Thatmfeeling

The perfect birthday!

2012-03-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

I have been away a bit recently as the week that has just gone was my birthday week. I decided to take the week off work and celebrate it in a different way. As I have said in previous blogs, this year is about me doing the things that I want to do and not just push them aside. I decided for the week that I would do something that I wanted to do every single day and I have to be honest, I swear that it was one of the best weeks of my life so far. The first main date to talk about was my birthday when me and a friend went to the V&A (as I had not been there for years because it was the place that I was forced to go all the time for university study so I just needed a break from it) It was rather fun and to see some amazing collections and then some not so (as you will see by the pictures!) Once I had finished at the V&A we waled a short journey next door to the Natural history Museum. Now I have an odd relationship with the natural history museum. I visited when I was about eight years old and then did not have a visit there until about 12 years later and all I remember is it being exactly the same!

When I visited this time, no surprise but it was exactly the same but with handles missing and more things broken. I love the idea of the natural history museum and I find the topics really interesting but when the museum does not change at all, I mean it even said that Pluto was a planet so their facts are out of date. Whilst here however I did find some new places that I had never been to before like the dead animal part and another stone collection! It was a fun trip to the museums but I think I will have to give the NHM a rest for another ten years or so (the birds heads just freak me out so me being me, took a photo of it!) After the museums wee out of the way I did something that I love to do and that was to buy some tea! I love to have a huge collection because you are not always in the mood for the same flavour so I just have millions and then I can pick the one that I am in the mood for that day!

We were then off to Cafe Boheme which I have to mention because I had never been to the Cafe and it was beautiful! I recommend that everyone goes because it is fantastic and we need more of them around! So there we were sipping tea and talking about the thing that we have done that day. It may sound rather “old” or “OAP” of me to do this for my birthday but I did not want a birthday that I would forget because I was too drunk or just sat at home doing nothing so this to me was perfect! After the Cafe we moved to the kitchen and had a bottle of wine and a really nice (but filling!) meal. The Boheme Kitchen is my favorite place to eat and they never seem to disappoint even though the people around us had the most irritating laughs so as you were talking you had to pause and let the witches laughs finish before you could finish your conversation.

I finished the night in a small bar with a few more friends and left before things would have turned messy (I am so proud of myself) I went home with the hugest smile on my face and think that I will remember this birthday for a very long time as next year is going to have to top this one and I would say that that will be difficult to do. Take a look at some of the pictures from that day (they are rather random but I would say it was a random yet fantastic day!) Defiantly beats my twenty first when I was the only person that did not manage to make it into the club!

The Random Day's Adventure

2012-02-23T14:47:00.003-08:00

Oh I had one of those days yesterday, a day where nothing really happens but you feel like you have gotten so much done. I woke up and thought that I would either go to Stratford, Canary Wharf or Bankside. In the end I decided to travel to Bankside so I could have a little lookie at the Tate Modern. The Tate Modern is a great place but because I had already been recently, nothing had changed so I didn’t really want to spend too much time there. I have no idea what day it was (well I know it was Wednesday) but there were so many French people around! It must have been French heart London day as everywhere I turned there were French people! Clearly Paris was full of English! anyway, not that that matters it was just rather odd. I wondered across the millennium bridge which was vibrating like a... well you know what it was vibrating like and it did amuse me! It was a great foot massage! As you can see by some of the photos that I took of my day, I had my monitoring of the Shard done and decided to move onto One New Change. Back tracking, I have to mention that the Shard is oh so close to being complete. The photos that I have taken you can roughly see that the top is glazed on the other side so it will not be long until they glaze the remainder. Back to me walking to One New Change, however and I wanted to go and take some panoramic photos of St. Pauls. Whilst up there, looking around at the surrounding scenery, it was odd to think of how ugly London looked. I barely ever say that but the weather had given it a side that looked rather dark, gloomy and lifeless. I cant wait until Summer to see the place injected with colour again. This Summer I am once again going to make the most of going out and touring the city. It is great to see those hidden areas and hopefully I will be able to expose them to myself and also to anyone else on here. My day ended rather abruptly as I spent lots of money that I did not have on ties and belts so I thought it would be best to finish up and get home in the light with some of my money left! Take a look at the pictures from my day and let me know what you think.

