Twas the day after Christmas

And what a lovely Christmas it was. My first Christmas in the UK (last year doesn't count because i spent the whole day throwing up from food poisoning). My first "real" English Christmas lunch with all the trimmings and everything...spent with an English (well kind of - mixed with ZImbabwean/South African)family! It was great.
The preparation was heavy but easy as no one was hassling, everyone got on so well, and we had a beautiful toddler who kept us all entertained. It was so good....

Woke up this mornign feeling warm.
After 12 hours sleep I needed to move. Blessed with a beautiful winter's day I went for a good 45 minute run around our park. THe park was buzzing this morning - lots of kids trying out their new wares. Very cool.

This time last year I had landed in Mumbai, after a biz class upgrade (thank god as I was so ill) and was about to begin my 4 month travellingalong. Wow. The year has sped by.

I realise I am beginning to "reflect" and it's not even NY eve.

WIll save the rest for then.

Just overall happiness and lurve
x

Ich bin in der Mitte

Grusse
I am in berlin. Not pleasure, work.
First time back to Berlin in about 2 years.
And it's still so fantastically familiar.

I've had 3 hours out and about. Not a helluva lotta time, but enough for me to rember the things that I so love and miss about this city
- Christmas really is Christmas here. That smell of gluwein and bratwurst, the special herby cookies that melt in your mouth, unforgiving stollen, the weinachtsmarkt, weintraube im schokolade, the lights, the decor in each store so carefully put together and so tasteful
- the architecture - new and old - such incredible contrasts...
- the chicky micky mercedes cabs
- the crisp blue sky and the icy cold air
- it's a smell
- the way people look so smart for work...or so untidy
- the trendy young berliners with their chic-preppy look

Ich liebe dich Berlin.

I am staying at the Hilton which is not the greatest. Think "big means best" and old style 80's decor - eugh. THe breakfast room this morning REEEEEAKED of bacon so much so that I can still smell it on me and breakfast was er, 9 hours ago!
But the good news is that the hotel is across the road from the facility...
AND EVEN BETTER...it's right opposite the most magnificent building and square Gendarmemarkt (Sp?!)

Ah yes. Ich liebe dich.

now back to work...

Alternatives

So we´re in Las Palmas. Grand Canary Islands. For most people that reads tat. Tacky. Cheap. Nasty.
We´re seeing it in a different light. My old housemate Carmen now lives here. THis is her home. So it´s different to see it from a someone´s-home perspective.

And she has made us feel so at home. She took a couple of days off work, baked me my favourite cake. Bought me my favourite cheese. Made us a special bed in her beautiful new flat. Has gone to great lengths to make us feel like this is home.

Home. That word still scared me and warms me at the same time. I am still not sure what home is. We´ve bought a house. We have planted roots and is London home yet? I am still undecided.

Carmen´s life here compared to her life in London is a 360 degree turn. Her parents live down the road. She now works half day and the other half she helps out her dad at his architecture firm (she too is a trained archi). And then she comes home early to prepare the meal for Pablo -her adoring husband...and life ticks on. Slowly, comfortable, agreably. Hassle free. Another world.

It´s an option. If I think of a possible life in Cape TOwn we could have the same. Slow pace, good weather. An agreable life.
Not sure if I can give up the chaos that is now such an intrinsic part of my make up.
´
Is home in your head, or is it created by your environment?
Does it come in time when things fall into place or do you have to work at it?
I want "home". Not sure if I want it now? But having spent time here at "home" it´s pretty attractive....

let´s see....

Deceit

SOmeone once told me that there are 3 sides to every story. There's the side of both parties and then there is the truth. A little corney, I know, but definately something to think about.

But who decides the truth?

So it turns out that this guy I know - who is married and has a kid of 9 months is having an affair, with this girl I know. THe thing is I would never expect that of either of them. I can't judge the situation because I don't know the ins and outs but I do know that knowledge of this made me want to throw up. I felt sick. It was bad news. I know it was bad news because I have never felt sick on hearing about someone elses dealings. I try not to know/get involved because it is none of my business. But, my god. I feel sad. I feel confused and upset and it's not even me who is involved?

