MY GOOSE / L'OCONE

This year I've decided to get a goose for Xmas. We had goose for our office Xmas party, but it wasn't that nice... if you want something good, better do it yourself! It came out extremely well. I'm very happy. Here are a couple of pictures of my massive free range goose before and after my intervention ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We wish you a Merry Xmas, we wish you a Merry Xmas, we wish you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year!

XMAS MADNESS...

Today I went to see Billy at his new office on Great Eastern Street. We had a nice chat and he also gave some presents, chocolates and a hand-made Christmas card. So nice!

Although I work in Old Street all year round, I've never seen this painting... I must have stepped out of my robotic work-mode because I am seeing things that I've never noticed before.

Billy gave me some presents for Cat, too so I decided to bring them over to her in Selfridges. First I had to go to Rigby & Peller on Conduit Street to buy a present for my mum. It was an absolute nightmare. People everywhere, screaming kids... Hell! I was thinking of having a look around, but no way. I took the bus home straightaway. Scary people everywhere. In a buying frenzy and pushing me around. Everyone unhappy, but still doing it... makes you wonder.
On the way back I was thinking about Iceland and how I could drive for hours without meeting a soul. The wind, the birds, the sea and nothing else. Talking about Iceland, I found this picture on the net and I think it is the sweetest picture of the year. Those are Jonsi's (Sigur-Ros) hands, his guitar (I love the birds on the fretboard), a very cute baby with stripey tights, both wearing lovely rubber shoes. They are kind of "welly shoes", if such thing could exist.

Giulia sent me this funny thing. Click the link below if you want to have a laugh.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1424091252
Yes, it is the four sisters doing a silly dance... I've been receiving elves from everyone this year, but this one is the best.

AT HOME :)

I like being at home. I can sleep in, have a coffee in peace while I do my Brain Training (still failing miserably, by the way) and keep the house tidy. I've been going to the gym and I feel a great deal better and energised. I can also use messenger (still not working in the office) and I managed to talk to some friends for a change.
The gym is quiet during the day and the sauna is always empty, so I can make it as hot as I want. I think I went overboard today, as my legs were very red when I came out...
Even the shops aren't so crowded and shopping isn't that stressful.
Budgens in Crouch End has improved a lot since I've moved here. I usually shop at the Waitrose on Holloway Road, but lately I've been popping into Budgens when I don't feel like getting the bus down to Holloway.
I was really surprised as the cashier didn't know what mangoes or kiwis were. The guy in front of me bought both fruits and she was looking at him as if he were an alien. I don't like mango therefore I don't buy it, but at least I know what it looks like... It is not the first time that supermarket staff don't know what apparently obvious things are. Once I've asked for chives and the guy didn't have a clue. Oh, well!
While I was in Budgens I saw this really nice canvas shopping bag. It is a "Crouch End Shopping Bag", a project of the independent shops of Crouch End for the community and for the environment. I think it is a really good idea and I supported the project by buying one. http://www.thecrouchendproject.co.uk/

HOLIDAYS...

The office is closed, the Xmas holidays have officially started. Happy? Not to be at work? Definitely! About Xmas? Well... Can someone hypnotise or hybernate me until Boxing Day, please? I still don't know what I'll do. Tickets to go home are very expensive and the thought of being treated like an animal by the likes of Ryan Air makes me sick in the stomach. It is an ordeal that I don't wish to my worse enemy.
Enough about Christmas. I don't want to think about it.
Torakiki has been taken to the vet for her annual inoculation and already that she was there she had her nails clipped! Ah, ah! She was very good. She didn't complain at all and now I can pet her without getting torn apart.The vet said it is ok for indoor cats. Anyway, she needed them to be clipped because she kept on getting caught in things and I had to set her free. Torakiki is a good pet.
Last Friday I went to see "The Golden Compass". Being a big fan of the trilogy, I didn't expect much. Possibly because I didn't want to be disappointed. I thought the film was ok. I liked the little girl that plays Lyra, Eva Green as Serafina Pekkala and the Ice Bears. Mrs Coulter wasn't as I imangined her, but Nicole Kidman did a good job after all. The film covered most aspects of the first book, but it felt rushed. There was no depth to the characters and, in my opinion, it didn't feel as dark as it should have been. Still it was entertaining and I'm looking forward to "The Subtle Knife". I wonder who will be casted as Will... He's my hero!
I'm in a funny mood and I'm listening to strange stuff. I've downloaded the soundtrack of "Requiem for a Dream". I wouldn't recommend it if you are in a suicidal mood. I've also downloaded "1234" by Feist. I think it is a cute song with a touch of sadness about it. I've been watching MTV2 while cleaning the house today and I've seen the video of "Lie Lie Lie" by Serj Tankian (the guy from System of a Down). God, he really looks like the devil! I also like the new video for "Flux" from Bloc Party.
I'm turning more and more into a bear (panda?!). People annoy me and enjoy much more spending time on my own. I'm horrible. Ah, ah!

What's new?

Not much, really.

I've changed over to this address because the set up of my old blog wasn't much to my taste and I couldn't change it. It think that this one is cleaner and simpler. The pictures are displayed in an ok format and that is all I need really. Too many gadgets confuse me ;)

Last week I had a cold and took 2 days off work. I'm better, but still not 100%. In spite of my poor health, I manage to do do a few interesting things.