Above: Panoramic photo from the Shard on the left to St Pauls on the right

Above: The London eye in the distance and St Pauls in front

Above: Two photos from the Tate gallery. Love both of these works of art even though the one on the left ruins your brain after viewing it for a while

Above & Below: photos from Bankside. St Pauls, some random trees at the Tate and then the Shard below.

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

23rd February 2012: Picture Of The Day

2012-02-23T14:37:00.003-08:00

This area has been on the news so much recently that when I was looking though my photos of the adventure I had yesterday it made me sit and think for a while. This photo reminds me to do the things that I want to do no matter what stands in my way.

The BRIT awards 2012: What A Shame!

2012-02-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

With such a fantastic 2011 under their belts and being this being an olympic year for our country, I could only imagine how big the BRIT awards were going to be this year. I imagined huge performances, big remixes and massive collaborations. Oh how disappointed we were. Whilst I can not say the show was a complete disaster, I can say that the show has extreme making up to do next year. We start the disappointment with the revealing of the 2012 BRIT award. It looks like Sir Peter Blake had the award sent into a primary school for the kids to vandalise in comparison to the beautifully elegant design of Vivienne Westwood’s award last year. We should have seen doom from the start but being the BRITs I have to let everything go as I know that they will throw us some big surprises... won't they? There were surprises but in all honesty, I do not think that any of them were great. Florence and the Machine just seemed a little to normal for my liking. It was a usual performance from an album that has been over played recently. I would have expected something a little new and different to make her stand out but we just got the usual standard performance from them. Rihanna added nothing to the table with a song that has also been over played in all corners of the world with people running around covered in paint. I got the feeling that the performance was packed away safely from last year and reused this time around (I know it wasn’t it is just that we have been there and heard it) I wanted her to mix some songs up from pervious albums and then give us something that the world had not seen. The balloons, paint and confetti, whilst pretty much standard for her were a nice effect to the arena.

Above: James Cordon presents the awards ceremony again proving that he has no sense of humor at all.

I have to give it to Bruno Mars, whilst he again used a song that we can all sing as it is etched into the inner depths of our brains, I thought the change to the song and the setting of the stage made it different and cool. Adele’s performance was as usual stunning but I just do not understand why he picked a song that is probably the most played song in recent UK history and also one that was also played recently in the Grammys. I will not even bother with Blur’s “headlining event” I thought it was completely pointless and do not understand why they were picked for an award since they have been away for God knows how long, their albums have been stored under our beds and away from the radio. They have not contributed much in recent years and seemed a little dead to me. Speaking of the dead... the Witney Houston section lasted about five seconds and was pointless to even have it in there. I am not a fan of her songs but it would have been nice for someone to cover one of her songs rather than show a few pictures and then carry on and get drunk. I felt like it was added because people demanded it and that it was not taken seriously. We remember Witney Houston on the show however I cant remember anyone remembering Amy Winehouse in this ceremony (my TV did cut off so correct me if I am wrong) I think there should have been a recognition award for her as she has given us some fantastic music. Ed Sheeran kept things very intimate and focused and I have to give that to him. It was a very simple performance but that is what he does best.

Award left: The 2012 design by Sir Peter Blake / Award Right: The 2011 design by Vivienne Westwood

Adele won two awards and what horrified me and probably many others watching was the fact that she got cut off at the end by the presenter because Blur needed to sing. I think this is awful and disgusting that we kick off someone that has given this country extreme notability for talent has to be pushed off at the end of an achievement of hers whilst some chavs that have been around for a long time can scream down microphones to people that are horrified. I want to give the ceremony some notability because I love the BRITs so much but the more I talk about it the more I realised how much of a flop this year has been. I always see the BRITs as fresh, different, the ceremony that takes things to that extra step (the naughty teen of the family) but this year it has been a letdown, a letdown full of adverts, ad breaks and constant reminders of who will be singing next. If you missed the show then I would recommend watching 2011’s instead. It was much more worth it,

