“MYLDN – a streetview of London life” is now out. It is published by Carpet Bombing Culture and available in all good bookshops (always wanted to say that) and online. You can buy via link below:
BUY BOOK HERE: https://babycakesromero.com/buy-myldn-a-streetview-of-london-life/
Yep, no prizes for guessing this week’s theme is fast gas canisters. But why you might ask? And even what? Well, they’re everywhere for one. After the weekend you always used to see the little metal containers of nitrous oxide in the gutters, scattered like ammo shells on the battlefield. And yet it revealed not fighting in the streets but people partying with balloons. And I know that sounds like an innocent kid’s party but it is far from it..although I do get the impression that it is mainly kids who are getting high with nitrous and when I say kids I mean late teens/20s (yes I am old enough to think of that demographic as kids).
But the little pellets of pleasure are no more and instead you now see these giant fast gas canisters instead. In case you are unaware of this intoxicating experience people are basically using them for a quick buzz. And it is very quick. It gives you a feeling of intense euphoria with a side order in oblivion but it only lasts about 30 seconds. Maybe that’s why they call it fast gas? For the record I have never actually seen anyone use one. I have only seen the leftovers but they sure are getting through a stack of ’em. Especially around here. I am assuming this is happening everywhere but I can’t say for certain. Can anyone confirm if they have found these in their hood as well? I’m just curious..this isn’t an official survey or anything.
The fact that people were getting high off nitrous for me always just proved that some folk will get high no matter what and if they are using products actually designed to make whipped cream then it just goes to show they will do whatever it takes. And that is why you should just legalise everything because illegality sure as shit not stopping anyone. its just driving them to bizarre practises like this.
And I’m definitely not judging anyone’s choice of stimulant, we all do what we gotta do. This ain’t a moral issue, it’s a insight into the needs of the human psyche. The fact that our species has got high since we evolved (and there is a strong argument that we evolved because we got high (( seeTerence Mckenna’s Stoned Ape theory)) just shows that it is integral to our existence.
But my real question is…are the makers of fast gas aware of the miss-use of their product? I mean, they have to be right? They’re making shitloads of sales and they must know that not that many people can be making whipped cream every weekend, right? I mean, we’d all be drowning in the stuff if that were true..they’re not that dumb or naive are they? So I decided to find out. I went onto their website to see what they maintained they were making their product for (yes i still have a lot of time on my hands).
According to the official blurb “one can use these CO2 gas cylinders in various applications, including home brewing, aquariums, specifically for paintball markers, and so much more!” Now to me “so much more!”(exclamation mark very relevant i think) means just one thing..you can get off your face with it too. Am I reading too much into it? I don’t think so. The website’s landing page has this photo on it..
…which to me looks like a girl out at a club raving rather than at home tending to her aquarium or providing cake toppings.
So I guess that concludes this little bit of investigative journalism. No real other purpose other than to shed a lil light on a modern phenomena and I’d amassed all these shots so needed to release them into the world. I find them very photogenic and I love the name which I find ironic as they are always very still when you find them. They actually look quite forlorn at their abandoned spot on the street, used and abused for people’s stimulation needs. Poor things…
Can you tell what this week’s theme is yet? It’s a toughie..
Just some random moments this week from me local ‘hood…glimmers of joy and ease as the seasons change..
Back on the streets of W11…
This week’s shots focus on little details of randomness found in Hastings. There is oddness lurking in the shadows and a sense of strangeness to the town, especially the old part. There really is a bit of a wicker man vibe going on there. You can sort of imagine woodland rituals taking place under the cover of night. It has (or maybe it always had) attracted a lot of unconventional alternative characters who have made a home there. People who maybe didn’t fit in elsewhere. Old punks, hippies, artists, counter culture oddballs..the misfits have united all in one place. And I have to say that is half the appeal. Maybe I fit into that anti-fit category which is why I feel at home there.
Just in case you were wondering where you were..
I can’t help thinking of the League of Gentleman when I’m there. Mebbe a tad friendlier and hopefully less murdery but still..like this guy on the right. He is possibly one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen. Is that his face? A mask? What the fuck is going on there? And his drum is pure Papa Lazarou..mebbe its best just to visit this place after all..
The first shot and this last shot are taken on the easthill which is a huge sprawling expanse of nature which overlooks the ocean and the old town. It is stunning and one of my favourite places on Earth. When you are up there the rest of the world melts away and it is just you and the elements.
And so concludes our sojourn in Hastings. And as the old song goes..oh I do like to be by the seaside..and hopefully you did. Tiddely-om-pom-pom and all that…back in da hood next week..have a great bank holiday weekend if you in the U.K and see y’all tuesday..
Look’s like someone’s learnt some naughty words..such an eloquent vocabulary..and a master at noughts and crosses too by the looks of things..also love that amongst all the vitriol is a jaunty friendly “hey!”
I shouldn’t really judge..I uttered most of those words yesterday when I couldn’t get my computer to work but guess what? It’s back from the dead..woo hoo! Turns out I was a bit premature in calling the time of death and so much to my relief it lives on..for now.
