Way on down south London town.

You know those contests that you sometimes see advertised if you follow your favorite band or celebrity on Facebook, MySpace or Twitter? Most of us pass by them, right? I mean, who wins those things anyway?

Well, I won one.

VIP passes to Bullet for my Valentine's latest CD release in London's SoHo district.

One problem.

It was in two days, and I had to find a way to reason spending £50 (df= one weeks living expenses) on the train ticket, plus necessary expenses for one day and nights accommodation.

After little debate however (I mean, how often does this chance come?), I was on my way to the capital, with girlfriend in tow.

Having not visited the city since December of 2001, I was truly excited to see how my perspectives of it, now somewhat weathered by knowledge and time, would be during this brief and intense return. Not to be trumped, London didn't disappoint. With more culturally cool things to do than you could name in a day, we had no shortage of things to see and do within the budget of £0. Obviously, having a London newbie in my company, the need to see the essentials was necessary. From Euston, walked to the West End, the Palace, St. James's Park, houses of Parliament, Waterloo Bridge, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery (great collection of Renaissance and impressionist art), and finally Piccadilly en route back to the hostel in Camden town. Total time: 4 1/2 hours. With a break. Boo Ya.

Of course, the event that we had gone principally for was incredible. Open bar at swanky SoHo hotel whilst getting to be the first people in the world to hear the new album of one of your favorite bands while also getting to chat to them (translate - get exceedingly tipsy with them)? Makes for one hell of a good time.

What's the moral of the story then kids? While on study abroad, don't hesitate to enter those silly "I'll never win this" contests. Because while 60 million people makes for silly odds, its better than 360 million, and should you win, there is a good chance you will be going somewhere special.

Oh, and, London rocks. Go there.