Somewhere along Brick Lane, you'll eventually find the Cereal Killer Cafe. With all the publicity the sweet-tooth sanctuary has gathered over the past month you'd think it'd stand out between the drab buildings in Shoreditch but don't be phased if it does take a couple of trips around the block before you find it.
Nestled between a chocolate shop and trashy boutique, as you open the door to the cafe, you're instantly greeted by the back of the customer in front of you in the ravenous queue ahead. The shoe-box sized room seats little more than ten people including, at this time, a table sat in the corner covered in light bulbs and drill pieces like a long lost DIY SOS project.
The brief queue of customers does at least mean one thing; you could take your time to ponder over the wall of cereals, stacked up to the ceiling like a poor game of Tetris. By the time you can reach the mass of vibrant cuboids, those working there are hasty in getting you to decide on four things; your size of bowl, type of cereal, type of milk and any desired toppings. I chose to take the plunge into a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch, topped with mini marshmallows and soya milk, which cost 40p extra - a tough price to pay for any lactose-intolerants.
Despite the upstairs being cramped, we made our way down a creaky staircase to a room full of cereal goodies. As I sat down to slurp my £3.70 'medium' sized bowl of cereal I looked up at a set of televisions, one of which displayed an episode of 'Hey Arnold' in black and white. Fair play to the Belfast brothers who made their dreams reality and thought through this whole business. It's not just about the cereal, but it's about the morning TV shows and cartoon memorabilia associated with it. The decor of the place is simplistic but the memorabilia is well thought out, displaying a range of history and humour, from the Honey Monster skateboard to the Kate and William mock-up cereals, there's bits and bobs all around to take in. Mild nostalgia filled me as I tucked into my personally selected bowl, the marshmallows looking like chunks of polystyrene and sizzling with acidity, yet still complementing the cinnamon packages. One bowl was enough, both in price and the sugar rush that proceeded.
The Cereal Killer Cafe fits in unassumingly with the niche scene of Brick Lane and when you step through its doors it's not overwhelming nor bombarding. It's a great place to pop into but with the prices they set, you won't be making it a regular on your morning commute and when it comes down to the crunch, its shelf life may not be all that long.
Another year, another clink of champagne glasses and yet another wince towards those soppy summaries of the year which drain social media. It's probably ironic then that I'm writing this, but as I sit here with a stomach rattling like a tumble dryer watching the New Years Premier League fixtures, I thought maybe I should jot down a few memorable things from 2014, for me anyway.
So, where better place to start than football. It's something that follows you every year, for good or for bad. For myself, a Manchester United fan, last year was pretty hard to swallow. I've always been a fan of David Moyes and a firm believer that managers should be given time, but by April the United board had a hard decision to make and gave him the axe. Had he been given another season to settle who knows what could've happened but the fact is that the new man at the helm Van Gaal has boosted a similar squad to perform 7/10 performances and grind out results as opposed to the 3/10 efforts consistently on display last year. Champions League is priority this year, but with more of a grip on transfers hopefully the Dutchman can help the team challenge for the title next season.
David Moyes; a rabbit in the Old Trafford floodlights.
Elsewhere the league itself last year was one of the best Premier League seasons yet. Unfortunately it was between Manchester City and Liverpool to win the title, with the Reds playing their best football in years. For me, it was hard to watch two teams I don't particularly have savoury comments for compete for the title. City ended up taking it but Liverpool played the best football that season which included fine performances from young Englishmen Sterling and Sturridge. Surely we'd have a chance at the summer's World Cup then?
The moment it all went downhill for Steven Gerrard in 2014.
Well, it's never easy with England is it. Not that we ever thought we'd go to Brazil and win the most prestigious prize in football, but as the days drew closer and the media produced their usual hype about our team, the pressure got to them and for players of their immense standard they failed to produce the goods. Germany, the old enemy, on the other hand, were marvellous and rightfully won the tournament, thumping Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final on their own turf. As an avid lover of football as a whole, the tournament had it's highlights but was by no means the most entertaining and the Premier League so far this season has mirrored that. It's looking like City and Chelsea to take the title but my eyes are firmly glued on my team still and a 3rd place finish is ideal.
Away from football, there are other things that go on in my life. The passing of my grandmother last Christmas gave me a kick up the backside to become more proactive in everyday life. Anyone who has had a close family member pass away will feel this rather cliche sense to make the most of life as it were. So this year I've been doing stuff... more. It's All Indie has given me a platform to spout my views on music regularly and watch live music free, which is always nice. I've been lucky enough to go to both Live At Leeds Festival and Bestival as well as interviewing indie-giants of the moment, Peace and Catfish And The Bottlemen. Other highlights in music this year include Arctic Monkeys show at Finsbury Park who were supported by breakthrough act of the year, Royal Blood. Their brutal presence was even more noticeable a month later at Glastonbury which I also attended, and it's true what they say, there's no place like Glasto. Bestival also served up a treat of performances through the likes of Foals headline set and Major Lazer's unbeatable live experience. Towards the end of the year I moved up to Sheffield to pursue Journalism and have continued to do what I love best, watching and speaking to bands. A band called, 'Palace' have particularly grabbed my attention this year and one to definitely watch out for in 2015. I spoke to them at a small bar in Sheffield and they seem to be onto big things for anyone remotely into the 'indie' music scene.
The Bestival crowd gets steamy.
Uni has rewarded me with a platform for my nasally voice; my own radio show, 'The View From The Afternoon', again heavily influenced by the music I thrive on. The university's 'Forge TV' has also meant my childhood habits of running around the playground, mic in hand, commentating on football have gone a step further as I've sat in the commentary boxes at Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday. Before all of this though came the best three months of my life, hands down. Glastonbury, Bestival, trips to Italy and Barcelona all came about in summer, with a three week stint around Europe's cities with some chums being the cream of the crop. Unusual instances of breaking into hostels and crossing the Turkish border by foot made 2014 a notable year.
Most people would end the year on a resolution. For me they're often forgotten about 48 hours later but for now I'm paying attention to the old term, 'to not view your glass as half empty'. It's something I am regularly guilty of, which can be hard to avoid when your teams not playing well or it's raining for the twelfth consecutive day up North, but something nonetheless most of us should bare in mind. So to all my family and friends and the strangers who will stumble across this year via my misleading 'search words', happy 2015!
The moment comes round every (most) couple of years, when we sit down and enjoy, laugh at, cry at and often question the latest song to label our national football team as potential European or World Champions. After all, we need something to keep our hopes aloft and mask our team of consistently under-performing, excuse ridden plonkers.
So, Roy Hodgson, if you've got a headache trying to figure out your starting XI for this year's World Cup, fear not, here's another team of eleven who could potentially fare us in better stead in Brazil this summer. May I introduce the England Songs XI. Filled with familiar characteristics you may see in our players themselves, from the boring and painful individuals, to the vibrant potential and the ones who've got a point to prove.
Goalkeeper Grandad Roberts And His Son Elvis - 'Meat Pie, Sausage Roll' (1998 World Cup)
An absolute howler as far as any song goes. The not so successful song for England's 1998 World Cup campaign is reminiscent of some of those woeful displays we've seen between our posts in recent years perhaps due to wandering thoughts of meat pies and sausage rolls...
Right Back
Chico - 'It’s England Time' (2010 World Cup)
We'll continue where we left off shall we? Another loose cannon in the defence. The right back position is often said to be the least glamorous of positions, and this 'song' certainly lives up to that, but hey, check out those dance moves and miming.
Centre Back
Fat Les - 'Vindaloo' (1998 World Cup)
The first of our debatably stable centre back pairing. Is there really more of a hard-nut song than this? Perhaps if our defenders were to shout these lyrics whenever they competed for a header they may strike some sort of strange fear into the opposition.
Centre Back
Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds - 'Three Lions' (1996 European Championship/ 1998 World Cup)
Two versions of this song were made, referencing different players in each making it a legendary anthem for any fan. It screams patriotism and is a fine specimen to captain any England team. Think Moore, think Adams, think Terry. The most classic of England anthems.
Left Back
Take That - 'Greatest Day' (World Cup 2014)
This year's entry was to be England's official World Cup song but has since been allegedly dropped, not good enough eh? It features a cover put together by Gary Barlow, including some of England's past footballing heroes and recent pop stars. It's quite a bland number but if 18 year-old left-back, Luke Shaw, steps foot on Brazilian soil this year, it will surely be his 'greatest day'.
Right Midfield
Dizzee Rascal feat. James Corden - 'Shout' (World Cup 2010)
The right side of midfield needs some flair down the wing, so what better song than this? The adaptation on Tears For Fears 'Shout' sees lyrics changed to 'we need Rooney in tip top condition, Aaron Lennon down the wing like he's on a mission'. If that's not enough to make it one of the best England songs around, then I don't know what is.
Centre Midfield The Farm - 'All Together Now' (World Cup 1990)
A centre mid to bring the whole team together, this is fitting for the role. One of the more up lifting songs there's been and one which marked England's nearly heroes of Italia '90. Expect to hear this tune being thrown about again this year...
Centre Midfield Ant & Dec - 'We're On The Ball' (World Cup 2002)
Don't expect to be hearing this again however. For it's time, the witty video and cheeky Geordie vocals were probably the catchiest things around. Just like our central midfielders, they'll need to be on the ball if they're to get anything out of Brazil this summer.
Left Midfield New Order - 'World In Motion' (World Cup 1990)
Another gem from Italia '90 and one of the best England football songs ever. How a band as big as New Order were convinced to do a World Cup song we'll never know, but boy did they do a great job, recruiting John Barnes' infamous rapping skills with them. Just like John Barnes, it'd fit nicely in left midfield.
Centre Forward Embrace - 'World At Your Feet' (World Cup 2006) Probably the 'indiest' track you're going to get in this line up I'm afraid. It's not great, let's be honest. About as painful to listen to as it has been to watch Emile Heskey play up front for our beloved country all these years.
Centre Forward
Spice Girls feat. England United - '(How Does It Feel To Be) On Top Of The World' (World Cup 1998)
With our strikers constantly needing to prove themselves, hopefully this is how Wayne Rooney will feel come July time... Or maybe not. The song itself is very questionable as the formidable duo of the Spice Girls and Echo And The Bunnymen combine forces to create one of the cheesiest/creepiest videos of all time.
Manager Bell & Spurling - 'Sven Sven Sven' (2001)
As you know, every team needs a manager, whether they're good or not is another question. Sven Goran Eriksson was just so average, two fellas decided to make a cringeworthy song about him and England's 5-1 victory over Germany in 2001. Cover your eyes, and ears.
What's your favourite England song? Or did your favourite not make our final XI cut? Let us know by commenting below.
Somewhere along Brick Lane, you'll eventually find the Cereal Killer Cafe. With all the publicity the sweet-tooth sanctuary has gathered over the past month you'd think it'd stand out between the drab buildings in Shoreditch but don't be phased if it does take a couple of trips around the block before you find it.
The brief queue of customers does at least mean one thing; you could take your time to ponder over the wall of cereals, stacked up to the ceiling like a poor game of Tetris. By the time you can reach the mass of vibrant cuboids, those working there are hasty in getting you to decide on four things; your size of bowl, type of cereal, type of milk and any desired toppings. I chose to take the plunge into a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch, topped with mini marshmallows and soya milk, which cost 40p extra - a tough price to pay for any lactose-intolerants.
Despite the upstairs being cramped, we made our way down a creaky staircase to a room full of cereal goodies. As I sat down to slurp my £3.70 'medium' sized bowl of cereal I looked up at a set of televisions, one of which displayed an episode of 'Hey Arnold' in black and white. Fair play to the Belfast brothers who made their dreams reality and thought through this whole business. It's not just about the cereal, but it's about the morning TV shows and cartoon memorabilia associated with it. The decor of the place is simplistic but the memorabilia is well thought out, displaying a range of history and humour, from the Honey Monster skateboard to the Kate and William mock-up cereals, there's bits and bobs all around to take in. Mild nostalgia filled me as I tucked into my personally selected bowl, the marshmallows looking like chunks of polystyrene and sizzling with acidity, yet still complementing the cinnamon packages. One bowl was enough, both in price and the sugar rush that proceeded. 
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