Travel Preperations for London

Well, May is fast approaching and with it my first trip outside the US. Well, I did travel shortly into Canada a few years back. I guess I should say this will be my first trip off the continent. I'm really stoked and can't wait for my travels to begin.

As this is my first major trip, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with what I need to do before I leave. Then I need to worry about what I'll actually do once I get to London.

I'm starting to work on two lists. One is a list of things to take care of before heading overseas, and the other list is things to do once I arrive. Following are the few lists I have made so far. (I'll likely keep editing this post as I think of more things or other items are suggested by others.

Things to do before leaving.
Receive and make sure Passport is in order. [Check]
Make flight reservations. [Check]
Make hotel reservations. [Leads on a few nice places]
Prepare check-list of things I'll need. [Work in progress]
Finish itinerary. [Research ongoing]
Purchase luggage. [I'm thinking I'll need one suitcase and a backpack]

Things to do once I arrive.
Visit Paris? - Look into Chunnel travel.
Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
Louvre

London / England
Thames
London Eye
British Museum
Tower of London
Big Ben
Cardiff?
Dublin?

Yes, it's a work in progress. I will flesh out my plans and am seriously thinking of keeping up my blog as I travel. I'll have to see how economical it will be to bring my laptop computer or the availability of internet cafes.

As always, feel free and please do leave comments or suggestions.

Haiku

Dreary, cloudy day.
Looks like they are here to stay.
Sun has gone away.

Remember?

Do you remember
the time I relate,
so much fun we had
it was really great.

What do you mean
you have no clue,
everything went wrong
you lost your left shoe.

You have to remember
such an embarrassing time,
they brought me the drink
with the rotten lime.

You did not forget
you are winding me up,
remember being peed on
by that adorable pup?

Don't be a buffoon
though I fell in the bay,
we laughed so hard
the very next day.

You surly remember
the fish and chips so bad,
stop denying it all
you're making me mad!

We ended the day
attending the Mecca.
Wait! Now I remember
it was Rebecca!

J.A.Scott

Will you miss me?

Only around,
for a little while longer.
Enjoy me while you can.

Do not treat me,
with hurtful ire, despise my name.
I can make you happy.

Children love me,
despite the pain I will cause them.
You must search for my charm.

I am dying,
in just a few months I am dead.
You may wish I were back.

Will you mourn me?
Will you secretly long for me?
Will you miss my embrace?

J.A.Scott

Jeffrey Scott's - Best of the Blogs - 2009

Trying to get back into writing more and more. Back in 2004 I had my own website and a 'forum' where I tried to host writings and encouraged followers to post replies and share information. Asked for replies and comments because I love the input. As you may have figured, it didn't really go anywhere and I soon gave up on the website and the forum. But there is no reason why I can't continue to do writing, even if there are little to no comments or interest. At the end of the day, I enjoy my writing and have fun writing blog entries.

In this 'Best Of' article, you'll notice how sparsely I started blogging, but soon found I need to split my blog up because the topics were so varied. Besides this one, I started hosting a 'Fitness' blog, mostly Biggest Loser recaps, and 'Tegan', a Sci.Fi blog, but mostly Doctor Who. In the years to come, I predict I'll be writing more and more. Stay tuned!

January
Jeffrey Scott - One Day Soon
This entry is just a statement wishing to blog more.

February
Jeffrey Scott - Something New Every Day
Declaring a month of entries for March

March
Jeffrey Scott - Java
A coffee themed poem

April
Tegan - The Humans are Dead
A video put to music from Flight of the Conchords
Carrot Sticks - Weight Loss Video
I produced a motivational weight loss video


July
Jeffrey Scott - Failed Children's Book Titles
Created a list of parody book titles

August
Jeffrey Scott - Failed Book Titles
Another list of failed book titles

September
Jeffrey Scott - Point / Counterpoint - Blogging
I debate the pros and cons of blogging
Carrot Sticks - Biggest Loser Recap - S08E01
Season Eight of Biggest Loser, I decided to write recaps

October
Jeffrey Scott - Carrot Sticks & Cottage Cheese
A poem I wrote for my fitness blog.
Tegan - What is T.A.A.D.I.S.
Introduction to a short story I wrote including Doctor Who, Sliders, Legion of Super Heroes and Quantum Leap
Carrot Sticks - Fight For It
Another poem I wrote for my fitness blog

The Poet and the Singer

Oh my heart beats,
with her by my side.
How did I get her to notice?
I wrote her a poem,
mentioned my love and devotion.

Musically speaks,
relaxing and calm.
Her singing is more vivacious.
What's shocking but true,
She believes that I am her mate.

We now join hands,
and stare into our souls.
Promise our future together.
Yes, love conquers all,
with the singer and the poet.

J.A.Scott

Writing Month A Success!

As some of you may know, this past month I was engaged in a writing challenge. I made it my goal for each day to write either a poem, short story or article. It has been a great month and I've been on goal. I finished the last of my stories on Tuesday. Wednesday have been my Biggest Loser recaps and I will continue to do them into the next month, so no worries there (if you read and/or enjoy). With three days left in my writing challenge I was going to write a three part story but due to lack of interest in the project and to gear myself up for November, which I have declared to be my fitness month, I've decided to write three articles to finish the month. I've actually been looking forward to November for several reasons. The biggest reason is with all the writing I've been doing, my exercise and diet have taken a terrible turn for the worse, especially the last two weeks where I really didn't watch what I was eating. I've been up to all hours of the night to get my writing done and I think it's taken it's toll. I'm starting to feel awful and know the reason why. Not taking care of what I'm putting into my body is having a drastic effect. But I stuck to my goal and I'm proud of myself for that. That's how I got the idea for a fitness goal. Knowing how dedicated I become to something once I'm focused I've got high hopes this Fitness month I'll be able to lose at least 20 pounds. That is my goal for the month. To keep me on task, I've devised a few rules I'm going to try and stick to. Following is the list, which I'll explain more in detail in tomorrows article.

No coffee - only Milk / Water
No Alcohol
30 minutes of exercise daily
Breakfast: Fruit, oatmeal, WW English Muffin...
Lunch: Sandwich, fruit...
Dinner: lean meat, serving of vegetables.
10:00 bedtime - up at 6:00 for exercise.
No fast food. Exception (Subway)
Snacking will be limited to popcorn, dairy, or WW snacks.
One vitamin a day.

I'm willing to bet I can do this. I'll appreciate all the help I receive from my family and friends.

For those following this blog, the rest of my fitness articles and results will be posted on my other blog. You can read it here: http://bobjillalison.blogspot.com/