London

[rm]

I've arrived in London.

The computer system at the 5-star hotel (which means good service by men in funny hats) is down, so checking in was a bit complex.

Also, Canary Wharf is a giant maze of wacky, made only slightly better by my wandering around in it lost singing "My Boy Builds Coffins," which should give you something of an indicator on what the flight over was like.

Speaking of, I have tales and tales and tales from the flight over (involving a very, very chatty girl who thought we were exactly alike... um, yeah, no), but that's for later.

When the tales were not transpiring though, I watched a random episode of Being Human, which I had never seen before. It was great (and Russell Tovey is scrumptious), but I'm not actually sure I'm going to be able to watch the show. It was the first episode of season 2 and you know the whole experiment on the werewolf in the pressurized chamber? Welcome to my one triggery-ish sort of thing. There is something about film scenes (it's fine in books) of medical experimentation on humans that produces in me a reaction I can't even described, but I get itchy and shifty in my seat and think about it for days. I had the same thing happen after V for Vendetta, and it was that night I got my first obvious celiac symptoms -- for the first week, I thought I was just reacting to the film. And I'd say, "I can't watch that sort of thing" but I'm compelled to understand my reaction, which is neither fear nor fascination, but something weird and visceral that feels like forgotten truth. So uh, if someone could weigh in on how much more stuff like that there is in the series, that would be good. I'm assuming a lot.

Then I watched the second half of "The End of Time" because that seemed appropriate. Most appropriate? I fell asleep after the seen of Ten gagged and woke up again for the scene with Jack and Alonso, because I am awesome like that. Those were the only two reasons I was watching anyway.

Meanwhile, the stone still hasn't passed.

Also, on a whim, I emailed the most famous tattoo shop in London a couple of days ago to see if they could fit me in to get a tattoo I've been planning for a while, since this trip seemed appropriate to the occasion. It takes months to get an appointment at this place. Months! They just emailed. They can fit me in. So I'm heading over there in a bit to talk to them about it, so maybe maybe.

First, food, beverage and the Imperial War Museum. Tonight, working on resisting going to an outdoor concert with fireworks at Kew Gardens as I absolutely must work on my response paper and eat chicken dopiazza instead.

London misses Patty and so do I.

Comments

[lefaym.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm pretty sure that that's the only episode where we actually see someone die in the decompression chamber, although the people in charge of the experimentation feature prominently throughout S2, so there's a lot more discussion of these experiments, and ep. 8 might be difficult for you to watch. However, regardless of that, S1 doesn't have any of that -- so you should be able to watch that, at least.

[hoyland54.livejournal.com]

Canary Wharf is one of the most surreal places I've ever been. I've changed from the Docklands Light Rail to the Underground there at rush hour and it was like we'd just wandered into a sci-fi film.

[rm.livejournal.com]

What's weird is that I shouldn't find it weird. I worked in Tower 1 in the '90s and this is like that. EXCEPT IT'S NOT.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

My memories of the Wharf are incredibly weird - 1992, riding the light rail around this completely deserted cyberpunk future being built over sixteenth-century ruins, and the whole project eerily dead even after the Tower supposedly opened (and went bankrupt a few months later). All those light rail stations to nowhere, futuristic buildings named for eighteenth-century shipping companies, heavy ghosts of the past and this insane gleaming empty future-vision like a robot-built city empty of humans over top of a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

I understand there are humans there now, but try to imagine it empty in broad daylight.

[rm.livejournal.com]

There are humans here now, but it's the only place I've been in the UK where every man in a suit instead of having style and flair is in a white shirt with practically the same drab tie. There's a weird, miserable fear to this place. Nice hotel though.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Heh, or a technothriller TV series, perhaps (one reason why I'd like to visit there, though probably not live there).

[gwyd.livejournal.com]

I've only seen season 1 of Being human as Season 2 hasn't started in the Us yet, but the whole first season is safe. They do work in a hospital, so there are scenes of things going on in hospitals, but no experimentation, if that helps.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, medical stuff can bug me out, but it's just like a normal sort of quick/phobia thing.

I'll cut the above re: S2, since I hadn't realized. But er, yeah, most disturbing scene ever.

[gwyd.livejournal.com]

If it helps, I really liked season one. The premise sounds cheesey, but the execution is excellent. My understanding is season 2 is about to start showing, but I'm not sure if it's this week or later in the month. I'm not angry. you couldn't have known and it's just episode One. I can live with that. ;)

[elainasaunt.livejournal.com]

Welcome to our side of the puddle. I'll be interested in your reactions to the Imperial War Museum. I go there with the SO a lot - we're both more or less interested in military history (him more, me less) and they put on super exhibitions: the current Ministry of Food one is supposed to be good and I'm hoping to get to it this summer. And then, of course, there's the fact that the museum is housed in Bedlam.

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

Which tattoo shop do you mean? (I'm planning to get one, but I'm not quite sure which place I want it from, so all advice there would be extremely timely)

[rm.livejournal.com]

Into You.

Although I've had some recs for a few others that have some potential. But pretty much EVERYONE says "Into You". I've not decided to do this yet (in part because of recent medical adventures), but I'll let you know what I think when I go visit later.

