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. 

Flatmates

When I first moved to London flatmates were an adjustment. I went from having my own house, with lots of space to sharing small London flats (some very small) with others that I didn't know. I've learned a lot over the past 4 years and come to appreciated my flatmates who make up my family here in London. It is nice to come home to a house full of people.

All in all I've shared space with 12 other people over the years. Some were dossers, those that stay temporarily on your coach while looking for their own place. All of whom I have stayed in touch with (minus the crazies). 

One thing learned is it isn't always easy to vet out the crazies in meeting someone for 20 minutes, about the length of a flatmate interview.  Another is, it can be a harder to flatshare with someone who owns the flat, you never feel on equal footing or that you have a say in how the flat is set up.  Over all it is best to stay flexible when it comes to common areas, be respectful of your flatmates, pay your bills on time, buy your share of toilet roll, and do your share of the cleaning.

Tweasel, it doesn't feel like home without my kitty around.

Camden Flat "Family Night Out"

Part of the fun is learning about another contries culture, and traditions, and sharing your own Olympic Hockey - Go Canada!

Girls night out

Some flatmates are temporary, aka dossers. 

Current and past flatmates.

My current flatmate and lovely boyfriend.

Out on the town.

In London there is always something going on, and the Christmas season is doubly busy.  Below are some pictures of my first birthday in London spent with friends in one of my favourite bars in Notting Hill, as well as some of the Christmas parties, there was 4 work ones in total. 

Trailer Happiness, a kitsch basement bar I really like in Notting Hill, it reminds me of hanging out in friends basements in Canada, notice the wood panel walls. 

The Volcano drink, they light it on fire for you, very dramatic.

Some of the Sky Sports girls and I at the  Football department Christmas party.

Soccer Saturday (one of the shows I do travel for) with Helen, Alan.

Some of the guests I book travel for.

Boys being boys... Tony, Condo and Tony. 

Rob, Jess, Helen, and me.

Night out Soccer Saturday