Undercroft Skatepark

"I'd rather be out on the street without guards" 20 year old student, London.
Recently (Thursday 25 March until Saturday 19 April) there was an underground skatepark at Selfridges (Entrance on Orchard Street, W1). (The HTC One Skatepark). To myself and cited friend, this could not have come at a stranger time. Long Live Southbank (LLSB) have been fighting for the right to keep the undercroft skatepark free, public space as the Southbank Centre proprietors argue their case of expanding their buildings and galleries (very generalised summary).
Southbank Centre are claiming all sorts of bizarre reasons, one being that they would create space where young people can meet and get into art... Clearly the skatepark is one such meeting place, which is inclusive of all and completely free 24/7. The undercroft is the oldest skatepark and one of the most famous skate spots in the world, having been skated for 30+ years.
With thousands of persons signing the petition supporting LLSB, the plans for redevelopment have been put on hold for a few more months. - This standoff has been going on for months now (and even years if you count the deterrents used by the Southbank complex) and Selfridges chose now to host an underground skatepark?
The vibe of the place was to mimic the well skated areas on the street ...but it was underground ... Surrounded by four walls... With ground rules.
This seems to be kind of missing the point with street skating - you take advantage of the space around you and utilise that in a free way, not given rules and copies of buildings to skate on.
With its bright lights and borders around the outside, the underground skatepark felt... Artificial. You could see that people were enjoying themselves and could get good pics of tricks, but the timing felt quite cheeky - like a sort of challenge - if people enjoy a skatepark made for that sole purpose, instead of an organic use of free space, then why leave the undercroft intact?
I get how skateparks are areas to play in and learn your footing as a beginner (or maybe you prefer indoor skateparks), but the street has a different vibe. To repeat my friend, "I'd rather be out on the street without guards".
 In the upcoming months as the Southbank undercroft is again discussed for redevelopment, remember that the space is organic, created by the people out of love for the sport/mode of transportation, not because of financial gain, and that the space is free for all to use and enjoy, not some barred off zoo enclosure.



 Video links

Rarely Asked Questions with Reuben - Junior Spokesperson for Long Live Southbank

LLSB - Southbank Centre: Consumerism over Culture

 

Undercroft

 

 HTC One Skatepark

 

Southbank Centre plan

Camden Rocks 2014

Of all the places in London one can visit , Camden is a babe of a destination.
So on the announcement of the Camden Rocks lineup, I quickly bought my ticket and planned my day. - First mistake , don't plan and expect to stay on schedule.
It was ever so much fun, wandering around and going, " I know him... And him... don't I ?" and a little moment later realising that you'd been standing near The Struts before they played their set (which was rather good).
Though as I had a review-writing-session in mind, I decided that getting there early would be a good vibe. - Second mistake , when I was über exhausted and was on the tube at the reasonably early 23.00, all the noises I heard were like gobbling of Turkeys.



I've seen more and more people wearing earplugs to gigs, and have always been (until now) quite skeptical and frowny when I saw such cases; however, after the hours of bombardment I now consider them a rather clever idea.
What is rather strange, is that gigs seem to have gotten more relaxed in a possibly awkward way - you've come to see a band you like the music of and run around and dance in your room to, yet when they play, you and most audience members stand and nod along (rather like a prog rock or Frank Zappa gig as you try and appreciate the complicated riffs and solos). The Struts felt the need to address this and try and get us to dance, which was really quite thoughtful and cute in my opinion. I think people were a bit reserved at earlier gigs (they played at 17:00 at Camden Proud) because of all the other gigs later on which were at different venues across roads and dodging market-goers. It did feel rather strange having my first pint as soon as I got my wristband, as later leaving the gig to see the early noon sky.
Back to the awkward dancing- isn't always the case, as there is often a lot of tentative dancing/swaying when the band play new tunes (oh so excited for The Xcerts new album), but all the same, the band want the audience to show their love for the music in a more obvious manner.
This was not the case for The Hell as all us audience members turned up to the gig prepared to scream profanities at the band members, which we readily did. (There was also a rather fabulous mosh pit to shame all other small-venue mosh pits.) Before the set even properly started the singer (cannot remember corresponding nickname) came into the audience pit and started up the vibe... And got a beer poured on him.
There is also the scheduling, as sometimes bands start late, take a long time setting up, have technical issues, or just don't seem to turn up... I may have been in the wrong place... it's hard to, and useless, get to each venue as the bands set begins. I may have been looking at the time far too frequently at this time, but in truth we don't go to gigs for punctuality.
As I'd been wandering around for near 11 hours, I said goodbye to my friends and voyaged home in the dark, taking these words with me (as my dear friend retold the advice given to her by another friend) "there is nothing wrong with being horizontal sometimes".
And oh, aren't lie-ins the best.