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Galleries do look good :)

[rm.livejournal.com]

I just went down there. Super nice, super clean. Fair price, worked with me on scheduling etc. Also, I managed to find it, which is saying something. London thwarts me.

[cruentum.livejournal.com]

See Canary Wharf didn't have any effect on me at all, I left after 30 min because it was hot, boring and a Sunday so no one in suits to ogle or chat up (Kidding).

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you made it safe and mostly sound (chatty girl notwithstanding). I wish you the best of luck over there, and I hope you feel better soon!

[cookiedough.livejournal.com]

I practically insist you watch season 1 Being Human asap (as you're going to Bristol you could visit the locations!) Season 1 should not be triggery and by the time you get to s2, you should hopefully be in love enough to want to keep watching. The episode you say definitely is the worst as far as your trigger goes, so you've already seen the worst. Season 1 is a lot lighter than s2, in general, but yes, you must watch it.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Narratively, I'm fine with the dark, but that scene, was absolutely, positively at the wall (and probably a bit over it) of what I could deal with. As long as it's not ever more (or nearly as graphic) I'm okay.

[keever.livejournal.com]

Contrary to the first commenter, I can recall two other scenes in two later episodes that show characters being subjected to the chamber. Those scenes are not nearly as graphic as what you've already seen, however. If you can tolerate it further, I highly, highly recommend the show, especially if you like Russell Tovey. It's pretty much my favorite thing on TV these days.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Patty and I have been planning to watch it together, and still will, I'm just much, much more braced for it than I was.

[rani23.livejournal.com]

HOORAY LONDON!! And HOORAY TATTOO!! :) Good luck! have fun!! :)

[miep.livejournal.com]

yay on the tattoo! is this the karmic payback for all you've endured this week?

[graene.livejournal.com]

So glad you made it there and are functional!

[meirion.livejournal.com]

So, is there going to be a meet with UK people on Sunday? I'll do my damnedest to be there if so.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Possibly, but not yet organized or likely.

[dabhug.livejournal.com]

Glad you've made it over safe.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

The compass or something different?

[gina-r-snape.livejournal.com]

I think you should watch season 1 first, before getting to season 2. There are elements that carry over, and obviously there will be less exposition.

As for your concern, there are a few compression chamber scenes, but none as graphic as the first one. More, once you have that in your mind you know what *might* happen, which is an obvious but effective device for sustaining dramatic tension.

That said, if it sticks in your mind that badly, it might bother you precisely because one underlying narrative is the threat of what might happen to two of the characters vis-a-vis the chamber and/or something else with the people running that "program." So even not seeing the chamber, the question is would the suggestion alone be triggery for you?

But I found season 2 to be fantastic. Very tightly written, well acted, visually interesting, and the final episode truly felt like something out of a (non-gory) horror film to the extent I don't think we ever see on US television.

Plus, Tovey is a darling, as you well know firsthand now.

[(Anonymous)]

Tovey is so wonderfully adorkable as George, and he gets some of the best lines in the series.

What I really like about Being Human is how it is way more realistic on tackling the Masquerade trope. George and Mitchell have jobs as hospital orderlies in order to keep a low profile, and there is very little that is flashy or glamorous among the lives of the supernaturals that you see in the series. Not an Edward to be seen...

[malle-babbe.livejournal.com]

^^^Above comment was from me

[bugeyedmonster.livejournal.com]

My head is into Anita Blake more; that Edward comment had me saying "But roasting vampires with flamethrowers is fun! So what if you burn the house down as well?"

Then I realized you probably meant the Meyer books (Stephanie Meyer?) with the glittery vampires.

[imaginarycircus.livejournal.com]

I have the first season of Being Human in .avi files. I can probably find a way to get them to you if you want them.

[yarram.livejournal.com]

If you are able to eat soba or ramen noodles and enjoy such things, check out a Wagamama restaurant (there's a few in London). I tried them on my trip there this spring and enjoyed their stuff a lot.

[nicoli-dominn.livejournal.com]

I'm (belatedly) sorry about all the crap you've been going through, including that stubborn kidney stone. I hope things on the trip go well for you, and that you feel better soon! ::internet hugs::

[heron61.livejournal.com]

Congrats on being able to get a tattoo there - what will it be of? In any case, your life seems far more like a story than most people's, and that's very cool indeed.

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

Very cool on the tattoo prospects. Holy appropriateness, Batman.

[goseaward.livejournal.com]

Totally with you on the medical-experimentation thing. *shudder* I loved s1 of Being Human, but haven't watched any more of s2 because of that first episode--although the comments above make it seem like I should.

I attribute mine to a bit too much reading about the history of mental institutions and experiments on minority groups, plus maybe something about the interpersonal dynamics of that particular kind of torture.

[rm.livejournal.com]

In thinking about it, in response to this comment, I think what I'm reacting to so strongly is the idea of the experimentation as punishment. Because that's the common thread in Being Human and V for Vendetta and the tonal quality of my medicalized childhood (because I was afraid of doctors it eventually became convenient for people to threaten me with them) -- that's probably what's flipping me out so badly.