redtree_innerview_insecure_goth_girl redtree have you ever been to the states? if so, what were your impressions? if not, what would you want to do here? 051102 ... iNsEcUrE_GoTh_GiRl ooooo! i have a page thing! ummm.... i've never been to the States, i plan to though, i can't say how much i am looking forward to that. (I'd love to meet any US skites and natter btw, i'll say if i'm moseying over.) There is seriously so much that I would love to do and see though, i couldn't possibly name them all. I want to do all the clichéd shit, of course. To see all the sights, to visit all the tourist places and behave like a tourist for a while. But i plan to go on a tour around the USA so realistically i would go to anywhere recommended by all the people who live there. I want to see the places that the other people visiting wouldn't ordinarily see. Just beautiful places. [any suggestions, anyone?] I would love to go to Vegas. I would love that. I'd also check out the nightlife there and see what it's like in comparison to UK clubs and bars. Also.... a weird thing... i would check out how people look in the US (don't laugh at me damnit!) because you all have different lifestyles etc to what i've seen. I'd like to see the differences in how people are, e.g. teeth, hair, behaviour, etc. Is that really stupid of me? The only impressions i have of what US life is like is from Hollywood, so if it's all like that i will be very disappointed. [this isn't a very artsy-blather type reply so i should probably include some deep and profound comments but i'm all profounded-out.) yeah i can't think of anything else right now...sorry, i'll try harder next time. wants to go to the USA! 051103 ... redtree i would suggest new york city, los angeles, or miami for a club scene. as for beauty, america really does have it all. every state has its charm, but must see places include the northern coast of california, the redwoods and yosemite, the grand canyon of arizona, colorado's rocky mountains, fall leaf color in the northeast, and puget sound in washington. most americans are obsessed with their appearance. every part of the body has its business to change it or fix it according to what society tells them isn't right. this is probably the first thing you will notice when you come here. food is huge here as well. junk, health, sweet, vegan, vegetarian, expensive, cheap, fancy restaurants, and greasy spoons...just to scratch the surface of what america is. scratch the surface of the uk...what would be the first things i would notice when i come there? 051104 ... IGG sorry for the no posting, just been in hospital for a bit, 'twas nothing serious though, luckily. the very first thing you would notice would be the transport. we drive on the left over here, and we don't have big highways.... we have lots of motorways but we don't have the highways that you guys have that stretch for miles and miles and you can go really fabulous speeds on. umm what else... having been to Germany i have to say that i think that major cities in the UK are generally quite dirty, grimy with litter etc. But i don't know the comparison to the USA. Depending on whereabouts in the UK you go, there are a variety of different accents (obviously, stupid to point it out but there you go) and dialects etc, for example 'down south' in England, you'll find a lot of their accents are very...'well-spoken' (now im not poking fun) and 'up north' accents are generally broader with less use of 'the Queen's English' - you're more likely to hear 'y'alright mate?' and other northern slang. Weather and climate change in the UK is very different. I think we're used to a lot colder climate over here, and not very much sun, (British Summertime being something of a joke, lol). Where i live i don't get much sun or much snow, the temperatures staying reasonably constant throughout the year, and although winter is cold here, it isn't as cold as winter in some states in America. The majority of the people here (again, depending on where you go, and i am generalising), are very susceptible to the media, with a lot of emphasis placed on food too. Where i live, there are various subcultures of youths that you can classify with stereotypes, and these can be found all over the UK under different names. Chavs - otherwise known as townies, scallys, NED's [non-educated delinquents] (my scottish friend told me that) are one example. They stereotypically dress in trackie bottoms (usually adidas) tucked into their socks and wearing white trainers. They usually wear sports jackets and sometimes caps. Burberry is also popular. Chavettes can be seen wearing the skimpiest of clothes, smoking on street corners and yelling abuse at any passing object within 10 metres. 9and don't forget bling bling jewellery, usually gold and oversized hoop earrings). I have had close run ins with chavs and i found them grossly moronic and mindlessly violent. (Needless to say, i really can't stand these people. I don't tolerate fools, and unfortunately chavs are rife throughout the UK, so you might want to bring some kind of neutraliser to stop them breeding. Do they have them in the USA? Chavs that is). Needless to say i am more suited to be categorised into the next subculture; Goths/ Moshers/ Alternatives/ Grungers/ Skaters/ any other name. These people listen to alternative music and are generally a group of tortured individuals all being unique together. (Pretty much all the youth of the UK can be categorised into these stereotypes i'm describing. It's tragic. But then again, my stereotypes of American students are of jocks and cheerleaders (i'm coming onto the UK equivalent of them in a minute). So, these individuals usually hate chavs and they hate them back. Chavs will usually verbally abuse any obviously gothic people and will attack if there are enough of them. More often than not it is that way round. Then there are the preps. The equivalent of cheerleaders etc, they are the popular people, the 'beautiful people' etc, rule the schools and are most often rich. They tend to be either nice-nice genuine (sadly boring) people or backstabbing-nice people, and their friendship groups revolve around who has the coolest outfit and the new