I have a series of gripes with certain celebrity personalities. Some of which I vocalise on Twitter, some only in my head; some I write blogs about or use as inspiration for coursework. I tend to get unnecessarily het up over certain things, and I'm fully aware my comments make no difference to the world, society or the individuals that they pertain to. But I like to share it anyway.
For the last week and a half I have felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. I rarely feel sad. If I do it's for a very short amount of time, before I manage to wretch out some sort of positive side of the situation and I carry on with life.
Right now I just feel sad and let down by a selection of people who, whilst have never particularly been heroes or even of much interest to me; other than their title as "household names".
Firstly, we have those people, celebrities and politicians, who think it is okay to hide from the tax system. I have a lot of respect for Jon Richardson who quite plainly said "David Cameron gets criticised every day for having to fire doctors and nurses because there's not enough money in the pot. And one of the reasons there's not enough money in the pot is not everyone pays his taxes.". NB. This is not a political blog, the use of this quote doesn't mean I'm ignoring bad decisions or making any sort of political comment whatsoever. I just think it was a well put argument and I'm glad that he chose to have a go at Jimmy Carr and all the other tax evaders instead of just making it light hearted. If you disagree, take it out with Jon Richardson, not me.
What gives you the right to do this? Is it "just because you can get away with it"? Because that isn't an excuse, or there'd be a lot of serial killers and shop lifters walking free. Being famous, rich, or powerful does not give you the right to steal from your country and you are not above the law. How do you think the "little people" are feeling when half their wages are being taken, and you have more than enough to live off but you just store yours elsewhere for shits and giggles? Not cool.
Secondly, Rihanna. I literally can't even get into this. Back with Chris Brown? You absolute dickhead. I feel sorry for you and your fans you're setting a horrendous example to. It's just wrong. I've watched enough documentaries at work recently where families and victims of rape, assault or kidnappings have turned their experience into a foundation, a charity or even a law in some cases; and these people are nobodies without the money or the press links to make a difference, but Goddamnit they try.
Thirdly, Lance Armstrong: Inspirational cancer-over thrower, athlete, general good guy. Serial doper. Excellent, thanks Lance. All those people you have inspired to overcome weakness, to be a winner and to succeed - it's all based on lies. I realise nothing has necessarily been proved, and he's dropped the trial "because he's tired" of the battle, but that doesn't mean he's innocent. For crying out loud, your inspiration was even used in Dodgeball to get Peter to rejoin the team - that's how much of a well known story yours is, but it was all based on lies. Now it doesn't really matter how many tour de France's you won, or how many types of cancer you overcame you lied to us and that will always weigh more on our hearts than what you did achieve.
When you're famous your life is like a soap opera. No it isn't controlled and planned by script writers, but at some point the truth will out. Nobody swaps a baby at birth, murders someone or steals from their family company without people finding out. You only can if you are a nobody, because no one is looking at you every day and no one gives enough of a shit to dig up your past. I'm not saying they shouldn't, but they won't.
Which leads me nicely to let down number four. Sir Jimmy Savile. Now I don't know what to make of these claims. I don't know why no one investigated the rumours or why it took until he died for any of these many, many women to come forward. But at the same time I'm not arrogant enough to try and get inside the mind of a terrified 12 year old girl who lived in a time when sex wasn't spoken about, rape wasn't necessarily taken seriously; so probably didn't understand what had happened to her.
Just like Lance; all the good you've done for charity, all the children you helped on your television programme, all of this means nothing now this has come out. And you're not even alive to face the music.
I have a world of respect for his family, who have moved and destroyed his headstone in order to retain the sanctity of the graveyard. I can't even begin to imagine how they feel right now, I would imagine they are heartbroken, and this won't just go away.
I don't envy people who live in the public eye. It's a lot of pressure and of course, no one expects people to be perfect. In fact all four of these cases differ in their level of severity and the people they've affected, but each of them, with a little thought and reasoning, could have been prevented by the individuals, or those around them. I think what makes me even sadder is the facade around so many of them. Jimmy Carr mocking the politicians for the expenses scandal, Rihanna saying she'd never go back to him, years of legacy from Lance, and the memorials and sadness all over the country when Savile passed away. It's all bullshit and lies, which I hate anyway; but the worst part is you can't even confront them about it. You set yourself to love and respect people and they just let you down and there's nothing you can do about it.
I'm not angry. Just disappointed.
Saturday 13 October 2012
Saturday 1 September 2012
5 Reasons why Nicholas Cage should be my boyfriend
1. THE FILMS! OH GOD THE FILMS!
Every film that Nick Cage is in is fantastic in its own ridiculous way. The storylines sound like they were concocted in a meth lab and the dialogue generally sounds like the combination of a five year old and a tourettes sufferer. The characters are terrible, the women are degraded and the unthinkable always happens. Even in good quality films, such as Kick Ass or The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Nick Cage gives it his personal ReNicholas stamp to make assure you it will not disappoint.
2. When he loses his shit.
Whatever the film, whatever the storyline, Nick Cage will do what he does best - Go bat shit crazy. I probably have inflicted this video on you before, but if I haven't, prepare for the best 4 minutes 14 seconds of your life. This man has so much soul. I also own most of the films these extracts come from and I can assure that, in context, the outbursts make... absolutely no sense whatsoever.
3. Lines that you can only get away in a film starring him.
I am a film buff and a literary snob, and I am not afraid to admit it. Film and television with terribly dialogue, books that are written terribly make me die inside. But Nick Cage could be Christian Grey and I would read that damn book and watch the film on a loop over and over again. Dear Movie Gods - PLEASE cast Nicholas Cage as Christian Grey. It would be the best decision you ever made.
"You see this here femur? It belonged to your daughter"
"Two Roger's don't make a right"
"What's in the bag? A shark or something?"
"HAGGIS"
"How in the name if Zeus's butt hole did you get out of your cell?!"
"FUCKING HANGERS"
"Have you ever been dragged the pavement until your PISSED BLOOD"
"HOW'D IT GET BURNED, HOW'D IT GET BURNED, HOW'D IT GET BURNED?!?!?!?!"
"I never derobe before opening fire."
I could go on.
4. The way you can measure the greatest of one of his film on the awfulness of his wig.
Don't believe me? Check out pictures of his films, the more terrible the wig, the more
5. Dying like no man can.
Whether it's by a chip fryer to the face, or as a sacrifice to the honey Gods. This man dies in style. And he won't die quietly. What's more, he doesn't always stay dead, and his return is majestic and fantastic. SOMETIMES he's already dead. Is there anything he can't do?!
Sunday 5 August 2012
Batman - A review
*S-s-s-s-s-spoiler Alert*
Do not read if you haven't watch the film yet. If you do you only have yourself to blame.
Definitely an amazing film. No dull parts. Really interesting use of sound and music too; particularly with the kid singing at the football match. Amazing special effects, and so glad they didn't bother with 3D because there is genuinely no need in a film like this. The story/FX balance was just right, and I salute the film for this. A lot of people have said it isn't as good as the previous Batman film, and opinion with which, with the distinct lack of Heath Ledger, I am inclined to agree. It had a lot more story than the first one, which was good in its own right. I think that you can view this film as its own product, like with the new Charlie and the Chocolate factory - it is different to the first one, and it only becomes bad, or poor, through comparison, which is not necessarily fair.
I do think it needed a bit more... something. A lot of it was very generic action movie stuff, which yep, it builds tension, there's a few twists to throw you off course but it wasn't quite special enough owing to the effort that has gone into this movie's production. I also found a lot of it was reminiscent of its surroundings. We have the riots of the poor against the rich, there are terrorists, and the scene in the football stadium I'm sure would be eerily too close to home for those poor people in that cinema in Denver (although obviously there is no link there). Then we have the Chilean minors in the buried police officers; and there was something very Mrs. Weasley about the come back of the Commissioner ("That's my city you bitch, BOOM"). The ending was also a remake of the latest Sherlock Holmes.
It also need a lot more Batman. I don't know who else feels the same, but I feel utterly mis-sold by the title of the film. High points for me were some amazing performances from Mr. Can-do-no-wrong Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Caine. Anne Hathaway definitely came out of her shell too and her nemesis/lover dynamic with Bruce worked really well. Brucey himself though; what a self indulgent little shit. I'm sorry but all this moody angst was just not what I wanted from the hero of this movie. I appreciate that he's resurrecting an old and dead part of himself but he really could have done it with less of a fuss. And yes, you should have sacrificed yourself, but you should be the selfless hero and you just weren't and that makes me sad.
The ending however was amazing. I was too slow to click that JGL would be Robin, but couldn't think of anyone better for the role.
I will end this review with a small rant about Marion Cotillard. Yes I appreciate that this is your second, or perhaps even third or fourth language, but woman, PLEASE, enunciate! I also appreciate that for 99% of the film your role was to be pointless, naked and flouncy but that is no excuse for mulching through words like "necessary" and whatever else you said that I simply couldn't catch. Luckily most of it was pointless so it didn't take much from the overall impact of the film. I've even seen you in other films where you display the ability to speak. All I can imagine is she was told to mumble while her character was being deceptive so when she reveals her true identity as the villain you think "Ah that explains her lack of communication then".
Same goes from Tom Hardy. Tone down on the echo boys, it was very difficult to understand him and he was far too posh to have been lived in a hole in the ground and to possess monstrous strength.
Overall, 4 stars. Bravo.
Do not read if you haven't watch the film yet. If you do you only have yourself to blame.
Definitely an amazing film. No dull parts. Really interesting use of sound and music too; particularly with the kid singing at the football match. Amazing special effects, and so glad they didn't bother with 3D because there is genuinely no need in a film like this. The story/FX balance was just right, and I salute the film for this. A lot of people have said it isn't as good as the previous Batman film, and opinion with which, with the distinct lack of Heath Ledger, I am inclined to agree. It had a lot more story than the first one, which was good in its own right. I think that you can view this film as its own product, like with the new Charlie and the Chocolate factory - it is different to the first one, and it only becomes bad, or poor, through comparison, which is not necessarily fair.
I do think it needed a bit more... something. A lot of it was very generic action movie stuff, which yep, it builds tension, there's a few twists to throw you off course but it wasn't quite special enough owing to the effort that has gone into this movie's production. I also found a lot of it was reminiscent of its surroundings. We have the riots of the poor against the rich, there are terrorists, and the scene in the football stadium I'm sure would be eerily too close to home for those poor people in that cinema in Denver (although obviously there is no link there). Then we have the Chilean minors in the buried police officers; and there was something very Mrs. Weasley about the come back of the Commissioner ("That's my city you bitch, BOOM"). The ending was also a remake of the latest Sherlock Holmes.
It also need a lot more Batman. I don't know who else feels the same, but I feel utterly mis-sold by the title of the film. High points for me were some amazing performances from Mr. Can-do-no-wrong Gordon-Levitt, and Michael Caine. Anne Hathaway definitely came out of her shell too and her nemesis/lover dynamic with Bruce worked really well. Brucey himself though; what a self indulgent little shit. I'm sorry but all this moody angst was just not what I wanted from the hero of this movie. I appreciate that he's resurrecting an old and dead part of himself but he really could have done it with less of a fuss. And yes, you should have sacrificed yourself, but you should be the selfless hero and you just weren't and that makes me sad.
The ending however was amazing. I was too slow to click that JGL would be Robin, but couldn't think of anyone better for the role.
I will end this review with a small rant about Marion Cotillard. Yes I appreciate that this is your second, or perhaps even third or fourth language, but woman, PLEASE, enunciate! I also appreciate that for 99% of the film your role was to be pointless, naked and flouncy but that is no excuse for mulching through words like "necessary" and whatever else you said that I simply couldn't catch. Luckily most of it was pointless so it didn't take much from the overall impact of the film. I've even seen you in other films where you display the ability to speak. All I can imagine is she was told to mumble while her character was being deceptive so when she reveals her true identity as the villain you think "Ah that explains her lack of communication then".
Same goes from Tom Hardy. Tone down on the echo boys, it was very difficult to understand him and he was far too posh to have been lived in a hole in the ground and to possess monstrous strength.
Overall, 4 stars. Bravo.
Friday 3 August 2012
Ted - A Review
I saw Ted yesterday and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Usually things like this are super hyped up and everyone tells me how hilarious it is, so I don't find it funny as a result.
Luckily for the producers of Ted, fat children being punched in the face and inappropriate jokes about hookers and poo do actually crack me up. However it did fall into the awkward category with scenes that lasted way longer than necessary, but less so than Borat or Bridesmaids so I wouldn't hold it against the film as a whole.
The whole film was well put together, the old British guy voice over making it seem like a Christmas story set the tone just right for the rest of the film. Plus before the bear became Peter Griffin it was super cute. I have mixed feelings about Mila Kunis. Mostly because she looked way too pristine for a film like this, making her seem more like a Megan Fox wannabe, when Kunis is actually a reasonably talented actress (Also had no idea she did the voice for Meg in Family Guy until just now...). Her ridiculous make up having just got out the shower and when she had woken up, combined with her stroppy attitude to Ted made her a really unlikeable character which she's really not supposed to be. You should be able to sympathise with her that her boyfriend was obsessed with his Teddy Bear; but she came across so tarty I just felt she was being unreasonable.
I did enjoy Mark Wahlberg, mostly his very slight Boston accent. It made him better looking because he was a bit more rough around the edges than what you would expect from your average movie star/Mila Kunis's boyfriend type of person.
Overall the film made me laugh out loud, it made me cry and I would definitely watch it again. I give it 3.5 stars.
Luckily for the producers of Ted, fat children being punched in the face and inappropriate jokes about hookers and poo do actually crack me up. However it did fall into the awkward category with scenes that lasted way longer than necessary, but less so than Borat or Bridesmaids so I wouldn't hold it against the film as a whole.
The whole film was well put together, the old British guy voice over making it seem like a Christmas story set the tone just right for the rest of the film. Plus before the bear became Peter Griffin it was super cute. I have mixed feelings about Mila Kunis. Mostly because she looked way too pristine for a film like this, making her seem more like a Megan Fox wannabe, when Kunis is actually a reasonably talented actress (Also had no idea she did the voice for Meg in Family Guy until just now...). Her ridiculous make up having just got out the shower and when she had woken up, combined with her stroppy attitude to Ted made her a really unlikeable character which she's really not supposed to be. You should be able to sympathise with her that her boyfriend was obsessed with his Teddy Bear; but she came across so tarty I just felt she was being unreasonable.
I did enjoy Mark Wahlberg, mostly his very slight Boston accent. It made him better looking because he was a bit more rough around the edges than what you would expect from your average movie star/Mila Kunis's boyfriend type of person.
Overall the film made me laugh out loud, it made me cry and I would definitely watch it again. I give it 3.5 stars.
Sunday 8 July 2012
The Amazing Spiderman: A Review.
Okay I'm new at this (not at having opinions, writing reviews) but here goes nothing.
So I saw the New and Improved Amazing Spiderman on Friday. I just realised I just summed up my entire review in three words there. New and Improved. Having also watched the original Toby Maguire version to confirm my suspicions, I can confirm that whilst a very different film, it is superior in almost every way.
Toby Maguire is adorable; but the original Spiderman is much more of a RomCom. Which is fine because he starts by narrating that it's all about this girl. So fair game to them - they wrote it that way.
The Amazing Spiderman however takes the superhero thing seriously; and is far more in line with the quality of films such as The Avengers or The Dark Knight; Special effects, dialogue, general character development etc.
Andrew Garfield. Wow. I could write a blog just about him but it would probably turn into erotic fan fiction so I think I'll try and steer clear. He makes an amazingly awkward American teenager. I loved that he wasn't made to be super geeky and stereotyped, it was just there and obviously without cheesy props and costume. With far more depth once you learn what happened to his parents and his connection to Oscorp. His relationship with his Aunt and Uncle is also far more convincing; and the death of Uncle Ben had me inconsolable for a good ten minutes of the film: powerful stuff. It also makes his transition from vengeful, spider bitten, hormonal teen, into responsible hero much more believable and heart wrenching. And as much as I love the upside down rain-kiss with MJ in the original, give me that kiss with AG and Emma Stone on the balcony any day. Such passion, and again, much more convincing.
Not being a comic book geek I can only guess, but I assume the process of him becoming Spiderman was more true to the comic, and making the web dispensers himself is also part of that. The transition is also hilarious; subtle but brilliant. Less convincing however is Peter Parker's first mask. Probably my only criticism of the film - but come on, don't film him sewing something red together then just stick him in a morph suit mask! Those things are everywhere, no one is being fooled here. At least Toby Maguire's looked like something he'd sewn himself as a prototype.
I am also a big Emma Stone fan, she's funny and beautiful and has a wonderful way of putting herself across. My only concern is that she's a little bit of a one trick pony; she wasn't really any different to Olive in Easy A. But whatever it is she's doing is working because I just love her. Although - ditch the blonde, love, you make a much better red head! Don't go down the LL route (with hair colour - the drugs side sort of goes without saying... I hope.)
The film was fantastic in 3D, one of the best uses I've seen of it actually. Although around the same length as the first one it wasn't tedious in the slightest. The reptile creature thing (Sorry, I have no idea what this villain is called, guessing it is actually supposed to be different to the Green Goblin) was great - and its regrowth made everything SO tense because I genuinely was terrified that they could never stop him. *Spoiler alert* They don't and everyone dies.
Saturday 23 June 2012
What do you do with a BA in English?
So my room is packed, my posters are down, the house is spotless (enough) and I'm laying on my bed waiting for my parents, listening to the Avenue Q soundtrack and feeling a little bit philosophical about everything.
Who remembers me a year ago? Yeah, what a dick that girl was. I'm not going to brood on that but those who know and love me will know that my bouncebackability has been fairly outstanding this year. To the point where perhaps I lost a little bit of my sanity and a LOT of my sleep but I've had an amazing year so I'm definitely not complaining.
I'm feeling in a pretty excellent place right now. The room is only slightly spinning from the remnants of my last ever Jesters hangover. My voice is also slightly gruffer than usual and I'm pretty sure I've worn this tshirt everyday for the last week because I prematurely packed ALL my clothes. I also don't feel sad. I'm slightly heartbroken to leave my housemates; but after the year abroad I know that love knows no boundaries when it comes to distance. As my dad says (all the time, whenever you give him a second to speak), I have a lovely lot of friends and Southampton has been an amazing place to live for the last few years. But ultimately, I feel ready to leave. I'm excited to get back to my life in Essex... my friends from school, an Operatic society that solely raises my spirits (both kinds), not my blood pressure, my church, my family and my boyfriend.
Also on failing miserably to get a job this week, I have actually come to a sort of definite conclusion over what I want to do. Account manager. Ah shit, now I've said it in a blog its suddenly real. It's just not the same when you say it on Twitter or Facebook, they're far too frivolous and overused to be meaningful. But yeah; I think I'd be kick ass at it, and I enjoy things I'm good at so should be a winning combination!
It's weird now to think that I don't have a degree to do. Its a little bit like my life has been on hold for the last four years. Now I can focus on a whole myriad of things and hopefully be awesome at all of them.
