Sunday, September 09, 2007

Photo offensive

Sort of ought to go on a photo offensive of London, in case one day I complain: "I wish I'd taken more photos of London when I was there..."



Someone at the apartments has this fancy little Audi sports number.





The largest Hindu temple outside of India is of course in London.




The Lloyds of London building.
As some of you know by now, I love taking upshots of the tops of buildings.


**********

Friday afternoon I left the grey suit company early and went for the handover with the PA at the art dealer (Mr AD), and after an hour of familiarisation, she left to go on her holiday, and I was thrown in at the deep end.

I finally get to do the things I have been waiting to do, and then I panic. After my first attempt at answering the phone and forgetting what to say, I think I will be fine, though the buttons throw me off still. I also had to call a shipping company to remind them of a needed quote, and then call them again to absolutely ensure that the painting will be in Ireland before next Friday evening to be hung in the dining room for dinner.

I ended up staying until 6.45 pm, with Mr AD, going through various images on the hard drive, assigning them to the correct files and naming them descriptively. The knowledge in his head needs to be organised into a framework. Anyway, when we were done, he said he could tell that I had an ability with the images. I did not know I would stay that long before I started on Monday, though.

Then I wended my weary way to an Aussie party at Ruby Blue, a stylish club with a dance floor, booths, and themed lounges. The group I joined was another going away party where I knew no one, Mr Gorgeous Eyes was at home with tonsilitis, so he gave my number to A.N. a friendly New Zealander who had informed me of the venue that morning. He was at the houseleaving party last week, we weren't introduced and I only glanced at him for 3 seconds in a group before leaving. However, he's the sort who takes you under his wing, so I was introduced to countless people.

The whole group were a mixture including Aussies, Kiwis, Brits, and all very professional, cosmopolitan people, not your stereotypical types. In fact, there were two typical Aussie lads there like the ones in the Fosters beer ads, and they stuck out like sore thumbs.

However, I spent most of my time chatting with a couple of Austrians. One of them reminds me very much of my friend Jason in Houston who is undergoing pilot training at the moment; both clean-cut and straight. He texted me today and we are meeting for a drink tomorrow after work, by the way...We're both going abroad next week so decided to meet up sooner rather than later.

**********

Not a day goes by when I am not reminded of Houston or Texas - the Austrian is in oil&gas and has been to Houston. Yesterday I watched a load of Animal Cops Houston. Right now I am watching From the Earth to the Moon and seeing Mission Control in Houston. And last night my old roomie asked me yet again when I was going back.

I was recounting to my mother the day my dad took me to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Until the security measures occasioned by 9/11, they held an annual Open Day. We wandered amongst the buildings, went on mini-tours, saw the original Mission Control, fiddled with a scanning electron microscope thereby withering an ant's antennae, got a big NASA bag and filled it with goodies as we went along, including a bumper sticker I treasured for years, and one of those US Government-issue ballpoint pens they all use. Even 40 years later, there was still a general air of "something happening" within those unassuming 1960s-style buildings.

**********

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's 12.25am - I wonder if I'm up later than you?! Goodnight!

Anonymous said...

Love that audi - nice! And I am also a huge fan of the upshot, you notice so much more about a place if you look up! :)

I hope you enjoy this weeks work. The inside of his head (and yours!) must be an amazing place for art. Have you ever seen the film Russian Ark I saw it and thought you might like it, it's shot in one take throughout the Hermitage, it's a bit odd, and in Russian, but the location takes the breath away! xx

AmitL said...

Hi,Olivia...seems like there's lots happening in and around your life.:)Hehe...hey,is 'grey suit company',the name of the co itself,or,is it your nickname for them??Interesting memory of Houston.

Lotus Reads said...

Hi, Olivia!

Good luck with your new job, I am sure you'll get the hang of it soon, sounds like you have already.

Love the picture of the temple...any idea what it is called? Would love to visit it the next time I'm in London.

MattJ said...

