Extremely Loud and Incrediby Close

As I sit in front of the fire listening to the loud pops and spits as it sparks and random lumps of coal and log roll out and towards the dog I can’t help but be reminded of a film I recently saw – ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’ (no prizes for guessing before the big reveal, I think the subtle hint in the title might have given it away). Based on a book by Jonathan Safran Foer, the film follows a young boy scouring the city of New York for clues that he believes his father left him before he died in the collapse of the Twin Towers. The novel is currently top of my Christmas list, and I am seriously considering putting the DVD up there. Thomas Horn playing Oskar Schell is amazing. At only 15 years old, he does well to capture the autistic boy as he strives to feel close to his deceased father. Slightly irritating at first, but he is a character you cannot help but fall in love with. All of the characters are so well crafted, definitely a must see.

Another thing that I have fallen in love with recently is Lush’s lovely Christmas edition face wash – ‘Let the Good Times Roll’. Exfoliating and super moisturising with an amazing smell, it is now my go to cleanser for the season. Good for sensitive skin, I am so sad that they only stock it for the winter months – I’ll probably go back to ‘Angels on Bear Skin’ for the summer months as the only issue I can foresee with using Let the Good Times Roll is that is might be a little too heavy on the moisture for the hot weather.

I’m excited for Christmas early this year. I don’t feel like there has been total overkill for the first time in years; which might be because I’ve not been into an actual shop for a month or so, but still, amazing, because now I am really really excited. Top things I am lusting after include but are not limited to; an Olympus SZ-14 camera, the DVD of Hanna, more make up. And since I’ve been super good this year, I’d really love to find Wah Nails book of Nail Art in my stocking from Santa. I’m sure it would be amazing inspiration, since I’ve been a bit lazy with my nails recently – if anybody could confirm this for me, I’d really appreciate the feedback!

Favourites.

This is a piece of work that I did this summer as part of my final piece journalism. Although this didn’t get the best mark I was ever awarded, it is probably my favourite – I enjoyed every single bit of interviewing, writing and researching this article, which is probably largely to do with the subject. It made me a bit sad to think that this might never see the light of day again, so I am posting it here. If you can’t be bothered to read it, please just scroll to the link at the end and at the very least.

As my shoes click along the flagstone flooring of the narrow hallway towards the bar, I notice that among the sepia toned photographs and vintage adverts there are signs warning customers that there is a mobile phone bar in effect and anybody caught using one will be asked to put £1 in the charity pot. The smell of ale is overwhelming, and although I don’t live far from the area I feel that my accent isn’t strong enough to grant me entry into the Digby Tap. Everybody seems to know everybody else, and even before we’ve bought our drinks Phil Simpson has been greeted several times – he lives in Manchester now, but people still remember him from his college days when this was his local.

Phil Simpson is only twenty two, but already making waves in the world of photography. He gained his first award in 2011 for the M.E.N arena photography competition and  was also a finalist in Eden’s World Tour photography competition. More recently in February 2012, he was short listed for Emaho Magazine’s POST exhibition in Singapore & New Delhi, where his work was shown. He got his first camera aged 13, as his father is a keen photographer and  it was only at A Level that he really realised his full potential – up until that point it had mostly just been a hobby. “I had to make a decision between photography and drama, which was something I also really enjoyed. I’m so glad I chose photography now, looking at the possibilities and opportunities this has opened up for me.”  After spending a year travelling Asia, teaching English and taking photographs along the way, Phil moved to Manchester to study photography at university, where he became much more involved with the arts world.

As Phil speaks about his adventures and experiences abroad, he stops to inform me that Manchester is still his favourite place to take photographs. “I see photography as something that is about the moment in which you take a photo, and the preservation of personal experiences.” To him, Manchester will always be the place in which he started his career. “I like the grim,” he laughs, as he explains how he sees the city as a raw and industrial environment, a theme which is recurrent amongst his work. “The whether is almost a characterisation of the people,” he adds. When Phil arrived in Manchester, he felt like the world was his for the taking and feels that it only did good things for him. He has transformed into a professional representation of the person he wishes to become, which although intimidating to begin with helped cement the conclusion that he could never live in a small town again.

