And She'll Never Walk Down Lime Street Anymore

I can't believe that my time in Liverpool is over (I also can't believe how much I didn't write for this blog).  I just can't believe how fast it really went.  Even when time was dragging (and at times it did)  I never imagined this chapter in my life ending.

I remember how unbelievably scared I was before I left Scranton. I was deseperate for someone who was angry to tell me not to go.  That is was a bad idea.  Like my mom.  But, we know Lolly.  She said, "Go and if you need to come home I will get a boat and come and get you myself if I have to."  In fact, I can name the people who didn't want me to go, who told me not to go.  Hindsight, I can see that it was because they were scared that something would happen while I was over here (and some things did happen, aye?) but if anyone really understood how close I was to not going they would know that all they had to do was sit in a room with me for like 30 minutes and drill it into me not to go and I probably wouldn't have.  Of course, I'd never listen to them that long. 

I still can't get over how fresh these Liverpool memories are. From the time I visited in 2010 (which is probably my favorite time) to moments of my last arrival after Christmas.  I can remember my mother getting on the coach to head back to Heathrow outside of the Adelphi.  She put her sunglasses on in order to hide her tears (I did the same) and hugged me quick and got on the bus as if I didn't know she was crying.  There I was left with Dave Jones from Cavern City Tours just watching my number one defender and best friend drive away and leave me in a city where I knew no one besides the Beatles.  I still question both of our sanity in that moment.  Dave was nice enough to put me in a cab and tell the driver where I was going (because I had no clue at the time) and that was that.  It took everything thing I had to not call a cab and chase that  bus all the way back to London.  I took a nap instead.  Then I did my laundry and on my way to the laundry room, I met my first friend, Devon.  He was from Denmark.  We shared a flat for a few weeks and then I went to the Creative Campus (art and music students) and he stayed where he was for his sports science stuff.  Devon and I went to the post office so I could send notes home to my mom and we went for lunch, trying to get used to the place.  If it wasn't for Devon I'd be lost for that first month. 

And how cool was I? I mean this girl from Scranton, who was told she really wouldn't do anything because of the cards Fate dealt her, picked up and moved to England on her own?!  I don't know many people who would do that.  To be honest, I can't believe I did it.  I feel like the Autumn I am now wouldn't do that.  Then again, I do love adventures.  

And the people I've met and the places I've gone.  I mean, inside Abbey Road Studios as if I was just working there. Speaking of working, the day that I spent as a "worker" in Mendips!  Interviewing the man responsible for creating the Beatles Story! And Joe Flannery!  Never mind befriending Julia Baird and getting to spend time with her.  Then the those who aren't related to the Beatles.  My friends and my love, Dann, how would life be if I didn't get on that plane (or didn't take that nap)? 

And all of the concerts!  Jeeze!  Backstreet Boys, Adele, Amos Lee, The Shakers (weekly) and freaking Paul McFreakingCartney! Granted, with exception to the Shakers, I could have seen all of these people and have seen all of these performers but McCartney in Liverpool was the best show I've seen him do.  I could have missed all of this because of fear?  Silly. 

And then there is the second master's degree. I had to work for that one in a different way than I had to work for the first one.  At least in the first one I had a clue about what I was getting into but this one I was up the creek without a paddle. I mastered my baffling skills with this degree. Princess BaMaMa :) The things I learned during that time are pretty much things that I couldn't have learned anywhere else.  They may be irrelevant to some but not to me. 

There are things I am going to miss.  I'm going to miss the simplicity of it (although being here is quite difficult). I think that the sunshine (when it's out) comes out just feels warmer and fresher.  I love the deals that you get over here.  On Wednesdays, you get to go to the movies buy one get one free admission.  Restaurants offer super cheap deals too.  One restaurant (that I just discovered, unfortunately) does 50% off on Mondays!  Dann and I ate for under 10 pounds together.  WHAT?!

I really get taken back when I think about how different my life would be if I didn't stay in Liverpool.  Just meeting the guy who lived next door to me changed my life entirely. By taking that risk of moving to Liverpool, I've discovered so much about myself, that I couldn't possibly do if I had the comforts of home. And I've gained so much! I had no idea that I'd end up dating him, falling in love with him, tricking him into marrying me, and then *surprisingly* finding out we are going to be parents. I used to smile when Dann and I would talk about how we would have never met if it wasn't for the Beatles (pretty fair statement). Recently, I saw a photocopy of the program from St. Pete's Fete, where John and Paul met for the first time, and I couldn't help but think that Pip wouldn't even be on his way if that church picnic didn't happen.  

Can you believe how crazy life is? 

So, to you, Liverpool,  thanks for the ride. =) 

Love Me Do

It was 50 years ago today that "Love Me Do" was released.  Of course, Liverpool is going to go crazy over this and there are gigs all over the city and everyone needs to do all of it.  I am not. But I did participate in an  attempt to break the world record for most people singing in a "Love Me Do"  in a choir-like style.  Dann and I debated whether or not to go because we have been sick and both slept terribly last night. In the end we decided to go.  Called the cab, sat in traffic, go to the scene of the event only to be told that we were too late!  Dann, in his best man tone, cried out to the lady 'She's come all the way from America for this!"  The woman, "You can ask the gatekeeper (Ghostbusters!),"  and pointed to this guy. Mr. Guy just opened the gate and told us to hurry because we need to be counted.  So we got in anyway.  I was hard not to smirk and the lady.

