As an expat, there are times that you still want to know what's going on back home. So I have added a new feature. Starting today and every Monday, we'll bring up a weekly gathering of the biggest stories back in the States. Enjoy!
Northeast
Failed Car Bombing in Times Square via New York Times
No Evidence of Taliban Link via Huffington Post
Explosive Device Found on Pittsburgh Marathon Course via Huffington Post
Major Water Main Break in Boston via Fox News
South
Fishing Banned from Louisiana to Florida Due to Oil Spill via Huffington Post
Kentucky Derby: Super Saver Wins via Fox News
More Rain for Flooded Tennessee via CNN
Obama Travels to Louisiana to View Aftermath of Oil Spill via CNN
Midwest
Illinois Redistricting Scrapped via The Telegraph
United, Continental Airlines Closing in On Merger via Huffington Post
Largest Residential Transaction of 2010: $45.6 Million via Huffington Post
Private Marijuana Club Opens via Summit Daily News
West
Arizona Ethnic Studies Classes Banned via Fox News
Tens of Thousands Protests Arizona Immigration Law via Huffington Post
Los Angeles Among Top 10 Cities in Freefall via Forbes
Teachers with Heavy Accents Can No Longer Teach English via Wall Street Journal
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
This Week in London 3 May - 9 May
 |
- Elephant Parade @ various locations in London
- The Great London Garden Trail @ various locations in London
- Breakin' Convention @ Sadler's Wells
- Supermarket Shakespeare @ Sainsbury's New Cross
- Love for Sale @ Southbank Centre
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Best Buy Is Now in the UK!
Yes, that slice of Americana - big box department stores - has finally landed in the UK. Hate it or love it, Best Buy has huge plans to storm the UK market. Their first of 140 stores opened Friday in Essex. They plan to have their website www.bestbuy.co.uk fully operational by the Fall. Now word yet when/if there are plans to open a store in London. Hmm, does this mean that Tar-jay will follow in their footsteps?
Source: The Independent
Source: The Independent
Friday, April 30, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Shoreditch
And now for something completely different, we go to the East side of London, more specifically Shoreditch. Located minutes from the City of London and home to the hip and fashionable (or to wannabes and fashion victims if you're so inclined), Shoreditch is located in the borough of Hackney and covers the E1 and E2 postcodes. So what's it like to live amongst the cool kids? We spoke to Chris to find out.
Name: Chris
Age: 27
Shoreditch Resident for: 1 year
Last place you lived before moving to London? San Fransisco
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Old Street
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Shoreditch pulls unique and impressive triple duty as London's capital for developing technology, cutting-edge agencies ... and hipsters. Those constituencies ensure that Shoreditch is busy nearly every hour of the day. When the sun goes down, the area is a magnet for young people looking for a good time. I'd compare it favourably to H Street NE in Washington, DC or the Valencia Corridor in San Francisco - scenesters, people out to have a good time, kind of gritty, etc.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
It's getting better! I won't lie to you and tell you that it's all roses and buttercups, but it's certainly safer than places I've lived in the United States (I'm looking at you 25th and Harrison, 94110). I've never had a problem and have never even felt unsafe in my neighborhood, but crime does happen in higher numbers than in West London. Part of it is the demographics (younger, poorer), but I would say that the reputation of Shoreditch and Hackney is overblown. I feel about 2930842390 times safer here than in parts of the three other US cities I've lived in.
What do you like most about where you live?
The ENERGY. There's something so incredibly motivating when you're surrounded by artists and techies and musicians who are all hustling. London is THE place in the UK for many artistic, technical and cultural people...and East London is THE place in London for that same crowd. Everyone you meet in Shoreditch is working on something.
What do you like least?
The Shoreditch twat (sorry mom, it's a technical term). Just like in any hipster crowd you get the entitled, annoying people who suck at life.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
Hmmm. Somewhere east or a bit north. There are other neighbourhoods that have Shoreditch's charms - like Camden (grittier) or Angel (more posh) - but I love it here and that's probably not going to change.
Name: Chris
Age: 27
Shoreditch Resident for: 1 year
Last place you lived before moving to London? San Fransisco
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Old Street
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Shoreditch pulls unique and impressive triple duty as London's capital for developing technology, cutting-edge agencies ... and hipsters. Those constituencies ensure that Shoreditch is busy nearly every hour of the day. When the sun goes down, the area is a magnet for young people looking for a good time. I'd compare it favourably to H Street NE in Washington, DC or the Valencia Corridor in San Francisco - scenesters, people out to have a good time, kind of gritty, etc.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
It's getting better! I won't lie to you and tell you that it's all roses and buttercups, but it's certainly safer than places I've lived in the United States (I'm looking at you 25th and Harrison, 94110). I've never had a problem and have never even felt unsafe in my neighborhood, but crime does happen in higher numbers than in West London. Part of it is the demographics (younger, poorer), but I would say that the reputation of Shoreditch and Hackney is overblown. I feel about 2930842390 times safer here than in parts of the three other US cities I've lived in.
What do you like most about where you live?
The ENERGY. There's something so incredibly motivating when you're surrounded by artists and techies and musicians who are all hustling. London is THE place in the UK for many artistic, technical and cultural people...and East London is THE place in London for that same crowd. Everyone you meet in Shoreditch is working on something.
What do you like least?
The Shoreditch twat (sorry mom, it's a technical term). Just like in any hipster crowd you get the entitled, annoying people who suck at life.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
Hmmm. Somewhere east or a bit north. There are other neighbourhoods that have Shoreditch's charms - like Camden (grittier) or Angel (more posh) - but I love it here and that's probably not going to change.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Proud to be American?
A friend of mine posted a really interesting article on Facebook from the NY Times. Apparently there are a growing number of Americans expats who are renouncing their US citizenship. The most common reasons stated are double taxation and banking problems.
Now I find all of this very interesting. Firstly I thought that you couldn't renounce your US citizenship for tax reasons alone. I thought that you had to have a greater reason like a political or moral objection to something the US has done. Also I found it very interesting that someone would just give up their US citizenship because they have to pay double taxes. As someone making less than $91,000 a year, I can exclude my entire income and therefore don't feel the brunt of being taxed twice. But I wonder if I was in such a position, is that enough reason to give up one's citizenship?
Now I find all of this very interesting. Firstly I thought that you couldn't renounce your US citizenship for tax reasons alone. I thought that you had to have a greater reason like a political or moral objection to something the US has done. Also I found it very interesting that someone would just give up their US citizenship because they have to pay double taxes. As someone making less than $91,000 a year, I can exclude my entire income and therefore don't feel the brunt of being taxed twice. But I wonder if I was in such a position, is that enough reason to give up one's citizenship?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
This Week in London: 26 April - 2 May
26 April
27 April
28 April
29 April
30 April
1 May
2 May
- Cringe @ The George
- Ricky Gervais Live: Science @ Wembley Arena
27 April
- East End Film Festival @ various venues
28 April
- Science Museum Lates @ London Science Museum
29 April
- Orla Kiely Sample Sale @ Chelsea Old Town Hall
- Gorillaz @ Roundhouse
30 April
- Break & Bowl @ Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes
1 May
- Camden Crawl @ various venues in Camden
- Canalway Cavalcade @ Little Venice
2 May
- Camden Crawl @ various venues in Camden
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Cheap Ways to Call Home
As you can imagine, calling the States can be really expensive. Want to reduce your phone bills? Here are a few alternatives.
Phone cards
You can get there are pretty any off license in the city. They tend to be pretty inexpensive. A tenner can get you up to 500 minutes which isn't too bad. The downside is that the card may run out in the middle of a conversation and trust me, no one wants to have to walk down to the off license at 11pm to get another one!
Callback services
This is a method of making a cheap international calls via a third country. The way it works is that you'll be given a unique number to call that will trigger the return call. Once you get the call back, just dial the required number.
Phone cards
You can get there are pretty any off license in the city. They tend to be pretty inexpensive. A tenner can get you up to 500 minutes which isn't too bad. The downside is that the card may run out in the middle of a conversation and trust me, no one wants to have to walk down to the off license at 11pm to get another one!
Callback services
This is a method of making a cheap international calls via a third country. The way it works is that you'll be given a unique number to call that will trigger the return call. Once you get the call back, just dial the required number.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Happy St. George's Day!!!
So who is St. George? He was a Roman solider and a priest. He is most famous for the legend of St. George & the Dragon. According to this tale, there was a dragon that lived in a lake in Libya (because that's where dragons live, of course!). To appease the dragon, a random child was picked to be sacrificed to the dragon. One fateful day, the king's daughter was chosen. The daughter dressed as a bride (why are they always dressed as brides?) made her way to the lake and awaited her fate. St. George, who just happened to be in the neighbourhood, made the sign of the cross, slayed the dragon, saved the princess and converted the villagers to Christianity all before tea time. ...Or so the story goes.
Traditionally, one would wear a red rose on their lapel, fly a St. George's cross flat and to sing the hymn "Jerusalem" at a chapels across the country.
However as St. George's flag has become more associated with right wing lunatics (the BNP) and football hooligans, there is a hesitation to even display the flag due to fear of being associated with the aforementioned groups. There is also speculation that St. George isn't English (Roman, hello?) and in fact may have never even step foot on English soil. Its for these reasons, that celebrations on this day tend to be restricted to having a pint in a pub that decked out in English flags. But is that really any different that any other night at the pub?
In an effort to reclaim St. George's day, there have been various groups encouraging people to reclaim St. George by hosting parades in their town and proudly waving their flag. There will be a free concert in Traflagar Square on Saturday. But if that's not really your thing, you can always just go down to the pub (as usual) and pretend to think about St. George as you
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Wandsworth Common
Keeping things south of the river, we go to Wandsworth Common which is located just west of Clapham Junction. It is part of the Wandsworth Council and is located within the SW17 and SW18 postcodes. To learn more about that it was like to live here, we spoke to Eamon, a camera-shy former resident.
Name: Eamon
Age: 25
Wandsworth Resident for: Just under 1 year
Last place you lived before moving to London? San Francisco
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare, with two other blokes
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Balham, but Tooting Bec is easier to walk to because you don't have to make any turns, and you might catch a bus on the way. Wandsworth Common Overground Rail is right in the neighborhood, though, and gets you right to Victoria super quick.
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
The overall vibe is semi-suburban fancy town. Bellevue Rd. is full of little cafes, and contains the famous Chez Bruce. It runs along the edge of Wandsworth Common. On a sunny day, the park is full of attractive joggers, moms with strollers, teenie-boppers, and people playing rugby and football. It's quite pleasant, but doesn't feel very urban. The scent of money is in the air.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
The neighborhood feels very safe, although my flat building was broken into and robbed.
