Pictures

SS Robin comes home…

Moli

The SS Robin arrived in the dock next to where I live with a very uncertain future. The world’s oldest steam ship built in 1890 used to live and rot at West India Quay.

SS Robin

After a major refit, the ship has now returned to London Docklands and resides near to my home in Victoria Dock. Good news came this week when The Heritage Fund awarded the SS Robin £1,000,000 to turn its new home into a visitor’s centre which will enable it to then join the Cutty Sark and the HMS Belfast as a new destination for tourists.

The area is also getting a new river crossing this summer in the shape of a Cable car.

Emirates Air Line

The Emirates Air Line will cross the Thames at the Royal Docks to the O2 in Greenwich. The only concerns are that its the only cable car system in the world to cut through an airport’s Public Safety Zone or “Crash Zone” because London City Airport is so close.

Emirates Air Line

Transport For London failed to do a safety analysis at the original planning stage. Lets hope things don’t get a little tangled up!!!

With the Olympic stadium and Westfield shopping centre in Newham also, the area is a great addition to London and certainly more interesting than most London Boroughs.

M

Universe Saved…

Moli

So many things irritate me, like children that cry, scream and misbehave and the parents who do nothing about it. People who start conversations with, ‘What it is yeah.’ And those people who read my blog and never leave any feedback… You know who you are!!!

Then there are the OCD things in my life. The things that if not put right, will result in the universe clearly being destroyed or at the very least, being slightly singed around the edges. These things included tins in the cupboard being around the right way, switches in the right position and having a shave before brushing my teeth in the morning. Okay, I might be mad but I have my routines and I’m happy with that. However, don’t blame me if you wake up in the morning and have no universe because I didn’t have the beans facing the right way.

Outside my lounge window is a great view across the River Thames but sadly this was disturb with an orange carrier bag caught on some trees. It had been caught for a number of weeks and it was starting to annoy me. I mean, how can this be allowed to continue. I mentioned my pain and anguish to my girlfriend and we decided to remove it. Having walked down to the trees it would appear that the trees were in fact bushes with razor short thorns and the bag was the other side of what can only be described as natures WW2 barbwire. Being at the far side it was clearly impossible to remove and I gave up any hope of removing this blight on the landscape. Fleur on the other hand had other ideas and decided to crawl in the mud, under the bushes and towards the thin gap between the river wall and the river itself. As she did this rather bold and crazy feat, she would catch herself on the odd thorn, which scratched her back and made it bleed. However, she continued to crawl with determination until she reached the other side and the orange bag, which was caught on the razor sharp thorns.

Fox Crawl

She smiled as she removed the bag and threw it towards me. At this point a gust of wind blew it and it once again landed on more thorns of pain some distance away. It was at this stage that the word ‘bugger me ‘was used. Or something similar or more colorful… She again had to crawl through the mud and scratch more of herself in the process until she had finally and once again, rescued the orange bag.

Fox Cawl

Fox Crawl

Now I hope you are all very happy about this, as Fleur has clearly saved the universe single-handed and until now, you didn’t even know it was in danger…

M

Moli and The Iron Lady…

Moli

Moli Meets Meryl…

Which is was a great start to the year with my first Q & A for 2012 for the film, The Iron Lady…

The Iron Lady Poster

The film was always going to have the Marmite effect on the public opinion given the subject. Like many, I remember having a low opinion of Thatcher, as did much of her cabinet, which led to her ultimate demise. However, after nearly 22 years since she left office I find myself ambivalent to her and her history. I won’t deny that she had a major influence on British society and this film allows the viewer to bring their own memory of that impact by skirting around the political issues and focusing on the person. Anyone expecting to get any political insights or answers to her more controversial decisions will be disappointed. It’s not about politics. It’s more about the loss of oneself and the equality that we all have in old age and death. In essence, it’s a story about everyone. No matter who we are or were, we could all drop dead washing up a teacup.

Meryl Streep never met Thatcher in her preparation for the role and her performance wasn’t any worse for it. Streep captured the essence of the character without being comical or a spitting image caricature of Thatcher, she told us that she did get advice from Neil Kinnock, former Labour leader and unnamed people who were in her cabinet at the time in order to capture the person. The well researched make up and costume supported what was an award nominating performance. Listening to Streep talk about the role showed that she was a very smart and intuitive actress and to some large degree, much better than the quality of the overall production. Streep’s portrayal of Thatcher’s mental illness was based in artistic license, as this isn’t really known in detail. Only a book by Carol Thatcher, her daughter has given any insight into this and was certainly a catalyst for the movies theme. Therefore it is a weak premise for historical accuracy but fascinating as a subject matter.

Iron Lady Screening 2012, Meryl Streep & Phyllida Lloyd

Director Phyllida Lloyd whose previous work includes Mamma Mia and writer Abi Morgan (Brick Lane, Shame) chose to tell the story through flashbacks of her life. However, the flashbacks were primarily on her political life without going into any real detail and the hallucinations of the recently passed Dennis Thatcher played by Jim Broadbent. The appearances of Dennis were comical but all too distracting for me and took too much away from the torment of her inability to let him go.

The Iron Lady Screening 2012

The film didn’t touch on Thatcherism and the rights and wrongs of her career or her time as a Chemist and Barrister, which I feel would have added something to the story. Her desire to be more than a shopkeeper’s daughter is a rag to riches story that missed out her pre political life and her time at Oxford.

The film did nothing to change my opinion of Thatcher, which goes to show how balanced the screenplay was not to glorify or offend. It’s all too easy to demonise someone who, for many people is already demonetized and in contrast to this for some is worshiped and any critical approach would be unwelcome. However the film missed a chance to be something great and Streep was wasted in my opinion.

