The Life and Times

My life in pictures:

Joni and I went down to Bournemouth last weekend, which is on the south west coast of England. We were visiting a friend we made in Croatia, Jesse, who very kindly housed us for two nights while we did these things:

Went to a huge Bournemouth Uni event called Block Party, six bars were open to those who had wristbands all night with DJs and events.

Went on a bouncy castle at the pre's to that ^^

Decided we weren't ready to go back to London and just didn't get on our return train home.

Drank Bloody Mary's the next day to cure out hangover.

Sunk our toes into the white sand at Bournemouth pier, Joni eating mint choc chip ice-cream, me some hot chips in newspaper.

Went out again, this time to celebrate a birthday with a motley crue that included 61-year-old Marg, the photo below is of the completely stocked bar she had in her back garden, personally hand painted by the woman herself.

Laid on the beach again, this time I got very sunburnt, which has now turned into tan. Unfortunately the tan is a definite line running half way up my thigh. 

Got the afternoon coach home in various states of depression and exhaustion, slightly wishing we had Jesse's life, and lived in such close proximity to the beach.

Got talked into going back again for the uni's Summer Ball! C'mon June.

Thank you again Jesse :)

I spent Tuesday and most of Wednesday recovering from the weekend, only for Wednesday night to turn into quite a ruckus: homemade strawberry daiquiris, going to Cheapskates where the drinks are £1.50, loving hearing Haim and, as always, the new Daft Punk song, and coming home at the completely unreasonable hour of sunrise. 

Sorry about the evil red eye

My Friday-Sunday was quite a contrast, I went to St Paul's Cathedral (not to repent my sins just to sit in the garden) and the Museum of London on Friday, and explored Clerkenwell (where I visited a very quirky and interesting bookshop, Magma).

Museum of London- good to see they included the important things!

On Saturday I went to London Fields, where Broadway Markets was in full swing. They're food markets. Did I like it? Ehhhh, yes, I loved it.

I got a mint tea from the famous Climpson and Sons, along with a vegan and gluten free cupcake and sat in the park with my book. Heaven.

Saturday night Joni and I watched Flight- very good! - and managed to not convince ourselves to go out, which is what normally happens when we plan a quiet sleepover.

In food news, I was chef this week for Marty, Sarah and I. We split the shopping bill, I cooked, and they washed up. Best idea ever.

shopping...

This was the menu:

Thai Chicken Salad

Steak, Asparagus and Roasted Sweet Potato

Thai Fish Cakes with Green Salad

Stuffed Capsicums (or Peppers. Or Pepsicums as Marthe once said)

Chicken Kebabs and Quinoa Tabbouleh

Chickpea and Sweet Potato Burgers

I loved life.

Here is a picture of a green smoothie that I slurped up quick smart.

At the moment, however, I am homesick.

I'm loving London still, my to-do list is miles long, I've got work experience so I'm busy etc etc.

BUT it was Mother's Day today at home, and I wish I would have gotten a cuddle off Mum.

I think the Bournemouth ocean has made me want to be here:

This quote I saw in the Museum of London made me chuckle though, and it sums up London perfectly.

"It it not a pleasant place, it is not agreeable or cheerful or easy or exempt from reproach, it is only magnificent"- Henry Jame, 1869

One last note, the next two weekends are my last full ones in London.....

Every other one I'm either away, going away, or coming home from going away.

So I suppose I'll be sipping a Tasty Tom's at Yelo before long...

xxx

P.S. I saw Simon Amstell at Kings Cross Station.

 

Marylebone and Regent's Park

Hiya! Today is May 1, and summer is well and truly here!

This photo was taken last night. An elephant shaped cloud. Hopefully I'm not the only one who can see it?!

To take advantage of the beautifully sunny day, I caught the bus to Marylebone, to visit a few shops from my London Style Guide, and to have a stroll and my lunch in Regents Park. Their were loads of people relaxing on the lawn, tourists, business men, school groups, and one particularly racy oiled up chubby man on the deck chairs by the pond. Good times. No picture evidence, but that's probably a good thing.

They have a communal garden scheme!

After the park, and after inspecting the park map, I realised Camden was really close! The closeness of inner London has come to my attention recently. If you don't know London well this won't mean much, but Baker Street to Camden was only about 20 minutes, the same time it would take the tube. Amazing. I have plans to walk from my place to Hampstead soon, it's an hour long walk or 15 minutes on the tube. Just for fun!

Today's Walk

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.