London calling

'Wherever you go, there you are' - Yogi Berra

Well, holy shit. Today is finally here. After six months of planning and waiting, I leave Toronto for the glamorous and gritty streets of London, England on a one-way ticket with a stomach full of nerves. Today has already been way too emotional: I said good-bye to my step-sister this morning and those tears just wouldn't stop flowing. Needless to say, the airport is going to be a disaster.

I fucking hate good-byes.

But if it's not hard, it's not worth doing, right? I am waiting for the moment when I completely break down and back out of this situation like a shit-scared horse. I know, however, that won't happen for several reasons:

1) My roommate is already there. She'd be none too pleased if I just up and ditched her.
2) By the power of Zeus, I already have three interviews lined up!
3) This ticket is non-refundable, yo.
4) I've never actually wanted to do something more in my life. That includes the first time I funneled a beer.

But probably the most important reason I can't back out is an angelic woman named Marilyn. My mother did this same trip at my age. She worked as a journalist in London where she met and married my father before moving back to Canada.

Call it fate or whatever you want, but unwittingly, I'm taking the same journey and I could not be more eager to follow in her footsteps. I know she will guide me through my days there, even the first ones that suck a lot and make me wish I'd never even heard of stupid, rainy-ass London.

And so, I dedicate this post to my late mother, Marilyn.

I have so much to say, but I can't overwhelm this first entry with all my brilliance (read: bullshit) so I'll save some more gems for my next post tomorrow, when I'm coming off my Valium high and realizing what a ridiculous decision I have made.

To everyone reading this, I thank you. I will miss you all very much and I will be thinking of you as I journey across the pond.

Cheers,

Patsy

P.S. For some reason, I can't get this song out of my head, and it seems quite apt. So enjoy!