These things include:
Getting my grade 8 piano
Learning about Account management
Getting better at Maths/arithmetic
Directing or producing a show
Getting a kick ass job
Saving up to buy a house
Lots of this is very grown up... but I like the idea of being grown up. It's fun because its new. I also need to learn when its has an apostrophe and when it doesn't. Word always seems to know better than me and I don't trust Blogspot to correct me.
Here's to us.
<3
Who remembers me a year ago? Yeah, what a dick that girl was. I'm not going to brood on that but those who know and love me will know that my bouncebackability has been fairly outstanding this year. To the point where perhaps I lost a little bit of my sanity and a LOT of my sleep but I've had an amazing year so I'm definitely not complaining.
I'm feeling in a pretty excellent place right now. The room is only slightly spinning from the remnants of my last ever Jesters hangover. My voice is also slightly gruffer than usual and I'm pretty sure I've worn this tshirt everyday for the last week because I prematurely packed ALL my clothes. I also don't feel sad. I'm slightly heartbroken to leave my housemates; but after the year abroad I know that love knows no boundaries when it comes to distance. As my dad says (all the time, whenever you give him a second to speak), I have a lovely lot of friends and Southampton has been an amazing place to live for the last few years. But ultimately, I feel ready to leave. I'm excited to get back to my life in Essex... my friends from school, an Operatic society that solely raises my spirits (both kinds), not my blood pressure, my church, my family and my boyfriend.
Also on failing miserably to get a job this week, I have actually come to a sort of definite conclusion over what I want to do. Account manager. Ah shit, now I've said it in a blog its suddenly real. It's just not the same when you say it on Twitter or Facebook, they're far too frivolous and overused to be meaningful. But yeah; I think I'd be kick ass at it, and I enjoy things I'm good at so should be a winning combination!
It's weird now to think that I don't have a degree to do. Its a little bit like my life has been on hold for the last four years. Now I can focus on a whole myriad of things and hopefully be awesome at all of them.
These things include:
Getting my grade 8 piano
Learning about Account management
Getting better at Maths/arithmetic
Directing or producing a show
Getting a kick ass job
Saving up to buy a house
Lots of this is very grown up... but I like the idea of being grown up. It's fun because its new. I also need to learn when its has an apostrophe and when it doesn't. Word always seems to know better than me and I don't trust Blogspot to correct me.
Here's to us.
<3
Sunday 8 April 2012
The Farce
So after a few weeks I decided to sit down and watch The Voice.
As a programme I think it's a fantastic concept. No judgements on look, purely on talent.
Except for the fact that after two minutes the judges know them, and from the very start the audience does too. Oh and the fact everyone who has been picked is already very talented and very attractive, even the "less" attractive ones have been made up too look stunning.
Although - Britain's Got Talent also does away with discrimination, and no one on X Factor over the age of 25 has ever won, because at the end of the day the image that accompanies does matter. So I would imagine by the end of this show the youngest, prettiest competitor will have the prize even if a fat, old ugly guy has a better voice. Proved by the fact that as soon as someone came on singing in a different genre; none of the pop tarts liked him
So what void is this programme filling in our lives?
Pretty much none. Apart from revealing how annoying Jessie J is (is there really any need for you to mouth along with every song? Yes we know you're a singer, you don't have to prove it by knowing some lyrics...). There's also the awful bitchy 'banter' between the judges where they try to prove they're better for the contestant that the others ('We're both girls and we can share shoes' is a personal favourite...).
I don't think the music industry needs to change. I think it is too inherent in everyone's mentality to judge people on their looks and how well they fit the mould. I think TV music competitions are over done and they are same-y. But they're entertaining and in fairness to them - they don't pretend to be something they're not. The Voice stops being The Voice as soon as the person comes on stage. This would work as a radio show maybe because you can't try to create a show based on talent alone unless you really are not going to show the person's face.
Yeah, I don't think I'll be watching much more of this, especially now the sob stories have started. Poor choice BBC.
Also: not enough Willabooby.
As a programme I think it's a fantastic concept. No judgements on look, purely on talent.
Except for the fact that after two minutes the judges know them, and from the very start the audience does too. Oh and the fact everyone who has been picked is already very talented and very attractive, even the "less" attractive ones have been made up too look stunning.
Although - Britain's Got Talent also does away with discrimination, and no one on X Factor over the age of 25 has ever won, because at the end of the day the image that accompanies does matter. So I would imagine by the end of this show the youngest, prettiest competitor will have the prize even if a fat, old ugly guy has a better voice. Proved by the fact that as soon as someone came on singing in a different genre; none of the pop tarts liked him
So what void is this programme filling in our lives?
Pretty much none. Apart from revealing how annoying Jessie J is (is there really any need for you to mouth along with every song? Yes we know you're a singer, you don't have to prove it by knowing some lyrics...). There's also the awful bitchy 'banter' between the judges where they try to prove they're better for the contestant that the others ('We're both girls and we can share shoes' is a personal favourite...).
I don't think the music industry needs to change. I think it is too inherent in everyone's mentality to judge people on their looks and how well they fit the mould. I think TV music competitions are over done and they are same-y. But they're entertaining and in fairness to them - they don't pretend to be something they're not. The Voice stops being The Voice as soon as the person comes on stage. This would work as a radio show maybe because you can't try to create a show based on talent alone unless you really are not going to show the person's face.
Yeah, I don't think I'll be watching much more of this, especially now the sob stories have started. Poor choice BBC.
Also: not enough Willabooby.
Friday 16 March 2012
It's alright ladies! If your man is talented, it's okay if he beats the crap out of you!
Opinionated? Yes I am.
Particularly bothered about celebrity culture? No, I am not.
Feminist? No.
Care about the examples lead to our women and children? Yes I do.
Rihanna has just completely, probably irreparably, plummeted in my estimations.
It is one thing considering getting back with your boyfriend who beat you so publicly a few years back, but it is a completely different story to actually actively seek him out to make "sweet" music with him.
I am all for forgiveness, I am a very forgiving person and I believe that forgiveness is the key to accepting the situation and moving on with your life. However, there is always a line when it comes to things such as this. Domestic violence, whichever way round it happens, is not acceptable, and nobody, ESPECIALLY not celebrities should EVER make it seem like it is acceptable.
This is, in essence, what Rihanna is doing. I can vaguely understand her reasons for wanting to show rival fans that they are being adult about it; however it seems her main motivation is actually that Chris Brown is 'the hottest R&B artist right now' which basically says that she is putting her fame and success over her principles. And not only her principles, but the effect she will be having on all her young impressionable fans. Yes, forgiveness is noble, but to actively work with that person again just portrays the message that quite frankly, she is a huge mug and doesn't believe he was wrong.
