So I am recovering from a couple of days of less then exciting traveling in London. You see, the union of the Tube (or the 33% that actually voted) staged a strike because they don't want the city to let people go and be replaced with automatic ticket machines  LIKE THE REST OF EACH MAJOR CITY IN THE WORLD. In fact, the machines and automation are already there.

Yes that is Bob Crow, head of the union. I find it so awesome thought that fortunately for this guy on a soccer tour, this first strike was only for two week-days (Wed & Thursday) because the Labor party really does not want to mess with the weekend Football and Rugby plans. Yep, the "Labor" party totally screwed everyone in the city of London for two days.  I think they should rename it to something more reflective.

If this petty politics happened int he US of A, you can bet there would be hell to pay.....

Leyton Orient fan leaves club £150,000 in his will

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A lifelong supporter of Leyton Orient Football Club has left the club £150,000 in his will. Born in Stoke Newington, John Burman died a battle with cancer. He was 55 years old.

. Credit: Press Association

Leyton Orient said he wanted his legacy to live on at the club with a gesture of "unprecedented kindness".

The club will mark his death by dedicating the game against Peterborough United this weekend in his memory.

Here is there tat of a new friend I met last night at a gigantic sports pub with an overwhelming choice of pints. Juan Pablo has this on his arm:

Yes as you may have guessed, he is from Madrid and that is a Real Madrid emblem. For a tough guy, he said he has had it "for only 20 years, because my folks would not approve". 

Well, I caught up on some Spanish (in England) last night; we shall see what today/tonight brings

Good to hear you made it!  It wouldn't be a trip for the Killeens without a strike, swine flu or a few bombings! Snow day here so go out and take London by storm! Love you Les(read my post and then remove not sure how to comment on this blog)

I made it!  Running on fumes with watching movies and reading on Virgin Air. Great experience.

There is a subway or "Tube" strike this week  (Naturally). What a shit-show getting from the local London train location to my apartment...

"Millions of commuters in London face delays and disruption after Tube staff went on strike over plans to close ticket offices on the subway train system."



  More to come....

As I prepare to leave...

I reflect now as I finish packing I just might have an addiction of a strange type.  As most of you know, I like to read, I read annual reports, magazines, newspapers, of course books, and now the Kindle. When I travel (which is no that frequently)  I tend to over prep my reading supplies. My biggest fear is that I am stuck somewhere with nothing to read. I mean my life is ticking away and I am just sitting there wasting my brain.

This is airport and airplane-oriented but I find that I really want to read when something awful is happening. I just visited my brother int eh Hospital  (Beth Israel 3rd time in 15 years) and all I could think about was what I would bring to read, would it be enough? Is there a newstand there in the lobby?

I am bringing on the plane  several soccer books and a couple of magazine about the Beatles. Also John Grisham newest book.  I anticipate drinking a few too many on the long flight and maybe thee is a bad movie?

Just confirmed I will be seeing Liverpool vs. Fulham on the 12th. If Suarez bites someone again, I will be there to witness him. I have probably watched Liverpool more than other clubs due to the Red Sox promotions of the games. I do like the coach Brendan Rogers as well