Just Another Hippie

2007-08-25T22:40:00.000+01:00

GCSE RESULTS!

Geography - A*
Sociology - A*
Humanities - A*
Maths - A
English Lit - A
English Lang - A
History - A
ICT - AA
Science - AA

2007-06-21T16:03:00.000+01:00

Its Been a while!

Just been reading through a few blogs and by doing so, I made myself tempted to blog again, and its been a while!

Not only is it the fact that my life hasn't been very interesting lately but many other things have been holding my fingertips back from typing these sweet words into my keypad and posting them onto my blog. Things like having 17 exams I've been preparing for for the past 2 years. Things like preparing for our trip to Kenya with YAP (I haveven't even been able to give that my full commitment because of those 17 exams). Getting my jabs done have also been playing on my mind; had my fourth one today. Just life in general really ha been holding back the blogging. These events should be inpiring me to blog.

Basically this blog was just a reminder to myself that what ever happens, I still have some interesting things about my life that may be blogworthy and I need to start blogging again. Especially now that my exams are all over, well just one left, heres what I need to start doing again.

Reading...got a big pile of books I've been dieing to get through
Sleeping
Do more work for YAP
Start socialising with freinds again
And anymore my mind can think of!

This blog may be the re-birth of Just Another Hippie. Or not!?

2007-05-22T13:19:00.000+01:00

Release Me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjQXMZe2ouk

Please listen to this song and when it gets to 02.24 please throw your arms in the air!

2007-03-22T02:52:00.000Z

Luv It!

I wan't to be a non-conformist

Just like everybody else!

2007-03-15T22:51:00.000Z

Lack of posts lately...

STRESSED, STRESSED, STRESSED...WITH GCSE'S

BUT IT COULD BE WORSE, I COULD BE THAT GIRL FROM UNIT 3C.

2007-02-25T17:01:00.000Z

Not in my name!

Wind, rain or shine. We were there!

For a reason:
No Trident
World Peace is our goal!With our boom box!

Joined by the men themselves! Bush, Blair!

We were not alone...this time!

2007-02-23T02:20:00.000Z

10th time lucky, if im lucky!

Probably about this time last year I started my History Coursework with excitement in me as to 'how i'm gonna write about Civil Rights and Vietnam'. Oh the joy of being wrong.

It's 2.22am in the morning and I've just re-completed my Civil Rights coursework. I have about 6 different copies saved on my USB. Last year I handed in my coursework. It wasn't good enough. I changed it around and handed it back again, it wasn't good enough. I have handed it in a number of time between now and then, including last week. Oh wait, it wasn't good enough. I updated it yesterday and handed it in today. Still not good enough.

I scraped the whole idea of trying to update a crap essay and started all over again. I read through someone elses coursework today. Someone who got an A*. I now know why it wasn't good enough. I've also had a piece of my coursework (different subject) called 'just average' and 'rather vague' today. So how frustrated am I.

I handed in my maths coursework yesterday and realised to myself, I only have 2 pieces of coursework left to finish; science and ICT. Today I have 5. Tomorrow maybe 6, who knows these days. Well, I have now just re-finished a piece of my history coursework all from scratch. And I'm not looking forward to redoing it again, knowing my luck and oh so average coursework.

Oh and another thing, Skillsmatch finally called me outside of school hours for an interview (3.45). Guess what, I was in school doing coursework!

As some guy once said: "History, just one damned thing after another". Someone give him a medal.

2007-02-20T21:20:00.000Z

Computer Nerd...(photo copiers not included)

You know when you get that feeling that you haven't got a good grade eventhough you think you deserve it. I felt like that today.

A couple of weeks ago, on Wednesday I was told that my very much unfinished piece of ICT coursework which was very much unfinished was due in that day. I panicked. How on earth was I going to get that piece of coursework completed; worth a whole 1/3 of my final mark.

That evening strait after school I was heading strait to ICT to complete whatever I could. Then I remembered that I promised someone else I'd meet them in the library to help them with there coursework. I went to the library. After a full hour of doing coursework with this guy I left them on their way and was off to finish mine, hopefully!!!

It was now 6pm and after doing a full section of my coursework in hours I wasn't finished. But at 6pm everyone has to be off our school site. No way!!! I've tried too hard and wasn't leaving till my coursework was completed. It even got to the point of my protest where the teacher had to access my files from the "special computer" to print of my unfinished work and log me off. And that was it, my grade was gonna be crap and I had given up on ICT. It was now 6.15, I ran to Wednesday club!

Today we got our results back. I didn't want mine. I refused to accept it and insisted she let me complete my coursework. I was determined, but she refused. I was not a happy Gertrude! Until I got my grade, eventhough my work was unfinished!!!

95% - A*

2007-02-19T10:38:00.000Z

So far today...

Today I woke up a bit early to go cycling. Like I said, getting back in the habbit. I went cycling yesterday evening and was thinking to myself all evening how on earth Roz could complain so much about having a sore 'behind' after just cycling once. Today I understood! And I sympathise!

I set of from my house at 7am heading towards Bricklane in search of begals (mmmmm begals!). 5 minutes into riding and my bum was sore. I tried to do a Roz and sit only on one side of the seat - thus nearly killing myself! But it wasn't only the one side ride that nearlly killed me, the fumes of the cars and lorries nearly did the trick. I was stuck in the middle of a traffic jam being chocked and blined by exhuast fumes. For the first time in a long while, I had to go on the pavements.

Ok, I finally got to Brick Lane and picked up my begals, and a mango juice. Oh I do love Mango juice. Leaving the bakery with my prize in arms I saw this guy waslking towards me. Barbetues, he said his name was. Maybe he had a bit too much to drink last night, as he told me.

We walked down Bethnal Green Road and he expalined his evening previous. See he met these two women on the karoke, one of them being Irish he liked to point out. They then both asked him if he wanted to go back to their flat and on there way they both nicked his wallet and ran off. Not the first time he says. I checked my watch and realised I had to go. Offering him a begal, me and Barbetues went our seperate ways.

Now on my way back I passed 2 familiar faces, one of them being Bram who I'm not sure if he actually saw me, but I waved. And the other being Emma, who slowed down as she was passing me in her car to say hello. It has made my day so far.

2007-02-18T21:24:00.000Z

Getting back into the habbit...

Today I got back into the habbit. I got back onto my bike and had a ride up to Victoria Park and back. I feel proud with myself!

For our Africa Project up club we are all walking, running, cycling and swimming the distance from London to Africa. 2085km! A lot! Today me and Craig reduced that distance! YAP we did! I need a begel!

2007-02-13T00:05:00.000Z

Just a few photo(s!) for the blog!

2007-02-06T21:44:00.000Z

Sunshine International

Whilst I was staying in Luxor me and my dad visited the local orphanage Sunshine International. Like many Muslim countries, in Egypt there is still a massive stigma on sex outside wedlock. Obviously this still takes place and women become pregnant outside of marrige. Due to the humiliation of the circumstances, when the child is born it is immediately abandoned and forgotten about.

Before only 10 years ago most of these children would have been left on the streets to die. But because of the amazing work of British volunteers, Sunshine International was born. Sunshine International is an orphange that houses over 70 children and young people ranging from just a few hours old to mid teens. Without this orphanage the future for these children and young people would be unlikely.

After visiting the orphanage myself and meeting the magnificent children that call it home I can't get it out of my head. It's amazing what a few caring people can do. Save lives!

Please visit the site yourself and learn more about the work that goes on - here

If you would like to make a donation then that would be amazing! - justgiving

2007-02-04T14:02:00.000Z

Beware...

2007-01-17T00:54:00.000Z

Egypt...Second time round!

2007-01-16T23:56:00.000Z

Super Mum...!

My mums great. For four months now I have been acting as social worker for Masuma. Someone to talk to. You may remember her from previous posts such as Singing behind a headscarf. Masuma is a girl who suffers from severe bullying because she is what a lot of people define as 'weird'.

Since I have got to know Masuma I have been trying to help her overcome her bullying and help build up her self asteam. She came to me a few weeks ago crying and saying how people call her a freak because she wants to be a super hero. OK to me and you perhaps, wanting to be a super hero would be considred rather odd which is cool because I love odd people. Hey I'm Ginger! Ironically enough, other people don't see the positive side to Masumas 'oddness'.

Today Masuma was lucky because she got to meet my mum. In the past I often look to my mum for guideness when tackling issues such as bullying because its an area she is very well in dealing with and resolving. Shes a Super Duper Mum!

I was just going to type more about the situation of Masumas bullying and have just realised I am breaking confidentiallity rules and don't actually think I should go on. Only because I would be sharing information I shouldn't even know. Not that its some top secret agent stuff anyway. But you know how it is.

Well this post is just to say that things may be looking better for Masuma and one of the reasons is because of my mums great experiance in dealing with people in her situation. I just want to say that my mum is a Super Mum!

2007-01-14T00:02:00.000Z

The Last King Of Scotland!

Having a Scotish father, this isn't a story I am too unfamiliar with.

I watched The Last King Of Scotland in the cinema today and I must say, sometimes my dads "History Lectures" can actually be correct. Now thats something!

A story of a Scotish guy going to Ughanda to help at a village hospital ends up treating President Idi Amin and soon becoming his number one adviser. From a President who wanted peace and change for poor Ughandans soon showed his real side; brutal, racist and psychopathic.

One part of the film that made the whole cinema burst out laughing and Craig pointing at me and reminding everyone I had red hair was:

"Back in Scotland your women might find red hair attractive but here in Africa, we think its disgusting!"

Appart from being on the bottom row of seats, I felt like the lowest person in the cinema.

Touching on the subject, here is something I read from a newspaper today about Republic of Congo's President:

"The Republic of Congo's President spent over £200,000 in a New York hotel last week. Thats over twice the amount of money Britain sent in Aid"

Did he spend too much, Or did we send too little?!

2007-01-12T16:16:00.000Z

Mock Results...

History: A
Geography: A
Sociology: A
Humanities: A
English Language: A
English Lit.: B
Maths: B
ICT: B
Science: C

2007-01-11T23:19:00.000Z

Yes Craig!

It's becomes a regular question from Craig on a Thursday night:

"Cinema tomorrow"

"Yes Craig"

I finished reading Yes Man over a week ago and was flawed by Danny Wallaces reluctance to say yes to every invitation sent his way. If he saw and ad in the news paper to go to Singapore, he would ablige. If someone offered to punch him one, he would be too happy to say yes!

This year I want to say yes more. Craig will be releaved!

2007-01-06T00:15:00.000Z

Give Blood...

Sometimes I wish I was that little bit older. Like 17. Not too old like 23 or something like that because I still wan't to be able to walk, but you know a little more responsibility over my own life wouldn't be too bad! I've tried to eradicate any information on my blog that reveals my age incase someones comes across it and just asumes I'm some silly little kid that has no social life and spends all his evening (while other young people would be watching wrestling) blogging! But hey, I'm me and being young comes with that. Not that theres anything wrong with being young. It's great, but people just seem to be put off taking me too seriously when they realise I'm still in compulsory education (but not for long and I'll be free!)

Today I went to the blood donation centre in Canary Wharf. Not for me of course but in 391 days (not that I'm counting) I should be legally able to help the world that little bit more by giving blood. One of Craigs New Years resolutions for this year was to give blood and he wanted me to come along and support him.

