Maybe Buenos Aires?

¿Sería Buenos Aires? / Maybe Buenos Aires? (2006) from thevisualsuspects.net on Vimeo.

I will post this without comment except to say that history repeats itself. I was there, six months before the crash.

A day of absurdity.

HSBC, PREMIUM BONDS.
I woke at two in the afternoon because of the previous night shift. Today I was going to handle some crazy stuff. First off was a visit to the City branch of HSBC a rather strange post modern building that is disguised by a copper cube towed by a paddle steamer! You may think I am joking but I am not. Please see my other site that is about strange London architecture.

The interior of the branch is rather fabulous in a 'last days of the Titanic' sort of way. Poor customers walk on the red carpet and are invited to make themselves tea from a machine which they drink from paper cups. Richer customers walk or a royal blue and gold carpet and drink from china cups. I teased my personal banker about this and she told me that the very best customers also get jellied sweets but nobody else should know about this because they may be jealous.

So of course I told no one (but I never promised not to blog about it).

ABSURDITY ONE.
I like Premium Bonds but am currently prevented from buying them as I have forgotten my premium bond number. Unfortunately premium bonds are issued by the Treasury so getting a reminder is a drawn out business. I have already written to them but was told that it was possible to register for Internet service as a short cut. Unfortunately I do not think this is true so I will just have to wait.
Absurdity 1, Richard 0.

ABSURDITY TWO.
I tried to pay money into my HSBC pension account but discovered it had been made paid up. I also discovered that HSBC were not allowed to help me open a new scheme because my employer is supposed to offer one to me- and have not. If HSBC offer a scheme to me without making a comparison with the (non existent) employers scheme they will be bashed by the regulator- so I cannot have a pension.
Absurdity 1, Richard 0.

ABSURDITY THREE.
I have also made a credit card application to my bank but had it blocked on mysterious grounds. Apparently I had done it myself when I closed my previous account by saying 'please reduce my credit to zero and close my account'. This zero credit limit blocked the issuing of fresh cards and all I had to do was to explain what I really meant.
Absurdity 0, Richard 1.

FINAL SCORE.
Absurdity 2, Richard 1.

Are these the boots I will die in?

Dr MARTEN SHOP. COVENT GARDEN.
Today I bought a pair of 'for life' Doctor Martens at their Covent Garden shop in London. They were expensive, but partly paid for with loyalty points. As the name suggests they have a lifetime guarantee but with small print (if they feel like it basically). Nevertheless they are comfortable and well made.

Even a standard pair last at least ten years. These are even better so it is quite possible I will be wearing them when I die as I am already 50. A bit spooky really.

Ugg! The worst latte in the world!

STARBUCKS v COSTA.
This morning I told my readers that Starbucks were giving away free lattes to anyone who gave their name. This afternoon I am telling you all that you have missed nothing! I can honestly say I have just had the worst latte in the entire world.

The giveaway was actually part of a promotions war with a British chain by the name of Costa. These guys claim that their coffee is more authentic and stronger than the Starbucks alternative (as well as being sold in proper china cups). Starbucks doubled their strength as a result but have only actually doubled the bitterness of their product. Costa were bragging about this on billboards and newspaper advertisements most of today. I think they are winning the war.

Always have some money you can look at.

SKIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY.
Becoming free is a battle of the emotions. One part of us wishes to throw away our money in exchange for material things. These seem more real than money in the bank and therefore more satisfying. There is also the pleasure of the buying experience. By having a passbook account we can have something material in exchange for our money (the passbook itself). We also have the buying experience of opening the account and seeing money flow into it. All of this makes saving nearly as rewarding as spending.