Why is it every time I meet up with my friends, instead of talking handbags, shoes, reality shows or nostalgic childhood memories - our conversations always turn into drunken remnants.
Is it possible to get nostalgic over nights out on the lash and humouring your friends with highly embarrassing stories that quite frankly, you just shouldn't be repeating? I'm wondering if I should be getting worried about the level of social skills that I have gained and whether this is the norm?
I'm often getting told that I drink too much and should find other ways of spending my social life - and whilst I do highly agree with them, I just don't seem to have the will power to carry it through. I might look into different activities to do - bowling, art galleries, museums, dinner - but whenever I suggest these things more often than not at the last minute someone will say they can't be bothered and can we just go for a drink somewhere instead? Which inadvertently turns into an all nighter with drunken screeches, struggling to stand upright, embarrassing fellow passengers on the train home by commenting on their dodgy outfits (I'm sorry, but who in their right mind would choose to wear a Michael Jackson get up on a night out, bright red jackets and rind stone gloves are really not cool.....) and waking up on random sofas the following morning without a clue as to how you got there.
I'm always telling people that if you can't laugh at yourself then who can you laugh at? It's only a bit of fun at the end of the day, but is it time yet to worry about whether or not I am becoming an alcoholic? Nah, I reckon I've got a few more years left in me yet.....
Monday 29 November 2010
Friday 26 November 2010
Why Do Buildings Have Such Silly Names...
Have just found this article on the BBC News website and thought it was worth a chuckle:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11838167
If someone came up to you and mentioned the words Gherkin, Cucumber, Shard or Cheese Grater you'd think they would be talking about a dodgy party back in the 70's - but you would be mistaken, as these are the oh so clever 'nicknames' that cast a shadow across our skylines.
When I saw this report I thought 'hmm, maybe there is some deep meaningful purpose to these so called nicknames...' and thought I would take a quick peek to broaden my enlightenment into the British world of Architecture. In actual fact, I can't say I really gained anything from this article other than the fact that British designers seem to have a rather dry sense of humour.
I'm sure the average John Doe could come up with something more imaginative than the Cheese Grater or the Gherkin - lord knows I've heard much more cruder references down the local on a Saturday night! But I guess you do have to laugh at the absurdity of it.
Only in Blighty could you design a building, then give it a really dodgy nickname just for the mere sake of outdoing your fellow rivals. I take it they've never heard of a bit of friendly rivalry over a game of Poker......
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11838167
If someone came up to you and mentioned the words Gherkin, Cucumber, Shard or Cheese Grater you'd think they would be talking about a dodgy party back in the 70's - but you would be mistaken, as these are the oh so clever 'nicknames' that cast a shadow across our skylines.
When I saw this report I thought 'hmm, maybe there is some deep meaningful purpose to these so called nicknames...' and thought I would take a quick peek to broaden my enlightenment into the British world of Architecture. In actual fact, I can't say I really gained anything from this article other than the fact that British designers seem to have a rather dry sense of humour.
I'm sure the average John Doe could come up with something more imaginative than the Cheese Grater or the Gherkin - lord knows I've heard much more cruder references down the local on a Saturday night! But I guess you do have to laugh at the absurdity of it.
Only in Blighty could you design a building, then give it a really dodgy nickname just for the mere sake of outdoing your fellow rivals. I take it they've never heard of a bit of friendly rivalry over a game of Poker......
Thursday 25 November 2010
Snow Is Falling........
The snow has arrived - up north have already received their first snow shower and according to the met office it will be reaching the south anytime from the beginning of next week - great! To make matters even better, we are being told that it will last for two weeks - two whole weeks of freezing our nads off, slipping, sliding and generally just trying not to make a prat of ourselves whilst penguin-style walking down the street.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11836547
How idyllic it looks in photos and on postcards - pure white snow that crunches under foot, making even the most grimmest of towns seem festive and magical. In reality (especially for Londoners) the snow stays white for all of an hour maybe, before it turns to slush that semi-freezes and turns to a deadly sheet of battle-ship grey ice that only the bravest of the brave can tackle in an upright position.
As if that isn't bad enough, councils are saying that they are going to be cutting back on gritting to try and save money. So, in a nut shell having a few extra pennies in your purse is better than the health and well being of your fellow humans. Are councils really going to take on the burden of increased traffic accidents, hospitals groaning from an increased number of broken limbs and a much higher percentage of broken lamp columns, bollards etc - just so they can skimp on the grit?
Hmmm... I hope all those Tory lovers out there are taking note of this. The government they elected have stripped the budget so close to thread-bare, that once again the public are the ones who are going to be bearing the brunt of this ridiculous outcome.
