Square Dancing

What make a square a square? I’ve been thinking about that question, as I’ve reviewed rather a lot of them for Qype.

I think when most folks talk about squares, they mean the grand, open, paved type like Trafalgar Square. But that’s not really the typical square in London. For me reviewing squares started with the Eastenders archetype, in the shape of Albion Square: a pretty garden with railings, surrounded by houses. Or another similar example: Fassett Square, the square that nearly got used to film Eastenders.

Of course, a square doesn’t have to be square. Those last 2 mentioned are rectangular. And I’d argue you could include circles (Arnold Circus), or ovals (Thornhill Square).

What makes a square then? Is it a meeting place and focal point (It would be hard to beat Arnold Circus with its mound and bandstand)? Or a pretty garden to sit in, or a war memorial (picturesque Thornhill Gardens needs a look-in on both those counts). Or a convenient strip of grass to eat your lunch in the centre of London (Soho and Argyle squares come to mind). Is the best square one that has grass, flower beds, a small hill, a playground and grand houses and a church overlooking it (Thornhill Square). Or is that going too far and becoming a park?

There is certainly more to squares than just being square.

T-Shirt Rant

I was walking through Kingsland Shopping Centre the other day, when I saw a T-shirt. The slogan was ‘If being ugly is a crime, you’re in deep shit’. It’s witty enough as a put-down line, but I couldn’t help wondering who the heck would wear it. You can’t exactly turn the sentiment on and off at will. So that is going to be the first thing anyone that sees you sees. A totally equal opportunities insult, being beamed at every person you meet.

I guess it’s made for someone who prides themselves on attitude, who no doubt sees themselves as the king/queen of wit, always ready with the sharp line, admired for their style. But really, does the wearer really believe they are the only good looking person in the world? Or is it a defensive, hurt before you get hurt, type thing?

Does it only apply to people approaching them, moving in the opposite direction? So their friends, walking alongside, are within the ‘wall’ of the T-shirt’s defence, looking out at the ugly world around, assumed to be gorgeous. Or are they going to carry a little sign around with them, so when they meet someone cute, someone they’d like to get to know a bit, they can raise their little lollipop saying ‘I didn’t mean you, honest!’

I’m going to have to keep my eyes out for folks wearing it…

Plant Watch June

I was standing in the garden the other day, having a chat with the owner of the place. She was saying she’s really impressed, and how loads of things are flowering that have been there years and never flowered before. It’s true it’s looking pretty lush. But personally I put a lot of it down to the weather. A mix of hot and wet weather has really brought lots of plants to their best.

As I pointed out, the story isn’t so good with my share of the plants there… My plantings of coriander, rocket, fennel and spinach have been rather reduced. There’s a fair bunch of rocket, but no coriander, and one plant each of the others (though having survived the seedling stage, they are now looking strong). My single marrow plant, which was kept at home until it really couldn’t be kept on a windowsill any more, is getting well and truly attacked by the snails in spite of beer traps all over the place. The peas are just a memory.

On the other hand, the squash are still surviving being half eaten. They’re actually looking quite lush now, and I spotted the first fruit set. Nasturtiums are flowering. The globe artichokes took their time getting established, and have been mildly nibbled, but are now growing strongly. And the sweet corn is flowering and setting cobs… a bit of a surprise as it’s only about 3 feet tall! Never mind, each stalk is thickening with what looks like it’s going to be 2-3 cobs each. Not complaining! The clouds of pollen that come off the male flowers at the top when you shake it are quite amazing, and the cascades of thread from the top of the cobs, ready to catch it…

Meanwhile back home is all the stuff that was intended for the garden but ended up staying. I’m enjoying meals with side salad of mint, lemon balm, chives, parsley and basil. The tomatoes went a bit yellow, but applications of some Baby Bio I’ve had hanging around for years seem to be helping. There are masses of tomatoes set (I guess the vibrating worked!) and more flowers coming. I’ve had to nip out the tops to stop them outgrowing my windows. Some of the tomatoes have passed cherry size now, and are heading towards golf balls…

Bike Wrestling

As I mentioned a while back, I got given a bike. Rather cool… Though it has taken a bit of getting used to. Years ago I had a lightweight tourer, a fast, easy to handle bike. This one is a bit of a contrast. It’s a mountain bike, and, I’m told, meant for someone about 6 ft 6 tall! I can only just get my feet on the ground when I’m on it and at first it felt like I needed the whole width of the road to turn in. Not something that can be counted on to be available in London… My first experience of getting up to the 2nd floor with no lift was also, well, interesting… I still have the bruises! Wrestling indeed.

