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Slept in this morning to begin the new year fresh. Awoke to the sounds of a marching band below our window…part of London's loud and colorful New Year's Parade. Brunch in the hotel and then out into the parade crouds. Seemed like all of the marching bands and cheering squads were from the USA.

Retraced our walk from last night…through Green Park to Buckingham Palace. With temperatures in the mid 30s, the iconic palace guards were dressed in warm grey overcoats. Visited the Queen's Gallery bookstore…Sherie picked out postcards of. Prince Harry…grrrrrrrrr. 🙂 Jeff found a cool book on royal hounds. I picked out a cute Christmas ornament for next year's tree.

Took a leisurely walk around the walls of the Palace Mews and along the edges of Hyde Park to Knightsbridge…with noisy streets filled with sale shoppers. Visited both Harvey Nichols and Harrods…both teeming with bargain hunters. We left with bottled water.

After dark, entered Hyde Park and its festive Winter Wonderland canival. Bright flashing lights, pulsing colors, and screaming children. We opted for the towering ferris wheel, glistening with white and blue lights. Our first glance of London's iconic skyline…Big Ben, Westminster, and the London Eye were lit up against the night sky.

Took the Tube back to our hotel to freshen and plan a late dinner (a stunning 4£ ride each). Ate wonderful dim sum in SoHo at Ping Pong. My vanilla lemon vodka drink was totally yummy. All of the food hit the spot…a spicy chicken dumpling was my personal favorite.

Walked back to the hotel through holiday-lit streets and the flashing lights of Piccadilly Circus.

We began our New Year's trip to London where all good trips begin…in the international Red Carpet lounge. Little nibbles and sparkling wine soothed pre-flight stress. Chris handed out Airborne.

Jeff and I snagged seats 12 H/J. A poor movie choice sucked us in…Fred Claus…a weak moment of post-Christmas blues. But wine, dinner, dessert, and Bailey's sent us right through the no-laugh movie and into dreamland.

Awoke as we entered UK airspace. Bright sun glistening off Northern Ireland's lakes mixed with low, misty clouds. Landed at London Heathrow…Terminal 1. On through passport control.

Met Sherie in the terminal, fresh from her flight from LA. An easy 25min hop on the Heathrow Express train to London's Paddington Station. Then a quick cab ride through central London to the hip May Fair hotel…in Mayfair.

While Chris and Sherie napped, Jeff and I took a brisk walk through nearby Green Park to see Buckingham Palace at night. A shimmering Christmas tree front and center. We also spotted the towering London Eye, glowing with purples and blues. Back across Green Park. Popped into the Ritz…the friendly bellman politely reminded us that the area past the lobby was dinner jacket only. Still the tree and lights in the lobby were beautiful.

Strolled through local Mayfair, including a walk down the famous Bond Street shopping area. A final glimpse of Christmas glitter.

Returned to the hotel to shower and dress for New Years Eve on the town.

Reservations at a hip little restaurant called Avenue. On the walk over, Jeff was accosted by a beggar who called him a 'wanker'…even the homeless are funny in England :). Festive decor…orange and white ballons packed the ceiling. A jazz quartet and sultry singer entertained. Colorful cocktails. A yummy pre fixe menu full of creative dishes.

We rang in the New Year with big glasses of champagne, silver streamers, and bottle poppers. Finished up the dinner with scrumptuous desserts…apple toffee sundaes were the favorite. Oh and Chris tried to light Jeff on fire with a flaming streamer.

Walked back to the May Fair with throngs of revelers. Concluded our day with after dinner drinks as the happening May Fair Bar.

Happy New Year! 🙂

Well, I’m kind of ending 2008 in the same fashion in which I spent it…taking pictures without posting them 🙂 I had purposefully left a little time this afternoon to post some photos from Christmas: my wonderful family visit in St. Michaels, our relaxing Christmas morning in San Francisco, amazing Christmas meals, singing and dancing. General jolliness.

Ah but no…I left those photos at home today.

So, I pledge to be a better blogger in the 2009. To bring my A Game to every post. To let life’s trivialities flavor my ramblings.

But for now, I wish everyone an early Happy New Year. The next few posts will (hopefully) zip across the Atlantic with a distinctive British flair…as we celebrate the new year in London with our dear friends Chris and Sherie.

I have a bunch of things to wrap up the season with…but those will have to wait 🙂 Merry Christmas, everyone.

The office is a ghost town.

I just walked past an employee standing over a trashcan in a vacant hallway peeling an apple with a pocket knife.

If this is my last transmission…look for evidence in a pie. Or a nice warm strudel.