It’s Saturday morning and the start to an exciting week. There seems to be activity in most corners of my life right now — great for keeping me busy, not so great for keeping me well rested.

Got up very early this morning to get the Corvette shipped off to the repair shop, and crossing my fingers that it’s nothing terribly serious or expensive. My experience tells me that when something works perfectly one minute, then not-at-all the next minute, the damage is generally not too bad — usually down to the failure of a single component. I’m hoping it’s the electronic ignition unit — spares go on eBay for about $100 each.

In other news, SAIC board of directors have finally approved their IPO. Initially rumoured to take place on Friday, 13 October, it now looks like they’ve brought the date forward to the 12th to avoid superstition. Business Week have covered the IPO in this week’s edition, saying:

SAIC
This is the biggest and best-known name in the bunch. With revenues of almost $7.8 billion for the year ended Jan. 31, SAIC is not your typical IPO. The San Diego–based outfit offers an array of engineering, scientific, and logistic products and services, primarily to the U.S. Government. With product groups including transport and software, its clients include the Defense Dept. and other agencies. Led by Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns (BSC), the company expects shares to price between $13 and $15.

Because the company is already well established, InvestorOffering’s Taulli sees the company as more of a long-term play than a chance for quick cash. Despite the headlines that accompany big debuts, he doesn’t see a “barn burner.” So investors shouldn’t fret if they can’t get in on day 1. “These types of businesses will be needed for a long time.”

Work is really busy as well. After completing the last of my induction courses (thank goodness — I’ve never had so much training in my life!) I was worried that I wouldn’t have anything to do. I needn’t have worried — I’ve ended up working on two bids with key clients, both of which have high win probabilities. It’s a great way to start a new role at a new company!

Just to round it all off, it’s an absolutely beautiful autumn day here today — sunny and crisp. I’m not normally a fan of 7am starts on a Saturday, but today I don’t mind.

I had some time to kill in the evening before dinner, so I took the opportunity to take a couple of photos of the area around my office. Many of the buildings here are part of the Norman Foster-designed More London complex. Here is the official website.

A view of Tower Bridge and London’s City Hall at sunset

The Ernst & Young headquarters building on More London Place

Ernst & Young headquarters building, as seen from the embankment

London’s City Hall

The Tower of London, as seen from the South Bank

Buildings on More London Place

Buildings on More London Place

Tower Bridge at sunset

As part of the launch campaign for the new Hilton hotel, they’ve parked their F1 car outside my office. That’s all I know about it, but it was an excuse to post a picture of an F1 car on my blog. If you’re really interested, you can read more about the Hilton racing team.

Hilton McLaren Mercedes F1 car

I’ve got a training course tomorrow morning that they’ve insisted on starting at 8:30am, which is too early for the first train. It’s a mixed blessing, though — it means I can grab a drink with Jerome tonight, and it means that I get a chance to stay in the brand new Hilton next to my office which just opened this week.

My first impressions are that it’s a great property — very well located, with a modern interior style that feels a little like a ‘W’ without the pretention. If you’ve ever stayed at the Hilton Trafalgar, you’d feel right at home here. They’re very much cut from the same cloth, and I think that my sentiment is shifting: I think that Hilton have created a better “mass boutique” hotel than Starwood.

The Hilton opens onto both Tooley Street and More London Place. This is the Tooley Street entrance.

The More London Place entrance

My room on the 8th floor

Main lobby and bar area

More private lounge area off the main lounge

I think the hotel looks great inside — they’ve got the decor just right, and it feels modern without feeling overdesigned. But then I would say that — apparently, I’m one of a whole generation that spends too much time in hotels, therefore idealising the principles of design and recreating them at home. The Invasion of the Suites maintains that relentless business travel has turned hotel chic into an ideal, says The Times.

Winter is finally upon us. The days are growing shorter and shorter – for the past few weeks it’s been dark when I wake up; now it’s still dark when I leave the house. We’re still enjoying the tail end of an Indian summer, though, so at least the cold, wet, miserable weather that normally accompanies this time of year hasn’t arrived yet. And it means that I get to enjoy some spectacular sunrises over misty fields from the train (which I’d photograph, but the camera on my phone just wouldn’t do them justice).

In other news, things continue to be busy at work – but it feels a little bit like I’m spinning my wheels. At every one of my previous companies, people were crying out for more training. As I embark on my third residential induction course in as many weeks, I can confirm that you can have too much of a good thing. Aude’s away in Amsterdam for a few days on business, so at least I don’t feel too bad about being away for the night. The cats, I’m sure, will manage without me.

It gives me an excuse to go out for a couple of beers with Aude’s brother, Jerome, provided they let him out of the office before they call last orders at the bar. And it gives me a chance to try out the brand new Hilton hotel right next door to our office – not exciting to your average man, but exciting to me. It’s amazing I ever find a date.

I’ve brought my camera up to London, and am hoping to go take a few pictures tonight if the weather remains good. Check back here for the results in a day or two…