I honestly wasn't sure how they were going to pull this off.  They had about eight "conductors"  scattered among the crowd and many "officials" from the Guinness World Record office board.  I wondered how the heck do you get the job with GWR?  But whateves.  We had a quick practice and then before you knew it (and before it was scheduled) we were all singing along to the happy little tune.  Thank goodness that it's a short song!

We did the first attempt and the GWR professionals and the conductors all got together and checked the video and audio to see if we were sufficient enough to break the record.  Let me tell you,  there were 1,631 folks singing that happy harmonica filled song and we broke that record!  BAM!


So here is the link.  Autumn's debut on the BBC . We are in the beginning, you can find us at the end of the line in the opening. Dann has a green frog hat on, Esmee is on the closer side and I am the one furthest away, and the shorter one. :)


Have a great day.

Don't Let Me Down...

You know it's very hard to have a suitable Beatles song as a title for each post.  I've already repeated one (unknowingly) and when I go to actually post something, the rare times that I do, the hardest bit is trying to come up with a title.


So, anyway, I am back in Liverpool.   Of course, it's been a whirlwind three days.  I lost a whole day just because of the need to sleep. I missed a show I wanted to see Saturday night (actually I've missed every show I wanted to see this year).  But I made it to the Beatles Convention yesterday where I was able to see some old friends.  It's funny the people at the convention are beginning to recognize me.  Maybe I am a bit crazy.  Maybe I have a reason to come back to Liverpool every year?!  But the convention was great.  I saw Charles and Renee which is always a happy time.  I also had the chance to catch up with Julia briefly.  Dann said that she looked genuinely happy to see me so that always makes me smile.

Liverpool is treating me kindly, for the most part.  I have a feeling I've made a huge mistake with my flat. I am looking to get out of the contract. But we will see. In other, big, HUGE, potentially awesome news, I have an interview tomorrow at the Beatles Story.  Goodness how I am hoping that I get it.  An income!  A FREAKING INCOME! The thoughts of having a job (and one that I enjoy) is so exciting it's like someone else has taken over my body and is changing my ideas about life!    I am nervous though because we are going to Greece Sept 10-19 and I'll probably have to start Sept 14!  And I really want to go home for Christmas.  If you saw my mama's eyes when I was getting on the plane Friday you would want to go home too.  And I also need to go home for Christmas because the baby will be arriving mid December!   Oh boy what a year.

And also, this Thursday I hear from Teach of America on whether or not I will get an interview.   It's just first rounds and I am already so nervous I am going to be sick.   It's amazing a year ago I couldn't care any less about having a job and now that's it one of the things I want the most (coming in first is my friend's and family's health).  Do I want to settle down?!?!?!       JEEEEEZE  when did I get old?


So please send good juju out to the universe for me!

There's a Place

So today was particularly interesting in the Beatles side of my life.  It's been so long since I have been excited about anything Beatles related that I have almost forgotten what it felt like. But this evening, after I got home from work, I had a flash of excitement go through me when someone wanted to talk to me about Liverpool and what to do there.  I guess it has been so long since I was able to tell someone what to see while they were there and the gentleman I was speaking to was so stinkin' excited it made me excited all over again.  I actually felt a little silly talking about the places as if it they were any different than any other part of the world.  I acted like it wasn't a big deal that I spent a whole day in Lennon's house "shadowing" and was left unattended. But it is a big deal!  And when I heard that someone was excited for me to be doing this, I got excited all over again! 

It was nice to know I was helping someone, well two someones, that needed some guidance around Liverpool.  Although most people in Liverpool would be more than happy to help them, I was able to tell them where to go and what companies to go with (you know Cavern City Tours over any other Beatles tour etc).  It actually got me a bit excited to get my butt back over there and start all over again looking for jobs and getting turned down and trying all over again but being surrounded by the Beatles.  Jeeze, I can almost smell the Cavern Club's stinky smell. 

This possible has made my dissertation a bit more exciting! 

Nowhere You Can Be That Isn't Where You're Meant To Be...

I know that I was awful at keeping everyone updated with this blog. I should have done it once a week like I did with my other blog.  But I guess in many ways that blog is easier, albeit more creative. The last one I posted was about a dream about Lennon that I had... in December!  Wow.  Talk about a bad promise maker.    So I suppose I'll begin at the beginning and work my way towards now.  I'll try not to bore you with the silly small stuff, you can ask if you really want to know the deets.

So I came home for Christmas, much to Jacob's surprise.  And much to my surprise I had my very own Romeo by then. So I guess that is the first thing I should talk about even though it's not very Beatle related but very Liverpool related. Romeo is also known as Dann. You know, the guy who told me to shut my window in the last post? He's the reason why I will be returning to stay in Liverpool from August to March.  So I suppose that is the most important thing I should share with you.  Autumn Rose found love.  Just like everyone told her she would.

