Posted 7:01 AM by Lodger
WIMBLEDON:
Emma and I went to the Championship for the third time this past Saturday... our first weekend experience, and more importantly, our first show court experience!

We woke up very early (3:30 - arggh!) with keen enthusiasm, took a minicab to the queue, and settled in behind 840 or so fellow crazies hoping to get showcourt tickets for the day. It was a beautiful, clear morning, the atmosphere very positive, a perfect day for sitting in a queue for 5 hours or so.

I read, Emma marked papers, we both ate cheese rolls and strawberries, and the queue snaked along in irregular forward pushes, supervised and controlled beautifully by wonderful volunteer stewards who, from what we could tell, contribute their time for the love of it all.

Both of us were resigned to the fact that we would not get show courts. There were to be 250 tickets each for Centre Court, Court 1 and Court 2. Being about 840 in the queue, we figured we had a very outside chance of getting something, but would be happy with ground tickets. But when the lovely little man with white hair and an 'honourary steward' armband came along, he had a whole fistful of Court One wristbands left. The wait was worth it.

We entered the grounds about 10AM and play on Court 1 didn't start until 1PM, so we had plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere. The grounds are beautiful. The Lawn and Tennis Club is a very special place and Em and I both felt a real pleasant vibe from spectators and staff alike. We've both watched Wimbledon on television most of our lives and being there in person really brings it all to life. The deep forest green you see on TV is everywhere, complemented by endless guardinias, both purple and blue. On a sunny day it would be a great place to be even without the tennis.

So we leisurely passed the time, saw part of a demo of young tennis players doing drills on court 14, watched a bit of two junior girls singles matches, including one involving the number one seed (Russian, of course), scoped out the Wimbledon shop for goodies for ourselves and loved ones, and, finally, at about 12:30, after a german sausage and a beer, found our seats on Court One.

Our seats were amazing, behind the baseline at one end, perfect for seeing a deuce court serve coming in at you at about 130mph! We saw three matches: Andrei Tursunov(Russia) Vs. Ivan Ljubocic(Croatia), the conclusion of Mario Ancic(Croatia) Vs. Wawrenka(Switzerland), and Amelie Mauresmo(France) Vs. Nicole Pratt(Australia). Of the three, the first match was by far the best, a five setter pulled out by Tursunov after being down two sets to love. It was a tense match that drew out great tennis from both players at times, but in the end it seemed that Tursunov was better conditioned to handle the +30 weather. It was definitely hot in there! One spectator passed out and had to be taken out on a stretcher by medical staff, delaying the match for several minutes. Ljubocic was particularly concerned, directing a ball girl to bring over ice and an umbrella to relieve the poor woman. In the end, she appeared to be alright, and the match continued. From then on Em was firmly behind the Croatian, won over by his thoughtful and caring nature. I kept supporting the Russian... he was the underdog, and, at the time, down a couple of sets. And as you know, my guy won. Well done Andrei!

The next match was less competitive. A tight battle the day before (one set apiece) until delayed due to darkness, on Saturday it never reached the same levels of tension and excitement as the day before. Ancic dominated from the start, and finished off the match in two fairly easy sets. So it wasn't all bad for the Croatia on the day.

Australia also had mixed results on the day. On court two, Leyton Hewitt, who is in good form in the tournament so far, won with relative ease. Unfortunately, his countrywoman one court one, Ms. Nicole Pratt, did not fair so well. Ranked 127 in the world, the fiesty veteran put up a valiant fight, at times enduring the crowd to her with her endlessly plucky effort. But in the end, Mauresmo was never really threatened, winning 6-1, 6-2. Credit to the Aussie fans in the crowd though: true to form, they were enthusiastic in support to the end, giving her a good cheer at the end of the match. Go Aussie!

When play finished on Court One about 6:00, neither of us felt like anything to eat just yet in the stifling heat, so it was off to 'Henman Hill', I mean, er, 'Murray Field' to watch the third set of the Murray/Roddick match on Centre Court. If you watch tennis, are British, or both, you know what happened. In the performance of a lifetime, Murray, using a wide repertoire of shots and the home town crowd support, knocked off number two seeded American, Andy Roddick. Poor Roddick looked shattered after the match, but true to form, was gracious in defeat. And importantly, on the day England went out of the World Cup (on penalties, again!), Brits at least had something positive to celebrate.

After the match, we found a nice place on the hill, drank some red wine, ate some sandwiches, and enjoyed the cool evening breeze. The end to a perfect day.

GORDON RAMSAY'S

On 7 June, Duncan, Astra, Winnie, Scott, Emma, and I went to Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant on Hospital Road in Chelsea. We each saved up so we could enjoy what was for some of us a first fine dining experience.