One of his biggest and most interesting projects was based on derelict housing in Manchester. This was used as part of an exhibit in the city centre, to raise awareness for reusing space and also exposed parts of the city that would otherwise go unnoticed. “I was really exciting, knowing that I was somewhere I perhaps shouldn’t have been. Breaking into abandoned buildings is a bit of an adrenaline rush,” he tells me, although he did add that being a part of a big exhibit was also pretty good too. “Photography is something that isn’t hugely rewarding as a practice, so it’s nice to get some recognition sometimes. You can go out all day and take thousands of photos, all of which will sit on your laptop until you maybe decide that you like one enough to get it printed.”  He talks about how he is constantly developing, as this is such a subjective practice you are always being judged. He says that you need to have a thick skin to deal with the constant criticism, however constructive it might be.

Phil’s first paid job was taking stock images for a news company called the Manchester Mule, which is a webzine.

One of the best things about it he feels is the publicity he gets. “My photos are used on a daily basis, so I get quite a bit of exposure.” The biggest downfall, however, was the amount it restricted his creativity, although he did add that it taught him a valuable lesson because sometimes you just have to do these things regardless of how enjoyable they are and eventually you will get noticed. And for Phil, getting noticed is happening more and more. After a small break to get another pint from the bar, we start to talk about his favourite photograph, a piece entitled “A Vibrant City” which is a stunning shot taken of thousands of colourful rooftops in Barcelona. This is the photograph that has generated the most public interest, and Phil is in the process of scaling it up so it can be printed as a 5m mural for a hotel lobby in Barcelona.

As he approaches his graduation this summer, Phil is looking forward to developing his career. “I want to travel some more as soon as I can really, South East Asia and Australia for a year or so just to build up my portfolio.” He tells me that in the future, when he decides to move back to the UK he would like to develop a freelance career, but won’t rule out working commercially, as he says, “I need to keep my options open in order to be employable.”  Australia is already in the process of being planned out, and Phil tells me he wants to focus on farm work, and the isolation it can bring to the people there. As much of his focus has previously been on landscapes, I look forward to seeing this set as it will be interesting to see his take on portraits.

Phil’s work can be seen here: http://simpsonphotographics.tumblr.com/ and here: http://philsimpson.carbonmade.com/

Changes.

So many things have happened in the last ten months. Firstly and most importantly, I am now officially a graduate of English and Journalism. I can still remember being told by one of the first people who looked out for me here that these three years would fly by. That was the day I arrived, and at the time I didn’t believe her, but now, three years later I totally understand what she was saying.

I was supposed to be moving to China, but unfortunately my plans have changed. It’s probably for the best because I didn’t come very far in learning Mandarin and moving back home has taught me that perhaps I’m not ready to live under a communist regime right now. I have a job (take that, graduate unemployment) and it is amazing to finally have some money coming in – even if I am so busy that it seems to go out just as fast.

I have promised myself that I will start using this blog again, if only as a therapeutic tool to keep my sanity in check. My body is resisting the move from student life to being a 9 – 5er and I’ve decided that this is probably the push I’ll need to motivate myself to read all the books I wanted to read but never had time, to paint my nails all of the colours and also start thinking about preparing myself for that thing that I’ve been putting off forever. The future. If it wasn’t for the money, I would crawl right back into a degree course and be the crazy argumentative mature student that studies anything that I vaguely liked the look of. I digress. I have so many things to look forward to over the next few months, hopefully the following posts won’t be quite as pointless or rambling as this one. If you’re here because you enjoy the long and often angry rants, don’t tune out just yet because I’m sure that when I stop being so tired and melancholic I’ll find something to get riled up about.

So, just to conclude; I’m a graduate, I’m not moving to China but it’s okay because I have a highly important job now AND I am going to read all the books, paint all the nails, visit all of the people, and hopefully have time to tell the internet and its users about all the things I am doing (with the occasional rant about international Marmite politics to break things up.)

“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished”

– Benjamin Franklin

Apologies.

“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”

– Kimbery Johnson.

So it has been a very long while. I’d love to say I’ve been really busy, and have loads to say. The truth is I haven’t, and actually that’s probably why I haven’t written anything. The time has most definitely passed for me to write anything about Glastonbury (and I still don’t have the photographs, which are now 200 odd miles away) and as the weather has changed so drastically I feel it would just be cruel for me to write anything about my summer holiday (I went to Turkey, it was hot, what more could you possibly want to know?).

