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Attn: London 'lithers: Help a Sista Out???

19:16 / 26.03.03

I may be jumping a sort of gun, but here goes:

Yesterday I did something that may have been silly. Without friend or foe in the U.K. I sent off for a 6 month work visa and bought a round trip ticket to London. As an American who's only ever crossed the Pacific ocean, albeit alone both times, this next adventure is a bit daunting.

So, even though I haven't posted regularly to Barbelith in, errr, years, and am a sort of silent member, I'd really appreciate any advice/email correspondence you British (and Scottish) Barbeloids have to offer! I need to meet like-minded people, and I don't want to be stuck working at Starbucks. I won't arrive till June 12, so there's no hurry.

Since none of you know me that well here is some sample bio info...
I am:
-23 yr old female
-recent college graduate in Comparative Literature and Japanese

I enjoy:
-rock shows
-non-pretentious art
-veg/vegan food
-tea
-just about anything labeled 'Cultural Studies'
-hobbits
-lively discussion
-dirty martinis
-the Invisibles--HA!

19:31 / 26.03.03

There are loads of London 'lithers who I'm sure would be happy to show you the hotspots of the captial. Incidentally, London also boasts a large residential area south of the river known as Brighton. There are quite a few of us here, so if you're ever up for a jaunt to the seaside...

19:40 / 26.03.03

There have been a multiplicity of non-english barbelithers that have come over to work for a spell - i'm sure they'll climb out of the wood work and tell their own stories in due course.

You can be sure there will be a welcome wagon when you get here - and you will finally be able to see what the jorene celeste and the princess louise that everyone keeps talking about.

20:21 / 26.03.03

Yay, we can have a big barbemeet to welcome you to these wartorn shores! You'll be off and running all round our little town in no time, without stabilisers.

But -non-pretentious art? Don't be silly, this is London. Pretence is our thang.

Brigade du jour

20:47 / 26.03.03

Aah, bless your heart!

Yeah, London's pretty scary until you get used to walking with your elbows sticking out and blanking every single person you see ... even if it's your mum.

But then, what's that in the distance ... ? Hold on ... the bright light's dimming, the smoke is clearing ... it's somebody I know! Yay London!

20:59 / 26.03.03

Yes, Yes, art with out pretense is extremely hard to come by. But everytime I go to the Whitney I get the giggles. It will be nice to live in a large city that's not as disgusting as NY.

Yay! My birthday is just a few days after I'm due to arrive. Maybe I won't have to go solo afterall.

The Return Of Rothkoid

21:10 / 26.03.03

Mononoke: don't jump the gun on disgusting... you'll have the tube-given black snot to overcome first...

More soon.

21:22 / 26.03.03

Mmmm... London black boogers. Barbeque flavour.

I'd invite you down to Southampton, but that's prolly put you off. May well see you at a Barbemeet, especially if I end up on the NLP course in London like I've got planned. Y'all be seeing a lot more of me then.

Goodness Gracious Meme

22:29 / 26.03.03

Hey mononoke, that's v.cool

(I was probably a Dayglo Indian Goddess last time you were round these parts)

Going by yr list of interests, you'll find alot in London to do. (and repeating/seconding the invite to brighton for some beachlife...)

And don't trust those london Barbelithers, unless they're offering you drinks. They don't fuck about with alocohol, it's against their religion.

hic

01:20 / 27.03.03

There's some old threads here and here
about moving to London. There's more I'm sure within The Conversation too if you want to look....

Avoid Starbucks! Temping may be a good idea work wise? Or heading to Glasgow or Brighton over London? (no offense London, of course) Best of luck!

Lilly Nowhere Late

05:04 / 27.03.03

Moving to London eh? Well from one ex-pat to a future one, best
wishes! First thing is you will want to figure out where to live- I
recommend Stoke Newington, n.e. London. Its the only community in
London I could possibly tolerate. Art, music, food, drink,
multi-culture, easy-ish to get round, very homey-village-y but near
nough to everything.
As far as working, how'd you manage a work visa? I had to get married
to sort mine out. If you have the qualifications to teach, doing
supply teaching seems to be very lucrative,easy and well scheduled.
You will have to get all police-checked and so forth. A Canadian
friend is doing this and making loads of money(£130/day after tax) and
scheduling herself to work when it suits.
There are tons more things to tell, perhaps emailing would be smarter.
Drop us a line. I will be happy to canvass my client list for
accomodations for you.
O and do not think you are escaping the grunge--all charming aspects
of London living aside- this is one of the filthiest cities I have
ever lived in. One becomes obllivious and loves it all anyhoos!

Our Lady of The Two Towers

16:36 / 27.03.03

bengali in platforms They don't fuck about with alocohol

Quite right, we're too busy getting pissed. Providing no-one does anything useful between now and June I can offer you limited crash-space for a short while, if all else fails. I'd suggest tracking down and having a word with Cherry Bomb, see if she has any advice as she was in your situation a while back...

18:50 / 28.03.03

thank you all soooooo much for this advice/support stuff. i knew that i could always count on barbelith.

due to a hectic work schedule and slow, slow dial-up connec at my apartment, i haven't been able to 'surf' this crazy 'net' thing a whole lot lately, but will be sure to update you all as the date of departure gets nearer.

see you in june!
m

18:44 / 29.05.03

The countdown begins...

I'll be there in two weeks and am getting pretty excited. I'll be staying with a friend of a friend in Greenwich for a few weeks while I sort things out and am happy about living so close to the Olde Cutty Sark (har har).

I've just started a thread in the Gathering section, so let's get ready to rumble.

xxxmono

08:40 / 30.05.03

Hey, have a gander at these as well:

http://www.barbelith.com/underground/topic.php?id=10080
http://www.barbelith.com/underground/topic.php?id=12135

just for stuff to do.

Greenwich is luverly as well, you'll be arriving into a nice neighbourhood.

London absolutely rocks btw. I've only been here for half a year or so, and I've rarely felt more at home. Especially now that my snot is inky black and I bitch about the transport.

Having just moved over and had hassles: apply for your National insurance number the day you get off the plane!

12:08 / 30.05.03

British *and* Scottish huh mononoke?

Sorry - just being a pedant.