signing out, a very disappointed Thatmfeeling

Trafalgar Square: The Fourth Plinth

2012-02-16T14:46:00.000-08:00

It is not long until the fourth plinth artwork is changed and this years commission is going to be “Powerless Structures, Fig. 101” The sculpture is of a little boy sitting on his rocking horse. The idea itself is actually inspired from the other remaining plinths in Trafalgar square. The idea that these plinths hold statues of “war lords” that depict courage, honor and power has been twisted into a more subtle form. The sculpture can portray a world without war, the horse is just a toy and the lord is actually a little boy. Fig.101 is very fascinating if you look into it because there can be so many meanings behind it. It is a play on ideas but also shows ambition in itself. This boy could want to grow up and be a hero, someone that is powerful and someone that can change the world. It shows that even from a young age that we have these ambitions and reminds us all that we can achieve them. The work goes on display in Trafalgar square from Thursday 23rd February and will be displayed for about a year. In 2011 it was also reveled that 2013’s sculpture will be a rather striking bionic blue cock, cleverly titled “cock” This work of art will be extremely striking and I am sure will grab everyones attention that is walking through or past Trafalgar square. Two very striking yet different works of art, two very types of years coming up.

Below are the videos from the creators about their works of art. Whilst they are not to everyones taste, I think they will be welcome works of art to the area.

signing out, Thatmfeeing

15th February 2012: Picture Of The Day

2012-02-15T15:52:00.000-08:00

I saw this picture when I was browsing through my phone and I remembered how creepy the baby was. This photo really has no relation to today other than I was in a store all day and that it has been rather random. I thought I would share this with you anyway as it is a rather cool photo even if I do say so myself!

Big Fat Gypsy Weddings: back for the better?

2012-02-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

Big fat gypsy weddings is back and as the advert states... its bigger, its fatter and it is gypsier! Whilst I do have to admit that I love watching the show, it is for all the wrong reasons. The program is rather tacky and is basically out to make fools out of all these people. Whilst in some lights it does open our eyes to their way of life, in others it is just there for us to make negative opinions and laugh at these poor people at their own expenses. The first episode shows a gypsy wedding where two girls get dressed up as a pineapple and a palm tree and then for one of them to get married in a dress covered in cats. We also get a look into a gypsy beauty pageant where some of the girls are horrifically hanging out of their dresses and giving it their all. Whilst I have nothing against gypsy people and do try to accept most people at their own, I just feel rather disturbed when I watch the show and wonder to myself if half of it is actually real. The program also brings up the long old argument about their rights. Should they be allowed to live the way that they do when they live in a country run in a completely different way? I would have to agree and disagree with this. I think that they should be able to live in caravans but that they should also have to pay council tax. If you are using facilities that are provided by the tax payer then you should be paying the tax in the first place. Should they be able to throw these exotic and outrageous weddings and not get kicked out at the last minute? I personally think that they should be able to but they must also have procedures that can deal with the arguments and fights that are now nearly as well known to us as the wedding dresses that these people wear. For entertainment purposes I think that this show is one to watch and you will be talking about it for hours. For factual and educational purposes however I think that it is not exactly as it says on the tin and it may cause more bad than good. Let me know what you think of the show and if you will be tuning in for a big fat wad of gypsy next week?

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

February 14th 2012: Photo Of The Day

2012-02-14T15:57:00.000-08:00

My Day has ended on the focus of memories so I wanted to use a photo of a memory not so long ago. Its nice when you have friends over for drinks, its something that I do not do enough. Roll on Summer! I can't take this cold weather! Summer = going out with friends!

I have discovered my very own mood enhancer!

