Effervescent In Pink: November 2005

Friday, November 25, 2005

London at Night

To make up for the lack of photos in my last couple of posts....taken from around Blackfriars Bridge the other night....

Working for the Weekends

I realize I have been writing in this blog for three months now and have never once spoken about the reason I'm here: work. I suppose this is because work is work and you all likely don't care much about evaluating the long-term impacts on World Centre session participants. But regardless - now that the major project I have been working on here is finally winding up, a comment or two would be nice...

Nothing feels better than to have a typically aloof boss state at the outset of your final meeting, "I love it. I love it, I love this report." Yes, I may have travelled halfway across the world to do a job of questionable impact, but in the end, it was not only relevant work but greatly appreciated as well. Phew.
I blew (my other boss) Lydia's mind last week by introducing the concept of the TAB key to her, and this afternoon I heard the woman quite literally squeal with joy when she opened the crap-tastic powerpoints I made for her. I love the technological generation gap.
NGOs are the same wherever you go. Bureaucracy is the same wherever you go. IT disasters are the same wherever you go.

So that's that on the work front. As I finish my pentultimate week here, it feels good to say that I shall miss it when I leave.

p.s. - my project research is still dodgy these days, but I am hoping to fix that shortly. I've got a plan at least...

p.p.s. - I still despise the Northern Line.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Another typical evening in London

Last night: I needed to get some things from Marks & Spencer's, so I left for the nearest one in Camden Town. But then thinking, "aren't Christmas hours on by now?" (and "I really don't want to do any work tonight"), I decided to hop a bus and go into town to check out the lights on Regent and Oxford streets and to stop in at Topshop and Liberty* as well.

Five minutes later, the bus made its way through the backstreets of Camden Town. Turning off of Bayham Street, I noticed one of those spotlight machines on the corner. "Must be some sad club night at Koko," I thought. There was a large line-up though, so it must have been a show. When the bus passed, I noticed there were camera tripods set up as well. "Well, there must be somebody coming to the show..."

I thought for a second about stopping to see who it was, but honestly, it was more than likely Westlife or some C-list British celebrity I'd never heard of, and I'd be out in the cold for nothing. The bus, on the other hand, was warm and I wasn't entirely sure when the shops would close, so I stayed on. The stores weren't open as late as I thought/had hoped, but I did get some nice shopping in at Topshop and M&S. Then I got some sweets and went window shopping a la Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, soaking in the amazing displays on at Liberty.

This morning: Alarm goes off.

"And here's the latest single from someone who played Koko last night for the first time in twenty years. Here's...
.......................................

..........................................................

................................................(wait for it).................

................................................

Madonna."

I missed seeing Madonna.

I was within walking distance of Madonna - and I decided to go downtown instead.

I passed the venue where Madonna was to play - and decided to stay on the bus.

I missed Madonna.

To see some ruddy Christmas lights and crap in windows I can't afford.

There are very few people for whom I would hang about a club on a cold night just to get a good view of them coming into the club. One of those people is Madonna.

I 'just happened' to miss Madonna.

I love this city.

*the newest santuary - seriously, Amanda, how did you not love Liberty? I want to live at Liberty's, it's such a lovely little world there!

Friday, November 11, 2005

We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry...

The problem I've found with writing this journal is that in order to write about my adventures, I must take a break from adventuring and process a bit - which inevitably leads to lame introspection. I've since received a few emails from people comforting me on my trials and revelations. But do not worry, people, when I am not sitting here writing, I am happily sucking the life out of my time here. Visits to old friends, visits with new friends, a play here, a football match there, with plenty of walking in between.

In fact, speaking of walking - let's do something fun! One of my favourite things that my friend Karime would do on her blog was photo-essaying a walk around town. So please humour me as I take you on a walk around my neighbourhood, the lovely Belsize Park. (in sepia, mostly, as I was totally in love with my new sepia discovery when I took these pictures...Walk Photo-Essay #2: Hampstead will be in colour, I promise)

Okay, if you're going to come walking around Belsize and Hampstead with me, you're going to need something - the Smiths. I like the Smiths back home, but I love the Smiths here in North London - they we

re made for each other.
And hey hey, aren't you in luck, because I have some right here! It's a short walk, so a few tracks should do...
Download: William, It was Really Nothing
Download: What Difference Does It Make?
Download: This Charming Man

Okay, Smiths? Check. Camera? Check. And we're off!

