Did you know that "Thriller" is a traditonal British song?

Last night I somehow ended up at Kavanagh's with the majority of the rest of the AU kids. Don't ask me how I got roped into it, cause I have no idea. I went, but decided that I didn't feel like drinking beer, and I'm too cheap to buy a mixed drink. So I just sat and chatted. I talked with Diana's cousin who is in London for a few more days (he's been in Europe the past month as a college graduation present). Some other kids were asking what he was going to do once he went home. Well, John was pretty toasted, and I knew the answer because I had asked him the same question a few days previously. So I proceeded to tell everyone, that he's going home and hanging out until January when he's going to Japan and teaching English to schoolchildren. I then looked at him, and said, I told your life story for you. He gazed at me blearily and asked how I knew that. I said to him, "You told me the other day when we were in the flat. We were standing outside Diana's room." He's really drunk and just has no recollection of this conversation. So I decided it was time to mess with his head. I proceeded to say, "Oh come on you know, we were in the hallway talking, it was right before we made out (never actually happened, no worries guys)." He slapped his hands on the table and gave me an incredulous "Whaaaaaaaaaat!!!!!!!" Of course I let it carry on for a while, and then I finally told him I was just screwing with his head. It took him a while to process this information, as he was pretty drunkers, but eventually he got it. Mannn I had fun with that one. I had everyone else at the table cracking up too. Te he, I played a wee little joke.

Today Kristian and I got up a little early to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. It was really cool, but really, I didn't understand what was going on at all. The guys in the red coats were being replaced by the guys in the black coats, but there was this big ceremony including a band and some horse guards that didn't really have much if any purpose. Eventually the royal band started playing music. And they conjured up some music stands from somewhere, and I was like, uhhh did you get them out of your hats? haha. So they start to play and we expect something like "God Save the Queen" or "Old Britania" or something very traditional, since the whole ceremony is a tradition thing. Oh no, they totally broke it down with none other than Michael Jackson's "Thriller". I kid you not, and I have it on video to prove it. They also played such classics as "Eye of the Tiger" and "Shot Through the Heart." Needless to say it was the last thing I was expecting, and as a result, I got a good laugh out of it.
Any how, I decided that I would Wikipedia the changing of the guard as soon as I got back so I could understand what happened. Here is what wiki has to say:

The Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The St. James' Palace detachment of the Queen's Guard, led usually by the Corps of Drums, and bearing the Colour (if the Queen is in residence, then this will be the Queen's Colour; if she is not, then it is the Regimental Colour), marches along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where the Buckingham Palace detachment has formed up to await their arrival. These two detachments are the Old Guard. Meanwhile the New Guard is forming up and are awaiting inspection by the Adjutant on the parade square at Wellington Barracks. The Band, having been inspected by the Adjutant, forms a circle to play music whilst the New Guard is inspected. The Guard provides a full Military Band consisting of no fewer than 35 musicians (usually, though not always, from one of the Guards regiments) accompanied by their Director of Music. When the New Guard is formed up, led by the Band, it marches across into the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Once there, the New Guard advances towards the Old Guard in slow time and halts. The Old Guard presents arms, followed by the New Guard presenting arms. The Captains of the Guards march towards each other for the handing over of the Palace keys. The new reliefs are marched to the guardrooms of Buckingham Palace and St James' Palace where new sentries are posted.
During this time the Band has taken its place by the centre gate, formed up in a half-circle, where it plays music to entertain the New and Old Guard as well as the watching crowds. During this period, the two regimental colours are paraded up and down by the Ensigns (usually junior officers of 2nd Lieutenant rank or equivalent). With the Old and New Guards formed up once again, the Old Guard and the Band marches out through the centre gates in slow time to their Regimental Slow march played by the Band. At the end of the slow march the Captain of the Old Guard gives the word of command to 'Break into Quick Time' and with a brisk five pace roll from the drums, the Band leads the way back to Wellington Barracks.

And there you have it. See, we all learned something new today!



I also posted more pictures on facebook, in the "Alight here for Buckingham Palace" album. There are new pictures from Abbey Road, Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard, and also the Thames Festival at the end of the album.

I know you're all interested in seeing the videos I've been taking as well, and I'm trying to load those as well, they just take forever. I'll provide links as soon as I get them all up. It may be a while, especially when the Internet connection is as dodgy as it is.

Cheers!