What do you like most about where you live?
The best part of the neighborhood is the Common itself. It is incredible to have such a big, pretty park right on your doorstep. I can't overstate how idyllic it can be on a sunny day. The second best part is being walking distance from Tooting, and all of the great food that is there. It's secretly the best curry mile in London.
What do you like least?
The part I liked least was being so far south and away from the action. It can be a mission to get home from North London, and the night busses take forever to get there.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
If I could live anywhere it would be..... I'm not really sure! I'm in N1 now, and so far, so good.
Name: Eamon
Age: 25
Wandsworth Resident for: Just under 1 year
Last place you lived before moving to London? San Francisco
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare, with two other blokes
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Balham, but Tooting Bec is easier to walk to because you don't have to make any turns, and you might catch a bus on the way. Wandsworth Common Overground Rail is right in the neighborhood, though, and gets you right to Victoria super quick.
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
The overall vibe is semi-suburban fancy town. Bellevue Rd. is full of little cafes, and contains the famous Chez Bruce. It runs along the edge of Wandsworth Common. On a sunny day, the park is full of attractive joggers, moms with strollers, teenie-boppers, and people playing rugby and football. It's quite pleasant, but doesn't feel very urban. The scent of money is in the air.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
The neighborhood feels very safe, although my flat building was broken into and robbed.
What do you like most about where you live?
The best part of the neighborhood is the Common itself. It is incredible to have such a big, pretty park right on your doorstep. I can't overstate how idyllic it can be on a sunny day. The second best part is being walking distance from Tooting, and all of the great food that is there. It's secretly the best curry mile in London.
What do you like least?
The part I liked least was being so far south and away from the action. It can be a mission to get home from North London, and the night busses take forever to get there.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
If I could live anywhere it would be..... I'm not really sure! I'm in N1 now, and so far, so good.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
...What It Feels Like For a Girl
Last year in the UK,
- 46,000 women were raped
- 867,000 were victims of domestic violence
Monday, April 19, 2010
Self Defense - Pepper Spray is Illegal
Unless of course, you've already been attacked.
Yes, you read that right. Pepper spray is illegal in London. It is deemed a weapon and held to the same standard as a gun. Except if you've been attacked you're not allowed to carry a gun. But you can be allowed to carry pepper spray if:
You're probably wondering what your options are if you're a woman who finds herself walking home alone late at night. Well you can carry a really nice shiny whistle or even perhaps a portable air horn and hope that someone hears your and bothers to help. Or you can take self defense classes. Yea, that's pretty much it...
Yes, you read that right. Pepper spray is illegal in London. It is deemed a weapon and held to the same standard as a gun. Except if you've been attacked you're not allowed to carry a gun. But you can be allowed to carry pepper spray if:
- You report your attack to the local authorities
- You register your pepper spray with said authorities.
You're probably wondering what your options are if you're a woman who finds herself walking home alone late at night. Well you can carry a really nice shiny whistle or even perhaps a portable air horn and hope that someone hears your and bothers to help. Or you can take self defense classes. Yea, that's pretty much it...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
This Week in London: 19 - 25 April 2010
19 April
20 April
21 April
22 April
- Lou Reed's Metal Machine Trio @ The Royal Festival Hall
- Alternative Fashion Week @ Spitalfields Traders Market
20 April
- London Burlesque Week Official Opening Gala @ Cafe de Paris
21 April
- Bill Fontana: River Sounding @ Somerset House
22 April
- Designer Sample Sale @ Truman Brewery
- Caramel Funk @ Bar Sequence
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Clapham
We return south of the river to go to Clapham. Located in SW4, it is part of the Lambeth council. So what's it like to live in Clapham? Current resident, Mike tells all.
Name: Mike
Age: 29
Clapham resident for: 9 months.
Last place you lived before moving to London? Cape Town, South Africa
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare with 2 others.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Clapham North
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Funky, freaky and fun all rolled into one.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Compared to South Africa I think everything is safe, so it's hard to say. I would say it's about average for central London. You'll run into a fair few drunks coming home late at night on the weekends, but that's probably as dangerous as it gets.
What do you like most about where you live?
The ability to crawl home from multiple night hot spots. Its also far enough from central London to have a vibe all of its own, but it's close enough to catch 1 night bus home from almost anywhere.
What do you like least?
Northern line commuting at rush hour.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
At the moment, here, thats why I chose it. Where to next? Probably West London, somewhere close to Hyde or Regents park.
Name: Mike
Age: 29
Clapham resident for: 9 months.
Last place you lived before moving to London? Cape Town, South Africa
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare with 2 others.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Clapham North
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Funky, freaky and fun all rolled into one.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Compared to South Africa I think everything is safe, so it's hard to say. I would say it's about average for central London. You'll run into a fair few drunks coming home late at night on the weekends, but that's probably as dangerous as it gets.
What do you like most about where you live?
The ability to crawl home from multiple night hot spots. Its also far enough from central London to have a vibe all of its own, but it's close enough to catch 1 night bus home from almost anywhere.
What do you like least?
Northern line commuting at rush hour.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
At the moment, here, thats why I chose it. Where to next? Probably West London, somewhere close to Hyde or Regents park.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Flatshare Vs Living Alone
This is one of the first big decisions that you'll have to make when you move here. There are advantages and disadvantages to both living situations.
Flatshare
Benefits
London is a large and expensive city. The rent is high and the bills are plentiful. It helps to live with other people so that you can split your living expenses. By dividing up these costs, you can also live much closer to central London and in a nicer neighbourhood.
Also because London is such a large city and it can be difficult to make friends, it might be ideal to live with a few other people when you first arrive. That way you have at least one person that you know in the city. You never know, you might even end up being good friends! Shocking but it can happen.
Drawbacks
The sharing of bills can become a real problem. Some people are able to forgo any billing issues by either having all the bills included in their rent or by paying their share of the bills directly to the landlord. Otherwise, all of the bills will have to be put in one flatmate's name and it will be their responsibility to ensure that the bills are paid and that the other flatmates pay their share. As you can imagine, this can get messy if someone doesn't have the cash to pay their share of the bills or if the person who has the bills in their name refuses to tell you how much you owe (true story!). So if you are thinking about moving into a flatshare, keep these billing issues in mind.
Also, the dividing up of chores can be problematic. Using the common sense adage of "clean up after yourself" works great in most places except for the bathroom. Unless you have a set cleaning schedule that is strictly followed, inevitably there will be one person who always ends up cleaning the fun areas - the toilet & the bathtub. So have a schedule in place and please stict to it. Alternatively, you could always just hire a cleaning lady to come by once a week and do it for you.
Lastly even if you have the chore and billing issues sorted, you just might not get along with your flatmates. They might be too loud, cook smelly food, hog the television, act weird, the list goes on. Most try to test the house chemistry during the inital viewing. But at this time, everyone is on their best behaviour. You are either desperate to either find a place or to replace an old flatmate. Or some people are really good at hiding the fact that they're completely insane. Either way, you always run the risk of potential personality clashes.
Going Solo
Benefits
Now of course, if you're living by yourself, then you don't have to worry about dividing up bills or chores or personality clashes. You can keep the place as messy or as clean as you want. Hell, you can either walk around the place naked. You don't have to worry about people accidentally eating your food or having their crap everywhere. The only person you have to worry about is yourself.
Drawbacks
You will be the person soley responsible for paying all the bills. This includes rent, council tax, water, electricity, gas, tv tax, cable & phone bills. You can get a discount on your council tax if you're living alone but it will only reduce your burden by 25%. Now if you have a great job, then you can probably afford to still live in a great neighbourhood and pay all of these bills. However, if you're job pays you pennies, then you may have to live in either an okay neighbourhood or further outside central London. You can get around this by trying to find a property that include all of your utilities. It's a bit tough but it can be done.
Being all alone can be difficult especially if you're sick or get injured. Unlike a flatshare, there may be nobody to take pity on you and get your medication or pick up some food for you. If you happen to make some friends, then they can help. Otherwise, I would have the number of a few takeout places just in case.
Verdict
I personally am team "going solo". I've lived in a flatshare and it just didn't work out for me at all. However, I have some friends who live in amazing flatshares and would hate to live alone. So at the end of the day, go with what you're gut and wallet says.
Flatshare
Benefits
London is a large and expensive city. The rent is high and the bills are plentiful. It helps to live with other people so that you can split your living expenses. By dividing up these costs, you can also live much closer to central London and in a nicer neighbourhood.
Also because London is such a large city and it can be difficult to make friends, it might be ideal to live with a few other people when you first arrive. That way you have at least one person that you know in the city. You never know, you might even end up being good friends! Shocking but it can happen.
Drawbacks
The sharing of bills can become a real problem. Some people are able to forgo any billing issues by either having all the bills included in their rent or by paying their share of the bills directly to the landlord. Otherwise, all of the bills will have to be put in one flatmate's name and it will be their responsibility to ensure that the bills are paid and that the other flatmates pay their share. As you can imagine, this can get messy if someone doesn't have the cash to pay their share of the bills or if the person who has the bills in their name refuses to tell you how much you owe (true story!). So if you are thinking about moving into a flatshare, keep these billing issues in mind.
Also, the dividing up of chores can be problematic. Using the common sense adage of "clean up after yourself" works great in most places except for the bathroom. Unless you have a set cleaning schedule that is strictly followed, inevitably there will be one person who always ends up cleaning the fun areas - the toilet & the bathtub. So have a schedule in place and please stict to it. Alternatively, you could always just hire a cleaning lady to come by once a week and do it for you.
Lastly even if you have the chore and billing issues sorted, you just might not get along with your flatmates. They might be too loud, cook smelly food, hog the television, act weird, the list goes on. Most try to test the house chemistry during the inital viewing. But at this time, everyone is on their best behaviour. You are either desperate to either find a place or to replace an old flatmate. Or some people are really good at hiding the fact that they're completely insane. Either way, you always run the risk of potential personality clashes.
Going Solo
Benefits
Now of course, if you're living by yourself, then you don't have to worry about dividing up bills or chores or personality clashes. You can keep the place as messy or as clean as you want. Hell, you can either walk around the place naked. You don't have to worry about people accidentally eating your food or having their crap everywhere. The only person you have to worry about is yourself.
Drawbacks
You will be the person soley responsible for paying all the bills. This includes rent, council tax, water, electricity, gas, tv tax, cable & phone bills. You can get a discount on your council tax if you're living alone but it will only reduce your burden by 25%. Now if you have a great job, then you can probably afford to still live in a great neighbourhood and pay all of these bills. However, if you're job pays you pennies, then you may have to live in either an okay neighbourhood or further outside central London. You can get around this by trying to find a property that include all of your utilities. It's a bit tough but it can be done.
Being all alone can be difficult especially if you're sick or get injured. Unlike a flatshare, there may be nobody to take pity on you and get your medication or pick up some food for you. If you happen to make some friends, then they can help. Otherwise, I would have the number of a few takeout places just in case.
Verdict
I personally am team "going solo". I've lived in a flatshare and it just didn't work out for me at all. However, I have some friends who live in amazing flatshares and would hate to live alone. So at the end of the day, go with what you're gut and wallet says.
Calling All Lakers Fans!!!
The NBA has just announced that there will be another game in London for the NBA's European Tour. The LA Lakers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on 4 October at the 02 Arena. Tickets range from £39 - £89 and are on sale now!
Source: The Guardian
Source: The Guardian
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Zebra Crossings
Although know around the world as part of the Beatles cover for their Abbey Road record, the zebra crossing is a pedestrian's best friend. At these crossing, all drivers are required to come to a full and complete stop when you step foot into the stripped zone. Drivers are alerted to the presence of these crossings by a zig-zag traffic lines leading up to the crossing.
However be forewarned, some drivers seem to either not realise that the crossing is coming up or they just don't give a shit. Because I've definitely almost been hit being crossing the road at these stop. So be sure to take care when crossing. Its always best to wait on the side and see if any of the drivers are starting to slow down or annoyingly speed up.
Monday, April 12, 2010
999 Is a Joke In Your Town...
...Is how the song have been if Public Enemy was formed in the UK. But they weren't. They were formed in the US and therefore used the American emergency number 911. However here in the UK, the emergency number is 999. Sure, you could dial 911 but the joke will be on you.
I've only had to call this number twice since being here. The first was to make a noise complaint. FYI, the cops don't deal with those things. You have to make an official complaint with your council! The other was for a domestic dispute that got WAY out of hand. Unfortunately the cops didn't really do anything about the "minor disagreement" that ended with a woman being punched and dragged across the flat by her hair. But I'll save that for another post...
When you dial the number you'll be asked which service you want to be connected to: fire, medical, police. You then get connected to the appropriate party. And voila! Help is on the way. I will say that the police showed up very quickly for the domestic dispute. So no, 999 is not a joke in this town.
I've only had to call this number twice since being here. The first was to make a noise complaint. FYI, the cops don't deal with those things. You have to make an official complaint with your council! The other was for a domestic dispute that got WAY out of hand. Unfortunately the cops didn't really do anything about the "minor disagreement" that ended with a woman being punched and dragged across the flat by her hair. But I'll save that for another post...
When you dial the number you'll be asked which service you want to be connected to: fire, medical, police. You then get connected to the appropriate party. And voila! Help is on the way. I will say that the police showed up very quickly for the domestic dispute. So no, 999 is not a joke in this town.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
This Week in London: 12 - 18 April 2010
12 April
13 April
14 April
15 April - Tax Day!
16 April
17 April
18 April
- Roller Disco @ The 02
13 April
- Robin Thicke @ FunkyBuddha
- Mos Def @ O2 Shepherd's Bush
14 April
- Cinderella @ The Royal Opera House
- How to Attract, Approach and Allure the One You Want @ Asia House
15 April - Tax Day!
- Boom Boom Club @ Bathhouse
16 April
- Friday Follies @ Cellar Door
- Zebrano's Ancient Greek Party @ Zebrano
17 April
- Grace Kelly: Style Icon @ The Victoria & Albert Museum
18 April
- Andy Warhol Exhibit @ Olyvia Fine Art
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Neighborhood Spotlight - Acton Town
To the jungles of Zone 3, we go to Acton Town. Officially located in Greater London, this western neighbourhood is part of Ealing Council. So what's it like to live outside central London? Former resident, Tisha (yea, that's me!) shares her story.
Name: Tisha
Age: 27
Acton Town Resident for: 6 mos
Last place you live before moving to London? DC via Maryland
Did you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I lived by myself.
What was your nearest Tube station?
Acton Town
How would you describe the neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
This very much was quite a suburban neighbourhood. Its very quiet. There are lots of families with kids. People were constantly barbecuing or working in their gardens. There are a few high streets here and there. But for the most part there are loads of houses and parks. It was quite nice to be surrounded by so much greenery and still be in so close to London.
How safe was your neighbourhood?
Its quite interesting. On one hand, I felt perfectly safe walking around late at night. I would frequently walk from either the night bus or from the Tube station really late and never felt threatened or scared. It was also extremely quiet. I could hear the train at the Tube station at night or in the morning. But at the same time, I lived extremely close to a massive council estate. I would periodically see a police van parked nearby with a CCTV mounted on top of it. Its presence alone made me think that perhaps this place isn't a safe as it seems.
What did you like most about where you live?
I loved all of the parks around. Gunnersbury park is in walking distance. Since its not as popular as Hyde Park or Regents park. I could just sit out on a blanket is peace and either read, write or just soak up sun without worrying that a bunch of people coming to ruin my serenity. I also liked that it was very quiet. Its nice to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and return to silence.
You get more of your money. My studio flat was also amazing. I had my own kitchen, a massive living space and a really nice bathroom for a very reasonable price. A comparable property in Central would cost and arm and a leg.
Also I used to work in Uxbridge. So it was perfect to have the Piccadilly line right there to take me easily to work.
What did you like least?
I hated that it was so far away. Because its in Zone 3, it would take FOREVER if you caught a night bus home. So I would frequently rush to catch the last train home but that always seemed to cut my night short. Also as most of my friends live in central London, I wasn't able to entertain in my a flat which kind of defeated the purpose of having all that space.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
I still am in love with the Angel/Islington area as well as Shoreditch.
Name: Tisha
Age: 27
Acton Town Resident for: 6 mos
Last place you live before moving to London? DC via Maryland
Did you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I lived by myself.
What was your nearest Tube station?
Acton Town
How would you describe the neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
This very much was quite a suburban neighbourhood. Its very quiet. There are lots of families with kids. People were constantly barbecuing or working in their gardens. There are a few high streets here and there. But for the most part there are loads of houses and parks. It was quite nice to be surrounded by so much greenery and still be in so close to London.
How safe was your neighbourhood?
Its quite interesting. On one hand, I felt perfectly safe walking around late at night. I would frequently walk from either the night bus or from the Tube station really late and never felt threatened or scared. It was also extremely quiet. I could hear the train at the Tube station at night or in the morning. But at the same time, I lived extremely close to a massive council estate. I would periodically see a police van parked nearby with a CCTV mounted on top of it. Its presence alone made me think that perhaps this place isn't a safe as it seems.
What did you like most about where you live?
I loved all of the parks around. Gunnersbury park is in walking distance. Since its not as popular as Hyde Park or Regents park. I could just sit out on a blanket is peace and either read, write or just soak up sun without worrying that a bunch of people coming to ruin my serenity. I also liked that it was very quiet. Its nice to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and return to silence.
You get more of your money. My studio flat was also amazing. I had my own kitchen, a massive living space and a really nice bathroom for a very reasonable price. A comparable property in Central would cost and arm and a leg.
Also I used to work in Uxbridge. So it was perfect to have the Piccadilly line right there to take me easily to work.
What did you like least?
I hated that it was so far away. Because its in Zone 3, it would take FOREVER if you caught a night bus home. So I would frequently rush to catch the last train home but that always seemed to cut my night short. Also as most of my friends live in central London, I wasn't able to entertain in my a flat which kind of defeated the purpose of having all that space.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
I still am in love with the Angel/Islington area as well as Shoreditch.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Flying Around the World On the Cheap
One of the great things about living in London is that you're close to the rest of the world. There is something to be said for not being bordered by two oceans. Due to this proximity, its pretty damn easy to travel the world. You can be in Paris in an hour and Egypt in 3 hours which is amazing considering that you can fly for 3 hours in the States and not have left the country!
To facilitate your world travels. There are a number of budget airlines that operate out of London. The two largest and most popular ones are RyanAir and EasyJet.
Now the advantages of using these airlines is that the flights are dirt cheap. I literally flew round trip to Amsterdam for £35 which is absurd in the most wonderful way. Its a great way to go somewhere for the weekend and not break the bank. And lets face it, we're in a recession. So if you want to still go away on holiday at a reasonable price, these airlines are the way to go.
One concern that people have is that the planes aren't clean and are these old broken down planes from 1955. I assure you, they aren't. I've flown on both RyanAir and EasyJet and can tell you that they have been cleaner than some American carriers that I've flown with. *cough* American Airlines *cough*
These carrier both have stellar flight records. In fact, most of the EasyJet planes are less than 5 years old. So if you're freaked out about safety, don't be. You're still more likely to die in a car.
However be forewarned that when they say "no frills", they mean no frills. For both RyanAir and EasyJet, you must pay to check in luggage. Yes, that is any luggage. You are however allowed one free bag to carry on.
There are also several hidden taxes and fees. So that ticket that you saw being advertised for £9 one-way does not include administration fees, taxes and other miscellaneous costs. However when booking a flight, all hidden costs will be disclosed so you won't have any surprises after you've already booked your flight.
You'll also soon realise that none of these flights fly out of Heathrow. These flights only operate out of Gatwick, Luton or Stanstead. This may seem like a pain but you can easily take the train or book a seat on a coach for a very reasonable price. Its also a good excuse to see the other "London" airports especially if you hate Heathrow.
Finally, these airlines are similar to SouthWest Airlines in that you don't have an assigned seat. So if you're travelling in a big group you may want to arrive to the gate early.
But all that being said, I STILL GOT TO AMSTERDAM FOR £35. (Ok, £45 if you include the seat on the coach.) This is still amazing and waaayyyy less than you would pay if you flew from America. So I suggest, you plan accordinlgy. Realise that there are hidden fees, note the luggage allowances, book your train/coach seat early and lastly sit back and enjoy your flight.
To facilitate your world travels. There are a number of budget airlines that operate out of London. The two largest and most popular ones are RyanAir and EasyJet.
Now the advantages of using these airlines is that the flights are dirt cheap. I literally flew round trip to Amsterdam for £35 which is absurd in the most wonderful way. Its a great way to go somewhere for the weekend and not break the bank. And lets face it, we're in a recession. So if you want to still go away on holiday at a reasonable price, these airlines are the way to go.
One concern that people have is that the planes aren't clean and are these old broken down planes from 1955. I assure you, they aren't. I've flown on both RyanAir and EasyJet and can tell you that they have been cleaner than some American carriers that I've flown with. *cough* American Airlines *cough*
These carrier both have stellar flight records. In fact, most of the EasyJet planes are less than 5 years old. So if you're freaked out about safety, don't be. You're still more likely to die in a car.
