purple rain

Yes, it is October the 15. and the day to wear purple in the rain or even sunshine as this is the day to show to other people that you are against bullying. 

Just a couple of years ago this idea grow out of the fact that we still have to deal wit death caused of being bullied. Yes, still people kill them self because some people treat you bad or take you as a walking joke. 

To be true, those people know mostly very well what they do to you but ignore that you are human and have fun or do it to have fun and feel stronger, bigger or show of power. 

Bullying has many faces and many times you are not seeing it clear, many are not even aware that you are a victim of such a try. 

So let's take a deeper look on how bullying can be.

First the very obvious. You can already experience this in Kindergarten. There is this boy or girl, looking not exactly what others do and some start to make jokes on you, call you names and sometimes also beat you up, sometimes more, sometimes less and unseen for others, when you are standing alone in the corner. They steel your clothes, bags or put them in unreachable places, they look you in the toilet or leave you with a mark which made you look like a stupid one. 

Another is to stalk you or treat you over Facebook and catch you just in front of your door at home and tell you, you are worthless and get a punch if you do this or that. They don't want you to feel strong, be good or make things right and eat your fear and loves you unsure and feeling weak. But some also go a step further and burn your house or car or throw things at you. 

Bullying is not only to make a joke, it is treating you bad and sometimes to death.

Most who are the reason why people feel sick and weak are in no way aware of the impact this all has on a personality of the victim. How much they can destroy a happy life with just a few words. They believe being harmless because it is just a joke but inside they know it is always more, it's the which to harm and do bad things without calling it that way, as most people will not see it that way or just say exactly the same like those who do you harm and if some victim stand up they first laugh at you and try to put you down until they fight back and show them how much it can hurt but many are to afraid and many have already understood they would not be better then those who inflict the pain.

So this day is also a chance to talk to others when to stop and to be more aware that doing so is not a sign of being stronger, better or powerful. It's the other way 'round!

Also bullying is not to find just in school, Kindergarten or working place, it is also very common in politic and private life. Sadly, less people call it what it is and most people are very unsure when does such thing start to be what we call bullying. When is it just a joke, when not and how do I know if this will hurt? 

Of course first of all it is the victim who tells you the border. But then you can be smart enough and take to empathy; then you'll know very clear when to stop. It is also the indent of why you make a joke. Is it showing of, or show a mistake? Is it to harm or to remember? If you call someone names, why do you do it and what names are you calling?

And it should be clear that giving out a false statement and false information about another person to inflict some action or because you don't like the other one or you want to put yourself in a better position, that this is bullying. A very common thing colleagues do. Telling things which are not true or they know they are most likely untrue. It's a pity that they do as they weaken the position and make things harder to change.  But some do as they are not happy with their own situation, but instead of being true they go that way and I hope in this case that life will show them this is wrong. 

It is also bullying to deny others people right because you feel unsure or have not a clue or just a bad feeling. And we know people still do because of your skin color, gender, sexuality or because you are disabled. They believe you are weak or want you to be. 

But what can we do to stop this? 

Of course talk and write about that problems. Wear purple to give the possibility to other people to talk to you and a chance to change or find a way out of their situation as many victims have to learn to change the way they think about them self and how others look at them. The change of habits and believes are the most successful way to get rid of those  who hurt you as you let yourself be hurt and the more negative you are, the more weak you let yourself be, the more you will stay or be a victim. You can change the situation by thinking positive of yourself and find good things about you and for you. It may take time but at the end, just remember you are stronger then them because they have the need to act that way to feel stronger but they will let go if you are visibly stronger as them and if its just having a strong back again. Look out for friends who think as yourself or better who have the same interest. It's not about changing them, it's to change yourself and then they will do or just leave you alone. 

You know I am hard of hearing and people assume that I am stupid or not good at work and some try to talk behind me and tell I am weak, not right and so on, but I never cared about that and after years I always experience the same, that after a while some people tell me what they did believe but are happy now that they have changed their mind. That's the way I do, let them get their own picture of me and make own conclusions and if they like it or not is their problem. My decision is my reaction to what they do. And before I react to fast I take time to think and let things come down and I try to see thinks from different sides.  

So now... go out, wear purple, talk and look out for situations which are clear to make a stop and show your courage.