gossip on their 'friends'. Lies and and intrigues have nothing on this. These different social groups can also sometimes be found in tha adult population, but are very clear in the youth. Other than that, i can't think of anything else that could be immediately apparent in the UK.... we have areas of large woodlands and stuff like that if you're into that. Guns are illegal here, and pepper spray is really rare. I don't actually know if it's legal. Knives I would love to have to carry round, but it's illegal (i think, although i have researched this don't quote me on it) to buy and carry round, although you can own one. Tell me then, how you can buy one from a shop and get it home? Fools. Anyway after my really ramblesome ramble i'll shut up and let you talk. Where do you want to go in the UK? Are you coming here? I'll give you some cool places next time. 051112 ... redtree wow...thanks so much for your generous info...it was fascinating and enlightening. my trip to the uk is in the sketchy planning stage, but won't happen in the near future, probably a few years off still. we were thinking of london, although i would appreciate your ideas on where to go. about highways in america...not all of them are free. we have turnpikes which cost a few dollars just to go fiffty miles or so. and speed limits...55 to 65mph which the police are very eager to catch you exceeding. and don't get caught driving under the influence of alcohol. i never have, thank god, but i hear it's a ridiculous fine, your license is removed for a time, you have to take classes, and repeated offenders go to jail. but still, there are risky times to go super fast on the wide open, three to six laned roads and that has its own thrill. major american cities are typically clean, with machine swept streets and groomed parks, unless you wander in to the ghetto and slum areas where trash, litter and neglect abounds. we also have accents depending on where you go. the most noticable ones are in the deep south...the carolinas, georgia, alabama, arkansas, louisiana, texas. but every area has its peculiar slang and nasal inflections. in california, especially los angeles, you will find the greatrest cultural diversity, even more than nyc. it's the weather...sunshine and 75 degrees, almoat year round. subcultures abound in america as well, and it is legal to own a gun here. you simply register. they check to see if you are a criminal and if you're cool, they sell you the gun. i bought a persuader shotgun for y2k and only target shot it one time. it sits unloaded in the corner of my bedroom, hidden, collecting cobwebs. yet, everyday you hear on the news of how someone is killed by a handgun. big cities on weekend nights is where you will usually find the biggest display of various, eclectic youth groups going to bars, clubs, or coffee houses. i highly suggest going to new york city...central park, especially, or walk the streets of soHo, chelsea, the east village...ride the subways, you will be able to see it all at once mingling and mixing together. .............................................................................. in america, there is this idea that there is strife btween the english and the irish. please comment... 051113 ... IGG (ummm...... very sorry i take so long to reply, i'm rarely on red, especially under this name.) with the apologies over and done with, i would say that the issue of strife between the english and the irish is very overrated, if there is anything. Bearing in mind that England has many patriotic flagwavers who would probably disagree, but there you go. I generally find that everything and everywhere is mocked to an equal degree, including England and the inhabitants. Crazy bunch, really. One of my friends was telling me she read a book about how the english always make a joke out of everything and how all conversations have an undercurrent of humour or something to that effect, and i guess thats the only way i can answer the question, sorry. I don't feel particularly angry/violent/upset/negative vibey towards the irish, can't really speak for the whole. (However, this is coming from someone far removed from reality for the majority of the time.) If you ask the older generation of english people, a large amount seem to really resent Germany or France for the wars. It's not that common now but I've talked my uncles, and also some older 'friends of the family' and was surprised about the bias there. Again though, not sure about the whole. Ahh well, all you can conclude from this is that i really don't know very much about my own country. ..................................... What about Americans? Do you guys hate anyone? (If you say the english then i'll go hide in the corner.) Also.......as a random point..... I'M GOING TO THE STATES! with my college on a trip that is for a subject i don't even do. But now i can ACTUALLY see the USA! *happy dance* 060205 ... redtree exciting news about your trip to america. bon voyage! where will you be going? nyc? in regards to your question...americans hate each other mostly. i don't think we have anything against england. at least not now. maybe back in the 1700's. tony blair and george bush are buddies, i think. at least politically. it seems america has hatred towards iraq arabs, and terrorists. but it's not a war over hatred. it's based more on wealth, greed, envy, economics, and fear. there's been a lot of racial strife in america. yet, living in los angeles or new york, or any major city, you will find great cultural and ethnic diversity, as well as several races coinciding. (as you probably have seen in london.) hate. i hate that word. check out: the_great_red_questionaire please honor it with your presence. your insightful view of life is much appreciated. 060206 ... IGG hello, wonder if you're still about redtree.... tell me if you're coming over to England! i might be going to a London university so if i do i'll take you round to see the best stuff, if you're still planning a trip to London? i came to the States in October, went to Washington DC and NYC. Seriously amazing........found that ALL the people were so friendly! with the exception of a couple, but considering the overwhelmingly nice reception we got from everyone else they were the minority. Everyone asked if we were British and seemed really chuffed when we were. 