Crack down on domestic violence in Hillingdon

Police in the Hillingdon Borough have conducted a day dedicated to stamping out offenders of domestic abuse.

The day took place on the 3rd of March in which police officers targeted 13 homes to detain outstanding offenders.

UK statistics show that at least one count of domestic abuse is reported to the police every minute and approximately two women are killed a week by a former or current male partner.

But the domestic violence action day also helped to highlight that both men and women of any age or ethnicity can be victims of abuse.

An anonymous source said, “I have been a victim of domestic violence on more than one occasion. It is relieving to see that the police are paying more attention to victims of domestic violence. Not everyone can defend themselves, we need to put an end to viciousness like this.”

Over the day, eight men were arrested on various accounts of assault and threatening behaviour. Residents in Hillingdon were supportive of the action day as police highlighted that it would help to make the borough a safer and happier place. It was important that the day showed that domestic violence is never acceptable.

Dean Taylor, 22, of Hazeldene Gardens said, “It’s vital that we stamp out crime like this to help make Hillingdon a safer place; it’s important to spread awareness. No one should ever have to put up with this sort of brutality. ”

Detective Inspector Stephen O’Connor, said: “This day of action demonstrates our long term commitment in bringing offenders to justice, and supporting and understanding every victim of domestic abuse irrespective of their age, gender or background. Ultimately our community deserves the highest level of victim care and operations like this are crucial in delivering this promise.

Accomo…what?!

Students of Brunel University are in uproar after seeing their home of just a few months slowly fall to pieces.

Lots of the residents have been unsatisfied with the quality of the student accommodation. Broken ovens, kettles and fridges are just a few of the issues raised by students to maintenance officers; adding them to a waiting list for repair.

But for some students, it’s not just small problems but also issues with the care and standard of the buildings.

Dom Jenks, 19, a student living in St Margret’s Hall said: “I walked in one day and got told the hallway had been flooded. As I was going to my room I saw there was a hole cut out of the wall, I’m guessing so the technicians could get to the water pipes.”

With so many complaints to maintenance officers, it may highlight why it has been taking so long for problems to be corrected. Although, many residents appear to be becoming inpatient, they are still living with broken fixtures while paying their rent.

Students living on campus in the Lancaster Complex are expected to pay just under £5000 annually for their accommodation. This includes a bedroom with ensuite and communal kitchen area. However, there are those, who when they arrived last September, still have issues with basic appliances in their flats.

Ezra Walker, 18, a student living in Lancaster Complex said: It’s appalling that we pay so much but get so little.”

On such a large campus, it is likely that not everything can run smoothly at all times. With maintenance officers trained to fix all manners of appliances for the residents, students can still get any broken fixture repaired.

Sue Jones, Lancaster Complex Residence Manager said: “If they’re unhappy, then they need to come in and report it.”

Social Blunders

I have never been a graceful person. I don’t have a spring in my step, I simply stomp my way around. Sometimes I just do not think about the consequences that might emerge after finding my self involved in a sticky situation. Yet despite my ability to fuck up well in public, I have come to turn the other cheek and lose all shame in my actions. My faux pas are the things that have made my life a little more exciting. And at least I can make people laugh with my social blunders.

I shall give you an example. A little while ago I was in a popular fast food restaurant with some friends. After getting our food we headed to a table. I wanted to sit at one particular table which was covered in mess and what looked like leftovers. Naturally my friends just said, “there’s plenty of other tables to choose from” but I had set my eyes on the big red table in the distance. I headed over tutting at the state these inconsiderate people had left the table in. So reaching down I began to pick up the mess put it in an empty bag and I threw it away. *cough* *cough*
I turned to see a man and two young boys stood next to me. My mouth dropped. One of the boys started crying as he realised I’d just thrown his free toy away. I felt so bad! But if that wasn’t blunder enough, rather than apologising and explaining that I thought it was mess, I picked up my food and ran away. Yes. I literally ran from the severely pissed off man and crying children. I still think that situation has tainted my karma.

I can look at this scenario now and laugh but at the time I felt like I was going to vomit. I love to make people chuckle and this story does the trick so at least some good came out of me ruining a family meal.

