The Urban Recluse

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Write Now
2011-10-09 23:38:00
Yesterday I attended my first day school for the Open University’s A215 Creative Writing course. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it was going to be; we spend about 45 mins talking about ourselves and our writing influences, then did a sequence of exercises, which started small (a body part – mine was the bicep) and developed into an interesting narrative (I ended up writing about a soldier). This is my second OU course, I just finished AA100 The Arts Past and Present at the end of September. I won’t know my final result until December, but completing it was a big achievement for me. I’ve abandoned several courses over the years, I even dropped out of uni when I was 18. It’s so easy to quit when it gets tough, to talk myself out of continuing, to give myself excuses not to carry on. Weirdly enough, I’ve wasted hundreds of pounds on ditched courses, but this time I received funding to cover the course so I didn’t have to pay a penny tow...
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Ravenclaw… I like it
2011-09-04 22:58:00
You are a RAVENCLAW! As a Ravenclaw and as an NFP, you value imagination, ideas and intelligence. You are probably somewhat of an individualist and avoid conforming just for its own sake. You are insightful and perceptive, and since you are empathetic and value harmony, you usually try to avoid conflict. Of course, you may enjoy participating in heated debates, but only as long as they remain on an intellectual level and not a personal level. In general, you are open-minded and curious, and set high standards for yourself. Quiz: Hogwarts Sorting Hat: Based on Myers-Briggs Personality Typing

London’s burning
2011-08-09 01:11:00
Just a quick one to say how shocked I am about the riots in London over the last few nights. The first riots in Tottenham on Saturday night were bad enough but now they’re happening all over London. There’s no excuse for destroying homes and shops, looting and terrorising. It’s all so mindless, and is just ruining the lives of innocent people. The police are overwhelmed, the army needs to get involved now.
More About: Burning

Long time, no see
2011-04-05 14:18:00
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Sorry about that. The longer that I’ve left it dormant, the harder it seems to resume it. So much and so little has happened since I blogged regularly. I’ve also been thinking about the general purpose of this blog, and how best to move forward with it. I don’t want to stop blogging altogether, but I don’t know how much I want to combine the personal elements with the general. I guess I could just continue writing and just see what emerges. So, at this moment I’m at an internet cafe in The Gambia, West Africa. I’m halfway through my 2 week holiday here, staying in the Senegambia / Kololi area. It’s my 3rd time in West Africa (my first trip was around my 30th birthday last year, when I went to Senegal, then I went to Gambia again last June). The whole story about my previous trips would take at least another blog post or two, so I’ll leave that for later. I’m going to have to work on a p...
More About: Time , Long

Merry Christmas
2010-12-25 18:50:00
Hey all, I just wanted to wish you all a lovely Christmas and a great 2011. Here are some pics I took during a recent snowy period here in the UK this month. [[Show as slideshow]] I’ve just had dinner and I’m just planning to relax for the rest of the day and wait to see if my folks like their presents when they get around to opening them. It’s been a quiet one this year, with just one of my uncles coming (at 10am). My brother is supposed to be coming at about 7pm (as he’s been spending the day with his girlfriend and her folks). Sky Movies has been showing Avatar continuously since last night, and my dad keeps on watching portions of it when he’s in the living room. He’s probably watched the entire ridiculous movie by now. Twice. Anyway, in case you’re in a cheesy Xmas mood, click on the following link to hear Shakin’ Stevens singing that classic tune: Merry Christmas Everyone

PJ’s Anatomy
2010-10-11 17:09:00
Exactly a week ago I was in my local hospital. I’d been having chest tightness (and some other problems) and had been to see my GP that Monday morning. The GP checked me over then said that he was concerned that my heart was beating too quickly (that I was tachycardic – a term that I’d always wondered about in Grey’s Anatomy ) and advised me to go straight to the hospital. I was only in the busy Accident & Emergency waiting room for a few minutes, as my chest/heart issues were prioritised over the old guy with the crutches and other victims of mishap. My heart rate and blood pressure were checked, I was X-Rayed and then my blood was taken. I waited on a trolley bed for a doctor to review my results. I was unprepared for the hours of waiting as I hadn’t brought along a book, so I drifted in and out of sleep until my mum turned up. In spite of my sickness, I couldn’t help noticing Hot Doctor. He was a good-looking fella, probably in his late twe...

