The latest fad

Waiting at the traffic lights this morning on my way to work, as like most mornings, there were only a few of us with some level of patience waiting for the little green man.  The rest were playing frogger with the traffic. Next to me was a man in a grey business suit holding his briefcase in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He obviously was in need of some nicotine because he was taking in some very deep inhalations. On appearance of the little green man he suddenly dropped the cigarette into his coat pocket and took off across the road, at some great speed, to the train station.

 With my keen sense of observation I surmised that; 

a.       It was a little odd I didn’t smell the cigarette smoke as I was standing right next to him. Usually I have to wrap my scarf over my nose; and 

b.      He is going to burn a hole in his pocket (that may have been the first thought); and finally 

c.       I better follow him because I’m keen to see the smoke and after effects of putting something alight into a piece of clothing!

 Anyway, as I was crossing the road I had a sudden realisation.... It’s not a real cigarette. 

Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42787780@N04/

You might be laughing at this, but I only recently came across something called ‘the electronic cigarette’. There is a shopping stall in Westfield Shepherds Bush advertising and selling these things which I personally just glanced at thinking ‘how odd’, ‘who would buy something like that’ and then didn’t think much more of it.

Seriously who the hell buys an electronic cigarette and actually uses it? You either smoke or you don’t.

Wikapedia shed a bit more light on this new craze; 

An electronic cigarette (or e-cigarette), electronic vaping device^{[citation needed]}, personal vaporizer (PV), or electronic nicotine delivery system(ENDS) is an electronic inhaler meant to simulate and substitute for tobacco smoking. It generally uses a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution. Some release nicotine, while some merely release flavored vapor. They are often designed to mimic traditional smoking implements, such ascigarettes or cigars, in their use and/or appearance, although more and more devices are designed not to imitate them.^[1][2]

Am I the only one that sounds a little concerned about putting a heating element in your mouth? Why would you bother sucking on something that looks like a cigarette but merely releases a flavoured vapour? Isn't that what the sheesha is for?

Yes it might cut down on the cigarette butts on the street but seriously do you really know what the hell you’re inhaling particularly as they are non-regulated items!?

While I sit here avidly awaiting the next ‘electronic’ fad item for review I’m keenly disappointed I didn’t get to see the smoke and flames result from putting a real cigarette in the pocket. 

The man lying in room 1, bed 3

You would almost be forgiven for thinking you were in an old folks home, because all those that are in room 1 are elderly and significantly incapacitated.

The day that I visit most are sleeping, unable to get out of bed. This isn't for want of trying as I overhear one man desperately asking for the physio who didn't come again today. Apparently there are only 3 physios for the entire hospital.

Spilt coffee cups litter the floor and I'm unsure how long they have been lying there.

There is one man in bed 3 that captures my attention, his slight frame completely overwhelmed by the hospital bed. Protruding cheek bones and sunken eyes. Silvery white and speckled grey hair. His skeletal body is covered in ugly deep purple bruises. Nasty bruises that looks like he's suffered the worst beating of his life.

You almost want to go and touch him to make sure he's still breathing.

But there is life in this 91 year old yet. It oozes from him as soon as he starts speaking to his visitor and he lights up the entire room.

"I've still got all me marbles" he tells her. You know I'm 91 I am, born in 1922. Had a good life I have."

His visitor tries to coax him into drinking and eating but he continually refuses."I don't want to mess myself" he says.

"It doesn't matter, we'll change the bedding" says his visitor.

 "There is no spare bedding" he retorts. 

"Ohhh but we have loads of spare bedding, it won't matter" his visitor tries again.

But the old boy has an answer for everything..."It will cost too much money,can't afford it".

Eventually after much coaxing and a carefully placed urinal bottle, he takes his first sips in almost 24 hours. When he pees, the excitement is overwhelming for him and the whole ward. I just want to high five him. 


His visitor is not a relative, just someone that knows him and she gets his sister on the phone from Manchester. His sister can't travel either as she isn't well. And as they're on speaker phone we all hear the conversation.  

It's evident this lovable larrikin is close to his sister. They love each other and yet will probably never see each other again. While I choke on unshed tears with these thoughts, he jokes and smiles at her from afar.   

With the phone call over his visitor tries once more to get him to eat. He does manage a few spoonfuls. 

The next day she's not there so it's up to the nurses, unfortunately they don't have the love and dedication that a friend or family member have so the food goes uneaten. When they change his bed they don't explain what they're doing, they yank the bedding out and don't understand that a man of 91 who has suddenly gone blind is owed some kind of explanation, respect and care. He screams in pain, and shakes in fear not knowing what is happening to him.

As we leave this sad place in room 1, bed 3 our lovable larrikin reminds the nurses when they again ask him to eat...

"No dear, just let me die. I've had a good life."

A stay at the South Place Hotel

It's not often you take time out to holiday in your own city. Typically you want to escape it. Think of the smog, crowds, cement... who really wants to stick around for that?  Wouldn't wide open spaces, green fields, flowers in bloom and fresh country air be what you crave? Perhaps it's what you prefer, I know it's typically what I prefer.  But sometimes it's worth staying local and pretending you're on holiday.  We recently stayed at an inner city hotel right smack bang in the middle of high-rises, cement, road works and after work crowds. Now that might put you off, but you have to have an open mind and I must say I was pleasantly surprised by my two nights stay at The South Place Hotel.  

Located just near Liverpool Street Tube Station (less than a 10 minute walk), South Place Hotel is unassumingly set among city work blocks.  Unless you knew it was there or if you walked past during a Friday after work drinks session you would walk straight past. 

A new and modern hotel, South Place has only been open for 12 months but its surprising the level of detail it has to make your stay extra special. At the reception desk you are provided with a refreshing minted tea to sip on while the friendly staff check you in. 

The rooms are modern, not huge but big enough for just a two night stay. A comfortable bed and pillows makes it extra hard to get out of bed in the morning, that and probably one to many glasses of red the night before.  The motorised blind completely blocks out any sunshine (let me rephrase...light) so if you have flown in the night before and feel like wasting the day away you wouldn't know what time of day it was.

I loved the detail in the room, from a fresh lemon and lime for your G&T to personalised directories of activities to do either in the hotel or nearby. Then there's the 'oranges and lemons say the bells of st clements' body products in the bathroom.

A great restaurant doubles as a breakfast room and I can highly recommend at least trying the breakfast one morning while you are there.

The hotel has its own games room equipped with pool table, lounges, library, board games and even a turntable if you want to try your DJ skills. Once again I lost all rounds of pool.

If you want an excuse to stay in London after work one night or are looking to surprise your other half, then stay at The South Place Hotel.

Bye for now!