My favourite sets:

Stereo Juggernaut (14:00 Black Cap) 

The Struts (17:00 Proud) 

The Xcerts (18:00 Jazz Café) 

The Hell (21:00 Black Heart) 

Messenger (22:00 Purple Turtle)

X-Men : Days of Future Past

4.1/5 Stars (for the correct balance of cheeky vibe, action, and scaremongering)


Set in the not so distant, draw-similarities-on-current-

living future, the Mutants of the world are being tracked down and gotten rid of. Though this premise seems to set the tone of the whole film as terribly sad and the characters attempts at living as futile, there are a few surprisingly happy notes. Such as the introduction to the character Quicksilver - who, even from the getup makes him a marvel (I am currently trying to persuade myself not to dye/spray my leather jacket silver). His scenes bring a much needed playful tone and style as the rest if the film draws on heavy notes, including flashbacks in mighty proportions, and reintroducing the old cast members we all love dearly... Though sometimes can't remember... But still love dearly.
The great thing about being created after a long string of films, is that though the concept of the mutant gene is talked of, we're familiar with the variety of powers and so are not pestered by acts of awesome power for characters which we either already know or do not have a huge need for explaining. (Though saying this there was the obligatory naked Hugh Jackman scene in which no one has come across Wolverine and we watch intensely as the chosen ammunition wriggles free of the healing, rippling, or so muscly chest.)
There is also a viable reason for Beast's (Nicholas Hoult) un-Beast-like appearance in the trailer,with the writers cleverly moving away from a stupid excuse, into quite a touching vibe, as there are good and bad sides to possessing great power.
Seeing James McAvoy portray functioning characters makes me feel happy inside - after seeing Filth (a fantastic yet terrible heart-wrenching film and novel of same name (Irvine Welsh)) to see McAvoy share scenes with the Sir of the Patrick Stewart was quite fabulous. Unfortunately the storyline didn't allow Fassbender and McKellen any shared screen time, though both were of course excellent.
With the film talking of unity amongst people of all walks of life, there was a positive vibe and message to the film overall, showing the devastation (in a hyper-stylised, futuristic way) if we continue to segregate and divide from others. (Being such a heavy subject, Quicksilver really was a needed and well delivered character.)
Overall, a very good film and a good vibe to watch with a great ending and easter egg.
(Though if you haven't seen already, do check out Godzilla - this review might have been nicer of I haven't been constantly thinking of that giant babe of a beast.)

The Scottish Ballet (Romeo and Juliet)

Though part of the point of a review is to persuade readers to see the show whilst it's on , I find myself at the last showing of Romeo and Juliet at Sadler's Wells , performed by the Scottish Ballet. So I invite you to think of this as a review of the company primarily and not just the show.
So first of all , the vibe between the dancers is so palpable! Benvolio (Andrew Peasgood) and Mercutio (Daniel Davidson) played so well together as the cheeky friends of Romeo (Christopher Harrison) - the kind of friends who start all the scenarios that would later be the "d'you remember when" stories. Ben and Merc's flirtations set the perfect vibe for the street scenes as they saunter between the ladies. Dressed in rather delicious suits, Merc and Ben steal the stage every time they bound on stage. Merc's especially hilarious as he tries to distract Tybalt (Owen Thorne) from Romeo and Juliet's blossoming love - pure gold. And even though everyone around the world knows the story of R&J, going by the girl sat next to me, the murder of Merc and Tybalt respectively was so well executed that said audience member audibly gasped and jumped from shock. Though R&J is primarily about the couple, the other protagonists create quite a babe vibe (if that makes sense). Kara McLaughlin who played mummy Capulet was pure sexy gold - every single time she came on stage she stole the attention of all audience members and owned it! Speaking of owning it, Friar Laurence (Rimbaud Patron) had the best entrances of all time as the top lighting went out and the dancers where lit from head on giving a fun ghost-y vibe as none the the background was lit. The lack of the Prince Escalus of Verona made Friar Laurence's part much more important, as it was his character that was seen as the authority figure between the feuding families. There was also no mention of
Rosaline (or at least I did not notice any).

