#UK construction

[pejasurveying1]

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[supplyside]

Big Carl - World's Largest Construction Crane - Hinkley Point, Sommerset, England nuclear power plant

[juliaknz]

FUTURE SYSTEM HAUER-KING HOUSE, 1994 London, UK

[dubmill]

Barking, London; 19.3.2023

[hacash]

I’m trying to find a good way of saying ‘I’m glad they made Sam cry’ that doesn’t make me sound like, y’know, a MONSTER

but whenever you have a character of colour who is wise beyond their years, you run the risk of de-humanising them and not allowing them to be vulnerable in ways their white counterparts are, and I feel like as much as I love him, Sam occasionally skirts that line? in that he showed anger with both the Dubai Air protest and the whole Jamie thing, but it always passed very quickly; you always get the sense that he’s being very mature...and alright, that’s part of his character but still it runs the risk of hinting that Sam’s not really allowed by the narrative to be properly fucked off or hurt.

and here... well, he totally deserved to lose his shit and run into his dad’s arms to cry his eyes out, because the poor boy is twenty-two years old and trying his best, and he 100% deserves to be pissed off and devastated! and people more qualified than me can talk about whether they feel the entire storyline was done well or poorly*, but I’m glad Sam was allowed to be both angry and upset, and he wasn’t expected to be the bigger man or take it on the chin, he was vulnerable and he expressed his feelings and needed support from his dad and that was precisely what he needed then

(*I personally hope we have more follow-up than we got from Dubai Air because both racism directed at footballers and the refugee crisis are a real-world situations that need more focus. I also hope this episode gets brought up at every single interview Suella Braverman and Priti Patel do from now until the end of time.)

[aneverydaything]

Day 2218, 19 July 2024

Evening crane

I was walking home in the evening when I caught this view of a crane between apartment blocks. An ever changing skyline with new buildings is such a London theme.

[dreamings-free]

so on Monday..

NME 29/4/24 The owners of Manchester’s Co-Op Live are planning to build “the greatest arena in the world” in London.

US entrepreneur Tim Leiweke, the CEO of sports and live entertainment development company Oak View Group – who is behind the Co-Op Live – has outlined plans for a new music venue in the capital. -> full article on nme.com

lol good point

then Wednesday, two days later..

NME 1/5/24 Manchester’s new arena Co-Op Live was forced to cancel a performance by rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie last minute due to a “venue-related technical issue”.

The venue announced just 10 minutes after doors had opened that the show could no longer go ahead due to technical problems. “We kindly ask fans to leave the area. Ticket holders will receive further information in due course,” they said.

-> full article on nme.com

later that same day..

NME 1/5/24 The gigs were postponed following a technical issue that caused A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's show tonight to be pulled just 10 minutes after doors

[excerpt] A spokesperson for the venue told Manchester Evening News that the technical issue was caused by part of an air conditioning unit falling from the gantry inside the venue during soundcheck. Nobody was injured.

-> full article on nme.com

well, at least there's this new development.. (to make themselves look better :)

NME 1/5/24 The venue initially declined the levy, which would go towards supporting and developing the UK's grassroots venues.

Manchester’s Co-Op Live has agreed to meet with the Music Venue Trust to discuss a £1 ticket levy.

According to the BBC, Mark Davyd (CEO of the Music Venue Trust) said he was to meet with the Co-Op Live once the venue was up and running. The meeting comes amongst the furore with Co-Op Live’s executive director Gary Roden, who suggested some grassroots venues were “poorly run” whilst discussing the case for a £1 ticket levy to preserve them.

-> full article on nme.com

tbc I feel...

[urban-hellscape]

[mariocki]

Pathfinders in Space (ABC, 1960)

"Now, the remainder of us have fifteen hours of oxygen left. That leaves fifteen hours in which to complete our research here."

"Well, what's the good of all that if you can't come back with it?"

"The moon never destroys her treasures, Henderson. We shall leave a record and it'll be preserved in the vacuum of the caves. And the future expeditions you mentioned, they will find it."

[eaglesnick]

 “Blaming others is excusing yourself.” – Robin Sharma

You cannot accuse UK’s right-wing press and commentators of lacking a sense of humour.

“Humiliation for Angela Rayner as she's told UK doesn't have enough builders for 1.5m homes." Daily Express: 14/12/240

The humiliation and national sense of shame belongs not with Angela Rayner and the Labour party but with the construction industry, successive Conservative governments and right wing British politics.

The construction industry cut the number of apprenticeships and training places, preferring instead to recruit from abroad. Looking at training the 2016 UK Commission for Employment and Skills found that the construction industry had the third lowest percentage of trained members compared to other industries, adding:

“…construction investment in training in development is low in comparison to other sectors."  (Brooks,T., & Mcllwiane, 2021, "Why Does Anyone Want To Work in the UK Construction Industry?

