The wedding

July 30th, 2010

As today marks our second weekaversary I thought I put fingers to keys (the 21st century version of pen to paper) and write a bit about the whole thing.

We went down the Saturday before the wedding to make sure we had plenty of time to do all that needed doing and the days leading up to Friday blur together into a memory of all the stuff that needed doing. Running countless errands, buying soft drinks, alcohol, more beer, stocking up for an improvised Thursday dinner with family, picking up Mads at the airport, getting suits, realising that I had forgot my cufflinks, buying cufflinks, helping out wherever was needed, directing marquee-builders and caterers and generally running around like a headless chicken.

Mum and dad came Sunday, Mimi Monday and Sandra and Adam Tuesday and they all helped out immensely, unquestioningly accepting any and all tasks given to them which came really handy for pulling ribbon through the service sheets and helping to redo all the place cards as the organic elephant dung paper we had bought originally was too soft to work with.

The Friday started with dad, Mads and I going for proper shaves and cuts so we’d look our best and then heading back to sort out tidbits and get ready.

We got to Leatherhead Register Office a bit early (despite a small panic as traffic started slowing down on the M25) and slowly people started to trickle in – this was also the first time that the majority of the two families met each other so it was all very exciting. I went for my “interview” which took all of two minutes and then waited in the ceremony room as people found their seats.

Perfectly timed (slightly late) Lorna walked in with John and I felt myself well up. She was wearing her “Friday” dress and looked absolutely stunning. She was a sight to behold and I think my heart skipped several beats although I managed to remain standing. The ceremony was beautiful and didn’t feel rushed or “flat” as they sometimes can. We said yes at the right times, repeated as directed and signed the register and thus we were married!

At this point there was quite a few tears. I think Mimi wins the award for best sobbing – it was worthy of a chick flick! We then withdrew to the sideroom for hugs, kisses, photos and general merriment before being driven by uncle David to the golf club. We were “only” 42 for the day and people milled around, had a drink and a snack and then Sandra, Lorna and I took center stage for the Jewish blessing.

Sandra did a fantastic job. I was so proud of my little sister! My mental images kept flicking between thinking of her as far too young to be doing this and then remembering that she actually turned 30 earlier this year. She was wonderful and carried on through with grace and authority. When the closest family formed a circle around us I shed a few more tears. It all came together so beautifully and the feeling of having them all there supporting us was almost overwhelming.

Then food and drinks and mingling and talking and more tears (started off by John when he said grace). Afterwards we drove down to the rectory and carried on celebrating and I got to meet and talk to a lot of Lorna’s family (and what a lovely bunch they all are!).

We didn’t carry on for too long as there was the big event taking place the next day…

Saturday started with the last few hurried preparations, sorting out the flowers in the marquee, getting the caterers going and then heading for St. Katharine’s. As we were already married we had decided to walk in together, so I was to meet Lorna outside. This time she was wearing the “big” dress and she looked even more lovely and fantastic than on Friday. I might have skipped a few more heartbeats.

The blessing was beautiful and Lorna sang like a canary (she even claimed to have listened to my attempts at singing and proclaimed that I could be taught to sing properly – apparently love not only makes you blind, but also deaf) and it was fantastic. Standing up there and looking out over almost all of our family and friends was very moving.

After we had walked out there were hugs, introductions, pictures and a bit of confetti before we boarded Ruby (1930′s vintage Austin 7 – guess the colour) for a chugga-chugga-ride up to Rose Cottage. I’m not sure about time, it seemed to fly and it was all a whirlwind of emotions, people and I was feeling so incredibly happy that I can scarcely put it into words.

After a brief walk round the garden we went and “hid” with Søren (photographer) and Sophie (the most able assistant in the world) for more pictures and then we did the group shots before finally settling down to eat, drink and listen to speeches.

The food was great (thank you Anise Catering), the wine flowed freely and between the courses speeches were made. They were all brilliant and great (even though my testes somehow made it into the best man’s speech) and quite a few tears were shed yet again. Funniest was Mimi, Sandra and Miriam’s “speech”. They readily acknowledged that they would be crying too much to speak so they had made a picture slideshow featuring us in our (much) younger years. The finale to the speeches was typically Danish. Mette had written a song for us (very Danish) to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” (very English) and it raised the roof and got people jumping up and down waving the Danish flag (Union Jacks were ordered but delayed in the post unfortunately – if you need 75 of them, let me know and I will send the message on to Mette).

