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Man accidentally gets the wrong wedding date tattooed on his finger

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(Picture: Kennedy News)

A man is in the doghouse for forgetting his wedding date two weeks after the ceremony – and getting the wrong date tattooed on his finger.

Wayne had tried to be romantic by getting the wedding date tattooed on his finger instead of wearing a ring, worried that he might lose it at work.

It wasn’t until his wife Natalie was telling her friends at a party about the tattoo six weeks later that they released Wayne had given the tattoo artist the wrong date – swapping 25 August 2017 for 25 July.

Luckily, Natalie, a mum-of-three, has seen the funny side and says it’s something that ‘could only happen to them’.

She said: ‘It just basically sums up how we are. Everything is a laugh and a joke.

PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: WAYNE AND NATALIE LOMAX) This new husband was quickly in the doghouse with his wife when he forgot their wedding date just two weeks after the ceremony - getting the wrong date TATTOOED on his finger. ayne Lomax, 32, had to do some quick-talking when new wife Natalie Lomax, 29, discovered he???d been walking around with the wrong date on his finger for SIX WEEKS before they realised his error. he plasterer had decided it would be romantic to get their wedding date tattooed on his ring finger in lieu of wearing a ring for fear he would lose the jewellery while at work. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 660 8596
(Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

‘Everyone says “that could only happen to you two – that’s just you two all over”.

‘Because he’s a self-employed plasterer, he can’t really wear a wedding ring with his job.

‘So we said before [the wedding] we’d get the ring for the day and then after that he’d get my name tattooed down one side of his finger and the date of the wedding on the other side of his finger.

‘It wasn’t until five or six weeks after that we were all at a party, and I was telling people he’d had the tattoo done.

‘He’s not got a very good pain threshold so he was in agony getting it done. I’d been telling people how much it was hurting and something clicked in my brain.

PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: THE WRONG DATE CAN BE SEEN ON WAYNE'S FINGER TATTOO AS IT SAYS JULY INSTEAD OF AUGUST) This new husband was quickly in the doghouse with his wife when he forgot their wedding date just two weeks after the ceremony - getting the wrong date TATTOOED on his finger. ayne Lomax, 32, had to do some quick-talking when new wife Natalie Lomax, 29, discovered he???d been walking around with the wrong date on his finger for SIX WEEKS before they realised his error. he plasterer had decided it would be romantic to get their wedding date tattooed on his ring finger in lieu of wearing a ring for fear he would lose the jewellery while at work. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 660 8596
(Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

‘I said, actually, can I just look at it? Instead of 25.08.17 he had 25.07.17. He’d got July instead of August.

‘I was like, you’ve got the wrong date and he said he hadn’t, and then I said “look that’s July and we got married in August”.

‘So we both stood staring for ages and burst out laughing.’

Wayne tried to blame Natalie for it – but realised he’d put the date wrong into an app on his phone while trying to decide what kind of font he wanted.

Natalie continued: ‘He got it wrong in his phone and he showed them [the date] off his phone when he got there.

‘We both found it so funny.’

PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: NATALIE AND WAYNE LOMAX ON THEIR WEDDING DAY) This new husband was quickly in the doghouse with his wife when he forgot their wedding date just two weeks after the ceremony - getting the wrong date TATTOOED on his finger. Wayne Lomax, 32, had to do some quick-talking when new wife Natalie Lomax, 29, discovered he???d been walking around with the wrong date on his finger for SIX WEEKS before they realised his error. The couple decided to get their wedding date tattooed on Wayne???s ring finger in leiu of wearing a ring for fear he would lose the jewellery while at work as a plasterer. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 660 8596
(Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

Luckily, Wayne managed to have the tattoo corrected, and Natalie decided to get her own finger tattooed, too.

Natalie said: ‘When he went in to get it changed, he booked me in for a tattoo on my leg for my Christmas present.

‘I was laughing at him for his reaction to the pain when he was getting his fingers done.

‘So he said you need to get a tattoo and I got the wedding date and the names on my ring finger too – but I still wear my rings though.

‘It was really painful on your fingers, it definitely is.

PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: WAYNE AND NATALIE LOMAX) This new husband was quickly in the doghouse with his wife when he forgot their wedding date just two weeks after the ceremony - getting the wrong date TATTOOED on his finger. ayne Lomax, 32, had to do some quick-talking when new wife Natalie Lomax, 29, discovered he???d been walking around with the wrong date on his finger for SIX WEEKS before they realised his error. he plasterer had decided it would be romantic to get their wedding date tattooed on his ring finger in lieu of wearing a ring for fear he would lose the jewellery while at work. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 660 8596
(Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

‘He was just laughing at me saying “I told you so. And you think I’ve got a low pain threshold”.

‘But then I had a three and a half hour sitting for the one of my legs which he said he couldn’t do.

‘Wayne’s tattoo is due to be done for a third time, as that seven is still visible through the eight and the ink just doesn’t like staying in his skin, what with his job & everything.

‘It may be perfect one day, but we are having plenty of laughs getting there.

‘Well, I am having plenty of laughs watching Wayne go through the agony each time.’

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Tell your parents they were wrong about tattoos wrecking your career

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Why does everyone want a goth girlfriend?
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

It’s rare that we get to call up our parents and tell them they were wrong and we were right.

So we’ll relish the opportunity to let them know that actually, tattoos don’t wreck your chances of getting a decent job.

In fact, tattoos might even give you the edge you need for a push in your career.

Take that, Dad.

Researchers from the University of Miami Business School and the University of Western Australia surveyed 2,000 subjects from 50 U.S. states, and found that a visible tattoo didn’t have an effect on individuals’ employment and earnings.

The study found that wages and annual earnings of tattooed employees were statistically indistinguishable from those without them, and tattooed people were just as likely – and in some cases even more likely – to gain employment than tattoo-free people.

That’s likely down to the increased prevalence of tattoos. While tattoos were once considered edgy, they feel increasingly common – 20% of American adults and 40% of millennials have tattoos.

The study’s lead author, Michael French, reckons that the change in workplace attitudes towards tattoos is down to how limiting discriminating based on body art can be.

Those who still refuse to hire people with tattoos may be massively narrowing the pool of applicants they get to choose from, making them miss out on brilliant people.

metro illustration
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

‘The long-held stigmas associated with having tattoos, and particularly visible ones, may be eroding, especially among younger individuals who view body art as a natural and common form of personal expression,’ said Michael French.

‘Given the increasing prevalence of tattoos in society – around 40% for young adults – hiring managers and supervisors who discriminate against tattooed workers will likely find themselves at a competitive disadvantage for the most qualified employees.’

But before you rush out and cover yourself in skulls and kitties, bear a few things in mind.

First off, while it may no longer be the norm to discriminate based on tattoos, there will likely be some outliers ignoring the trend. If you work in a field that’s known for being conservative, visible tattoos might still hold you back – so proceed carefully.

The study didn’t look into people’s tattoos in terms of location and design, so we don’t know whether particular types of tattoo limit your job prospects more than another. We don’t know if someone with a unicorn tattoo on the chest would be treated the same as someone with a meaningful quote on their arm.

You can reduce your risk of tattoos holding you back by opting for locations that are easily covered, and making sure that you choose a design that’s inoffensive.

Steer away from swear words or anything too aggressive and remember that while getting ‘no ragrets’ on your skin might seem hilarious to you, it could make an interviewer have doubts in your editing experience.

MORE: Man accidentally gets the wrong wedding date tattooed on his finger

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MORE: It’s time to celebrate the stay at home dad: We don’t deserve your prejudice

 

 

Metro Road Trip: Your summer pictures of the southern counties

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This summer our Instagram page is on a summer road trip across the UK.

We’re travelling to every county through your pictures to find the best beauty spots, shareable shores and like-worthy landmarks.

So far we have travelled around the south and south eastern counties surrounding London.

We’ve shared images which captured the lavender fields in Kent to the cliff tops of Sussex.

Here are a few of our most liked images so you can keep up.

Use #MetroRoadTrip share your pictures for the next stage of our journey to the West Country.

Essex

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The gardens of Hylands House in Chelmsford captured by @syednooh10.

Hertfordshire

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An incredible view of a sunflower field at Hitchin in Hertforshire, taken by @melbocks.

Buckinghamshire

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This is the incredible sunset seen from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire, captured by @grahamcustance.

Kent

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From fields of gold to fields of purple, captured in Kent by @mattgh83.

East Sussex

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Rye is one of the prettiest villages in Britain, with this image captured by @bright_andrew.

West Sussex

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Victorian engineering on a colossal scale near Haywards Heath, taken by @korybalski.

