The Boy's A Slag, The Girl's A Fluorescent Adolescent

Zomg. It's 2011?

No, really. it is. 

It's weird when the future is suddenly HERE *brings hands to face* It makes you think that you really belong to the past. Past dwelling creature I am...

So my new year's resolution for the year of the Wrabbit - Live Life. Carpe Diem... all that jazz. But then we Know we're not going to do that.. humans are the WORST at living life, I swear. Which is pretty ironic. We're good at complaining about life though *thumbs up human race* :D (speaking of races we need to chill on the rushing through life. You DO realise the finishing line is death, non?)

Btw, when you die your life passes in front of your eyes apparently. Eventually facebook will allow us to do that too if it keeps all your pictures (MT, aged 40- 30,000 pictures) 

Anyway, so - living.
No, actually, dying. Well aren't they both the same? Not to sound emo but every moment we live we get closer to death.  So with this knowledge I think we should all jump out of bed every morning, climb on our roofs (if safe- or if you have one :'() and watch the sun rise

 Then rush to school to a coincimentally apt song splashing is every puddle and smiling at everyone. 

Appreciate every detail; the way the carriage sways so you can play the Surf Game, the way every time someone sits next to you on the Victoria line the seats bounce you up (once I actually lolled when a phat chat sat next to me and I literally flew up.. )

... Or not. That was a tad idealistic.

I think we all know what we live for- be it those perfect moments when you're lying in Wales with your friends  and the fields are too green and the sky like an upturned swimming pool. Be it for  your memories, your family, your friends, quiet times, those mental raves, witty things, pretty things ... facebook?
And for those who don't know what they live for I think it suffices to say that you live for life *nods, yes I think that's good enough.



Pssst...  I just wanted to add, travelling. Travelling, as you know, is awesome. Travelling is a form of living- be it to Cornwall (which is CheddarGorgeous by the by), Wales, to the park or to New Zealand *scream :D), I think it's the best form of living, I do I really do :)
                                              
                                                  Cheddar Gorge- Somerset


I like this song 'cause its a nice way of telling someone you hate them... clever > oh and Naked and Famous (not as naughty as they sound) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdO85Qf4Poc&feature=BF&list=FLqvI4KNvV6xg&index=6

EMA. Tuition Fees. Enough to make your brains boil.

Hey guys, so last night wandering around Chelsea with a few friendlies after the Battersea Park fireworks (which I MISSED), I discovered the tragic news that EMA has been scrapped by the government. Big Woop.
First thought was very selfish "BUT I WANTED THE MONEYS!"  and ended up getting very worked up about how the government was failing us students and younger peoples. Also deciding I'd attend the protests this Wednesday (I have free period then anyway). No one was really listening as half the people were more concentrated on walking straight and not getting lost. Ah wells.
                                                                      Funny Picturings :)

So once home I decided to inquire my (well, in my opinion) exceedingly informed buddy Blakoe to ask what he thought of it all. So, being a layman on all concerning government and politics, here's what I've (we've) come up with, feel free to correct or assert your opinion, just don't call me a knob face for being clueless. Because I am proud to say- that I am not. This is basically an edited debate between Blakoe and I via Facebook inbox.

The abolishment of the EMA may not be as bad as it seems since it's  being replaced by a fairer system whereby students who can't afford to go to college are given money in a similar way to the EMA. And EMA was far too easy to get, and often isn't used in the way it should be (some of us attend private schools and could still get EMA to pay for our lunches or just for extra pocket money). Henceforth, people will not be encouraged to take P.E., Design Technology and General Studies "just so that they can put off work and claim money from the taxpayer...if you see what I mean ^^" as Blakoe states. In the end, only the people who are only going to college for the sake of getting £30/week will be put off; on the other hand, the people from poorer backgrounds will still be able to go to college - the government is making sure that finance isn't as big a barrier as most people seem to believe.

