I have had a birthday and it was a good one. Global warming hugged me tight and I enjoyed the afternoon in a beer garden. Outside. On my actual birthday. And I wasn't even wearing a hat or gloves.
My housemate Mirjam asked me as we were clinging glasses in the middle of London Fields (on my birthday! And we were sitting! And there was no snow!) what I would do with the year.
I guess I will mostly make plans. I need a plan now. At least one. If not more. Enough of the bumming around in gift shops and call centres. I want to go somewhere and do something. But not like I have been going places and doing things for the last six years. I want it to mean something.
I think that is a good start.
Also, I want to get counselling. Have already started contacting people there, actually. Why now? Why not in my closeted baby gay palm-cutting runaway days?
Cause I have now discovered that I am an actual nutcase who needs some help. Or maybe I just need someone to talk to. Someone who doesn't judge, doesn't tell anyone else I know, doesn't pitty, doesn't lie about what they think about it all.
The last 18 months have been so emotionally draining, I can hardly explain. I am mentally in a place that is completely foreign to me and I feel lost and it exhausts me. I have discovered sides of me that scare me and that I don't want. I want someone to take them and crumple them up and burn them. Or at least fold them up neatly and tuck them away somewhere they won't ever be found. I will probably need to do that myself, but maybe a counsellor can tell me how to.
And I want to do something that is not dishes and laundry, which is basically all I have been doing since May. I would like to learn something. Favourite on my list of things I could do is take sewing classes. I really WANT to do that. But apparently the cheapest beginners' sewing courses you get for 400 quid. Which I don't have. Alternatively of course I could waste 65 quid on a cushion making workshop, but I was shown how to make cushions in second grade when I was 7 and I think I still remember. So meh.
Most of my possible new hobbies cost a lot of money, tho. Will have to rethink. Any suggestions?
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Friday, 16 September 2011
The List of Cuppa Places
I don't go to coffee places as much as I used to when living in Ireland or Germany, where it was a very regular thing, but still, not all I drink is booze and I do have my little cuppa favourites in London. Here's my Top 5 (cause I don't have enough for a Top 10, really...):
1 Bertie and Boo's, Balham High Rd.
Its design is so cute it makes you want to vomit. But then again, Bertie and Boo's target audience clearly are young mums with their babies and toddlers. So it's your own fault if you squash into one of the old school desks and eat a delicious sandwich or have a cup of really good, yet not overprized Chai Latte. It has already won all kinds of awards, but sadly, it's in Balham, of all places. But if you ever end up in that neck of the woods, B. and B.'s is worth a visit for sure.
2 Mess Cafe, Hackney Central
Mmmmmm, lovely Mess. It is a Hackney institution with its breakfasts and burgers and smoothies and it has sorted out my hangovers a lot in the past and will certainly continue to do so in the future. At the same time it is not exactly a "cosy coffee place" where I'd meet a friend for a cuppa and a chat. But on a sunday morning/afternoon it is unbeatable.
2 The Empire Cafe, Hackney Empire
This Cafe is in my house, which certainly is a big plus. It also serves lovely looking (haven't actually eaten there yet) food for not too much money and if I was working in Hackney (and didn't live in the same house) I'd probably spend a lot of my lunch breaks there. In my current situation I only very occasionally pop in for a cuppa, cause it's nice and smart and never too full and makes me feel like I don't have holes in my shoes for a moment.
4 Parioli, Lower Clapton Rd
This is not the cheaptest place, selling Italian delicatessen and proper nice food. But it's the perfect place for a nice cuppa while reading a book when it's cold outside or raining. Or to meet a friend for a coffee and a chat. And if you are looking for nice cheese, salami or mortadella, grissini and other Italian things to take home, go there. Or if you want ice cream. Which is what I mostly want. Lovelyniceamazingyummy Italian ice cream. (Do you remember me complaining about the nearest ice cream place being an hour away? All I had to do was cross the street. Oh how I laughed.)
5 Hurwundeki, Cambridge Heath Station
This is a funny place. It's quiet and calming inside, all dark wood and traditional coffee place style and smell. In the rather big outside bit you will find all kinds of random antique toys, and buses thundering past. It's probably where I go most of all the cafes, cause it is a bit special, innit. Also I hear their cakes are amazing.
1 Bertie and Boo's, Balham High Rd.
Its design is so cute it makes you want to vomit. But then again, Bertie and Boo's target audience clearly are young mums with their babies and toddlers. So it's your own fault if you squash into one of the old school desks and eat a delicious sandwich or have a cup of really good, yet not overprized Chai Latte. It has already won all kinds of awards, but sadly, it's in Balham, of all places. But if you ever end up in that neck of the woods, B. and B.'s is worth a visit for sure.
2 Mess Cafe, Hackney Central
Mmmmmm, lovely Mess. It is a Hackney institution with its breakfasts and burgers and smoothies and it has sorted out my hangovers a lot in the past and will certainly continue to do so in the future. At the same time it is not exactly a "cosy coffee place" where I'd meet a friend for a cuppa and a chat. But on a sunday morning/afternoon it is unbeatable.
2 The Empire Cafe, Hackney Empire
This Cafe is in my house, which certainly is a big plus. It also serves lovely looking (haven't actually eaten there yet) food for not too much money and if I was working in Hackney (and didn't live in the same house) I'd probably spend a lot of my lunch breaks there. In my current situation I only very occasionally pop in for a cuppa, cause it's nice and smart and never too full and makes me feel like I don't have holes in my shoes for a moment.
4 Parioli, Lower Clapton Rd
This is not the cheaptest place, selling Italian delicatessen and proper nice food. But it's the perfect place for a nice cuppa while reading a book when it's cold outside or raining. Or to meet a friend for a coffee and a chat. And if you are looking for nice cheese, salami or mortadella, grissini and other Italian things to take home, go there. Or if you want ice cream. Which is what I mostly want. Lovelyniceamazingyummy Italian ice cream. (Do you remember me complaining about the nearest ice cream place being an hour away? All I had to do was cross the street. Oh how I laughed.)
5 Hurwundeki, Cambridge Heath Station
This is a funny place. It's quiet and calming inside, all dark wood and traditional coffee place style and smell. In the rather big outside bit you will find all kinds of random antique toys, and buses thundering past. It's probably where I go most of all the cafes, cause it is a bit special, innit. Also I hear their cakes are amazing.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
The List of Boozers
So here we go! (Eventually...)
You all know me and you know I love me a nice pint. Sometimes I love them a bit too much, but you know. That's why I moved here in the first place. London's lovely Pubs. Some lovelier than others. I will take you on a crawl through my favourite bars and pubs in no particular order.
1 Biddles Bros on Lower Clapton Rd
It is small and quirky and they often have live music, which you wish they hadn't, cause it's always too loud for even basic conversations. But they also have the acest pub dog in the history of pub dogs and a brilliant toilet, which is about the same size as the rest of the pub and mostly contains one lonely, but very pretty sink. Staff are nice and prices are alright and most importantly: It is just across the road.
2 The Anchor and Hope
You know how sometimes you just love a place, cause you had a nice time there once or something happened there a while ago and you just feel nice and warm whenever you go back? That's
one of them places. Nothing special happened, really. Just a nice winter afternoon and a couple of pints and Ros and me deciding that we want to move to Berlin at some point. We've had bigger moments in other boozers, but they've been overshadowed by different stuff over the time or turned out to not be that important afterall. But the Anchor and Hope with it's lovely view over the River Lea and the Hackney Marshes just is possibly the most peaceful place in London and the perfect place for a warm-me-up pint on a cold winter's walk.
3 The Chesham Arms
Looks a bit weird from the outside with it's England flags all over the place, but the Chesham is rather far from being a nationalistic hole. It's run by the loveliest Greek family, who happen to have a heart for flowers and the royal family. And football. Best thing about the Chesham: Its pretty, hidden beer garden, definitely the best place to go on a summer evening in Hackney!
4 The Boot on Cromer Street
I love the Boot for its Irishness and its randomness. It is full of pigeon breeders and has trophies, artefacts and comics, books, sports gear and all kinds of photos all over the walls. Gabby and I love the place, which is close to King's Cross, but hidden enough to be usually rather empty. The boot has everything a good pub needs: good beer, a pool table, an old Irish bar man with twinkly eyes, and a history. Charles Dickens used to drink here. He also wrote about it: 'This Boot was a lone house of public entertainment, situated in the fields at the back of the Foundling Hospital; a very solitary spot at that period, and quite deserted after dark. The tavern stood at some distance from any high road, and was approachable only by a dark and narrow lane; so that Hugh was much surprised to find several people drinking there, and great merriment going on'.
5 The Tram and Social, Tooting Broadway
The Tram and Social is a cool boozer in Tooting Broadway. There is sofas and random pictures and things, two stories to sit and a brilliant bar with nice staff. The setting is great, because this place actually used to be a tram station. the Tram's only problem is that it is pretty much the only cool bar in the whole of Tooting. So it is always packed, at least on weekends. But come during the day or during the week and you'll have a good time and lots of room for relaxedness!
