I have let my LJ membership lapse to free-- so I am doing image-intensive posts over at WordPress.

If you would like to read about my recent travels to Berlin, they are here:
http://feralstrumpet.com/2009/11/20/east-berlin-timefall/

My photos of Berlin are up on Flickr. I am crafting a post to go with them.

We've been married 12 years today (been together 14). We're celebrating tonight by going to a German beer fest.

Tuesday-- Berlin!

This is a visual list of the stuff I really want right now. Some of it is no longer available, some is out of my price range and others I'm just not sure if it's a good idea but I still am obsessed with it.

I am lusting after those shoes-- I found them after our discussion on besizened about demoralizing footwear. Apparently they have removable insoles so you can put in your own orthotics. They have them at one place in the UK, but only in basic colors-- not the cute patterns.

The bag and brogues are vegan but on doing a bit of research the flats aren't...we can pretend, right?

I'm pretty sure the Student Barbie teacher is vegan though.

Sweet Shop Beastie

Totally inappropriate for a hospital...killer heels (with kawaii nurse flats to keep under your desk), sputum tray-shaped purse, face mask (just-in-case) and day-to-evening syringe dress.

This is a collage I made on polyvore earlier.

I'm working on all your sets!

Who would like a frivolous virtual outfit?

What I wish I was wearing right now. I find myself obsessed, yet again, with the Loungefly sugar skull motif.

I love having time to waste again! Ah...messing around on polyvore...life is good.

M and I have booked a trip to Berlin. (Thanks to vampyresheep for the cheap airfare tip).  This is going to be an adventure-- revisiting a place I have never been but that somehow formed me as an uber-politicized teen. 

So, I need travel tips from anyone who has been-- what not to miss, etc.  We are going to be looking for a holiday apartment so we can cook some of our own meals, as we'll be there for a week.  I am thinking Kreuzberg as a neighborhood but any other ideas welcome. 

I would especially like tips on breweries, vegan eateries and artist spaces gothness, etc.

We are leaving after my final exam in November.  I can't wait. 

I have completed my practical exam in Holistic Massage.  (whew)  Still need to do an extensive Anatomy exam in November, and 40 practice hours in the next two weeks. Any Londoners in need of a free massage, please contact me with days and times that work for you! 

Unfortunately the Estate Agent my Landlord is using is being quite aggressive in wanting to show the place while we are still here.  (This is strange to me because when I have asked estate agents to show us places they say we have to wait until closer to our move date). 

I am OK with them showing it when I am here but they want to show the place when we are not here and I am not OK with that.  They keep saying how this is inconveniencing the people who want to see it who can only come on such-and-such, etc, and they are coming from so far away, etc.  I don't care.  I live here, I pay the rent and it is inconveniencing me. I have a right to privacy.

The agent is like "We're not going to help ourselves or anything" Which is just weird.  I'm not OK with strangers coming in the house with Lemmy alone-- he could get out if the doors or windows are left open, or even freak out on them.  He's done that to people in the past and if he were to bite or scratch someone it could bring legal problems onto us.  He is very territorial and I usually put him in the bedroom when workmen come to avoid any freak outs. If someone were to try to pet him or pick him up while I wasn't here, well, it wouldn't be good.

Also, the reality is people like to case flats in this manner.  In London there are so many dodgy ways people rip you off.  I have been a victim of fraud here, etc.  I would have to lock up everything in the closet, hide all my valuables, etc.  I don't want to live this way.

What are my rights in this situation?  As I understand it, they don't have keys to the flat.  I don't know if they are asking to get keys or if they just want me to sit at home whenever they need to get in? 

What is the UK law in this instance?

Does anyone feel like sharing a table with me for the Bring and Buy sale.  I would like to sell my book and maybe some jewelry I don't wear any more, so we could split the table and fee because there will be room!  Anyone?