Thanks, guys. There are some good ideas, there!
I don't often go in the square mile because
a) I don't really know where it is
b) If it involves being near Oxford/Regent Street then I will most probably have a nosebleed. I love to shop, but if the square mile is what I think of as central London then I avoid it at all costs (though I love Liberty's, what a lovely jewel in an inkstain.)
The design museum is a place I have only heard of in passing, but never really known where it is, I will look it up in a moment as Craig happened to have a print delivered from there today, by coincidence.
I think I may have been to Forbidden Planet a few times before with a friend of mine. If it is full of comic books and little figurines in glass cabinets then it is the place I am thinking of. Also, a little shop that sold loads of retro kitsch - a tomato phone, an Elvis Presley lunch box and some Marylin monroe coasters all made their way home from wherever that was...
I have been bothered by bothersome guys since I was about 15/16, but always in the same places: parks, buses and trains. I don't think that it is just me that attracts people that don't get the message, but they are the places where you are most likely to be just sitting, minding your own business when you are alone. Bus drivers often try to give me their number, and persistent train passengers try once in a while, too, but in the summer time the sun goes to people's heads and I think some guys just think that the summer time equals time to chat up random (not even topless...) women. I don't mind, but when you says, no, you just want to read your book, and then they still don't leave, so you get up and they follow it can be a bit intimidating.
I always think 'well, I am older now, they won't do it this year', but I think there are some guys that would try if you were 15 or 50.
Camden, I do not much like. I used to, when I was younger, but it just seems to trade off the idea of 'we have a reputation for being full of drugs', which is boring. yes, that alice band has a picture of a ganja leaf on it, how novel. Oh, Adihash, how humorous... I have never yet 'done' the London Eye, but mostly because I am a bit 'funny' with heights, but everyone assures me that it is very gentle and doesn't move fast so you don't notice that you are rising too much, so I may yet get up the courage.
I have not yet been to the houses of parliament, so that's a great idea, though I wonder if Monkey would be allowed...
I have not ever heard of Shunt, it sounds great, though not really a 'Mimi alone in London' type of experience, but I may try and get some friends to come down thee one evening.