from whirlwind to some silence

Another year drawing to a close and Christmas is upon us. M. and Alpha road an empty bus along a familiar busy route, noting the deserted streets and silence of the City. Someone asked M. if she was "into Christmas"? How can we not treasure a time when things slow down, if not shut down completely... a time when for once, for an instant we are confronted with a different norm, a divergent structure of organising ones day. When family, suddenly, gains a prominence rarely acknowledged in conventional, contemporary day-to-day life ... perhaps especially in London.

Yet what of this time of year when the family that is missing, that is gone, or that is too present, or strange, unknown faces us head-on? How do we negotiate the pressures, emotions, needs and desires, for family, friendship, connection, for community...? Perhaps if nothing else, this time of year brings these questions to the fore. And they are questions of the real raw emotions we cannot grapple with on a daily basis. They would surely paralyse us with their unconventional, non-production-oriented, emotional force.

Too many thoughts.

Coventry Carol (Mediaeval Babes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUFQoNW7NPs

To be continued...

adventure 1

And thus life continues, after Omega left M. and Alpha were thrown back into the midst of transitioning jobs, wrapping up the term of teaching, and packing up the flat... But after some hiccups and painful hours, M. is settling into life in the shire of Glouster.

packing and moving

Our road-side dinner in between Stroud and London

M.'s new retreat

... the madness continues...

In a moment of distraction, M. turned to Alpha and said:

"I would like our politicans to sing, rather than speak to us. Wouldn't that be better?"

Yes. Love it. I believe Omega would agree... especially if they sang to the tune of Rant and Roar.

:-)

oh, just so we do not neglect Omega, another archival treasure:

when shall we three meet again?

when the hurly-burly's done; when the battle is lost and won

There is an early memory, of a familiar tug of hair, the feel of a comb parting the hair into conforming sections to complete the task of braiding our long, wavy locks. M. and Alpha grew accustomed to this daily ritual of hair braiding (although not without some reluctance at times!), Omega developed impeccable dodging abilities, writhing artfully to try and avoid the swift skilled hands of our mother.

Why this memory now? Weaving three strands seems a consistent trope in our moving, grooving, revolutionary molotov juicebox lives:

3 strands, at times tightly woven into careful, clean beauty. Then unravelled -- one strand may escape, fall loose out of the weave to move independently in the wind, (or the touque pulled over our ears every Canadian winter). All three strands may move their separate ways, or loosely hold together, in a relaxed yet connected, braid.

I'm not sure how to further this metaphor to the bread, but this is our Christmas bread for Jan. 6th, we have been making those braids together since we can remember...

And... cannot resist breaking the poetic motif with another archival treasure:

We would like to call this one, "the original hangover" (only too bad that the cider-lover is missing from this photo... but this was before the time of Omega)

On that note, we thank you for sharing in our adventures along with us: M. overseeing Alpha and Omega.

We will try and maintain the magical movement of these Molotov Juicebox memories as much as possible -- so check back soon!

oh Canada grrrrls

Dec. 2

And thus day came onto us, when the adventures shared by the three-sisters once again drew to their temporary conclusion. One to the airport to journey back to Canada (and it was, apparently, a very successful comfortable flight), one to the rail station to venture into new and unknown territory in her new job in Stroud (Gloustershire), and one to explore north London rental agencies in search of the next cozy London home...

How quickly we adapted to being together, how easily we worked and moved hand-in-hand! It's a quiet, empty flat, and a less exciting city when one is left alone...

"If cosmo makes you sick and pale -

- you know what you need to do? Molotov --- (juicebox)!

Dec. 1

ah! memories!

Thursday was the great convergence of travellers -- the parents plus aunt arrived at our little flat, laden with excitement (and beautiful gifts!) from their travels and adventures.

We went together to Borough Market, had a beautiful lunch at Elliot's,

and then split into two groups -- Alpha and mother headed to teaching and university; M., Omega, aunt and father walked along the Thames to Trafalgar Square.

But by evening, we were all together and enjoyed a too-brief evening together...

More photos to come...

This one is from the following early morning...

R - is for RADICAL

A - is for all rights

D - is for Democracy

I - is for Insight

C - is for cheering

A - for Anarchy

L - is for Loving

AND THAT'S JUST WHAT YOU'LL SEE...

because we're RADICAL, don't let the police know!

RADICAL, 'cause they won't let us go!

RADICAL... a-huh! a-huh! a-huh a-huh a-huh!!!