However be forewarned that when they say "no frills", they mean no frills. For both RyanAir and EasyJet, you must pay to check in luggage. Yes, that is any luggage. You are however allowed one free bag to carry on.
There are also several hidden taxes and fees. So that ticket that you saw being advertised for £9 one-way does not include administration fees, taxes and other miscellaneous costs. However when booking a flight, all hidden costs will be disclosed so you won't have any surprises after you've already booked your flight.
You'll also soon realise that none of these flights fly out of Heathrow. These flights only operate out of Gatwick, Luton or Stanstead. This may seem like a pain but you can easily take the train or book a seat on a coach for a very reasonable price. Its also a good excuse to see the other "London" airports especially if you hate Heathrow.
Finally, these airlines are similar to SouthWest Airlines in that you don't have an assigned seat. So if you're travelling in a big group you may want to arrive to the gate early.
But all that being said, I STILL GOT TO AMSTERDAM FOR £35. (Ok, £45 if you include the seat on the coach.) This is still amazing and waaayyyy less than you would pay if you flew from America. So I suggest, you plan accordinlgy. Realise that there are hidden fees, note the luggage allowances, book your train/coach seat early and lastly sit back and enjoy your flight.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The British Say WHAT??? - The Empire Strikes Back
Because you know, the first two lists weren't exhaustive. And I have a feeling that this one won't be either...
Monday, April 5, 2010
Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race
This past Saturday was the 156th year of the Oxford & Cambridge (often referred to as Oxbridge) boat race. This race dates back to 1829 when two former Harrow school chums, Charles Merivale of Cambridge and Charles Wordsworth of Oxford, came up with the idea. On 12 March of that year, Cambridge challenged Oxford to the race and the tradition has continued into present day.
One would think that the race takes place in either Oxford or Cambridge. But it actually takes place in London on the Thames. (For what reason, I'm still not sure.) It starts in Putney and ends at Chiswick. You can get a map of the race route here.
Now this a big thing. The race is broadcast worldwide on ESPN. But alas it's not just about the race. Its about the rivalry between the two schools. Oxford won last year and have been bragging about it ever since. I'm glad to report that Cambridge took the title this year (Go Cambridge!) and let the gloating begin.
As I live in Fulham, which is moments from the Thames, I decided to go down and check it out. After all it is a time honored British tradition. While making my way to the Thames, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the river weren't chock full of posh and pretentious Oxbridge alums. There actually was a good mix of locals, tourists and alumni. The Thames was chock full on its northern banks (that's where the pubs are) and people were in good spirits as the weather held up.
There were helicopters flying overhead. A crowd assembled on Hammersmith Bridge and there were several cameramen and journos setting up post inside the pubs that had great riverside views.
Everyone waited with bated breath until the races official start time of 4:30. True to form, the race started precisely on time. The crowd started to crane their necks eastward to glimpse a view of the boats. Binoculars came out and cameras were held in anticipation of catching the right shot.
After a few moments, you could hear a dull roar coming from the east of the river. The helicopters in the sky began to move and if you squinted really hard you could faintly make out a boat.
As the race progressed toward Hammersmith bridge, the dull roar in the east gathered steam and made it way to the bridge. The helicopters descended on the crowd while hundreds of flashes went off. The boys in blue (Oxford) were ahead but Cambridge were right behind them. As the boats passed by, they were followed by an entourage of other referees, journalists and the coast guard.
It lasted approximated two minutes. If you blinked or fumbled with your camera, you missed it. In those short few minutes, they had rounded the bend and continued their way to Chiswick. As the boats started to disappear, the crowd dispersed. A few ran to follow the boats to their final destination. Some ordered more drinks at the pub while others went home.
While Cambridge has bragging rights for the rest of the year, Oxford will lick their wounds, shake their fists to the sky and declare "Just wait until next year! Just you wait..." It was a fine race indeed.
Links:
Official Website
Sunday, April 4, 2010
This Week in London: 5 - 11 April 2010
5 April
6 April
7 April
8 April
9 April
10 April
11 April
- - The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today @ Saatchi Gallery
- - NCAA Championship Game @ The Sports Cafe
- - London Festival of the Japanese Art of Bondage @ Resistance Gallery
6 April
- - Sustainable Futures @ Design Museum
- - AFI @ Brixton Academy
7 April
- - Roundhouse CircusFest 2010 @ The Roundhouse
- - Method Man @ Matter
- - Alchemy @ Southbank Centre
8 April
- - Selfridges Home Sale @ Selfridges
9 April
- - New Young Pony Club @ Village Underground
- - Speed of Light Installation @ Bargehouse
10 April
- - Bustin Loose! Live @ Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes
- - After Skool Klub @Kings College Student Union
11 April
- - Jaded @ Cable
- - Rick Astley @ Rose Theatre Kingston
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Joys of Working for a British Company
Despite my many grumblings (£100 gift certificate to Mark's & Spencer is not the same as a bonus, just saying), there are a few perks to working for a British company.
Minimum 25 days vacation
Just typing that seems outrageous and awesome at the same time. Thanks to an EU directive, all EU countries must give their employees a minimum of 25 days vacation. Note, that this does not include national holidays. I still to this day have no idea what to do with all of this time and equally wonder how I survived with the measly 2 weeks that I was given in the States. Oh, wait, now I remember. I was conveniently sick on Mondays and Fridays.
Pub Lunches
It's Friday! And after a long week in the office, there is nothing better then getting together with a few co-workers and celebrating the forthcoming weekend with a glass of wine or three if you work in my office!
Got a bit drunk? It's okay. It seems to be perfectly acceptable to return to your desk a bit tipsy. After all, you were just at the pub. Your boss may even be a bit offended if you came back completely sober as it would show you're not a team player!
9 to 5 really means 9 to 5
Now I'm used to 9 to 5 really meaning 9 to 6 as you have to account for your hour lunch. Not so in the UK where you effectively have a 7 hour work day as that one hour between 9 and 5 is blocked off for lunch and nothing else. Also the moment and I mean the very second that the clock strikes 5, your office will be deserted. You'll know when its happened, because the office will suddenly become so quiet that your typing will start to echo throughout the building.
Unlimited sick days
Again, this is an alien concept to me. The first time I asked HR about sick days, they looked at me completely baffled and asked "How can you put a limit on the number of days that you're sick? If you're sick, you're sick." Translation: You have unlimited sick days. Now keep in mind, you have a legal obligation to produce a doctor's note if you have been sick for five consecutive work days. Most companies will require you to fill out some sort of sick leave form upon your return to the office and you won't get full pay if you are sick for an extended period of time. However, if you wanted to call in sick for four days due to alast minute holiday to Spain nasty flu, there really isn't anything that you're company could do to stop you. But you might get a few questions about your amazing tan upon return so be sure to cover up!
Minimum 25 days vacation
Just typing that seems outrageous and awesome at the same time. Thanks to an EU directive, all EU countries must give their employees a minimum of 25 days vacation. Note, that this does not include national holidays. I still to this day have no idea what to do with all of this time and equally wonder how I survived with the measly 2 weeks that I was given in the States. Oh, wait, now I remember. I was conveniently sick on Mondays and Fridays.
Pub Lunches
It's Friday! And after a long week in the office, there is nothing better then getting together with a few co-workers and celebrating the forthcoming weekend with a glass of wine or three if you work in my office!
Got a bit drunk? It's okay. It seems to be perfectly acceptable to return to your desk a bit tipsy. After all, you were just at the pub. Your boss may even be a bit offended if you came back completely sober as it would show you're not a team player!
9 to 5 really means 9 to 5
Now I'm used to 9 to 5 really meaning 9 to 6 as you have to account for your hour lunch. Not so in the UK where you effectively have a 7 hour work day as that one hour between 9 and 5 is blocked off for lunch and nothing else. Also the moment and I mean the very second that the clock strikes 5, your office will be deserted. You'll know when its happened, because the office will suddenly become so quiet that your typing will start to echo throughout the building.
Unlimited sick days
Again, this is an alien concept to me. The first time I asked HR about sick days, they looked at me completely baffled and asked "How can you put a limit on the number of days that you're sick? If you're sick, you're sick." Translation: You have unlimited sick days. Now keep in mind, you have a legal obligation to produce a doctor's note if you have been sick for five consecutive work days. Most companies will require you to fill out some sort of sick leave form upon your return to the office and you won't get full pay if you are sick for an extended period of time. However, if you wanted to call in sick for four days due to a
Monday, March 29, 2010
Neighborhood Spotlight - Kensington
Back to the West End we go as the gracious Thomas has decided to share with us his experience of living in Kensington. It is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (yes, that's its official title!) which is also home to the famous area known as Notting Hill. So what was it like living in this posh area? Is it as pretentious as it's royal title suggests?
Name: Still Thomas
Age: 26
Kensington Resident for: The summer of 07
Last place you live before moving to London? Marquette, Michigan
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Share, it was through the university.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Gloucester Road/South Kensington
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
It can feel pretty touristy at times...well, most of the time. But it is an insanely pretty part of London and for the fact that if I wanted to picnic and felt nostalgic for a backyard,
I was three blocks from Kensington Gardens, which is absolutely beautiful in the summer for laying out, reading a book, flying a kite (no, really, we bought kites because we were jealous of the little kids' kites), having a few drinks, there's really no end to the novelty of being next to a park that big. I was a few blocks from the museums as well, which is a nice short stroll if you're ever looking for inspiration. The main roads will house the absolute most touristy chain restaurants and bars but the locals know where it's at, there's always a pub hidden behind something or a pocket of high-end restaurants down a couple of side streets.
You're living in close proximity to celebs, ambassadors, people who make the front page of the news when they have a cold... so look your best when you leave the house because you never know who's going to be at Whole Foods (YES, there's an epic Whole Foods, grocery lovers rejoice!!). People in my program ran into Christian Bale at Starbucks, Dustin Hoffman lived around the corner, etc.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Insanely safe. There were neighborhood police that walked the streets at night just to make sure there was nothing shady going on. You're close to Kensington Palace, and some embassies, so what do you expect.
What do you like most about where you live?
It's gorgeous. Between the stucco terraces and parklife, there's not much more you could ask for. There's cute cafes, great dining as long as you've got the budget and come on...you're going to pizza places that Princess Diana went to with the boys for a night out. And any shopping you need is on the well-stocked Kensington High St., they've got everything you'd ever want from Oxford street with half the foot traffic (well, except on weekends).
And if you're a cocktail snob, there's some high-profile joints to scope out. Not as much as in Mayfair, but there's Amika, Kensington Roof Gardens (which is an absolute must-do for the view alone), and a few others are dotted around the area. Check with some club promoters websites if you want to get on the guest lists, or find a friend who's in the know.
What do you like least?