(To the right is the best 'let's go!' one-armed bandit shot I could take the other day.)

So, we shall turn out of my residence into the winding streets of autumn-leaf-laden Belsize Park. Old (mostly Victorian) houses with stained glass and turrets, these are the homes to posh families that

send their children to the myriad private schools here in Belsize. (Keep your eyes peeled for Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter - apparently they live here, but we've never seen them.) Lyndhurst Gardens is one of many corners with sweet benches that encourage pleasant snacking rests. (CPTED is fortunately only big in Central London...)

Soon enough, Lyndhurst Gardens turns into my favourite street in our neighbourhood - Belsize Crescent.

At the foot of Belsize Crescent is a run-of-the-mill tiny village hub, with a grocer, pub, restaurant...and pet clothing store. Grab a Ham&High (local newspaper) from the gruff man at the magazine shop.

Continue walking down the hill and stroll along Belsize Gardens Road. Duck off to the left to get a photo of my favourite telephone booth on yet another lovely Georgian crescent.

Okay, we're now at Eton Avenue and it's the sun is setting quickly. So, quick atmospheric' photo before turning left down England's Lane to grab something for dinner at the Tesco Express, stop in at the knick knack shop to browse and chat with the deliciously crazy man that owns the shop, and take advantage (yet again) of the 3-for-2 wine

deal at Threshers. (any 3 bottles of wine - it's insane! How? Why? But I love it!)

The sun sets rather quickly these days, and we emerge from Threshers into darkness. Which calls out another of my favourite strolling sights - the crossing lights. Anyway, back home we go to make dinner and enjoy a quiet night in lovely Hampstead.

I should have posted this a month ago #2.....

I think the Astoria may be my favourite venue yet - dingy, dark, and anything-goes, it's large, but it doesn't look it. Lots of nooks and crannies and doorways to get between the main floors. There's a huge stepped balcony level, with plenty of proper large tables from which to enjoy a show with a drink or few. And if you make friends with some kid in the front as you chat about Lady Sovereign's opening act and you "casually" drop you were in her video, he'll save a spot for you at the rail so you can go get another Strongbow. Sweet!

As for the show, it inspired a few ideas - members of Misguided Love Loaf, what do you think?

We need a cool lighting logo.

Heck, let's have two.

And a cool guitar chick.

The frontwoman needs a cool name, like Ninja here.

The bassist needs an uneccessary head band.

Cool Japanese fans always add a touch of glamour...

And I know this may be controversial, especially with Miss Moffatt, but I do think pom poms and pseudo-cheerleaders in tracksuits made this show.

Last but not least, lots of hand-clapping solos. And backlight them.

Friday, November 04, 2005

I should have posted this a month ago...

So Alison and I had been going through a bit of a rough patch.

Which was inevitable, I suppose, considering how mad about her I was at first. Her voice, her words, her look...all of it was so mysterious and engaging, I couldn't get enough of her. Things only got better when she showed her sparkier Black Cherry side, which I proudly flogged onto so many of you...

But recently feelings had started to wane. I couldn't help from feeling that things between us had grown complacent. Maybe I just expected too much from her this time around. Or maybe we had just grown apart. But I couldn't help but feel that something was missing, that Alison was falling back on her naughty-doll looks instead of her amazing voice. And I was angry that Will could sit back and watch her sell herself short. Yes, some of Supernature was fantastic (how could it not be), but that didn't make up for the fact that I was underwhelmed. I was underwhelmed - by Goldfrapp.

Alas, from the second I arrived in London, the ads for Supernature were everywhere, haunting me, adding insult to my crisis-of-musical-faith injury. So despite my annoyances, I still moved hell and highwater to get a ticket to see them at Brixton Academy when I was here, because... well, it's my lovely Goldfrapp.

(Aside: Brixton Academy - nice venue, but what is up with the decor inside? It's this random hodge podge of greco-roman flourishes, which might be intended as very pomo, but it just looks kinda tacky. But in a fun way. Otherwise, great sloped floor, plenty of rails throughout to claim a decent spot. Beer is expensive, but they do sell half-pints for those working the next day.)

(Aside 2: how do I always manage to end up behind the pack of 6-foot tall men?? Look at this photo. When I came to the floor, I could see just fine. Turn to have a conversation with the girl next to me and this is what I see when I look back....ai ya...)

