Harley

Erik departs this morning on his Harley Davidson (one of three) with his arm held high. The kids simply squeal with delight as the machine belts out noise that rips into the morning quiet. From there I take Eitan and Madeleine to school as Sonnet bolts early for London's Fashion-in-Motion, which this time showcases the work of Manish Arora - one of India's most talented designers. Erik and I stay up drinking beer the last three nights and swap funny First Boston memories including, for instance, the time our colleague Dan Albert Fedex'd the board of Philip Morris (which BTW includes a former president) a presentation mis-spelling the company's name. That was a doozy. Or Vice President Brian Barrington forgetting to include tax calc's on his divestiture of Esso Imperial in Canada (doh!). Or despised Associate Linda Huber being fired by a client and calling us from her hotel because she had no one else to talk to. Boy those were good times.

TGIF.

Kuffar

Almost half of Britain's mosques are under the control of a hard-line Islamic sect whose leading preacher loathes Western values and has called on Muslims to "shed blood" for Allah, reports today's Times on its front-page. Riyadh ul Haq, who supports armed jihad and preaches contempt for Jews, Christians and Hindus, is in line to become the spiritual leader of the Deobandi sect in Britain (NB the Deobandis formed following the 1857 suppression of the Indian Mutany when a group of Muslims set up a seminary in Deoband as an act of defiance against Imperial rule). The ultra-Conservative movement, which gave birth to the Taliban in Afghanistan, now runs more than 600 of Britain's 1,350 mosques, according to a police report. In the U.K. it is a felony to preach hatred or violence.

i. "I bear witness that there is no God but the Almighty God and that Mohammad is a messenger of God."

ii. "For God hath said, 'Take not to yourselves two Gods, for He is one God.'"

iii. "Verily God will not forgive the union of other gods with Himself."
The first phase of the Declaration of Faith in the Koran

"What are we willing to sacrifice?... When called upon we will consider it an honour and a privilege to shed our blood."
Riyadh ul Haq, London, 2005

Shower

I pick up Madeleine yesterday evening and we head to the pool (Eitan has a play-date). Madeleine's swimming has come a long way and she is able to touch the pool floor on the deep-end - 3.5 meters. She is also adjusting to her new classroom with teacher Ms. Reynolds, who taught Eitan last year. I tell Ms. Reynolds at drop-off this morning: "Same family, different personalities" and she chuckles. Already Madeleine says class is boring: "all we do is sit around all day." Well, anyway, yesterday she learned that a bear lowers its head when it is angry and ready to charge and that bear cubs are defenseless, a word she asks me to explain to her. Madeleine also works on her "summer journal" pasting photographs into her hand-made scrap book complete with descriptions only she understands.

Barcelona

Here's Sonnet in Barcelona on top of Casa Mila sometime in 2000. Casa architect Gauda was from Catolonia, Spain, and belonged to the Modernisme movement - he was famous for his unique style and individualistic and wacko designs (he died in 1926). Gaudí's first works were designed in gothic and traditional Spanish architectural modes, but he soon developed his own distinct sculptural style. French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, who promoted an evolved form of gothic architecture, proved a major influence on Gaudí. But the student surpassed the master architect and contrived highly original designs – irregular and fantastically intricate. Some of his greatest works, most notably La Sagrada Família, have an hallucinatory power. The church is trippy.

Eitan is distressed this morning as his white Izod is too small and the alternatives are in the wash. At first he refuses to leave the house for school, but in the end we compromise and he wears his winter coat. It's 13 Celcius but so what?

Madeleine: "Can I ride Erik's motorcycle around the block?" (presumably Erik would drive but this unclear)

Madeleine wraps medical gauze tightly around her ankle. When I ask why, she very solemnly says: "Dad, my bones have rubbed together."

Olympics 2012

OK, it is a little premature but Eitan is trying out for the Wandsworth Swimming Club this Saturday (Madeleine is too young). Unfortunately for me and my unfulfilled athletic aspirations, London is not a swimming friendly town unlike, say, Mission Viejo or Fort Lauderdale. Most U.K. pools were built sometime around or shortly after The War and many are 33 meters (vs the standard 25 or 50m) and indoors - yuk. Despite this, England's squad has produced some recent world class competitors including David Davies (14:45 in the 1500m) and Christie Balfour (1:07 in the 100m breast-stroke). For the Olympics, lottery dollars are going into sports generally including swimming so there is a chance the home advantage will produce results (unlike the England football team). Eitan's sport is football anyways, which is perfectly sensible considering the tedium of laps and the 0500 wake-ups. Photo of Michael Phelps from U.S. Swimming.