What makes one person in a relationship decide to sour it with that type of decision? IS marriage not meant to be a promise? And by promise I mean a deal that both people will FIGHT till the end. UNTIL THE END. FIGHT. TRY HARDER. Especially with a kid involved? I totally get that relationships do break down. THings don't stay the same, people change, people move on, stuff gets DULL....But surely it's WORTH it to stick it out TO THE END, having given it everything not given up AND THEN move onto someone else without creating a love triangle of confusion.

I cannot pin down why this has upset me so.
It could be because I feel I am no longer a good judge of character? I am dissapointed? I feel let down by human nature and how we can't fight for what we onced believed in?

I don't know either side of the story.
I don't even know the truth anymore. Who decides on what the truth is anyway?
I cannot judge.
I just know that I feel sad.

Brixtonia

Managed to explore a bit of Brixton with J on Friday night. And wow, what a night. We went to this bar called Hive - it's great. Small. Play good music and just fun....And then we ended up at the Dogstar. A little rougher around the edges but very cool.
There were these two Brazillian guys doing caipoera (sp?!) which is pretty amazing to watch. They are so fast on their feet and so precise. It really is a skilled art!

So feeling pleased that there is actually stuff stuff happening in my hood past 6pm. Except that as I started on my second whiskey at the Dogstar, I realised this was the FIRST "club" I have been in this entire year...well kind of ....but it really has been that long.

Soho, that I love

I have been taking the tube to Oxford street for the last month so that I can walk to work through Soho.
Everyday a different route.

Walking through the city as it wakes up and gets ready for the day.
The sounds of espresso machines gurgling, whistling and then the thumping as the residue is knocked out.
The pistachio ice cream green, tiled building that sits on the corner of Beak and Lexington.
Fruit vendors setting up shop in Berwick.
Flat white opposite the ugly Budgens.

Down wardour.
Shaftsbury seems to break the momentum that is Soho. It's like a highway running through a village.
And then China Town.
China Town. Caramelled duck hanging up in window displays.Steaming baskets of dim sum. Unfamilliar yet so familliar.

I love.

to do list

Okay so this is the situation.
I have 4 weeks before i leave current place of arbeit.
In those 4 weeks I am working on ONE project. One project?

Not a lot to do.
I can either get very bored, wishing the time away or, as I have decided, I am going to try make the most of it. So here's my list of things to do before the 4 weeks are up:

1. go to a St Martin in the fields lunch time concert
2. blog blog blog
3. read read read
4. online trends research

G came home last night with the most beautiful box of W&N paints and brushes. I really want to get back into this....

Game on.

I have resigned.
It was hard because I love the people here but I feel like I have been in limbo.
It's time to move on.

I start in 5 weeks.G + I are going to visit Carmensita in Las Palmas the week before I start. We've not been away since what feels like forever so we are both excited at the prospect of a break. Not at home. Away from the house.

So that is my big news.

A little nervous at the new start - anxious really. I just don't want a repeat of this year. I am hoping it's going to be challenging, fresh, fast, but manageable.

Game ON

Goodbye Runlondon hello Supersonic - on myspace??

So Nike has abandoned its runlondon gig and replacing it with SuperSonic. An innovative twist? Perhaps.

In the past you'd log onto an easy to use, clean and simple site that was about one thing: running. You'd sign up for the race, and hope you were one of the first 4000 to do so so that you could secure a place.

Seems Nike is doing things a differently with SuperSonic.

For starters, the website is now hosted on Myspace: http://myspace.com/nikesupersonic. This immediately excludes those who are not net-savvy enough to participate.

The site is ubercool, funky, hip and slick and seems to have a more competitive feel to it. Instead of registering for a place in the 10K run, you now have to register to take part in the 100m sprints (first come first serve - "no promises"). The top 1000 sprinters get to invite 3 guests. Thus 1000x3 = 4000 runners in total (admittedly, a clever way to get to the 4000 mark).
Can you imagine the field day on EBay flogging these tickets???