So the Lightroom application on my computer won’t open today and so can’t actually access any of my photos (i think my geriatric computer has finally given up the ghost) which means I can’t actually post the picture I was planning on..instead here is a shot of Mazzy, who is the reason we are coming to Hastings in the first place..bless her..she is the most delightful dog you could ever meet..even if she is slightly obsessed with balls.
p.s am hoping my OAP Mac might just need a bit of rest…see you tomorrow hopefully (eek)
Cher Thanos has spoken! I will abide
Anyone need cheering up on a Monday? Sorry did I say cheering up? I meant terrified..
(p.s I know there are some my subscribers (it’s not just you Grant) who still can’t see the photos in the email they receive and I know having a photoless photo blog is somewhat sad but unfortunately its your mail program blocking it cos it thinks its spam but good news awaits…to get around this wordpress have now installed a “read on blog” link which is just under the post title. So don’t delay click away..it might take a couple more seconds but think of the rewards..
All shots this week taken down by the waterfront in Hastings. The boardwalk, the amusement park, the beach..all the things you’d expect to find by the seaside. People go to coastal towns on holiday and think how lovely it would be to live there. We all indulge this little fantasy in situ but then trundle back home and soon forget it like the fleeting dream it is.
They always say (not sure exactly who they are but just go with it) if you really want to know what it would really be like to live by the sea, go in the winter. And I have to say I have been in Hastings in the dead of winter. Dark brooding skies, pelting rain and wind gales so strong it’s like walking into a wall. It’s basically the weather you get at sea on land. Cos its just right there innit? And maybe that ‘s turning you off but I have to say I kinda love the dramatic weather. You really feel like you’re in the elements. It’s utterly invigorating and yes occasionally terrifying. The howling wind in the trees does sound deeply ominous and does conjure up images of mass ritual sacrifice wicker man style on the heath but to be fair I have seen too many horror films.
And it’s also not always like that. When the sun does poke its head out its glorious, the heavenly rays reflecting off the tide bathes you in a nourishing light that enriches your soul. And staring at the sea never gets old. The question is though..what would you do there if you did move there? Work is what binds us to where we need to live. So if you don’t need to work that makes it a ton easier which is why a lot of people in their 60s/70s have retired down there and that’s all well and dandy for them but if you still need to earn a wedge there are obviously minimal opportunities. I know people do the commute to London and back but I think if I was going to make the move I would want to go all in. In the meantime it’s just a lovely place to visit. And I know I haven’t depicted its unique picturesque charm but please google image it you wanna see that sort of thing.
I am as always more focussed on capturing random, touching and occasionally poignant moments in the lives of the inhabitants of wherever I am. Like this one above. In case you can’t read that, it says “Don’t do wifey shit for a fuck boy” which is difficult to argue with. The girl looked about 13 so not quite sure how she got so hardened to the realities of the gender wars at such a young age but maybe it was an over-protective parent who makes her wear it.
I will leave you with some enigmatic figures traversing the pebbled beach and a boat who’s name sums up how I feel whenever I am there….
Got one more week in Hastings to go and then we’ll be back to the big smoke..have a joyous weekend!
Nothing like being away on holiday to bond a family. Death of Conversation in full effect.
All the photographs this week were taken on George Street in Hastings. Its a very picturesque pedestrian street full of bars, cafes and quaint little shops. It is also one of the main thoroughfares of Old Town and so you get an amazing array of characters strolling down there, both locals and tourists. It actually reminded me a lot of Portobello Rd so felt like a home from home and spent a lot of time there watching people go by and capturing the ones you see before you.
Sometimes you don’t realise what a gem of a photo you have until you review it later. It was only after seeing this shot that I spotted the Mr Happy Mug sitting right in front of Mr Grumpy. That is ironic synchronicity at its best. As a photographer you can’t ask for more than that. Although it’s probably me taking his picture who is actually souring his mood…soz mate.
It does seem that almost everyone in Hastings has a dog. Babies are also quite popular, although not everyone seems entirely happy to have them.
The thing about people watching is you believe through observation you can work out what they are thinking but rather than an insight into the minds of others it is much more like holding up a mirror to your own. Let’s all take a moment to reflect on how deep that was…
Like take this dude, he absolutely looks like he’s up to no good. Is that for real or judgemental assumption? Did I just catch him at a bad moment? And is it my imagination that the old guy is getting a grilling from his wife, the latest in a long long line of domestic beration?
I think what I really love about observing and also documenting my fellow man, woman, child and occasional dog is that as I fully immerse my mind in their perceived life it is a holiday from myself. When I dwell on them I am not dwelling on my own life. And let’s be honest we’ve all done that more than enough so I think it’s actually vital to have these welcome breaks from insular thinking by focussing on the internal workings of others. And whether projected or not, it’s still breaks the endless rumination. And that can only be a good thing. Not for them obvs. It’s tantamount to slander but hey ho…
