Rest, Revive, Survive: San Diego

Just chilling like Bob Dylan

Arrived in San Diego after the life-changing train ride, couchsurfed with a fellow by the name of Ben, nice enough chap. He taught us how to punch effectively underwater and was a huge fan of the children’s film Enchanted about a princess who has to live in the real world. Odd combination, we know. So those were a low key couple of days, which is just what we wanted after SXSW. Enough said.


Our couch for the few nights we were in San Diego. The place also game with a gym, pool, sauna and hot tub!


A night out with our couch host Ben. Cheese frisbees and 7 years bad luck.......enough said.

The year that was, 2008.

Burlesque dancer, Proud Galleries, Camden, London, Nov 2008: An amazing night, I even impressed myself with this photo


Stockholm, Sweden Sept 2008: Lone pedestrian


Paris, France March 2008: Where I fell in love with a city for the first time

It has been one incredible and rewarding year, and I can honestly say I have learnt a hell of a lot. I always have valued travel as the best education money can buy, but this is the first time I can actually see and feel that these experience are starting to sink in a shape my perspective, morals and values - for the better. Can't wait for the next 12 months and the adventures they bring. A few pictures I captured on my travels:


Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London Dec 2007: Had just arrived in London.


Ostuni, Italy Sept 2008: Amazing people, amazing town.


Black Keys, Brixton Academy, Nov 2008: Crazy, hazy, blurry.

Inked in Berlin

Always wanted a tattoo, not sure why, I can remember being 11 or 12 and my brother and I sitting at the dinner table discussing what we would get if we could get a tattoo, and my dad very firmly stating no child of his will ever have a tattoo. Woops. My intrigue into getting inked never waned, but luckily dad's stance on tattoos did and he still considers me his daughter.

As for the paper plane, not sure why, but this is a graphic I've always liked, i've noticed I do like things linear and simple. I could make up some deeper meaning to do with travel, or creativity, but I would be lying, for me it was more about aesthetics and the physical act of getting a tattoo.

If you're ever in Berlin and feeling like a touch of ink, drop into Loxodrom Tattoo, 23 Kastanienalle. Really fun, friendly parlour with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and most importantly, brilliant tattooists.

GONZO

"The edge. There is no honest way to explain it, because the only ones who really know where it is, are the ones who have gone over." - Hunter S Thompson

After reading Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas as well as interviews and editorial pieces on Hunter S Thompson I can fully appreciate his quote. Now that was a man teetering on the edge. What a manic and crazy life.

I ACTUALLY DID IT!

....Not without hitting some seriously painful walls. It all started aching after about 10km, but it was great getting to run through the heart of Stockholm to an enthusiastic Swedish crowd.

Knocking back those cocktails along with a 4 course Swedish feast had never been more deserved.

All up I completed the 2008 Stockholm Half Marathon (that's 21km) in 2 hours and 14 minutes! That was good enough for me.

Go on, ask us....

Some very smart and clued in friends of mine have a company that specialises in understanding Gen Y in the workforce and how companies need to harness and utilise this unique group of people. I was fortunate enough to be asked to look after the development of their new website. Collaborating with the web designers at Vapour, we've created a look for Ask Gen Y that is original and contemporary, giving Ask Gen Y its own flavour in a world where websites often seem to flirt between 2 extremes - boring corporate websites lacking personality or ones that try too hard and miss the mark. The challenge was to create a website that demonstrated a clear understanding of Generation Y and their characteristics, while appealing to the senior management of large firms, who tend to be Baby Boomers or Gen X. I think the result is something unique, engaging and informative for all generations......see what you think.

Visit www.askgeny.com

I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE

Recently I decided I wanted to invest in a bicycle, but not just any bicycle, it needed to have character. I've always like my bikes a bit retro, a bit old school. Other than Ebay I had no idea where to start looking until a friend told me about Bobbin Bicycles. They're a London based company that specialise in importing old school Dutch bikes that are built for cruising, and that's what I like to do, I like to cruise.

The company was started by an English couple who met in Amsterdam while studying art and fell in love whilst riding around the Dam on their bikes, so once back in their homeland they decided to continue the romance and share the love with their fellow Londoner and that is how Bobbin Bicycles blossomed.

Check out www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk