It's been a tumultuous week.
The relief of having finally found a place to live lasted exactly a day and a half, with the plan for 6 Cavendish Rd falling apart on Wednesday afternoon. On the plus side, the one full day of relief I had, was my birthday so it was one less portent of ill will to deal with at an already stressful time. On the flip side, it meant I was back to being homeless again and with even fewer days in which to sort things out.
Still, as they say, all things happen for a reason and being chucked out on my ear meant I went looking at 70 Bonneville Gardens, met Clare (soon to be landlady and flatmate) and now am back to having a potential home again - one I feel much more positive about and one that ultimately has more earmarks for success.
Friday saw me spend the day in Belfast, mucking about with surveys at the annual FSB conference. The city looked green and pretty between the airport and the conference centre and I've had an adult-dose of Irish accents which should keep me going until the next fix.
With new housing arrangements imminent, the weekend was spent packing things away and wondering just how much rubbish one person can accumulate in a mere 8 months.
Watched The Prestige. Twice. Yes, it is just that good. What's more, it's the type of layered film that makes you realise only at the end all the little things that you've overlooked along the way. Oh yes and the boys in it are hot. Even in magician beards.
Mad busy week ahead at work, painting of new room to be done and eventual moving in shenanigans scheduled for Saturday. By the end of it all, someone is going to be a very tired panda...
Monday, March 26, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Bring it on, 27, I dare ya...
So I suppose it had to happen sometime.
The dreaded day has come. This is the oldest I've ever been. Still, am in pretty high spirits following a good weekend and a series of phonecalls, text messages and emails that remind me how lucky I am in the family and friends departments.
Weekend shenanigans in Cardiff resulted in positive actions all around - Wales beat England; I had chocolate cake and pancakes (not together, although that sounds quite promising too); I'm now almost the proud owner of a pair of fish and, most importantly, having something else to think about for a couple of days resulted in good karma on the house front.
After visiting a grand total of 25 flats of various sizes, shapes and occupants over the last few weeks, I have now settled on No 6C Cavendish Road. The girl moving out is off to a new job in Dubai and the new flat is so close to the current one that I won't have to change any of my travel or grocery shopping habits. Perhaps rather a lot of time, effort and stress to move a mere three streets over but into each life some rain must fall, I suppose.
Off home to enjoy my first night in weeks of doing nothing and contemplating the infinite.
The dreaded day has come. This is the oldest I've ever been. Still, am in pretty high spirits following a good weekend and a series of phonecalls, text messages and emails that remind me how lucky I am in the family and friends departments.
Weekend shenanigans in Cardiff resulted in positive actions all around - Wales beat England; I had chocolate cake and pancakes (not together, although that sounds quite promising too); I'm now almost the proud owner of a pair of fish and, most importantly, having something else to think about for a couple of days resulted in good karma on the house front.
After visiting a grand total of 25 flats of various sizes, shapes and occupants over the last few weeks, I have now settled on No 6C Cavendish Road. The girl moving out is off to a new job in Dubai and the new flat is so close to the current one that I won't have to change any of my travel or grocery shopping habits. Perhaps rather a lot of time, effort and stress to move a mere three streets over but into each life some rain must fall, I suppose.
Off home to enjoy my first night in weeks of doing nothing and contemplating the infinite.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays...
This past weekend had the potential to be quite restful and relaxing. Instead I felt rushed off my feet and more stressed than ever with house-hunting plunging to unprecedented depths.
Still, stayed up and watched bad music videos from various decades and genres on Friday night, so all was not lost. What was it with the 80's and allowing dorky white boys to dance in their music videos - I'm looking at you, Rick Astley and I'm especially looking at you, Jimmy Somerville.
Off to Cardiff this coming weekend - have promised Kristen a proper Welsh experience so we will be watching rugby and looking at a castle. Oh and eating pancakes with maple syrup.
A box set of Seasons 1 & 2 of Entourage is now available at HMV and Ian tells me Season 3 of House is set to start on TV next week - proof that the world isn't such a bad place after all.
Still, stayed up and watched bad music videos from various decades and genres on Friday night, so all was not lost. What was it with the 80's and allowing dorky white boys to dance in their music videos - I'm looking at you, Rick Astley and I'm especially looking at you, Jimmy Somerville.
Off to Cardiff this coming weekend - have promised Kristen a proper Welsh experience so we will be watching rugby and looking at a castle. Oh and eating pancakes with maple syrup.
A box set of Seasons 1 & 2 of Entourage is now available at HMV and Ian tells me Season 3 of House is set to start on TV next week - proof that the world isn't such a bad place after all.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Slice of OX?
Phew. Finally another week over.
The past few days have seen me trekking in and out of several strangers' homes, asking dull questions about rent and deposits and making forced small-talk about hobbies and schedules.
Considering how big a city London is, this week it has felt tiny. At a house-viewing last night, the next potential tenant arrived early and I was amazed to recognise him as someone whose flat I had viewed back in July when I was last looking. (Good thing I didn't go with it - at the time I decided against him because I couldn't feel comfortable looking at his weird goggly eyes. Now I see that my prophetic soul had merely been warning me that he wouldn't have lasted as a potential landlord either.) Then this morning at the office I ran into an ex Dubai colleague (admittedly one to whom I've probably spoken a grand total of fourteen words since we first met back in 2002 - most of them today) who is working freelance on a project for GCI.
