Pho, Green and Faux Magic

I had a sort of epiphany this morning. I was lying in bed (far and away the most comfortable bed I have ever owned), silently cursing my talking alarm clock (far and away the most irritating alarm clock I have ever owned) and lamenting about my splitting headache, when I realized something. Life here in London might actually have begun to nudge into the realm of the “normal.”

Here’s why. Last night, I went out with two people whom I can now legitimately call new friends, and did what I currently consider to be among my favourite things to do in London….not because they are particularly exceptional in any way (the things, not the people), but because they are just places near my flat that I like to go.

The reason this is significant to me is that most of the time, I feel like I’m still a tourist—out with people who (bless them) want to show me new places and take me to new neighbourhoods. So last night, when I just casually made plans locally with a couple of friends, I actually felt, for the first time, like your average 30-year-old opting for a casual night out in her city of choice. And I don’t know, it somehow feels like progress (and like someone is driving an anvil into my forehead).

It started with the bus, which Megdon (London Megan, not to be confused with Baltimore Meghann, who turns 30 today...woo hoo!) and I like to take from Tottenham Court Road to Clerkenwell because it’s located in between our respective workplaces. It’s convenient, relatively quick, and it avoids the delightful underground sweating associated with the tube in the summer.

Taking the bus in general is an achievement for me since I’m not even sure I ever took it in Chicago when I lived there. At first I was a little confused by the process (I actually called Megdon mid-ride once to ask her where the signal buttons are…as if I needed more of a “HELLO! I AM AN AMERICAN!” advertisement to my fellow passengers than whatever signals I’m currently giving off).

Anyway, the bus was packed so we ended up standing at the very front, up by the driver. This struck us as funny because we were standing on the left side on this double decker bus up against the windshield and sort of felt like we were driving (you had to be there).

I decided to put my camera on the dash and film our journey so I could share it with you, The OckleShow viewers, but I forgot one key detail—it picks up voices. After watching the video today and listening to me and Megdon discuss truly the most idiotic and superficial topics— “Hmmm….what new trend should I integrate into my wardrobe?”—I decided against sharing it, but I will provide this one pic:

(Trust me, you might think you want to watch it, but your brain cells are thanking you for kindly saving their lives.)

Once we got to my hood, we hit up Pho, my absolute favourite restaurant near my house.

The best thing about this place is not the very cute décor or the friendly staff or the affordability or the good wine list, or the delicious freshly made juices, but the fact that you can literally eat for two hours straight but still feel very nicely satiated in a non-full way at the end.

The list of about 15 Vietnamese soups provides an endless supply of delicious, healthy veggies, meat and noodles and the broth is so good I want to drink it with a straw at my desk all day long (would if I could). You leave feeling totally satisfied, hydrated and happy. Love that place.

Next we went to The Green, located just off of Clerkenwell Green.

The fact that neither is actually green (save for a few trees and lamp posts) does not take away from the loveliness of the place. Jason met us and we sat outside in the glorious warm weather having good conversation and enjoying some wine and beer.

When they finally made us move inside, two guys who were sitting at the table next to us started to talk to me. One pointed at Megdon, who was twiddling her fingers suspiciously, and asked what she was doing.

Me: She’s casting a spell. She’s a magician.
Guy: Really? Me too.
Me: Not as good of a magician as her. She’s world famous.
Guy: Well, I’m not world famous but I do make a living as a magician. I make magic tricks for cell phones.
Me: You're actually a magician. Really didn't see that one coming. Well, okay.
Guy: Do you want to see?
Me: Sure.
Guy: (takes out crappy phone). Okay, I’m going to flip through a series of objects on the screen. You choose one but don’t tell me.
Me: Okay.
Phone: Cars. Nails. Hammers. Rubbers.
Me: Ha.
Guy: What?
Me: Nothing.
Phone: Letters. Dogs. Paper Clips. Chains. Pens.
Guy: Okay. Did you pick one?
Me: Yep.
Guy: Don't tell me.
Me: I compute.
Guy: Okay, now I’m going to shake the phone and you tell me when to stop based on how many letters your word has.
Me: Um. Okay.
Guy: (shakes phone 1…2…3…4….5…) You’re supposed to tell me when to stop!
Me: Well you haven’t reached the number of letters my thing has yet.
Guy: (looks at me like I’m an idiot) None of the words have more than 5 letters.
Me: Mine does.
Guy: No it doesn't. I designed the software.
Me: I don't know what to tell you.
Guy: What was it?
Me: I thought I wasn't supposed to tell you.

(long pause)

Me: (bored) Not only does mine, Paper Clips, have more than five letters but so does Hammers and Rubbers.
Guy: Oh yeah. Hmm…(shakes phone a few more times). Okay, so here is your object! (shows me the screen of the phone)
Phone: Cars.
Me: THIS ISN’T MAGIC AT ALL, IS IT.
Guy: I’m not really a magician, but my phone is.
Me: What?
Guy: Let me try another one. I have to take a picture of you with my phone though.
Me: See ya.

Around midnight, Jason and I stumbled back to our flat. He made pasta and I took some yogurt and dumped some muesli in it (natch) and we were DE. LIGHTED. to find a marathon of our new favourite show on the telly! Whee! (the fact that I watched three episodes bleary eyed is likely the reason for today’s headache....well that, and the two bottles of wine).

I don’t know if you get it wherever you are, but if you haven’t seen the brilliant Australian high school spoof Summer Heights High, run-don’t-walk to the television/web site to watch it. Ja’ime kills.

So that was my night. Just like my nights at home, it was typically ridiculous and action-packed, just British-style. I’m exhausted today, but it was all worth it to feel just a little bit of good old fashioned every day.