It's a bit touristy....which manifests itself in many forms. You'll have to deal with the premium prices in the shops, slow-walkers with cameras, and the worst by far is not being able to mask your accent properly because the pub staff will know you're foreign and take the piss and shortchange you if you're not paying attention.
Seriously, Americans...read this bit!
They know that it's a tourist hot-spot so if they think that you're not going to know what all "the funny little coins mean" then they'll gladly keep a few for themselves. Easy way around that? Well, you can use your card...but if you're on cash-only just keep a keen eye about it. One place we went to, it was raining out and as soon as we walked in the door, the bartender spotted us as non-locals (it was a back alley pub that not many knew about) and said "I bet it doesn't rain like this where you're from!" clearly establishing that we weren't British before I even spoke, and I just said "ah...no it rains everywhere, but can I have a ..." and yeah, I was missing two pounds from my change. It happened again in an off-license, which we caught right away, and another pub tried to do it to a friend of mine. I hate to sound cryptic about it, but tourists and people with non-British accents, are easy targets for them. It just made me wonder how many times it had happened before I caught on! I didn't think to put my guard up because you're not in a dodgy/dirty part of town, so I was more trusting with staff than I should have been...but I guess it makes sense with the museums and all that close by that they get a lot of people used to other currencies or just not paying attention.. So watch out!
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
I'm currently in Clerkenwell, which I also love...but I'd move back to Kensington if I could afford it! Someday...someday...
Name: Still Thomas
Age: 26
Kensington Resident for: The summer of 07
Last place you live before moving to London? Marquette, Michigan
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Share, it was through the university.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Gloucester Road/South Kensington
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
It can feel pretty touristy at times...well, most of the time. But it is an insanely pretty part of London and for the fact that if I wanted to picnic and felt nostalgic for a backyard,
I was three blocks from Kensington Gardens, which is absolutely beautiful in the summer for laying out, reading a book, flying a kite (no, really, we bought kites because we were jealous of the little kids' kites), having a few drinks, there's really no end to the novelty of being next to a park that big. I was a few blocks from the museums as well, which is a nice short stroll if you're ever looking for inspiration. The main roads will house the absolute most touristy chain restaurants and bars but the locals know where it's at, there's always a pub hidden behind something or a pocket of high-end restaurants down a couple of side streets.
You're living in close proximity to celebs, ambassadors, people who make the front page of the news when they have a cold... so look your best when you leave the house because you never know who's going to be at Whole Foods (YES, there's an epic Whole Foods, grocery lovers rejoice!!). People in my program ran into Christian Bale at Starbucks, Dustin Hoffman lived around the corner, etc.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Insanely safe. There were neighborhood police that walked the streets at night just to make sure there was nothing shady going on. You're close to Kensington Palace, and some embassies, so what do you expect.
What do you like most about where you live?
It's gorgeous. Between the stucco terraces and parklife, there's not much more you could ask for. There's cute cafes, great dining as long as you've got the budget and come on...you're going to pizza places that Princess Diana went to with the boys for a night out. And any shopping you need is on the well-stocked Kensington High St., they've got everything you'd ever want from Oxford street with half the foot traffic (well, except on weekends).
And if you're a cocktail snob, there's some high-profile joints to scope out. Not as much as in Mayfair, but there's Amika, Kensington Roof Gardens (which is an absolute must-do for the view alone), and a few others are dotted around the area. Check with some club promoters websites if you want to get on the guest lists, or find a friend who's in the know.
What do you like least?
It's a bit touristy....which manifests itself in many forms. You'll have to deal with the premium prices in the shops, slow-walkers with cameras, and the worst by far is not being able to mask your accent properly because the pub staff will know you're foreign and take the piss and shortchange you if you're not paying attention.
Seriously, Americans...read this bit!
They know that it's a tourist hot-spot so if they think that you're not going to know what all "the funny little coins mean" then they'll gladly keep a few for themselves. Easy way around that? Well, you can use your card...but if you're on cash-only just keep a keen eye about it. One place we went to, it was raining out and as soon as we walked in the door, the bartender spotted us as non-locals (it was a back alley pub that not many knew about) and said "I bet it doesn't rain like this where you're from!" clearly establishing that we weren't British before I even spoke, and I just said "ah...no it rains everywhere, but can I have a ..." and yeah, I was missing two pounds from my change. It happened again in an off-license, which we caught right away, and another pub tried to do it to a friend of mine. I hate to sound cryptic about it, but tourists and people with non-British accents, are easy targets for them. It just made me wonder how many times it had happened before I caught on! I didn't think to put my guard up because you're not in a dodgy/dirty part of town, so I was more trusting with staff than I should have been...but I guess it makes sense with the museums and all that close by that they get a lot of people used to other currencies or just not paying attention.. So watch out!
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
I'm currently in Clerkenwell, which I also love...but I'd move back to Kensington if I could afford it! Someday...someday...
Sunday, March 28, 2010
This Week in London: 29 March - 4 April 2010
29 March
30 March
31 March
1 April - Aprils Fool's Day!
3 April
4 April - Easter Sunday
- - Teenage Cancer Trust Concert featuring The Specials & The Blues King @ The Royal Albert Hall
- - The Ministry of Food @ The Imperial War Museum
30 March
- - Channel 4's Comedy Gala @ The O2
- - Shirley Valentine @ Menier Chocolate Factory
31 March
- - Queen & Country: A Project by Steve McQueen @ The National Portrait Museum
- - London Word Festival - The Art of Storytelling @ St Leonard's Church
- - Boutique Sale @ The Old Truman Brewery
- - Science Museum Lates @ Science Museum
- - The Cranberries @ The Royal Albert Hall
1 April - Aprils Fool's Day!
- - Opening of Hair @ the Gielgud Theatre
- - Carnaby Street: 1960 - 2010 @ 38 Carnaby Street
- - The NME Easter Ball @ Koko
- - Popstarz @ The Den
- - East Village Good Friday All-Dayer @ East Village Club
3 April
- - Brixton Village @ Granville Arcade
- - The Big Kid London Easter Egg Hunt @ Mad Hatter
4 April - Easter Sunday
- - Lovebox present Bang the Box: Jacking for Jesus @ T Bar
- - Buttoned Down Disco's Easter Party @ The Garage
Saturday, March 27, 2010
UK Visa Changes
These changes go into effect 6 April 2010 and affect the Tier 1 (highly skilled worker) and Tier 2 (skilled workers with job offers) visas. I offer a summary of the changes below along with a link to the official statement issued by the Home Office.
Tier 1 changes
There will be changes to the point system which will apply not only to new applicant but also to those who are renewing their Tier 1 visa. This new point's system will not apply to those in the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, writers, artists, composers and self-employed lawyers.
For new applicants, you will only be granted an 2 year visa. However, you can renew it for 3 years.
For any doctors or dentists in training, there will be new restrictions to prevent overseas doctors/dentists from taking resident's places. This will be further clarified on 6 April.
Tier 2 changes
These changes will affect Tier 2 general and intra-company transfer visas. There will be a change to the point's system for initial applications. For visa renewal application, all Tier 2 applicants will be given 50 points to mitigate the impact of the changes.
There are new sub-categories for intra-company transfers. They are javascript:void(0)established staff, graduate trainee and skills transfer.
Established Staff
The minimum overseas (non-UK) experience for established staff has been raised from 6 months to 1 year. The established staff category can no longer be used for permanent settlement in the UK. These changes will only apply to new Tier 2 (intra-company transfer) applicants. Anyone here in the UK prior to 6 April is excluded.
Graduate Trainees
The minimum overseas experience is 3 months. The maximum stay in this category is 12 months. There are no extension for this category or the option to switch into other immigration categories. This sub-category is only open to migrants who are working in a graduate occupation. You can find a list of these in Appendix A of the link below.
Skills Transfer
There is no minimum employment requirement for this category. This category is really for people whose skills are to transferred to the UK but not their job. (That's a bit confusing!) The maximum grant of stay under this category is 6 months and this is also only open to those who are working in graduate occupations.
Official Statement of Policy
Tier 1 changes
There will be changes to the point system which will apply not only to new applicant but also to those who are renewing their Tier 1 visa. This new point's system will not apply to those in the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, writers, artists, composers and self-employed lawyers.
For new applicants, you will only be granted an 2 year visa. However, you can renew it for 3 years.
For any doctors or dentists in training, there will be new restrictions to prevent overseas doctors/dentists from taking resident's places. This will be further clarified on 6 April.
Tier 2 changes
These changes will affect Tier 2 general and intra-company transfer visas. There will be a change to the point's system for initial applications. For visa renewal application, all Tier 2 applicants will be given 50 points to mitigate the impact of the changes.
There are new sub-categories for intra-company transfers. They are javascript:void(0)established staff, graduate trainee and skills transfer.
Established Staff
The minimum overseas (non-UK) experience for established staff has been raised from 6 months to 1 year. The established staff category can no longer be used for permanent settlement in the UK. These changes will only apply to new Tier 2 (intra-company transfer) applicants. Anyone here in the UK prior to 6 April is excluded.
Graduate Trainees
The minimum overseas experience is 3 months. The maximum stay in this category is 12 months. There are no extension for this category or the option to switch into other immigration categories. This sub-category is only open to migrants who are working in a graduate occupation. You can find a list of these in Appendix A of the link below.
Skills Transfer
There is no minimum employment requirement for this category. This category is really for people whose skills are to transferred to the UK but not their job. (That's a bit confusing!) The maximum grant of stay under this category is 6 months and this is also only open to those who are working in graduate occupations.
Official Statement of Policy
Friday, March 26, 2010
Mexican't in the UK
Once you step foot on British soil, you will for some mysterious reason start to crave Mexican food. It doesn't matter if you despised the stuff back home. You eventually will want to indulge that craving and you will inevitably be disappointed. For some reason, businesses just can't seem to grasp the concept of Mexican or Tex Mex for that matter.
Take nachos for example. This should be a simple enough dish to make. You take some tortilla chip, add cheese, salsa and maybe some guacamole and jalapenos. But for some reason, they just seem to get it wrong here more often than not. I've had businesses (they shall remain nameless) try to pass off ketchup as salsa.
Yes, ketchup! True, they both contain tomatoes but that's where the similarities end.
I've also had the unfortunate experience of being given Doritos Nacho Cheese chips instead of tortilla chips. Remember all the different brands that we have in America. We were spoilt for choice. Here, you have Doritos, Doritos and...Doritos. Now don't be too alarmed. There is a plain Doritos tortilla chip that is kinda, sorta, but not really like the stuff we're used to back home. However the business in question must have just grabbed the first Doritos bag they say and called it a day.
I could rant on and on about the crap guacamole, mysterious lack of Monterrey Jack cheese and all the crap margaritas that I've drunk in my never ending quest for Mexican in London. But someone has beat me to the punch.
