Day Two : The Silence
My first silence of the week was tricky as I was travelling back to university. I woke up next to my boyfriend and was unable to say good morning. Hand gestures worked well in securing a cup of tea but I really wanted to chat to him. As he dropped me at the station I saw a bus which advertised the fact that it stopped at a place/station called "Wheat Pieces". I flapped around trying to point out what was amusing me and eventually he got it but it was so strange not just blurting out my observations (maybe it's good for me)
The train journey was OK but I had to write a note to the woman selling drinks in order to quench my thirst. Thankfully nobody else really spoke to me.
Once in London the pace picked up a bit. A man at one of the tube stations caught me off guard and asked me if I was standing in a queue. As I opened my mouth to answer I remembered the silence and changed the noise coming out of my mouth to "Noaaagghhhhh", which startled said man. I then ran away.
I returned home safely but then as my housemates all arrived back I had to point at my mouth to remind them why I wasn't talking. Waiting hours to ask my friends all about their holidays was tough but that's the name of the game really. The woman whose testimony I posted a link to (in the previous post) didn't get to speak to her own daughter for years.
When I finished the silence I was eager to talk to everyone and anyone who would listen!
First day - no mess ups :-)
Emzikles xxx
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Charity Fundraising Week
Day One: The Fast
Yesterday was the first day of my fundraising week. It was the first of four twelve hour daytime fasts that I have to complete this week and it was terribly frustrating. I woke up at 6.20am to prepare my pre-fast meal: two boiled eggs and a slice of wholegrain toast with butter, washed down with a glass of orange juice and a multivitamin tablet. At that time in the morning my appetite was painfully absent but I kept in mind the advice I had been given about eating protein and fats before the fast began. It made sense. Then, at 7am, the fast began. For the first three hours I didn’t feel very hungry but on the approach to lunchtime my brain began making suggestions about what to have for lunch! Every half hour it sparked up with another food that it fancied and, in normal circumstances, this would have resulted in the absent minded consumption of said food but under the constraints of the fast I felt only a pang of disappointment. The freedom to choose what I wanted to do (snack in front of the television) and when (during Jeremy Kyle) was restricted and it made me feel frustrated. There is no tangible comparison with the experiences of those asylum seekers detained in centres around the UK but perhaps the feeling of frustration and the inability to answer to the needs of one’s body are things that detainees in places like Yarlswood will feel at some point during their “stay”. From two o’clock until five o’clock my stomach growled at me and then nausea set in. At about six o’clock I could no longer feel the hunger but when it came to half past I was in the kitchen cooking up a feast. I broke the fast with a bowl of mozzarella and tomato topped gnocchi, some popcorn and some much craved chocolate. After my initial elation I began to feel a bit deflated. At the end of the day I had very easily rustled up a meal and indulged in some treats but I really appreciated the fact that so many people couldn’t have done that.
I have attached the link to a testimony from an asylum seeker whose experiences here in the UK are eye-opening and disturbing. Please read her words:
http://www.testimonyproject.org/node/170
Cynical England has to stop dismissing the pleas of asylum seekers by claiming that they are somehow not credible.
Emma.
Yesterday was the first day of my fundraising week. It was the first of four twelve hour daytime fasts that I have to complete this week and it was terribly frustrating. I woke up at 6.20am to prepare my pre-fast meal: two boiled eggs and a slice of wholegrain toast with butter, washed down with a glass of orange juice and a multivitamin tablet. At that time in the morning my appetite was painfully absent but I kept in mind the advice I had been given about eating protein and fats before the fast began. It made sense. Then, at 7am, the fast began. For the first three hours I didn’t feel very hungry but on the approach to lunchtime my brain began making suggestions about what to have for lunch! Every half hour it sparked up with another food that it fancied and, in normal circumstances, this would have resulted in the absent minded consumption of said food but under the constraints of the fast I felt only a pang of disappointment. The freedom to choose what I wanted to do (snack in front of the television) and when (during Jeremy Kyle) was restricted and it made me feel frustrated. There is no tangible comparison with the experiences of those asylum seekers detained in centres around the UK but perhaps the feeling of frustration and the inability to answer to the needs of one’s body are things that detainees in places like Yarlswood will feel at some point during their “stay”. From two o’clock until five o’clock my stomach growled at me and then nausea set in. At about six o’clock I could no longer feel the hunger but when it came to half past I was in the kitchen cooking up a feast. I broke the fast with a bowl of mozzarella and tomato topped gnocchi, some popcorn and some much craved chocolate. After my initial elation I began to feel a bit deflated. At the end of the day I had very easily rustled up a meal and indulged in some treats but I really appreciated the fact that so many people couldn’t have done that.
I have attached the link to a testimony from an asylum seeker whose experiences here in the UK are eye-opening and disturbing. Please read her words:
http://www.testimonyproject.org/node/170
Cynical England has to stop dismissing the pleas of asylum seekers by claiming that they are somehow not credible.
