I Cant Breathe

Hello One and All, 

Week number 12 of lockdown in the UK. I am still furloughed or signed off sick (whichever it may be) and the time off has been helping with my mental well-being after the last few weeks being mentally taxing and exhausting. This last week has been different to the last with projects and things to do running out. 

I am still irritated with all of this Coronavirus Shit there is a reason and a need for it it and to keep the "R" number down and all that jazz, but seriously its getting boring. I just hate queueing. Queuing for this and queueing for that. I am done with it all. Gone are the days when you could just walk into a shop and buy your crap and get out. No. Now I have to stand in the rain for 40-minutes just to try and take back some wallpaper and buy a couple of lampshade which took all of about 5 minutes, if that. I suppose you could say I am at the end of my tether with it. It is all just so pointless. Figures from the BBC today have confirmed that the death toll is now in double figures after significantly dropping to just 55 (Monday 08 June 2020). With more than a half down from last week's 111 deaths from COVID-19 I am pleased and am hoping for this to become a norm. Now I know in comparison to other countries, New Zealand being one of them that has fully opened up the country due to no new cases, but it is still a drop nevertheless and as we have not yet experienced an unsettlingly high spike in deaths or new cases as yet I am hoping it continues so we can soon join New Zealand in getting things back to whatever normal looks like after a global crisis. As far as Boris Johnson and the UK government making a statement as yet or any sort of announcement of further openings, I am anticipating something soon, however I shan't hold my breath, especially considering the situation in hand. 

It has been a fortnight since the name George Floyd was catapulted into the stratosphere and made not only a household name, but one to be remembered and celebrated for all that has been acheieved in the last 14-days. On 25 May 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old dad was arrested after Minneapolis police officers responded to a call from a teenage grocery storeworker who alleged that Floyd had used a forged $20 note. 

As the Sun reported, there had been more reason than none to suspect him considering his criminal past and history of armed robbery in a home invasion in Houston in 2007. However life had moved on for Floyd and he had settled down with a partner and young children, who was friendly with locals where he had been working as a security guard at Latin American restaurant Conga Latin Bistro in the city. Unfortunatly the Coronavirus had affected the hospitality industry badly and Minneapolis was no exception and so George Floyd became out of work. George Floyd had been a a regular at Cup Foods. He was a friendly face with a statement from the store owner Mike Abumayyaleh, who wasn't working at the time, told NBC that "Floyd was a regular customer and never caused any trouble". 

The BBC News reported further, stating that approximatly 8.10pm Minneapolis police officers arrived to the grocery store as the young clerk working that night had called it through saying that on receipt of the fupposed forged note the teller had ask Floyd to return the cigarettes he had ust purchased to which the shop worker confirmed to 911 that "he doesn't want to do that" and that the man appeared "drunk" and "not in control of himself" according to a transcript released by authorities. Officers found Floyd in the car park with two others and on approach of the vehicle one of the officers pulled out his gun and ordered Floyd to show his hands. As the officer man-handled him out of the car it was clear that there was a struggle as George actively resisted being handcuffed. However once handcuffed, Floyd appeared to be cooperative until he was ordered into the back seat of the cop car. This is when the struggle broke out. 

Approximately 8.15pm, Floyd had "stiffened up, fell to the ground, and told the officers he was claustrophobic", according to the report from BBC News. Yet more officers were called to the scene and attemted to put Floyd in the police car to no avail. It was during this attempt, at 8.19pm that the officer in question, Officer Chauvin, pulled Floyd away from the passenger side, causing him to fall to the ground where he lay there, face down, still in handcuffs. This is when witnesses started to film something which has been shared the world over and ignited a furious conversation. Floyd, who appeared to be in a distressed state was restrained by officers, while Officer Chauvin placed his left knee between his head and neck. 

Gasping for breath, Floyd cried out "I can't breathe", repeatedly, pleading for his mother and begging "please, please, please". Begging for his life. For eight minutes and 46 seconds, Officer Chauvin kept his knee on Mr Floyd's neck, the prosecutors' report says. These moments, captured on multiple mobile phones and shared widely on social media, would prove to be George Floyd's last. The report from BBC News continued that about six-minutes into that period, Floyd became non-responsive. In videos of the incident, Floyd fell silent as bystanders urged the police to check his pulse. One of the other officers did but couldn't find a pulse, all the while the other officers did not move, including Officer Chauvin. At 8.27pm, Chauvin removed his knee from Floyd's neck, but it appears it was too late as Floyd lay there motionless. Taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center in an ambulance Floyd was pronounced dead about an hour later. A 46-year-old dad leaving behind two children. 

Now I am sure you are wondering, or maybe not, why this gained so much attention; more than most. Because George Floyd was a black man. The officer with his knee on his neck, A white man. Now I am not going to stand here (or write here as the moment suggests) I can't pretend that I understand because I don't understand! Yes I am open and honest enough to admit that in my younger years I made jokes with friends about race and colour that was in poor taste and did not sit well, but that came from a place of uneducated and lack of understanding around the struggles that those with different skin colour than to mine. 

Without me even knowing it I have been the recipiant of white privilege. Never have I ever been stopped and searched. Never had I ever been looked upon as though I am violent or agressive. Never have I ever had my car pulled over because "someone in the area was matching my description". The only time I was ever pulled over was at traffic lights when a police officer pulled up aside my car and asked me to switch on my headlights as they were off and it was dark. Hardly a terrifying experiance you might think, but for me I felt aweful and for a split second, I think I know what George and his brothers and sisters must feel on a sometimes daily basis. 

On the other hand, however, nor I am not saying it wasn't due, stopping and searching a man for a possible crime, especially when he was confirmed by the store assistant, but killing a man with brute force to this level was unnecessary and way over the top in my view. It is safe to say that looking at the statistics produced from the Governments own website confirms that in every 1,000 arrests in the England and Wales (2017-2018 respectively), only ten were white. Black people were three-and-a-half times more likely to get arrested than a white person. Truthful statistic or Media and Governmental Prejudice - You decide ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Living The American Dream!

Good Morning one and all, 

With the packing finally done and all chores completed, it seems I am finally here! Nine months in the making and I have arrived in the land of dreams and in the city that is known for all that is sinful. Ahh Yes, Las Vegas! As I sit here in the sweltering heat of the Nevada Desert, albeit slightly shaded in the resident Starbucks inside my hotel at Planet Hollywood, I am reflective of my time here so far. As I look around me at screaming winners and mournful looser's in the casino beyond my coffee table I ponder across my holiday so far and to think there is still so much to do and so little time. Seventy-Two hours I will be home in my own flat with my own bed and bathroom and no luxurious benefits of Pizza Parlours and Casinos at the bottom of my stairs! Just a front door and a shed load of mail. And whilst it will be nice to get back to civilisation, work and the boyfriend I will be sad to let go of my carefree frolics in the beating sun!

After a gruelling ten-and-something hour long flight, Miss Tweedle-Dee, Miss Tweedle-Dumb, Miss Tweedle-Dee's Momma and Pappa and Brother and Miss Tweedle-Dee's Brother's friend arrived finally in Sin City. Ready and eager not to spend another minute on the plane we hurried to get out and through customs. Only problem was when we got to customs we had to await Miss Tweedle-Dumb. One minute she was by my side and the next she was being thrust into a interrogation room for questioning. Soon enough though they released her free to roam America as she so pleased. 

Cramming all seven of us into a Limousine, luggage and all we made it to our hotel in good time, planning a quick flutter and then back to the room for some much needed sleep. Overwhelmed by the view as Miss Tweedle-Dumb, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I stepped into the room however and that was that - Wide awake again! Gazing out at a priceless view we all marvelled at the twinkling lights of the Las Vegas Strip. As we watched the landmarks and city sights, as if by magic the world famous Bellagio Fountains erupted into life springing from the lake like hot springs, only to come crashing down moments later in a thunderous roar. It is a sight I still look at every night and every morning and at any opportunity I can get. It is truly stunning and something I will certainly never forget. 

Our plans for an early night were scuppered at that point and our night ended with an American McDonald's, closely followed by some peanut butter goodies from the corner shop, Walgreens and a few episodes of 'Friends' before drifting off to the land of nod. Awaking in the morning however at the crack of dawn Miss Tweedle-Dumb, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I headed out into the twenty-two degree heat wave sweeping the strip to begin our holiday. Las vegas is incredible. So far I and the girls have gone to Caesars Palace, Excalibur, MGM, Luxor, Stratosphere and more as well as our own hotel many a time, Planet Hollywood. 

Thursday was our first full day there and to celebrate, in between gambling and hemorrhaging money like its no-body's business we found out that British born DJ Calvin Harris was opening a new nightclub in town. With nothing else better to do we all grabbed s free wrist band from a club rep and headed back home to freshen up. Upon entering the nightclub though we were told not to sit down unless we paid for a booth and that our buddy 'Cal' wouldn't be on until midnight to 1am. With the prospect of four-hours waiting before the party got going my two best-friends decided to head back to the hotel. Disappointed but unwilling to compromise of such a night out I stayed behind and awaited the banging tunes to start. Soon enough I got a glimpse of the star and whilst the tickets in were free and atmosphere for the most part was OK, knowing that the girls really didn't want to stay and were not by my side for our first official night in paradise was saddening to say the least. I really wanted them to come out and live life as a party. I think maybe I need to realise that my friends whilst only a few months younger than me are certainly not the party animal I am. Sadly that's something I will just have to accept me thinks. 

On Friday, after a day of gambling and exploring the Las Vegas Strip, Miss Tweedle-Dee had booked a gig for Miss Tweedle-Dumb and I to go and see with her. The music was good, but with the venue being in the roughest part of Downtown Las Vegas and the support band being screaming Yetis (Literally!) I doubted it could get much worse. Until a little spark of an argument dawned and I my temporary hatred for them brewed to the surface of my scowling face. Although we had a lame argument, I knew that it would happen. We can't seem to have a holiday together, all three of us, without fighting over something. Whether it be a handbag someone didn't come with me to buy or the bus fare I did not have we always seem to laugh off the silly, petty niggles we all have about each other. I think we are simply all as bad as the other. 

Saturday was the night to be out and about, at least for myself and Miss Tweedle-Dumb anyway as Miss Tweedle-Dee was poorly. As we approached the tallest skyscraper on the Western coast of America I realised I had made a grave mistake in saying I would go on the rides at the top of The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. And so as Miss Tweedle-Dumb, Miss Tweedle-Dee's brother, his friend and I hopped into the lift to the top we were giddy in the anticipation not only for the rides but also for the views of the night time strip. Exiting the elevator, all five of our party were aghast as we looked out over the City Lights of Las Vegas. And we were not even at the top yet. Settling into seats on rides such as the terrifying 'X-Scream', a teeter-totter that races a roller-coaster car off the edge of the Stratosphere tower and then suspends you there over the edge with only hydraulics and brakes to prevent your death by falling). Horrific stomach-turning ride 'Big Shot', a sword spiking out of the top of the Stratosphere tower observation deck which rockets you into the air, higher than the helicopters I might add and then plummeting you back down a further four or five times making you stomach fall out of your ass quicker than you can scream funeral directors. Last ride wasn't so bad and once you get over the initial shock of being dangled out over the edge of the tower, but even so 'Insanity' was not something to be sniffed at, especially not at over two-thousand feet in the air above Sin City. 

Yesterday was our day out and after a long, long journey Miss Tweedle-Dumb, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I arrived at the seventh wonder of the world, The Grand Canyon. Whilst in all respects it was and is just a simple hole in the ground and some rather large cracks it was unbelievable and incredible to look at. On the odd occasion that we stopped for photo's the urge to pretend to slip or scream was too much to handle and we teased each other with the act of pretending to fall off the edge. As the girls allowed me to sit on a ledge and dangle my little chunky thighs off the edge I felt a sense of peace and was glad that I could now say I have done it and seen it for myself. 

Today I have gone to an exhibition about the Titanic which I am a massive fan girl of (If you can even be a fan-girl of something so heartbreakingly tragic) and whilst emotional and saddening it was also a good insight into a few little tiny things I did not already know, even if I knew most of what the post cards and billboards were saying. Room after room filled with artifacts, cutlery, plates, bowls, shoes, glasses and more all belonging to someone whom boarded the Titanic on that fateful day, April 15th 1912. Suffice to say I welled up on more than one occasion but was able to hold it together even when standing at the bottom of the iconic mahogany stair case featured in James Cameron's 1997 film starring the young Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet. 

Tonight Miss Tweedle-Dumb, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I will celebrate our last few nights in style with dinner at The Bellagio (Pronounced Bell-ahh-geo; because I am posh apparently) and after a show including magic and hypnosis. And so I say farewell for next time I shall be writing to you all I will be back home in probably a very wet and cold Blighty with a epidemic case of Holiday Blues. in the mean time you can check out my photo's from my trip so far on my Facebook profile!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx