"my whole life is tinged with melancholy." - Don Delillo's Great Jones Street

- fin -

2011-07-29T22:54:00.000+01:00

Not that I have much left to say anyway but for now, I guess this is the end.

west end live

2011-06-18T23:07:00.013+01:00

West End Live is an annual event showcasing the best entertainment West End has to offer. Because Leicester Square is currently undergoing a face-lift, this year it is being held in Trafalgar Square. I heard about this on the radio and since I'm not working today, I went. After all it's free! But it's not just about songs and dances because aside from musical performances, there are exhibits from The Science Museum, the London Film Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the National Gallery and more.

A picture paints a thousand words, daw. Kaya, I'll just let these photos do the talking.

At least 10,000 people witnessed today's event.

Even Crazy Frog was there.

And Jack Sparrow.

Where's Waldo?

Apparently, Free Run has 15 Guiness World Records. Members of the group take on parkour, stunts and martial arts.

Defying Gravity at 1120.

Phantom 2.0

I wonder if this is as "bad" as the movie?

Billy Elliott

Lend Me a Tenor is a new Musical Comedy that opened just last week.

Betty Blue Eyes is about a pig with, you guess it, blue eyes. The musical is a Cameron Mackintosh production.

Velma and Roxie.

The cast literally rocked the crowd. I hope to see this show soon.

Dark clouds mean ...

Mother. . . Rain

Amazingly, everybody stayed where they were.

The Jersey Boys singing in the rain. Great performance.

The music of Abba.

Thriller Live is a show celebrating the career of the King of Pop - Michael Jackson.

Didn't enjoy this act so much. The American humor seemed lost.

Seriously?!? I really didn't get this.

Hope to see this one soon, too. A movie starring Tom Cruise is actually in the works.

The London production stars Shane Ward - winner of X-Factor.

Vintage Batmobile.

And if you needed reminding, the Olympics is coming to London real soon.

isda - chu

2011-06-11T17:38:00.014+01:00

I don't eat fish except for tuna. And I'm not talking about sushi-type of tuna, more of the Century variety. Some people call tuna as the "chicken of the sea" even if they don't really fly.

As I've said, I don't eat fish but they sure love eating me.

Me and Yuan went to experience the Fish Spa at the Manila Ocean Park recently. "Treatment" is done by immersing the feet in a pool and the little flesh eating fishes (Garra rufa) feed on the loose and dead skin. As you can see from the picture above, the fishes attacked my feet. It was very ticklish but not painful. My feet were noticeably smooth after the 20 minute feeding session.

Contrary to popular belief, the fish spa is not a new idea. The Kangal Spa in Turkey has been in operation since the early 1900's. There are even some historical evidences that show they've been around for ages.

car

2011-06-10T19:00:00.002+01:00

The real Mc~~Coy~~Queen.

first class

2011-06-04T16:29:00.003+01:00

The bestest movie of the franchise thus far.

may movie audit

2011-06-01T16:13:00.003+01:00

The Green Hornet

Kung-Fu Panda 2

Season of the Witch

The Dilemma

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince

The Informant

Little Fockers

Water for Elephants

Cedar Rapids

Insidious

Social Network

jollibee

2011-05-22T22:59:00.000+01:00

One of the only 5 pictures we took in Hong Kong.

Macau

2011-05-20T23:37:00.002+01:00

We are in China!

Will tell you more about it by and by.

A380

2011-05-12T15:34:00.009+01:00

I only want simple things in life. A friend told me once I am quite easy to please. Perhaps. But to be honest I just know what I want and when I have it, I am happy.

The A380 is the world's largest commercial aircraft. It's a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine airliner that provides seating for 525 people in a typical three-class configuration or up to 853 people in all- economy configurations. I was lucky to fly in it from London to Singapore via Singapore Airlines.

The plane is massive. I can't imagine this getting filled. In fact, our flight was only about 50% full. View of the cattle class.

I had the whole row to myself! Managed to lie down, it felt like I was in first-class. Not! hehehe.

Singapore Airlines has one of the best entertainment programs. Saw 5 movies in total whilst on this flight. A quick look at the monitor and we were flying over Romania.

Call me strange but I actually like airline food. Singapore Air's food selection was really good. The first course was Indian Prawn Curry.