But what can you do? None of us are perfect but yet as soon as one mistake, big or small is made we are judged by the people around us. Isn’t society supposed to be harmonious and understanding. You see someone trip up a curb in the street…naturally you laugh but in many cases that person feels mortified and hurries off in hope that their mistake was not seen. (Although they know it was). But being clumsy is surely not a blunder? Its not a mistake to be born with bad balance is it? I’m one of the clumsiest people you will ever meet. I have hurt myself on more than one occasion from my lack of balance. And I’m not sitting here defending myself of faux pas. I know people laugh when I fall over in public. But I laugh when it happens to someone else too. I don’t think it makes us bad people.

But my blunders have sprouted other paths in ways I never knew were socially unacceptable. I moved to London for example about 6 months ago. In my home town of Banbury it is perfectly acceptable to sit next to someone on a bus or train and strike up a conversation. But not here. I just get a string of people in shock and disgust that I even opened my mouth. I swear one person thought I was an escaped mental patient!

But why is this a blunder? Why is it socially unacceptable? The tubes in London are simply some of the most depressing places I’ve been in. Do you not think it is some strange phenomenon to see a train packed but to see everyone avoiding eye contact with everyone around them? In fact, apart from the rumbling of the train, people breathing is all you can here. I actually find it quite a sad and melancholy environment.

All I suggest is that you forget societies restrictions on your natural self. If your social blunders can make someone laugh, smile or join in then why should it be considered a blunder. I think it’s more beautiful than that.

Pet Peeves

I’m an irritable person. It’s something I have never been able to shift. It just seems that most members of society have it out for me and always find some way to grind my gears. In the last few months I have been more irritable than ever so decided that I would compile a list of some of my biggest pet peeves. Yes, that is how annoyed I get at the human race.

1. Ignorant people.

I see ignorance taking two possible strands in people. There are those who are closed minded being the first type of ignorant but this is one variation I have learnt to shake off. They are rude and often unbearable but it’s unlikely that you will ever change their views. However, ignorance in the form of “I will try and talk about something that clearly I have no idea about” is the type of ignorance that really gets on my tits. Why try and act educated and knowledgeable about a subject you know nothing about? We can see right through it. You don’t look intuitive at all my friend, you look like a twat.

2. People who put milk in before hot water when making tea.

“PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO THIS?” Yes, I have witnessed it firsthand. It broke my heart to see my most precious beverage mutilated in such an unkind manner. I don’t like to say anyone’s way of doing something is wrong but in this case it is wrong. These people miss out a vital step known as brewing. That’s how the tea gets its flavour…Infusion in hot water… INFUSION! Brew the bastard you crazy fools! You’re making tea, not milky water!

3. Couples that sit next to each other in restaurants.

This peeve may stem from my intolerance to excessive PDAs. I just don’t get it! We all know you’re together, we all know you love each other, you are side by side most minutes of the day, can you not separate your bodies for just a short period of time? It’s the epitome of inducing third wheel syndrome. Whether you’re alone with this couple or not, they are still able to make you feel really freaking uncomfortable. Please, just gain some independence.

4. People who ask, “Can I ask you a question?”

You just asked a question. So why ask a question about asking a question? It’s annoying…

5. Children crying in public.

Before I start I’d like to clear up that I’m not some crazy anti-child activist who detests people under four foot. No, we were all children once. But listening to the screeching and wailing from a child that I have no connection to makes me want to rip out my hair and run off into the light. The bratty ones are the worst! You know those kids who have tantrums? Those fuckers get to me. And I understand, “they’re children, it’s not their fault, crying is what they do,” yet every time I hear an ounce of squealing all I want to do is isolate myself with a glass of wine and a snuggie to help drown my sorrows of pubescent ‘humans.’ Dear God I hope I was never that annoying.

6. Music elitism.

According to the Urban Dictionary (no comment), music elitism can be defined as, “the valuing of one’s own musical tastes as the standard by which all music should be made, or the standard that all others should use to choose what music they listen to…” I’m sorry but fuck that. In fact, i’m not sorry at all and I shall curse at these ridiculous people all I want. I feel that anyone who can judge someones musical taste is a complete eejit. Music is art. Therefore appreciated by people in different lights. Pffft…leads nicely back to ignorance. You people have the brains of a walnut!

7. Noisy chewers.

These are some of the most irritating fuckers to roam the planet. Most people would agree, that hearing the slobbery slapping of someone’s dinner is not a pleasant sound. Ah yes, you may be enjoying it but I really couldn’t give two shit’s how potatoes sounds sloshing about in your massive gob. Some would say that it’s not so bad, at least they aren’t chewing with their mouth open… well that’s just another story!

8. People who try to get on public transport before others have exited.

People like this have always pissed me off. I mean, what is the point of pushing your way onto the bus just to have to move to let the severely and quite rightly annoyed passengers off?! However, it wasn’t until quite recently that I discovered just how stubborn these people are. About a month ago I found myself at my destination when I went to step off the train. But before my foot even graced the floor outside the machine I was thrust back on by a family of four. “Um, excuse me?” Of course they just ignored me taking up my exit with their massive egos. Hearing the beep of the door to my exit about to close I made a break for it shoving the father out of the train with me. Luckily he managed to jump back on. I say luckily. It would have been a lot funnier to see him there abandoned. Anyway, story over, these people are just inconsiderate twats.

Uxbridge band at the Crown and Treaty, Motorax

Uxbridge outfit Motorax are set to play a storm through a set of rocking tracks next Saturday at the historic Crown and Treaty pub in Uxbridge.

With an old school thrash style and punky vocals, Motorax is expected to see no man standing still through their set of anarchic head bangers. Any lovers of the vast genre of heavy music are going to love these Uxbridge rockers!

The fiery outfit shook the Crown and Treaty with their first performance last year. With such a good reaction from the crowd, it was of no doubt to see the lads booked up once again to tear the house down. The crowd is expected to be even bigger and better than their previous show!

Motorax are a hard working local band and one to watch for any lovers of heavy metal. Make sure to get down to the Crown and Treaty on Saturday the 7th of February for a night of kooky fun and good old fashioned rock and roll!

Have you heard about The Dead Betas?

The Devonshire punk outfit The Dead Betas first entered into my musical memoir in late 2012, after performing alongside U.S. supers Mindless Self Indulgence on their UK tour.

Angsty and relatable. Two simple words I found to sum up this bands sound perfectly. And a year on, joining MSI on another tour of the UK, I found myself going to the show in excitement to see two great bands this time around.

The electro-punk sound swarming through The Dead Betas tunes had me hooked from the get go. Their EPs, ‘Blast-Arcadecore’ and ‘Dead End Habit’ are of some kind of organised mash up that appear to have fastened their fans in a state of loyalty and support.

And with such entertaining performances it was of no surprise to see The Dead Betas play with one of the UKs craziest and most upcoming bands, Baby Godzilla this December. Many would see this as a triumph.

The Dead Betas are definitely one of the UKs best kept secrets; our industry could do with some feistier candidates… So let’s make sure that The Dead Betas rise!

(Check out The Dead Betas at Goff Fest in January 2015).

Enter Shikari – A Look Back

Having loved Enter Shikari for as long as I can remember, I was thrilled to be able to take a look back through the material the St Alban lads had released over the years.

Forming back in 2003, Enter Shikari spent a long time working up to their first full length release. But since their discovery, the four-piece rock, punk, electro…well whatever you’d call them band have been on the rise with a back catalogue of huge tunes and an ever growing base of hardcore fans.

Take to the Skies – Ambush Reality (Produced by Enter Shikari)

Track listing: Stand Your Ground; This is Ancient Land, Enter Shikari, Mothership, Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour, Labyrinth, No Sssweat, Today Won’t Go Down in History, Return to Energiser, Sorry You’re Not a Winner, Jonny Sniper, Adieu, OK Time For Plan B.

I remember when this album was released. Anyone who was a fan of Enter Shikari beforehand could probably tell you how much hype there was for their first full length and after getting hold of a copy myself I could completely understand the hysteria!

Aggressive and heated. A piece of organised chaos I remember thinking. And with extremely catchy melodies and heavy breaks some of these tracks turned straight into Shikari classics. ‘Sorry Your Not A Winner’ for one, (we will all remember the ‘CLAP!’).