I've spoken to several Brits here about it and they compare it to their disappointment with the Indian food in the States. I have to admit it. I kind of agree with them. Some of the best Indian (well South Asian really) food that I've ever had has been on this fair isle. I guess one person's burrito is another's chicken korma.
Take nachos for example. This should be a simple enough dish to make. You take some tortilla chip, add cheese, salsa and maybe some guacamole and jalapenos. But for some reason, they just seem to get it wrong here more often than not. I've had businesses (they shall remain nameless) try to pass off ketchup as salsa.
Yes, ketchup! True, they both contain tomatoes but that's where the similarities end.
I've also had the unfortunate experience of being given Doritos Nacho Cheese chips instead of tortilla chips. Remember all the different brands that we have in America. We were spoilt for choice. Here, you have Doritos, Doritos and...Doritos. Now don't be too alarmed. There is a plain Doritos tortilla chip that is kinda, sorta, but not really like the stuff we're used to back home. However the business in question must have just grabbed the first Doritos bag they say and called it a day.
I could rant on and on about the crap guacamole, mysterious lack of Monterrey Jack cheese and all the crap margaritas that I've drunk in my never ending quest for Mexican in London. But someone has beat me to the punch.
I've spoken to several Brits here about it and they compare it to their disappointment with the Indian food in the States. I have to admit it. I kind of agree with them. Some of the best Indian (well South Asian really) food that I've ever had has been on this fair isle. I guess one person's burrito is another's chicken korma.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Learning to Love Football (Soccer)
Soccer in the States is pretty much the poor step-sibling of American football, basketball and baseball. So when you first arrive, its a bit hard to understand why everyone here (and in the rest of the world) loves it so much.
Journey into a pub during a Saturday afternoon and you'll find yourself surrounded by passionate (read: drunk & rowdy) football fans clad in their favorite team's colors shouting incoherently at the telly. It might be a bit overwhelming the first time you witness football fandom. But once you've picked a team, preferably the same one everyone else in the pub is rooting for, the games become more fun. They also begin to remind you of American football fanaticism - minus the threat of being stabbed for supporting the wrong team.
But if you somehow managed to visit your local and still haven't joined the football cult, a footie match is sure to change that. Live and in person, the little men running around on the TV don't seem so boring. You'll find yourself caught up in the hysteria of it all and may actually find yourself liking the game. By the end of the match, you'll know all the words to the team's song (well, at least the ones that you could decipher!) and will have given the ref and a few of the away players a two-finger salute.
Once you leave football world, you may never watch a match again due to the shame of knowing that for a few hours you will actually have loved soccer and understand what all of the fuss is about. Its alright. Football fandom happens.
Journey into a pub during a Saturday afternoon and you'll find yourself surrounded by passionate (read: drunk & rowdy) football fans clad in their favorite team's colors shouting incoherently at the telly. It might be a bit overwhelming the first time you witness football fandom. But once you've picked a team, preferably the same one everyone else in the pub is rooting for, the games become more fun. They also begin to remind you of American football fanaticism - minus the threat of being stabbed for supporting the wrong team.
But if you somehow managed to visit your local and still haven't joined the football cult, a footie match is sure to change that. Live and in person, the little men running around on the TV don't seem so boring. You'll find yourself caught up in the hysteria of it all and may actually find yourself liking the game. By the end of the match, you'll know all the words to the team's song (well, at least the ones that you could decipher!) and will have given the ref and a few of the away players a two-finger salute.
Once you leave football world, you may never watch a match again due to the shame of knowing that for a few hours you will actually have loved soccer and understand what all of the fuss is about. Its alright. Football fandom happens.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
How to Annoy a British Person
Use the word "quaint"
If you really want to annoy a British person, and I mean really annoy a British person, refer to their car/house/streets/fridge/etc as quaint. Never has such a word been so overused by Americans when describing the UK. Yes, things here are smaller and older. But quaint??? Really??? Come on guys, I know that we can use another word. Perhaps "gently used" would be a better adjective to use. Hell, even say you like it because its small and old. You can use anything but quaint.
Refer to the British as European
Europe is a continent. Britain is a group of islands. Although they are both part of the EU and Britain is technically part of Europe, the British not like that lot over there. They had the empire! And the sun never sets on the British empire! Until it did...
Talk loudly.
As Americans, we sometimes don't realise that we can be pretty damn loud. Sometimes its for a good reason, like being drunk. Other times, we're just loud because....well because we can damnit! At sport bars/pubs this is allowed and even encouraged. While dining or chatting at work, not so much.
Don't queue (line) up
The Brits like queues. They tend to judge restaurants by how many people are queuing to get inside. Because if people are willing to wait an hour to eat, then it must be good. There was even legislation drafted to require people to queue at the bar. Luckily that didn't go through. If you dare to queue jump, even by accident, you will incur the full wrath of a Brit. They will curse you out, you will be throttled and possibly tarred, feathered and dragged through the high street. Well not in real life, mind you. But they will be thinking about it!
If you really want to annoy a British person, and I mean really annoy a British person, refer to their car/house/streets/fridge/etc as quaint. Never has such a word been so overused by Americans when describing the UK. Yes, things here are smaller and older. But quaint??? Really??? Come on guys, I know that we can use another word. Perhaps "gently used" would be a better adjective to use. Hell, even say you like it because its small and old. You can use anything but quaint.
Refer to the British as European
Europe is a continent. Britain is a group of islands. Although they are both part of the EU and Britain is technically part of Europe, the British not like that lot over there. They had the empire! And the sun never sets on the British empire! Until it did...
Talk loudly.
As Americans, we sometimes don't realise that we can be pretty damn loud. Sometimes its for a good reason, like being drunk. Other times, we're just loud because....well because we can damnit! At sport bars/pubs this is allowed and even encouraged. While dining or chatting at work, not so much.
Don't queue (line) up
The Brits like queues. They tend to judge restaurants by how many people are queuing to get inside. Because if people are willing to wait an hour to eat, then it must be good. There was even legislation drafted to require people to queue at the bar. Luckily that didn't go through. If you dare to queue jump, even by accident, you will incur the full wrath of a Brit. They will curse you out, you will be throttled and possibly tarred, feathered and dragged through the high street. Well not in real life, mind you. But they will be thinking about it!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Happy Birthday! Where's My Drink?
When I first started my job, I noticed that I would occasionally get emails from another co-worker announcing that there were goodies in the kitchen on each floor. There didn't seem to be any reason for it at the time. And to be honest, I'm not really one to question free food. But after racking my brain to try and figure out what mysterious lottery that my fellow co-workers had (un)luckily won, I decided to put down the cupcake and ask someone.
That's when I was introduced to what I personally think is a very strange British (and European) tradition. When it is your birthday here, you are expected to buy presents/drinks/cake for everyone else. Yes ladies and gentlemen, you have to buy other people things on your birthday. Confused???? Me too!
I'm used to the American tradition of people taking you out for your birthday. And that is actually how my friends and I celebrate them while we are here in London. But be forewarned, that if it is your birthday and you are expected, nay, obligated to buy drinks or snacks for your co-workers and/or friends.
You could argue that is really isn't any different than you buying gifts for all of your friends' birthdays. You just get it over with at the same time. I can be okay with that reasoning. But what about your co-workers??? Do you really have to buy them something??? Even if you don't like them????
A nice person would. I just didn't tell anyone that it was my birthday!
That's when I was introduced to what I personally think is a very strange British (and European) tradition. When it is your birthday here, you are expected to buy presents/drinks/cake for everyone else. Yes ladies and gentlemen, you have to buy other people things on your birthday. Confused???? Me too!
I'm used to the American tradition of people taking you out for your birthday. And that is actually how my friends and I celebrate them while we are here in London. But be forewarned, that if it is your birthday and you are expected, nay, obligated to buy drinks or snacks for your co-workers and/or friends.
You could argue that is really isn't any different than you buying gifts for all of your friends' birthdays. You just get it over with at the same time. I can be okay with that reasoning. But what about your co-workers??? Do you really have to buy them something??? Even if you don't like them????
A nice person would. I just didn't tell anyone that it was my birthday!
Monday, March 22, 2010
This Week in London: 22 - 28 March
22 March
- - Brit Insurance Designs of the Year 2010 @ The Design Museum
- - Cringe (reading aloud teenage diaries) @ The George
- - Open Mic @ The Half Moon Pub
- - Teenage Cancer Trust - Comedy Night @ The Royal Albert Hall
- - The Ideal Home Show @ Earl's Court
- - London Lesbian & Gay Film Fesival @ Southbank
- - Hide & Seek @ V&A Musuem Lates
- - Chocolate Festival @ Southbank Centre Square
- - Enchanted Palace @ Kensington Palace
- - Kick Off of Fuck It Weekend @ The Columbia Hotel
- - Whirl Y Gig @ Jacks
- - We Like You @ Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes
- -Thrift Shop Swap @ The Roundhouse
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Socialized Medicine - Cleaning Yo Teefs
So inevitably you're going to need to get your teeth cleaned while you are here. As cultural stereotypes go, the British are known for having bad teeth. So you may be a bit skeptical about using NHS for any dental work including a cleaning. However there are some advantages of going social.
Unlike most medical services, dental work under NHS won't be free for expats. ( However there are a few exceptions.) The pricing is divided amongst bands and the cost ranges from 16.50 GBP for a cleaning to 198.00 GBP for a crown or bridge. Also all NHS dental work has been contracted out to private dental practices. So you will inevitably receive similar if not the same basic service (cleaning, etc) as you would if you were using a private dentist.
however, NHS is lacking when is comes to more advanced dental work. For instance, there is a year long waiting list for braces in some areas. You also might have to wait for other procedures (dentures, extractions, etc). At these times, it would probably be best to go to a private dentist.
Using NHS is the ideal situation for me as I have never had any problems with my teeth. In fact, I've never even had a cavity. I've also found a really good dentist that I'm happy with. But if you have had problems with your teeth in the past or if you have a family history of bad teeth, then you may want to consider getting a private dentist.
Looking for NHS Dentists?
Going private?
Unlike most medical services, dental work under NHS won't be free for expats. ( However there are a few exceptions.) The pricing is divided amongst bands and the cost ranges from 16.50 GBP for a cleaning to 198.00 GBP for a crown or bridge. Also all NHS dental work has been contracted out to private dental practices. So you will inevitably receive similar if not the same basic service (cleaning, etc) as you would if you were using a private dentist.
however, NHS is lacking when is comes to more advanced dental work. For instance, there is a year long waiting list for braces in some areas. You also might have to wait for other procedures (dentures, extractions, etc). At these times, it would probably be best to go to a private dentist.