Anyway, I was in America until January 9th-ish. Then made the journey back to Liverpool to what would be a whirlwind of time flying by. By the end of March I found myself boarding a bus outside of the Adelphi hotel (where it all started) to get to London and actually get inside of Abbey Road Studios!  How flipping cool is that?!?  It isn't something that is often open to the public and definitely isn't something that is as cheap as we got it for. It was kind of surreal to be there.  I am not a sentimental person so I imagine that there could be a few other people who would do a stellar job of writing this but it was cool to be in Studio Two. In the corners and the doorways that I recognized from so many photos of the Beatles. Two Americans (and I swear one was younger than me [what am I doing wrong]) presented us with their research and discussed the history and development of Abbey Road as a studio. My patience was growing thin until they reached the 1960s and I grabbed my attention.  Believe it or not, I learned things that I've never known about the Beatles. At this point, that's becoming a rare thing. Not to toot my own horn or anything (beeeeeeeeeeeeep).
It was a great day!  Oh and there is a cafeteria in there! We had a snack inside and then, somehow, a knife and fork from Abbey Road fell into my purse and made it's way back to Liverpool with me!  Remarkable.

Then one day in early March I had a message in inbox on Facebook from Ms. Julia Baird.  She has been such a wonderful help to me in the last few months.  I cannot express my gratitude towards her enough for helping me wrap my head around the local phenomenon of the Beatles. The point of view that she has given me has definitely opened my eyes up to a more realistic and personal idea of the Beatles rather than this super group that no one could touch. I admit that there is a lot that I will not tell anyone, never mind put it on the internet, but my time spent with Julia was most definitely eyeopening and wonderful. Sometimes the Universe just works itself out for you.  I'm reminded of that each time Dann grabs a hold of my hand and I was reminded of that each time I met with Julia.

And then there was spending an extensive amount of time in John's childhood home.  Thanks to my dissertation topic, I have be allowed to do things (for free) that most people get to do for a charge and have less time with.  I have  been in John's house before but I was there as a fan not as a fly on the wall and what a difference that change is. But it was also amazingly wonderful to be in the house alone and take time to read things that I didn't have time to do before.  I was able to speak with the groundskeeper, Colin, for quite a while and get his point of view on Beatles Tourism in Liverpool. The opportunities that have been given to me in this lifetime are opportunities that I will forever be thankful for.

And to close...
Before I left for the summer, I saw New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys in concert. BAM!

It's a good life.

Dream Sweet Dreams for Me

I wanted to post this when it happened and then I changed my mind. Now, I have some time on my hands and insomnia and I are even better friends the last two days so I figured no better time than the present.

That was a really long sentence.  I tried to make it better but I have had  three hours of sleep since in the last 36 so I don't really care what you think about my sentences!  Maybe I will write something beautiful as I am not worried about punctuation.

J.C.! Get to the point!

So my whole entire life I have never ever EVER dreamt of John Lennon.  I bet, like me, you're wondering how in the world that is possible... especially if you know some of the things that I do dream about. I have dreamt of The Beatles and each individual Beatle, except for Ringo (but let's get real, who wants to dream of Ringo?).   When I would dream of the group, John would always be absent because he's dead, even though Harrison has been in my dreams.  I am also the weirdest dreamer you could ever know because I can tell myself that I am dreaming while I am dreaming. I guess that is beside the point.

About two weeks ago I decided it would be a great idea to sleep with my window open because it would get too hot in here.  I didn't want to turn the heat off because then I would be cold. The best part is I was cold with the window open, it made no sense. Dan tried to tell me to close the window and turn the heat off,  but most of you know me well enough to know I don't listen.  Remember, window is open.

Two weeks ago today (Friday) Alex, Dan, and I decided to have a movie marathon.  We watched Batman, Scream 4, and  Ghostbusters.  By "we" I mean me because they couldn't stay awake for them. Scream 4 kept me guessing, if you want to know. So I was up super late and went to bed at like 6 in the morning, my sleep pattern has been screwy since, if you care. (This paragraph reminds me of Holden Caufield, if you really want to know.)

Alex stole my ID when he went back to his flat and woke me up when he came in to give it back in the morning.  I spoke to him for a few incoherent seconds and went back to sleep. The dream that followed wasn't like any other dream in my whole entire 27 years, 6 months and 20 odd days of life. In said dream, I was at the beach, which I hate the beach so already this is interesting. I'm on a boardwalk all by myself.  There are games, rides, and food stands but it's all vacant.  It's a completely empty boardwalk on this beautiful day.  Suddenly, there is one person, in a white suit, white shoes, a full beard, long hippie hair, and gold granny glasses just walking towards me.  The real Autumn said to the dreaming Autumn, "Aud, this is a dream about Lennon!"   For those of you who do not know, it's him on the Abbey Road cover or the makeshift video in Beatles Anthology for The Ballad of John and Yoko. I'm sure all of you know that though.

