Christmas Caribbean Sailing Adventure” because of my charm, amiable nature, and suntanning ability!
I am quiet, spatially efficient, can swim, don’t get sea sick, and can stay up late, drink and be fun when required. I also am clean and orderly (read: not a slob). I also use indoor voice outside.
If you choose me I will ensure that I will be the perfect holiday guest. I have spent many vacations and holidays with friends, parents of friends, and friends of the friends’ parents."
Well thought out and on point. The final decision unfortunately rests in the hands of 2. Results will be posted November 2007...
Higher Education
It's been a pretty slow weekend. Kirsten worked on Saturday and I have been laid up with some sort of chest congestion. While she worked I watched 3-4 episodes of The Unit and then Man U beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup 4th round behind 2 goals from the missing link, Wayne Rooney.
We did go out to dinner last night in Notting Hill to celebrate 5 years together, nice low key meal in a cool gastro-pub.
Since this update is a bit weak, let me tell you about last Sunday when we went to Cambridge to get our culture on.
Cambridge is a town that has been around for a long time, as our tour guide said, it was there long before the university, which was founded in the 15th century. Cambridge University is actually comprised of 30+ colleges, each the result of a single donor. So if you have a spare 30 million+ quid lying around you can have your very own college at Cambridge, just think Hyde college (Essex represent), Walcutt College (for budding and bulging comedic actors) and the Aronson College (specialising in British linguistics of course!).
The King's College chapel was magnificent. It's ceiling is fan vaulted which is the latest example from the classic gothic period. The building as a whole is a mish mash of architectural styles, owing to the fact that each King would fund its development and some weren't as forthcoming with the cash - damn inflation. Another interesting fact about the chapel is that during WWII all the stained glass windows were removed to prevent their destruction by the Luftwaffe. It took 3 months to take each individual pane of glass out and bury it, and 3 years to put it all back together again after the war.
History lesson over. It was a bitter cold day up in Cambridge so after the 2 hour tour, the 2 hour tour, we found a pub and tucked in to watch Arsenal v. Man U. The Hennigan household is divided when it comes to football. The Mrs. supports the Gunners (Arsenal) and the Mr. supports the Red Devils (Manchester United). Unfortunately on this day the Mrs. and her squad would be smiled upon as Arsenal scored in the 83rd and 92nd minute to win 2-1.
That's it for now. Hope everyone is well.
I don't remember Bert and Ernie quite that way...
So last Wednesday Kirsten and I decided to get out and take in some culturfication. London has so much to offer in terms of theatre from original plays at the Old Vic (Kevin Spacey creative director) to Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre. With so much to choose from we went to see Avenue Q - an American musical that is basically the R-rated version of Sesame Street.
It was a pretty amusing production but I think I still prefer the good ol originals of Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster and Oscar. Although imaging cookie monster addicted to internet porn is something to ponder.
We wound up our theatre evening at Wagamama's which if you are an avid reader of this blog you might assume that is the only place we eat, you wouldn't be far off. Actually, we had several 2 for 1 vouchers that we made every effort to use. Sadly the voucher period is over so we're back to paying full price. If Kirsten would only learn to enjoy kebabs we could both eat dinner for a fiver every night of the week, just because it's late-night post-pub fare doesn't mean it can't form the cornerstone of a well balanced diet (meat, yogurt, lettuce, tomato, onion, pita).
I won't give up, I got her to eat cheesesteaks in Philly (Mmmmm cheesesteaks) so I now turn my attention to kebabs.
Next update: our weekend at the British Museum and Cambridge.
Hennigan Wired!!!
The Hennigan household is now wired and this is the first post made from the convenience of our charming little flat. This should mean more frequent updates to satisfy the near constant call for more information from our friends, family, and "associates".
Kirsten's aunt and uncle are over from Cooperstown re-discovering London. They have been tremendous flatmates and filled their days (and ours) with more voyages of Discovery.
Today we spent a couple of hours wandering through the Cabinet War Rooms (
http://cwr.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00f00k). As you wander through the well preserved rooms where Churchill and his staff spent days, weeks and months during WWII you gain a real appreciation for what was going on during those times. The recently added Churchill museum
provides a wealth of information on the man and the times when he cemented his legacy.
Tonight we head to one of our favorite nosheries Wagamama and then if everyone is feeling up for it, we'll pop into the Hemingford Arms for some traditional Irish music, it promises to be some good craic.
Refreshed, re-energized, resuscitated and re-ady for 2007
And so begins another year.
I must say, 2006 went out on a high note. We spent the final 10 days of the year soaking up the atmosphere in the British Virgin Islands - Jost van Dyke, Tortolla, Virgin Gorda, Cooper Island, Norman Island and Anegada.
Our days consisted of the following - relax in the sun, enjoy cold beer (usually Red Stripe or Carib), swim in the warm clear water, eat tropical meals. You really can't beat it. We are now accepting requests for participation next year. Please email me no more than 100 words why you think you should join us next year. I'll post the favorites, winner will be notified in October/November.
The trip had some notable occurences:
-Kirsten joining Sean and Brian for a late night dive from the top of a pirate ship (see pic of the ship -->)
-Kirsten's first snorkeling experience and seeing a big sea turtle
-"Kids" dinner during a raging rain storm (adults to concerned about getting wet on the dinghy ride in)
-Christmas morning bloody mary's and full american breakfast (thanks mom!)
-Getting sparse new reports (the death of Brian's birth president, James Brown getting called to his last gig)
-Leaving the Hennigan mark at the highest point in Pirates, and adding some sand to some Canadians food (see pic of the restaurant -->)
-Seeing the final few minutes of the BC v. Navy bowl game in the Antigua airport (visit this airport and read about this game and you'll understand just how amazing this occurence was)
More pictures to come later, still have to battle with British public services to get home broadband access, ah, it's good to be back.
Happy New Year to all.