We were served snacks in between. Roasted peanuts and pineapple juice. FYI, this was my first orange juice in more than two years.

Ham and Egg sandwich with crisps. That was actually my favorite flavour until I tried the flame grilled steak crisps (also from McCoys) the other day. Sarap!

A couple of hours before landing and we were served one last meal. Stir-fried beef and Singapore noodles.

Half a check off my bucket list. When I ride the largest ship in the world, it'll be a full check.

april movie audit

2011-05-01T00:01:00.010+01:00

Fast Five: Rio Heist

Les Aventures Extraordinaires d'Adele Blanc-Sec

Thor

Arthur

Beastly

Scream 4

Rio

Red Riding Hood

Your Highness

Sucker Punch

Source Code

Hop

ulam

2011-04-27T13:26:00.008+01:00

Sa atin, ang tawag dito ay Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa.

Here, this dish is called Fine Beans and Butternut Squash with Pork, Chopped Lemongrass, Chili Flakes and Coconut Cream Broth.

london marathon

2011-04-17T22:15:00.008+01:00

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Today, was my first marathon. I was watching at the sideline.

The London Marathon is one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the City. It is also one of the top five world's marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors. This year, at least 36,5oo runners from around the world were expected to finish the 26.2 mile course. In the end, both the men's and women's races were topped by runners from Kenya.

Not them. That's Mario & Luigi.

I found a spot just outside Millwall Park. There, I was joined by thousands of people who were cheering the runners as they pass by. The atmosphere was great. Festive, actually. And you would never guess who and what I saw this afternoon.

It's Will & Kate!

SpongeBob

Dude, where's your pants?

That's a big head.

I will follow him.

grenade

2011-04-09T15:09:00.017+01:00

Personally, I much prefer music from the 60's and the 70's. I remember my Tatay playing his records on full blast to get me and my siblings up and out of bed for school. The Beach Boys, The Beatle s, the Carpenters, Abba, Elvis and some of the artists of Motown served as our alarm clock each morning. Their incredible songs were a great start to my day. Eventually, I got acquainted to Johnny Cash, The Who, Billy Joel, Elton John and other amazing artists from that era.

Which is why I don't really know much about today's music. Most of the artists now, I don't get. I even asked Ketty, "Why is everyone gaga over Gaga?". But this is not a critique on contemporary sound. You see, I don't even have a radio in my flat. Never had one since I moved to the UK and I've stopped watching MTV for almost a decade now. Everything changed when I started my not-so-new-job in London. They play FM in the office. And now, I know the Top 40.

There's one particular song that caught my ear at the moment. The funny thing is, this tune ain't exactly new. I learned today it was released in November last year. Anyway, Grenade by Bruno Mars is one heck of a song. Full of melancholic melody and its lyrics brimming with angst and despondency, the song is brilliantly composed. And to make it even more hauntingly poignant, the half-Pinoy(!) kills it with stunning vocals.

march movie audit

2011-04-01T14:30:00.007+01:00

Animal Kingdom

No Strings Attached

Unknown

The Adjustment Bureau

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger

Limitless

The Resident

The Eagle

i'm all over it

2011-03-27T20:51:00.001+01:00

LQ in the time of 3G.

Hands down, one of the cleverest, cheekiest and most charming adverts on TV today.

wow philippines

2011-03-16T09:49:00.004+00:00

spotted somewhere in the west end.

wtp

2011-03-02T18:19:00.003+00:00

wat da pak?

february movie audit

2011-03-01T19:42:00.007+00:00

Tangled

Paul

All these, £13.50 lang. Popcorn not included.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2011

2011-02-15T23:11:00.003+00:00

This is why God created HD.

any movie, any time

2011-02-06T16:46:00.013+00:00

I am chuffed!

Because I am not one to pass on a good deal, I signed up for a Cineworld Unlimited card. For £13.50 a month (a movie ticket usually costs £8), it is the ultimate movie lover's card where you get to experience unlimited tears, unlimited horror, unlimited laughter, unlimited fear.

Going to the cinema is one of my favorite things. It is also one of the million and one things I miss back home where a movie ticket is, still, cheaper. And this sweet little thing is just the answer to my homesickness.

