So you've finally made it to Greece for your summer holidays. And you had the time of your life. How do you cope with going back to your UK office and picking up hundreds of e-mails?
You take it easy. One step at the time.
When things are heating, the only way to cope is to slow down. Even when this is 'impossible'. Says who? Have you ever tried to see yourself from a 3rd perspective? It's a bit scary, you might see somebody that you barely recognise, running constantly to reach unrealistic goals.
Summer time in Greece teached me a couple of things:
1. Don't rush anything - relax, take your time. Upon my return, I heard that a member of our senior management team had a heart attack. I don't even want to think that I might end-up like him one day. Even if that means a less fancy job title. I prefer to take it easy and enjoy my days here
2. Be self-conscious. You can only achieve your goals when you know your strengths and where you are good at. Work on your weaknesses and dump anything that wastes your time.
And most of all, have a good time. No matter how you define 'good'.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
flying cars in London?
the world’s first usable road-legal flying car comes along, it would be quite easy to dismiss it into the category of outlandish renderings that have no possiblity of actual construction. In this case, we would be quite wrong, however. The Parajet SkyCar, the world’s first bio-fueled flying car, has been under development for several years, and in January, it made a successful air voyage from Europe to Timbuktu. While finished development and testing are still in the future, you can put a down payment on your very own SkyCar today. For around $16,338 (10,000 pounds) you can reserve a SkyCar, which is priced at $81, 700 (50,000 pounds)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
the summer of the 'ex'
not in a mood to elaborate the title right now...all I can think of is my flight in a few hours to Athens, and then sailing with my friends to the Aegean sea on a boat
don't know when i'm coming back to London..
i hope you get a proper tan in your private heaven..
don't know when i'm coming back to London..
i hope you get a proper tan in your private heaven..
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Ping Pong Door
This door can be transformed into a table-tennis table where necessary. Ideal for small London appartments to play with your flat mates ;)
When everybody is leaving...not for holidays this time :(
During the last year, we've been living in the swing of 'credit crunch', 'recession' or 'crisis' as the media inform as. We thought that this impacts only the bankers, the brokers and the guys working in the City.
As it turns out, everybody was affected.
Redundancies and unemployment is now clouding the London sky, eating the real clouds for breakfast. Who cares about the weather when your job, your future is on the line?
It's the third incident, somebody close to me was made redundant. One of them was actually smart enough to have insurance against this scenario so he got away with it really smoothly, getting paid for 9 months without even working. Now he got a new contract and it's like nothing really happened. The second is now packing her luggage and leaving London, returning to Greece for good. The third is still in shock as the news are still fresh, so I don't know what will happen in this case...but it certainly doesn't look good.
This only shows how uncertain things are. How long-term planning does not mean much in the current climate. As I've written before, we are all passengers in this London train, and we shouldn't invest too much in this island. Cause investments (time, money, dreams, relationships, etc...) can go terribly wrong and we are left with nothing.
I'll come back to this 'passenger' theme as the messages I'm getting from other friends have the same kind of theme.
As it turns out, everybody was affected.
Redundancies and unemployment is now clouding the London sky, eating the real clouds for breakfast. Who cares about the weather when your job, your future is on the line?
It's the third incident, somebody close to me was made redundant. One of them was actually smart enough to have insurance against this scenario so he got away with it really smoothly, getting paid for 9 months without even working. Now he got a new contract and it's like nothing really happened. The second is now packing her luggage and leaving London, returning to Greece for good. The third is still in shock as the news are still fresh, so I don't know what will happen in this case...but it certainly doesn't look good.
This only shows how uncertain things are. How long-term planning does not mean much in the current climate. As I've written before, we are all passengers in this London train, and we shouldn't invest too much in this island. Cause investments (time, money, dreams, relationships, etc...) can go terribly wrong and we are left with nothing.
I'll come back to this 'passenger' theme as the messages I'm getting from other friends have the same kind of theme.
Monday, July 13, 2009
When everybody is leaving
Don't you just hate that feeling? When all your friends start to take off, going back to beautiful Greece for the summer? And you are left behind, waiting impatiently for your turn to pay a visit to Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton...