2012-02-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

I had a very unexpected evening today when I decided to sort through some of the “crap” that I had in my “sorting” draw. Yes I am one of these people that has a draw that I put things in until I can get around to sorting through it and organising it into the places that they need to be. Whilst the sorting through the draw was just a normal thing for me, what came after was just a lovely end to the day. I decided to get some of my boxes out to put these items in and I decided to take the time to look through them. The amount of memories that flooded back to me just made me smile. I had kept drawings from college and uni that me and my friends have made that really summed up my time. I had work badges and ID cards from previous jobs, my very first iPod Mini, little bits that I have collected over my life that I knew I wanted to keep and look back one day. It is so strange though, I knew that they were there yet actually taking the time to look at them has turned my day around. I think of people that move around all the time, throw every single thing away (I am someone that loves to throw things away mind you!) and just think that I am so lucky to have managed to keep hold of these items. I want one day for my kid to look through this box and see the life that I had. Ask me what the hell an iPod is and what did we use to do with them. Why we had ID cards for work and so on and so on. If you are ever feeling down or have had a day that meant nothing then I recommend you start having a rummage through your things. If you do not keep mementos then I strongly advise you to do it. We all live our lives and its nice to have things that remind us of the good times! I will be going to sleep with a smile on my face!

Above & Below: Random pictures of me and old friends from 2008! Fun times at Uni!

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

February 10th 2012: Picture Of The Day

2012-02-10T15:33:00.000-08:00

I am probably the only person in the world that loves this photo! Yes I too it but its so simple yet I think it is rather effective! This photo sums up today because absolutely nothing happened. It was a very simple day with all the basics in it. Today was a day that connects the other days and was probably beneficial yet will go unnoticed (just like a simple screw)

The Super Bowl: I applaud M.I.A!

2012-02-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

It has to be said, I have a new found love for M.I.A. It all started when I saw her in that cheerleading outfit, looking completely out of place with an expression of sarcasm on her face. Then it come to the Super Bowl and she stuck her middle finger up at millions of spectators! Madonna is pissed, probably because she had her thunder stolen and you have a bunch of angry American parents complaining here, there and everywhere! Whilst I would not have performed the act of sticking my finger up in front of so many people, if I knew the reaction it would get then I probably would have. If I was M.I.A then I would have stuck both of my middle fingers up just to add some more umpf to it and get even more of a reaction. What gets to me is that some small finger gesture hits the headlines and is apparently inappropriate for the millions of kids that are watching yet these parents let them play computer games where they can shoot each other, they can pretend to be the pop stars that have their vaginas and boobs hanging out and they can even watch the over dramatised films and programs that witness them to violence, sex and everything else. One little finger just seems so pathetic. What is amusing also is that if you watch the clip back, I think it is very hard to see M.I.A doing it! I had to watch the clip several times to see the act in all of its glory. I bet only very few people really saw it and because of all the hype now everyone has had a chance to. I am not saying that the finger language is a good thing and that we should all do it, I think that it shows that there are more important things in life that we need to be focusing on rather than a stunt that has worked particularly well. It also shows how protective and anal some people are with specific topics. Because it has hit the news everyone has joined the bandwagon, it makes me laugh that many people this side of the Atlantic are applauding it. If the Super Bowl wanted clean, sleek and innocent acts then the last people they should have chosen for it should have been Madonna (fanny exposure, always trying to push it that little bit further) Niki Minaj (an over sexulised rapper with foul language) M.I.A (who is clearly known for being who she is) and LMFAO (who get naked, wibble their bits about, getting sexy and they know it) Whilst I love all of these entertainers, we know what they are like and if you don’t want your kids to be exposed to it then make them leave the room when the half time show is on... Simples! I admire M.I.A for standing up and doing something unplanned. I have watched many interviews with her and do agree with many points that she tries to get across. Whilst I do not like all of her music (she will be pleased to hear that!) I do applaud the points that she tries to get across and wish her all the best in doing so in the future!

Hope you enjoyed the performance, another one to add to the list of Super Bowl oppsies! Signing out, Thatmfeeling

February 7th 2012: Picture Of The Day

2012-02-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

When you get bored and really want something to do then we all know that you have to go shopping! I decided to go to Stratford City and with benefits to this I also get to see the Olympic park at the same time! I took a picture as the sun was setting and what is really cool is that you can see the reflection of the lighting inside the shopping centre reflected back in the glass. New socks for me!

Spray on Clothes: The New Trend?

2012-02-07T15:17:00.000-08:00

I come across an article today that I wanted to share with the world (unless you have already seen it then blah to you!) The article is about spray on clothing. Whilst part of me thinks that it is such a silly idea, the other half of me read the article and was really surprised by what I saw. Whilst spray on clothing would not work for many of us, mainly being self conscious of our bodies or maybe having a body that would not be particularly flattered by being sprayed on (that sounded oh so wrong but I am going to keep it!) I can see that it is a great, quick way to come up with a random “unique” design that is tailored to your own body. Whilst I would not be the first to rush out and have this done, the guy that you can see in the picture actually suits the garment (If you can call it that) it doesn’t even look like it has been sprayed on (and I want the design on a normal people t-shirt please!) The spray has a mixture of cotton fibres and probably some things that we really do not want to know that we would be spraying on our skin but it dries instantly so you would not have to wait around for 15 minutes for your clothes to dry before you can go out. Interestingly you can also take the clothes off and wash them! (probably a good thing if you are getting hot and heavy under some skin tight clothing!) I am still at half with the idea but I don’t think it will catch on just yet. I do not see how spraying clothes on is any simpler or faster for us? Anyway have a look and let me know what you think! will you be jumping to joy at the idea you can spray on your latest ideas?

signing out, Thatmfeeling

5th February 2012: Picture Of The Day

2012-02-05T15:18:00.000-08:00

For the whole morning I craved some fruit juice. One of those cravings where it is the only thing on your mind and you can't stop thinking about it until you get it. I got my fruit juice, had a drink and my response was "Oh My God! it tastes like bum" please do not ask me how I know this...

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

Lana Del Rey: Born To Die

2012-02-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

I know I know! I really do not want to add to the hype that is going around about Lana Del Rey but I have to speak up! Generally with the people I know around me, the album has received mixed responses from them. Some say that it is the best thing since sliced bread (nearly said breath then!) and others say that it is dull, repetitive and just boring to be completely honest. I have to say that I have been blown away by this artist and I am not exaggerating. I have owned the album for a couple of days now and my iTunes is already telling me that I have played the album... yes that is the deluxe edition, more than sixteen times. That will either be lots to those who are normal and little to the people that sit out there and only listen to one album until they physically cant stand it anymore! What I really love about the album is that when you listen to it, you can hear that time, money and effort has gone into it. The music is rich, clear and the voice has so much quality to it. Some songs I have to admit may sound a little boring if you had friends around and you want something more sociable to listen to but I think that this album is designed to be listened to alone with the headphones on. Rey states that it is a tribute to her crazy life and if you listen to the lyrics you almost envy it, bad and good. My favorite song on the album that stretches further than any other has to be “off to the races” I love everything about the song. The lyrics are brilliant, they change in each chorus and I love the fact that she continues the sentences between versus (it is something that many people really fail to do and use it just to make the versus rhyme) I think it works perfectly and I could listen to it on repeat until I could not hear any more. The other song that really stands out is “born to die” again, it is just beautiful and when you listen to the lyrics I fell that it takes me away and I really listen (without sounding too geeky, crazy weird on you) all in all “Born to Die” (the album) is fantastic and it is a story of her life, it is fun, depressing, deep, crazy and you can tell that she loves it!! One thing I hate about many artists is that when they release an album it seems to either be positive or negative. Rey mixes the two together and I find it fascinating when she is singing about something that we would assume to be negative yet you know that she loves it and wouldn’t change it for the world. I recommend that everyone buys this and that they buy it in the deluxe version as you will need lots of songs to leave on repeat! Let me know what you think of “Born to Die” have fun,

signing out, Thatmfeeling

4th February 2012: Picture Of The Day

2012-02-04T15:27:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share this image that I have taken today. I think this picture sums up perfectly today in London. The streets are emptier than usual as everyone decides to stay home in the warm. The people that are unlucky enough to be out on the streets are usually dashing to get from one place to the other, beng slowed by the snow. It is cold, snowing yet still manages to be beautiful. Hope you are all in the warm tonight!

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

One Month Gone, Another One Planned!

