London is buried in most snow seen in 18 years.

.. and it is still really coming down.

The first snowfall this winter- but it is making up for lost time.

Today was my first day of school, but I didn't go.  It was closed due to weather (or at least I hope.)  Instead, I had a great time walking/sliding around my neighborhood snapping some shots.

No busses are running today and much of the tube is shut down.  While it really isn't record breaking for Chicago's standards, London simply isn't equipped to handle this much snowfall.

As a side note: I'm progressively disappointed at the soft periphery when using the fish-eye lens. A word to the.. interested: you get what you pay for when it comes to lens accessories. 

A city of snowball fights.

More mocha goodness at Nude on Sunday

Impromptu Game Night

Friends James, Benji, and Natalia came over for a little Cluzzle action.

Benji's 'classroom' was awesome, my 'park' was duly noted, while James' sculpting of 'farm' reigned far superior and was thus also his downfall as it was guessed too quickly.  I love the duck's beak!  James also made a good showing with his 'Easter Island.'

At walk-in clinic at Whitechapel.

Here because of a very uncomfortable ongoing choking feeling in my
lower throat I've had a few times over the years, but has been
constant for 5 days now including waking me up at 3'AM last night.

Care here is free, save for a £7.50 prescription fee, even though I'm
not yet registered with NHS (the national healthcare system for
England.) While the center is seedy, the price is right.  

After 2 hours in the waiting room, I spoke with the Doctor for almost 40 min about her family and India, and then for about 10 minutes about my sickness.  Although I was really feeling for the girl in the waiting room with the obvious bladder infection, the chat was really quite enjoyable.

More macrophotography fun on my Lumix LX3 (no add'l lens used.)

It's the same spider in both pics.

Annie and coworkers come to London.

I have had an excellent time over the last two nights.  Annie's crew came to town to promote the show. (-names intentionally omitted-) The first night I didn't bring my camera and the iPhone has again let me down with its poor performance in low light.  That night we had a great evening at a pub/club complete with a spirited impromptu game of go-fish and the newly invented dancing dominos.  The loser(s) were punished with their choice of either a shot of jägermeister or a cartwheel that one must conduct stealthily in order to not get kicked out of the joint.  The paparazzi proved an interesting experience.  They were even taking pictures as a certain guy in our party came out of the bathroom stall.  No shame.

The second night we hopped around to some different clubs where we danced and and eventually ended up back at their hotel until 6AM or so enjoying the 'honesty bar' where I honestly signed others' names and ate some most excellent room service.

You know you've really had a fun night when it is complete with sparklers, a 70 yr old bagpiper, the airplane position, street-sign climbing, handstands, dancing, and naked pictures (of a drunk scotsman during an unfortunate kilt incident). 

In the composed group picture taken at Covent Garden Apple Market, those pictured are:

Me, Kev, an actor from the show, Annie, the director, his wife, and three producers.