Fragile or Broken . . .

So the new year of 2012 has started and each of us take a different view on how the new year greats us! Whilst out and about in the hustle and bustle of the new years shopping sales I came across this sheet of glass left leaning against a wall in London with the words FRAGILE stenciled on it.

I didn't really know what to make of it until later on when I passed it again and it was in pieces (BROKEN). I get the feeling this was a street art stunt that I presume went exactly to plan.

Like I said to start with - Each of us take a different view on how the new year greats us! It either starts fragile and testing or some of us just feel BROKEN!!! HAHAHAHA!!!

We Are Not Stupid . . .

As a tradesman myself I am well aware of what your tools of the trade mean to you as an individual. I have unfortunately been on the receiving end of having my tools stolen and I can tell you it is very frustrating!!! So when I walked past this van in Kings Cross the signs which were hand written and stuck in the rear windows of this van made me laugh!!! Especially as the van itself was a heap of junk!!!

Only Junk - We are not stupid!!! LOL!!!

Funnily enough I was actually caught by the owner (whom shouted down from his window) when taking the photo. He yelled out in good gesture as he saw me chuckling away to myself!!!

Row, Row My Boat - Or Not . . .

After my previous post I felt it appropriate to show you what I saw the following day . . .

. . .Yes in London a rowing boat locked up like a bike - as if this is ordinary - especially in London!!!

I would love to see the owner sailing this down Portabello Road?!?!

What a strange form of transport to be locked up with a standard bike lock!!!

Handcuff Abuse?! Or Good Use?! . . .

Recently on my way to work I came accross these two bike's locked together by a pair of standard issuse police handcuffs. At first I thought - "yeah great idea and great security", but then again, hang on a minute - As a tax payer, I paid for those (and trust me they are not cheap), so what cheeky copper is taking the piss?!?!

BUT I THINK - I'd probably do the same!! So overall, good initiative and a good idea needs to be applauded!!!

Team Robbo . . .

I was recently out on a mission to get some new photos for my street art gallery when I found myself on the Southbank (London) behind these two TEAM ROBBO supporters.

For those of you that don't understand -

The battle between Banksy and King Robbo which started on the banks of the Regent's canal in the capital before Christmas, has stepped up a gear with the Bristolian (Banksy) apparently launching a new attack on King Robbo's work. The graffiti war was sparked before Christmas when Banksy painted over a 25-year-old mural by King Robbo. Hidden under a bridge on the canal and reachable only by water, the tag had been untouched since appearing beneath Camden Street in 1985 – until the artist bearing all Banksy's hallmarks added a stencil of a workman plastering the wall with graffiti paper. It wasn't long before Robbo, whom had been 'in retirement' with no new work seen for years, surfaced to create a new work, out of revenge on his old rival". The veteran graffiti artist, or perhaps his admirers, hit back manipulating Banksy's workman to make it look as though he was painting a tribute to King Robbo.

Flock Off - Rugby World Cup 2011 . . .

With the Rugby World Cup 2011 off to a flying start for the All Blacks they have sent out a firm message to their opponents on the pitch  . . . and in the pubs!!!

Come on you Kiwi's don't choke this time!!!

 

No Shit Sherlock . . .

£1 each for a loaf of bread or 2 loafs for £2 errrrrr . . . yes we get it Tesco. Tesco obviously think we are stupid! Either that or its a blatent scheme to make you feel your getting a bargain. Then again a few days later I saw the same mistake in WHSmiths, they had a deal on for 2 chocolate bars for £1.20 yet the chocolate bars were 60p each on their own . . . No Shit Sherlock!

 

Living in an Urban Jungle . . .

Having lived in London all my life (28 years), I have always had the impression it can, at times be an urban jungle. The following photo proves my point . . .

This is My Land . . .

When in Barbados I was walking down to a beach when I spotted this 'X' sprayed on the rocks, at first I didn't really think much of it. Then a local guy I was with told me the story about it . . . . . . Apparently the 'X' marks the boundry of the land that is owned by the person whom lives behind the wall that you can see in the photo (below). The land owners apparently re-spray the 'X' when it fades so the government will not use the land to widen the stepped access to the beach. Oh how I laughed out load when the local guy told me this story !!!

