Absolute Shambles

'Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity'- Hippocrates As a historian, I always enjoy a good anniversary. It seems pretty morbid and twisted to celebrate destructive conflicts, for example, but it is integral to remember the pivotal moments in history as a reference to how much has changed over the years. The passing of the First World War's centenary brought about beautiful images of remembrance across the globe, even though controversy surrounds the potential political hijacking of the remembrance poppy.  Events like these deserve the greatest amount of commemoration, much like a wedding anniversary does on a more personal level. For me, a very important anniversary just occurred, yet required no great act of remembrance or a themed present. It has now been over a year since I was falsely accused of being a menace to society by 'exploring my body openly' in a public place and then making inappropriate advances towards a y

'Climate change is happening, humans are causing it, and I think this is perhaps the most serious environmental issue facing us', Bill Nye The Science Guy, 2015 California is ablaze. The 'Camp Fire' sweeps across the state, ravaging homes and taking the lives of all those unable to escape from this awful tragedy. Over 1000 people are missing and the death toll stands at 71, as of 17 November, and the 2018 wildfire season is one of the most destructive on record. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection state that 7579 fires have broken out over the course of the year, damaging an area equivalent to 1,667,855 acres. Figures from the National Interagency Fire Centre estimate damages of over $2.975 billion, which will continue to rise as time goes on. There's no doubt about it; this is a national tragedy. Damn nature, you scary Wildfires in California are a common occurrence. During the summer, the lack of moisture means vegetation dries out and

'They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them' Laurence Binyon, 'For the Fallen, published in September 1914 This Sunday will mark the centenary of the end of the First World War (1914-1918), classed at the time as 'the war to end all wars'. In the fields of Western Europe, the red-flowered corn poppy began growing in the disturbed earth that saw destructive conflict take the lives of soldiers from numerous nations and walks of life. Canadian poet John McCrae penned the poem 'In Flanders Field' in May 1915 and referenced the poppies that grew over the battlefield; the opening line reads: 'In Flanders field the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row'. It seemed fitting to adopt them as the symbol of remembrance for the fallen. A simple act of remembrance Since 1921, in the year of their own creation, th

'We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths'- Walt Disney We all like a good party, especially when we have the chance to dress up. Our imaginations and creativity can run wild with brilliant ideas of what temporary identities we can make for ourselves for occasions like Halloween or a standard birthday shindig. It certainly helps when you collaborate with friends and family to go as a duo/ group, since you don't have to make as much effort in figuring out what to do for a costume. The light bulb moment to dress as the Kray twins, the infamous London gangsters of the 1960s and 1970s, was perfect; fancy suits, a few props to demonstrate our violent nature and an attitude to raise some hell. Definitely helps that you're actually brothers as well. London's finest Yet this would be a brand new adventure, and not just because it was the first time experiencing a proper ni