Emma.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Modelling Agency Test Shoot
Hey guys,
I just realised that I had promised an update about my encounter with one of London's fashion agencies (albiet not a very high profile one) so here it is. Sorry it's a little late.
About a month ago I saw an advert on Gumtree for new faces at a London based modelling agency (that I probaby shouldn't name). The advert said that height wasn't an issue and so I thought I had nothing to lose by giving it a shot. I sent through a couple of my previous photos, which I'm quite proud of (an example is the photograph at the top of my blog) and they offered me an interview. I told a friend about it and she decided to do the same thing so we agreed to go along at the same time for moral support.
I knew that I'd have to do a test shoot (apparently to see how well or not I worked in front of the camera) because I've changed my hair colour since my last photographs were taken. I chose an outfit the day before the interview and flicked through some magazines to get some posing inspiration.
When the day arrived I was pretty nervous. We arrived at the agency building and wandered into the waiting room. The man who would be interviewing us walked in and handed my friend a clipboard with a list of questions to answer (height, hair colour, weight, dress size, type of modelling work sought etc) and then walked out again. I looked across at her, confused. When he walked in again I asked him for my question sheet. He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you're doing it too?"
I smiled, wincing through the verbal blow and answered happily that I was.
He got me a clipboard and I joked with my friend as I answered the questions, keeping a smile on my face to keep the burning feeling of humiliation at bay. The agency had claimed that it wasn't just looking for the thin tall type who usually model but their reaction when they actually saw a different kind of woman proved otherwise. I looked across at my thin, blonde-haired, amply-breasted companion and realised that they had seen me as the dowdy friend who comes along to provide moral support. As I answered the questions I felt irritated. Blue/green eyes, brunette, perfect ten. I am not ashamed of the way I look nor should I be made to feel that way.
When we were interviewed the clipboard man, who was no Brad Pitt himself, openly flirted with my friend. She gave him her photos and he asked her to select two that the agency could hold on to. She told him, with no flirtatious intent whatsoever, that he could keep all of them if he wanted and he grinned and told her obsequiously that he would love to have them all. Holding in the vomit, I passed over my photographs and relaxed into my chair, mirroring the nonchalence he displayed towards me.
He told us that we would get a few minutes each to pose for some shots and then we would pick five of the best ones to send further up the agency for consideration.
The shoot was a whirlwind and felt very rushed but I tried to keep my experience at hand by constantly saying snippets of advice in my head: "Always look just to the left, right or above the camera", "Never do something that looks unnatural", "Bend anything on your body that will bend - angles are in!"
About three minutes later it was all over and although there were some awful shots (partly the photographer's fault and partly mine) I chose five that I felt at least 60% happy with (in some of the photos I haven't quite found the light - a fair criticism). I still haven't received my favourite shot from that day (my friend loaded them onto her memory stick and has only sent three out of the five to me so far) but I will share one of the full length shots with you.
I know I'm not the tallest or thinnest woman around but does that mean that every type of modelling is off limits for me? It's a question that I would actually love to hear an honest answer to. There's nothing worse than claiming to have a certain ethos but not acting in a way that demonstrates it.
Stay confident,
Emzikles xxx
I just realised that I had promised an update about my encounter with one of London's fashion agencies (albiet not a very high profile one) so here it is. Sorry it's a little late.
About a month ago I saw an advert on Gumtree for new faces at a London based modelling agency (that I probaby shouldn't name). The advert said that height wasn't an issue and so I thought I had nothing to lose by giving it a shot. I sent through a couple of my previous photos, which I'm quite proud of (an example is the photograph at the top of my blog) and they offered me an interview. I told a friend about it and she decided to do the same thing so we agreed to go along at the same time for moral support.
I knew that I'd have to do a test shoot (apparently to see how well or not I worked in front of the camera) because I've changed my hair colour since my last photographs were taken. I chose an outfit the day before the interview and flicked through some magazines to get some posing inspiration.
When the day arrived I was pretty nervous. We arrived at the agency building and wandered into the waiting room. The man who would be interviewing us walked in and handed my friend a clipboard with a list of questions to answer (height, hair colour, weight, dress size, type of modelling work sought etc) and then walked out again. I looked across at her, confused. When he walked in again I asked him for my question sheet. He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you're doing it too?"
I smiled, wincing through the verbal blow and answered happily that I was.
He got me a clipboard and I joked with my friend as I answered the questions, keeping a smile on my face to keep the burning feeling of humiliation at bay. The agency had claimed that it wasn't just looking for the thin tall type who usually model but their reaction when they actually saw a different kind of woman proved otherwise. I looked across at my thin, blonde-haired, amply-breasted companion and realised that they had seen me as the dowdy friend who comes along to provide moral support. As I answered the questions I felt irritated. Blue/green eyes, brunette, perfect ten. I am not ashamed of the way I look nor should I be made to feel that way.
