Meeting Mr Turk

On December 2, 2014March 30, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Art, Entertainment, Fashion, London, Parties, People you may have heard ofLeave a comment

“Oh yeah. I know Gavin, he’s a friend of mine – great guy” said Pinky as I related having met him at a recent night out in Shoreditch.

“He knows a good biscuit, that’s for sure” I said slicing into an Eggs Benedict weekend brunch.

I’d been invited to come on down to a pop-up jewellery shop at Boxpark on Thursday night. Locating the event – sparsely populated but with the suspended air of more exciting times to come – I introduced myself to the founders of True Rocks – Emily and Dawn.

I got out my trusty Lumix and snapped away whilst we chatted.

“Oh, here’s Gavin!” Emily cried as a mammoth bearded gentleman made his way through a now increasingly crowded kitchen-at-a-party type space. I slipped one of his Rich Tea necklaces over my head.

“What was behind all this?” I asked the artist of said piece. “What were you thinking when you created it?”

“I wanted to do something about buying biscuits – cheap biscuits. I was interested in that exchange.” I looked at the necklace – a delicious treat in rose gold. The concept contained a dollop of quintessential British humour I felt. I wanted to know more, but first I had a burning question.

“Tell me something. Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with a brilliant idea and think I won’t bother writing that down because it’s so good I’ll remember it?”

Gavin interjected: “I know what you’re going to say next! Yes, I keep a piece of paper and pen by the bed. But the thing I’ve decided is, it’s not the final idea itself that’s important (often looks rubbish in the morning) – it’s the thought process that led to it. Essentially – what’s more interesting is how you got there.”

I looked into his green eyes (or were they blue?) – made more so by a double shiner (malevolent muggers), green sunglasses and the bushiest beard I’d seen in a while. “Does your other half like that?” I asked with a nod to it.

“Yeah! Women either love or hate it. I’m compiling a list of those who want me to shave it off for money. Maybe one day I will and donate the proceeds to my wife’s charity – House of Fairy Tales .”

I finished my Verveine tea, and relating the evening’s events to Pinky. “It was nice wearing that necklace for the evening” I mused, admiring my brunch date’s newly hair free handsome face. “I hope they do the earrings.”

A beautiful fella

On November 28, 2014December 7, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Life1 Comment

Peak dog walking time in the park. I strode across quickly ever so slightly late for my physio appointment. There they were – the usual suspects. The Pekingese, cross breeds, Jack Russells, Whippet but no sign of my personal favourite – the Bulldog. When all about him gallivant saying ‘Hi’ to one another, frivolously fetching this and that for their owners, getting into meaningless scrapes, he single mindedly and passionately pursues his football.

I’ve never seen a Bulldog like him. His face is ginormous – almost bigger than the whole of his body. It should make him exceedingly unattractive, but somehow it has the opposite effect.

As I approached the door opened and Philip welcomed me. ‘I’m not sure I should be here today’ I said, ‘My shin is so painful right now that any of your pummeling work will probably cause damage.’

P looked at the bruise. “Hmmm, not good. I can’t understand why it’s not getting better?”

“Me neither” I replied, “But being on my feet almost all the time and walking practically everywhere probably doesn’t help.” After a bit of discussion we decided to suspend treatment for the next while, just concentrating on some painful ‘massage’ for my calves.

“You do need to rest it.” Philip told me as I gathered my things to go.

“Okay” I said. “I must say I feel the need for heat, I think that might do me the power of good.”

“Well, they do say as you get on a bit it helps – arthritis and all that.” I glared at him and chastised his insensitivity.

On leaving, I passed dog owners sitting in the cafe chatting amicably as I started out for home. Their pooches sat patiently listening to them. Yellow and red Autumn leaves littered my path, I put my hat on for extra warmth.

Then I saw him. Tearing around the grass just happy to be. I called out to his owner. “Could I take a picture of your dog please – he’s so beautiful?” A dapper hacking jacket wearing man walked towards me. “Of course” he said, calling him. ‘Toby, Toby – here boy!” Toby came closer, gave my hand a cursory sniff and obediently awaited instructions from his owner.

“No football today I see” I said.

“No, thought we’d leave it at home for a change; sometimes I need a break” he said grinning.

“I know what you mean” I said smiling. “They say it’s as good as a rest.”

A journey back in time

On November 21, 2014July 26, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, Music, People you may have heard of, The Cuban BrothersLeave a comment

Apparently some people count sheep to help them get to sleep (really?) but the other night found me counting the number of times I’ve seen The Cuban Brothers before dozing off.

I could add up H&M designer collaborations I’d attended I suppose, but that would probably only go to five or six. Los Hermanos Cubanos however are a different matter.

“You must have seen them at least 20 times!” Van exclaimed over a pre-birthday dinner in South London. “No way!” I replied. “The first time was a Sunday Best party at S’Estanyol beach in Ibiza in 2004. Since then maybe once a year?” “Rubbish! I don’t believe you” she said.

A smokily scented night in Brixton, November 2014: Less threatening coming out of the tube, someone even brushed past me and said: ‘Sorry.’ More Starbucks than Iceland – although I was pleased to see Iceland still had prime position on the high street next to ‘King of Trainers’. “Let’s go to the Village” Foxy said. “It’s all chi chi – kind of one up from street food.”

Three souped up jalopies drove slowly by – the heavy booming of the bass so loud that the pavement vibrated. “That hasn’t changed – thank God” said Foxy.

The old market on Coldharbour lane now houses a myriad of cutesy restaurants, bars, hairdressers, vintage shops – all brimming over with gentrified Brixtonians.

We had a cocktail whilst inadvertently crashing someone’s 30th birthday party.

A lengthy queue to the venue for our evening’s entertainment had us surrounded by the usual plethora of beards and a lady regaling her companions with stories of the magnificence of Dorset. “Looks like a late one Foxy.” “Yeah, I reckon they won’t be on until 11.30pm tops.” “Nah, 11pm I’d say” I replied.

Several beer bucket challenges later we stood before the stage. It was 12.30pm. Kenny ‘the bastard’ was doing his stuff as Archerio and Miguel warmed up at the side of the stage.” Our new Japanese friends next to us were practically asleep. Eager twenty-somethings craned their necks to see more of Domenico. Miss Dorset pushed and shoved with elbows that denoted many a triumphant sale bargain.

I turned over in bed, closed my eyes and searched through the venues in my mind. The ICA, Carphone Warehouse Ball at Alexandra Palace, Bestival 2005 (or was it earlier?), Koko in Camden… I got to 15. I tried to find the 16th, I knew there was one, but I was sleepy. In the favoured expression of Miguel Mantovani It was time to just ‘allow it.’

*1st two photos from ‘Ibiza Spotlight’

Letting go

On November 16, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Entertainment, LifeLeave a comment

I arrived at the West London Synagogue on a Thursday night. Clad in trainers, shin splints aching, I had no idea how I was going to get through an hour and a half of Tango at this incongruous location of a dance school.

Jenni, grande dame of the establishment filled me in. “We’re the only school in the UK – as far as I know – that give you a guaranteed dance partner. Not only that but they’re all professional dancers.”

I thought about how many Salsa sessions I’d attended in the past where I’d been paired up with another woman or worse still a heavily sweating unattractive man with roaming hands. I looked forward to a different experience.

“Now, this is the intermediate class for Tango, so it’s going to be a bit difficult for you” Jenni told me commandeering a passing dancer while she spoke. I was introduced to Paul to whom she said ‘She’s never done this before, so just do what you can’ before rushing off to attend to other clients arriving for the evening’s entertainment. “Just follow him!” she called out hurriedly.

My dancing partner told me he was from Lithuania and had been ballroom dancing professionally for four years. I started talking nervously like I’ve done since time immemorial when I anticipate a man holding me in his arms on a dance floor. “Um, I’m wearing trainers because I’ve got shin splints, in fact I’m a bit dyslexic too”… “Really?” said Paul. “Don’t worry, you’re very brave to come and do Tango if you’re only done some Salsa before.”

I skipped over to Jenni. A diminutive supple looking gentleman had entered with two rather glamorous looking ladies. ‘That’s Alex” said Jenni glancing over. “He’s the Tango teacher. The girls are his entourage, they always come with him.”

Some Argentinian flavoured music started as Paul turned to me. I cautiously held onto his arms. It was no use. I needed to concentrate. I tried to follow but several embarrassing ‘dances’ later I was no further on.

Paul stopped and facing me looked directly into my eyes. “There is something missing. I don’t know what it is, but I’m not feeling a connection. I don’t feel you with me…together with me.”

Perhaps it was the firmness and heartfelt plea of his words that moved me.

The music started again. I allowed myself to relinquish control, not think and move with him.

It was fabulous. When he turned me so that my right leg kicked out – proper Tango style, I shrieked with delight. We felt connected, it was magic and like every piano exam I ever took – paralysed with nerves to start with – at the end I wanted to do it all over again.

http://www.simplydancingpartners.co.uk

Cake, for three days

On November 8, 2014March 30, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Food and drinks, London, PartiesLeave a comment

“Breakfast?” asked my local shopkeeper as I rolled up at the cash desk with a packet of Shreddies and a pint of milk. “No actually. It’s dinner.”

Twelve O’Clock at night and what are you supposed to do when you’ve been out since 7pm carousing at a birthday party under the vaults with copious champagne and a good prosecco. The thing that finally hits you on that fifth glass is that your very own celebration is imminent, plus you need to smuggle a cake into the Groucho Club in between.

Despite someone calling me a ‘generic’ example of my age at said party, I felt rather not that. I didn’t have any peers in fact who would rock up to the birthday celebration of someone they’d only met twice – and the second time being entirely by accident – on a Friday night.

On my third cigarette (only with champagne; only for my birthday celebrations) I ran into a couple of fellow Bloggers. “We’re from ‘Le Guide Noir” one of the Spanish duo told me. Wearing identical outfits – pink furry coats, matching tights and Spanish accents, they informed me they were dressed as the Barbie sisters. I took a photo as Toby and I descended the staircase in time for cake.

I noticed Anna had left the number off and there were only four candles. Good girl, I thought. Let’s leave it to the imagination.

Soul music predominated. “What is this?” I asked the barman.

“Fat Freddy’s Drop.” He told me. “They’re a New Zealand band – kind of a retro sound, actually they’re pretty old, ex crayfish fisherman.” He shook his cocktail shaker and poured what looked like steam into two glasses. “It’s hickory smoke” he told me and showed me the implement he used to produce it.

I was offered birthday cake. “But I wanted you to have some of mine!” I said to the belle of the ball. “I’ve got half a one here from today at work, fresh cream, chocolate, banana, strawberries… I can’t have any right now anyway because of my teeth.”

“Oh, you have Invisalign” a dentist nearby interrupted.

“No, they’re retainers actually. You’ve had yours whitened haven’t you?”

“Yes” she said.

As I do on my birthday weekend, I feel a bit like I’m on holiday. Like it’s Monopoly money and all bets are off. However, talk of teeth made me think about mine, eating and how I was unbelievably hungry. “I’ve got to go” I said, “I have to be at The Groucho in the morning at 10.”