Polish neighbours
I live in Streatham, which apparently has a large Polish population. You could insert any area in outer London instead of Streatham - but this is good. I like foreigners. I can’t understand a word they say but Polish people are included in that. Although apparently there are lots of shortages in Poland now because they all come to work in London. But they make good au pairs over there.
My neighbours at the back are Polish, judging by their accents. I’m guessing they are. Or they’re eastern European, or maybe drunk and from Newcastle. Either way they stay outside very late playing music and talking loud. More impressive is that this then goes on into the day. Impressiver - they then go on again the next night. It has to be a rotor system as no one can stay out indefinitely and maintain this level of noise. They’ve started to become irritating. It’s not the noise – just the predictability of it all.
Irritating people are tough to deal with. They’re probably having fun so to interrupt that makes you the bad guy. Not that I was going to go and complain. I was just going to lob over a few water balloons from my bathroom window.
But I’ll be away soon so I’ll let another neighbour take action. I’m going to an even bigger noise for three weeks, where the heat will be fierce and the windows sealed to keep in the air conditioning. Las Vegas in the summer, the World Series of Poker. Only a lunatic would fancy this, and I’m not a lunatic.
In the past a trip this long would have posed no problems. This time though it seems more of a worry. All those people. The heat. The press restrictions and an unnatural and sinister cynicism towards the poker world. It could make or break me. Send me back bright and successful, or burnt and a failure.
Either way when I get back in August the neighbours will still be there, regardless of the outcome, playing bubblegum music and talking with beer. But I’ll probably like it by then. Right now it feels like I’m going to the moon. Except this is a moon where hotdogs cost $9.
First blog post in a couple of weeks. Must try harder.
My neighbours at the back are Polish, judging by their accents. I’m guessing they are. Or they’re eastern European, or maybe drunk and from Newcastle. Either way they stay outside very late playing music and talking loud. More impressive is that this then goes on into the day. Impressiver - they then go on again the next night. It has to be a rotor system as no one can stay out indefinitely and maintain this level of noise. They’ve started to become irritating. It’s not the noise – just the predictability of it all.
Irritating people are tough to deal with. They’re probably having fun so to interrupt that makes you the bad guy. Not that I was going to go and complain. I was just going to lob over a few water balloons from my bathroom window.
But I’ll be away soon so I’ll let another neighbour take action. I’m going to an even bigger noise for three weeks, where the heat will be fierce and the windows sealed to keep in the air conditioning. Las Vegas in the summer, the World Series of Poker. Only a lunatic would fancy this, and I’m not a lunatic.
In the past a trip this long would have posed no problems. This time though it seems more of a worry. All those people. The heat. The press restrictions and an unnatural and sinister cynicism towards the poker world. It could make or break me. Send me back bright and successful, or burnt and a failure.
Either way when I get back in August the neighbours will still be there, regardless of the outcome, playing bubblegum music and talking with beer. But I’ll probably like it by then. Right now it feels like I’m going to the moon. Except this is a moon where hotdogs cost $9.
First blog post in a couple of weeks. Must try harder.
posted by Stephen | 1:31 PM
4 Comments:
I'm looking forward to your visit. Here is some good news for you:
1. The Rio is air conditioned
2. The Media Room is constantly stocked with bottled water, sodas, and nice danishes (till you get sick of them). Coffee and tea, too.
3. The online hospitalitiy suites do light snacks and free drinks. We might be down to just beer and wine now, but still, they are nice places to take a break. I forgot you don't drink, but still, they are nice escapes.
4. Everyone in poker media is friendly except for CardPlayer.
5. Your friend Jen is here and she seems very different. Changed her hair and now her head is up, talking, friendly, laughing, not like the quiet head down girl I've seen before. It's like she's had the Sabrina effect. She's great, but you already knew that, and that side of her.
6. Lots of upcoming parties. Go because it will make for good personal writing later.
7. Network, incase you ever need a side writing job later on. This year, poker writing is paying the very big bucks.
8. I'm here and looking forward to seeing you.
I hope you're looking forward to your trip. There is lots of good news about being away from London for 3 weeks.
1. It's hot here too, and nowhere in London has air conditioning.
2. Gutshot cardroom is not yet stocked with Innocent Smoothies, nor do they make decent coffee. The free drinks are better in Vegas.
3. The PokerStars hospitality suite does light snacks and free drinks. It's good that you don't drink, as this means you won't lose it and reveal what your girlfriend really thinks of her marketing colleagues.
4. Everyone in poker media is friendly, especially the colleagues you'll be sharing a room with. Sharing a room with your boss for a few weeks is a great way to earn his respect. Remember extra brownie points can be earned by ignoring the smell of his discarded socks, and appearing interested in his bad beat stories.
5. Your friend Jen is there, and she has a boyfriend already... She's great, but you already knew that, and that side of her. And you know you like your girlfriend better - right?
7. Lots of upcoming parties. Go because it's a chance to test your theory that journalists see the crowd, join it, then stand at the side just taking notes.
7. Network, in case you ever need a writing job later on. It looks good on your CV that you went to WSOP 2006. Gutshot aren't paying big bucks for poker writing this year, but maybe some day another company will..?
8. I'm in Whitby for a week, and very busy looking for shells and building sandcastles with Amy - far too busy to miss you! If only that were true... 3 weeks feels like ages. Have fun in Vegas. I'll be thinking of you. Looking forward to you coming home.
Jo
I was at Gutshot last night and can say with confidence that it was stocked with Innocent Smoothies, because I drank one.
DY
Free drinks and danish?
Ste can I come....?
Look out for any Butterfinger Bars you can pocket.
Post a Comment
<< Home