Friday, February 29, 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008

lights, camera...

The past week they have been filming a movie in front of our store called confessions of a shopaholic. Its based on the best seller (in the vein of The Devil Wears Prada) and stars Australia's own Isla Fisher (whom has been spotted on the street looking cold and miserable every day) Well last night they are finally doing the shot where Isla is seen looking into our store. Sounds good in theory but it meant that I will be stayed back until 1am tonight so they could have all their cameras set up instore film.... and they never even did the shot. They set up lights and what not instore and because they were running so over they never did it. This is the second time they've dicked me around (the first time was an early morning shoot that never happened) and I've had just about enough. Friggin' Hollywood big wigs.....

forget your troubles!!!!!

So I had quite a sad moment today when I spoke to Peter. Had a cry to him while I was on my lunch break about how lonely I was feeling. No friends, big city, all that jazz but I just had some great news.... My visa has come through!!!!!!!!!!! So look out Londoners Euro will be making a special guest apperance in two weeks. I'm so relieved it came through. Now I can really get the ball rolling.

highlights so far

1. I had a woman from Georgia on the phone yesterday (although it sounded like Reese Witherspoon, I doubt it was) who was so excited that we took phone orders she said 'Praise the Lord!'

2. Peter and I were on the subway up in Harlem and some young kids got on and I overheard one of them say 'Get the fuck outta 'ere'

3. Um, like basically you can go into any, like store on Broadway downtown, and you'll hear like, being used, like 500 times, in like, one sentence.... whateverrr

There is something sickly enjoyable about all of the American cliches being true.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

my mom is at the colored jewelry center

Hey ya, so I've been in this crazy town for a week now and I'm still on the high of everything being shiny and new and I haven't had to face much of the infamous beuracracy so I haven't felt the need to throttle the city yet. Although I am having the hardest time getting round my nlew Americanisms. I.e spelling everything in a lazy phonetic way. There are also some really funny things that you would never think of that have been a bit of a problem. These crazy yanks seem to only understand 'American' not English so I have to use words like 'Messanger' not courier because they don't know what I mean, as well as 'Pitcher' for 'Jug' and 'With two' instead of 'Double' (as in "Matthew with two TT's")
Weird.
Whenever I have dealt with Americans in store before its never been a problem and I have always understood what they meant and vice versa, but here it seems to all go out the window and we must all Americanize (see how I used that z there? I feel ill doing that. Its just not right)

I should probably back track a bit and tell you how it all went here with my beloved....
We had a lovely last night in London (coincidentally it was Valentines day. Two birds, one stone...) Went to Coq D'argent, a beautiful modern French place that has a beautiful rooftop garden bar. I love it when we get to get all frocked up (although I should mention that I was the only one to actually frock. Peter looked so cute and uncomfortable in his suit)
There was a slight drama getting here. Namely, Peter missed his flight and had to fork out 400 pounds for a new ticket but the good news was that I changed my flight so we ended up flying together. We got here in one exhausted but excited piece and it didn't feel real til we crossed over the Williamsburg Bridge, in our yellow cab, and saw that breathtaking Manhattan skyline.
we spent the first 2 days before I had to start work doing a few touristy things. Checking out the Empire State, doing a downtown tour to get our bearings, eating, drinking and eating some more and also checking out my possible future home, Brooklyn, which is totally, like, so cool at the moment (I can't quite believe that all these people really talk like this...... whatever.)
I then had to work all week but it wasn't all doom and gloom. We had the Gugg opening which was AMAZING and as NY fashionista fab as you would expect, and being New York, no one just goes home after work, we would always go out for drinks or dinner. Staying local most of the time but we're in a great area so this IS where people come to hang out. As touristy as it was we even went to Tribeca bar and Grill (De Niro's restaurant) which wasn't too bad and the steaks were pretty tasty (keeping in mind I have just come from London where food quality is, shall we say not quite the standard of Oz)
Sunday was Peter's last day and a heartbreaking one for me. We'd really settled inand it felt like this was our new home. I'd forgotten that he had to go back. We got up early and went out for breakfast then went to the Statue of Liberty. When it was time for Peter to go, I just lost it. Sobbed hysterically, clung on like a scared child and basically begged him to stay. I'd never even been in the apartment without him and I was worried how alone I would feel. He said that before we came here he was really worried but saw what a safe building and neighbourhood I'm in (for the moment anyways) and that I've got a good job and that I would be fine. Not to mention that I would be back in London in 4 weeks and that he was going to book a ticket back here 4 weeks after that. I know he's right and that I will be fine without him, its just I don't want to be without him.
Don't fear dear readers, there is good news at the end of all this. Peter (as hoped) fell in love with it here and plans to move here once his lease and contract are up in London in 6 months! We are looking into visas and jobs as we speak! So this long distance won't be forever, although it still is hard, at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Keep your fingers crossed for us...

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

blink and you'll miss it

Yo from New York!!!!!

So I've finally arrived after much trial and tribulation and am loving it. Best decision of my life moving here. I am having the best time, seeing the sights and being all NY fabulous. Part of my job I found out yesterday is to go to all these fabulous parties I get invited to and network. My first is tomorrow night at the Guggenheim. Its not the event I have to co-host (thats at the end of March) but its an opening of this crazy Asian explosion artist. Lots of free champers and good food apparently, and it wll be a good chance for me to introduce myself. The missus is even tagging along. He's buying some new clothes today to wear to it, bless him.

I know this is painfully short for a first NY blog, and I really do promise to write more after Peter goes (only 4 more sleeps now) but I must get back to work. Hope this finds you all well my lovlies xxx

Monday, February 11, 2008

worlds were colliding... and it was fine

So yesterday was the big day when Peter finally met my Father. My poor beloved was nervous as as hell, and secretly I had a few butterflies myself but it all went absolutely swimmingly and I'm expecting to hear nothing but good reports from my father today.

We all met up for Yum Cha in Chinatown to celebrate New Year and Peter was at his most fraudulent best, being more charming and polite than I've EVER seen him. I spent half the time giggling behind my tea cup. I think Dad thought he was great though because he could see how happy he makes me, and who wouldn't want that for their child?

After lunch, we rolled out of the restaurant to wander through Leicester Square and then continued down to Picadilly Circus, through St James's Park (to enjoy this glorious sunshine. Isn't London fab-u-lous at the mo?) and down passed Westminster and Big Ben.

After the most wonderful day yesterday, I couldn't be more happy...





Friday, February 08, 2008

the final countdown

Hey ya, So one week to go and my Dad is still here. Its been so good seeing him. Its been nearly 2 years since I've been home and I've really enjoyed a bit of family time before I embark on my next big adventure.

Speaking of big adventures, I'm moving into Peter's place tommorrow, after working my last shift at the bar tonight. I have no doubt its going to be a big one. I've invited a few of my posse (Steven and Dan, that includes you!) and its fair to say I'm going to be somewhat under the influence. Oh don't look at me like that, for feck's sake I work in a bar!

On Sunday Dad and Peter are going to meet fot he first time at a New Years celebratory Yum Cha (I hate calling it dim sum) Peter is somewhat nervous (this may possibly be my fault due to winding him up serverly) and asked if he needs to bow when he meets him. I considered telling him my Dad doesn't speak a word of English but then woke from my moment of insanity (who knows what Peter would have said in front of him if he thought he couldn't understand. Knowing my beloved it would have been a reference to the shenanigans from the night before. Dear Lord...)

Completely off topic I've been delving further into my back catalogue of favourite tunes (thank you youtube) and have felt the need for calm of late. I guess all this moving really has left me wanting familiarity. Something soothing, something I know, something like this. How very New York of me....