Hi all!
I’m getting involved in Movember. It’s a scheme to raise some money and some awareness for TPCC (The Prostate Cancer Chairty) I’ll be (trying) to grow a mustache for the whole month of November as will a load of other guys!
To give money and help this noble cause then go here; https://www.movember.com/uk/donate/donate-details.php?type=team&team_rego=47661&country=uk
For more info on the whole concept, then click that brightly coloured badge up top!
It’s so cool that Guy took the time to read and reply to my silly little rambling (that came out of nowhere!) Here’s a reply to the that reply…
GUUUUY!!
I spose I am British and by the same token I’m European and a member of the human race. I think a more accurate way to have put it is that I am English TOO and English FIRST.
I think it’s equally as important to celebrate our differences as it is to celebrate our similarities. I’m not sure if ‘compromising’ is the right word to use, but finding a compromise between everyone’s differences and learning to live together lends itself to the multi-faceted, multi-cultural Britain that exists today. Surely the fact that there are so many different races, religions etc living in Britain, each having their own individual customs, cultures and even ways of dressing, shows that without maintaining national pride and a national identity the idea of multi-culture can’t exist.
As I begin to see that perhaps you don’t need a special day to be proud of your roots, I think that an image or idea of what it is to be English should be more celebrated than it is, a sort of day to day admission of heritage. Which leads me on to something which has just dawned on me: What does it mean to be English? I concede that I was a bit hasty to jump to the ‘bowler hats and umbrellas’ image but surely we have something other than ‘hoodys’ and ‘chavs’ that define us?
Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps that’s why St. George’s day isn’t celebrated; we’ve got nothing worth celebrating. I think that that is quite sad. When I think again about things that could be celebrated as English, I think about the works of Dickens and Shakespeare and the tales of Knights of the Round Table, maybe it’s just driving home your point but the most recent of these happened in the 1800s!
It could be argued that the English national identity has been played down to accommodate those from other cultures. There was a story I heard that during the World Cup, that taxi drivers were asked to stop putting England flags on their vehicles in case they made anyone feel unwelcome. I’m not saying that that has eradicated all sense of what it is to be English but if every culture is to have equal worth and equal stead in society then everyone has the right to fly their own flag and be a little patriotic.
I hope I’m not coming across as a racist and I’m not coming across like I’m anti-British, just a promoter of English pride. I’m quite happy to say that I’m English-British. Just as there are Welsh-British, Asian-British, Polish-British and any other combo you can think of. Heck, if it wasn’t for everyone’s basic right to go from one country to another and live and love whomever they wished, my girlfriend wouldn’t be here!
I’m going to go now and try and find something that English-British people can be proud of!
Anti-Americanism is as rife as it ever was with the US Presidential Elections taking place next month. I’m not going to get into the politics of it all (because I don’t understand a bit of it: who’s on what team, their policies etc and also because everyone’s allowed their own opinion on political issues and me moaning about an election I can’t vote on isn’t helping anyone.)
I want to buck the trend a bit and congratulate the Americans on their fierce patriotism. I think that it’s a good thing to have pride in your country.
I’ve noticed in recent years that there has been more emphasis on being British. I however, am not. I was born in Princess Margaret Hospital in Swindon, England. To two English parents. I’ve got no Welsh lineage, no Northern Irish lineage, and although my maternal grandfather was Scottish, I AM ENGLISH, Not British.
When was the last time that St. George’s Day was celebrated on a national level? Would you even know what date it is? (It’s the 24th April) St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world, with everyone being an honorary Irishman for the day! It’s beautiful. Setting aside one day a year to rejoice in your nation’s heritage and everything that’s Irish. What would the perfect St. George’s celebration be? Bowler hats? 3 piece suits and umbrellas? Fish ‘n’ chips? I think that a celebration of what makes us quintessentially English would be a refreshing change of pace from the changes that are always taking place just in case it offends someone.
My principles and ideals are a million miles away from the people that say “This is England, everyone needs to be English to live here and live the English way.” As far as I’m concerned, if you prefer to go to a Mosque or a Synagogue instead of a Church, or if you prefer to believe that there’s a scientific answer to everything it’s all different horses for different courses!
All I ask is that you can wear an England shirt without people thinking you’re a hooligan. Support the Armed Forces; not because you believe the politics behind the war, but because the men and women in uniform have unwavering service and commitment to their country. To say that I’m proud of being English, not British, without being accused of being a separatist or ‘hindering race relations’.
Not too much to ask surely?
Just started doodling again. Used to graff at school and I used to really enjoy it. Gonna buy a sketchbook and start up again. Might even post it on here!
After starting to read “The Heroin Diaries” by Nikki Sixx I’ve decided to write some things down. Not that anything I’ll have to say will be as showbiz or interesting as what Sixx wrote, but hey!
First entry, here goes -
23.49: Found out that Newcastle are selling James Milner - lame. Also work was quiet as shit today and I’ve got proper itchy feet and I want to start at Forum already. Hooray for red wine and the internet.
After almost exactly two years of working for Ted Baker, I’m parting ways to work at The Forum in Swindon.
An independent store selling high-end casual wear, stocking brands like Diesel, Levis, GStar, Franklin & Marshall, Full Circle, Supreme Being, Adidas Vintage and more.
It’s going to be a great opportunity for me. Not only am I going to be dealing with the shopfloor side of things, but I’ll be able to have an insight into the buying of collections and stuff! AWESOME.
Anyway, more info to follow as I let you know how I get on.
I got to drive myself and my lovely Ade to Woolacombe for holidays this year. Which means I have to drive for 146(ish) miles which is by FAR the longest I’ve had to drive.
View map here!
After passing my driving test with but ONE minor I have bought a car.
It’s an 07 Citroen C2 1.4l FURIO
And I love it very much.
Here are some pictures………..
