http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/Rejoignez moi dans ma traversée et mettons ensemble le temps en suspens le temps d'observer, apprécier, et parfois enrager, dans mon infatigable quête du sens.en-UKMokoFeed10http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/37/047ad94fef7f99feae259433cd2ded_160x200.jpghttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/04/27/you-know-you-went-to-an-international-sc-4101428/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2008-04-27:/2008/04/27/you-know-you-went-to-an-international-sc-4101428/Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:00:35 +0200 <p>- You can't answer the question: "Where are you from?"</p> <p>- You speak two or more languages but can't spell in any of them.</p> <p>- You flew before you could walk.</p> <p>- You have a passport, but no driving license.</p> <p>- Your life story uses the phrase "Then we went to..." five times (or six, or seven times...).</p> <p>- You don't know where home is.</p> <p>-You sort your friends by continent.</p> <p>-Your second major is in a foreign language you already speak.</p> <p>- You realise it really is a small world after all.</p> <p>- You feel that multiple passports would be appropriate.</p> <p>-Your high school memories include days when school was canceled due to tear gas, riots or bomb threats.</p> <p>-You get back to the States and serously cannot remember the currency exchange.</p> <p>-You think VISA is a document stamped in your passport, and not a plastic card you carry in your wallet.</p> <p>-You automatically take off your shoes as soon as you get home.</p> <p>-Half of your phone calls are unintelligible to those around you.</p> <p>-You go to Pizza Hut or Wendy's and wonder why there's no chili sauce.</p> <p>-You know the geography of the rest of the world, but not the geography of your own country.</p> <p>-You have best friends in 5 different countries.</p> <p>-It takes 24 hours to reach home in a plane.</p> <p>-You can only call your parents at 8am and 8pm. </p> <p>-Your high school football team had to play against itself- if it even had one.</p> <p>-When you were in middle school you could walk into a bar and order a drink without being questioned.</p> <p>-You got to go home twice a year- that's if you were lucky.</p> <p>-You are a pro packer, you have done it so many times.</p> <p>-When you return to the States you are overwhelmed with the number of choices in a grocery store. </p> <p>-You are never content in one place, be it city, state or country for long. You're a mover.</p> <p>-You never had a job until you finished college. </p> <p>-Class reunions are not held at your old school. Not even close.</p> <p>-Police, imported from a different country, guard your school carrying machine guns.</p> <p>-You know everyone else in this group, because he/she went to school with one of your friends.</p> <p>-Your passport has more stamps than a post office.</p> <p>-You carry converters because you actually realise there are different types of outlets.</p> <p>-You constantly feel the need to catch up with TV programmes, actors and songs you are not familiar with.</p> <p>-You don't think its strange that you haven't talked to your best friend in a couple years, because you know you will always have a unique bond.</p> <p>-You wake up in one country thinking you are in another.</p> <p>-You don't even bother to change your watch when traveling.</p> <p>-You hate subtitles because you know there is someone that can make an accurate translation- you!</p> <p>-You have little or no contact with the locals but are best friends with people across the globe.</p> <p>-You speak many broken languages at once when you are drunk (my favourite!).</p> <p>-You start introducing yourself followed by your country of origin.</p> <p>-You've had to change your passport because it's full, not because it's expired, and this several times during your school years.</p> <p>-Paying a cop is not considered a bribe.</p> <p>-You've only dated people from other countries.</p> <p>-You're scared of going 'home' because you haven't been there in so long, and have changed so much, that you think people might not like you anymore.</p> <p>-You have more than one driving license, none of which are valid at home, that, or you still can't drive.</p> <p>-You greet people by bowing or kissing them on both cheeks.</p> <p>-You and your siblings know different languages or at least studied different ones.</p> <p><em>A condensed and slightly edited list lifted from the pages of Facebook (other sites are available). Although my arm was nearly quite literally twisted to 'stay connected' in this way and join the 21st century, I am pleased to have rediscovered so many old chums. So there you are.</em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/04/27/you-know-you-went-to-an-international-sc-4101428/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>schoolhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/04/27/you-know-you-went-to-an-international-sc-4101428/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/02/16/incognito~3734049/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2008-02-15:/2008/02/16/incognito~3734049/Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:41:10 +0100 <p>I don't drive. Don't be shocked. I lay this fact before you boldly and with not a trace of shame. Having always lived in large cities where owning a car was almost a liability, I never took up the habit. Thing is, here in Miami Beach taxis don't behave as they ought. Here, one is obliged to phone first and then wait three quarters of an hour. Nothing like New York where they fly, like migrating birds round every streetcorner, waiting to be summoned by an outstretched hand. As I never really venture too far from home, and no less than ten buses go up and down the street just outside my door, I've become a 'bus traveler'. <a href="http://miamibeachbum.blog.co.uk/2008/02/15/edie_does_it~3732813">Paul has too.</a> He who in his native Belfast zipped all over town in a snappy little roadster savouring his independence and no doubt singing at the top of his voice to the radio, has adapted marvelously. Together we've decided not to keep a car here, primarily because we can't be arsed, and generally speaking, with buses and taxis (when they finally show up) we make do.</p> <p>I take buses. And I am indistinguishable from the others around me, my beach brothers and sisters, all of us in shorts, flip-flops, sunglasses, with Ipods strapped to our heads. As far as bus travel goes this ain't bad: breathtaking views of the beach and gorgeous towering blocks whizzing by and palm trees and sun and tanned bodies all help to make that trip down the shops a pleasure. But the other day I heard my name- in its unabridged form no less, addressed to me as the S bus careened down Collins Avenue, and I panicked. I felt as though my cover had been blown. Who was this person accosting me? Who knows me here? Well, I knew exactly who <em>he</em> was, didn't I? </p> <p>If I think really hard (or read the archives of this blog) I can remember the parties and galas and lunches that comprised my life in New York. But it seems a lifetime ago (before Paul rescued me and gave shape and meaning to an otherwise paltry and idle existence). I can see the expensively augmented faces of the celebrated hostesses and the feted artists and overdressed, overpriveleged denizens of society who gathered at one sumptuous apartment or another to sigh and groan and pick at their plates, and ask each other what on earth So-and-So was thinking. The man leaning over me on the S bus had come straight from that world, just taking a few days away from the stresses of the city, you know, pausing only to change from his ubiquitous black to a tropical white ensemble and rejoiciing that at last he'd discovered the onetime 'celebutante' who'd suddenly dropped out of sight what was it two years ago now? , 'well what a stroke of coincidence this is...' </p> <p>Naturally I denied it. Told the unfortunate gentleman (whom let's face it, I never liked) that he was quite mistaken. Without another word I turned my attention back to the splendour outside the window, the Chris Moyles podcast on my Ipod <a href="http://deartonton.blog.co.uk/2008/02/16/why_don_t_you~3734140">and my thoughts</a> as New York receded to the back of the bus. </p> <p>Think he believed me?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/02/16/incognito~3734049/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/02/16/incognito~3734049/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/random_shots_of_new_york~3698290/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2008-02-08:/2008/02/08/random_shots_of_new_york~3698290/Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:51:41 +0100 <p>But as you can see, my heart wasn't in it...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/0e422eed4586/2330920" title="0e422eed4586"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/920/2330920_2a43145fbc_m.jpeg" alt="0e422eed4586" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Sheesh! Look at that, will you.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/0f2b4717b7e7/2330927" title="0f2b4717b7e7"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/927/2330927_a4420eab48_m.jpeg" alt="0f2b4717b7e7" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It snowed, it rained. I mean, the weather was just awful. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/80ef53802f57/2330929" title="80ef53802f57"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/929/2330929_c0c07d6e7f_m.jpeg" alt="80ef53802f57" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Well, perhaps <em>you</em> might like it here.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/3460d72cc299/2330930" title="3460d72cc299"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/930/2330930_ecee611898_m.jpeg" alt="3460d72cc299" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>But it was Fashion Week and so I wrapped myself in wooly things, girded my loins and tried to enjoy my time in the Big Golden Delicious. I saw some things, met some people. I'll tell you all about it later...</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/random_shots_of_new_york~3698290/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/random_shots_of_new_york~3698290/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/01/29/winter_blues~3648846/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2008-01-29:/2008/01/29/winter_blues~3648846/Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:12:06 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sur_la_plage/2309124" title="sur la plage"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/124/2309124_bb81c07a86_m.jpeg" alt="sur la plage" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Why not grab a good novel and spend an hour at the beach today? Such is my new daily regimen since we came to Miami and I honestly can't remember how I got on before. Several friends have popped over from the UK recently, and we've had some jolly dinners and lazy days. And I didn't obsess over guestroom decor and menus and sightseeing excursions. That's what living at the beach has done for me.</p> <p>Paul's much happier too...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/a_nice_shot/2309206" title="a nice shot"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/206/2309206_4cfdd25735_m.jpeg" alt="a nice shot" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>And we love watching the neighbours...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/les_voisins/2309182" title="les voisins"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/182/2309182_5380979a98_m.jpeg" alt="les voisins" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/j_adore_les_oiseaux_de_loin/2309223" title="j"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/223/2309223_8aaea4c7cb_m.jpeg" alt="j" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>*my thanks to frank-o-fyle, who remembers.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/01/29/winter_blues~3648846/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2008/01/29/winter_blues~3648846/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/31/storm_s_a_coming~3223916/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2007-10-31:/2007/10/31/storm_s_a_coming~3223916/Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:33:22 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/s4020949/2109069" title="S4020949"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/069/2109069_7bc1797649_m.jpeg" alt="S4020949" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Not a soul on the beach today, and all those poolside chaise longues have been packed away. Tropical Storm Noel is steadily making his way north from Cuba where already he's caused quite a bit of mischief. Winds here are gusting at 50 miles an hour and Paul is beside himself.</p> <p>Me, I'm not bothered.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/john_balcony_noel/2109071" title="John balcony Noel"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/071/2109071_e6d9ff4b1b_m.jpeg" alt="John balcony Noel" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/31/storm_s_a_coming~3223916/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tropical-stormhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/31/storm_s_a_coming~3223916/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/21/the_view~3172353/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2007-10-21:/2007/10/21/the_view~3172353/Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:44:41 +0200 <p>...of our 'backyard'.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/terrace/2081501" title="terrace"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/501/2081501_a6208969ea_m.jpeg" alt="terrace" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/21/the_view~3172353/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>miami-beachhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/21/the_view~3172353/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/20/with_bowed_head_and_giddy_heart~3167990/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2007-10-20:/2007/10/20/with_bowed_head_and_giddy_heart~3167990/Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:17:22 +0200 <p>Look, I know it's been a while since I've posted anything, in fact, I confess I've not even peeked in to see what you've all been writing. I am truly sorry for that. I am on my knees at this very minute praying for your pardon. The fact that I am actually sitting in a comfy chair sipping a latte with no intention of ruining the crease in these trousers should in no way dispel that forgiving mood I can tell had already enveloped you. This is me apologising. But really, we've been busy, Paul and I. I can chart it all back to that holiday we took in March (why, it was only three or four posts ago). You see, we'd got fed up with winter. Oh, it was a long one, and brutal- it never would end. And so we flew out of bleak New England (like the proverbial bats) and washed ashore on sunny Miami Beach. I can tell you it changed our lives. And ultimately, the course of our life.</p> <p>We have decided to make this place our home. And so here we are, and here we shall stay. Eternally on holiday.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/north_views/1231575" title="north views"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/575/1231575_49af3b61e3_m.jpeg" alt="north views" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/20/with_bowed_head_and_giddy_heart~3167990/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>miami-beachhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/10/20/with_bowed_head_and_giddy_heart~3167990/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/04/13/easter_parade~2082159/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2007-04-13:/2007/04/13/easter_parade~2082159/Fri, 13 Apr 2007 03:03:42 +0200 <p>New York City<br> In case you missed it.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1324055" title="Easter4"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/055/1324055_b9c639ab59_m.jpeg" alt="Easter4" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1324056" title="Easter-2"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/056/1324056_c1d5c128e3_m.jpeg" alt="Easter-2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>photos courtesy of <a href="http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com">Sartorialist</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/04/13/easter_parade~2082159/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/04/13/easter_parade~2082159/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/27/this_is_a_spring~1984892/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2007-03-27:/2007/03/27/this_is_a_spring~1984892/Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:58:08 +0200 <p>...that tiptoes in. It pauses, overcome by shyness, like a grandchild at the door, peeping in, ducking out of sight, giggling in the hallway. "Heather!" I want to cry, "I know you're out there. Come in!" And April slips into our arms. The maples do not come forth in green; they are flowering red, soft as slippers, in tassels like a jester's scepter. The flowering almond is pink, absurdly pink, little-girl pink, as pink as peppermint and cream. The apples display their milliner's scraps of ivory silk, rose-tinged. All the sleeping things wake up- primrose, baby iris, candytuft, blue phlox, the Scotch heather that had seemed dead beyond resurrection. The earth warms- you can smell it. feel it, crumble April in your hands...</p> <p><em>From the writings of James Jackson Kilpatrick</em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/27/this_is_a_spring~1984892/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>springhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/27/this_is_a_spring~1984892/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/16/how_to_make_chicken_stock_a_colossal_was~1912973/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2007-03-16:/2007/03/16/how_to_make_chicken_stock_a_colossal_was~1912973/Fri, 16 Mar 2007 01:27:27 +0100 <p><em>There are two basic ways to make chicken stock. One method uses the leftover bones from a chicken carcass and vegetables, and takes several hours of slow cooking. The second method uses chicken backs and wings, braising them first, and takes about 1 hour to prepare. We prefer this second method as it yields a more rich, delicious stock. But the first method can be a great way to not let good bones go to waste.</p> <p>Method 1. Leftover Chicken Bones</p> <p>1 Put the leftover bones and skin from a chicken carcass into a large stock pot and cover with cold water. Add veggies like celery, onion, carrots, parsley.</p> <p>2 Add salt and pepper, about 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of pepper.</p> <p>3 Bring to a boil and reduce heat to bring the stock to a low simmer.</p> <p>4 Simmer uncovered at least 4 hours, occassionally skimming off the foam that comes to the surface.</p> <p>5 Remove the bones and strain the stock.</p> <p>6 If making stock for future use in soup you may want to reduce the stock by simmering a few hours longer to make it more concentrated and easier to store.</p> <p>Method 2. Chicken backs, wings, and legs.</p> <p>4 lbs of chicken backs, wings, and or legs that have been hacked with a cleaver into 2-inch pieces. You can ask your butcher to prepare the chicken pieces this way.<br> 1 large yellow onion, chopped.<br> Olive oil<br> 2 quarts of boiling water<br> 2 teaspoons of salt<br> 2 bay leaves</p> <p>1 Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a large stock pot. Add one chopped onion. Sauté until softened and slightly colored - 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.</p> <p>2 Add half of the chicken pieces to the pot. Sauté until no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to bowl with onions. Sauté the rest of the chicken the same way. Return onion and chicken pieces to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.</p> <p>3 While the chicken pieces are cooking, fill a large tea kettle with 2 quarts of water, bring to a boil.</p> <p>4 After the chicken pieces have been cooking for 20 minutes, raise the heat level to high, add the 2 quarts of boiling water, 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 bay leaves. Return to simmer, then cover and barely simmer for about 20 minutes.</p> <p>5 Strain broth and discard solids. Broth can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for several months.</p> <p>This method comes from The Best Recipe cookbook by Cook's Illustrated. They got it from In Pursuit of Flavor, by Edna Lewis. This makes a truly flavorful stock. </p> <p>Note about the Fat<br> I've seen a lot of newer cookbooks advocate the skimming of the fat from the stock. We prefer the traditional method of letting the fat settle in a layer on top of the stock as it cools. This way, the fat acts as a protective layer against bacteria, which is found in the air. The stock will last longer if you keep the fat layer on it. Just lift up the layer of fat and remove the stock when you want to use it. Every few days, bring the stock to a simmer for 10 minutes and let it cool, again with the fat forming a protective layer. Your stock can be stored in the refrigerator and used for up to a couple of weeks this way.</p> <p>The above taken from one of the best-selling cookery books by one of today's leading chefs.</p> <p><em>Or you can do it my way</em>:</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1246483" title="...because life"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/483/1246483_3494cfb757_s.jpeg" alt="...because life" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/16/how_to_make_chicken_stock_a_colossal_was~1912973/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/16/how_to_make_chicken_stock_a_colossal_was~1912973/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/10/why_don_t_you~1878093/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2007-03-10:/2007/03/10/why_don_t_you~1878093/Sat, 10 Mar 2007 02:58:49 +0100 <p>Make chicken soup. Drizzle a bit of olive oil in your dutch oven (a large stock pot will do) and throw in some bits of chicken until brown on both sides and cooked through. Add stock to cover and all the chopped carrots, onions and celery you care for. Throw in some green beens, potatoes, peas, what you will, a bit of salt and pepper and a bay leaf while you're at it. Simmer for at least an hour and serve over rice. This is my own recipe and I confess, it's always a hit. With only a few modifications (bacon drippings instead of oil and a cup or so of wine along with the stock) this delicious soup becomes Coq au Vin.<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1231591" title="Red Dutch Oven by Mario Batali"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/591/1231591_1c87141bea_s.jpeg" alt="Red Dutch Oven by Mario Batali" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Say goodbye to the winter blahs and jet off to sunny Miami Beach and rediscover (or introduce yourself) to this jewel of an isle studded with towering palm trees and paved with white sand. Where even in this, the deepest of winter, the temperature remains steady at 'balmy', and the views are absolutely gorgeous. <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1231574" title="miami beach"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/574/1231574_0488919d55_m.jpeg" alt="miami beach" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1231575" title="north views"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/575/1231575_49af3b61e3_m.jpeg" alt="north views" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Start planning now to replace all those platform and high-heeled wedgies you've been collecting. This season all the talk is of simpler things and flats. Artsy ballet slippers and metallic thongs. Kitten heels and trainers worn with knee-length skirts. I know, I'm as gutted as you are. But this from Balenciaga's spring line made me smile.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1231595" title="Balenciaga Sport"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/595/1231595_aea854c50a_s.jpeg" alt="Balenciaga Sport" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>March 2007</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/10/why_don_t_you~1878093/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>why-dont-youmiami-beachhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/03/10/why_don_t_you~1878093/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/02/11/tickeddy_boo~1720399/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2007-02-11:/2007/02/11/tickeddy_boo~1720399/Sun, 11 Feb 2007 13:25:07 +0100 <p>Oh, will you look at that, a new year has dawned while I had my back turned. And it seems to be going rather nicely so far. Paul arrives in just two days' time and my happiness is assured. Now if we could only do something about this effing cold...</p> <p>Happy (belated) New Year! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/02/11/tickeddy_boo~1720399/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2007/02/11/tickeddy_boo~1720399/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/25/a_christmas_eve_wish~1476768/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-12-25:/2006/12/25/a_christmas_eve_wish~1476768/Mon, 25 Dec 2006 03:23:04 +0100 <p>I must pause here a moment as the mulled wine swims round in my head so gently, and the lights twinkle gaily on the tree. I must just rest awhile amid this pleasant buzzing activity. It's Christmas Eve and The Carpenters are on the radio melting my poor heart. Paul is deep in the kitchen cooking up a storm. Promises of turkey and ham and trifle and pie; things roasted, things baked, and strong mixtures served over ice, and other tasties too, far too much for just the two of us. Yes, I must stop here before I am overwhelmed by love and happiness and The Holidays at home, and wish you all a Happy Christmas. And a special best to <a href="http://enterthevoid.blog.co.uk/">C.J.</a> May yours be merry indeed.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/25/a_christmas_eve_wish~1476768/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/25/a_christmas_eve_wish~1476768/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/08/and_they_said_it_wouldn_t_last~1414219/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-12-08:/2006/12/08/and_they_said_it_wouldn_t_last~1414219/Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:37:12 +0100 <p>Well, actually, they didn't. </p> <p>Unbelievable as it may sound, all of my friends and his were supportive from the very beginning. But this month marks the first anniversary of my relationship with Paul and no one is more surprised than me. Surprised that these feelings have endured and grown. Surprised that I haven't scared him off. </p> <p>And so we celebrate this month of firsts. The first time we spoke. The first time we used the word 'love'. The first time we met... </p> <p>Yes, in that order. </p> <p>Happy Anniversary, my love. It's been <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2005/12/">a very good year</a>. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/08/and_they_said_it_wouldn_t_last~1414219/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/08/and_they_said_it_wouldn_t_last~1414219/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/07/autumn_in_northern_ireland~1411653/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-12-07:/2006/12/07/autumn_in_northern_ireland~1411653/Thu, 07 Dec 2006 14:06:36 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1013479"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/479/1013479_8948ec7300_m.jpg" alt="coastal road" title="coastal road" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1013480"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/480/1013480_29aaf3751a_m.jpg" alt="garrickfergus castle" title="garrickfergus castle" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1013481"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/481/1013481_b2a95f5af9_m.jpg" alt="chiaroscuro" title="chiaroscuro" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1013482"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/482/1013482_510c187ee2_m.jpg" alt="bunnywhisperer" title="bunnywhisperer" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/07/autumn_in_northern_ireland~1411653/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/12/07/autumn_in_northern_ireland~1411653/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/21/for_svenska~1355394/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-11-21:/2006/11/21/for_svenska~1355394/Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:43:14 +0100 <p>This <a href="http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/">link</a> was sent to me by <a href="http://milktoast67.blog.co.uk/">Milktoast</a>, my very good friend, who, like you, has a keen interest in these things. Enjoy.<br> X </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/21/for_svenska~1355394/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>fashionhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/21/for_svenska~1355394/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/08/v_for_victory_a_rare_political_commentar~1310048/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-11-08:/2006/11/08/v_for_victory_a_rare_political_commentar~1310048/Wed, 08 Nov 2006 20:06:18 +0100 <p><em>Remember, remember, the 7th November,<br> A vote matters more than a jot;<br> I know of no reason why this voting season<br> Should ever be forgot. </em></p> <p><strong>US Mid-term Elections<br> Democrats Gain Control of the House</strong> </p> <p>Democrats have won control of the US House of Representatives in mid-term polls, and are one seat away from gaining a majority in the Senate.<br> The Democrats won the Senate seat in Montana after a delayed neck-and-neck vote count was completed.<br> The race now hangs on Virginia, where a win would give the Democrats the six seats needed for a majority.<br> And US media are quoting Republican officials as saying Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down. </p> <p>In Tuesday's poll, Democrats comfortably gained the 15 seats needed to wrest power from the Republicans in the lower chamber. Correspondents say Democratic gains reflect voter discontent over Iraq, government corruption and the economy. In Virginia, the Democrats have claimed victory with a lead of about 8,000 votes, but the Republicans are thought likely to demand a recount. </p> <p>The results give the Democrats control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 12 years. The BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in Washington says this has changed the political landscape in the US, and the last two years of the Bush presidency will be very different from those before. </p> <p>With projected results still coming through, the Democrats had gained 27 House seats from the Republicans. Analysts say control of the House will allow Democrats to choose to launch inquiries into the handling of Iraq, and could lead to significant changes on domestic issues like taxation and health care. Democrats also won four of six target Senate seats. </p> <p>President George W Bush has telephoned several top Congressional Democrats to offer his congratulations. </p> <p>Mr Bush has scheduled a news conference for 1800 GMT - in which correspondents say he will give the first clue on whether he intends to compromise with his newly powerful opponents or fight. </p> <p>House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi - poised to become the chamber's first female Speaker - pledged that the Democrats would work with "civility" and "partnership, not partisanship" in their newly empowered position. But she said the Bush administration's "stay the course" policy in Iraq was not working. "We cannot continue down this catastrophic path," she said.