Catching Up

I went to London last week. I didn't feel well. I came back from London. I didn't feel well. I slept a lot over the weekend and still didn't feel well. Today I feel ok. The worst part about being alone in a new country is being sick. It's miserable anyway, but somehow the isolation makes it worse. No one to bring you chicken soup, no one to tell you to suck it up it's only a cold anyway, I remember when I had blah, blah, blah... I remember when I lived in Sweden and was spending more than my fair share of time at the doctor's office. He didn't speak English, jag taller inte svenska (I speak no Swedish, well except that obviously, and I can order beer. Naturally.) and we spent my appointments miming and flipping thru the dictionary. In the end he'd just give me medicine because he felt bad he couldn't help me. Before I left the country I had to see a new doctor and for some unknown reason she assumed I was from London. Which brings me full circle for a moment. Didn't that work out unexpectedly.

I went to London for both a client meeting and a tour of the client's previous projects. It's interesting working with a property developer. We'll be in the same league as SOM, whom they've hired for another project. We left at 7:30 am and returned that night after a posh dinner. The projects were really wonderful, actually inspired us (read: gave us ideas to steal), and the client meeting went well and was helpful. I'd never been to Canary Warf and the Docklands; it was interesting. Some sign called it an Office Village, which is more than apt. It's a little village but 1/2 of the buildings are 40+ stories tall. I'm not sure I can say I like or dislike the area. It was very odd though.

I really only had 2 non-architecture realizations on the trip, which I noted down, lest I forgot:

1- I finally understand why the Irish have taken 800 years (and still fail) to kick the British out of their country. The lack of professionalism in Ireland is astounding. They can't get their shit together on a daily basis. The idea that they could do so in a crisis is ludicrous.

In an effort to make it to the office in time to ride to the airport with my co-workers, I'd ordered a cab, rather than chance the bus/train. The cab showed up 35 minutes late, assured me they couldn't care less about it, further assured me that it was no responsibility of theirs to arrive on time, and if I wanted to get out on the highway I was more than welcome to do so. The cab driver told me that most of the morning cabbies didn't show up for work that day because of the match the previous night. (read: hungover bastards) So my €10 cab ride turned into a €30 cab ride to the airport. My boss bought me a chocolate croissant and a coffee to ease my pain. It didn't work. I want my €20 back.

2- I really like the £1 coin. It's weighty and thick, it makes a distinctive thud when it hits things and it can't be confused for any other coin. I like it. And the stop sign shaped coin with the Queen's head on one side. It's like calling for the abdication of the monarchy everytime you use it. I'm not against the Queen, I just like the idea of a government being felled by small change.

Also, it was my first time to fly Business Class, which on Air France translates to Coach Seats up Front with Food. I felt a bit guilty eating a full breakfast and a full dinner (with free wine, which was actually not bad) while everyone else had to subsist on peanuts and soft drinks. Not bad enough to share, or change seats, just a little guilty. I was thinking to myself why I don't fly BC all the time?! The last minute ticket was only €300 and the experience was so much better. I looked for air fare for my upcoming trip to London in April and realized I can pay €65 on Aer Lingus. Say it with me: €100 airline breakfast,€135 airline dinner. That's why I fly coach. What I could do with €235 in London... oh right, sterling... I could buy a coke and some tube socks.