UNDERGROUND* (a swiss lad living in london for a year) : topic:still living it

Sandro will have to find a new place to live.

strandi — 2009-01-07T22:35:00Z

Banyana just told me that she wants to hand in her one month's notice.

Glued together butt cheeks. Crap pile o' shit!

Tomorrow. Another day at work without the manager. Just because I didn't burn down the place yesterday. My first mistake.

No just kidding. (About the work thing, that'll be fun. Not about the "Banyana's moving out" thing.)

New Year-ish plans

strandi — 2008-12-31T16:14:00Z

So Nhi was supposed to make it to London with her bf tonight, but now they're not making it at all, so I was gonna go and do something with Jennifer and Olivier, since Banyana is gonna head off to some bash with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but now she tells me that they'll go to some French friends place and I am not too much up to 1) speaking/hearing French all night and 2) spending New Year's at someone's house. (house parties are cute and all, but at the end of the year, I prefer the real deal)

So plans are back to spending it with my beloved market people (or market person. Sebastian that is. Dunno who else will be there.) at a location that has yet to be determined. Will still go to Jennifer's for an early New Year's dinner and champagne drinking thing at about 7.

And to all you people back home: my mother's bf got me to promise that I will celebrate the New Year twice. Like GMT and GMT+1 (with them) an hour earlier, so all know that tonight when you are saying "Happy New Year" to each other, I will (looking quite ridiculous) raise a glass and think about all of you. (It is supposed to sound cute, but it also sounds kinda creepy and sad. I guess that's just me.)

It's all off, shopping with Banyana, Jennifer and Oliver and missing Nhi

strandi — 2008-12-30T21:28:00Z

So after complaining about my hair for too long a time, I cut it all off. Like all. I bought electric clippers and my hair has now the convenient length of 10mm. Banyana can't stop saying how hot she thinks it looks, Laureen keeps making jokes about it and consoles herself in saying that it'll grow back and Jennifer meant that she normally doesn't like short hair, but in my case it looks good. And I must say I like it myself as well. Still not used to it, but I got a great head shape and that's the most important thing. But now I def. have to wear a hat when I leave the house, because it's too damn cold without.

Was in the West End today and Olivier kept trying on jeans until we found a pair in which his butt looked good. And he got some shirts as well. Banyana bought a trench coat and a pair of heels and claims that she is now finally shopped out. We'll see ;)

Then I am also desperately trying to get a hold on Nhi, who said she'll come over for New Year's, but she doesn't answer on her swiss number and when I call her UK number, a (female) voice just says: "This mobile is switched off." Very cryptic, but like I know her, she'll message me sometime tomorrow. Always waits for the last second, that one.

christmasy things

strandi — 2008-12-23T21:15:00Z

* Downloading a lot of Christmas Songs right now, want to play them all tomorrow at work! And then we are closed over the holidays till the 2nd! Horray!!!!

* Making a list what to eat on Christmas with the roomie.

* Have to buy nice pants tomorrow to wear to church. Going to the midnight mass at Westminster Abbey with the roomie!

* Very surprised that Laureen got her Christmas present today, been told by the guy at the post office that they won't arrive in time for the holidays!!! Wondering whether all of them already arrived?

* Am done with the Christmas presents. (Ok, I still need something for the sister, but that's it and I was planning on getting that on Boxing Day)

* Wish you all a very Merry Christmas and also a Happy New Year! (Because I am not sure I will blog till then....)

And the whole thing comes tumbling down

strandi — 2008-12-20T17:44:00Z

Remember? I had this whole nice Christmas dinner planned with the room mate and the French friends. Today text from Jennifer: "Olivier is sick, he can't make it." Trying to wake the room mate to freaking get ready in time: "I don't think I am coming, I don't feel so well."

Boy, that sure does sound like Christmas to me!

Cold and tired

strandi — 2008-12-16T21:55:00Z

Sounds like a facebook status update, I know, but that's basically it: I am very cold and also very tired. Square Pie is still short staff and with the power cut yesterday (some dumbass construction workers cut a cable), today I had to work from 8 till 8, because we had a 200 pie meal delivery today to prepare for five thirty. (200 pies is about what we sell on a slow day, like Monday. Today we probably baked about 450 pies, so it was kinda busy. Blargh.... But hey, today I only did the first three bakes and then was on the till! So all is good there! Yay!)

I am almost done with the Christmas presents, which is good, but I still have to mail them. And fair enough, still need three. (room mate and male friends, those are always hard, but I think I have ideas. That's something)

Will do some more shopping on Thursday, my day off. Will get some wool from John Lewis, because the fingers want to knit again, I can feel them twitch! Maybe this winter, I'll make it beyond mittens?

On Saturday I'll have a little Christmas get together with Banyana, Jennifer and Olivier and made a reservation at Walluc Bistrot. Very much looking forward to it. Because they are serving cheese fondue. And raclette. Haven't had either for ages!!!

So to all my friends back home who miss me a lot: the feeling is very mutual!!!!! But I will be coming home for a week in January (Sarah, I have to talk to you about tickets. Again.....)

drip, drip, drip and a drink

strandi — 2008-11-22T14:17:00Z

So, yes, the ceiling is still dripping, but the plumber is supposed to fix it on Monday. Apparently he has to replace the whole toilet. (but the water is from the pipe going to the toilet, not the other way around. Thankfully.)

I went clubbing with my roomie last night and that was just too spectacular. I think we fell in love with each other last night, because we are exactly the same way. And we both are hot dressers and dancers. Of course. So right now I am heading out to have a walk around the city with Jenny and tonight I am going to a party with my friend Matia. So much for a quiet and relaxing weekend. But at least this way I have fun and hey, last night we met a struggling theatre director from Miami and I said he should drop me a line when he needs someone for his next play. I know, you are all very jealous.

And then there is this big news from work: David, the South-African with the bad temper, got fired on Thursday for making a girl cry the day before and I replaced him as baker boy (and yes, I have been making Baker Street/Sherlock Holmes jokes all day about it) which of course is exciting, but also quite stressfull, because I didn't really have time to slowly get into it and this Friday was unbelievingly busy. Pure madness. I also put on the Beatles in the morning and then we were so busy all day, being one short staff and all, that I had no time to change it and no-one else did either, but Kate from work just said: "Btw, nice Beatles medley today!" (Faebulous, this girl would be so perfect for you)

drip, drip, drip and a bag

strandi — 2008-11-17T18:26:00Z

Okay, we start with the bad news today: when I came home this evening (after a long day at work I might add) I noticed that there was a leak in the ceiling that was dripping on my bed and on the floor. Placing a bucket and pans under the dripping water, I moved my bed and called my flatmates for help. One of them headed out right away, trying to get someone to make it stop, but has not returned yet. It seems to have stopped on its own though, so no real harm done. Let's hope at least, because I just saw an episode of Grey's Anatomy a couple of weeks ago and there they had an actual flood in the hospital. So let's keep our fingers crossed and for once hope that real life is nothing like a Hollywood story.

And the good news would be that this fabulous bag that I got yesterday with a beautiful wolf pattern and I also bought the matching wallet. A Kate Sheridan original, so no one ever gets to have one like these in Switzerland. I also think that it is un-girlish enough to carry around, but then again, what the heck do I care, right?

I am also pretty far ahead with Christmas presents, considering that it's only November, but my roommate and I decided that we will shop ourselves to death on Boxing Day, when everything is half price, so I need to tick off the stuff for everyone else as soon as possible.

And there is another bad news thing: Unlike every other Sunday, Sebastian from conquergear did not show up at square pie yesterday, which made me very sad of course!

you are a fucking idiot

strandi — 2008-10-21T11:23:00Z

That is what I said to myself this morning, when I showed up at my national insurance number interview and I forgot my passport in the hostel. Now I have to reschedule, but I rather wait for that until I get my work schedule, because I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!! And I already start tomorrow! Jay, it's so cool. But I get to eat a free pie in my lunch break everyday. It's a little unhealthy with mash and loads of gravy. Still I have to try all of them at least once, don't I?

Will call the Apollo West End tonight to see whether they have any tickets for Quantum Of Solace available on the 1st of November. So looking forward to Sarah and Ursi visiting me! Also will be moving to my new place in Whitechapel on that weekend. So psyched about it.

I found a beautiful birthday present for my sister at Camden Stables, but since I don't know whether she is one of my beloved reader or not, I am not revealing what it is here. But just so you know, I managed to haggle down the guy to half the price he asked for, so people, Camden is really a place to haggle. And I wasn't really desperate to get the present yesterday, because I still have two weeks, so that helped too. Just start to become less interested and they really drop the price.

this and that

strandi — 2008-10-19T16:35:00Z

So Banyana and I paid our deposit yesterday, which meant I walked around with a lot of cash (300 quids). We agreed to meet at Whitechapel station, but Banyana texted me that she's gonna be late, so I spent thirty minutes sitting on the stairs in the Whitechapel Underground Station next to this sign:

Yes friends, this is where I am gonna be living pretty soon! And it was Banyana who took the picture when she finally showed up, I did not give my camera to a total stranger, if that's what you were thinking...

Met Jennifer in Covent Gardens yesterday and we managed to buy a nice birthday present for Olivier, le beau, before he showed up. That's just because we are professional shopaholics.

So Jennifer and I talk about sending Olivier's pictures to a model agency, but I am not sure whether Olivier really believes us! Also, Jennifer just loves my accent when I speak French, which I try to do, at least a little bit.

Tomorrow work. Looking forward to it.

apartment hunting

strandi — 2008-10-17T10:43:00Z

So am looking into apartments at the moment and that is more tricky than I thought. Also there are a lot of horrible places out there.

