| ALAN'S VISIT April 2004
Who is Alan? |
| Alan is a
friend of mine from Texas whom I've known since university days. We used to sit
next to each other in symphonic band and orchestra and make up nonsense words
to Bernstein's Kaddish symphony: "Fajitas for Mama, fajitas for
Papa," that kind of thing. Coincidentally, we both moved to New York
around the same time and then later both of us emigrated to Germany. Now, Alan
lives in Los Angeles, where he probably wears sunglasses to breakfast, and I
live here in England, but that doesn't stop us from seeing each other once in a
while. |
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During Alan's visit, we went to Brighton,
specifically Alicia Witt (Hollywood screen star and great fan of fish and
chips) in a play called
The
Shape of Things at the Theatre Royal. Dramatically, the lighting desk at
the theatre broke, and our opening night performance was cancelled, but as a
wonderful consolation prize, we got to go out for drinks with the star and her
friend, British actor and über-hunk Samuel West (Howard's End,
Van Helsing, and my dreams). I'm such a star freak (think Kathy Bates in
Misery), that I was enthralled to spend the evening among such stellar
company and a good time was had by all. |
Alicia Witt |
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Sam West |
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| The next day, we visited Brighton's
garish Pavillion, and the Pier before heading back home. |
Alan about to dig in at the fabulous Terre a Terre vegetarian restaurant |
Alan, me, and Amy in front of the Pavillion |
The Pavillion |
A rough dad, seen at a Brighton tapas bar |
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While walking around the town, we ran into a group
of children's counsellors who were running some kind of sports activity day
throughout the town centre. Of course, I snapped a couple of shots of the
aerobics counsellor. |
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A cute bear seen in a Brighton shop |
Later that week, we spent a lovely
afternoon in Windsor, where we strolled among the cobbled lanes and visited the
impressive Castle, where we marvelled at the restoration that has taken place
since the fire of 1993. We also posed next to a poker faced guard and stalked
various cute men around the premises. |
Outside Windsor Castle |
Gargoyles always intrigue me |
With the guard |
Alan found a magnifying glass in Eton |
One of the visitors to the Castle |
This man works in Windsor's HaHa! |
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On Alan's last full day, we went kite flying. |
Feeling the wind |
Alan and Nick discussing string |
A fellow kite enthusiast |
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