The inaugural First Post!

Well, time to christen my shiny new blog with a first post. As an eternal procrastinator, the only thing harder than starting something is carrying on with it, so blogging will be something of an uphill battle for me at first.

Why here, why now? I'm a blog fanatic, on a constant search for the internet's best writing. I devour my favourite blogs like a net-literate grinch, and then feel major cognitive dissonance about the fact that I munch my way through other people's creativity without putting anything out there in return. It feels like I'm a black hole, hoovering up people's juiciest thoughts and words. Time to change that!

Life is pretty great for me right now. I have moved to the city of London, Great Britain's capital, to work and generally enjoy life. So far, so good; hence the blog's title; I AM loving London living, and I want to shout it from the rooftops. However, given my lack of access to a good rooftop for a George of the Jungle moment, I'll settle for shouting it into nothingness the internet.

Before moving to London I got all sorts of advice from family and friends which generally hinged on the idea that this city is a) Scary b) Lonely and/or c) Dangerous. This included such gems as:

"Never sit on the top deck of a bus!" and "Don't look strangers in the eye, just keep your head down and keep moving".

Despite having lived both in Japan and Deepest Darkest Birmingham, I have to confess that this barrage of advice had me slightly apprehensive. Could London and it's inhabitants really be that bad?

Skip to the present day and my feelings on that issue are a resounding "No Way!". For every strange or intimidating encounter I've had, there have been 3 great ones. I have never met so many friendly, interesting and intelligent people in such a short space of time. Yes, I said the F-word: "friendly"! Natives and newbies alike look startled when I describe London citizens in that way. I hope that when people read about my experiences, they'll be reminded of what great opportunities are on their doorstep here, and the amazing people that could be waiting to share them.

Which brings me to my next point: Carpe Diem. I'm out here trying to seize the day, to reach for dreams, and sometimes it's difficult. So often we downgrade our expectations of life to avoid disappointment, disparage our hopes and ambitions because we're scared of what people will think, and talk ourselves out of doing things that appeal to us because we're just too chicken. I'm trying to break these habits, and I'll be honest: I fail 99% of the time. But this blog is going to help me unleash my new mega-weapon against negativity: GRATEFULNESS. I am going to be GRATEFUL for something every time I post here. I may always write GRATEFUL in caps just because we should be GRATEFUL for the chance to feel GRATEFUL...just kidding :) But seriously, I think taking stock of the things I'm loving about London living and putting them out here just might tip the positivity-scales, which can only lead to good things. And I hope that people who read this blog will get a little bit of gratefulness-karma too.

I think this post should end with us raising a glass, mug, ashtray or pet and making a toast: To London, and to Loving Life. Cheers!