the beg

Cyberspace dates.

2009-01-21T10:08:00.000+00:00

Frustrated by the hot and cold countenance of the architect, wanker-banker and various other men in my life I've decided to take the plunge and delve into the murky waters of online dating.

Terrified by the prospect of having to sell myself, and spurred on by my friends that have had positive experiences on mysinglefriend.com, it seemed like the best option. Allow someone impartial to highlight your flaws in a witty fashion, simple enough. Or not, as my subsequent searches have revealed. I can't believe how many pathetic profiles there are. Come on people.

Luckily my best friend E is an exquisite wordsmith so my honest and amusing profile stands out a mile. MSF shall henceforth be referred to as 'I'm a lame friend', ILF.

Unfortunately online dating brings with it a whole new set of 'rules' of which I am blissfully ignorant (I find it hard enough adhering to the rules of 'meatspace'). I'm not quite sure what it means to be someone's favourite - does that mean they are going to send me a message or are they putting the feelers out to feel if I'm similarly interested in their profile? How many message exchanges is considered appropriate before you decide to meet for real? Crumbs. It's all rather scary.

So far my wonderfully witty profile has incited some pretty lame responses. E has packed it full of potential material so it shouldn't be too difficult to be clever and funny. We'll see.

Tuesdays are the new Thursdays.

2008-12-18T08:33:00.007+00:00

Tuesday night date went swimmingly. I was late, couldn't drag myself away from the lovely K and the best mulled wine in London (Franco's on Jermyn St.). Finally I turned up at the Horse & Groom in Shoreditch, another fine drinking establishment and was greeted warmly by a lovely tall man, let's call him JJ.

We got on famously. He's hysterical, very London and a little bit rare but wildly entertaining. A boy about town, he seemed to know a lot of the cool kids and was wearing a Barbour. He also said 'sick rhymes'. Don't judge.

The gig was fantastic. We caught the last half of Jay Jay Pistolet; close your eyes and his heartbreakingly love-lorn lyrics and distinctive crackly vocals transport you to a post-WW2 era, open your eyes and he looks like he should be fronting an ad campaign for Gucci, gorgeous.

Mumford and Sons blew me away. Bluegrass-folk with boundless energy and perfect four-part harmonies. I wanted to jig the whole way through their set. JJ was equally impressed, he too never having heard much of them. The crowd absolutely loved them.

Next, the beautiful Laura Marling. She played a short solo set, and smiled the whole way through. She's so captivating, an absolute joy to see live. She played a cover of 'Ramblin Man' which was brilliant.

Last, but not least, the wonderful Johnny Flynn. JJ's favourite, he provided a great end to the show. The crowd had dissipated save for the hardened folkies and the set was the pefect mellow end to the evening.

Grumbling tummies sent us to the Brick Lane bagel shop for some salt beef and mustard goodness. A scrummy end.

FEE FIE FOE FUM.

2008-12-16T11:24:00.004+00:00

I smell the blood of a lovely date....

A young architect I met on Friday asked me out to this. I'm impressed. It's been sold out for a while. I love Laura Marling and I'm looking forward to seeing Johnny Flynn.

I guess I'm over the man-ban.

Friendly Fires.

2008-12-16T11:09:00.005+00:00

I love Friendly Fires. Ever since J was given a mixtape with Paris on it last November, I've been mildly obsessed.

I went to see them on Friday night with P. Brilliant gig. Koko was electric. Such a pleasure watching a band with an amazing lead singer who uses his voice as an instrument. Ed also has the best on-stage dance moves I've ever seen.

Oh, and listen to their cover of Lykke Li's 'I'm good, I'm gone' here.

Mascara magic.

2008-12-01T21:25:00.002+00:00

Shu Uemura mascara has changed my life. As many of my friends will testify, I'd become a little too dependent on false eyelashes of late, having convinced myself that I really did have the most pathetic little stumps for lashes. Not anymore. Ultimate Expression mascara has seen to that. I could not recommend a product more. Go forth and let your lashes conquer the party season.
(I bought it in Sephora in the States, I know Liberty stocks it in London and I imagine you'll find it in most major department stores at the Shu Uemura counter...)

