2010

So, I've made it to the end of the year, and at the end of this year, I get to say that I liked it. I would never go as far as to say that I loved it - that's extreme. But, it really was very good. Good things happened. Less bad things happened than the year before the year before. It's true, I look back on 2008 and think it was a bad year for me. The first half of 2009 wasn't so peachy either, but only by my rather middle class, spoiled, cynical standards.

The good things for me this year were:

1. Reaching gainful employment, and avoiding being unemployed, like far too many brilliant graduates out there

2. Watching the student protests on Millbank. Shameful as some people may think this is, I quite enjoyed it



- as an aside point to that, I think reactionary comments condemning the violence of that day are over exaggerated. It was wrong of one individual to throw a fire extinguisher off the top of a building. But that was just one individual. I think it is perfectly acceptable for people to feel virulently angry towards what is happened, and it is only right that in a democracy that anger is expressed.

3. Reading Laurie Penny's blogs, which I suppose is related to the other points

4. Living in London and watching how Londoners live. It is such a love hate thing. The transport system is an absolute nightmare, probably not much short of hell of earth, but yet it is extremely fascinating. The living conditions also leave much to be desired, but again, this is an interesting experience to have

5. Going on holiday to Rome and eating really good pasta. And laughing at the rudeness of foreigners - thank God for this green and pleasant land

A new start

I've moved again. I've moved a fair few times in the past few years. I think that location is probably the most important thing in a person's psychology. Places matter. Place means everything.

- East Dulwich ..........








I'm a grown up now. Grown up. Hence the photos.

I actually miss all the places that I've lived in. Even Nottingham, for its rain, grey skies and the Lenton tower blocks. Even Hackney, because it will always be the first home I ever had in London.

But what everyone is really talking about at the moment is Shane Meadows' four part series This is England 86. I think that's what makes me miss Nottingham. Shane Meadows is so Nottingham. Actually, it was filmed in Sheffield, but I think Sheffield is better than that now.

Snipping Tool

I've recently discovered it.

May 6th

POSH

At the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, now.

Also:

Contrary to its media depiction as a fashionable artists' quarter, Hoxton has a largely working-class population with the majority of residents living on post-war council housing estates.

You know how sometimes, someone says something you've always known, but have never been able to put into words?

6music

There is only one important thing to be talking about this week.



And why am I telling you this?
. . . . . . . Because you need to know.

Location...

...is very important.



Where I live is beautiful.

January

I didn't say a word.

For today, let's just say that I've now lived in London long enough to deteste the Underground.

Yesterday, I was in a rush (like the rest of the city). A load of tourists piled on at St. Pancras. The tourists proceeded to block all the gangways and the exit (can't underline in HTML here, apparently) with their ludicrous suitcases. It was a violation of human rights. It was.

However, I have found some really good things here.

1. Chris Ofili. Even though he is from Manchester.



2. Wahaca



3. Prestige lager

(will have to explain that later...)

4. Caprioska's at Guanabara (despite the exceptional price tag)



I admit that the things I have enjoyed are mostly related to gorging myself. So, to mix it up...

5. My new running route past the Rosemary Branch and down Regent's Canal






This is what it looks like in Hoxton. But, I've stopped going after five because I'm a bit scared of someone pushing me in.