6 The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
This pub has everything: Random stuff hanging from the ceiling, a pool table and a big outside bit, treehouse style. The treehouse was built singlehandedly by one guy, who usually climbs around on it, too. I once met a dickhead in the Faltering Fallback who said he'd been in the Harry Potter Films as well as in Lord of the Rings. Nevertheless, it's mostly on the list for its treehouse.
7 The Strongroom, Shoreditch
I probably wouldn't have put this one on this list hadn't I been there 2 weeks ago and found them serving Rothaus beer on tap! But such good taste should be rewarded and so this nice Shoreditch boozer shall be mentioned!
8 The Glasshouse Stores, Brewer Street
This is where I usually go when ending up in Soho. This is mostly because of it being a Sam Smith's pub, which means it is C H E A P. I like the variation of different customers, too, tho. There's the old locals as well as the odd tourist, the bunch of central London office workers and the occasional gay (for example me).
9 Old Bull and Bush, Hampstead Heath
Just another one of those places that is only on the list, because I spent a nice time there. It's right next to Hampstead Heath and the perfect place to be after a long walk through the park or a swi in the ponds. At least in the summer - big outside bit!
10 Pub on the Park, London Fields
I like going there when it is not the weekend best. Because being the Umbrella of London Fields, it is always very crowded - or becomes so whenever it starts raining (which is all the time). The bar staff are very friendly and it is very close to my house. Double pluses.
More London Lists to follow soon!
You all know me and you know I love me a nice pint. Sometimes I love them a bit too much, but you know. That's why I moved here in the first place. London's lovely Pubs. Some lovelier than others. I will take you on a crawl through my favourite bars and pubs in no particular order.
1 Biddles Bros on Lower Clapton Rd
It is small and quirky and they often have live music, which you wish they hadn't, cause it's always too loud for even basic conversations. But they also have the acest pub dog in the history of pub dogs and a brilliant toilet, which is about the same size as the rest of the pub and mostly contains one lonely, but very pretty sink. Staff are nice and prices are alright and most importantly: It is just across the road.
2 The Anchor and Hope
You know how sometimes you just love a place, cause you had a nice time there once or something happened there a while ago and you just feel nice and warm whenever you go back? That's
one of them places. Nothing special happened, really. Just a nice winter afternoon and a couple of pints and Ros and me deciding that we want to move to Berlin at some point. We've had bigger moments in other boozers, but they've been overshadowed by different stuff over the time or turned out to not be that important afterall. But the Anchor and Hope with it's lovely view over the River Lea and the Hackney Marshes just is possibly the most peaceful place in London and the perfect place for a warm-me-up pint on a cold winter's walk.
3 The Chesham Arms
Looks a bit weird from the outside with it's England flags all over the place, but the Chesham is rather far from being a nationalistic hole. It's run by the loveliest Greek family, who happen to have a heart for flowers and the royal family. And football. Best thing about the Chesham: Its pretty, hidden beer garden, definitely the best place to go on a summer evening in Hackney!
4 The Boot on Cromer Street
I love the Boot for its Irishness and its randomness. It is full of pigeon breeders and has trophies, artefacts and comics, books, sports gear and all kinds of photos all over the walls. Gabby and I love the place, which is close to King's Cross, but hidden enough to be usually rather empty. The boot has everything a good pub needs: good beer, a pool table, an old Irish bar man with twinkly eyes, and a history. Charles Dickens used to drink here. He also wrote about it: 'This Boot was a lone house of public entertainment, situated in the fields at the back of the Foundling Hospital; a very solitary spot at that period, and quite deserted after dark. The tavern stood at some distance from any high road, and was approachable only by a dark and narrow lane; so that Hugh was much surprised to find several people drinking there, and great merriment going on'.
5 The Tram and Social, Tooting Broadway
The Tram and Social is a cool boozer in Tooting Broadway. There is sofas and random pictures and things, two stories to sit and a brilliant bar with nice staff. The setting is great, because this place actually used to be a tram station. the Tram's only problem is that it is pretty much the only cool bar in the whole of Tooting. So it is always packed, at least on weekends. But come during the day or during the week and you'll have a good time and lots of room for relaxedness!
6 The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
This pub has everything: Random stuff hanging from the ceiling, a pool table and a big outside bit, treehouse style. The treehouse was built singlehandedly by one guy, who usually climbs around on it, too. I once met a dickhead in the Faltering Fallback who said he'd been in the Harry Potter Films as well as in Lord of the Rings. Nevertheless, it's mostly on the list for its treehouse.
