I love Hallowe’en. As I’ve said, I’ve always loved feeling scared; unsolved mysteries; freak sightings, unexplained disappearances and the paranormal. I’m slightly less interested in the costumes and sweets aspect of Hallowe’en (only slightly – I do love costumes!!) and more interested in the weird, unexplainable aspects of Hallowe’en; magic, ghosts, witches, voodoo. For me Hallowe’en has always felt a bit like the one time of year is on board with my interests and I’m less of an occultist geek.
Yesterday I went for Hallowe’en Afternoon Tea at the Hyatt Regency hotel with my Mum and James. The food was delicious, and with endless free refills of cakes and scones we were all stuffed even before arriving at the Hallowe’en cakes and treats. The rest of my weekend celebrations are a little more sombre; a 3 hour midnight walk around Hampstead Heath last night, climbing into a cemetery after hours, a trip to (another) haunted cemetery, fireworks from the top of abandoned scaffolding and tonight a trip to a haunted pub in Highgate.
My Hallowe’en weekend this year marks a year since my best friend Pete died. Traditionally, Hallowe’en was a three day festival where our ancestors prayed, remembered the dead, and felt they were closest to the souls of the dead who had yet to reach Heaven; pumpkin and turnip lanterns to light the way for lost and wandering souls. That’s not really the function anymore of Hallowe’en – prayers and grief are replaced by fake blood and cauldrons of chocolates – but for me at least it will be much closer to the Hallowe’en my ancestors knew. It’s certainly one way to feel close to the dead.
Those of you who don’t fancy parties, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite creepy tales for you.
A bizarre case of identity confusion with a shocking conclusion (60 minutes).
One of my favourite episode of the mystery/paranormal podcast, Lore (20 minutes).
My favourite horror manga (will take you about 5-10 minutes to read).
THE BEST CARTOON SHORT EVER (5 minutes).
Let me know if you watch, listen or read to any of those and I’d love any scary links from you guys. I cannot recommend the comic enough! Happy Hallowe’en!! x
September and October aren’t normally the times of year I set off for the Mauritian sunshine but that’s how it happened this year. It was slightly odd digging through my jumpers and winter dresses to find all of my recently packed away summer clothes; coupled with our last-minute booking I had some bizarrely mismatched outfits in Mauritius that I would have never thrown on in London. But then again, it’s holiday: time to live in the moment and just go with it…
This is a slightly random assortment of photos, I’ve already told you why I was there and my thoughts so as you might expect documenting the trip and everything we saw wasn’t really first priority for me this time around. I’ve written a lot about Mauritius before (LINK SPEW), it’s a pretty amazing country with lots of tiny islands to explore and a crazy geographical range; mountains, rainforest, woodland, beach and city. People often describe Mauritius as paradise; I’m completely biased of course but I definitely agree, aside from the natural beauty of the landscape (JUST LOOK AT THE VIEW FROM OUR FLAT IN THE TOP PHOTO) it’s got an endearing charm all it’s own amongst the welcoming people and ramshackle little towns. All in a country smaller than London!
We stayed in a flat near to Port Louis (which I’ve posted about before here), the capital of Mauritius and home to a lot of my family as well as some of the most evocative buildings I think I’ve ever seen. The colourful, slightly dilapidated constructions always stick in my mind when I’m back in the UK. Last time I was in Mauritius James and I stayed in a super-fancy hotel (post here) so it was a totally different experience this time sharing a flat with my Mum and Dad, especially as it’s been about 8 years since I last shared a house with my parents/spent longer than a couple of days with them. Again, it’s holiday, time to just go with it…
I’m currently working on two albums. The first album deals with the death of my best friend, and the second album explores my American heritage. I chose the second album as I was worried concentrating solely on the first (the original plan) would drive me into some sort of emotional blackhole and as I’m currently applying for citizenship it seemed an appropriate way to mark the summer. I’m immersing myself in ideas to do so – I’m watching a lot of US documentaries, I’m re-reading Middlesex, I’ve got playlists coming out of my ears and I’ve even thrown together a Pinterest board of my american heroes..!
It’s all very well having abstract American references but I’m trying to work through those ideas to something concrete. I get my American genes from my mother’s side. My grandmother is a born and bred American, with other members of the family including a logger who built his own house (Little House on the Prairie style), a cowboy Uncle (complete with ranch, banjo and motorcycle), a nurse who ran away to live in deepest Alaska and a runaway Cherokee bride. There’s a lot of great stories and an even larger number of tragic stories – but I’ve decided not just to examine my family, but also the American culture in my life and how I’ve interacted with it.
The album is so far a mixture of covers and original songs about my heritage. Growing up I was always proud to come from such a wealth of stories and characters, but as I get older it’s important to start humanising the mythology. I’m also excited to interpret various classic songs through the lens of my family and ancestors, and it’s hard not to see the irony (or possibly poetry?) in hearing my very distinctive London accent sing about the Great Plains and Route 66. It couldn’t have come at a better time – July 4th is just round the corner and I’ll be in fine American form for this years celebrations (a big house party – I’ll be dressed either as Lady Liberty or aforementioned Cherokee relative). Will you be celebrating?