Using NHS is the ideal situation for me as I have never had any problems with my teeth. In fact, I've never even had a cavity. I've also found a really good dentist that I'm happy with. But if you have had problems with your teeth in the past or if you have a family history of bad teeth, then you may want to consider getting a private dentist.
Looking for NHS Dentists?
Going private?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Neighborhood Spotlight - Upper Tooting
Back down south we go, where the S in the post code actually means south of Thames, to Upper Tooting. Part of the Wandsworth council, it is located in the SW17 postcode. I spoke to local Upper Tootington (wow, no!) resident Jeannine to get a sense of life on the south side
Name: Jeannine
Age: …is but a number ;)
Wandsworth Resident for: A year and a half
Last place you live before moving to London?
Johannesburg, South Africa
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I live with my significant other
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Tooting Bec – Northern Line
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
It’s pretty quiet during the week, but it’s gets busy during the weekend. It’s quite a family oriented little neighbourhood, so there are a lot of children around. Waiting for the bus in the morning can be a bit of a nightmare ‘cos the buses are full of school kids and there are prams and babies everywhere! Sometimes you have to wait for a few buses in the morning ‘cos they’re full. Even though there are lots of families around, there are also a lot of really great bars, pubs and restaurants that are within walking distance too.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Pretty safe. Coming from SA where you have 10ft electrified fences and burglar bars everywhere, it took me a long time to get used to not having bars on all the windows and doors! I haven’t had any problems with crime there yet, except for the occasional fox ripping open garbage bags.
What do you like most about where you live?
It’s pretty central – you have access to just about anywhere! You have so many travel options. Clapham Junction is a 10min bus trip away, if you get tired of using the tube. Wandsworth Common is amazing, especially is you like cycling and spending time outdoors. Clapham Common is less than 2 miles away and once a year they have a festival for all the Antipodeans (separate ones for the Kiwis, Aussies and Saffas) and it also plays host to SW4 which is an amazing dance festival. Wimbledon is just up the road too, about a 15 – 20 min bust trip. I think a lot of Antipodeans choose to live in South West London as it has the cheapest council tax in London (on average £700 - £800 depending on your band but it goes up quite a bit in SW19) and the open spaces kinda reminds me of home. I also like it cos it’s out of the city and is slightly more relaxed and chilled. Oh, and I love living near Northcote Road…always something to do there. There are also a lot of clubs and bars around Clapham Junction too so you are really spoiled for choice.
What do you like least?
That the only tube line servicing the area is the Northern Line…there is almost always some sort of delay somewhere on the line. Otherwise it’s a pretty cool area.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
If I had more money, I would definitely be living in Richmond. Love it there!
Name: Jeannine
Age: …is but a number ;)
Wandsworth Resident for: A year and a half
Last place you live before moving to London?
Johannesburg, South Africa
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I live with my significant other
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Tooting Bec – Northern Line
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
It’s pretty quiet during the week, but it’s gets busy during the weekend. It’s quite a family oriented little neighbourhood, so there are a lot of children around. Waiting for the bus in the morning can be a bit of a nightmare ‘cos the buses are full of school kids and there are prams and babies everywhere! Sometimes you have to wait for a few buses in the morning ‘cos they’re full. Even though there are lots of families around, there are also a lot of really great bars, pubs and restaurants that are within walking distance too.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Pretty safe. Coming from SA where you have 10ft electrified fences and burglar bars everywhere, it took me a long time to get used to not having bars on all the windows and doors! I haven’t had any problems with crime there yet, except for the occasional fox ripping open garbage bags.
What do you like most about where you live?
It’s pretty central – you have access to just about anywhere! You have so many travel options. Clapham Junction is a 10min bus trip away, if you get tired of using the tube. Wandsworth Common is amazing, especially is you like cycling and spending time outdoors. Clapham Common is less than 2 miles away and once a year they have a festival for all the Antipodeans (separate ones for the Kiwis, Aussies and Saffas) and it also plays host to SW4 which is an amazing dance festival. Wimbledon is just up the road too, about a 15 – 20 min bust trip. I think a lot of Antipodeans choose to live in South West London as it has the cheapest council tax in London (on average £700 - £800 depending on your band but it goes up quite a bit in SW19) and the open spaces kinda reminds me of home. I also like it cos it’s out of the city and is slightly more relaxed and chilled. Oh, and I love living near Northcote Road…always something to do there. There are also a lot of clubs and bars around Clapham Junction too so you are really spoiled for choice.
What do you like least?
That the only tube line servicing the area is the Northern Line…there is almost always some sort of delay somewhere on the line. Otherwise it’s a pretty cool area.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
If I had more money, I would definitely be living in Richmond. Love it there!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Willesden Green
Off to NW London we to go to Willesden Green. Its located in the lovely postcode of NW6 and is part of Brent council. To find out more about Willesden Green, we spoke to local resident Melanie.
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I live with my mum! My mum also runs our house as a b&b as well as renting rooms to foreign students – so I guess you could kind of call it a flatshare as there are always people about!
What’s your nearest Tube station:?
Willesden Green
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
The neighbourhood is extremely multi-cultural, with a really wide mix of residents from all over the world. There are often lots of free events going on, such as fairs, parades and festivals (the annual St Patrick’s Day parade and party, the Respect Festival every July, Brent Dance Month to name a few…) and there is a lot of art (galleries/shows/artists/public art) in the community.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
I have never had any problems (touch wood!)
What do you like most about where you live?
I live right next to a really big beautiful park! I also like living in zone 2 – it is pretty quick to get to central London from Willesden Green. Neighbouring areas, such as Kilburn, Queens Park and Kensal Rise have some really nice restaurants and pubs too.
What do you like least?
The fact that there are not many decent restaurants (unless you count the 550 million kebab shops) on the High Road, and there are not really any good shops either! Plus, I hate the fact that the shops that line the High Road do not maintain a general standard of attractiveness, which really brings down the tone of the neighbourhood. I also hate the 10 minute walk to get from my house to the tube station! It’s ok on a summer’s day, but it is more of a pain when it’s cold/late/dark and also a drag if you are wearing heels or running late!
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live:?
Probably either Hampstead or Camden.
Name: Melanie
Age: 26
Willesden Resident for: Nearly my whole life, give or take a couple of years here and there in other places…I just keep coming back….
Last place you live before moving to London? I am a born and bred Londoner, but I have also lived in the bay area in California.
I live with my mum! My mum also runs our house as a b&b as well as renting rooms to foreign students – so I guess you could kind of call it a flatshare as there are always people about!
What’s your nearest Tube station:?
Willesden Green
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
The neighbourhood is extremely multi-cultural, with a really wide mix of residents from all over the world. There are often lots of free events going on, such as fairs, parades and festivals (the annual St Patrick’s Day parade and party, the Respect Festival every July, Brent Dance Month to name a few…) and there is a lot of art (galleries/shows/artists/public art) in the community.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
I have never had any problems (touch wood!)
What do you like most about where you live?
I live right next to a really big beautiful park! I also like living in zone 2 – it is pretty quick to get to central London from Willesden Green. Neighbouring areas, such as Kilburn, Queens Park and Kensal Rise have some really nice restaurants and pubs too.
What do you like least?
The fact that there are not many decent restaurants (unless you count the 550 million kebab shops) on the High Road, and there are not really any good shops either! Plus, I hate the fact that the shops that line the High Road do not maintain a general standard of attractiveness, which really brings down the tone of the neighbourhood. I also hate the 10 minute walk to get from my house to the tube station! It’s ok on a summer’s day, but it is more of a pain when it’s cold/late/dark and also a drag if you are wearing heels or running late!
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live:?
Probably either Hampstead or Camden.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Pimlico
Back to central London we go to yet another neighbourhood with a SW postcode that's north of the river. Located south of Victoria is the lovely neighbourhood of Pimlico. Pimlico has a SW1 postcode and is part of City of Westiminster council. To get a better idea of life in Pimlico, we spoke to Whitney.
Name: Whitney
Age: Older than I look, which is far better than the other way around.
Pimlico Resident for: 1+ years
Last place you live before moving to London? I last had a closet in Oregon. But just before London there was a living-out-of-a-suitcase stretch that involved Las Vegas, Utah and a handful of cities on the California coast.
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I live with a crazy French guy who speaks 30 languages and whom I generally adore.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Pimlico.
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Decidedly middle class with posh aspirations.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Very... though some of the 'aspiring' bits (or those that never aspired) are a bit rough on the eyes.
What do you like most about where you live?
The Georgian architecture, the quietness, the fact that the Thames, Tate Britain, Victoria and Sloane Square are all a stone's throw... and if I take the tube, from door-to-door, I can be in Oxford Circus in 15 minutes flat.
What do you like least?
Everything shuts early. It's difficult finding a shop open past 11pm - and past 5pm on a Sunday!
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
Ha... probably just deeper into bona fide Belgravia (so just up the street). I would love to score a flat on/near Pimlico Road... or perhaps Chelsea Embankment or Cheyne Walk overlooking the Thames.
Name: WhitneyAge: Older than I look, which is far better than the other way around.
Pimlico Resident for: 1+ years
Last place you live before moving to London? I last had a closet in Oregon. But just before London there was a living-out-of-a-suitcase stretch that involved Las Vegas, Utah and a handful of cities on the California coast.
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I live with a crazy French guy who speaks 30 languages and whom I generally adore.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Pimlico.
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Decidedly middle class with posh aspirations.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Very... though some of the 'aspiring' bits (or those that never aspired) are a bit rough on the eyes.
What do you like most about where you live?
The Georgian architecture, the quietness, the fact that the Thames, Tate Britain, Victoria and Sloane Square are all a stone's throw... and if I take the tube, from door-to-door, I can be in Oxford Circus in 15 minutes flat.
What do you like least?
Everything shuts early. It's difficult finding a shop open past 11pm - and past 5pm on a Sunday!
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
Ha... probably just deeper into bona fide Belgravia (so just up the street). I would love to score a flat on/near Pimlico Road... or perhaps Chelsea Embankment or Cheyne Walk overlooking the Thames.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
This Week in London: 17 -21 March 2010
17 March - St Patrick's Day!
20 March
- - Jameson Cult Film Club St Patrick's Day Event @ Royal Institution of Great Britain
- - Brent St Patrick's Day Festival @ Willesden Green Tube Station
- - Opening of BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival @ South Bank
- - Free until Famous with Lewis Schaffer @ The Source Below
- - MGMT @ Heaven
- - Collabo with With Avant Garde Dance@ Stratford Circus
- - St. Patrick's Day Ceili @ Vinopolis
20 March
- - 50 Cent @ Wembley Arena
- - Low-Fi Fayre @ William Iv Bar & Restaurant
- - London Film Day @ various cinemas around London
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Adventures in Discount Travelling
One of the great things about living in London, is that it is so easy to visit the rest of the world. There are several discount airlines like RyanAir and EasyJet that can get you to your destination at an affordable price. Along with the discount airlines, you can get a fairly good deal on hotels using lastminute.com.
Now I’ve used lastminute.com many times before. They have a fantastic feature where you can get a two for one deal on mystery 5 star hotels. It sounds scary as you don’t know what hotel you’ve booked until you’ve already paid. But the places that I stayed at the past two times that I used this function were gorgeous and centrally located.
Now the problem with relying too much on this function, is that you (and by you, I mean, me) rely so much on lastminute.com’s awesomeness that you forget that there are still some really shitty hotels listed on the site.
Case in point, during my last trip to Amsterdam I booked my hotel based on lastminute.com’s recommendation. After all, if it’s on the site and highly recommended, it can’t be too shitty right?
God I wish I hadn’t been so wrong.
But to be fair, I should have looked at where this hotel was located. I shouldn’t have relied on my past luck with lastmintue.com. But I did. And I learned my lesson. Be sure that you (now I really mean you, the reader) don’t make the same mistake.
Now I’ve used lastminute.com many times before. They have a fantastic feature where you can get a two for one deal on mystery 5 star hotels. It sounds scary as you don’t know what hotel you’ve booked until you’ve already paid. But the places that I stayed at the past two times that I used this function were gorgeous and centrally located.
Now the problem with relying too much on this function, is that you (and by you, I mean, me) rely so much on lastminute.com’s awesomeness that you forget that there are still some really shitty hotels listed on the site.
Case in point, during my last trip to Amsterdam I booked my hotel based on lastminute.com’s recommendation. After all, if it’s on the site and highly recommended, it can’t be too shitty right?
God I wish I hadn’t been so wrong.
- Our hotel was located in the middle of nowhere. And when I say middle of nowhere, I’m talking off a highway near an industrial park.
- We did not stay in the nice accommodations as pictured. We somehow ended up in the 2 star trailer park located next to the hotel. I was not amused.
- Not only did our room not have towels (I had to ask for them) but we somehow also had to pay an extra 3 Euros in local taxes. Because added them to the cost of the booking would have been logical.
But to be fair, I should have looked at where this hotel was located. I shouldn’t have relied on my past luck with lastmintue.com. But I did. And I learned my lesson. Be sure that you (now I really mean you, the reader) don’t make the same mistake.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Isle of Dogs
Now most of our previous articles in this series have been focusing on places in either the West End or in the North London. For something a bit different, we'll turn our attention to the East End. Isle of Dogs is located east of Canada Wharf and north of Greenwich. It is part of the Tower Hamlets Council and has an E14 postcode. We spoke to Lidija to get a better of idea of what its like to live on the Isle of Dogs.
Name: Lidija
Age: 28... eek!
Isle of Dogs Resident for: 5 years
Last place you live before moving to London? A wee town in English suburbia, falling off the edge of the Metropolitan line, called Chesham
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I share with one other person
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Canary Wharf
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Residential, safe, a wee bit dull but also interesting as it's got a really post-modern feel - e.g. a leafy city farm down one end of the road, and canary wharf skyscrapers at the other!
How safe is your neighbourhood?
I feel it's pretty safe and have never felt threatened, though I'm told that there quasi-gangs roaming the streets and ocasionally causing trouble - all good for me though.
What do you like most about where you live?
The river! I'm a stone's throw away and it's blissful to be able to walk and chill out by the water, or follow it all the way through to central London.
What do you like least?
When the jubilee line is down, you're literally stuck on the island bar a few buses! So transport could be better.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
Brick Lane
Name: Lidija
Age: 28... eek!
Isle of Dogs Resident for: 5 years
Last place you live before moving to London? A wee town in English suburbia, falling off the edge of the Metropolitan line, called Chesham
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
I share with one other person
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Canary Wharf
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Residential, safe, a wee bit dull but also interesting as it's got a really post-modern feel - e.g. a leafy city farm down one end of the road, and canary wharf skyscrapers at the other!
How safe is your neighbourhood?
I feel it's pretty safe and have never felt threatened, though I'm told that there quasi-gangs roaming the streets and ocasionally causing trouble - all good for me though.
What do you like most about where you live?
The river! I'm a stone's throw away and it's blissful to be able to walk and chill out by the water, or follow it all the way through to central London.
What do you like least?
When the jubilee line is down, you're literally stuck on the island bar a few buses! So transport could be better.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
Brick Lane
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The British Say WHAT??? - Part Deux
After compiling the first list of British words or phrases that can confuse Americans, I realised that it was not at all exhaustive. In fact, I filled a few notebook pages with other words and phrases that weren't on the list. So for your sheer amusement or translation I bring you part deux!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Stoke Newington
I have to be honest. When I first heard of Stoke Newington, I had absolutely no idea where it was. After a quick Google search, I see that its in the N16 post code and that it's part of the Hackney council. How did I hear about this place? Its where the very lovely Lizzie lives (ooh alliteration!). She has decided to share with us her experience of living in the N16.
Name: Lizzie
Age: 25
Stoke Newington Resident for: 3 years
Last place you live before moving to London?
Erm... Reading but I've been in London over 7 years now.
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare
What’s your nearest Tube station?
I think it's either Old Street or Highbury and Islington
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Stoke Newington is an infusion of the hip cool and arty Dalston and the money spilling over from Angel. This means you get yummy mummies and skinny jean wearing twats. It's clam, family friendly, great for someone looking for a village in a city.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Pretty safe, we are surrounded by some dodgy parts but generally it's a great place to live.
What do you like most about where you live?
The community feel and the fact there is great cafés, shops and coffee on my doorstep as well as great alternative nightlife and live music venues.
What do you like least?
It can take over an hour to get into central London.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
On a houseboat, between Angel and Old Street!
Age: 25
Stoke Newington Resident for: 3 years
Last place you live before moving to London?
Erm... Reading but I've been in London over 7 years now.
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare
What’s your nearest Tube station?
I think it's either Old Street or Highbury and Islington
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Stoke Newington is an infusion of the hip cool and arty Dalston and the money spilling over from Angel. This means you get yummy mummies and skinny jean wearing twats. It's clam, family friendly, great for someone looking for a village in a city.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Pretty safe, we are surrounded by some dodgy parts but generally it's a great place to live.
What do you like most about where you live?
The community feel and the fact there is great cafés, shops and coffee on my doorstep as well as great alternative nightlife and live music venues.
What do you like least?
It can take over an hour to get into central London.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
On a houseboat, between Angel and Old Street!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Islington
Situated in the northern part of Zone 1, Islington is located very close to King's Cross and Camden. It is part of Islington council and has a N1 postcode. So what's it like to live in Islington? We spoke to current resident Chris to find out.
Name: Chris
Age: One score and 9 years
Islington Resident for: 1 year
Last place you live before moving to London: San Diego, CA
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
On my own
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Angel/Highbury & Islington
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Vivacious with some great spots for food and drinks, with a laid back, quasi-suburban feel.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Pretty damn safe. Mostly young families and not too many council houses
What do you like most about where you live?
The location. While it is 10 mins or so from the nearest tube station, having Upper Street and Essex Road to go out on is awesome. There are amazing pubs (Slim Jims & New Rose - my faves) and some really solid dining (Cuba Libre, Rodrico Rizo, NANDOS!) choices. Plus, you have a big cinema (Vue) and an indie one (Screen on Green) , easy access to shopping (The Angel) and a whole lot more.
What do you like least?
That I don't live within a less than 5 minute walk to a tube station. Although there are many buses that will easily get me to one.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
The Chelsea and Fulham areas, love both those areas.
Name: Chris
Age: One score and 9 years
Islington Resident for: 1 year
Last place you live before moving to London: San Diego, CA
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
On my own
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Angel/Highbury & Islington
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Vivacious with some great spots for food and drinks, with a laid back, quasi-suburban feel.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
Pretty damn safe. Mostly young families and not too many council houses
What do you like most about where you live?
The location. While it is 10 mins or so from the nearest tube station, having Upper Street and Essex Road to go out on is awesome. There are amazing pubs (Slim Jims & New Rose - my faves) and some really solid dining (Cuba Libre, Rodrico Rizo, NANDOS!) choices. Plus, you have a big cinema (Vue) and an indie one (Screen on Green) , easy access to shopping (The Angel) and a whole lot more.
What do you like least?
That I don't live within a less than 5 minute walk to a tube station. Although there are many buses that will easily get me to one.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
The Chelsea and Fulham areas, love both those areas.
Monday, March 8, 2010
MARCH MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its that time of year again. The days are getting longer, the flowers are in bloom, the sun is out to greet us again. And throngs of men (and some women) are gearing up for tourney time. The steady march to Indianapolis begins!
As you're gearing up for Selection Sunday you're probably saddened by the prospect of having to follow the game online. But fear not, there are several places right here in London to catch the action. The largest of these would be the American expat haunt, the Sports Cafe and Grill. This has the benefit of staying open very late into the early morning for most games. But be sure to call ahead, as they can be inconsistent. Also as the Sports Cafe is mere milliseconds from Piccadilly Circus, it can get really crowded.
Another option is the Sports Grill and Bar in Marleybone. Although the place won't be packed to the rafters with Americans, just about every square-inch of this place is covered in flat screen TVs. So you should have no problems viewing the game.
Other less obvious places to watch the games are the Texas Embassy and Bodeans. The Texas Embassy, always has American sports playing in the bar area. They also have pretty decent chips and salsa as well as beer and margaritas. Bodeans always plays American sports games and has amazing BBQ but they tend to close pretty early. They will however play the game in its entirety the next day.
Curious how these places rate?
As you're gearing up for Selection Sunday you're probably saddened by the prospect of having to follow the game online. But fear not, there are several places right here in London to catch the action. The largest of these would be the American expat haunt, the Sports Cafe and Grill. This has the benefit of staying open very late into the early morning for most games. But be sure to call ahead, as they can be inconsistent. Also as the Sports Cafe is mere milliseconds from Piccadilly Circus, it can get really crowded.
Another option is the Sports Grill and Bar in Marleybone. Although the place won't be packed to the rafters with Americans, just about every square-inch of this place is covered in flat screen TVs. So you should have no problems viewing the game.
Other less obvious places to watch the games are the Texas Embassy and Bodeans. The Texas Embassy, always has American sports playing in the bar area. They also have pretty decent chips and salsa as well as beer and margaritas. Bodeans always plays American sports games and has amazing BBQ but they tend to close pretty early. They will however play the game in its entirety the next day.
Curious how these places rate?
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