Surrey

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This stunning shot was captured by @the.travelling.teeth at Colley Hill, near Reigate in Surrey.

Berkshire

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Of course we had to feature Windsor Castle, captured here by @god.of.picture.

The next stage of our #MetroRoadTrip will see us heading west through Dorset and Gloucestershire, all the way to Cornwall.

You can follow us at @Metro.co.uk where we also regularly post the best pictures from London using #MetroLDN.

MORE: Join our Instagram staycation with #MetroRoadTrip and have your images featured

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MORE: London in pictures: Your best Instagram images of the month

Stunning scenery and rare golden monkeys: A Yangtze River cruise in China is one you will never forget

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When you think of China, the word relaxing might not be the first one that comes to mind.

But it is possible when you take a cruise up the longest river in China, the Yangtze.

Just put your feet up on the deck and watch breathtaking scenery change as you sail from east to west, transforming from skyscrapers to tea plantations.

There are excursions ranging from watching monkeys playing in the treetops, to visiting a giant underground nuclear bunker. You can even learn to make dumplings using ingredients you can easily pick up from your local Chinese supermarket.

All this on a top-rate, sumptuous boat, the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer. All I can say is, get your senses ready for luxury overload.

Three gorges,Yangtze river,China
(Picture: Getty)

The Yangtze river (Chang Jiang) is 3,915 miles long and the Three Gorges, near its source, is where you will find its most idyllic scenery.

This is the portion of the river that’s been immortalised for centuries in Chinese paintings and poetry.

The jaw-dropping Xiling Gorge surrounds you with 4,000ft high, forest-covered peaks.

Wu Gorge is narrower, twisting and turning through a misty landscape and you’ll be able to take stunning panoramic pictures from viewpoints at the front and back of the boat.

Finally, Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic of the three, is where you’ll be able to peek into mysterious gaps where tributaries shoot off inland.

The Shennong Stream (Picture: Sanctuary Retreats)
The Shennong Stream (Picture: Sanctuary Retreats)

For an insight into China before the factories, enter the Shennong Stream, about half way downstream.

A guide from the local ethnic group, the Tujia people, will take you on a traditional boat up the stunning tributary where caverns carved into the majestic cliffs hold 2,000-year-old coffins.

Watch swallows as they fly in and out of a 5 mile deep cave, but keep your eyes peeled – rhesus monkeys swing and play among the branches on the riverbanks.

Traditional Tujia trackers (Picture: Rachel Anderson)
Traditional Tujia trackers (Picture: Rachel Anderson)

You also have the opportunity to learn about the history of the local people, who have their own language and culture.

They make up the workforce of ‘trackers’ who manually pulled boats upstream, against the Yangtze’s raging currents, for centuries.

The typical age of the men doing this very physical job is now 70-85, so sadly the tradition won’t last long.

Many of the paths they walked along from the old days still exist, although the main path was flooded, and remains submerged, after the Three Gorges Dam was completed in 2003.

A sublime landscape expansive view of China's Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in diffused soft light with reflections of the dam in the water showcasing the zen-like tranquility.
(Picture: Getty)

The dam is the world’s largest hydropower project, measuring 600ft high and spanning 1.2 miles in width, with a cost that ran to the billions.

It was designed to create enough clean energy to reduce China’s reliance on coal, as well as increase the river’s shipping capacity and reduce flooding downstream.

However, the project is hugely controversial as more than a million people were displaced from cities, towns and villages due to flooding upstream as a result of the dam.

Depending on who you talk to, the new cities are a ‘wonderful, wonderful thing’ or have destroyed culture and livelihoods. It’s a fascinating insight into China’s development.

A mother and baby golden snub-nosed monkey (Picture: Rachel Anderson)
A mother and baby golden snub-nosed monkey (Picture: Rachel Anderson)

Also in the vicinity of Shennong Stream is Shennongjia national park, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.

The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is the only cruise with exclusive access to the national park, where hundreds of golden snub-nosed monkeys reside.

Take a short walk into the Dalongtan Protection and Research Base and you will hear their calls through the trees.

An adolescent on a branch (Picture: Rachel Anderson)
An adolescent on a branch (Picture: Rachel Anderson)

As well as being seriously cute, these aren’t just any monkey.

The golden monkeys are almost as rare as pandas – and found only in China.

If you’re lucky, you can see the majestic dominant male up close, surrounded by females nursing their babies, and adolescent males play-fighting among the tree tops.

And don’t fear, there are no animals being paraded for pictures, this is a genuine chance to see a fascinating species in an ethical setting.

Dumpling making (Picture: Rachel Anderson)
Dumpling making (Picture: Rachel Anderson)

Aside from the stunning scenery, rich culture and cute animals, the cruise also has a number enrichment programs, including making dumplings.

A specialist chef will show you the tricks of the trade – and most importantly, you can sample his creations.

Try your hand at rolling the pastry in the traditional way, dolloping on the filling and shaping the dough into beautiful pockets of perfection.

Early morning Tai Chi (Picture: Rachel Anderson)
Early morning Tai Chi (Picture: Rachel Anderson)

And it’s not just cooking classes, you can also try early morning Tai Chi on the deck, learn about acupuncture, or enjoy a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

You can keep very busy, but then again, you could also watch the world go by while relaxing with a glass of wine on the deck. You decide.

How to get there

I travelled with Sanctuary Retreats on their four night Shennongjia Sailings cruise. They offer a range of itineraries on three or four night cruises between Yichang and Chongqing on the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer.

Prices for a three-night cruise start from £948, and includes accommodation, all three meals during full sailing days, breakfast on the day of disembarkation, local drinks, entrance fees for the scheduled sightseeing and pre-arranged entertainment/on board activities.

Return flights from Heathrow to Shanghai start at £395 with Air FranceKLM.

Bullet train tickets from Shanghai to Yichang or Chongqing can be bought in advance through China DIY Travel. Tickets for a second class seat cost around £50 plus a US$10 booking fee.

(Top picture: Sanctuary Retreats)

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Raspberry Maltesers are out in the world just waiting for us to try them

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(Picture: metro.co.uk)

Maltesers are a sacred snack.

They’re crunched at the cinema, make an excellent gift when put in a box, and inspired the best chocolate in a tub of Celebrations.

They are pure and wonderful, and that is why we’ll rejoice at any Malteser related gimmick – from Malteser truffles and buttons to this new discovery: Raspberry Maltesers.

Yes, friends. Raspberry Maltesers exist in the world.

They’re not just chocolate covered raspberries, as delicious as that would be. Raspberry Maltesers have the same malty insides as usual, but are covered in raspberry flavoured chocolate instead of the regular milk stuff.

Instagram account chamberofsnackrets rated Raspberry Maltesers nine of of ten, writing: ‘I had high hopes for these and they delivered.

Instagram Photo

‘My biggest concern was the raspberry flavour not being strong enough. But it does shine through – much more of an artificial raspberry flavour more like cordial. Super tasty 9/10.’

Now for the bad news: They’re only available in Australia, and there are no plans to launch them in the UK any time soon.

We’ve reached out to Mars to beg them to bring the tasty snack over here, but haven’t heard back yet.

Guess we’ll just have to put up with regular delicious chocolate free of any fruity flavour, then. Ugh. Life isn’t fair.

MORE: You’ll soon be able to drink your G&T with strawberry and lime edible straws

MORE: A chocolate afternoon tea has arrived in London and it’s as delicious as you’d imagine

MORE: Man raps about pork pies to raise money for young farmers

What I Rent: Rebecca, £714 a month for a room in a two bedroom flat in Tooting

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What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
Rebecca shares a two-bedroom flat in Tooting. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had a clearer idea of what renting in London is supposed to cost?

It’d be great to know whether a £900 room in Clapham is a rip-off, and what we should expect if we’re paying £650 for a house-share.

That’s why we launched What I Rent, a weekly series to make sense of renting.

Each week we take you inside someone’s rented property to have an honest look at what people are getting for the rent they pay.

The idea is that by seeing a bunch of other people’s places and how much they pay, we’ll all have a better sense of pricing and expectations when it comes to finding a place to live.

This week we’re hanging out with Rebecca, a journalist who shares a two-bedroom flat in Tooting with a police officer called Rachel.

What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
She pays £714 a month. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)

Hey Bex! How much are you paying for this place?

We pay £1,428 a month split between two so I pay £714 a month

We each put £100 in to a joint account along with the rent money and that covers all our bills each month, along with extra for the winter months when the gas bill gets higher/we want to buy new Christmas decorations.

