Ooh boy. Hold on to your hats, it's been something of a week.
On Thursday, our team was called to a surprise meeting with the London boss, who had booked it late the night before, clashing with another meeting. He showed up in the company of the local HR person. And when she sat down, she told us it was bad news. Turns out the company is implementing a sheaf of redundancies, and all teams are affected. Ours is losing at least one person - the grapevine, however, says we're all going.
Afterwards, my boss said he'd leave regardless. I completely agree - the company seems to be driving our team in precisely the opposite direction to where he was leading us, and he's been making those noises for a while. And there's a bad culture of bullying in the office, which means that I'm not prepared to stay here without him as a (very effective) buffer. As I told him - haven't made it official yet, I'd prefer to see whether I get redundancy. 1-1 consultations take place next week, when we might get some definite news, from this most secretive of companies.
Well, we've become close to the two-person design team - who are losing the more senior designer. They had their meeting right after ours. So we met with them afterwards, booked one of the meeting rooms, had drinks and snacks - until we were unceremoniously chucked out by the office Stalin, who was working with some people on presentations for the upcoming expo. Nobody felt like going to the meal we'd booked in Tas, which I cancelled.
Yesterday, The London Art Song and Opera group advertised the opera, Andrea Chénier, at St. John's Waterloo. Also the London European Club. Hell, they didn't make it easy though - if you wanted the special offer, you had to ring. And, as I discovered, when you rang, you did not get an answer. No, you had to leave your name and number and they'd get back to you. When I discovered that there was no way to do this "live", I rang them very late last Saturday night - would you believe, they got back to me on Sunday morning! which was when I discovered that the offer included a free drink and programme, and that they - ahem - would post the ticket to me (!). Well, I got the ticket on Thursday.
However, with everything that's happening, my boss came in - on his day off - for drinks with us. After Thursday night's shenanigans, we decided to take ourselves to the pub to give everyone else a chance to leave the office. Nearest was The Draft House - chock-a-block, of course, on a Friday night, but the evening was lovely, sunny and mild, and when a table came free outside, we took ourselves out there. And had a lovely evening, shooting the breeze.
When people started to feel hungry, we made our way back towards the office - passing the Enoteca da Luca pizza van on the way. That seems to have a permanent spot outside our office, and has been here as long as I have - and it's never occurred to me to try it! Well, we all did last night - pizzas are cooked in a real wood fire oven by a quick and friendly guy, and are great value. We brought them back upstairs to the office, and were well fed indeed.
Today, back at last with Chronicles, for the last of his walks - this one sounded interesting, being about Rebellious London. And that was the last new walk on my list.. so many good walks advertised around London, but I've pretty much done them all by now! This was originally advertised on Meetup, but all the Funzing groups on Meetup seem to have closed down now. Thing is, we did stay very late in the office last night - I thought about cancelling the walk, but as this is the last of his walks, and he usually runs it midweek, when I can't make it, I thought I'd better not.
Woke quite a bit later than intended, and had to scramble to get ready! Happily, a very convenient bus leaves from just outside my house, and runs straight to St. Paul's, where the walk begins. Beautiful day for it - has spring finally sprung? So, I just made the bus, and arrived slightly early. Which I think was a noble feat!
I have to say, the sheer number of incidents of unrest is notable. We started, handily enough, at St. Paul's, at the site of a 16th-century revolt against the Flemish:
The interesting story of the Gordon Riots is set outside Newgate Prison, which is no longer there. They were trying to break out their fellow rioters, y'see!
I have to say, this is one of the more picturesque walks, hitting several beautiful locations. For instance, turns out Richard II stood outside the evocative church of St. Bartholomew the Great when dealing with the rebels in the Peasants' Revolt!
And they marched through St. John's Gate on their way there, and were marched back through it later in the day, as prisoners:
Around the corner - I didn't take a picture - was where Oliver Cromwell lived. And nearby, Clerkenwell Prison, which was the scene of a failed attempt by the Fenians to rescue one of their brethren!