Get this, in the last 2 days I have seen more movies than I have in the last year. So yeah, I went to see 127 Hours, Black Swan, Rabbit Hole and The Fighter. Amongst the four, ~~kay Ana, ako napatingin~~ (lame? eh, can't help it. hehehe) I enjoyed The Fighter the most. It is a stirring tale of a small town boxer whose reputation as just a stepping stone prompted him to work hard and make his way to the top. Predictable, yes but worth seeing because of the outstanding performances especially from the supporting cast.

Christian Bale as a washed-up boxer, sullied by drug addiction, and Melissa Leo as the white trash mother are breathtaking. It is easy to make someone look dirty and filthy in pictures but these two actually reeked of filth, you can smell the rotten stench of their characters beyond the celluloid. You root for Mark Walhberg's (he had Pacquiao in mind when doing this role) Mickey because you feel sorry for him for having a crackhead for a brother and a crazy skank for mother.

The Fighter is a compelling film, with drama, comedy and some really good fights!

viva santo tomas

2011-01-28T19:06:00.006+00:00

If you think my writing is juvenile, you're not wrong. I write like a 9 year old, which is kinda insulting to grade schoolers who can actually write.

But enough about me. My beloved alma mater, The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines, celebrates it's 400th year. I am proud to be a Thomasian. I know my words cannot give justice to how honored I am to be one. Pardon me for doing an MVP but let me "borrow" the Inquirer editorial. Their tribute to Uste is, to put it simply, beautiful.

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UST’s staying power

Filipinos may strike their breast for their short memory and notorious “ningas cogon” attitude, negative traits that hamper their efforts at unity and authentic nation-building; but they don’t have to look far for inspiring examples of visionary enterprise, sense of mission and commitment to it, along with resilience, tenacity, and sheer staying power. This week the University of Santo Tomas formally starts its year-long celebration of its 400th anniversary as Asia’s oldest university, and whether one is an alumnus or not, one must join in the thanksgiving for, as UST Rector Magnificus Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., put it, UST has indeed been a “gift” to the Philippine nation.

It is a gift because for a people unsure about their national identity and bereft of institutions to reflect their worth and pride as a people, UST has been a paragon of institution-building. Older than the Philippine republic and practically the oldest institution in the country after the Roman Catholic Church, UST is the alma mater of the founders of the Philippine nation (Jose Burgos, Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Felipe Agoncillo and nearly all the framers of the Malolos Constitution) as well as of four presidents (Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel and Diosdado Macapagal), and of patriots and nationalists (Claro M. Recto and Fernando Ma. Guerrero), several Supreme Court chief justices, jurists and lawmakers.

UST was founded by the intrepid Dominican order. The small seed that was to become UST was sown on the death-bed of the third archbishop of Manila, the Dominican friar Miguel de Benavides who, before dying in 1605, bequeathed his personal library and his meager personal fortune of 1,500 Spanish pesos for the establishment of a college-seminary for the training of priests. It was only five years later that his Dominican confreres were able to gather enough extra donors and start the college.

Starting as a school for the sacred sciences, UST later branched out to the civil disciplines so much so that today, UST sports proudly all of the superlative titles as far as age is concerned—oldest law school, oldest medical school, oldest school of pharmacy and of other health sciences, oldest journalism school.

Of course, it has become a cliché to call UST “older than Harvard,” a tag invented not by the Dominicans but by the American governor-general, Cameron Forbes who wanted to measure every Spanish-bred institution in the Philippines based on Anglo-American yardsticks.

Some critics pigeonhole UST as a Spanish colonial relic that hasn’t kept up with the times. But even the Jesuit American historian John Schumacher has noted that the quality of education provided by UST in the Spanish period was comparable to that of Europe, else how could Rizal and the other Filipinos who continued their studies there have adjusted very well to the European curriculum? Else how could UST have given the Church the Dominican theologian Ceferino Gonzales, who became cardinal-archbishop of Toledo and primate of the Spanish church, and who became the adviser of Pope Leo XIII in the universal revival of Thomism in the late 19th century? Else how could UST have provided Europe the Dominican thinkers Norberto Prado and Francisco Marin Sola, who occupied one after the other the theology chair of the University of Fribourg and who became top theologians of the first half of the 20th century?