It's mid-July, and day by day, Greek Londoners are deserting the battle ground. Who can blame them? After the incredibly hot week we experienced in the City, the miserable weather is back. Rain every day. Having to pack in the tube to go to the office every day. Your iPod is full of summer tunes bringing you memories of the beach. Distant memories that you hope you will re-live soon.
But how soon is "soon"?
For me, it's tomorrow. Sometimes, I feel I just can't wait. I hear the sea calling me. But all I can see is a pale body which used to be so dark. And it will be again, just give me a couple of days on that beach.
For others, it's a couple of weeks. They were smart enough to 'break' their holidays in order to enjoy Greece 3 times, once every month. The problem with that is going back (see my previous post, "Returning"). Too many back and forths can cause serious problems in re-adjusting. The danger of staying mentally back is obvious.
Then, for some, it's in August! Typical Greeks (ellinares) who inevitably link summer holidays with 10-20 August, the busiest time of the year for the islands. It's one thing waiting for August when you are in Athens, and another when you have to put up with the shitty weather for 2 1/2 months before you actually touch sand. The only way to make it through that is to keep your mind occupied (call me work) and have something to look for. Something sweet. Something that will take all your frustration away.
Rare exceptions exist. Greeks that choose to travel to far-away destinations, thinking that it's their only opportunity to discover our planet. It's true, it's so much cheaper to travel from London. But in what inner cost? I guess, these exceptions are the loners, people who don't really have any real friends waiting for them in Greece. The ones that are fully integrated to the living-abroad lifestyle and they don't really miss home. After all, they think, we are going to spend the rest of our lives there, so why not exploring now? Good point, but arguable.
No matter what you do, take some time off and enjoy yourself.
You deserve it!
It's mid-July, and day by day, Greek Londoners are deserting the battle ground. Who can blame them? After the incredibly hot week we experienced in the City, the miserable weather is back. Rain every day. Having to pack in the tube to go to the office every day. Your iPod is full of summer tunes bringing you memories of the beach. Distant memories that you hope you will re-live soon.
But how soon is "soon"?
For me, it's tomorrow. Sometimes, I feel I just can't wait. I hear the sea calling me. But all I can see is a pale body which used to be so dark. And it will be again, just give me a couple of days on that beach.
For others, it's a couple of weeks. They were smart enough to 'break' their holidays in order to enjoy Greece 3 times, once every month. The problem with that is going back (see my previous post, "Returning"). Too many back and forths can cause serious problems in re-adjusting. The danger of staying mentally back is obvious.
Then, for some, it's in August! Typical Greeks (ellinares) who inevitably link summer holidays with 10-20 August, the busiest time of the year for the islands. It's one thing waiting for August when you are in Athens, and another when you have to put up with the shitty weather for 2 1/2 months before you actually touch sand. The only way to make it through that is to keep your mind occupied (call me work) and have something to look for. Something sweet. Something that will take all your frustration away.
Rare exceptions exist. Greeks that choose to travel to far-away destinations, thinking that it's their only opportunity to discover our planet. It's true, it's so much cheaper to travel from London. But in what inner cost? I guess, these exceptions are the loners, people who don't really have any real friends waiting for them in Greece. The ones that are fully integrated to the living-abroad lifestyle and they don't really miss home. After all, they think, we are going to spend the rest of our lives there, so why not exploring now? Good point, but arguable.
No matter what you do, take some time off and enjoy yourself.
You deserve it!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Cloud Umbrella by Joonsoo Kim
This would be cool in the rainy streets of London. A unique way to mark your territory and make a difference in the City :)
Read more
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
London hotter than Athens
Well, at least for today!
The weather is going gaga this week, 32 degrees and glorious sunshine in the British Capital. In deep contrast with the constant rain Greece is experiencing, Londoners are enjoying the hottest days I can remember since I moved on this island.
People are packed in parks, getting red instead of getting a tan, hillarious! The weirdest show is girls walking on the streets of London wearing nothing but their bikinis. They are desperate one might thing. Nobody is complaining about sweating and stinky Tube, they prefer getting dirty and smelly than being wet. Extraordinary.