7 The Strongroom, Shoreditch
I probably wouldn't have put this one on this list hadn't I been there 2 weeks ago and found them serving Rothaus beer on tap! But such good taste should be rewarded and so this nice Shoreditch boozer shall be mentioned!
8 The Glasshouse Stores, Brewer Street
This is where I usually go when ending up in Soho. This is mostly because of it being a Sam Smith's pub, which means it is C H E A P. I like the variation of different customers, too, tho. There's the old locals as well as the odd tourist, the bunch of central London office workers and the occasional gay (for example me).
9 Old Bull and Bush, Hampstead Heath
Just another one of those places that is only on the list, because I spent a nice time there. It's right next to Hampstead Heath and the perfect place to be after a long walk through the park or a swi in the ponds. At least in the summer - big outside bit!
10 Pub on the Park, London Fields
I like going there when it is not the weekend best. Because being the Umbrella of London Fields, it is always very crowded - or becomes so whenever it starts raining (which is all the time). The bar staff are very friendly and it is very close to my house. Double pluses.
More London Lists to follow soon!
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
A life without pugs
And I was so good in July. Sigh.
The problem with this blog is, at times when nothing happens I am too bored to write about the nothingness. And at times when things happen, they usually happen all at once and leave no time for writing about them.
Like in August, some silly kids burnt half of London down, rioted in front of my house and made me afraid of leaving the house in the middle of the day for the first time in my life. Also, I had half a dozen job interviews, actually got a couple of jobs and have been working my first shifts. Plus I went to Brighton, Bristol and Manchester. Ros' sister Lins came to london and Loriot died and I lost a phone and bought a new one.
All in all a brilliant month, despite the Loriot thing. But, y'know. He was very old and he had lots of pugs* in his life, so I think it's ok.
September I decided to start off a little differently. Cause it has been a year this month that I moved over (2.9. it was...). Champagne! Music! Fireworks!
And I know it a little now, this London and I have some ideas of what I like and what not so much. So this month is the month of lists. Cause I love lists.
Let's go.
*pug as in the dog. Quote: "A life without pugs is possible, but senseless." Loriot.
The problem with this blog is, at times when nothing happens I am too bored to write about the nothingness. And at times when things happen, they usually happen all at once and leave no time for writing about them.
Like in August, some silly kids burnt half of London down, rioted in front of my house and made me afraid of leaving the house in the middle of the day for the first time in my life. Also, I had half a dozen job interviews, actually got a couple of jobs and have been working my first shifts. Plus I went to Brighton, Bristol and Manchester. Ros' sister Lins came to london and Loriot died and I lost a phone and bought a new one.
All in all a brilliant month, despite the Loriot thing. But, y'know. He was very old and he had lots of pugs* in his life, so I think it's ok.
September I decided to start off a little differently. Cause it has been a year this month that I moved over (2.9. it was...). Champagne! Music! Fireworks!
And I know it a little now, this London and I have some ideas of what I like and what not so much. So this month is the month of lists. Cause I love lists.
Let's go.
*pug as in the dog. Quote: "A life without pugs is possible, but senseless." Loriot.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Distance
I didn't spend much time in London lately and for the first time, I think, it felt nice to get out of the dirty big city for a while. It is hectic and noisy and rough. In the last week I spent less than 24 hours there and only yesterday I started missing it a little bit, when I attended the traditional wine feast on a parking lot in Konstanz and wished so badly for some hipsters to ride by on bicycles without breaks.
It is nice to breathe some fresh air for a while. I think it makes me very drowsy, though, I didn't sleep like this in months. Or maybe I still have to catch up on sleep from our weekend with M&J who spoilt us for a couple of days in their lovely new home in Sussex, where we spent a lovely time, including tarragon chicken and Amy tribute drinking.
I feel very calm inside these days.
It is nice to breathe some fresh air for a while. I think it makes me very drowsy, though, I didn't sleep like this in months. Or maybe I still have to catch up on sleep from our weekend with M&J who spoilt us for a couple of days in their lovely new home in Sussex, where we spent a lovely time, including tarragon chicken and Amy tribute drinking.
I feel very calm inside these days.
Friday, 22 July 2011
Bohemians
It's all about the weddings this year. So it's obvious that the first film I saw in cinemas this year had to be a comedy about weddings, too: Bridesmaids. I thought it would be a half amusing, half silly, cliche packed chick flick. But I found it actually quite the funny film. So yeah, my cinema hunger is back and I will most definitely go and see Harry Potter when I am back in London.