In short, I loved it. You see these Michelin star chefs on television and hear about 'mixing flavours' and 'classic French cuisine,' blah, blah, blah. It can't be that good, right? After all, food is food.

True.

But there's food.

And then, there's food.

Won't go into too much detail, as I'm actually very hungry as I write this. The short version:

Started with the lobster and lagoustine ravioli, one of their signature dishes. Amazing! The lobster meat was sweet and tender, the sauce lovely and creamy.

Had foie gras stuffed braised pigeon in a port jus for the main. This was the dish of the evening for me. The pigeon was served with a subtle horseradish mash and parsnips, and each bite was heaven. I constructed every forkful with the utmost care, making sure each mouthful had a bit of each of the ingredients. The mix of flavours on the tongue was like nothing I've ever tasted before. I'm not a food critic. I know little of either the science or the art of cooking fine food. So I won't pretend to be able to do it justice here. But trust me. That was some damn fine pigeon.

Had the cheese selection for dessert, let the waitress select for me and mostly enjoyed it, although starting to learn that I like strong bleues, but only medium soft cheeses.

Of course, you go to a restaurant like this to enjoy good food and wine, but what mostly hits you during the evening is the service. It's one to one service, i.e. we had six people, as well as the maitre d' serving us. Our water glasses were always kept exactly two thirds full, and there was always someone there, but it was like they weren't there. They just swooped in and out attending to your every need in an almost invisible manner. They make it so easy spend an entire evening eating, I'm surprised more rich people aren't grotesquely obese. I would be if I was stinking rich. But then I'd have a personal trainer, wouldn't I?

Anyway, there was a down side. After a great dining experience that lasted almost five hours, we all woke up the next day feeling varying levels of illness. I just felt yucky and lethargic as, I imagine, the foie gras and pigeon fat sludged their way through my body's unsuspecting arteries and liver. But Emma and Duncan both felt quite nauseous. A fine dining hang-over, I guess.

But, I still say it was worth it. No pain, no gain, right?

Should mention, the next day, I had a cornershop samosa and crisps for lunch. An amazing mixture of flavours on the palette, the congealed squidgeeness of the refrigerated samosa blending perfectly with the satisfying crunch of the crisps...

Posted 1:38 AM by Lodger
Free period. Blogging. Should be marking. Feel very tired at the end of this week. Want to sleep, sleep, sleep.

Next week should be pretty relaxed. Three year groups are off normal timetable, although two will be in the school doing activities. Problem: management hasn't really informed us of our roll in these activities. So I roll with the punches, do what I'm told, sleepwalk through it, really. It's all so poorly organised, how can I take ownership over my part when I don't really know what that part is.

Enough complaining.

Posted 6:07 AM by Lodger
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS MAKE

Two days after my last blog, a rather melancholy one if I'm to be truthful, I feel vastly different, quite the opposite, in fact.

Yesterday was a lovely day. During lunch, before PM registration, I put graduation cards on each of the desks of my form students, along with a cup of sparkling grape juice. When they came in, they were all quite touched, and excited as well. The vibe in the room was very much one of togetherness. I toasted them all, wishing 'the best (and only) form group I've ever had' a successful future, and then we ate chocolate, exchanged email address, and signed shirts and leaving books. Their leaving assembly was great fun, Winnie did a great job providing some serious, and some not so serious, awards. Afterwards they all spilt into the front foyer saying goodbye to each other, many of them (boys and girls) weeping their hearts out.

I've battled daily with the students in my form. At times, it has been the most trying aspect of my time at the school. But then they go, and you realise that after seeing them 5 days a week for the better part of three years, that you miss them. They really are good kids, all of them. One of my most difficult little angels... Miss Always Late and Often Defiant... gave me a hug at the end of it all and thanked me for being a good form tutor. I have to admit, it made me feel pretty good, and that heading home yesterday I was walking tall.

Posted 4:03 PM by Lodger
YEAR 11 PROM


Been a bit of a funny week. Year 11s are about to go on study leave and then begin writing their final exams. Every fibre of my being has been awaiting these weeks with eager anticipation... no more year 11 English class and, more importantly, no more form! My relationship with my form has been a rocky one, and I fully admit, I'll be happy to see the back of them. And yet, I also have to admit, I'll miss them. Tonight at the prom I felt some pride seeing them all grown up, dressed in their suits and ball gowns. And so tonight, at just past midnight, I find myself finishing writing the last of 27 graduation cards... many of them don't deserve them maybe, but sometimes you don't do things because you should, but because you want to.