I can't claim to understand the hierarchy of a ballet company, but as Davidson is a Coryphée, and Peasgood an artist, it may have been some kind of tryout performance to see if Peasgood can move up the ranks - which is damn true! Peasgood's charm reached even the higher tiers (where I was placed due to my student pocket-money wallet).
As I try to pull away from going on too much about Ben and Merc, attention must be given to the titular protagonists. Juliet (Claire Robertson) and Romeo (Christopher Harrison) were the young and desperate lovers we have all come to know and love, with their furtive glances and innocent embraces. Robertson also portrays the awkwardness of Juliet as she dances with Paris and how Juliet frees up as she dances with Romeo perfectly. The scenes in which Romeo is Juliet-less, he is one of the delectable lads with Ben and Merc.
Based on this performance, I shall endeavour (if my student-lack-of-money lifestyle will allow it) to see another performance by the Scottish Ballet. Their ability to adapt a story everyone knows into something worth watching and combing characters without losing any parts of the story proves they can cleverly retell stories without messing up.

 

Godzilla (2014) ゴジラ review !

4.9/5 Stars (only because 5 stars would mean fainting as soon as the opening title started).
 

OMGosh ! When it comes to big franchises I am normally a "purist", annoyingly insisting that the original is, and always will be the best. Tonight however I feel truly realigned. This rendition of ゴジラ has me in some kind of combination of joyousness, fangirling, and a general giggle-fest. It took all my self control to not jump up and down screaming every time Godzilla came on screen. Even his roar was genius - remastered yet still recognisable.

Without wanting to ruin the plot, which though is no Usual Suspects is still wonderfully neat, the film has the ability to make one weep and cheer with an abundance of monster (nonsexual) action. Actually, come to think of it, there is slight sexy monster action (still a better love story then Twilight) which shall not be described in more detail for fear of ruination.

Gareth Edwards, creator of Monsters (2010), has truly used the power of the silhouette when introducing the beast to stage, with the smoke and debris of destroyed buildings both framing and obscuring the full form until the last moment for ultimate impact. (When seen in 3D, do try not to jump. Or do, it's your choice.)

Basically, I am definitely going to see it at the cinema again, for this film really needs a large screen, no distractions and brill surround sound.

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson (who is looking rather good), Elizabeth Olsen (with a heartwarming performance) and Bryan Cranston (who needs no introduction). 

All sorts of train journeys

Why is it that we expect so little from food on public transport ? The fact that anything more than a barely warm panini brings a smile of true surprise to our lips ? You'd think that through the efforts of many a food connoisseur we would expect much more from a train company we have trusted to make our two hour long journey as safe and comfortable as possible. Unfortunately this is still not the case as we clutch onto our pitifully chilly food and attempt to steam it over the blistering polystyrene cuppa tea.

(Based on real life event) Another strange situation which one can find yourself in is when you sit in your reserved seat next to someone seemingly chill, fooling you into thinking that the couple-hour journey will be go smoothly . And then your neighbours starts talking on the phone about their night out in which they describe a fight they got into after someone called them a rude word. Needless to say, the thought of the dainty passenger next to me turning crazed and beating someone up did make me feel uncomfortable … Other train journeys can be much more fun - The last long journey train voyage a was on involved myself and the passenger across the table falling asleep in turn , waking up every couple of minutes as the train lurched on.

There is also the other way the voyage can turn out , in which you start off the journey with a certain level of decorum , possibly reading a book or revising, and slowly start to slump lower and lower in the seats, covered in disused crisp packets as crumbs from a high sugar snack.


Tube travel.
It really is amazing the amount of times we try and stare at random signs on a train to distract ourselves from looking at someone's paper or what they're texting on their phone. If this where not rush hour and I was seen staring at the Emergency Door Release sign for a full five minutes the other passengers would very possibly be quite tense and concerned as to whether or not I would fling open the door of the train. Instead, it is seen as a quiet sign of respect as we try and stare at anything but the text they're writing or the game they're playing on their portable device. Through our silence we have found a way of being partially polite to the hordes of people we've never had the pleasure of being formally introduced to. Though this politeness can easily be explained through the fact that we're forced together in a mostly nose-to-armpit configuration and must work through this awkward scenario using a universal coping mechanism.  We must turn to politeness and tell the persons of the carriage through eye contact alone that "I am terribly sorry for this unfortunate placement of limbs" whilst internally screaming "I can't ken how a didn't use my newly purchased cologne!”

Korres Natural Products

My relationship with Korres is verging on unhealthy, which is really saying something seeing as they are natural products and I rarely apply cosmetics. What I do use I simply adore. * . Their nail varnish, of which I have a humble eleven in my collection, is highly pigmented and long lasting. Even their 02 Milky White provides a full layer of colour which I have not found when wearing other white nail varnishes. Though there are many colours and shades, each nail varnish has a slight pastel quality which makes them easy to wear everyday but not as noticeable as other brands of the same colour. 

The lipliners are extremely long lasting and match beautifully with the lipsicks. The whole range of lipliners are highly pigmented, no matter the shade - the lipsticks, however, tend to vary in pigmentation. Lipsticks Natural Pink and Rose are both very light lipsticks though different in finish. Rose (22) is not very pigmented at all, and in fact has iridescent quality, whereas Natural Pink (13) is highly pigmented and provides a solid colour. There are glossy, less pigmented lipsticks available, such as Peach (18) and Fuchsia (54), which are sheer lipsticks made from mango butter. These lipsticks are SPF 10, and are € 18,40 on the Korres website. And I haven't even mention the genius that is their Plum Δαμασκηνο Lip Butter, which feels smells and tastes divine. The lip butters are made with shea butter and rice wax, which in some wondrous way make one feel like a princess (who is empowered and weapon wielding, yet still comfortable with their delicate traits). The Plum Lip Butter is dark enough a colour to tint the lips slightly and creates a rather neat dark purple sheen, which I'm (unsurprisingly) also a fan of.

I am also a huge fan of their hair dyes. The quality of the finished colour is really quite beautiful, with natural highlights and warm, natural looking colours. The dyes are ammonia free and instead contain natural ingredients in its place (It even smells fairly nice when it's developing in your hair, not that I advise persons to smell the chemicals as that would be terribly foolish). Though I cannot find anywhere selling the dyes in Britain, I have seen several boxes of these dyes in other European countries.

I'm such a "fangirl" when it comes to Korres and love the natural vibe they rock throughout their range of products. 

(Korres products available at Liberty, Regent Street, London, W1B 5AH)

Nail Colour - Milky White (02), Pastel Lemon (34), Pastel Peach (36), Coral (45), Tangerine (46), Mango Sorbet (42), Spring Lilac (72), Ciel (82), Ocean Blue (87), Midnight Blue (88), Pale Green (90).

Lipliner Pencil - Neutral Light (1), Neutral Dark (2), Brown Orange (3), Red (4) and Purple Red (5).

 

Eyeliner Pencil - Black (1), Brown (2), Olive Green (5) and Golden (14). Soft Eyeliner Pencil - Light Blue (3S) and Purple (4S).

 

 

Guava Lipstick Moisturising/Intense Colour Natural - Pink (13), Rose (22), Natural Purple (25), Nude (34), Orange Brown (43) and Red (55).