Beer in a Plastic Bottle . . .

Whilst over in Barbados (currently) I have endulged in a few could beers - As you do when on holiday! When I travel I always drink the local beers, lagers and spirits, here in Barbados the local lager is BANKS - Very nice it is too. The first bar I visited all good, the beer was served in a nice cold GLASS bottle - But . . . the following day and in a different bar the beer was served in a PLASTIC bottle - weird !!! Well for me anyway as it is the first time I have ever had a beer served in a PLASTIC bottle - It felt somehow strange, like I should be drinking/tasting a soft drink !?!

















Nether the less it tasted the same as the GLASS bottled BANKS lager and I continued to polish of the bottle - or two, or three . . . oh what the heck who's counting ?!?

London Kills Me . . .

The photo above was taken at an exhibition at Olympia (London). I was working there myself and came across this stand with the brand name 'London Kills Me' - The stand was yet to be set up so I have no idea what product they were selling?!?!? Holidays?!?!? A knife to slit your wrist?!?! A gun to blow your brains out?!?!?

Who knows but it made me chuckle!

Its just as well I'm off to Barbados tomorrow for two weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Want a flake with that . . .

With the exceptional weather we have been having recently I have been (as has everyone) enjoying the odd ice cream or nice cold refreshing pint. BUT the last pub I got that refreshing pint from made me wonder where my flake was?!?!?!?

Tsunami's of 2004 & 2011 . . .

With the tsunami that hit Japan last week (11th March 2011) I thought it was only fitting to put a post up of some of the photos I took when in Thailand in 2008, nearly three years after the tsumami that hit in 2004. On the 26th December 2004 a massive sea surge triggered by an earthquake under the Indian Ocean killed over 200,000 people in 13 countries. At least 128,000 people died in Indonesia alone. The devastaing tsunami was created by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake under the sea near Aceh, North Indonesia, at 07:59 local time (00:59 GMT) the biggest tsunami the world has seen for at least 40 years - Until now.

I travelled all over the Thai islands and even though nearly 3 years had past the devastation was still apparent, especially on the Island of Koh Phi Phi.



(ABOVE) - I was taking photos of this small street when a local approached me, she told me that usually the street would be a hive of activity, abundant with bustling little shops filled to the brim with tourists. Now though still 3 years on the buildings were derelict and have become a dumping ground for rubbish and building materials.

(BELOW) - A Thai electrition reconnecting the much needed power. An utter crazy amount of live wires were buzzing with current overhead whilst he was up there. Everywhere you go in Thailand you can hear an amazing buzzing sound when walking under the wires that feed the power to homes and shops. I found it fairly intimidating but the electrition did'nt seen to batter and eyelid and at one stage he even gave me a wave !!!



(BELOW) - I was on my way up to the view point when I came across the 'Welcome' sign which was overshadowed by a newer evacuation route sign.



(BELOW) - After climbing what must have been 25 - 30 steps up to the viewpoint I saw an expressionless, lonely woman sitting amongst a heap of rubbish outside her house. I must have been 5 meters above sea level and the devastation from the wave was still highly visable.



(BELOW) - Having reached the top of the view point/evacuation site I looked down at the recovering island. I took a moment to think about what it must have been like to be caught up amongst the wall of water that totalled the most inhabited area of low lying Koh Phi Phi Island. The photo below is at the view point and had been taken only several hours after the tsunami had hit. The area you can see is the main part of the island and the eye witness reports state that the wall of water came in from the righthand side hitting the (eastern) beach flattening everything in its path. Dragging, people, cars and entire buildings across the narrow stretch of land and washing everything away over the left (western) beach back into the sea. As from the photo below it is clear to see the devastation caused.



(BELOW) - The photo below shows Kho Phi Phi island as it stood in October 2008 when I had travelled there. Phi Phi Island was slowley but surly recovering and returning to a state of normality, having said that there is still a long way to go. Also from what I have heard since, from fellow companions who have visited since my visit in 2008 work is still ongoing today.