When we were interviewed the clipboard man, who was no Brad Pitt himself, openly flirted with my friend. She gave him her photos and he asked her to select two that the agency could hold on to. She told him, with no flirtatious intent whatsoever, that he could keep all of them if he wanted and he grinned and told her obsequiously that he would love to have them all. Holding in the vomit, I passed over my photographs and relaxed into my chair, mirroring the nonchalence he displayed towards me.
He told us that we would get a few minutes each to pose for some shots and then we would pick five of the best ones to send further up the agency for consideration.
The shoot was a whirlwind and felt very rushed but I tried to keep my experience at hand by constantly saying snippets of advice in my head: "Always look just to the left, right or above the camera", "Never do something that looks unnatural", "Bend anything on your body that will bend - angles are in!"
About three minutes later it was all over and although there were some awful shots (partly the photographer's fault and partly mine) I chose five that I felt at least 60% happy with (in some of the photos I haven't quite found the light - a fair criticism). I still haven't received my favourite shot from that day (my friend loaded them onto her memory stick and has only sent three out of the five to me so far) but I will share one of the full length shots with you.
Stay confident,
Emzikles xxx
Thursday, 18 March 2010
RAVE ABOUT... Fashion!
Hello all,
This week has been a stressful one with fundraising, uni. work and an interview (which I will fill you in on later) but for now I have to tell you about a website that I've just discovered. I'm pretty sure this website has been around for a while so if you already knew it then this will all be old news and I'll hang my head in shame. If not, however, then yay for me! The shop I'm talking about is called Electric Gypsy. It's based in a store in Exeter (and has been there since 2004) but you can also check out their pieces online.
They have home made retro clothing, reproduction vintage and genuine vintage and it's all beautiful! What's better than putting on an outfit in the morning and knowing that you will never see anyone else wearing the same thing when you're out and about?
My current favourites are:
This lovely vintage evening dress at £26
This week has been a stressful one with fundraising, uni. work and an interview (which I will fill you in on later) but for now I have to tell you about a website that I've just discovered. I'm pretty sure this website has been around for a while so if you already knew it then this will all be old news and I'll hang my head in shame. If not, however, then yay for me! The shop I'm talking about is called Electric Gypsy. It's based in a store in Exeter (and has been there since 2004) but you can also check out their pieces online.
They have home made retro clothing, reproduction vintage and genuine vintage and it's all beautiful! What's better than putting on an outfit in the morning and knowing that you will never see anyone else wearing the same thing when you're out and about?
My current favourites are:
This lovely vintage evening dress at £26
... and this 1980s cocktail dress at the more expensive price of £40
If you like the look of these two dresses then go and check out the rest of the clothes (men's and women's) at:
Happy Shopping,
Emzikles xxx
Monday, 15 March 2010
RAVE ABOUT...Theatre!
On the 9th March I met the playwright and actor Tim Crouch. For those of you who are into your theatre you may have seen or read his play "The Author" - a play that steps away from realism and meshes the audience with the actors with the intention of creating a shared journey.
Tim is a tall bald headed man with the most soul-penetrating eyes I have ever seen. When he walked into our writing session it seemed that his reputation was a few steps ahead. Over twenty intimidated writers pretended to be nonchalent, shifting only slightly in their seats as he grinned around the room.
To begin with he told us all about his past experiences including the years he spent acting, the course he took (and disliked) at Central School of Speech and Drama and his role as a saucy air cabin crew member on an ITV1 programme.
After this insight into his past he began to talk about his writing. It soon became apparent that his ideas about the theatre were well defined and clear unlike my own flabby pontifications on the craft of playwriting.
The idea central to his work is the removal of the literal from the theatre. He argued that theatre did not need to be so figurative - an audience do not need to see a set representing a 'place' - their imaginations can be stimulated by words alone. He referred to himself as a "theatre maker" rather than a "writer with a capital 'W'" and explained that he saw his writing as a kind of code for a performance.
Tim was also honest about what he calls his "addiction to story", which, to me, seems like the best kind of addiction to have (although maybe not worthy of a trip to the Priory).
"There are always stories in my plays," he said, "and narrative hooks that draw the audience in."
For me, a high point of the discussion came when Tim talked about being made to feel stupid in the theatre/theatre industry and how awful it feels when that happens. This resonated with me as I thought back on the multitude of inaccessible academic blather that I've previously tried to decode. I decided that my pen and I are stronger than academics and their thesauruses.
All in all I have to say Tim Crouch is a really funny, intelligent man who makes innovative theatre.
If you want to see any of Tim's work, his play "My Arm" is on in Brighton in April. This play is about a boy who lives with one arm constantly above his head. I hasten to add that at no point during the performance does Tim lift his arm above his head (no figurative art remember). So if you're in Brighton check it out!