Celebrities have a huge deal of responsibility, and yes I understand they have a lot of pressure put on them, but it is all part of the package and they have to deal with it. I feel the same contempt towards footballers who get paid beyond extortionate amounts of money just to cheat on their wives and spend time with prostitutes. What impression are they leaving for young, budding footballers?
Their lifestyles as well as their talents are plastered in the press, just like other people their actions have consequences. I'm not saying they shouldn't make mistakes but how they make up for those mistakes should be just as important.
Chris Brown is still not even allowed within 9m of Rihanna... So performing together would be interesting.
I think she should be ashamed of herself, for what she is saying for her gender and to her fans. For all those women and men who have been in abusive relationships and survived, I salute you. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to deal with it; but I'm sure you got out with much more dignity and self respect than Rihanna has right now.
Particularly bothered about celebrity culture? No, I am not.
Feminist? No.
Care about the examples lead to our women and children? Yes I do.
Rihanna has just completely, probably irreparably, plummeted in my estimations.
It is one thing considering getting back with your boyfriend who beat you so publicly a few years back, but it is a completely different story to actually actively seek him out to make "sweet" music with him.
I am all for forgiveness, I am a very forgiving person and I believe that forgiveness is the key to accepting the situation and moving on with your life. However, there is always a line when it comes to things such as this. Domestic violence, whichever way round it happens, is not acceptable, and nobody, ESPECIALLY not celebrities should EVER make it seem like it is acceptable.
This is, in essence, what Rihanna is doing. I can vaguely understand her reasons for wanting to show rival fans that they are being adult about it; however it seems her main motivation is actually that Chris Brown is 'the hottest R&B artist right now' which basically says that she is putting her fame and success over her principles. And not only her principles, but the effect she will be having on all her young impressionable fans. Yes, forgiveness is noble, but to actively work with that person again just portrays the message that quite frankly, she is a huge mug and doesn't believe he was wrong.
Celebrities have a huge deal of responsibility, and yes I understand they have a lot of pressure put on them, but it is all part of the package and they have to deal with it. I feel the same contempt towards footballers who get paid beyond extortionate amounts of money just to cheat on their wives and spend time with prostitutes. What impression are they leaving for young, budding footballers?
Their lifestyles as well as their talents are plastered in the press, just like other people their actions have consequences. I'm not saying they shouldn't make mistakes but how they make up for those mistakes should be just as important.
Chris Brown is still not even allowed within 9m of Rihanna... So performing together would be interesting.
I think she should be ashamed of herself, for what she is saying for her gender and to her fans. For all those women and men who have been in abusive relationships and survived, I salute you. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to deal with it; but I'm sure you got out with much more dignity and self respect than Rihanna has right now.
Wednesday 14 March 2012
I am not a bad person; stop making me feel like one
This is probably going to be a slightly controversial blog. Only because if you do not know me then it may sound like I am being disrespectful or unsympathetic. I am not; this is just how I view it, please do not take it as a negative account.
My first gripe is with charity advertisements.
Of course I understand why charities exist, and I do not envy people who stand on streets trying to raise money. I know that many members of public are rude and ungrateful and I always endeavour to be that sort of person. However, what charities do not always understand is that there are thousands of charities, millions of people, and not all all of those have money.
I am a student. I work hard, and any extra money I have I use to buy food, the odd item of clothing or presents for my friends and family. I also put petrol my my nearly new green Mazda 2 - which I bought with money I inherited from my Grandmother. As I mention whenever someone challenges me on affording my car - I would swap it for my Grandma any day.
I do not live excessively, I do not feel I waste money and I work very hard for the money I do have. Each year I volunteer at a Christian Camp in Swanage, where, since the age of 16 I have donated at year £60 to their chosen charity. I did once end up speaking to a lovely man on the highstreet who was so nice I did end up donating to a deaf children's charity, however I cancelled my direct debit as at the time it came out when I had run out of money and I ended up being charged £30 by my bank on two occasions, which I simply could not afford.
When I have a full time job, one of the first things I am going to do is research charities, and chose one that is important to me and I feel needs my help, and I will set up a money or weekly direct debit to them. I promise that. However I am not financially secure enough to commit to this, especially as there's no predicting water bills or electricity bills when you're renting as a student, and you need to have spare cash in case (touch wood!) something integral, such as my laptop, decides to die.
So why on earth so I feel like I am picked on and victimised when I am in my own home? What right to television advertisers (particularly charity ones as they last longer and are more emotive than others) to make me feel like I am a terrible person because I am not giving a pound a week to a donkey charity, £3 a week to Water Aid and £5 a month to some sort of cancer charity? It's not because I don't care, it's because even if I did have the money I couldn't possible support ALL the charities.
Yes I realise the irony that I am in my own home with a television and such. But I am not going to live like I do not live in a Western society just because there are some people who do live in poverty. Nobody with the opportunity does that so it doesn't make it a bad person to do so either.
My second gripe is with Newsworthy-deaths reported in the press. Every single time a celebrity dies, a few people pipe up to say how everyone cries when one person dies, but when there's thousands of children dying in a third world country, or 6 soldiers die fighting for our country nobody cares.
This angers me for so many reasons. Firstly, when my grandmother died, I did not expect anyone who didn't know my grandmother to mourn her loss. Even if it had been in circumstances which had reached the press, I would not expect anyone to feel bad for her passing away.
The reason people publish about celebrities is because not only do they know them (not personally, clearly), but often their music/talent/presence has had a profound impact on somebody's life. Or even a small impact, because you like the song or you like a movie they were in.
Secondly, it's because these people are doing the same as the charity advertisers - making people feel like they are bad people. And worse still, people they actually know as well. I know a few people in the army, although no one I would consider a particularly close friend. However if someone I knew passed away or was killed, it would have an impact on me. I wouldn't necessarily cry, and I didn't cry when Heath Ledger or Stephen Gately died.
Humans are capable of empathy, but most of the time that is concentrated on parts of life you actually have a connection to. A girl was killed in a car accident round the corner from my ex-boyfriend, she went to a local grammar school and my dad knew one of her friends. I do not know her but I got a knot in my stomach when I heard the news. The same when sexual assaults happen in Southampton, I feel differently about those to ones that happen in other parts of the world.
This does not make me a bad person. It's just how human nature works.
My first gripe is with charity advertisements.
Of course I understand why charities exist, and I do not envy people who stand on streets trying to raise money. I know that many members of public are rude and ungrateful and I always endeavour to be that sort of person. However, what charities do not always understand is that there are thousands of charities, millions of people, and not all all of those have money.
I am a student. I work hard, and any extra money I have I use to buy food, the odd item of clothing or presents for my friends and family. I also put petrol my my nearly new green Mazda 2 - which I bought with money I inherited from my Grandmother. As I mention whenever someone challenges me on affording my car - I would swap it for my Grandma any day.
I do not live excessively, I do not feel I waste money and I work very hard for the money I do have. Each year I volunteer at a Christian Camp in Swanage, where, since the age of 16 I have donated at year £60 to their chosen charity. I did once end up speaking to a lovely man on the highstreet who was so nice I did end up donating to a deaf children's charity, however I cancelled my direct debit as at the time it came out when I had run out of money and I ended up being charged £30 by my bank on two occasions, which I simply could not afford.
When I have a full time job, one of the first things I am going to do is research charities, and chose one that is important to me and I feel needs my help, and I will set up a money or weekly direct debit to them. I promise that. However I am not financially secure enough to commit to this, especially as there's no predicting water bills or electricity bills when you're renting as a student, and you need to have spare cash in case (touch wood!) something integral, such as my laptop, decides to die.
So why on earth so I feel like I am picked on and victimised when I am in my own home? What right to television advertisers (particularly charity ones as they last longer and are more emotive than others) to make me feel like I am a terrible person because I am not giving a pound a week to a donkey charity, £3 a week to Water Aid and £5 a month to some sort of cancer charity? It's not because I don't care, it's because even if I did have the money I couldn't possible support ALL the charities.
Yes I realise the irony that I am in my own home with a television and such. But I am not going to live like I do not live in a Western society just because there are some people who do live in poverty. Nobody with the opportunity does that so it doesn't make it a bad person to do so either.
My second gripe is with Newsworthy-deaths reported in the press. Every single time a celebrity dies, a few people pipe up to say how everyone cries when one person dies, but when there's thousands of children dying in a third world country, or 6 soldiers die fighting for our country nobody cares.
This angers me for so many reasons. Firstly, when my grandmother died, I did not expect anyone who didn't know my grandmother to mourn her loss. Even if it had been in circumstances which had reached the press, I would not expect anyone to feel bad for her passing away.
The reason people publish about celebrities is because not only do they know them (not personally, clearly), but often their music/talent/presence has had a profound impact on somebody's life. Or even a small impact, because you like the song or you like a movie they were in.
Secondly, it's because these people are doing the same as the charity advertisers - making people feel like they are bad people. And worse still, people they actually know as well. I know a few people in the army, although no one I would consider a particularly close friend. However if someone I knew passed away or was killed, it would have an impact on me. I wouldn't necessarily cry, and I didn't cry when Heath Ledger or Stephen Gately died.
Humans are capable of empathy, but most of the time that is concentrated on parts of life you actually have a connection to. A girl was killed in a car accident round the corner from my ex-boyfriend, she went to a local grammar school and my dad knew one of her friends. I do not know her but I got a knot in my stomach when I heard the news. The same when sexual assaults happen in Southampton, I feel differently about those to ones that happen in other parts of the world.
This does not make me a bad person. It's just how human nature works.
Friday 17 February 2012
Why do these things happen to me?
In light of it being a year since one of the most mortifying moments of my life I felt it necessary to share my wonderment as to why I attract such... well... odd attention.
The most mortifying moment of my life (haha I hear you laugh... you probably think you were there, but you weren't. Only one person I know was and believe me that was enough.
So, I'm casually walking down a street in Bilbao having enjoyed a delightful picnic on the top of a hill for Valentine's Day (was not in the slightest bit romantic... Friends win over V Day any day). And suddenly and elderly Spanish woman, accompanied by her husband, taps me on the shoulder and says "Eh... un hilo, un hilo..." Whilst my Spanish is pretty good by this point, I wasn't quite expecting someone to inform me about string... So very confused, the lovely old lady recruits another passing couple, who then surround me, whilst she bends down and breaks a hanging thread off my clothing. From my leggings to be precise. The arse end.
To make it all worse, she then HANDS ME BACK THE THREAD. Gee thanks, just what I always wanted. Meanwhile, Helen stands there in hysterics as I turn red and have one of those rare moments of speechlessness.
One event you may thing, in 21 years of existence, is not too bad. But no, there's more. There was the lady from the Mental health charity who approached me, and not my mother, at a showing of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to see if I was interested in mental health. Maybe she thought I was a carer. There are also several strange fellows who approach me in bars and impress me with the fact they are from the Isle of Man. Not weird you say, well it is when you're stone cold sober and working there. There were a far few in Spain who would join me on public transport and spit at me through their gummy smiles. How do they all find me?
I think I get it from my father. One of my first memories is being on a tube at about the age of 6 (this is also a night I got into a cab with my Auntie and the driver didn't know where were were going, so my Auntie shouted 'FOLLOW THAT CAB!' at the car in front... high point of life I feel) and my dad was being filmed by a bunch of Romanian soldiers. They were lost, so my dad helped them out and paid for their tube tickets. Massive legend, but he was probably being stitched up for reality TV.
Perhaps the happiest weirdo I've ever stumbled across is my current housemate, who I affectionately call Wifey. The Cheese Story is the best story on the planet, and will go down through my family for generations if I have anything to do with it. I would write it here but I feel that 1. The wife would kill me, and 2. It's a much better story if I can tell you outloud.
Maybe it's my face, too approachable? Or maybe I just also look weird so these people feel they can relate to me. Either way, if the one in a million can be anything like some of the friends I have now, I'm pretty sure I can deal with not knowing why these things happen to me.
The most mortifying moment of my life (haha I hear you laugh... you probably think you were there, but you weren't. Only one person I know was and believe me that was enough.
So, I'm casually walking down a street in Bilbao having enjoyed a delightful picnic on the top of a hill for Valentine's Day (was not in the slightest bit romantic... Friends win over V Day any day). And suddenly and elderly Spanish woman, accompanied by her husband, taps me on the shoulder and says "Eh... un hilo, un hilo..." Whilst my Spanish is pretty good by this point, I wasn't quite expecting someone to inform me about string... So very confused, the lovely old lady recruits another passing couple, who then surround me, whilst she bends down and breaks a hanging thread off my clothing. From my leggings to be precise. The arse end.
To make it all worse, she then HANDS ME BACK THE THREAD. Gee thanks, just what I always wanted. Meanwhile, Helen stands there in hysterics as I turn red and have one of those rare moments of speechlessness.
One event you may thing, in 21 years of existence, is not too bad. But no, there's more. There was the lady from the Mental health charity who approached me, and not my mother, at a showing of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to see if I was interested in mental health. Maybe she thought I was a carer. There are also several strange fellows who approach me in bars and impress me with the fact they are from the Isle of Man. Not weird you say, well it is when you're stone cold sober and working there. There were a far few in Spain who would join me on public transport and spit at me through their gummy smiles. How do they all find me?
I think I get it from my father. One of my first memories is being on a tube at about the age of 6 (this is also a night I got into a cab with my Auntie and the driver didn't know where were were going, so my Auntie shouted 'FOLLOW THAT CAB!' at the car in front... high point of life I feel) and my dad was being filmed by a bunch of Romanian soldiers. They were lost, so my dad helped them out and paid for their tube tickets. Massive legend, but he was probably being stitched up for reality TV.
Perhaps the happiest weirdo I've ever stumbled across is my current housemate, who I affectionately call Wifey. The Cheese Story is the best story on the planet, and will go down through my family for generations if I have anything to do with it. I would write it here but I feel that 1. The wife would kill me, and 2. It's a much better story if I can tell you outloud.
Maybe it's my face, too approachable? Or maybe I just also look weird so these people feel they can relate to me. Either way, if the one in a million can be anything like some of the friends I have now, I'm pretty sure I can deal with not knowing why these things happen to me.
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Mrs. DoAsYouWouldBeDoneBy
Literary reference and religious statement all in one.
I would like to point out, so it is on record on the interweb, that I am not one for religious debate. And no, my dearest atheists, this is not because I'm scared of discovering that I'm living a lie, or am worried I will be proved wrong.
No, my reason for this is because religion in itself causes enough problems in the world without it causing domestic disputes and tension among people I spend time with. For me, Christianity is something completely personal. The majority of my friends are not practising Christian, they are a variety of undecided, Jewish, agnostic, atheist, Buddhist and Muslim. And others, most likely.
If asked a well reasoned question from a friend who is curious to find out an answer, I am more than happy to oblige and tell them what I know, or do some research and get back to them. What I disagree with is people posing questions in order to spark up a debate or argument.
One thing I believe I cannot be accused of is forcing my religion on any body (feel free to tell me if I do seem to be doing this, it's unintentional and I would want to rectify it immediately). I tend to go to church at university alone, giving others the option to come with if they have expressed a desire to, but otherwise keeping it to myself. I never in a million years would pull someone up on a comment and tell them that due to their religious beliefs they are going to hell, or some other such condemnation.
So why on earth do some people not offer me the same courtesy?
This has been sparked my something today, but it is no means a personal dig at the person in question. It happens on a semi-regular basis and to be perfectly honest I do not understand it.
As a Christian, my morality and general attitude in life develops and improves each year. Certain people will tell you how forgiving I can be. In the last year I chose to forgive someone, even when every single other person I know say that if they had been in the same situation they would not have acted in a manner as gracious and pardoning as I did. I'm a very open minded individually, I can always find the positive in experiences and every day I thank God for the beautiful people I have been lucky enough to become friends with. Religious or not, I am so happy to know them.
As was proved with original sin, and pretty much the entire of the Old Testament... Humanity is not capable of perfection. There has been one man who lived a sinless life, and because he died on a cross, everyone has the opportunity to atone their sins.
So why, when I slip up, when I make a slight comment, when I drink too much or swear, am I chastised because this is against the principles I am supposed to be following? Why does it have to come down to a religious debate, but when people who aren't religious, or aren't ready or brave enough to proclaim themselves as so, do a similar thing they don't come under this judgement of others?
What are you to gain from telling a Christian they're doing badly at their job? Do you think they'll turn round and say "Actually yes you're right, I'd much rather be a judgemental, dirty mouthed, drunkard, I'll just give up religion"
No. Every mistake is a learning curve and I plan to improve for the rest of my life. I have been a Christian for six years now. It's not always easy. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not even slightly trying to imply my life as a Christian is even comparable to those who suffer religious persecution in other countries, or even within the UK). Sometimes it's difficult to tell someone new you go to church, or that you have been baptised or you believe in God. But every year I get better at it, and I believe a lot of people respect your honesty and openness.
I will never be perfect, but I can damn well try.
All I wanted to really say from this is that I would never use someones religious choices against them - So please do the same for me. And the other Christians or Muslims or Jews or whoever you know. Discussion is always healthy, to SHARE ideas and beliefs and ways of living. Your aim should NEVER be to make someone feel inferior or bad for their beliefs, nor should they do the same to you.
Everyone is entitled their beliefs, opinions and lifestyle choices. This is mind, I hope you have yours too. I also hope you have the means to express it in a way that makes you sound as if you believe you exist on the same level as every one else, even if you disagree with them.
God bless to all those who want it, good day to all those who do not.
I would like to point out, so it is on record on the interweb, that I am not one for religious debate. And no, my dearest atheists, this is not because I'm scared of discovering that I'm living a lie, or am worried I will be proved wrong.
No, my reason for this is because religion in itself causes enough problems in the world without it causing domestic disputes and tension among people I spend time with. For me, Christianity is something completely personal. The majority of my friends are not practising Christian, they are a variety of undecided, Jewish, agnostic, atheist, Buddhist and Muslim. And others, most likely.
If asked a well reasoned question from a friend who is curious to find out an answer, I am more than happy to oblige and tell them what I know, or do some research and get back to them. What I disagree with is people posing questions in order to spark up a debate or argument.
One thing I believe I cannot be accused of is forcing my religion on any body (feel free to tell me if I do seem to be doing this, it's unintentional and I would want to rectify it immediately). I tend to go to church at university alone, giving others the option to come with if they have expressed a desire to, but otherwise keeping it to myself. I never in a million years would pull someone up on a comment and tell them that due to their religious beliefs they are going to hell, or some other such condemnation.
So why on earth do some people not offer me the same courtesy?
This has been sparked my something today, but it is no means a personal dig at the person in question. It happens on a semi-regular basis and to be perfectly honest I do not understand it.
As a Christian, my morality and general attitude in life develops and improves each year. Certain people will tell you how forgiving I can be. In the last year I chose to forgive someone, even when every single other person I know say that if they had been in the same situation they would not have acted in a manner as gracious and pardoning as I did. I'm a very open minded individually, I can always find the positive in experiences and every day I thank God for the beautiful people I have been lucky enough to become friends with. Religious or not, I am so happy to know them.