Anyway, my first trip out was to a ‘cyclists’ breakfast’ run as part of Hackney Bike Week. Breakfast in the park (croissant, porridge, fruit, coffee and juice), nice folks to talk to and the chance to get the bike checked and registered. My bike passed it’s MOT with flying colours. Though it’s been in a shed for several years, and has a few rust spots on the chrome, it’s basically a new bike. I finished off the trip by riding round the park a few times, get a feel for it. Then rode home, getting off at each junction…

2nd trip out was to join a ride around the Hackney boundary. Bit scared of the idea, but I decided that yes, I was going, with only 15 minutes or so to get to the Town Hall for the meet up. This time I rode across some of those junctions… I arrived with a couple of minutes to spare. But no sign of other bikes. Waited a while, before heading home. Turned out it was on Saturday and I’d gone on Sunday. Duh. At least it gave me another practice. I believe they run regular rides. I think I’ll have to look into going on another some time.

A real solo distance ride had to be put off until I’d got locks. I finally got a set, courtesy of Argos, and I was off! For the first time using my bike to ride to a work appointment over Islington way. I knew late afternoon/early evening (i.e. rush hour…) wouldn’t be considered the best time. But actually it wasn’t too bad. Large parts of my route were along back streets, some of which are bike only. It’s great zooming along in the company of other bikes with the whole width of road to use. On the major roads cars were near gridlock and moving slowly, though I did decide to pass on a right turn off Essex Road and got off and walked that bit! I even met with a few hazards: a kid swerving on front on his skateboard and a driver not giving me my right of way on a junction (I had to do an emergency stop and turn my wheel to let him pass). It was scary, but I also found the ride exhilarating. Back home I lifted the bike on my shoulder and carried it up the stairs…

I think I’m sort of in control now, and rather enjoying having a bike…

.

Dandruff Divas

You see them all the time. Maybe made up for the evening. Dressed up, hair teased into some fabulous creation. Or maybe in day gear, still sprayed on tight. Either way wearing attitude like a shield as they strut up the street.

It’s not just the girls, or the young. It could be the boys trying to look mean to impress the girls. Or a middle aged bloke. Slightly paunchy. Looking like a used car salesman and acting like he’s the biggest businessman in the world as he talks on his mobile. Or a couple in a car who probably don’t know what a pavement is.

Whoever it is as they move up the street big white flakes fall from them like dirty snow. They walk, drive or strut along, ignoring the world around them, acting like they are the only thing of importance. All the time casually moulting. Not all the flakes are white. They could be grey, brown, green, red or blue. Small or huge. I’m not, of course, talking about actual dandruff. I’m talking about litter.

They don’t even bother to look around for a bin. There could be one within inches, they wouldn’t know or care. They think whatever they are doing is important. And being important people someone will clear up after them. If they didn’t drop litter, someone would be out of a job wouldn’t they?

Never mind it looks a mess. Never mind it’s a hazard to animals. Never mind the plastic could blow out to sea. Never mind that sharp glass and metal could cut a car’s tyres or a child. Never mind that the council could be letting that street cleaner go and using the money to employ someone on a more constructive job. Someone else will deal with it.

I doubt they’d care if someone told them off for it. So I just laugh at them. It really does look like giant dandruff. No matter how much they’ve teased their hair or how many big deals are going through their phones, it’s not a flattering look to be shedding flakes.

.

A Good Day

Sunday was my attempt at running all the way in a 10K. I was pretty worried, having had a rough time of it doing 5 miles (10k = 6.2 miles). It was also bright sunlight in the morning, looking like a scorching day ahead, with the race happening over mid day… Well, it was indeed bright and sunny. However occasional cloud kept the temperature down a bit, so, with the help of throwing water all over myself, I was able to keep cool!

And though it was tough I managed to find my rhythm and keep chuntering along. I had my lap timer on and pressed the button every kilometre, and it’s since confirmed I kept a pretty even pace. As I reached the last kilometre mark I realised I had a chance to reach a second personal target of a PB by 4 seconds per mile. I kicked on hard… finally reached the end and staggered down the finishing chute! Later checking of the saved lap times (I was too dazed to operate it properly at the time!) has confirmed that I’ve well and truly smashed that PB target! And even on the official time, which is slower as I started at the back, I’ve done it! Well pleased! Anyone wants to sponsor me…

I've got my name on the list for a medal to be sent to me, as they ran out. Hoping it will be a proper one, as at the end they were giving out some well manky rusty ones from another race!
In spite of running all the way for the first time, I was feeling reasonably fresh after a good rest, so decided to go home via the garden. In London Fields I noticed a sign up about some free bike events as part of Bike Week, and wished I had a bike... Then found some metal mesh stuff I can use to protect seedlings in the garden. Result! Wouldn't have found it if I hadn't decided to go straight to the garden, as it was down a road I wouldn't normally be on.