And I always consider the first time I listened to ‘Mothership.’ I was hooked straight away. Maybe it was the ghostly electronics or just the hostility behind Rou’s vocals but this tune has stayed with me ever since. I’d probably go as far to say that this is my favourite song from the London lads. ‘Take to the Skies’ was just a miniscule landmark in Enter Shikari’s future success.

 

Common Dreads – Ambush Reality (Produced by Enter Shikari and Andy Gray)

Track listing: Common Dreads, Solidarity, Step Up, Juggernauts, Wall, Zzzonked, Havoc A, No Sleep Tonight, Gap in the Fence, Havoc B, Antwerpen, The Jester, Halcyon, Hectic, Fanfare for the Conscious Man.

My first impressions of ‘Common Dreads’ was that this was definitely a more political album. Debatably calmer in listening compared to ‘Take to the Skies’ but a whole lot more frenzied in regards to lyrical content; constantly showcasing the left-wing views of the band.

‘Step Up’ was a track that has always stuck with me after hearing its content. “Sometimes I do wish apples were our currency so your hoarded millions would rot in their vaults.” Personally I’d consider this an obvious attack on those Enter Shikari wish to expose. Another reason why I love these guys. They’re never afraid to stand up and speak out.

Another favourite of mine has to be ‘Zzzonked.’ I always loved the heaviness of this tune paired with the dirty bass and electronics. And almost six years after its release, it still seems to be the crowd favourite at live shows with it making an appearance in almost every encore!

Although I’d say that ‘Common Dreads’ chilled out slightly with sound, I still think it made a massive impact in the lyrical route that we saw Enter Shikari head into.

A Flash Flood of Colour – Ambush Reality (Produced by Enter Shikari and Dan Weller)

Track listing: System…, …Meltdown, Sssnakepit, Search Party, Arguing With Thermometers, Stalemate, Gandhi Mate Gandhi, Warm Smiles Do Not Make You Welcome Here, Pack of Thieves, Hello Tyrannosaurus Meet Tyrannicide, Constellations.

After three years since the release of ‘Common Dreads,’ it was of due accord that Enter Shikari concoct a new album. The result being ‘A Flash Flood of Colour,’ (reaching number four in the U.K. chart).

‘Sssnakepit’ was the first single from the album and one I remember being VERY excited about. Fans had waited so long for a new release that it was of no surprise that people went crazy for it. I know I did. But when ‘Arguing With Thermometers’ was released I had a whole new change of heart. I think this song highlights perfectly what Enter Shikari are all about.

Still not refraining from their political and angry lyrics, I immediately saw ‘A Flash Flood of Colour’ as a big middle finger to the government. Definitely no surprise from Enter Shikari then. And unlike previous albums, I also found this set of tunes to be a lot more organised, following more of a theme than just random outbursts of rage. Hence why I’d conclude that Enter Shikari had slowly become bigger and better!

The Mindsweep – Ambush Reality (Produced by Enter Shikari and Dan Weller)

With ‘The Mindsweep’ being set to release on January 19th 2015, I can’t help but try and predict what we might expect from the newest release.

The single release of ‘The Last Garrison’ has had me pretty intrigued. It’s one of those songs that I had to listen to a few times before I decided, yes, I actually love it.

Although, I do consider it to be A LOT different to Enter Shikari’s older material, I’m still really excited to see what new masterpiece the lads have come up with this time. Like I said, bigger and better!

Read at: http://www.musicology-online.co.uk/reviews_single.php?id=77

 

The Paedophile Hunter.

Is it ethical to expose an individual to the world? By this I would clarify that maybe this individual has been involved with some kind of unfathomable crime. Maybe this convicted person was a rapist? Maybe they killed someone? And in regards to societies views on the subject of conviction, anyone committing these crimes against society is automatically reduced to no more than a speck in the eyes of the obedient.

Yet, I struggle to comprehend that a person is any less human once a crime is on their backs. Maybe this is because I see everyone on a soulful level? So for this, I’m not too sure. We are all born, we all live and we all have the same colour blood.

But as soon as someone is shamed for their actions and behaviour, it is almost like society kicks them out of any human make-up.

I came across this idea the night I watched the ‘Paedophile Hunter’ whilst browsing through Facebook. It seems to be something that many people are familiar with, probably due to the fact that anything on social media can spread around like wild fire.
So the journalist behind the operation aims to catch those who disobey the law. Catching sex offenders by deception.