All photos from my epic trip round America last year – read here.
Orange Is The New Black is one of the few TV shows I watch. I’ve never attempted any sort of review on this blog but it’s a smart show with a lot to say and a lot to discuss. And in the absence of of a viewing club I thought I’d share my thoughts with you guys – holla if you’re a fan! I’m going episode by episode to avoid spoilers (I’ve finished the season…) and in between are some of my favourite photos of the actresses – I especially love how tiny Yael Stone, who plays Lorna Morello, always looks. If it’s not your thing then don’t worry – normal service will be resumed tomorrow!
Episode 1 – Mother’s Day
Pennsatucky starting the scene is brilliant!! We are back!! At first I felt a little disconcerted – but of course, Lorna would have lost the van after the incident with Rosa in that incredible finale last season. It’s still bizarre to see somebody else there.
Alex Vause, on first sighting looks awful. I’m so glad Laura Prepon is a season regular now- I missed her during series 2. I really hope the writers have some good storylines for her that don’t revolve around Piper as she’s an incredible actress when she gets going.
I think Lorna using the word “ladyman” but not wishing to offend, and her subsequent discussion and education from Laverne was lovely.
I love the Sophia flashbacks to before her son was born as well; the show is so smart to use Cox’s real life brother and it really helped to flesh out the complex nature of Sophia’s relationship with her son. It’s Mother’s Day – but she’s dishing out fatherly advice on shaving and girls.
I LOVE the idea of Matt McGorry integrating with “the family”. Bennett is one of my favourite characters because he’s just SUCH a dork. It makes no sense that he works in a prison. It makes perfect sense he’s in love with an inmate – he’s just such a dork, it’s hilarious. I loved the scene about motherboard. What is he on about??
Poor poor Suzanne. The part where she looks outside holding her kite broke me up. I thought the show would use that moment for a flashback (especially given what we already know about Suzanne’s relationship with her mother), but in the same way Suzanne was denied going outside, we were denied a glimpse inside to her thoughts.
I became genuinely worried about what would happen if somebody selected Norma in Duck Duck Goose. The game would implode, right?
Pennsatucky and Big Boo – a lovely pairing. Let’s hope we see more!
Episode 2
OK, I normally love Bennett but all I took from this is that he was once a coward and is now still a coward. I’ll be honest; it feels rushed. It feels like Matt McGorry couldn’t commit to the season and they decided to get him out of there straight and fast. So many people have been critical of the Daya and Bennett love-story due to the fact that it’s not going anywhere and that both characters are unrealistic about their situation at best.
I guess I’m a hopeless romantic because I’ve been rooting for them. Sure, it’s not the most interesting storyline, but I’d like to think they could make it work on the outside… how long is Daya in for, anyway?
I think I also found this episode problematic because I felt like we didn’t flesh Bennett out as much with the flashbacks. Normally when an episode ends I feel a lot more in tune with whichever character was featured. I didn’t feel like I learned about Bennett in this one or gained any new perspective on him, and I didn’t feel like I cared when I saw him dash the rest of the series in the episodes closing moments.
OTHER THINGS THIS EPISODE:
Piper and Alex seem to have become their own little gang – and I find it kind of disorientating. I LIKE the gangs, and if I think back to Season 1 I far preferred the Alex that interacted with Nicky, Morello, Yoga Jones etc rather than the Alex and Piper gang that just involves the two of them.
Suzanne and Taystee were incredible in that breakdown scene about Vee.
Episode 3
FINALLY a flashback episode for Nicky. 3 seasons in and we’re finally there. Although, am I the only one who felt like it wore a little thin? Nicky is an addict, and she needed help she didn’t receive. She sacrifices everything to get her fix and she has a hugely strained relationship with her mother. This is what I learned from the flashbacks – but I already knew all this. I wish we’d seen more to flesh her out, rather than supporting what we already know – but maybe that’s what happens when a character is so developed and well-rounded in the present day Litchfield before reaching a flashback episode. Red’s flashback episode was episode 2 of series 1. Maybe if Nicky’s had come earlier, we’d feel more like we were gaining some new perspective?
I felt annoyed at Luschek at the end of this episode for not bailing Nicky out – but similarly, it’s not his fault and she got what was coming to her, and what she’s always had coming to her.
OTHER THINGS THIS EPISODE:
Chang is obsessed with dicks? Or dildos? Or something? That was weird/hilarious.
Healy is horrific.
The book funeral was amazing. “All the David Sedarises.. Sedari?”
Episode 4
First off, I love Big Boo, I love Lea DeLaria, it’s a great role and she’s perfect in it. So I was SO THRILLED to see that she was the featured character for flashbacks in this episode.