Then on my way home from there I had a chat with someone I often say hello to as I pass. Telling him about my new job, how I'm going to be doing a lot of walking until I can afford a bike. So he gave me a mountain bike he happened to have hanging around... I'm going to those bike events after all! How's that for a lucky day?

Plans for an East End Sunday

I’ve been up for a few hours, in spite of going to bed late. When I’m insomniac at both ends there must be something happening. Today I’m hoping to do my first 10 K run without any walk breaks. That’s a total of 6 miles and will take me over an hour. Not bad for someone who less than 3 years ago could run for about 20 seconds! Besides feeling tired I’ve got aches all over, but hopefully it’s just nerves! I have done 5 miles before of course, but it was tough, and it is going to be a struggle to run that extra mile. I’m praying it doesn’t get too hot, or I might end up with heat stroke.

The event is the Barts and the London Charity 10 K, in Victoria Park. Should anyone want to join me entry on the day is available, with the race itself starting at 11.30 am, costing £10/12 depending on affiliation. There are also shorter fun runs, starting earlier. Registration is open from 9 am, at Molesworth Gate towards the South East end of the park.

Meanwhile some local private gardens are being opened to the public to raise money for charity. In the Albion Square and London Fields area 5 gardens are open. Price is £5 or free for kids.

There are also a couple of gardens open near De Beauvoir Square for £3.50.

Details can be found at http://www.ngs.org.uk/ by using the Garden Finder (sorry, direct link doesn’t work). Times for all these gardens are between 2 and 5.30 pm. I think I may be relaxing in a bath!

Vibrating Tomatoes and Pussy Pictures

It’s been an unusual week. For a start I’ve run my first ever 5 miles without stopping to walk! Might not be much to a lot of people, but it’s a long way from being able to just about manage 20 seconds to keeping going for 1 hour 6 minutes. And yes, many people would consider that slow… I have been known to do it a little faster with walk breaks! This is in the run up to my 10k: I’m hoping to do the Barts and the London 10K in Victoria Park on 15th June. I’ve actually missed entering via post, but should be able to enter on the day. Fingers crossed! And you can still sponsor me…

Meanwhile, the second bed in ‘my’ garden is still not ready, which means that some plants are still at home. And the tomatoes like it on my windowsill thank you very much, so they are now tied up, re-potted, and staying there. They are even flowering. Which I realised could be a problem… Most plants are pollinated by the wind, or insects, neither of which are available on my closed windowsill. So I looked into doing it myself. It turns out that tomatoes are not your average plant when it comes to pollinating! Apparently us humans have, without even trying, been selecting for self pollination, having taken tomatoes away from their favourite South American bumble bee. A light breeze or a gentle shake of the plants may be all that’s needed. But the more seeds per fruit, the better the shape and size. So if I want nice juicy round tomatoes I have to do something about it.

Tomatoes are buzz pollinators. When their favourite bee comes around, they hold them vertically, and buzz to encourage the release of pollen. So, if you want to pollinate tomatoes, you have to get buzzing. Apparently they used to have people going round greenhouses with vibrators… And my plants are in my window where all my neighbours can see… Actually I’m making use of a massager that my sister gave me. I don’t think it looks rude… Though I guess anyone looking up will wonder what the heck I’m doing rubbing my plants with what looks like some ‘alien machine’ prop off a SF show.

Meanwhile I’m starting a new job soon, as a cat sitter (and maybe occasional dog walker). This involves getting a picture for the website of me, with cat. So I spent about half an hour practically lying on Lizzie, setting camera on delay, holding it out in front of us, pressing the button, waiting for the flash… then, it being low on charge, it would do a tortoise into shell act and I’d have to turn it off and on, check the pic, set it up again… I must have managed about 20 goes, including lots out of focus, only showing one of us, or a nice close up of Lizzie’s chin… Finally I had something, and the batteries weren’t going to stand it anymore. Lizzie seemed to find the whole thing vaguely interesting, enough that she couldn’t be bothered removing herself anyway!

Of course the boss now wants one without cat for the dog walking website. I’m using batteries all over this week. Got to go find some spares…

.