Clerkenwell Green was the meeting place for Russian revolutionaries:
Tomorrow, Let's Do This is off to a kaleidoscope exhibition at the Saatchi gallery. And so am I.
On Monday - with nothing on Meetup (are Meetup people getting tired?), I booked with my "cheap ticket club", first time in ages, to a concert by Ekaterina Semenchuk & Semyon Skigin, at Wigmore Hall. However, I've been in contact with an ex-colleague about the doings here, and he wants to meet us - I picked Monday, as he wants to meet my boss as well, who'll be on holiday from Wednesday and for the rest of the week.
Today, back with Chronicles for his Border London walk! Great - for me, this'd be the third of the four he currently offers. I'm sure I'll make the last one at some stage - he's excellent, both knowledgeable and entertaining. Even though it was due to be wet and windy, with Storm Freya! The wind was already rising as I made my way back, last night.
Happily, I had the best night's sleep in ages. Gets tricky, with my schedule, you know! Woke just in time, and braved the wind tunnel of East Road - a side-effect of having tall buildings on either side. Caught a bus straight away. However, between me rising a bit later than intended, then the bus being diverted, then horrible traffic on the diversion - I was a bit later than intended in arrival, and the poor chap was left standing in the wind and rain a little longer than need be. Well, more wind than rain really. See, again, I was the only person on the walk..! Ah well, getting used to this. As he remarked, perhaps the title doesn't really grab people, but he was having trouble finding something both descriptive and snappy!
Meandering around the Tower of London, site of so many executions, the scaffold site was quite naturally our first stop. Mind you, we had to give way to another tour group! which was to be a feature of the day. Popular area.
More photos here. Plaques surrounding the site list the more prominent people to be executed on the spot - starting with Bishop Sudbury, killed in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381! I guess they then decided that this was a rather appropriate location..
Our walk then took us through winding routes around the City - passing, as usual, the Church of St. Olave. Well, it's so picturesque..
Naturally for a walk about borders, we got to see a bit of London Wall..
Fascinating part of town, with layer upon layer of history woven in among the office buildings. However, what a day for a walk.. There were stops where I was having trouble standing in one spot! and one of the guide's laminates nearly blew away at one point. Hey-ho, we finished at the lovely church of All Hallows by the Tower, and I think we were both glad to get in from this atrocious weather. Happily, my bus back was free, by virtue of the card reader being broken. Which happens occasionally. And am I glad to be in, and sitting down, dry and warm and fed. Brr.
Tomorrow, back at last with Crick Crack Club storytelling! This one is Dog Almighty, by Emily Hennessy, at Soho Theatre. Unusually, not sold out yet - but nearly. I accidentally booked a ticket for Waitress for the same night - any takers? :-)
On Tuesday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for A Hundred Words for Snow at Trafalgar Studios. I cancelled the last two I'd booked with this organiser, for drinks at the office, though - d'you think I'll manage to get to this one?! We shall see.
On Wednesday, more Crick Crack! Back to their Archetypes series - taking place at Rich Mix, Lovers & Addicts is a stellar lineup of performers, including my favourite, Clare Murphy, Daniel Morden, and TUUP! Highly recommended - again, tickets are still available.
On Thursday, I had booked with UITCS - that poor organiser I keep cancelling - to see Shipwreck, at the Almeida. But it seems my coworker saw it on Monday - and from her description, it sounds a lot less attractive to me than before. Sod it, the company social is the same night - I can do my drinking with da boss in a bar for a change! So I cancelled the play. Anyone want a ticket..? Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
And on the 11th, back with UITCS for Blood Knot at the Orange Tree. Assuming I make it, given that I cancelled the last one I'd booked here, as well..!
Today, I was finally back with Spooky London, for Dracula Meets Jack the Ripper (with Dacre Stoker). Apparently, Dacre is the great grandnephew of the famous Bram Stoker, who wrote Dracula - and the premise is that Jack the Ripper was his inspiration! I've missed lots of interesting events with this group - delighted to be back with them, promised to be fun.
