Welcome to the Old World...

May 4, 2012:  The Derderians arrived in London this week and moved into my luxury 2 bedroom flat with me. This will represent the longest amount of time my brother, my folks and I will have lived under the roof since I moved to NYC.  God save the queen...and us.

We caught up for dinner at the Italian place across the street.  We are so continental.  This spot has been a favorite of mine since its very much like a little joint in the North End.  That and its pretty much the only place that's open past 9 in my neighborhood.  We ordered a few apps ahead of our meals, and split a bottle of red wine.  My brother asked for ice, and was promptly told they didn't have any.  I'm still not sure if he was f--king with him or not.  I'm gonna go over there and ask him after this.

Early highlight of the trip:  Over dinner, the family discussed their agenda for Thursday, while I was at work.  My brother said he'd be ready to go in the morning as soon as he got to the bathroom.  Because he wasn't interested in getting on a tour bus until he was sorted out.  This lead to a very colorful conversation trying down to the time they could expect to leave.

"I'm not sure.  I took a bunch of Immodium before we got on the plane, so I may be a little off."
Wait...are you sick?
"No"
So why'd you take Immodium?
"Preventive measures.  I like to control my internal environment."

The verve with which he defended this position was killing my dad and I.  We were laughing and egging him on, when he ended the conversation, hilariously, with this burst.

"Listen, idiots.  Do you want to sit on the bus all day wondering when disaster is going to strike?  Or would you rather take matters into your own hands and control yourself?  What the hell am I going to do if we're at Stonehenge and nature calls?  "Well, don't mind me.  I'm just going to grab this guide book and head off behind that ring of ancient rocks.  Can someone grab me a souvenir t-shirt?"

Got harder to argue.  My dad and I ended up laughing so hard we hugged in the rainy London street.  We're special