Then We Came to the End

This is a supplemental post. After Christmas I will no doubt spill an epic stream of consciousness that sums up two of the hardest months of my life so far...but for now here is a review of a great book my bestest mucker DragonDrop gave me.

Working in a creative role you often wonder if the challenges, pressures and cultural nuances are the same in other companies. Then Came to the End by Joshua Ferris reassuringly and sometimes scarily confirms this! It tracks the lives of a group of creatives working in a US advertising agency during an uncertain economic climate (sound familiar folks?). The unwritten competition and peer pressure to out-perform and out-create each other is compelling and fascinating. The limited lifespan of the creative comes into its own and younger blood threaten the old school, whilst others hit pre-midlife crisis and consider U turns and drop-out strategies in their careers. My favourite term and concept in the book, which I am sure every designer can relate to, is 'Polishing Poo'. You know, a client gives you a load of badly written copy on a scrappy piece of A4 and expects a great design to mask the poor quality in the final piece. How many times have I been asked to do that?! Three words - Copywriter...Hire One. This book may not appeal to those not working in a similar industry, but it is a great insight into the human condition, office politics and power struggles. Made me want to quit my job and farm Emu though (or something). 8/10. Cheers DD.

Deathray Exposure

Deathray Trebuchay are a Ska/Punk/Surf band from East London, and their performance was without doubt one of my highlights from this year's Latitude Festival. Llewelyn from the band got in touch and has asked if they can use my photo as the main image on their MySpace site. Check them out - they're boss!

Thanks for the exposure guys.

Vapour Trail

First you look so strong

Then you fade away

The sun will blind my eyes

I love you anyway

Thirsty for your smile

I watch you for a while

You are a vapour trail

In a deep blue sky

Tremble with a sigh

Glitter in your eye

You seem to come and go

I never seem to know

And all my time is yours as much as mine

We never had enough

Time to show our love

Lyrics by Ride c. 1990. 

Image by ChrisM

Waltzes, circles and crossroads

C and I went to the flicks last night to see an extraordinary film - Waltz with Bashir. A full length animated film by Ari Folman, it tells the story of an ex-soldier in the Israeli/Lebanese war in 1980 and his search to find truth in his dreams/nightmares and hallucinations. Without doubt the most elegant and beautiful animation I have ever seen, this film is part documentary, part storytelling and has an incredible drive and pace. It is truly harrowing, but with elements of warmth and reaffirming humanity. Again, one of those films I don't need to see again for a long time (and...note to self...not unless you are really in the mood for such a heavy visual and emotional impact). 9/10 - go see.

On to other bobbins. This is truly a time of reflection and throwing your life out in front of you to evaluate what is going on, who you are, what you are, why you are and how that effects those around you. Alcoholics talk about reaching moments of clarity after going through fear, guilt, joy, self realisation - I can empathise (though don't drink enough red wine to see it through their particular eyes though thankfully). It has been and still is a roller coaster (and not a rubbish one like The Corkscrew...we're talking Oblivion territory here). I have been going through emotions not experienced for many years and it has knocked me for six to be perfectly honest. It is too easy to become entangled in what a fast paced society deems to be important and relevant, and is cathartic to take a big step back (I am as guilty as the next man for not doing this more often). The whole 'grass is always greener' attitude is good, as is to take what life throws at you and also recognise that things could be so much worse. We will all be continually tested in our lives and the challenge makes us stronger, even if we get the grey hairs or wrinkles to prove it. I see the positives in the negatives (no, really) and know what I must do for those most dear to me and myself. 

Phew...and finally, I am saddened and properly sick of the celebration of celebrity in this country. Applaud achievement and champion pioneers, but don't let children aspire to the irresponsible, self obsessed and obnoxious private lives of such people. Being famous shouldn't an aspiration, it should be the recognition of talent, hard work and being an inspiration to others. As such I have stopped reading the free morning and evening rags and am concentrating purely on my books and tunes. Right...spleen vented...onward to the round-up...

Home - Took the train home to spend some much needed time with my family and friends. The usual script of walking int'Dales and doing the rounds. Spent some long overdue quality time with my best mucker Matt and for much of the night were the only punters in the excellent Tap and Spile. I miss such pubs living down here...and the beer for that matter. Also spend some great time with the rest of Le Famile Dragondrop - lovely to see them and chew the fat (salmon and curry - both great)! Went to the dentist - no probs, though I did get told off for drinking too much red wine and coffee.

Fodder - As a 'just because' surprise took C to Mini Mundus for a french feast. Snails and steak, great wine and all in the company and conversation of my lovely lady.

More fodder - Lennie our printer took me out for a mid-day Ruby. Great food and company, but my thoughts was elsewhere.

Heather - My old muckeress H stayed over - a really nice night and long-overdue chats, putting the world to rights, ciders and tunes.

Really loving listening to Radio 6  all day long at work and zoning out - it is a good distraction and focus at the moment. I'm sure there was more trivial stuff in-between, but the important stuff has overshadowed it. 

All for now. Beep.

Let it flow

In times like these, keep fighting for what is most precious and just let it flow.

Phew!

Good on you BO! Now the real work begins - there's an awful lot to do and you've inherited quite a legacy from that muppet. Good luck.

Polar magnifica

Those who frequent my Flickr site will be familiar with my Polar Coordinate photos. I've stumbled across a talented chap who has raised the bar and taken the concept to a whole new level. Check it out - quite amazing.

New waves riding...

Excitedly awaiting the US election results on Thursday(ish). This could change a lot of things in our wee planet and if the result is as 'we' all hope will be a historic day. It feels like a real time of change in the wider and closer world. I feel like I'm being tested and challenged, and pushed out of my comfort zone in some areas of my life. A good thing I'm told, though scary as well. I'm not really a creature of habit, but like us all have fallen foul of the dreaded rut sometimes. Also, the seasons are on the move - I'm not a fan of the dark mornings and evenings (not to mention the endless drizzle), but every cycle and season has it's blessings when you look for them. I love nothing more than a crisp, clear day in the open air, even if it is cold - it's great seeing your breath in the cold air and walking up a sweat in beautiful countryside, with the promise of a good pint of bitter and pub lunch halfway round (can you tell I'm looking forward to going home next weekend)?! 

A good mucker has told me about this dark time of year around Halloween and how the movement in the seasons and noodle can give people a wobble - yep, that'd be it then. Can't wait to see some of my close friends and family again too - they feel very far away at the moment and I feel the need to chew the fat and share the silences. The jobby job is as busy as ever, but am working on some stimulating things - just wish I had to 48hrs in the day I need to do them justice and experiment a bit. Been getting some global recognition on some work I've done and there's been a few photo-shoots recently (with more to come) which has been fun - even the odd glass of bubbly and canapes thrown in.

Before I round up, a huge congrats to Lewis Hamilton - this country needs a hero at the moment and he fits the cap (crash helmet) well - Good on him.

C's 30th Birthday Party - C and her best buds Darby and Lyd shared their collective 30th at Kisse Bar on Lavender Hill in Clapham. We had the whole bar to ourselves and had a fantastic night. Loads of people from all parts of their lives were there and everyone had a blast. Maria did an indie DJ slot which was cool and we all got very messy. Got to bed at wrong o'clock and spent most of the next day regrouping our marbles and finding comfort in food.

Drawing and flicking - Done a few new portrait type thingys: one of my good chum, the lovely Da Maria and one of my mentalist manager Donald. Very happy with both of them and the recipients even more so. A new set of orders has now come in, so plan to keep on a roll. Kept the steady flow of photos coming in as well - not too shabby, though feeling the need to use my D50 more. Also, haven't taken any film footage recently - Into the Light is fast becoming the most viewed and most favoured thing I have ever posted on Flickr. Taking photos at a press conference at the famed RAC club in Pall Mall early tomorrow morning. They're going to give me a bacon sarnie brekky too - result!

