We have lost three very unique British artists this month; first Lemmy then the wonderful and magical David Bowie and just before press time, the actor Alan Rickman. The outpouring of love is a testament to what they meant to so many – they were both more than just some guys you listened to on the radio or saw on the silver screen. I have to confess that I am more of a Bowie fan but have always had a soft spot for Lemmy, probably because he was a fellow Brit in LA.
I am still in London and was walking through Dalston on Tuesday night and was moved to tears as all the bars and clubs along the high street were playing songs from David’s catalogue, it was literally a trip down (his and my) memory lane. I hopped on the London Overground to Willesden Junction, by the exit was a discarded, rain sodden and passenger trodden half page of ‘yesterdays news’; a symbolic and iconic image of Aladdin Sane with his mouth torn off.
This visit to London has been an odd one overall, as this trip has made me realize I can no longer carry my imaginary “Proper Londoner” card. My fate was sealed when I mixed up the Victoria Line with the Piccadilly line and ended up in Arsenal instead of Highbury & Islington. I am actually quiet embarrassed to admit this but hopefully I am not alone?
However, there were warning signs….. I discovered The American Food Store in Ladbroke Grove and got far too excited, so if you are ever missing Cheetos or Skippy Peanut Butter you know where to go!
Then last Sunday afternoon I had quite a scary experience. My sister Marya and I were driving along Boston Manor Road, a fairly busy street, probably comparable to Robertson Blvd. A car reversed out of the gas station in a rather reckless manor, directly into our path. Hitting the building on the other side of the road. My sister managed to slam on the brakes preventing another accident. In those split seconds of assessing the situation she realized there was no driver in the car, but my first thought was that a young boy was driving. I managed to run over and get in to what I thought was the driver’s side and pull up the handbrake. The poor kid was in shock but not hurt. There was a little toddler in a car seat in the back. But no sign of any adults. Turned out his parents had gone into the shop and left the brake off. Fortunately we managed to avert a disaster but the thought of what could have happened is frightening. Not only is it a massive reminder to NOT leave your kids unattended in the car but also if you are in a foreign country try to remember what side the driver’s seat is on!
My realization is rather timely, as I arrived on these shores on January 16th 1997. What was the moment YOU realized that you were ‘turning American’? Email us at BritsInLA@gmail.com or tweet us @BritsinLA and let us know.
If you want to come and hang out with the group we have a weekly Breakfast Club every Tuesday at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood and twice a month we are at The Pikey on Sunset Blvd for Pub Quiz. All details can be found on www.Britsin.LA
Hope to see some of you soon!
Cheers!
Eileen
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