As we were heading to the centre where Craig would donate his pint of blood which could end up saving someones life I began to think in the back of my head whether it would be bad of me to fake my age and join the list of blood donators. I quickly brushed the idea from my head and thought the age barrier must be there for a good reason. I walked into the centre with Craig and he asked me if I would come to the desk with him to help him fill out his forms. A woman greeted us by saying how good it was of us to want to give blood and she thrusted in my hands a clip board with a form to fill out to give blood. Sadly the woman told Craig he couldn't give blood today as he had a Cold Sore. As silly as it sounded you just cant take risks with these things.

I sat down with the form in my hand and my heart began to pound. I must have had a lot to offer. I didn't know what to do. I didn't ask to give blood and I didn't fake my age, eventhough I didn't tell them my correct age either. I've always wanted to give blood! I got my pen ready and pressed it on the form to fill out. For some reason my hand froze and I couldn't write. Was I about to break the law. Would my blood be good enough? Is there a health reason in why the age limit was 17, for both me and whoever may accept my blood. I looked up at Craig for advise and he told me hes coming back in a few weeks. I stood up, took a deep breath and gave my form back.

Have I blown my chance to give blood and contribute in making a difference? Should I go back in a few weeks with Craig and try again? Is there anything wrong with giving blood under age?

2007-01-04T18:32:00.000Z

Nice to have known you!

I heard that Sid was ill yesterday and within hours I was at his bedside in St. Josephs Hospice. I got to know Sid less than a year ago when he popped in to have a cup of tea at The Salvation Army. He was an interesting guy and we had lots of interesting conversation. At the Hospice there was also Eileen and another of Sid's freinds, also having interesting conversations about Sid and how much he loved life!

A few weeks ago Sid popped in and like always we were sitting down having a chat. I asked him what he was doing Christmas Day and he said he would most probably be at home. I invited him along to join us at Poplar Corps and he asked me if I would be there. I said yes and he agreed to come. When he arrived on Christmas Day it was one of my highlights and he enjoyed a fab meal with another 109 people.

This morning we recieved news from the hospital that Sid had past away last night. Its shocking really because I have never lost anyone of imediate connection to myself. I sat down with my cup of tea and along with other people from TSA we were all rejoicing the amazing life and times we experianced with Sid. I may have only knew him for 6 months or so but I'm glad I got to know him. He was an amazing guy of such character and I thank GOD for allowing me to meet Sid.

When Sid joined us on Christmas Day it was the last time I saw him and he gave me a Christmas Card. I opened it and inside was a fiver as a present for me. I used it to buy Danny Wallaces Yes Man the other day. Thanks Sid for the book, it gives me the same amount of laughs as you did.

It's nice to have known you!

2006-12-29T15:31:00.000Z

Listening in...

I was in Books etc. today buying Danny Walace's Yes Man when a guy came into the store searching for a book as well. As you do!

I couldnt help but listen in on his conversation with a staff member.

"Excuse me, I work with autistic children and I'm looking for a book"

"This way"

I don't know why I listened in on his conversation but seeing as I have an autistic brother I felt like telling him I think what he does (working with autistic children) is great. I stood around for 5 minutes deciding whether or not I would scare him but I thought what the heck!

"Sorry I don't mean to butt in but I over heard you chatting and I have a brother whos autistic and I think its really good you work with them"

"Oh thanks" Giving me thumbs and smiling akwardly as if to wonder what on earth is this wierd guy holding a book with Danny Wallace on it (who is also a wierd guy) is doing talking to strangers.

A few years ago no one had ever heard of autism and people were very rarely diagnosed with it. But today as more awarness being raised through the media (finally something posotive from the media), alot more people are understanding and more people are taking up careers to work with autistic children. Like that man in the book shop!

2006-12-26T23:08:00.000Z

Merry Christmas 2006!

Its Boxing Day and I have had a lay in. 2pm I woke up today. 2pm! The biggest lay in I have had all year! Well I know Christmas was yesterday but Merry Christmas everyone.

Yesterday (Xmas Day) was a great day for me and everyone I came acroos. Like around another 15 or so volunteers I spent most of my Christmas Day at The Salvation Army, along with 80 other people, mostly elderly who would other what be alone this Christmas.

I got to church at 9.20 Christmas Day after spending an hour with my family and I was on pick ups with Christine. We had 14 people to pick up and they all lived off Commercial Road so I knew it wouldnt take long, 45 minutes perhaps. Wr0ng I was. 2 hours!

Getting back to the hall just making the morning service I went and the joined the table of 8 people I was supposed to be hosting. Craig had kept everyone company for me while I was away and one particular woman was very happy to see me. Craig had told her I had ginger hair so she was looking forward to seeing it. She was quite disapointed to see the darkness of my gel. Sandra her name was and she like Dancing and disliked females in groups larger than 2 because they bitch too much. Then there was Alex. He taught me how to spell and say my name in Numbers:

20 8 15 13 1 19

I also met Tom and George, to old brothers who love each other very much. As they liked to tell me. Tom got a bit angry when he couldn't get a second bowl of soup and threatened to march right in the kitchen and get himself. There was also Bill who got up and played Bob Dylans Blowing in the wind for us. A right bunch of characters on my table including me and Craig!

Dinner time came round quick and we had a cycle going in the kitchen. Christine on the Patatoes to Sue on the Turkey to Rhonda's mum on the Parsnips to Christine on the Sprouts to Rhonda on the Carrots to me on the Sausages to Diane with the Gravy and finally passed onto the other volunteers who serve. Sorry To Rhonda's mother for forgetting your name.

Pudding came along and between me and Christine with all the volunteers serving we got that done in no time. There was seconds for Tom this time!

After a few performances from a bunch of people including Patrick who gave us his wonderful version of When The Saints Come Marching In. Followed by the Queens speech and a game of Bingo it was time for people to head of home. But before that Santa Clause gave us a visit and everyone recieved a present and a food parcel.

Dropping people off was much quicker. Record time with 40 minutes. It was nice to get a few thanks and to thank other people for making Christmas Day a great one.

Highlights:

Getting an ipod
Taking 30 minutes to find someones house
Having wacky conversations with people
Sid turning up!
My mum coming over for the sevice and finding herself in the kitchen offering her great skills!
My mum waiting till 5pm to have Christmas dinner with me (Just the two of us
Sitting down for 5 minutes just to observe the smiles on everyones face!

Happy Birthday Jesus...for yesterday!

2006-12-22T11:46:00.000Z

More Great Art From Banksy!

Birth of Jesus. Still lives on. Still Amazing.

What happened here though?

BANKSY

2006-12-20T00:32:00.000Z

Standing up for your beliefs!

Last Sunday whilst in church we were congratulating the kids on their achievements of the week. It was Johns turn.

"So John what have you achieved this week" said Christine

John didn't answer

"He was persecuted for sticking up for his beliefs in school" stated John's father!

The hall appluaded and I joined in. I know what its like to be penalised and feel like its only you and the world is against you. So its something I have great sympathy for, whoever is persecuted whether they be Christian, Muslim or Jewish they have the right to freely believe what they wish. Ain't that what free will is all about, making our own decisions and GOD being the judge of them.

I was reading through my bible the other night and came across something that i felt suited what people like myself and John go through sometimes.

"People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do you will be happy. Rejoice and be glad, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did the same evil things to the prophets who lived before you" Matthew 5: 11-12

It then goes on to say

"In the same way, you should be the light for other people. Live so they will see the good things you do and willpraise your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:16

This Sunday just gone, I caught up with John and his father and explained to them how they should always stick up for their beliefs and that I know where they are coming from. I share the extracts with them and ask them one question:

"So, why were you persecuted anyway?"

"I refused to study Islam in school" said John with a cheeky smile looking for my approval!

"OH! Well it also says in the bible that we should respect other peoples beliefs and show understanding. Maybe you could learn and then compare both religions. That would help people understand"

John just ran off to play with his mates. I don't think he wanted an R.E. lesson from me really. I do hope I made it clear what I was trying to put across!

2006-12-15T16:03:00.000Z

Ignorance!

Growing up in a generation where insulting your freinds and everyone around you is the way to go and racial stigma is just a joke, it is very annoying when every five minutes of the day (metaphorically speaking) you have to explain to people how what they are saying offends people and they shouldnt say it.

It has seemed to become a norm to many people that reffering to someone who makes a general mistake as a "retard" or "spastic" is just something that is OK. Where saying that someone should Fcuk Off because they are black is somewhat a joke and not racist. I don't know about you but I don't find it funny. I mean a jokes a joke but reffering to people as "retards" and different racial penalizing and name calling is an insult to all the people who faught so that words like that are now deemed socially unacceptable, well so I thought.

In Humanities today we were discussing mental health and the stigma surrounding it. 1/6 of us will at one stage or another in our lives seek some kind of theropy or couselling. Most of us will feel depressed and some of us will even have a nervous breakdown.

A dream - "I want to be able to walk into a pub and say 'I have been mentally ill', and for them to say 'That's interesting, what did you learn?'". (A 'survivor' of the system)

Only if the world was a bit more understanding!

2006-12-13T21:02:00.000Z

Join Me!

A few weeks ago I was outside Books etc. with Nick. I was telling him how I had a £10 voucher and didn't no what book to get. I wanted to buy that book about saying yes more that Roz goes on about all the time but didn't know the title or author so was too embarrased to ask.

Friday, and Nick borrowed me a book called Join Me by Danny Wallace. Seeing as I already had two books on the go at once it was very unlikely I would be getting round to reading it anytime soon. That Night I picked up the book and thought I would read the first chapter, just to see if it was worthing leaving on my desk or dumping it on the shelf. Within pages of reading and having a laugh I was hooked. I just finished it last night and was sad to leave it behind. The Story is of a man called Danny Wallace who starts a cult (*ahem* collective) by accident by putting an add in the Loot telling people to Join him. He thought it would be a laugh and joining consisted of sending one photo to his address. Out of the blue he got a reply to his add and within months he had a massive cult (*ahem* collective) up and running. Hundreads of people were Joining him and as part of being in the cult (*ahem* collective) you had to do good deeds every Friday. The Karma Army (Joinees) soon grew to 1000.

Danny Wallace is just an average guy like me and you, well no, he's not an average guy and niether are me or you, anyway,and only lives in Bow. I really don't wanna blabber on about the book too much but its a must read. If you don't wanna read it though why not join up and do good deeds every Friday.

Check the website - HERE

Like I said, its a must read so read it. Thanks Nick for recommending it!

2006-12-10T19:28:00.000Z

Trust...!

I've been keeping count. 7 times this week I have walked into a shop and had the security guard follow. Twice I told the same security guard in Woolworths that I'm not a thief but still he persists to stalk me. 3 times this week whilst standing at Somerfields checkout the person or persons infront of me would take a look at me, see that Im young and scruffy then make sure they cover their hand whilst typing in their chip and pin, then look back up to see if I had got a glimpse.

I have come to a conclusion. If people trustesd eachother more then the world might be put to rights. So I have decide to trust people more. My first test from GOD wasn't very big, but this is how it goes:

Woman: Can I buy this dress

Me: You know what, eventhough I work on this stall I don't actually know the prices. You will have to wait for my boss to get back.

Woman: Well its a fiver, my mate just bought one, but I dont mind waiting for Trisha to return. How long will she be.

Me: About 5 minutes!!

This woman had a child in a pram with her and it was rather cold outside so I felt rather guilty making her wait!

Me: Well I believe in trusting people, so I'll take your word for it.

Woman: Thanks, honestly my mate just bought one for a fiver.

Turns out it was a fiver. Perhaps trusting people a bit more is the key to everlasting peace!