Hols
2010-03-18 23:31:00
In less than 24 hours I’ll be in Senegal, West Africa. I’m going to be staying with my drum teacher and his wife in their village located in the south of the country. I’m a little nervous now, but also excited. Saturday will be my 30th birthday. Funnily enough, I’ve been so busy worrying about malaria tablets and mosquito coils, etc. that I haven’t had much headspace left to agonise about turning 30 and being unemployed. I may be able to update you on how things are going during the trip, but if not I’ll definitely give a summary of my experiences after my return on 31 March. Cheerio.

Undercover
2010-03-04 18:47:00
I had an email from someone who recently came across my site, who felt that she should warn me about the stuff that I write on here. She suggested that people that I know in real life know about this site, and that I was opening up myself to being stalked by random weirdos by revealing my interests on here. The truth is that there are just a couple of people who I know in real life that know about this blog (because I chose to tell them about it), and they aren’t actually people that I deal with on a regular basis. There isn’t anything on this blog that I’m ashamed of. Sure, I wouldn’t want to share this blog with a future employer, but it’s not half as revealing as some people’s Facebook pages. I’m hardly Belle de Jour (and yes, I know that she’s been unmasked now). I can be quite open on here because this blog isn’t linked to my real identity; I never use my full name, I change the names of any friends I mention, and I am us...

Anew
2010-01-18 01:22:00
Sorry, it’s been a while since my last communication. How was your Christmas / New Year? Mine were quiet – nothing exciting to report. Tomorrow will be my last day at my current workplace. It will be such a relief to leave there and have a fresh start. Last week was quite a nightmare; it was impossible to get any of my work done and I ended up taking some reports home to write up. One of the counsellors fell ill and I ended up taking him to the hospital as the emergency services apparently had no ambulances available due to the snow… While I was in the waiting area, waiting while the counsellor was seen by a doctor, a guy sat down a couple of chairs away from me. A minute or two later he got up and asked me to keep an eye on his bag as he’d dropped his hat and wanted to retrieve it. I nodded my assent as he didn’t look like a nutter. After a minute or two I became concerned about ‘suspicious packages’ but he came back, hat in hand, not l...

Prince of Persia
2009-12-13 23:16:00
I’ve never played the Prince of Persia game, but the forthcoming movie looks pretty good. I always like a good action movie, and Jake Gyllenhaal is looking quite formidable. Funnily enough, a guy that I used to know a few years ago told me that he was in the running to play the title role in this movie, but I’m quite sure that he was just trying to impress me.

Relator
2009-09-20 20:38:00
I came across this song recently and really liked it. I’d never heard of Peter Yorn before, and I wasn’t a fan of ScarJo’s previous musical outing, but this was a pleasant surprise. Their voices blend nicely and this song is like a bittersweet slice of summer. I listened to some more tracks from their Breakup album on Spotify and there are some very nice songs on there. Scarlett’s voice sounds quite processed on Relator, but sounds more natural in some of the other songs. I like the video too, with its sepia cast and interesting focussing (e.g. I liked the bit when the camera focussed on his beard).

Les Vacances de Mlle PJ
2009-09-07 22:24:00
Amsterdam had been the plan. A friend and I had discussed going there for a long weekend during August; we’d immerse ourselves in arts and culture during the day and debauchery after dark. As usual, I did a lot of research into accommodation (budget hotels, botels on the canal, gay hotels, S&M hotels) and was really looking forward to going. I’d never been to Amsterdam before, but I’d enjoyed a school trip to other areas of The Netherlands during my teens. Unfortunately my friend changed his mind due to his financial situation, but I still needed to get away from my life for a few days. In the end, I decided that the easiest and cheapest option was to go to Paris again. I sorted out return tickets with Easyjet and contacted my friend Claudette* to let her know that I’d be around. Although I’d stayed with her in the past, I was tempted to book a hotel for the freedom and personal space. However, Claudette insisted that I stay with her, so I accepted her offer. Unfortuna...

