Houseplants for president

25th February 2022

Although you will not be able to tell on the Unconquered Peaks website, I’ve written this article in a gorgeously stylish font (Goudy Old Style, if you must know), in a feeble attempt to convey the beauty and the sophistication of what we mortals call Houseplants. They say sharing is caring, and so today I would like to share with you my reasoning as to why we should all idolise houseplants, put them on a pedestal (literally and figuratively – go get your Monstera one of those three-legged metal stands), and generally surround ourselves with them. If you’re in desperate need of hoarding something – hoard plants.

Houseplants for president

In defence of the BBC

25th February 2022

The question of the BBC’s legitimacy as a tax-funded, public broadcasting service has been frequently asked over the past few years, especially by this government. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, considering that it is us, the British people, who pay for it. Yet, I think the government has got it wrong regarding their treatment of the BBC, with worrying implications. On 18th January, Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary, announced that the BBC’s licence fee will be frozen over the next two years – meaning it will not rise with inflation. With inflation at a 6 year high of 6% or more, this leaves a £285 million funding gap for the BBC, which is huge. Her argument was that the raise in licence fee could not be justified due to the cost-of-living crisis, yet the government’s rhetoric (which should not be underestimated in importance) also very much portrays a distaste for this sacred institution.

In defence of the BBC

My rant (*cough cough* sorry, Review) on Unchartered – the 2022 thriller adventure movie

25th February 2022

When I read the name “Tom Holland”, my brain automictically switches to full blown Spider-Man mode – the incredible stunts, the gripping cliff-hangers and the edgy villains. So, my inner Holland-Fan coaxed me to spend two hours of my Saturday watching Unchartered. My gullible self was excited to see Holland’s brand-new film consisting of elements supposedly inspired by… Indiana Jones…?! Well, long story short, the only things that really kept me going were the failed yet amusing attempts of making Holland into a suave cool guy with serious abs and the pretty sights of Spain and the Philippines. Mark Wahlberg had his funny moments, of course – and generally the cast had appreciable chemistry…so I do apologize for the sarcastic and maybe harsh review you’re about to read.

My rant (*cough cough* sorry, Review) on Unchartered – the 2022 thriller adventure movie

Déjà Vu

25th February 2022

This week’s topical cartoon, illustrated by Sasha Burina-Ling

Déjà Vu

Just Drive

28th January 2022

It always seems to be the winter months which are the hardest. The sky is painted a forever shade of grey that dims the light in peoples’ eyes, trees cast crooked shadows on the cracked pavement and all the streetlights apparently die along with the sunset. In the winter too many words are uttered from chapped lips, sweaters feel constricting rather than comforting and it’s unclear whether the shivers felt in the night are from the cold or from hollowness. The sounds I hear refuse to drift from my head like they do in the summer, they rattle around in there like old keys on a chain and play on a loop on and on and on and on.

Just Drive