Friday, July 08, 2005
London is great....despite the recent events
London attacks
Well, it was with sadness but not fear that we made the familiar journey into work this morning. Logical thinking brings you to the conclusion that it would be very unlikely for another attack to occur today. We wanted to show that life goes on as normal and this kind of attack will not stop us from carrying on with our lives the way we want to.
We grabbed a copy of the free 'Metro' newspaper at the station and were faced with the graphic details of what had happened around the same time just one day earlier. At first I questioned whether it was necessary to use such gruesome language, e.g. flesh, limbs and blood everywhere, but then I realised it was necessary to get across the horrifying and violent nature of the attacks. There was a feeling of solidarity amongst commuters. All imagining what it must have been like for the unlucky ones as we piled on to the tube.
On the 7th I had arrived at work oblivious until I read an email from Rae asking if I was ok. I turned to the web for more information. The first reports were that there were power surges on the underground but once reports of the blown up bus came out we knew that it was more serious than a malfuntioning underground network. Thoughts immediately turned to Joseph. I get off a few stops before him. I called his work but he hadn't arrived. Then I called his mobile and was relieved to hear his voice. It turned out that he was delayed on the train in a tunnel for an hour. All he and his fellow passengers knew was that there was a power failure. A lot of comment has been on the calmness of Londoners. Joseph noted that during that hour not one person complained.
You couldn't help but feel a kind of perverted excitement when the details of the dramatic events started to become clear throughout the day. Not a lot of work was done that's for sure. Everyone was discussing the details of the attacks, wondering how they were going to get home and phoning/emailing and receiving calls and emails from loved ones. We were placed into 'in vac' mode, i.e. we couldn't leave the building or go near the windows.
The personal stories hit home. A man at work was on a bus next to the one that was bombed. News reports focussed on a man who had decided not to get on a carriage that bore the brunt of one of the blasts because it was too full and instead got into the one next to it. People impaled, bodies on the track...these are nightmares that we don't have to deal with on a regular basis. I guess that's why the shock is stronger. My thoughts quickly went to those people who have to deal with this sort of death and destruction on a more regular basis. It certainly puts things in perspective. It wasn't the best way to spend my birthday but I definately will remember it. I postponed celebrations and we ended up having fish and chips and wine at home.
However, so many wonderful things have been happening in London.....
2012 Olympic Bid
I went out for a run on the day the announcement was made. As I approached the office on the final stretch I passed a building that had a tv in its foyer. I decided to warm down and do my stretches whilst watching the announcement through the window. Several others had the same idea so a small group of us strained to see the tv through the group inside the building. Once it was clear that London had won the bid you could hear cheers from nearby cars. I didn't go quite as far as Tony Blair dancing a 'little jig' but I couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement. This put London on a real high. You could sense the feeling of pride. London came from behind and gained powerful momentum to peak just at the right time. Having said that they only won by four votes. This provided the stark contrast of the mood the next day.
Live 8/G 8
I wasn't one of the lucky ones to win tickets in the text lottery for the Live 8 concert. Because we don't have a tv I planned to go over to Rae's to watch it. I met a girlfriend in the morning for brunch and did some sales shopping on Oxford St feeling kind of stink that I was only a couple of streets away from where all the action was. In the end I watched the beginning on a big screen tv in a department store and probably had a much better view than many of the people at the concert. Hyde Park is huge and only a select few (who paid big bucks) got to be close up in the 'golden circle). U2 kicked off the show and rocked. Joseph had planned to go to Alton Towers (a rollercoaster theme park) with a friend that day (not realising that it was the day of the concert) and had a great time by all accounts.
I finally got to Rae's place and watched till the end. It ran three hours late. I don't think it was as good as Live Aid (although the purpose is more powerful - awareness not aid and promoting the action points that came out of the Commission for Africa report) I still remember sitting alone on the bean bag in the lounge at home in the middle of the night watching Freddy Mercury giving a powerful performance. I must have been around 8.
Sir Bob I salute you!!