Moreover, while Harvard is heavily subsidized, UST is not. In fact, it has not historically received any subsidy—not from the Spanish monarchy or colonial establishment, not from the Americans, and not from the Philippine republic. Despite all this, UST is, according to the Professional Regulation Commission, the best performing private school in licensure exams and the biggest provider of Filipino professionals. Among private schools, too, it has the highest number of programs declared as Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development by the Commission on Higher Education.

Amid the vicissitudes of history, UST has forged on, with its overriding vision of Christian humanism and Thomist optimism, which looks at nature and everything as vehicles and bases of grace. But when one looks today at UST’s sprawling campus in Manila—with its classic earthquake-proof Main Building, its two hospitals, one of which is the biggest private charity hospital in the country, and its magnificent art-deco church—one comes into contact with a sight not Thomistic, but Augustinian: it is the vision of the City of God on earth. It is a vision that all Filipinos should aspire to.

Happy birthday, Uste!

--------------------------

-----------------------------

In case you are still wondering what Philippine university is oldest in Asia, this is what a good friend had say.

No contest: UST is oldest university
By José Victor Torres

MANILA, Philippines—Learning history sometimes means memorizing superlatives—“the highest,” “the longest,” “the shortest,” “the earliest,” “the lowest,” etc. It sounds like studying history means grabbing a Philippine edition of the Guinness Book of World Records and reading through its facts.

Yet, it is these superlatives that give people, places and institutions distinction.

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is one of these institutions. It is recognized as the oldest in Asia, older in fact than Harvard in the United States.

In addition to this claim to fame along with the titles “Royal” and “Pontifical” and “The Catholic University of the Philippines,” UST boasts of a historical continuity with its original owners and administrators—the Dominicans.

But its reputation as the “oldest university” was challenged by the University of San Carlos in Cebu which, in 1995, officially celebrated its “400th Foundation Day.” The Cebu institution traced its beginnings from the foundation of a Jesuit-run school, Colegio de San Ildefonso de Cebu, in 1595 to the present.

San Carlos’ assertion dates back to 1948 when the college was elevated to a university. Since then, newspaper articles published this “fact,” the latest in 1995 when writer F.C. Borlongan reiterated in a newspaper article that “San Carlos, not UST, is the oldest university.”

As well-respected historian and former UST archivist Fr. Fidel Villarroel, O.P. pointed out in a journal article, “UST or San Carlos of Cebu? A Question of Age”: “This is not the first time that newspapers, periodical publications and even an occasional history book have come out with such a claim which, in our considered judgment, is totally erroneous.”

With the ongoing quadricentennial celebration of UST, this contention must be resolved with available historical data. Several questions are to be answered: Which educational institution is the oldest? What are the evidences? And, why argue about these claims?

Looking through facts

UST’s history remains unquestionable: The Dominicans were at the helm of higher learning in Spanish-colonial Philippines. It is a tribute to their roles as stalwarts of education that their legacy—UST—still remains today as a bastion of higher learning.

Its foundation on April 26, 1611, happened more than three decades after the founding of the City of Manila. It was from Manila Archbishop Miguel de Benavides, O.P., that a school of higher learning came into being through his last will that provided a library and funds to erect a “seminary-college.”

Its name was Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, later to be renamed as Colegio de Santo Tomas de Nuestra del Rosario, and, finally, to Colegio de Santo Tomas.

Through the years, the colegio underwent major changes that raised its stature. In 1619, Pope Paul V authorized the granting of degrees of Philosophy and Theology to all colleges administered by the Dominicans in the “Occidental Indies.”

In 1645, Pope Innocent X raised Santo Tomas to the rank of university. In 1785, the title “Royal” was given by Charles III in recognition of their loyalty to Spain during the war against England.

In 1902, it was given the title of “Pontifical” by Leo XIII and, in 1947, the title of “Catholic University” was granted by Pius XII.

What about San Carlos?

The university’s fame also provided the impetus for the Spanish government to assign it as the Bureau of Education in the mid-19th century when the secondary school system was revamped. This is the reason many student records of different schools, such as Ateneo and Letran, are found in the UST archives.

