Monthly Archives: May 2004

Euro Winners

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So to update. Voting was very political (as always). Terry was funny and James Fox did not disgrace us – although it was not the best song. There was a disproportionate amount of male singers and some, like the French, resorted to gimmicks (stilt woman) to try and draw attention to the song. I like the fact that all countries can now vote (even if they did not make it to the final) despite the fact that the voting process takes longer.

the eurovision 2004 winnersThe apparent political dimension to the voting could pose interesting questions on the future for Europe but I think I just choose to find it amusing. Ukraine won (Ruslana was her name) which must have had something to do with the fact that it was visually stunning but I really do think that Sweden deserved to win.

This year we found a whole new dimension to the contest by watching the extra coverage on BBC Three although we did not get to watch the translated lyrics as subtitles – a feature I think just goes to prove that even the BBC don’t take it too seriously.

And what should I say to my Norwegian friends about another ‘nil points’?

On this day…

2004: Odd Thoughts

Over London

Last night I didn’t mention the flight back. I noted on Thursday I really like that moment when you break from the clouds and see your destination unfold before you. It’s not just new or foreign places that still manage to give me a buzz as we come into land. There has been little cloud cover as we flew from Rome. I saw snow-covered mountain tops and mile upon mile of French farmland. There was, however, a little cloud as London came closer and then at around 6.30 last night we came in over London from the East. We broke cloud cover into lovely bright sunlight glinting from the Thames flood barrier looking particularly sunning from above. Nearby was the Dome which, despite all the bad press it’s received, looks amazing when viewed from above. I had great fun trying to spot the Greenwich Observatory and follow the roads to the Greenwich tunnel leading across to Docklands. Coming back down the river we flew by Tower Bridge and then banked to see the London Eye and Westminster before heading West. I had never before appreciated the long snake-like roof of the Eurostar terminal at Waterloo station. It really does stand out. It’s always at this point that I try to follow the winding tracks from Waterloo, Vauxhall to Clapham and heading South towards my home. Of course, I tend to lose it quickly – especially if I notice Victoria station as I start to do the same thing from there too. Eventually the plane making its final approach and I follow the M4 past the Glaxo SmithKlein headquarters and see Sky Television, the Gillette Tower and the large Isleworth branch of Tesco before we really start to see the hangers of Heathrow and the large British Airways buildings. London is a very different place when viewed from above. I love it!

On this day…

2004: Eurovision 2004

Eurovision 2004

james fox was britains eurovision entryAnd so it comes to pass that another year has passed and tonight is the Eurovision Song Contest. James Fox is our entry but I don’t hold much hope based on the fact that voting is so political these days. As I wasn’t aware of him on the television show that brought him to light (I think it was the BBC’s Fame Academy) but I got to hear him last November when he supported Liberty X at a charity concert I went to. He mainly performed cover versions (with a couple of original songs thrown in) which were fine but not fantastic but he had charisma and a small but very vocal fan base (they probably sounded loud because I was stood right next to them).

I haven’t heard his song for this year’s contest so it will be a first for me. As always I look forward to the event for its more ridiculous elements. I’m sure Terry Wogan will have plenty to be sarcastic about. I do wonder if I will watch it (if anybody will watch it) when he stops commentating. PY and I are visiting friends to watch it. I think I will end up over-eating and undoing all benefits of the gym.

On this day…

2004: Over London

I Saw Some Of Rome

the colosseum romethe colosseum romethe colosseum rome

Rome was quite good. If you have read this site at all you may recall that I visited Rome a few weeks ago but I didn’t actually see any of the tourist sights (and my entry was entitled ‘Where Was The Colosseum‘). My Italian colleague comes from Milan and it turns out that he has never been to The Colosseum so, after our meeting we tried to work out how to use the metro service. For once I can say that I saw something of the city and that makes the journey worthwhile. Sadly, we didn’t have time to get inside The Colosseum (the queue was far to long for the amount of time we had) so instead we headed to St Peter’s Square to have a look there.

Both were stunning. I thought the people dressed as Roman Centurions outside The Colosseum were very amusing. I would certainly like to go and see it properly at some point. In 1506 pope Julius II laid the first stone for what was to become the Basilica on Vatican Hill which was to become the largest in the world. Again, the queues meant that we could not get too near but I did manage to see where people would sit for a view of the Pope. I imagine the atmosphere is incredible.

Rome, I think, really does need to go on my list of places to visit for pleasure at some point.