EX-PUPILS

On a similar topic: over the past two weeks have had the opportunity to speak to two of last year's grads who were in my English. One served Emma at House of Fraser and the other stopped by the school to say hello. Both were lovely and are doing very well, taking A levels now. Both spoke fondly of my class, and were genuinely interested in my life and future plans. The meetings couldn't have come at a better time for me. This year has been a slog professionally, the school being a generally unpleasant place to teach since recent personel changes. I owe Zoe and Nairan, these ex-pupils, a super-sized thankyou for reminding me why it's all worth it.

FA CUP FINAL

Em and I watched the FA cup final in The Knight's Templar, a pub up behind the Royal Courts of Justice on Fleet Street. Liverpool beat WestHam on penalties after the score was even 3-3 at full time. This was a good result for Em and I, although most of our London friends would vehemently disagree.

Whatever. After watching that game, regardless of the final score, I can declare with hand on heart: Steven Gerard is a God. Two clutch goals to tie the match twice, both improbably ferocious strikes.

Only one question remains. He's done it time and again for Liverpool. Can he do it for England?

Posted 3:26 AM by Lodger
Damn! Posting photos to Blogger proving difficult. Probably the archaic connection via phone line. We've got a broadband connection coming soon, but waiting for hook-up. Will be able to load all my cds on to my ipod then, as have also just bought a 320 GB external hard-drive (more space than we'll ever need, but bigger is always better, right?)

May Day long weekend here, so enjoying a lazy Saturday morning... crashed after delivery Thai food last night. Both of us woke up about 1 AM last night and couldn't remember falling asleep... crashed again and got up this morning about 8. I feel very refreshed, best I've felt since our arrival home last week. Will probably spend the rest of today reading, lazing, maybe a DVD, more reading and lazing... might fit in a run, since haven't exercised since Monday squash session. Missed Pilates on Wednesday, crashed on the couch instead.

Reading this, I'm thinking, have my sporting activities become a bit preppie/yuppieish? Squash on Mondays, pilates on Wednesday, fit in a jog one other day a week. Maybe it isn't as bad as I'm imagining, just that I live in a society in where football is the only game... rough men who swear and inhale pints of lager play football; poofs play squash, and, as for a man doing pilates... best keep that to yourself and the odd trusted mate.

About pilates. It's brilliant. I've got a bad back and right shoulder, and the awareness of posture you gain from the exercises is life-changing. It's also a damn good workout, although I'm still at the beginner stages.

I've always liked running, although the pounding sometimes causes my shoulder to ache and it's obviously not good for the knees. Winnie has run in the past two London marathons and both years we've been in to London to cheer her on. The marathon was last Sunday and she knocked 20 minutes or so off her time from the previous year. We were all very proud of her. Both times I've watched the marathon, I've thought I'd like to run one before I'm fourty. I know I could train and do it fine enough... I've a light frame when I'm in shape and have always enjoyed long distance running. The problem is discipline. Could I really dedicate myself to the training regiment needed for a marathon?

Posted 4:53 PM by Lodger
Speaking of random observations. The smell of nicotine, isolated from the smell of cigarette smoke, is foul. Had a haircut today from a woman who obviously smoked. She covered up the smoke smell well-couldn't smell it on her clothes-but her breathe and her skin faintly smelled of nicotine. The smell was subtle but insidious, at times turning my stomach. It's a sour, almost deathly smell; the smell of a smoke-filled pub is less offensive. But the smoke-filled pub will kill you, so...

Posted 3:08 PM by Lodger
THE LAST FEW DAYS IN SYDNEY

LtoR: John(Em's Dad), Alex, AJ, Em
LtoR: Me, Rob, Belinda

Good Friday was another family day in Sydney. I met both Em's brothers, Rob and AJ, and their partners, Belinda and Alex. We met at North Head, a lookout point above the north beaches over-looking the city. The view was amazing and we were lucky with the weather, +30 and sunny, a nice change from winter's last traces back in London. After meeting at North Head, we went to The Newport Arms pub for lunch, a place with another great view near AJ's flat. We drank midis (small glasses) of beer and ate fish, while playing musical chairs trying to find a place to sit in the shade where the oddly pale-skinned Canadian could escape from the sun. Eventually we found the tables shown above and enjoyed a lovely fish lunch. Notice the Vancouver Canucks shirt I'm wearing proudly - not sure how I feel about the Canucks now after their disappointing finish, but I'll save that for another time.

After our pub lunch, we went to the North Beaches and Em and I walked on the beach, even got our feet a bit wet. The water was apparently a little cold, but it felt fine to me. The long, dreary London winter was a distant memory! Since we've been back it's been much nicer here, so the trip to Oz carried us through the last weeks of winter.

