Art ‘n stuff

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

We kicked off Saturday at Alfies, helping Neil pick out an occasional chair (very unusual round Scandinavian number with almost nautical details) for his living room. While he was getting the thing into his boot, Steven & I lunched on the best fish & chips we’ve eaten so far. After giving Neil our brutal assessment in situ (two thumbs up), we purchased a copy of Laura Owens’ gorgeous catalog (from a show we saw at the Camden Arts Centre a while ago) for half price at Sadie Coles HQ. On our way home, we took a little detour to look at some very pretty Rachel Howard paintings at Haunch of Venison. Once home, we popped downstairs to pick out our pan-parental Christmas gift, settling on an ink on paper piece (“Untitled 2”) by Tanya Ghosh (who happens to be William’s wife and a fabulous fashion illustrator).

London fog

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

After lunch with Suzette & Jeff at Le Cafe Anglais (do believe the hype) we walked down Queensway searching for sage (to no avail). Then we crossed Hyde Park and had a look at the Serpentine Gallery’s current misty exhibit by Anthony McCall. The park was stunningly beautiful. Despite London’s foggy reputation, we haven’t experienced anything like this in our three years here...

TreeQuest ‘07

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

Any of you (Maggie, Suzette, Lauren?) who’ve experienced the joys of prior TreeQuests will appreciate what a special experience the first reconnaissance outing in a foreign country must have been... I won’t go into too much detail here...
Suffice to say that this picture is false advertising. Sure, it’s charming as heck, but this was just the first stop, and, well, let’s just say that the gloom and cold rain matched the mood of certain members of our party (ok, member). Chris, our driver, had mistakenly passed the closer place (the one that didn’t pre-net their trees) - but we tried to put on a good face and say we really wanted to see the reindeer, the bull, the pigs, the chickens, the medieval abbey ruin, the pretty Gothic farm buildings, and stuff.
Since we had already traveled so far, we decided that instead of dropping Steven at the Farnham train station (at his request, don’t ask), we would proceed to Alice Holt Woodland Park (under darkening skies). WHEW! Thank goodness! Supposedly it’s a very pleasant park with scenic walks and things, but most importantly, we found ourselves deciding between three equally lovely specimens, any of which would have made the perfect Christmas tree.
Note to expats: bring your own rope or bungee cord - they don’t help you here.
Or get your friend to borrow the scuba school Jeep (another disaster narrowly averted - thanks again, Chris!).
After that it was pretty much smooth sailing. We stopped for a lovely cuppa with Jane, David and Charlie. Much to David’s chagrin, Chris mesmerized Charlie by getting 99 points playing Bopit (Chris also happens to know that Bopit only counts up to 250).
The tree is now up and mostly trimmed. Stay tuned for pics.

Oh my!

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

We just got back from a hyper-extended weekend in Gran Canaria. Even though we planned the trip WAY before our CP (that’s Civil Partnership), it wound up serving as a honeymoon of sorts - just a coincidence, I guess. Miraculously, Steven relaxed almost instantly and only talked about work for 2 or 3 minutes on our last day. As Neil - one of our hosts - commented: it’s the kind of destination where “you can leave your brain at home.” I’d actually say best to leave the brain at home, because you wouldn’t want it to get dirty or for anything bad to happen to it...
Why did we go to a trashy place with zero culture and bad food? SUN. Yup, when you’ve got about 7 or 8 hours of daylight and the sky is relentlessly gray, a four hour flight that lands on a warm sunny island in the same time zone becomes rather appealing!

The deed is done

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

There’s me, Gülay, Steven, and Jane in the Registrar’s office at Chelsea Old Town Hall. Gülay and Jane had to wait outside while the Registrar reviewed all the details (Does Patty have a middle name or doesn’t she? Steven’s an Advertising Director, correct? Etc.) and we looked at our ceremony options:
A) The Short Ceremony: I, ______________, promise to share my life openly with you, ______________.
B) The Full-Length Ceremony: I, ______________, will go antiquing with you, _______________. Then we’ll move to the country, open a B&B, adopt a couple of Guatemalan babies, and live in connubial partnered bliss civilly and happily until death do us part so help me God amen blah blah blah etc. etc.
C) The Very Short Ceremony: Yo! We’re civil partners, dude!
We chose D) None of the Above.
Then the Registrar had to copy lots of stuff into the Register while we all sat there. To while away the time, Jane explained why she and Gülay were dressed the way they were to the Registrar and her assistant. Steven had a difficult time explaining it all to me, using the blanket excuse of “after X glasses of wine, ...” Lots of signing ensued, and then we were done.
After inspecting the Bridal Powder Room, Steven & I exited the building and our wititnesses pelted us with potpourri (apparently confetti is a no-no in these green times) while a poor, unsuspecting Italian tourist was conscripted to snap a couple photos for posterity.
We then hopped in a taxi and headed to a secret destination for lunch. The only clue was that Steven & I had to wear jackets & ties. Somehow this must have compensated for the ladies’ extreme cleavage, as we were actually admitted to (and served at) the R.A.C.
And, you know, that’s pretty much it. Now we’re hitched!

Where it all started

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

(well, sort of). The story goes that one summer day Steven was sitting on this bench when I came out of the RISD mail room (which was across the street at that time), saw him, and went over to say “hi.” We had previously been introduced at an ID class picnic (he was going to go home to New Jersey but stayed in Providence when he heard I’d be there). I don’t remember whether we were already working in the BEB (me in the now-obsolete DAS office, he painting desks in the studios) or if that was still to come. Somehow the trash can and PVC pipe weren’t there in my mental picture of THE BENCH. Maybe I’ll Photoshop them out...
The reason for this trip down memory lane, for those of you who haven’t been paying attention, is that we’re about to do our Civil Partnership ceremony. Trying to keep the whole affair low-key, so not making a big deal about it. I mention the CP for information purposes only, just so you all know and don’t feel left out...

Steven wants to move to China!

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

Just thought I’d let you know...

It's official!

Originally uploaded by sf2london.

Steven's "settlement" visa - woo hoo! This means that on the basis of our relationship, Steven is entitled to stay here as long as he likes and do whatever he wants. In a couple more years he can apply for citizenship (and get a UK - i.e. E.U. - passport)!