Farmer's tan, wellington boots and an unpronounceable volcano

Hi All,

So you may be pleased to know that I have archived all my emails since I left the sunny shores of the UK onto a central repository…

“Repository” (a receptacle or place where things are deposited, stored, or offered for sale)
…not to be confused with…
“Suppository” (a solid, conical mass of medicinal substance that melts upon insertion into the…)

You can find it all here, in the aptly named “The Hammertime” – feedback welcome
http://jamiefromwales.blogspot.com/

So….onto the real news…

It’s been 6 weeks since my last foray into updating you all on the challenging life I lead!! It has been an interesting few weeks to say the least.

I made a trip down to Princeton to watch girl’s lacrosse (don’t ask!!) – I actually spent most of the time on some dodgy internet channel watching the Bluebirds stick it to the Jack’s in the South Wales derby. Beautiful beautiful campus however and definitely worth a trip if you’re ever nearby.
Also visited Boston which has a lot of charm and most importantly - a Wagamamas!! And went to Philadelphia (aka Philly) which is a really fun city. Lots to do and the highlight, without a doubt, was not the Liberty Bell, or Independence Hall…but running up the Rocky steps, humming the music and shadow boxing at the top!!!

I managed to wangle a work trip home, which coincidentally enough coincided with Harv having a baby girl called Mia Rose. Amazing to see, but just a shame that she looks more like him than his much more attractive wife!!
Finally bought some Hunter wellington boots which I had been looking for everywhere…just in time for the summer!! Had to schlep them to the football and got lots of odd looks from the crowd
Saw the family, threw a brunch, ate way too much food, got drunk a couple of times and generally had a great time catching up with everyone
Then, the stupid volcano left me “stranded” for 3 extra days…not the end of the world to be stranded in London…although it could have been the Maldives...

Talking of stranded, I had Chris and his girlfriend Chloe stay with me for a few days. Excellent house guests and we made the most out of the weekend, walking the Brooklyn bridge, checking out the Botanical Gardens and Prospect Park. Had a proper farmers tan to show for it!! And the strange weather that exists in this city meant that the following day, it p1ssed down…all day long. However, that wouldn’t stop us discovering the Lower East side - a very cool part of Manhattan…those new wellies sure came in handy as I splashed though puddles with a chilidsh abandon!!

My latest treat to myself was joining a Classic Car Club. Soooooooo much fun!! Since I joined, I took out a 1969 MGC (red, convertible), a 1972 BMX Tii2002 (maroon, boxy and the kind of car you used to hate getting dropped off to school in by your parents) and the club’s pride a joy, a 1957 Jaguar XK150 (a masterpiece of mechanical engineering). Lots more cars for me to try and lots more fun to be had!!

My plan for the next few months is to really immerse myself into the city and become a real New Yorker. I realized I have only been in the city 6 weekends since the beginning of the year so it’s time to see why this place has the reputation it does

Keep in touch

Jamie

55 West 11th St, Apt 7c
New York, NY 10011
Tel: +1 646 269 3323
BB Pin: 2559be92

The Long and Winding Road

Hi All,

It’s been a 2 month hiatus, but there’s a very good reason for it. I’ve been back up to my old tricks and creating my very own carbon footprint travelling to wonderful places like Australia and New Zealand. It’s ok though. I’ve now started recycling my plastic bottles (otherwise I’d be fined/prosecuted) so feel like it’s now a fair balance!!

It’s been a whirlwind start to the year…

I moved into my new apartment on the 5th Jan (see address below for any postcards, presents, dirty underwear etc) and have been having a lot of fun doing it up. It’s now equipped with all the mod cons an irresponsible 28 year old would need, including the latest addition – a fancy surround sound system – episodes of Gossip Girl and Grey’s Anatomy have never sounded so good!!

Sport-wise I’ve been a bit lame. Joined a gym, but my appearances have tailed off recently. I had a few free personal training sessions, but can’t justify the 100 bucks an hour they want to charge for anything more permanent. Cool guy though – his name’s Lemar, he’s built like a house!!. The downfall started when I turned up to a kickboxing class and found I was the only guy in there. Just as Lemar walked past and gave me this look of disdain as to what I was doing!!!

Also struggling to find a football team. From playing 3 times a week in Singapore, I’m down to once every 2 weeks here. Either they don’t like the cold or they don’t like outsiders here. Anyone got any bright ideas?

And 2 memorable trips…

The first was to my favourite source of culture….Vegas!! A crowd of my Berkeley friends descended on the city of sin for a long weekend in January and had a cracking time. Highlights were boozing in Pure, coming out evens on the tables, being spanked at a German beerhall and using all 3 of the bathrooms in the suite we got upgraded to at the Bellagio!

And then the big trip of the year – to Australia and New Zealand. 6 of us (which quickly turned to 4 as Paul and Nicole decided they couldn’t hack 2 weeks with 4 immature boys!) rented a car and toured the south island of New Zealand (cue “long and winding road” reference!). A truly wonderful country with so much to see and do. The first few days involved a lot of driving, intermixed with swimming with dolphins, kayaking in the national park and hiking through the Franz Josef glacier. After a minor speeding fine, we off-loaded the car and chilled out for 5 days in Queenstown. When I say we chilled out, we went on the luge, white water rafting, sky-dived, and of course…bungy jumped!! The 3rd highest in the world and safe to say, a pants soiler!! But so so much fun. Check out the pics and video on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=154432&id=512991087&l=28e0ca26bb

Then, what feeled like the whole Cardiff jewish community landed in Sydney for Shippo’s wedding. The snob in me couldn’t hack the hostel we booked into so I went in search of finer digs for the weekend. Was great to see everyone – the Saturday was gorgeous and 30 of us went to Manly for lunch and to the beach. We made a “Bring It On” style human pyramid which came crashing down when my old man put sand down Shippo’s shorts!! The wedding on Sunday was gorgeous and the one with the long hair looked very pretty in his suit – as did his wife!!!

Long flight back on the Monday, 21 hours in total, was made a little easier when I got a partial upgrade. However it was to a middle seat and next to one of the fattest guys I’ve ever seen in my life!! I gulped, but for some crazy reason the guy in the window wanted me to swap with his daughter a few rows in front so they could sit together. I happily obliged!!

And back to reality…

Check out this article Emily found…a few too many similarities for my liking!!!

http://www.observer.com/2010/wall-street/portrait-banker-29-year-old

Keep in touch

Jamie

55 West 11th St, Apt 7c
New York, NY 10011
Tel: +1 646 269 3323
BB Pin: 2559be92

Party Like it's 1999

Well, firstly, let me say – Happy New Year!!! Pretty strange that its midday here and it’s already 2010 in Australia and Singapore….and everyone in Europe is starting to get their glad rags on quaff a few glasses of champagne! Also strange to think I’m in New York…and it’s snowing!! Check out the pics attached I took outside my office this morning.

I’ve had a few visitors over the last week and can’t sleep at the excitement for “The Harv” to arrive this time tomorrow!! All my gear is arriving from Singapore next week, I move into my new apartment on Monday and I have just signed up for gas, electricity, doctor, dentist, psychic, back-hair remover etc etc. New York is well and truly becoming home!!! And despite it being frickin cold here and all I want to do is stay inside, watch DVDs and eat copious amounts of food, i’ve pulled my finger out, hit the gym and just managed to get into my first pair of 33inch waist jeans since I was 14!!! This was a very fun experience with the gay assistant in Diesel where we talked about how my “ass” and my “package” fitted in the different styles of jeans!!

Despite moving to a country where the majority of people don’t have passports and have never been abroad (I just made that up, maybe I should post it on wikipedia?!), I still have the travel bug and hit the “beach” in Miami 2 weeks ago (although it rained and was miserable for half the trip) and am heading to the greatest city on earth in a couple of weeks, where grown men become like little boys in a playground…fondly known as “Vegas”…ahhhhh!!! Want me to put a bet on for you?

And I’ve met a girl!! Her name is Emily (but I call her Frankie cause she speaks French and is a Yankee). She’s a native New Yorker, 25, works at the NYC ballet is great fun. She laughs at my jokes, likes to cook me dinner and puts up with my strange bathroom habits – she must be a keeper!!

Xmas Day, I cooked a 15lb turkey (the smallest I could find in this obese nation) for originally 4 people and finally 10. We barely dented it, but all the food and drink went down very well.

NYE will be spent eating and getting very very drunk at a friend of Emily’s who owns a restaurant in the very trendy Chelsea Market.

If you ever want to call me, you can catch me on +1 646 269 3323

And if you want to send me a moving in card/present, or just tell me that you love me via the ancient form of snail mail, you can send to my new apartment

55 West 11th St
Apartment 7c
New York
NY, 10011

All my best from 2009 and into 2010

J x

Empire State of Mind

Howdy partners!! (Well, that’s how they speak in America isn’t it!?!?!)

So I’m here, finally, and despite my head being somewhere between Singapore, London and New York, I’m getting settled and excited at my new life

Had a great week in London which involved a few days in the office, intermixed with some big nights out, a lot of food and a yummy afternoon tea put on by my sis. However, this was lacking one key element – that being, tea!! It was great to catch up with everybody and sorry if we missed one another.

I arrived just over 2 weeks ago and thankfully the weather has been gorgeous….absolutely frickin freezing though (or as my mum likes to say, “chucking filly”!!!), but barely a cloud in the sky. Had a week off when I arrived. Went a little bit crazy in some of the shops in Soho – it’s so much cheaper than London or Singapore, it’d be wrong not to! Then headed to the west coast, picked up a snazzy mini convertible and headed to Carmel for a romantic relaxing trip….on my own!!! Chilled for couple of days before heading to San Fran to see some old friends and go the “Big Game” and see Cal give Stanfurd a good kicking at football (of the American sissy variety)

Sadly the clouds spoilt 2 of my plans that week. I went to New Jersey in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower - all great at midnight and then clouded over by 3am (should have stayed home in bed)….and took a drive over the Golden Gate bridge to get some nice pics and views and came across rain that I have never seen the likes of before.

Shock to the system to come back to work after 2 weeks off. Really fun friendly office. My desk is right near a window with a view of the Flatiron building which is pretty cool. Staying in an apartment for the month closeby and having a shocker dealing with agents/brokers to find my own place more permanently. Not my favourite kind of people in London or Singapore and sadly they’re no different here!!

Spent thanksgiving with Michelle Marks from Cardiff and her family of 3 very cute, half Israeli, half Welsh kids. Think Dan and Guy Helman but much better looking and much less obnoxious!!!

Already had some visitors. Some expected and some unexpected(!) and with more to come. Of course, any of you are very welcome – a 7hr flight from London is nothing like the 13hrs to Singapore, so no excuses!!

You’ll be pleased to know I’m not speaking like an American yet….although sadly I think it’s just a matter of time!!

Keep me updated/posted with news from “across the pond”

J x

The End of an Era

….well not quite an era, but it has been a pretty eventful 15 months!!

The last few weeks, things haven’t stopped in particular. From my previous emails, you’d probably not believe I’d only used 8 days of holiday (neither did my boss!!). Thankfully I got a chance to take a couple of final trips. First stop was Hong Kong for work, where I managed to catch with (va)Nessa (“what’s occurring?!?!”). Also met up with Oli and spent the week in Tokyo and the surrounding area. Great fun, cracking food, very friendly people and a really buzzy and edgy atmosphere – I recommend a trip there once in your life.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120416&id=512991087&l=a9b0cbf668

Then Dave Brill and I had our “divorce party” – he’s leaving for Sydney and I’m moving to the exact opposite side of the world. The theme was “Mustafa Chic”. Mustafa’s has been our favourite department store to go to for anything and everything. Open 24/7 and if you can’t find it in Mustafa, it’s probably not been invented yet!!! I think the pictures tell a better story than I possibly could in text!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=122715&id=512991087&l=ca39b82758

The day after this, Dave and I got to experience a dream come true, thanks to a very successful poker night the week prior. We went diving in Sipadan and just as above, only the photos can do the place justice. From the first plunge into the water, there were fish everywhere. One shark, another shark…oh, there’s a turtle and another turtle. If I never go diving again, I won’t be disappointed!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=122730&id=512991087&l=82a43dcfe2

Now it’s barely 24 hours until I fly out of Singapore for potentially the last time and I’m pleased to say I’ll be leaving with a smile on my face. Not that I want to leave however. Singapore, like any place in this world, has its faults. Shocking customer service, shocking drivers and a very conservative society. However, I have loved every minute of it and there are very few places in the world I’m happy to be leaving it for.

And thankfully, New York is probably the top of that list!! I fly to London tomorrow for the week to do a bit of work and catch up with friends and family. And then start my new life in New York from the 15th.

Obviously, if any of you ever come through, please please please get in touch

A teary sign off for the last time in Singapore

J

Tokyo ho ho and a bottle of sake

Just got back from a great week in Tokyo and the surrounding area. Definitely recommend the trip. Here are some tips…

TRANSFER from the airport on a hotel bus or via the Narita X-press train. Both cost USD30 and take 90mins. DON’T get a taxi – will cost you 10x the price!

PLACES to visit:

- Shibuya is where all the bright lights are and has crazy zebra crossings
- Shinjuku is quite a trendy area and has great views nearby in the Tokyo Met Govt building and the Park Hyatt (where Lost in Translation was filmed). Also near there is the red light district of Kabukicho
- Omete-sando is nicknamed the Champs Elysee and it’s pretty obvious why from the shops! Also nearby is the Meiji shrine
- Harajuku is where all the cools kids hang out in their crazy costumes. Makes for some funny photographs
- Roppongi is the ex-pat area with some good bars and clubs (Heartlands, Feria, Lex, Motowns). Also has a great shopping centre called Roppongi Hills. Plus Gonpachi – the restaurant that inspired the scene in Kill Bill and has great food and a buzzy atmosphere
- Ginza is a very nice shopping area with some unbelievable shop buildings. It’s also right next to the Imperial Palace which is housed in beautiful gardens
- Asakusa has some very nice shrines and temples. You can also take a boat from there, down the river to Odaiba which is futuristic land grab