Erik Zehender arrives yesterday from Stuttgart after ten hours on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Erik and I have known each other since The Mighty First Boston, beginning our first after-college jobs in 1989. After First Boston, Erik collected his MBA at Chicago and went to Goldman Sachs in Frankfurt where he learned German on the job (Erik has always been tougher than me). The past four years he has travelled the world climbing mountains in every continent excluding Antarctica, and including the Alps, Himalayas, Tien Shan, Andes, Alaskan and Patagonian ranges. His goal, he says, was to climb the prettiest peaks in each of these ranges. He stays with us in London while checking out neighborhoods and next finance jobs in the City.

Le Big Mac

I read in today's Le Monde, of all places, that it is the 40th birthday of McDonald's Big Mac (image by Andy Flesses). The original recipe was stirred up (ar ar) by Jim Delligati for his Pennsylvania franchise and is now part of the cultural heritage of America (hear the French snigger). Today, a Big Mac is sold in 30,000 restaurants in 100 countries - none of which have gone to war with each other. The Economist magazine, famously, began using the Mac as a price index between cities: the average in the USA is $2.69 compared to $4.17 in Europe and $1.45 in China. We went just the other day, where the sandwich sold for £1.94 or about $4.00 49% more dear than America. What's up with that, Ronald?

St Paul's

I take this photo of Wren's Dome during intermission at The Globe, which spills onto the Thames embankment. Hidden by the dark are the cranes, which blight the skyline and seem to be everywhere - confirming London's growth, wealth and status (I fear the city becomes sanitised like Manhattan). My friend Tim Jackson once said: "Cities become beautiful 200 years into their decline" which holds mostly true for Europe, anyway. The crossway is the Millennium Bridge.

Sonnet double-books a private tour of her Fashion Now for Eitan and Madeleine's school and the deaf. Unfortunately both have been announced to the public publicly and the show ends September 23. What to do? What to do.

Today is the first day back to school. Eitan is up at 0600, dressed in his school colours and in our bedroom raring to go. Madeleine sleeps in - just another day, ho hum.

A Pound of Flesh

Sonnet and I go to The Globe last night to see The Bard's "Merchant of Venice" - my third of the season, lucky me. For those who don't recall their 10th grade Cliff's Notes, this is the play where merchant Antonio borrows 3,000 ducats from the Jewish money-lender Shylock. In place of interest and to prove his (villainous) friendship, Shylock excepts a bond for his principal plus a "pound of flesh" taken from nearby Antonio's heart. When Antonio's ship does not come in he must represent the bond.... Shylock and Antonio meet in the courts for settlement. Initially it appears that Shylock will have his revenge against the Christian Antonio, who has before treated him poorly. But as the blade is about to fall on flesh, Shylock's court fails him and he is told that "not a drop of blood" may be lost from the cutting (considered un-Christian) and any amount more, or less, than a pound must then be taken from Shylock. Finally, as Antonio's outcome is most certain death, Shylock is accused of murderous intentions and so must forfeit not only his bond but also his house and money which are split equally between Antonio and the state. This play raises the serious argument that Shakespeare was an anti-semite. Initially I was impressed that Shakespeare showed Shylock's ill-treatment and gave Shylock recompense through the courts - even if gruesome. In the end, Shylock is mocked by his daughter and assistant who leave hiim, his business associates and finally the Venetian court which fails Shylock and itself. The play was considered by Shakespeare to be humorous but the outcome raises questions from then and now.

"I am a Jew/ Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs/ dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with/ the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject/ to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means/ warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer/ as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?/ If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you/ poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?"
Shylock, The Merchant of Venice

Sunday Walk

I am a bit knackered this morning having stayed up to listen to the Cal Bears play Tennessee in their season football opener at Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, which we win thrillingly 45-31 and so redeem ourselves from 2006's same-day fiasco. Cal's DeSean Jackson, a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate, returns a punt 77 yards - his first touch of the ball this season and his fifth such return (the NCAA record is eight and Jackson is only a Junior). Go Bears!
I pick up Camilla for our Sunday morning walk (Paul returns from Boston today so cannot join us). Camilla seems to have grown a head since early summer and the kids are happy to be outside on a lovely morning. We climb a few trees then I take them through a pretend army drill, assigning various action roles and requesting a hand-salute and crisp "Sir!" from them the eager privates. The ultimate target is the Ice Cream Truck at the entrance to the park, and not surprisingly - Mission Accomplished.

Gil

We see the Tydemans yesterday and Gil (pictured with Natalie and Zak in the background) is the spitting image of his dad including his thoughtful contemplation of his life's surroundings like: "hmmm, I wonder if that birthday party has a proper permit?" We picnic at the Princess Diana playground, which is its usual buzziness with sand-castle-diggers, rope climbers and pirate ship explorers all. Afterwards we go into Hyde Park for hide-and -seek and other various exhausting games. The Tydeman's three children range from one to four and are all remarkably well behaved. Even Zak, the youngest whose birthday is this month, gently taps his mum's shoulder, clearing his throat and exclaiming a short "ah-hem" when he wishes her attention. OK, it's not quite like that but compared to Madeleine's lungs at the same age I wonder if we missed a trick or something. Justin busies himself with a new Nikon camera and otherwise has settled into the new ownership of his company, Selecta, which was bought by Allianz Capital Partners in July (Justin remains Chief Executive). Other then different time pressures, it seems to be business as usual and no stress to Justin.

Madeleine adopts a pineapple, naming it "perfect piney". I ask if she is upset when Sonnet cuts it to slices and Madeleine looks at me like I'm nuts.

Madeleine cries fowl when Eitan steps on her finger while they tree climb. I tell her she can either move her hand or I can yell at Eitan. She, whispering conspiratorialy: "Dad, I want you to yell at Eitan."

Bon Fuck'n Jovi

Here's a chestnut from August, 2000, taken on our way to the last concert ever at Wembley Stadium - Bon Jovi, dude! I organised a group of 30 fans and friends and on a lovely summer's evening we meet at The Globe pub on Baker Street then catch the underground to the sold-out show. The band opens with 'Living On A Prayer' and never looks back, only slowing when Jon Bon Jovi talks. I mean, who really cares that he starred in 'Young Guns II,' which he and us agree totally sucked? Otherwise they rock. I am happily pictured with Verena a Senior Executive at AOL who now lives in Germany, and Puk a fashion designer .

Madeleine, from the back-seat of the car: "If a mosquito could suck on a bone, would he like to do it? Answer it now Dad!"
Eitan prepares to jump from the pirate ship at the Princess Diana Playground (about 10 feet) until I scream at him. Says he: "Aw Dad, you're just thinking of yourself!"
"Weve got to hold on to what weve got
cause it doesnt make a difference
If we make it or not
Weve got each other and thats a lot
For love - well give it a shot"
From Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi

The Machin Stamp

Arnold Machin who died in 1999 at the age of 88, is remembered as the creator of the iconic image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth that has, since 1967, appeared on more than 175 billion Royal Mail stamps and is this year celebrating its 40th anniversary. Arnold was also a skillful sculptor, illustrator and ceramics designer.

I find an enormous spider in the bathtub while brushing my teeth this morning. The thing was, like, six inches leg-to-leg. The kids are fascinated and Madeleine shrieks for me not to hurt it as I scoop it up and chuck the thing out the window. Sonnet fortunately had left early jogging to work - otherwise there would have been screams.

Eye Exam

With Natasha, I take Eitan and Madeleine to a free NHS eye exam at Boots the chemist (this, I note, is the first time the word 'free' has appeared anywhere in this blog, or London for that matter). Eitan bravely goes first and politely answers the Optometrist's questions. Madeleine is naturally curious as we sit through the exam, much of it in the dark, and with strange contraptions like the one Eitan wears now to check peripheral acuity. Madeleine gets her turn too and I am happy to report that both children have excellent vision and do not need spectacles (much to each's great disappointment).

Madeleine during Eitan's eye exam: "What would happen if a knife went in your eye?"
Jeff: "Well, you would probably lose that eye."
Madeleine: "How about a really sharp nail?"

That River

Here we are at the River Thames near the Putney Boat House famous for rowing. In fact, this is where the Oxford-Cambridge boat race begins, stroking its way to Mortlake four miles or so down the river.

French ex-Prime Minister Pierre Messmer has died at the age of 91. Messmer was a faithful Gaullist and served under President Georges Pompidou from 1972-1974. Says President Sarkozy: "France has lost one of its greatest servants." Messmer's political career was inextricably linked to former President Charles de Gaulle. when France fell to the Germans in 1940, Messmer joined de Gaulle's Free French forces and fought in Italy, France and North Africa. After the war, he served in de Gaulle's government as defence minister.

McD's

Eitan loves a hamburger. This photo taken at the McBurger on Putney High Street, after which I take the kids to have their eyes checked. Over lunch we discuss the concept of "a strategy" as Eitan eats his least to most favorite items in order. For instance, Eitan's Happy Meal strategy is to eat his chips, then chicken nuggets and finally his cheeseburger. He does this at every meal - veggies first, then potatoes or starch and finally the meat or fish or whatever he likes best. Madeleine is a bit perplexed when I ask her for an example and she tells me her lunch strategy is "to eat with my mouth." I suppose this may qualify but the limited alternatives in her example to some kind of an outcome does not really seal the point (I tell her). Despite me, Madeleine enjoys her Happy Meal.

He Must Be A Republican

Senator Larry Craig (yes, Republican; photo NYT) said Tuesday that he regretted his guilty plea in connection with an airport restroom incident, and he accused an Idaho newspaper of hounding him in recent months - it's the media's fault, God damn it! (Craig was arrested 11 June, 2007, at the Minneapolist-St Paul Airport on supicion of lewd conduct. Craig insisted upon his innocence, disputing the officer's version of the event by stating that he merely had a "wide stance" and that he had been picking a piece of paper from the floor). Says Craig outside the downtown Wells Fargo building: “I am not gay; I never have been gay.” With wife holding hand, Craig, 62, apologized for “the cloud placed over Idaho” by his arrest and guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. His deepest regret, he says, is that he pleaded guilty when he had done nothing wrong (this is a Senator, mind you). Craig said he had chosen to plead guilty without consulting a lawyer and before telling his family, in the hope that the case would just “go away.”

Separately, Wells Fargo issued a statement that it, too, is not gay.

Maida Vale

This picture is from our first London neighborhood circa 1998. I post today, our tenth anniversary in the U.K. - I would never have imagined. Let us see, the year we arrived also saw: Diana's end, Tony Blair's beginning, The Merlins win the World Series in 7; Mad Cow Disease; California smoking ban; Titanic wins 11 Oscars; Viagra; the first euro coin minted; the Lewinsky Affair; Pakistan goes nuclear; France beats Brazil 3-0 to win the World Cup; the Russian financial crisis; Google is founded and the world does not come to an end (though it rained a lot in England).

Canada

Here's the old photographer in his train cabin, circa 2002 when he was touring Canada's West.

Speaking of places I would like to visit, Sonnet and I are thinking about Christmas in... Poland! (her idea) while I have yet to see Prague or Venice. Soon enough, if not already, Eitan and Madeleine will be able to travel long-haul to exotic locations and I hope we do this while I can still boss them around. On my day-dreaming list I include Alaska (sadly we did not visit during our California courtship when a trip would have been painless), Patagonia and Egypt. I would also like to return to Central Asia to trek in the Pamirs or Karakorums famous for K-2. One day I will do the John Muir trail with the kids when they are older, and the Dolomites too. This is just a starter, mind you. Happily I can check off the Empire State Building with the kiddies thanks to Katie.

Whistler

I found this photograph, taken by Moe, while cleaning the attic over the weekend. In 2002 (I may have the year wrong), Moe and Grace explored the Pacific Northwest's British Columbia, taking a train through some of North America's most dramatic country. I don't know the f-stop or other data behind this image (perhaps Dad can email me) but the outcome catches the eye: a ripple adds movement to an otherwise peaceful setting bracketed by trees and the mountain. It is the perception of depth and stillness that I like, however. Not bad work for The Amateur Photographer, critiqed by An Amateur Photographer.

Diana

Today marks the tenth anniversary of Diana's fatal crash. Not surprisingly, Fleet Street covers the incident while Camilla Parker Bowles decides not to attend the remembarance ceremony after public polls showed we find her attendance inappropriate (now that is different, thank you Tony Blair). It is remarkable how much media attention Diana continues to receive - and how much speculation is given to her "destiny". My opinion is that, post-divorce from Charles and The Firm, Diana would have worked for Blair somehow exporting the British culture through public channels and taking on humanitarian causes - famously she raised awareness of mines by walking through a field in Angola. She also raised the profile, and love of the otherwise stiff and left-footed Royal Family. What politician would not want her endorsement? Diana would have battled the Royal Family for her place in history, and possibly been restored to the crown via Prince William. It would have been terribly entertaining, a secret pleasure for the Brits and America, and undoubtedly would have sold many copies of Tattler and People magazine.

Sonnet and I disembarked in London from Kazakhstan the day following Diana's Paris. Unawares, I awoke Sunday to find every television station showing documentaries of her while we were greeted to the incredible outpouring which lasted visibly months after her death. Kensington Palace was covered with flowers; Tesco's super market offered remembrance books and people queued for blocks to sign; the Royal Family was forced to acknowledge the tragedy while privately despising her. The fall-out goes on and on. The strangeness of those early days took years to reconcile against the British we know. The emotional cry in 1997 was against character, to say the least, and allowed for a collective expression of grief. My young secretary at Botts & Co., who I barely knew that year, was taken to tears for England's - and her own - loss.

Photo from The Reagan Library.