Surely you could skip the trimmings and port this year David to ensure the health and safety of those out battling the treacherous streets in the next few weeks....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11836547
How idyllic it looks in photos and on postcards - pure white snow that crunches under foot, making even the most grimmest of towns seem festive and magical. In reality (especially for Londoners) the snow stays white for all of an hour maybe, before it turns to slush that semi-freezes and turns to a deadly sheet of battle-ship grey ice that only the bravest of the brave can tackle in an upright position.
As if that isn't bad enough, councils are saying that they are going to be cutting back on gritting to try and save money. So, in a nut shell having a few extra pennies in your purse is better than the health and well being of your fellow humans. Are councils really going to take on the burden of increased traffic accidents, hospitals groaning from an increased number of broken limbs and a much higher percentage of broken lamp columns, bollards etc - just so they can skimp on the grit?
Hmmm... I hope all those Tory lovers out there are taking note of this. The government they elected have stripped the budget so close to thread-bare, that once again the public are the ones who are going to be bearing the brunt of this ridiculous outcome.
Surely you could skip the trimmings and port this year David to ensure the health and safety of those out battling the treacherous streets in the next few weeks....
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Retirement Age....
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11820660
It's so nice to see that the people at the British Medical Journal have been spending their much needed time researching into a worth while cause - the effects of retiring earlier in the UK - and have come up with the conclusion that it would indeed benefit us to retire earlier like the French.
Well, thank you very much Sherlock Holmes' of the modern world - that information is duly noted. But please tell me - are you honestly saying you needed to put yourself through 4 years of University and waste a load of your time researching and interviewing the public to come to that conclusion? I could have easily told you that over a pint down the local in 5 minutes.
No wonder the UK is in trouble if it deems this to be crucial knowledge the public cannot do without and is apparently the area that we need to be spending (wasting rather) our much needed money on. Is anything going to come of this survey? Is the Tory party going to sit up, take note and decide that in fact the retirement age should indeed be lowered to 55?
Me thinks not - it is almost like the dangling a juicy bit of meat in front of an animal, getting it all excited then whipping it away and saying 'you'd like that wouldn't you? Shame your not going to get any of it though.......'
Total waste of time - and I didn't even need to use 4 years of my life researching into how useless these surveys really are!
It's so nice to see that the people at the British Medical Journal have been spending their much needed time researching into a worth while cause - the effects of retiring earlier in the UK - and have come up with the conclusion that it would indeed benefit us to retire earlier like the French.
Well, thank you very much Sherlock Holmes' of the modern world - that information is duly noted. But please tell me - are you honestly saying you needed to put yourself through 4 years of University and waste a load of your time researching and interviewing the public to come to that conclusion? I could have easily told you that over a pint down the local in 5 minutes.
No wonder the UK is in trouble if it deems this to be crucial knowledge the public cannot do without and is apparently the area that we need to be spending (wasting rather) our much needed money on. Is anything going to come of this survey? Is the Tory party going to sit up, take note and decide that in fact the retirement age should indeed be lowered to 55?
Me thinks not - it is almost like the dangling a juicy bit of meat in front of an animal, getting it all excited then whipping it away and saying 'you'd like that wouldn't you? Shame your not going to get any of it though.......'
Total waste of time - and I didn't even need to use 4 years of my life researching into how useless these surveys really are!
Monday 22 November 2010
The Holiday Season Has Arrived!
Oh lordy - where or where has the last year gone? It seems like only yesterday I was sitting around at my parents on Boxing Day joking about how the festive season was all done and dusted for another year, quoting how the next one would probably be upon us in a flash - and low and behold here it is again.
You know it is officially the Christmas season when you see the Coca Cola advert and hear the unmistakable tune, 'the holidays are coming......!' - that is the moment when you know it will be full steam ahead. Mixing in with crowds galore trying to find your way to a shelf and then onto the till, stocking up on indulgence food because it is the holiday season, therefore it seems justifiable to eat a whole years worth of calories in two weeks and that is without all the partying and drinking where everyone wants to catch up before the new year (which I might add is my personal favourite highlight of the festive season!)
As much as I think Christmas has become a bit of a farce - most kids these days don't even know the meaning behind it other than it's a time of year to get presents - I do love the feeling of climbing up into the loft to dust of the decorations and the tree, ready for another year. Although I must admit I am abit anal when it comes to decorating and I like the tree to look orderly, it's still nice once it is done to switch on those lights and remember nostalgic Christmas' that have already been. The warm fuzzy feeling, everyone being on their best behaviour, the look on people's faces when they open their presents and of course, getting a wee bit sozzled on your dads home made Christmas puddings.
To all those 'bah-humbergs' out there - I say 'the holidays are coming......!'