The first good omen of the night was the flukey way I figured out how to work my camera so it can take okay 'nights-and-lights' pictures. And what timing, because the second Goldfrapp took the stage, I knew this was going to be a visually fantastic concert.

The band came out in full-on Scissor Sisters-esque gear. And then the lights came up on Alison. In some crazy pink cape, opening with....Utopia. Utopia - off their first album. With that opening operatic melody. Right off the bat. Well, this was definitely not going to be the concert I was dreading.

And it only got better. Next was Train, complete with crazy arthouse dancers (yes, they are in wolf masks and gold bikinis). And so it continued - all my favourites from the first two albums (Tiptoe! Lovely Head!), and none of the weak ones off the new one. The old moody songs alienated those in the crowd familiar only with the upbeat singles, but Alison carried on as if she couldn't hear the chatter. This concert wasn't meant for them, it was meant for me and all the diehards, a gesture of love and appreciation.

By the time Deer Stop (my favourite Goldfrapp song ever) came up, it was obvious something was wrong with the monitors. Most people would have made crazy gestures to the sound guy, pulled faces, and then quit singing altogether (and rightfully so). But Alison looked determined not to stop the show and kept on through one of their most difficult vocals. And did so with such grace and power and perfection, an overwhelming sense of guilt came over me. How could I have been so stupid? So blase and ungrateful? That was the moment - the moment when I fell in love with Alison Goldfrapp all over again.

The rest of the show was, of course, brilliant. Ride A White Horse, a mediocre track off the new album, is far better when performed live with dancers wearing white bathing suits, swishy horsetails, and sequined horseheads. And who knew you could mosh to Oooh La La? Londoners are a odd bunch.

The night ended as strong as it started - Strict Machine, Number 1, and the ultimate closer, Black Cherry. Not only was it a brilliant show, it was an affirmation. Goldfrapp's place in my heart is more than secure.

Watch: The video for 'Number 1', one of the best pop singles of the year. The video is 'cute' so it doesn't do the song justice (in my humble opinion) but I thought I'd put it up because I want that pink jumpsuit!

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Now We Are Twenty Six

Birthdays require a certain degree of introspection, so here it is:

Aleksandra's Sappy 26th Birthday Reflections....

Birthday Reflection #1: "Less [sic] ways to wish for it, more ways to work toward it"

After his birthday about a month ago, my good friend Mike mused about somehow not feeling up to the certainty and responsibility that his "late-20s" status will soon demand of him. As my birthday approached, I felt even further behind - like I've been trapped at 23, forced to play some video-game-like level over and over again until I finally suss it out. (yes, I realize how ironic it is that I of all people should use a video game analogy...)

But by birthday time, I was quite optimistic about getting it right this time around. To back this feeling up, I got this intense horoscope sent to me for my birthday - apparently, this year is the Scorpio's 'jupiter year', a golden year that only comes around every dozen. This follows two crap years of 'eclipses' so Scorpios are finally to feel a renewed sense of moving forward. Excellent.

All this superstitious jibba jabba reminded me of something... A few of you may remember our encounter with the sketchy babalou in Havana last year, and how freakishly she predicted some pretty accurate things for me. Well, at the time, there was one story that really puzzled me - the one about the girl who felt she couldn't live with all the people in the village and so the god-guy moved her up onto the top of some mountain with all this hocus-pocus until such time as she felt she could protect herself and live amongst the people in the village again. At the time, I thought, "Um sorry lady, way off the mark - I love people, can't get enough of them." But maybe that's just it, maybe that's what she meant...because here on the top of Haverstock Hill, the once-dreaded silences are now starting to bring a sense of quiet independence and "balance" I had pretty much forgotten. Of course, the babalou also went on about rubbing ourselves down with butter, rum, and raw meat, so maybe I should just stick to the facts. But here's to hoping this 'Jupiter November' will help balance me out good and proper before bringing me back down to the village (and then propelling me forward into a fabulous 2006!).

Reflection #2: It's no Dancing Queen, but it'll definitely do...

It was the many lovely birthday wishes and cards sent to me (thank you!) that made me realize that when I do come back to Vancouver, many of my favourite people will be gone - the SCARPies are spreading their wings and flying the coop. Dearest of dears: you were in many of my thoughts this birthday, including when I chose my "annual birthday theme song". I chose it, not for any lyrics in particular, but for its wonderful mixture of nostalgia and optimism. Now is not the time for ballast, but for forging ahead. In rainbow tutus, of course.

Listen:

Effervescent In Pink