March 29, 2008
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May I Introduce______?
It’s funny how our Xanga network operates. I have my set of friends. You have yours, and sometimes the two shall meet. I’d like for them to meet! To which one of your Xanga friends would you like to introduce me? I’ve got my subscription list to the left so you can make sure I don’t already “know” the person.
It’s always fun to meet new people, even if it is only via the internet.
And, since it’s the weekend you can go on a tour of the Tower Bridge with me!
The bridge was built in eight years and finished in 1894. The City of London commissioned it due to all the traffic, especially carriages. The bridge is a drawbridge (the lower part across which is hidden behind my children’s heads) and lifts up two times a day taking only about 3 minutes to go the whole way up.
If you pay for the tour, you can go up to the second level, which is an observation deck and look out at the city and the Thames.
Here are a few of the things you will see.
City Hall
The HMS Belfast, which is now a museum
Skyscrapers
Lots of bridges (I believe the first on is London Bridge.)
The Tower of London (which is quite close and is where the Tower Bridge gets its name)
And the Thames River, which is what the Tower Bridge spans
Another part of the tour was to see the engine rooms. For the most part, they were B-O-R-I-N-G except for three hands-on displays which allowed you to feel what it was like to raise a drawbridge in high winds and such. Also, they had these nifty things which allowed you to pretend to be a Victorian family attending the opening of the Tower Bridge way back in 1894.
Some of us were less Victorian than others. (Yes, that is Hunter and I.)
Don’t forget to introduce me to someone, please!
Comments (32)
My Saturday is not over yet … but so far:
I’ve been working on a slide show for my photography business website.
All of our puppies needed baths (my jeans are rather damp right now).
And I just finished Richard III (Which features the Tower of London for several murders by the way).
So far a great Saturday!
My Saturday was absolutely fabulous. The income taxes are done (and submitted and accepted online – I love technology!) and I can’t wait to get that refund! And then to be able to go out to a wonderful dinner at the local pub with the best looking woman in all of Cambridge, what could be better?!?! And if I hurry, I will be the first comment on this post……..
Drats, beaten by one minute… oh, well. Now I can add a Mini!
My Saturday was fantastic.
I would love to see The Tower Bridge and The Tower of London.
We went on a fun adventure today too, although no pictures to share…it probably wasn’t really that exciting though. Oh well.
I’m not sure that I have any Xanga friends that aren’t already yours! I’ll have to work on that.
Nice picture of the Victorian lady and gentleman.
I’d like you to meet my sister, greenkittyrmu. I would formally introduce you with a link, but I have two left fingers tonight.
Dear Mary, oh Mary.
Your idea of introductions is so neat. The whole idea of my blogring, “The Internet Island”, which is now over two years old, was to promote meet and greets through the topics. I wanted to help match somewhat “popular” Xangans with those who might be a little shy and get them started, by sending traffic and comments thier way. It didn’t work out, and became just another writing prompt site, and not a very popular one at that.
In the beginning, when a blogger who had never received over 4 comments on an entry suddenly got about 15 on a topic entry, she was so grateful that I almost cried for her. Now, as you say, even the blogrings for the most part turn into “friendship groups”. Some of the loose knit groups are pretty active as social networks, but for the most part, it’s little communities, and after a while, they sometimes get old.
That’s why I love it when I get featured, like with the xangapedia article. I wish more people could experience that. Since I answer all my comments, I’m in the middle of “answering” right now. Your comment was on the “third page’ of comments I received, and I’m taking them in order, and thanking the “new faces” for visiting. You’ve seen my comments. I’m not rushing, and writing what strikes my fancy, just like now.
So as far as an introduction, I’ve got over 200 of them on my xangapedia entry, and I haven’t even “met” half of them.
I just “met” you pretty recently as it happens, if memory serves.
Love the tour. I love to do PhotoPosts that take one into the place as if they are there. This does that for me, with the Tower Bridge. Since I’ve never been to England, and would love to go, I can only do so vicariously through photoposts like this, so thank you very much.
Well, I’ve got to go meet some more folks. I’m spending a lot of time over this weekend on Xanga, but I planned to do so, and it’s incredibly fun.
Oh, and RYC: The “Life” “Time” “Xanga” xattoo which I photoshopped on my head hasn’t changed since I added it.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
i love the pics
I gave you some stars…as I promised. Only four this time because even though architectural stuff is interesting, it’s not as nearly as interesting as more historical tidbits. So I’m saving five stars for your next historical England post.
Wonderful tour my dear!