One of the reasons investment in training is so low is because it is easy to recruit cheaper labour from overseas. The Labour Party was warning against this over a year ago.

“Labour has demanded loopholes allowing employers to rely on cheap labour from abroad are shut - to focus instead on training UK workers. Ministers were urged to "get a grip" on immigration after labour shortages forced them to relax visa rules for key trades such as bricklaying and social care. Failure to develop homegrown talent has been blamed, with latest figures showing the number of construction apprenticeships has plummeted by 38% since 2017."  (Mirror: 23/08/23)

As well as the construction industry cutting the number of apprenticeships available, successive Conservative governments have cut further education training in colleges.

“12% fall since 2010: Further education has faced the biggest cuts in recent years.”  (fe news: 18/09/21)

The Tory commitment to Austerity has cost the country dear in so many ways and construction trade training has been no exception. It's no good right-wing newspapers like the Express complaining we don’t have enough construction workers when they supported the Tories in cutting government funding for training.

More ironical is the Daily Express’s championing of Brexit.

“How we celebrated when the country voted to leave the EU. How we cheered when the Prime Minister stated categorically: “Brexit means Brexit.”  (Daily Express: 15/12/2016)

Having been successful in their Brexit campaign it really is hypocritical of them to then blame others for the consequences their success had on the construction industry and the ensuing lack of skilled workers.

“The building sector has suffered from an acute lack of workers since Brexit caused many European labourers to return to the EU”  (Independent: 09/03/23)

The humiliation the Express would like to heap on Angela Rayner and the Labour Party is merely a distraction from their own culpability in the skills shortage this country faces.  From construction companies maximising short-term profits at the expense of de-skilling the countries workforce, from the Tory obsession with free market economics and cutting public spending on training, to the ending of free-movement under Brexit, the right-wing press is in a state of denial as to the consequences of its own right-wing policies.

[amazingarchitecturewebsite]

Queen's Park House by RISE Design Studio @rise_d_s: Renovated Victorian Terrace celebrates the beauty of reclaimed bricks and biophilic design Read more: Link in bio! Photography: French & Tye @frenchandtye. RISE Design Studio has completed a striking refurbishment and extension of a mid terrace Victorian house in Queen's Park, NW London, comprised of two additional brick volumes and a lightwell. The architects rose to the challenge of modernising a home to make it spacious and open, while creating separate zones and pockets of privacy for the family members. Featuring four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a home office, open living and kitchen, a lightwell and front and rear gardens, RISE Design Studio have balanced modern living with the traditional idea of a home… #uk #london #архитектура www.amazingarchitecture.com ✔ A collection of the best contemporary architecture to inspire you. #design #architecture #amazingarchitecture #architect #arquitectura #luxury #realestate #life #cute #architettura #interiordesign #photooftheday #love #travel #construction #furniture #instagood #fashion #beautiful #archilovers #home #house ‎#amazing #picoftheday #architecturephotography ‎#معماری (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp8MT_6LqII/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[goldenpinof]

their home has got to be cursed for real, WHO BUILT IT??? because i cannot believe after all this time they are still having so many issues. My family moved into a new build when I young and from what i remember everything was working or fixed shortly after, I wonder if they moved in too soon? But after all they went through before moving with their old apartment(s) i doubt it? And still theyve been there for years atp they could’ve build a whole new house in the time lol I feel bad for them cause it’s probably expensive too 😭

i don't think they moved in too soon. and yeah, whoever the fuck built this whole building... yikes. i wonder who they are calling to fix things as well. you know there are like, stereotypes going around London, saying that Poles are better builders than Brits? call fucking Poles, dnp. be for real. it should be better and cheaper.

[supplyside]

Scotland Power

[pagan-corruption]

Watching the fit note speech made by the UK PM. Listen I don't really consider myself disabled. Technically I do wear glasses and have clinical depression, but I am able to function like the average person, perhaps just a little more quieter, emotional, and only seems to perk up during discussions of metal and electronic music.

But after watching that, there are definitely people in the UK government who would definitely MAiD me. It's weird.

I'm used to the angst of being marginalized as a contradictory lesbian or whatever. But like (I'm not saying the US is the bastion of mental health. There is DEFINITELY stuff going on with me that isn't being addressed.) I (personally) was able to find support for when my depression and GAD got too much, with the UK it seems like if I was in the same situation, they would leave me to rot.

[aceofspades-sml]

My (extensive) notes about the Newsies ensemble + secondary and background characters in the UK production

Again disclaimer, I sat in Manhattan so I am aware I missed lots of interactions between the boys but I already have a lot to say from what I saw

Also I will put race in my other post about the main characters because I have way too much stuff to say about him

Uksies spoilers below the cut

A few thoughts about the ensemble :

The level of character in this show is genuinely so good ?? Like even background newsies with little to no line still have a kind of character arc through the show

Because it's not just about what's going on "officially" on stage, it's all the little interactions they have in the background or when walking through the aisles. It's the way they hug and show affection to each other. It's the way they clearly all have preferred friendships, people they will choose to go to, even tho they are close to all the others. It's the way they run to help each other during Seize the day, the way they look so sad and betrayed when the scabs appear for the first time- And I could go on for hours about all the little interactions like those

Also they added so much stuff to give more depth to every single character ??? Like in Seize the day they all come into a triangle and say their name, and yes it's important for the strike on a symbolic level but also in the show, because they aren't just members of the ensemble. Each of them is his own character with his own personality and honestly that's really interesting and meaningful

+ this is echoed later on when the girlsies all come into a circle and say their name during Brooklyn's here (also they have their own dance break !!! Center stage !!). And the Brooklyn girls don't play a major part in the show after that song (except maybe for Spot), but here, in the same way as the boys, they get the opportunity to be seen by the audience as their own character

So yeah I could say a lot about the ensemble stuff but tbh this part was so striking to me I really wanted to talk about it because it's really beautiful and I love the fact that this was included in the show

Anyway a few of my favorite things about the secondary/background characters, in no particular order because I basically just wanted to write down my thoughts

Tommy boy < 33

If you know me you know I love him, and Jack bromage owns my heart and soul

When I talked about how background newsies get a character arc, I was specifically thinking about him. During Seize the day he is the last scab to change his mind (they gave him the "My father's gonna kill me anyway" line !!!!), and then later during the rally he is really angry and screams "WE HATE YOU" at jack at the top of his lungs. Yes he is insecure and mad at Jack because he was the one who convinced him to join the strike and now he is just giving up on them

Tommy boy okay

Also I already mentionned this but in the "who wants Brooklyn" scene he just goes lying face first on the ground and plays dead, which is even funnier because 0.0005 seconds earlier he was among the most eagers to talk to the others neighbourhoods. Comedic gold I swear

Finch

I LOVE DAMON OKAY

His mic was broken at the beginning and there was a moment of panic when he realized it but tbh he coped like a boss

Gayest Finch and I'm not sorry

When the scabs come in and he says "They think they can just walz in here and take our jobs ?", he sounds genuinely heartbroken and betrayed. Those guys are his friends and he can't believe they are doing this. Also when he was saying this line it looked like he was talking directly to one of the scabs but I didn't see which one

Henry

Update on my Henry hyperfixation : it's stronger than ever

Give me Matt's Henry or give me death

"I'M COMING RACE" Okay king

At the beginning of Carrying the banner he scratches his crotch very agressively with his towel and then proceeds to wash his face with said towel. Got quite a reaction from the audience

His attitude and costume clearly put him among the oldest boys along with Finch, Race, Specs and Albert

Before wwk it felt like he was one of the angriest about the prices, tho he also seemed quite bewildered and lost and didn't know what to do about it

His "What the absolute fuck Race" attitude during kony was extremely strong

Also him and Race seemed to be pretty close ! E.g. when the boy all come in front of the gate before wwk, he is pulling a carriage with Race on it and when Race gets down he ruffles Henry's hair, which I thought was a pretty cute detail to add

Mike

He seemed so young ??? When all the boys were discussing the strike he just looked really tiny and anxious

It has been officially established that he is among the youngest newsies and um sir. It shows.

Also he is very loud and visible. He has like 1 solo line but you can't miss him. He talks loudly, gets angry, moves a lot...

Also he goes on the zipline at the end !!

Romeo

"Me thinks the lady needs to be handled by a *snaps suspenders* real man"

Cutest Romeo I swear

Also his "thank you lady" at the beginning ? Not only was it perfect but also I'm pretty sure some of the boys winced (Mark I'm looking at you) and judging by his voice George himself was close to losing it

Overall my favorite interpretation of the character and I was really sad I didn't get to focus on him more

Elmer

Not the one I focused on the most, but Rory looked so sweet honestly !

"I dunno sister but it's bound to rain sooner or later" amazing as always

Everytime I looked at him he looked kinda happy and cheerful, elmer is and will always be the human embodiment of pure sunshine

Splasher !!!

Given that he is a new character, he was the only newsies I didn't know anything about when I came in and I immediately fell in love with him (I mean how can you not)

Okay part of it is because they gave him my favorite line of the show : "at the end of the say who are you gonna trust ? Them (affectionate) or them (derogatory) ?"

And he is genuinely so sweet ?? Everytime I looked at him he was smiling and tbh his smile his very contagious

In seize the day he is the first one to get hit by the cops (he has the line "it's about time you showed up") and um hello ??? Give this boy a hug already

Also obviously, the talent of this guy is incredible. Absolutely rocking the floor in Seize the day + he has an amazing voice !!!

ALBERT

He was ??? Perfect ??

He is loud he is arrogant he is a hothead he is a pure ball of chaos

The leg of lamb scene was legit the most ridiculously funny line delivery. He just comes stumbling on stage in nothing but a towel like "hey race guess what very interesting thing just happened to me-"

During Carrying the banner my boy was straight up ready to fight the Delanceys

"TAKE IT DOWN SHORT STOP" okay but it isn't just the voice it's the way he takes a tough pose and his whole mocking attitude toward Les. Jacob said he was trying to mimic the attitude of the Les he has in front of him and honestly, it shows

Also for anyone wondering yes the Race/Albert friendship was very present. He also seemed kinda close to Specs

Also Specs !

I didn't get to focus on him as much as I would have wanted (same goes for Mush, Jojo and Ike actually that's why I'm not talking about them here, I really hope I'll be able to look at those four more when I go back) but still

They cut "I lost my shoe" ??? The worst part is I actually knew about it but forgot so during wwk I was expecting this line and was really thrown off when they just skipped to the next lyrics

Before Seize the day when he is on look-out and Jack (?) asks if he has any news of Brooklyn he goes "no" and adds "I'm sorry". And like it's a new thing and the way he said it ??? He was so sad and hopeless I just wanted to give him a hug

Okay yes I didn't get to look at them at other moments but still huge shoutout to Josh Denyer and Arcangelo for absolutely rocking the floor during Seize the day

The girlsies < 33

I LOVE THEM ???

Their entrance was so dramatic and sassy pls

Also I will never stop talking about it but- they get a dance break !!! They get to say their names !!! They are so much more important than in any other production I love it

Also they don't just stay in their own little corner, they interact with the boys ! They all seem to be on pretty friendly terms, they talk together, hug and wave at each other...

They aren't just plot devices with one (1) dramatic scene, they are characters ! They have friends !! They have actual friendships with the Manhattan boys !! And it makes the whole Brooklyn's here scene so much more meaningful bc it really feels like they are coming to help their friends

Did I ever mention how much I love Spot ? Lillie slaying as always

She is tough she is sarcastic she is ready to kick your ass I love her

Also at some point Lillie said Spot was very close to Davey in act 2, and if I'm being honest I had some doubts about this friendship but boy oh boy I would die for them

During the rally + during and after once and for all they seem to be talking together a lot and be on very good terms which was actually pretty cool !

Okay moving on to some non-newsies characters and then I'll stop I promise

Bill and Darcy !!!

They switched the costume colors around, Darcy has a dark suit while Bill has a white one so that was a change

Also George said "My father owns the tribune" (instead of just "the trib" like I'm used to) so that threw me off for a bit but actually I liked it

Also I loved the way Alex said "And proud to be a part of your revolution !" It felt really natural and nice I love Bill okay he's so sweet

Anyway then they were just. Vibing by the printing press. Good for them honestly

The Delancey

They are literally evil. They aren't just messing around, they actually mean harm. E.g. when they are taking Jack in the cellar he just falls on the ground and they keep kicking him

But what's to like in this production is their dynamic with each other. They are extremely physical, everything they come in they are always very close, shoulders brushing or something. Also they often gently push and tease each other

Overall in this version they feel so much more like brothers, their dynamic as a family and toward the newsies was much deeper and more interesting than in any other version imo

Also they aren't just physically affectionate with each other. The three scabs ? They were comforting them and patting their shoulders before pushing them towards the other newsies. When the first scab joins the strike (I don't remember who it was), they are being very gentle with Tommy boy, from where I was it looked like they were telling him he was gonna be okay or smth

Hannah < 333

Hello ??? Bobbie Chambers I owe you my heart and soul

She was amazing pls

Extremely light-hearted and a bit sarcastic

At the end in Pulitzer's office she starts going "actually they put up a pretty good banner" and so on and then she sees Pulitzer's face and just goes *okay sorry" in the most oh-shit-don't-kill-me voice ever

Anyway every single one of her lines was delivered perfectly nothing but love for her

Finally, Medda !

Amazing as always, I feel like her relationship with Jack was really explored here !

It's the way they hug the first time Jack comes in the theater. The way she cares so deeply for him and worries about him. It's the way she looks genuinely sad about the fact he wants to go, she knows it's a bad idea and wants to hold him back but at the same time she knows it's his choice so she doesn't force him to do anything

Also the That's rich performance was pretty cool !!

[oneplusdesignstudio]

Happy Canada Day!