Tim is a tall bald headed man with the most soul-penetrating eyes I have ever seen. When he walked into our writing session it seemed that his reputation was a few steps ahead. Over twenty intimidated writers pretended to be nonchalent, shifting only slightly in their seats as he grinned around the room.
To begin with he told us all about his past experiences including the years he spent acting, the course he took (and disliked) at Central School of Speech and Drama and his role as a saucy air cabin crew member on an ITV1 programme.
After this insight into his past he began to talk about his writing. It soon became apparent that his ideas about the theatre were well defined and clear unlike my own flabby pontifications on the craft of playwriting.
The idea central to his work is the removal of the literal from the theatre. He argued that theatre did not need to be so figurative - an audience do not need to see a set representing a 'place' - their imaginations can be stimulated by words alone. He referred to himself as a "theatre maker" rather than a "writer with a capital 'W'" and explained that he saw his writing as a kind of code for a performance.
Tim was also honest about what he calls his "addiction to story", which, to me, seems like the best kind of addiction to have (although maybe not worthy of a trip to the Priory).
"There are always stories in my plays," he said, "and narrative hooks that draw the audience in."
For me, a high point of the discussion came when Tim talked about being made to feel stupid in the theatre/theatre industry and how awful it feels when that happens. This resonated with me as I thought back on the multitude of inaccessible academic blather that I've previously tried to decode. I decided that my pen and I are stronger than academics and their thesauruses.
All in all I have to say Tim Crouch is a really funny, intelligent man who makes innovative theatre.
If you want to see any of Tim's work, his play "My Arm" is on in Brighton in April. This play is about a boy who lives with one arm constantly above his head. I hasten to add that at no point during the performance does Tim lift his arm above his head (no figurative art remember). So if you're in Brighton check it out!
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
RAVE ABOUT... Charity
Hiya,
It's been a while since I've written a post because I've been organising a few things, most importantly a fundraising event for Asylum Aid. This charity helps vulnerable people who come to the UK for protection. A lot of these people are fleeing political persecution. Here in Britain we maintain the right to say what we want when we want and I'm sure that having expressed ourselves we don't then fear murder, torture or rape as a form of repercussion!
I have heard so many stories of aylum seekers who, having already endured emotional/physical pain, have been made to feel like 'fakes' by our government.
From the 19th to the 25th of April I will be doing a week of alternate silences and fasts. Monday will be a fast, Tuesday a silence, Wednesday a fast and so on...
If you feel strongly about this cause then please sponsor me at: www.bmycharity.com/fastsilence
Thanks you lot,
Emzikles xxx
It's been a while since I've written a post because I've been organising a few things, most importantly a fundraising event for Asylum Aid. This charity helps vulnerable people who come to the UK for protection. A lot of these people are fleeing political persecution. Here in Britain we maintain the right to say what we want when we want and I'm sure that having expressed ourselves we don't then fear murder, torture or rape as a form of repercussion!
I have heard so many stories of aylum seekers who, having already endured emotional/physical pain, have been made to feel like 'fakes' by our government.
From the 19th to the 25th of April I will be doing a week of alternate silences and fasts. Monday will be a fast, Tuesday a silence, Wednesday a fast and so on...
If you feel strongly about this cause then please sponsor me at: www.bmycharity.com/fastsilence
Thanks you lot,
Emzikles xxx
Thursday, 25 February 2010
RANT ABOUT...Fashion!
This week is eating disorders awareness week. It is ironic therefore that Miss Beckham – the vain little twiglet – has made headlines for choosing what can only be described has a stick insect with a pout to represent her 2010 fashion range. At New York fashion week she picked the skeletal model Eugenia Mandzhieva to for her catwalk show. For those of you who don’t know who this is – you will be able to find her photo on pro-anorexia websites as ‘thinspiration’. I will not be putting her ribby little body on my blog, that’s for sure!
Victoria Beckham defends skinny models by arguing that most of them are “naturally” that thin. I love that phrase – “naturally skinny” – the fashion world’s golden excuse. Seriously - concave cheeks and big black bags under sunken eyes – that’s hardly Mother Nature’s way is it? Just because this model looks like a blade of grass when she stands sideways on does not mean that she has a “natural” body shape.
Sufferers of eating disorders are getting younger. Both men and women become victims. I find Victoria’s behaviour highly irresponsible and disagree with selfish creatures like her being allowed to bask in the media limelight.
If you’d actually like to find out more about eating disorders and the devastating impact they have on sufferers and their families then please check out http://www.pale-reflections.com/. This website provides information of symptoms to look out for if you suspect a loved one is ill and it gives advice on how to deal with their illness gently and helpfully.
We’re bored of the skinny fashion brigade now. Curves are in – they always have been – so don’t you forget it.
Wishing you good health,
Emzikles xxx
Victoria Beckham defends skinny models by arguing that most of them are “naturally” that thin. I love that phrase – “naturally skinny” – the fashion world’s golden excuse. Seriously - concave cheeks and big black bags under sunken eyes – that’s hardly Mother Nature’s way is it? Just because this model looks like a blade of grass when she stands sideways on does not mean that she has a “natural” body shape.
Sufferers of eating disorders are getting younger. Both men and women become victims. I find Victoria’s behaviour highly irresponsible and disagree with selfish creatures like her being allowed to bask in the media limelight.
If you’d actually like to find out more about eating disorders and the devastating impact they have on sufferers and their families then please check out http://www.pale-reflections.com/. This website provides information of symptoms to look out for if you suspect a loved one is ill and it gives advice on how to deal with their illness gently and helpfully.
We’re bored of the skinny fashion brigade now. Curves are in – they always have been – so don’t you forget it.
Wishing you good health,
Emzikles xxx
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Rave About...Travel! (Barcelona)
Last weekend I was whisked away to Barcelona and had the time of my life.
My preconceptions of this city were only that it was the pickpocketing capital of Europe and that there would be a lot of ridiculous mime artists. Only one of those things was proven to be true - the mime artists really are insane!
We ('we' being myself and my fella) arrived in Barcelona on Friday afternoon and checked into our hotel - the Hotel 1898. It was situated on Las Ramblas, which is a promenade just over a kilometre long that cuts through the core of the city centre. Along this boulevard are little cafes and shops as well as the countless mime artists who pose for tourists. One of the strangest "artists" we saw was a man dressed as a baby in a big square crib... very odd! It's certainly a lively street though and well worth a wander. There is also the busy 'Boqueria' market, which sells fruits, vegetables, sweets, nuts, fish and meats. It is a brightly coloured mish mash of fresh produce and their various smells. It is definitely a must see for tourists visiting the city.
At the southern end of the ramblas is Port Vell, where we found a tapas bar called "Tapa Tapa". It served a variety of tapas and we munched our way through a salmon tartare dish, a plate of patatas bravas, cheesy croquettes, mini burgers and a caesar salad that even converted my vegetable-hating boyfriend! I also made the mistake of ordering the most potent Caipirinha (cocktail made with cachaca) ever. Sitting by the sea with good food, drink and of course company is very relaxing and a must when visiting Barcelona.
Unfortunately that night it rained hard angry bullets of rain and as James and I scampered through the side streets of El Raval we quickly became both wet and frustrated. The restuarant we wanted didn't seem to exist and to find somewhere dry we settled for the worst of the city's eateries (this is of course the title we gave it after sampling its wares). It's name was Tapas Gaudi and it was horrible. The food was overpriced and oversalted and the door was left open so cold drafts kept coming in. Poor Gaudi is probably turning in his grave to know that such a shit hole is being named after him.
Fortunately for us our beautiful hotel has a spa facility with a gorgeous hydro-pool, sauna and steam room. We took full advantage of it and highly reccommend it to you should you choose to visit Barcelona. It's worth the extra pennies.
Saturday morning after relaxing in the spa we set out to venture north of Las Ramblas. We stumbled upon a cute cafe called Bracafe in which we ate breakfast (melt in the mouth croissants, coffee and a 'batido' - a type of smoothie) for under ten euros. Then we visited the famous Sagrada Familia - Antoni Gaudi's amazing cathedral, which has been under construction since 1882.
This amazing building is worth the queue which actually seems to move pretty quickly when you're ogeling at the sheer genius of Gaudi's imagination (manifest in the shapes and aesthetics of this triumphant building). Carvings and patterns in the Passion Facade are incredible and generate well-deserved awe from onlookers. Inside, the stained glass windows take your breath away as the light pours through. There is something joyful about them. For those who venture up the tower (in a tiny lift for 2 Euros 50 cents more) keep in mind the height! If you suffer vertigo like my partner then don’t do it! If not then soak up the feeling – a thrill so great it’s almost unbearable. Look at the stunning views, close ups of Gaudi’s nature inspired towers and slices of Spain sneaking through slit stone windows.
After this we walked across to Palau Robert and down Passe de Gracia where we ate lunch at a tapas restaurant called Txapela. This was wonderful although we both learnt how strong the sangria is as we found ourselves accidentally drunk at 3pm on a Saturday! Then we continued walking past some more Gaudi buildings to the Plaza Catalunya, which is just north of the ramblas and has two beautiful fountains. That night we had cava in the hotel bar before crossing to The Attic – a wonderful orange restaurant that gave us a complimentary Kir Royale on arrival and served tasty food including cannelloni, asparagus tempura, sardines on toast and ox burger with home-made chips and sauces. Yummy!
On Sunday after yet another spa session we walked down Las Ramblas and into the Barri Gotic quarter. There we visited the cathedral La Seu, which literally brought me close to tears with its magnificence. The choir were singing and people crossed themselves as they left. We then had breakfast at a nearby cafe called Cafe d’en Victor. We got coffee, tea, a croissant and a donut for the tiny price of 5 Euros. Bargain. Then we had a look around the small art gallery opposite the cafe and explored more of the poky streets. For 4 Euros 30 cents each we had a look around the museum of chocolate (the tickets were chocolate bars). This space shows off chocolate artworks and facilitates chocolate making lessons for the city’s youngsters.
We were beaten into the Picasso museum by a huge group of tourists so instead we wandered over to the Parque Ciutadella and the Arc de Triomf. The park was wonderful. There were people meditating and we found the beautiful fountain complete with a statue of Venus. After this we had lunch in the Port Vell area (yummy pizza near the shopping complex) and I bought a t-shirt for 1 Euro at a bargain shop! Then we walked back up Las Ramblas where there was a market selling hats, jewellery and other knick knacks. Next it was back to the hotel and of course the hydro-pool. After all that walking around a pampering session is only right!
On Monday morning it was time to go so after a stroll down Las Ramblas one last time we found a cafe for breakfast. It is called Escriba and it specialises in chocolate. Famous clients include Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello who both had chocolate F1 themed gifts made for them. For fewer than ten Euros we had croissants and hot chocolate before setting off to the airport. The one place we noticed that we hadn’t and probably should have visited (among many of course) was the Museum d’Erotica, which I’m sure would have been a giggle. Other than that I think we really made the most of a great weekend in a beautiful city that I highly recommend you visit at least once in your lifetime.
My preconceptions of this city were only that it was the pickpocketing capital of Europe and that there would be a lot of ridiculous mime artists. Only one of those things was proven to be true - the mime artists really are insane!
We ('we' being myself and my fella) arrived in Barcelona on Friday afternoon and checked into our hotel - the Hotel 1898. It was situated on Las Ramblas, which is a promenade just over a kilometre long that cuts through the core of the city centre. Along this boulevard are little cafes and shops as well as the countless mime artists who pose for tourists. One of the strangest "artists" we saw was a man dressed as a baby in a big square crib... very odd! It's certainly a lively street though and well worth a wander. There is also the busy 'Boqueria' market, which sells fruits, vegetables, sweets, nuts, fish and meats. It is a brightly coloured mish mash of fresh produce and their various smells. It is definitely a must see for tourists visiting the city.
At the southern end of the ramblas is Port Vell, where we found a tapas bar called "Tapa Tapa". It served a variety of tapas and we munched our way through a salmon tartare dish, a plate of patatas bravas, cheesy croquettes, mini burgers and a caesar salad that even converted my vegetable-hating boyfriend! I also made the mistake of ordering the most potent Caipirinha (cocktail made with cachaca) ever. Sitting by the sea with good food, drink and of course company is very relaxing and a must when visiting Barcelona.
Unfortunately that night it rained hard angry bullets of rain and as James and I scampered through the side streets of El Raval we quickly became both wet and frustrated. The restuarant we wanted didn't seem to exist and to find somewhere dry we settled for the worst of the city's eateries (this is of course the title we gave it after sampling its wares). It's name was Tapas Gaudi and it was horrible. The food was overpriced and oversalted and the door was left open so cold drafts kept coming in. Poor Gaudi is probably turning in his grave to know that such a shit hole is being named after him.
Fortunately for us our beautiful hotel has a spa facility with a gorgeous hydro-pool, sauna and steam room. We took full advantage of it and highly reccommend it to you should you choose to visit Barcelona. It's worth the extra pennies.
Saturday morning after relaxing in the spa we set out to venture north of Las Ramblas. We stumbled upon a cute cafe called Bracafe in which we ate breakfast (melt in the mouth croissants, coffee and a 'batido' - a type of smoothie) for under ten euros. Then we visited the famous Sagrada Familia - Antoni Gaudi's amazing cathedral, which has been under construction since 1882.
This amazing building is worth the queue which actually seems to move pretty quickly when you're ogeling at the sheer genius of Gaudi's imagination (manifest in the shapes and aesthetics of this triumphant building). Carvings and patterns in the Passion Facade are incredible and generate well-deserved awe from onlookers. Inside, the stained glass windows take your breath away as the light pours through. There is something joyful about them. For those who venture up the tower (in a tiny lift for 2 Euros 50 cents more) keep in mind the height! If you suffer vertigo like my partner then don’t do it! If not then soak up the feeling – a thrill so great it’s almost unbearable. Look at the stunning views, close ups of Gaudi’s nature inspired towers and slices of Spain sneaking through slit stone windows.
After this we walked across to Palau Robert and down Passe de Gracia where we ate lunch at a tapas restaurant called Txapela. This was wonderful although we both learnt how strong the sangria is as we found ourselves accidentally drunk at 3pm on a Saturday! Then we continued walking past some more Gaudi buildings to the Plaza Catalunya, which is just north of the ramblas and has two beautiful fountains. That night we had cava in the hotel bar before crossing to The Attic – a wonderful orange restaurant that gave us a complimentary Kir Royale on arrival and served tasty food including cannelloni, asparagus tempura, sardines on toast and ox burger with home-made chips and sauces. Yummy!
On Sunday after yet another spa session we walked down Las Ramblas and into the Barri Gotic quarter. There we visited the cathedral La Seu, which literally brought me close to tears with its magnificence. The choir were singing and people crossed themselves as they left. We then had breakfast at a nearby cafe called Cafe d’en Victor. We got coffee, tea, a croissant and a donut for the tiny price of 5 Euros. Bargain. Then we had a look around the small art gallery opposite the cafe and explored more of the poky streets. For 4 Euros 30 cents each we had a look around the museum of chocolate (the tickets were chocolate bars). This space shows off chocolate artworks and facilitates chocolate making lessons for the city’s youngsters.
That night we walked up to the Rambla Catalunya to a bar called Da Luca where we were served a cava, a beer and complimentary kiwi fruit for 9 Euros. After this we headed to Tuset and from that onto the Ptge D’Arcadia where we found the infamous Flash Flash restaurant. This quirky and originally decorated place serves tortillas (which are actually omelettes) for a very reasonable price.
On Monday morning it was time to go so after a stroll down Las Ramblas one last time we found a cafe for breakfast. It is called Escriba and it specialises in chocolate. Famous clients include Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello who both had chocolate F1 themed gifts made for them. For fewer than ten Euros we had croissants and hot chocolate before setting off to the airport. The one place we noticed that we hadn’t and probably should have visited (among many of course) was the Museum d’Erotica, which I’m sure would have been a giggle. Other than that I think we really made the most of a great weekend in a beautiful city that I highly recommend you visit at least once in your lifetime.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Rant About... music!
Specifically, this is a rant about a musician rather than his music (which I still maintain is lyrically genius)...
But alas John Mayer you massive NOOB!
No doubt you've heard about the now infamous Playboy interview in which the singer, as his song states, has certainly "said too much again".
Highlights of the interview include Mayer recalling how he tongue kissed celebrity blogger Perez Hilton in an intense manner OR, as John would put it, "almost as if I hated fags".
Other gems include his likening of his struggle to that of a "black dude's" and commenting that his penis is "sort of like a white supremacist"...
JOHN, COME AWAY FROM THAT LEDGE, YOU'RE ABOUT TO COMMIT SOCIAL SUICIDE... WAIT, JOHN, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
On the positive side John has apologised for his comments at a recent concert. Plus, you can't say he didn't warn you - he wrote a whole song about his 'stupid mouth' and I still applaud him for his honesty.
I suppose it's impossible to deny that Mr. Mayer often comes out with some pretty cringe-worthy statements but, in my view, it's also impossible to say he's not a great song-writer and musician.
John my sweet, I still love you. I just think you need to come to mine and have a cuppa, a nice rich tea biscuit and a lecture on how not to offend the masses. Deal?
Emzikles xxx
But alas John Mayer you massive NOOB!
No doubt you've heard about the now infamous Playboy interview in which the singer, as his song states, has certainly "said too much again".
Highlights of the interview include Mayer recalling how he tongue kissed celebrity blogger Perez Hilton in an intense manner OR, as John would put it, "almost as if I hated fags".
Other gems include his likening of his struggle to that of a "black dude's" and commenting that his penis is "sort of like a white supremacist"...
JOHN, COME AWAY FROM THAT LEDGE, YOU'RE ABOUT TO COMMIT SOCIAL SUICIDE... WAIT, JOHN, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
On the positive side John has apologised for his comments at a recent concert. Plus, you can't say he didn't warn you - he wrote a whole song about his 'stupid mouth' and I still applaud him for his honesty.
I suppose it's impossible to deny that Mr. Mayer often comes out with some pretty cringe-worthy statements but, in my view, it's also impossible to say he's not a great song-writer and musician.
John my sweet, I still love you. I just think you need to come to mine and have a cuppa, a nice rich tea biscuit and a lecture on how not to offend the masses. Deal?
Here's hoping,
Monday, 15 February 2010
Company Magazine
I got into Company magazine.
Yippee!
They're a great magazine - lots of issues us women have to tackle are investigated and when we get fed up of that there's the gossip of course.
Here's the letter I sent in, which got me 'Star Letter' for the March issue.
It's on a subject that I feel very passionately about so I'm proud to have won for that month.
Much love as always,
Emzikles xxx
Yippee!
They're a great magazine - lots of issues us women have to tackle are investigated and when we get fed up of that there's the gossip of course.
Here's the letter I sent in, which got me 'Star Letter' for the March issue.
It's on a subject that I feel very passionately about so I'm proud to have won for that month.
Much love as always,
Emzikles xxx
Rave About...FASHION!
Ok then, time for some fashion.
I have shopping on the brain but no pennies to spend. Instead I thought I would recommend some goodies for you to treat yourself to!
First up I found this over the shoulder bag from Weird Fish (online at http://www.weirdfish.co.uk/)
My second recommendation comes in the form of these adorable heels from Miss Selfridge...
I have shopping on the brain but no pennies to spend. Instead I thought I would recommend some goodies for you to treat yourself to!
First up I found this over the shoulder bag from Weird Fish (online at http://www.weirdfish.co.uk/)
Lots of space for books, paper, pens etc so great for Uni students. I particularly love the seahorse 'S' - really cute. It's priced at £25 and it's good quality so unlike your Primark 'bargains' it won't fall apart in a month!!
They retail at £35 but the nude colour is really big at the moment and, come summer, I bet these yummy heels will still draw compliments! Additionally, Miss Selfridge usually have a good student discount so yay for that!
Speaking of summer, my final fashion must-have is a dress that will be perfect when the sun comes out.
I am a little bit in love with this dress from BooHoo (Online at http://www.boohoo.com/) and when I have some money I'll be snapping it up...
This polka dot beauty is only £20 and comes in sizes 10-16.
Bless BooHoo for their treasure trove of fashion.
Anyway, that's all for February's fashion but I'll give you another update on bargain buys in March.
Happy shopping.
Emzikles xxx
Rave About... ART!
Hi there and welcome to my first piece of constructed waffle!
My blogging debut is about an artist that I am currently fascinated by and whose work I first enountered at theVenice Biennale in 2009. Nathalie Djurberg is a Swedish artist specialising in stop motion claymation (clay animation).
Her mixed media Biennale installation was made up of videos, music and sculptures and earned her the festival's Silver Lion Award. Walking into it was like walking into a twisted Grimm Brothers story; a nightmare 'Garden of Eden'. All around the room were giant wax like flowers which gave the impression not only that they were alive but that they were moving; dripping slime from their petals.
The main features of the installation were, of course, Djurberg's short films, which are accompanied by Hans Berg's disjointed and unsettling soundscapes. The nature of Nathalie's stop motion films may not be to everyone's taste; deeply dark and perplexingly comic they tell stories with clay protagonists (usually female, usually naked). There is a lot of gore, surrealism and perversion to these films but the are tremendously watcheable. One film shows two characters running through a possessed forest whose trees attack and dismember them, the other shows a woman whose own limbs turn against her, breaking free from her torso to torture and demoralize her. It's dark stuff but it's strangely beautiful and crafted with imagination and skill.
As I see it, art accomplishes something truely admirable when it changes the perceptions of those who observe it. After seeing Djurberg's work at the Biennale (and later on online archives) I felt that my perceptions and my process of seeing and understanding the world has certainly shifted.
To see some of Nathalie's work follow this link: http://www.zachfeuer.com/nathaliedjurberg.html
I hope my first blog has been an enjoyable read.
Emzikles xxx
My blogging debut is about an artist that I am currently fascinated by and whose work I first enountered at theVenice Biennale in 2009. Nathalie Djurberg is a Swedish artist specialising in stop motion claymation (clay animation).
Her mixed media Biennale installation was made up of videos, music and sculptures and earned her the festival's Silver Lion Award. Walking into it was like walking into a twisted Grimm Brothers story; a nightmare 'Garden of Eden'. All around the room were giant wax like flowers which gave the impression not only that they were alive but that they were moving; dripping slime from their petals.
The main features of the installation were, of course, Djurberg's short films, which are accompanied by Hans Berg's disjointed and unsettling soundscapes. The nature of Nathalie's stop motion films may not be to everyone's taste; deeply dark and perplexingly comic they tell stories with clay protagonists (usually female, usually naked). There is a lot of gore, surrealism and perversion to these films but the are tremendously watcheable. One film shows two characters running through a possessed forest whose trees attack and dismember them, the other shows a woman whose own limbs turn against her, breaking free from her torso to torture and demoralize her. It's dark stuff but it's strangely beautiful and crafted with imagination and skill.
As I see it, art accomplishes something truely admirable when it changes the perceptions of those who observe it. After seeing Djurberg's work at the Biennale (and later on online archives) I felt that my perceptions and my process of seeing and understanding the world has certainly shifted.
To see some of Nathalie's work follow this link: http://www.zachfeuer.com/nathaliedjurberg.html
I hope my first blog has been an enjoyable read.
Emzikles xxx
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