The case against San Carlos’ claim was made in two scholarly articles written by Villaroel and a professor of the San Carlos Seminary itself, Aloysius Lopez Cartagenas.

Villarroel wrote that the historical problem of San Carlos is this: “The case of the University of San Carlos is an entirely different story. Different in the sense that its origins have yet to be established solidly on the basis of unquestionable historical documentation. But whatever date may be fixed and conventionally accepted as the foundation date, it cannot be the year 1595.”

San Carlos has its roots tied with those of another institution—the Jesuit-run Colegio de San Ildefonso. What made it troubling is that this school has a spotty past.

San Ildefonso opened in 1595 and closed down in 1608, leaving only a primary school (similar to an elementary school) for boys. There was a lack of students as many Spanish residents left Cebu to settle in Manila.

The school closed down after the Jesuit expulsion from the Philippines in 1768. Its buildings, however, were used by the Diocese of Cebu for San Carlos Seminary, which was established in 1783.

In 1867, the seminary opened a government-authorized secondary school that became known as “Colegio de San Carlos.”

In 1924, during the American period, the colegio separated from the seminary and, in 1948, was given university rank by the Philippine government.

In its entire existence, the school changed administration from the diocese to the Vincentians and, finally, to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) order.

Based on these facts, Cartagenas wrote: “The earliest roots of the University of San Carlos in Cebu are not the Jesuit Colegio de San Ildefonso of 1595 but Seminario de San Carlos which, under the Vincentian Fathers, began to admit lay students in 1867. The year 1867, not 1595, as claimed, appears to be the auspicious beginning of an educational institution that would later become a university.”

Conclusion

It seemed that University of San Carlos’ history does not come from one but three different schools—the 1595 Jesuit Colegio de San Ildefonso that began as an institution of higher learning but was reduced to a primary school that later closed down; San Carlos Seminary, which educated and trained the diocesan clergy; and, from this seminary, Colegio de San Carlos was founded in 1867, recognized in 1912, and becoming a university only in 1948.

Three different schools. Three different histories with a break in its timeline. This historical discontinuity and the institutions that were founded lacked what Villarroel called San Carlos’ “homogenous growth.”

“You do not call a mango tree an orange tree just because the mango tree has grown in the place where formerly an orange tree was planted, grew and died,” he wrote.

Accident of age

Why argue about superlatives?

At first glance, such arguments and contentions may be trivial to the reader. After all, both universities enjoy a reputation of excellence. But, as Villarroel said, “the accident of age may add luster to the institution.”

This has been true for UST throughout its 400 years of existence.

If we research, study and interpret the historical facts well, the honor of being “the oldest university” belongs to the University of Santo Tomas.

House resolution

Perhaps the issue was settled last Dec. 1 when the House of Representatives passed Resolution No. 51, “Resolution Congratulating the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on the occasion of its Quadricentennial University in 2011.”

The resolution was officially presented to UST Rector Magnificus Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., surrounded by proud UST alumni among the lawmakers, in a special session of the lower chamber on Jan. 18.

On Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the opening of the 10th biennial conference of the International Council of St. Thomas Aquinas Universities (Icusta) headed by UST, with presidents and administrators of several prestigious international universities present, the resolution was read by Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo of Valenzuela City.

The resolution leaves no doubt as to which is the oldest university in the Philippines and Asia. It describes UST as “founded on April 28, 1611 by Archbishop Miguel de Benavides” and “has the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines and Asia.”

The UST charter and other historic documents, preserved in the UST archives, should show the historical and documentary validity of UST’s claim as the oldest university in this part of the world.

UST events

UST has been celebrating its 400th anniversary this week. On Monday, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales blessed the UST Jubilee Door at UST Santisimo Rosario Church and gave an apostolic blessing in a High Mass on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI, who has proclaimed 2011 as UST Jubilee Year.

Yesterday, UST formally opened the 10th biennial conference of the International Council of St. Thomas Aquinas Universities at UST Santisimo Rosario Church after a High Mass presided over by Archbishop Karl Adams, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines.

President Aquino addressed the conference, an international federation of higher-education institutions taking after the principles of St. Thomas Aquinas, the universal patron saint of Catholic schools. The UST Conservatory of Music later mounted the opera “Cavelleria Rusticana” at the UST College of Medicine Auditorium.

