Poppy Appeal

Every year in the week or two leading up to Armistice Day--that's today, the anniversary of the end of World War I--the British Legion organize the 'Poppy Appeal'. Volunteers stand outside tube stops selling little paper poppies for donations of any size and proceeds go to helping veterans. Apparently this is also a thing in Canada, but not in the States. Perhaps that's because the poppy is symbolic of WWI, a conflict which doesn't loom quite so large in the American psyche.

Anyway, this is a shot of a video / slide show that is being projected on a building opposite St Pancras International Station. I bought a paper poppy from the nearby volunteers dressed in WWI uniforms.

old warehouse

 I pass this building a lot these days on my way to the British Library and it's really grown on me. I like that it's an odd mix of warehouse storage space, a mirror shop, and lots of artists' studios.

Haven't been out shooting much lately due to working on my dissertation and then the riots. Running low on pics. Hope to get out and do some shooting tomorrow. We'll see if that happens.

St. Pancras Hotel

The St. Pancras Hotel just underwent an extensive renovation project (presumably in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, like everything else in this city). The scaffolding is finally gone and it's very impressive. Apparently, you can tour the inside for £20--yeah, that's not happening any time soon.

laptops

Need to get some work done on your laptop? Why not head to the British Library?

texting

A slightly cynical view of life, love and travel in the 21st century as depicted in St. Pancras International Station.

Welcome home

This happy couple greets travellers arriving at St. Pancras International Station.

welcome to olympic city

Obviously, the Olympics are coming to London next summer and St. Pancras International Station recently unveiled these Olympic rings welcoming visitors to the city. I like this shot from the back so the gaudy colors aren't as visible and you can see the approaching trains.

The entire station is in the midst of refurbishment (also in anticipation of 2012), so it's looking particularly shiny and beautiful these days.