I was never a big Stone Roses fan, the whole Manchester thing somehow passed me by, and so I wasn’t particularly aware of Ian Brown until I saw this video. I thought both the song and the video were fantastic and rushed out to buy Music Of The Spheres and his back catalogue.
Apparently a big budget, big production video, set in a graveyard was originally planned for F.E.A.R, but Ian Brown changed his mind at the last minute. This video was shot just hours in Soho, but the idea and execution are so cool it works brilliantly.
I loved the BBC TV series Life on Mars with it’s wonderful blend of psychological drama, 70s “style”, classic British cops and robbers, a brilliant soundtrack and of course the introduction of the now legendary Gene Hunt.
When I heard there would be a spin off from Life on Mars called Ashes to Ashes (do you see a theme here?) I will admit to being a little concerned as so often spin offs and second series are little more than a good idea stretched too far.
But as I heard more about the new series I began to relax and to really look forward to it arriving upon my TV screen tonight.
I wasn’t disappointed – it was great.
Ashes to Ashes sees a female Police psychologist Alex Drake from 2008, transported back to 1981 pre-Docklands London where she comes face to face with Gene Hunt and his sidekicks Ray and Chris, “characters” she knows from the notes left by Sam Tyler at the end of Life on Mars.
An interesting premise that I expect to develop as the series progresses.
Gene Hunt is as wonderfully politically incorrect as in Life on Mars but he seems to sense his days are numbered, as the Police force awaits the Scarman Report and already seems to be exhibiting a slightly softer edge of course that may just be that’s because Alex is a “fit bird”.
Being set in the 80s, Ashes to Ashes promises to have a soundtrack that will eclipse that of Life on Mars, at least from my perspective as an 80s teenager and fan of electronic music.
Another improvement is that Gene’s Ford Cortina from 1973 has been replaced in 1981 with an Audi Quattro – a car I’ve lusted after since the 80s.
Which leads us neatly to the best line in the first episode and soon to be immortal phrase: “Fire up the Quattro!”
A quick search for which reveals a badge for sale on eBay (already?) and you know what I have to admit I’m tempted…
I met up with a friend last night for quick drink after a meeting in London. The drink was sadly too quick but very pleasant nonetheless.
However, the real event of the evening was catching a bus to the station… This probably sounds silly, but I realised that in all the time I commuted to London I never ever caught a London bus so it was a voyage into the unknown for me.
It was one of those new bendy buses that sadly replaced the classic double decker but it was jolly good and covered by my rail ticket which was a surprise…
Samuel Johnson said “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”
Well, I was starting to become tired of London when I was working there; experiencing too much of the tedious, overcrowded public transport side of London and not enough of the fun, entertaining, historical side.
However, this Tuesday I’m heading into London for the first time since I stopped working there and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to London once again being a place to visit and place for fun and entertainment.
I’m spending the day at a user testing session; I can’t say what we are testing but it’s sure to be fascinating as user testing always is. Followed, if time allows, by a little light retail therapy at the Apple Store.
Then in the evening I’m meeting some of my friends from American Express; of course this is what I’m looking forward to most.
London is a funny place though, even though working there was hard at times I think once you have been part of London it remains part of you.
Guess I’m not as tired of London as I thought I was…
Friday was my last day at American Express and it was a very, very good day but also a sad day.
One of the things I wanted during my notice period was to do for one last time the things that I had enjoyed about London. One was eating dim sum; I’d never eaten dim sum until I started work in London and I love it. So we had a farewell lunch at London Jade Garden which was really very good indeed.
Following an afternoon’s gentle file deletion and handover we headed out the main event…
I had my ‘leaving do’ at my favourite bar the Boisdale; a fantastic bar and restaurant with amazing food, live jazz and a whisky list thicker than any wine list I’ve seen… superb.
Having had a bit of a roller coaster ride at Amex over the last three years I was surprised, honoured, touched and happy just how many of my friends and colleagues came to say good bye. Even one friend who’d been on holiday that day came over and stayed until the very end.
Starting at 5pm and leaving some time around 1am it was a long, fun, drunken and very happy night; even Tommy Twopence made a guest appearance. I had some lovely, deep, emotional chats with my closest friends.
Which brings me to what I think was the impetus for this post: my friends. Sitting here now neither working at Amex or for my new company I feel strange; I feel as if I’ve lost or forgotten something.
It took until just now but I’ve realised that it there is now a hole in my life the size and shape of my friends at Amex. There are so many great people I’ve left behind but this time I am intent on keeping in touch – if you guys are reading this don’t forget to invite me out next time.
So to my friends at Amex and in particular Amrita, Steph, Marie, Christine, Joel, Mel, Dean, Sian, Benjamin, Bruce, Francois, Jenni, Luis, Ivan and so many more around the world…
I’ve seen a number of minor celebrities during my time of commuting. In fact all were so minor that I can’t remember any except Martin Bell, complete with white suit, in Euston tube station.
But tonight, on my penultimate night in London I saw a proper celebrity.
Arriving at Victoria Station I was greeted by two fire engines and some kind of emergency control centre vehicle so it was pretty clear I wasn’t getting the tube anytime soon.
My friendly Big Issue seller confirmed that Victoria was completely shut so I had a quick chat and said good bye to him as tomorrow is my last day in London.
Being in a hurry to get home jumped into a cab… As we wound our way through a hot and sweaty London I saw my last celebrity… rock guitar supremo Brian May.
At last a proper bona fide international superstar and rock overlord.