Luckily I made a friend at the hostel who is also looking for a place in London and we are looking into twin rooms that we could share, because that is a little cheaper. Hopefully, Banyana (from Botswana) and me find something nice and cheap pretty soon.

Went to the British Museum with Banyana yesterday, still an incredible place. Just love it. Also found a big dvd and music store and even though they didn't have Rushmore in stock, they could order it with free home/hostel delivery! So I finally get to see it.

And I have a cold too, so I have to drink loads of British Neocitran..... they weather is getting colder too, but it is still not raining. I think that is just a big government conspiracy by now.

Uhmmm... I guess that's all for now!

EDIT: Banyana and I found a great place where we'll move into on the first of November. We are so psyched, since it is quite central, in a nice neighbourhood and the rent is reasonable too. (£ 240 pcm, plus about £ 30 for bills)

Tomorrow we're gonna put our deposit down and also celebrate Olivier's birthday in the evening. Who Olivier is? Well, Olivier is a French adonis, but I'll take pictures tomorrow, so you'll see for yourself.

Also, apparently someone told Julia that my blog is boring. I would really like to know whether said person has got the balls/ovaries to tell this to me him/herself? Yup, am a little offended. It's like As You Like It's worst critique all over again....

catching up....

strandi — 2008-10-14T12:02:00Z

.....on some blogging. Yes, it's been a while and I do apologize. So let's catch up a little bit. I did some more Camden shopping on Saturday, which was really great and I found a nice wool jacket and a second hand copy of "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows", which I am re-reading right now. Still a great one and all the laughing and all the goosebumps come back to me like I am reading it for the first time.

In the evening the girls decided to take me out a second time, they were to meet Sean, some guy they met when they where in Spain. And yes, Sean was a knock-out:

But apart from that, he made us walk around Soho for about an hour, looking for a club, a pub, whatever. I didn't care so much for it, because I was wearing my new shoes which give you a grace period of about two hours and those where almost over. So I said goodbye to the lad and sorry to the gals and headed for Ku Bar, which I read so much about while doing my online research. Well, boy oh boy, what a dissapointment. I mean how hard can it be to find a dj that plays reasonably good music? I mean we are in LONDON for God's sake, home town of The Clash and others of the sort!! Still, I refused to leave right away, closed my eyes so I don't have to look at more of Barbie's boyfriend's gay roommates and danced for about an hour and a half, despite the chronic ear infection I was getting from what they claimed to be music, and then I left and felt defeated again. If anyone knows an attitude-free gay bar with decent music around London, please let me know. Otherwise I will have to settle for a decent straight club.

I was trying to find my way back to the bus stop, when something totally weird and surreal happened. Something you would find in a Lewis Carroll novel. If he had written adult stories that is. So I was walking down the street, when a woman came to me and asked me what I was looking for, saying that she's got a couple of girls in an apartment upstairs. I told her that I wasn't into girls at all, so she asked whether she can help me with something else and sniffed her nose, how subtle was that. I was just explaining to her that I don't take any drugs and we were chitchatting about prostitution (what else do you chitchat about with a pimp at three thirty in the morning?), walking in the direction where I believed the bus stop to be and then she said, rather casually: "I also have men, by the way. He is one of them." and we stopped in front of a guy who did not look at all what you would imagine a gay gigolo to look like. He didn't even look gay for that matter. Honestly, he was really handsome. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture, so you'll have to take my word for it. Anyways, the whole scene was really picturesque: the pimp, the really handsome whore and me, looking more than slightly amused at the turn of events (because I was actually just trying to find the bus stop and that was all). So - to somehow talk my way out of this thing - I explained that I don't have that much money and even only spent 5 quids on my shoes and he answered, looking directly into my eyes with his beautiful blue eyes (which apart from the whole male whore bit was a really romantic moment): "Well, we can also go upstairs and do something for just half an hour or so." But I told him even though it was tempting, because he was really good looking (you know, handsome, but in a real life and normal way), I had to say no and I said bye and that was it. Hihi. Still funny when I think about it.

I finally went to the TATE yesterday and it was very nice and I found a couple of interesting postcards. I went shopping again in the afternoon, found a pair of simple black pants at Primark which is reallyreally cheap, but the clothes there looked sad, like they knew they weren't anything special and not unique at all. Also went to Topshop and bought a nice yellow cardigan (for I decided it is finally time to show some colour), which cost enough. Probably won't be shopping there too much. By the way, that was the first store where I found skinny jeans in a 38 (my size!!!), so I tried them on and omg, that was really uncomfy. Kudos to all of who put up with it. But I won't.

So that's all for now, am applying for jobs at the moment, let's keep our fingers crossed that will work out somehow or other. Should go to tesco's and pick up an application form there, come to think of it.