Mr. Joyce Takes on the World

Meditation on London 2 Westminster Bridge, just before I walked across it.  The first time I met her I didn’t know what to think. She was loud. She was scented by petrol fumes. There were people clamoring all around her. Everyone wanted to either be with her, be in the same picture with her, or at least have a weekend fling with her. She’s been the mistress of kings and queens. The muse of authors, artists, filmmakers, rock musicians, and fashion icons. The streets that course through her are like veins that carry her lifeblood; her people. It’s the Thames that gives her those curves, as it caresses her sides, and holds her together. It’s like the laces of a corset that zig-zag across her back.             Her name is London.             I can’t help but feel a little smitten with her. I’m in love with Bath. I find Stratford-Upon-Avon charming. Manche...

Meditations on London             London is big, boisterous, and vibrant. My first impression was, “It feels smaller than I thought, but looks bigger than I imagined.” The air was perfumed by petrol. The sound of cabs and busses provided a chorus to the conversations on the streets; provided by people just going about their daily routines.             Behind all of this is a splendor that is both urban, and organic. St. James Park is a green oasis, just mere meters away from Buckingham Palace. Yet, the city seems to disappear once you’re among the trees.             Then of course there’s The Great Westminster Clock Tower (better known as Big Ben) and the Houses of Parliament. The first time I saw these was as child, when Nickelodeon (an American cable network) would show Danger Mouse , and Count D...

Meditations on Westminster Abbey I'd first read of this place when I was a teenager. I used to confuse one of my high school classmates by having him guess who was buried there. He never guessed right, not once. Whereas I'd memorized a large portion of those who claimed it as a final resting place. Not to sound ghoulish, but I'd wanted to visit this former cathedral/burial place for some time. It was a key location on my recent visit to England, and I was glad I took the time and effort to walk to it. It was the highlight of the time I spent in London. It wasn't about spending time with the dead. No, it was about what the place can teach us about life. Westminster Abbey was built some 1056 years ago. It's probably the oldest building I'd entered during my U.K. Holiday. On this trip I'd visited Leamington Spa, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Oxford, and London. All of which I'll talk about in later entries. Westminster Abbey is one of those plac...

I'm taking a long-awaiting trip to the U.K. this week. In preparation I compiled a list of things to do while I'm there.  10. Get Daisy Ridley's number, er, autograph! Ask to meet Rey's parents.  9. Find out if Emilia Clarke really does have pet dragons.  8. Have Wicker Man style shindig at Stonehenge. A BYOS party: Bring Your Own Sacrifice. 7. Find the best brownies in Glastonbury; both the confection, and the fey folk.  6. See if Chris Hitchin's liver was preserved after death.  5. Create a black hole with Stephen Hawking, using household items.  4. See if Platform 9-and-three-quarters leads to an enchanted disco bar, as well as Hogwarts Express.  3. Rent the Tower of London for recreational purposes. Ravens included!  2. Ask Kate Winslet about the end of Titanic. Leo could have totally fit on that door!  1. Find excalibur. Extract from watery tart in a lake. Become king. Smite my enemies.  Bonus goals: Find...