Off the top of my head I think we pay £60 for council tax, around £30 each for gas and electricity, £30 for Sky TV and broadband and £17 for water. Then we pay quarterly for our TV licence.

And what do you get for that money?

It’s a really good sized flat, with two bedrooms, one bathroom with separate bath and shower, one living room and one kitchen which is big enough to give us room for a dining table as well.

How did you find the flat?

I’ve lived here for over three years now, moving in June 2015.

I found it through SpareRoom! My old landlord was selling his place so me and my then housemate had a fair few months notice to start looking.

We signed up to loads of estate agents but none of them would show us properties that were anywhere within our price range or location needs (no, I wasn’t lying when I said don’t have an extra £300 a month to spend on rent!)

We were also browsing SpareRoom on the off-chance a property for two would appear in a location we liked, and it did.

What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
Bex and Rachel have been lucky to get a place they’re allowed to decorate. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)

Did you know your current housemate before moving in together?

When my old housemate decided to move back to Australia she gave me loads of notice so I started advertising on SpareRoom about three or four months before the room was available.

Rachel was the first person to reply and we clicked straight away.

We both work jobs with shift hours so sometimes it’s like living on your own which both of us really like, but then it’s nice to know that we can drop the other a text to say ‘you Home tonight? Wine?’

What’s the location like? 

We live in Tooting Broadway/Furzedown. It’s about a 12 minute walk to Tooting Broadway tube station and just under 10 to Tooting train station. We’re also about a 10 minute walk to Tooting Common.

What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
Rebecca has lived in the flat for three years, so she’s been able to make it her own. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)

Are you happy where you live?

I love where I live! The flat is spacious, and we’ve been allowed to decorate how we want. We still check in when we want to add a nail to the wall for more pictures but it’s never been a problem.

I’ve only ever lived in Tooting since I moved to London in 2013 and in the last few years I’ve seen it change a lot but it’s still maintained a wonderful community vibe.

I love that there are great bars and restaurants just a few minutes walk from where I live and I love the Tooting community Instagram pages that let you know when new places are opening or events are taking place or volunteer opportunities have arisen.

I also love this that it’s far enough out that I don’t feel like I’m living in the hustle and bustle of ‘London’.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

Definitely. We have built-in wardrobes in each room which offer even more space and we have an attic which is incredibly helpful for storage.

Plus the flat is set back off the road with a private car park so it works nicely as my housemate has a car and there’s always somewhere to park when parents or friends want to visit.

Are there any major issues with the house you have to put up with?

No major issues. We’ve never met the landlord as we deal with an estate agent who handles all the details, but the landlord’s father is also the handyman so we have met him a few times!

Any time we have had a problem – our co2 alarm broke, blocked drains – it’s been sorted within a day.

In 2017 I also asked if I could repaint the flat and instead they did it for us.

Any plans to move again?

Every time our contract comes up for renewal we have the ‘chat’ but we’ve never had any reason to move. We think our rent is reasonable for the area and the space we’re getting and the location gives us both easy transport links to work.

And what about buying a place?

LOL.

Fair response. Shall we take a look around Rebecca and Rachel’s place, then?

What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
The living room has plenty of space to have guests over. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
(Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
(Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
Rebecca’s room. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
Yes, Rebecca does like dreamcatchers. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
(Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
(Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
Rachel’s room. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
She has a proper alarm clock. Very grown up. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
(Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
A nice pair of plants. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
The kitchen. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
(Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
And the bathroom. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent - Tooting Bec - Only images of Bex in rooms as housemate is police officer and didnt want to be identified.
Hi, toothbrushes. (Picture: Alexander Crawley/Metro.co.uk)

What I Rent is a weekly series that’s out every Tuesday at 10am. Check back next week to have a nose around another rented property in London. 

How to get involved in What I Rent

What I Rent is Metro.co.uk's weekly series that takes you inside the places in London people are renting, to give us all a better sense of what's normal and how much we should be paying.

If you fancy taking part, please email whatirent@metro.co.uk.

You'll need to have pictures taken of your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom, plus a few photos of you in your room. Make sure you get permission for your housemates!

You'll also need to be okay with sharing how much you're paying for rent, as that's pretty important.

MORE: What I Rent: Sophie and India, £1,300 a month for a two bedroom flat in Peckham

MORE: What I Rent: Rachel, £936 a month for a one bedroom flat in Seven Sisters

MORE: What I Rent: Paul and Mike, £1,350 for a flat in Tooting

When I was struggling with PTSD, my allotment was the one place I could seek refuge

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(Photo: Kirsty Ward)

After suffering from an unexpected breakdown in my mental health in March 2017 I was left in a place I never thought I would be.

Unable to leave the house, unable to look after my children, suffering with panic attacks and unable to eat and drink, I sought medical help to figure out what was causing this.

After struggling through a difficult pregnancy and traumatic birth in 2016 with my second daughter, I had been told I was suffering with post-partum, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Hearing this was hard. I’d never, at any point, thought I would suffer from any sort of mental health problems. I really struggled to come to terms with it and accept why it was happening to me, and what I could possibly do to make myself better.

After reading up about what PTSD was and the huge range of side effects it can have, I went on to find ways that I could help manage my own symptoms.

This is where the journey on my little allotment began. After reading into how gardening and growing your own can help mental health, especially for people suffering with PTSD, it was all I needed to know to go and find myself an allotment.

Instagram Photo

Fortunately, when I rang the local council there were spaces on the site local to my house, so I chose my plot, got my keys and started on my adventure.

Getting stuck into my allotment with no real experience or knowledge was hard for the first couple of visits. But I soon started having ideas of how I wanted to make it look and the fruit and vegetables that I wanted to grow. From there it didn’t take me long to get hooked once I started to see the changes emerging.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes an allotment extremely therapeutic. I feel it’s a whole list of contributing factors that make it so wonderful for so many different people.

Whether it’s being close to nature, getting outside, improving physical health, eating healthy foods, watching seeds turn into plants or harvesting crops it all seems to harmoniously work together to create the perfect little haven.

Instagram Photo

My allotment has helped my mental health and wellbeing by providing me with a space in which to relax, switch my mind off and recuperate. It has enabled me to return to the normal running of day-to-day life as a wife and mother; it has allowed me to return to work, and encouraged me to study horticulture in the near future.

It has not only helped me get back on my feet (which in itself was a major task) but allowed me to exceed this, too.

I would absolutely recommend an allotment or growing space as a therapeutic tool to anyone struggling with their mental health.

You don’t have to dive straight in with a large allotment plot – you can start small by growing herbs on the windowsill, or growing some lettuce and radish in an outdoor pot.

I currently have a vegetable patch at home, a greenhouse and a large allotment space that I fill with wonderful flowers, fruits and vegetables. My favourite things to grow so far are onions, pumpkins, squash, strawberries, zinnias, dahlias and tomatoes.

Bad days can still happen but with my coping mechanisms in place, luckily the good days outweigh the bad.

From watching that tiny seed grow into something magnificent like a pumpkin or watching your favourite flower unfurl and bloom, the allotment for me is totally addictive and has absolutely become my passion.

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Mum with heart shaped fused wombs gives birth to twins

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(Picture: east2westnews)

A woman born with two wombs has given birth to twins, after being told that her fused wombs would prevent her from ever having children.

The woman, whose name has not been revealed, was born with two wombs that had fused together, creating a heart shape.

According to reports, doctors told her that she would never be able to get pregnant thanks to her unusual condition.

They were shocked to discover that the woman was pregnant… with twins.

Two eggs had been fertilised in each of her wombs, creating a set of twins.

Heart shaped womb
(Picture: Bauman Moscow hospital #29 / east2west news)

The twins were delivered through C-section, which also allowed the woman to see her heart-shaped wombs for the first time.

What causes a heart-shaped womb?

A set of fused wombs, also known as a double uterus, is incredibly rare.

The uterus starts out as two small tubes that usually fuse together to form one womb. A double uterus occurs when the tubes don’t fuse and remain separate, creating two wombs.

The two wombs can share a cervix or have one each, and it’s not immediately obvious that a woman has two wombs. Sometimes the vaginal passage is split, but it’s easy to miss that sign.

Women with double wombs may become aware of their condition when experiencing symptoms such as extremely painful or heavy periods or repeated miscarriage.

Scan photographs of the pregnant woman with heart shaped womb
Scan photographs of the woman’s heart shaped wombs. (Picture: east2west news)

A heart-shaped womb may be a bicornuate uterus, rather than a double uterus.

Rather than being two uteri fused together, a bicornuate uterus happens when the ducts only partially fuse together, creating a separation of the two upper parts of the womb. That’s what produces a heart shape.

