Between now and Aug. 12, London-bound Seattleites who are heading to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games will take over the Times' Take 2 blog and share their fan experiences and observations as they attend events and explore the city.

Our contributors come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including university students studying abroad in London, a family of four with an 11-month-old, and several solo travelers and diehard Olympics fans.

"I'm so excited!" said contributor Heather Deranek, a sports agent representing a Canadian triathlete at the Games, in an email to the Times. "My athlete Kyle Jones has been doing altitude training in France. He arrives in London on August 4th, so I wanted to be sure to get there early to be all rested when he arrives. I want to hit the ground running!"

Deranek received her airfare confirmation last week and will leave for London on Aug. 2.

"Part of me wants to organize every moment to maximize my time there, but I think I'm going to just fly by the seat of my pants and let all the adventure just happen on its own!" said Deranek.

Click here to learn more about our London Calling contributors and check back often for updates. In the meantime, here is how a few of them are gearing up for the Games.

Contributor Susie Salem says she took this photo of a tourist, above, who was "shopping along the famous Portobello Road market in Notting Hill" near London, England. "I think we know who she will be rooting for come July 27," says Salem. Photo by Susie Salem

Contributor Kris Andrews, above, shops at a outdoor-clothing shop in Helsinki, Finland. Andrews, who is traveling throughout Europe before and after the Games, says she is getting "in shape for the shopping in London." Photo by Kris Andrews

Contributor Ed Matuskey holds what he calls "a fistfull of memories-to-be," which he received in the mail on July 13. Photo by Ed Matuskey