I’m back at University now, in halls again and have thoughtfully been dubbed a “creepy basement dweller” by some of the other students here due to the location of my flat. I don’t think they were specifically talking about me.  At least I hope not. It’s warm and dry, I now have a wardrobe (after almost a month of waiting). My flatmates are all pleasant, and I have a fellow Somerset girl living here who has promised to talk to me in a funny accent if I ever get homesick. Something must have happened to all of us over the summer,we went to the cinema and spent money that could have been spent on alcohol to see a film. Twice. The first time round we went and saw Crazy Stupid Love. I have just looked, and most of the search results on Google are telling me that the title needs two commas in it. To be totally honest, I’m not entirely sure what is or isn’t grammatically correct but it doesn’t look quite right to me, and they aren’t on any of the film posters, so I have made the executive decision to leave them off. Commas or not, this film was pretty good. With such an amazing cast, it would be hard for this to be awful. That said, I don’t really have many comments to make. It was a good film, and it did have a couple of very amusing twists in it, but nothing really stood out for me.

The following week we went to see What’s Your Number? Hilarious. Obviously a total chick flick, but I just find Anna Faris so funny. Ever so slightly predictable, but definitely one of the best romantic comedies to come out in quite a while. Ally (played by Anna) reads an article that states women who have slept with over 20 men find it hard to get married, panics as she’s already on 19, and decides to track down all her ex boyfriends in the hopes that one of them will be the one. Her ridiculously attractive neighbour, Colin (played by Chris Evans – not the ginger bespectacled one) agrees to help her – and I’m sure you can all see where this is going. It isn’t ever going to achieve Bridget Jones status, but with loads of laugh out loud moments its a good one to watch with the girls.

Alcohol and Orange Wednesday aside, most of the rest of my loan has been spent on handbags. I will however be getting the money back, because I was totally disappointed with what arrived. Nica, one of my favourite bag brands had a sale on recently, soley for their new(ish) leather range, Nica London. Oh so many times I have swooned over these bags, but unfortunately have not been able to afford or justify them for a while. Nica are renowned for having pretty printed linings, and unusual detailing. At half price, and as I needed to get a new bag for uni, I felt I couldn’t really afford to turn them down. I was actually gutted when they arrived. None of the bags were lined. Not one of them. At all. Just the rougher underside of the leather on the inside. How can they charge £150 odd for a leather handbag that isn’t even lined? I would be pretty annoyed about this anyway, but from a company that prides itself on its unique lining? Not impressed. So, they are all going back. Which is the second thing – returns. I understand that it costs everybody money to send and receive items in the post, company or not. With many stores offering free return options, even for non faulty items, I feel that as an internet only company (there are the odd one or two in department stores, but nowhere that you can actually see the whole range) it is totally ridiculous that you have to pay to return items. Today I ended up parting with £17, which when I think about it, is almost a fee to have a look at these bags. I got my first Nica bag about 5 years ago, and after this I don’t know how I feel about buying anymore. I know it probably won’t make much difference to them in the grand scheme of things, but I feel totally cheated. Still, rant over and lesson learnt.

This is a pretty long post, and I’m probably boring everyone now – so here’s a snap of where we went on holiday.

Dawn; When Men* Of Reason Go To Bed.

(*I am assuming this is the kind of men that is inclusive of everybody, i.e. women as well. As we are allowed out on our own now.)

It is 3am and I cannot sleep. I have spent the last 2 hours listening to the audio book of One Day by David Nicholls (the same guy that wrote Starter For Ten and introduced me to James McAvoy – for which I am eternally grateful). I feel lazy for not reading, and I am almost entirely certain this is my first audio book. I was ferociously independent as a child,and I thoroughly enjoyed reading, so I’m not sure how an audio book would have gone down. Either way, I am already looking to see what else I might be able to attain because audio books are a wonderful idea – all the pleasure of reading, but with free hands to do other things. Namely painting my nails, but should I be inclined to do so, I would be able to do a whole host of other things. As an English student, I don’t know why I didn’t consider this sooner and I already feel like my third year will be much more focused and organised because of this new found knowledge.