Again, this is incredibly rare, and is a congenital abnormality.

A bicornuate uterus can cause painful periods, abdominal discomfort, irregular bleeding, and miscarriages.

It’s not clear whether the condition affects fertility, but it does raise the risk of miscarriage and difficult births. Those with bicornuate uterus will be treated as high-risk when pregnant, and the doctor would need to do regular checks to make sure the baby is in the correct position. It’s likely that someone with a bicornuate uterus will need to have a C-section.

Following the surgery the wombs were put back in place without any issues, and both the mum and twins are reportedly in good health. The woman’s son weighed in at 7.3lb and the daughter at 6lb.

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‘Instaception’ is the Instagram trend we’re not sure is worth the hassle

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(Picture: Instagram)

Makeup artists are aplenty on the old Instagram. How do you slay your beauty game when every other person has their eyeliner on fleek?

You jump on the latest Instagram trend, of course. And right now it’s the ‘instaception’.

So, the idea is you apply your makeup as normal, but – get ready for the meta part – you add Instagram borders to make it look like a post.

The frame is meant to look like a screenshot of an Instagram post, complete with like, comment, and share buttons painted on your face.

Instagram Photo

The trend started with beauty vlogger Dom Ski who experimented with painting on his face.

‘I had this idea stuck in my head for a while now, didn’t execute it as well as I could have but oh well,’ he wrote.

It might not be your latest look on a night out but the trend was quickly hopped on by other vloggers and got a lot of love on the social media platform.

Renowned makeup artist James Charles who has 7.1 million followers on the app also shared his version of the look, colouring in just the eye area.

Instagram Photo

Makeup savvy artists haven’t just been sticking to one screenshot per face either, some have added eyes and lips all over their face for a true instaception look.

Although it would probably take some time to draw on and get the perfect size for the buttons on the ‘screenshot’, it will save you time in other ways.

Part of the trend involves leaving the rest of your face bare to make the eye area pop out.

So all you have to do is go all out on one eye and add the Insta frame and leave the rest empty (you will definitely need some pigmented white eye makeup or face paint for it though).

Who knows, maybe it can be your next Halloween look?

Here are a few more looks for inspiration.

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

Instagram Photo

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What is phimosis?

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(Picture: Getty)

Phimosis is a condition that means the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the head of the penis.

It’s not usually something to worry about, but if it’s causing you pain, irritation or difficulty going for a wee, then you should definitely see your GP about it.

Phimosis in children

For babies and toddlers, phimosis is completely normal.

Uncircumcised baby boys will usually have a foreskin that doesn’t pull back because in small children between the ages of two and six, it’s still attached to the head of the penis.

From the age of two, the foreskin will naturally start to detach itself from the penis head – for some boys this process takes longer.

If the foreskin won’t pull back in older children, it may mean that some scarring has occurred as the result of a skin condition.

Parents mustn’t try to pull their child’s foreskin back. You can easily damage it and cause the child unnecessary pain.

Most boys of ten will have a fully retractable foreskin.

Phimosis in adults

In some cases, phimosis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection or STI.

It’s also associated with a number of skin conditions.

They include:

  • Ezecma – a long-term skin condition that results in red, dry, itchy or cracked skin.
  • Psoriasis –  where the skin is flaky or crusty and may look like it’s coated in scales.
  • Lichen Planus – an itchy rash that’s not infectious.
  • Lichen Sclerosus – scarring of the foreskin or penis head that can be caused by urinary irritation.

If you have phimosis, it’s likely to make sex difficult. You might be in pain or notice a lack of sensation. In some cases, the skin can split.

What to look out for

Phimosis becomes a problem when there’s soreness, redness or swelling involved.

A swollen, sore or inflamed penis head usually indicates balanitis, the official name for inflammation of the head of the penis. If the penis head and foreskin look red and/or swollen, that’s known as balanoposthitis.

You may also notice a viscous discharge under the foreskin.

If any of these elements are present, make an appointment with your GP.

Treatment

For balantis, your doctor will usually recommend improving your genital hygiene and using a cream or ointment to sooth the penis.

Similarly, balanoposthitis can be treated by keeping the penis clean. You should regularly wash your penis with water and a gentle soap.

Traces of urine that remain under the foreskin can irritate it, so make sure you pull back the foreskin to wash the skin underneath.

Sometimes balanoposthitis is the result of a bacterial or fungal infection. If this is the case, your GP will prescribe you antibiotics or a special antifungal cream.

A cream or gel containing topical steroids can help soften the foreskin and make it more malleable and easily retracted.

If you’re having difficulty with pain or skin splitting during sex, using a condom or lubricant can make your penis much more comfortable.

Surgery for phimosis

If your balanitis or balanoposthitis is severe or keeps coming back, you may need to consider surgery.

A painfully tight foreskin that doesn’t respond to treatment can have a detrimental effect on your ability to urinate and perform sexually.

Circumcision can be necessary.

Having part or all of the foreskin removed does carry the risk of infection and excessive bleeding.

(Picture: Getty)

Your GP may also recommend a procedure that releases the parts where the foreskin is stuck to the head of the penis, in order to keep the foreskin. This type of surgery doesn’t always stop the problem from coming back.

Paraphimosis

The cousin of phimosis is paraphimosis, where the foreskin can be retracted, but it won’t return to its original position.

This is a very serious condition and will cause the head of the penis to become very swollen and painful.

If this happens, it should be treated as a medical emergency. Without immediate treatment, the pain and swelling will get worse and blood flow to the penis will be restricted.

Paraphimosis is usually treated with a local anaesthetic gel, before pressure is applied to the head of the penis and the foreskin is pushed forward. If this doesn’t work, a small incision is made in the foreskin to relieve the pressure.

Failing that, circumcision is the next step.

In rare circumstances, blood flow to the penis is shut off to such a degree that the tissue begins to die and the penis becomes gangrenous. If this happens, the penis may need to be surgically removed.

This only happens in very severe cases.

Most phimosis is benign and doesn’t cause problems.

However, if you’re in pain, noticing swelling, or your foreskin won’t go back over the head of your penis, you should definitely see a doctor.

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Photographer travels to Devil’s Island to capture the world’s cruelest prison taken over by nature

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Devil’s Island was once a terrifying prison for only the most ferocious inmates.

Known as the man-eater and the dry guillotine, Saint-Joseph island was a place where 60,000 prisoners faced the worst possible conditions.

Between 1852 and 1946, inmates were sent on 15-day journeys in cramped cages to the island, where they would do the work previously carried out by slaves or would face torture and years of solitary confinement if they refused or tried to escape.

Many of the prisoners died from beatings, a lack of food, or suicide. Others lived for years in dark dungeons, cut off from light and human contact.

In solitary confinement, prisoners were banned from talking, smoking, reading, holding any objects, and sitting before night-time. They had nothing to do except for turn in their cages, permitted only a one hour walk in a special cell with an open roof.

For food, the prisoners would stick their head through a hole in their cage and be given soup.

Saved only for the worst prisoners, the island became the most feared place in the colony.

The roof of one of the cells. (Picture: Romain Veillon)

Any of those who succeeded at escaping their cells would likely be eaten by the sharks or piranhas living in the surrounding sea.

Now the island is free of prisoners, but its haunting history has prevented it from getting a new purpose.

After attempts to create a summer camp, a police station, and a factory on the island, the area was abandoned entirely, left for nature to take over.

Photographer Romain Veillon travelled to the island to capture its overgrown state.

‘It is a famous part of French history,’ Romain tells Metro.co.uk. ‘We used to send our worst prisoners to Guiana in the past and they had to face terrible detention conditions.

Graves of the prisoners who died in detention. (Picture: Romain Veillon)

‘I read Papillon when I was young and I remember I used to see it as an adventure book which was quite unreal to me. It was only later that I realized it really happened to prisoners there (even if I know Papillon is not the real story of Henry Charrière, he borrowed many of his stories from other inmates).

‘Since then, I always wanted to see with my own eyes what remained of the colonial penitentiary on the islands because it is a unique relic of our past and a symbol of the true “adventurers”.

‘I was fascinated by this green hell at the other side of the world and by this resolute will that these men had to overcome this adversity to get their liberty back.

(Picture: Romain Veillon)

‘I wanted to hunt down the tracks of these men, the witnesses of one of our most shameful history.

‘This journey was rewarding as well as it was fascinating, because there is a real paradox between the beauty of the place and the use we choose to do with it.’

When travelling to the island, Romain says the first thing he noticed was the heat.

‘You’re literally sweating nonstop,’ he explains, noting that prisoners often died from the heat and humidity.

But beyond that, Romain found a strange sense of peace from being on an island reclaimed by nature, despite being unable to forget the horrors that happened in this place.

‘You only hear animals from time to time, agoutis mainly,’ he tells us. ‘Perfect conditions to try to imagine a bit of what it must have been to be a prisoner there.

‘You have to know if your sentence was more than seven years, you had to stay in Guiana forever after your detention.

‘The suffering in these cells where they had nothing to do, not even speak or lay down on the floor with bad food and health care is horrifying; more than a third of the prisoners sent there died while serving their sentence.’

(Picture: Romain Veillon)

‘I was sad to see the place going to crumble little by little. Must we let time erase our mistakes or on the opposite, must we need to save them in order not to repeat them?

‘The atmosphere with the opposition of the beauty of the place and the dark memories haunting it makes it unreal to walk around this part of paradise, thinking about all the ghosts that remained trapped there.’

Romain has long been fascinated by abandoned spaces, having previously photographed decaying roller coasters and houses falling to pieces.

He recently published a book dedicated to decaying buildings, called Ask The Dust.

Romain hopes that by capturing these places, he’ll allow the viewer to travel back in time and create a story of what the spot used to look like and what it meant.

(Picture: Romain Veillon)

‘I would imagine that, as many people, discovering the decaying house at the end of the street is a memory we all have deep inside of us,’ he explains.

‘For me, it was the abandoned truck factory of my grandmother that I use to explore every summer.

‘When I encounter such a place, my goal is that everybody can travel in the past with me and make up the stories they decide want to: Why was this place abandoned? What happened to the former owners? What used to happen in this room?

‘People make their own kind of answers. It makes them go in their imaginary world and become the hero of their own adventure where they are the detective.

‘Each story will be different from one another, and that’s what I love. To me, my pictures act as a new kind of Memento Mori; they are here to remind us that everything has an end, and that we should enjoy it while it lasts.’

Romain Veillon devil's islands photoghraphy
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)
(Picture: Romain Veillon)

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I’m 32 and an alcoholic, and accepting that has made me happier than I’ve ever been

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Alex Cooper at 11 months sober (Picture: Alex Cooper)

Why aren’t you drinking?

I get asked this a lot.

As a man, it’s hard to come up with a good enough answer to that question. You can’t say, ‘I don’t want to’ – or you can, but you’ll often be met with ‘don’t be a p*ssy’ or ‘man up’. Both equally supportive.

I used to lie and say I was on antibiotics. If my friends were keeping a tally, they should have been gravely concerned with my welfare.

But I am not going to lie anymore. The reason I don’t drink is because, at 32, I am an alcoholic.

How did I get to this point?

I can tell you that from a young age, I associated getting drunk with making friends. Get drunk. Make friends. Look cool.

There was such a camaraderie to it, laughing at all the stupid stuff we’d done the night before.

Sometimes friends’ parents egged us on: one even brought up pints of Guinness to neck the morning after.

But it wasn’t that I had a problem with alcohol, it was just that when I started, I found it difficult to stop. Necking three pints in the time my friends finished one.

Once I’d hit about five, I’d start smoking, and later I would black out .

That was drinking for me: a permanent cycle of embarrassment. The best part: I did it every weekend.

When I first started work, I employed the same strategy as I’d done at school. Get drunk. Make friends. Look cool.

Only it wasn’t as cool in an office. Being hungover wasn’t a good look. My bosses didn’t care about my funny stories. They, quite rightly, wanted me there to work.

At this point, I acknowledged that I got drunk a lot quicker than other people. All my friends appeared to drink just as much as me – I was just a lightweight.

It was at this point of my life where things started becoming embarrassing. On holiday, I woke up one morning in a flat in Croatia while a middle-aged guy I didn’t know was cooking eggs in the kitchen.

I remember (just about) being asked to leave parties – actually, being told to ‘f*ck off’ without realising what I’d done or said.

In addition, my hangovers were all pervasive, with guilt, shame and sadness forming a fog around my head as piecemeal memories of the night before drifted back to me.

Mates would message asking if I remembered what I’d done the night before. Half the time I lied and tried to laugh along. Inside, I was dying.

Then came the real low on 4 September 2017, the day I stopped drinking altogether.

By this point I’d been with my girlfriend for two years. She was, is, simply the happiest and loveliest girl you’ll ever wish to meet.

On that day, she walked into our bedroom quiet and sad and said: ‘You’ve done it again’.

The previous night, drunk out of my head, I had flirted heavily with two of her friends then asked one of them out.

As my girlfriend told me this, I felt my soul cave in. It wasn’t even the first time I had done it.

I can’t tell you how awful it was to be there in that moment.

‘I am not that guy,’ I constantly told myself. ‘This isn’t me, it isn’t’.

But my actions begged to differ.

I drank to make my insecurities disappear. As a sober man, I faced those fears head on

I suffer with low self-esteem. A lot of drinkers do. And when you have low self-esteem, you’ll never stop doing something bad to yourself, even if it’s destroying you and everything around you, because you don’t care about yourself. If anything, it proves that you are the awful person you think you are. I was a bad person getting their just deserts.

Now my drinking had affected my girlfriend, I felt like the game was up.

I finally had to admit that I had a problem with alcohol – that when I started, it wasn’t just difficult to stop, I couldn’t stop. I didn’t realise it at the time but that is what defines an alcoholic.

The next day, I spoke to a friend who had stopped drinking and he told me about recovery.

It’s a weird moment when you acknowledge to someone else that you’re an alcoholic.

I’d tried to drink normally but I couldn’t do it. Facts were facts.

The first three weeks after I stopped drinking were amazing.

No hangovers for a start – I could be one of those people smugly strolling around at 9am on a Sunday.

When I was hungover I often looked at those people wondering how they had money to go out for brunch at the end of the month.

Turns out anyone can be that person if they don’t blow £150 the night before on beer.

After that initial high however, my thoughts and fears started bubbling up again.

I no longer had my anesthetic. In recovery, you confront the real reason you drink, whatever it may be.

For me, it was a deep-rooted fear of not being liked. I felt such an insecurity around people. Rather than being me, I wanted to be whoever you wanted me to be because I didn’t think ‘Alexander Cooper’ was worth knowing.

I drank to make my insecurities disappear. As a sober man, I faced those fears head on and even met others who have done the same, which has been incredibly inspiring. To know that others are going through the same thing has really helped me not feel alone.

I am now 11 months sober.

I feel like I’ve woken up and that I now have time, so much time.

I’ve lost a stone in weight, saved money… I honestly spend under a fiver on nights out, and more than that, I worked out what genuinely makes me happy. I even went to Italy for a week to learn Italian. Why? Why the hell not?

I don’t wake up in the morning stewing over what I’d done the night before.

I guarantee your self-esteem will rocket when you don’t have to apologise to people for your drunken antics.

That isn’t to say I don’t still struggle with self esteem, but my inner critic is running out of things to have a go at me for, mainly because I leave nights out with dignity now, not disgrace.

The main change is that I think of others more.

When I was drinking, it would be all about me. I’d sack off family, friends, whoever, all because I was in the pub or recovering from the night before. This year, I woke up at 5am on a stag do and drove from Wales to Kent to surprise my dad for Father’s Day.

In that moment, when I was there with my family, I knew what the gift of sobriety gives you.

I can be there for my family and friends, and I mean truly be there, not nursing a hangover in the spare room upstairs.

As I come up to a year sober, I can honestly say that whilst it was mortifying at the time, that day in September was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Now when I’m asked, ‘why aren’t you drinking?’, I say, ‘because I don’t need to any more’.

My name is Alex, and I’m an alcoholic, and if you are too, don’t suffer in silence. You’ll be making the best and bravest decision you’ve ever made.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the issues covered in this article then further help can be found at Alcoholics Anonymous and Mind.

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Stop what you’re doing and look at these super cool surfing dogs

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**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)

If you’re having a bad day, don’t worry, we’re about to make things a little better.

As long as you’re a dog lover, that is.

A bunch of incredibly cool dogs were captured surfing some waves at the World Dog Surfing Championship in California.

Yes, that’s an actual thing. And yes, it’s amazing.

The pictures in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place – this year for the third time.

