The first question today is from Marlene
Where would you want to retire to?
This is such a great question as where we live now is a place many people choose for their retirement, if we don't stay at the coast I think we will almost certainly end up in a city. I have a couple of answers a probable and a dream scenario.
If money were no object (and assuming we are healthy etc) we would very much like to have a flat in the Barbican complex in London (Grade II listed).
As we are in the land of dreams I would choose to live in Speed House which is one of the terrace blocks rather than a tower. The reasons for this choice are lots of practical things like being connected to places, lots of people around, near to a cinema, theatre, library etc. Others are more... concrete
As with all Brutalist buildings, it's not for everyone but I love it (architects - Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, structural engineers - Arup & Partners. Lots of nice pictures in a Dezeen article here and lots of details about the various aspects of Barbican life at Barbican Living here.
As I am not a millionaire I think we are more likely to end up somewhere like Manchester, again as it's well connected, lots of things going on, galleries, trams to get about, good food, lots to learn etc.
And I would get to spend lots of time around Manchester Oxford Road station which is a very beautiful Grade II listed building and it's so lovely to step out of there and into the action (architects R Headley and M. Glendinning, 1960). I totally understand why people retire here but I think we might like to be in the thick of things a bit more when we're older.
Question two is from RachelRadiostar
What would be your last meal on death row?
Hmmmm, I think I would go for a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge sandwich, some really nice bread probably ciabatta with smoked tofu, chestnut puree, stuffing, cranberry chutney, coleslaw and roast squash, followed by coconut and cherry almond milk ice cream.
Now I'm hungry, but thankfully have no desire to be anything other than a law abiding citizen.
Finally for today a question from the brains behind one of my absolutely favourite blogs an exacting life
Besides They Might Be Giants - what other bands (an music generally) do you like, and what bands have you seen play in the last couple of years?
They Might Be Giants is indeed my favourite band, and I am a big fan of New Wave in general so I enjoy The Go-Go's, Devo, Violent Femmes, B52s etc. In the car we listen to a lot of Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, REM, The Black Keys and all that kind of stuff.
Here's a song I like to sing to Dan
In the past couple of years along with others I've seen TMBG twice, The Levellers, Two Door Cinema Club, lots of local bands, Philip Henry and Hannah Martin (a very brief flirtation with folk music). Earlier this year we saw Bill Ryder-Jones who I love love loved!!! We saw Eagulls a couple of weeks ago too, that was a lot of fun. We're going to see Super Furry Animals in December *yay* and that's all I can think of for now!
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