 |
- Elephant Parade @ various locations in London
- The Great London Garden Trail @ various locations in London
- Breakin' Convention @ Sadler's Wells
- Supermarket Shakespeare @ Sainsbury's New Cross
- Love for Sale @ Southbank Centre
Sunday, May 2, 2010
This Week in London 3 May - 9 May
Friday, April 30, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Shoreditch
And now for something completely different, we go to the East side of London, more specifically Shoreditch. Located minutes from the City of London and home to the hip and fashionable (or to wannabes and fashion victims if you're so inclined), Shoreditch is located in the borough of Hackney and covers the E1 and E2 postcodes. So what's it like to live amongst the cool kids? We spoke to Chris to find out.
Name: Chris
Age: 27
Shoreditch Resident for: 1 year
Last place you lived before moving to London? San Fransisco
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Old Street
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Shoreditch pulls unique and impressive triple duty as London's capital for developing technology, cutting-edge agencies ... and hipsters. Those constituencies ensure that Shoreditch is busy nearly every hour of the day. When the sun goes down, the area is a magnet for young people looking for a good time. I'd compare it favourably to H Street NE in Washington, DC or the Valencia Corridor in San Francisco - scenesters, people out to have a good time, kind of gritty, etc.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
It's getting better! I won't lie to you and tell you that it's all roses and buttercups, but it's certainly safer than places I've lived in the United States (I'm looking at you 25th and Harrison, 94110). I've never had a problem and have never even felt unsafe in my neighborhood, but crime does happen in higher numbers than in West London. Part of it is the demographics (younger, poorer), but I would say that the reputation of Shoreditch and Hackney is overblown. I feel about 2930842390 times safer here than in parts of the three other US cities I've lived in.
What do you like most about where you live?
The ENERGY. There's something so incredibly motivating when you're surrounded by artists and techies and musicians who are all hustling. London is THE place in the UK for many artistic, technical and cultural people...and East London is THE place in London for that same crowd. Everyone you meet in Shoreditch is working on something.
What do you like least?
The Shoreditch twat (sorry mom, it's a technical term). Just like in any hipster crowd you get the entitled, annoying people who suck at life.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
Hmmm. Somewhere east or a bit north. There are other neighbourhoods that have Shoreditch's charms - like Camden (grittier) or Angel (more posh) - but I love it here and that's probably not going to change.
Name: Chris
Age: 27
Shoreditch Resident for: 1 year
Last place you lived before moving to London? San Fransisco
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare.
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Old Street
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
Shoreditch pulls unique and impressive triple duty as London's capital for developing technology, cutting-edge agencies ... and hipsters. Those constituencies ensure that Shoreditch is busy nearly every hour of the day. When the sun goes down, the area is a magnet for young people looking for a good time. I'd compare it favourably to H Street NE in Washington, DC or the Valencia Corridor in San Francisco - scenesters, people out to have a good time, kind of gritty, etc.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
It's getting better! I won't lie to you and tell you that it's all roses and buttercups, but it's certainly safer than places I've lived in the United States (I'm looking at you 25th and Harrison, 94110). I've never had a problem and have never even felt unsafe in my neighborhood, but crime does happen in higher numbers than in West London. Part of it is the demographics (younger, poorer), but I would say that the reputation of Shoreditch and Hackney is overblown. I feel about 2930842390 times safer here than in parts of the three other US cities I've lived in.
What do you like most about where you live?
The ENERGY. There's something so incredibly motivating when you're surrounded by artists and techies and musicians who are all hustling. London is THE place in the UK for many artistic, technical and cultural people...and East London is THE place in London for that same crowd. Everyone you meet in Shoreditch is working on something.
What do you like least?
The Shoreditch twat (sorry mom, it's a technical term). Just like in any hipster crowd you get the entitled, annoying people who suck at life.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
Hmmm. Somewhere east or a bit north. There are other neighbourhoods that have Shoreditch's charms - like Camden (grittier) or Angel (more posh) - but I love it here and that's probably not going to change.
Monday, April 26, 2010
What Exactly is a CV?
While job hunting in the UK, you’ll notice that many companies and job adverts will request that you send in a CV. Now, you’re probably wondering, what the hell is that? CV stands for curriculum vitae and is essentially the same as a resume. The major difference is that while resumes tend to be brief (1 -2 pages), a CV is expected to contain a lot more detail.
For a CV, you are expected to list your entire job history and describe in detail, your job title, your responsibilities as well as any achievements or merits earned at that position. As you can imagine, this can cause a CV to be quite long. This is expected though as most CVs should be a minimum of 2 pages long.
You can also include additional information on your CV that you would never put on your resume. For example when I was job hunting here, I put my nationality, British/American, to explain why most of my experience was in the US and to indicate that I have a right to work in the UK. While it’s not necessary to include this information, you can if you feel that it would be beneficial.
Looking for CV templates? More information?
University of Kent - Lots of Sample CVs
CV Tips - CV Templates & CV Writing Tips
For a CV, you are expected to list your entire job history and describe in detail, your job title, your responsibilities as well as any achievements or merits earned at that position. As you can imagine, this can cause a CV to be quite long. This is expected though as most CVs should be a minimum of 2 pages long.
You can also include additional information on your CV that you would never put on your resume. For example when I was job hunting here, I put my nationality, British/American, to explain why most of my experience was in the US and to indicate that I have a right to work in the UK. While it’s not necessary to include this information, you can if you feel that it would be beneficial.
Looking for CV templates? More information?
University of Kent - Lots of Sample CVs
CV Tips - CV Templates & CV Writing Tips
Sunday, April 25, 2010
This Week in London: 26 April - 2 May
26 April
27 April
28 April
29 April
30 April
1 May
2 May
- Cringe @ The George
- Ricky Gervais Live: Science @ Wembley Arena
27 April
- East End Film Festival @ various venues
28 April
- Science Museum Lates @ London Science Museum
29 April
- Orla Kiely Sample Sale @ Chelsea Old Town Hall
- Gorillaz @ Roundhouse
30 April
- Break & Bowl @ Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes
1 May
- Camden Crawl @ various venues in Camden
- Canalway Cavalcade @ Little Venice
2 May
- Camden Crawl @ various venues in Camden
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Cheap Ways to Call Home
As you can imagine, calling the States can be really expensive. Want to reduce your phone bills? Here are a few alternatives.
Phone cards
You can get there are pretty any off license in the city. They tend to be pretty inexpensive. A tenner can get you up to 500 minutes which isn't too bad. The downside is that the card may run out in the middle of a conversation and trust me, no one wants to have to walk down to the off license at 11pm to get another one!
Callback services
This is a method of making a cheap international calls via a third country. The way it works is that you'll be given a unique number to call that will trigger the return call. Once you get the call back, just dial the required number.
Phone cards
You can get there are pretty any off license in the city. They tend to be pretty inexpensive. A tenner can get you up to 500 minutes which isn't too bad. The downside is that the card may run out in the middle of a conversation and trust me, no one wants to have to walk down to the off license at 11pm to get another one!
Callback services
This is a method of making a cheap international calls via a third country. The way it works is that you'll be given a unique number to call that will trigger the return call. Once you get the call back, just dial the required number.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Neighbourhood Spotlight - Wandsworth Common
Keeping things south of the river, we go to Wandsworth Common which is located just west of Clapham Junction. It is part of the Wandsworth Council and is located within the SW17 and SW18 postcodes. To learn more about that it was like to live here, we spoke to Eamon, a camera-shy former resident.
Name: Eamon
Age: 25
Wandsworth Resident for: Just under 1 year
Last place you lived before moving to London? San Francisco
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare, with two other blokes
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Balham, but Tooting Bec is easier to walk to because you don't have to make any turns, and you might catch a bus on the way. Wandsworth Common Overground Rail is right in the neighborhood, though, and gets you right to Victoria super quick.
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
The overall vibe is semi-suburban fancy town. Bellevue Rd. is full of little cafes, and contains the famous Chez Bruce. It runs along the edge of Wandsworth Common. On a sunny day, the park is full of attractive joggers, moms with strollers, teenie-boppers, and people playing rugby and football. It's quite pleasant, but doesn't feel very urban. The scent of money is in the air.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
The neighborhood feels very safe, although my flat building was broken into and robbed.
What do you like most about where you live?
The best part of the neighborhood is the Common itself. It is incredible to have such a big, pretty park right on your doorstep. I can't overstate how idyllic it can be on a sunny day. The second best part is being walking distance from Tooting, and all of the great food that is there. It's secretly the best curry mile in London.
What do you like least?
The part I liked least was being so far south and away from the action. It can be a mission to get home from North London, and the night busses take forever to get there.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
If I could live anywhere it would be..... I'm not really sure! I'm in N1 now, and so far, so good.
Name: Eamon
Age: 25
Wandsworth Resident for: Just under 1 year
Last place you lived before moving to London? San Francisco
Do you live in a flatshare or on your own?
Flatshare, with two other blokes
What’s your nearest Tube station?
Balham, but Tooting Bec is easier to walk to because you don't have to make any turns, and you might catch a bus on the way. Wandsworth Common Overground Rail is right in the neighborhood, though, and gets you right to Victoria super quick.
How would you describe your neighbourhood’s overall vibe?
The overall vibe is semi-suburban fancy town. Bellevue Rd. is full of little cafes, and contains the famous Chez Bruce. It runs along the edge of Wandsworth Common. On a sunny day, the park is full of attractive joggers, moms with strollers, teenie-boppers, and people playing rugby and football. It's quite pleasant, but doesn't feel very urban. The scent of money is in the air.
How safe is your neighbourhood?
The neighborhood feels very safe, although my flat building was broken into and robbed.
What do you like most about where you live?
The best part of the neighborhood is the Common itself. It is incredible to have such a big, pretty park right on your doorstep. I can't overstate how idyllic it can be on a sunny day. The second best part is being walking distance from Tooting, and all of the great food that is there. It's secretly the best curry mile in London.
What do you like least?
The part I liked least was being so far south and away from the action. It can be a mission to get home from North London, and the night busses take forever to get there.
If you could live anywhere in London, where would you live?
If I could live anywhere it would be..... I'm not really sure! I'm in N1 now, and so far, so good.
Using Your US Driver's License in the UK
For the few brave souls that want to drive on the wrong left side of the road, you can officially use your American drivers license for up to a year after you have established residency. After that you are supposed to apply for a British license. This is mostly because there is not a standard driving test in the US. Each test differs based on the state where you lived. And instead of the reviewing all state driving requirements to see if they satisfy British standards, the government here has decided to just make all Americans go through the entire process. I suppose its easier. But its also a pain in the ass.
If you obtain a provisional license during this period, you are not subject to provisional license conditions. You can just go and take the driving test. But if you fail, the test, then you have to go through the whole process again and provisional license conditions will apply. These include things like having a learner's tag put on your car as well as having restrictions where you can drive and with how many people. So if you get your provisional license before your 12 mos are up, BE SURE TO PASS THE TEST! Unless, you really want to take it again.
You could also just risk it and assume that if you get pulled over the police really have no way of knowing how long you've been in the country. But I wouldn't risk it.
For more info: Directgov
If you obtain a provisional license during this period, you are not subject to provisional license conditions. You can just go and take the driving test. But if you fail, the test, then you have to go through the whole process again and provisional license conditions will apply. These include things like having a learner's tag put on your car as well as having restrictions where you can drive and with how many people. So if you get your provisional license before your 12 mos are up, BE SURE TO PASS THE TEST! Unless, you really want to take it again.
You could also just risk it and assume that if you get pulled over the police really have no way of knowing how long you've been in the country. But I wouldn't risk it.
For more info: Directgov
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)