Pitch perfect

Eitan and I are up early for sports. We walk early to the Bank of England sports club in Richmond where Eitan has joined the swimming team. From there we have an hour before football so we pack tennis rackets and do some drills in Palewell Park. Finally his favorite - football! - and he plays well following the summer break. All the boys, and us dads, are happy to re-unite and talk about the summer and property values. Middle age, baby.

I find my giant Snicker's bar in Eitan's candy chest. I ask him how it got there and he sheepishly tells me that he took it from the freezer. I say that if he can steal my candy, I can steal his - unless, of course, I find the Snickers bar returned to its place. He contemplates this seriously: is a giant Snickers in hand worth two from the pile? He wisely puts it back.

Eitan: "I want to play for Manchester United when I grow up!"

Before Madeleine's first try at Stage Coach, a performance art class, I tell her it's going to be great. Says she matter-of-factly: "It might not be, dad."

Lads Victorias!

England wins a crucial '08 European Cup qualifier against Russia last night with a commanding score of 3-nil. The star is Michael Owen, pictured, who scores twice - adding to his brilliant goal against Israel on Saturday and bringing his life total for England to 40. The record BTW is held by Bobby Charlton who put 49 into the net. It's hard to remember that 14 months ago Owen was painfully out of the World Cup with a busted metatarsal. The other surprise success this week is striker Emile Heskey who has returned from retirement, played brilliantly and received two standing ovations at Wembley- while pushing age 40! I recall watching Heskey play in the '02 World Cup in Korea at 7AM GMT due to the time difference. The locals drank breakfast beer, smoked fags and chanted"Donkey" every time Heskey was on the pitch. It wasn't pretty. Ethnic dislikes aside, England coach McClaren is going to have a difficult staffing decision to make when stars Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves and David Beckham return from injury. Logic might suggest: don't tinker with a good thing. Photo of a younger Michael Owen by the World Press.

NB Eitan and Madeleine are allowed to watch the first 30 minutes of the game, which otherwise begins past their bed-time. Eitan is desperate to hear the results this morning and dances when he learns the outcome.

Lars

When he's not kicking a football, Lars is running his hedge fund Holte Capital which he started in 2002. He is a multi-talented Dane whose skills include risk-management and ball control - Lars tells me his hackey record is 300 kicks. I've known Lars in London since 1999 when we played poker (his gambling habit moved to full-time). He was educated at Harvard undergrad and Harvard MBA - I tell him this is like having crab for your appetiser and main course.

Madeleine and Eitan had a school assembly yesterday where they learned about protecting our planet. Starting now, we will no longer use plastic bags for anything. The children were told that a plastic bag carelessly tossed into the Thames was found on a sea lion at Clacton On Sea - fortunately the fisherman took the bag off the poor fellow's head before he suffocated. Now, you see, it is personal and Madeleine wales: "The sea lions dad! You're going to kill them!" when she catches me red-handed at the groceries.

Inside St Paul's

I have a free hour and pay a visit to the Wren Cathedral (my photo from underneath the grand basilica facing the paupet). The present St Paul's dates from the 17th century and is generally reckoned to be London's fifth St Paul's Cathedral, although the number is higher if every major medieval reconstruction is counted as a new cathedral.

The task of designing a the current structure was assigned to Christopher Wren in 1668, along with over 50 other City churches. His first design, to build a replacement on the foundations of the old cathedral, was rejected in 1669. The second design, in the shape of a Greek cross (circa 1672) was rejected as too radical, as was a revised design that resulted in the 1:24 scale "Great Model". The 'warrant' design was accepted in 1675 and building work began in June.

The first stone of the cathedral was laid in 1677. The cathedral was completed on in 1708 or thirty-two years and three months after a spark from Farryner's bakery caused London to burst into flames.

Katie, Sharon and Noa

Here's a cute photo live from the Upper West Side. I'm in Paris today following a scramble out the door to catch my 0700 train. Why is it that your bill-fold and keys always disappear when you need to get the fuck out the door? Between meetings I manage to sneak in a five-miler from Le Crillon up the Seine, circling La Cité and The Dame returning through the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries - a run I have done many times before but always special. The Parisiens have resurrected their giant feris wheel at Concorde looking straight up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. It is a beautiful city.

I discover that Eitan or Madeleine has stolen my cuff-links leaving me in a pickle for tomorrow morning. I am aware that the kids are hoarding their treasures which includes, among other things, twine, crystals, a hackey sack, last Halloween's candy (Eitan), coins in various currencies and a dvd player which no longer works. Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. And so too is value.

At Le Faubourg I watch the film "Anaconda" with J Lo and Ice Cube. Awaful but fun - I kinda want to see which celeb gets it first.

2!

Dakota turns two and we celebrate in Primrose Hill with her and a bunch of happy kids from the neighborhood and around town. An entertainer plays "pass-the-monkey" which I understand is a favorite of all English children but somehow missed our house. Dana prepares cupcakes to perfection and after all the action, we head for Primrose Hill for the view from the top.

At the party, I meet Stephen Robinson who until last year was a main editor at the Telegraph newspaper since 1986 and covering U.S. politics from Washington D.C. for seven years. Fun! We discuss the State of the Union, Conrad Black and the British tabloids which continue to tail-spin as readers and advertisers dessert. "The problem of course" says Stephen "is that there are too many broadsheets. But this is why consumers love Fleet Street- the selection." Stephen is taking the year-off to finish a biography for February '08.

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.