I really loved her backstory too. We don’t see why she’s in prison, but we do get a better sense of who she is. I actually really connected with the character – I’m not butch, or a lesbian, but I really connected with having such an innate sense of self and being so obtuse about it. I rarely think of myself as being obtuse about my identity, and evidently neither does Boo. But when framed in this episode we can see how destructive adherence to one’s self can become. Boo/Carrie has always been this person – we weren’t shown a transition, or a defining moment when she became the person she is today. It’s always been this way, right back to the arguments with her mother over dresses, and it’s not something she’s ever been able to hide or conceal; whether on a first date or to visit her dying mother. I completely identify with her in terms of sticking to your personality and not being able to vanish those personal quirks, always being a confusion and anamoly to your parents. And OITNB is to be hugely applauded for bringing such a diverse range of characters to our attention and making each one relatable.
Episode 5
For the second episode in a row, one of my favourite ensemble characters has been featured! Flaca has always been great for one-liners and sassy attitude so it was really fun to check in with young Flaca. “I just feel like I need to invest in some more emotional clothing right now” – you said it girl.
I felt genuinely upset for her when she worked through that door and saw the sewing machines – remembering her mother instilling a skill in her and returning to the same depressing job she had as a teenager. I was thrilled to see her indie-band, drug-dealer boyfriend. And I really enjoyed meeting Flaca’s friend at school – a small, appeasing, Maritsa-before-Maritsa type. She’s definitely in Litchfield for one of the more bizarre crimes but on the whole I appreciated this episode and I felt glad to spend the time with the character. That said.. the second plot of this episode, featuring the pointless quiz, felt a bit upsetting to watch. These women are living with such high stakes that huge affirmations of identity and support are drawn from this one quiz and job audition process, which we then discover to be a completely arbitrary selection that doesn’t reflect on them at all. It could have been funny, but it just made me feel a bit jaded.
OTHER THINGS THIS EPISODE:
Healy hasn’t heard of Woodstock?!
Red and Healy make me feel a bit ill. Actually, a lot ill. Maybe we’re supposed to invest in them following the breakdown of the Daya-Bennett romance, but all I can think is Red deserves somebody badass and Healy is a huge prick.
O’Neill and .. the female CO… are super-cute together! Now there’s a romance story worth investing in.
Leanne and Poussey both speak… Latin? Dutch? German? Also, why? Leanne always comes off as a total moron. What’s her story?
WHERE IS NICKY?! Is she coming back?!
Let me know if you’re watching along too!
I spent my last day in Tokyo at Disneyland. Tokyo Disneyland features the same spoke and hub design of the other Disneylands, and roughly the same lands (Tokyo Disneyland is slightly bigger than the one in Paris and smaller than California). Critter Country and Toontown were the two I’d not seen before, and I especially loved Toontown – ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ is one of my favourites, and the buildings perfectly captured the zany, bonkers feel that the place has in the film.
I first heard about Sanrio Puroland at a ’Tokyo Life’ event in London when I was 8 years old – now I’ve finally been! Sanrio are the Japanese company behind various cute characters such as My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Chococat, Keroppi and of course, Hello Kitty, and as you might expect the theme park is one of the most kawaii places I’ve ever visited. I actually videoed my time there and am very proud to present the below video diary, which features the show, the parade, the rides, me completely losing it on the boat ride and the shop.
Pictures speak louder than words, and moving pictures speak louder than non-moving pictures.. so I hope you’ll watch the video! It’s not too long, and please bear in mind I’m not a seasoned pro with this vlogging stuff – this is the first time I’ve made a video for this purpose. Let me know what you think as I’ve got a few more on the way! I’ve also included some tips and directions at the bottom in case you’re planning a trip to Sanrio Puroland anytime soon. Enjoy! x
TIPS:
– The park is fairly small, so you’re unlikely to need a whole day unless you want to watch all the shows. Arrive early to do so as most of the shows are done by about 4.30pm (save for the main arena show).
– Tickets are very reasonable – but bring money as there is merchandise EVERYWHERE and much of it is exclusive to the park. I found it to be very fairly priced compared to the internet/Hello Kitty section in Hamleys. In my experience theme parks and tourist destinations tend to inflate their prices a lot but the opposite seemed to be true at Sanrio Puroland. (I’ve got a big Japan “haul” post coming soon if you want to see what I’ve got, and a giveaway if you want in on the action!).
– I went alone, and was seemingly the only person above the age of 16 who wasn’t accompanying a child and the only non-Japanese person – but I didn’t care! The staff were all incredibly friendly and there are enough signs in English to get you around if, like me, your Japanese is a little lacking.
– I’d recommend going on all the rides – there’s no big thrills (mostly dark rides) but they’re all very cute and the level of detail is impressive.
– I forgot to video or photograph my food – but it was all shaped like various characters, so do stop by the restaurants!
HOW TO GET THERE:
– You will need to get the Keio line from Chofu, Tokyo to Keio Tama Centre – this was one of my only non-JR journeys and cost the equivalent of £3, so I decided I could live with it. You can also take the monorail back but it’s a much longer journey!
– From the station it is an incredibly simple walk – straight, turn left when you reach a massive arch with Hello Kitty on and can see the centre. If you do decide to get lost there are adorable maps everywhere with Sanrio characters to guide the way – so cute I took a picture!
TAPE PARADE 