<br> BBC News<br> For complete article click <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6127216.stm">here</a>. </p> <p><em>And so things are looking up.<br> And just in time too.<br> I was beginning to see<br> Guy Fawkes' point of view. </p> <p>JHP</em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/08/v_for_victory_a_rare_political_commentar~1310048/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/08/v_for_victory_a_rare_political_commentar~1310048/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/02/what_i_ll_be_wearing_this_season~1286954/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-11-02:/2006/11/02/what_i_ll_be_wearing_this_season~1286954/Thu, 02 Nov 2006 07:22:43 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=929990"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/990/929990_25bfa7afb2_m.jpg" alt="costume" title="costume" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=929991"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/991/929991_54f9c73414_m.jpg" alt="costume1" title="costume1" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=929992"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/992/929992_dca5527805_m.jpg" alt="costume2" title="costume2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=929993"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/993/929993_901ca46449_m.jpg" alt="costume3" title="costume3" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=929994"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/994/929994_a9c8cfd094_m.jpg" alt="costume4" title="costume4" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=929995"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/995/929995_f5eb04312f_m.jpg" alt="costume5" title="costume5" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Costume National Homme Automne/Hiver 2006 </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/02/what_i_ll_be_wearing_this_season~1286954/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>costume-nationalhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/11/02/what_i_ll_be_wearing_this_season~1286954/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/10/31/what_a_lovely_morning~1281582/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-10-31:/2006/10/31/what_a_lovely_morning~1281582/Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:21:39 +0100 <p>Just look at this day. Effing gorgeous it is! A sun-streaked and cloudless sky and temperatures that actually justify my prolonged wearing of flip-flops. I admit I was jealous as I read <a href="http://cestlavie.blog.co.uk/2006/10/31/shampoooooo~1279713">frank-o-fyle</a>'s account of the beautiful weather he's had in France. Here in New England we'd been assaulted by fierce wind and rain (garden chairs were sent flying and the roads were flooded). But today I woke to find this miracle. And yes, I was so chuffed I thought I'd share it with you. Aren't you pleased?</p> <p>Whilst strolling through these leafy streets and singing a lighthearted tune (camp as knickers!), I crossed the campus of the local uni to see what the kids were up to and look at what I found:</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=925428"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/428/925428_ab29eafa6b_m.jpg" alt="twighenge 2" title="twighenge 2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Twighenge? What do you think they'll do with that come nightfall. Can't think how it even got there. Or when. I'm sure it wasn't there yesterday. It's quite large actually, and would be perfect for some Halloween shenanigans. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=925433"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/433/925433_ab8c263d05_m.jpg" alt="twighenge" title="twighenge" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Happy Halloween, duckies. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/10/31/what_a_lovely_morning~1281582/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/10/31/what_a_lovely_morning~1281582/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/09/23/what_was_i_like~1152110/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-09-23:/2006/09/23/what_was_i_like~1152110/Sat, 23 Sep 2006 02:34:43 +0200 <p><em>Thought I'd scroll back through these posts to remind myself what I was up to at this time last year. Apparently not a lot. And yet at the end of each day I was exhausted. Today. With New York far in the distance, my life has changed completely and thanks to Paul, become a happy, fulfilled one. Here is an entry from last September, written by a man I hardly recognise...</em></p> <p><strong>Diary of a New Yorker (During Days of Disaster, Despair and World Change)<br> by montontonjon @ 04 Sep. 2005 - 15:14:59</p> <p></strong>Monday. Finally decided to think about Autumn and what the hell I intend to wear. Completely uninspired by the collections. Imagined myself dressed up in Edwardian gear (at my age!) and became horrified. But that does seem to be the general mandate, however. Lunch at Pastis was particularly awful and although I keep on saying it, I really must find a new restaurant. Dinner party way uptown, although much too hot to wear anything great. Decided to innaugurate my new velvet loafers, which were quite a hit.</p> <p>Tuesday. Came very close to throwing out everything in my closet and starting fresh with something completely different. Wondered vaguely if I could be a Paul Smith man- all colourful and stripy. Realised it would drive me mad and threw on my usual Costume National shades-of-grey. Lunch at Pastis was beyond horrible. Was made to sit in the 'socialite's corner' and the amount of perfume that wafted through the room seemed to coat every bite of my steak tartare, which I should never have ordered anyway. Drinks with Mr. J who's leaving me on Saturday and since my feelings for him change every five minutes, decided to wear something low-key and subdued. Blue-grey cargo trousers and a matching shirt with navy suede sandals, all from Prada.</p> <p>Wednesday. Slept very late and woke to the arrival of one or two things I had ordered from Costume National. All absolutely beautiful but too hot to wear now. So preoccupied I missed lunch and had to call my friends to apologise. Long telephone conversation with Mr. J who still insists on moving to Hong Kong. I wish he'd leave already. Went out to a drinks party and ran into Mr. H, an ex of sorts, in town from Amsterdam, and passed a very pleasant evening with him in the East Village. Was glad I wore jeans.