On the 29th I went to Alexandra Palace to see Interpol. The gig was very good. The only downside was the venue. I like Alexandra Palace because it is very close to my place, but I don't think it is very good for gigs. The only way to see the stage is to be right in front. There is not enough gradient and, unless you are very tall, you can't see jack. The Brixton Academy is great. Even if you stay at the back, you can always see the stage. Even the Camden Palace, sorry it is called Koko now, is much better. I went to see The Two Gallants last month and I had a perfect view. Anyway, in spite of not being able to see much, I enjoyed myself a lot. Surely more than the people that went to see Ian Brown that night. Don't get me wrong, I liked The Stone Roses, but Mr Brown isn't very good live...

I also went to the cinema to see "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford". I thought the film was amazing. There isn't nothing about it I didn't like. The acting, photography, costumes and story-line were all perfect. In spite of being nearly 3 hours long, the film kept me entertained, excited and hypnotized by its beauty and eerie atmosphere.
Unlike previous portrayals and representations of the legend of Jesse James, this story keeps the focus on the relationship between James and Robert Ford. The film is more like a psychological study of the mutual disintegration of two men. I really liked this film and warmly recommend it. I've always been strangely fascinated by the mysteriuos persona of Jesse James, but I could never find a film that could do him justice or go beyond the guns and the robberies. There are a few websites dedicated to Mr James and I was pleasantly surprised to read words of praise for the movie on the James' Family website itself: "Brad Pitt has stripped away the myth, the lore, the western and its gratuituos violence. What he has left with us is the man himself: Jesse James".


This is the real Jesse James at approx. 21

And this is Robert Ford at more or less the same age. He's holding the gun he used to kill Jesse James. At the time he was 20 and Jesse James was 34 years old.

I <3 NY

Here are some pics of my first trip to NY. I really loved it and definitely want to go back again soon. The weather was freezing, but dry and sunny. I didn't know what to expect from this trip and I must say I was very impressed by the mood and special character of this city.

Breakfast at Sarahbeth's, as recommended by MJ. This is my pumpkin waffle, with honey, creme fraiche and crunchy pumkin seeds... delicious, but so big! Well, you need a lot of energy to be a tourist!

A trip to the Planetarium, near the National History Museum.

Inside the Planetarium. A very interesting show was on about celestial collisions. Maybe not suitable for small children... many had to be taken outside because they freaked out at the noise of meteors crashing into planets.

I thought these leaves were beautiful. They looked like little yellow fans. I wonder what tree they belong to...

I need a warm pretzel before going to Central Park. Nice ;)

A view of Central Park. So calm and beautiful!

I really love the colour of autum leaves. This tree in Central Park in particular was amazing. You have green at the bottom, then yellow, orange and red at the top.

This is me, sitting on a mushroom at the Alice in Wonderland monument in Central Park.

Some people were racing their remote-controlled boats on a lake nearby the statue.

Hello, little friend!
If I had to choose a colour to describe this trip, it would definitely be yellow.

Even Sponge Bob!

Yellow cabs on 5th Avenue...

The Chrysler Building is absolutely amazing. Much better than The Empire State Building even though it is not as tall.

Great lunch at Smac's! This little restaurant located on 345 East 12th Street serves only Macaroni & Cheese. You can choose from many variations. I went for the classic "All American". "Cajun" and "Cheese Burger" sounded a bit too much for me!!! Really creamy and deliciuos. I chose the "nosh" portion and it was plenty. I can't imagine anyone eating a "mongo" alone...

I think they are doing pretty well, judging from the number of phone calls they got for take away and the delivery. Here are their delivery bikes.

La Bella Ferrara is a cafe/bakery in the heart of Little Italy. It was quite cold outside and I decided that it was the right place for a cappuccino.

Inside there were hundreds of pictures of the owner with famous people and autographs. I think he has a thing for the old wise guys... and he is a fan of the Sopranos...

Nice almond cappuccino and freshly baked sfogliatella.

Tons of cannoli in the window! That's how they caught me.

Grand Central Station first thing in the morning. It is a beutiful building with a great atmosphere.

Jumbo Pretzel? Yes, please!

It looks as if everything is moving but me...

A trip to China Town...

Looking for soup dumplings!

Satisfied outside Shanghai Cuisine...

Time for bobble tea. I got it hot this time!

Pig building...

Cool building...

Dinner at the Blue Smoke. I really recommend this place, if you like barbeque that is. The ribs were so tender and meaty! All the side dishes were yummy, too. My favourite was the corn bread. Downstairs is a jazz venue. Apparently pretty good, but I am no jazz expert... only food. The Blue Smoke is on 116 E 27th Street.

Great time at M&M's World on Time Square and Toys R Us. How many M&Ms can you eat? Loads! There were so many different colours nad flavours. My favourite is always peanut butter, but the new cherry almondelle is pretty good, too.

Elmo!

Drinks at Bubba Gump! Lotsa Lava, alcohol free and sweet.

Trash Bucket... Lobster, Mahi Mahi and Prawns.

Shrimp New Orleans... believe there was plenty of them underneath that slab of fried, cheesy, garlic bread!

Hush Puppies... some sort of fish fritters.

Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge. I didn't cross either of them it was too cold and rainy.

Best burgers ever at Rare on Bleeker St. This one was a T-Bone Steak Burger. They ground the meat you choose and the quality of all the ingredients was great.

Christmas decorations at Macy's.


Shrek's Christmas decorations?


Ben & Jerry's Menu!


Massive, moist brownies...

Empire State Building peaking up at night...

Hacienda de Argentina. Very nice steaks. Pity that because of some silly law they cannot import Argentinian beef any longer. My steak was from Uruguay, but still very very good and cooked to perfection.

Well, I took much more pictures, but I can't post them all. Anyway, after all this food I'd better be off to the gym!!!