There is a possibility you may have performed a successful Techo-Sheep manouvre if HTC don't pull there fingers out and get my phone released this month ;) I'll let you know! :p Those pics look awesome and just notcied that apparently your phone also has a MicroSD slot + 3G which makes it abetter option IMO ..... :p

The Moody Minstrel said...

Someone at the apartments has this fancy little Audi sports number.

Like, Audi, podner!

The largest Hindu temple outside of India is of course in London.

And, of course, it's under construction.

The Lloyds of London building.
As some of you know by now, I love taking upshots of the tops of buildings.


Sheesh! If someone were to take a picture like that of you, you'd probably have them arrested!

(Llonds of Loydon? I get so confused with that!)

Oh, I think you love being tossed into the fire a lot more than you let on, m'lady!

However, I spent most of my time chatting with a couple of Austrians.

Do you mean "Austrians" as in from Austria, or "Austrians" as in from Australia? (Ask President Bush for details about that last one.)

Johnson Space Center? As someone who, as a kid, was totally obsessed with space and man's exploration thereof, it sounds like a faraway dream. Now, thanks to Bin Hidin and crew, it's even further.

Best of luck!

Word verification: WZRPHK - The way a drunk person says "What th' f***?"

Anonymous said...

Is there a chance your temp job will turn permanent? Would you want it?

Anonymous said...

Cool photos and car. I'd love to see more of London on your next excursion.

Olivia said...

Planethalder - ha! I was in the shower then, so on my way to bed!

***

Pete - London is great when you look up, but it also is a bustling city and it's easy to forget to look up!

This is shaping up to be a hard week, but at least at the end I can say I did it.

Oh, and I find even normal Russian films weird! x

***

Amit - It's funny how things go quiet for weeks and then all try to happen at the same time.

"grey suit company" is a descriptive phrase. I could have called it a grey office.

***

Lotus - I got the hang of it today, but I am pretty sure a week will be enough.

I love Google. This temple is the Sanatan Dharam. It's still under construction and could take years...Like the one in Neasden, the Shri Swaminarayan. Again, love Google, it is this latter that is the biggest, not the one in my pic.

***

Matt - :P
Also, how can you tell just by looking that my phone has 3G?

***

Minstrel - hehe, Audi podner!

I did have a brief moment of "I should not use that word" when I typed "upshot", but that's what it is!

Yes I meant Austrian as in Germanic rather than Oceanic.

Glad you liked the JSC story, and I think there's no one on Blogger who can find their way around a security code like you do.

***

Nikki - there is a chance, but no I don't. I described part of my day to a few people and they said: Leave now!
Seriously, before the end of today I was already counting the days.

***

Jessica - I will try to take more pics before the clouds come back!

Anonymous said...

Awesome pics. As always you take good ones!!!
May I remind you : Houston, Houston, Houston......
of course keep in mind that things will not be the same as when we were at UST.....

sending love from H-Town,
vanessa

Olivia said...

Vee

Ah yes Houston.
Would you believe my mother told me I couldn't come back until I got a job here first? Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

Love from the Big Smoke (London)

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Beenzzz said...

Those are wonderful photos! I'm really into photography lately. :)

Anonymous said...

Olivia, I've just tagged you with a What's In My Fridge meme on my blog. Hope you have time to do it!

Dan said...

Not a day goes by when I am not reminded of Houston or Texas

Texas is calling you. Go back! Go back!

I'm sounding like a Texas tourism commercial here! :)

Olivia said...

Jojo - heyyyy, you crazy boy!

***

Beenzzz - inspired by your picturesque holiday, no doubt!

***

Planethalder - thanks. I will probably give it a go this weekend.

***

Dan - now that's just plain funny, coming from an East Coaster like you.
It is possible today is going to pass without the daily reminder. Last night it came late, a mention on Grey's Anatomy.

Anonymous said...

what???? it does defeat the purpose a little. It's not like you haven't been trying. Myabe she'll agree with you in a few months.

vanessa

cj° said...

hey, olivia, just got to your page, browsing... idk.
The hindu temple you captured is magnificent!
and have fun in NY. I bet you are thou, channing is shooting for his movie there. I donno if you are a fan.
anyways.
smiles.and.sunshine.
cj^