Well, I overslept - needed it obviously! I still had time to get there, but only just: and our upstairs toilet at home being blocked yet again didn't help. So, I got myself ready, and set off at a burning pace to walk to the Ibis London City, outside which we were to meet. Not a pleasant stroll, this - with the sun in my eyes, pushing past slow-moving crowds of tourists - nonetheless, I made it with five minutes to spare. Go me!
Hem. I guess it was that there was a writer there - but I developed the impression that this was a talk. Nope, a walk - and you'll never guess who was heading it, but Trevor. Yes, of Chronicles fame. He came over to say hi! Well, I was finally going to get to see him at work with a large group - and I'm happy to say he's a past master. This is obviously something he's good at. Hope I get to see this skill again soon!
More photos here. So, this was kind of a Jack the Ripper tour, with Dracula references - Dacre Stoker contributed at a couple of stops:
Now, I've been on a Jack the Ripper tour before. I'll say this, though - it wasn't half as much fun as this one! Yes, we got the gory details, and were led down many sinister alleys throughout Whitechapel. We also got Trevor's inimitable showmanship, as he delighted in playing to the crowd. Never had a more entertaining walk!
Bitterly cold it was, as he handed around photos at the various stops and we wended our way in circles, ending up near Aldgate. We'd started at a more relaxed pace, but nearer the end we were moving at a fair whack, eager to get indoors - this tour had been nearly three hours long! Happily, "indoors" turned out to be very close to our last stop. The Brown Bear was cosy, warm, and friendly. Awful house white, I have to say - but the tastiest cheese n onion crisps I've ever had! As I say, great to see Trevor again, great to meet Spooky London again - may it not be too long before my next outing with either. And on my way back, I was rather glad to be far enough away from my destination, now, to get a bus..
Back to film tomorrow - not Oscar-nominated, for once! With a choice between Burning and If Beale Street Could Talk, I went for the former - fancying the ominous soundtrack on the trailer. Happily, it's in the Vue Islington, which I can walk to! and nice and early - and, as of now, I don't have an evening meeting that day.. I booked, which is always cheaper with Vue.
That's my last film for a while. On Tuesday, my very first Meetup with the London Chamber Music group, finally. Well, they usually clash with something else! Delighted to make it at last. We're off to a concert in Wigmore Hall, and the organiser personally messaged me to let me know what he'd be wearing, and where he'd be, and expressed his hope that we'd meet.
The next three events are with Up in the Cheap Seats! Great chance to catch up with people. On Wednesday, I'm going with them to The American Clock by Arthur Miller, at the Old Vic. I see London Dramatic Arts is also going, and sitting in the stalls - I guess we won't be mixing much.
On Thursday, to Aspects of Love, at Southwark Playhouse. Based on an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. And on the event organiser's recommendation, I bought a subscription to the theatre, which entitles me to five tickets, and has no time limit - used the first for this, which made it very good value! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 11th, I'm with the group again, for another Arthur Miller play - this time, it's The Price, at Wyndham's. Oh, and for two of these, I could have used my Seatplan vouchers, which arrived last week. If I'd had them with me. Never mind - I hadn't been expecting to book so much so soon, but they don't expire anyway.
And on the 12th, Let's Do This is off to Tango Fire at the Peacock. They booked a box, so had a very limited number of seats, and I wasn't in time for theirs - but I got my own ticket, and have agreed to meet them for a drink afterwards.
Delighted to be back with Chronicles tonight, for his Spooky Westminster Tour (Bloody London). As advertised with Walking in London - but rather than book with Funzing, I booked with Chronicles directly for a cheaper price! Well, Funzing's discounts aren't generally terrific, these days.
A busy day at work miraculously cleared in good time for me to leave. We were to meet at Westminster Station, but I would have taken the bus - except Google Maps was directing me to take a bus to Waterloo and walk across the bridge, and in this chilly weather? No thanks, Tube for me. When I saw the crowds at Old Street, I was glad I'd left early. When I saw the crowds at London Bridge - I really wished I'd taken the bus and walked across! Four trains, I had to let pass because they were too full to cram onto. I'll remember that in future.
