Dickensian England

Living in London and working so close to the haunts of Charles Dickens' characters I figured I better read his writing. Oliver Twist was my first attempt and boy was it dark. Many of the streets mentioned in the book are close to my office in Kings Cross. In fact, our offices are on Pentonville Road which is a primary location in Oliver's twisted life.

It is incredible to imagine that the tiny, twisted side streets that I venture through each week were so dirty and depressing not long ago. Kings Cross is ever-improving and now that the Eurostar is stationed at St. Pancras the area is going into an economic boom. Many of the buildings are recent construction but you can still easily find bits of Dickensian England in the neighborhood.


Roman Polanski seems to have made a film of Oliver Twist - now that seems like an appropriate director. Poster of the film pictured above.

The Opening of St Pancras Station

Two of my favorite buildings in London are located next to each other and just a five minute walk from my office in Kings Cross. They are the British Library and St Pancras Station. Yesterday was the re-opening of St Pancras Station after decades of not being used. It is also the new launch point of Eurostar, the railway that can take you to Paris from London in a blink of an eye. In fact, maybe I'll shoot off at lunch time for a mid-day break in France.

Here are photos from yesterday's opening day.

Tonight I am attending a social entrepreneurship event at the British Library. Perhaps we will learn some French secrets to success?

Smooshed in the City

Ever have one of those days when you feel like the world is pushing in on you? London is like that every day and today was the final push. People are so used to being close to each other and yet ignoring each other that it is a constant feeling of being alone and too crowded at the same time.

On the tube there was plenty of standing room yet a woman rested her back against my shoulder as I stood near the door. Although it was intimate and even a bit cozy it was strange. Why not get your own space?

Leaving Kings Cross station the authorities had yet again closed the gates so people were able to get out via a tiny space and no one could come in. Of course there was a huge backup of people on street level and we had to push our way out. Then the train came in so another flow of folks. One smashed into me and I got a severe case of pedestrian rage. Bastard! Another was about to smash into me and I stomped my foot, pissed.

But it all was better when they were handing out free Kit Kat samples just a few feet away. I don't eat chocolate but I gleefully took a bar and felt like I had earned a gift. Am I being controlled by the State?

Shall We Play a Game?

After visiting the Geffrye Museum we met up with two of Stephen's work associates who were on the first leg of an ambitious adventure - to drink at pubs located on all the streets featured in the London version of Monopoly. It's called the Monopoly Pub Crawl. Yeah, they're nuts.

The cool thing was seeing a variety of pubs, many of which are located near my office! Along the way we actually passed folks dressed as Monopoly characters. Yeah, they're nuts.

Here are photos of Marrion, Bob and Stephen on the Metro tube line looking quite pissed after five gin & tonics in 2.5 hours. Why that drink? Quickest to go down with least impact - at least that's what they tried to make me believe. Yeah, they're nuts.

We experienced pubs 4-9 and then I had to take control of the situation and call it quits for me and Stephen.

London becomes familiar...and exotic again

Leaving work today it was the first day that I wasn't instantly swept away in the action of Kings Cross. Instead I exited our building and was still thinking about work, on the tube, work, the walk home, didn't see the architecture, coming around the corner to the flat, just noticed the usual piles of dog pooh along the sidewalk.

I've evolved through several adjustment phases living in London.

Tourist phase
Getting to know my neighbourhood phase
Trying out different tube lines phase
Finding a job phase
Figuring out how people act at work phase
Making friends phase
--End of culture shock phase--
Hanging out at home and being OK with that phase
and now... I just live in a city and travel to work each day phase

There are benefits to this phase in that I'm no longer on the arching learning curve. I've hit the peak and can now relax and enjoy the ride. And no need to worry about finding new challenges as work provides that now. Director, resigned, Head of Finance, resigned, Policy Director, resigned. Actually, maybe the changes at work are distracting me from life in London?

Next phase - Finding life-work balance phase.

Oh, wait, I did have a living in Britain highlight this morning. A gentleman called from Wales to purchase our Gypsy and Traveller Law book. I actually spoke to a Gypsy/Traveller. His mailing address was really quite extraordinary as the words are in Welsh. He translated it for me and each address line meant something beautiful such as white mountain, flowing river. He was interested in my accent while I thought he was far more exotic.

Here's a cool site that will translate a website into any language. I've translated my site www.artsmanagementconsulting.com into Welsh and Arts Management Consulting is Celfau Reolaeth Yn Ymgynghori and this blog is 'r Kweskin Adroddiad.

Back into the American in London phase

Two Wheeling

Check this out - I won a folding bike from Time Out London magazine. I didn't want to reveal it until the bike was actually in my hands. Here it is - a Ridgeback Emmisary. Seven speeds, came with a rack and has its own bell. Would you believe the contest was sponsored by British Gas? How ironic.

Rode the bike home today along the Canal from Kings Cross to Paddington. Took me 50 minutes door to door including 10 minutes of walking the bike from my office to the canal. That's much better than the two hours it takes me to walk. Now that the Tube is getting steamy, no air conditioning and it seems to be facing constant delays, the bike is a super alternative.

Quick lessons learned include braking is opposite to the US. Left is back and right is front. Plus, I immediately learned to ride on the left as I nearly caused several water crashes. Also, ring that bell. Going under overpasses takes some care as well - they have low head room.

The best part is that I feel free for the first time in London - and - people smile at me. Some even said Cheers when I let them pass. I am happy as a lark. The bike rides like a dream.

I'm thinking of naming it Ike the Bike although am tempted to call it George like my Houston Scion.