London Underground as it now is

These are the signs in the Underground stations that normally keep us updated with Travel info, delays and such.

Do I look foreign?

Persnickety

Thats twice in one year that I've heard that word, its a weird one, so I looked it up. Persnickety: a) fussy about small details , b) having the characteristics of a snob, c) requiring great precision.

If youve heard of James Blunt, I'm sure you heard the word in one of his songs, and the other place where I heard it is at www.imdb.com (one of my favourite sites) in a review for the new John Cusack film 'Must Love Dogs', the review reads as follows: 'Meddling family members of a persnickety teacher (Diane Lane) enter her into several online dating programs for a change of pace.' (www.imdb.com, 2005).

What a stupid word! it just doesnt sound right, the word itself sounds like something a snobbish child would say. I'm sure there are better alternatives.

Is there a word for what I have?

Ever since the day I bought my first DVD I have been unable to stop myself from spending thousands more on those little plastic discs that make for the best escapism ever. To be prefectly honest I cant really remember what my first DVD was, I know Blow was one of my first, and still one of my favourite. I think maybe Carrie 1, I dont know.

Back home I already used to spend every spare cent I had on DVD's, but since being in London I'm even spending every spare cent I dont have. This of course is thanks to the world of online shopping, oh the joys of amazon and play.com! Click... click... click, and there! "Good Cop, Bad Cop" quite possibly one of the worst movies ever made now on its way to me. Why? because I think its the first time I got to see Pamela Andersons really big 'eyes', and I think thats reason enough for it to join my collection.

But a favourite of my most recent buys has to be 'Birdy' I had never seen it before, and had only vaguely heard of it, but the cover (not the same as the website's one) made it look like it was a good movie, so I suppose that saying 'dont judge a book by it cover' cant apply to DVD's. You know what I mean? Some movie posters just let you know that the film is going to be good, and others look so rubbish that you know its going to be a waste of time. I know it definately doesnt apply to all films though, but generally I like to think that the covers are a good way to judge a film.

Borrom line, it's a really good film, one of those semi-inspirational films, not quite sure what it inspires, maybe its just about life, but either way I recomend everyone who hasnt seen it go rent or buy it this weekend.

Only seconds

Last night I met up with an old friend of mine, I havent seen Mario in about 2 years now, he's been in England longer than me but doesnt work in London so we havent had a chance to meet up. Its strange how after about 10 seconds it feels like you saw the person yesterday. Of course theres a lot to talk about and catch up on, but it no longer feels like its been years since youve seen that person.

Spielberg

I dont quite know how to put this without making people think that I dont like the man. I think he's a brilliant director/producer, but hes not among my favourite, I cant even remember if I thought Jaws was good or not, its one of the most celebrated movies ever, but I cant remember it, I suppose that is expected though, cause I dont have the best memory in the world.

The only Spielberg movie that I really enjoyed and still love to this day is Jurassic Park, I think its one of his best. I can still remember my parents taking me to the cinema when I was about 10 years old. The rest of his movies have been entertaining but no more than average to me, but Indiana Jones? what a load of nonsense.

After a couple of beers (South African) last night, I went home and the first thing I did? Pop Last of the Mohicans in the DVD player and skip to all my favourite scenes, I love that movie, I borrowed it to a friend and it was only returned yesterday, I think thats a film I could watch almost every day, that and Cold Mountain.

A taste of home

Make Poverty History

In case you're wodering what that banner is in the top corner of this page, its a link to the 'make poverty history' webpage. Dont get me wrong, I'm no hippie charity anarchist freak, I just think what they stand for is really admirable, although I dont believe for one second that what they do makes any difference. Its a shame really, cause what they stand for is really honourable, but naive, you cant fix a country by throwing money at it, and thats what every charity does. The money doesnt get to the people that need it, instead it fills the pockets of the corrupt African leaders that run their own countries into the ground. But that doesnt stop the pleas for billions more money to be thrown at the continent, I think its become trendy for 1st world countries to do that, you know, its the latest in-thing, just like the flavour of the month, look like you care.

My solution? let them ruin the continent, let them destroy it so bad that things have to start from the very begnining again, build things up from nothing, that way there is nothing to change, just a new way of doing things to be implemented from the beginning. Africa has been this way forever, or at least until the colonial invasion etc etc.

'A murderous dictator, his rapper son and a $700m-a-year oil boom. The grounding of a mystery plane, allegedly carrying mercenaries, has focused attention on the West African state of Equatorial Guinea and itsdespotic leader.' (Random internet news site, July 2005)
Stories like these are not uncommon in Africa, but yet nobody does anything about it. The 'rapper son' of the president of above mentioneed country, recently went on a spending trip to South Africa, where he bought the latest Lamborghini Murcielago and a few other sports cars. So how is that supposed to help alleviate poverty? When your own leaders dont care about you why should anyone else? I love Africa, its my continent, and even Thabo Mbeki, the president of my country cant do much to help the situation, hes the leader of the African Union, an institute that was set up to help unite Africa, to get the countries to help each other out. I remember a time when a policy called NEPAD was something that got people talking, a buzzword, but one with potential, it gave hope, made people believe that change was possible, but I havent heard that word in absolute ages now, I think its been forgotten, and life goes on.

Well thats my politics rant for now.

Donnie Darko

Its one of my favourite movies, I'm still not sure why but I've seen it way too many times for it not to be. I think its Jake Gylenhalls best preformance, hes just such an oddball in that film. Anyways, Stella Artois (a horrible beer, gives me a headache the next morning) is having this film promotion thingy, and theyre showing Donnie Darko in Kensington gardens, along with a sypmhony performing the score before the film, sounds good, but I've seen the film so many times, do I go watch it again?I suppose so, how often am I going ot get to watch it on a massive screen outdoors in London? And at only £5, I cant really not go, so I guess Saturday 6th August I'll be at kensignton Gardens drinking horrible beer and wathcing a a really good film. Is there anyone out there who didnt enjoy this film?

More Terrorism

This morning a suspected suicide bomber was shot dead at Stockwell tube station by a numer of unarmed policemen.

"Police have been given orders to shoot to kill if they believe someone is about to detonate a bomb." (sky News)
- thats not the kind of news I like reading, especially when its on your doorstep.

I'm not going to go into detail about this cause I've got a feeling its going to be an ongoing thing, like the IRA bombings of decades past. For more updates check www.bbc.co.uk or http://www.sky.com/skynews/home

Before my time

While I was looking for that poem yesterday I stumbled upon some poems by a man named Spike Milligan, his name sounded familiar but I had no idea who he is. Upon further research, I found out that he is one of the funniest poets to ever walk this earth (he did alot more than just write poetry though)

Bump

Things that go 'bump' in the night
Should not really give one a fright.
It's the hole in each ear
That lets in the fear,
That, and the absence of light!

Spike Milligan

Nameless

It is every little girl's dream
to beThe fairy on a Christmas tree.
A wand in her hand,
A smile on her face.
And a tree in a most peculiar place.

Spike Milligan

I won

For the past year I've been doing temp work which I got through the first employment agency that actually took time to look at my CV. They placed me in a pretty big HR firm, and I've been there ever since.

Every now and then they have drinks evenings to 'show their apreciation' towards the temps that have worked 'so hard' during the year. I think its more of a 'here's free beer, stop complaining' which unsurprisingly works quite well with us.

Its always nice to meet other temps that are doing pretty much the same thing as you, so anyways they always have a 'temp of the year' thing, which is really more of a temp of the half year as they have these things about every 6 months. I was nominated the first time, but some girl won, last night I completely forgot about this until one of the guys that I work asked if I had been nominated again? Nobody at work had said anything so I assumed I hadnt.

When they started reading out the names (4 of them) I heard mine mentioned third, quite funny I thought, but I had to win this time, I mean come on, lose twice in a row? I guess they felt sorry for me, so I won this time, :P

On a side note: There are more bombs in London apparently, but no confirmed reports yet, Im at work, so Im fine.

I found it!

This was really frustrating me yesterday, I searched the net completely, I knew this poem was by Simon Armitage but for some reason couldnt find it, anyways I remembered I had it in a book back home, so here it is:

The Fox
By Simon Armitage

Standing its ground on the hill, as if it could hide
in its own stars, low down in the west of the sky.
I could hit it from here with a stone, put the torch
in the far back of its eye. It’s that close.

The next night, the dustbin sacked, the bin-bag
quartered for dog meat, biscuit and bone.
The night after that, six magpies lifting
from fox fur, smeared up ahead on the road

(1996)

He's a Victim!

By now anyone who takes even the least interest in celebrity news/gossip (which I hate) has by now heard that Jude Law has had an affair with his childrens nanny behind his fiance's back.

He's a Victim! He's the victim here! That ***** of a woman knew exactly what she was doing, she wanted her 2 seconds of fame and celebrity status, well she got it, now its over, and the marriage that Sienna Miller so looked forward to is now pretty much part of her non existant future with Jude.