Perfect dress.

2008-12-01T21:05:00.002+00:00

I bought this slinky little number in New York. I absolutely adore it, although this photo does not do it justice. It needs a curvier body to pull it off. Oh-oh. I might be tempted to pull a Susie Bubble and take a photograph of me in it...watch this space.

Anyway, it's by Kimchi Blue and I wore it to my interview with Dress for Success last week. It must have worked a treat as I have my first shift on Wednesday! More on Dress for Success and the amazing work they do later.

Unlucky again.

2008-12-01T20:55:00.002+00:00

It seems I can't get past the first date with anyone I actually like. Either they live on a different continent, just want friendship, or are intent on leading me on and then getting back with an ex-girlfriend who suddenly returns from South America.

I give up. I'm on a self-imposed man ban till the new year. Festive cheer, bah humbug.

I'm begging...

2008-12-01T12:14:00.004+00:00

I want this top so much. Beautiful. I'd wear it tucked in with a pencil skirt. Wish I had some more cash at the moment. For those of you who haven't just spent all their pennies in New York you can buy it here.

Date.

2008-11-13T08:23:00.004+00:00

Went out with D last night. Great night. Bubbles and dinner, what more could a girl ask for?

He'd had a pretty stressful day and had to take a big conference call at 10pm so it was a swift dinner. Swift but still very satisfying. He's a very interesting and lovely chap, and did I mention oh-so-gorgeous?

Today I'm off to New York for two weeks so I'll have to put him out of my mind till I get back. I'm sure E will be more than enough to distract me.

Unlikely romance.

2008-11-10T17:39:00.002+00:00

Industry events are the last place you expect to find a decent man, particularly the industry I work in. Awards shows tend to be filled with ‘creative’ men and their watermelon sized egos.

Thus it was with typical nonchalance that I trundled along to the latest parade. I was so laissez-faire about the whole thing that I hadn’t even organised an outfit. So rather annoyingly, an hour before my boss was due to pick me up, I discovered that none of my standard slinky black dresses fit me properly. I plumped for the least sack-like, a satin black dress from Zara, two sizes too big. The outfit was slightly redeemed by some beautiful taupe Ash shoes. Nonetheless, I was hardly feeling my sexiest.

I spent the hour pre-dinner networking but didn’t really meet anyone of any great interest. Dinner, however, was a different story. As a relatively new start-up my company didn’t warrant a whole table so we were guests of the host. It’s always a bit of a gamble being on a mixed table but luckily I was surrounded by lovely people and the food and wine was divine. After the rather exhausting awards my new best-table friend, the gorgeous R, introduced me to some gentlemen from the table that had looked like the most fun throughout the evening. I got talking to the CEO who swiftly introduced me to one of his senior directors, D, saying we’d get on famously.

D immediately offered me a drink and took me to the bar, claiming my standard vodka soda was his favourite too, what a gentleman! We got talking and very quickly realised our backgrounds were incredibly similar. This is quite a big deal when you’ve been an expat, it’s not often you meet someone else who has an identical oil industry upbringing. We couldn’t stop talking and the attraction was obvious. We established rather quickly that we lived quite close to one another and that the after party venue was equidistant between our apartments so he asked me to accompany him. I hadn’t planned on going as I was supposed to be on a train to Scotland at silly o’clock the next morning, but hesitantly I agreed. How often does a gorgeous man who runs his own company ask me out? Exactly. So off we went to catch one of the Routemasters to the party at Embassy.

We drank champagne and talked however the venue quickly descended into madness and we kept being interrupted by work colleagues. D asked whether I wanted to go somewhere quieter where we could talk and get a decent cocktail. Before I had a chance to answer I found myself in a taxi heading east. He pointed out his street and I resolutely declared that I wouldn’t be seeing his apartment tonight! Miffed, he took me to his members club the beautiful East Room. His face fell once again when I admitted to having been there previously with an architect!

