Ah, I can remember that day clearly now, Thursday 30th June 2005. I have only now started to accept the events of that fated day and it will be forever burned into my mind....
Upon my arrival to London on 30th March, I knew that I had precious few weeks to complete a task that would forever shape my time here. So I got immediately to work and asked half of the City to graciously offer me a Wimbledon ticket. After weeks of effort and unreturned phone calls and emails, lost friends, and doors shut in my face, my good friends at Barclays extended the invitation (thanks Tom & Brian!) and that lovely ticket arrived at work. It was for none less than the women's
Semi-Finals! Maria Sharapova vs. Venus Williams, and Lindsay Davenport vs. Amelie Mauresmo. And these guys have debentures - not just tickets - that means that they are highfliers in old Wimbledon. The fortunes were beginning to smile on old Finbar.
I could not contain my youthful glee and enthusiasm as I waited for that day. Unfortunately, only a single ticket arrived so I would be forever in the dog house with Sammy. But that is a story to be told another day.
After days of sparkling sunshine, the 30th arrived with a patch of grey and perhaps some spitting, as the Brits call it - a gentle mist that floats down from the sky. I was not deterred by this. After an easy trip on the light rail from Waterloo, I arrived at the Wimbledon Village at around 11.30am. It hummed with excitement. I arrived at the Barclays Box at the No. 1 Court Complex for the 11.45am luncheon (prompt!) and mingled with other financial luminaries. Ilie Nastasi - a dead ringer for Gérard Depardieu, or maybe the other way around? - was there to entertain and his tan skin was a source of light and power for the room. But outside, it was a different story - still gray.
Play begins on center court at 1pm. Or not. The court remained covered, but the stands remained filled. Spectators could not reconcile the disconnect. It was clearly NOT raining - and the English know rain when they see it. To paraphrase our pal Lloyd Bentsen's famous words uttered in Omaha, Nebraska on October 5, 1988: "I know Rain. Rain is a friend of the English. Senator, it was not raining at Wimbledon on 30th June 2005." I, however, stayed glued to my seat, convinced that the action would soon begin.
But it was not meant to be for poor Finbar. I had to return for a 6pm meeting back at the office. So, I left in the 4's - after waiting more than 3 hours for play to begin. Wimbledon went on without me. Play started at 5.20pm after over 4 hours of rain delays. But, I saw no tennis - except for the recap that night on SkySports. No strawberries and cream. No players' grunts. No grass worn down during exciting volleys. No champagne. Alas, after months of work it was over - and fruitless. Scuttled by the mist. Perhaps it was not meant to be in 2005...
But there is always next year.
Here are our top three favorite television shows. I wish you could all see them….in particular, Finbar and I now arrange our Sunday nights so we are home in time to see Top Gear. The others, we can miss, but not Top Gear – amazing. It’s like Car & Driver comes to the big screen. I say big screen because the cinematography is breathtakingly beautiful. If you visit their site, you can watch some of the segments we’ve seen.
Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson and his mates assess all sorts of cars, from the cheap to the magnificent. Funny – they tee’d up last night as a review of cheap cars. So, they kicked off the show by reviewing… the cheapest new FERRARI – HO ! ! ! The new 430 is AMAZING. Can’t wait to get a scale model. Jeremy in particular is a skilled journalist – this is a guy who slipped 2 discs driving a new 400+ hp Vauxhall Monaro VXR and was back on the show the next week. Just like the pages of Car & Driver, he can make even a non-car person sit up and take notice. If you go to the website, check out the Aston Martin vs. train race. Cook up some ‘corn and prepare to be amazed.
Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares Gordon hasn’t really caught on in the States and honestly I wasn’t all that into him until I saw this show. He is basically a London equivalent of Jean Georges – the hottest restaurateur in town. I know he’s a fellow marathoner and all but I’m sort of over Michelin stars, really. But watching him on this show, you have new found respect for Gordon – he’s highly articulate, thoughtful, and talented, he can cuss like the best of them (says “fook” a lot), and he’s damn funny. Finbar ran into him getting out of his rad new Bentley coupe in front of Claridge’s.
Little Britain
All I’ll say is it’s “gorgeous!” Started on the radio, now on TV. And you thought Ali G was a hoot! These are two blokes who dress up as women. Seriously.
I bought flowers in honor of those killed and injured today. And I baked a carrot cake in honor of the walk Finbar is going to take to get home from work tonight. It's one of his favorite desserts.
We are both fine. Terrible news indeed, but not in the least bit surprising. Particularly saddening news coming off of the ebullience of yesterday.
Finbar was safely ensconced in his office for a day of meetings (normally he is flitting about the City so I'm quite relieved). Luckily, he is a workaholic and was in the office by 7.30 and was thus able to avoid the ensuing mass transit mayhem.Love to you all and thanks again for thinking of us.
I cannot believe it but indeed, London has won the 2012 bid to host the Olympics. Very exciting! So we'll be busting out the Bollie (Bollinger, that is-apparently a golfing phrase!) here on the 'bello.
I think M Chirac should get out more...Read on. He clearly doesn't know of that which he speaks. I hope the French win the headache I mean the bid!
It's a day like today that reminds one you are an expat. It was quiet in the 'hill today and Finbar had the day off so it was bit like playing hooky. We went to the gym to have a workout and in my case, a swim. It's not the 4th of July without a few lengths in a pool, even if that pool is indoors, in the heart of London. We're going to grill up some dinner and crack open a Budweiser in celebration.So to all our favorite people, enjoy the day and grill up a 'dog or two for us!
