I am writing from the comfort of my bedroom after having finally sorted out the broadband wireless router thingy that father was supposed to set up years ago. It is the hottest day of the year (32 degrees and rising) and I have spent most of it on the phone to India slowly melting and getting further frustrated by the fact that, I am sorry, but I really can't understand a word they're saying. What is more infuriating is that at the end of the call, my helper's supervisor asked me if my needs had been met and whether I had understood everything that had been said to me. I was just too polite to say "NO! I understood nothing and am slightly concerned that I may have inadvertently ordered six routers and an ipod!". I kept schtoom.
As for the rest of moving back to London, it seems to have been fairly plain-sailing.

That aside, the main news story of the moment is Michael Jackson. It's an interesting time as what intrigues me when such famous person dies are the reactions of the public. Newspapers have been adamant that this is not the new 'Diana' yet there are similarities to be drawn: the mass outpouring of emotion and the curious congregation of people; coming together solely to express their feelings and draw comfort from others. On the day Jackson died hundreds gathered outside the hospital where they had tried in vain to resuscitate him. The crowd saw nothing and were essentially doing nothing except standing outside a building, yet it illustrated an important part of the collective mourning process- to come together and draw comfort from others. Yesterday in Trafalgar Square I read the messages that had been scrawled on the wall of the National Gallery giving condolences to Jackson's passing. A couple of days ago hundreds had gathered in the same square for an impromptu sing along. A flash mob had also been called in Liverpool Street where hundreds danced to his music in the street.
So what his death has shown is not just how much admiration Jackson inspired for his musical talent but also the collective display and public reaction when someone important dies. Ultimately we seem to focus on the positive of the deceased and put aside the negatives. Whether or not these child-abuse allegations will tarnish his legacy is yet to be seen but he is already back at the top of the British album charts, which suggests that people are appreciating the music and talent more than his eccentric and controversial private life.
Personally I was a huge Jacko fan as a child. Dangerous was the first CD I ever bought. I had videos of concerts, interviews and Jackson documentaries. I had books charting his rise to solo success from the Jackson 5 and I even had a T-shirt which I remember wearing on a primary school trip (and gaining the respect from many classmates). Most importantly I had and still have all the CDs. Last week when I was doing my clear out I set the Jackson CDs aside, making sure that I held on to them. This was a good four days before he died but he was still an important symbol of my childhood. While I sorted the rest of my stuff I put Thriller on and sang along - it's timeless even today.
Now on a more selfish note, I am considering keeping the concert ticket I have instead of claiming the refund, then selling it for more on ebay! the beginnings of a new entrepreneur? possibly most probably not.

Brighton to London

Good lord I haven't written in a while! The excuse? I've been finishing my degree thank you very much - it was hell. But now that's all over, I must wait anxiously for the results. I don't want to know.
So, what's new? Well, my life was put completely on hold while that degree shizzle was taken care of. I just about managed to hop it to Sainsbury's occasionally- this would be my revision break treat. How sad your life becomes when it's that regimented; a trip to Sainsbury's means you're oohing over the asparagus. I just kept myself going in the vain hope of that brief interlude of fanciful frolics that would no doubt follow the exam slog. Oh dear how wrong I was. I have three words: 'Wandsworth Town' and 'Dump'. After having detonated a bomb in my room yesterday whilst clearing out, I drove down to the Dump today with my million and one bags of various growing up detritus and a smug expression which conveyed how proud I was to be letting go of so much crap. I arrived and quickly understood that the men who work at the dump have nothing better to do but send hapless drivers off to the wrong receptacle and giggle quietly whilst observing the puzzled expressions of a person trying to put cardboard in a container that clearly says 'garden cuttings'. I reversed back to where the man had directed me and he informed me "nah mate, you wanna go here" pointing to the container next to him and not the one at the far end which he had clearly pointed out before. After this irritating encounter I left only to find myself quietly whimpering in the one way system of Wandsworth Town - a horrible area at the best of times, even the brewery moved out. Anyway, whilst driving home I got hooted at by a 'white van man' for attempting to change lane even though I did indicate like a good driver should and edged carefully into the lane so as to leave no ambiguity as to my actions. TIT.
So there, that's me back in London. It's hot and sunny - which will be lovely until I have to go to work next week on the Tube.
Does it seem like I'm moaning a lot in this post? Well if you think so I suggest you attempt some car manoeuvres on that roundabout with that enormous, useless boomerang in the middle of it which serves as the centre piece for Wandsworth architecture - then you'll understand!
I must go now. I am meeting Jordan Colyer for dinner at a local Clapham restaurant, the Pepper Tree. It's brilliant there - delicious Pad Thai for a fiver and you get nice Tiger beer. All these good and cheap restaurants are what I have been most excited about coming to London!
I will keep the posts coming from now on. I start work at the Nuclear Industry Association next week and I am sure there will be lots of anecdotes to relate...

Watch this space.
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