</p> <p>Thursday. Busy day with all sorts of errands. In a mad burst of romanticism bought a ticket to LA to meet Mr. J as he's stopping there for a few days before going on to Hong Kong. Not sure if I should keep this as a surprise or tell him beforehand. Ran into a dancer friend at lunch and have come up with a whole new look for Autumn- inspired by the things principal dancers tend to wear at their opening night post-performance galas- which is to say quirky, individual and slightly mad creations, of no use in everyday life. Dinner with Monsieur Ex and old friends of ours visiting from Paris. Naturally I debuted my new look- it defies description, but was met with general approval and delight.</p> <p>Friday. Met Mr. J for breakfast (a silly idea as I can only ever manage coffee at that hour) and ended up spending the entire day with him. Told him I was thinking of joining him in LA in a 'why not' sort of way. He was overjoyed and I was back to being in love. Keeping up my new look, I was dressed in an old Jean Colonna sweatsuit which is really so much more, my wraparound sunglasses, and flip-flops.</p> <p>Saturday. Mr. J has gone. Fortunately, Monsieur Ex and his boyfriend invited me to spend a couple of days with them at their Long Island summer house. The Parisians were there and in honour of them I took along a few tins of tapenade and aioli that I had brought back from St. Tropez. As this weekend marks the official end of summer, I packed only white clothes in my case.</p> <p>Sunday. I shall leave my friends tomorrow and race back to the city to make my flight to LA. I'm in such a muddle. I'm so confused about how I feel about Mr. J, and, worse, I have no idea what I'll wear. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/09/23/what_was_i_like~1152110/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/09/23/what_was_i_like~1152110/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/09/03/summer_in_the_country_part~1093425/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-09-03:/2006/09/03/summer_in_the_country_part~1093425/Sun, 03 Sep 2006 15:03:32 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=794666"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/666/794666_8c312c0c7f_m.jpg" alt="tightrope1" title="tightrope1" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/09/03/summer_in_the_country_part~1093425/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/09/03/summer_in_the_country_part~1093425/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/08/24/summer_in_the_country~1064303/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-08-24:/2006/08/24/summer_in_the_country~1064303/Thu, 24 Aug 2006 06:13:59 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=771834"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/834/771834_bc9638c1a6_m.jpg" alt="neighbourhood1" title="neighbourhood1" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=771835"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/835/771835_746ad9044d_m.jpg" alt="neighbourhood3" title="neighbourhood3" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=771836"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/836/771836_84bd231797_m.jpg" alt="neighbourhood2" title="neighbourhood2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/08/24/summer_in_the_country~1064303/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/08/24/summer_in_the_country~1064303/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/08/16/title~1043093/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-08-16:/2006/08/16/title~1043093/Wed, 16 Aug 2006 07:22:28 +0200 <p>I have no doubt that the waters of the gulf still flow unceasingly, filling the glittering port, and streaming on to lap at the curving beaches, so endlessly blue; that the sound of southern voices carried on by a languid Mediterranean wind still echos through the narrow streets at midnight to fall to rest at Place des Lices. The cobblestones will always reverberate with the click-click-clicking of outrageous stillettoes, as they have done for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I wonder what became of all that construction at Papagayo last year, or I yearn to know what scandals are being discussed at the villa; I wonder if Karl and Inge sailed over from Cannes, and if the apricots were as sweet this year. But curiosity, like a desert rose, dies away almost before it has bloomed, and my attention is trained once again on more local concerns. That party goes on without me. As it must from now on. For the first time in many years I am not passing the summer in <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/?s=summer+retreat&sentence=AND">St Tropez </a>and (can I confess it ?) I don’t really miss it. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/08/16/title~1043093/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>st-tropezhttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/08/16/title~1043093/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/30/the_heatwave_continues~1000305/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-07-30:/2006/07/30/the_heatwave_continues~1000305/Sun, 30 Jul 2006 15:24:25 +0200 <p>That was headline news in this morning’s paper and I have half a mind to just go back upstairs to bed. That’s where Paul is (he’s no fool), snug as a bug in the only air-conditioned room, while I sit perspiring in what is meant to be my comfortable ‘morning room’. You know, where I write my letters and plan the menus of my lavish dinners. But seriously folks, I can actually feel the heat emanating from this tiny laptop, which is a good reason (if one was needed) to keep this brief. I don’t have much to say anyway. No news to report; no words of wisdom to impart. It’s hot, and one would do well to keep cool. There. And how are you today? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/30/the_heatwave_continues~1000305/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/30/the_heatwave_continues~1000305/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/25/in_this_garden_part~987219/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-07-25:/2006/07/25/in_this_garden_part~987219/Tue, 25 Jul 2006 14:00:31 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=709678"><img src="http://data2.blog.de/media/678/709678_8983b9e2d2_m.jpg" align="" alt="paul in the garden" title="paul in the garden" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/25/in_this_garden_part~987219/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/25/in_this_garden_part~987219/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/25/in_this_garden~987185/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-07-25:/2006/07/25/in_this_garden~987185/Tue, 25 Jul 2006 13:49:13 +0200 <p>...the sounds of voices low and melodious can be heard. The clinking of glasses too is as frequent as the laughter that fills the night air. In this garden bordered in lush pine and ancient redwoods, friends gather to toast the good fortune that is undoubtedly theirs. The group is divided quite tidily into couples, and the talk is mainly of love. By day this garden is the playground to countless squirrels and tuneful birds and little buzzing things in search of the cooling shade. But by night this garden transforms itself into the most intimate, convivial and rather select cafe.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/25/in_this_garden~987185/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/25/in_this_garden~987185/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/18/waking_up~968684/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-07-18:/2006/07/18/waking_up~968684/Tue, 18 Jul 2006 13:53:31 +0200 <p>God, but it’s hot. And there’s that sun again lasering through the windows. What’s the time? Not even half past six and already this house is stifling. No better outside. Just look at the trees as still as statues, with no wind to ruffle their leaves. I suppose I should be thankful after all those frigid spring days and nights when I practically lived with a hot water bottle pressed to my chest. Ah well, summer. Yes. At least it will be cooler downstairs. What I should do is get right up and get a pot of coffee going and get to work on that room across the hall. Yes sir, up and at ‘em. Not that it needs much now to be honest, maybe a few pictures and one or two bibelots. No, it’s the garden that wants all my attention. But if you think I intend to spend this scorching day humped over herbaceous borders you’ve got another think coming. That coffee is a good idea. Strong and flavourful and piping hot. I know there are scores of well-intentioned souls who cling to the belief that on hot days only iced drinks are called for and perhaps for them it’s the very thing they need. I am not one of those people, at least not until after lunch. It’s not that I don’t enjoy my iced drinks, believe me I do, but not first thing. Look at Paul sleeping. Soundly and deeply. No doubt the effect of all those refreshing iced drinks we sorely needed yesterday. He’ll go on like that for hours more and me here up at the scrape of dawn, wide-eyed and in my own languid way, bursting with energy. How Paul can sleep in this heat I’ve no idea. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/18/waking_up~968684/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/07/18/waking_up~968684/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/05/23/shout_out~823040/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-05-23:/2006/05/23/shout_out~823040/Tue, 23 May 2006 16:23:03 +0200 <p>...to all my blogmates. I miss you all and just thought I'd pop by to tell you that. Been busy, haven't I? But I shall return soon to bore you senseless with more of my third-person rambling tales dripping in sentimentality.</p> <p>I also wanted to make sure my blogsite didn't get usurped or deleted or whatever else happens through inactivity.</p> <p>See you soon, pigeons.<br> X<br> JHP </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/05/23/shout_out~823040/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/05/23/shout_out~823040/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/04/15/me_and_paul~729206/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-04-15:/2006/04/15/me_and_paul~729206/Sat, 15 Apr 2006 12:43:08 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=480692"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/692/480692_f348c25932_m.bmp" align="" alt="me and paul" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/04/15/me_and_paul~729206/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/04/15/me_and_paul~729206/#commentshttp://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/04/13/nice_place_you_ve_got_here~724914/tag:johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk,2006-04-13:/2006/04/13/nice_place_you_ve_got_here~724914/Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:08:26 +0200 <p>Took the old bicycle for a spin yesterday (of course I have a bicycle, zippy little blue Miyata, never used it though) and had a marvelous time. Went careening down the hill while thinking about the origin of the term 'breakneck speed'. Raced across the river and into town. Discovered we have a theater district here full of beautiful old, but modernised theaters, that receive the touring productions of all those things one can never get tickets for in New York. Stumbled upon an area dedicated to trendy art galleries and couldn't help noticing the trendy loft apartments above them. It seems there is a 'scene' in my new hometown should I ever need it. Still haven't found a completely suitable restaurant for lunch, or should I say, 'having lunch'. Actually, there is one place I like. High-ceilinged and many-windowed, and right there on the corner of two artsy streets. It also has a full bar, so necessary for the kind of lingering lunches I like. Thing is, it's never very crowded, which I suppose is a good thing in terms of getting the best table and undivided attention from the staff, but not for showing off one's velvet loafers. All in all, a pleasant day and some exercise too. Although returning home I had to dismount at the base of the steep hill. In fact, I had to take a few minutes to talk myself out of just abandoning the machine and setting up camp for the night. Finally, we walked up the hill together very slowly, panting all the way, and cursing the very lay of the land. We collapsed at the front door in a tangle of pale blue chrome and designer denim. Might do it again today. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/04/13/nice_place_you_ve_got_here~724914/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://johnhamiltonpalmer.blog.co.uk/2006/04/13/nice_place_you_ve_got_here~724914/#comments