this is a real pub Tweet

this is a real pub, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Or so I learned today, walking towards a business meeting. I didn't get to try the atmosphere.

perfect evening, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

After the meeting, however, we stopped in another pub, just as sunny, if not just as real. And so July ends, with a pint, a rare proper summer day, and a chat that will inform further business meetings.

1093 Tweet

1093, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

In love. Huntingdon, UK

it's been a while... Tweet

it's been a while, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

...since my last flower arrangement that makes use of the kenzan received from Maria many years ago, when she was taking ikebana classes. Perhaps because Maria is on her way to her first meeting with London, I've thought of it and made use of it. It will never again be as good as the first time, though, as unfamiliar, as exciting, as full of promises. Neither the kenzan, nor the London. I envy Maria.

1092 Tweet

1092, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Easter walk. Huntingdon, UK

happy, unhappy, happy, unhappy, happy... Tweet

...unhappy that I get to write so little and generally in retrospect lately, yet happy that means other engines of my life are eating up all my energy, as you might expect. I was wondering loudly this morning, that is as loud as my brain can speak to itself after not enough hours of sleep, what has happened to my blogging, what has changed in my life that makes it harder to work, live, AND blog at the same time. And then I realised that I live more now, at home or wherever. And that I work more now, as I've got wider responsibilities, from making sure that we take good care of two employees to ordering stationary to learning a plethora of lessons and skills. And that, in a twisted way, I blog more when I do, partly as a result of the previous two activities. And then, to top everything, I sleep more, even though still not enough, and I take make sure that a household of two very demanding human beings ticks along smoothly.

I believe I thought about these first on a Monday, started writing on a Wednesday, and finally got around to posting on a Saturday. Less is more, less is more, less is more. This could be my mantra about a million little things, except my larger-than-life manner and perfectionist nature get in the way. And the main area that suffers is my blog, the main, if little writing I do at all. I want to internalise less-is-more, and as any new habit takes 21 consecutive days, I'll dedicate the best part of August to applying less-is-more on my blog. This way, perhaps, I will behave and perceive myself happier overall, and lose that tinge of anger that derails my train of thoughts at bedtime. As well, I'll postpone new projects some more, until I get a better hold of those already in progress. I know someone else will be happier, too, not hearing again and again that I simply must do this and the other (last must was make a piece of jewellery a month).

1091 Tweet

1091, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Shades of green. Huntingdon, UK

gladiola & bay tree leaves Tweet

gladiola & bay tree leaves, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Two highlights from around the flat today, spotting the first gladiola bud to open, and making time to collect, wash, dry and save for further use the yellowing leaves of our bay tree. Otherwise? Busy.

1090 Tweet

1090, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Night wonders. London, UK

tidbits from my garden Tweet

gardening, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

If nothing else, I've learned from my extensive amateur gardening that I will never have a proper garden without a proper gardener. On Saturday I spent five hours just moving the pots around, pampering and pruning, supporting and rewiring every plant around. I have perhaps 50 different plants in all sizes, and they require this amount of work about twice a month. It is a glorious pastime, especially on a good weather day, but in any larger size it would become a job. Food for thought.

On the bright side, the clematis grows amazing seeds that, if planted, will pop up anywhere between 18 months and 3 years (!) and, most importantly and worth the wait, the new plants will bloom in new, exciting, surprising colours. The chili plant bears its first fruits yet, and a lot of the overgrown English ivy will find a new home in my many tiny pots, just like it used to do in my previous home. I dream to one day line up my collection on a windowsill.

1089 Tweet

1089, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Yellow is trending. Huntingdon, UK

investigations Tweet

investigations, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Mistletoe was growing in an apple tree in a yard in a pub in Primrose Hill. A tomcat was checking the customers in the yard of the pub. Two friends were checking out the locks on the Regent's Canal in Camden.

a pint at st. pancras international, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

It all ended with one last drink late in the evening in the pub on the platform at St. Pancras International, meters away from where Eurostar trains were coming and going. Not bad for a bad weather Sunday. Not bad at all.

yum! Tweet

from the market, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Someone is up early enough on a Sunday to dig through the stuff at the farmers' market and bring home new wonders each time. Someone else is sleeping so late that the customary 'gone to the market' note is entirely missed, and waking up happens in a sea of bags filled with goodness.