The sun was shining on his face and he was smiling so big! There was a seagull or a dove flying over head. I really want to say it was a dove for poetic reasons, but what would a dove be doing on the beach?  Then again, why am I on the beach, with John Lennon for the love of God?  Maybe it was a dove.  He wasn't very far from me but he wasn't very close either.  I could make out his teeth when he smiled so he was at least that close.  The sunshine on him, the smile on his face, and the seadove (see what I did there?) were all amazing.  It seemed as though he was going to say something...

And then...

The garbage truck came, under my open window, in real life.


I was mad about this for a few seconds (aka days). But then, I was happy that Lennon finally made an appearance in my dream, while I was sleeping in Liverpool after a night when I was on Mathew Street.









To be fair, I fell asleep for a little while during Ghostbusters.  But everyone else was already really asleep.


And my window is now closed.

Got To Get You Into My Life

So I disappear more than I would ever like to admit, but you must know that I am having a great time.  I frequent The Cavern Club every Sunday to see the cover band The Shakers (they played at Beatle Week).  I would like to say that I spend most of my time reading things for class but I honestly spend more of my time putzing around town than anyone probably should.  But I am loving it.  I am meeting awesome people, making great friends, and learning a bit about myself while I am at it.

To start - I got a ticket to see Paul McCartney at his show in Liverpool on December 20!  Merry Christmas to me!  I think it is absolutely amazing that I get to see a Beatle (and really the only surviving Beatle that I like) play in Liverpool.  I hope he sings "Wonderful Christmastime."  There aren't many people that get to say they heard that live.  I will be one of those people.  Yes, I wish you were there too.

On November 8 I went on a drive south and west of Liverpool.  I ended up in Wales. Of course I didn't drive, but we drove through different areas of Beatle history, Chester where I saw Roman ruins (freaking cool), and Wales where there was an American diner that had fantastic cheese fries.  We came back through the tunnel but on the way we drove along the Mersey River and I thought of all my Beatle friends that I met over the last two years and realized it's about time that I update you guys.

The sense of community in Liverpool is amazing.  I don't know if it is just this area or if it is anywhere out of Scranton, but I love it just the same.  I mentioned in my other blog, On The Other Hand,that I went to the Christmas Tree Lighting concert with the gang two weeks ago.  I am still warm and fuzzy on the inside from how awesome it was. There was no chaos, no violence or arguing.  I'm not even sure if there were real cops around.  Sometimes I think I really am in a twilight zone, but not a black and white twilight zone... well maybe black and white with a splash of pink. Maybe most importantly, Liverpool has restored my love of Christmas! Those of you who know me in real life know how (impossible, amazing, etc) this was/is! So everyone should be happy that Liverpool has sent The Grinch back to Whoville and restored Autumn to her festive self.  For the love, we all sang along to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town!"

This last Monday I had a great surprise when I went to class!  Joe Flannery (a life long friend of Brian Epstein) was sitting in the front of the classroom ready to tell us stories of Beatle past.  I seriously couldn't get over it the whole time.  I have the lecture recorded and I have to listen to it again because he told stories of John and Paul which were delightful.  He told other stories about The Beatles of course (I might know the truth behind the removal of Pete Best!) and he told of other bands too.  It was just amazing to be in the same room as him!  I just couldn't believe that I got to hear this man talk for two hours!  Do you know how lucky I am?  I bet not. He brought in the most recent birthday gift that Paul McCartney sent to him.  The original hand-written lyrics to "Penny Lane."  I was extremely jealous that this wasn't in my room!

It's Wonderful To Be Here

Talk about falling off the face of the earth!   I have been extremely busy getting settled in the new (way better) flat, keeping up with classes, and finding a job that I haven't had a moment to even think of what I wanted to write here.  Now that I have a lengthy  project due in 6 days, I find it a great time to write.

So I love my classes.  I don't find myself checking the clock a million times and I don't even bring my phones to class!  That is something! There are so many things that are discussed about music and The Beatles that I never even considered that also makes it sort if terrifying.  However, I am a quick learner and since it is something I am super interested in (I don't know what I could be more interested in) I am trying harder to keep up (with the exception of projects).  I did buy a voice recorder because I just wasn't able to write fast enough and comprehend what my professor was saying with his accent. Now that I have the recorder I am less stressed and only write a bit.  I wish I thought of that at Marywood because it would be much easier to listen to my iPod with the notes on it than try to read everything.   Thursday night is the class that is strictly Beatles.  I love it.  However, I have to learn to not act like a fan in the class and act like a scholar. (Fancy, huh?) Really hard to do when my professor provides us with music by The Quarrymen or just John and Paul that I have never heard.  Inside I am going crazy but on the outside my face appears to be concentrating on the music.  It is just a great time.  My project is an annotated bibliography (six books and  min of 1200 - max of 1800 words) He wants to see how we write.  I am awful at writing so that is why I am procrastinating.  I have the ideas but it's the grammar rules that ruin it for me (still).  Kind of like the church ruins religion for some, huh?  Rude. I know.  I will do it. I work better under pressure anyway.