Women on the verge...

... of a nervous breakdown (de un ataque de nervios) ? we may be well beyond that verge...

Nov. 29

It was a slow morning... but nevertheless made it out of the house to visit Spitalfields market for some extra Christmas shopping, then headed onwards to the Barbican to check out a beautiful Designer Jewellers Exhibition! What amazing creations to be found here... we were so pleased to have had the chance to check it out and have a personal tour!!

Afterwards we made our way to the World Press Photos at the Southbank Centre, and then as the rain began to fall and the darkness grow, Omega and M. parted ways with Alpha -- the two to the coziness of home, and one to an evening of teaching.

just a little touch of star of quality

... and if after I go to far it's because of the things you are, beautiful town I love you...

Let's work backwards: dinner tonight = heaven. M. often teases Alpha for only making dinner when there is a performance, a crowd, but tonight the three of us settled down for a feast of luxury: Lamb with figs and pomegranate molasses; fennel, cucumber and pomegranate salad; rice with currents and lemon... Rioja... pure bliss! We are now writing this, basking in pomegranates and nostalgic music (hence the title and subtitle of this posting)

Breakfast -- delicious pancakes by M.

Shopping -- morning walk along Bethnal Green Road to the butcher shop

School -- errands, libraries, people watching... London tourism at it's finest ;-)

Covent Garden -- LUSH, window shopping

IOE; Birkbeck Bar both places visiting beautiful friends

Bus ride home to stewing lamb and honest, genuine beautiful sister time singing, dancing, eating, drinking...

... take it easy play it nice and slow, does your mother know? ...

Oh, my little darlin' don't shed no tears

What can be written to top that off? Thus the morning began, with sunshine and smiles as we wandered to Colombia Road Flower market.

Little treasures of Colombia Road:

It was a beautiful day of sunshine, flowers, farmer's market, again delicious coffee and lunch at Ephesus on Broadway Market!

Afterward another walk

and reading break,

we settled into our flower-filled flat to get some work done with Mary Poppins playing in the background to try to keep Omega's spirits high!

Long days... long nights... just not enough sleep... but then again, with a smile like that, who needs sleep?? and so the adventures continue...

there's pure inspiration in every creation

... no cheap imitation, not 'ear in m' store!

Today we found our way (2 hours via bus, literally travelling from east to west) to Portabello Road (the fancies and fineries of ages are sold)... and what a day and trip it was!!

First and foremost, Omega was happy. Full stop. Need we say more?? With that smile, the clouds part and make way for the sunshine and bitter city-dwellers together with tired merchants shake from the ritual of their monotonous daily-grind to discover within themselves gems of kindness, awakening to a refreshed light. Don't believe me? Spend a happy day with us. You may well be convinced!

But anyhow, upon arriving at Portabello Road, craving caffeine and lunch, (to Alpha's delight) we discovered a small hint of Spain in London! At Cafe Garcia we imagined ourselves lazing in the Spanish country-side, where they know how to peacefully enjoy

people watching, enjoying...a Saturday afternoon -- eating and drinking!! Afterwards, we continued onwards through the antique and vintage market... scarf shopping,

After a few leisurely hours, a short bus ride, and we were at High Street Kensington,

where the pull of the American super-chain was irresistible... Whole Foods caught our eyes and we were mesmerised ;-) Portabello Road shopping led to grocery store shopping led to drinking more coffee and super-organic-i-am-so-healthy-fresh-squeezed-juices...

Once we wer e able to part with the wonders of the organic food mega store, we settled onto a bus to take us east -- but only got as far as Trafalgar Square before stalling in heavy traffic. We left the bus, thinking it would be easier to walk to the next stop, and ended up in the Reclaim the Night march by the London Feminist Network!! Such good luck and timing!!!

Yet the hours of walking and events of the day were betrayed in the length of Omega's yawns and so we soon caught our next bus at Embankment Station (where there was some in

credible event happening with people coming from far and near decked out in tuxes and ballgowns... we were just a little unprepared for the potential the night may have had in store for us :-) )

The last bus delivered us close to our dear flat, where we quickly settled in and enjoyed a fantastically delicious dinner of various French cheeses, some pasta, fresh baguette and olives... and of course, wonderfully warming Rioja wine.