Back to the matter at hand; David Nicholls creates characters that are so categorically predictable I am almost angry. Angry at myself for falling in love with them. Emma and Dexter are at two opposite ends of the scale, Emma has a working class Northern accent, and Dexter is well spoken and from the home counties. She is sarcastic, self deprecating and hard faced, whilst he is spoilt, self centred and arrogant. They should be stiff, carved from wood and cast in stone. I am almost disappointed to say that they are not. Nicholls is that good, that they are now real people, and I am rooting for them. Nicholls has also made me feel slightly nostalgic about the eighties, which given that I was only around for approximately a month of them speaks volumes for the quality of this book. I have laughed and I have cried, but most of all, I have been shocked. Which is always important I think when you’re reading a book. Go forth, and read.

Just to prove to you that I don’t just love everything bar politicians and ridiculous news stories, I will tell you about a film I watched the other evening; Gnomeo and Juliet. Now, I am not above admitting I enjoy the occasional children’s film. Those of you that truly know me will be aware I am all about the children’s films. I also love Romeo and Juliet. For these reasons, I was expecting Gnomeo and Juliet to be my new favourite film. I was actually fairly disappointed. Such good casting, and a few good references to the bard, but I feel that a lot of the film just sort of fell together. Almost as though it didn’t start out as a parody, but after realising the similarities maybe they just went back through and changed some bits to make it fit more? Or, they decided this was a really amazing idea from the beginning, started to go off on tangents but then realised and stopped themselves, turning the plot into a ridiculous Shakespearean tick list of names and basic narrative devices. In my own personal opinion, if I am being totally honest with myself it is probably just the link to Romeo and Juliet that makes me a bit angry. As a film, it was okay. Amazing cast, good soundtrack, a few laughs. What is there to complain about? Oh yes, wait, you have tarnished one of my favourite things ever.  I’m not even one of those people that thinks nothing is as good as the original. Baz Luhrmann is a genius, and his version of the classic tale is amazing. Its not even an original story, Shakespeare himself ripped it off of Anthony and Cleopatra. Either way, not hugely impressed and I would not suggest any of you rush out to buy/borrow/watch it. Wait until Christmas, and have it on in the background as people drift in and out of food comas.

Also, I am aware I haven’t written a Glastonbury post. I’m almost beginning to feel that the time has now passed. I’m not sure. I might do it once I’ve figured out how to get my pictures off of the prehistoric digital camera I took with me. If anybody feels a pressing need to hear about my Glastonbury experience, send me a request in the comments. If nothing happens I’ll just put the pictures up (probably in about 6 months) and let you draw your own conclusions.

 

Swords, Scorcery and Magic.

Leaving for Glastonbury in less than 24 hours. I have never been more excited. I haven’t finished packing, but my red gloss hunter wellies have arrived, I’ve had my ticket for a couple of weeks now, and plans are in place for obtaining alcohol supplies. I’ve been so busy over the past few weeks, I’ve not really had a chance to look that closely at the stage times or anything, but I’m excited to create a plan of action and fit as much as I possibly can into 5 magical days. I will definitely not sleep tonight.

I’ve been away for a while because I went back to uni to collect my stuff, and then I went to visit some family. I have spent the last two days painting my nails and doing washing. I wish I could show you a picture of my nails, because I am so proud of them – I’ve never been able to paint nails very well, and it has actually come out pretty well. But, I can’t use my camera properly 😦 and it means you can’t see anything, because it is all blurry.

Between loads of washing and waiting for nails to dry, I have totally rekindled my love for Disney. I love everything about anything Disney, and I had forgotten how many amazing classics they made. When I get back from Glastonbury, I might just spend a week watching them all, back to back. Also, when I’ve finished my degree, I might run away to Disneyland. I’ve got nothing else planned, and it will mean I can avoid the real world for a little while longer.

I’ll post something real and proper when I arrive back from Glastonbury. Hopefully lots of pictures and amazing stories to tell!

 

Begin At The Beginning And Go On Till You Come To The End: Then Stop.