My flatmates are great!  I live with five other girls: Bianca, Sam, Shani, Tasha, and Amy. They are all hysterical and incredibly helpful.  I couldn't ask for a better bunch.  They are young.  The oldest one is 20 but that's okay because they don't hate me because I am old hag.  They laugh at me when I try new things that I end up not liking and they find my lack of cooking skills quite comical.  They also think it's hysterical when the IT guy comes in to fix something because my face turns bright red. He's adorable and married (the usual).

The job hunting is a forever battle that I will win one day.  I have four thousand applications out. One is bound to attract someone's attention. You wait.

I will write more about Lennon's bday / Macca's wedding / Macca concert soon!

It's Getting Better All The Time...

Well, someone has had an interesting eleven days!   I have tried to make it a point to only discuss things that are related to The Beatles here (for other stuff you can read my other blog).  Just to get the news you're waiting for out of the way... I am still jobless.  Have faith and start clicking the ads you see on my page bc I will make money of off that too.  Just do it. 
      So since last time I have met with the girl (Kas) that Hope is paying to be my friend (which is ok because she's super funny and Liz tells me that I need to ask for help once in a while). The first time that I met with her I also met with Jenni (Kas's boss, I guess) and the three of us talked for a long time.  They tried to show me how to use a map and a compass but it was a fail.  I told them not to take it to heart because somethings I just don't understand...  like a compass and math. I digress.   So Jenni was telling me that the managers or owners or whatever of Home Instead have a Beatles connection.  She said that the owner's cousin (or uncle) was actually a photographer for The Beatles and has a high number (I don't remember what number she said) of never-before-seen photos of my guys because there are some arguments over copyright.  Well, I bet you're wondering what this means to me.  This gentleman has told Jenni to relay the message to me because he is going to arrange it for me to see these photos! That is awesome and you should be super excited for me.
     And then I was speaking with my professor.  He is super ridiculously cool and as you can imagine comes off as a hippie.  Like way hippie.  We were talking about different things about the program and I said began to tell him my story of how quickly I got accepted into the program. But he stopped me! And he said, "I know. I picked you."  and I said "Three hours instead of two weeks?"  and he said "I saw your application and I wanted you in this program. You were cherry picked."  I was honored?  grateful? shocked?  Here I was thinking some lady in admin picked me when it was actually the guy that runs the program.  I don't care what you say that makes this chapter of my life that much cooler (as if it weren't cool enough).  He was excited to have someone who is a teacher from America in the program.  All just awesome.  And he introduced me to a cool cafe (where Bob Dylan played - over the radio not in real life),  he paid for my hot chocolate, and like the Dave Matthews Band. Flippin' Winning!
    I have also tricked someone into being my friend which is fantastic.  She is originally from Florida and is cool.   She has been here for almost three years so she knows her way around which is helpful.  It's nice to finally have someone to talk to in real life rather than through Skype! No worries though, I still love Skype!
      Since I have been here I have become more aware(?) of the kindness of strangers and the absolute trust in  humans I have. Although I am growing more and more familiar with Liverpool everyday there are days when I just need to trust a stranger's word or even worse the cab driver trying to help me into the cab. Trust me, that is not something I do easily. And I find myself doing it every day. I am not saying that Liverpool is immune to bad things happening but it is on like the top five of the top ten friendliest places on earth.   I mean I still have a head on my shoulders.  Just last week I found myself heading towards a shady part of Chinatown and I turned around and got the H out.  I am still a smart girl it's just easier to separate fear and risk here.  Does that make sense? I wanted this section to be better but it isn't turning out that way.  I guess it just pleases me knowing how much I am able to me "Autumn" here. I guess I could have been this way home too but I don't necessarily know if that is true. It's just here I had to completely trust humanity and it hasn't let me down yet.  Anyway, I am extraordinarily grateful for the kindness of people I have never met and will probably never see again but they help me like I am family.   It's like a step in the right direction.

Anyway, lost what I was going for there.  I saw Adele and Amos Lee last night in Manchester!  They were both fab! I am so happy that I ended up getting a ticket and getting there OK (all thanks the kindness of strangers).  It was all last minute but it was great!  I really think you should see Adele if you can and definitely get to see Amos whenever he is playing around you.  I saw him first with DMB and now with Adele (he is what sealed the deal for me to go see the show).

Sigh. Sorry this isn't a better post.  It was interesting before I started to write. Damn.

Greet The Brand New Day...

