Brighton West Pier Destruction

You will have to forgive me with my continued talk on the topic of the West Pier, Brighton. As you can probably tell I find the thing fascinating, almost to the point I see the structure as the victim and I am trying to understand the pain that it has gone through. I managed to visit the West Pier today and it was amazing to finally see it up close. The only part that now remains is the head of the pier with the iron that use to make up the pavilion. It is sad to see something that was so proud, beautiful and loved turn into something that is now so damaged that it remains a shell of its former self (even though it still remains beautiful in a different kind of way) I managed to find more photos of the structure during its deterioration and I think you may find them really interesting. The first collection are photos from the West Pier Trust Website http://www.westpier.co.uk/ showing public photos and professional photos taken during its deterioration. The latter photos are ones that I have taken of the Pier myself.

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I hope that there is someone out there that will find this topic just as interesting, this will be my last blog on the West Pier I promise. Please visit the official charity website for this beautiful pier by following the link and finding out more:  http://www.westpier.co.uk/  enjoy, Signing out, Thatmfeeling 

Brighton: The West Pier

I have never been to Brighton but there has been something there that has fascinated me for years. The thing that I have found so intriguing is it’s west pier. I am not one for getting all emotional over some poles sticking out of the sea bed but there is something rather beautiful and also rather sad in the story of how the pier stands today. Photographs that I have seen of this pier are so dramatic that it sends out an array of emotions. Its scary, rather creepy, beautiful and upsetting all at once. I love the fact that the pier is still standing in its ruined state today and was not destroyed just to clear it from the sea bed. We all know that it will only be a matter of time before the sea reclaims its space and that the remains of the pier are lost forever so the most has to be made of it now. It sounds rather odd but I think that this structure should be re erected in its iron skeleton form as a work of art and as a memorial to the beautiful pier that once stood in its place. I must not be the only one that has such a fascination with this structure and I am sure that many people would travel to Brighton with the intentions of seeing this work of art. Whilst looking into information on this pier I come across a project that I am told is already in full swing. The i360 is a new observation tower that is being planned to be erected on the site of the West Pier. This tower will give 360 degree views of Brighton and its surrounding land and seascape. From the planners of the London eye, this tower is planned to be up and running in 2013. 

Above: Brighton West Pier before, during and after the fire Below: The new plans for the i360 

Signing out, Thatmfeeling 

Costa Concordia, The New Titanic?

The news stories have been rife with the over dramatisation of the Costa Concordia over the last couple of days but is this really the new Titanic? I hate the fact that the two are even linked at all! Yes they both hit things and yes they both sank... well this one has actually failed to do that, thankfully! Whilst I am no ship and story expert, I think that is where the familiarities end. The Titanic was dramatic, the first of its kind, exciting and a ended in complete tragedy, The Costa Concordia seems more like an extremely foolish mistake? Now I know that people may hate me for saying it like that and my sympathies are with all on board but this massive ship is salvageable and they are saying will be back in business within the next twelve months. (Is it just me that would not want to go on a ship that you know has partially sunk!?) The people were fortunate enough that the ship had come to rest close up near the coast and they are also fortunate that the ship did not completely sink for those who were trapped inside. Now it is extremely sad that people have lost their lives in this awful situation but I just cant get over the hate of linking this story to one that was far worse and that happened such a long time ago. In answer to the original question, no the Costa Concordia is not like the Titanic and I wish the media would give it a story of its own. 

hoping that all that are still missing are found alive and safe, Signing out, Thatmfeeling

Downton Abbey: Reviewed

Okay, so I have to admit that I am a late bloomer when it comes to the Downton Abbey club. I have only just finished watching series one and I really am lost for words! I am a huge fan of period dramas but hearing its release, had to shun this one because I knew that everyone was watching it! When it comes to mass watched programs I have a concept that are usually tacky and only popular because of some well known cast members and a huge advertising campaign behind it. Oh how I was wrong with this one! The great cast are there but there is so much more to the show than just the cast alone. The Abbey itself is just breathtaking! so breathtaking in fact that when it reopens in Spring I am going to visit it to get the true experience of the place. The show really has picked such a beautiful backdrop to film with and I think that it is because of this that the sucess of the show has gone through the roof. The Abbey seems to become a character in itself that has a huge affect on the peoples lives and really puts some flavor into the story lines. The writing is also great for the show and has to be noted. humorous pinches throughout the whole series, not just give the show the beauty and wow factor but also add to the entertainment factor too. I really do not need to go into depths with the cast. I think that they are all great. I have my favorites like we all do but there really is not a character that can be picked out that really has not put their heart and soul into their acting. You hate the ones that should be hated and love the ones that need to be loved. I love the contrast between the servants and the lords of the house but think it is also great that the show has focused on the connection between the two so well. If you thought that was all, you would be wrong! There is yet another thing that has to be pointed out from this series and that is the music. I had a little listen to the album on iTunes and it just sends you away as you are listening to it. It really adds to the mood of the scenes and pushes so much more emotion through the show. If this music was changed or they simply did not use it then the whole show would have such a different feel to it. I am tempted to buy the album for myself too!  If you have never watched this show then you have to straight away, I demand it. Even if it is just to see how beautifully filmed it is, it will win you over and you will be back for a second series just like me. I am really looking forward to the second series and the third after that. I am not one for writing such a positive review but I think that this show has earned it all the way. There really is not a negative thing to say about it other than it needs more episodes! The last thing I am going to leave you with is “give me more Maggie Smith!” 

"Items that I have seen and liked"

Something that made me smile today was when I was browsing the website of a rather brightly coloured London department store. Some rather brightly coloured note books caught my eye and I had to have a look at the whole collection. Whilst I thought the whole idea was serious at first, as I was reading titles such as “Celebrities I met and liked” “Photographers I met and liked” and “Travelers I met and liked” I started to read titles that slapped a grin on my face “Royals I met and liked” “Wives I had and liked” and finally “Journalists I met and liked” I mean seriously! how many royals would you actually fill into a book, divorces are on the up but unless you are Britney Spears, you would not be able to fill the book and are there any journalists that we could honestly say that we like!? I love the idea and the colours are vibrantly beautiful! I do plan to go out and buy one or two and I think I have my eyes on the “Wives I had and liked” and the “Shrinks I met and liked” anyway, have a little gander and start up a little quirky collection yourself! 

the link to the Archie Grand website is: http://www.archiegrand.com/index.html

Signing out, Thatmfeeling 

High Speed Rail 2: Stop Complaining!

If any of you have read or passed a newspaper, watched a news channel or even browsed over a news website, you will know that the news is focused on the High Speed Rail 2 project that has just gotten its green light. Whilst I understand the problems and arguments that will come with just a huge and prominent project, I am surprised how some people have been reacting over it. I know that it is awful and incredibly frustrating for anyone that lives near this project as they will face major disruption and could even loose their homes but what i do not get is that these people should understand that our country does need things like this. It is fair enough that the MPs for these areas have all stated that you can increase capacity on the other train lines surrounding but I personally think that if you take a long hard look at the plans that by the time this project is completed, we will need this. If the UK does not develop then we will be stuck back behind everyone else, lacking the opportunities that we could have had if things like this had just gotten the go ahead. More people should travel by trains as it is better for the environment, it will be faster than cars and with the cost of driving and owning a car going up (yes I know that rain tickets are not cheap themselves) it will be better off to travel by trains. Whilst I love London and have a huge respect for the city, I do not turn a blind eye to the potential of other cities in our country. This line will benefit more places outside London by adding connection and speed. Yes in the process people will have to move, things will have to change but even if I was one of these people that had to move, I would not like it but I would understand. I hate the “yes but not in my back yard” attitude that people have and I think that sometimes people need to stop thinking so much about the small picture and focus more on the bigger picture. People may or may not agree with me but if the same attitude would have been taken with the London underground all those years ago then I think that there would be less disruption and negativity surrounding the works that are currently taking place with TFL. We can delay it but at the end of the day it will have to happen at some point and it is these people that would complain in any situation that will arise from and surrounds this project.

Above: The proposed final plan 

Above: Boooooo! 

Signing out, Thatmfeeling 

look at my pretty balls!

I saw this article many weeks ago and was so impressed that I saved the photos to share with you (when I could remember to to be completely honest!) I thought that it was so interesting that our countries can be depicted with something so simple as paper yet for it to be so effective that most people would be able to correctly guess. In a time where I think that many places in the world are converging and becoming so similar in style, attitude, architecture and knowledge, it is nice to know that these small qualities such as a denim pair of jeans or a newspaper can still decipher one country from another. Whilst I do not know what some of them are, I could clearly guess other countries (and yes I know that it says the countries name next to it!) 

if you are not on here then what would symbolise your country!? hope you had a good old look, signing out, Thatmfeeling