Just look at how absolutely amazing these dogs are:

**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California . Skyler the dog won the Shredder of the year. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California . Skyler the dog won the Shredder of the year. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California . Skyler the dog won the Shredder of the year. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California . Skyler the dog won the Shredder of the year. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)
**MANDATORY BYLINE** PIC FROM Tim Auer / Caters News - (PICTURED: Dogs surfing at the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California. PIC TAKEN ON 04/08/18) - These incredibly cool dogs were captured while surfing along with their owners, they took part in the World Dog Surfing Championship in California, USA.The pictures were shot on 4th of August in Pacifica, California, where the annual charity event takes place- this year would be the third time. Tim Auer, 34, from Mountain View, California, is a technical program manager in high tech wireless telecom industry, and semi-professional wildlife photographer was more than happy to capture the lovely dogs while they were on the paddle.SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Tim Auer / Caters News)

34-year-old Tim Auer, a wildlife photographer, took photos as the pups were paddling in the water.

He watched as one-eyed Skyler won the Shredder of the year award.

Tim said: ‘I feel delighted, the dogs and their owners, as well as all the spectators – many who also brought their dogs too – were really enjoying the beach day and watching the dogs surf.

‘The images show various heats of the individual dog surfing competition.

‘The heats are organised by dog sizes – small to very large – a heat consists of a group of dogs paddling out with their owner for a set amount of time, and trying to catch as many waves as possible in that time frame.

‘They are judged on what they do in that period of time.’

Obviously, the competition sounds great and we’re all for dogs getting recognised for their talents – but come on, we’re all here for the photos, aren’t we?

MORE: Fancy quitting your job and getting paid to look after a bunch of cats on a Greek island?

MORE: Why do dogs wag their tails and do they control it?

Dentist shares how drinking alcohol affects your teeth

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(Picture: Ella Byworth/ Getty)

When you’re having a good time and drinking away on a Friday night, you’re probably not thinking about your teeth.

But we Brits, who already have a bad rep for our gnashers, might want to think twice about downing all those vodkas with lime and soda.

That’s because one dentist, Dr Lewis Ehrlich, has shown the effects of alcohol beverages on our teeth, and the results are a bit grim.

Dr Ehrlich, who works at Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, showed the effect of water and alcohol on the teeth.

Uploading the picture of the outer surface of a tooth on his Facebook, Dr Ehrlich showed the stark difference between alcohol and water.

‘We’ve all heard of tooth decay but many haven’t heard of tooth erosion,’ he wrote in the post. ‘It is when acids in your diet start to dissolve away your teeth – the hardest substance in the human body!’

‘This will happen when the pH drops below 5.5. At least 30% of people are affected to some extent.’

He shared magnified images of the enamel in a tooth after drinking water. ‘The pH is around 7. It is zoomed in 7000x. Note the smooth, intact surface. The way it should be,’ he said.

The effect of water (Picture: Dr Lewis Ehrlich)

The next pictured showed the surface of the enamel after being exposed to a sugar-free vodka cruiser which has a pH of 3.2. It has more holes than Swiss cheese.

The final image showed the enamel after consuming a gin and tonic which has a PH of 2.2 which visibly had more holes.

‘Take home message,’ the doctor wrote. ‘You only get one set of adult teeth. If these drinks can dissolve the hardest part of your body it’s scary to think what they would be doing elsewhere.’

The effect of one gin and tonic (Picture: Dr Lewis Ehrlich)

If you prefer to sip on a soft drink instead of a boozy one then your teeth are still in trouble.

‘If you’re going to have them, drink them through a (biodegradable) straw and chase them with a water,’ advised the doc.

‘Wait at least 30 mins before brushing your teeth, and it’s not a bad idea to have some healthy food around to help stimulate saliva and protect those chompers.’

The effect of a vodka cruiser drink (Picture: Dr Lewis Ehrlich)

PH content of your drinks

The lower the pH of a drink, the more chance there is of your teeth eroding.

To stop your teeth becoming susceptitble to teeth erosion, consume drinks with a higher PH like water which has a figure of 7. The PH of our stomach acid is 2. Tooth enamel can start dissolving around a PH of 5.5 and most of the things we drink usually have a lower figure than that.

Coca Cola:  2.7

Orange Juice: 3.4

Sparkling Mineral Water: 3.7

Gatorade: 3.3

Wine: 2.3 – 3.8

Beer:  4.0 – 5.0

Black coffee: 2.4 – 3.3

Cranberry Juice: 2.3 – 2.5

How to prevent tooth erosion:

Add ice to your drinks to increase the water content

Chew sugar-free chewing gum

Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth

Eat foods that stimulate saliva such as carrots, celery, nuts

Consume water straight after drinking

Use toothpaste creams that contain CPP-ACP like Tooth Mouse

MORE: You’ll soon be able to drink your G&T with strawberry and lime edible straws

MORE: Students are swapping drunken parties for a sober night’s sleep

MORE: E-cigs are not as healthy as we think they are, experts warn

The definitive guide to wearing underwear as outerwear

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The definitive guide to wearing underwear as outerwear picture: metro.co.uk
(Picture: metro.co.uk)

If you’ve spent your hard-earned cash on a gorgeous piece of lingerie, you might as well flaunt it.

Some underwear is just too pretty to be hidden under your clothes.

The underwear as outwear trend has been around for decades and it definitely wasn’t invented by the Kardashians.

Think Madonna in her net bustier on the cover of Like A Virgin, or wearing the famous Gaultier cone bra on her Blonde Ambition tour.

Wearing underwear as outerwear, you’ll be in good company. Rihanna, Kate Moss, Lady Gaga and Victoria Beckham among many others have been snapped choosing to show off their lingerie rather than reserving it for the bedroom.

If you’re going to flash your undergarments, you don’t have to do it in a way that’s particularly risque (unless you want to).

There are plenty of style tricks which mean that you can rock the lingerie trend from day to night.

Go sheer

Instagram Photo

Sheer fabrics are perfect for showing off the lingerie you’ve got on underneath.

They can look floaty and whimsical or sleek and smooth, depending on how you want to wear them.

You might even get away with a well-tailored suit with a sheer, high-neck top underneath that gives the world a peek at your sweet bralette in the office.

If you’re feeling daring, try high-waisted underwear beneath a sheer maxi.

Flash some lace

Instagram Photo

Let that lace be seen instead of hiding it away.

A lacy bodysuit or bralette is the perfect way to update your going out ensemble.

Just throw on a jacket (leather and denim both work, as does a silky bomber) and you’ve got a flirty, playful look.

A flash of lace peeking out of a top with a wide neckline is another winner.

Try contrasting a knitted jumper with a deep v-neck with a delicate, lacy triangle bra.

Sportswear outside the gym

Instagram Photo

You don’t need to be working out to put on sportswear.

It’s so comfortable and versatile that it definitely deserves to be added to everyday outfits.

Pair your sports bra with highwaisted mom jeans or a pair of denim dungarees for a sporty daytime look.

Nightwear as daywear

Instagram Photo

Silky pyjama jackets and lace-trimmed slips are perfectly acceptable daytime outfits.

Dress your slip up with chunky platform heels and a leather or faux fur jacket, or keep it office-appropriate with a white t-shirt underneath and a blazer on top.

Throw on a pair of statement sunglasses to complete the look.

Layer it

Instagram Photo

It’s not for everyone, but if you’re feeling confident, try layering a bra or bralette on top of your regular clothes.

A sheer bra on top of a white shirt is a strong look, and can be dressed down with a pair of jeans and a boxy jacket over the top.

Show off your straps

Instagram Photo

Intricate straps deserve to be seen.

If your bra has unusual straps or detailing, put it on display.

Wear something that hangs off the shoulder or layer with a sheer or mesh top.

Corsets

Instagram Photo

If you’ve ever had a goth phase, you’ll probably remember either wearing a corset or lusting after one in a shop that was definitely out of your price range.

It would’ve been lacy, either black or purple, and covered in complex straps, ribbons, hooks and eyes.

If Victorian-inspired corsets are your thing, go for it, but much simpler versions of the corset work well too.

Cropped and full-length versions of the corset look great with basically any bottoms for a sultry night time look.

Suit it up

Instagram Photo

The humble bodysuit has much to offer.

It can bring a sleek element to an otherwise boxy or androgynous outfit, be worn under a suit or glammed up with heels and a daring sequinned mini for a night out.

In block colours, shiny fabrics or feminine lace, the bodysuit can give an effortless edge of glamour to almost any ensemble.

Harness the power

Instagram Photo

Kink doesn’t have to be your thing for you to rock a harness.

You can buy BDSM-inspired body harnesses in retailers like ASOS and Nasty Gal this season, and they’re not all leather and metal rings and buckles.

Sheer plastic harnesses, stretchy elastic harnesses and bras with harnesses attached are all the rage.

If you want to update an outfit with a hint of tough but sexy, this is the ideal way to do it.

Whether you’re feeling super daring or just a little bit naughty, there are plenty of ways to incorporate your lingerie into your outfit and let the rest of the world lust over your strappy bra or luxe corset.

Give your undies a chance to shine.

MORE: The V&A is launching its own lingerie collection with Coco de Mer

MORE: Men don’t want to be seen in the same outfit twice


Surprise surprise, millennials are being blamed for a drop in potato sales

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(Picture: Getty)

If we had to pick any one food for life, we’re pretty sure it would be the humble potato.

Think about it, any incarnation of the spud is perfect; mashed, fried, baked. It’s not just versatile, the popular staple offends no one with a dietary preference (vegans, vegetarians, and coeliacs are all on board).

But that hasn’t prevented a drop in potato sales, according to agricultural experts.

Of course, millennials are being blamed for that drop.

For some reason, the much-loved spuds have decreased in sales by 5.4% since 2015.

According to the folks at agricultural website The Grocer, those aged between 18 and 34 are to blame for the dramatic drop.

The researchers jabbed at the millennial generation saying they opted for ‘healthy, convenient and exotic’ foods over ‘stodgy carbohydrates’.

They added that the old tater takes longer to cook and you know those fussy, impatient millennials struggle to wait that long for a meal.

(Picture: Getty)

But the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) aren’t going to admit defeat. They’ve started the campaign ‘Potatoes: More than a Bit on the Side’ to promote the starchy veggie to consumers, particularly women between 25-44.

The campaign has advocated for potatoes as being versatile and convenient and commended them for being low in saturated fat and sugars as well as being a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and fibre.

Despite their benefits and deliciousness, potatoes are getting less love from millennials who prefer carbs like rice, said experts at The Grocer.

They revealed that sales of rice have risen by 30% in the last four years and flavoured noodles have surged.

Seeing as microwavable rice only takes two minutes to cook, it makes sense that rice has risen in popularity.

But we still can’t accept that the average millennial prefers rice over potatoes. Think of hash browns, roasties, chips. We cannot turn our backs on the humble potato and all its potential.

MORE: Tell your parents they were wrong about tattoos wrecking your career

MORE: Why do so many Brits feel lonely in the workplace?

MORE: Woman converts to a bug-based diet and says it’s better for the planet

Guy trolled by girl’s fiancé after hitting on her using Instagram

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(Picture: Mercury Press)

Ever been hit on while sat next to your partner? One woman came up with the perfect way to deal with it.

21-year-old Amy Perkins was sat with her fiancé, Ashley Wells, 24, when a guy on Instagram messaged her asking if he could take her for a drink.

When she explained she had a fiancé, who she’s been with for two years, the guy offered to marry her if they ever broke up.

Stunned by his boldness, Ashley decided to have a bit of fun – and decided to take a photo wearing Amy’s underwear to troll him.

Ashley put on a pair of knickers and pulled them up into a thong, posing in the mirror to take a photo.

Of course, he hid his face so the guy wouldn’t catch on.

MERCURY PRESS. 14/08/18. Pictured: L-R Ashley Wells, 24, Amy Perkins, 21. An Instagram flirt, who thought he was in for some action when a blonde beauty replied with a saucy snap, got a shock when the cheeky picture turned out to be the stranger's fianc? - wearing her KNICKERS. The online Casanova messaged 21-year-old Amy Perkins asking if he could take her for a drink, without knowing she was sat next to her fianc? Ashley Wells, 24. When she refused and explained she was engaged to her boyfriend of two years, the modern-day Romeo then offered to marry her if the relationship ever went sour. SEE MERCURY COPY
(Picture: Mercury Press)

Amy sent the photo over and received an excited message saying: ‘Are you up for that action I was talking about?’

Amy sent another photo but this time showing Ashley’s face.

Unsurprisingly, Amy was blocked straight away after that.

Ashley said: ‘I wasn’t annoyed, I have been with Amy a long time and I trust her and knew she wouldn’t have responded with anything bad.

‘She’s beautiful and that’s why people always message her but we are engaged and I love and trust her.

‘I just thought I’ll just play it on a little bit. I jumped out of bed and asked her where she kept her knickers.

‘They weren’t very comfy. I had pulled them up so it looked like a thong but it was worth the discomfort.

MERCURY PRESS. 14/08/18. Pictured: A screenshot of the instagram conversation between the stranger and Ashley Wells and Amy Perkins. An Instagram flirt, who thought he was in for some action when a blonde beauty replied with a saucy snap, got a shock when the cheeky picture turned out to be the stranger's fianc? - wearing her KNICKERS. The online Casanova messaged 21-year-old Amy Perkins asking if he could take her for a drink, without knowing she was sat next to her fianc? Ashley Wells, 24. When she refused and explained she was engaged to her boyfriend of two years, the modern-day Romeo then offered to marry her if the relationship ever went sour. SEE MERCURY COPY
(Picture: Mercury Press)

‘I took a picture and he commented something nice, so he must have liked it but he obviously thought it was Amy.

‘Then I sent a picture of my face and he blocked us straight away. I was only playing it on. I didn’t want to upset him.’

After the conversation, the screenshots were posted online and Ashley says he’s had loads of comments on his bum – which he says is a ‘strange feeling’ to say the least.

Amy admits that at first she wanted to delete the message and leave it but couldn’t say no to seeing Ashley in her pants.

She wasn’t surprised that the guy on Instagram believed it was her bum as she says Ashley has a ‘lovely bottom’.

MERCURY PRESS. 14/08/18. Pictured: A screenshot of the instagram conversation between the stranger and Ashley Wells and Amy Perkins. An Instagram flirt, who thought he was in for some action when a blonde beauty replied with a saucy snap, got a shock when the cheeky picture turned out to be the stranger's fianc? - wearing her KNICKERS. The online Casanova messaged 21-year-old Amy Perkins asking if he could take her for a drink, without knowing she was sat next to her fianc? Ashley Wells, 24. When she refused and explained she was engaged to her boyfriend of two years, the modern-day Romeo then offered to marry her if the relationship ever went sour. SEE MERCURY COPY
(Picture: Mercury Press)

She said: ‘I was sat with Ashley when I got the message and he asked me ‘what is he saying?’.

‘I was going to delete it but he said lets reply and we’ll teach him a lesson.

‘I was quite one worded with him as I didn’t want to be too nice to him and lead him on. Then Ashley just flew out of the bed and asked “where are your knickers?”.

‘He just put them on. He’s always messing around so I wasn’t too surprised. I don’t think he was very comfy in them.

MERCURY PRESS. 14/08/18. Pictured: Ashley Wells, 24 pranking Instagram messager. An Instagram flirt, who thought he was in for some action when a blonde beauty replied with a saucy snap, got a shock when the cheeky picture turned out to be the stranger's fianc? - wearing her KNICKERS. The online Casanova messaged 21-year-old Amy Perkins asking if he could take her for a drink, without knowing she was sat next to her fianc? Ashley Wells, 24. When she refused and explained she was engaged to her boyfriend of two years, the modern-day Romeo then offered to marry her if the relationship ever went sour. SEE MERCURY COPY
(Picture: Mercury Press)

‘I had to leave the room because I was laughing so much and the whole room was mirrored.

‘I hid in the bathroom, but I felt really mean. Ashley said it would be funny and he promised he wouldn’t take it too far.

‘He just blocked us as soon as we sent the picture with Ashley’s face.

‘We wanted to send it as quickly as possible because we didn’t want to lead him on too much.’

Amy says she has no ‘hard feelings’ towards the guy – and just finds the whole situation funny.

And she’s just happy knowing that the rest of the world realises what a great bum her fiancé has.

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My husband and I laughed in the face of his cancer – now we’re encouraging others to do the same

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One of the illustrations from Glossary of Awkward (Photo: Uncomfortable Revolution)

The first year of marriage brings with it many revelations. There’s the moment when you look at the love of your life and wonder how come you hadn’t realised until now that they were this annoying.

When you discover they don’t know what ‘clean’ means. And that, surprisingly, there are no limits to just how petty and passive aggressive you can be when the moment truly calls for it. Now, throw cancer into the mix and welcome to our life.

Brendan’s Leukemia added a little extra baggage to newly-wed life for us. Think of it as the elephant in the room and Brendan is chained to it.

You can’t not talk about it. It’s there knocking over stuff, forcing you to clumsily manoeuvre around the mess it makes. We found all kinds of tools to learn how to communicate as a couple like Love Languages, or ‘I’ and ‘feeling’ statements (‘I feel like you’re annoying’ for instance).

But there weren’t many resources on how to talk about cancer – so we left our humanitarian jobs and decided to create some.