You know it is officially the Christmas season when you see the Coca Cola advert and hear the unmistakable tune, 'the holidays are coming......!' - that is the moment when you know it will be full steam ahead. Mixing in with crowds galore trying to find your way to a shelf and then onto the till, stocking up on indulgence food because it is the holiday season, therefore it seems justifiable to eat a whole years worth of calories in two weeks and that is without all the partying and drinking where everyone wants to catch up before the new year (which I might add is my personal favourite highlight of the festive season!)
As much as I think Christmas has become a bit of a farce - most kids these days don't even know the meaning behind it other than it's a time of year to get presents - I do love the feeling of climbing up into the loft to dust of the decorations and the tree, ready for another year. Although I must admit I am abit anal when it comes to decorating and I like the tree to look orderly, it's still nice once it is done to switch on those lights and remember nostalgic Christmas' that have already been. The warm fuzzy feeling, everyone being on their best behaviour, the look on people's faces when they open their presents and of course, getting a wee bit sozzled on your dads home made Christmas puddings.
To all those 'bah-humbergs' out there - I say 'the holidays are coming......!'
Monday 8 November 2010
Dark Days Ahead......
So, it seems that winter is officially here - dark days, dampness, rain, rain - and more rain! Plus extremely cold weather that feels like it is peeling the skin of your cheeks and getting your hair back-combed for free in the gale force winds.
Don't you just love the quintessential British weather? Does it make you feel proud to be born and bred in a Country where you get about 10 days of sunshine a year, about 30 dry days and about 325 wet cold miserable days?
I would like to say yes, but right at this moment in time I would just about do anything to be sitting on a beach....in the Mediterranean....with a cocktail and a whole lot of sun!
After this morning's winter weather debut, I am sitting here with feet that are still damp, jeans that are soaked half way up my calves and I keep finding stray bits of hair that have been knotted up and frizzed out that - goddammit - just won't stay in place. I like to think that I am not a vain person, but at the same time this is so not a good look right now.
You could almost say I feel like a drowned rat - I most certainly feel about as attractive as one and to make matters worse I noticed at the weekend that my tan lines have now officially faded into oblivion. How depressing!
I sit here with the knowledge that this is only just the beginning of the dark winter days ahead - it's not quite got to the stage yet where I whip my foot straight back under the covers in the morning, because it is just too damned cold and consider pulling a sickie for the warmth of the haven that is my bed. But I know it is coming, I can feel it brewing in the air.....
I shall try to stay positive and remind myself that I can get through this. I will get to see my ten days of sunshine soon, which will refresh my memory of just how great London really is.
Don't you just love the quintessential British weather? Does it make you feel proud to be born and bred in a Country where you get about 10 days of sunshine a year, about 30 dry days and about 325 wet cold miserable days?
I would like to say yes, but right at this moment in time I would just about do anything to be sitting on a beach....in the Mediterranean....with a cocktail and a whole lot of sun!
After this morning's winter weather debut, I am sitting here with feet that are still damp, jeans that are soaked half way up my calves and I keep finding stray bits of hair that have been knotted up and frizzed out that - goddammit - just won't stay in place. I like to think that I am not a vain person, but at the same time this is so not a good look right now.
You could almost say I feel like a drowned rat - I most certainly feel about as attractive as one and to make matters worse I noticed at the weekend that my tan lines have now officially faded into oblivion. How depressing!
I sit here with the knowledge that this is only just the beginning of the dark winter days ahead - it's not quite got to the stage yet where I whip my foot straight back under the covers in the morning, because it is just too damned cold and consider pulling a sickie for the warmth of the haven that is my bed. But I know it is coming, I can feel it brewing in the air.....
I shall try to stay positive and remind myself that I can get through this. I will get to see my ten days of sunshine soon, which will refresh my memory of just how great London really is.
Friday 5 November 2010
Does one speaketh the lingo?
I love listening to conversations by different people, in particular the way things are pronounced and types of words that are used.
I used to live in East London and never used to think that I had an accent or spoke in a particular way that was outside the 'norm', but after moving out to Essex 4 years ago I am very much aware of the speech patterns different Towns and Villages develop. Especially of late, after becoming a sucker for The Only Way Is Essex - it just makes me realise that I am slowly going over to the dark side and sounding more and more common each day (as much as you can believe than from an East Londoner!)
I admit I've never been one to have a cockney accent or delved into the world of 'Lady Mcguivers or apples and pears' but still, I am who I am and I always liked to pride myself on the fact that you can't take the town out of the girl......but.....
The longer I find myself living away from East London the more my 'non-existent accent' disappears. Gone are the days of 'Alright Mate', 'Hows it going?!' and 'Yeah, nice one!' and in it's place I am finding myself replicating the local Essex sing-song sayings such 'Hi-Ya', 'How-Are-You?' and 'Yeah, that sounds lovely!' I even found myself chatting to the local checkout girl the other day and referred to her as luv! Oh, how degrading.
