What's New Pussycat

THE VIEW FROM MY WINDOW:

Another nice day in London. Spring is really trying hard, last Tuesday I wore a sleeveless dress and thongs to the shops! I wasn't cold even the tiniest bit.

However, the next day, Wednesday, it was hot in the morning then cold in the evening, and then hot on Thursday and then I had to wear my coat on Friday.

Oh London, I can tell you're trying. So I'll forgive you.

So, here is my past week despite the weather:

This is a gluten-free pizza topped with goat's cheese (low in lactose don't even worry). Sarah, Marthe and I ate this outside on out park benches in our building's lawn area. Oh yeah. We were celebrating! What were we celebrating I hear you ask?

I had an interview for work experience at a radio station, and I got it!

This is what I wore to the interview: enjoy the additional view of my delightful soap dispenser, squeaky clean sink and towel. And stop drooling over my curtains, they're divine I know.

I know this is a picture of people playing Volleyball, but I took this during Varsity. All of my uni's sports teams travelled to UEL, University of East London, and we had a competition! My uni totally lost, but it was a really fun day, and it was the last time to hang out with my netball girls. No more netball!

Another selfie of Joni and I to add to the collection! This was taken at XOYO in Shoreditch, we were there to see Mark Ronson, world famous DJ extraordinaire. 

There he is. Even though he really didn't play for very long, I really enjoyed it! I also considered the evening a celebration because I handed in all of my university assignments! So I'm done for another year.

I cannot believe how quickly time is going! I've been away from home for 10 and a half months, I've done another year of uni, been on a million adventures, made some super rad friends, and I still have a few months to go. 

Yesterday Joni, Sarah and I went for a really long walk along Regent's Canal, setting off from Camden Lock. It was a beautiful walk, and a lot of people were out because of the Sunday-ness of the day. London Zoo backs onto the canal, and you can see the hyenas from the path! They were eating delicious slabs of meat. 

One day I will live in a house that backs onto the canal. They are amazing! 

We topped off a very fun Sunday by adding Marthe to the mix and visiting the Camden Head in Angel for some free comedy! Unfortunately, this time the comedy was fairly average, one of the men was so insanely terrible, and he said the word 'asshole' after 500 times. Cringe. But one of the guys made some great jokes about flammable children, so we did have some giggles.

OH, one last thing. I got my nose pierced. Really sorry mum.

Love Annie

SONG OF THE WEEK

Hysteric - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Being played in anticipation for T in the Park.

Music to my Ears is a Strange Saying

This will be a listening post! I've done too much typing today trying to finish assignments. Blurgh. (Tat's an actual word by the way, reserved for students. Blurgh).

SO, here are the songs that have been pushing me through the pain of either running or studying. I would, in fact, rather run as you don't get half as many endorphins from studying, nor do you get buns of steel.

They're mainly remixes, as I like a slow groove while I'm typing / hitting the pavement.

Hot Chip - Sexual Healing

Whether by HC, Ben Harper, or the original groovster Marvin Gaye, this song never ever ever fails to disappoint. Unlike some attempts at sexual healing. SORRY couldn't resist such a good zing. I'll keep it PG.

Carlos Serrano - Adele vs Daft Punk 

I can't count the times I haven't been able to decide between Adele and Daft Punk. And now you won't have to.

Daft Punk - Get Lucky

Speaking of Daft Punk! SO funky! If you'd like to hear a fun mash-up with the song and Billie Jean, I've got some connections to Dutch radio: click here

Haim - Falling remix by Psychemagik

My new favourite band. 3 sisters (weird huh, family bands must be my thing). Will be seeing them at T in the Park in July which is making my stomach all excited

Outkast - Ms. Jackson remix by Jean Tonique
I just googled when the original was released. 2001!!! I'm so old.

Michael Jackson - Speed Demon remix by Nero
This song gets a bit too hectic for me after about 1:30, but I like the intro. Such a good MJ track, listen to the original if you haven't heard it.

Carlos Serrano - Mo Cities Mo Problems / M83

THIS is a running track only. So much fun

Enjoy! Back to blabbering on tomorrow.

X

Keen As Chirpse

Okay, flip your feet out of whatever shoes you've got on and put them into this pair:

You're at a bar with the human you're currently crushin' on, the one whose texts you spend 15 minutes drafting, deleting, re-writing and choosing the exact right emoji to convey your emotions (my personal favourite is the cat with love hearts for eyes). 

It's only the third date and you're not sure if your story about a cat you saw on the internet went down too well, and you've just spilt your vodka lime and soda all over your chin. 

Eerk.

