[The Life of Shaun #355] Back in the Big Smoke

Hey all,

Made it back safely and quickly this morning (I flew back into Gatwick - woo hoo! - saving me the trans-London traversal from West to East). It's just under ten hours from Atlanta to London, but I have to say that I think I prefer the extra few hours over flying from New York - it gave that extra bit of time to allow the natural cycle of the Xanax coma to play itself out and so I got a good six-plus hours of sleep and wasn't trying to navigate the tube while my medicine was trying to bring me back into unconsciousness. I feel tired, but not as worn down and weary as normal. Will still be a long day before a reasonable time for bed, but I'll try to stay up.

The two week trip was great; loved seeing everybody and quite happy to officially add Atlanta to the list of American Cities I Like. I have to say, being in New York was just the bees knees and I could've happily stayed, and felt totally comfortable with thoughts of being back there again. But then after being on the mainland in Miami for a week I started to question if I could stomach living in the States again after my happy exile in liberal Europe. It was wonderful to see my extended family there, but the city violently offends me on so many levels. I understand why they like it there, but all the reasons they love Florida are things that don't interest me and all the things I want out of a city are not there. I feel totally uncomfortable and anxious the whole time I am there and my week seemed an eternity.

But then, a bit miraculously, Atlanta cured what ailed me. It really is a surprisingly charming, diverse, liberal (lots of Obama bumper stickers), hip city infused with distinct character and constant surprises. Everyone is so friendly and there is no shortage of outrageous, tragic shocks and delights that I so enjoy. I had a deliciously scandalous time with McGirr, squeezing in fourteen gay bars and sundry food joints and setting some personal and city records in my two short days there. I could and will quite happily spend much more time there.

For now, though, very happy to be back in London, back in Shadwell, my flat and, soon, my bed. Tomorrow it's back to the grind.

Cheers,
Shaun

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #354] Atlanta

I quite like Atlanta.  I am a little surprised, it being not New York and all, but it's really quite special.  There is so much tragedy and choiceness to behold that sometimes I don't know where to look.

Mike has taken me to all the finest establishments in Midtown and beyond; I am sure I caught at least three new strains of staph.  We went to a bar with drinks so strong I couldn't drink it all.  That was a virgin experience.  The (in)famous Swinging Richard's is the start to tonight's mangenda and then we're going to try to get into the black only bar.

Good start to my Southern adventure.  Glad to be out of Florida, ready to head home tomorrow.

Happy boozing!

Shaun

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #353] Manhattan Memoir

As I am sitting here on the sofa, victor in the last round of the air-conditioning war, looking out across the low-slung expanse of Miami, I cannot grasp how I have only been away from New York for three days.  Time really ekes on in this city.

I had a great time in New York.  It was a tame trip, as far as these things go.  Part of it was jet lag, but part of it was also that I was going in a different frame of mind than my past returns to the city.  I've been missing New York and my friends a lot more lately, and thoughts of moving back have been creeping to the frontal lobe, so I was sort of more looking for a "litmus test" regular week back rather than a blow-out.

A part of me thought I might fall into ecstatic regret for ever having left and falling into depression that I wasn't living there now, but that didn't happen.  I miss it, miss my friends there, and it was amazing and comfortable and felt so natural to be there.  But though I was sad to leave in a specific sense, I was OK with it generally.  I'm not ready to give London up yet.  I also know what it takes to get established in New York, and having lost my apartment there and working in finance, that is not something I'd think about trying right now.  But I know going back is a certainty, so I guess I can paraphrase St. Augustine and just say "New York, make me poor, but not yet."

Coming to Miami after New York was a stroke of genius mental-health-wise, though.  I love my extended family here, and they love living here, bless them, but I am certainly looking forward to getting back to the Big Smoke after a few days here.

And.  There.  Are.  Three.  More.  To.  Go.

This weekend I am going to Atlanta for the first time where I will be entrusting my liver and virtue to Mike McGirr.  Perfect prelude to a long overnight flight back to the Old World.

Melting,
Shaun

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #352] Bienvenido a Miami

Hey all,

Just a note to let you know I've made it to Miami in one piece (physically, at least; mentally less so).  Missing New York already, I can't believe how quickly the week went.

Off to Northern South Florida tomorrow to see Natasha and her family for two nights.  Hope all the Yanks have a good Fourth of July!

Cheers,
Shaun

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #351] Dinner?

Hey all,

 

Having a great time in New York - though having trouble sleeping past 7:00, even in hangover mode.

 

I head to Miami on Friday, so Thursday night I am going to have a casual dinner at Pongsri Thai.  Nothing fancy, but somewhere I quite loved when I lived here.  If any of you New Yorkers would like to join me, please let me know so I can make a reservation.

 

All right, onto today's excitements - first up?  Cowgirl Hall of Fame - yeehaw!

 

Cheers,

Shaun

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #350] Safe in NYC!

Hey all,

 

Made it safely to NYC - so glad to be back!

 

All those of you who I am supposed to see, text me at 917-501-1638 so I can add you to my US phone.

 

Cheers,

Shaun

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #349] A cruel mistress

London can be a hard bitch, but this is a little rich:

In other news, I am off to New York tomorrow - HOORAH! It's been 18 months since I was there and I need the recharge; I am not sure how I let that happen. It's going to be a whirlwind and I've already realised I haven't scheduled enough time there. <sigh>

From there it's on to Miami to see las familias and then a closing weekend in Atlanta, where my friend Mike McGirr is currently terrorising The Southerners, bless him. I've never been before, so am actually keen about the visit.

OK, time to pack.

Cheers,
Shaun
917-501-1638 <-- for you East Coast folks I'll be-a-seein'

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #347] Pre-pride drinks

Hey all,

As you know I am heading to New York a week on Saturday. With seven years of history to revisit, busy Pride schedules and the realities of New York minus the N-E-Y for most of you, I am teaming up with my cute Quebecois friend, Gaël, for a collective pre-pride cocktail session. I know many of you are going to have full schedules that weekend, so it's perfectly acceptable to pop in for one or two on your way elsewhere. I just wanted to set something up where I will be in one place for a while so I can see those of you I might not get to in the work week.

So, the details:

Where: Stonewall (well, where else for the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots?!)
When: Saturday 27 June, 8-10ish pm

Hope to see you there! (Hoorah! Less than two weeks!!!)

Cheers,
Shaun
Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #345] A Brutal Day

Most of you know I am fascinated with ugly architecture. It always astonished me the it was possible that anyone ever thought it was a good idea to build these buildings, often placed in the most wildly inappropriate settings. Over time, this astonishment morphed into fascination, and in Berlin, the fascination turned into love.

The style that is the most egregious and delights me is called Brutalist. London, indeed, the UK, excels at it; I don't think you'll find more raw concrete anywhere West of the Iron Curtain.

This Saturday afternoon, I decided to indulge my fetish a bit and take a look at the Robin Hood Gardens estate. It's due to be torn down soon after recently losing a petition to become a listed, and thereby protected, building, so I wanted to see it while I still could. Fortuitously, just up the road from RHG is Balfron Tower, another shining example. Attached are a few pics from my day out in Blackwall, East London.

Cheers,
Shaun

Full album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=132322&id=713081334&l=ffd1398e3f

01. DSC00004 - Robin Hood Gardens in the foreground, Balfron Tower behind. From Wikipedia:

Robin Hood Gardens is a council housing complex in Poplar, London designed in the late 1960s by architects Alison and Peter Smithson and completed in 1972. It was intended as an example of the 'streets in the sky' concept: social housing characterised by broad aerial walkways in long concrete blocks, much like the Park Hill estate in Sheffield; it was both informed by, and a reaction against, Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation.

The estate covers about two hectares and consists of two long blocks, one of ten storeys, the other of seven, built from precast concrete slabs and containing 213 flats, surrounding a landscaped green area and a small hill made from construction spoil. The flats themselves are a mixture of single-storey apartments and two-storey maisonettes, with wide balconies (the 'streets') on every third floor. The complex is located near Blackwall DLR station. It is within sight of the nearby Balfron Tower; both are highly visible examples of Brutalist architecture.

02. DSC00009 - One of the two buildings on the estate; DSC00017 later taken from the top stairwell (where the angled blue metal latticework is) later

03. DSC00011 - The charming wall around the complex

04. DSC00015 - The fetching "street in the sky"

05. DSC00017 - A view across the courtyard to the other building from the stairwell.

06. DSC00035 - What's where in East London

07. DSC00038 - Balfron Tower

08. DSC00039 - This shows you the "streets in the sky" concept in action; the 'tower' in the middle is the lift shaft you take up, then you cross over to the buildings, so you can see there's a walkway only every third floor

09. DSC00046 - I happened upon Chrisp Street Market nearby

10. DSC00061 - Thames Barrier is a large flood control structure on the River Thames, constructed between 1974 and 1982 at Woolwich Reach, and first used defensively in 1983.[1] It is the world's second largest movable flood barrier (the largest is the Maeslantkering in The Netherlands).

Located downstream of central London, the barrier's purpose is to prevent London from being flooded by an exceptionally high tide moving up from the sea, often exacerbated by a storm surge. It only needs to be raised for the duration of the high tide; at ebb tide it can be lowered to release upstream water that backs up behind it. On the northern bank it lies in the area of Silvertown in the London Borough of Newham. On the southern bank it lies in the New Charlton area of Charlton in the London Borough of Greenwich.

11. DSC00065 - Millennium Dome, er, sorry, the "O2 Centre"

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

[The Life of Shaun #344] My corner of London

Just a few pics from the past couple weeks:

A rainbow to South London, viewed from my bedroom

My local bus stop sign

A view of Whitechapel, Shadwell and Canary Wharf from Tower 42

The same photo, but with some details added. My building looks to have afunny shape in the outline because I the white tower (one of Shadwell's three towers, the third being the yellowish brick one to the left of the white one) blocks part of it out

(If you look at this pic I posted of the view from my flat, Tower 42 (né NatWest Tower) is just to the right of the Gherkin.)

Looking at these pics, you can definitely see how East London is a whole different city from the leafy, bucolic, green West London that Visit Britain sells to Midwestern tourists to lure them into visiting. It's definitely urban, gritty and edgy; I love it out East.

Cheers,
Shaun

Shaun H. Coley
Shadwell, Tower Hamlets
London, UK

http://www.nocirc.org
http://shaunism.blogspot.com

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "The Life of Shaun" group.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to The-Life-of-Shaun-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/The-Life-of-Shaun
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---