All work and no play in Canada. Dad gets up early for the fitness “centre,” by the lobby, eh. The rest of the crew rises by noon and we cruise the strip for brunch. After scoping the street and our GPS suggestions, we swoop down on the Golden Griddle.
The whole clan got up at the crack of noon (a trip motif). We moved swiftly to the International House of Pancakes across the parking lot and feasted as if there were no tomorrow. Some culinary highlights include: an amazing suite of flavored syrups, Emily’s chocolate chip pancakes, Sam’s corn beef hash omelet, Zoe’s dubious popcorn shrimp platter and the communal stack of multigrain pancakes. Our waitress was just lovely. She joked about giving dad’s omelet the Hollandaise sauce infusion he so feared. IHOP gets four stars.
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It’s August in the Midwest and that can mean only one thing. Road trip! All seven Beckers have gathered together under one roof to begin their yearly journey east. The lease has expired on our SUV of choice—the unrivaled, black GMC Envoy. In its stead, we have rented a massive, white 15-passenger Chevy Express super-van. The only thing missing is the Partridge outfits. The first destination on this freedom train? Holland, MI.
The Becker Lake House … a quick preamble to the road trip. We spent two days in Waterford, WI relaxing and drinking Beergaritas.
In “honour” of England’s annual design fair, 100% Design (which I went to with my office), Pentagram opened up their offices last Thursday night for two hours to show a curated selection of their best posters these past thirty-five years.
I have been welcomed to Bloom with open arms, evidenced by my charming polaroid on the office bulletin board.
So if I didn’t mention it already, I love my new flat. My darling flatmates Ellen and Emily (listed alphabetically, not by importance!) have shown me a good time while managing to write me messages on the fridge. More on them (and my flat to follow).
Today was the first day of work (at Bloom Design) and it was a blast. My desk came adorned with with a framed Queen Elizabeth and a bounty of Union Jack balloons—as they know I like it! I even have a fancy new email address samb@bloom-design.com (that’s “samb” like “lamb”). Don’t wear it out!
I have also obtained a complimentary Jane Austen mug. Lovely!
I cannot talk about my clients for obvious reasons! but I will say that I am enjoying my work very much. Everyone here is so nice. Half the office seems to play tennis and I have already found a woman to run with at lunch tomorrow. “But Sam!” you are probably thinking, “won’t you come back smelling like a pig!” The answer: no! Bloom is fully equipped with a lobby bathroom shower!
Some designers brought me a cucumber sandwich first thing in the morning, while others served tea multiple teas throughout the day. They play music all day but my ear was nowhere near the speakers and they didn’t repeat a song once! [they have proper DJs there ... Claaaaaaaaayyyy]
That’s it for tonight! I must catch up on my sleep so Emily doesn’t have to bang on my door in the morning to get me out of bed. Ta!
I arrived in London on Saturday, and I already have a blog! How contemporary am I?
I nearly missed my flight on Friday, because a fire broke out next door to me and my limo got stuck between five fire trucks! That’s a first.
He was the only car on 78th street between the fire truck with the ladder and the firetruck plugged into a fire hydrant. And, by the way, the car service company (Grandville) had no other available cars in New York City.
So what do I do? Apologize profusely and run like hell for a cab.