2012-02-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

Well the first month of this new year is well and truly over and most of us are starting the next month with its cold, harsh reality... snow. (lucky for those who are living in hot places! I now where to come next time!) It is a little bit of a random update but I wanted to share my thoughts over the year so far. One of my main aims this year is to do the things that I want to do. Don’t think about it and put it off, just do it! January was a great example for this. The list of things that I wanted to buy (that I have had for however long) I decided to buy them all and this was fantastic. I also made my way to Brighton to take photos and have a look around. The photos come out great and if you want to see them then you will have to check out my Tumblr (they are on there somewhere) http://thatmfeeling.tumblr.com/ The visit gave me a buzz for a while, in fact I still think I am buzzing from it but it was not just the visit that topped my month! I bought myself a Paul Smith bag that I have had my eye on for a while, it cost a pretty penny but I am still keeping with my attitude of doing the things that you want to do so I got it! The final thing that completed the month was my visit to the W hotel. If you have read any of my other blogs then you may well know that I love this place but I have not been in a while. I went back and continued from where I left off and partied the night away in Wyld style! I hope that you have all had a great month and that February looks good for you too. February is my birth month so I have lots of things planned again for this month including a trip to Bath and a spa day so watch this space to see what random adventures I can get up to this time round. If its snowing where you are then keep safe and if it is not then just be warm!

Have a great February!

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

Brighton West Pier Destruction

2012-01-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

You will have to forgive me with my continued talk on the topic of the West Pier, Brighton. As you can probably tell I find the thing fascinating, almost to the point I see the structure as the victim and I am trying to understand the pain that it has gone through. I managed to visit the West Pier today and it was amazing to finally see it up close. The only part that now remains is the head of the pier with the iron that use to make up the pavilion. It is sad to see something that was so proud, beautiful and loved turn into something that is now so damaged that it remains a shell of its former self (even though it still remains beautiful in a different kind of way) I managed to find more photos of the structure during its deterioration and I think you may find them really interesting. The first collection are photos from the West Pier Trust Website http://www.westpier.co.uk/ showing public photos and professional photos taken during its deterioration. The latter photos are ones that I have taken of the Pier myself.

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I hope that there is someone out there that will find this topic just as interesting, this will be my last blog on the West Pier I promise. Please visit the official charity website for this beautiful pier by following the link and finding out more: http://www.westpier.co.uk/ enjoy, Signing out, Thatmfeeling

Brighton: The West Pier

2012-01-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

I have never been to Brighton but there has been something there that has fascinated me for years. The thing that I have found so intriguing is it’s west pier. I am not one for getting all emotional over some poles sticking out of the sea bed but there is something rather beautiful and also rather sad in the story of how the pier stands today. Photographs that I have seen of this pier are so dramatic that it sends out an array of emotions. Its scary, rather creepy, beautiful and upsetting all at once. I love the fact that the pier is still standing in its ruined state today and was not destroyed just to clear it from the sea bed. We all know that it will only be a matter of time before the sea reclaims its space and that the remains of the pier are lost forever so the most has to be made of it now. It sounds rather odd but I think that this structure should be re erected in its iron skeleton form as a work of art and as a memorial to the beautiful pier that once stood in its place. I must not be the only one that has such a fascination with this structure and I am sure that many people would travel to Brighton with the intentions of seeing this work of art. Whilst looking into information on this pier I come across a project that I am told is already in full swing. The i360 is a new observation tower that is being planned to be erected on the site of the West Pier. This tower will give 360 degree views of Brighton and its surrounding land and seascape. From the planners of the London eye, this tower is planned to be up and running in 2013.

Above: Brighton West Pier before, during and after the fire Below: The new plans for the i360

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

Costa Concordia, The New Titanic?

