Tag: Relocation
Reflections on Relocation: Part 1
The first of two articles, written five months to the day since we arrived in Belgium, in which J and I compare the experience of living in Britain with that of Belgium.
We discussed a range of subjects and divided them between us. These are my thoughts:
Beverages
Two sups that are axiomatic to English life are tea …
Reflections on Relocation: Part 2
In this the second of two articles, written five months after our arrival in Belgium, J compares the experience of living in Britain with that of Belgium.
Missed the first instalment? Read Reflections on Relocation: Part 1
We miss…
Source: Jeremy Keith (Wikimedia)
Fish and Chips, say no more
J will be “forever nostalgic about the many nights I feasted …
Totally wired for Belgium
We’re both working now and an embryonic daily routine has started. Some kind of normality, albeit a new and fresh one, is creeping into our daily lives. And to function effectively in our daily lives, we need to have a solid grasp of the basics.
Supermarkets
As an Information Designer, I’m used to working with hierarchies. Hierarchies …
Don’t let me be misunderstood
Language means many things to many people. When starting a conversation in Brussels, where over 30% of residents are foreigners, language is the topical hors d’oeuvre to a main course of holidays, family traditions and cultural differences.
Anodyne it may be, but language is a talking point that includes everyone.
Taking it on the chin
At the national …
Relocating to Brussels: the final haul
I’ve come to believe that the most important thing when relocating for work is to buy some time. Most of the important decisions could only be properly informed by our experience of being here. The more familiarity we could gain before making them, the better our decisions would be.
Temporary accommodation
By way of illustration, we decided …
Buying soap (and the accretion of experience)
Buying soap in Brussels on a Sunday is difficult.
I hadn’t even brought my wallet but J had Visa. All we needed was an open shop or a cash machine:
Almost every store big enough to take plastic is closed Sunday but almost every other, smaller store accepts cash only.
This all started because – who’d have thought …
Where am I?
As you will have read, we relocated recently. Can you guess where I am from the photo on the right?
First person to leave a comment with the correct answer wins a box of chocs
Note that family members and best men are not eligible to enter.
Leaving the UK
The things you own end up owning you – Tyler Durden, Fight Club
Competition: where did we relocate to? Win a box of chocs
When you’re upping sticks, there’s something unsettling about selling off your furniture on eBay. On the one hand, your imperative is to travel light whilst on the other you still catch yourself hoping …
Elsewhere on MikePadgett.com …
Casablanca
Director: Michael Curtiz United States, 1942 Casablanca needs no introduction, except maybe the first few bars of As Time Goes By. It’s a masterfully told, elliptical yarn about a difficult period and after so …
- Originally published: 22 Feb 2007 in Film
Welcome home, Scofield
“It’s just a lump of metal” says the guy from the body shop that just fixed up our car, Scofield. “People I’ve delivered to,” he adds after a pause for effect, “they get …
- Originally published: 30 Aug 2006 in Editorial
Audition
Director: Takashi Miike Japan, 1999 I have to admit, just being aware of this film’s reputation is a good reason to skip it, because with even a milligram of prior knowledge this particular injection …
- Originally published: 11 Jan 2007 in Film
Casino Royale
Director: Martin Campbell US/UK, 2006 Possibly only Borat has had a greater share of the movie hype this year. In the UK at least, much of the buzz surrounding Bond 21 was concerned with …
- Originally published: 30 Dec 2006 in Film
Who is that guy?
Hello you. I'm Mike Padgett and I work in the technology sector as an Information Designer.
I also enjoy travel, concerts, films and walking.
I'm based in Brussels, Belgium. My current favourite Belgian beer is St Feuillien Brune.