Half the World Away.
OK, I’ve put this off too long. Roldan is sitting on the other side of the world, waiting for me so he can post this – sorry, Roldan. I’m two hours past the publishing deadline: two Remy Martins and five mince pies into the last working Friday afternoon of the year. I’ve been sitting here thinking about what to write while working on some drawings and warming pizza for my son, who can’t escape his PS5. Drinking coffee with Rhondda and being distracted by untangling and hanging more Christmas lights.
Part of the problem is that much has happened this past week, with too much to report. The highlights are the number 27 bus to Chalk Farm, drinks in the Viaduct Showbar in Leeds and singing Half the World Away live with Noel Gallagher. The low points are Akbar’s air conditioning system and somehow managing to overdo it at Snug Architects Christmas party on Friday night, resulting in taking my Christmas dinner to a Marylebone kerb on Saturday morning. It was disappointing as I’ve been training for that event for several months. 2024 will be a year of clean living, Buddha-like humming, running and not going to late-night gay bars.
Seeing Noel Gallagher was one of the year’s highlights; having been an Oasis fan since 1994, it was quite emotional to see him live. It’s funny these gigs with the big stars who, as artists, keep creating. They have some brilliant new songs, probably better than the older stuff. But Noel announced halfway through, ‘You’ve made it to the 90s, ‘ acknowledging what we were all there for, and the party kicked off. Although a man sat before me and watched the entire second half through a 6-inch screen, I was so close to accidentally flicking it out of his hands.
There were some interesting cultural revelations by taxi drivers in Leeds about getting a decent authentic curry. The first chap said, ‘Make sure you ask for Asian Style when you order.’ Apparently, they take one look, and I get ‘English Style’. But Muhammad, the second and older driver, said it won’t matter; they will give you the same stuff whatever you say. You won’t know, and it won’t matter if you claim to have a Pakistanian granny. These were enlightening and friendly conversations that we have far too little. Muhammad said his wife was a great cook and from Pakistan, too. He tells her she is English inside because of the fantastic English food she cooks. It turns out she makes great Lasagne, Paella and other pasta dishes. This was brilliant, being all wrapped up as one with the Europeans. But imagine if someone dared to do that the other way around. I remember Oliver saying around 2016 that we are culturally European. There are differences, but we are essentially the same. So on this eve of a New Year, remembering that Muhammad is a bit more different but the same as us all: Wanting a good meal with his family and friends, is not a bad Thought for the Weekend to sign off on.
Have a peaceful and healthy Christmas holiday.
This week’s web links include fireside pubs in London, a way-over-the-top Sussex flat, and something made for Christmas that uses up all that Pimms in the cupboard.
Feel free to let me know if you have any comments or suggestions. You will always find me at carl@carlarchitect.co.uk.
This Week’s Links:
The best London pubs with open fires.
Not somewhere that will be easy to visit for a while, but this hotel in Odessa is worth a look.
I hear Teneriffe is a good place for an early January week in the sun. Here are some other options for a break.
A Sussex flat decorated for Christmas.
Pimm’s for Christmas.
It’s interesting to see how Dacia cars have gone from old Renault’s with a different name to something that one might considering driving.
Lord Nelson’s lovenest is for sale.
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Main image credit: The Viaduct Showbar, Leeds (I was too busy singing to take pictures of Noel)
