London's Red Bus

M. Ismail is one of NewsFlashMedia’s team members. Since late October 2011 she has been living in London and vacationing in France. She updates us here on the simple things about living abroad [London, 1:58am Saturday]

THE first day I went to Central London to visit a niece who works and lives there, all we did was walk around a bit just to get a feel of the city.

This is an accomplished shot - where's the crowd?

There were just tons of people on the streets and a majority of them were tourists from all over the world. I am assuming though that not everyone there were tourists but people who have just moved to this city and made it their home, probably hoping it would be forever due to problems in their homeland. Like me they too were getting a feel of the city. For me it was reliving the three visits I’ve made to London in the past. For them it probably would be what their new life would be from then on.

Chop! Chop!

If I thought London was crowded when I visited in mid 80s and early 90s I’m thinking today some crowd control into London is very much needed. It’s not like that is ever possible but wouldn’t it be nice just to able to shop on Oxford Street without bumping into someone’s back at almost every step you take?  Don’t be surprised if I were to tell you that there have been occasions where you almost land a smacking accidental ‘kiss’ on a total stranger who didn’t even appreciate it.

Chop! Chop!

Another thing I noticed in Central London, everyone has a camera and clicking away, recording every little thing they can. So, to be honest, I feel at home with camera in hand here. However, on this particular trip, the one thing I was so very aware of are London’s red bus. You know why? Because it is the only moving thing that’s taller than the bobbing human heads.

Don't be fooled, I chopped left, right and center.

So thank you in advance for not expecting some great post from me today. Here are some chopped images I shot with my instamatic. Why chopped? The people in the images didn’t want to sign my 

MRF (Model Release Form). So ...  

CLUB SCENE - Party @ Zouk Club KL TONITE!!!

Saturday, March 3, 2012
ZOUK
LOUD! Pres R3HAB
Supported by GOLDFISH & BLINK

RISING Dutch DJ and producer R3hab has established his name in the international dance scene in a short period of time. His producing skills and love for electronic music have made him one of the highest requested remixers in the dance scene today, remixing for Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Calvin Harris, Lil’ Wayne, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Sean Paul, Dada Life, Snoop Dogg, LMFAO and Bob Sinclar among others.

Then there are also R3hab's original productions that have moved dance floors around the world and more than frequently get listed in Beatport's charts. His most notable releases to date are Pump The Party produced with Ferruccio Salvo, The Bottle Song released on Wall Recordings and the much-anticipated Prutataaa, which is R3hab's first collaboration with Afrojack.

It came as no surprise that the multi-talented and promising R3hab quickly got signed by Afrojack to his Wall Recordings imprint and is quoted as being "one of its biggest talents".

R3hab has played at the most famous clubs around the world, in USA, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Morocco, France, Australia, England and the Caribbean.

www.facebook.com/r3habofficia
www.twitter.com/djr3hab
www.soundcloud.com/r3hab

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM45 Ladies / RM55 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM373 / 4 paxs (all night)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +6 03 2171 2075 (Noon-6pm) or +6 016 3323 191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

BARSONIC
Saturday, March 3
OMFG! presents Guru-Guru & Mr Nasty

YOUR friendly neighborhood android Mr.Nasty & GuruGuru come out to play on every first Saturday of the month. The one and only KILLER NIGHT with the KILLER DRINKS PROMO! For good times and happy times. Accompanied with the biggest and freshest house tunes, BUY 1 GET 1 FREE on drinks ALL NIGHT LONG. OMFG! indeed.

Friday, March 9, 2012
ZOUK CLUB KL

DANNY Marquez held residency in some of the big clubs in Ibiza where he rocked thousands of clubbers week after week, establishing himself as one of the most important DJs on the island.

In 2004, Danny started weaving his talent into music production, successfully launching his own imprint,  Bubble Soul Music. Through numerous hit records such as Mumba, Trust in yourself, God is Love and Afrocatalans, which became one of the biggest records of the summer 2004, Danny Marquez gained solid recognition in the international house circuit. He now spins in the best clubs around the world, in cities such as Singapore, Dubai, Ibiza, Miami and Seoul among many. Danny Marquez started as a Space Ibiza resident in summer 2011 playing at Space’s event Monday’s Calling.

Danny introduced a new imprint in 2011, F1rst Records. The maestro strives to use his music label as a platform to deliver cutting edge and progressive electronic dance music. This new project will also showcase his new “big room sound” and you can expect to see him near you in the very near future!

http://www.dannymarquez.com
http://twitter.com/djdannymarquez
http://www.facebook.com/djdannymarquez
http://www.youtube.com/dannymarqueztv
http://www.f1rstrecords.com

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM25 Ladies / RM35 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM351 / 5 paxs (At the door before 11pm)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +6 03 2171 2075 (Noon- 6pm) or +6 016 3323 191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

Saturday, March 10, 2012
VELVET
CITIBANK presents F.A.B with DJ Ken & Pietro

IF you’re looking for something incredibly fabulous and bold to kickstart your weekends, F.A.B at Velvet Underground is just the night for you. Resident DJs Ken, MC Point Blanc and Pietro will be rock the dance floor with the best 90s, 00s and present pop tunage in town, from music greats such as B.O.B, Jay-Z, Nirvana, Shakira, UB40, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani and Vanilla Ice on Velvet Underground’s enormous DVJ PLASMA Screens. We bet you can¹t handle it!