And nobody's going to miss out on University just because they can't afford it. The reform is tactical (ahh I wish i could insert Cod references here): it prevents people from going to Uni just because they want to put off any real works and instead study Media at Portsmouth Uni (no offense). It also means that you can be earning £20k and still not have to pay it back. What Labour did is aim to get 50% of people at Uni just because they wanted to hide unemployment. It's great to want an educated workforce but more than half the population is not cut out for Uni. The new system ensures that anybody - no matter their background - who genuinely (and that keep that word in mind) wants and needs to go to Uni is not prevented by financial boundaries.

"The EMA, Tuition Fees and Child Tax Credit all affect me but I support them because it's the right thing to do for this country and in the long-term we will all be better-off" what a patriot :') 


Some of you peeps may ask "what is this fairer system you speak of? does it have a name ? i wanna google it" Because EMA was only given to people who's parents earn less than £30 000p/a. What I formerly understood was that a new form of EMA was being established but only for students who are studying more "serious" subjects.

As for those serially worrying about the tuition fees outrage, this might provide some sense of relief;
students will pay nothing up front. The repayments only start when they earn over £21,000, at nine per cent of income( like 30£ a month). If their earnings drop down again, the payments stop. If they stop working, the payments stop. Once the cost of the course are repaid, the payments stop. After 30 years (yonks!), regardless of circumstance, the payments stop.
Gurd. The payments stop. 

And universities who want to increase their fees will have to focus the extra money they get on those who need financial help, which is gurd too *thumbs up everyboday!

But then I asked myself: doesn't this mean that more people wont go to uni, and a number of us will drop out of college? Wouldnt that mean that there'd be a higher unemployment rate and the gap between uni educated and non uni people will increase? (and it always boils down to a social gap to be honest)
The answer to that is  that Labour have been trying to make students believe that Unis are the only way forward and if you don't go to one you will fail in life. This is not completely true; only a select number of careers benefit from a Uni education: if you look at the bigger picture other forms of education include apprenticeships, vocational courses and other forms of work experience. The current government may be decreasing University funding but they are increasing the number of apprenticeship positions available and which will (hopefully) make our workforce a better-educated one, hopefully reducing the social gap.

For Unis, there are always scholarships/grants, certain grants are even paid for by companies.
I know a guy who was sponsored by a bank (I forget which one); they head hunted him (less painful than it sounds lol), paid for his Uni education, sent him on work experience, then employed him. Amazing! But that's for those of you who are motivated (or with enough contacts) 
Here be another example.
http://www.deloitte.co.uk/scholars/

Another thing: Labour have been covering up unemployment figures by keeping people in education as long as possible. Now, only people who are studying for the sake of not doing real work will be stopped (harsh as it may sound, it's like they want people to drop out of college) .It doesn't make a more intellectual workforce and it costs the government enormous amounts of money. People who want to be engineers, medics, accountants and lawyers, for example, will not be stopped - if anything, the savings the government makes on EMA COULD be contributed to encouraging the hard-working poorer sections of society to succeed in education and employment. Qualifications should be enough motivation to attend college. Hmn, sounds about right.
 
So 1/2 billion is being saved by refocusing EMA on those who are honestly in need of it; I suppose the government will do this by specifying the criteria (not just- you're family income must be < 30 000)
They are also ending centrally directed programmes for children, young people and families. This'll no doubt free up alot of money but its unfortunate that communities will suffer as a result. But then again, the majority of us will suffer in this climate. (sunnyyyy lol)
Okay, so talking statistics, the real unemployment rate will show through, but that's just numbers; being honest about unemployment figures is one thing, but doing something about it is another. And atm the whole literally forcing certain people out of education and into a world where finding a job is so hard, especially for those with less experience and qualifications, isnt going to help. Non Labour supporters would argue that in the past, instead of actually creating jobs and stimulating businesses, Labour just put people into Uni when it didn't help them as much as it should.
But then I suppose the apprenticeship schemes and vocational courses patch that up. liking the rebalancing of university education vs layman workforce (i know thats not the proper term bt thts all i can think of lol)

Its just that i know a few kids our age who will drop out of school and probably just do nothing with their lives now; they needed that little bit of insentive, but i suppose its their decision.It's really sad that this happens because the benefits of college should be obvious to everybody and if Further Education isn't encouraged then we will have more people dropping out like that. On the other hand, I don't think that money should be the 'encouragement' or the incentive but instead it should be clear that good A-Levels will help them succeed in life. 