Love & Light

Discover London - Day 1 & 2

Discover London in 4 days.

Why just four days you may ask. Right so, but as I think the most of us will stay between four and five days, it is may decision to make it that way because of this.

Mostly because London is known to be expensive people stay just a short time. But we will always come back. Mostly. London really is a world town and big. Christmas time is a very favourite journey as it is known that lights will be blinking in London everywhere, thought this year is like always different to the last, it is a bit less sparkling as it used to be. But this I did discover for other towns too. Well, you know the saying that the bigger the crisis the bigger the light but is it that we have not really a crisis or is it just that they gave up spending to much money they don’t have. Seems the last way but don’t worry. It is still fun to see all the lights.

Well Day 1 & 2 now.

Sure day one will be your arriving day and if possible come in the morning. Then go to your place and let your baggage find a corner in the room and then, go out and take a walk in the middle of the town and yes, maybe take those tourist busses who go on every half hour and catch the first impress. After this you will be hungry, won’t you? Well then let’s travel to china town and this is where the Piccadilly line goes. The blue underground line.

Why? Because there the evening is really fun and eating won’t be that expensive in one of those china restaurants. Pay one and eat as much you can. But don’t expect it to be too good. If you feel for a pup then, why don’t you leave this area and drive to kings cross.

Yes, this station has become a new face and is ready to discover now. Also try to take a look on you tube like:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE1MVocapLc

Around the station there are pups and those are more the easy way a like. Simple, bit loud but not to expensive and with a lot of folk. You’ll like it. Cosy pups you’ll find on side tracks from the Oxford Street or go out of the centrum and search for the Thames and pups next to it. So day one is very fast ending this way and the last thing to do is go home and shower and of course watch TV! To get an idea of a country is always best with TV and papers.

Now, day two. First rule. The less you plan, the more you’ll catch. Really start with driving to Waterloo and left is the London Eye.

Haven’t you been there, go there and take a ride on the wheel. Start in time, ‘cos many have the same idea. Then usually as a tourist you will look up all the sightseeing and where there are and so you’ll look up all the underground stations. Right?! Yeah thought so. 

My tip. Let it be and listen to your inner guide. You're just now on the south bank. Best area to start a round to discover London.

After being on the London Eye, go over the London Bridge and make your pic from you and the house of parliament and of course Big Ben. And no, it is not the name of the tower it is the name of the bell inside the clock above.

And another thing. If you look sharp you’ll discover the tower not being straight into the air. Can it be a second tower of Pisa? Well, yes, the tower is actually a bit out of line, because the underground is going under all the buildings and so they have to check it regularly to make sure that everybody is still save and the tower with the big bell named Ben will not fall down on your face.

But now it is time to take your steps back to the London Eye and go through the Christmas market there and having the Eye left you go right under the bridge and on you go.

By the way can it be the Minions have been there too? Maybe- take a look at my pic!

Well, if you do as I recommend you’ll be passing the white rabbit and the Queen Elizabeth Hall, then further your few will be more delighted with the big houses on the horizon and some hungry birds. Maybe you are hungry too. Well then, on your way there is always a chance to catch some food. May it a little truck standing, a coffee, the store EAT ME or like this. Likely in winter and Christmas time you will see people wearing cloths much like you have seen on Miss Jones and her Darcy.

Those you will discover if you let your eyes just wander around without a goal. Then you can see that parts of an old bridge are still standing between new ones. By the way did you know that the Thames has very strong water? I mean it goes fast and so the legs of the bridges are very strong and thick. To stabilise they have to be in the shape of a ship. Take a look on the legs of the bridges! Sadly not all the bridges could the London people keep. Some just got destroyed in time, some had to taken away because the ships did not came through under them. So one of the most interesting bridges does not exist anymore. It was a bridge with houses on it. Very seldom  in the world now.