I have had a wonderful weekend, which rounded off my stressful week alone very nicely. Catching up with old friends is always wonderful. After a quiet few at a bar, we returned to my abode and discussed literature… and sometimes I consider actually talking like that all the time, because it amuses me. Basically, I’ve just finished reading “Apathy and Other Small Victories” by Paul Neilan – what an amazing book! It only took me a day, because I literally could not put it down. Laughing out loud most of the way through at Neilan’s fantastic dry, sarcastic sense of humour, this was probably the best book I’ve read in a very long time. The beginning of the book starts with the end… the protagonist is arrested by two police detectives, and then we jump back to a few months previous as the story unwinds. This began a discussion about the type of authors that use this technique. It was put forward that only bad books do this, because it means they can be lazier with the plot. Whilst I can agree with this in theory, I totally disagree with the notion that it applies to all books with this layout. I can’t actually name any others – but I’m sure they can’t all be awful? Films are an entirely different kettle of fish, so I guess you can’t really tar everything with flashbacks in with the same brush. Either way, Neilan doesn’t use them conventionally, as the book is all written in first person, in present tense. Although it has a fairly slow pace, it fits with the tone in which it has been written. I don’t want to say too much, because I wouldn’t want to ruin it for anyone – I urge you all to read this book; even those of you who don’t like reading. It isn’t hard to read, it is pure hilarity and I promise you will laugh.

After late night book group, early rise the next morning for a cooked breakfast. Any local folk will know, Sherborne is the place to go for cafés. With the most impressive breakfast menu, The Three Wishes was hastily decided upon. Food was ordered, and when it came, it was amazing. I had scrambled eggs on toast with bacon – not on the menu, because I’m an awkward kind of person but they were happy to oblige. I honestly think that those scrambled eggs were the best I have ever had – and I will just pray that my mum doesn’t see this. I spent two years at sixth fom in Sherborne, and I think that every time I even considered popping in for lunch the place had been full, so I’m glad that finally, I have had the chance to experience the reasons for their popularity.

After breakfast, a spontaneous trip to the beach. I cannot think of a better way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon. The traffic going into West Bay was queued back for about 3 miles, so we took a slight detour to Eype. For those of you that prefer your beaches to be less crowded, Eype is the place to be. Dogs are allowed on the beach, but most people are considerate enough to remember that other people like to enjoy the area, even if they don’t enjoy dogs so much. It was so hot, we decided to have a little bit of a nap, and now I have a fluorescent chest. I look like a beacon, and it is very, very sore. But constantly warm, so I guess you have to take the negatives with the positives. It was then decided to walk to West Bay, along the beach. Less than a mile, so not too strenuous, even in the heat. I took another panoramic shot with my camera as well, and I still need to figure out how to get the stitching perfect – but I’m pretty pleased with the results regardless. As you can probably see, its mainly the part of the middle section that appears darker than the rest which I’m not entirely happy with, but I’m sure after a bit more practice I’ll sort myself out. After a lovely ice cream at West Bay, we had to walk back to get the car. This time, we decided to walk up the hill. That was a lot more like hard work, and definitely felt longer than a mile. The beautiful views totally made up for that though. The sea actually looks like it might be nice and warm. It wasn’t, we are definitely still in the UK. After Eype and West Bay, fish and chips in Weymouth were decided upon. I have missed the beach so much in the Midlands, it is so nice to be 45 minutes away again. And for my first day at the beach all year, I don’t think I’ve done too badly. It was practically a coastal tour. Tired now though, and after a 6am start today, I’m going back to bed. And if anybody can tell me where the quote that is the title of this post is from (without having to use Google) I will love you forever.

Totally Addicted To (All Your) Base.

The effects of computer games (especially on young, violent children) has been widely debated for many years. With the more recent portability and accessibility of technology and the wider usage of it, the idea of technology addiction has been discussed over the last couple of years. The University of Maryland (NOT affiliated with a fried chicken eatery located in the Midlands)  published a study at the beginning of the year regarding the effects of technology withdrawal, and they called it “Unplugged”. 125 of the volunteers were from Bournemouth, and for 24 hours all they could access were land line telephones and books. No Twitter, Facebook, emails, text messages, television or radio for this period, and they all kept diaries recording their feelings.  Isolation, anxiety and fidgeting; symptoms that they said they had experienced which are all comparable to those experienced by drug addicts trying to kick the habit. The more recent “Square Eyes” poll conducted by esure insurance backed up this research, and also suggested that we spend more time looking at screens than we do sleeping.

