Thisisnotover?
London is a transient city but more than that, it’s an episodic city. And this year I seem to be opening and closing chapter after chapter. I went out with a very dear friend tonight and he “accused” me of being easily attached to things, people, spaces, and scenes. I couldn’t argue really. But I like to think I get attached for good reason. As much as I have a love hate relationship with scenes, I am constantly drawn to them.
Tonight I was sad to say goodbye to my most recent favourite establishment and scene of sorts, the not bar (aka thisisnotabar) Its funny because I have only been there five or six times, but each night was an adventure, with a great cast of characters and often requiring a morning after debrief with friends who had been in attendance.
I encountered it at an odd parallel with my life. As the hourglass runs out in my time in this city. I found this mental place that was tiny and warm and spontaneous and full of strangers who actually talked to each other, without pretence, or posing. It was a glimmer of something I love so much about living here, the transience, the madness, the internationalism, the sometimes decadence. I treated that place like my living room, like a house party that was always going, and was charmed and inspired by those that ran it. It was very east London, and yet also felt like a preview to the life I will have next year in Berlin.
As a last night, tonight was the calmest I had there. And there will be another chapter, a new bar, a legitimate version of this wondrous piece of randomness. But the time of this graffed up disused Georgian house has come to a close.There was a warmth and nostalgia I felt tonight with the small group there. as the notbar closes, I am suddenly very aware that I am also moving on and away from this city, this life I’ve had here. And I’m equal parts scared and excited about that change, but mknow its time for it to happen. So there closes this chapter, and in fact, maybe I’m getting more and more ready to close this book, for now atl least, and finally pick up the next one from the shelf…