A walk at Southbank by the river is a must. You should try it, even if it costs you your lunch break.
The weather is going gaga this week, 32 degrees and glorious sunshine in the British Capital. In deep contrast with the constant rain Greece is experiencing, Londoners are enjoying the hottest days I can remember since I moved on this island.
People are packed in parks, getting red instead of getting a tan, hillarious! The weirdest show is girls walking on the streets of London wearing nothing but their bikinis. They are desperate one might thing. Nobody is complaining about sweating and stinky Tube, they prefer getting dirty and smelly than being wet. Extraordinary.
A walk at Southbank by the river is a must. You should try it, even if it costs you your lunch break.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday morning: a guide to mess up your weekend
Saturday morning...
why do I even bother making plans for Saturday morning? I know they never gonna happen. About a year ago, I booked myself and 3 other friends in a sailing course and I went clubbing on Friday night. I met them on my way back home, around 8am!!
Lessons not learned...
This time, I booked myself and my pal to a boxing class on Sat midday and guess what happened...we were partying until 4am the night before and over-slept. He woke me up at 12pm, when we were supposed to start the class. First mistake. If you are not going, at least don't bother waking up. Second mistake...don't get mad. Don't try to fix it. I looked up the club's website and decided to join the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) which was starting at 2pm. I thought this way I would at least utilise my 50 quid deposit and do something useful instead of being angry all day.
But I misjudged. MMA sucks. You spend most of your time hagging your fight partner, feeling their sweat on your face. How on earth do they like this shit? It was a complete waste of time and money (another 65 for the equipment, gloves, etc).
Even more upset, I rushed to take some lunch. My iPhone battery was dying (it happens all the time, i miss my good old reliable Sony Ericcsson) and sent some really nasty messages I didnt mean to, I answered the phone and talked as if somebody killed my mother. Which led me to messing up my Sat. night :(
I had to do something to change the way things were going. Off to Regents street for a shopping spree. Sales are on, so I'll save my day...not! Why do i even bother driving to Oxford road, the traffic was ridiculous, not to mention the parking nightmare. On the first shop, AIX was full of shit, my boxing buddy showed up and I couldn't even talk to him, so he disappeared while I was trying a XS t-shirt (looked good but too gay). I left with a designer's bag I didn't really need, only to see the sunny weather turning into a storm
But the weather deserves a different post altogether, so I'll save my words for another day.
All is not lost, I'll go shopping tomorrow. And this time, I'll hold my umbrella ;)
why do I even bother making plans for Saturday morning? I know they never gonna happen. About a year ago, I booked myself and 3 other friends in a sailing course and I went clubbing on Friday night. I met them on my way back home, around 8am!!
Lessons not learned...
This time, I booked myself and my pal to a boxing class on Sat midday and guess what happened...we were partying until 4am the night before and over-slept. He woke me up at 12pm, when we were supposed to start the class. First mistake. If you are not going, at least don't bother waking up. Second mistake...don't get mad. Don't try to fix it. I looked up the club's website and decided to join the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) which was starting at 2pm. I thought this way I would at least utilise my 50 quid deposit and do something useful instead of being angry all day.
But I misjudged. MMA sucks. You spend most of your time hagging your fight partner, feeling their sweat on your face. How on earth do they like this shit? It was a complete waste of time and money (another 65 for the equipment, gloves, etc).
Even more upset, I rushed to take some lunch. My iPhone battery was dying (it happens all the time, i miss my good old reliable Sony Ericcsson) and sent some really nasty messages I didnt mean to, I answered the phone and talked as if somebody killed my mother. Which led me to messing up my Sat. night :(
I had to do something to change the way things were going. Off to Regents street for a shopping spree. Sales are on, so I'll save my day...not! Why do i even bother driving to Oxford road, the traffic was ridiculous, not to mention the parking nightmare. On the first shop, AIX was full of shit, my boxing buddy showed up and I couldn't even talk to him, so he disappeared while I was trying a XS t-shirt (looked good but too gay). I left with a designer's bag I didn't really need, only to see the sunny weather turning into a storm
But the weather deserves a different post altogether, so I'll save my words for another day.
All is not lost, I'll go shopping tomorrow. And this time, I'll hold my umbrella ;)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Returning
Athens2London this time, once again at Eleftherios Benizelos airport, having plenty of thinking time.
Looking back, you carry with you all kinds of memories. The good and bad times, all these things that you love back home and those that you could live without. Your family, your friends, the food, the sun, the sea. The traffic, the snobbish behaviour and the drama.
A constant trade-off
Looking ahead, your life back in London waits for you. Back to the routine office work, to your flatmates. To cooking, cleaning and ironing your own shirts. Back to the miserable weather, after-work drinks and driving on the wrong lane. Back to a melting pot that offers endless opportunities to meet new people - but at the same time knowing that sooner or later you'll have to wave goodbye to most of them...cause nobody stays in London for life, we are all passengers here. With a destination unknown...
When you are flying, you get 3:30 hrs of "me" time. A weird time between these two worlds. You switch on your iPod, choose a lounge tune and if you are lucky you'll fall asleep. If not, you utilise this time to plan for the future.
At least you try. How on earth can you plan life? The unforeseen circumstances which make things so complicated are endless. Even the slightest detail can change your life. I'm sure you heard about the butterfly effect. I had too many of these life changing experiences the last 2 years and I can tell you it's not as fun as it used to be. Change is exciting but comes with a price (as with all great things in life). You need stomach to deal with it, it's not for every one. And some times I envy these middle-class family men with a wife and two kids, a mortgage and a secure (low-paid) office job. At least they know where they are gonna be tomorrow, next month, next year. I don't.
I guess you desire what you miss. As simple as that. Most family men would trade their lives with mine without second thinking.
The difference between me and them is that I would give it some thought before accepting this magic deal :)
PS. I really CAN'T STAND when Greeks start to line-up BEFORE "group B" (easyJet's boarding system gives priority to Speedy Boarding if you pay £5 extra, then to families/older people, then Group A when you check-in online. Group B goes last). I really don't get it!!! WHY??? Sit down and wait your god damn turn!!!!
PS2. Stop clapping each time we land!!
Looking back, you carry with you all kinds of memories. The good and bad times, all these things that you love back home and those that you could live without. Your family, your friends, the food, the sun, the sea. The traffic, the snobbish behaviour and the drama.
A constant trade-off
Looking ahead, your life back in London waits for you. Back to the routine office work, to your flatmates. To cooking, cleaning and ironing your own shirts. Back to the miserable weather, after-work drinks and driving on the wrong lane. Back to a melting pot that offers endless opportunities to meet new people - but at the same time knowing that sooner or later you'll have to wave goodbye to most of them...cause nobody stays in London for life, we are all passengers here. With a destination unknown...
When you are flying, you get 3:30 hrs of "me" time. A weird time between these two worlds. You switch on your iPod, choose a lounge tune and if you are lucky you'll fall asleep. If not, you utilise this time to plan for the future.
At least you try. How on earth can you plan life? The unforeseen circumstances which make things so complicated are endless. Even the slightest detail can change your life. I'm sure you heard about the butterfly effect. I had too many of these life changing experiences the last 2 years and I can tell you it's not as fun as it used to be. Change is exciting but comes with a price (as with all great things in life). You need stomach to deal with it, it's not for every one. And some times I envy these middle-class family men with a wife and two kids, a mortgage and a secure (low-paid) office job. At least they know where they are gonna be tomorrow, next month, next year. I don't.
I guess you desire what you miss. As simple as that. Most family men would trade their lives with mine without second thinking.
The difference between me and them is that I would give it some thought before accepting this magic deal :)
PS. I really CAN'T STAND when Greeks start to line-up BEFORE "group B" (easyJet's boarding system gives priority to Speedy Boarding if you pay £5 extra, then to families/older people, then Group A when you check-in online. Group B goes last). I really don't get it!!! WHY??? Sit down and wait your god damn turn!!!!
PS2. Stop clapping each time we land!!
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