Darts, a Christmas Tradition

During my first year at Sky Sports one of the girls (who is a darts fan) organized a table at the World Darts Championship at Alexandria Palace after work. I was convinced to go as there was a Canadian who had won in the past, and he would be playing. Ever since have made it a regular tradition of my Christmas season here in England.

Part of the fun is watching the crowd (many of whom are in costume) who are very enthusiastic, hoping to get some air time when the camera pans the fans. Of course the game can be exciting, and watching the players when they do their walk on with the walk on girls, and their chosen theme song on is interesting too. The Canadian, nicknamed Darth Maple, uses the Star Wars theme music for his walk on.  I have been in the VIP section, the regular tables, and the cheap seats in the bleachers, all in all it is good fun with singing, dancing, and lots of beer.

View from the cheap seats.

View from the table seats.

Dartswear.

Doing the darts dance. Serious stuff.

Party like it's 1945!

After getting back from Paris it was time to start getting ready for The Blitz Party!  A party under train arches in Shoreditch, themed as 1940's war time.  After searching through the vintage clothings shops and coming up with nothing my flatmate had a Next dress in her closet that was 1940's tea dress style and fit perfectly! Out came the red lipstick and an attempt was made to create Victory rolls in my hair. Not as easy as it looks despite the many You Tube tutorials I watched. 

There were lots of men in uniform. Nathan and Jon who we met just before the end of the night (I had let my hair down at this point).  

The night finished in 2009 style at the Kebab shop in Camden. 

Paris and Liverpool - a bit of a contrast.

One thing I learned in my job is that if I am going to take time off best take a whole week. I work on shows that run every week for the most part, in taking a week off I just skip a week and start all over again in the following week. My job is a bit like the movie Groundhog Day but lasts a week rather than a day. If I take a day then I usually end up having to make up that work on the other days left, not really the point in taking a day off.  So I booked a week off the beginning of October and spent part of it in Liverpool and part in Paris (now there is contrast for you!).

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool I really liked, there was a good vibe, a nice mix of old and new downtown area was fairly compact so good for wandering around. The night life seems good, I think it would be a fun night out with a bunch of friends. I went to Alma de Cuba Saturday night a gorgeous bar in a former catholic church where at 11pm Friday and Saturday nights they have Brazilian dancers (and a petal drop). Great atmosphere, yummy cocktails, and such fun.

This is the 12 room hotel I stayed in called Parr Street Hotel, it has 3 studios on premise, a bar and 12 rooms. I would recommend it, good location, and a nice change to large hotels.

Of course being a Beatles fan I did the tour and spent some time at the Cavern Club, which was lots of fun singing along to Beatles tunes.

Liverpool surprised me with how modern it was. The old buildings down on the water are also nicely done up, full of shops, restaurants and cafes in the old warehouses. Liverpool has a good mix of the old and new going on.

This is part of a park which is amongst the shopping above (it is actually the roof)

PARIS

Paris, it was a bit what I was expecting, a large city with some parts more French than others. I am not a fan of big cities when travelling now that I live in one myself. It was still exciting after all my travels to see the Eiffel tower and experience the Eurostar.

The Eurostar, gets you to Paris in just over 2 hours. It was amazing, you could really feel the power and speed of the train. The only way to travel, so much better than dealing with airports.  And Kings Cross being only 15 minutes from the flat makes it even easier.

Obligatory shot with the Eiffel tower. In front of me were lots of men selling miniature versions of the tower (10 key chains for 10EUR anyone?) It was a bit surreal seeing it in person.

French are masters of design and there were fantastic houses and surprises around most corners. Would love to see the inside of these places.

The sun did come out. It ended up being far to warm for the clothes I packed for the rest of the trip, which was a bonus.

Part of the Louvre. I didn't attempt it this time around it is enormous.

After I arrived, I got rid of my bags, then off to my city tour via Segway, it may be a bit geeky but they look like such fun, and it turns out they are. A great way to cover a lot of ground with out tiring your feet out as well.

Musee d'Orsay, an old train station beautifully done up as an art Museum.

One of the eating areas in the Museum, I loved the open clock window.

The Museum's displays were fanatic, nothing in the galleries to distract from the art.

Loved this door down the ally behind a first door.

A closer look.

Sacre Coeur is at the highest point in Paris so all those sitting on the steps are overlooking the city, and watching buskers, a fantastic place to be on a warm evening.  You can take a funicular up but I went hard core and hiked it. After walking back down I explored the area Montmartre for a bit.  It is a fantastic little neighbourhood, sort of the French version of Notting Hill and like Notting Hill has become famous and prices have gone up due to movies like Amelie. It has also been popular with artists such as Salvador Dali, Monet, van Gough, and Picasso.

