One of the paintings on loan to Hyatt Regency London The Churchill from the Saatchi Gallery
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Well, we were back at The Churchill (or home as we refer to it lately) again this last weekend. Had to rise early to pack on Friday so we could rush straight off from work at mid-day to make it to London for a 4 o'clock meeting with ******, a growing telecoms company we are courting as a potential partner for our own newborn company. Meeting went so-so. We are convinced there is real synergy and we can provide a truly good value service to them in return for their sponsorship. I have to admit our pitch was perhaps a little untidy as a result of our slightly addled state. It is incredibly hard running a start-up company whilst still holding down full-time professional roles. I will be so glad when I finally quit and have all my time to devote to d2t. Only 60 working days left. To add to our general air of frenzy, we are only ten days away from embarking on our biggest tour yet. We are obviously at panic stations because we've started making lists of stuff that has to be done before we fly out of LHR T5 on 29th.
The second meeting, with Sales Manager at The Churchill was more convivial. Having run the LondonDo once, it is much simpler to re-run it with just a few tweaks. Draft contract was received. Another job to complete before next Thursday. Third meeting pooped. Our contact with **** had to go out of town on other business, so my partner has telephone appointment for 21st. Fingers crossed. It was nice to have the time to relax with a glass or three of champagne before flopping at the end of a twelve hour day.
Saturday was busy but in a more fun way. Strange stuff we get up to. Laser hair-removal appointments, then I took myself off to Gentlemen's Tonic in Bruton Place for a pedicure and manicure. My wife booked it for me as a surprise. She obviously thinks I need to destress. It worked. I have to say to any guys out there who still feel too embarrassed by mixed sex spas, GT is a perfect haven and absolutely discreet. They have a fantastic team of therapists.
Then round to Avery Row and a visit to the tailor Roderick Charles to be measured for a business suit. Funny how, as a psychiatrist I have been content to wear any old thing but as an entrepreneur I want to make an impression. Is it because a doctor has status so doesn't have to try whereas a budding business needs to dress up in status? Or just a question of what I feel invested in?
Back to The Churchill again to be spoilt rotten by all our favourite lounge staff on the 8th floor. If you take the time and trouble to talk to people you discover an amazing range of talents and characters of such determination to succeed. The hospitality industry provides a vehicle to real achievement for people from any background. A bottle or two of Champagne may have passed in a bit of a blur over the next two hours.
Perfect set of footie results this Saturday really rounded off the day. Arsenal trounced the Spurs (ha-ha eat my shorts AVB) United came unstuck at lowly Norwich, Chelsea flopped at West Brom and CITEH absolutely murdered Villa with the help of an extremely dodgy linesman's call of handball. Still, we've had so many go against us this term it was about time.
Room-service breakfast on Sunday. I am absolutely in awe of the Churchill's ability to deliver soft poached eggs to our room bang on the specified time. I can't manage that at home cooking for just the two of us. RESPECT. Easy drive home via the dreaded M4 which was behaving itself for once. then back to the Humdrum this morning. Ridiculous day today with too many emergencies to get any back-log paperwork done. Hey-ho. One less day left.
.................................
Well, we were back at The Churchill (or home as we refer to it lately) again this last weekend. Had to rise early to pack on Friday so we could rush straight off from work at mid-day to make it to London for a 4 o'clock meeting with ******, a growing telecoms company we are courting as a potential partner for our own newborn company. Meeting went so-so. We are convinced there is real synergy and we can provide a truly good value service to them in return for their sponsorship. I have to admit our pitch was perhaps a little untidy as a result of our slightly addled state. It is incredibly hard running a start-up company whilst still holding down full-time professional roles. I will be so glad when I finally quit and have all my time to devote to d2t. Only 60 working days left. To add to our general air of frenzy, we are only ten days away from embarking on our biggest tour yet. We are obviously at panic stations because we've started making lists of stuff that has to be done before we fly out of LHR T5 on 29th.
The second meeting, with Sales Manager at The Churchill was more convivial. Having run the LondonDo once, it is much simpler to re-run it with just a few tweaks. Draft contract was received. Another job to complete before next Thursday. Third meeting pooped. Our contact with **** had to go out of town on other business, so my partner has telephone appointment for 21st. Fingers crossed. It was nice to have the time to relax with a glass or three of champagne before flopping at the end of a twelve hour day.
Saturday was busy but in a more fun way. Strange stuff we get up to. Laser hair-removal appointments, then I took myself off to Gentlemen's Tonic in Bruton Place for a pedicure and manicure. My wife booked it for me as a surprise. She obviously thinks I need to destress. It worked. I have to say to any guys out there who still feel too embarrassed by mixed sex spas, GT is a perfect haven and absolutely discreet. They have a fantastic team of therapists.
Then round to Avery Row and a visit to the tailor Roderick Charles to be measured for a business suit. Funny how, as a psychiatrist I have been content to wear any old thing but as an entrepreneur I want to make an impression. Is it because a doctor has status so doesn't have to try whereas a budding business needs to dress up in status? Or just a question of what I feel invested in?
Back to The Churchill again to be spoilt rotten by all our favourite lounge staff on the 8th floor. If you take the time and trouble to talk to people you discover an amazing range of talents and characters of such determination to succeed. The hospitality industry provides a vehicle to real achievement for people from any background. A bottle or two of Champagne may have passed in a bit of a blur over the next two hours.
Perfect set of footie results this Saturday really rounded off the day. Arsenal trounced the Spurs (ha-ha eat my shorts AVB) United came unstuck at lowly Norwich, Chelsea flopped at West Brom and CITEH absolutely murdered Villa with the help of an extremely dodgy linesman's call of handball. Still, we've had so many go against us this term it was about time.
Room-service breakfast on Sunday. I am absolutely in awe of the Churchill's ability to deliver soft poached eggs to our room bang on the specified time. I can't manage that at home cooking for just the two of us. RESPECT. Easy drive home via the dreaded M4 which was behaving itself for once. then back to the Humdrum this morning. Ridiculous day today with too many emergencies to get any back-log paperwork done. Hey-ho. One less day left.