1088 Tweet

1088, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Signs of life. Huntingdon, UK

eyeing the london eye Tweet

london eye x 3, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

As we ended our Saturday with late night drinks on the National Theatre's Greenroom terrace, London Eye was kind enough to put up a show in tune with the random 80s music we were hearing.

chez adrideo: saturday treats Tweet

saturday treats, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Speaks for itself, this combo, but will say that in the middle we have the amazing smoked fish tapas of weeks past, and at the bottom—a long awaited wonder: fried risotto balls, possibly the best thing to do with old risotto. Most endearing? My love prepared these for me only, just moments before leaving to a business meeting (!), followed by a get together with friends, most of which live or will live in foreign countries. Quite something to be THE thing on his mind.

1087 Tweet

1087, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Destinations. Huntingdon, UK

the dress Tweet

the dress, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Going to wear this brilliant vintage dress tonight (Martha's Closet again!), as I hit a party and then Regent's Park for another midnight story from Daniel Kitson. The best bit beyond glamour and sexiness is that it is rather thick in its velvet, which recommends it warmly for a July evening that feels more like November. My guess is WIN.

Later update: Ladies gave me bad looks in the Tube and on the streets of Kensington, and party guests—quite a series of compliments. In fact, it started with a very loud 'wow, that's amazing' as I descending into the party crowd, and it ended with being able to enjoy the whole one-hour show undisturbed by the cold, so, in case I had doubts, it's a keeper.

yet another bird feeder story Tweet

yet another greenfinch photo, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

This is the kind of entertainment I get as I dress for work or as I come back home for lunch (on good days). By now you might be growing tired of my excitement with green finches, the main beneficiaries, but my, have I got news! While not caught on camera, there were four of them queuing for seeds at one time today. But for all their gaiety, they make a terrible mess underneath the feeder, a tall floor below, and I'm pondering moving the damn thing back to the front balcony, so that creatures of the sky leave their messy trail ON MY TERRITORY rather than the neighbours' yard. All sweet, but I've no good place for it (was not used on that balcony for about a month, at least) AND, finally, how do I let the birds know? Chris suggested replacing the bird feeder with a note: Restaurant moved at the front. I hope that doesn't mean I have to teach them the alphabet first!

1086 Tweet

1086, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

En route. London, UK

spotted, and tried: jetlag, 125 cleveland street Tweet

jetlag, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

This is perhaps the most exciting development from around the corner EVER: a cocktail bar. Jetlag doubles as restaurant/ cafe (cappuccino OK, I guess) and screening room (still to be tested, in the basement), but if it goes steady on the drinks, it's all I need to know. I've already considered it for my birthday, and I'm not even sure I'll have a party!

It was rather funny stopping there tonight, the first night we were going to drink after ten days of utter abstinence. The bartender (and owner?) was definite that we're there for cocktails, the moment we stepped in. He asked about our tastes and proceeded to mix some of his own creations: a ginger drink that had coriander syrup (!), and a berry drink that had bitters. Two WINS.

After some uncomfortable negotiation on whether we're to have a second drink, another lovely crazy lovely cocktail followed, a sour whiskey mixed with a lot of crushed pineapple, ice, and black pepper. For four brilliant drinks and a bill of 25 pounds, me reckons we'll be back. Finally a worthy alternative to Shochu Lounge and Octave in the entirety of Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury!

I felt nothing special drinking again, in case you're wondering. That is, on top of immense pleasure.

Update, November 16th 2009: In the meantime, we resolved to never set foot in Jetlag again. Taking Nat and Lee there for cocktails one evening, we had the pleasure of being served a second round at the same time with being kicked out. Kicked out by bartender, and kicked out by owner, neither of whom had any recollection of these two encouraging and investing neighbours, all of sudden. License-wise, it was right to close for the evening, but we had previously been welcomed late by both those guys, and even if that wasn't the case/ point, I do not tolerate being ripped off or bullied.