Since I’ve been home, I have been without a mobile phone – it will be two weeks tomorrow. I think it is more frustrating than anything else, mainly because I don’t have the numbers written down anywhere else – which means relying solely on Facebook, emails and the land line. Any fleeting feelings of isolation could be attributed to the fact that I’m home alone, and we have no neighbours (bar some chickens and sheep – and I’m not entirely sure they count). I still have access to all other technologies (albeit a ridiculously slow internet speed which means I can’t even watch stuff on YouTube), so I can’t really compare. On the other hand, it has been two weeks, and although slightly inconvenient, it hasn’t really affected my day to day living, or personal health and general well being. 24 hours really isn’t that long? And if you took this study further, into other parts of our lives, I’m sure you would find similar results. Stopping a fitness fanatic doing any exercise. Forcing a foodie to exist entirely on microwave meals. Taking away a driver’s car. I can’t think of any more right now, but I’m sure you get the picture. For all those of you that don’t feel the same way, the University of Kent is devising ways to enable people to put down their iphone/blackberry – so don’t worry, help is on its way.

In other news, it is now officially less than 3 weeks until Glastonbury. I’ve had an email telling me my ticket should arrive soon, but that was a while ago and it still isn’t here. Nervous anticipation. I did go shopping yesterday though – and I was very good, not my usual ridiculous money frittering self – I’ve bought 2 pairs of shoes, a hat, a headscarf and a lip balm for under a tenner. Hooray for me! Still need to acquire a tent and some wellies though…

My Mate, Marmite

“These are dark times, there is no denying.”

– Rufus Scrimgeour, 2011.

Today, lovers of the world unite to support our fallen brothers in Denmark, as jars of the dark stuff is pulled from the shelves. Haters have declared Marmite “unsafe” and demanded that it be taken away. Apparently, according to a law established in 2004, Marmite falls foul of the “no fortified foods” bit (which is something to do with the vitamins Marmite contains. VITAMINS!). The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (I would personally suggest is a slightly odd combination…) are the ones to blame for this outrage. It has been suggested that we should ban lego, in retaliation. I suggest that we all take a moment of silence, to respect this loss for all the lovers in Denmark. I would also urge any Britons who are travelling to Denmark to stock up, and spread the love among the Danes. They need our support. Fill a shoe box with Marmite rations for our friends in Denmark, and then find a Dane to sponsor because I don’t know where to send them – but I do know we must help them in these testing times.

“Nice To See You, To See You Nice!”

Last night I travelled to Teddington Studios to watch The Rob Brydon Show being filmed. Bit of waiting around, and we were very lucky to get in (had we been 5 – 10 minutes later, we may not have made it…) but it was definitely worth the two-hour trip. Little man trapped in a box voice? Oh yes. We even got to see his long socks. Bruce Forsyth was lovely, and he has literally been performing forever. I definitely have a new-found respect for him, especially for his answer when asked if he had any regrets. True honesty is something you rarely see in showbiz, and Bruce replied “oh, of course I do.” Sophie Ellis Bextor was the musical performer, and despite looking like she’d snap in half any second, she is looking pretty good. Lighter hair, a very 1980’s LBD (complete with giant pink bows as trim) and a killer pair of heels. Instantly recognisable as Louboutins, I’ve done a bit of research, and they are Eugenie Satin Pumps. Not as keen on them now I’ve seen the detailing close up, but from a bit of a distance, they are stunning. The best part of the show (Rob Brydon aside) was the stand up that Rob had on. Elis James, an up and coming comedian from Wales was hilarious. He’s got a face that is vaguely recognisable and I had the feeling I’d seen him somewhere before… but I’ve had a look and I’m still not convinced. He won ‘Best Comedy’ at the National Student Radio Awards in 2006, supported Rhod Gilbert on tour in 2008 and 2009, and was met with rave reviews for his performance at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. I’m looking at upcoming gigs at the moment, as I’d really like to see a bit more of him. Won’t be ordering any for a while, as I am monumentally poor.

Other amazing things I have seen this week include this Marmite computer mouse, or “Marmouse” as it has been creatively dubbed. You can purchase them at www.marmite.co.uk. I rarely sit at a desk to compute (it is one of the highlights of owning a laptop) so I don’t really have the capacity for a mouse. If I did, this would be the one I’d choose. I’m a lover.

Also, due to some fidgeting with the settings on here, you might notice that on the right, there