The One Where I Start Discovering London

So, in case you didn't notice, I've recently moved to London (if you didn't notice you literally wouldn't notice me hitting you across the head with a brick) albeit only for the summer. However, I'm kind of, half, sometimes on my own. In that I mean that I'm not really on my own but I do spend a lot of time on my own and as anyone who knows me will tell you that's never a good idea for my sanity. Or anyone else's if I'm honest. 

So, with all this time spent on my own, I got really, really lonely. I called my Mam nearly everyday and I was just a general irritation to my friends who live here and, surprisingly, have their own lives and aren't there to entertain me whenever I'm free? In the midst of this developing loneliness I pretty much completely forgot what I was here for. 

Then, in one of my stronger mental moments, I realised what I was doing by indulging myself in this "loneliness" not only was I gaining pounds by the day (comfort eating, hey?) I was also missing out on one of the best, most independent, follow-your-dreams-esque things I've done so far in my life and who wants to hear the story about how you went to London and got really lonely? I couldn't be more of a cliché.

So, in the café that the realisation struck me, I shook myself, visibly (there were questions and sideways glances) and I focused on one of the reasons I came here and left my cute little bohemian town behind for the summer, it was supposed to be a discovery mission. I adore exploring and finding new places so what better way to do it than move to a completely new place? Therefore, from now on I am going to focus on all those simple and small moments you can enjoy when you're spending time in a new place. Appreciating a different culture and place, in my opinion, happens best when you're doing ordinary things like going to the market, getting lost among winding roads, or simply drinking a coffee on the side of the road. 

I'm going to embrace these simple moments.

And let's be real, there's no one I can put up with as well as I put up with myself! I'm hilarious!!

 I adore these two old men millions.

This little coffee tent is right in the green outside my work place everyday?  

 Splorin'

 

Rolling Stone Cover Sparks Outrage

Originally published in The Daily Shift.

Rolling Stones magazine controversial decision to put Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the men accused, of planting bombs in the Boston Marathon on April 15^th has sparked widespread outrage over the internet.

The cover photo is one that Tsarnaev apparently posted online and has been used by other media outlets in the past. However, many were unimpressed with this picture gracing a Rolling Stone cover, a space usually reserved for celebrities and rock stars. The Rolling Stones Facebook page has been exploding with disapproving comments receiving more than 4,700 comments by Wednesday afternoon. "What a slap in the face to the great city of Boston and the Marathon Bombing victims," commented Lindsey Williamson.

"Oh look, Rolling Stone magazine is glamorizing terrorism. Awesome," Adrienne Graham commented "I will NOT be buying this issue, or any future issues,"

Boston punk band Dropkick Murphys who have recently donated 300,000 dollars to 60 victims of the April bombing were among those to comment on the magazine’s distasteful choice "Rolling Stone you should be ashamed," the band tweeted.

"How about one of the courageous victims on your cover instead of this loser scum bag!"

The photo shows a goatee-d, scraggy haired Tsarnaev staring straight at the camera. The text reads “The Bomber. How a popular, promising student was failed by his family, fell into radical Islam and became a monster.”

The magazine says the article itself is a deeply-researched account of the suspect. Rolling Stone claims the story showcases “a riveting and heartbreaking account of how a charming kid with a bright future became a monster”. Within the magazine’s two month investigation it unearthed the fact that Tamerlan once confided to his mother that he felt like “two people” were inside of him. The article also discovered that Dzokhar once let slip to a friend that the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks could be justified because of U.S. policies toward Muslim countries.

Authorities accuse brothers Tamerlan and Dzokhar Tsarnaev of setting off two bombs merely seconds apart near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street on April 15^th, a street crowded with spectators and participants, all innocent bystanders. Three people were killed and more than 260 people were injured. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed four days later in a shootout with police.

Younger brother Dzhokhar was captured and charged with 30 federal counts stemming from the attack.

Dzokhar, who could face the death penalty if convicted, pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges in his first courtroom appearance earlier this week.

The magazine hits stand on August 3^rd.

London Discoveries: The Tube

After recently moving to London and wildly house hunting everywhere (no, everywhere) I can safely say that I have spent more than my fair share of time on the Tube. From my extensive research and abundance of time spent on this monstrous method of public transport I can safely say that most people are clinically insane.

.

Some of the weirder things I’ve witnessed are best kept a secret between myself, the crazy person and the rest of the carriage.

However, some of the best things I’ve seen, and most regular, I’m willing to share, in the hopes that you won’t recreate these hideously uncomfortable-for-all scenes the next time you’re on public transport.

This, unfortunately, is becoming much more frequent with the nice weather

One of the milder things I’ve noticed has been, regardless of whether the sun is out or not, the sunglasses. When you wear sunglasses on the Tube it is as clear as day that you’re checking someone out, hiding bloodshot eyes or choosing your next victim for rape (I enjoy a good hyperbole.) We know this, yano? You do not look elegantly cool or chic and we certainly do not aspire to be you or sit near you. You’re the weirdo who hasn’t taken off your glasses on the tube. SLIDE THEM UP ON YOUR HEAD. IT IS NOT DIFFICULT.

Condescending Wonka knows.

Worse than the sunglasses are the starers. I don’t understand what you’re looking at; I’m wearing a hoody and a pair of jeans. I’m not in any way alternative or “out there”. I am not movie star pretty (if you think this, by all means, stare away). SO WHY ARE YOU STARING AT ME? Also, if you have a tendency to stare I don’t understand why you get awkward and offended when I stare back. Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it hunnay.

Your bank manager? The one you trust with all your hard earned money? He’s the one that brings scrambled eggs and nuts on the Tube in a lunch box and opens it up suffocating all the other passengers. He may be a great bank manager but do not bring him out for dinner. (nuts are dangerous, so many people with allergies, BE CAREFUL!)

.

Your hairdresser? The one whose hair you wish yours resembled even slightly? Yeah, she got on this morning with sleep in rollers in. I understand fixing your make up but SLEEP IN ROLLERS??? The clue is in the name... SLEEP!!

It’s simple. The most normal of people turn crazy when they hit the tube platform. It feels like a safe haven where no one will judge and everyone is just as weird as you are. Don’t be fooled. Everyone judges and pretty much no one is as weird as you.

Ps. The bum touchers? We know it’s rush hour. We know we’re all squished together. We also know what you’re doing. THAT was not accidental!