SHOP TILL YOU DROP

We wondered to the latest shopping experience in London; the biggest Mall in Europe. Though for me, it felt more the size of Knox City but configured as one large circle with a cross in the middle so it didn't have any dead ends. This meant that if you weren't careful (i.e. remember the shop you started at) you'd keep going round and around.

For Christmas they (like most shopping centres) decided to create Santa's Grotto. However, this looks more like Superman's ice retreat or the scenery from the 'Dark Crystal'. I'm not sure children find it inviting but it does fit the overall architecture.

This centre was created by an Australian company and made me a little homesick as its exactly like what we have. The most interesting part was that (as part of the construction contract) Australian brands have stores in the complex.

One is the Ugg shop (yes selling ugg boots or to those in the know bogan boots) and was swamped during the opening week to the point where security guards were called in to police the queues. Furthermore, they only let a person in once one had left the shop.

We wondered around and noticed that there was one distinct difference to your typical mall/shopping centre - this doesn't have low end stores. That is, no Primark, Tesco, Sainsburys, McDonalds, etc. The stores here include Tiffany's and even the mid range stores are jazzier.

Another way they've tried to make high end is by ensuring that all food outlets are restaurants. This coupled with the distinct lack of a food court (all outlets are intermingled) mean that it has a distinct 'Norstrum' (American styled high end open air shopping centre) feel to it.

The other curious distinction I noticed was that there weren't any water features (probably because chav's have a reputation of loitering in and around them) but there were seating zones. Each of these had large comfortable swivel chairs laid out for groups to relax and spend a considerable time at. Most centres try to discourage loitering this one however, seems to think that their big spenders need some comforts between flashing the plastic, drinking their double decafe extra skinny espressos, carrying their designer goodies and waiting for their cronies to finish in a nearby store.

I found it interesting but will definitely be watching to see how this continues in the near and not so far future given the economic climate.

One prediction is that the lower end stores will appear as they will be the ones which take up vacant space as the economy here nosedives. The owners will have to weigh up the cost of vacant stores (not to mention the lowering the tone perception of that) against having filled stores but destroying the luxury feel. A tough choice.

"Water, Water, Everywhere, Nor Any Drop To Drink"

Australia is the lucky country and its fate has always been tied to the climate. Now the country has a chance to use technology to assist its ever growing population but all they can think about is ‘I’m not drinking water someone might have pissed in.’

I’ve lived and travelled to a lot of countries, and even the wettest of these, has taken on board the simple fact that they cannot cope with the demands for drinking water and the lack of catchments.

England, for one, has been recycling water for years. People living and visiting don’t even think about where their water is coming from yet on average it is recycled 6 times.

Modifying Australia’s water supplies is not new. The country already fluoridates its domestic supply which some argue has resulted in stronger teeth for its residents.

Other initiatives can be found here (http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/water_recycling/water_recycling.asp) and not to mention the copious ventures around the world ( such as http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/23/water-mill-eco-invention).

The latest brainwave is to get households to reduce the total water consumption from 155 to 140 litres (http://www.theage.com.au/environment/householders-told-to-use-less-water-power-20081124-6g4u.html). I point out that the average was 180 litres for Australia so a potential total reduction of 40 litres per household (as opposed to 25 litres) if implemented. To do this the government will fine people (aren’t they already paying for it?).

Also, I lived in large households (8 people, and more, not a 4) – does that mean we have double or triple the allowance (i.e. 280 or 340 litres) before we begin to get fined? I think not!

I must point out that domestic usage is just a drop in the ocean (I know!); just 11% (http://www.nwc.gov.au/www/html/236-water-use-in-australia.asp). I want everyone to use less water (and waste less) but commercial usage is where the litres are being used and abused. These companies can often use grey water but rarely do as its easier to use drinking water.

Changing this corporate mindset is not going to be easy but one thing the domestic water usage campaign will do is to focus the minds and wallets of Australians. This I hope will move the populous to demand changes.

SHAKEN NOT STIRRED

Name Is ....









007 Themed Xmas Party

Mascot Mayhem

The preparations for the 2012 Olympics are well underway and like every other major event there are people who think that the selected logo wasn’t very good. Though, many concede that they made the best choice from a bad bunch.

Some alternatives are here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6723027.stm

Now its time for the designing of the mascots for the games and we have some interesting options:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/gallery/2008/nov/07/olympicsandthemedia-marketingandpr?picture=339276181

I must admit that this article offers some perspective on design choices (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7456330.stm)

Time will only tell us whether the choice is popular, relevant and remembered.

GONE IN A FLASH
(OR CRIME PAYS - FOR SOME)

We decided to go watch a sanctified fireworks display at Alexandra Place.
It was opened in 1873; the Palace has a long and fascinating history (http://www.alexandrapalace.com/history.html), and has been extensively renovated and refurbished as an exhibition hall. It has196 acres of gorgeous parkland overlooking London and is located between Muswell Hill and Wood Green (five miles from Piccadilly Circus).

The location couldn't have been better - terraced viewing area, down from the actual palace building, with the fireworks being set off at the bottom so that there would be the glittering London skyline as a backdrop. Though I had wondered what would've happened if the fireworks had gone astray (particuarly into the onlooking crowd).

Apparently we weren't the only ones that thought the free firework display was a good idea so there was a considerable crowd; 4x more than the organisers expected. This resulted in people being denied entry and overcrowding. The smaller members of our group (around 5ft tall - not in reference to age) found it challenging but despite this, we managed to see most of the display which lasted 30mins.

The organisers also provided extra family entertainment with an 'October Fest' (German beers, food and music) in one of the halls whilst another had a mini fairground. The entertainment finale was a Queen tribute band; they were ok and very loud.

It was the crowd participation which provided most of the highlights (and lowlights) of the evening. For starters there were several people who were very drunk and decided to dance on the trestle tables. A feat at anytime but they managed to look graceful and receive applause from the rest of the audience. Well, until they unceremoniously fell off.

The other thing that I was surprised to see being allowed was that people were standing on the bench seats to see the stage. I must point out that the seats were very flimsy and appeared to bow with three people standing.

It was therefore, frightening that 6-10 people were standing on them and no one was telling people not to. It was only when several seats broke under the weight of the revelers that 'security' (I term that loosely as they were merely sunglass wearing bullies) informed people that it might not be wise to continue with this practice.

Now that I've set the scene we come to the title of this little jitty - Gone in a Flash (or Crime Pays For Some).

I also thought the title could've been - 'Fireworks Inside and Out' (as well as other cornier ones).

As we were all crowded in, literally rubbing shoulders with our neighbours, as we were constantly being bumped, knocked, etc.

There were people constantly asking 'are those seats free?' and 'can we take those spare seats?'. The seats weren't spare as one or two of our group were jostling with the massive horde trying to acquire some food and drinks (it took them over an hour). We'd tried to discourage this constant interruption by placing our coats over the chairs. This did slow down the stream but a few persistent people tried.

A few of our group decided to call it quits around 9pm as they were hungry and fed up with the terrible service.

The rest of us were enjoying (this is sarcasum) the extremely loud music (sung in German) with a beverage (approx 9.30pm) when one of the girls realised that her new coat was missing. It was no longer over a chair and had obviously been whisked away in one of those chaotic moments when people were swapping seats or being asked for a seat.

We hunted high and low only to discover nought.

Finally, our friend went to report it missing to the security guards. They had the jacket (found hanging on a door handle at the other end of the hall) but not the contents. She'd lost her credit card and her mobile phone.

We immediately got her to cancel both so that if the thief decided to wreak havoc on either she wouldn't be charged.

As our friend was German I heard first hand 'SheiBe' (pronounced shizen and means 'shit') said repeatedly for the next 5 mins (with the occassional tonal difference i.e. Shit, shit, SHIT, Shhhhhit, etc). I'd always thought it was a English habbit.

This unfortunately ended the night on a bit of a low.

However, it reinforces the fact that one must always be careful and not to leave anything in one's pocket in a crowded place.

Remember, Remember The 5th Of November

My first experience of Bonfire (Guy Fawkes) Night in London was truly interesting. For starters, it began September. That’s right, the purchase and setting off of fireworks was not as tightly controlled as now. Rather, people could buy them at anytime but would generally start a few months before the ‘big day’ as this was when shops stocked them. This meant that the constant explosions started at dusk and often ran into the wee hours for close to 3 months.

No sleep was had during this time as the constant erratic loud noises made it impossible.

Many a complaint was lodged by sleep deprived citizens due to the combination of blitz type explosions, small infants wailing constantly, and the out of tune dogs trying to compete with the yells of joy from wayward youths. Living in a built up area there was also the reverberating sound waves just to add authenticity to ones imaginary blitz experience.

One has seen many a war movie but after this experience I can now say I understand a little more the plight of those that went through it.

There is an edginess that comes with the knowledge that during this period everywhere you walk, somewhere close, is an idiot whose lit a match to a projectile which is now veering ominously towards you at speed, whilst their offspring eagerly anticipate the 'explosion'. If that explosion happens to occur somewhere on a strangers person all the better. All of which is gayly illuminated for all and sundry in Technicolor patterns against the dimly lit streets.

Its the faces that terrify me the most. The ones on the children I can forgive for they are innocents. It's the parents, the ones who are 'older and wiser' that really impact on my mental health. It's almost unadulterated joyous evil, in a deceptively calm authoritarian way, illuminated for a split second when the match is light and is just touching the quick of the firework.

This would then climax on the weekend closest to 5th November; though some would continue to use up there supplies (and a few discounted purchases) for another month. The remainder would be saved for Christmas.

Wayward Child Is Completely Lost

A phase of my life has been and gone - I'm no longer a student. Hark, I hear disbelief from the crowd; a few cries of 'Oh no your not!'.

It seems strange that I say this now, but its true.

Full time and part time education is now a thing of the past.

I have spent much of my youth trying to cram some intellectual knowledge into this brain and now it's time for me to do something different.

WHAT? I do not know.

The cross roads are ahead and there is no signage. I'm at a loss.

What are my options?
- Bludge
- Learn a new skill? Like knitting?
- Become a computer game enthusist?
- Try to earn some extra dosh now that I've got the time?
- Breed?
- Cause grief to partner via 'I'm bored' statements?

The list is endless, yet my enthusiasm has disappeared along with the English sun (well this year, both were non existant).

I think a little longer pondering might be best....

And maybe a couple of 'I'm bored' statements.