Wimbledon
Unlike for Live 8 I was lucky enough to get tickets to Wimbledon through the annual ballot. As Joseph wasn't keen to go (crazy boy!) I went with Rae and bubs. The atmosphere was fantastic and grounds were so beautifully kept. We had great seats in Court One and the sun was blazing down. After taking the obligatory photos we settled down to enjoy our packed lunch and watch the tennis. We saw two ladies quarter finals matches. Maria Sharipova won the first match and Lindsey Davenport won the second one. The predicted rain and thunder storms came in the early evening so we retreated to the shop and bought some souveneirs. What a great day out.
Guys and Dolls
The week before we went to Wimbledon Rae, I and a few friends went to see Ewan McGregor in Guys and Dolls (a musical). It was full of show stopping numbers and gave me many warm fuzzies. All the Dolls fell in love with Ewan. He had that X factor and danced like a pro. As for his singing....well he more than made up for it with his acting and dancing. Jane Krakowski (of Ally McBeal fame) was superb as Adelaide. She had all the nuances down pat. She was the stand out performer....next to the lovely Ewan that is.
The Royal Ballet in Trafalgar Square
The weeks before Guys and Dolls my friend Michelle and I were treated to some top class ballet in Trafalgar Square. Every year performances by The Royal Ballet and Royal Opera are simulcast on big screens in London and other cities in the UK. We were blessed with a balmy evening and a top line up of dancers. Alina Cojocaru was sublime in The Dream as was Darcy Bussel in Symphony in C. A real treat. I also really enjoyed Christoper Bruce's new ballet set to Nigel Kennedy's interpretation of music by Jimi Hendrix. Most of the dancers pulled off Bruce's fluid style.
So it ain't all that bad...
In fact I will miss it. Especially all the cultural events and the stimulating environment. For those of you thinking of coming over, don't let the events of July 7th put you off. London has so much to offer. Both Joseph and I won't miss our jobs though :) And we are looking forward to catching up with family and refamiliarising ourselves with the natural beauty of NZ. We've got a trip of a lifetime through South America to enjoy first. I paid for the flights today and my bank account is echoing with the emptiness :)
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Well, it was with sadness but not fear that we made the familiar journey into work this morning. Logical thinking brings you to the conclusion that it would be very unlikely for another attack to occur today. We wanted to show that life goes on as normal and this kind of attack will not stop us from carrying on with our lives the way we want to.
We grabbed a copy of the free 'Metro' newspaper at the station and were faced with the graphic details of what had happened around the same time just one day earlier. At first I questioned whether it was necessary to use such gruesome language, e.g. flesh, limbs and blood everywhere, but then I realised it was necessary to get across the horrifying and violent nature of the attacks. There was a feeling of solidarity amongst commuters. All imagining what it must have been like for the unlucky ones as we piled on to the tube.
On the 7th I had arrived at work oblivious until I read an email from Rae asking if I was ok. I turned to the web for more information. The first reports were that there were power surges on the underground but once reports of the blown up bus came out we knew that it was more serious than a malfuntioning underground network. Thoughts immediately turned to Joseph. I get off a few stops before him. I called his work but he hadn't arrived. Then I called his mobile and was relieved to hear his voice. It turned out that he was delayed on the train in a tunnel for an hour. All he and his fellow passengers knew was that there was a power failure. A lot of comment has been on the calmness of Londoners. Joseph noted that during that hour not one person complained.
You couldn't help but feel a kind of perverted excitement when the details of the dramatic events started to become clear throughout the day. Not a lot of work was done that's for sure. Everyone was discussing the details of the attacks, wondering how they were going to get home and phoning/emailing and receiving calls and emails from loved ones. We were placed into 'in vac' mode, i.e. we couldn't leave the building or go near the windows.
The personal stories hit home. A man at work was on a bus next to the one that was bombed. News reports focussed on a man who had decided not to get on a carriage that bore the brunt of one of the blasts because it was too full and instead got into the one next to it. People impaled, bodies on the track...these are nightmares that we don't have to deal with on a regular basis. I guess that's why the shock is stronger. My thoughts quickly went to those people who have to deal with this sort of death and destruction on a more regular basis. It certainly puts things in perspective. It wasn't the best way to spend my birthday but I definately will remember it. I postponed celebrations and we ended up having fish and chips and wine at home.
However, so many wonderful things have been happening in London.....
2012 Olympic Bid
I went out for a run on the day the announcement was made. As I approached the office on the final stretch I passed a building that had a tv in its foyer. I decided to warm down and do my stretches whilst watching the announcement through the window. Several others had the same idea so a small group of us strained to see the tv through the group inside the building. Once it was clear that London had won the bid you could hear cheers from nearby cars. I didn't go quite as far as Tony Blair dancing a 'little jig' but I couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement. This put London on a real high. You could sense the feeling of pride. London came from behind and gained powerful momentum to peak just at the right time. Having said that they only won by four votes. This provided the stark contrast of the mood the next day.
Live 8/G 8
I wasn't one of the lucky ones to win tickets in the text lottery for the Live 8 concert. Because we don't have a tv I planned to go over to Rae's to watch it. I met a girlfriend in the morning for brunch and did some sales shopping on Oxford St feeling kind of stink that I was only a couple of streets away from where all the action was. In the end I watched the beginning on a big screen tv in a department store and probably had a much better view than many of the people at the concert. Hyde Park is huge and only a select few (who paid big bucks) got to be close up in the 'golden circle). U2 kicked off the show and rocked. Joseph had planned to go to Alton Towers (a rollercoaster theme park) with a friend that day (not realising that it was the day of the concert) and had a great time by all accounts.
I finally got to Rae's place and watched till the end. It ran three hours late. I don't think it was as good as Live Aid (although the purpose is more powerful - awareness not aid and promoting the action points that came out of the Commission for Africa report) I still remember sitting alone on the bean bag in the lounge at home in the middle of the night watching Freddy Mercury giving a powerful performance. I must have been around 8.
Sir Bob I salute you!!
Wimbledon
Unlike for Live 8 I was lucky enough to get tickets to Wimbledon through the annual ballot. As Joseph wasn't keen to go (crazy boy!) I went with Rae and bubs. The atmosphere was fantastic and grounds were so beautifully kept. We had great seats in Court One and the sun was blazing down. After taking the obligatory photos we settled down to enjoy our packed lunch and watch the tennis. We saw two ladies quarter finals matches. Maria Sharipova won the first match and Lindsey Davenport won the second one. The predicted rain and thunder storms came in the early evening so we retreated to the shop and bought some souveneirs. What a great day out.
Guys and Dolls
The week before we went to Wimbledon Rae, I and a few friends went to see Ewan McGregor in Guys and Dolls (a musical). It was full of show stopping numbers and gave me many warm fuzzies. All the Dolls fell in love with Ewan. He had that X factor and danced like a pro. As for his singing....well he more than made up for it with his acting and dancing. Jane Krakowski (of Ally McBeal fame) was superb as Adelaide. She had all the nuances down pat. She was the stand out performer....next to the lovely Ewan that is.
The Royal Ballet in Trafalgar Square
The weeks before Guys and Dolls my friend Michelle and I were treated to some top class ballet in Trafalgar Square. Every year performances by The Royal Ballet and Royal Opera are simulcast on big screens in London and other cities in the UK. We were blessed with a balmy evening and a top line up of dancers. Alina Cojocaru was sublime in The Dream as was Darcy Bussel in Symphony in C. A real treat. I also really enjoyed Christoper Bruce's new ballet set to Nigel Kennedy's interpretation of music by Jimi Hendrix. Most of the dancers pulled off Bruce's fluid style.
So it ain't all that bad...
In fact I will miss it. Especially all the cultural events and the stimulating environment. For those of you thinking of coming over, don't let the events of July 7th put you off. London has so much to offer. Both Joseph and I won't miss our jobs though :) And we are looking forward to catching up with family and refamiliarising ourselves with the natural beauty of NZ. We've got a trip of a lifetime through South America to enjoy first. I paid for the flights today and my bank account is echoing with the emptiness :)
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Thursday, July 07, 2005
We are OK
Following the bombings in London you are probably worried about us. Lou and I and all the people we know are OK.
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