According to WHO, nearly every family in the world has been touched by cancer. As we reflected on our own communication challenges around ‘the Big C’, we wondered how many others were going through the same thing, and what could we do about it?

There are a whole range of emotions that make it uncomfortable to talk about your loved one’s diagnosis. For one, we’re afraid that cancer can happen to us – thinking about their mortality makes us think about our own.

We wrote Glossary of Awkward to help people answer the question, ‘How can I be a better partner or friend to someone living with cancer? And, how can I do it authentically?’.

The book is a collection of quirky cartoons that illustrate the uncomfortable moments that come up when you live with cancer. For both of us, saying ‘I have cancer,’ or ‘my husband has cancer,’ was typically met with really awkward responses that were sometimes hurtful. The cartoons in the book are inspired by these real-life conversations.

For example, after Brendan told a friend he had cancer the friend asked, ‘How long do you have?’

My former boss once told me to tell Brendan that he shouldn’t tweet so much (as if to imply that it made people doubt he was really sick).

One friend even said his cancer was due to Brendan holding onto ‘bad energy.’

There are a whole range of emotions that make it uncomfortable to talk about your loved one’s diagnosis. For one, we’re afraid that cancer can happen to us – thinking about their mortality makes us think about our own.

As a result, we end up saying things that resemble blame or shame as a way of distancing ourselves from a loved one’s cancer. It’s like a protective barrier.

We felt it was important to define and name these emotions because it’s harder to talk about or resolve a feeling you can’t describe.

We wanted this book to feel honest and real. So many of the messages directed toward people living with cancer create this pressure to be a fearless, positive warrior all the time. But we have to acknowledge other emotions that need to be processed, like sadness, anger, or fear.

Humour, for us, was a great way to do that. Comedy allows us to confront painful truths with a laugh.

Brendan will play the ‘cancer card’ at home from time to time. If we’re both trying to avoid doing a particular chore, he’ll quip, ‘But I have cancer!’ It’s impossible to beat that. But I laugh and let him get away with it because if there is one silver lining, we’ll take it.

For us, this laughter feels empowering.

We felt like humour took away some of the elephant’s scariness because we were able to look directly at it and confront all of the emotional baggage it came with.

While cancer can bring people together, it can also tear them apart. People living with cancer often lose friends who might distance themselves when they don’t know what to say or how to be there. They also lose romantic partners, and face significantly higher divorce rates (as if cancer weren’t a big, steaming mess all on its own).

When someone is facing a life-threatening illness, they need a network of strong, supportive relationships.

According to Danish comedian, Victor Borge, ‘laughter is the shortest distance between two people’. We wrote Glossary of Awkward to bring people closer together during a difficult time. To take away cancer’s power to make us feel so uncomfortable, so we can all get better at being there for the people we love.

Corinne Gray and Brendan McDonald are the authors of Glossary of Awkward. You can order a copy for yourself or as a gift for a friend on Kickstarter. The campaign ends August 18th, 10am CEST. Help us get to the finish line and order now!

MORE: Having cancer at 20 put my life on hold but it’s shown me what, and who, really matters

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Honey Birdette’s advert gets banned for featuring a visible nipple

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(Picture: Honey Birdette)

A lingerie company’s advert has been banned because it showed – whisper it – a female nipple.

And as we all know, female nipples are inherently wrong and we must pretend they don’t exist.

Honey Birdette had released an advert for a white bra and pants set. The advert showed a hint of nip through the bra’s sheer material.

According to Ad Standards Australia, that hint of nip was a hint too far.

The advert had been displayed in a shopping centre, which critics argued meant it could be seen by children.

‘The model’s nipples were revealed,’ said the complaint.

‘This is contrary to community standards and that is all that should need to be said.

Honey Birdette has their ad BANNED after outrage over exposed nipple https://www.facebook.com/HoneyBirdetteBoutiques/photos/a.150832058273350.24016.148552545167968/1875611282462077/?type=1&theater
The advert in question. (Picture: Honey Birdette)

‘This is in my local shopping centre. The poster is passed by numbers of families – small children, teenagers, parents – day in, day out.

‘At a time where sexual assault is increasing in the news, this legitimisation of using woman’s naked bodies to sell underwear is inappropriate.’

Now, one could note that children already see nipples at a very young age – when they’re breastfeeding – and that nipples are a body part just like a tummy or a toe in that its sexual nature is culturally informed, not inherent.

One could also note that adverts featuring men’s fully exposed nipples do not warrant complaint.

Regardless, Ad Standards Australia found that while the advert was not exploitative or degrading, it was ‘not appropriate for the relevant broad audience which would likely include children’.

‘The bra the woman was wearing was sheer lace and considered that there was a suggestion that her nipple was visible, although this was not overly clear,’ stated the ruling. ‘The Panel considered that the level of nudity was at the higher end of the scale and the image was highly sexualised.’

This isn’t the first time Honey Birdette have been told off for their ads – last year they were criticised for their Easter themed sex toy adverts.

We’ve reached out to the brand for comment, but haven’t heard back yet.

In their initial response to Ad Standards Australia Honey Birdette said they’re dedicated to empowering women through their products and advertising,’ said the brand.

‘At Honey Birdette, we are all incredibly passionate about empowering women and making everyone feel more comfortable in the skin they’re in,’ they said.

‘We do change our posters quite regularly in line with our new collection drops and we have a new collection dropping in the near future.’

MORE: As a father, breastfeeding my newborn daughter when my wife couldn’t was a huge honour

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British Asians have more socially conservative views

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(Picture: Getty)

British Asians were found to be more ‘conservative’ in their views of same-sex and interracial marriages in comparison to the rest of the UK population, according to a ComRes survey.

The BBC Asian Network carried out the research which looked at 2,026 people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, (1,197 of whom were born in the UK) and asked them about their attitudes and thoughts on various subjects.

It found that 43% of respondents thought same-sex relationships were acceptable whereas 81% of the rest of the population thought the same.

The results also revealed that 54% of British Asians had ‘toned down’ their Asian identity to ‘fit in’.

36% of Asians felt same-sex relationships aren’t acceptable, in comparison to the 15% of the rest of the UK population.

Asians (36%) felt the same way about sex before marriage as opposed to the 5% of non-Asian Brits who thought it was wrong.

Religion was thought to be an important factor in the decisions.

When asked about how important religion is, 46% of British Asians said it was very important to them, compared to 12% of the general public.

But more of the general public (77%) saw religion as a source of division and conflict whereas 43% of Asian Brits saw it as such.

(Picture: Getty)

For most British Asians, identity politics is a complex topic, religion and culture informs a lot of views and attitudes.

Those who feel marginalised have had to play down their otherness by shortening or anglicising their names in order to fit in. For some, it’s a generational thing where they’ve inherited the attitudes of their parents and relatives.

‘Social and political issues play a decisive role in shaping their attitudes towards social changes,’ Asian journalist Huma tells Metro.co.uk.

‘Traditional values have somewhat influenced our opinions which may still appear rife within communities.

‘We need to build tolerance, education and challenge conventional attitudes to encourage a stronger cohesion between us and the wider UK population.’

A spokesperson from the blog British Bindi told Metro.co.uk about the pressure of sticking to traditions.

‘Same-sex relationships are unfamiliar in a lot of Asian communities,’ they said.

‘Asians in tight-knit communities are scared about going against traditional views and hence feel the pressure to uphold these.

‘Hopefully, we’ll see change the more we share and talk about this topic.’

Researcher Fahmida was surprised by the findings. She told Metro.co.uk that while it was not shocking to hear this from older generations, she expected better from younger people.

‘I was shocked that younger people were not much more progressive – my experience has always been one of culture clash between generations with young people wanting to challenge their parent’s views.

‘Maybe families have a bigger influence on our beliefs than I would have previously thought,’ she added.

A large number of the respondents (79%) felt that the cultural traditions of the group were already dying out, 33% of British Asians said it was ‘modernising’ and 25% felt it was becoming more ‘progressive’ (the figures were lower for their counterpart)

British Asians did report being happier about opportunities though, with 72% saying Britain is somewhere you can fulfill your aspirations and ambitions (64% of non-Asians felt the same).

They were also more optimistic about Britain’s tolerance, with 30% of British Asians saying Britain has become more accepting in the last couple of years – compared to 22% of the general population.

Researchers did not reveal which areas were surveyed and whether other groups such as east Asians were included in the research.

It’s also important to note that the demographics of the people interviewed may be disproportionately skewed towards more socially conservative Asian groups.

MORE: Why is ‘We get it, you like black guys’ becoming a slur in the Asian community?

MORE: British Asians still have a complicated relationship with sex

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