IN COMPARISON . . .

The tsunami that hit in 2004 was a complete shock, there were no warnings which is why it had such devastaing effects killing hundreds of thousands of people over 13 different countries. In comparision the earthquake that rocked Japan was well recorded and reported leading to authorities evacuating and being prepared for a tsunami. Japan is very well prepared for earthquakes as it lies on some of the most active tectonic plates in the world. It's modern buildings are all quake resistant and the sea defences around the most populated areas have been robustly built. Having said that nothing can stop nature when its at its deadliest and many less protected areas such as fishing villages in Japan were completly flattened killing tens of thousands of people in an instant.

As I am writing this post 5 days on and Japan is not only having to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, which has been blighted with extremly challenging weather such as freezing temperatures and snow (affecting the hundreds of thousands of people whom have been left homeless), there are major concerns about the nuclear power stations that were badly damaged.

As deadly and destructive as the quake and tsunami have been I feel Japan can and will, deal with the aftermath in a much hasitier way than the countries affected in 2004. This is due to the nations people being extremly efficient, impeccable and resolute in the way of carrying out tasks whatever they may be.

The biggest worry is that the nuclear power plants are at breaking point and there is no way of stopping the fall out, no matter how efficient the nations people may be.

My thoughts are with you Japan !!!

Please Be Careful . . .

I was in a pub not so long ago and on the way in I noticed this sign . . .



Made me laugh, 'bits n bobs' . . . . err like a beer mat is going to do anything! Still a stark reminder with the summer months coming up - fingers crossed!

Are you Skint & Demoralised? . . .

Yes I am !!!

The Biggest Festival Toilet Roll . . .

I think I may have found the biggest festival toilet roll this season, at Glastonbury 2010.



As you can see this left over toilet roll insert is bigger than your standard van tyre.

A little excessive I thought!?!?!?!

Glastonbury 2010 . . .

What a scorcher . . .

The World Cup is On . . .

Need I say anymore . . .

I am Lost . . .

I walked past this little dude tied to a lamp post in Notting Hill.



I wonder if he was found?

Hard Times . . .

When given some change in a local shop I was given this ten pound note. I like the idea, along with the message but dont think that will happen!



Any way "apparently" (which makes me laugh) we are under 40 days till the end of the recession. How the hell do these people predict that, on what bloody basis especially when they did not even see it coming.

Looking for the Mens . . .

I was in a club not to long ago when (now this club was huge) I found this sign, it was telling me that I was at the mens toilet - I laughed . . . Then I thought about it and remembered how many times I had been busting for the toilet, and on arrival of the toilets in MANY, MANY pubs I am greeted with some witty sign which makes me have to stop for a brief seceond and think about which door to enter! Is it the mens or the womans?!?!?! I mean I need a god dam piss not a f**king quiz!

Got to admit it though I like this sign - very obvious to which gender this toilet is for. I never did find the Ladies on my travels in the club, I wondered what their sign read?

MR PC . . . or maybe not . . .

When in Thailand (October 2009) I was surrounded by the hordes of market traders trying to sell me stuff I didn't really want. I did however come across a t-shirt stall which had all the different types of Mr Men and Little Miss's. When browsing through them I stopped at this new addition - I don't remember having his book when younger! Only in Thailand . . .



I did'nt buy the Mr Jihad t-shirt as I'm tall so I obviously bought the Mr Small t-shirt (along with Mr Tall).

Can't Stand Fly Tppers . . . Wa*k*rs . . .

Enough said - I Can't stand fly tippers . . . Wa*k*rs . . .

Duck or Grouse . . .

As a tall person the small country pubs, with their low beams and stonework in Somerset pose a slight problem to me. The King Alfred (a small pub in Burrowbridge) has a novel way of letting you know about the dangers . . .

A Load of . . .

Hmmm . . . I still strugle to come to terms with the name of this restaurant! I Came accross it in Turkey!