He's a nice guy, hasnt anyone seen closer? How about Cold Mountain? He's the nice guy here, but hes become the victim of coutless celeb nannies that have a one tracked mind. My solution to the problem? 1. Hire gravel donkey's (as my brother would say) or old grannies, why hire the pretty blonde? Is she supposed to be one of the accessories to go with their flashy celeb lifestyle?

(to avoid being called a sexist pig, please not that most of the above is just nonsense :)

Evil Eyes

Foxes in my Backyard

Useless Internet!

Why cant it understand what I'm thinkin? Why cant it siphon through my random thoughts on this poem and find what I'm looking for? I've been looking for almost half an hour for this one specific poem that I have back home but wanted to blog this morning and cant find it on the net, oh well, guess I'll have to do it tomorrow.

So I wake up this morning, and in my 'really awake' morning state, I see a rather large 'cat' walking on my wall/fence through the slits in my blinds. Cat? wake up!, its a fox, ooo... cool. So I grab my camera and take a couple of photos, everyone always talks about foxes in their backyards but this is the first time I've seen any.

I never realised what scary eyes they have, its pretty freaky, they look evil, you know how people say the eyes are the windows to your soul? well if thats true, theres a dark twisted fire burning inside a fox, when I moved the blinds to get my camera out tis eyes fixed on mine, didnt look like there were any pupils, just this pair of glowing, but at the same time dark, amber eyes, I was waiting for this thing to do some supernatural jump or run up my wall and tear eyes out, but guess what? it didnt.

Then after the thing freaked me out, it gets all playful with its friend. It was an awesome thing to see (this coming from a guy who's been on countless game/safari trips and seen everything from lions and cheetah to elephant and rhino).

Why was Jools Late?

Yesterday was celeb-chef Jamie Olivers unveiling of the latest addition to Madame Tussauds wax museum: a talking model of the chef himself. His wife Jools was to meet him for the unveiling, but because of the very efficient security gaurds, she was slightly late.

Security gaurds in this country are mostly foreigners, of which a large amount are South African, all my housemates are security gaurds, one of them is currently working at Madame Tussauds, and yesterday had the pleasure of escorting Jools to Jamie, but while on their very short trip managed to get lost, not to Jools amusement... ha ha ha.

Anyways they got their in the end after much 'Kom in Radio 2, waar die v** is ek? Help asseblief!' ha ha

Culture Clash

Things like this make me see red, they shouldnt, because really it has absolutely no significance to my life, but its the principle that gets me. A few months ago I wrote about a girl in London that wanted to wear her traditional dress to the public school she was attending. If she wanted to do that then she should have gone to a traditional school of her religion. Not try and force her cultural beliefs on a school that has a set dress code which she was fully aware of when applying to that school.

I have now read on a South African News site that there is a 15 year old girl in the Natal province that wants to wear a nose ring to school. This she says is her cultural right, she claims her cultural identity was discriminated against by being told to remove it. Right now I would llike to use words that some would say show what a limited vocab I have, but there really arent any other words to express my anger towards this person.

'Her mother, Navi Pillay, said nose-piercing was a 400-year-old Hindu tradition and was time-honoured in their family.' well thats fine, but then go do it in your own schools, not a public school wear all students are required to abide by the same rules and regulations as well as dre code, you cant make exceptions for some.

But as far as this has gone, there is still at least one governmental official that has a bit of sense,
'Pillay said an official from the KwaZulu-Natal education department had said Sunali should attend a Hindu school if she wanted to wear a nose stud.'

Regardless the girl will get her way, and the schools authority will be undermined, a place where children learn about obedience and discipline, what does this say to them?. Society preaches about tolerance, but how long until a time when there will be too much tolerance?

The Spitz @ Liverpool Str

Paying to answer natures call!

I'm not sure if its the water they use in the UK to brew the beer, or if there is some foreign ingredient in the beer over here, or if its just the beer itself, but since I landed in the UK my urgency to answer natures call after a few pints has become alot more desperate. Maybe its because I choose not to go in the pub for fear of missing a round (no thats not the case) or maybe its just pure laziness on my part for not wanting to get off that chair, walk a few feet and pee against the nearest porcelain piece of artwork (as in Duchamp's "Fountain"http://www.hughpearman.com/articles/tatemodern.htm).

Yesterday was a onther fine example of what english beer does to me (other than make me drunk of course), or in this case beer from Amsterdam. After leaving the pub I suddenly get that call "Hi this is nature I need you to 'go'... right now", why not call 5 minutes earlier?

So anyways, the area I'm in is Liverpool street, and on my way to the pub I noticed a road block of some sort, with about 10 policemen and women patrolling the area, so 'going' in this area is not gonna happen (not like I go in public anyways).

