The state cinema

The state cinema in Gray’s, Essex  is a grand 2 listed art deco cinema and theater built in the 1930s. seating 2200, was one of the largest cinemas in Essex. It cost approximately £100,000 to build, which in today’s money an estimated £3 million.

It opened on Monday 5th September 1938 wit the film ‘The Hurrican’. It remained open throw the second world war, eventually closing its doors in 1985.

In 1993 the state was opened once again but this time as Charlestons nightspot, an up market wine bar/night club. The lobby and the upstairs bars had some additional decoration put in place such as neon bar lights and an addional sound system, but the auditorium  remained unchanged..

During this time there were concert evenings heeled in the auditorium. With artists such as Susie Quattro and David Essex performing.

Since then the building has remained untouched. In 2008 plains were submitted to turn part of the building in to shops and flats. But to date (2013) nothing has happened, apart from emergance repair work.

The State cinema has been used for various film work over the past 30 years. Probably the most famous film was the 1988 hit ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ staring Bob Hoskins.(Location mentioned on IMDB)

Then in 1998 it was also used in a promotional video for the movie Godzilla. As well as Jamiroquai’s ‘Deeper underground’ music video.

The darkness within.

There is a darkness with in each of us.
It slowly consumes and destroys. 
Like a black hole, it sucks in all light, life and hope.
It’s a disease that’s is patent, it waits and kills slowly. Dissolving all that is good.
Within each and every mind it spins and creates a different web of sadness, anger and evil.
Some are strong and can hold it back. 
In a box or behind a door in the back of their mind, where it stays.
Others it consumes them, controls them. 
Death, murder, and rape are its whores.
It drains all hope and will, leaving you num from all emotion.
It can appear like lighting, crushing like a slug under a rock.
Or slowly like a rising tide. Suffocating, destroying the will to live.
Its like a peachier waking from death and realising that there is no life after. No light in the dark.
Just blackness and stillness.
So what has he to live for when his faith and belief is shattered and lays at his feet.
Where do you go now. When all you see is dark 
Like a dark cloud, it appears darker then night. And  seeps out from behind the door. 
Storm clouds of  anger, hate and fear. A thick black fog that blinds.
It may feel like there is nothing but darkness, despair, and hopelessness.
Fear in the dark. Screaming but know one hears.
Alone in your our personal darkened  hell.


But look there…
The dine flicker of candle light.
Within the darkness, within.

©Sarah Patel 2013

Tattoos in fashion

Over the years tattoos have become quite the fashion statement. with celebs flashing off their new and old art work.Some have a small pieces of art work, while others go the extreme with sleeves, neck and chest pieces.

I say art work, even tho i knot that some people my not agree, the images that these tattooist produce are amazing piece of art. some tattoos that i have seen have not been as good on the skin as the flash, but you have to remember that it is a compleatly different kind of canvas and median to paper and pencil.

Tattoo flashes have become some what of a common style  used in fashion, more so the vintage designs. used on clothing and on accsesorise with this becoming a growing trend, no wonder people are joining this fashion trend.

It used to be that if you want to be unique then having a tattoo was the thing to do. But now not having a tattoo is the unique. A lot of people have one done just for the sake of having one done, picking an image that looks good. While others can spend years planning the design.

A lot of companies (mainly retail) frown upon tattoos, asks their employees to cove them up. Which in a way I can see there point… and here comes the but…
I have been turned down jobs because I’ve looked to young, even though I had the experience needed. I’ve also been in a job were all the women were asked to wear make up, which did not go down well.
I don’t see how having a tattoo stops you from delivering excellent customer service, with it be in a shop or a call center.

In a way they have always been linked with the unsocial side of society.  But in this grow world were the new generation, leave school and in a lot cases are unsure which path to taking in there life., experiment and fall in love with the art of tattoos.
Employers I think to be a little more open minded and not judge the person by there tattoos, especially as fashion and the entertainment retails have helped inspire them to express themselves in this manner.




I my self have four tattoos. One on each arm and two on my back.

The first one that I had done was on my arm when I was 18. I spent all off an hour deciding on it.

This is the original design which I changed slightly so that the brake was an “S” for sarah.

The second is at the bottom of my back this I spent ages look of some thing. When I saw this one it had to be. This phoenix to me has a meaning which is the best reason I think to have a tattoo done.

The one at the top of my bake is across my shoulders as is an on going design. (which to date-5 years- I have not yet completely worked out the next part)

I have always wanted a pentagram done but never could find the right one. Until I found this one. It is a Wicca protection talisman. There is some thing that I fell in love with.  

To blog or not to blog and what to blog

I've just been reading through the January edition of #Company magazine, its Super Blogger edition.
its a good read with good advice if you blog fashion, even then it seamed directed to high end expensive fashion. As well as the places to be seen in London. understandable as it is a fashion magazine. the a - z on things has good tips,

If I had started this blog 5 years ago then yes I can image that it would revolve around around fashion.
Working in retail as a visual merchandiser my small office (and even my locker) would be fall of fashion magazines such as Elle, Elle home, vogue Harper's Bazaar. as well as photos of other shop windows and photos, from mags and papers of peoples styles.
I followed fashion religiously for inspiration for mannequin dressing, displays as well as windows. In work I would be wearing black trousers and black shirt out side work you would find me then and now in jeans
T-shirt or shirt and flats, in the summer a dress of some sought all brought in the sales. High end fashion is not me, high heal shoes? sorry i don't put my self through pain for fashion, but yes I have heals but I hardly wear them. but when i do i go all out, dress, hair, make up. I still follow fashion not just as much as I use to.

So my blog is now full of randomness. my drawings and writing its my random world.
Any one that is writing a blog or thinking of starting one, you have to write about what you love and not just go with what is popular and in trend. Set a twitter account up if possible with the same name as the blog. and tweet your posts and random comments and pics if its about whats happening in the news fashion or even if it is a diary you got to love it and not care what others might think of it. That's on of the best things you can see if people have read your blog if they don't leave a comment then they must have liked it, because no news is good news.

I know people whom have blogs to put their art work on and photos, why not, I have. Its got art work and designs on their going back to before I started college.
I think a post a day for some people, especial me is a hard thing to do. I don't  get in from work till late so the past year it has worked out that I have posted something each week. hopefully this year i can increase that, if not never mind. my current aim is to finish my 3 short story's by the end of the year. hopefully before.

So this is my first post of 2013. ten thousand ideas and projects running throw my head I hope that i can finish some of then this year. rather then the pill of unfinished stuff that sits on my desks gathering dust

So happy 2013
love sarah xXx