As always, I say go and see it and make your own mind up,

Moli

Moli review of the year…

Moli

Like most TV and Newspaper output right now it’s proper and fitting for Moliblog to have a Review of the year…

I remember the pain of 2010 and wanting that year to end as quickly as possible with the chance to move on from my grief. To be honest, I’m not sure that time is that good a healer as so many people promise but life has a way of helping you not remember as often.

I felt that 2011 went so very fast. Every year that passes as an adult seems to pass quicker and quicker and I’m pleased that 2011 had so many distractions…

The Royal Wedding and the Beach BBQ we had to celebrate, watching Pippa’s bum,

Pippa's Bum

seeing New Order live, Derren Brown, David Tennant in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and Elbow at the O2, Top gear live, Doctor Who Live and after wanting to go for so many years, Wimbledon. I got to photograph Seasick Steve for Age UK and I bumped in Rhys Ifans.

I spent too much money in Fortnum and Masons and Selfridges…

Fortnum & Mason - Christmas 2011

and couldn’t spend any money in Abercrombie and shit.

I watch far too much Doctor Who, I was disappointed with Torchwood Miracle day and was sad to see the last season of Spooks…

I watched some great films… War Horse,

War Horse Poster

Attack the Block, The Fighter, Paul, Battle: Los Angeles, Super 8, The Adventures of TinTin, 127 hours, Hangover PT 2, The Kings Speech, Planet of the Apes,

Also a terrible film… Tree of life.

Tree of Life Poster

God help me if I have to sit through that load of old horse turds again.

2011 was also filled with sadness and uncertainty. Jobs became fragile and rare to obtain. London rioted over nothing and those animals in our society shopped with aggression without paying. My bike was stolen from a very secure location, which clearly wasn’t and my back still hurts.

I managed to turn my hands green by growing my own chili plant and ultimately creating amazing chili vinegar.

Recently I turned 40 in style with an amazing holiday to Antigua and I met my girlfriend’s mum in Paris that was short but sweet.

PARIS 2011

I created a bucket list, which will now form my new years resolutions for 2012…

The next 12 months will be a challenge for me. I’ve already got some things planned and I hope to have plenty of exciting things to keep the balance for those less than great days.

I wish you a happy and exciting new year,

Moli

Moli Christmas…

Moli

Very few times of year ever make you think of the past as much as Christmas.

My Christmas tree 2011

When I look at my little tree and the presents that sit underneath it I’m reminded that as a child my parents tree was full to bursting with presents. So much so that on occasion a landslide would ensue which required a careful restack and an inquisitive feel of the packages with your name on them. The tree was adorned with a million lights, all of which shining brighter than a star and no matter what the time of the day it was always switched on telling those that passed the house we had Christmas going on. My dad would have Slade on repeat and we would always fight over the bacon that was once wrapped around the recently cooked turkey, making the best ‘Bacon Sandwich of the year’. The big day was a mass of torn wrapping paper and over eating. We had a diner table so full of family that extra chairs were required and elbows touched each other between bites of food and slurps of wine.

I remember the traditional family parties at my Aunts house that had been repeated with enthusiasm for over 40 years. Doing the twist again and rocking around the clock till the small hours, the party sevens being broken open with a screwdriver and a hammer and pineapple chunks on sticks. Sometimes we had fancy dress.

MADDOX FAMILY

I recall with a cringe and a wince my dad dressing up as ‘ Stella the wonder drag.’ It was all too much for me at that age but now I laugh and admire his bravery.

Christmas is now a very different affair, with the sad passing of family members, Grandparents and a parent, Aunts and Uncles and even some friends. These characters are all gone now and Christmas is a smaller event and quieter not to forget more expensive but my memory still remains of the most comfortable, contented Christmases ever. If I had one wish, it’s for you to have a memorable and fantastic Christmas and to make the most of those around you. I’m certainly going to.

Merry Christmas,

Moli

New order…

Moli

On Saturday night I had the chance to see New Order live at The Troxy in East London.

Having been a fan of their music for some time I was happy that Fleur managed to get tickets at the last minute. They cost a small fortune for two small booth seats in the upper circle of a venue thats not changed that much in 40 years. Or so it would seem. The cost of a small bottle of beer was extremely expensive at £3.50 and the food was limited to a semi cold cheese and ham Panini. It was clear early on that I wasn’t going to get drunk or free hunger that night and my focus was on the support act of Jake Evens and New Order of course.

New Order at The Troxy

I felt that the sound heard was more volume over quality with the words and music overpowering each other to the point of just being a very loud noise. Blue Monday and True Faith were supported by their music video images and a really impressive light show. Hearing these tracks live was a great experience and the crowd went wild. However, the poor sound was just too much for me to really enjoy it fully. This didn’t seem to dampen the crowds enthusiasm for the nights entertainment and maybe I’m just a boring old man? Fleur loved it and for me thats all the really matters. Now where are my slippers and pipe???

M

Top Gear Live…

Moli

Just had a really good time at Top Gear Live at London’s Excel. Clarkson, Hammond, May and the Stig were all in attendance with specials guest Tiff Needell, Ian Wright and Sabine Schmitz.

Top Gear Live 2011 - London

Top Gear Live 2011 - London

Cars, Bikes and some very odd scooter chariots were the order of the day with an Olympic themed show with wheel spins, fire and the silly antics of men who never grew up like me. I loved it and can’t wait for the next show in 2012.

Top Gear Live 2011 - London

Top Gear Live 2011 - London

Earlier in the day, the indoor track which hosted drag races and time trials saw a BOWLER off road car go very off road.

Top Gear Live 2011 - London

While racing Sabine Schmitz the driver hit a barrier and flipped over and rolled. The driver was okay and it certainly added an extra level of excitement to the day which I’m certain they won’t try and repeat.

Great day and a welcome distraction.

M