Date: 2008-03-02.
Tags: cranes, london, ninjas, noobs, rooftops, sidewinder, uk
The suspicious group wandered off and jumped the fence into the site at the exact spot I'd noticed on my quick recce. This turned out to be the access point Zero had previously used. Zero and friend arrived, we popped in and started up the 25 levels. Southwark is only 100m tall, a baby compared to Riparian (200m) or Aurora (207m) but on a clear night such as this the London view is great. London is mainly low set so the lack of altitude isn't a big issue. Clearly visible from Southwark are London landmarks such as St Pauls, Tower Bridge and the Millennium Dome. We ran into the nooblets up top, shared a few words then hit the more photogenic side of the building.
Bored of generic skyline shots we took to launching paper planes from the top roof and making collages of PWC stickynotes. As we jumped from the site's perimeter we startled a drunk suit. He stumbled back aghast then got really curious about our activities. I glanced back to see the suit on the verge of climbing in himself. I have a suspicion there was a camera in the briefcase and a torch in his pocket. Professionally attired explorers I declare, this shall be the future.
Explorers are an easy make.
Kicking back at the bus station waiting for Zero and Random Friend to arrive I picked a few people from the crowd. Unless you're packing specific cred, or like Wizard of Cave clan exploring in penny loafers and button ups, these things might give you away:
- Dirty and drab clothes but no workboots.
- Running shoes are suspicious on someone not attired for the gym or obviously coming to/from work. Graff writers are terrible for this.
- Camera bags, or backpacks obviously not full of textbooks. Textbooks have a high density and uniform shape.
- Tripod poking out of or strapped to the outside of a bag. Since so many explorers are also photogs now this is the biggest hint. Be discreet get a tripod that fits inside your damn bag.
- Nerd holsters on your belt. Only cops, seccas and over dressed splorers have maglite rings.
- Dirty backpack. Definitely an explorer if it's a BD Sidewinder.
- Shopping bag full of Red Bull, or more commonly Relentless cos splorers are poor bastards.
- Bring your own Lonely Chair strapped to your bag.
The suspicious group wandered off and jumped the fence into the site at the exact spot I'd noticed on my quick recce. This turned out to be the access point Zero had previously used. Zero and friend arrived, we popped in and started up the 25 levels. Southwark is only 100m tall, a baby compared to Riparian (200m) or Aurora (207m) but on a clear night such as this the London view is great. London is mainly low set so the lack of altitude isn't a big issue. Clearly visible from Southwark are London landmarks such as St Pauls, Tower Bridge and the Millennium Dome. We ran into the nooblets up top, shared a few words then hit the more photogenic side of the building.
Bored of generic skyline shots we took to launching paper planes from the top roof and making collages of PWC stickynotes. As we jumped from the site's perimeter we startled a drunk suit. He stumbled back aghast then got really curious about our activities. I glanced back to see the suit on the verge of climbing in himself. I have a suspicion there was a camera in the briefcase and a torch in his pocket. Professionally attired explorers I declare, this shall be the future.
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15 Comment(s)
I draw laces on my gumboots in chalk, so they don't clash with the suit.
Haha, I've been thinking of painting my waders up to look like fishnets, or perhaps two-tone them mobster style. Nothing says don't bother me like steel studded waders with that sewerfresh sheen.
The future is now,
even if your suit is from savers,
it's quite exciting wearing the whole get up, tie and all,
shame Bond to tears.
Excellent! London's skyline is still my favourite, although I'm yet to sample the delights of Australia and the US.
"Professionally attired explorers I declare, this shall be the future."
It has it's uses! When I did the Hilton in Manchester, I wore my best suit and shoes, and had my camera and tripod disassembled in a laptop case. And in fact, whenever I go anywhere for work, my 'dirty backpack' gets thrown in the boot (trunk). Who said we shouldn't mix business and pleasure?
s/discrete/discreet/
You're a perl nerd? What else shares the syntax?
fuck perl, slashes go right back to ed in the sixties!
...and now we see the consequences of dsankt giving xkcd the thumbs up.
Ahhh, the perils of living of living in a society gripped by fear, but on the up side, your weekly 'white wash' will be a lot more efficient.
Ah lovely to see the day as night and people in flight
Noobs, suits, it sounds like rush hour in the UE world. I'm going to take up bonsai gardening no one's doing that except 47 very old Japanese gentlemen who are looking for recruits. This may be my chance. I could wear a Brooks Bros suit, b/d light blue oxford cloth shirt and a club tie all finished of with wing tips!
That's what I like about you jannx - always happy to push the boundaries and redefine the culture. Get your power level high enough and I bet you can bonsai entire buildings. Brooks brothers eh, fancy pants!
Finally my awesome fashion styles get the recognition they deserve! One day explorers across the world will be climbing cranes, crawling through drains, and emerging from tunnels, all looking like they just stepped out of the office.
I can't wait to see Dsankt in his sunday best ;)
Does your Manfrotto find inside your BD Sidewinder? :)
The 190 probably does, the 055 certainly doesn't, but that's irrelevant given my current pod is neither. It fits just fine ;)