Hi, I would love for you to meet Thankfulmomma (or mama). Anyway, however it is spelled, you can find her near the top of my subscriptions. She is one of my very dearest friends, not only in cyberspace, but in real life. She actually lives closer to you than me, but lived here for a couple of years about 8 1/2 years ago which is when we met. Our oldest children are about 3 weeks apart and we supported each other through that whole first time mom thing.
TM is one of the smartest and most enjoyable to talk to people I know, but also being extreemly humble, godly and down to earth she would probably never see herself that way. She is a loving wife and mother whose patience and gentleness are a great example to us all. She loves the Lord and it is very evident in everything she says and does and just in who she is. She also loves books and good food and long wonderful discussions on many different subjects. We do not agree on everything, but have never had anything but a good conversation with respect and interest on both sides whether we agreed or not. This is one cool girl. you guys have a lot in common. I would love for you to meet.
RYC- shut up! nothing to forgive. I took no offense and never would. Love hearing your thoughts.
Loved the pics
@Hobbits8 -
Ah, but in the Xanga world, giving four stars is the equivalent of saying, “Lousy.” It knocks you off any featured lists and such. Stars are an imperfect system at best.
Great pictures! I give you 5 stars.
I really enjoy looking at the photos of fwren’s xanga!
http://www.xanga.com/knitsteel I think you would like knitsteel.
Love your cyber-tours! Looks like you all had FUN!
From your list, it would seem you already read half the blogs on Xanga! …..Just kidding. I’m going to have to visit the person who is eatyourweightincheesepuffs, though. Sounds like my kind of gal, or guy.
Hmm, someone on my list I think you would enjoy reading….. how about wedhappily? She’s a charming, young Christian mom of 2 who lives in Northern Ireland. She doesn’t post too often, but when she does, her posts are always delightful to read.
A three hour walk!? I so wish I could have gone with you! Think of how much fun we would have had talking~
I am so glad you got back before dark!
We had a surprise call tonight from a church in Littleton,CO~
More info later!
me
Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind comment ~ glad to have you and come back anytime!! Blessings to you ~
i think you would like to meet my friend i_was_there_and_back_again. she is in homeschool co-op with me, she loves lit and history stuff, and photography. she also presents cool devotional thoughts on most of her posts, that make me think of eternal things instead of just what i can see.
thanks for all your historical and otherwise pictures of your experience. i don’t know when i’d ever get to england myself, so it has been fun seeing it through your eyes.
Great pics! I wish I was with you! But, I’ve already told you about that…
I’d like to introduce you to Michel; his Xanga name is Fauquet. He lives in France, has wonderful anecdotes of his life in Europe over the years, is a sweet, sweet soul…..and he provides a great way to brush up on French through his posts.
Better tell Flutemom we’ve already “met”! Someday in person!
Great idea, btw….
great pics!
@AggieSoonerMom - Thank you so much Minimom for your very sweet intro!!
Hi Mary, thanks for posting these photos. we’ve been living in the UK for almost 8 years and we still haven’t made it to London yet. We hear that the opening of paliament is quite the event.
Thanks for subbing !!
hello. i’ll introduce myself. name’s jon2 and i’m from the philippines.
the pics of the buildings are great!
You and Hunter just look so charming! Hahaha…
~Libbyk~
I think you would enjoy reading Corin‘s blog! She has a wicked sense of humor, and with her four little cuties, has plenty of opportunity to share that humor with us!!! Tell her I sent you!
Oh, and I know Tia isn’t a xangan, but I hope you’re enjoying her blog as well.
I know I don’t comment often, but I enjoy your blog so much! Even when you aren’t in England!
Alesha
I love the photos. I’ve always wanted to visit London. You’re lucky pandas….
What lovely sweet pictures, what a great idea…I am new to Xanga…have met a lot of nice people, but one special person to me is gailthepainterly…she got me started here and has been a loyal supporter on those days when someone said something unkind to me or I felt like quiting due to nothing important to say. She is soooo talented and such a sweet/hearted person. HUGS!!!
Seeing that all the people I subscribe to usually have your lovely face in their comment boxes, I don’t think there’s anyone I know that you don’t already know!! But, Lillyma is a very creative, sweet person I subscribe to. Mom of 5 and in the theatre!
I love your pictures, as always, though!
hello again
ryc: the train i believe came from japan. i really love riding that coz’ it’s faster. though it’s a pain to get there on peak hours.
@wedhappily - You are quite welcome. Even though I know you are very busy, you will just have to start posting more often now.
that looks like a lot of fun there
I love your blog. Good to meet you. Thanks for the guided tour of London. I’m brand spankin new here so unfortunately I dont know any one yet to recommend. I plan on visiting England, London some day and experience it for myself