I just finished speaking with my old roommate, Katie.  She asked me what I did with my tv, which left our apartment two months before I moved out.  I remember thinking how empty my room looked without the tv (that I hardly watched) towering over the room.  I also remember thinking that  the removal of the tv (that I hardly watched) meant that I was really leaving.  I also remember thinking how much I couldn't leave the whole time I was packing my apartment, the whole time I was planning where I would stay in Liverpool, through every conversation I had with Jacob (which was basically him telling me not to go), every time Liz told me not to go, each time Katie told me it was a great thing that I was doing, and even when I was freaking out tell Matt and Brad that I couldn't go and I wouldn't make it.  Naturally, they advised me that they would tell me if they thought I was making a mistake.  I have been here for two weeksl(ish) and I find myself surprised that I did it.  I didn't think that I wouldn't but I didn't think I would either.  Does that make sense?  It was just so ENORMOUS to think about conquering; moving out of the apartment, coming up with the money, getting the visa, picking what to take with me, say goodbye, and then getting here. I just didn't see it happening.  And here I am, moneyless though haha.  With the help of my family (especially mi madre), my wonderful friends, and my other Beatle-maniacs that have helped this workout for me, I am here blogging from my flat in Liverpool just a sneeze away from where my lovely John Lennon used to live.  It is so interesting when I think about when I thought about not doing this.  It may not be as great as I want it to be RIGHT NOW but it will be.  I know this will end up being one of the most awesome things I will do in my life. 

Now, for the negative stuff. (Don't worry, I'll close with a positive.)
I had a job interview yesterday.  The was great!  That is the truth. But I didn't get the job (which is a fine thing) because I am on a student visa and students cannot be self-employed. This job was a crazy sales job that you went door to door selling stuff.  Can we see the headline "AMERICAN GIRL REPORTED MISSING AFTER NOT RETURNING FROM SELLING LEMONADE FOR FORTUNE 100 COMPANY" ? Yes, Debbie would love that. It worked out that I didn't get that job.  But the man who interviewed me, James, called to tell me he was super impressed with me (it must have been the hair) and that he is working on finding me a different position.  I haven't heard back from him yet but I will call him Friday if I don't hear from him. (Editor's Note:  When I was proofing this before publishing the previous sentence said, "...I will call him Friday if I don't hear from me." Thankfully, I hear from me all the time.)  He said he was impressed like three times so we shall see. Fingers crossed.

Now for the funny and then funnier stories...
During the interview, James shares with me that he has also recently moved to Liverpool from Kent or somewhere like that.  I wouldn't know where it was anyway so I didn't pay attention.  He continues to tell me that he is addicted to his iPad and when he got here (about 8 weeks ago) he was concentrating on his iPad and also trying to find a bar.  He was so excited when he finally found one, he said.  He tells me that he was sitting there for some time (remember that) and that they kept playing Beatles songs. (He did move to Liverpool.)  He begins to smile and tells me that he had the audacity to say "Can't you play something besides the Beatles? (blasphemy!)"  He says, "The whole bar went silent!" And I say, "Well, jeeze, were you at The Cavern Club or something?!"  acting as though I wasn't appalled by his actions!  Thankfully, he wasn't at The Cavern, but he was at THE HARD DAY'S NIGHT HOTEL!   Um, buddy, you didn't notice The Beatles things the whole time you walked anywhere in or around the building?  He paid his tab and left.  
I left, shortly after that, too.  Like I said,  I'm not completely bummed that I didn't get that job.   James will end up being the English bloke I marry, you wait.

So after I left the interview, I turned the corner and found myself in front of the Hard Day's Night Hotel. Funny, aye?   I took this as an opportunity to gallivant around City Centre and Liverpool One and to find scissors.  You think it wouldn't be but it was extremely difficult to find scissors. And then I had the nerve to almost leave them because they weren't pink.  There's something wrong with me. Needless to say, I purchased scissors and then found a hot chocolate (it was a bit chilly).  Now, I don't know if it was I looked so comfortable with my hot chocolate or if I no longer carry the look of confusion in my eyes but an older couple (or mother and son, haven't decided) approached ME and asked ME how to get to The Cavern Club.  Not only did I show them I also suggested other places to go!  The man thought I was here for quite a while already.  I think that's hysterical.  Good thing he didn't ask me to go somewhere else or I would have totally blown my cover!

Funny, aye?


And ah like this page if you haven't already...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liverpool-Tours/88658561681
It helps me out!!  =)

Also, if you go to my Facebook page www.facebook.com/autumn23 you can find a video on the Liver Bird! 

Good night!

Heading For Home You Start to Roam Now You're in Town...

Well, it has certainly been an interesting 36ish hours!  I decided it was a GREAT idea to go to Penny Lane.  I figured I would walk down/over/up and then cab it back.  Well, I am sure that I mentioned that I can't read a map to save my life.  I don't have the darnedest idea what the fork to do with a compass but I can get you wherever you need to be (in the United States).  I don't know how I do it, I just always do it. Well, apparently I thought that the same magic would work here and I would magically find my way. Now, I would have. The thing I shouldn't done was decide to take a shortcut.  I figured that the way I chose to go would be less busy than the way the directions told me to go. (Keep in mind that I would be the first one to tell you not to take shortcuts through West side on any other day.)  So I decided to turn left on Menlove Gardens West because I figured that would lead to Menlove Ave and we all knew that Penny Lane was not far from John's house. I was right about all of that.  But then there was the roundabout, and not the one we all know about. All I needed to do was to get to the other side of the roundabout.  You know, the side I would have been on if I didn't take my shortcut. There was no way for ME to get there.  It was four lanes of traffic and then a roundabout and just blah not good things.  I figured that it was in Debbie's best interest for me to turn around and go back up Menlove and call it  a day. But then...