A brisk walk later and I'm at Liverpool station, one of the bigger stations in London and recently affected by the Terrorist attack, so police presence is pretty heavy. I get to the Public toilets only to see a turnstial entrance with a little coin slot next to each one! 2op to take a leak? You must be joking, so I manage to get 20p from a friend, cause I've spent every last penny on beer. Now I've got the money, but guess what? The slot doesnt take 5p coins, so without delay I wave to the cameras and jump or in my case just walk over the turnstial, answer that call that has been ringing for some time now (with much relief) and casually walk back out, of course by now I'm expecting to be surrounded by Scotland yard's finest, but nobody was there. The funniest part? my housemate that was with me was too short to walk over the turnstials and couldnt crawl under them either, so he had to hold until we got home.

I cant believe someone actually thought of charging to pee! What a cheek.

Happy Birthday Madiba

Happy Birthday to my former president, and one of the greatest men to ever walk this earth. If every one could be like him, this world would be a near perfect place.

It is Nelson Mandela's 87th birthday and I'm afraid that its still not enough, if only he were released from prison a few years earlier, SA would be a much better place right now, although what we have now is still far better than the Apartheid days.

The Wedding Crashers

Its Brilliant! One of the funniest movies I've seen in ages, I would definately rate it in my top 5 funny movies of all time, yeah sure, its tasteless, slapstick, guy humour, but its done so well. There are very few laugh a minute Movies out there, this is one of them.

I would recommend it to anyone and everyone as long as you're older than 13. :)

Ronald playing on the Thames

My favourite Beer!

Tainted Love

You have to love that song! Of course I mean the one by Marilyn Manson, not the original by Softcell or the many other covers. Manson has by far done the best version. Its playing on the radio at the moment, and its been almost a year since I last heard it.

On my way to work this morning, I was walking past a park that I pass every day, but this morning there were landcapers mowing the lawn, I love that fresh cut grass smell, I have yet to meet someone who does'nt. I'm not sure what it is, but its one of the most immediately identifiable smells around.

I watched Mr & Mrs Smith last night, pleasantly surprising, actually it was exactly what I expected with a bit more. It's nothing more than a popcorn movie, and sometimes all you need is a good 90 minutes of trash. Over the top explosions, glammed up guns that dont exist, and that minor cut on the cheek with a slight bit of blood after an explosion that would normally put you in about 40 different places at the same time. Watchable, but I wouldnt buy the DVD.

Terrorism in London

It was pointed out to me that there have been more recent terrrorist activity in London since the 1970's, perhaps what I was trying to say is that this is by far the worst since the 1970 IRA bombings. I stopped thinking of IRA activity as terrorism a long time ago, I see them more as a group of people (a nation) struggling for their independance. In no way do I condone such violent activity, but I understand their struggle. I have included a list below of what I could find on the net, these are among the bigger terrorist activities in London during the 90's:

'The images are much too familiar: Sirens blaring on vehichles racing down streets; people moving around in chaos, some bleeding, most crying, all with a look of astonishment. This time it is London, the worst attack there since World War II.'
- http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-londonblasts0707,0,6326047.column?coll=all-newslocal-hed

1992: IRA Bomb Financial district in London, 3 killed

1993: Natwest Tower Bombing; On April 24, 1993, the Provisional IRA exploded a large truck bomb in the Bishopsgate area of the City of London. The bomb extensively damaged the NatWest Tower and many other buildings in the vicinity, causing over £1 billion worth of damage. 1 Person killed, 44 injured.

1994: July 26: Israeli Embassy Attack in London and a Jewish charity are car-bombed. Attributed by Britain, Argentina, and Israel to Hezbollah. 20 Wounded, no deaths

1996: January: Provisional Irish Republican Army plants a bomb that police defuse at the Canary Wharf towers in London. No injuries, no deaths

1996: February 9: IRA bombs the South Quay DLR station, 2 people killed, many injured

1999: April: David Copeland's nail bomb attacks against ethnic minorities and gays in Soho London, 3 people killed & over 160 injured.

For a full list of terrorist activity in London please see this sight, as you will soon pick up, about 98% of terrorism in the UK is attributed to the IRA. http://www.nivets.co.uk/chron/mainland.htm

London afterwards

By now everyone has heard what happened in London yesterday, terrorism came to London, after more than 30 years, terrorism is back. The IRA bombings were the last terrorist attacks in London, which occured during the 70's, 30 years of relative peace, and now terrorism strikes again.

