Things to Do in London When You're on Leave

In no particular order. Further proof I am an Anglophile at heart. Either that or a Brit-poseur.

1. Meet Me Mates

This is imperative. There's no point in me going down to Londonwithout meeting all my old friends. There's the ol' uni drama gang, for one. Magnus has unearthed all the old scripts and promo posters which I'll be posting up once I get 'em. Then there's the childhood friends. Should be a nice round of nostalgia.

2. Visit Past Schools

Bear in mind, this does not include Concord. I've always wanted to revisit Mill Hill and Hendon Prep. Especially Hendon Prep. God, the place must be tiny now that I'm all growns up.

3. Check Out Goldersgreen

My old haunt. I've heard news on the grapevine that the place has changed considerably. They added a Starbucks. I just hope they didn't demolish one of the lovely bagel bakeries in order to do so.

4. Eat Chips in Pitta Bread, Beans On Toast, Fry Ups and Canelloni

Chips in pitta bread with mayo and ketchup were a prime source of carbo-energy when all I had in my wallet was less than two quid. Beans on toast were the next prime source when I didn't even have two quid. Fry ups I miss, as the definition of an 'English breakfast' in this country seems to consist of a spoonfull of baked beans, two pieces of toast and weiner-dogs. As for the canelloni, the one place I know in KL that does it does it bad.

5. Drink Tea

As much as I've been Malaysian-ized, I could do with ten days of teawithout copious amounts of condensed milk. I want semi-skimmed, godammit! Green tops, I say! GREEN TOPS!

6. Walk

No walking is done in this country. None at all. Hell, I skate on my deck to get from point A to point B inside my office (which has led to many almost-accidents). But London, that's different. Walk walk walk. Maybe the belly will go down. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.

7. Forbidden Planet

Comic books. Toys. DVD's. 'Nuff said.

8. DVD Shopping

So far on the list: Clerks X, La Haine, Ed Wood, Spinal Tap, Buffy season 7, Braindead, Idle Hands, Orgazmo and Baseketball. All movies I can't get here and all I've seen before with the exception of La Haine and Buffy. I feel my wallet lightening considerably at the mere thought.

9. Check out the London Eye

When it first came out, I despised it. It felt like something Malaysia would do, building a huge modern monstrosity in the middle of the city, made even worse by the fact that London is by far a more historical city thn KL. I really couldn't fathom why they'd build it. Now I'm really curious about the view. I wonder if there's a smoking booth?

10. Watch movies

At last. Uncensored movies without any bad subtitles. Hitchikers Guide, Sin City and any arthouse flicks on are definitely on the agenda.

11. Chinatown

There's a tiny little restaurant called Tai Ka Lok. The duck rice is kick ass. For some reason, all the ducks here are skinny, whereas the Tai Ka Lok ducks are juicy and plump. Not helping the belly, but at least I'll be walking. Walking all the way to...

12. Ed's Diner

Reservoir Dog and coffee n' butterscoth milkshake with a side order of atomic fries, please.

13. Check out Staki's

Or whatever it's called now. A casino somewhere near Euston (I think). Then again, why the fuck would I want to go there, it's not like I've ever won. But then, with that in mind the odds of me winning now are considerably higher, therefore... aargh! Cancel it from the list! The hunger strikes back...!

14. Check out a play/musical

All those years near the West End and the only musicals I went to were Grease, Oliver and Starlight Express. And one play on the trial of Oscar Wilde.

15. Wander the streets of Soho

In search of action, adventure... and something perverse and twisted to write about in this blog.

16. Go to Full Tilt@Electric Ballroom

Head. Bang.

17. Ozzfest

Head. Bang. More.

18. Party with Man Method

Head. Bop. Feet. Shuffle.

19. Get Wasted

Bit obvious, that.

20. Go to Denmark Street

Guitars. Lots of guitars.

21. Chill

The most important one, in my book. I need the chill out time, soak up the atmosphere by some cafe reading a comic book, smoking cigarettes and blogging my balls off. Is there WiFi in cafe's in England? Or do I need to go to a cyber cafe?

Less than 24 hours to go. Ole, ole ole ole...