ADMISSION:
Ticket Entry: RM38 Ladies / RM48 Men (inc 1 drink)
Bottle Entry: RM351 / 5 paxs (At the door before 11pm)
Reservations (applicable to 21 yrs old and above): Call +603 2171 2075 (–Noon-6pm) or +6 016 3323 191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my

BARSONIC
Saturday, March 10
LAPSAP & Co ft an International Guest DJ

Stay tuned to www.zoukclub.com.my for updates!
The two boys, 5ft & Mr Puah, bring you regional and upcoming international DJs who share the same screwed up mentality as theirs.

Formed in 2007, LapSap has quickly gone from cult to scene, with his own style, fashion and sound. Taking the trash aesthetic that has spurred micro-club culture worldwide the pair wanted a name that, according to 5ft “looked good and reflected us and our culture as well’. So they called it LapSap, meaning ‘rubbish’ in Cantonese, cutting their ties with the old Nu-Rave tagged night, and laying the foundations for the anything goes filthy electro that has become its trademark sound.

* All contents courtesy of Zouk Club KL 

Avenue House Estate

M. Ismail is one of NewsFlashMedia’s team members. Since late October 2011 she has been living in London and vacationing in France. She updates us here on the simple things about living abroad.

THE first thing I did when I reached England was to go to the park. It was the end of autumn, my favourite season. It holds many sweet memories for me. It was the season I fell in love for the first time in my life.

Just like winter, when everything turns white and icy and cold, autumn brings in the golden colours, the bright reds, yellows and browns. The ground is covered in layers and layers of beautiful golden leaves. The sight is so beautiful it makes you forget that underneath those stacks of leaves are nasty dog poop some owners choose to leave behind instead of scooping them up into the bin. There are plenty of bins in the parks in England.

The beautiful colours of autumn.

So my friends and I would kick the leaves about, dug our heels into them and most times ending up rolling about on the leaves. And true enough, we have ended up with dog’s poop on us many times over. That’s when all hell would break loose.

But this isn't a story about my first love, though I know that's what everyone prefers to read about. This post is seriously about autumn and trees and golden leaves.

Late last year I came to England again. This time around, I'm staying in Finchley, a district in Barnet in North London. It gets a little confusing if I were to explain all the different areas linked to the district so suffice to say I am in Finchley Central. And it was here that I stumbled upon Avenue House Estate and its extensive grounds covered in beautiful trees that must have existed way before I was born. To me, this is the beauty of trees. They take that many years to grow that so much history must have followed their ‘journey’. In fact, there is every probability that some of these tree species are not easily found today.

The grounds of Avenue House Estate.

It was Nov 1 when I was on the grounds of Avenue House Estate and I did not know a thing about the place except that I was so taken by the sight of the grounds surrounded by trees of all shapes and sizes.

The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves and branches, making everything so magical. I was so engrossed admiring a branch laden with thick layers of yellowish-golden leaves that I didn’t hear someone asking if there was something wrong. When I realized someone was staring at me, looking rather worried I reassured him it was just the leaves that have taken up all my attention. He smiled and as he wheeled away, he said: “Yes, it’s beautiful here at this time of the year. Take care love.” 

The path leading to the Estate and its grounds.

Avenue House Estate is rich in history and is perhaps one of the most important landmarks in the area. Later that night I did a bit of reading on the place and discovered that the beauty of the grounds is credited to one of the most famous landscape designers in Victorian times – Robert Manock, who used ‘the Gardenesque’ style (a planting style) on Avenue House Estate, built in 1859. Those of you who would like to know more about the Gardenesque style can get information online. I also read from the estate's official website it also has an impressive collection of rare tree species brought in from other parts of the world. 

And some of the unique collection of trees was compiled into a book in 2006 through the efforts of the Friends of Avenue House group. The Group, made up of volunteers, has done a lot to help improve the park for the benefit of the locals who frequent the grounds for their outdoor activities. But if there is one area that needs to be focused on it would have to be security as the grounds are vast with many quiet spots, nooks and corners and windy paths mostly covered in heavy foliage. The park is gated but open to the public and there is quite a good crowd of walkers in it too. But the problem is the park is so well shaded that you can be caught unawares if an attacker ambushed you.

How can anyone not enjoy this beauty?

Which season can be more colourful?

I shoot trees as part of my photography collection and the Estate's grounds were simply stunning and breathtaking. It was also a nice sunny day when I went there, very ideal for shooting but I ended up rushing through my shots when I read a notice placed near the entrance. A sexual assault had taken place within the grounds just a few months before I came to England. And the scary part was that the attacker was still at large. Who would want to take a chance knowing you can easily become a victim? Some of the other walkers may be a little confused with my darting eyes and hurried pace.

Initially I had planned to return to the grounds and shoot in winter just to see the comparison but I went to France instead. By the time I got back from France, there were only traces of winter left and melting snow. Maybe a revisit in the future? Someday.