My biggest problem is that its not just a single isolated event, terrorism as is now so often said, a faceless enemy. There are no warnings, its a senseless act, no one claims responsobility, no one knows why it was done. Are there any answers to 9/11 yet? why did that happen? any official answers?

Its the uncertainty that hits people the most. At least its over, terrorism in the 21st century doesnt seem to have second waves, 9/11, the madrid bombings during the G8 last year, Bali before that, they were all single attacks. If anything that is the only comfort that one can get from these terrible events, and even that isnt really comforting.

The underground is back up and running (in most areas), everyones still a little tense, this morning for instance on my way into work, the train jerked/stalled at one point, like it always does, but this morning it gets everyones full attention, eyes are taken off newspapers, the sleepers wake, the daydreamers eyes widen, and 2 seconds later people know that its nothing more than a slight jerk, everyones eyes drop again, relieved.

From the BBC website

Literally doing the walkabout

If youve been to London and are from the southern hemisphere you are almost sure to have heard of the 'walkabout', a rather infamous australian chain of 'pubs'. I dont know of another pub/ bar environment where people have more fun. Drunken fun to be honest because there is little other reason why people flock to the walkabout. They may say 'Oh the rugby is on' or 'its the last test of the series', and yes there are always sporting events on the big screens, but its not the sport that gets the most attention.

If youve been to the walkabout there is no doubt that you will have either seen, or drunk a Snakebite, which is half fosters, half stronbow cider, and a dash on cranberry cordial...absolutely horrible!

So anyways, being the film geek that I am, I went to St Pauls to photograph a Park that was used for one of the most significant scenes in the movie. I get to Postmans Park, take my photo, and head back to Temples to meet dayne and the rest of the gang for one or two beers. I get there, take out my camera to show dayne my photo, and I dont see my 512mb sony memory stick that was in my pouch, that sinking feeling sets in, I dropped it in the park! The reason I didnt hear it fall? I was listening to my MD. A £75 memory stick gone, and the park is a fair distance from the pub, but after half a pint I decide that I'd be foolish no to at least try and find it, so I head back, running, jogging, speed walking in the desperate hope that the photo I took will not be the most expensive photo I've ever taken.

I get to the park, and guess what? I'ts still there, laying on the floor, directly beneath where I was standing, the relief! So I head back to the pub but this time use the underground cause I'm really not that fit. It still involves loads of walking. So i get back to the pub, loads of beer later and is well.

Wake up this morning, with a rather unpleasant hangover (not that hangovers are ever pleasant) and seriously aching legs. I drag myself out of bed, shower (feel slightly better now) and head to work, a few hours later and I start hearing reports of what all of you have by now heard. London is being attacked by terrorists. At first it was said to be power surges, but that many in such a short time? I dont think so. There are a number of reports, but it looks like 7 underground stations, and 3 busses have been attacked/bombed. Luckily not that many fatalaties, but loads of serious injuries. Please pray for these people and their families.

This has really brought London to a standstill, the transport system has been crippled, and there is definately alot of unease in the air, I say 'unease' because thankfully it isnt as bad as it could have been. There isnt any panic, or fear going around just concern about whats happening, and slight comfort that its over.

My only discomfort? I'm a million miles from home, and its not that that bothers me, its the fact that I cant comfort those that worry about me, I know I'm alright, but because they cant see me, they dont.

If this kind of thing is going to happen, then I suppose its better in London, no one is more prepared than this city. Emergency services were put into action immediately, and stability/calm acheived.

Alice Ayres

Almost the most expensive photo I've ever taken

6 Aftershocks and a Sours

Walkabout @ Temples

Sweet Child of Mine

Its Playing! One of my favourite Songs, Ive had to listen to Magic FM for 9 months now, but bow I hjave Virgin FM!

The magic has died!

Every country has one, that radio station that has a set play list of the most depressing, boring, and annoying ‘oldies’ with the occasional hit that they quickly kill, London has ‘Magic FM’. Today was a glorious day, after almost a year of having to listen to this in the office because my supervisor likes it, we no can no longer tune in to the station, someone broke the antenna and now we can pick up every station except that one, how weird is that? I now get too listen to Oasis, Offspring, Foo Fighters, Green Day and loads more alternative music for a change, happy days!

Uncomfortablely close

War of the Worlds

It scared me. I cant think of any movie other than the exorcist that freaked me out, yeah some movies give you a fright, theres a formula to that so once you know the formula its almost impossible to get a fright from a film. Other than that, movies dont scare me, WOTW did, its just way too damn freaky! A good watch, but still freaky, it makes you feel fear that Tom does, and thats not a good thing.

Buddies at the Tower of London