Blakoe says: On helping the hard-working but poorer sections of society: Margaret Thatcher did exactly this in the 80s: she believe that it should be easier for people to change social classes. She believed that people who worked hard and created businesses should be rewarded and even if they were born into the working class, they could become middle or upper by the end of their lives. After all, Thatcher *was* working class when she was young! Lady Thatcher believed in this and so when Richard Branson - the working class entrepreneur - was successful, Thatcher immediately knighted him. My point is that the Conservatives aren't "against the poor" (as is believed by many), they are against anybody (whether rich or poor) who does nothing for the benefit of this country. 


I always thought: tis curious how hypocrisy seems to happen alot in politics (like Lib Dem relying on their opposition to tuition fees to secure the student vote), although compromise is inevitable in a coalition and you would have got a minority Tory government otherwise...

In the end this is life, this is our country, and I suppose for those really concerned for their chances of getting into Uni now that it's even more competitive than before, should focus on their work and prepare to be at the top of their game once it gets to crunch time. Because it seems like this really is a game of survival of the fittest.

Browne's review: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11519147

I Throw Skittles In The Air Sometimes, Sayin Ey Oh I Makes a Rainbow.

I've developed this fascination for rainbows recently (well, even more so)
So I decided to research this phenomena because that be what I do in my spare time - and for my art project which is woefully behind schedule, 5 weeks according to Flubber (art teacher), but no matter.

November rain and scatters of sunshine equal alot of rainbows- in my area anyway. And its fudging marvellous *very happy face.
Also check out my uncle (well i call him that but he's my yunga) Yacine's rainbow profile pic- ain't he purty?

So let us begin this quest! (LotR references still plaguing my mind after the 13 hour extended edition marathon we had)

Firstly, Alexander Binder. Maybe it's the fact that Alex was born on Halloween or maybe it's the fact he was brought up in a forest, but for some reason he seemed destined to do something dark. In his own words, he grew up "in a rural area, shaped by the fairy tales of  Bothers Grimm" and says that it was this early contact mystical and evil figures that led to his interest in all things spiritual and occult. My kind of guy lol.

But some of his work is pretty light,  especially as I like to call it "Alex's rainbow work" which he creates by using lenses crafted out of random crap and angling it so that sun rays are refracted (physics FTW) 

I attempted to copy his style, using my limited knowledge of photography (basically, aim, press button)

Breuillet <3 

Papa Schmoove 

Also now we know what's at the end of the rainbow - and it's not a pot of gold or a leprechaun,

instead it meets the northbound carriageway of the Highway 241 toll road in Orange County, California.

And according to witnesses it was travelling at just over 30mph. 

Wait, a travelling rainbow? 

Ossim.

And finally, if you're a bit down in the dumps, depressed, heartbroken, or just angry at the world because you're a pubescent teen, just listen to this and stop being so anal about life... It fits in with my whole rainbow theme too- this is Rainbow Love (Bob Sinclair ft Onono) 

Enjoy xx

PS: here's a cool project for those asians out there ; making your own camera! Fast, cheap and arty, what more could you wish for ?

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/10146/peekfreak-cameras.html

For Funsies

If you're ever bored, like my little japanese munchkin Sean always is
here be some interesting intronett websites

1. FACEBOOK. Become an addict and your life will be fulfilled. Like miiiine....


http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2010/10/08/round-the-world-plane-ticket/#more-3267 
Tim Ferris is a science writer and here is his blog. He's so good at self promotion I'm promoting him without him even knowing of my existence. Chuck Norris couldn't do that! Wait a second...
He has an interesting article about round the world trips (GAP YAH FTW)
and he's a "lifestyle experimentalist"... I have yet to know what that exactly entails .


http://twitter.com/Shitmydadsays 
A really epic and I think slightly senile dad. A book of these quotes is published.
"He's a politician. It's like being a hooker. You can't be one unless you can pretend to like people while you're fucking them." ... Yes. He has a point. And there be more of this a click away.


http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/
On a slightly more intellectual front, was introduced to Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics (book btw) by a very very EXCEEDINGLY clever person (*cough Marwan) and I loved them. So here be the blog. 
An amusing and very precise take on economics, sometimes you read and think: and this is relevant because....?
But it makes you feel clever on the tube and if you want to know how much Barack really matters... or why drug dealers live with their mothers... or what estate agents and the KKK have in common, then this is the place to be.






http://hawwyandsowwy.tumblr.com/
My old nursery friend's blog. He be so black and jokesful I wonder why we never married.
He only has a few home made jokes but my personal fave is:
"There's a new Barbie on the market. It comes with no shoes, no clothes, no make-up, no car, no food, no house, no farm and with Aids. Its called Zimbarbie."


http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/
Ma Chere Claire introduced this to me on our honeymoon near La Rochelle.
Very creative if you like to make things/ are asian and cheap and need to make things.


http://www.mysoju.com/
For japanese, korean, chinese , asian dramas.
If you want to "nyaaaa ^^ " "eto..." or just cry at the drama of it all.
They all die in the end anyway.. *sniff.


http://www.utrevents.com/home.php
If you love to rave. This be better than LGC according to valid ...and reliable.... sources.

http://www.uktribes.com/?p=tribe&id=4
Which stereotype do you fit? indie? street rat? rah?
I myself be a Townie apparently... 


http://pandius.com/elflang.html
SOMEONE LEARN ELVEN! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!


http://smart.fm/home
Learn anything. Well, almost. I'm learning italian, music theory, how to finger knit, mandarin, and ... erudite english. Know what nihilification means? I thought not. (If you did then ... well thats not the point )


http://lookbook.nu/
For anyone who just wants to be in awe of what everyday fashion for certain people are. Click here. It be awesome foursome.

http://www.dazeddigital.com/

Dazed Digital magazine website: methinks its uber awesome, for anyone interested in fashion, modern art, photography, urban culture... etc 

Never seen the actual magazine. Checked WHSmith and everything...

Racebook?

Just imagine if Racebook existed, like facebook, but where each race had it's own "type" of profile...

Came up with the idea on the 118 from Brixton to Streatham (this journey during which I wrote a poem which  I will now share)

MY MIND WONDERS AND WANDERS

AS I SIT ON THE BUS, MY MIND WANDERS AROUND

I WONDER ABOUT MY FELLOW TRAVELLERS, WHERE THEY ARE BOUND

I STUDY THEIR FEATURES, IT’S A DREARY DAY , ALL IS RAIN

THEIR FACES ARE HAGGARD, TIRED, THROUGH THEIR MASKS I SEE PAIN

I SEE RESENTMENT FOR THEIR LIFE’S OUTCOME, TREATED WITH DISDAIN.

SLUMPED ON THEIR SEATS , BLIND TO THE WORLDS BEAUTY UNVAIN

THEIR ONE  DESIRE TO REACH THE END OF THIS OBSCENE LIFE,

FULL OF WORRIES, DEATH , DISAPPOINTMENT, HURT AND STRIFE.

THEY TRY SO HARD, BUT IN THE END GIVE UP. WHY NOT?

SO MANY OTHERS HAVE, HAPPINESS FORGOT.

EVERYWHERE WE GO, NO ONE IS FREE  ,

CONSTANT REMINDERS AS OUR PLANET FREEFALLS

INTO AN ABYSS OF UNJUST ENDINGS AND TRAJIC BEGINNINGS.

Ok, slightly depressed William Blake but that was the vibe the people were giving me, gotta work wit' what yuh got.

So as I was saying I was observing how SO VERY multicultural London is. We're like a microcosm aren't we? 

To be honest, I only realised that I wasn't actually "from London... but I mean REALLY from London" (or the UK come to think of it) at the age of eleven when my naive sense that everyone belonged was slowly being dilapidated by society...But that's another story that anyone can identify with I suppose.

Oh and I just googled. Racebook already exists. Poo x\. Its like every thought we've thought and will ever think has been thought by someone else past or present, thus overturning the idea that everyone has a mind of their own. Unless your a philosopher, where it's your job to think in new paradigms, parallel/lateral thinking they call it .

Example: One of the greatest lateral thinkers Edward de Bono has the solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict- Marmite (NOM!).The logic, briefly, is this: a lack of zinc makes men irritable and belligerent. You get zinc in yeast, which is fine for your average lover of Kings Mill. But in the Middle East, the bread is unleavened. Ergo, the great man says, Marmite is the answer to easing the way to peace.

"Lateral Thinking is for changing concepts and perceptions"

With logic you start out with certain ingredients just as in playing chess you start out with given pieces. But what are those pieces? In most real life situations the pieces are not given, we just assume they are there. We assume certain perceptions, certain concepts and certain boundaries. Lateral thinking is concerned not with playing with the existing pieces but with seeking to change those very pieces. Lateral thinking is concerned with the perception part of thinking.

*Sigh. We if we were all lateral thinkers the world would be oh so much funner ...

PS: if every "x" (on fb, txt, msn..) counted as a real kiss, then the whole world would be an orgy! .. apart from the Poles. No one kisses there because its so. damn. cold.
xx

PPS: I really feel like a party. If you too are suffering from party withdrawal symptons, play this on your subwoofer n close your eyes and DANCE. It is not sad, it's very releasing :)

Sixteen. Job. Nao.

Jesus Christ I know we're still reeling from the disgusting cereal that was/is the Credit Crunch, but I always thought -how hard could it be to get a job?
....
The answer is Pritty Damn Hard.

Frankly, at this moment me feels like taking this gentlemans attitude:

 

The truth is, once you hit sixteen as alot of my peers (lol pears) are, it feels like its about time to become independent, the whole "You are the pilot of your life *cheesy wink*" ideology. So we begin planning our lives a bit more seriously than the Pussy Cat Dolls' attempt "when I grow up I wanna be famous, drive nice cars, I wanna big booty" ... yes girls *pats on pretty heads.

Homes, it scares me that I be falling behind, watching fellow awesomes getting jobs, internships, work experience .. and most importantly... Le Monay. Which I am painfully lacking at this moment in time. 

But have no fear MT! ..Or any other person in my position! I have been applying for jobs! 

hehhehe... funny lookin' picture...

 Here are some ideas:

Supermarkets (tis the season to get moneys- ie: Xmas) 

Sports World (in Peckham. just lol.)

Local Tuition Centre

Extras Agency (because how hard can it be to walk around in the background of a movie?)

If your friends parents' profession intrigues you, don't be afraid to ask for work experience. I have yet to meet   parents who will literally hurt you for asking. If they do then call the popo!

Gumtree.com- Interesting stuff hiding within the folds if this slightly bric a brac vibed site.

If you find nothing you can post a free advert saying let's say "I love kids. Can I take care of your kids?"

and hopefully people will get back to you on that *thumbs up.

Et finalement print out a shitload of leaflets for tutoring/babysitting and post through your neighbours letter box (of course when they're not in to avoid the whole "WTF R U POSTING THRU MY LETTERBOX NIGGA?" ... or maybe that only ever happens in Streatham) and Bluetack to the walls of local primary schools, libraries, and churches (because being Catholic has it's perks)

Hopefully I won't be unemployed for long.