'Twas most bizarre but nice. We got to go into the White House and also round all the monuments and memorials, and my friends and i accidentally walked across some people who were filming a documentary on all the memorials and will probably be appearing on it when it comes out in the States. Exciting stuff! so anyway how's tricks? i'm currently procrastinating away from exam revision, have a big one tomorrow which i need to begin revising for soon. As in sometime this hour. hope you're still around, anyway, give me a shout if you are. 070122 ... redtree hey IGG...whoa...it's been almost a year since we last chatted...i'm glad to hear you're doing well, going to school, and especially made a trip to the states...whoo hoo! that's very cool about the documentary in d.c. let me know if you find out when it's going to show here. how was nyc? my plans to come to london, unfortunately are sketchy, and probably won't happen for a few years at least. until then, perhaps you can stop by from time to time at this little innerview and keep all of us red skites aware of what's up with you. where are you living these days? are you working as well as going to school? 070122 ... IGG aww i'm sorry the London plans are sketchy at the moment, but if you need any questions answering about stuff over here, i shall do my best to answer them! anyways i am still living 'up north', near the large and immensely exciting city of Manchester. I shall be shimmying off to university this september so i'm doing my important exams, in january and june (ish). How about you, where are you living? What are you getting up to, anything fun? Hope that the often inevitable daily drudgery isnt getting to you. 'tis most kind of you to reply so promptly, and thanks for taking up our discussion again ^_^. NYC was wicked, have many photos from my trip... seriously a truly breathtaking experience. Went to the Top Of The [Rock]erfeller Centre,walked to the halfway point on the Brooklyn Bridge (what an amazing view!!), went inside the Chrysler building, had the airlift to Roosevelt Island, and went up the Statue of Liberty, though we couldn't go to the very top because security is so tight, they won't let anyone up there. When we were looking around, I thought....my god, what an amazing country. Places that are visited in Britain might be ancient and picturesque and have lots of history, but these places we went to in both NYC and Washington D.C. had a completely different flavour. They were absolutely incredible to behold, and so dignified. I think everyone needs to experience travelling to some extent, as I believe you can only appreciate something fully when you have something to contrast it with. The different styles of the countries i've visited on my few travels simply enhance the beauty of each other rather than detracting from one another. I think you should definitely come to Britain, redtree. London is obviously a good choice to visit, but the life that you see in London is not like what i experience here where i live at the moment, as obviously NYC and Washington D.C. don't encompass the whole of US life. Come on a tour round the country, the people (i would say, from personal experience) smile less and are less friendly in London than in other places in the UK that i have visited. gah i've blathered on loads now, i feel like some sad character directing a monologue at an absent audience. hmm. i think i'll finish there for now. 070207 ... redtree it's good hearing from you as always. i was quite impressed by your nyc trip. most of what you did are things i have hoped to do but haven't had a chance yet. i've seen the statue of liberty and manhattan skyline from the staten island ferry so i loved what you said and i know what you mean about observing the unique beauty of a place. i've hung out mostly in greenwich village, soHo, nolita, and chelsea. we're going back in mid march. i hear manchester is very cool. i know that a lot of good music comes out of there and eventually reaches the states. when we finally make our trip to the u.k. we will definately stop in manchester and you can give us a personal tour... i also love your philosophy on traveling. i totally agree with you about the need for contrast. we have traveled much of the usa, adding experience to memory through words, images, and conversation, and i think the greatest thing of all is the universal sense of oneness we feel with the people we meet. although we are separated by distance, culture, and landscape, our souls seem to yearn for the same desire, that is to know, see, touch, feel, and realize that life is short. i'm in southwestern pennsylvania, only a 6 hour drive from nyc. we own a 5 acre farm called robin_hill that has 2 horses, 3 goats, a sheep, a pot-belly pig, a chicken, 7 cats, 2 dogs, gardens, outbuildings, holiday grounds, and the greatest field in the world for flying kites. presently, since the frigid, snowy weather prevents me from doing personal gardening work, i am working at a children's ski school at a local mountain resort. my days are filled with the appreciation of what it means to be a child, what it takes to teach them a skill, and what it is i take away from my experience being more than just a coach to them. in other words:the transfer of love back and forth. thanks for writing back at our little niche in red_blather, and also for participating in the_great_red_questionaire. i thoroughly enjoyed your responses. i'm wondering what "the certain substances" are that you enjoy with the zing of fruit? and holding hands is the ultimate sign of affection, especially in the public view. and your eye is exquisite... a question for you to consider...you call yourself insecure goth girl, although in your words you seem the opposite...does the name still fit? if not, what would be another name to call you? cheers... 070207 ... redTree what are you living for? what would you die for? what would you kill for? 080505 ... PeeT oh wow...i miss you. i hope you are doing well. please check in if you find this...cheers! 130226 what's it to you? who go blather from