Welcome to the Junket

Current Location: Sydney

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Building a Monopoly in London

This is what Fleet Street looks like at 6:30am.
But this was no tourist-driven frenzy to take early morning snaps of London; rather on the way to work at Goldman Sachs. As it turns out, I picked up a Chance card and was sent in the direction of Trafalgar Square. I have 'sold' Liverpool Street Station - location of Deutsche Bank - and have moved into Equities Research in a similar vain as the old times at Comsec.

Work starts early though. A seat on the top level of that big red bus in the picture is now my bed between 6:11 and 6:30. I can choose any seat, being almost the sole passenger; but I normally head to a regular position up the front. You get a good view when you're not sleeping.

The old heart of London is a regal place. Just down the road is St Paul's; the steps are good for enjoying lunch in the sun. Despite its proximity to 120 Fleet, two things tend to stop me getting there... Firstly, the sun that spoilt London in April has gone home again for May; secondly, I normally have lunch at the desk. Yes, that's right - I'm in the finance industry and that's just the way it works. And besides, our building has all the amenities we need. For just the GDP of a small island nation, you can get a bite to eat in the cafeteria/restaurant downstairs. You want dry cleaning? That's there too. Heck, why should I even go home?

For home cooking of course? Continuing the culinary spectacle that defines 51B Eburne Road, Mark "Pickles" Picone presents a Tandoori chicken and I rustle up a Bolognese. See, we're looking after ourselves!



5 comments:

Sethery said...

THat looks almost as good as some SSS fare.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I think you're due for a blog name change. With all the work you're doing, it doesn't really seem appropriate calling it "follow the junket" anymore! Maybe..."Follow the pivot table master" or "Work - Not Ideal - the Real Ben Stories" would be better.

I'll let you think about it while you're salivating over your sanga for lunch.

Anonymous said...

Good Point Marty - How about "The adventures of Ben and his 6:30am starts on cold, rainy, bleak London mornings"

Consider that one aswell while you eat your sanga for lunch - which will be eaten at your desk as you are not allowed to stop working. The same desk you will probably eat dinner at too!

Anonymous said...

wow that photo in the middle is amazing!

Anonymous said...

very boring comment Frau, how about joining me and marty and laying into Ben with some abuse...