divingtank.com

First, to the D&AD Congress to look at the professional finalists and winners and those featured in the 2005 Annual. Then, to the V&A to look at old stuff, in a failed search for the mythical Design Museum. Conclusions on the day, the Japanese are the best people on Earth – they are producing some serious graphics and advertising and their relics from the past centuries still out-style and out-perform those of Europe (and America). So, hats off the Japanese. Best tourists in the world, by far.

And after our short reunion, I was recalled back to Britain to finish what I had started and return to my life, however strange it may be.

The fellas will always survive, and our relationship will always be the same in it’s ultralow-maintenance nature. Another 7 months could pass and it would seem like only hours that we have been parted, the slurpees and joke-dishing would resume without interval.

After all these years, our varied paths all lead back to the same place, or rather to the same people. Our waistlines and the shapes of our beards may change, but when it comes to our friendships, we stay constant, and for that, I am thankful.

First, to Jay Seldin’s gallery opening for his latest project “The Gates NYC”. And then to Tuptim for some Thai food with the family. And then to Tenth and Willow in Hoboken for some drunken antics with the fellas and the old girls.

Things to remember about this night: Peanut Butter Morsels on my Fro’gurt, Scott Richardson very, very drunk and otherwise out of it (slow clapping), the Batman cartoons that somehow seemed to sync perfectly with Michael Jackson, Charlie losing his credit card, driver’s licence and cell phone all in a span of about 3 hours, the cab ride home from Hoboken because Jenn made us miss the train (and Scott thought it was the funniest thing ever).

Another standard night at Cryan’s only this time without fat Robbie from the Bagel Chateau hogging the karaoke mic. That job was all mine. Well, one song anyway.

Just something to kill time on a Thursday night, I suppose.

More New York. Grab a camera and hit the streets and see what happens. Just be careful on the subway, you’re not supposed to take pictures, remember?

In New York City, in search of retail. Luckily, there is no shortage of it.

Take a look around the city and you will notice things. Perhaps, things you really shouldn’t like the fact that the flower garden in Times Square is sponsored by the Gap, or the fact that entire faces of buildings are now animated LCD screens. The future is now.

Livingston & Short Hills Malls, in search of answers to the questions:

“why do people like to shop?”

“what is it about malls that Americans like so much?”

“what makes posh so posh?”

“why should I pay $500 for an ugly pair of jeans?”

Conclusion: A brand is not a luxury brand until it can be bought for $5 off the back of a lorry.