my website

I've linked to my professional website. It is a work in progress (please ignore film reviews), but if anyone has any suggestions...

my love affair with complaining about slow service is over

Rather boringly re-write what my weekend looked like (look at Patricia's blog for details-http://www.livejournal.com/users/plancia/), I'll just continue on... but first I just wanted to clarify something she wrote. Yes, the talk often turns to the poor customer service that plagues Britain. But before I arrived, I understood poor customer service to be rudeness. it's not. Most people I've had to deal with have been lovely, really nice. The problem is the layers of bureaucracy and privatization and lack of employee empowerment have formed a hard, impenetrable papier mache over initiative and ingenuity. I have come to accept that everything takes time here. It's virtuous, I suppose. Teaching patience and planning ahead. And while I have accepted this, I can't help occasionally wanting to scream 'it doesn't have to be this way'. In fact, it has become more funny than annoying, more amusing anecdote than stress-inducing. however, now I live here and there is nothing worse than someone going on about how much better things are somewhere else. If I don't like it I can leave, and as such I will never mention the snail-like pace of BT, banks, or the NHS (except on the occasions when my experience has been truly amusing). That is all.

quickest of quick posts

We've moved. It's great!!! I had a great night with Wayne and Patrica on Friday and a lovely time on Sunday with Jane and Nadine (hurry up and move over, Megan (and Bryan, but no pressure)). We have no phone or internet at the apartment yet, but I'll let you know when we're back on the grid.
Thanks for all your birthday messages and I wish I wasn't missing all your birthdays, wedding preparations, and ... brunch or whatever it is ya'll are doing.

Happy Post (all hail Scorpios)

Many of my favourite people are born now. So Happy Birthday to Megan, Jowita, Holly and Aylin.
(I know Jowita isn't a scorpio but she really should be).
I love them because they support and condone all my bad behaviour and never say 'I told you so' . And they are smart and funny and glamorous.
I wish they lived in London
I leave you with our biggest fan, Rob Brezsney
(from the archives)

You know what you remind me of lately, Scorpio? You're like gourmet sea salt that has been hand-harvested on a warm, breezy afternoon in late summer from a pristine marsh in Brittany. You are, in other words, raw and elegant; you're primal and pure; you're a basic necessity but exquisitely unique. I trust that you will share your funky sublimity only with those who treat you as both a valuable spice and an essential condiment. (feb 20, 2003)


Omigod. How much longer can you wrestle with the confounding angel? How much more melodrama can you wade through without seeking refuge as a daytime TV junkie, your curtains drawn and empty cookie packages accumulating on the floor? Will there ever be an end to the soul-boggling, gut-jiggling education? In lieu of hazarding a guess at these questions, Scorpio, I'll remind you of the vow you took before you were born: "My elixir of life will never taste like sugar water, but will always be a blend of at least 77 mouth-watering, high-potency, profanely sacred ingredients!"
(oct 10, 2002)

WARNING: dull, self-indulgent entry

What a week! It's been really good and really bad. GOOD: My friend Tim was in town for a few days on route to Morocco. He's working on a really interesting piece for some Canadian publications (I'll update more on that when it's actually finished). It was great to talk shop for a few hours and he inspired me to get a move on with journalism things over here. Perfect segue to the exciting news that I'll be doing a few weeks placement at a paper. Hurray. I've never worked on a daily and am hoping the office will be a bit more lively than TL's. BAD: I also started work at a bar/restaurant in Camden. I should have clued in when co-workers mentioned high turnover and a lack of work permits. After working an 11 hour shift and discovering the pay was 25 quid a night plus tips, I decided to reconsider. Don't even try to work out the hourly rate. It's shocking. I was also disgusted to discover that any drinks not paid for by customers 'dining and dashing' came out of the tips. Everyone working there was really nice though and I might have stuck it out except I couldn't get a day job at the same time -my original intention-as shifts started at 4 and ended between 2 and 3. GOOD: On Saturday we went to see fireworks for Guy Fawkes night and then to a party with some friends of Megan's. BAD: Apparently it is impossible to just switch services, like phone and internet, when moving. Instead we need to cancel our services, get a bill charging us for reneging on our contract that we then ignore, and then sign-up again. I have no idea when our phone/internet will be working again. BAD: I'd applied for a bank account and had been waiting for over a week for my card, etc. I called and found out that they (the man!) had photocopied the wrong page in my passport and I needed to take it in again. Apparently they'd tried to get a hold of me, but I'm not sure how. I didn't get a phone call or receive a letter. I even made sure that they had the correct contact details. None of this would be a problem except that we move in two days and I can't get the info sent to any other address but the one that I signed on with. GOOD: the girl I spoke to was very nice, complemented my accent, and promised to get it sent out by the end of the week. GOOD: Got a call from one of the agency's I've been harassing about a decent sounding job. BAD: It's been two days and nothing. When I called to check-up I wasn't able to talk to my recruitment person ( I dunno, what would be their official title) and she still hasn't called me back. GOOD: I applied for a position at Urban Outfitters (I love that store). BAD: I realised when I'd left that I was dressed entirely in clothes from Urban Outfitters, down to the purse and earrings. I'm a sad case.GOOD: Oxford Street has all its gaudy Christmas decorations up. Pretty. BAD: I don't even want to talk about this because it makes me so angry, but the letting agency wants a bigger deposit from us. John reckons they are just trying one on because we're not from here, but the place is just this very basic studio with no frills and a bigger deposit is completely uncalled for. Of course telling us they want another 500 dollars two days before we move in is completely reasonable. We have no intention of paying anything extra, so stay tuned to discover the fate of London Darling and John J.