After the beaches, the boys and their partners headed home for the evening and we headed back to Bert and Baz's for dinner and another introduction to a family member for me - Em's Aunt Sue. She's very nice, quite soft spoken, a very interesting person. She lived in BC for quite some time several years back, and was keen to share her experiences and ask questions about where I've lived, family, etc. She knew everywhere I mentioned, used to shop in Squamish when she lived and worked in Whistler, had friends in Kamloops, and was very familiar with Vancouver. She has very fond memories of her time in BC; I enjoyed swapping stories with her and was pleased to hear she had so many good things to say about places I hold so close to my heart.

During dinner I got some gentle ribbing from the family about my 'English tan,' especially from John, whose reputation proceeds him in that area. I think he's gone quite easy on me so far, I hope because he doesn't want to scare me off; a bit presumptuous on my part, maybe?

The next morning was an even bigger family day, my biggest day yet for meeting Em's relatives. Bert prepared a brunch, which we had in the back garden with the fam. Sue, AJ, Alex, Rob, and Belinda were all back for the occasion, while I also met another aunt and uncle, Helen and Ashley, and their daughters Joanne, Victoria and Georgie, along with Joanne's boyfriend, Cameron. Everyone seemed nice, I seemed to fit in fine (I hope)... Helen at one point noticed I was nowhere in sight, and expressed concern that I may have made a break for it, but being from a large family myself, I didn't find the occasion too stressful. In fact, meeting so many people over the two weeks, at the wedding in Narrabri, and all the family in Sydney, was, I guess, in a strange way, kind of comforting. Sometimes a trial by fire is the easiest way forward.

After a relaxed afternoon visiting, John, May, AJ, Alex, and Em and I met up with James and Tamara and their kids, old family friends of the Wilsons who just moved back to Sydney from London. Em and I had spent quite a bit of time with them when they lived here, and it was great catching up with them. Their kids are a lot of fun and definitely remembered the two of us... they all took turns holding our hands and telling us about their new schools. Hannah, their youngest, even convinced me to give her a piggy-back ride for old times sake... she's grown a bit since the last piggy-back ride! Piggy-back days are definitely coming to an end!

I guess that's about it. Sunday, the trip to the airport, some teary goodbyes, a four hour delay and a 24 hour flight, some jet-lag back in London, a couple of weeks back at the old grind, and it's April 27th. It already seems like the trip was quite awhile ago. But while we were there, it felt like a long two weeks... we packed as much as we could in and even with the long flights, it was in many ways a very relaxing holiday. Goes to show how stressful London has become for both of us. Don't get me wrong, we've had an amazing run here, but we both feel it's time to move on. I still sometimes have 'pinch me' moments though, like seeing the Trevi Fountain in a film the other day and thinking I've walked past that many times. The experiences and memories - this little flat with our lovely back garden, impromtu soirees at Win and Scott's, nights at the pub, proposing under a tree in the Kent countryside, playing hockey on Saturdays... I could go on, but I'll spare you any further gushing. What can I say. I'm a gusher.

Next entries... back to the day to day. Sporadic bitching about teaching. Random observations. Fun fun!

Posted 12:56 PM by Lodger
SOCIALISING IN THE BACK GARDEN
R to L: AJ (EM'S BROTHER), MAY, ALEX (AJ'S GIRLFRIEND)
THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

Posted 12:31 PM by Lodger
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
VIEW OF THE SKYLINE

Posted 9:36 AM by Lodger

BACK IN LONDON

Em and I arrived back in London Easter Monday morning. Our flight was delayed 4 hours, so recuperation time for work was shortened a bit, but jet lag after trip home has not nearly been as bad as when we went the other way.

Wasn't able to blog from Em's Aunt Bert's flat in Sydney, but can report that we had a great time there. Sydney is very modern and clean for the most part, but the many old colonial buildings, many of them churches, inter-mingle seamlessly with the steel and glass of the modern architecture. Although smaller than London, Sydney has more the feel of a metropolis than London, which is really a sprawling collection of small communities or boroughs. Bert (Roberta) and Em's uncle Baz live in Paddington, in the Eastern suburbs, a short walk from downtown, Centenial Park and the eastern beaches. The community is quite multicultural with many funky shops, cinemas, and art galleries, and a great Saturday market.

After arriving in Sydney on Tuesday night, we went to the Royal Easter Show on Wednesday, Australia's biggest and oldest agricultural exhibition, which is kind of like a really big P.N.E., or in other ways, similar to the Calgary Stampede. This year it was more similar to the Stampede than usual, as the theme was rodeo, celebrating 75 years of rodeo events at the show. The night we were there, we saw the final events of an Australia vs. USA international competition, and I'm happy to say, the Aussies squeaked it out. Go Aussie! The rest of the evening show was filled with high revving, motor sports action. The highlight was a freestyle motorcross demonstration, lots of big air off of huge ramps, gasps from the crowd, not normally my type of thing, but actually quite spectacular (much better than a MONSTER TRUCK SHOWDOWN!!!) We also watched a polo match, a show jumping competition, and camp drafting, which is basically competetive cow herding, but more complicated and faster than my brief definition implies... more entertaining than one would think actually, but not interesting enough to elaborate further. One other highlight was the food and produce pavilion, where cottage industry producers sell their tasty treats. We were roped in by a wine seller to have a taste (several tastes actually), the guy talked our ear off, a salesman through and through, but the wine was good. May and John (Em's parents) bought a case while Em and I just freeloaded... ah the benefits of being young and in debt. I also experienced one of the great traditions of 'The Show,' purchasing showbags! Showbags are sample bags put together by companies like Nestle, Cadbury, Willy Wonka, Barbie!!!, etc. They're for kids really, but who doesn't want to taste childhood again from time to time. Em bought a KitKat bag, full of Nestle chocolate stuff, and I went for the Willy Wonka bag which is stuffed with candy!!! Mmmm. Gobstoppers.

Also ate Emu burgers. They were gross. Should have went with the crocodile hot dog.


THURSDAY

Went on a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise... prawns, salmon, crab, and lots of other delicious seafood along with lovely views, and, unfortunately, a bit of rain. Got as far as holding a 'fresh' oyster, in shell, in my hand, was ready to throw it back into my waiting gullet, but lost my nerve. They look like grey snot. I am determined to try it again some time, as many people tell me they are fab, full of salty sea goodness, but next time, I'll keep my eyes focused above shell's edge.

The Harbour is very pretty. Much of the land along the water's edge is still undeveloped, especially on the north-east shore heading towards Manly and the northern beaches. The forests of gum trees are very thick with rounded, rather than pointed tree-tops, and their green leaves have a blue-grey tinge. Very lush like the forests on the BC coast, beautiful in a different way. From a distance the tree-line appears to come right to the water's edge in parts, but when you get closer you can see several yards of sloping rock, or grass or beach, destroying the illusion of what almost looks like a quilt of broccoli heads floating upon the water.

The harbour cruise was a birthday gift for both May and John, and for both it was quite an exercise in nostalgia; both went to school in Sydney. John seemed to particularly enjoy it, a reminder of his wild younger days. Apparently he swam across the harbour once on a dare, disdainfully denying the presence of sharks after being warned by friends. Later, when he realised the warnings were true, that sharks did indeed inhabit the waters, he apparently felt a bit queasy. But he lived to tell the tale.

After the cruise, as it was raining, Em and I checked out the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay, which was quite fortuitous, as Sam Taylor-Wood's photo exhibit of male celebs crying (you did read that right) was showing. It was actually very good. The best ones were Philip Seymour-Hoffman (shattered, broken), Paul Newman (honest, soulful), Robert Downey Jr. (angelic, purified), and Hayden Christiansen (weeping like a little girl). Jude Law looked like a sleasy faker. Didn't believe it for a second. I also really liked her photo of a guy suspended in mid-air, called 'The Leap.' Check it out if you can.

After a quick shower and change into formal attire at Bert's, Em and I made our way to the Opera House for a performance by the Australian National Ballet and the Bangarra Dance Company, an Aboriginal ballet group. They performed two pieces together, 'Amalgamation' and 'Rites.' I'm no expert on dance, but the performance was amazing... seeing the mix of traditional European ballet and aboriginal dance was very powerful. We splurged a bit on the evening (although the tickets were a gift from Bert), going out for a nice meal at the opera bar after the performance. Emma looked stunning in her black chiffon dress and blue silk shawl. I'm told I was dashing (if I do say so myself) in my chocolate brown suit. The view from the balcony over the harbour at night was pretty special; it was cool being able to stand out there with our drinks during intermission. Very romantic. Up close the opera house is really interesting. Each of the 'sails' is a seperate auditorium and once you're upstairs, to pass from one auditorium to the other you have to go outside. However, its all joined at the lower levels. I always thought, viewing it from a distance in photos, that all of the 'sails' were connected, that they were, in fact, all just a cosmetic feature of the ceiling. Like so many things one experiences in a foreign country, it was not quite like I thought it would be. But the evening was better than we both could have imagined. A perfect night.