 Then, out of nowhere, an ethereal angel sweeps in. They're the same gender as you, look like they've been styled by Gok Wan (yeah I know fashion), and they air kiss your future spouse (spring wedding would be nice...). And you automatically hate them. Doesn't matter if they're an ex, a sister or a convicted criminal, you hate them. Because they're cooler than you. Their bag is from Prada.

"Oh Prada huh. Yeah I prefer Chanel. Oh your shoes are Chanel..."

silence

"Remember when Karl Lagerfield was fat....?"

Eerk.

That exact same thing is happening to me right now. Well, apart from the bit about going on a date.

I met a long time friend of Joni's last week, and it turns out she's a writer! ME TOOO!

So this weekend, instead of writing an academic article on how Vice magazine represents drug use (I get to use the words smack and crack repeatedly), I've been reading the website she writes for, Sick Chirpse. Without wanting to sound tooooo desperate for a new friend (even though I am), her writing is very very good. I giggled and chuckled a lot reading her pieces, a line that made me LOL quite hard was in an article about fans behaving badly: "A naughty fan called John Green, presumably angered by his generic name..."

HAH.

But after every giggle I say to myself "pffffft, not even that good, I could do that, easy, easy peasy Japanesey (are you allowed to say that anymore?)". And I think that because she's cooler than me. She's wearing the literary equivalent to Chanel shoes.

But that's just the jealously bubble rising up, humans can be terrible sometimes!

For a treat, have a read. Her "choice of topic fluctuates between sex and crime, with the occasional bit of racism thrown in", and who doesn't like at least one of those things! 

CLICK

OH HAI KARL

Image Credit

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Unfortunately for me, I have to listen to myself all the time. All of my thoughts, everything I do, everything I write down, and everything that comes out of my mouth, I have to endure. It's tough times (save for my occasional zings!), and I definitely don't get paid enough!

Oh just joking! Sorry to be so self-deprecating, I'm actually quite funny and witty. My point is that I know myself quite well, and the point of this monologue is to explain something that is happening to me. Something all girls dread (although I think that's dependent on your situation).

I'm turning into my mother.

I've said it to several of my friends recently, most of whom can't attest to this as they don't know her. It is for them and for you, dear readers, that I will supply examples.

Mum: A gardener
Me: Instead of turning the page in the paper when I get to the gardening section, I instead read about the perennials and learn which hardy succulents survive well on a windowsill. Have also asked for advice re: vegetable patches.

Mum: Is pretty sassy and has no qualms speaking her mind.
Me: I walked out of my house and into a man smoking, so I coughed obnoxiously and said loudly to my companion, and in earshot of the smoker, "oh I hate when people smoke right outside a doorway, so rude!". But really, just come into my room, sit on my bed, blow smoke onto my pillow! Right guys?! Mum'll back me up...

Mum: She is a Motown baby.
Me: I've started listening to Marvin Gaye on the regular.

Mum: The best cook I know. (Tied with Dad)
Me: Am planning on making quinoa sushi and my own bread this week.

Mum: Enjoys a clean house.
Me: I'm becoming increasingly frustrated that our kitchen sink doesn't have a plug.

Mum: Bed at 8:30
Me: I wait until 9 to save my street cred (which is in abundance)

Mum: Gets a bit drunk of 1 glass of wine.
Me: ..... also me.

Mum: Likes to lie on the couch with headphone on and sing loudly.
Me: Likes to sit at my chair with headphones on and sing loudly. (Housemates can probably confirm this for you).

Mum: Takes photos of EVERYTHING on her iPad and DSLR.
Me: Takes photos of everything on my iPhone (perhaps should get iPad and DSLR to make this post 100% accurate...)

Mum: Likes to very occasionally have a "guzzy cake".
Me: Likes to very occasionally have a "guzzy cake".

Mum: LOVES MARKETS
Me: Have a ten-deep list of markets I need to visit, including one on Brighton.

Mum: A total babe.
Me: I try my best!

You know what they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery.
Love Jackie. I mean Annie.
X

P.S. If I never post again, Mum's killed me for writing this.

The Place Beyond the Pines - Review

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

Image Credit

I think it's fair to say the major drawcard for me seeing this film, and probably for many others, is the cast. With both Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper in lead roles, and Eva Mendes with a large supporting role, it's a nice film to watch. That is, until the blood starts leaking out.

Set in a small American town, the film follows Gosling's life, as a motorcycle loving outlaw, until it unwillingly intertwines with Coopers, a young rookie policeman ready to prove himself. The film then changes focus to Cooper's character, and it will change again later, leaving viewers with a feeling they've seen three films in one. The final "film" has us being lead around the dark and dangerous streets through the eyes of two teenagers, whose lives are more linked than they would wish.

Despite the jumping from one lead to another, the strong storyline, the fantastic acting and the exaggerated visual and sound affects make this an excellent film. I spent almost all of it squirming in my seat at the action on screen, some of the characters certainly need help in making the right choices in life, but it was the soundtrack that made my heart pump and my hands make their way to my eyes. The intensity of the music, the vivid and sometimes garish colour and the desire to yell out "don't do that!" really took it out of me. Lot's of deep breaths.

The Place Beyond the Pines is a very American film, not in the usual way with over the top accents and an explosion per second, but more because these events could only happen in America. A travelling circus performer come bank robber, guns, drugs, an election, corruption and one wild party, only in the US of A. A must see film, at the cinemas for the full affects of the surround sound, but perhaps at home if you're a little squeamish of blood.

Captains (b)Log

Captains Log:
14:45
Friday 29 March

Am on the bus to Glasgow. Not focusing on anything around me other than my book. Despite experiencing the sharp stinging headache between my eyes I get when reading on transport, I'm pushing through the pain to read. The book: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. A who-dunnit murder mystery with lots of question marks, sex, betrayal and sharp intakes of breath. Highly recommended.

15:35
Have just look out of window. Saw a shop that sells fireplaces. Hilarious.

Captains Log:
14:30
Sunday 31 March

Glagow. Have just met my future husband at the Kelvingrove Museum. His name is Roger. I think we'll be able to overcome our different hides and my lack of tail. He makes me feel good about my large nose.

Captains Log:
11:35
Wednesday 3 April

Am sitting atop Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, keen fans will know it from the first and last scenes in One Day by David Nicholls. (The film is as good as the book, not even Anne Hathaway could ruin that!)
It's our final day in Edinburgh and I'm looking out at all of the land. I can see the ocean (reminding me of home). The castle is in view, we visited yesterday (didn't go in, £14 no thank you!). The walking tour took us all over the Royal Mile, and took us through the graveyard we saw the previous night during our Ghost Tour (on which a lady fainted, fake!). If I squint I can see the Elephant House Cafe (a combination of my favourite things: food [all the cakes were gluten free!], elephants, and Harry Potter [J.K. wrote the first book here]).
Oh Edinburgh. My traveling companions and I are all in agreement, can we live here?!

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. SO WEIRD!

Scott's Memorial

Eeeeeeelephant House!

Edinburgh from the sky

Me, three layers of clothing, and Edinburgh town

Posing

Captains Log
16:15
Friday 5 April

Am gliding on Loch Ness, have been searching high and low for the monster on our cruise ship. We didn't see Nessie, but just between you and me, I did see a large moving mass under the water. Legit? I think so.
Inverness has top points for beauty, and the Morrisons here has a rad salad bar.

This is a theory I can really get my teeth into

Walking along the River Ness

Loch Ness!

An Inverness sunset

Captains Log
02:30
Sunday 7 April

Why am I awake you ask? I'm on a 12-hour night bus from Inverness to London. I don't know if it's just us, but it's really hot on this bus. Maybe all four of us are going through early on-set menopause. I'm no scientist so I won't rule it out. GET ME OFF THIS BUS. I'm listening to "Money Ain't A Thing" by Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri. What's a nice girl like me doing listening to such inflammatory lyrics? One of the great mysteries of the world. This, from Sarah, is making me giggle at least.

Captains Log
20:34
Wednesday 10 April

Joni is staying for the night. Having dinner with her and Marthe. They've ganged up on my and are using the opportunity to make fun of old Annie. Even though I inflated Joni's mattress for her. And cooked her dinner. But I mean whatever, no biggie.

Captains Log
11:48
Saturday 13 April

One hazelnut. Two hazelnuts. Three hazelnuts. Four hazelnuts. Nigellas Nutella Cake. Got to place them in the the exact correct place. Joni's 22nd birthday today. I predict tonight will go off without a hitch.

Captains Log
23:35
Saturday 13 April

Sitting outside my bedroom door. It's locked. The security man has just arrived to open it, and to explain why I can't really stand and why I have no belongings and am all dressed up, I inform him I've "been at the library studying". I think he bought it.
(Thanks Joni, Marthe and Sarah for being reaaaaaaal pals tonight)


Captains Log
11:15
Tuesday 16 April

On the road again. London --> Manchester. Visiting le Grandparents.

OH hello

Captains Log

15:06

Thursday 17 April

Train home. Relaxing if not slightly uneventful visit. At the station I walked into the men's toilets by accident. Saw things I didn't want to. The barista at Costa corrected me on my pronunciation of soy. The day I say soya is the day I lose my love of the English language.

Blog thoughts: review of The Place Beyond the Pines and an insight into how I'm slowly but surely turning into my mother. Until next time

P.S. Don't be mistaken, I don't like nor do I watch Star Trek.

OH hello
(from Glasgow)