4000 miles from home, and I couldn't be happier

Let's start from the beginning of my travels.

A week ago (early Wed morning) I flew to the best city in the world, New York City. During that time I met some great contacts, friends, and just had a blast. The networking from that trip will really help me get going when it's time to move this fall. I saw 8 shows...all which had some sort of redeeming quality if they weren't already AMAZING.

33 Variations: This really appealed to my inner musical geek. Well acted and really kept me engaged. And of course, who can complain about Jane Fonda?

Next to Normal: Still one of my favorites, but the transfer to Broadway lost some really great songs, even though taking them out focused the show more. The Booth Theatre is way too big for it though, it really does not engage the audience like it did Off-Broadway.

West Side Story: I really enjoyed this production, although I feel the Spanish took away alot from the show for me, as I did not know the conversations and the tempos seemed so SLOW in the Spanish songs! Matt Cavenaugh really made the show, and probably should have gotten a Tony nomination. It was great meeting him backstage afterward!

Shrek the Musical: I was so blown away by it! I expected a children's show, which really is what it is, but it's one of those light musicals that you don't need to delve deep into thought to enjoy. It could easily win a Tony.

God of Carnage: AMAZING. All 4 actors. Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden. All deserve Tony Awards!

In the Heights: I finally saw what the hype was all about last year...and I understand why. Excellent choreography and the 4 understudies I saw rocked it out!

The Singing Forest: Craig Lucas is crazy and it shows. This show had some great content, but just needed focus. Jonathan Groff and Olympia Dukakis were especially notable.

HAIR: Oh. My Gosh. FAVORITE SHOW EVER. It had such an energy unlike anything I've ever experienced. Everyone needs to see this show. EVERYONE.

And now, here I am in London, having the best time I've had in a while. Today I walked around and just did the sightseeing thing and went on the London Eye.

However, tonight will remain a highlight of the trip for a long time. It's the small things in life that really make people genuinely happy, and I had one of those moments tonight. More like several hours. I was on the Jack the Ripper tour (which is EXCELLENT by the way), seeing all these happy couples and groups together chatting, while trying not to be the awkward loner. Apparently there was another loner in the group too, so he came over noticing I had something that reminded him of the US. We began chatting and it turns out he is a civilian soldier for New Zealand in town on business. Jonathan turned out to be a really cool guy, probably 21 or 22. We chatted the whole tour and ended up taking the same tube back to our respective places. It is so refreshing to just hang out with a total stranger sometimes. I guess it's that unfamiliarity, a change of pace from what we are use to. It was an unexpected acquaintance, and we will probably never see each other again...but we will both remember that one night in London where we had a great time with someone we never knew before.

That's all for now, 4 more days in Londontown!