Anyway, as we go on we will reach the Tate Modern. Very unlikely this modern museum will stand in front of you. Once a house where people did produce things, now a house, where art, which has been made, will be shown. Like with most of the museums it is free to go inside. They have although some rooms you have to pay for. You can always spend money free too as this will keep the museums alive and open for everyone. Modern art is to discover with feelings, not with mind. Just watch them, see them and let them go inside you. It is not always meant to be to understand. It is sometimes meant to make your point of view changing. What is art and how can it be. Thought just now you just have more or lesson just the old modern age from 1910 till 1940- max 50. Which is a bit sad as it used to show also much from the 1990tis until today. Nevertheless it is worth a visit and then you’ll need a break with a coffee or tea or why not chocolate. Go on the balcony; see the modern millennium bridge going to the Sankt Peter church and down below you another little Christmas market.

view from the Tate Modern balcony

Shizmo waiting for his chocolate drink

Time to go on - if you like. Let's stay on the left side of the river and on we go and not far away we will have the lovely Globe Theatre. It is actually the third version and not standing on the old way as in the 70tis the old place become a playground to build a big, big house. The first two versions burned down and the third is planed and part paid by and American actor. He sadly never lived as long to see the building standing there and having actors paying Shakespeare. This is why the Globe is famous and there is an outside area and an inside. London just a step away and if you can buy a ticket for a play so do and if there is no play take the guided tour. No matter if it is raining or not. The Globe also has en exhibition about it’s history and acting itself. Interesting facts to hear and read like that to take the robe on the actress who played the Queen Elizabeth in one of the Plays of Shakespeare, it was needed two people and 90 min. Just the robe. Think, then comes the mask and the hair. As in the beginning they had to sew the cloths like real ones and a zip was not known or other tricks we use today. Thinking about that, the real queen needed quite a long time to be ready for the day. How lucky are we, that we just need our five to ten minutes to take our cloths on and off.

Shizmo proves if he could think himself a career as an actor

yes, everything is made of wood

see London is one step outside- and yes. no window glass 

don't worry- in winter there is no play outside

this is what I like- the past and the future together on one picture

Sure now the day will be around two or three o’clock.

Time to go on with your walk and see the old ship from the time of Elizabeth.

Keeping right but straight on there is a church on the left side and behind a very well known market.

The church is the Southwark Cathedral and worth a short visit. Nice and with a very good acoustic you can enjoy concerts there. Look up when there is one or if you are lucky like me, you can watch a rehearsal. Was lovely to see and hear. And just because I had the spontaneity to go inside instead of just go by.

Behind this building you’ll see the shark. It is able to take a walk there and go up, but be sure it will be very expensive and as you already had the London Eye, it is better to stay down on the street and focus your eye on the Borough Market. Food, food and more food to get. Really it is a cosy market.

on my way and right there in front of you is the prisoner museum

Southwark church and the rehearsal

If you then keep left and still are strong with your feet then you best just go on and take it to the Tower Bridge. As I do, I like to use sideways and as there are many plans you can take a look to know where you are, it is easy to keep you orientated in the area. Next pictures show you my way to the bridge and over it and of course I could not be unhappy to catch the red bus on a pic and was it nice when the sun came out again after a very typical London rain.

can you spot the tower bridge? 

blooming trees... 

the Horsehouse next to the tower bridge

Now being in the tower self I did not needed that and I recommend to take an extra trip for that as the waiting time is long and there is so much more to discover, so just walk next to it and go straight on to find the London Museum. It is a little museum with the story of the town and how the romans came and found their place here but it also has in front of there windows the old London wall and inside changing exhibitions and just now it was à Sherlock Holmes. No question That I went inside to see it and my dear friend Shizmo too.

taking a break-- for a little man like Shizmo, this day is already very much

what Sherlok is a bout- London, fog, trains and streets

Dark has it become as I come out of the building and went on the little bridge (yes many bridges in London) to come back to the street and first though was that it was time to take the underground and my way back to Heathrow as I lived there at a friends home but then I decided to walk down to the Thames and take the train from Waterloo, which is much faster.

Bloody lucky me and I came to the Trafalgar Square. 

Where the National Gallery is. Clearly, no question to go inside and say hello to the paintings. Actually some of my fav paintings from Van Gogh are hanging there and another very big fav from a friend of mine. His name #Frank Loman 

After another two hours in a museum I felt it was now really time to find my way back home and I guess you would do the same.

Last look at the London Eye from the Embankment, where the day started and next to it the Big Ben. Well, then… see you tomorrow..

LOVE & LIGHT

P.S. here is a short idea of the rehearsal: