Crack

This weekend has been wicked. On Friday eve I went for drinks in both West and East London culminating in being rather inebriated at the Tea Bar. This was followed by obliteration at a friend's house involving a large bottle of rum, weed and a small amount of pharmaceuticals. Some things never change.

Woke up, felt rough so had some Codeine. Sorted me out. Then went to Wagamamas with a few friends in Angel, which was nice. We then headed back East in preparation for England's encounter with South Africa in the RWC Final. Was a good match but S.A. were simply too good and although disappointed, I think the result was a fair one. Still, proud the way England played with so much spirit and heart. Enjoyed singing 'Jurasalem' in full voice with a bunch of randoms having imbibed several beers by the end of the match. Then it was on to another local pub and then more 'frolicking' back a friend's just off Brick Lane. Passed out on floor. Again. Classy.

So, decided to return home to ruffle my unused duvet. But ended up going to see the 'Crack', Doris Salcedo's new art 'piece' in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern. And let me tell you, it is some crack. Walked the entire length of it twice and actually didn't bore or tire at all. Which was surpising, since it is, well, a crack. Hmmm. Now granted, I'm not the artiest person in the world, but there's something slightly odd about passing a piece of 'art' as a very large crack. That said, I've only briefly read the concept behind it; that this crack is supposed to in some way be symbolic of the divide between nationalities anc cultures. Is that right? And if so I did find it ironic since the crack was being happilly enjoyed by people of all different creeds and colours. Maybe the crack is a secularist. I don't know. To be honest, I was secretly hoping that a small child would fall into it and a scene would emerge. Obviously I wouldn't wish any harm of the poor kid, but well, that would have been funny.

Anyway, on the way home I witnessed that scariest thing I think I have ever seen on the streets of London. Chris (my flatmate) and I were driving down Commercial Street when we saw two rival Asian (Bangladeshi probably) gangs clashing on the street. Brandishing baseball bats and other such weapons. Now Chris didn't actually register the situation til quite late but I did and basically told Chirs to "fucking get out of here quickly." Jesus. We nearly ran a couple of them over in the process. Thankfully I could hear sirens by the time we got to the end of the road. Still enough time to batter or stab someone though. I don't know why those guys were sparring, but my guess is that it was over something ridiculously trivial. And if not, can you ever justify that kind of behaviour? Really reminded me of the Chelsea Milwall Firm clashes in The Football Factory.(Although Chris thinks it was more like 'Streets of New York'). Oh, and these guys were brown and it wasn't about football.

Anyway, it has been a cracking weekend, full of excess and debauchery but balanced by coffees and culture. This coming week should be a good one. My birthday's on Tuesday and there seems to very oddly be at least three or four close friends who aren't working that day. So we're all going to the Natural History Museum and like, hanging, man.

Anyway, felt the need to 'check in' as they say. Hope you all had suitably excellent weekends! Think I might treat myself to a digital download of Modeselektor's new album, Happy Birthday! I've read a review and it sounds totally next level. For some reason Berlin can do wrong with me at the moment.

Tschuess erstmal.

Peace,

F.