Pilgrimage to Macca (Anniversary of Beatles Rooftop Concert 30/01/11)

Fourty-two years ago yesterday, the Beatles played their final concert on a the rooftop of the then, Apple building, located at 3 Saville Row in London. They started playing the now famous gig at around lunchtime as office workers in the posh London area flooded onto the streets to listen.

"Holy shit" someone surely said. "That's the bleedin' Beatles!"

So, as the loyal Beatlemaniac/Geek that I am, I decided that yesterday, January 30th, I would drag my fiance into the cold, at lunchtime of course, to look at a building.

We arrived at 3 Saville Row at around noon and looked at the building for a while. Morons had defaced with entrance area with messages for the lads that they will likely never see, and most definitely do not give a shit about.

I had high hopes of feeling some sort of strange aura or something. A transendental Mararishi-esque experience of Magical Mystery Tour proportions!!! I didn't of course. It was cool to go there though, and I'm glad that I did. As a Beatlemaniac/Geek, it's somewhere you have to go if you get the chance. I am not a member of any religion and as such, have no holy place. These other religions have places they have to go see, so why can't I? After Abbey Road, this is a definite must see for the BeatleNerd.

                                                                         A Beatle Nerd

                                                                              A roof

                                                                             A door

You will recognize the area from the Let it Be movie as it is largely unchanged. You will know which windows people were sticking their heads out of. Many posh beige coloured businessmen were disturbed by "all that racket" and wanted it stopped. What a load of see you next times! You will know where the police assembled trying to figure out what to do with the lads. Incidentally, they did nothing except to politely ask them to stop. The Beatles had hoped they were be dragged away by the cops, which, I'm sure you will agree, would have made the film much more exciting!

How many Scientologists does it take to change a light bulb?

***Attention. If you are weak minded, easily brainwashed, a science fiction writer or Hollywood A-List actor...do not read any further!!!***

There are things to do everywhere. It really just depends on how much money you have and/or how creative you are. In our great city of London, there is a smorgasbord of sights and sounds, weirdos, museums and installations,comedy, pubs, restaurants, celebs, strip clubs and more! But no matter your budget, there are fun ideas out there, even for the working poor, as many of us are.

I came upon this idea as I was sitting on the Coach last week heading from Cambridge to London. I settled in for the brutal two hour dri ve in the tortuously cramped National Express seat not created for the likes of me. Im sure my 6'4" frame was not considered during the construction of most public transportation vehicles, i think we are supposed to walk.

I sat reading 'A Cooks Tour' by Chef Anthony Bourdain (Free Plug Tony!) as the dark grey drizzly English weather rolled along my window, attempting to to pass the time without wanting to kill myself. After an hour or so of reading, smelling the putrid stink from the on-board loo(someone must have had curry for dinner) and sneakily drinking a can of Strongbow, I heard an odd comment from a girl sitting in one of the seats in front of me. I swear, this is what I heard,

"I know right! And did you know that psychiatrists caused the holocaust?"

Um, okay? Listen, I'm not claiming to be a WWII expert, except that I am one, so I think she might need to do a little more research. It was (obviously) at this point that I stopped reading Tony's book. By the way, ever notice he uses the word "ethereal" way too much?
 Anyhoo, I digress, it turns that out one of these girls, perhaps both, were Scientologists, it was hard to tell as one was much louder(Australian) and did most of the talking.

Before I continue, I must say that I am not one to disparage one's religion, I mean to disparage all of them equally and without predjudice! Okay, got that out of the way.

These two went on and on about psyciatry, dianetics, L. Ron, nonsensical testis and all sorts of strange things... but not one mention of Tom Cruise...hmm, strange. Though I must admit, I am a tiny bit afraid of him now, after listening to these two broads talk for only an hour.

This however, brings me to my point..finally! I think it would be an interesting anthropological exercise to go down to one of those Scientology centres, there are a few in London, and get a free "reading" or personality test done from one of their machines, which according to several sources, have absolutely no scientific value and are simply props! Have a chat with the examiner, ask them some fun questions, enjoy the experience and for Xenu's sake, do not get brainwashed! And of course, write about it in your blog nobody will read. Stay tuned for the conclusion!

It's a mad mad mad mad...something.

I was thinking the other day, and yes, it did hurt a bit. I was thinking that maybe I should write a blog at long last. But, I always thought that blogs were for douch bags, and I am not sure that I am wrong. SO, I decided to do something a little different, and by different I am sure that means it's been done to death, it's just I don';t read blogs, so how would I know?

I decided to write about London. I am not from here so I find it fun and interesting and exciting. I have lived in Tokyo and Toronto and I find London just as and sometimes, even a little more fun. I intend to drink my way around and see what happens. A gonzo journalistic adventure for no pay. Incidentally, as I am something of a fiction writer, I was told by my literary mates "never write for free!" and I agree with them wholeheartedly, but this, that I write here which may or may not ever be read, I do for pure masterbation. So, read it you wish, do or do not, there is no try.

I will try to stay cool, if you do the same. Kapla!