I wasn’t able to sleep on the plane as I’d hoped. It wasn’t entirely fruitless as I was able to watch The Usual Suspects for the first time, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Regardless, the result was that my flight left JFK at 7:30pm on 1 January, and landed at 8am on 2 January in London. I was completely exhausted, but still had to spend several hours in customs and dealing with delayed baggage. By the time I got to my room it was 11am, and I was wiped out. I plugged my trusty alarm clock into my new International Adapater and figured I could sleep until the afternoon. I woke up at 3am. At least, according to my alarm clock.  As my cell phone, room phone, and internet would not be functional for several days (Indeed, UCL would not provide internet access until Friday 4 January) I had no idea what the correct time was. Hell, I had no clue what day it was. My only recourse was to start roaming the hallways. Fortunately a neighbor stepped into the hall at a moment right when I nearly was out of sight. He informed me it was still the second, and that it was about 10pm. Deus ex machina.
My room is a single, in a rather shabby building in a scenester part of town (Camden Town to be precise). Many piercings, tattoos, and bold hairstyles are on display in the area. I do have a sink in my room, and now finally have an internet connection and a cell phone! Ah, luxury. The first place I tried to buy a cell phone from the gentleman he informed me that they only sold SIM cards, and told me I’d need to get my USA phone unlocked in order to use theirs. He told me that a man down the street who sells watches might do it for 10 pounds. I went elsewhere.
Otherwise my time has largely been occupied with acclimating to a new bureaucracy and academic system, registering for classes, enrolling, acquiring a student ID, purchasing necessities, and attending various orientation meetings. Fortunately in the process I have met many of the other American students in the building and they’re very friendly people. It’s comforting to know people again. Tomorrow the plan is to check out the London Zoo. From what we gather we’re a short walk away. It’s been gray and rainy, although only one day was legitimately cold. Fortunately my mother provided me with an arsenal of various silk garments at Christmas and I’m well prepared.
I was also stunned to see Kenny Williams has been up to his usual tricks. While he has varying amounts of success, I don’t know that I’ve ever initially reacted to one of his trades with anything but shock and bewilderment.