Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Twenty Nine

'Sometimes we are so generous with our love, so willing to give it all away, that we leave nothing behind for ourselves.'

(Michael Faudet)

This was my first full week travelling solo. It has been such a cool experience to have the freedom that comes with no agenda to follow and no time restrictions; I have thoroughly enjoyed chilling out, taking in the sights and basically doing whatever the hell I want! On Monday after a lie in I braved catching a bus to meet a girl who sold me her Lollapalooza ticket (all legit don't worry) which I was really grateful for as I just missed out on buying one before they sold out. Unfortunately for me the heavens opened shortly afterwards and I had to jump in an Uber home as I was wearing a very unrainworthy jumpsuit!

After sheltering back at home catching up on Love Island, in the early evening I walked around the corner to the main Wicker Park shopping area for a browse in the boutiques and quirky bookshops. I managed to pick up a collection of John Donne poetry, a sheet of parchment with circus style typography on for my new bedroom, and an incredible vintage jumpsuit that is a cross between Michael Jackson in Thriller,  and a mechanics overalls! That evening I made myself a jackfruit salad, and watched a few episodes of the latest season of The Affair, one of my favourite dramas.

On Tuesday I had a tattoo consult at Revolution Tattoo. Cassandra, the artist doing my piece had drawn up exactly what I wanted based on our email conversations from back home, which made me mega excited to get inked. Afterwards I walked the 606; an elevated 2.7 mile path along a disused railway line that has been transformed into a trail perfect for views of the area, showcasing some amazing graffiti from local artists, and lots of urban architecture. It is similar to New York's High Line, and is actually the longest linear park in the western hemisphere. That evening I rewarded my effort with a few glasses of prosecco on the rooftop at The Beach House Social whilst doing some life admin and tapping my feet to their music playlist (see my track of the week above). I'm definitely getting used to this solo drinking malarkey!

Wednesday was a busy day. I started early with a 'pay what you feel' walking tour around the Loop, including the theatre district, the underground pedway system, and Millennium Park, finishing at the infamous Cloud Gate, a huge mirrored structure known as 'The Bean' that is an artistic gem in downtown Chicago. I then had my tattoo done! It is inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland illustrations, as he is one of my favourite authors, and I was also frequently told I resembled her as a child.

That evening I took Aum out of his camp so we could go for tea together before I took off on my travels. We chose Niu Japanese Lounge, a sushi restaurant that was to die for. The 'Summer in Shanghai' cocktail I had (raspberry & lychee-infused vodka, St. Germain, creme yvette, lychee & lime juice) was a little strong - it is not often I say that! - but the selection of sushi we ordered was divine. We chose a few classic faves such as the crunch roll and salmon sashimi, as well as sampling some newbies. Aum insisted we try the uni (sea urchin) as apparently it is the Marmite of the sushi world; I can safely say I am in the enemy camp, it was VILE!

On Thursday I wanted a chilled day before moving on to the next city, so went to the beach for a few hours of lounging around. I felt like a naughty schoolgirl as I took a water bottle with some white wine in to enjoy whilst I sunbathed - it needed drinking before I left Chicago! I followed this with a spot of shopping on The Magnificent Mile, but it is the high end fashion district so sadly everything was well out of my price range.

On Friday I checked out of the apartment at midday. The owners kindly let me leave a large suitcase with the remainder of my belongings in their care until I return in ten days, as I am doing all my internal flights on hand luggage to save some money. I killed a few hours before my flight to Toronto in a couple of lovely coffee shops: Wormhole Coffee which is '80s themed and has a Back to the Future style car hanging from one wall, and Fairground's Coffee, a small cafe chain that felt like a hub for creatives and those working remotely, very cosy and inviting. I arrived in Toronto at gone midnight after a slight delay, so flopped into bed when I made it to my air b&b.

Yesterday morning I dragged myself up despite being shattered to go on the first of two tours I had arranged. It started at 10.30am from the central train station and as I had managed to navigate my way from the airport using public transport, I felt quietly confident getting there via the old-school streetcar system available. The tour guide took us all around downtown, showing us some beautiful buildings, the CN Tower, Yonge-Dundas Square (Toronto's Times Square) the financial district, and ending at the huge Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square. 

As I hadn't eaten thus far, I walked to Kensington Market and had an omelette accompanied by an apple cocktail for lunch at a place called Bacon Nation (plenty of veggie options despite the name). It was a fair walk, but I had been recommended to go to the market, which is near China Town, so thought I'd tie in getting a bite to eat. Stuffed from the food, I took my time wandering around some shops, stopping for a coffee break before I went on my second tour of the day.

 It was a graffiti themed one, which Toronto is well known for. We were told about the different types of graffiti, some of the artists recognised for their work in the area, and taken down the famous graffiti alley, which was stunning. There were so many eye-catching murals, I took far too many photos! The lack of sleep the previous night began to catch up with me mid-afternoon, so I went back to the apartment to relax and have a cuppa before venturing out again in the evening.

One of my friends who did a uni sandwich year in Toronto had told me to make the effort to go across to the islands whilst I was visiting, so that was my night destination. I took the ferry to the main island which was quick and cheap, and once off I walked to the beach area on the other side. I was the only person around, and it was so calm and peaceful I sat on the top of a picnic table and did a 25 minute meditation whilst staring at the sunset above the sea which was blissful. I took some amazing pictures of the lit up skyline on the ferry crossing back, and got a couple of pizza slices and some nibbles for the following day on the route home.

Today has been even more tiring than yesterday! I got back about an hour ago after a jam packed day exploring the breathtaking Niagara Falls. I booked a guided coach trip through viator, which was a bit pricey at 85 quid but it took all the hassle out of planning it myself. It included pick up and drop off from a hotel right near my accomodation, lunch, a ride on the boat and a couple of other stops to see points of interest (including a wine shop with free tasters). It also meant I was with a group rather than being alone, and I'll be honest, it was a welcome change to have some company and people to talk to after a few days going solo. 

I think it goes without saying that the falls were spectacular, pictures just do not do it justice! The trip was definitely money well spent; the included food wasn't just mass produced slop but a tasty three course affair of tomato soup, fish with potatoes and carrot cake, we got to skip the (very long) queue for the boat ride, and we stopped at Niagara on the Lake which was just the quaintest most cute town ever - the ice cream joint there was an additional bonus! Now excuse me whilst I collapse from exhaustion.

 

Weekly Musings

2017 - Week Thirty Eight

'Hate is a self-destructive emotion. It is how a soul commits suicide.'

(Michael Faudet)

First things first, my song for this week is below, and I am buzzing off her at the moment, if you're a fan of wistful sounding female vocalists mixed with experimental electro noise then check her album out. She was the girl discovered by Pharrell - you may have seen the video that went viral where she played him Alaska her debut track.

It has been a week of tranquility and rejuvenation, which doesn't happen very often in my life! On Monday I did a yoga class in the evening, which always gets my week off to a gorgeous start and helps to detox my mind of any chaos still remaining from the weekend. On Wednesday I met up with Moj at the gym that we are both members of, and we went in the sauna/ steam room/ jacuzzi which was a way of saving money on a date but still getting out of the flat and doing something!

I had tea at mum and dad's on Thursday as my grandpa was visiting, and on Friday I had a night playing domestic goddess and made a veggie curry and some sugar free spiced carrot scones from Fearne Cotton's Cook Happy Cook Healthy book. On Saturday we drove my grandpa home to Yorkshire and then went to see my other grandparents nearby. I spent the evening watching crap telly and browsing Rightmove with dreams of moving into a house, whilst being fed copious cups of tea and sweeties, and was in bed for 11pm. Today (after watching a tractor rally drive past my grandparent's house!) we took the dog to Hornsea beach for a run around, and then drove back home and I'm currently catching up on some TV, I'm nearly finished with Riviera, a crime/ drama with Julia Stiles set in Monaco that's decent. 

I think most would agree that the body craves a bit of mindless downtime now and again, but for me whenever I am at home I get swept up into doing odd jobs, feeling guilty about work that I should be getting on with or invariably get called up for a spontaneous drink that turns into regret and a hangover. It was so relaxing getting away even if only for a night, and recharging my batteries. Listen to your bodies folks!