In response to I'm Huge

Disclosure statement: Yes, killing people is bad. Yes, rioting is bad (unless it's against horrible, oppressive regimes). And I forget, what's the general consensus on the Crusades these days. Positive conquest? Negative rioting?
I'm Huge expressed disgust at the Paris riots (i'm huge). Despite slightly, mostly agreeing with him, I have to call him on a few points. I'm Huge says "You have no excuse for what you're doing". London Darling says "well, they kinda do" It was pointed out by a young man, incidentally speaking wonderful English with a charming french accent, that, despite being born in France, young Muslims and Asians were unable to get work because of their background. Without condoning violence, which indeed hurts everyone, it is not impossible to understand the frustration rampant in these kind of ghettoised areas. After all, Europe doesn't have the best track record when to comes to embracing "others".
I'm Huge says " No good will come of your actions". London Darling says "well actually, the riots have been a catalyst to many "something most be done to ensure that our immigrant communities don't get forgotten, then get poor, then get angry" conversations.
I'm Huge says "Most folks around the world knew this before you started killing people". London Darling says "um, got no comeback for this one. Except maybe 'killing people is baaaaad'"
However, it must be said that there is nothing black or white (sorry, I had too) about human nature.And if the world can finally accept that discrimination NEVER ENDS WELL, then fewer incidents like this will grace the headlines.
London Darling does not wish to comment on the unfortunate expletive I'm Huge chose to end his rant.
But that totally sucks about your Metro Pass. I fucking hate when shit like that happens!

more about halloween

Megan went to a Halloween party where somebody was dressed up as that guy who sells flowers. The guy with neon earrings. The guy that makes you simultaneously wonder maliciously how he actually makes any money and feel guilty enough to want to buy one of his terrible flashy flowers.
The best part is that if you've ever gone out in West Toronto, you'd would get it.
Oh minor Toronto celebrity, how I miss thee.
(The blogspot spell check wants to replace Megan with Magna. It was all I could do not to accept the change).

Thing I miss about Toronto today:
Getting it.

Halloween

Oh yes. I am jealous that I missed another Halloween in Toronto. It's the best time of year and the best premise for a holiday. I didn't do anything expect try to be happy that my awesome friends were going to a party at my fun ex- house with my awesome ex-roommates. All I can say is that I'm going to a Pride and Prejudice party. Ha! take that Halloween.

Thing I miss about Toronto today:
Picking up NOW Magazine, but not actually reading it.

Our new home

Staying true to our declaration that we would be in a decent living space by December hasn't been easy, but it's now actually happening. We found a place in Camden (very close to the market http://www.camdenlock.net/markets.html). John can still walk to work, we have about 4 grocery stores plus market fruit and veg as neighbours, and a choice of two tube stops minutes away. And we managed to knock about 80 pounds off our monthly rent.
I wasn't sure about Camden. It's really hectic on the weekends and we're right on the main street. However, there are lots of little coffee shops and independent restaurants and music venues (reminds me of Kensington Market), and it's really close to Regent's Park. And our favourite brunch place is practically underneath us. It should be good.
Everyone's invited for dinner! but like the apartment on Melville, we might have to do it in shifts.