TRIPS out of Tokyo

- Nikko is a 2hour train journey North. Beautiful area of lakes, mountains and waterfalls. Stay in a traditional Japanese style inn (Ryokan) and bathe in the hot springs (Onsen)
- Kamakura is 40mins train journey South. The old capital from a few hundred years ago has some more shrines and temples. Stop in Yokohama on the way back to see Japan’s tallest building (Landmark Tower) and eat in Chinatown
- Kyoto (obviously) – supposed to be lovely, but I didn’t have time

OTHER things to do

- Baseball is huge there. It’s as, if not, more boring than cricket, but the locals love it. Try and check out a game at the Tokyo Dome
- Tsukiji fish market – best visited around 4:30am in the morning to see the Maguro (tuna) auctions and then a sushi breakfast at Sushi Dai (be prepared to queue) at 6am
- Try local food. Lots of it!! Half the fun is eating stuff you’re not quite sure what it is!!
- Take the train/subway. Although intimidating, it’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it and very cheap. Taxis however, are very expensive. They start at USD8 before you even move!

FLY – I went via Hong Kong as I was working there. But SQ and some of the Japanese airlines all fly direct

Hope that helps. Feel free to give me a shout if you need any more specifics

J

Tempus Fugit

Hi All,

Well, time really has flown by. It's already been 2 months since I last emailed and my time here in Singapore is quickly running out. Wrote a kind of "bucket list" of things to do before I leave and ticking them off one by one - did the luge and a 450m zip line in Sentosa last weekend and went to the Botanic Gardens this weekend - write both of those down for things to do in Singapore if you ever come through! (along with the Night Safari, Gold Class and Raffles)

And of course, I'm completely disregarding the ozone layer and stamping my own carbon footprint before I go (my rationale is that a "carbon footprint" didn't even exist 3 years ago, so for 25 years I was obviously well behaved!!). Flying to HK this week with work and then to Tokyo on Saturday with Oli for the week to get fully immersed into Japanese culture - I've heard the traditional Onsen (hot springs) in the Ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn/B&B) is to enter in nothing but your modesty - lucky I've known Oli for a long long time!! And then I'm off to Sipadan with Dave Brill. Supposedly one of the top 5 dive sites in the world where you see so many turtles, barracuda and hammerhead sharks, it gets a bit boring - I highly doubt it, but am very excited
all the same.

The last couple of months have been, well as Ronan Keating used to sing "Life is a Rollercoaster, you just gotta ride it."

Had a couple of fun parties in advance of my birthday - one of them a "White or Bright" theme - some people took to mean I was not only racist but I also didn't like stupid people!! I felt quite uncomfortable in my tight white jeans and it didn't help matters on my first venture to the toilet when I assumed my fly were buttons rather than a zip and I ended up walking around quite thankful I had bothered to wear underwear! (white ones of course!)

Then came my crazy trip back to Western civilization. Simon's stag do in the Beacons was hilarious - 14 Jews attempting to navigate through waterfalls, rivers and mudbanks. Who'd have thought that the streets of Cardiff were going to be more dangerous hey Ben?! A week in the office gave a bit of respite before the big wedding. Simon and Sherry looked absolutely gorgeous and we all had a cracking weekend. And despite absolutely crapp1ng myself for the speech, the Josh and Jamie duet
seemed to go down pretty well. Then headed off to NYC for a few days to meet the new team and start to immerse myself into my new life. Had a great time and met some lovely new friends including a 12 week old "Shorkie" (cross between a Shitzu and a Yorkie) called Milo who will definitely become my new wing man when I go out!! And quickly back to the 'diff for Rosh Hashonah, to see the family and pile on a few pounds before getting back to the sauna they call Singapore.

If I had thought things were going to calm down, I was way wrong. F1 came to town just after I got back and the weekend got a bit crazy again. Wangled some tickets to the SCB box which entailed copious amounts of champagne, a friend rented a boat for the day which a big crowd of us hung out on. And then I fell in love...twice. First with Fergie from BEP, who, while she has a bit of a scary feline like face, has an unbelievable body. Plus, she likes sunset walks along the beach. Sadly, we had to get a quickie divorce because then I got married to Beyonce. Simply cracking concert, great stage presence and an amazing set of lungs.....

If you're still reading and wanna see some pics, check em out

White and Bright party -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116009&id=512991087&l=9c5fa0c53a

F1 Rocks -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116007&id=512991087&l=b793267f95

Taylor Made Wedding -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116006&id=512991087&l=f8244ee3bb

BBQ and Helipad -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116000&id=512991087&l=ee96e37301

Black Tie party -
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=115994&id=512991087&l=2b3e350a2b

And of course, keep me posted with what's going on wherever you are

Lots of Welsh love

J