Duty Free
2009-08-25 11:08:00
I’m at Luton Airport right now waiting to get on a flight to Paris. I’m in an internet kiosk which charges £1 for 10 minutes. I’ve got 7 mins of credit left. I’ll be back on Friday and will update you on my trip then. I don’t think I’m going to have much internet access (which is probably a good thing, as I need a break from it and everything else).
More About: Free

Meme of 3
2009-08-06 16:50:00
Another meme taken from Roses’ blog. Three Things: Three names I go by (besides given name): P Penichio Penola Three Jobs I have had in my life: Administrator/Office Manager Cinema Usher McDonalds Cook (for 4 days) Three Places I have lived: Croydon South London Bedford (until I was about 1 year old) Three Favorite drinks: Sweet, weak tea Karibbean Kola Orange Juice Three TV Shows that I watch right now: Judge Judy Gossip Girl Californication Three places I have been: Japan Jamaica Egypt People that call me regularly: Mum Ahmed Andrea Three of my favorite foods: Chocolate Cheese Bread Three Things I am looking forward to: Going on holiday Getting my own flat Finishing the book I’m currently reading Three Things that are always by your side: Something to read Something to write on A pen
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Meme me
2009-08-02 15:50:00
Nicked from Journeying 1. First thing you wash in the shower? Chest 2. What color is your favorite hoodie? Green 3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? No, shouldn’t have gone there in the first place. 4. Do you plan outfits? Not especially, but I usually have some jeans or black trousers which will go with any clean top I find. 5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Tired from a long day. 6. Whats the closest thing to you that’s red? A book called Oriental Belly Dance by Kemal Özdemir 7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? Something about taking over the management of a donut shop. 8. Did you meet anybody new today? Yes, a couple of young cousins (second cousins if you want to get technical). 9. What are you craving right now? Mum’s cake (just had some). 10. Do you floss? Almost never, though I know I should. 11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Yuck. The smell alone puts me off. 12. Are you emotional? I’m like a Cadbury’s ...
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Dirty Dancing
2009-08-02 02:22:00
Video: Channing Tatum and Charlyne Yi Cinemash “Dirty Dancing ” Loving this parody of a scene from Dirty Dancing featuring Channing Tatum and Charlyne Yi. Yi is clearly no actress, but Tatum’s cheesy interpretation of Johnny Castle is totally adorable. Who hasn’t ‘balanced on sh*t’ at one time or another?

Poker Frog
2009-07-24 15:48:00
SamuraiFrog , I hope you’re okay – looks like Lady GaGa has made herself a coat out of the corpses of your froggy cousins. (via)
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Bedtime Story
2009-07-11 02:09:00
Mary-Louise Parker reads Alice in Wonderland. Delightful. Here’s a preview of her feature in Esquire (August 2009).
More About: Story

Ripped or Ript?
2009-07-10 21:12:00
Ript is the male equivalent of control pants; an undershirt that sculpts a flabby male torso into a more appealing shape. Their website is quite slick, dynamic and sexy, but it’s missing the most obvious thing: before and after photos. That’s a flickr group I’d love to check out. (via)

I want one
2009-07-06 21:24:00
The HTC Hero looks pretty good, a possible contender to the iPhone’s crown? I’ve been thinking of getting the HTC Magic, but I think I might hold out for this one.

Today
2008-06-10 00:04:00
Today wasn’t a bad day. I didn’t have a lunch break at work, but I’d brought sandwiches to keep me going. My right eye was and is still itchy from hay fever, and my nose is slightly icky, but I’m not feeling too awful overall. Walking home from the train station, I found myself walking behind a woman who had an amazing figure. She was wearing blue jeans and a lovely purple top. I envied her a little bit, but also stored that image as additional motivation to aim for my ideal figure. As I passed the vet’s office a young black guy with an Afro paused at the end of the road in a red car, which was pumping out that classic tune: “Papa was a Rolling Stone”. An hour ago I was watching this new reality tv show: Mary Queen of Shops, which featured Amanda, a woman who was running a clothes boutique aimed at fuller-figured women, though she seemed to look down on her customers because of their size. Mary, the fashion expert, had to re-educate her no...
More About: Today

There is no spoon
2008-06-09 20:43:00
Would you survive a horror movie? Find out @ She’s Crafty Which Sex and the City Player Are You? Find out @ She’s Crafty Which Buffy Girl Are You? Find out @ She’s Crafty Who’s Your Inner Buffy Bad-Girl? Find out @ She’s Crafty Which Action Star Are You? Find out @ She’s Crafty Related Postsmmm, i wonder…?The flesh is willing…Ciao, Bella!This One’s for the Lads
More About: Spoon

Beep
2008-06-06 22:20:00
Ring Ring Ring by De La Soul Spiderwebs by No Doubt Telefunkin’ by N-Tyce Related PostsNo related posts

In the Dog House
2008-06-04 02:59:00
If you’re eating while you’re reading this sentence, you may wish to skip over the next paragraph. I live a few roads away from a vet’s office, which I often have to pass on my way to the local high street. For a long time I would often notice the odd deposit of animal excrement near the entrance to the vet’s office, which made me wonder if either it was a natural consequence of the vet’s treatments, or if the animals were just literally scared shitless by the experience. A few weeks ago I remember seeing a nurse disposing of some poo, so it looks like a poo strategy is now in place. Anyway, this morning I was approaching the vet’s office, and saw the vet’s nurse walking a cocker spaniel into the back entrance. The dog looked at me curiously, and the nurse had to pull on his leash to get him inside. Then a man walked past me carrying another cute doggy. This second dog met my eye as she* passed me, and I could see her unspoken wish to esca...
More About: House

Crime Watch
2008-06-04 02:15:00
At about 2:30pm I decided to take a break from work and venture down the road for a quick look at yesterday’s crime scene. There were several news vans and various people hanging about a moderate distance away from the building, and a few of them looked at me as I passed. The ITN van had a parking fine notice attached to its windscreen (London’s hard-working parking inspectors in evidence). Crime scene tape had been put around the entire base of the building, so I wondered how tricky it would be for the building’s residents to access their homes. I decided to visit the cafe for the first time in a few weeks. The usual people were there. I got quite upset with a guy who made a joke out of the murder and then said that it wasn’t sad because this kind of thing happened all the time. In my opinion, murder is a tragedy, no matter how often it happens. Later on I read the news reports about the case on the way home from work. Apparently the suspect was stalking t...
More About: Watch

UB40!
2008-06-04 01:20:00
(Vid: Higher Ground) Back soon, don’t go anywhere! UB40 will entertain you in the meantime. Related PostsAugust Bank Holiday Monday

If I’d walked another way
2008-06-02 22:30:00
I was just listening to the news randomly a few moments ago and heard the newsreader talking about a 15-year old girl murdered today in South London. I looked up at the screen and recognised the street, which is not very far from my workplace. Her body was found at 3:45pm, and if I’d taken a particular route (which I often take at lunchtime) when I left work at 5:40pm I would have seen the aftermath, with the forensic teams and investigators. Instead I went straight home, oblivious to this tragedy on my doorstep. Related PostsI can’t quite believe what just happenedA Police PresenceAdventures in Camden TownFlirty FridayNo thank you!

I’m Special
2008-06-02 00:36:00
Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders ‘Cause I gonna make you see There’s nobody else here No one like me I’m special so special I gotta have some of your attention give it to me This song was playing in my head today, don’t know why. Related PostsDenim AirAtonement: A ReviewWeekend WatchingHappy New Year!No special powers, or sex appeal… this can’t be right
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Andromeda
2008-06-01 19:20:00
Just a little while ago, while watching Clash of the Titans (1981), my father said to me that if he’d had his way I would have been named Andromeda. Or at least it would have been my middle name. It’s an interesting name, but I’m not sure how much it would suit me. Or perhaps the name would have bestowed certain qualities on me, perhaps I would feel more like a princess. A princess who was due to be sacrificed due to her mother’s hubris, but a princess all the same. Related PostsNo related posts

Unboxed
2008-05-31 01:29:00
On the train home this evening I sat down next to a woman (fairly attractive, probably in her 30s) who was carrying a large carry case like the one on the left, but it was red. For the next few train stops I wondered what was in the box. At the end of every other sentence in the book I was reading my gaze would discreetly flick over to the box and make another guess at its contents. I could see a white label on the far side of the box, which might have revealed all, but I couldn’t read it from my position, and besides, I liked the guessing game. A couple of stops before mine, she got up to go. I moved to let her pass, and saw something stamped on the case that ended my speculation. So now it’s your turn to play. What was in the case? Was she a handywoman? Mobile hairdresser? Spy gadget saleswoman? Professional assassin? Or something more quotidian? Related PostsNo related posts