2006-12-05T22:54:00.000Z

What success means to me!

"He who abides by me and I in him bares much fruit, for without me you can do nothing"

John 15:5

What I would like to achieve within the next 12 months:

Pass my GCSEs
Get a proper job
Go to College
Learn how to play guitar (play good)
Help Masuma overcome bullying (next 5 months)
Go to Africa to raise awareness and to educate myself and others
Learn as much as I can and become a stronger and better person

Theres loads more!

2006-12-02T18:47:00.000Z

WHY am I not revising!

I've got my mocks next week and I'm just too lazy to even think about revising. I do hope my brain switches on again. Its been off for a while now!

2006-11-23T23:34:00.000Z

Uncle Tom...

...no not the silly book about the boy being evacuated. Me! Im an uncle. Uncle Tom!

My brother Steven and his girl freind are now proud parents to baby Billy. He was born around 7.30am yesterday and is weighing in at 6.8 pounds. I'm thrilled to finally be an uncle! The only downside is that he has blonde hair. Well GOD can perform maricles! Or I'll just get some hair die!

2006-11-21T00:08:00.000Z

More on meeting Gordon Brown...

I just read what the Guardian published about Gordon Brown visiting my school. I am the "one lad" they refer to in the extract below:

At Langdon Park school in Tower Hamlets he did quite well among GCSE students from many backgrounds. "Freedom of speech" and "free health care", said one. "Charity", said another. "Fish and chips" and Grenada-born Private Johnson Beharry VC (the latest addition to the 100 Top Black Britons) were also cited as British symbols.

One lad who may go far added: "We are always ready to embrace other countries, we're proud to have British Asians and black British people." That is not the message all Labour MPs pick up. In recent days two have told me of strong anti-Polish feeling (just for starters) in large provincial towns. Pressure on public services, not to mention downward pressure on wages, are a real issue. But Mr Brown was quick to fold the students' remarks into his vision of a Britain committed to tolerance, openness and debt relief.

More on the gaurdain article - here or The Est London Advertisers article - here

2006-11-20T23:08:00.000Z

Dancing in the street! Coz Jesus Loves you!

Like we often do, me and Josh jumped on a 15 bus last night to head west. We jumped off at Trafalgar Square as usual and got our kick energy drink from Tesco Metro as usuall and sat on the cold, dark streets of London eating baguettes and suasage rolls enjoying the wierd stares we were getting as we crouched down in the corner and quickly moved a few shuffles away from the smell of alchol and urine that seemed to be wiffting in our direction. At first I thought it was Josh but he hadn't been drinking.

Walking through Soho (not what you think) we were now passing Caffe Nero and were gonna stop by and say hello to Trevor and Bernard but couldn't be bothered. An old woman now approached me and asked me for directions to Leister Square. I accidently sent her the wrong way. I couldn't sleep last night because of it. All of a sudden we were in Liester Sqaure and there was a beating noise coming from the distance.

There was a guy drumming so we went over to have a look. He was singing and all of a sudden another guy from the crowd started dancing. Two other guys then started to dance too. Not any normall dancing. A circle then began to form around the free show and another woman then joined in the fun. Josh was trying to get me to dance but for some reason I didn't feel as if I could compete. The crowd was now about 100 strong and a police riot van had turned up. 2 guys were drumming together now, about a dozen people dancing, a strong crowd of about 100 and we were dancing and rejoicing together in the name of Jesus coz he loves us all. Well so the guy who was drumming said and sang, but I agreed with him and so did others.

The police van then began to accelerate into the crowd and then reverse back into the middle of the circle. They were there to crash the party. We then joined hands and started dancing round the van, it was fun (and rebellious!). 2 officers then got out and threatened to arrest the drummer unless he stopped. He agreed but others didn't. People began to clap and boo. One woman and another guy then stood infront of the van and began to dance together. Some people wanted to fight the police, they were in the minority though.

Next time you'rE in Liester Square, feel free to dance and rejoice. Why? Coz Jesus Loves you!

(SORRY THE POST ISN'T V. GOOD! I RUSHED! JUST IMAGINE IT WAS REALLY FUN!)

2006-11-17T19:46:00.000Z

Does traffic affect quality of life in Tower Hamlets?

That's what I'm investigating for my Geography coursework. A group of us took to the streets of Tower Hamlets to fill out questionnaires and surveys.

We were now down Globe Road and I had 5 questionnaires to get filled out. Previous streets such as Bethnal Green Road and Grove Road left me with a few nasty words thrown at me and a woman nearlly getting run over to escape me. I did have a shower last night so I didn't smell. Must of been my ginger hair.

Old lady. There was an old lady across the street. Old ladies love to rant. I'll ask the old lady. I love old ladies when filling in questionnaires. Not that I spend my entire weekends speaking to old ladies. Well, this old lady was happy to talk to me...and she did rant. She ranted and ranted for 10 minutes. Then her neighbour came out, I asked her the same questions, she didn't agree with the previous old lady. So they began to argue. It was now 15 minutes and the group was just jumping on a bus. I had to leave the 2 old ladies ranting on the street together. Well, atleast they are socilizing! The first old lady ws my faviroute!

2006-11-11T23:25:00.000Z

Walking my dog this morning, with this weeks Big Issue in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Whilst reading and enjoying the sunshine a little boy passed me with his mum. He smiled. I smiled back. He opened his mouth to show me his missing front teeth and I started to run around in circles. It was a moment of fun for both of us, not for his mum though, who was now trying to clam him down whilst I quickly grabbed my dog and headed home.

I went out with Josh in the evening. We got a bus to Trafalgar Square and walked down to Picadily Circus. I saw a woman selling The Big Issue. It wasn't the same cover as this morning so I just assumed it was last weeks issue as I didn't manage to get that one.

I pulled my wallet out of my pocket and she began walking towards me. I pulled out 2 coins; a £2 coin and a 2 pence piece. I put the 2p back and gave her £2, said a few words of encouragement and walked of with my magazine. A tap on my shoulder made me turn and face the woman again. She held her hand out and in the middle of it was a 2 pence piece. Totaly embarassed with myself that I nearly mugged of a homeless person I quickly went down my wallet and grabbed another £2 coin and gave it to her. After appologising numerous times I made my way down Regents street with Josh. Josh then asks me why I have just given her £4. Just to be sure, I checked my wallet and had £4 less than before bumping into that woman. I checked all my pockets and then it all made sense. The ruddy woman conned me. She saw me pull out the 2 pence and pretended I gave that to her by mistake instead of the £2.

After contemplating whether to confront the woman, I decided to go and tell her off. She denied the whole thing. I wasn't listening to her lies. She said it was against her beliefs. I still wasn't swayed. She even hid her licence from me. It wasn't about the money, she could have it, but it was the fact that she conned me even after I tried to helped her out. Thats what got to me. I wasn't getting nowhere with this woman so I walked off.

We were now about half a mile down Regents Street when I realised that my copy I bought from her wasn't last weeks. Infact it was 5 months old.

So heres my verdict: I was conned my a woman I felt sorry for. I bought a £1.40, 5 month old Big Issue that was still talking about when Steve Erwin was alive for £4. Thats 40% of my wages. Im not buying it from her again!

Please don't be put off from buying The Big Issue for those of you who do. Just dont buy it from a woman wearing a blue hijab and has a mouth of gold teeth.

A more posotive out look (which I agree with) of The Big Issue then check Roz's post - here!

2006-11-10T21:39:00.000Z

'OI!' Gordon, MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY!

It was yesterday (9th November 2006), I was told to tuck my shirt in for Gordon Brown, I was told to sit up strait for Gordon Brown, I was told to keep my opinions for an appropriate time (basically keep shtum) Well I didn't tuck my shirt in but I did zip up my jacket and I dont sit messily anyway, well I thought he was the scruffy one! And most certainly I didn't keep shtum, none of us really did!

For a while I didn't say much, I didn't care about football when I was talking to the PM to be, but then I was asked how do I think Britain can improve itself. Well for starters we can actually try and reach our millenium goals, secondly we can actually do something about Mugabes evil dictatorship and thirdly we can MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY once and for all. I tell you this, Gordon didn't expect the unpopular support he got from us.

Other students also thought they would use the opportunity to voice there opinion. "we should stop following America" said another guy. Gordon was suprised! and embarrased. Gordon Brown didn't stay long but as he was leaving I wasn't gonna let him get away that lightly, I went to grab the letters from my bag and followed him out of the room. As he come out of another door I confronted him with my concerns. I told him that our government needs to do more about poverty. I handed him the letters and told him that he needs to listen to what people are trying to say. I was then approached by his advisers who wanted my contact details to stay in touch. It was merely a detoy so he could escape.

Disappointments of the day were that I didn't feel as if Gordon was really concerned about what I had to say. Highlights though are; meeting Jim Fitzpatrick who has agreed to meet me at Parliment to discuss my concerns. Also how all of us students who met Gordon sticking together to let him know we are not happy with how things are.

Personal highlight- "Thomas, do you think you have a future career in Politics"-Daily Telegraph

To read the story published in The Daily Telegraph either buy it and check page 4 or read online and watch a 3 minute clip (sadly the clip doesn't involve my little speech. Just because America is more important than world poverty)!

Telegraph - Pupils' verdict on Britishness: full English breakfast and less US waffle
Proud Britains ' Morgan Stanley - Proud Britons '06 - vote

Picture above - Sadia and Gordon Brown (Picture taken behind my head)

2006-11-09T00:13:00.000Z

Lobbying your MP.

Last night I emailed my local MP; Mr Jim Fitzpatrick. I emailed him in concern of a growing situation. Poverty. In the email I asked if i could meet with him and discuss my views in more detail. Guess what? He emailed me back today and has agreed to meet me!

2006-11-08T23:38:00.000Z

Putting your view across...

Tuesday, listening in on a conversation that didn't involve me, I overheard two of my freinds discussing how they were going to meet Gordon Brown this Thursday. Well, I was fuming. The Prime Minister to be was visiting my school in just 2 days and I didn't know about it, I wasn't even invited to meet him. I managed to get all the information I could out of my 2 mates and I was preparing to organise a mass protest for Thursday. I then asked my 2 freinds why they were picked over me (beeing very jelous and angry I couldn't help but ignore the fact that these 2 students are very bright and politically influenced, just like me). The answer I got back from was "I was concidered, but my political background is too extreme and I may argue with the deputy" I was still angry but rather pleased with myself now.

Well, later that day my head master approached me and explained the situation. He said that I have actually now been chosen to meet with Gordon Brown, baring I don't go off track whilst in the meeting. Yea right! So tomorrow I will be meeting Gordon Brown. How exiting!

As part of my plan tomorrow, I am hoping to hand him a bunch of letters and post cards from myself and other people (i.e Roz, Sarah and Tony) Here is a letter I have recently drafted from myself:

Dear Gordon Brown,

Being in the last year of my compulsory education obviously this is a very important year for me and I should be bringing my full atention to passing my exams. Sadly thats not the case for me.

Sadly that is not the case for me and many of my freinds and millions of young Britons up and down the country. How can I and others ever concentrate on getting on with my education whilst hundreads of millions of young people across the world don't even have the opportunity to attend school.

Mr Brown, whilst a child is dieing every 3 seconds because of poverty and 50,000 dieing a day, I can never say we live in a proper democracy. Whilst this country invades Iraq and removes an evil dictator from power (for the right reasons) but still allows Robert Mugabe to proceed his evil dictatorship in Zimbabwe, I can never be fully proud of my country. Whilst 1.3 billion people are living on less than a dollar a day, I find it hard to sleep at night, and whilst there are enough resources on this earth to cater for 25 billion people, I can never understand poverty!

Nelson Mandela once said "you can be that great generation". Gordon Brown, you are the Prime Minister to be, you can be that great Prime Minister. Please, don't look away as others have done so.

Yours Truly,
Thomas Stewart

2006-11-02T22:25:00.000Z

CCTV...Security or Big Brother!?

Is Britian turning into a nanny state. Over 20% of all the worlds CCTV cameras are on the streets of Britian. We are caught on camera atleast 300 times a day. There is now a CCTV camera for every 14 people living in Britain.

Has another one of our freedoms yet again been removed. I personally don't think so. It has been proven that crime has been reduced because of it. The killers of Damalola Taylor were caught because of CCTV in the area and if it means that we need over 4 million cameras on the streets of Britain then so be it!

Is our society turning into an enormous game of Big Brother! I don't know!!

2006-10-29T20:14:00.000Z

Poplar Corps 140th Anniversary!
“While women weep as they do now, I’ll fight; while little children go hungry as they do now, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl on the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight—I’ll fight to the very end.”
William Booth 1829-1912

Happy Birthday Poplar! Today we celebrated the birthday of the oldest Salvation Army church in existence. Joined by old faces such as commisioner Dennis Hunter who used to run our core many years ago. After a service full of memories and celebrations, we all gathered together for a faith lunch to sing happy birthday to the oldest core going!

I might not be considered a Salvationist and I may not have been at Poplar core no longer than a few years, but there are people there who have made the core what it is now:

Robert and Martha for their amazing breakfast cafe and company.
Christine, for her good being and hard work.
Bram and Rhonda for their hard work and commitment.
Roz and Emma for there brilliant youth work!
Gordon and Kate for the terrific years we had with them.
Patrick for his great stories.
All the volunteers up club!
Diane and Peter for their great commitment and freindliness!
Thanks to: Immanuele, Daisy, Alan, Nick, Lisa, Laura, Trevor, David, Eric, Henry, Lille, Heather, Christine, Sue, Obadiah, Blessings, Dot, Ann, and everyone else who makes Polar core so special!

There was a lot of debating in how old Poplar actually is and the mystery still lingers on. But today I didn't just celebrate the people that made Poplar core what it was, but the people who make it what it is today!

Thank you Poplar and thank you William Booth. While injustice persists, I'll fight to the end!

2006-10-26T09:02:00.000+01:00

Just something I need to record in my life...

...and seeing as I don't have anywere else to record this, the good old blog, revealed to the world, well maybe not North Korea but the rest of the world, I hope not! But hey! Here is my point or points in this case!

When baking cakes never:

Put more sugar in than flower
Leave the oven door open for too long because they will collapse
Never attempt to put strawberry icing on chocolate chip cakes. 1) because it makes such as mess and means you have to throw them away when you realise it. 2) they taste digusting.
Make them yourself, well unless you're Diane. But if you are not Diane then just buy the packs.

I have decided that you can decide yourself what the things I baked will be. Either cakes, scones or cookies. They are kinda a combination of all 3! Which obviously was my plan to do so. I wanted to accomidate a wide range of cake, scone and cookie fans of mine!

Anyone wanna buy a cake. Only 50p. Ok Ok, 10p...Come on. Fine I'll give em to the birds. Ok the birds won't even eat them. I'll think of something!

2006-10-21T17:12:00.000+01:00

Iftar Gathering!

I went to Iftar Gathering on Thursday. A few days before, it was announced in tutorial and I said to a freind of mine that I might go to it. Strait away I wad told by someone else that I couldn't go because I wasn't a Muslim. But I replied that if i can't go then non-Christians shouldn't be allowed to eat Christmas dinner.

Seeing as the religious even was raising money for Muslim Aid I thought I would just turn up, donate some money then go home. When I arrived I was given a ticket and told to go into the assembly hall. I thought I might as well but I didn't know what I was about to walk into. It was a sermon preaching Islamic teachings. I didn't feel comfortable so I was gonna leave but it was too late. All eyes were on me "The white Christian boy". I felt very intimedated.

I wanted to go sit with the girls I know but males and females are seperate so I had to go sit with the guys. Imediate reactions were "what's he doing here", "he ain't muslim" and "he only came for the food". Incase you are wondering, I didn't go for the food!

Well I sat and I learned but then I realised I had to go. The funny thing is, I left the same time as the females which didn't go well with the guys laughing at me. I wanted to post about this the other day but didn't get the chance. I wasn't gonna post it in the end, but about an hour ago I got this email from a freind Rezwana:

heloooo thomas...i'm jus e-mailin u 2 tell u dat YOU ARE THE BEST....do u know y..well..u came 2 da iftar gathering on thursday...and seriously i thought that it was such a respectable thing 2 do. bcoz...u actually took an interst in our religion...thank you!! but u shud've stayed 2 eat sumthing! bt..thomas...ur one in a million! enjoy ur holidayz!! lv ya!! xx

Im glad I went now!

2006-10-21T10:27:00.000+01:00

...Of us stood up against Poverty!

Over the past month there has been a number of protests against Poverty and I have tried to attend as many as possible.

I walked out of work experiance (with permission lol) on the 14th September to join Roz, Emma, Graeme and Carl in a drum for trade justice march to Whitehall.

Me, Victoria, Sarah and Roz took to the streets of Bricklane on Sunday 15th October to stand up against poverty. Guess what! So did 23,542,610 other people all across the globe.

And finally on Tuesday, to mark the end of a month long campaign against poverty, Me, Roz and Josh took to the streets of Westminster in White overalls alongside Timmy and Geoffrey (MPH sign and Banana). We were later joined by Sarah and we all headed to protest outside Downing Street. After eventually getting told to leave by the police because we didn't have a license, we decided to walk around Westminster protesting seeing as we didn't need a license for that. We made our mark that day! And I took a day off school! Come on, in the name of social justice!

Sarah, Victoria and Me!

Roz just behind Sadiq Khans sholder (wearing a yellow t-shirt)A month to remember!

Check out the site - Stand up against Poverty

2006-10-16T01:03:00.000+01:00

The danger of fireworks...

...especially in the wrong hands. This evening I was out with my freind Kelly and the usual suspects where we live were out and about playing games with fireworks. These games consisted of them throwing and aiming fireworks at eachother, or should I just call them explosives. It got dangerous and I couldn't even go to the shops without getting a firework or two thrown at me. One boy lit up a flint on the end of a firework and because it didn't go off, he decided to aim it in his face and shake it to see what was wrong. IDIOT!

Going to Kelly's house, we both had to run because we were really close to having our faces burnt off. This is just a walk from the shop to my freinds house. Then the police turn up. Do the idiots stop throwing fireworks. NO! Do the police do anyhting. NO! I think the police could tell that we felt quite intimedated and that the police were themselves intimedated. They asked us if there was a problem. I would of told the police what the problem was hadn't the big gang of boys, many of them older than me be standing across the road staring at me. For the first time in a long time, I didn't stand up for myself. As much as I wanted to, I just didn't want the hastle in my face. The police just drove off as if there coffee was getting cold.

Once I got into Kelly's house I picked up the phone and rang the police and explained the situation. I feel as if the police could have done more about the situation without me having to say what the problem was. They could see and hear exacly what went on.

Well, here it is. Me and Sarah have both decided to start a petition to ban fireworks being sold. We both feel as if more public displays should be promoted and fireworks are banned from the shops full stop. We should have a petition ready for anyone to sign very soon!

I hope i didn't paint a bad picture of the police in this post. I personally think they are great and I did get a call from them about 2 hours ago saying they will be doing more to deal with the issue of fireworks being used as toys.

2006-10-13T00:22:00.000+01:00

Under Pressure!

Ok here is my dilema. It's not the biggest problem in the world. Well I mean I could be half way through my life by now if i lived in Botswana so I need to stop the moaning about my life.

Last Wedesday I joined the music club after school and just like everyone else who wanted to play an instrument, I had to join this "school band". Unlike everyone else in the "band" I have only started learning. Everyone else is already taking music as a GCSE so they actually know what on earth they are doing. Last week I thought I was doing ok, well I was. But yesterday as I was still learning to play the first part of Every breath you take on guitar, everyone else was beggining to get bored so we moved on to the chorus. YAY! more work for Thomas. I swear I have the hardest part.

So here is my dilema! Not only do i have to learn Every breath you take on guitar by Wednesday, I actually have to keep in time! Who said that was a part of the deal!!

2006-10-05T23:36:00.000+01:00

Singing behind a headscarf...

I enroled in the after school music class yesterday. I told them I wanted to learn guitar and they stuck me in this band (not a proper band but hey its better than nothing) consisting. Me and this other guy are playing electric guitars, another guy is playing bass, someone on the drums, someone on keyboard and someone singing. In a months time the "band" has to perform The Police - Every breath you take.

I strolled into music and thought I would say hello to people. I walked up to this girl and asked her what she wanted to play and she told me she wanted to sing and be a pop star. ROCK ON HER! The sad thing is that she feels as if her religion is preventing her from becoming that. She is a muslim and just like every other traditional muslim girl, she likes to wear a headscarf and practice her religion.

I personally found it really cool that she wanted to sing so I thought I'd keep on chatting to her. Then it all came pouring out. I don't if its me but when I get chatting to someone all their emotions just come out. I saw a me in her.

Why do some muslims hate Jews.
Why are people suffering in the world.
Why do people judge whats on the outside and not the inside.
Why can't I be a pop star.
Why are people judged and sterotyped.

All these questions thrown at me and all I could see in her was me saying them. This girl was in the year below me so I didn't know who she was, but she was very interesting and inspiaring. She is determined to overcome all stereotypes and become a pop star. She is determined to become a pop star and still wear her headscarf. I just hope she follows her heart! I will buy her records!

2006-10-03T23:32:00.000+01:00

My view from a bus...

Me and Josh were on the number 15 bus heading home about 9.30 tonight. Between the space of one stop I saw 5 homeless people. They all looked under the age 0f 25 and none of them looked very happy. Well you can't blame them.

2006-10-01T12:59:00.000+01:00

Sunday School...

I got to church at 10.30 today. I felt tired. Or could have just been saying I was tired even though I wasn't. Haven't quite worked that one out yet. I walked into an empty hall, well with about 3 other usual faces. I wanted to walk out again. But all of a sudden about 20 people fluxed into the church. 20 happy faces. A group from Greg House came stumbling in there numbers. Every week a new guy would join and just like the others who have progressed so much, you just know that they will turn their life around. Its quite insparing.

The hall is flurishing now. Everyone gets up out of their seats to greet eachother again and sing joyful songs. A guy from Greg House has a dry throat so I show him to the kitchen and get him a glass of water. We shared names and then returned to our seats.

Sue is trying to tell me something I think its a joke so although I can't here her I just smile. She calls me over and my smile colapses. Its my turn to do Sunday School. Me and Christine take the kids upstairs, there ages ranging from 16 months to about 5 years. Im now quite glad to be doing Sunday School, the kids are fun! The funny thing was though, we had no equipment. Now, now, how are we going to keep these children occupied. Christine is looking around for Bible stories and I try to keep their atention by playing patting games. 2 of the youngest kids run off screaming. This does not help. We then get them sitting up the table colouring in. Sorry Roz, I tried my best to get the pen of the tables. I think its all gone.