Anyway. The final twist is that this is a party. And a hip party at that.
It takes place on a Saturday night and promises "one night of music fuelled speed".

I'm sure it's going to be a cool event - especially for the hip and happening youth out there.
But for a brand that is trying to regain credibility in the running arena, this seems like an odd strategy. Then again, maybe Nike has decided to stick to what it does best? And that is keep cool.

Thoughts?

And so...

Success. They managed to raid the Dsei conference....
www.wombles.org.uk/article2007091249.php

Things people do in London

Some guys need a tank. Well that's what they told me on the 13 of August when I was down Brick Lane end.

It's for a good cause really. They need a tank to cause a stink.
The plan is to drive the tank into some arms conference going on in Londres.
That's right. That's called "causing a stink".
So. When you have a moment, if this is your thing, drop by Brick Lane.
They are asking passers by for cash, money, deneero, change. Whatever you can spare.

I believe tanks cost a lot of money. In the region of £500,000. That's a lot of money. So they might still be there. Forever?

Things to do in London

I live in another world

So the move to Herne Hill went well. It's a bit of a joke really to call our 'hood "Herne Hill" - yes, it has the lovely yummy mummy connotaions one would like associated with their property however, it really is Brixton.

And another world that is.
Brixton.
Try it out on a Saturday morning and you will know what I mean. It has the most electric atmosphere pumping through the crowded market streets. Loud music from the stalls competes for your attention...ladies having their hair braided, kids running around eating jerk patties - bright yellow, acrylic nails, dead meat, ganga, rasta, big tunes, do you know the lord?, jerk chicken, laughter, tears, double bass grinding through the back of that gold, blinging beemer. I LOVE IT. I love the edge.
But then again, I also love that I can walk a little further and I am in the peace and tranquility of the lovely Herne Hill.


Both GForce and I are finding our own spot of space a lot more luxurious than we'd ever imagined. It is insane.
We have 4 rooms between us and a garden - okay, okay, not 4 BEDrooms...but actual rooms that have walls that can separate us. It's insane. 4 rooms for the 2 of us? After 10 years of house-sharing this deluxe supremo.

happy days...

i fall in love

each time i walk through london i fall in love with the discoveries just waiting to be made.
i went for an explore at lunch today. i have walked up and down the streets of soho so many times but today it felt all new again.
popped into fernandez and wells on Lexington, delicious...then up to broadwick past the delicious wonders in Yautacha (I have to go there sometime) and round to berwick street. The market is fantastic. I am going to make a concerted effort to buy ALL fruit and veg from the sellers on Berwick street. I was overwhelmed by the range, and excellent quality....they even sell lemon grass and fresh herbs.

yes. I am in love. All over again.

Run for your life

So I have not done any exercise in a week and a bit.
I can feel it.
I am exhausted, maxed out, finished, drained, and energyless.

And this just makes me think about the people around me who don't move their bodies. Which is probably half the city.

People. It is time to MOVE.

Oh, get real.

This is apparently the "best purchase" someone ever made in their whole life.

I was scanning the gumtree.com looking at sofa's - second hand - on the off chance that I might find a 50's retro, restored and original beaut - possibly of Danish decent, please.

And I came across this!
"I consider this Edwardian set to be the best purchase I have ever made as they are the most elegant and confortable furniture in my lounge. Now you are probably asking yourself why they are on Gumtree and no longer in my lounge? Well they are being sold because we are remodernising and decided to sell them... gutted"

You have to laugh, right.

Ahem. Apology.

Just read over my last blog.
Feel I must apologise for my reference to the Indian Call Center.

On my way back from India a few months ago I watched a fascinating documentary on the ever boom call center industry in India.