A lady was walking her old dog and I was passing them on the opposite side of the street and she called to me asking if I needed help. Naturally I said no.  But then Liz's voice screamed in my ear and said, "DON'T BE STUBBORN! ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED HELP!"  So I asked if could tell me how to get to Penny Lane.  And she said blah blah blah and  I was like whateves I'm just going to go back to the dorm. And then the most unAmerican thing happened! She said, "I'm taking my daughter down there. I can give you a lift." and I tried to decline but she insisted and I figured she has a dog and a daughter and well what the heck they all can't be serial killers!  And there I was in this lady's car with her daughter and they were so kind!  They took me right down to Penny Lane (which, btw, wasn't far at all and we went through THAT bloody roundabout). But it doesn't stop there! She also insisted that she give me a ride back to my dorm!  I tried to tell her no that I would cab it (after all that's what I was going to do anyway) but she wouldn't accept that!  I even offered her money for her troubles and she wouldn't take it! She gave me her phone number and told me to keep in touch and she also took mine. 

I think that is all pretty awesome. 


So I applied for a billion jobs yesterday.  I have one interview tomorrow and already numerous callbacks for interviews.  Hopefully, something works out.  I will take the first job I can get! Within reason of course, I won't be employed by a brothel or anything. Well, I guess if the price is right. No, I am kidding. I'd be an awful prostitute. I got a call from Barclay's, a bank, for an interview.  We will see how that goes. If all else fails, I will go down to Cavern City tours and beg for a job!

That's all for now...

When You Don't Know Where You're Going Any Road Will Take You There...

Day Four in Liverpool has been a particularly restless day.  Not a "bad" day but an insatiable day!  I was rather bored for most of the day.  And then I became quite irritated because I don't have my Beatles Anthology with me and I just wanted to watch it.  Then suddenly some light bulb went off in my head and shouted "YOU BIG DUMMY! Why do you feel the need to WATCH it when you can go LIVE it?" So I put on my shoes and that's what I did! Like I said, I made two friends.  One is named Devon and the other one is a teacher from Iran.  Iran was looking for a new place to live today and Devon was watching football (soccer) so it was just me and Liverpool today.   I first went to Liverpool One because I decided it should have been a number one priority to find a bookstore eleven days ago and it wasn't. So that was the first thing I did.

I am lying.  It was the second.
The first thing I did was get a birthday card for my Nana. Particularly interesting because there are more "nana" cards here than there ever was back home.  It was delightful.  Then, I found the bookstore which was equally delightful.  It reminds me of borders and they have a reward card.  I thought it was appropriate to get one.  Now I feel like I really belong. I didn't spend as much time there as I would have liked to because it looked like the sky was going to open up and wash away all of that sunshine we've been smiling in for the last two days and I still had to get over to Mathew Street! I wanted to make it a point to get over there by foot, if you will, because I refuse to pour money into cabs the whole time I'm here.  I told Debbie I wanted to get a car, she almost took a stroke.  Baby steps.

So, I left the bookstore and went to the phone store because I have never hated a phone more than I hate my current UK phone.  It's like 5,000 steps back from my pretty useless iPhone. But the kind lady in the store told me it may be in my best interest to go and get my iPhone unlocked and then get a SIM card for that one.  I am particularly pushing for a phone with apps so that I can use a map/GPS app to get around. I can't seem to find the hair salon I saw 435 times while my mom was here. Since I can't read a map, I figure a GPS app would be great since it can shout at me to turn left.  My grey hairs are coming in quickly, how can I meet a British boy like that? So, a GPS app and a salon are required soon. In the meantime, I'll use my natural charm and grace and pretend that I am not a damsel in distress but rather a damsel that wants to confirm the way to go.  It worked pretty well today.

I had just left a Liverpool FC stand where I purchased a super cool pink Liverpool hat with my favorite bird on it when I realized that I had no idea where I was from Mathew Street!  That wasn't the case a few short stores ago but I took one dry shortcut  and that was that! So I pretended that I was texting (which is always the best thing to do) while I was scoping out the scene to ask someone which was Mathew Street was.  I knew I was close and part of me was kicking myself for not paying more attention when Charles was walking me through it last year on the way for my tattoo (which, btw, my tattoo is one year and two days old) but how was I supposed to know that I was going to be living here?  Anyway, I was scoping out the scene and I was first going to approach an elderly couple but they looked like they wanted to stab each other with their umbrellas (very unusual for Liverpudlians) so I decided in interest of my eyeballs I'd stay away from them.  Then as if he was waiting for me, there was a man with his little boy. I knew they were from here because they weren't frazzled as they were leaning against the McDonald's window so I went over and said "Mathew Street is this way right?"  and he said yes but said that I can also go another way. I asked him which was was less hilly and he said "that way, love".  It only took one stop after him and the guy just said "behind you" so he doesn't even count.  I turned around and walked a mini-distance turned right and there it was! How incredibly easy it was to get to for the last two years! 