But I think I am not alone in these thoughts and apparently the local jargon not only exists in the outside world, but also take place in the world of business too. I loved reading this article today on the BBC website and was cracking up at the commentary.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7457287.stm
Not only is there such a thing as business jargon - it has also been complied into it's very own top 50 list, which is not bad going. I particularly love item number 22, having worked in sales for over three years this was a regular saying amongst the directors at our monthly sales meetings.
I wonder what the future holds for the English language and how the local lingo will differ by the time I reach middle age - one can only but imagine....
I used to live in East London and never used to think that I had an accent or spoke in a particular way that was outside the 'norm', but after moving out to Essex 4 years ago I am very much aware of the speech patterns different Towns and Villages develop. Especially of late, after becoming a sucker for The Only Way Is Essex - it just makes me realise that I am slowly going over to the dark side and sounding more and more common each day (as much as you can believe than from an East Londoner!)
I admit I've never been one to have a cockney accent or delved into the world of 'Lady Mcguivers or apples and pears' but still, I am who I am and I always liked to pride myself on the fact that you can't take the town out of the girl......but.....
The longer I find myself living away from East London the more my 'non-existent accent' disappears. Gone are the days of 'Alright Mate', 'Hows it going?!' and 'Yeah, nice one!' and in it's place I am finding myself replicating the local Essex sing-song sayings such 'Hi-Ya', 'How-Are-You?' and 'Yeah, that sounds lovely!' I even found myself chatting to the local checkout girl the other day and referred to her as luv! Oh, how degrading.
But I think I am not alone in these thoughts and apparently the local jargon not only exists in the outside world, but also take place in the world of business too. I loved reading this article today on the BBC website and was cracking up at the commentary.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7457287.stm
Not only is there such a thing as business jargon - it has also been complied into it's very own top 50 list, which is not bad going. I particularly love item number 22, having worked in sales for over three years this was a regular saying amongst the directors at our monthly sales meetings.
I wonder what the future holds for the English language and how the local lingo will differ by the time I reach middle age - one can only but imagine....
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Nostalgic Memories
When did life become so dull and boring? What happened to the days when you would jump out of bed and wolf down your breakfast because you was too impatient and felt like you was missing out on something in the big wide yonder? Where has that added 'zing' gone, the one that would be there whilst you're running down the street in your flashing LA trainers full of joy and wonder?
Fast forward 20 years and this is where it has gone to - a 9 to 5 desk job, mortgages and bills galore and the feeling that life really isn't all that you thought it would crack up to be! Nice one!
I've been trying to pin-point the exact time when I realised my ambitious 'I can conquer the world' phrase ended and my 'oh-my-god-I'm-getting-old' phase kicked in it's place. I'm guessing about 3pm on September 23, 2009. No, kidding!
But on a serious note, why is it you spend your whole youth wishing you could just grow up and be taken more seriously, yet spend your adult life living down memory lane, wishing you could get some of that vitality back?
I even went through a phrase last year of going out and getting drunk just for the sheer hell of it, to do something fun and stupid and irresponsible. But all that made me realise is that the older I get, the worse the hangover gets, which made me feel even more old and depressed than when I had just stayed sober to begin with!
What can I say? I guess I'll just have to think up some other hair-brained scheme to 'mix-it up abit' and inject some fun into my life. To do that, I think I am going to need my nice comfy couch, a cup of tea, dressing gown and my slippers to properly relax and get the ideas flowing.....
Fast forward 20 years and this is where it has gone to - a 9 to 5 desk job, mortgages and bills galore and the feeling that life really isn't all that you thought it would crack up to be! Nice one!
I've been trying to pin-point the exact time when I realised my ambitious 'I can conquer the world' phrase ended and my 'oh-my-god-I'm-getting-old' phase kicked in it's place. I'm guessing about 3pm on September 23, 2009. No, kidding!
But on a serious note, why is it you spend your whole youth wishing you could just grow up and be taken more seriously, yet spend your adult life living down memory lane, wishing you could get some of that vitality back?
I even went through a phrase last year of going out and getting drunk just for the sheer hell of it, to do something fun and stupid and irresponsible. But all that made me realise is that the older I get, the worse the hangover gets, which made me feel even more old and depressed than when I had just stayed sober to begin with!
What can I say? I guess I'll just have to think up some other hair-brained scheme to 'mix-it up abit' and inject some fun into my life. To do that, I think I am going to need my nice comfy couch, a cup of tea, dressing gown and my slippers to properly relax and get the ideas flowing.....
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