On this day…

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Fly Away Again

I’ve been trying to work out how many flights I have taken in my life. It’s more than I ever thought I would and must now be running into hundreds: the vast majority of them have been undertaken as part of my work. I work with our customers all around Europe and, sometimes, you have to be there in person.

Despite the fact that I have – most likely – been on more planes than buses in recent years I still can’t help get excited. As long as there isn’t a great deal of turbulence it would appear that I am getting over my nerves (unlike my visit to Dundee this time last year) and can enjoy the experience. However, I will never get over the thrill of that moment when you pass through the cloud layer and start to see the ground getting closer and you can start to see the people and the places. Landing in Rome earlier it was dark and almost didn’t notice the landing – which is strange as it is, by far, my favourite part of flying.

On this day…

2004: Traveling from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Central Rome
2004: Traveling from Central London to Heathrow Airport
2004: Heading Away Again

Traveling from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Central Rome

As a reminder to myself the easiest and quickest way from the airport in Rome to the city centre is by using the Leonardo Express. It takes about 30 minutes and, when I was there, trains were running every thirty minutes. It costs – more-or-less – ten Euros. The trains are large but there were also a good number of people on the train. For some strange reason tickets were being issued by one man who had to hand write each ticket. It wasn’t the fastest way to issue fares. The train arrives at a platform towards the back of the station and the walk to – what I think was – the front was a lot longer than I imagined. There were plenty of taxis and most of them don’t take credit cards.

On this day…

2004: Fly Away Again
2004: Traveling from Central London to Heathrow Airport
2004: Heading Away Again

Traveling from Central London to Heathrow Airport

heathrow airportThis is a note to myself. I must remember that for a journey from Central London (in my case Piccadilly Circus) to Heathrow you should allow a good 45 minutes. Heathrow is in Zone 6 which means I need an extension to my travel pass for that (thank goodness for Oyster as the pre-pay option which means you don’t have to think about buying a ticket while you are rushing for a train). The Piccadilly Line was quite a pleasant journey.

On this day…

2004: Fly Away Again
2004: Traveling from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Central Rome
2004: Heading Away Again

Heading Away Again

I will be heading from Rome later today. Thinking about it a little bit last night I realised that these short trips are no fun whatsoever. I will be rushing off later this afternoon so that I can make a plane this evening which will get me into Rome late tonight. Then I will not be able to sleep. The first night in any hotel I find very hard to rest right through. Then, I will be up early Friday morning for the meeting followed by, I hope, a little bit of time for some lunch in a cafe somewhere before I will head back to the airport. Luckily, my parents will be picking me up from the airport as they are heading for London to spend Saturday with us.

On this day…

2004: Fly Away Again
2004: Traveling from Rome Fiumicino Airport to Central Rome
2004: Traveling from Central London to Heathrow Airport

Office Alone

deskToday has been a very strange day. I have been alone in the office; all of my colleagues are on the road or on holiday. Despite previous thoughts of working alone and/or from home I can categorically say that I like the stimulation of the office environment and I am pretty certain that I won’t be looking for employment from home in the future. I currently work in a small four-person office space and even that gets very difficult at times. Since early 2002 I have worked with three other people in two different jobs. I think next time I will be looking for something larger. If you work alone or from home, how do you manage it?

While sat alone this afternoon I started listening to Radio Four for a little bit of company and was reminded how good PM was as a news show. I don’t believe there was anything that stood out today – apart from the obvious talents of Eddie Mair – but I can recommend it if you’re in need of company! Also, while I was working through my tasks earlier I got a call which means I will be attending a hastily organised meeting in Rome on Friday morning so I will be spending this evening trying to get as many of my belongings into the smallest possible bag that I can. It is at times like this that I wish my employer has purchased a lighter laptop for me.

On this day…

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Tate’s Anniversary

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turbine hall at the tate modernI’ve mentioned before that the South Bank is one of my favourite areas of London. Although I am not a big gallery goer (can I say that?) I do like the Tate Modern – basically because you can wander in and out as you wish and, for the most part, it’s free. I have always been a big fan of the exhibitions/installations in the turbine hall. There’s something about the sheer size of the art that is appealing. The turbine hall allows for some huge installations or just a lot of space in which to interact (or lie on the floor as we did for the weather project). They are celebrating their fourth anniversary this year and BBC News has some great pictures from some of those bigger exhibitions.

On this day…

2003: Friday Five – Organisation