After wandering Montmartre for a bit, I found a table outside a nice looking, very French style, restaurant to have dinner. I ordered steak tartare and the waitress was kind enough to remind me it was raw (I knew there was something about it I should be remembering!) I stuck with it though and it was pretty good.  While finishing up a man asked if he could share the table with me and we got to talking, it turned out he was a location manager, he does what used to be my dream job (location scout).  It was a great ending to the day, meeting a real French person randomly. It is encounters like that which makes travelling on your own fun. 

Loving the Metro signs.

Random shots of Camden

Camden Town, my neighbourhood of over 2 years, here are some random photos of the area.

The cat that lives in the Market, I named him Camden. Such a handsome cat.

I thought the 2 cars looked cute together, loving the Fiat 500.

Looks like it belongs in a village somewhere in the country side.

A lit up at night.

Before the market crowds hit on a Sunday morning.

Dating in London - some thoughts and theory's

Being a single girl in London for 3 years I learned a few things, ended up in some interesting situations, and met lots of people. My observations on dating are from a London perspective. I believe in London things are a bit different that the rest of England due to the anonomity of a big city, but for the most part I think things are similar across the UK.

I have been open to trying most anything.... and it has been interesting to say the least!

Here is what I learned in my years as a single girl:

They don't get dating in England. They tend to get drunk, sleep together, then ask the girl out for dinner.... or not. Things are a bit backwards.

For guys last call at the pub means last chance to talk to a girl before you get chucked out and have to go home alone.

Unless it is last call (and/or 8 pints later) British guys are not likely to approach you.

However they will surround a group of girls on the dance floor and before you know it some guy you don't know, hasn't even said hi, is rubbing up against you. Awful!

Speed dating is exhausting, but an interesting experience and good for a laugh. Group support recommended (bring friends).  I met a presenter at an event, he was mortified to meet someone from work, and that I might tell people I saw him there.

On-line dating, is not for me, you can't tell if their is chemistry via email (or a 5 year old profile photo), and I'm not looking for a pen pal.

Singles parties, are as awful as they sound.

Work - tread with caution, and if they work in TV or sport don't bother. I suspect banking and finance is the same.

Approching randoms in bars, this can work, just think of it as a way of meeting new people and making a night more interesting, no pressure.

After seeing someone for 2.5 months if they stop calling, texting and emailing you, as a way let you know they don't want to see you any more don't be surprised. (For the record this one of the most cowardly ways to behave I can think of).

My tips for the single girl:

If he likes you enough he will talk about future plans, in fact he will want to know before you leave when he will see you next.

Also if he really likes you he will not make you wonder what is going on, he will make sure you know where you stand, mostly this can be seen in how he behaves. Talk is cheap.  He won't want to risk some other guy nabbing you.

If he really likes you he won't text you at inappropriate times saying inappropriate things, this boy is looking for a booty call, stop hoping more will come of it.

If he has just broken up with someone in the past 30 days wait, you don't want to be the rebound girl.

Some of you may find this offensive as modern independent girls, but I think it is true. If he likes you he will want to spoil you and look after you. This means he will go out of his way to meet you (not the other way around), and he will pick up the bill when he asks you out for dinner. He won't be keeping track of how much things cost, he will be concerned with making sure you are enjoying yourself. However this doesn't apply to drinks at a bar, if he keeps those flowing like water from a tap he is most likely trying to get you drunk and in bed.

Go on dates even if you aren't sure, you may get to know them better and like what you learn about them, or if they don't work out as boyfriend material they could become a new friend.

Keep first dates causal, and short, meeting for a coffee is so popular in North America because we know how to date.  If it is going really well there is no reason not to continue on to get something to eat or go for a walk etc. If it's not then off you go after your coffee is done.  Also it is easier to judge someone after some drinks in a well lit Costa Coffee than a few Martinis in a dark bar.

Make sure to have a friend or 2 who are also single for support. It is amazing how fast those who are coupled up forget the reality of being single.  It is fun and exciting but it can be lonely and frustrating too.

Enjoy yourself, and be safe!

Canada - Wedding

I never planned to go home to Canada every year, but when an invitation arrived from an old friend for her wedding I knew that I couldn't miss it, I would be home again in 2009.  As a bonus I would be home for Canada Day and it would be summer so I could look forward to a day or two at the beach.

The happy couple.

Catching up with an old friend who moved out West years ago.

The tan is from Turkey, the weather in NS did not cooperate one bit, no beach for me.

Nicole's dress was amazing, and she looked radiant, she really did. 

The gang, just like the old days (am I sounding old?).

The day after the wedding lunch on the waterfront.