The venue was the Somerset House, our quite favorite one as a matter of fact, as we’ve been to a few event from their summer series before. It’s a central London, open-air, nice place, good sound and good crowd. What else would you need?

The gig was everything you would expect from The XX. Chilled, down tempo (with rare chances for the audience to perform short dance sequences), quite melancholic, with hypnotizing sound of guitar and their own voices. At some point I was even wondering, if they were playing the same song over and over again :) but actually I did not mind it. A simple and honest music with a lot of bass. And when I say ‘a lot’, I mean it. I remember the only time my neighbor called me on the phone and asked me to turn my music down when I was playing The XX. It wasn’t even loud. ‘It’s just the bass…’ he said.

So, great night overall, and the gig’s ending was quite a highlight - a sudden outburst of sound, energy and emotions. I loved it.

And just when you thought it’s all over, the whole buying of Bioshock memorabilia quest, here comes another brilliant piece - a Sinclair Solutions syringe pen. Yet another syringe.

It’s been around for quite a while now, but I was hesitating buying it, mostly because of quite hefty price and the fact you could only buy it from US site. But since I have proclaimed myself a Bioshock collector (not quite ready to be called the Collector yet though), there were no more doubts left - I have to own it.

So after a couple of weeks after I have placed my order, it arrived. And it was all worth the wait.

Like all other Bioshock collectables, this steam-punk pen is a solid and top quality product. Well yes, of course it is solid - it’s a metal pen. And no surprise here. After all, they have achieved amazing things and extraordinary results in the Rapture, haven’t they? I am sureseeing it on display will definitely take my mind back to the underwater city.

But can you write with it? Yes, you can. It’s a bit fat and chunky for my liking, but when I am ready to sit down and write another chapter of Rapture, it will definitely be done with this pen.

The last (and let’s be honest, the only) time we were in French capital, it was a few years ago. It was July, it was very hot and in he course of three days we got very exhausted trying to attend as many touristy places as we could. This time we are going to take things slowly and easy. That was the plan.

Not everything went according to plan. The trains were delayed for a couple of hours that morning, so we had to sit around at London’s St.Pancras, patiently waiting for the boarding signal. So we started taking pictures. I must say, I really like King’s Cross train station, especially the top level - bright, airy and tranquil…

So there you go - me with a tin man, Veronika, some old man, clearly not from our time and a couple of London’s bankers (or something), not looking particularly pleased I am violating their privacy…

We went to Lille, a rather small city in the north of France (suprisingly though, it has got metro). I don’t think it’s famous for anything, but you don’t get many destination options with the Eurostar, and we did not mind, really.

We arrived in the morning and walked to the town centre. We had a city guide with us, borrowed from a library, where, earlier we found a coffee shop receipts, left by the previous owners, so we find that place and also had our coffee there, near the Grand’Place. And from there we started our walk around the town, visiting most of the places of interest and buildings mentioned in the guide (well, there were not that many of them). We also found a rare example of Art Nouve architecture preserved to these days, and it was like reading a book on the history of arts. It looked really cool.

We also pay a visit to the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille (the palace of beautiful arts, obviously) and spent good couple of hours there, and after that we decided, that the cultural part of our day was accomplished, so now we needed a nice place for our late lunch.

Choosing a place by looking at the menu turned out to be quite a challenge - we don’t speak French and trying to find analogies in English or Russian somehow did not help at all. Eventually we ended up om a very nice place facing the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille, a cathedral, built in the 18th century, but in 13th century Gothic style, which has got massive and quite impresive marble front (see above). Virtually nothing what we ordered from the menu was what we were expecting it to be (and no, waiters are of no help at all), but nonetheless everything was delicious and we enjoyed our meal very much. We also felt the portions weregenerally bigger than what we usually get in London.

After we were full and content, the next thing to do was to pop in to hat church, have a walk in the old town (which is mostly a shopping area these day), buy some treats and head back in to the trainstation.