We holed ourselves up on one of the leather sofas and ended up having a brilliant night. We talked for a couple of hours, drinking Pisco cocktails and finishing the night with some port. We kissed and laughed. It was such a treat to talk to someone with a similar world view and a similar theatre of life experiences. Alas the night had to come to an end and he walked me back to Old St, hailed a cab, kissed goodbye and I gave him my card. No sooner had I jumped in the taxi when I received a message from him thanking me for the evening and saying what a treat it was to meet me. He’s taking me for dinner this week.

Red Velvet.

2008-11-05T15:45:00.003+00:00

I'm freelancing at the moment while I study for a big exam, consequently money is a little tighter than usual and my generous personality is having to get used to giving cheaper gifts. My favourite "cheap but thoughtful" present so far is a box of red velvet cupcakes. They look beautiful and taste even better, I hope B can testify to that as she received a box for her birthday last month!

Here is the recipe. Happy baking.

Makes 12 cupcakes

5oz/140g self-raising flour
2 tbsp cocoa
Half tsp bicarbonate of soda
4floz/110ml buttermilk
1 tsp vinegar
Half tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp red food colouring
2oz/60g butter at room temperature
6oz/170g caster sugar
1 large egg

To decorate:
Cream-cheese icing (see below)

Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/gas mark 3. Line a 12-hole cup cake tin with muffin cases.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, bicarb and a pinch of salt. In a mug, mix the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla and red food colouring.

Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg a little at a time. Mix in a third of the flour mixture, followed by half the buttermilk mixture, then another third of the flour, the rest of the buttermilk and finally the last of the flour mixture.

Divide the mixture between the paper cases. Bake for 20 minutes, until risen and springy - don't overcook them.

Cool on a rack.

Cream-cheese Icing:

125g/4½oz cream cheese or mascarpone
250g/8¾oz icing sugar
90g/3¼oz unsalted butter
½ tsp vanilla essence
½ lemon, juice only

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

Top the cooled cupcakes with a generous layer of icing.

President Obama.

2008-11-05T15:24:00.005+00:00

It’s been amazing watching the 2008 US Presidential race and last night’s historic verdict will no doubt go down in the annals as an incredibly significant moment in American history. However, race and the end of Reagan conservatism aside, this election really proved the effectiveness of online organisation.

The internet played a huge role in both parties’ election campaigns; ironically it was McCain who first played around with banner ads back in the Republican primaries of 1999 when he lost spectacularly to Bush.

Both candidates relied heavily on the internet to strengthen their campaigns and one might even argue that it was this heavy internet presence that really mobilised the normally disenfranchised youth vote. Barack’s very own social networking site mybarackobama.com allowed grassroots work to be as effective as possible, forcing collaboration and maximising group organisation. I won’t go into the countless other innovative online tools used in this campaign but I think it important to highlight how technology became inextricably entwined in this campaign and it helped to give a voice back to the ordinary people.

Now, I wonder how technology is going to influence/help Obama’s presidency?

p.s. do you like my beautiful Obama cup cake? It's home-made red velvet. YUM

Born Ruffians

2008-08-11T15:09:00.002+01:00

I can’t stop listening to this. It’s the Four Tet remix of Born Ruffians’ ‘I need a life’.

I love it.

You can download it here.

Boys, Boys, Boys.

2008-08-10T21:56:00.002+01:00

Boys have been throwing themselves at me this week. I can't decide if it's because I'm no longer looking or whether I'm emitting pheromones galore.

Friday night I met my friend O and a few of his work colleagues for a quick after work drink in the John Snow. The other half of O's directorial duo, B, also joined us. To say he was flirting would be putting it mildly, I don't think anyone has ever been so vocal or upfront about finding me attractive, bearing in mind I've only met him three times previously!

Saturday was spent avoiding the torrential rain at Field Day which inevitably ended in a few of us leaving early. Hats off to those of you that managed to party on through the rain but I couldn't handle the wet. On my way out I bumped into B again who was even more forward. I told him I was going to the pub and he kissed me and said he'd see me later. He finally came and found us in the Jazz Bar. His persistence made me even more of a tease and he left on his own feeling very hard done by.

His departure was quickly followed by the arrival of R, an ex-boyfriend of mine from University, who also made very quick advances. I had to actually beat him off with a stick, no pun intended.

