What's in the box? (See whatcha got)

I received one of those exciting emails from the postroom at work on Friday morning, saying that there was a parcel waiting for me. It was this huge box...

... from skate shoe company Sole Technology's European HQ in the Netherlands.

That information gave away what could be inside. Last month, I wrote about the release of the Crooked Tongues and éS collaboration Foothills range and its launch party at Slam City for n-sb.org (and on here). A few days later, I was emailed by Charlie from CT offering me something from the range to say thanks for the coverage. I asked for a pair of the trainers. And that's what was in the box.

But that wasn't the only thing. Oh no. Also in there was the cap, backpack and jacket from the range. It was an extremely generous gift from Crooked Tongues.

Here's me looking like I'm going to apply for my first ASBO in the jacket. Yes, it's a bit on the large side but, with a price tag of £220, I can definitely live with that. Is it wrong that I really want the temperature to drop so I can wear it (outside of my flat)?

Moving on

After a short but sweet stay as deputy production editor at New Media Age magazine, I'm yet again on to pastures new. Tomorrow I start as sub editor of Architects' Journal. The NMA job was a maternity cover contract but the AJ one is permanent. Take that recession.

I'll be based in Greater London House, so am quite excited at having Zuul and Vinz keeping watch over the entrance (just don't ask for Dana).

I'll also be in the same building as my Dad, which is a bit of a coincidence. Who said there was no such thing as a free lunch?

Back in the habit

Fear not readers (or, more appropriately, 'the imaginary friends its apparently acceptable for adults to have'), I have returned to the blogosphere after a short hiatus. A hiatus spent in Taiwan. Those of you who can access my Facebook will know I have literally hundreds of photos and a few tales to to tell so might get round to posting about it on here at some point, you lucky, lucky people. Here's a taster, courtesy of Natalie:

Anyway, back to now. When we signed up to the Barnardo's Nun Run, Marie and I were entered into a competition to win tickets to the new Sister Act Musical. We both won and went last night. Although Marie is a musical pro, the last one I went to see was Tommy, probably well over a decade ago. I have to admit that I really, really enjoyed Sister Act. Go and see it. It's a lot of fun.

More in keeping with my usual interests, I went to Slam City and, while resisting the ever-present temptation to buy trainers, took a few pictures of the new exhibition in the basement Nike SB pop-up store. The exhibition is of photos by Jon Humphries to promote the forthcoming SB skate film, Debacle. I was invited to the premiere at Slam but was too busy being on the tube, missioning home from Heathrow after a sleepless 16 hour flight.

The first batch of photos I took were rubbish so I had to go back and take some more. Luckily I don't think they noticed me sloping back in like an amateur. The better pics can be seen in my little write up for N-SB.org. It got a mention on Jake's Alley (right down the bottom), which I was quite chuffed about, even though I might have emailed over the link in the first place...

Oh, something else that's probably worth mentioning – I've got a job. Today I started as Deputy Production Editor for New Media Age magazine. It's only a 13-month maternity cover contract but it's still a step up. So, after being made redundant at Marketing Week, I stayed on two extra months, returned as a freelancer at a much better rate (working about 10 days a month and earning more or less the same as I did as a full-timer), went on holiday and returned to a new job, which basically counts as a promotion – NMA is also a Centaur publication. Take that recession!

Busy Day

Some of you (LOL etc) must have been wondering why my posts have slowed somewhat recently. It's because I've been back at work. Literally back. I have been and will be at Marketing Week again. Only three days since eventually getting the heave-ho, I'm back as a freelancer. I'm there for a total of ten days, which should bring in the same amount as I was making in a month when I was full time. This will obviously leave the rest of the month for other work. Or...

This place opened today. Mile End skatepark. It's only minutes from my flat. Amazing. And it will be even better when I'm actually good enough to use any of the obstacles (or whatever they're called), apart from rolling up and down the bump bits.

Also today, Weartested, a super-comprehensive skateshoe review site, was updated with a breakdown of the Adidas Campus Vulc. I helped out with this by checking over the words – the guy who writes it is German. But his English is probably better than mine. Check it out.