Need I say more I did'nt eat there . . .

Honesty in Thailand . . .

BLUNT & to the point i suppose!



Thailand the land of minimal (but harsh) rules & laws.

Igloo in East Dulwich . . .

During the cold snap I came across a group a people making an igloo on Goose Green (East Dulwich). They were using an old plastic re-cycling box to compact the snow into, making blocks to use for the bulk of the build adding extra snow to fill the gaps.









Hats off to them I was inspired . . . . yet went home put the heating on and crashed out on the sofa for the rest of the day!

They followig day when in the warm when getting ready for work I was watching the news and the igloo was reported on BBC Breakfast news. Apparently, the group of friends are from Serbia.

Keep Warm During the Cold Snap . . .

When the snow hit yesterday (2nd Feb 2009) I wrapped up warm adding layers and layers upon hats and scarves only to venture outside to find the local council had used some of our council tax to install central heating on the streets!

Shame it did'nt work though as the city of London came to a stand still, and over the country over 6 million people had the day off due to several inches of snow. We must be the laughing stock of Europe - bet all the Polish, Russian and Serbian people over here still went to work and wondered what all the fuss was about!

Message in a Thailand Bog . . .

Says it all really . . .



Funnily enough I didn't pull that night!

The Pub is the Hub . . .

As the festive season has just past here is a photo I took on entering one of my locals. Yes I did say when entering (I did a lot of entering pubs over the recent couple of weeks), because If I took it when leaving the pub the photo would have been pissed, like me!



The Pub certainly was my hub this festive season!

Cheers . . . . hic up . . .

Go Straight . . .

I came across this road sign in Patong, Phuket Island (Thailand). If you have been to this part of Thailand you will know it is renowned for its lady boys . . .



I wasn't sure if the sign was aimed at the traffic or the locals ?!?!

Inconsiderate Animal Keepers . . .

When in the countryside I came across this sign locating a dogs doings. Clearly a member of the village was not a happy bunny. It made me think about the state of London, for a start you could'nt put a stake in the ground due to the masses of concrete, secondly would anybody actually be bothered?



Just imgine the size of the stake needed for this horse manure I found in a subway. A subway of all places to find horse manure, a subway is no the first place to spring to mind!!!

Probably a Police horse, now that would be a sight - A Police officer de-mounting a horse to clear up after it! Hahaha!!!

Believe It Or Not . . .

. . . but yes this is a lampost with a tree that has become very attatched!

Glastonbury Portaloo Advice . . .

Having attended Glastonbury this year (which was excellent - mainly due to the weather) I had to use such toilets as in the photo below. Luckily as I was a trader at the festival and I was lucky enough not to have to share a portable toilet with the other tens of thousands, upon thousands of people as we had our own back stage toilets only used by the traders - Hahaha!



This portable toilet just made me laugh, trust me not many of them did!

At the time I took this photo I didn't need to 'S**T IN I'.

Street Art - The Real Thing . . .

When out and about in London I came across several of these replica pieces of art on the street, this particular one was in the Soho/Covent Garden area. I think it was part of an exhibition run by a renowned gallery - a very good idea! The pieces of art stunned some people, people would stop take a look at the art work then look around as if not sure why or what was going on.



I stopped and watched the expressions on passes by for a few minutes and decided to get a shot of a few people, this one being my favourite, hand on hip and all. Hahaha.

This idea gives street art a whole new dimension!

Urban Cow . . .

I've recently been down in the countryside (Somerset), and as you can imagine I have seen plenty of the real deal when it comes to farm animals. Then coming back to London I bump into what at first I thought was a bin, but alas it was a cow - yup an urban cow! It even gave me a slight moo . . .

Poor Council Grammer . . .

The correct term should be 'dogs must be on A lead'.
Come on cant these councils get anything correct?

Just a Polite Word . . . or Not!

To make sense of this post check out my previous post (added on the 14th April 08).

If you have read the previous post you can clearly see from this new photo that the same sign was not taken well by whom ever it was aimed at!

Like I said before . . . very naive!