snow

Global warming huh?

A sneaky snap

Another fashion spot in London on Saturday, this guy was in a band that was playing at the London Fields Broadway markets. He looks like an extra out of My Fair Lady - love it.

A sad day and a recap

So my bike got nicked. That's the bad news - poor little commuter, probably flogged by some council flat dwelling, chav scum. All that was left in the Brick Lane side street we parked in was a sad, snipped bike lock in a gutter. Yes, that's right, I typed 'we' which means Sandy's bike got taken too. Bastards.

On a happier note, Sandy and I went on our driving tour of the emerald isle the other week and it was delightful, apart from insistent phone calls from the office in London, we had a lovely drunken, relaxing holiday. Some proof...

Notting Hill fashion

Just got home from a bracing ride back from the Notting Hill carnival. Lots of fun, lots of cops, lots of people and a shit load of chicken carcasses.

I've been inspired over that last few weeks by the numerous street fashion websites over here, so many good pics of painfully cool and beautiful people, favourite is here So I thought I might give it a try and todays Notting Hill carnival was my first attempt.



First up, cool girls, cool headbands and loving the skirt on the girl on the right. Paperbaggery at it's best.



I saw these guys strutting up the street in their cool kid gang and had to get the camera out.



And I include a picture of myself standing beside a mountain of rubbish, not because I think I am some sort of fashionista, but I altered the dress I'm wearing yesterday from being a nanna-tastic mid calf monstrosity to being a mid thigh jewel toned party dress. Bit proud.



And last but not least, the coolest kids I saw all day. Winners.

Nemo

So, I have been listening to my body recently and it has been telling me to eat fish. Just to fill you in on the back story I gave up eating red meat 15 years ago and fish and chicken about 13 years ago. This is a long time to not eat certain foods and really, after so long, this has become a part of my story, who I am, part of my identity. So, it's been a bit of an internal struggle to reconcile myself with losing a part of this identity.

But I decided that my body knows best and tonight Sandy (who was very excited, being a mad fish lover) cooked me a lovely meal of cod, home cooked chips and salad.

It was delicious and I am now, officially, an eater of fish. Sorry Nemo.

Book club

In my recent quest to be a) more creative in my spare time b) meet new and interesting people and c) use my brain for more than ingesting the latest episode of Americas Next Top Model - I have joined a local book club. I am excited. We are meeting next month to discuss 'The End of Mr Y' - of course I have already devoured it and am chomping at the bit to discuss it with other people who have read it and I have to wait a whole month.



Herewith - my review.

Ariel Manto is a sexually adventurous (although some may say disturbed) part time university lecturer completing her thesis on thought experiments whilst debating, and failing to resist, her rather nasty affair with an older, married, professor. So far so sordid. But when her mentor disappears amidst rumours of a rare cursed book by Victorian author and spiritualist Thomas Lumas called The End of Mr Y things get infinitely more interesting and complicated.
Of course Ariel happens upon a copy of The End of Mr Y and her taste for self harm and destruction is aroused by the promise of being cursed by the small book. Things get dark and dangerous for Ariel, the book is rare for a reason and there are some sadistic opportunists who are willing to do awful things, to an awful lot of people, to get the book and the magic it contains.
Fantastic journeys of thought and matter, mouse gods, time travel, paradoxes and mind bending space/time geography ensue. And by the end you come back to the beginning (you'll have to read it see what I mean) and I felt as if my brain had been on boot camp. It's a rare book (geddit!?) like this that really makes you think, that makes you push yourself and your understanding of the world and your ideas about reality and perception.

I can't wait for the book club!

Rice pudding mishaps and jewelery

What a busy week! Haven't kept up the blogging every day, really - who was I kidding?
Anyway here's a wrap up of the last week or so:

In the most hilarious moment of the week, Sandy was making a rice pudding - finishing it off with a delicious sprinkle of 'nutmeg' before realizing the 'nutmeg' was actually curry powder. I laughed until tears ran down my face as Sandy tried desperately to remove the curry powder and salvage his dessert. A good reason to label the jars that look pretty much the same with ingredients that, again, look very similar.



I decided last week to pull my finger out and actually make this necklace I had been thinking about for ages. So I dragged the parents and Sandy off to the Islington antique market to forage for some bits and pieces, all purchased for a tenner by the by. I sourced my chain from a bead supply store in Covent Garden and then set about trying to figure out how I wanted to pull it all together. I ended up as 3 necklaces instead of one but to be honest, I'm a bit chuffed about how they turned out. Can't wait to give them an outing.

My favourite photo

On last weekend's excursion to Soho we found this sign on the front of someones door. Well at least that's clear then!

Memories

I had a vivid dream the other night and an old friend of mine was in it. About 6 years ago, for about a year, we were really close. We hung out and ate winegums, listened to hip hop, ordered pancakes at Dennys at 4 in the morning and were generally on the same wavelength. Lots of time has passed now and we lost touch, I hadn't thought about him for ages but it's funny how the brain can throw memories up at you when you least expect it. It made me feel all sorts of nostalgic about that time in my life and also made me think about other friends I have let go to the forces of distance and changes in circumstance and time.

I guess it's one of those things that happens as you get older, you have the distance to look back and remember - and the knowledge that good memories are a great thing - but you can never go back.

Saturday and the City

Coffee in Soho last weekend with our lovely friends.

Thoughts

OK, so that didn't start off so well, but I got busy... and lazy, anyway - here goes.

In an effort to expand my internet experience (for work and play) outside of the Perez Hilton zone I am exploring blogs, video sites and general cool stuff online with renewed vigor.

First up is http://www.thethinkmovement.com a site that doesn't tell you what to think, but inquires and prods and leads you to a place where you have to (shock!) think for yourself.

Check it out.

Every day

For the next month (barring odd days when I am away) I am going to try posting every day. It doesn't have to be life changing stuff, let's face it, what has been on this blog so far? But it's an exercise in discipline, of which I am sadly lacking!

P-A-R-T-Y

For those of you whom I love scattered all around the world and not living in London, here's the early 90's video mash up invite I made for our housewarming party.



Sniff! I wish you could be there, rocking the Hypercolour T Shirts and busting out your best running man moves...

Going out to Miss Payne

I am having a early 90's rap revival over here in London, also on the playlist...



and...



...you know Sandy and I are planning a housewarming soon, I sense a music theme emerging for the evening.

xxx

Lou makes the mix, Sandy takes the pics

Here's a wee video I made from a series of pics Sandy took during the summer in Melbourne. Mojitos were the drink of the season and Sandy and Lou's in Greeves St was the place to have them.

...for my Kitty all the way on the other side of the world... Mongolia would be closer you realise?