Well, after a long 45 minutes doing Sunday School, me and Christine are set free when it finally finishes. We were quite scared incase we were approached by parents who wanted to know what their child learned today. How to play conect four! I do enjoy Sunday School! But im free for a few weeks now!

2006-09-24T14:09:00.000+01:00

Africa 2007...

I don't know about alot of other people but I feel as if GOD is calling me. GOD is telling me something. GOD is telling me I can help change the world. Its been something stuck in the back of my head for years now. And thanks to GOD awnsering my prayers, I can now say I will be following my calling. Something that really got me thinking about changing the world was a Nelson Mandela speech in Trafalga Square on the brink of the G8 meeting:

"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundemental human right, the right to didnity and a decent life...

The steps that are needed from the developed nations are clear. The first is ensuring trade justice. The second is to end the debt crisis for the poorest countries. The third is to deliver much more aid and make sure it is of the highest quality...

The G8 leaders, when they meet in Scotland in July, have already promised to focus on the issue of poverty, especially in Africa.

I say to all those leaders: do not look the other way; do not hesitate. Recognise that the world is hungry for action not words. Act with courage and vision...

Sometimes it falls on a great generation to be great. You could be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.

Of course the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity, against which I ask all humanity now to rise up.

Make poverty history in 2005. Make history in 2005. Then we can all stand with our heads held high."

In 2007 Myself, Sarah, Roz, Emma, Craig, Josh, Dean and Keeley will be doing our bit to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY! We will be appart of that generation. I just pray that everyone contributes their best efforts and that we really do make a difference!

2006-09-22T22:22:00.000+01:00

No, No, No, No.....No, No...No, No....Yes!

London Lite, Metro or The London Paper. Think of all them trees!

Mon 11th: Oh thanks!

Tue 12th: Cheers

Wed 13th: No thanks. Oh alright then!

Thur 14th: I've already got one. Ok then.

Fri 15th: Thank you!

Mon 18th: Cheers mate!

Tue 19th: No thanks. No im ok. Ok fine.

Wed 20th: Ok then!

Thur 21st: No I don't want a paper thank you!

Fri 22nd: No thanks!

Only the last 2 days are accurate but the other days are fairly accurate. But sometimes you just need to say NO!

2006-09-18T23:44:00.000+01:00

Its Our Responsibility!

Its our reponsibility that...

Over a billion people across the globe live without access to clean, safe drinking water.
Every 15 seconds a child dies from a disease caused by inadequate or lak of water.
On average a person in the UK uses 16x more water than a person in Africa.
Over 2 million people are trafficked each year. Over half of them are children.
In Africa there are over 13 million children orphaned because of HIV/aids.
Rich countries give £9 million a day in world aid. Thats quite good BUT! they take over £1.3 billion in debt every day.

Heres what you can do to make the world a better place...

Stop taking second best for an awnser and keep pushing for social justice.
Buy fair trade products wherever possible.
Boycott as many bad companies as possible ( i.e. Coca Cola, Nestle and Nike)
Help prevent climate change by recycling and conserving energy.

If you want to find out more ways to make the world a better place, visit the blog itself- Here

Or visit the International Developments site- Here ....make sure you check out the list of 100 ways to make the world a better place Here!

2006-09-17T21:25:00.000+01:00

Art?

Is it Art! I think it is. I think its rather cool art. I think its Art with a meaning. It makes me appreciate graffitti! Check more Banksy out by refering to my links! This piece as well as others really mean something to me. It tells us to get our act together as a society. Im not an expert on Art but Sarah Ali is so she would be able to give you more of detailed idea on Banksy!

2006-09-14T19:16:00.000+01:00

A free top, an interview on radio and a Ronan Keating!

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, hey Tony, oooh-ahh.

I wanna knowwwwwwwwwwww if you'll make trade fair (fade trair)!

Along with a band of drumers (the biggest band I've ever been in) and a group of hyper (in a possitive way) kids, that was one of many songs we sang in order to proclaim our feelings on fair trade.

I arrived at work today and after morning prayers I got straight back to the work I was doing yesterday. At lunch me and Graeme decided to go join a protest. We were joined by a mate of Graeme's and we met Roz and Emma there. It was great. Incase you were wondering why I had a Sarah Bowels title then here is the explanation:

A free top- whilst we were gathering at the start of the march a guy was handing out free "beat the drum" tops so I thought I'd grab one. (Hey, it was free)

An interview on radio- I know, I know. I will be happy to give out my autograph anytime. Whilst marching down Whitehall, me and Roz was approached by a guy from LBS Radio who wanted to interview us young folk. I was asked a few questions and gave assertive awnsers back.

and a Ronan Keating- Well, whilst sitting on the grass by the stage, Ronan Keating came on. Thought i'd get to the point. I got a bit exited so moved closer to the stage with a camera in my hand. I took a few photos and then sat back down.

Well I haven't detailed this post to the highest of standards but im very tired and can't be too bothered to make it perfect. Work experiance has been good and even more posts will follow...

MAKE FAIR TRADE HISTORY!

2006-09-13T22:53:00.000+01:00

Golden Jubilee! (50th post)...

Let the good times role. Its my 50th post and my blogging venture has only just begun! I have posted of Art. I have posted of polotics. I have posted of Poverty, Pessimism and Peace and every time I have asked for advice or stated questions I have finded difficult to understand, there has always been a great response through your comments!

Today was a good day. I arrived at work just before 9am and chained up my bike in the car park. When I arrived at work experiance yesterday I had to endure the 3 hour meeting that takes place every month reviewing the progress overseas. Although it was quite hard to understand word to word what was going on, it was a good chance for me to get a fair idea what the international developement (ID) department is all about. If it wasn't for the Harribo and miniture heroes, I would have been lost!

After lunch with the "team" I had a small interview with the Director (boss) and I was very enthusiastic about working with ID. The interview really consisted of me saying what I want to get out of the whole experiance. I simply said I wanted to broaden my knowledge on what ID do incase I considered it as a future career. I got some great job advice and have learned a great deal from my 2 days working so far.

More on work experiance to follow...

2006-09-11T22:37:00.000+01:00

The Salvation Army International Developement HeadQuaters...

Sounds so profetional don't it! Well from tomorrow, until next friday I'll be working there. Dont know exacly what I'll be doing yet, well I'll find out tomorrow. Im quite exited and I just hope I don't mess up. Well I just thought I'd blog about it but theres not much further I can say on the issue, until i start. But I'll be blogging about it throughout my experince. Wish me Luck!

2006-09-09T12:03:00.000+01:00

To Roz's Mother! If you ever read this!

Im sorry for refering to you as a Whale! I was a silly silly boy. Im also sorry to tell you this (if you ever happen to read it) That the whole Whale situation, at the end of the day is Roz's fault. She's a bad influence over me. Please don't blame yourself for her bad ways! :0)

2006-09-05T10:00:00.000+01:00

It'll all be over in a Year!

Ok, its 9.54 in the morning and I've got one more hour of my Summer Holidays left. Hmmmm, what to do other than contemplate what a stressful time consuming year it will be. I just know within the first hour of being back at school I will have more course work thrusted into my hands.

This morning I woke up extra early so i had time to finish my current read 'Angels and Demons'. I was planning on finishing it last night but it was 11pm and i had 112 pages to go, i wasn't going to read that many pages before going bed. Tonight im planning on starting Motor Cycle Diaries. Its a short read, a breather from the 620 page Angels and Demons would be nice.

I will have to start looking for a college soon. City of Westminster was at the top of my list but im beggining to have second thoughts. I will be doing my work experiance this time next week and I can't wait. 2 weeks away from school working with IHQ. Wendy- if you happen to read this before Saturday would you please remember to ask what time i have to arrive at work on the Monday. Thanks.

The discussion group starts tonight and I'm looking foward to it. Discussing the drought in the South East will be fun. Won't it Wendy!! There's something about Kevin and Wendy's Church sermons that always stick with me. There's alot of things that I myself can compare with Kevin and Wendy as a Christian. Also i remember reading through Angels and Demons last night when a preist said "If not You, Who. If not Now, When". I also remember one sermon Wendy done stating that God's love is the most powerful thing ever. That evening i went cinema with Craig and at the end of the film the final song stated those words too.

Well, I'm going to get ready for school now. Peace!

2006-09-04T00:08:00.000+01:00

Wet, Wet, Wet!

No I'm not talking about the band. Am I Wendy!

(Thanks for the encouraging comments)

2006-09-03T16:55:00.000+01:00

Someone in need of advise!

Today, just as im about to go back to school i had a spot of bother that made me realise why i don't actually want to go back to school. I'm one of those people who are always in the wrong place at the wrong time (well i dont see it that way but other people do). Whenever someone is getting mugged or picked on its always me who has to intervene.

About 8 months ago i was playing at football match after school. It was my class against another. One boy from the year above was reffing the match when a group of about 10 boys from a school down the road came through the carpark and walked accross the pitch to talk to the referee. At first i thought it was just a bunch of mates chatting to eachother. Then 3 of the boys, along with the ref began to walk across the pitch.

At this point i realised that the ref wasn't freinds of the 3 boys and was getting forced across the pitch. The 3 boys began to tell him to take off his bag, watch and ordered him to empty his pockets. There must have been about 30 people on the football pitch and it was now completely obvious that the boy from our school was being mugged. What made me upset was that the football game carried on as usual. I then said to a few of my class mates that we should go and help this boy; most of them completely ignored me and one said that he probably deserved it. No one was doing anything to help this guy. I thought about going over to stop it but i knew that there was no way i could do much on my own so i ran round to the school offices and told the teachers still on site. The headteacher came running out his office along with our school police officer. The 3 boys ran off with his mobile and watch.

That evening, i went up Thursday club when i few boys approached me and asked me my name. I knew exacly why. These boys were freinds of the muggers. That was my first ever proper death threat.

About 5 months ago there was another incident only concerning two 12 year old boys. I was walking my dog after school when i saw a boy mugging another boy. At first i thought they were mates but when i put my dog on the grass i went back to see what was happening. I realised that the 2 boys weren't mates when one was lying on the floor bleading. I ran over to stop the mugging and help the boy of the groung. He had a cut in his hand. It looked worse than it was. I asked him what happened and he told me that the other boy took his belt. I turned and saw the boy walking away. By then i was raging. I jumped infront of him blocking his way and demanded he gave the belt back. He did. I then asked him why he just mugged the boy and he wasn't having any of it. This was my second death threat. I just couldn't understand how he could scream and shout at me for stopping him mugging somone.

He tried to walk away but i wasn't finished telling him what i thought. He still didn't take any notice so i told him im going to get the police. He then threatened to get his dad. He laughed at me and called me to my bluff. I went and got the police. I asked the boy who was mugged if he minded me getting the police. A yes breaking through his crying confirmed it. I was now cuddling this poor boy. Fuming with rage i told him to follow me and within minutes we found a community officer, explained the story and had a police van, 2 undercover cars and about 8 police officers shooting down the road. This is no joke.

I only live down the road from the mugger and see him often. I sometimes feel like asking him nicely, why does he think its ok to mug people. Today, sitting on the wall with my freind i heard someone calling out insults at me. It was the silly little boy. When i turned and looked at him, he told me not to look at him and if i did again he would smash a chain round my head. I laughed at him and told him to give it a rest. He then pulled out the chain. I didn't know what to do. I walked away.