For a taste of Portabello Road: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqY1lHJYIgY Clearly what we were up to today, particularly around 2:42 and onwards... (5:35 :-) )

london-walking boot camp

M. refers to it as boot camp: a day with Alpha, and Omega was TIRED!

The morning began with sunshine and a walk along Regent's Canal to Exmouth Market. Last August Omega had already strongly indicated her preference for a particular delicious and comfortable cafe, and today Alpha was only too pleased to repeat a good experience! They do have really good good coffee...

Walking further, A and O ended up in Bloomsbury again, to experience the thrills of libraries and photocopy machines. But, as usual, the small tasks become enjoyable with friends and familiar faces to be found in libraries, sidewalks, and basement computer rooms ;-)

Walking onwards, through a few galleries of the British Museum, then outside again to walk through Fitzrovia, Soho (we even spotted a celebrity! or rather...he spotted us, and Omega definitely got a smile...), to Carnaby Street...

at which time Omega bee-lined for a pub and (rightfully) planted herself in a comfortable seat and devoured a plate of pub fare (oh yes, bangers and mash!) as the time for food and "lunch" was well past due (... one of the down-sides of boot camp)

M. and our friend Bravo joined us as we enjoyed a few mellow hours of food and company. Then onwards (but this time, via bus) to the V & A museum Late Night!

Omega, in the midst of artsy hipsters and cocktail servers in the lobby of the V & A, was beautifully content, albeit sleepy!

The three of us did, however, find the energy to run through a few galleries and even stay awake for the couple of buses home!! Needless to say, jet lag did not get in the way of Omega falling into bed and quickly into a deep sleep...

.... i think the hat needs a name. Any suggestions??

Young and Restless (yes, i do mean: янг i pecтлиc)

... and yet, sometimes it is just nicer, better, easier, to stay at home...

We had ambitious intentions for the day today! The special appearance of sunshine made us hopeful that walking along the Thames, from Borough to Southbank to the National Portrait Gallery would be possible -- but then again, why?!? It is holidays, no?

We made it to Borough Market, where a couple of hours drifted by pleasurably with cider, mulled wine and a delicious gift of gluten/sugar-free muesli bars for Omega from the lovely woman at Mini Magoos!

Resting and eating at Borough Market is always pure holiday... we were able to imagine being in Paris!

Or Spain... (well, no, we are in London... with fork lift trucks, apparently)

This picnic settled Omega's body enough to brave the ride back home, where the day turned into a cozy-home-day of movies, music, snacks, cider ... to which Alpha happily returned after an afternoon reckoning with contract law and "areality" (two unrelated events of the day).

In the words of Omega's favorite singing drinking sea-faring musicians: "The work it is hard and the hours are long, but my spirit is willing, my back it is strong. And when the work's over the whisky will pour, we'll dance with the girls upon some foreign shore..." And fortunately, all this in the comfort of our own home!!

p.s. For those of you wondering, Omega does part with her beloved hat whilst indoors

p.p.s For family reading this blog: yes, I do mean "янг i pecтлиc" :-)

the people brighten the places

(from Nov. 23)

Today. A day of friendship. How many people we see, relate to in a given day...

The morning started with lovely caffeine and reading in Victoria Park, while A was working, and then afterwards while M was working, A & O braved the public transportation and headed to Bloomsbury.

Omega was introduced to the basement dungeon where Alpha sometimes spends her PhD time. A space made beautiful by the people that we met here. After satisfying lunch with good friends, Omega was glowing! This was fuelled by our conversation where we dreamed and reminisced of warm weather, river swims, travels, family, music, colour, food... **sigh** although the sun did peak through the grey-white cloud, we wonder why we live between cold place and rainy place?? We yearn for hot sun...

During the bus ride home, we met some kind people, some not-so-kind people, but the funniest moment was a sobering one: not sure whether A or O should be more insulted, but for the first time Omega was assumed to be Alpha's child!! Quite a change from August, where even buying a bottle of wine was met with suspicion :-) Either Alpha has been rapidly aged by her PhD, or London is doing youthful wonders to Omega's complexion!

Teaching enforced another evening of separation -- but M and Omega enjoyed a dinner of good 'ole bangers and mash!! Sausages, mash, cauliflower and broccoli all from London Fields market and good company with Echo.

...oh jet lag jet lag oh why oh why...

the woman wears many hats

Hello London -- yes, we are continuing in style! (newest fashion addition for a certain quarter-time Londoner)

Omega's jet-leg, together with the grey-cloud day, brought us a slow mellow morning. Although, we were impressed that we got out of the flat by 11am, and off on foot to take on Beth Green, Brick Lane posh coffee, and Spitalfields Market...

