London’s still a puzzle

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

A couple of months ago, Steven and I walked along the Grand Union and Regents Canal from our house to Islington. The canal passes right through this site, known as King’s Cross Central, which is the largest single regeneration site to be developed in London in about 150 years. For some reason, I imagined that the canal skirted the northern edge of the site. As we were walking along, my mind’s map put most of the site to the south, between the canal and King’s Cross Station. In fact the largest part of the site lies to the north of the canal (left 2/3 of the white section of this model). Funny how mental geography doesn't always match the true lay of the land...

Not why we live here

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

This is just at the end of Golborne Road, between the Trellick Tower and the Grand Union Canal. Isn't it sooo quaint? Nowadays what they need are Uzi surrender bins. Rhyming slogan, anyone?

The Right Thing?

It's the day before I go to SF. Steven's supposed to join me Friday for a fun-filled week-long purge 'n pack. Wondering whether we're doing the right thing. My shrink thinks it's last minute jitters and I'm inclined to agree. But you never know. Could be the biggest mistake we've ever made. If you have any words of encouragement, please email Mr. Overman. He needs 'em. Steven underscore Overman at Jackmorton dot com.

In addition to shaving off my brow again (adds a nice symmetry to the whole experience - also, that brow merkin might not be a bad investment after all), the skin on my left hand has started peeling off (eew, gross). Don't think it's flesh-eating bacteria. Could be the hard-as-nails water. Probably stress. Wound up getting briefly snagged in some internet moving scam. Today found out from Thierry at First Line in Paris that animals normally travel only on weekdays. I'm due to arrive on a Saturday. Hurrah. Could any of the legion of BA or BA Cargo (separate entity) representatives in New York, San Francisco, London, and (most likely) Bangalore have told me that before today? Or maybe before I booked my ticket from SF to Paris? Of course not. What kind of nonsense is that? Information? Useful? Timely?

Oh, well. What're ya gonna do? Here's some eye candy:

Brixton market mosaic

Hadn't realized Sainsbury's was a Klingon-owned company...

Took another ride on TC2, up the Grand Union Canal to somewhere around Wembley.
This is where the canal becomes a bridge over an 8-lane freeway. Yikes!

Holland Park flower bed
This was the day I walked down to the pet store off Kensington High Street to stock up on Alice supplies in preparation for her arrival in London on the 17th. If BA Cargo or any of their Paris agents can manage to put a cat on a plane on Saturday. But you know the French and their work ethic...

Subway by the Imax again. No, really, it's cool!

Notting Hill Carnival
I've got a video clip of this, but until I figure out how to get it on the blog, you'll have to keep looking back & forth between these two pictures and pretend.

Are we doing the right thing? I don't know, but that's Alicia Silverstone reflected in the window of Julie's. I was staring all through dinner. What did you say, Steven?