This week turned out to be the busiest in a while. On Tuesday my friend Tony played a gig in Islington, so I went to watch him and have a catch up. It was very nice, cause I hadn't seen him since I left Galway. Also, the band he was with was very much to my liking. I kind of feared it would be one of his weird psychodelic electro projects. So that was a nice evening. Tony sounded very happy and very Irish. I never even noticed his accent before. It's about time I pay the green island a little visit, I think...
But obviously that is not possible before I have a job. Job situation is looking up slightly, tho! After sending out loads of applications and CVs and hardly even hearing back from anyone for months, people now start contacting me! That alone is a nice change, because even if nothing comes of it for now, I know that my efforts are not totally in vain.
6 agents called me withing the last two days and chatted my depression away. Yay!
But first Germanland, of course. I am looking forward to it very much now. I will cook for my folks and then tell them stories of my bohemian life style over a bottle of red wine.
There's why I love my parents: While I go depressed and insane over being unemployed for two months, they respond in a much healthier way; as my mother said: "Our daughter is a bohemian. We can't read the bohemians our whole life and then complain when we've got one ourselves."
I love you, nio-parents.
And now I am off to M&J's in Sussex somewhere for a weekend of country walks and sleepless nights! Hurray!
This week turned out to be the busiest in a while. On Tuesday my friend Tony played a gig in Islington, so I went to watch him and have a catch up. It was very nice, cause I hadn't seen him since I left Galway. Also, the band he was with was very much to my liking. I kind of feared it would be one of his weird psychodelic electro projects. So that was a nice evening. Tony sounded very happy and very Irish. I never even noticed his accent before. It's about time I pay the green island a little visit, I think...
But obviously that is not possible before I have a job. Job situation is looking up slightly, tho! After sending out loads of applications and CVs and hardly even hearing back from anyone for months, people now start contacting me! That alone is a nice change, because even if nothing comes of it for now, I know that my efforts are not totally in vain.
6 agents called me withing the last two days and chatted my depression away. Yay!
But first Germanland, of course. I am looking forward to it very much now. I will cook for my folks and then tell them stories of my bohemian life style over a bottle of red wine.
There's why I love my parents: While I go depressed and insane over being unemployed for two months, they respond in a much healthier way; as my mother said: "Our daughter is a bohemian. We can't read the bohemians our whole life and then complain when we've got one ourselves."
I love you, nio-parents.
And now I am off to M&J's in Sussex somewhere for a weekend of country walks and sleepless nights! Hurray!
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Puppy Puke
Imagine this: a gay mens'* nice little flat in posh Islington, looking out onto pretty New River Walk. Massive flat screen TV, big balcony, A fridge full of food and a freezer full of vodka and ice. For a couple of days Ros and me took some time off from being boozing Hackney lesbians and became Islington pet mummies. Our babies for the weekend were Napoleon, a 1 year old English bulldog, and a 7 months old beautiful, spoiled little tomcat named Balthazar. We even left the vodka untouched as if it was just for decorative purposes.
Breakfasts were lush and eaten in bed and the rain outside made the film afternoons on the massive couch just seem all the cosier. White wine was enjoyed - in moderation - on the balcony. We walked the dog and played with the cat and wiped up the dog's vomit and fed the cat like real responsible people. It was a proper little mini holiday!
Next week I will take another one. I booked a flight to Germany last night. I am going for a week to see my parents and some friends and my triplet uncles who are turning 165 or something (Judith, help?) and are having a party which I am looking forward to very much.
I hope I will catch a couple of days of Proper Summer, too. I want 35 degrees in the shade and lots of mosquito bites, please. And a BBQ or a campfire and everything has to smell of sunlotion and burning rubber.
Arrange that for me, please.
* Only emphasizing this to let you know about the niceness of the flat. They have a throne and massive pictures of gorgeous women in bikinis all over the walls.
Breakfasts were lush and eaten in bed and the rain outside made the film afternoons on the massive couch just seem all the cosier. White wine was enjoyed - in moderation - on the balcony. We walked the dog and played with the cat and wiped up the dog's vomit and fed the cat like real responsible people. It was a proper little mini holiday!
Next week I will take another one. I booked a flight to Germany last night. I am going for a week to see my parents and some friends and my triplet uncles who are turning 165 or something (Judith, help?) and are having a party which I am looking forward to very much.
I hope I will catch a couple of days of Proper Summer, too. I want 35 degrees in the shade and lots of mosquito bites, please. And a BBQ or a campfire and everything has to smell of sunlotion and burning rubber.
Arrange that for me, please.
* Only emphasizing this to let you know about the niceness of the flat. They have a throne and massive pictures of gorgeous women in bikinis all over the walls.
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