A nice day overall, though by the end of it I was really tired, mentally. Why? People seemed to be much chattier than in London, which is generally a good sign, but only if you understand the language. I did not. Which made me feel rather stupid, cause all I could do was to smile back and nod to whatever they were saying. Even if they told me I was an idiot and better get lost, I would still smile back at them. Trying to talk to the waiter was like trying to use deaf people language. And remember that chavvy looking guy pointing at my camera and saying something… I have no idea what you are saying mate! Yes it is a digital camera! You never saw one? Or you just want to steal it?

And it was so funny, for I was so tired of not understanding, that when a British officer said Good Evening to me at the passport control at the station, I felt and so relieved (even happy) as if he was talking to me in Russian! :))

Let’s call it a day and go home!

PS. On the top of everything, we’ve made a striking discovery. Santa Clause lives in France! See the prove below. But don’t show this picture to the kids, for I have caught him while he was involved in not very kinds-and-family-friendly activity.

I saw it first in the Bioshock 2 teaser trailer. The ‘Sea of Dreams’ was stunningly beautiful and it was probably the first official announcement of the game sequel to be released in the following few (very, very long) months. It made the wait almost impossible (especially in our ‘instant culture’). Watch See of Dreams trailer on vimeo.

 

It is a toy of the Big Daddy, made of all sort of scrap by/for (?) the little sisters,. You can find those occasionally in the game while playing, and this is what makes the doll very special. Unlike figurines, this is like a real item brought from Rapture. It reinforces the fantasy and makes you believe that place is (or was) real. I find it very fascinating.

 
The doll is a real deal. Well, almost. Though it is a rubber baseball and the the hands are mad of rope, the pins are not real :( as well as the pieces of ‘wire’ are not metal (health and safety? :) Still, the quality is very authentic. Overall I am very pleased with this souvenir and happy that someone out there had this brilliant idea of assembling it. It can make a very special present for a die hard Bioshock fan.

I wish I knew about it earlier. I wish there were a tweed jacket in my wardrobe. I wish I had a single speed bike.

Why? Because then I could have been a part of that cool bunch of people, cycling through central London on a hot and sunny spring afternoon, wearing vintage clothes and enjoying themselves.They call it a Tweed Run.

I found out about it only a day before and said to myself I would definitely have to see that. I arrived at Kensington gardens about half an hour before the procession to arrive for a tea-break (obviously ;), found a great vantage point opposite the table with cups and refreshments, got my camera ready and started waiting.

So there they were coming. My photo shoot began. As I mentioned already the weather was favorable. It was the hottest day of the year so far, what probably didn’t go well along with tweed outfits, but then again they were not rushing at 60 mph, I believe. I think there were about two hundred cyclists, and many of them went into extraordinary length to look the part. Quite a few characters. Those sideburns, mustaches… Absolutely lovely.

Being an IT freelancer, and enjoying all cool modern gadgets and conveniences, at the same time I am very much fascinated by old, simpler times, all things retro. And this was an absolute feast for my eyes (and soul), a spectacular view. I was shooting non-stop, and to be honest, I haven’t been enjoying taking pictures like this for quite a long time. Also, the atmosphere was great, easy-going and playful, people were definitely enjoying themselves and other dressed-up strangers around.

More on flickr

They stayed for an hour or so and proceeded further, as if this time travel event never happened. People around were wearing shorts and slippers. As normal. But the tweed people will come back next year, and I am sure there will be more of them. And maybe among them you will also spot a young guy with a soul patch (no, I would never shave it off).

I had an amazing response to my pictures posted on flickr, which I am very grateful for, so head there to see a much bigger collection of them.

So while I’ve been so indecisive, I had an idea to put a A1 size poster of my all time favorite Bioshock (well, Bioshock 2, to be more precise). Surprisingly, Veronika did not mind at all (she is quite understanding and supportive of my obsession with the ‘tin people’ - thank you Veronika!).

And so I walked the talk. Found original poster on ebay and got it shipped from Australia. It took a a while to arrive, but here it is now, proudly hanging on our staircase wall. I guess I could start splicer meetings in my flat now or something… :)

The rest of the walls are still bare…

My new toys have arrived. Looks like I am slowly becoming Bioshock memorabilia collector :) I guess we all need to collect something. The only thing though is I can’t stand to keep toys in boxes. I know I know, the value drops down once you open the box, but I’d rather enjoy, not just keep them.

I have never been impressed with any other game and their story that much, so it’s very satisfying to have all these things at home, reminding me of Rapture, an awesome city in the bottom of the Atlantic ocean.

With the game sequel out more related stuff is released to, presumably, make some people richer, but some others, freaks like me, a bit happier.

So what have we got today?

Three figurines: a Big Daddy, a so called Subject Alpha, a character you are playing in Bioshock 2, then a Big Sister, another new character and your biggest and strongest adversary and a Little Sister, a spooky little girl with yellow eyes who calls you daddy.

The toys are top quality. Very steam punk beautiful, very detailed, with movable limbs. You can even play with them (not that I am going to :) Maybe I will do some stop motion animation one day… Maybe…

So we did, and here are three places I would highly recommend to try if you in that part of London and feeling peckish. All of them can be found at Leather Lane market (among it’s many other food options, by the way).

Numero uno. Cino’s sandwich bar.

I was a bit skeptical about this place, until I tried their ‘Whitney Houston’ sandwich (pictured above). That was AMAZING. I am afraid the picture does not do the justice, but you got to believe me that was absolutely tasty. Chicken escalope never tasted so good in a sandwich, and it was also massive and very filling.

The place has variety of sandwiches named after celebrities and they all are freshly made while you wait. You wouldn’t necessary want to eat in, though the place has it’s couleur locale, but take away is a must.

Price: £3.80
Verdict: a bargain. A tasty bargain.
Address: 66 Leather Lane, EC1N 7TR

Next place down the market. Daddy Donkey.

For all you spicy food lovers. Fresh and authentic Mexican food, or as they call themselves a ‘kick-ass Mexican grill’.

I am not going to lie, their burritos were just too hot for me. Tasty, but way too hot (and I was hoping I was ready for it). But many other people in the office were the regulars there. So it IS a quality food. And again, portion size is really big. And don’t judge by the picture, the place gets extremely busy during lunch hours.

Price: £5 - 6
Verdict: reasonably priced quality food for kick-ass food lovers
Daddy Donkey’s website

Tajima-tei.

The last, but definitely not the least. This Japanese restaurant was our most favorite place. Not flashy, I’d say, but rather low key and very traditional (all the personnel are Japanese), they serve the best sushi I’ve ever tasted. An ultimate treat, which you don’t get everyday, but rather on special occasions only (like other Fridays ;). Just say the word ‘Tajima-tei’ and you can see how Kai gets high :) and his eyes get foggy, I bet he would pay to work there.

Mmm, sushi… mmm, sashimi… and their uber awesome bento box (pictured)… My mouth is watering…

Price: around £20
Verdict: pricey, but so worth it.
Tajima-tei’s website

So there you go, if you are in the City, around Farrington, Holborn or Chancery Lane, check Leather Lane Market and have something really nice for your lunch (or sushi for dinner).

If you are like me, and if it’s such an involving game as Bioshock, you would want to know about everything. You wouldn’t want to miss a single diary, but rather to uncover all the stories and visit every far or hidden corner of the city. Well, this is me, anyway. In this case you need walk through guide. And nothing beats Bioshock 2 official strategy guide.

It’s a special edition (I looooove special editions :) and it’s a hardcover. Yes, not a flimsy magazine-style guide, but rather a solid book, which surely can proudly stand on the book shelf next to K.Marks’ ‘Das Kapital’ (or whatever you have there). The guide itself is well illustrated and very comprehensive (what you could expect from it), but it’s the quality of the book I am particularly impressed with. But even more, the guide comes with an extra bonus bundled - a set of two beautiful lithographs of Bioshock 2 art (you might have seen them on the net).

Once again, amazing job, 2K team and BradyGames!