Today, the Quattrromondial, the UST Quadricentennial Memorial Monument, a 10-meter sculpture in bronze and glass by internationally renowned Filipino sculptor Ramon G. Orlina and modeled by actors Piolo Pascual and Charlene Gonzales, will be unveiled at UST Quadricentennial Park.

On Friday, a High Mass marking the UST Quadricentennial and the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas will be held at the UST Grandstand and Football Field, at 5 p.m. The principal celebrants are Cardinal Zenon Grocheleweski, the special papal legate sent by Benedict XVI, and Fr. Bruno Cordore, master general of the Dominican Order.

The alumni homecoming party follows.

( Jose Victor Torres was a former senior historical researcher of the Intramuros Administration. He has a doctorate in History and has won the National Book Award for his Intramuros history guidebook.)

neighborhood

2011-01-21T14:40:00.010+00:00

I couldn't have picked a better place to live in the city. It's close to my work, has great access to transport links and best of all, it's in a quiet and peaceful area in the middle of the Docklands.

Although I've been to London numerous times before, this is the first time that I am actually living in the British capital. My previous visits only lasted 4 days at the most and I've only been to the touristy and nicer parts of London.

When I got the offer to work in London, looking for accommodation was my biggest challenge. My soon to be employers suggested that I look for flats in the East end area as it would be easier and more convenient to get to work via the DLR. They forgot to mention though that this side of London is, to put it simply, rough. I checked out places in Stratford, Upton Park, Plaistow and Canning Town. The air in those places smelled danger. I tought to myself, I would need to wear an armour everytime I would be going out of the house. Lewisham and Deptford weren't good either. In fact, I saw a flat in Lewisham that was really dodge, I didn't think I was going to get out alive!

I eventually found this maisonette in Island Gardens. Located in the borough of Tower Hamlets, I like that it feels like you're not in the middle of the city. There are 3 parks nearby, a football pitch, tennis courts and miles and miles of bike lane. I imagine the area coming alive in the summer.

Below is a picture of the street I live in. It's only 5 minutes to the DLR which can take me to work in less than 10 minutes or I can walk for about 20 minutes to reach Canary Wharf centre.

Island Gardens DLR station.

There's an abundance of open space! Time to put my running shoes on and start jogging. Below are photos of Millwall Park which is practically at my doorstep.

The skyscrapers in Canary Wharf.

The following are pictures Mudchute Farm & Park, literally in my backyard. This is the route I take to work.

Can you see the llama?

Island Gardens Park.

Old Royal Navy College in Greenwich as seen from the park.

pepito in the city

2011-01-14T16:21:00.012+00:00

The monkey has landed in the Isle of Dogs six years after he set foot on this country.

The new year brought along a new job in Britain's financial hub. And whilst this is far from my ideal job, this is a start. Some of the world's most amazing success stories began at the bottom of the pit, you know? Case in point, ex-President Vicente Fox of Mexico drove a delivery truck in his first job at Coca Cola. Eventually, he went on to become the supervisor of Coca-Cola's operations, and later in all of Latin America.

Canary Wharf looks stunning in winter. This area of London is just cool. It looks like a sci-fi movie. In fact, try riding the DLR and as you approach the Canary Wharf station, tell me it doesn't feel and look like Gotham.

Proof that he is definitely a true blue Londoner. An oyster card!

Basil King said: "Be bold and the mighty forces will come to your aid."

London better be ready because I am going for my destiny. Brace yourself.

lots of love

2011-01-12T10:54:00.002+00:00

True story. A friend thought, lol meant lots of love. When her friend sent her a message last week saying:

Hi Nikki. Just to let you know, my father passed away today.

She replied:

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. We will be thinking of you at this difficult time. Lol
xxx Nikki and family.

Lol in a major, major way.

slow down, stop or go?

2010-12-31T10:46:00.006+00:00

This is not a Christmas Tree.

Believe it or not, it's actually a set of traffic lights in Canary Wharf.

Located on a roundabout just off Heron's Quay and south of Westferry Circus, I wonder how many traffic violations occur at this spot.

If you find yourself in the area, I dare you to beat the red lights.