It was much more quiet than it was on Tuesday when I left but the Cavern Club was definitely bumpin'! I saw some familiar faces and they recognized me so that was super freaking cool.  I did of course take a cab back up to my dorm.  We passed the Adelphi which is the hotel that we stayed at.  It made me miss some people from this year's group and of course last year's.

Anyway,  I decided to blog tonight because I was having some writer's block (or writer's embarrassment) while working on a story.  Time to get back to that. 

Don't Let Me Down

I have been in Europe for eight days and I am starting to feel semi-comfortable.  My mom left today to go back to the states and for a second I thought, "Autumn, what the hell did you get yourself into this time?" and then I thought, "OK. Mr. Lennon, just you and me now.  Don't let me down."  and then I stopped thinking.  Naturally, I still love everything about Liverpool, I just wish there were people here that I knew. Besides, you know, the Beatles. Where I am living now is right near Mendips and Penny Lane... you may be familiar.  I'm a bit more anxious?  than I thought I would be.  There are little things that are seeming so much bigger to me because I do not have any ounce of control over the little things that I am used to having control over... like having ranch dressing and an iPhone and my mom and brother five minutes away. You know the little things.  I am sure all of this will pass... so big deal if I dreamed that I had 5 sweet and sour sauces in front of me and woke up to realize I will not taste that for a long long time?  I am already starting to enjoy Liverpool's Dr. Pepper... even though it is not made of 23 flavors and the bottle def doesn't claim it is.  But it will do for now.  If anyone believes they are going to come visit me, please include Dr. Pepper, Sweet and Sour Sauce, and Ranch Dressing in your luggage.

I am already growing insanely fond of the Liverbird.  It's a mythical creature that is all over the city (and when I say all over I mean like we have street signs and oh  there aren't that many streets sign here btw).  The story of the bird goes something like this (have no fear I will muck it up) but there are two birds on the Liver building (aka as L.V.) one female and one male.  The female watches over Mersey River to make sure all the sailors come home safely and the male bird faces the city and makes sure that all the bars are open on time... but I bet it's really to make sure that the city is safe. I guess it's common to see the words "You'll Never Walk Alone"  along with the bird.  Either way, I love this bird already and ink might be required.






My dorm isn't bad.  I mean it's small compared to the size of my room at my old apartment but I bet there are endless opportunities here (that sounds dirty but it's not).  The kitchen isn't something beautiful but it's really what should be expected for a dorm.  Where do I think I am? the palace?

Yesterday, when everyone from the tour group was still here, Charles got us into the town hall which is a big deal because normally people aren't allowed to be where we were...  which is right here...


The balcony that was never meant for common people, like the Beatles, to be on. Prior to the four boys going on there it was only meant for royalty.   Well, we were on that balcony yesterday.  I think that is pretty cool.  There were many group pictures taken... I'll get one up as soon as one is available because I lost my camera charger somewhere between Scranton and Liverpool.  Who knows what I did with it.   But yeah the building was awesome and just freaking beautiful.  We were pretty flipping lucky that we got to go into the building!

Watch this ... 
seven minutes in heaven
At 2:35ish you can see them on the balcony.   The some facts in the video are wrong but it's pretty good!


I went to the Cavern Club last night and I tried to take in the reality of the situation.  I don't think I think about it often because I just gets complicated and bizarre (Cue mom singing "How Bizarre" in my head). But when I think about when I first met the Beatles I never imagined it would go this far!  I have to take a second and realize how far I have come in my life to get me where I am and just whisper a thank you to the universe for sending my family and friends and even strangers that have helped me along my way.  The reality of the situation took my breath away in the sweltering Cavern Club as my mom, Charles, and I were watching the last show of Beatle Week last night.  It's amazing how four boys from Liverpool really changed the world. Like them or not, you cannot deny that fact.  And if you try to I can produce evidence that separates the facts from your opinion.

I just got off of Skype with Liz and I am feeling way better than I did when I started this. I know it's going to be a totally scary couple of weeks but I already have one friend and two are on their way from the states shortly even though they are at different schools.  Today, someone who knows me pretty well said "Do you think you bit off more than you can chew?"  and I timidly squeaked, "I always do."   However, it dawned on me that, even though I do always bite off more than I can chew, I never choke.  That is the important part my friends.  Chew fast!  Chew thoroughly! Chew well!  Someone should make that a t-shirt.

I can't lie! When my mom and Charles left with the rest of the group (really they should've stayed some parents they are ;)  )  I was certain that I would be getting my bags from school and just following right behind them.  But I didn't!  I never thought that it would be easy to leave everything I ever knew (and my momma) I didn't expect it to be this hard but I think that technology will totally help that. Last year, I felt like belonged here.  And who runs away from acceptance?!

So tonight I shall leave you with these wise words:

"It's going to be hard tomorrow and it's going to be hard the next day.  So what?  It's better to have it hard than to not have it at all."  - Lennon.