I need some advise. What do you do when a 12 year old is screaming insults at you and threatening you with a weapon. I don't believe in violence and i try my best not to insult people so in many senses i felt defencless today.

Someone asked me today why i am nice to everyone when all i get back is stick and hatred. I don't know what to do. At my age many people don't like to talk things through, its all about violence and how "big" you are. Im not like that, so what do i do when im faced with it on a daily basis?

The way i see it is that if i was getting mugged i would expect anyone, from the goodness of their heart to intervene. Sorry for the long post!

2006-09-01T15:34:00.000+01:00

Im tired, really tired!

I can't wait to go back to school. I need the rest. Its summer and I've never felt so physically tired in my life. I can't run. I cant go a day without having a nap. I just can't wait till im back at school and resting!

Incase anyone is wondering why i have a map of the South East on my blog, it points out the place where I stayed at a caravan. The last post i done stated my holiday aims. This is how i done:

I didn't blog all week, as you can see!
Not to get lost. We beat the car!
I read about 3 pages of The End of Racism, got angry and through it on the floor. But i read about 350 pages of a new book. Angels and Demons. That one of my list. YAY!!
I did get impatient with Craig
But he got impatient with me (i think)
I only spent £2.10. I'm not gonna buy a guitar though. Instead im gonna buy lots of CD's and books!
Oh, I enjoyed my holiday and i didn't worry about coursework!

Im so proud of myself!

2006-08-25T23:38:00.000+01:00

Ok! This is it. Im officially going to try and not blog until this time next week. I will try my best and not look for internet access over the next week. I will just have to wait until im back. These are my holiday missions!

Not to blog for a week (that'll be hard)
Not to get lost on the way there (me and Craig are getting our bikes and a train)
To read atleast 100 more pages of The End of Racism
Not to get impatient with Craig
Try not to make Craig impatient with me (I can be annoying sometimes too)
Not too spend any money as i want to buy a guitar.
Finally, enjoy my holiday and stop worrying about getting coursework done!

I hope no one has too much fun while im away!

2006-08-25T14:38:00.000+01:00

I know i've blogged quite alot over the past few day's but im going away for a week tomorrow and i wont be blogging for a week. Unless i find internet access. I was chatting to Nick earlier and i was really glad to hear someone other than me to say there is some good music out there at the moment.

Here is some songs i think should be downloaded:

Coldplay- Till Kingdom come
Keane- Crystal Ball
The Killers- When You Were Young
The Felling- Never be lonely
Sandi Thom- What if im Right
The Kooks- She moves her own way
Snow Patrol- Chasing Cars
The Killers- Under the Gun

Im loving music at the moment. Just need to start playing myself!

2006-08-24T19:03:00.000+01:00

Moose

ThoMOOSE

The photo is just for you Roz!

2006-08-24T00:38:00.000+01:00

' I'm oficially safe on the roads'

The title is sarcastic by the way. Today was the final day of getting my bike geared up. Systems check, new hand grips, new bike chain, new lights, new speed and time counter and a big fat mushroom head helmet.

This morning i had to drive down to Stratford to pick up my new helmet at Argos. It wasn't there so a freind got it for me at another Argos store. From Stratford i had to drive strait to Cable Street for the radio production and straight from Cable Street i had to ride to Victoria Park to pick up my helmet at my mates house and sort something out for them. It was a busy day on my bike.

Driving down Commercial road to Cable Street, i was cycling in the bus lane when a black car suddenly overtook me to turn onto another street causing me to jam my breaks and nearly tumble over the handle bars. For a second i wondered whether it was my fault i nearly smashed into this car but after a few seconds of reviewing what just happened i realised that i done nothing wrong and the driver in the black car was in the wrong. This driver did not in any way let me know they wanted to turn. They didn't slow down in anyway and begin to swap into the same as me. They just cut me up and in many senses could have knocked me down. I was so angry with this driver that i felt like going after them and pulling them up about what just happened or even just get their license number. Sadly they were out of sight before i got my mind strait.

I've narrowed the identity of the car and the driver down to: a male or a female with a mustache. It was a black car. The driver had gelled spiky hair and was wearing either a green, blue, white or bright orange t-shirt. If you manage to identify the car or driver then please take the licence number for me. Vengance will be mine!!

2006-08-22T22:05:00.000+01:00

Does Man deserve to be saved?!

Last night i went to the cinema with Craig and Kelly. At first me and Kelly didn't really want to go see lady in the water because it was a PG and we wanted to go see a scary film, what a shock we was in for. Lady in the Water should be atleast a 12A and i mean it, i jumped out my seat.

One bit i will always remember about the film is when the care taker was having a conversation with one of the residents in an appartment and out of the blue the resident asked this question:

Does Man deserve to be saved?

The care taker replied optomistic with a "yes". Sometimes i'm angry with the

world and feel pessimistic and don't think we deserve to be saved. I mean just think about what we've done to the world:

We've created the Atom Bomb!

We've created a racist society!

We allow poverty to escalate!

A third of our world is at War!

We allow murderers, rapists and other terrible people to continue their ways!

We allow young boys and girls to be human trafficked!

We allow mass genocide to take place!

We allow the rain forest to be destroyed!

The sad thing is this list could go on and on!

There is days when I pray to God that he guides us away from the path of evil and into the path of righteousness. Theres days where i just feel like giving up. There is days when i have hope and there is days when i have doubt. Today i have hope! and this is why:

Luke 4: 18-20 "The Lord has put his Spirit in me, because he appointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He sent me to tell the captives they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again. God sent me to free those who have been treated unfairly and to announce the time when the Lord will show his kindness"

Sometimes hope is all I have. Sometimes faith in God is all I have, but I bet no one could measure the infinitive size that faith in God is!

2006-08-20T17:54:00.000+01:00

Im sorry Josh that I stole your MSN message and put it on my blog without your permission but i really like it:

"schools can teach you everything except how to feel free...schools are prisons and took 13 years of my life"

I advise you check out his blog! Here

2006-08-17T23:35:00.000+01:00

Its COOL to be a Christian!

Oh no its my second post in a row about being a Christian and how great it is. You know what its like when you get bored and your too tired and lazy to get of your ass to go out and do something. You sit on the internet all afternoon going on peoples blogs and skimming through peoples links and ending up on all different kinds of blogs. Well today i done that. I know im sad but hey i havent dossed about in ages plus i done another paragraph of History coursework. Searching through peoples blogs, i come across loads of blogs where people are young and they are Christian and they seem quite cool. So i have established that it is cool to be a Christian, so i wont care anymore when people in school laugh at me because im religious. There are cool Christians out there!...................I hope im one of them!

2006-08-16T15:31:00.000+01:00

Trying to swallow the Bible!

Im at a point in my life where im very happy to be a Christian. Im really happy that God is in my life. Does that sound weird?

Its like all i want to be these days is the perfect Christian. Everything i do involves God in some way. I feel like all i want to do is celebrate the fact that God is in my life. I was reading Sarah Bowels blog the other day and on one of her famous lists it said that she used to want to be the best ever Christian, like perfect. I think im at that stage.

I don't think i will ever be "the perfect Christian" but i can try my best to make Gods Kingdom as perfect as possible and live up to the true meaning of Jesus Christ; who died for our sins and rose again to forgive us!

2006-08-13T22:35:00.000+01:00

Who's being terrorized?!

Approximately one quater of the Lebonease population have been foced to seek refuge, thats almost a million people! Hundreads of thousands have also been evacuated South on the Israeli side.

But for what?

Nearly a thousand Lebonease civilians have been killed during the one month conflict. A third of them children.

I couldn't sleep the other night so i was awake watching Sky News. I was watching Kofi Annans speach at the UN HQ in New York and i kept thinking to myself what a bunch of hypocrites the UN are. One phrase i often remember coming up in a UN speech by Annan, "i am deeply dissapointed that a resoultion for peace wasn't put into action weeks ago". I mean its ok to make them mistakes once, perhaps even twice, but the UN are failing the people too often.

Why can't the UN be more militant. What we need is less dossing and more action. Don't they realise that hundreads of children have been killed in this war and if nothing happens soon the toll will continue to rise!

2006-08-04T13:23:00.000+01:00

I got sunburn! :0(

Some advice to those of you who have fare skin. When you put the best sunscreen around on that is expected to last 24 hours, don´t trust it. I put the best sunscreen ever to hit the markets (yea right) on yesterday and i got burnt. Please feel sorry for me and when you put the so called best sunscreen on, don´t trust it and keep putting more and more over it!

Bonjour!

2006-08-01T10:05:00.000+01:00

Bonjour from Spain!

Just arrived in spain and its too hot. You know when you get to spain you like to go out and enjoy Spanish culture. Well my family don´t. The first thing we done was find an English Pub and have a full English breakfast. Theres the ignorant British for you!

Enjoying Spain :0) but missing club :0(

2006-07-30T22:57:00.000+01:00

A chat between me and a member of staff in Percy Ingles

you can have the leaflet if you want (Christian leaflet)

ok then, thanks

do you go church

YEA, i go church

YOU DO!, where?

The Salvation Army, you should come along sometime.......do you go church?

yes ofcourse, not many young guys go church you know

they do at mine!

2006-07-29T11:06:00.000+01:00

Only 97% of the world left to go!

Here I come!
create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

2006-07-28T20:48:00.000+01:00

Busy Week!

It was one of those weeks where every spare minute of your time was savoured. Waking up early every morning to either go jogging or cycling, kids summer club (Paradise Pirates), senior club and evenings out with senior club was tiering work. Every spare moment i had was to be spent on clearing out my room as it's being decorated whilst im away. I must say though, it has been a fun week.

Its been fun meeting new people and getting to know Bukeala! We had good laughs!

Its been fun going to watch We Will Rock You, especially dancing on the chairs with Kelly and then the sing along walk and bus drive on the way home!

Its been great hanging out with junior kids and joining in with their games. I love it when they support eachother and learn new skills!

Its been fun touring the Docklands Museum with the kids and learning more about pre-Eastend with them!

I really enjoyed my week at senior club. Tabble tennis has been fun and the cooking with the one and only Diane was brilliiant.Theres not a bad bone in her!..........or her chicken!

It was fun going to Wings Buffet and enjoying a fab meal with good freinds.

Im very proud of my jogging and cycling venture. I just hope i keep it up!

It was fun going bowling and winning, i prefered the posotive atmosphere better though. I mean, bowling can be a competetive game.

I really enjoyed my week!

2006-07-24T23:23:00.000+01:00

On yer bike..........Part 2!
Me and Craig went on another bike ride today, this time only to Victoria Park and back. I enjoyed it alot more this time. Learning from our mistakes yesterday, we didn't cut traffic lights, we indicated at all junctions, we even turned into the right lanes when turning at junctions. I found it alot more fun when i followed the rules.

Driving through Victoria Park, we came to a bike obstacle (don't know what its called) where we had to slow down and twist through. This guy stopped to let us through but i insisted he went first seeing as we had bikes.

go on mate, you go first

you sure?

Yea, we got bikes, it'll take longer. Go on you first

Thanks, im not in a rush to get home anyway. Im actually taking as much time as possible, i got the wife cooking tonight.

we shared a moment of laughter before going our seperate ways.

2006-07-23T22:35:00.000+01:00

What does it mean to you?

2006-07-23T17:38:00.000+01:00

On yer bike.......!
Riding down East India Dock Road, me, Craig and Keeley went on a bike ride to Tower Bridge. It was good exersise and i loved the fact that we all drove in the road because Keeley has very strong and angry opinions against those who ride on the side walks. Once we were half way back she changed her mind and wanted to get of the dangerous roads.