Now deception is ethically wrong. Most decent journalists would regard it as wrong. Society would generally class it as wrong. But in the pursuit to catch the unattractive in the world it appears that such an act is no longer inappropriate and in fact, pretty damn smart.

If defending the vulnerable in the world can be achieved by a few lies, I would argue that maybe this ‘hunter’ is doing a fantastic service to us. But once the criminal has been caught, their name is plastered across social media through the videos that equip the hunt.

I think we could all assume what would happen in prisons if one was found out to have committed (but yet not technically) sexual acts against children.

So that is why I question the ethics behind this journalists actions. Yes, he is doing a service to society in regards to protection. But another person has now had their life tarnished through trickery. Criminals are people too.

Maybe this should be a service practiced less publicly…

Why I like the word integrity…

Being honest and trustworthy is vital for any journalist as a simple means of getting the public on your side. In fact, for any part of societal life these ideas will get you far. Principles. Morality. Combining the two together to make you a well-rounded individual and friend to the people. Consequently chain reacting with any journalists desires. A balanced mix of high readership and publication sales.

I like integrity because of what it stands for. Honesty. And as I believe that in many senses the media needs reclaiming, highlighting this word to people seems to be about the only way I can define what I think a journalist should be. In my eyes and I’m sure in many others, an honest journalist is a good journalist.

Imagine you are a reporter working for a local paper. News comes in that a teenage boy has committed suicide in your area and it is your job to speak to the family in order to produce a story for the paper. After a traumatic conversation with the boy’s inconsolable mother, she asks and confirms with you that his means of death are not to be described in any story.

Now for me, your integral duty after confirming that you will not publish the information would be…not to publish the information. But for others, including the boy’s method of death could be considered completely okay. And although I do not see these journalists as the definition of bad, (maybe I could consider this as gutsy or brave) I can’t help but think that my morals would no longer be intact. I think it’s just the promises. In the sense of, “I gave you my word.” For me I would be breaking all of my ethical beliefs.

So I guess I’ll have to stick with the assumption that an honest journalist is a good journalist. But then again, maybe I’m still a little naive at the moment? I’m sure brains combust with considerations time and time again.

***

Just thought I’d pop this in. Somewhat sassy and a little off topic, but I do love this quote…

“The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.”  ― Thomas Jefferson

A Journalist?!

What do you want to be in the future? A statement every young adult has heard time and time again. I know I have heard it a fair few times and my response is always the same. “I want to be a journalist.” Now this statement is my answer and yet my answer is often questioned with uncomfortable intonations and pursed lips as if my recipient has just sucked on a lemon…
“A JOURNALIST?!”
“Yes. A journalist.”
As they beg me to question why I have chosen this career path, I can often say that sometimes I am unsure myself. As a child I dreamed about saving the world. Maybe I wish to write as a way of letting the public know the rights and wrongs of our society? Then I discovered music and a love of entertainment. Maybe I want to incorporate my two passions into one written nirvana?
But these are two very different routes in such a diverse circle. And for the most part, many people jump to assumptions about ones reputation in this career before they get a chance to explain their personal likes and interests. I know this because it has happened to me.

“A JOURNALIST? But why, is that not a bit…sleazy?”
I always answer adamantly that this career path is one of choice. But I can fully understand why assumptions into the trustworthiness of such a person can be made. We have seen unruly behaviour occur in the media time and time again consequently forcing the public into seeing these public servants as the equivalent to vermin. Corporate giant Rupert Murdoch for example is seen to be one of the prime contenders in the debate of why so many people in society are abhorrent of journalists.

Ethical dilemmas are a wandering disaster for the reputation of such a person, hence why it appears that one small slip up can damage the face of the journalist instantaneously. And one small minority of ‘the bad’ seep into the minds of the public reinforcing the idea that this industry is untrustworthy. But this is not the case.

What about those that want to make society happy? Those that simply want to inform? Those that seek to make people laugh? And those that are covering the human’s own interest?
Are these bad journalists? And for someone who wants to go into this industry, it continues to pain me that there is such a negative light on these public servants. I want to change people’s pre-conceptions of my chosen career path.

I just want to make people joyful with what I write.