January 2016 in Brighton

Kai and I decided to chill out around Brighton for the day and go to dinner. Previously this week also I had my 6 month anniversary dinner with Steph (sadly no pictures were taken) but this meant I went to days all you can eat buffet TWICE in one week. I also went out to dinner with both of my partners on Tuesday. We have been trying to fit in as much as possible as I’m going away for two weeks on Saturday.
The following pictures have been taken by me and you can find them on my instagram ( @tylercharlesausten ). This is different from my regular posts, but I hope you enjoy it.

This is some if the graffiti you will find dotted around the city. If you don’t do the “tourist” routes you will find some amazing work hidden amongst the buildings and other structures in the city.

This was my dinner on Tuesday. We often go to Bombay aloo, a vegetarian Indian restaurant just off ship street. Its one of my favourite places and costs under £5

The iconic Pavilion during the winter weather. I have been in there a few times, but I haven’t been for years if I am honest.

I ordered a waffle from “Days” and I have no regrets on his childish I can be at times. I will draw smiley faces on my food with whipped cream.

I purchased 3 hats from “Blue Inc” during their sales. They were £1 each and they are totally trashy beenies but I adore them. So I had to pose like a hipster just for them.

And as you can see, I did pose with them. I honestly have no shame when it comes to selfies these days. Although I do love the first photo.

For more of my images you can always follow me on instagram, or not. I’m not too fussed, I do post a lot of random stuff from time to time. If you also do see me around Brighton I don’t mind posing for shameless selfies from time to time hahaha.

Finally, if you have posted pictures or blog posts about my home city, I want to see them. Please feel free to link me your stuff!!!!

Dear Brighton and Hove Bus Travellers

Saturday I received some abuse from three women who got on the bus, because I was in the priority seating and that it was “Fucking Disgusting” that I was taking up the seating for them.

Do you know what this is? This is a Priority seating required card. This was made by Brighton and Hove bus company because they were horrified about the amount of disabled and physically struggling people that were being abused on busses.
The people who did this were very loud in informing everyone that it was disgusting that young people were taking up the valuable seats. Now I’m going to point out a few things that were wrong. I’m appalled that its come down to this, but I am so upset with the situation.

1) I’m not actually a young person. I’m close to 30 now, but thank you for the compliment. No wonder that young people actually get upset over the older generations though, by the way you treated them.
2) After your comments we did shout how we are entitled to sit in this seat, but your sarcastic smile didn’t help the situation. Instead an apology would have been nice.
3) You were moving far faster than I ever have been able to. Maybe it was a good day for you, I don’t know. But assuming someone’s physical needs based solely on age is pretty pathetic.
4) Finally, as well as needing a priority seat I often do need a care giver with me. Saturday was one of those days. My partner is also a qualified carer and was entitled to sit with me. Also, should mention that he has massive joint problems too and that also entities him to sit in the priority seating, but that’s not the point.

For the benefit of new readers, this is what myself and (one of my) partners looks like.
Now I would like to finally say one thing. I sometimes have to use the bus as transport. I have to use the closest seating (especially recently since I do not have my stick). I have arthritis, a busted spine and I’m also epileptic. This is only a tiny amount of the physical issues that I have, which leaves me in a lot of discomfort through out my day to day activities.

If you are one of those people who “have a go at young people”, I hope that you reevaluate your actions. There are 10000s of people with hidden/not obvious illnesses, and you attacking them is just as bad as you attacking someone with obvious physical issues.

Please share this around to as many places as possible, there are many people affected by actions such as this and are often treated poorly. I know I am not the only person out there who has been shouted at because of assumptions.

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Why I Love Brighton

I moved to Brighton 12 years ago this month and through out all of my ups and downs, I adore living here. There are reasons why Brighton can be a shit place to live, its super busy, the roads are terrible, and you have to sell a kidney to pay for rent in a reasonably good area. But the positives out way the negatives.

Photo of the beach taken by moi

For starters, we have a fucking great beach. This picture is a typical sunset you will see. Yes, the stones will end up in your underwear and you will get cramp pretty quickly. But look at it. Its beautiful. In the summer the water looks amazing, and you can see some amazing views. The downside of this is that everyone who visits Brighton, knows this, and the beach gets filled up pretty quickly in the summer time.

Photo of beach taken by moi

Then you have the beautiful scenery. There are lots of places that you will come across that look amazing. There is everything from modern buildings, to sculptures and buildings that are hundreds of years old. There are museums and of course The Pavilion that attracts not only tourists but small animals in the gardens.
There are many hidden (and well known) gardens and patches of grass that have flowers and squirrels around. Watch out though for the odd occasional dog poo and needle. Though we do love pur scenery, we also have a huge problem with drugs.

Photo of old steine gardens, taken by moi

There is the nightlife. I could list off a million places you could get drunk at bit that would be shameless advertising. There is a wide variety of places, ranging from wetherspoons to dungeon bars, and everything in between. If you are on a budget, there is always a bar open with some drinks deals in them or not. A few of the bars and clubs even have some amazing views. Always remember to drink responsibly though, we get frustrated with tourists trashing some of our venues. Also we are a gay city, and homophobia do not get treated well here, there are many gay venues (I say gay because as yet, there are not many trans friendly or bi inclusive ones, sorry) and they are always monitored by staff and security

Outside legends bar, photo by moi

As well as the views, the night life and some of the greatest coffee shops, there is one other thing. THE PEOPLE. I have met some wonderful friends during my life in Brighton, some that I will treasure their friendships for a life time.
There are also lots of social and support groups here, and so many hardworking volunteers are in Brighton, and they keep groups running. What ever your looking for, whether its an lgbt group, a geek society or a book club, we have it. I would urge to go to community base on queens road, and they can tell you where places are and there are many places online that will tell you what’s going on, on what day.

FTMB committee at pride, photo taken by Kai

Eventually I would like to leave Brighton, start a new chapter in my life, but right now, I’m staying, and I couldn’t be much happier with the place.