... yes, someone (who? I wonder?) could not get enough of Johnny Depp... so much so that while Alpha went onwards to work, M and Omega did an empty cinema a favour by attending a mid-afternoon movie!

Leek-salmon quiche by M, and kale from London Fields market for dinner with our friend Whiskey (code name, not the actual drink), with, of course, sufficient leftovers for post-teaching hunger:-)

Now if only the jet-lag would settle...!

The days may be shorter and colder but...

... the Order of We-Three-Sisters is revived! restored!!

WE ARE BACK!!! ... back to take on these London streets, boroughs, cafes, markets, galleries, museums.... and the magic has already begun:

sometime around 9am on Monday morning, Alpha and Omega were racing through the hallways of Heathrow after parting with the parents, and after Omega affirmed M's commitment to the exaltation of British Airways (translation: it was a good transatlantic flight).

We found ourselves re-united in Bethnal Green, at Omega's London home. Beautiful. A walk through Victoria Park and a half pint of cider later, Omega's jet lag settled in, and we cozily spent the evening at home.

after a brief rest

Stay tuned for further adventures ... to begin on the other side of the Atlantic in about 11 days time ...

when wisdom with work wanes

Respected rapturous juicebox revolutionaries,

If you perchance prefer prolonging your procrastination, please peruse our prior-posted (poetic and passionate) prose; persons will perchance perceive permutations previously precluded from public presentation.

Peace and pleasurable participation!

far from the place that we know

Motherland cradle me

Close my eyes

Lullaby me to sleep

Keep me safe

Lie with me

Stay beside me

Don't go

It's your happiness I want most of all

And for that I'd do anything at all, o mercy me!

If you want the best of it or the most of all

If there is anything I can do at all

Now come on shot gun bride

What makes me envy your life?

Faceless, nameless, innocent, blameless and free,

What's that like to be?

(Natalie Merchant, Motherland)

always more London

August 20, 2011

Family.

The day was beautiful, began with a walkthrough of Broadway Market and then all five of us piled into a black cab to check out a new saturday market, hidden away in Bermondsey, under railway arches. It was as wonderful discovery... including The Kernal Brewery , a local London brewery that is incredibly tasty!!

Coffee in the rain, and then we spilt up between those homeward bound and those rushing to the Globe Theatre to catch the "Globe Mysteries", which was a compilation of English Mystery plays from the 10th to 16th century!

Evening together, with a movie and delicious risotto by M and a variety of wild mushrooms from the market... super fancy posh-posh :-)

sun is shining, and the weather is sweet

Today. Friday. Last-sister-only day for August 2011. Sunshine and warmth accompanied our canal walk to Exmouth market. Finally, we reached our end destination: Morito: a wonderful tapas bar that supplied us with wonderful outdoor seating, plenty of house red wine, lamb aubergine with pine nuts, salt cod salad with oranges, Patatas aliñadas, butifarra sausage with beans and alioli, braised spinach... it was quite wonderfl to spend the afternoon in good company here, and with our friend Tango!

We walked to Old street and beyond, finally making it home with only a few Princess Bride-reading stops. Only to find the parents had arrived to the Flat and were bursting with energy in their post-trip enthusiasm. It was such a joy to see them so incredibly excited and full of stories!!! Needless to say, the night was heartwarming and beautiful.

... makes you wanna move, your dancing feet...

more pictures to come soon

to think, that we are here

It is hard to believe that in spite of everything, tonight we were at a West End musical show; the three of us, sitting in the second row, watching Omega's beloved "Wizard of Oz."

When the opening music began, Alpha and M were literally wiping tears away as we watched Omega's eyes lit up as she recognized the tune. Highlights were having "snow" fall on us in the scene with the poppies, and having the wicked witch appear in the air above our heads...

(Ps. to anyone considering attending a West End show... Andrew Lloyd Webber has definitely fallen off his rocker! They don't make them like they used to: as M said, once Phantom of the Opera had a sequel, you can deduce from there...)

It is incredibly cold and rainy out all day today and night, so we were homeward bound asap post-show -- to enjoy cozy grilled cheese sandwiches (the posh blue cheese or mature cheddar variety) before getting ready for bed.

hmmm

This was Omega's highlight at Canada Water (and we had a similar experience in Sloane Square)... we are convinced it is, in fact, the ice cream that is so appealing... if not, we may need to revisit our education in blood diamonds...