Went to my first meeting at the Dell offices in Bracknell yesterday. Was suprised to see that they are right next door to HP. Still, as they say, not much to do in the country but think what a tick your neighbour is. I imagine that's the case even without millions of dollars worth of computer equipment to fight over.
Tickets to Finland bought and hotel room at the Astoria booked this week as the St Petersburg slowly starts to take shape. Am trying to see if I can work in a detour to the North of Finland to go to the Lordi rocktaurant. So far KY and Tiina aren't going for it, but it's early days yet.
Will be 27 in 11 days. Am so not ready.
The past few days have seen me trekking in and out of several strangers' homes, asking dull questions about rent and deposits and making forced small-talk about hobbies and schedules.
Considering how big a city London is, this week it has felt tiny. At a house-viewing last night, the next potential tenant arrived early and I was amazed to recognise him as someone whose flat I had viewed back in July when I was last looking. (Good thing I didn't go with it - at the time I decided against him because I couldn't feel comfortable looking at his weird goggly eyes. Now I see that my prophetic soul had merely been warning me that he wouldn't have lasted as a potential landlord either.) Then this morning at the office I ran into an ex Dubai colleague (admittedly one to whom I've probably spoken a grand total of fourteen words since we first met back in 2002 - most of them today) who is working freelance on a project for GCI.
Went to my first meeting at the Dell offices in Bracknell yesterday. Was suprised to see that they are right next door to HP. Still, as they say, not much to do in the country but think what a tick your neighbour is. I imagine that's the case even without millions of dollars worth of computer equipment to fight over.
Tickets to Finland bought and hotel room at the Astoria booked this week as the St Petersburg slowly starts to take shape. Am trying to see if I can work in a detour to the North of Finland to go to the Lordi rocktaurant. So far KY and Tiina aren't going for it, but it's early days yet.
Will be 27 in 11 days. Am so not ready.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
How do ya like them Apples?
Early morning drama today. Woke up cold and was told that the radiator in Dianne's room was leaking beyond any hope of repair and would need replacing. Hung about waiting for the plumber for a while and then left when I found that Tara (landlady) had given him keys after all! Still, will be nice to have the house feel warm again after no heating or hot water since Sunday night.
Got pretty replacement headphones for my iPod - my usual anal retentive sensibilities made me think I couldn't have anything but Apple ones but a recent amount of anti-Apple feeling led me to not want to give them any more of my money than necessary. So I settled on Sony ones as some sort of compromise. But really, I think the fact that they had pretty turquoise bits on them was probably the actual deciding factor.
Good progress being made on planning for St Petersburg and Italy later on in the year. No progress made on planning for visa shenanigans, impending homelessness or upcoming birthday.
Got pretty replacement headphones for my iPod - my usual anal retentive sensibilities made me think I couldn't have anything but Apple ones but a recent amount of anti-Apple feeling led me to not want to give them any more of my money than necessary. So I settled on Sony ones as some sort of compromise. But really, I think the fact that they had pretty turquoise bits on them was probably the actual deciding factor.
Good progress being made on planning for St Petersburg and Italy later on in the year. No progress made on planning for visa shenanigans, impending homelessness or upcoming birthday.
Monday, March 05, 2007
You callin' me a liar?
Phew! Rather a full weekend, although I'm not sure what of.
Friday afternoon at the Computer Weekly awards at the London Marriott. Dell didn't win whatever it was they were up for, but I suppose it would have been worse hanging out at the office, working. Wandered down Oxford St to get to the tube station home and was accosted by a guy trying to get people to contribute to some charity. I tried telling him that I already contribute to several charities of my choosing, so I would look into his before committing to anything. He didn't seem to believe me, which I have to say left me feeling quite put out, even though I'm sure is probably the sort of lame excuse he must get from a lot of people. Still, I feel guilty enough about feeling like I don't do enough to better the world, without having random men on the street doubting my bonafides. Hmph.
Spent Friday night on the sofa watching Walk The Line with Dianne and Boris - I'd seen it before but a little more Johnny Cash never hurt anyone. Or at least if it did, I'm not aware of any documented examples.
Saturday and Sunday were spent dashing in and out of the house for various errands, a bit of house-hunting and farewell drinks for young Catherine who heads back to Dubai this week. Mojitos rule.
Birthday in 15 days and I don't think I've ever felt less excited. Oh well, no doubt I'll get up some enthusiasm when the cards and presents come flooding in...
Friday afternoon at the Computer Weekly awards at the London Marriott. Dell didn't win whatever it was they were up for, but I suppose it would have been worse hanging out at the office, working. Wandered down Oxford St to get to the tube station home and was accosted by a guy trying to get people to contribute to some charity. I tried telling him that I already contribute to several charities of my choosing, so I would look into his before committing to anything. He didn't seem to believe me, which I have to say left me feeling quite put out, even though I'm sure is probably the sort of lame excuse he must get from a lot of people. Still, I feel guilty enough about feeling like I don't do enough to better the world, without having random men on the street doubting my bonafides. Hmph.
Spent Friday night on the sofa watching Walk The Line with Dianne and Boris - I'd seen it before but a little more Johnny Cash never hurt anyone. Or at least if it did, I'm not aware of any documented examples.
Saturday and Sunday were spent dashing in and out of the house for various errands, a bit of house-hunting and farewell drinks for young Catherine who heads back to Dubai this week. Mojitos rule.
Birthday in 15 days and I don't think I've ever felt less excited. Oh well, no doubt I'll get up some enthusiasm when the cards and presents come flooding in...
Thursday, March 01, 2007
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