2012-01-16T17:22:00.000-08:00

The news stories have been rife with the over dramatisation of the Costa Concordia over the last couple of days but is this really the new Titanic? I hate the fact that the two are even linked at all! Yes they both hit things and yes they both sank... well this one has actually failed to do that, thankfully! Whilst I am no ship and story expert, I think that is where the familiarities end. The Titanic was dramatic, the first of its kind, exciting and a ended in complete tragedy, The Costa Concordia seems more like an extremely foolish mistake? Now I know that people may hate me for saying it like that and my sympathies are with all on board but this massive ship is salvageable and they are saying will be back in business within the next twelve months. (Is it just me that would not want to go on a ship that you know has partially sunk!?) The people were fortunate enough that the ship had come to rest close up near the coast and they are also fortunate that the ship did not completely sink for those who were trapped inside. Now it is extremely sad that people have lost their lives in this awful situation but I just cant get over the hate of linking this story to one that was far worse and that happened such a long time ago. In answer to the original question, no the Costa Concordia is not like the Titanic and I wish the media would give it a story of its own.

hoping that all that are still missing are found alive and safe, Signing out, Thatmfeeling

Downton Abbey: Reviewed

2012-01-15T16:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I have to admit that I am a late bloomer when it comes to the Downton Abbey club. I have only just finished watching series one and I really am lost for words! I am a huge fan of period dramas but hearing its release, had to shun this one because I knew that everyone was watching it! When it comes to mass watched programs I have a concept that are usually tacky and only popular because of some well known cast members and a huge advertising campaign behind it. Oh how I was wrong with this one! The great cast are there but there is so much more to the show than just the cast alone. The Abbey itself is just breathtaking! so breathtaking in fact that when it reopens in Spring I am going to visit it to get the true experience of the place. The show really has picked such a beautiful backdrop to film with and I think that it is because of this that the sucess of the show has gone through the roof. The Abbey seems to become a character in itself that has a huge affect on the peoples lives and really puts some flavor into the story lines. The writing is also great for the show and has to be noted. humorous pinches throughout the whole series, not just give the show the beauty and wow factor but also add to the entertainment factor too. I really do not need to go into depths with the cast. I think that they are all great. I have my favorites like we all do but there really is not a character that can be picked out that really has not put their heart and soul into their acting. You hate the ones that should be hated and love the ones that need to be loved. I love the contrast between the servants and the lords of the house but think it is also great that the show has focused on the connection between the two so well. If you thought that was all, you would be wrong! There is yet another thing that has to be pointed out from this series and that is the music. I had a little listen to the album on iTunes and it just sends you away as you are listening to it. It really adds to the mood of the scenes and pushes so much more emotion through the show. If this music was changed or they simply did not use it then the whole show would have such a different feel to it. I am tempted to buy the album for myself too! If you have never watched this show then you have to straight away, I demand it. Even if it is just to see how beautifully filmed it is, it will win you over and you will be back for a second series just like me. I am really looking forward to the second series and the third after that. I am not one for writing such a positive review but I think that this show has earned it all the way. There really is not a negative thing to say about it other than it needs more episodes! The last thing I am going to leave you with is “give me more Maggie Smith!”

"Items that I have seen and liked"

2012-01-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

Something that made me smile today was when I was browsing the website of a rather brightly coloured London department store. Some rather brightly coloured note books caught my eye and I had to have a look at the whole collection. Whilst I thought the whole idea was serious at first, as I was reading titles such as “Celebrities I met and liked” “Photographers I met and liked” and “Travelers I met and liked” I started to read titles that slapped a grin on my face “Royals I met and liked” “Wives I had and liked” and finally “Journalists I met and liked” I mean seriously! how many royals would you actually fill into a book, divorces are on the up but unless you are Britney Spears, you would not be able to fill the book and are there any journalists that we could honestly say that we like!? I love the idea and the colours are vibrantly beautiful! I do plan to go out and buy one or two and I think I have my eyes on the “Wives I had and liked” and the “Shrinks I met and liked” anyway, have a little gander and start up a little quirky collection yourself!

the link to the Archie Grand website is: http://www.archiegrand.com/index.html

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

High Speed Rail: Stop Complaining!