As was proved with original sin, and pretty much the entire of the Old Testament... Humanity is not capable of perfection. There has been one man who lived a sinless life, and because he died on a cross, everyone has the opportunity to atone their sins.
So why, when I slip up, when I make a slight comment, when I drink too much or swear, am I chastised because this is against the principles I am supposed to be following? Why does it have to come down to a religious debate, but when people who aren't religious, or aren't ready or brave enough to proclaim themselves as so, do a similar thing they don't come under this judgement of others?
What are you to gain from telling a Christian they're doing badly at their job? Do you think they'll turn round and say "Actually yes you're right, I'd much rather be a judgemental, dirty mouthed, drunkard, I'll just give up religion"
No. Every mistake is a learning curve and I plan to improve for the rest of my life. I have been a Christian for six years now. It's not always easy. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not even slightly trying to imply my life as a Christian is even comparable to those who suffer religious persecution in other countries, or even within the UK). Sometimes it's difficult to tell someone new you go to church, or that you have been baptised or you believe in God. But every year I get better at it, and I believe a lot of people respect your honesty and openness.
I will never be perfect, but I can damn well try.
All I wanted to really say from this is that I would never use someones religious choices against them - So please do the same for me. And the other Christians or Muslims or Jews or whoever you know. Discussion is always healthy, to SHARE ideas and beliefs and ways of living. Your aim should NEVER be to make someone feel inferior or bad for their beliefs, nor should they do the same to you.
Everyone is entitled their beliefs, opinions and lifestyle choices. This is mind, I hope you have yours too. I also hope you have the means to express it in a way that makes you sound as if you believe you exist on the same level as every one else, even if you disagree with them.
God bless to all those who want it, good day to all those who do not.
Thursday 12 January 2012
Amsterdam - Where you can get unlimited ribs and they still give you mints with the bill...
So back in the throes of final year studentdom, already ill and therefore behind on my to do lists and self imposed schedule (yes I am a little Hermione Granger but it's fine). So I thought I'd procrastinate a little more to share my thoughts on my recent trip to Amsterdam with best friend 4eva Sam Phelps.
My second trip to Amsterdam was always going to be different from the first. Knowing where I was going, knowing what to expect and having some sort of idea of what I wanted to do, not to mention going with one guy compared with 5 girls definitely changes how things roll.
Firstly, my travel advice is to never ever decide to go for an early flight. You do not "get a whole extra day of holiday" you just arrive groggy and tired. And baring mind my travel companion is next to useless with directions, if I hadn't already known roughly where I was going, lostness would have ensued very quickly.
Amsterdam is definitely one of my favourite cities; this time a visit to the Heineken museum and undertaking a fantastic three hour walking tour my admiration for the place has increased tenfold (as has my appreciation of beer). They are definitely a vain sort of people, but the Dutch seem to have a lot of reason to think they are the coolest people in the world: naming themselves things like "Ballsack" to spite a French king? Promising Church towers and never delivering because they 'ran out of money' after building beautiful building for mail and stuff? That's the kind of humour I can definitely appreciate.
The quirkyness of the city is also fantastic. There are 600,000 bikes in a population of 800,000 and many buildings were purposefully made crooked because architects didn't click that making the bar at the top longer would actually be a more elegant solution to winching heavy goods to the top of narrow houses.
Obviously their liberal attitude towards drugs and sex is something to be in awe of. I saw awe, just because it can be put with "ful" or "some" to mean completely the opposite thing. I'm not entirely sure I agree the prostitutes are entrepreneurs, BUT I can understand the attitude that the police have biggest fish to fry, so regularly do.
All these things make me love the city, the people and food are both fantastic. Everyone is friendly and charismatic and you can buy unlimited ribs from as little as €10.
All this said... Could I live there?
In all honesty I really don't think I could. As much as I have enjoyed every second I spent in Amsterdam both years I went - I have literally no complaints, even the weather doesn't bother me, the city just isn't me. I can be free and fun and liberal while I'm there, but in reality... I like lists and hard work and rules. I'm not alternative, and I don't really think that besides the odd city break like this it's really something that factors into my personality.
I'm not saying this is a bad thing, far from it. I'm not too pompous to enjoy myself and appreciate how awesome life is there, I just think I would find it tiring and would long for a bit of British normality.
Maybe I'm just a bit boring. But, I got my unlimited ribs so I could die happy now whether or not that's true.
My second trip to Amsterdam was always going to be different from the first. Knowing where I was going, knowing what to expect and having some sort of idea of what I wanted to do, not to mention going with one guy compared with 5 girls definitely changes how things roll.
Firstly, my travel advice is to never ever decide to go for an early flight. You do not "get a whole extra day of holiday" you just arrive groggy and tired. And baring mind my travel companion is next to useless with directions, if I hadn't already known roughly where I was going, lostness would have ensued very quickly.
Amsterdam is definitely one of my favourite cities; this time a visit to the Heineken museum and undertaking a fantastic three hour walking tour my admiration for the place has increased tenfold (as has my appreciation of beer). They are definitely a vain sort of people, but the Dutch seem to have a lot of reason to think they are the coolest people in the world: naming themselves things like "Ballsack" to spite a French king? Promising Church towers and never delivering because they 'ran out of money' after building beautiful building for mail and stuff? That's the kind of humour I can definitely appreciate.
The quirkyness of the city is also fantastic. There are 600,000 bikes in a population of 800,000 and many buildings were purposefully made crooked because architects didn't click that making the bar at the top longer would actually be a more elegant solution to winching heavy goods to the top of narrow houses.
Obviously their liberal attitude towards drugs and sex is something to be in awe of. I saw awe, just because it can be put with "ful" or "some" to mean completely the opposite thing. I'm not entirely sure I agree the prostitutes are entrepreneurs, BUT I can understand the attitude that the police have biggest fish to fry, so regularly do.
All these things make me love the city, the people and food are both fantastic. Everyone is friendly and charismatic and you can buy unlimited ribs from as little as €10.
All this said... Could I live there?
In all honesty I really don't think I could. As much as I have enjoyed every second I spent in Amsterdam both years I went - I have literally no complaints, even the weather doesn't bother me, the city just isn't me. I can be free and fun and liberal while I'm there, but in reality... I like lists and hard work and rules. I'm not alternative, and I don't really think that besides the odd city break like this it's really something that factors into my personality.
I'm not saying this is a bad thing, far from it. I'm not too pompous to enjoy myself and appreciate how awesome life is there, I just think I would find it tiring and would long for a bit of British normality.
Maybe I'm just a bit boring. But, I got my unlimited ribs so I could die happy now whether or not that's true.
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