Indeed, this explosion has opened the doors for many highly SKILLED Indians. Doctors, and other professional people are trading in their jobs to work at call centers. THe avg call center wage per year is approx $9000. This is a lot higher than the average Indian wage of $900. So working in a call center is highly desireable and the job is taken seriously.

The programme compared the work ethic of call center workers in countries like Australia and the UK to those in India. It's a completely different ball game. In the developed world, this type of job is typically filled by students, or those who are just passing through looking to make an extra buck. In India, this type of work is taken very seriously. It's a highly respectable profession and people work hard.

I think the most hitting part of the programme was watching how badly the Indian call center staff are treated. Usual comments like "I don't want to talk to an Indian, I want to talk to an English speaking person...." and "I want to speak to someone who understands me"....And they just take it. Swallow it down and continue to be so polite.

So back to my apology. I did not mean to be rude about the call center. I was frustrated by the situation - lost/stollen bag/wallet/phone/etc.

why'd they make it so hard.

what is it with customer service in this country?
I lose my phone, bag, life on saturday nite and do you think I can get stuff replaced? it took me 2 phone calls and 1 hour on the phone to barclays to cancel my cards. Oh and a lot of shitty phone music - you have to go through that as they pass you from department to department. To department. It took about an extra 10 minutes for all the call delays - a call to Mumbai (my guess) or Bangalore from Reading ain't gonna connect that well.

Try explain to someone in a call center in India that
1. you are in the middle of a field
2. you don't know your acc number and sort code off by heart
3. and no you don't have the 16 digit card number because the card was in THE BAG???!!!


I have just tried to claim insurance for my phone.
The phone I bought a year ago. And no, I don't have proof of purchase of that item. Is that not why I registered the phone with all the serial numbers etc when I bought it and insured it??????

Just an observation.
Surely there must be a way to right this?

Music that will make you cry

The Arcade Fire made me want to cry on Saturday night. They were just so good. So into what they were doing and really going for it. The instruments - violins, trumpet, harpsichord, organ....wow. It was absolutely amazing.

Bloc party also rocked....a lot! they were good.

RHCP - somewhat dissapointing. I think the boys are no longer boys and are starting to feel their age perhaps? seriously. I think some bands are best left in their prime.


Went into the Dance tent for a bit which was also great...
It was just good to jump around on a field, great music and D A N C E!**!**!*

Reading is not my festival of choice. ANd I will never go back. It is filled with 17-24 year olds all on a mission to get blind drunk and pass out...or score.
It was interesting just to observe from a distance and remember that I was once too awkward, gangly and silly.


We camped for 3 nites - me and the Old Friends. It actually worked out well. I guess we are all so comfortable we're OK with just mooching around.

Feel so alive now, I am going to take a hot shower and have a sleep!

Done and dusted

After much debate we (or rather, I) have decided that we (or I) are (am) going to pack our (my) bags and head to the dreaded Reading festival.

G just sent me this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6956629.stm


My friend C persuaded the "old friends" that this would be a good idea. We'll be working on Thurs + Fri afternoon (read: conducting market research questionnaires). And then the idea is that we have the rest of the fest to spend time together, hang out, reminisce, jump around to some music, and just take that time we never seem to have.

I am dreading it because I am not really up for being surrounded by spotty teens who will most likely be wasted. I am over that.

After writing the previous post I decided this would be a good idea. Sometimes its about making an effort. It's about getting out of your comfort zone and just doing it damnit. It's all to easy to say no and just miss out (I find the older I get the less I feel like being at THE party - I just don't care anymore).

Anyway.
I also have the feeling that this might be the last old friends event.

Or am I just hanging on?

Hey, it could ROCCCKKK. It really could. The line up looks OK and at least I am at the stage where I can be selective in what I see.
So I want to see
- Peter Bjorn and John
- Unkle
- Bloc party
- Smashing pumpkins and NIN (for old time's sake!)
- pull tiger tail (they were great at Fieldday)
- THe shins
- Arcade Fire
- RHCP

The rest I don't know....but could be an opportunity to discover something HOT!

Okay...getting a little excited now...