Image Grenade

Long before Amy Winehouse became daily tabloid fodder, I discovered her.

In 2003, I attended a dinner party in Bath , and the hosts Mike and Phil, introduced me to her first album Frank. It was love at first listen, and I purchased a copy at Fopp the next day. I was truly ahead of the curve as it was released in the UK four years before it was re-released in the States.

I played it so much, I thought my stereo was going to automatically reject it one day and scream, “Enough already.” When Back in Black was released, I was a bit disappointed. While it was a great disc, overall I didn’t think the tracks were as good as her debut, but the biggest surprise, was the change in appearance. While I don’t bear any  body piercings  tattoos, generally I’m pretty blasé about what other people do to their bodies. But suddenly she went from lovely talented girl to tattooed, ratted up, hairhopper with a black beehive so high, that comparisons to Marge Simpson were de rigeur.

The more popular she became the dirtier, and grubbier Amy became. And as Ms. Winehouse was in spitting distance from the Holy Grail to all UK artists, cracking the American market, she began treading down the path to oblivion with heroin. While there are many in the limelight who furtively use drugs, Amy began  flaunting her heroin use and while many blamed her union with Blake Fielder-Civil, it was pretty obvious that Amy was a willing participant.

Now, the Sun had published pictures and a video on their website (www.thesun.co.uk) of Amy snorting Cocaine and a powdered form of Ecstasy and smoking Crack after an admission to taking six Valium.

Recently I read an article discussing the difference between talent that is propelled by ambition, like Madonna, and those with natural talent that seem to waste it. The difference was the naturally talented often took their gift for granted, because it was as much a part of them as having freckles or ginger hair. If that’s just what you are, a gifted singer, maybe you don’t think about capitalizing on it? Perhaps that’s why she chose heroine over getting clean so the US government would grant her a travel Visa to attend the Grammys.

Whatever you think about the girl, she’s got a phenomenal voice and a gift for writing and delivering heartfelt and relevant songs.  But considering her drug fueled penchant for making bad choices, instead of enjoying her talent for years to come, inevitably we all have box seats to watch Amy self destruct.

Is Amy Winehouse destined to join Janis and Billie on the list of legends who OD’d ?

Unfortunately, and increasingly I believe the answer is yes. But as she stated ever so clearly on Back in Black, “You know that I’m no good.”

In days of yore when pirates ruled the seas, it wasn’t because they wanted spend long rifts of time on the ocean, apart from civilization and it’s laws with nothing but strapping men to view for months at a time.

Okay, well maybe it was for some, but for most it was all about the booty. Not that booty. It was about attacking trade ships to gain the fab swag from far away lands they were carrying.

I completely understand the thrill. Each time I return from the UK my suitcases threaten the uppermost baggage weight limits, packed to the gills with items I can’t obtain in the U.S.

On this trip, I retuned with several fabulous finds and one dreaded stomach illness called the Nanovirus, And while I hope my next trip won’t include the tummy bug, the others I recommend. Even with an exchange rate of $2.14 for each £1 the items below are especially good should you be making a trip to see the Queen and hope to return with a few things  that won’t break the bank

Motillium:

Unless you too have been stricken with the Nanovirus or any other condition that spawns projectile vomiting, then you may have no need for this product. But after spending five hours spewing back everything from water to Pepto, it was the only thing that helped. This anti spasmodic finally quelled the queasiness, cramping and vomiting, allowing me to finally rehydrate and make the transatlantic fight without incident. It’s available without prescription, behind the counter at Boots and other pharmacies in the UK.

Londsale sportswear from SportWorld.

In London, Oxford Street is a mecca of shopping. Home to everything from a three storey Boots, Topshop, Marks and Spencers, and Debenhams our favorite stops are the two branches of Sportsworld. Signs in the window will tell you that the store is closing down with 60-70% of everything, but for the last six years, we’ve found them not only open, but a haven for great deals on everything from tote bags and trainers to official team jerseys and children’s apparel. I believe in looking cute while suffering, and since I’m in the gym 5 days a week, I go through fair amount of sports bras, shorts, shirts and trainers. Between the two branches I’m never disappointed by the selection and prices. While some would think it capricious to travel with empty suitcases only to fill up with sportswear, at these prices (some trainers (sneakers) starting at £6) even with the exchange rate, that’s a huge savings on designer label kit.

Tesco, Sainsbury and Waitrose magazines

As a foodie, I love getting new ideas to answer the age old question, “What’s for Dinner?” UK supermarkets like Sainsbury, Tesco and Waitrose all publish their own cookery magazines that not only provide information on items on sale in their stores, but provide ideas and recipes for seasonal cooking. I also make notes about condiments, snacks and new products and place any that strike my fancy on my Must Have list, so I’m sure to nab a few on my return visit.

Supermarket sweep

 Most tourists don’t think about visiting the supermarket as they tend to think of the market as the place for fresh food only, but the market can be a treasure trove for inexpensive gifts. Tiptree marmalades, Dutchy original biscuits, Hobnobs, Fox’s Glacier Mints and Cadbury chocolates are all available in more variety and at lower prices than the duty free shop in Heathrow. I always make sure to stock up on essentials like Cadbury Options orange & Belgian chocolate low cal hot beverage and Carrot and Coriander cup a soup, which are staples in my office for quashing midday hunger pangs. 

A Plethora of Periodicals

From an early age, I’ve been addicted to reading and while my schedule often prevents me from getting through a novel in less than six weeks, I do manage to devour magazines. While I’ve been known to grab the odd copy of OK or Hello, my favorites tend to be fashion, health and fitness and cooking magazines by the dozens. Unlike the US, newsagents exist in virtually every neighborhood and the larger ones carry not only the daily papers and tabloids but women’s and men’s weekly and monthly magazines on virtually every subject. Jordan grabs the men’s weekly Zoo and Nuts, while I load up on food magazines like Olive, Delicious and Good Food along with Here’s Health, Zest and Prima. On average, and depending on whether I’m in the country on sequential Tuesdays (when new weeklies are released) I can easily spend $80-$100 US on periodicals. Sad yes, but I did say it was an addiction. And unlike Amy Winehouse, it’s an addiction that won’t result in me being denied entry into any country, so I think I’m okay.