I was very proud of myself today, i took us all the way to Tower Bridge without really getting lost seeing as we basically followed the 15 route. But on the way back we took another route. Keeley and Craig (no offence guys) had no idea where to go, but unlike them i dont have a car so im used to walking and getting public transport more often which gives me more of an idea where i am and where im going. The day was good, Nick and Lisa pulled out a really good service this morning and the bike ride was good exersise for me. It shocked me how many other people actually ride bikes, we were not alone out there.

For Nick and Lisa, i learned alot from your service today :0)

From 1 John 1: 8-10

"If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will clense us from all the wrongs we have done. If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and we do not accept God's teachings"

2006-07-20T16:50:00.000+01:00

Had a P.E detention after school today. Making us sit on the floor and put medals together i moaned all the way through it. "This is breaching our human rights, this is child labour, i will have no option but to inform my lawyer about this" (i don't have a lawyer, but he don't know that). Sitting on the floor pressing the medal onto the ribbon, i couldn't help but think about the millions of children in 3rd world countries who are stitching footballs, trainers and t-shirts together for us. Millions of children are unable to go to school because they need to work in order to survive. They have to work for a few pence a day, money that we are happy to chuck on the floor because we don't want our pockets filled with change.

How can we live our normal lives while millions of children are being forced to work at the age of 10. How can we proceed to be ignorant about our 'wants' while children working to survive can't even afford basic needs. Poverty is man made, it is not a natural process of life. Save the children.

2006-07-18T23:55:00.000+01:00

2006-07-18T13:57:00.000+01:00

Miss, i need a whole day off for my interview!

I was a bit nervous in the morning, i didn't know how to dress; smart or casual. I chose casual, mearly because i don't have any smart clothes. Meeting Gordon at the hall, me, Gordon and his bad leg set of for my interview at the Salvation Army International Develpment HQ. It sounds so profetional lol. The interview was alot more laid back than i thought.

I expected to be surrounded by suits and an ambush of questions, but it wasn't. Most of the people there were young and dressed casual. The interview was great, i didn't have any concerns at all. I only forgot to ask what hours will i be working, when are my lunch breaks etc.... lol. But who cares lol. It lasted for about an hour and i was in no rush to get back to school, well i told my school i needed a whole day off lol.

Gordon and his bad leg decided to show me round the building and some of Gordons mates, blimey. The first of Gordons mates, Gordon decided to tell him a funny story about his new house. He then told the same 10 minute story to another of his mates, more ecentric than the first time. Don't ask!

Got a whole day off for a cool interview. I really enjoyed metting Gordons mates! Can't wait till September. Who's buying lunch!!!

Elephant & Castle

2006-07-17T16:30:00.000+01:00

And student of the year goes to........

The hall goes silent, whispering under my breath, sa...di...a, sa...dia. Dam its not sadia. Its me. I was nominated and i won student of the year award!

You try to be nice to everyone, sometimes you just get rudeness back in your face. It makes all the being freindly to people who don't really like you, trying to be kind and helpful to everyone all worth while. Just as you begin to think, whats the worth. You win student of the year award, an award given out to 5 students in the whole school for there caring, freindly and possotive attitude towards everyone. It makes being me a whole lot easier.

2006-07-16T22:44:00.000+01:00

Thanks for everything........thanks!

This post is just to say thanks to the Salvation Army, but most of all to say thanks to Gordon and Kate. Where would the world be without them.

Inspiering services, words of wisdom, shoulders to cry on, great youth workers, great freinds.

Trips out, playing board games, funny jokes, Making Poverty History.........well Povery :0}, i could go on!

Living in a world where people are dieing of povert, we have the Salvation Army making a difference!

Living in a world where we have human trafficing , we have the Salvation Army offering young men and women another chance!

Living in Poplar where we have homeless drug addicts living on the streets, we have the Salvation Army, we have Gordon and Kate offering them food, shelter and support they have never recieved.

Living in Poplar where we have people spending Christmas all alone, we have Gordon and Kate giving up their holiday to make sure others get one, even taking on more people than they can cope with.

Living in Poplar where we have street violence and people getting stabbed, we have Gordon and Kate offering first aid and support in the most dangerous situations (read you're key blogs).

Going to a youth club which would be nowhere without Gordon and Kate (aswell as others ofcourse)

This post is just to say thanks to the Salvation Army, but most of all to say thanks to Gordon and Kate. Where would the world be without them.

Thanks for everything.........thanks! You will always remain in my thoughts and prayers. God Speed!!

2006-07-15T11:02:00.000+01:00

I've seemed to have lost my way

Where you trying to go

well im looking for the place where i have my rolls and pot of tea

is it JP's cafe, because its closed on Saturdays

Is it saturday, i thought it was friday, i ticked friday on my calander........its my old age you see i must be going senile.

Why don't you go to Chris's cafe

No love, they don't fill the sandwich with bacon, not like JP's, he gives me my money's worth.

2006-07-14T20:07:00.000+01:00

Just in case Keeley!

Keeley was complaining about a bad hip last night and i told her it could be neuralgia. She laughed at me as if i was talking a load of junk. Well Keeley i saw you today and you said you're hip was still hurting so just incase, after trying to explain to Keeley what neuralgia was, she wasn't having any of it. I looked it up on the NHS site and here it is.......just in case Keeley:

Trigeminal neuralgia:
The pain from trigeminal neuralgia is felt in the face, usually around the jaw and/or cheek. Less commonly, it can also affect your forehead or eye. In most cases (97%) the pain affects only one side of the face, although it has been known to affect both sides. The pain is the only symptom, and is described as stabbing or piercing, and usually severe.

...the site of this constant pain, and the skin can be sensitive, and sometimes itchy...

The pain lasts for between a few seconds and few minutes, and can occur again after a few minutes, hours or days. It is not a constant pain, but you may feel a dull ache after the main attack of pain. Many people have ‘trigger points’ on their face that if touched, however gently, will bring on the pain. Even a draught can be enough to trigger the pain. People affected in this way often begin to avoid washing, shaving or eating, to try and prevent the pain coming on.

Postherpetic neuralgia:
The pain of PHN is different from trigeminal neuralgia because it is a persistent pain. Without treatment, for some people this pain can go on for months or years. It is described as a constant burning pain, sometimes with occasional stabbing pains as well. It is possible for the initial rash and pain to disappear, and then the pain to return later on. The area of skin that was affected by the shingles becomes the site of this constant pain, and the skin can be sensitive, and sometimes itchy. Touch, or the rubbing of clothes can aggravate the pain and itching.

Tell you're hip i said Get Well Soon!

2006-07-11T16:34:00.000+01:00

Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love...
Join The Bohemian Revolution!

2006-07-10T22:42:00.000+01:00

What's the deal with Islamophobia?

I wanted to post about this for a while as it always seems to be the top of the conversation list between me and my freind from school Shanur. I was going to post about how people make too much of a fuss about islamophobia but when i was searching the word islam in google, the first picture i saw was of a fundementalist one. I thought it was a bit silly so i even typed in good muslim and a picture of terrorists came up. Being only one of three christians in my class, i know what it feels like to be oppressed and dipicted upon. The other day when i travelled down the city to join the memorial for those who died in 7/7 i thought i would buy myself a newspaper (The Gaurdian) that i don't usually buy, due to the fact i havent got the time to read it these days. Sitting opposite an asian lady on the tube, and i have to be honest here, i couldnt help but think about the sterotypes towards her....i mean i didnt have a problem or anything, i was just wondering what other people might be thinking. I felt so ashamed of myself, some of the kindest and dearest freinds of mine are muslims and i know that one of the reasons why they are so freindy and peace loving is because of what their religion preeches, love to all. Sitting opposite that lady on friday made me realise why so many muslims are very suppresive towards the rest of society, or is it the rest of society being suppresive towards muslims.

Maybe its the media, maybe its our goverment, maybe its god, maybe its google, maybe its just me, whoever it is stirring up such hatred towards this group of people, i must say i pitty them. Im not racist and i don't normally follow the sterotypes of society. Im sorry to the woman who i stereotyped on friday, to be honest you made me think a little bit more about islamophobia and you made me understand a bit more. I would hate to be stereotyped because of George Bush or Tony Blair and i would expect people to judge me as an induvidual. Mtt. 7:1, 2. (Judge NOT that YE be NOT JUDGED, For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.)

2006-07-09T14:33:00.000+01:00

My week!

(starting my week on wednesday as i cant remember much before then)

Wednesday- not much happened, went up youth club and helped out at wednesday club. I tried to blog about my freind being smarter than me but the crappy computers wouldn't let me.

Thursday- Got most of my mock results back and was very pleased:

English Lang. A
English Lit. B
Maths C
Sociology A
Geography A
History A
Humanities C

went up club and beat loads of people at table tennis, until i got thrashed by someone im not willing to mention as i am planning to get my revenge, bitter revenge (mwaahahaha, falls of chair whilst evil laughing). Also socialized with mates.

Friday- Anniversary of 7/7. Went up Salvation Army in the morning to light a candle in memory of those who sadly died and also stayed for a wonderful breakfast (thanks kate and robert). I got a bus and tube to russle square to do the 2 minute silence, it was very sad and i recognized some of the survivors faces from tele. I then got the underground to kingscross to see the memorial there. I got lost on my way back so had to walk around london for about an hour.

Finally got home and went cinema with Craig, Kelly and Josh Smith. We saw pirates of the carrabien. It was great. I had a sad morning but the afternoon turned out to be fun.

Saturday- Woke up at 7am to go work at 8. Finished work at 9.50 and ran home to grab my suitcase to go to the fayre at LPS. Me, Roz, Keeley, Craig, Sarah, Emma and Josh Smith all had a stall in order to raise money for when we go Africa next year. The stall was packed with junk. Well one mans junk is another mans treasure. We had little games on our stall and overall we raised £73.86.

Went out with Craig and Kelly in the evening and we ordered two large meatfeasts from Top Hat Pizza. We sat on the floor where the stairs of the maisonettes are eating our dinner and drinking pepsi. We looked like a right bunch of yobs.

Well thats my week so far.........ill have my net back soon so i will be blogging properly again.

2006-07-03T18:54:00.000+01:00

One year and we're still going strong!
Last year on July 2nd, me, Keeley, Sarah, Roz , Emma and Gordon we're all on our way to Make Poverty History. Yesterday was the first anniversary of the Make Poverty History march that we all took part in and funnily enough we we're campaigning yesterday, alongside with Craig and Josh this time. There were many comparisons with yesterdays events and last years march upon Edinburgh. It was a heatwave outside, we spent about 5 hours standing around, i forgot my sun cream but funnily enough someone else had some to share with me just like last year. We also chilled out and listened to music, although last year it was live. However hot it was yesterday and last July we still made a stand against needless poverty and none of us have stopped speaking out against it. Will poverty ever be overcome, i dont know. But what i do know is that why there are children dieing across the world because they have no access to basic human rights that we take for granted and there are people living lives of luxury, people like people like us will always be there presuring them to see sense and MAKE POVERTY HISTORY!!!!!!!!

2006-06-28T22:46:00.000+01:00

Im Just Another Hippie!

