From 'La Mole' to Penge

This is something I never thought I'd say. But it did happen. Not just one lady, but two. With the lights off. And it was all over in a matter of minutes.

Sorry I'm being naughty! LOL!
The ladies were environmental health officers from the council coming to investigate my complaint about the new bright street lights.
They agreed with me (in principle) saying that wanting to keep part of the blind up in the summer to get some air without being bothered by that bright light is a reasonable expectation.
But they added that of course they won't start an action against another council department. Said that, they promised they will get in touch with the street light department to see if something can be fitted to deflect the light and prevent it from shining in our bedroom.
They said that it may take some time.
It is a little step forward.

In other news about Moi, I'll start wearing glasses when working at the PC from next week. Which means most of the day then!
I went for an eye test on Monday and I was told that I'm slightly astigmatic. Yes I'm getting old.

Talking of getting old, last week I bought a new pair of Speedos (Aquashorts). Nothing too flashy of course: black with yellow writing on the short legs.
I've tried them on and later when asked by the very young shop assistant if they were OK, I replied that they were a good fit but I was wondering whether I was too old for them. The silence and the pitiful smile that ensued gave me the answer. But I bought them anyway with a mental 'Screw you!'

Last Sunday evening we had Michael and Christopher round for a dinner. And a very Italian menu.
Aperol Spritz. Grilled Caprese with homemade focaccia. Turkey tonnato. Creamy baked gnocchi with prawns, sage and spinach. Strawberry, amaretti and zabaglione cups.
It was a late night. And I was rather tired on Monday morning.

Monday night was another late night because we worked on some new floral cards.
Tuesday night was a late night because Enid took us and another two neighbours (Carol and Mark) out for dinner. And then we placed the order for the cards when we got home.
On Wednesday evening after Adrian got back from his Italian class, I was so tired that I fell asleep on the sofa while pressing buttons on the remote control to change channels.

It's been a really busy week at work with quite a bit of stress.
This evening I'm treating myself to a massage. Michael (who is also an actor - he was in a TV series a number of years ago called "Metrosexuality" which I didn't watch) is wonderful with his hands. Pleasure, and pain when he finds some of the knots in the muscle. He suggested the Power Plate machines at the gym to treat the knots (shoulders and thighs) but I'm too self-concious to do so - it would mean assuming some very strange positions!

On Sunday night there was a horrific homophobic assault in a park in Penge (well Anerley really).
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/19/london-gay-couple-threatened-with-death-in-violent-late-night-homophobic-assault/

This was just the night before all the hoo-hah in the House of Commons during the debate on the same-sex marriage bill.
Luckily, the attempts to wreck the bill were defeated but it was quite saddening and shocking to hear some of the remarks made by some of the MPs. One said that "there are plenty in the aggressive homosexual community who see this [same-sex marriage] as but a stepping stone to something even further". But he couldn't say what that is.
Painting Buckingham Palace pink? Straight-bashing? Founding a gay colony on Mars? Who knows?

As I was going past Buckingham Palace the other night on the 38 bus, I watched people coming out of the palace grounds after one of Her Majesty's Garden Parties. Some couples were holding hands. I did wonder whether I'll see the day when same-sex couples will be coming out of those garden parties holding hands? I don't think so.
Maybe that's what Sir Gerald Howarth had in mind?

But for now I'm happy with same-sex marriage, although - provided that it doesn't get thrown out by the Lords - it won't be until summer 2014 at the earliest.

Earlier this morning I was wondering whether there's any point in going away on holiday when one feels so miserable going back to work.
But now, a few hours later, it's all back to normal - the pain in the pit of the stomach has gone. 

And it's time to look forward to the next trips: Leeds with Adrian at the end of August, and of course what is known as 'Operation Uganda' for london1952's big birthday in September.

Almost time to go to the Y for my lunchtime work-out. Endorphins: I need you today!

Today I skipped the gym and went out for lunch to Jamie Oliver's Italian on St. Martin's Lane.
It was a lunch to celebrate the end of a project which terminated last year. Unlike us, poor developers, the business analysts have budgets for such things. I was invited because I was the technical lead on that project. 

For the antipasto, I had "FAMOUS CRISPY POLENTA CHIPS with rosemary salt and Parmesan" which turned out to be very substantial cubes of fried polenta and a gigantic " JAMIE'S FAVOURITE - TRUFFLED TURKEY MILANESE
Bronze turkey stuffed with fontina cheese & prosciutto. Topped with a fried egg and shaved truffles" which I couldn't quite finish.

I could probably power San Marino for the evening with the amount of calories ingested!

Love him or hate him, I must say that I'm quite impressed with the food in Jamie Oliver's restaurants.

 LOVE² at home

I was in the gents spending a penny when someone in a very senior position at work (and quite a queer kettle of fish) walked in and went to another urinal, greeted me... and well he did the business keeping his hands firmly placed on his hips.

I was quite surprised - even the Manneken Pis

 

uses one hand.

He reminded me of



I don't know whether I was impressed or bemused.
(I have never seen the hands-free approach before... outside of some gay clubs!)

2 weeks in the new office and I'm still getting used to the view out of 'my' window.



I guess it's a case of 'be careful of what you wish for' or, in this case,  of what you ask for. 
Before the office move our line manager enquired if we had any preferences, and I, who normally doesn't ask for anything, said that I would like a window seat.

And I cannot say that I didn't get it. 

My colleagues who don't really care about the views enjoy a Mary Poppins' view of the rooftops. I suppose I should appreciate the irony.









But of course I am happy that the new office is still in centre of town, close to all the attractions (and temptations).
Tonight I stopped in St. James's Park for a couple of minutes to admire the sea of daffodils, in full bloom. Such a display!

As the sun was about to set over London,

 

it was time to disconnect my desktop, etc. and pack my belongings in a crate

 

and say an almost emotional goodbye to the office where I spent the last 2,000 or so working days with a view.

I end this flood of posts with my last photo of the year, taken at work today.



I suddenly realised that the gloves, which I had absent-mindedly shoved in the helmet with the Mount Washington woolly hat, were "giving the two fingers"!
I don't know if it was to London below, or the office (more likely).

Certainly not to 2010 or 2011! And not to any of you, my dear and patient readers.
On the contrary, I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2011! Buon Anno a tutti voi!

I had my annual performance review today (*yawn*) and the conclusion  is that: