My Game Theoretical Dominant Strategy? Explore, explore, explore.

So, a great blogger I ain't. But, know my lack of entries is due to the speed of life in London. I'm as busy as I've ever been, and couldn't be happier. Rather than even attempting any kind of chronological order, I thought I'd just share a few things I've seen/done lately.

1. (And nothing really beats this, ever) SAW U2 LIVE! FOR FREE! BBC had a U2 day, to celebrate/promote their new album. And, though it wasn't publicised, they set up a 'spur-of-the-moment' concert from the roof of BBC Tower. A friend heard a rumour, so we set out on a Friday afternoon to investigate. Sure enough, we arrived at the tower to see speakers strapped around the building and a few hundred people already waiting. An hour later, and joined by a few thousand more Londoners and three helicopters, out came U2!!!! They played and we screamed--some new music, but also Joshua Tree, Vertigo, and Beautiful Day. When we looked around at the crowd, we noticed ages from 12-60, all screaming together. It couldn't have been a more perfect start to the weekend (the evening, for those interested, late progressed to a club). So, to summarise, during my year here in London, I've seen the Queen and Bono. To quote Gershwin, who could ask for anything more?

2. The Gershwin quote explained: A friend was stage managing the university musical (some Gerswhin show, I forget), and had a last minute staffing issue, so I was volunteered to help carry things on and off the stage. I show up to dress rehearsal (fifteen minutes after discovering my new role, and after having spent an hour in choir rehearsal, and then another hour at the pub with my choir friends) and help build the stage extension. There's an older guy in overalls assisting, and we all talk like normal people. We're moving things, dropping things, swearing at said dropping of things. And I can't help but think I've seen the man before, but now, it must just be someone helping out. So we finish, and I head backstage to find my friend, who excitedly tells me who the man was. Exactly who I thought: Sir Howard Davies. The directors of my school, former head of the Financial Services Authority, and all-around one of the foremost thinkers on the credit crunch. He's this ridiculously bright (knighted) famous person, and he helped us build a stage! Needless to say, I felt like a teenage girl at a concert for the rest of the evening. [Note: So I realise with that post, I've definitively given away my location, but it's worth it.]

3. Trip to Cambridge and Ely. I took a bus trip to Ely Cathedral, and then Cambridge. Beautiful places, both with airs of importance. The Cathedral has stained-glass windows dedicated to the Battle of Britain air-fighters. And the University has, well, 900 years (really) of history. An amazing place. I would have loved spending three years there doing undergrad. BUT, in light of having but one year in the UK, nothing beats London.

4. Editorship. I was elected, at the beginning of term, to the editorial board of the student newspaper on campus. It's completely transformed my life here in London. Beyond sucking away any free time from my schedule, it has given me the chance to work on something for which I feel true pride. The paper is professional, modern, and ethical (in the journalism sense). The people are brilliant, and, as a collection of Brits/non-Brits, have a truly world-wide list of experiences through which to view the world affecting students. If interested, feel free to email me, or comment below, and I can send you the link to the online version.

Basically, I'm as happy (and healthy) as I've ever been. I feel like I've really created a life for myself in London, and am making the most of my year. But I do miss everyone back home (both homes) and love to hear from you all! Cheers!