Smorgasbord is a real word?!

If you really want a taste of the minimal and well, rye, try Nordic Bakery. From smoked salmon to invigorating coffee to cinnamon buns, the Scandinavian inspired food shop and bakery has enough to keep an American, and Helvetica-obsessed designer satisfied. With little interior decor, aside from custom made furniture (imported from Finland) and gorgeous wood paneled walls, there's really nothing to take away from the experience of trying something new...and delicious. Even my Swedish friend was impressed.



Afterwards we walked down Carnaby Street, looked around in a foreign bookstore, and, much to his embarrassment, saw ourselves some hookers in SoHo. It was a grand day.



I swung by Rymans, and the salesperson looked at me like I was insane when I asked where I could find colored pencils. Apparently Crayola isn't too entirely popular 'round these parts. BUT, Sainsbury's (my local grocery) didn't fail me.

This evening, Kristin and I ran down the street to the laundromat to do about three week's worth of dirty clothes. It was entirely too difficult. The machines only take pounds and 20 p's, so I had to get change twice. Anyway, I now have clean clothes, so that's a good thing. I guess I can hold off on the Febreeze for about a week.

I'll miss you, Duchess.

Happy Australia Day!

It's been a busy wrap up to the week. Work was on Thursday and Friday, and while job-related activities were, indeed accomplished, I also managed to try my first Flake Cake (a deliciously rich and, yes, flaky chocolate-y sponge-y delight) and remedy my massive craving for pancakes with a satisfying crepe.

Friday night, my flatmates and I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum for for a late night party. Unfortunately we arrived at the tail-end, but it was still fun. There was a craft area, and I made an exciting postcard involving mince meat. You're excited now, right? Afterwards we tried a few busy pubs and finally found an acceptable one on Old Brompton.

By some stroke of luck I woke up at a decent hour today and headed off to the Southbank. That wasn't before checking out Leicester Square, where I found the original Freed ballet shoemaker store. After having feet like mine--nobby and ruined from pointe shoes (Freeds, to be exact), I was quite excited.

Southbank was great. I went there to find some Banksy street art, but ended up coming across a more-than-heavily graffiti'd area for skaters.




If there was any of the London renegade artist's work, it has long been washed away. I did check out an exhibit on Dali and Picasso at the County Hall, and afterwards spent some time at OXO towers. It has been absolutely gorgeous for the last several days. I'm not sure how long this weather will remain, but I hope I get a few more seriously fantastic sunsets.

To the baths

Today all 81 of us traveled two hours, utilizing a combination of highways and beautiful country roads, outside of London to the ancient and ever-famous Stonehenge. The pictures do not do the mysterious rock formation justice. It's a little bizarre. You have no warning--the stones just pop up on the horizon in the middle of farmland and busy highway. Cars drive by like it's nothing new (or special), and there are sheep that graze in the adjacent field. I suspect that they may be the most famous and most photographed sheep in the world.




Next was a 45 minute drive to Bath. We entered the city from over a hill, and the view was beautiful. I had all of these preconceived notions about coming to England, and Bath lived up to all of my expectations (and stereotypes). Beautiful streets with houses. Everyone walks. Hardly any cars. Brick and grass courtyards and gardens. A world famous bun bakery. Roman baths (naturally). Terribly English. We went through the museum that houses the ancient baths. The Romans were brilliant--they had separate areas set to very cold and extremely hot temperatures and a zillion different baths. Still, I couldn't get the picture of a bunch of really dirty naked people bathing out of my head.



After the baths, I walked up a bunch of hills to see the city view. Unfortunately it was overcast, so the photos didn't turn out, but, in person, it was a beautiful sight. I'd highly recommend it.




I think I'll go to bed early for work tomorrow morning.

Work it out

I started my job at Huge yesterday, and don't worry: one of the guys is working on a website redesign--so something better should be up shortly. For now, the place holder is here.

It is a very small firm. There are six of us, but it's great, and just want I need. Today Rebecca brought Cadbury eggs for everyone. Apparently in England the eggs are laid on the shelves immediately after Christmas and until Easter. Additionally, the Cadbury factory is like Wonkaland. We talked of going today, but decided that wolfing down chocolatey goodness would be detrimental to our bodily functions.

Reading over the last paragraph makes me sound like all I "need" is a Cadbury egg. What I need (and thrive on) is an encouraging group of designers, who work as a team. Thankfully, that's what I think I may have encountered.

Anyway, someone brought up how Americans have a lovely snacky-treat called the Ice Cream Sandwich, and how it could be the greatest thing on Earth. No one else (except the two of us had eaten one), so after lunch, we all split delicious sandwiches a la Ben & Jerry's. While it's difficult to compare to the wonder that is the Cadbury Egg, I think the office was pretty satisfied.

But, I guess you might like to know what I'm actually doing (instead of eating) at my job. There are there components of the business: Mark owns Huge design, which does large-scale projects like banners and such for businesses like Sky. Neil owns First Folio which does leaflet and social design work in the public sector. Then there's Binary Colors, the printing company, that everyone is a part of. At the moment, I'm working within Huge, with Mark and Tom, on some theme ideas for a theatre convention that will be held in London during June 2008. Mark will present the ideas to the client on Thursday, and we'll develop them from the decisions of that meeting.

Tomorrow we visit Stonehenge and Bath. I'll have some pictures later this week.

Oh, and Amber, I bought a bottle of South African wine--it's from your Stellenbosch, and splendid.

Science of..

Can't sleep, but look what I found.

Look outside at the raincoats coming, say Oh

Vampire Weekend was nearly a bust. A threatening combination of disinterest, stage time (1 am) and the impending doom of the night bus, almost canceled plans. A few people, however, came through, and despite the hour long queue in an alley that reeked of urine and cigarettes, the night was pretty fantastic.



Astoria 2, the huge, 2-story club they played, is an experience in and of itself. Kids stand outside in tight pants and pointy shoes, drinking Carlsberg. A few look like babies--maybe 16--and are already well-versed in the ways of the hipster world. Quite scenius, they say. The place was utterly intimidating, and a little frightening at first, but by the end we (the Americans) had impressed a few Europeans, having heard of the headliner.



Earlier in the day, Kristin and I stopped by the Victoria & Albert Museum. The building is striking, and you could spend a week in and still not see everything. Yet, the exhibits are inviting, and as you walk through the halls it's as if time has frozen. The serenity of the rooms and courtyard make the V&A ideal for a contemplative afternoon, and while you might have plans for later, you certainly won't want to leave.





In other news, doing laundry is expensive! At 3.5-5ish GBP per load, it'll cost an arm and a leg, or at least a shirt sleeve.

Also, I've had the most vivid dreams since arriving in London. For the longest time I couldn't remember what I had dreamed in the night, but the ones I've had lately are eerily realistic and very impacting. Maybe it has something to do with change. They say the alcohol here is stronger than in the states, but I haven't been drinking enough for it to have much of an effect on my REM.

Anyway, work is tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.