Walking to Science where i was about to be given the same exam paper that i took on Tuesday, i was approached by a boy in my year who i dont even know. He asked me "is it true that you're a hippy . I then looked across the corridor to see a bunch of his mates laughing at me. I then asked him why it was that he asked me that question, he doesn't even know me. "everyone says you're a tree hugger" I just don't understand why people say that to me, i mean i probably am the closest person to a hippy in my school only because my school is full of "gangstas" and im not one of them. Its funny because i don't dress like a hippy, i dont smoke drugs like a hippy, im just me. Im Just Another Hippie. The funny thing is i told this boy that im not a hippy but im a hippie (spellings are different and maybe the meanings are too) he just looked at me and called me a ******* freak! i said thanks for that. He aint approached me since.

2006-06-25T14:44:00.000+01:00

Peace, Colourful, Intergrated, Love.......Welcome to my world!
I've been working on the market for years now. At the moment im working every saturday and i help a woman set up and pack away her stall, a bit more money for me. Before i leave in the morning to come home i usually go to Percy Ingles and get my bosses breakfast. Whenever i go into Percy Ingles the staff are always really polite, they always ask me how my week has been and the majority of the time the food is great. When i got back to the stall with everyones food the woman on the stall next door to ours pulled her bacon sandwich out of the bag only to see that it was not maked to good enough standards, especially for the prices Percy Ingles charge. My boss and the woman on the stall next to ours started slagging of the people who work in the bakers and my boss took the sandwich back and ordered them to make her a new one. When my boss returned to the stall, still slagging of the staff in Percy's, i couldn't help but speak my mind. I reminded my boss that everyone makes mistakes and that the staff in Percy Ingles always treat me with great respect so she had no right slagging them off. Dont get me wrong my boss is a very nice person and the sandwich was pretty muffed, but it gets on my nerves when people are happy to point out the bad things that people do but no one ever points out the good things. When i finished work i made sure i went into Percy's just to remind the staff that i think they are great and under the circumstances they work in, i think there service is brilliant. When i went back to work in the evening the lady on the stall next door came up to me and said that she loves the fact that i always see the good in people but i need to step into the real world, which is full of negativity. I then replied to her that maybe she needs to be brought out of the real world and have a little faith in god. She laughed at me.

2006-06-23T18:31:00.000+01:00

A Sentence Made My Day!

I was chatting to a freind who lives in the States on msn today and we got talking about our countries education systems and i prefered hers and she prefered mine. Heres some of the conversation:

Thomas: do you get to choose what you study at school

Allie: in unversity we do. But right now i have to do what the school wants

Thomas: oh that sucks, i get to pick 3 subjects i want to do

Allie: thats good

Allie: right now i'm just part of the cult.

Thomas: lol thats wikked

Aliie: Whats wikked

Thomas: What you just said. The cult thing

Thomas: i need to paste that and keep it saved thats made my day

Allie: yay... i made someones day.

It might sound odd but the way she came out with the cult thing made me laugh and realise that shes telling the truth. Im apart of the cult in my school. I cant wait till i can start doing my own thing in life.

2006-06-22T19:03:00.000+01:00

The picture says it all!

I cant wait till next summer. Smoking ban is finaly in. It will be against the law to smoke in pubs and the best thing is that teachers cant smoke on school sites, aint it great. I personally cant wait for the ban to come in because loads of teachers will go on strike and less school for me. So if you smoke i advise you give up now because life is being made harder and harder for you.

2006-06-20T21:19:00.000+01:00

POVERTY! PESSIMISM! PEACE!
I had a mock exam for sociology today and one of the questions was based on poverty. Although i didnt awnser what the question was asking me to i used the opportunity to express my opinions on the issue. I had to ask for an extra 2 sheets of paper as i had deep feelings towards the subject. Whilst there is poverty on earth there will never be peace. When people are living in terrible conditons and dont even have access to clean water they do drastic things, especially people with children. In places like Africa where countries like Sudan and Chad are fighting eachother over small peices of land which contain water because they live in such poor conditions. But there is places here in the south east where a so called drought is taking place but whenever i walk down the road i cant help but see people washing there ford focus's.

It drives me crazy when people tell me that poverty is not our problem, it flippin well is. Those people are pessimists. Poverty is not one countries problem but mankinds problem. Global warming aint one countries problem its mankinds. If we are ever going to have peace on earth then we need to need to tackle the issues that cause hatred and anger towards certain groups of people. A child dies every 3 seconds, not because of an illness, not because of being knocked down by a car. But because of poverty. We need to unite against the rich
bureaucratic minority and overcome the enormous rich and poor divide in our society. MAKE POVERTY HISTORY! MAKE PEACE EVERLASTING!

2006-06-15T17:27:00.000+01:00

Da Vinci code! All aload of hoax!

Its been 4 days since i finished reading the da vinci code. After finishing it i aranged with Gordon, Roz and Keeley to go see the film. We all went last night. I must say, eventhough the film was meant to be interestingly educational, me, Roz and Gordon all found it rather amuzing. If Keeley had read the book before hand she would have too but im sure she was amuzed with the rest of us. Lots of the film was made up and we couldnt help but laugh when Robert Langdon fell down the well and really missed his dog. Was that in the book, i dont think so. I still enjoyed the film and it was fun going out with Roz, Gordon and Keeley. I personally think the da vinci code is aload of (a word which i dare say). The fact that christianity was diplicted on by a group of pragmatists. It is so false. Well im off to Blackpool tonight for a christening, in which i will meet family members i have no idea who they are but somehow they seem to know me. The da vinci code is a good film i guess but its not a "must see".

2006-06-13T11:25:00.000+01:00

It Might Not Look Like A Bible But It Is
A youth Bible to be precise. Thanks John for the bible, it seems really good and i will try and read it alot more than i usually read from the bible. I know its still several weeks until you, Ali and the kids are off to Crewe but it has been great getting to know you and becoming freinds. Good luck in everything.

2006-06-11T22:43:00.000+01:00

I was wondering last night why so many people are racist. do people not know that without certain communities in our society we would be even more ignorant about the world. Without certain communities in our society our economy would collapse. So dont laugh at me when i say i dont understand what the BNP are talking about when they say migrants bring nothing to this country because if it wasnt for these "migrants", radical extremists like the BNP would not have the freedom to speak out against the multicultrul society we live in. It got me thinking about the Saturday when me, Keeley, Josh, Roz and Sue went to trafalgar square to the LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM festival to join the campaign to unite against the nazi BNP and show our support to end racism. The day was great as lots of bands were playing, one in particular Boy Kill Boy were wikked and i often see them on MTV, which is great because i can now say i saw them live and for FREE!

2006-06-10T22:10:00.000+01:00

ENGLAND 1 PARAGUAY 0

Im really happy that England beat Paraguay today. I love seeing all the flags around the houses, it makes you feel patriotic. The sad thing is that nearly 3000 people turned out at Canary Wharf to see the game and happened to be either a part or in the middle of a riot. My brother James said that racist tempers triggered the riots. Now because of these silly people it is most likely that they will not show any more games on big screens at Canary Wharf . Didn't these ignorrant people stop to think that parents had children present. Didn't they stop to think that innocent people were about to get trampelled on by riot police.

My dad who is Scotish allowed me to fly the flag today. He is not supporting England this world cup. I wont even tell you who he is supporting. It was also my mus birthday today so happy birthday to her, We had a BBQ to celebrate and family and freinds came round to join us in celebrating her 40th ( shhhhhhhhhhhhh don't tell any one that ). It was a great day even though i didnt get to see the whole game as i had to go to work during the second half ( im doing my bit to help the british economy...... just like the queen is by doing an amazing job in representing our country....you here that keeley) Anyway the weather is great and im not getting my coursework done. I believe that god is giving me a sign ( the beautiful weather) telling me not do bother with GCSE's and enjoy the sun.

2006-06-07T18:07:00.000+01:00

ILL HAVE THE CHICKEN

I like to go Nandos with my mates as the food is great and teenages like us living on a small incomes from our saturday jobs and as our parents like to say poncing money of them. Whenever we go Nandos (which is like every Saturday) we always get the same waitress who we always remember but funnily enough she never remembers us as she always asks us

"have you been here before"

I always order the same thing 1/2 medium chicken and chips. The hardest thing is the fact that i normally buy bottomless drinks even though the drink that seems to come with the deal is always a coca cola product. It has been nearly a year since i started to boycott coca cola products and ive not bought any cans or bottles since. The downside to that is i get the bottomless drinks in Nandos. I am now boycotting many company's such as coca cola, nestle, mac donalds, burger king and KFC. If anyone has anymore products or company's that i need to know about please post me a comment.

2006-06-03T11:30:00.000+01:00

MAKE SURE YOU GET OUT THIS HALF-TERM

I must say that this half-term has gone to quick, i need at least another week. The funny thing is that i told myself on Monday that i would leave all my coursework until the weekend before i go back to school as i wanted to enjoy the weather. I went to Southend on Thursday with my two mates Natalie and Kelly and met my cousin Jo there. We made sure we brought our towels so we can chill out on the beach. It rained half the time we was there. But we didnt let the rain get in our way, we went on a couple of rides including the water log and relaxed on the beach, with our umbrellas up.

Yesterday we took the 15 bus down to trafalgar square and we walked down Whitehall to see the protestors in Parliment Square. We saw Brian Haw on he's nearly 5 year protest outside Parliment. We got talking to a few other protesters and i spoke to this 70 year old man who turns up every morning to protest and goes home to his wife every evening even though she disagrees with him protesting and what he is protesting against ( The Iraq War). I managed to say hello to Brian but he was busy talking to journalists so we didnt get into a conversation.

So i spent most of my half-term out and about with freinds and the weather wasn't as good as we hoped. It is now the weekend and i promised myself that i would do my coursework even though it is now blazing sunshine and 25 degrees outside. I probably wont keep to my promise.

2006-06-01T23:07:00.000+01:00

SHOW THEM YOUR BIBLE!

We often talk about ageism issues up club, generally on Tuesdays nights. We have spoken about boycotting Woolworths as too many young people were being followed around like criminals by security gaurds. We have also talked about filming young people walking into stores at the same time as adults and find out who will get followed (finally something good to talk about on watchdog).

Just the other week i was on my way to the afternoon service at my church when i realised that i needed to go into Somerfields as it would have been closed by the time church finished. Rushing into the supermarket quickly, as i was late for church, i had my bible in a recycled Somerfields bag and i looked around for some gel. When i could not find the gel i made my way out of the shop passing the store guard as i walked out. As i got outside it was pouring down with rain so i decided to run. A few moments later i realised there was a big built man chasing after me, shouting "stop". I then stopped to face the man and i realised it was the security gaurd and he wanted to check my bag incase i had "stolen something". I then gave him my bag and he pulled out a bible and looked up at me in question, i mearly told him

"its my bible and im going to church"
he replied " oh, sorry boss"

He then turned his head to see two mothers passing by giving him evil looks as he just stopped a young boy on his way to church. I found it rather amuzing. He then gave me back my bible and made his way back to his post, i began to walk to church as there was no need to run, i was already soaked. So next time you get pulled up, show them your bible and you should be fine.

2006-05-31T22:35:00.000+01:00

"ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS"

I finally finished Marin Luther King's Autobiography on Sunday night. However sad it seems it was one of the happiest days of my life. The next day i decided to start a new book that was recomended to me a few weeks ago. I started reading Animal Farm and within about 5 hours i was finished. One of the best books i have ever read.

I must say it was one of the most predictable books ever,

i knew exacly what was going to happen next (well thats communism for you). The book was an allogory of the communist revolution which took place in Russia. The flag is the Animal Farm flag, remind you of anything.