How do you want to escape the current global situation? The biggest video games to come out at the start of 2020 are Doom Eternal and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, so realistically, there’s two ways of distracting yourself: you can either blast demon hellmonsters with big guns or catch fish, do some landscaping and sell … Continue reading Life Lessons from Animal Crossing: New Horizons
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You Don’t Have a Newcastle Accent
“You don’t have a Newcastle accent.” If I had a quid for every time I heard this from people I’ve just met then I’d never have to work again. So before I break the neck of the next person to say this to me, I’m just going to get it all out here. Ok? … Continue reading You Don’t Have a Newcastle Accent
The Great York Geek Guide
York is well known for many things – Vikings, medieval history, chocolate – but there’s one cultural aspect that you might not expect: York’s thriving geeky scene. Here’s my pick of the independent pop culture shops and nerd hangouts that you need to add to your quest itinerary next time you visit. (And don't forget … Continue reading The Great York Geek Guide
Get North and Get Fed: Independent Coffee Houses in Newcastle
Have you ever visited Newcastle and Gateshead, the capital city of the North East? No? Tsk. You’re missing out. NewcastleGateshead is currently hosting the Great Exhibition of the North, an event that’s literally taking over the entire city. New interactive exhibits, installations and events are being superimposed onto existing cultural sites and re-imagined displays to … Continue reading Get North and Get Fed: Independent Coffee Houses in Newcastle
In Which I Introduce My Nemesis
Readers, I have found my nemesis. Every good character has a nemesis. Harry Potter has Voldemort. Kirk has Khan. Sherlock Holmes has Professor Moriarty. I have Bastard McFeathertush, Esq., pigeon. This all started a few weeks ago. The boyfriend and I went on holiday to Edinburgh for a few days. We had a lovely time … Continue reading In Which I Introduce My Nemesis
25 Things About Being 25
It’s been a while, but say hello to the (slightly) revamped Scranshums! I’m back to regularly broadcast musings, pop culture waffling, medieval magic research and whimsy in your general direction, whether you like it or not. (Please like it, we aspiring writers need our audiences.) First off, I’ve got slightly older (inevitably) and may have … Continue reading 25 Things About Being 25
Commonplace Cultural Differences 3: USA All the Way
I’ve recently returned from a two-week sojourn in the USA. I'd never been before, though it did feel like I had because everything looked familiar from all the TV and pop culture I’ve ingested over the years. (Honestly, I walked around a mall seeing shops and finally getting jokes I’d never got before. I was … Continue reading Commonplace Cultural Differences 3: USA All the Way
A Cynical Shop Assistant’s Guide to Christmas Songs
One shop I work in has no Christmas music. This is a blessed relief, but does mean there’s no respite from the frankly odd year-long playlist. The other shop I work at has only two Christmas music CDs. Here are my responses to these tunes, which I’ve had rattling around my head since the start … Continue reading A Cynical Shop Assistant’s Guide to Christmas Songs
On Christmas Shopping Etiquette
So it’s about a week till Christmas – all sorted yet? Me too. This year I’ve had the pleasure of working in two retail xmas temp jobs which have been pretty enjoyable on the whole (not least the staff discounts; between both shops I got all my gifts covered). One is a local geeky shop, … Continue reading On Christmas Shopping Etiquette
On Adulting
I know, it’s been a while. Turns out that masters degrees are pretty intensive. Who knew, huh? So, a wee update. The dissertation is all done and was handed in on 31st October – an appropriate day for a work on magic! Not that this is an end to my research. Or busy-ness. I’m currently … Continue reading On Adulting
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