2012-01-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

If any of you have read or passed a newspaper, watched a news channel or even browsed over a news website, you will know that the news is focused on the High Speed Rail 2 project that has just gotten its green light. Whilst I understand the problems and arguments that will come with just a huge and prominent project, I am surprised how some people have been reacting over it. I know that it is awful and incredibly frustrating for anyone that lives near this project as they will face major disruption and could even loose their homes but what i do not get is that these people should understand that our country does need things like this. It is fair enough that the MPs for these areas have all stated that you can increase capacity on the other train lines surrounding but I personally think that if you take a long hard look at the plans that by the time this project is completed, we will need this. If the UK does not develop then we will be stuck back behind everyone else, lacking the opportunities that we could have had if things like this had just gotten the go ahead. More people should travel by trains as it is better for the environment, it will be faster than cars and with the cost of driving and owning a car going up (yes I know that rain tickets are not cheap themselves) it will be better off to travel by trains. Whilst I love London and have a huge respect for the city, I do not turn a blind eye to the potential of other cities in our country. This line will benefit more places outside London by adding connection and speed. Yes in the process people will have to move, things will have to change but even if I was one of these people that had to move, I would not like it but I would understand. I hate the “yes but not in my back yard” attitude that people have and I think that sometimes people need to stop thinking so much about the small picture and focus more on the bigger picture. People may or may not agree with me but if the same attitude would have been taken with the London underground all those years ago then I think that there would be less disruption and negativity surrounding the works that are currently taking place with TFL. We can delay it but at the end of the day it will have to happen at some point and it is these people that would complain in any situation that will arise from and surrounds this project.

Above: The proposed final plan

Above: Boooooo!

Signing out, Thatmfeeling

look at my pretty balls!

2012-01-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

I saw this article many weeks ago and was so impressed that I saved the photos to share with you (when I could remember to to be completely honest!) I thought that it was so interesting that our countries can be depicted with something so simple as paper yet for it to be so effective that most people would be able to correctly guess. In a time where I think that many places in the world are converging and becoming so similar in style, attitude, architecture and knowledge, it is nice to know that these small qualities such as a denim pair of jeans or a newspaper can still decipher one country from another. Whilst I do not know what some of them are, I could clearly guess other countries (and yes I know that it says the countries name next to it!)

if you are not on here then what would symbolise your country!? hope you had a good old look, signing out, Thatmfeeling

Why Is TV So Crap!?

2012-01-07T16:09:00.000-08:00

I have not really written much about my Christmas as it was a time for me to get away and enjoy time with the family but it was a good time to share time with each other and do the classic thing that my family does and that was to watch some TV together. I am not a huge television fan, I do not own a TV and if there is anything worth watching then I will buy it on DVD to watch when I have the time. Two things got me thinking about this topic. Firstly, what was on the TV was God damn awful and it made me understand why I do not watch television. The other thing was that for Christmas I got the last season of Smallville on DVD. I do not think I know a friend that likes Smallville but I have watched it since it first come out and now, ten years later I am watching the final few episodes. Watching this show got me thinking that TV is not what it use to be all those years ago. Maybe it is just a dry period (that sounds gross) for TV but I just do not see any good programs out there anymore. Reality seems to have killed the decent shows and now slowly reality seems to be failing itself. Maybe it is just me getting older and turning into this bitter grumpy old man (lets hope not) but even reality television has had to transform into “scripted reality” with shows such as TOWIE and Made in Chelsea (I can not judge as I love TOWIE!) but it is as if we are going full circle and that things once again have to be scripted to fill up the dramatic gap that is missing from our lives. Part of me is intrigued to see what will be next in our television lives but then the other part of me just really does not care as I am sure it will be a car crash if it involves programs such as Eastenders and the other over the top, drained programs (I am sorry but I know I have just offended about half of my friends now!) I am not too sure where I am going with this blog but I will really miss the idea that next Christmas I will not have that Smallville DVD under the tree like I have done every year for however long now. Whilst I admit that the show was not one of the best ever made, it was cute and it was a program that you could happily be entertained by for an hour each week (or if you are like me and you get addicted and you cant stop watching the DVD) I am not sure where my DVD habits will take my viewing life after this as the only program now that I have been religiously buying on DVD is House MD and we all know that the show itself will not have many years left under its belt as it has been going for a while already. Lets hope for our sanity that America can push out some gooduns soon to get us all hooked back into that world that takes us out of this one!

Signing out, Thatmfeeling