After that we mingled a bit and in quick succession cut the cake, danced the bridal waltz, then had our first dance before I lost the tips of my socks (as per tradition) and then The Sirens played their first set which quickly filled the dancefloor. They were absolutely brilliant and really got the party going. The rest of the evening is something of a blur. I wasn’t drunk, but I don’t think I sat still for many seconds between dances, mingling and having the best time ever. I never got to taste the wedding cake or the cheese (although I made up for that on Sunday), but it was a fantastic party!

I think it was around 2.30 am when we finally collapsed into bed in the hotel, completely exhausted and tired and celebrated and married.

And that was it or rather this was a brief description of just some of the things that happened. Thank you all for coming, for helping out, for giving wonderful speeches, writing songs and finding pictures of us.

Alex.

Introducing…

July 20th, 2010

Mr & Dr (Mrs) Kviat.

I will write more later, but for now I will just say we had a magic and fantastic two days of family, friends, ceremonies and celebrations.

Thank you all for coming, partaking and making it special!

Alex.

Wedding…

July 6th, 2010

10 days to go. Should I be stressing? I don’t know. There are still lots of things to do, but I am feeling calm about it. Although, writing this, sort of makes me tingle in the anticipatory way. We’re good!

Alex.

Weddings, moving and more…

June 19th, 2010

Just a quick update to let you know what is happening!

The wedding planning is progressing. We’ve got less than a month to go so that is perhaps best really. Beer, wine and soft drinks have been bought and spirits will follow shortly. The band is on track, the caterer and the marquee also and we’re working on the last details for the blessings, clothes, table decorations, etc. It never ceases to amaze me how much planning is needed and how many details there are. It would probably be easier to build a sky scraper!

We’re also looking at apartments in London, trying to balance factors such as space, commuting distance and other sundry requirements. Funnily enough it is not an issue at all, provided you can fork over £500+ pr. week. We can’t. Hopefully we’ll find something we like fairly quickly and get it sorted. Small terraced houses are within budget, so we might have a patch of grass to call our own.

And finally on the job front, I am, technically employed, but as I am on a call on/off contract, I haven’t got regular work or hours, which is a pain. I’ve also decided not to wait for them to get things moving on the London job and have started looking for other things. If they come up trumps that is fine, if something else comes along, that is good too.

Not much else to say, except see (many of you) in a few short weeks!

Alex.

The Beach

May 25th, 2010

I haven’t reviewed many of the books I’ve read over the past couple of years, despite the library software giving me the option. I usually can’t be bothered. Today I think I will make an exception though as it has been a long while a book grabbed me so completely as Alex Garland’s debut novel “The Beach” (made into a film with a passing resemblance to the book in 2000 starring Leonardo DiCaprio). I only bought it because I was aimlessly wandering round the streets of Camden waiting for Lorna to finish an interview and I stumpled on a used book store. Book stores are my Kryptonite. I have to summon Herculean strength to not just nip in and see what is on sale.

Anyways, back to the book. What I really like is how the fast pace, created using many short chapters somehow masks the timespan – time flies and I feel like I am there on the beach with them. It skewed my sense of time and the dilation effect, which is apparent in the book, works very well.

The characters are compelling and interesting, if at times slightly stereotypical, but I soon forgot that as I was completely immersed in the story. And that is really all that needs saying. I was completely immersed in the book and that is the highest compliment I can give I think.

And as ever it was far better than the movie was. But that is hardly a surprise.

Alex.

Work

May 19th, 2010

Just wanted to report that finally I am employed. Sort of. After months of waiting and pushing I now have a six months no obligation contract with Jacobs Engineering out of Leeds. It is not ideal, but the idea is that they find someone senior to hire in London and then I get a permanent contract.

It is however a foot in the door and it is money, experience and something to do. They are not obligated to offer me any work and I am not obligated to accept their offerings, but according to my boss they have plenty of things for me to do, so fingers crossed!

Alex.

Desperate to spend

April 29th, 2010

I’m still caught in some kind of limbo with regards to work. I won’t say too much, but my (hopefully soon-to-be) employer keeps telling me that they’re waiting for the VP, HR or something other equally acronymical that is holding up my contract. I broached the subject of the permanent contract today, seeing as that was meant to be in place in roughly three months from now – apparently the hassle of trying to sort the temporary contract means that nothing has been done to try to hire the senior people I am supposed to be working under. Quite frustrating. They’ve sent me on several assignments and I have done a number of analysis reports for them – and money should hopefully get sorted soon. RAH! They keep reassuring me, but then, talk is cheap.

But anyway, I digress, this post was supposed to be about another part of being unemployed, the lack of money. For the past couple of days I’ve felt desperate to spend money on something, anything. Part of that is “idle hands…”. I’ve finished the tasks I’ve been given and I got the feeling that they will be holding back on new ones until the contract is sorted.

But a larger part, on reflection, has to do with appearance. I want to just be able to go about living life, not having to worry if there is enough money in my account to pay for the shopping. I was mortified the other week when my card was refused because of insufficient funds. That has never happened to me before and I could have died of shame right then and there. That it was the bank’s fault did little to lessen the pain.

I want to appear to be successful. I want to be successful and part of that is being able to look forward to purchases or plan ahead financially.

I realise that there are other people in far worse circumstances than me, but it does little to help just I am sure that if you tell a starving person that there are others even more hungry than s/he they don’t really take much comfort from it.

Basically I feel like a caged animal imprisoned by my financial constraints (hows that for poetry?). Everything I want to do or can think of to fill the day costs money in some form. Should I take a course? Costs money. I could do the shopping! Costs money, etc.

I feel that I am losing my independence. Since moving out nearly 14 years ago I’ve never really had to depend on anyone but myself – I made enough money to not worry. Since moving here I’ve had a few helping hands from mum and dad, for which I am very grateful, but it also makes me feel like a failure.

My head tells me that I should stop fretting. My insecurities whisper that at nearly 33 years old I shouldn’t be in this position. It is knocking my confidence and I am doubting myself and my abilities. The few days of work I’ve already done have been a gift from above, but just as soon as I feel that I’m starting to build on my confidence again, a new snag pulls me right back down.

*sigh* – just felt like venting a bit. I’m ok, really.

Alex.

Stupid forms of ID

April 16th, 2010

I can’t begin to understand what possessed the Great British public and associated businesses that using bills or bank statements as ID was a good idea.

If you have to confirm where you live in this country you have to bring a statement from a utility company or the bank with your name and address on it. Having not read the small print when I booked a hire car the other day I was confronted by a demand for two forms of ID with my name and address on it and no more than three months old.

There is an ID card scheme in place in the UK which will start rolling out from 2012 and bring it on I say. There are several groups fighting the scheme (such as No2ID) on privacy issues, but having to hand over bank statements and utility bills to every random clerk doesn’t really seem to protect my privacy I think.

At the hire car company they photocopied my papers and put them in the file. This means that they have my debit card details, because I paid, my bank account details, including my full address, my utility bills with details, etc. How is this protecting my privacy? All the staff there can look at the details and, if they should so choose, use them for nefarious purposes.

And finally: how hard is it to make a convincing fake? It would take me about five minutes to edit any bill and change the details to produce a fake. How is that proof of anything?!

The No2ID people are against the government having a database with all this information in it, but for my money I would much rather have the government keep the details than having to hand them over to the teller in the bank, clerk in the hire car company or any other place they require proof of address.

I guess it is part of the “things are different” here of living abroad, but it seems to be unnecessarily difficult and stupid.

Alex.

Work

April 12th, 2010

I can’t say very much at the moment, but finally things are progressing. Work is being done on a temporary call-on/call-off contract that hopefully will turn into something permanent some time in late summer. I’ve already done a few things for them and they have more lined up so that is good.

It is not perfect – I’m still stuck in a limbo of not knowing how much money will be coming in, but it is a start and more importantly: it is a job that I really want.

Once the contract is in I’ll talk a bit more about it.

Alex.

Ps. How come all the spam comments I get here are in Russian?!

Still here

March 15th, 2010

Just to let you know. I just haven’t had that much to write about in the last cople of weeks, so decided to keep quiet. Now, though, it is time for a wee update.

Job hunting is still going on. I am currently crossing my fingers, hoping that a contract comes through. They want to hire me, but need approval from bosses. Once things are settled, I’ll write more.

I’ll never fly Ryanair again. Going to and from Stockholm was a horrible experience. Shorthaul flights are not that exciting and glamourous, but Ryanair have managed to make it a complete and total nuisance with seats to short in the back and narrow in the base to allow for any comfort for people about 6″. The boarding free-for-all is a pest, people act like there aren’t seats enough and they push and jostle. The constant interruptions with staff peddling food, duty-free goods, lotto tickets and other crap is disturbing and annoying.

Wedding plans are progressing and we are getting ever closer to the big day. RSVPs, flowers and catering are the next items on the agenda.

Spring is making itself felt here with crocuses and daffodils beginning to emerge from the ground – winter is finally over!

All for now,

Alex.

PS. You’ll all be glad to know that the ‘Dale is coming out of hibernation. I’ve bought fresh tyres, tubes, brake pads and a suspension pump to get it back on the road.