Weekly Musings

2017 - Week Ten

'She had a mind like a box of fireworks and hands

that played recklessly with matches.'
(Fireworks - Michael Faudet)

The quote above is by a writer from New Zealand whose poetry and short story book Dirty Pretty Things I got off eBay last week. His material is mainly romantic/ erotic, yet very accessible; and there are a couple of pieces about a redhead called Sophia in there which was a cool discovery! His latest collection Bitter Sweet Love is now on my to buy list. 

This week got off to a flying start as I went to watch The xx at the O2 Apollo, with support from Francis and the Lights, which was a pleasant surprise as I have been listening to them a fair bit recently. The xx were incredible live, they played loads from their back catalogue rather than just the new album which I was chuffed about, and the set/ lighting was so impressive - it included a perspex box in the centre for all the production aspects of the music, and the stage was surrounded by a series of movable mirrors including one suspended from the ceiling to create some really funky lighting effects.

On Tuesday I got back in the gym after a lazy couple of weeks, though I have still been doing a bit of yoga/ weights/ running at home so I won't grind myself down too much. It is just over six weeks until Emily's hen party to Ibiza, so I am keeping my eyes on the prize of a bikini bod and trying to stick to at least three decent workouts a week. I also got a new poem up on Instagram, a bit of a personal one this week that got pretty good feedback, you can read it here. 

The track I have chosen to include this week is by EDEN, a really talented 21 year old Irish kid who I reviewed for Candid when he played at Manchester Academy back in November, not knowing much of his material. I have since got one of his EPs and have been playing it to death the last couple of weeks; his stuff is progressive, with aggressive beats (great workout music), but retains a sense of emotional vulnerability through the lyrics, and this video knocked me for six: watch it until the end. He does everything singlehandedly on stage much like Jack Garrett, and given his success I reckon EDEN will do similarly well in the current musical climate.

On Friday after a boring couple of evenings babysitting (not complaining at the money though!) I met up with a load of mates at Crazy Pedro's pizzeria in Manchester. There is one just off Deansgate, but we went to the one underneath Affleck's Palace which has a chilled atmosphere, great for post-work drinks. They have a fantastic deal on where between 5pm-9pm all week 16 inch pizzas are just £10, and all cocktails are 2 for 1. The food is definitely worth trying - even without the price reduction - and the menu all sounds so tasty we struggled to choose which to order! We got two pizzas and some nachos between six girls and there was ample food; the boys got four between six. We went for one with nachos, pulled pork, sour cream, salsa, sweetcorn and jalapenos (pic on the right), and another that had mini burgers, lettuce, mac sauce, cheese and gherkins on (left). The raspberry margarita cocktail was one of the best I've ever had too!

After food we all went around the corner to Turtle Bay on Oldham Street to catch their drinks deal (2 for 1 cocktails after 10pm) and then a few of us ended the night with a game of pool and some dancing at Black Dog Ballroom. I wasn't intending staying out late but was having so much fun, and it was really lovely getting all the group together for lots of laughs and catching up.

Yesterday it was my cousin's fiancee Hayley's Hen Party, so I drove Jasmine and I to Leeds just after lunchtime. We arrived at my cousin Stephanie's and got ready and met everyone in The Pit on Merrion Street at 4.30pm for a few bottles of wine before moving next door to Bar Soba where we did a cocktail making class. There were twenty of us so we had to split into two groups, and we made a Bramble and a French Martini - two of my favourites! We were also given a few shots and some amazing dim sum to soak up some of the booze.

After that we all got aboard a huge pink coach complete with disco lights, dancing poles and copious amounts of fizz, where we drove to B&Q carpark, picked up a tattooed muscled man in a fireman's outfit and watched him strip!! Bloody hilarious, Jasmine and I were hiding at the back absolutely wetting ourselves, the guy was like something out of a worse Geordie Shore, not our cup of tea looks-wise but was definitely an experience! Our final port of call was Revolucion de Cuba, where we danced the night away and Jasmine finally made me try one of their infamous drinks served in a plastic pineapple cup. A fabulous night with fabulous people.

Today I have felt awful, and had a nightmare drive home including a closed motorway and an annoying incident in a McDonald's car park where I was waiting nearly 15 minutes to leave whilst everyone was stopping me reversing; my patience wasn't at its best though. Mum's roast dinner when we got back helped to improve the situation, and now I am off for some much desired sleep before work tomorrow. Hen Do, Hen Did!