slightly 80s today, and loving it Tweet

slightly 80s, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

I've overlooked informing most of you on my (somewhat 80s) summer haircut that is only set back by the fact that summer isn't here anymore. But how about that outfit? My cleaner's jaw dropped and she needed five minutes to chase me around the flat while recovering her voice to say, what else, that I looked smashing :) Bercause growing as a style icon in the eyes of the cleaner is, well, all I live for. A bit 80s overall, though, and as a decade that's never been in my heart, it makes the combination even more amusing. The skirt is FCUK from their winter sales, the top—brand new Urban Outfitters from Oxfam (!), the necklace a pink jade from Anna Lou, refitted on a necklace that doesn't fade (another Oxfam find), unlike the more interesting original, and the boots—a comfy 10 pounds steal on Amazon (hey, winter is nearly here, just check the weather forecast). Who's that girl? Why, Madonna, singing True Blue!

a new friend. or is it old? Tweet

the thrush from gorgeoux on Vimeo.

On my way to work this morning, in the Fitzroy Square garden, I met the second friendliest thrush ever, unless it's THE friendliest thrush ever itself, the one who visited my balcony over a month ago. You can tell I'm getting overly excited with these birds, but it's THAT NEW, not far off the joy of being visited by pigeons in my former Bucharest balcony, years ago. It's true that now I think, just like someone insisted, that pigeons are rats, but that means that I find it even more satisfying to spot and pet other creatures of the sky. Like super friendly thrushes.

1085 Tweet

1085, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

English spring. Huntingdon, UK

small steps, but at least I'm not standing still Tweet

Today I praised a few people, and that felt good. Though it takes a bit of effort to do it right. Makes all the more sense to do it again.

Today I wrote my usual, extensive note to the cleaner (one A4 page, no less, and former colleagues and clients must chuckle) BEFORE leaving to the office in a rush (tomorrow morning). I even have all her money prepared. Odd!

Today I said borrow instead of lend and I nearly caused a commotion. Who knew that geeks are also grammar geeks! A week ago I said to one 'Funny that we both got new haircuts' and caused another commotion. I should have known better than to hijack a chat like that.

Today I saw my baby product, amplus.tv on its way for a week of pampering, and got rather excited that it will end up closer to the shiny self I've designed. I would be extremely happy if you played with it (gently, it's still a newborn technically) and told me whether you see it grow into something meaningful and fun.

Today I wondered how old Tom Cruise is and, scanning his Wikipedia page, spotted something rather different: that a lot of OTHER actors in his movies were given a plethora of awards, so my curiosity shifted. Has he got a knack for helping others shine? Or a really big case of bad luck? Not that I'd give him any award. I still don't know his age. I neither know why I wanted to know. Fickle woman.

1084 Tweet

1084, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Night falls. London, UK

if you ever wondered how to spell love & wise in egyptian... Tweet

Love & Wise, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

...my sister's gifts come to rescue. She found these at The British Museum (which displays and celebrates all things non British, in general) and offered them to us with the request to choose one. We both chose and kept our mouths shut, like good kids, and when allowed to speak, it turned out that there was no potential for quarrel: I had picked 'wise' and my love had picked 'love'. Now my choice is motivated by what I haven't got (enough of). I hope his is by what could be in excess.

Update, January 28th 2010: Today I learned from Charlie Phillips that Egyptians used the same word to say 'wise' and 'to listen'. Two ears, one mouth kind of thing. Gives just the right meaning to my choice. The only thing left is to manifest it more often.

1083 Tweet

1083, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

At an angle. London, UK

street finds: the summer collection, part two Tweet

summer collection, originally uploaded by gorgeoux.

Two of these have been waiting for their brush with fame ever since my cameo at Wimbledon (in photos and on video). Note the loose bit on the left hand side, and the pink golf tee on the right hand side. Very tennisy, don't you find? The keychain charm was found across our house, on the pavement, on a rainy, windy day, rushing to... somewhere (I forgot). I had no where to put it so one of his pockets hosted it for hours. The bead is so simple that its origin beats me, and the cherry pendant is well, the cherry on top of the cake! Silvery and sparkly and all that, it jumped at me on some street in The City a few weeks back, and as I slipped it into the pocket of my immaculate white jacket I thought: why didn't I come across this BEFORE Karola's barbecue, when I had no piece of food-inspired jewellery to wear?! Quick, Karola, have another barbecue! I'm ready for my close-up.