Anyway in spite of a weekend choc full with male attention the only thing that made my stomach lurch was a text this evening from TBC. It's good to know he's thinking about me.

Book Beg

2008-08-03T20:03:00.003+01:00

I've just started reading 'What I Loved' by Siri Hustvedt. Only 100 pages in and I'm already in love.

The Brixton Charm(er)

2008-08-03T19:51:00.002+01:00

Last Sunday afternoon I pretty much gave up on the chap I’ve been flirting with at work. I declared to I & J as we sunbathed in London Fields that I “honestly didn’t fancy him anymore” and promptly arranged a date with the Irish Producer I’d met on K’s hen do.

One week later and things couldn’t be anymore different.

Two dates. Two different men. One very confused G.

Meeting the Irish Producer was fine. He was sweet but ever so slightly dull. I found myself instigating a lot of the conversation and gesticulating wildly in a vain attempt to wake him up. I’m not sure I’ll see him again, he didn’t make me laugh.

As for work boy, let’s call him The Brixton Charmer – TBC from here on in, he’d been pretty quiet all week apart from a few lame emails and a mid-week work quiz night at which we studiously avoided each other. I’d pretty much given up all hope of anything ever happening again and was preparing to settle for dating the boring Irish Producer.

Which is why it was with great surprise that I found myself having lunch with him on Friday followed by a quick drink after work and a ridiculous text conversation that lasted well into the night and resulted in him asking me to Brixton on Saturday night. Talk about last minute. Luckily for him I only had lunch plans on Saturday.

We arranged to meet, TBC upholding his promise of taking me to dinner as an apology for doing a disappearing act the night we kissed. He met me at the tube station and accompanied by his rather snazzy single-speed bike we walked up Brixton Hill to a gorgeous little Caribbean restaurant, Negril.

We talked and talked. He made me laugh hysterically. He was interesting, charming and lovely. The chemistry was great and I felt a spark linger between us. I don't know what this means. I don't know what this is. All I know is that I'm not ready to jump into anything so I'm looking forward to getting to know him slowly.

Human Race

2008-08-03T17:05:00.002+01:00

I’ve signed up for the Nike 10k at the end of August.

My ‘Bridge & Tunnel’ friend, S, asked if I’d do it with her.

It’s going to be the World’s largest running event so I’m quite excited about taking part.

Now I just need to stop smoking/drinking and start running more than twice a week.

Top Ten: Albums Of The Year...so far

2008-06-27T09:13:00.012+01:00

I love top tens. I love reading other peoples top tens, I love organising things into groups of ten and I love thinking about music in relation to the number ten. I know it's become something of a cliche (especially in relation to love and music) ever since High Fidelity graced our bookshelves and screens however I still believe in the power of ten.

I've decided to do a weekly/bi-weekly (depends how busy work is) top ten. So watch this space.

1. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
I listen to this record all the time. Near-perfect melodic pop served up in an effortlessly cool and unique fashion.

2. Aloha - Light Works
Technically 2007 but who has time for discovering new music in December? Aloha discover a new direction and it works brilliantly.

3. She&Him - Volume 1
Who new Zooey Deschanel's voice/songwriting ability was so amazing? Put it with M. Ward's subtle production, a cameo from a yazoo and you don't get much better. Easily puts Scarlett Johansson's 'record' to shame.

4. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Thank you to the man who gave me this record at the beginning of the year. It's difficult to listen to all the way through now but still a beautiful and earnest debut.

5. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Love. Love. Love. Blue Ridge Mountains is perfection. I have a feeling this will be my album of the year...

6. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Great album. Still think the first album is better but so glad this catapulted them onto the main stage where they deserve to be.

7. Mystery Jets - Twenty One
They've ditched the dad, had a Duran Duran pastel makeover and created the best indie pop record of the year. Who said second albums were difficult?

8. Four Tet - Ringer
Technically an EP. Four Tet delivers, yet again.

9. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Playful, creative and a truer representation of their live sound than previous albums. My Morning Jacket continue to push boundaries to their advantage .

10. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
I tried to fight it, I couldn't stand the hype but actually it is a damn good record.

Difficult

2008-06-24T17:49:00.002+01:00

It's been a difficult week. Actually it has probably been the most difficult week of my life.

I experienced grief like never before. Uncontrollable emotions which left me numb. After three days of self-indulgent tears I went home to help and be with loved ones. Such special people.

It's amazing how sudden death brings remarkable resilience and love. We shared happy lucid moments followed by horrendous feelings of loss. All in the beautiful Portuguese heat.

Enough said. It's not really blogging material, but I know my dear, dear friends will pull through this. With love to them all and their beautiful daddy.

Begged & Bought

2008-05-26T22:43:00.007+01:00

I had a brief dash around Topshop on Friday (R was in town and she demanded a quick run through together). It proved rather successful and I left with two perfect vests (I'm always searching); one white from the Boutique section and one black from the basic section. The black one looks fantastic with this Elle Macpherson bra underneath. FIT.
I also bought this beautiful skirt which I can tell I'm going to get a lot of use out of....

Dead begger

2008-05-26T11:22:00.003+01:00

The hen do which has been consuming too much of my time for the past six weeks has been and gone with a bang. Done. Deemed a success by all of those who attended, I'm just relieved we had such a good day.

Now time to seriously think about dating. I met a man during the hen. He was on a stag (cute coincidence) and from what I remember was Irish and rather lovely. There was no kiss but an exchange of numbers and a drink proposed by him. We'll see what happens.

Time for some exercise. My body needs punishing after a massively over-indulgent week/end.

It gave me goose bumps.

2008-05-19T13:55:00.004+01:00

I spent Friday night with my dear friend S. It was glorious. We drank Pimms out of giant red wine glasses the size of fish bowls, smoked out of the window (spying on her neighbours who refuse to buy curtains), and munched on yummy salads.

We finally fell silent in time for Jools Holland. A sleepy mixture of too much Pimms and latent jet lag.

Luckily we switched the telly on in time to see that Bon Iver was playing.

I've loved him ever since my ex-boyfriend played me Stacks in January of this year. It was so beautiful it almost brought me to tears. Not something music does very often to me (with the exception of Elizabeth Fraser singing 'Song to the Siren'). Anyway I've steered clear of it on the ipod lately for fear of self-indulgent break up tears. So it was a welcome bonus to see him on Jools. A near perfect performance of beautifully raw emotion tangled up in nerves. I was speechless.

Rude Awakening

2008-05-18T10:17:00.001+01:00

‘It’s 8am on a Sunday!’

‘Yes, I just checking that the phone line is working yes?’

‘Why didn’t you phone the landline number? Surely when you heard it ring out and click through to answer machine then that would have answered your question…’

‘Yes, it is working, yes?’

‘Yes. The phone line is working however neither the TV or broadband are working correctly.’

Pause

‘Yes, the phone line is working, yes.’

‘Yes but can you now send an engineer to sort out the TV and internet connection?’

‘I only deal with phone lines. Good bye.’

ARGH. This has been going on for weeks. This is why my posts have been written at stolen moments during the working week and why I have been so silent on the blogging front this weekend. Once more for effect, ARGH.

I can’t be bothered to go into the detail because I’ll just wind myself up. I really don’t want this blog to turn into a crusade against appalling customer service but Tiscali I’m not sure how much more I can take.

Yummy

2008-05-16T12:44:00.004+01:00

I'm obsessed with the Illume Boulangerie candles. The scents are amazing; Vanilla Fig, Angel Food, Vanilla Icing and Coconut Ice Cream. I recently bought one of each in Anthropology. Hopefully they will cure my constant sugar cravings.

To beg (publicly) or not to beg?

2008-05-15T19:49:00.004+01:00

Entering into the singles world in the web 3.0 era is rather daunting. As the boundaries between my online and offline persona become even more blurred the possibility of finding a mate on mysinglefriend.com becomes ever more likely. This prospect causes me great distress. While I am a technology geek and love the way the internet enriches my life I am even more of a romantic and therefore the prospect of not happening upon love in an unexpected fashion fills me with absolute fear. The bigger worry is that I've completely over analysed online dating because I'm shit scared of putting myself out there. Alone.