Westminster Station - interestingly for one so close to the centre of government - has literally nailed its political colours to the mast!
More photos here. The whole range of the barriers, on both sides. Anyway, an advantage of taking the Tube was that it made it easier to find Exit 4, where we were to meet, specifically - and sure enough, there he was, brandishing his sign. (I arrived a bit early this time, even with the Tube issues, and felt better about it.) And wouldn't you know - I was the only person again! I dunno, maybe it's the weather. Anyway, he's a convivial companion, and I don't mind - but it'd be interesting to see how he works with a group.
Actually, he remarked that he'd expected to see me arrive on a bus! :-) From some odd direction or other. Well, I'm nothing if not unpredictable. Off we meandered around Westminster - well, after giving directions to a passer-by. Does he have that kind of a face, I wonder? We spent little enough time on the major monuments - good! Seen tons of 'em. Naw, we were off down dark alleys - saw what remains of the Bridewell, and heard gruesome tales of torture. I guess there are some people just suited to that kind of work.
And so on past the imposing buildings of Westminster, and we found ourselves outside the Banqueting House, scene of the execution of Charles I. Could even see a little of the famous Rubens ceiling..! beneath which he was apparently led to his execution. Adding insult to injury, I guess..
Along the way I was regaled with a variety of stories, historical and contemporary, as we meandered along to Strand. (Handy, we were headed in my direction!) As he perused his materials - why, we were hailed by yet another passer-by, this one wanting to know whether we wanted directions. And when we got through the next bit, there he was again, with a bit of banter for us! Gee, the folks you meet in back alleys..
The night ended around Covent Garden (it's been a while since I took myself over that way), with tales of death, debauchery, and the Covent Garden nuns.. and of William Terriss, possibly one of the world's busier ghosts, as he haunts both the Adelphi, where he used to perform, and Covent Garden station, built on the site of his favourite bakery. Keep a nose out for the smell of baking bread, there. Me, I took myself past "the world's most haunted theatre", where I caught a more convenient bus back. Always entertaining, as I say, I'm sure I'll be back for more of his walks - I'm just not booking far ahead at the moment.
Back to Ireland for the weekend, and on Monday we have our monthly team social. We decided to go for a meal somewhere good in Soho I'd been before - and after some detective work, I discovered it was Bistro1. Inviting some people outside our teeny team, too..
Happy New Year.. back to London, and it's damn cold. Not only the cold snap, but of course London tends to be colder than Ireland in winter. Tonight - wouldn't you know it - I was back with Walking in London for the Southwark Tour - Chronicles: Shakespeare's London. It's Funzing, of course, and I think this was the last I used my Funzing_Fb20 code for, getting a 20% discount. They've now apparently decided it's been used too often, and I'm down to a 10% personal discount. Hey-ho. Life is hard.
Well, January is the season for walks.. mind you, when the guide messaged me earlier today to offer a refund if I wanted (since I was the only person who'd signed up), I did consider taking him up on his kind offer. But you know, I do love this bit of town, and haven't been on as many walks here as north of the river. And to be honest, interesting things to do are a bit thinner on the ground at the moment. So I said no, I'd brave the cold - it's not that fiercely bad anyway.
Of course, I did my usual thing of cutting it tight - had I had an evening meeting, I'd probably have been earlier. Since my last meeting finished before 3pm, I was almost late - well, technically I was slightly late. Not too bad though - the bus was a bit delayed, and the bells of the nearby church of St. George the Martyr tolled the hour just as I was crossing the road. Sure enough, there he was as promised, perched at the entrance to the Tube station I'd blithely avoided using, and obligingly sporting a sign. (Now, why can't everyone do that?) I did feel a bit bad though when he mentioned he'd arrived early..
Anyway. Off we set, the two of us, and set quite a quick pace, as you can imagine. 90 minutes in all, I think, which is faster than advertised - but I can see it taking two hours with a large group, and all that that entails. We started in a curiously named alleyway:
More photos here. Yes, the area is famous for Dickens too - but it was Shakespeare that concerned us today. A vaguely Shakespearian connection with the church, too, which was actually where Henry V was welcomed back to London by its aldermen after Agincourt. (Wouldn't you know, I'm currently reading a book set during his father's reign..)
Down past The George, to learn that plays tended to be staged in coaching inns before playhouses were the thing.. and to Southwark Cathedral, where it seems that Shakespeare's lesser known brother Edmund is buried. The funeral was in the morning, unusually - possibly to allow attending actors to get back to their performances in the afternoon.
It was a merry walk, with many a tale of actorly folk being - eh - involved in brawls. Well, you know, this was the red light district of its day - see my previous walks in the area! I tell you something though - although I've been on walks here before, I never before did come to the real site of the Globe..
Around then by the reconstructed Globe, and past St. Paul's..
The evening finished in Blackfriars. And what an enjoyable evening it was! A very entertaining tour guide, who - heavens - finished with a bit of acting, for his audience of one. Highly recommended - this walk is scheduled for a number of other dates this month and next, details on his own website, Chronicles. (Oh, and it's even cheaper there than I managed..) And he has other things.. see the website for details, worth checking out.
As it happened, I was really close enough to walk back - but after my first exertion of the year, I was rather glad not to. Plus, it's cold. So - having trouble finding my old Bus Countdown app since I got the new phone (which had the cheek to tell me to clean my lens as I was taking one photo!), I tried out a couple more apps while I waited for my bus.
Tomorrow, I'm back at Soho Theatre for a comedy show - Jen Brister, with Meaningless.
The next few days, I booked Funzing, and the weekend is entirely with Look up London - excellent! She's so friendly, and always finds the most interesting tidbits for us. On Saturday, I'm doing Unlock the Secrets of Fleet Street.
On Sunday, I'm doing The Greenwich Walk: Heroes and Villains. I'll be well exercised at the end of all that.
On Monday, I booked with London Speaks Sessions, for a talk on Interviews With a Serial Killer. Funzing now have an Unlimited Talks option, where you can get unlimited talks for a month for £11.99 - however, not seeing anything else I fancy coming up this month, I left it. As it was, I got a spectacular loyalty discount for this one! ..and then I got a better offer. St. Martin-in-the-Fields (which I haven't been to in over a year!) sent an advertising email - and I rather fancied Monday's offering, an Arab Christmas. Of course, you can cancel Funzing up to 48 hours beforehand - so I did, and am now going to that instead.
On Tuesday, it's cinema - first in a while. Top of the List came King of Boys, a gangster Nollywood film, of all things. Closest showing is in the Odeon Greenwich - so I booked, which works out cheaper. It'll be my very first Nollywood film - and it's on really late. I'll have to ring my mother beforehand and pretend I've already been..
On Wednesday - back for the New Year with the Crick Crack Club! They're doing a new series on archetypes - Wednesday's is on Wise Ones Wild Ones, in Rich Mix. We're spoiled with the lineup - the night's storytellers are Ben Haggerty, Jan Blake, Daniel Morden - and Laura Sampson, who used (nominally) to run their now-defunct Meetup group. Never mind, for once the London European Club is going, under the stewardship of Henning! It'll be good to see some friendly faces there - and it's been ages since I saw these people! About time. And it'll be my first proper Meetup of the year.
Next Thursday, in contrast, I'm with a completely new group - London Sci-Fi Horror Hide-Out, for their first ever Meetup! Hem - this is Miskatonic LDN - Remakesploitation: The Horror Meme. Fairly trips off the tongue, the whole thing! So it seems that Miskatonic LDN is actually an institute of horror studies, and based at the Horse Hospital. Well now. This specific event is about the many international horror film remakes through the years. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
And on the 14th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Pinter at the Pinter again! This is Programme 5 - The Room / Victoria Station / Family Voices. And this evening includes a free Q+A with the cast.