Underworld at Brixton Academy - A much needed night of jumping around to techno/electro/poetro and the like for Maria and I. Karl and Rick didn't disappoint - just like the old days - great show and my legs ached the next day from dancing so much. Haven't done that for a while and I needed the distraction from the usual bobbins. The gig was filmed and will be out on DVD soon too - that explains Karls sequin jacket, 'boxes/shelves/fishes' moves and inflatables! C went to Lucy's 3oth in London Bridge the same night and was still up when we got home which was cool - teas and chats until bed ways was right ways.

Burn after Reading - Excellent new offering from the brilliant Coen brothers. Quirky, dark and laugh-out-loud. Great casting and screenplay. Go see it. Bond was totally sold out (that'll be the rain then) - hopefully seeing it soon. 

Aside from that I bought a scarf, found a new chord, improved on my already superb home-made burger/meatball recipe and descaled the kettle - it's all go (?!)...hmm...

Stormy clouds. New horizons.

We live in interesting, but scary times my friends. A cascading economy caused by the greed of a relatively small number of people, bad advise taken by many more and ignorance of the warnings from those who been here before. Sickening it is indeed that powerful people who are being bailed out by, lets face it, public money will still be paid obscene bonuses for doing a bad job. I am cautiously concerned for myself and my dearest, but not panicking. Also fascinating to watch the imminent rise to power of America's first black president and the end of reign for the country's worst ever. Think back what the world was like in '94. How excited, energised and proud of ourselves we were and what we could achieve as a nation (and as a responsible developed world). The come down was more painful than many of us thought possible and the legacy will resonate for good time to come. As usual - I will watch with interest...

C and I have been busy bees, making the most of that there London and bimbling about before we get old and crusty. Here's a round-up:

Charlie and Phil's wedding in Worthing, Sussex - Lovely, happy, smiley day. Dancing, band, tears, great speeches, top food, terrible weather, crap hotel, too much champagne.

Dinner Club revival - Green and Reds in Bethnal Green with Maria and Rus. Fair to middling Mexican feast, not shabby, not amazing.

Billy Elliot - C's wedding anniversary present to me. Not a big fan of musicals, but this was just superb. The best thing I have seen in a theatre for years. Heartfelt, atmospheric, angst filled and humbling. 9/10.

Elbow at The Roundhouse - Ahh, our good friend Guy Garvey and his merry men from Manc (well, Bury). What a special gig, they are riding high this year and are getting their just rewards. The best we've seen them since Electric Picnic (when they nearly made me sob like a jessie - hard one to beat that)! The Roundhouse has the best sound too - maybe it's something to do with circles. Preceded by a lovely long walk in Richmond Park as we made the most of the last Indian Summer weekend we will be getting on these shores for quite a while.

Noah's birthday - Popped over to Mickleham to share a day in the sun with H, Kent and little (or not so little anymore) Noah - he's Two you know. Loved the Glockenspiel we bought him - not sure H and Kent did! Lovely walk to Leatherhead to ride on the miniature railway with him. Lovely day.

Spiritualized at The Roundhouse - Ladies and Gentleman, Maria and I floated in space (I would have seen more if I had - I hate being a short arse at gigs)?! Brilliant they were anyway, but after seeing MBV there, any attempt at a wall of sound wig-out just sounds like a pussycat snoring.

Chris and Jen's country pile in Littleworth, Oxfordshire - We love seeing these guys and staying in their amazing house. Good times, Chris's superb cooking and cellar, lovely Miley and little Coco, buggered my shoulder playing Wii.

Granny Di's and Papas - my lovely grand-in-laws. A great relaxing day, chats and papers. The best roast pork you will ever have the pleasure to chow down on.

New Toy - Harmon Kadron soundsticks II. Stupidly cheap off eBay and the lovely seller delivered them to the door. They look sound amazing and look fool as cuck.

Work - I've still got a job and in these times am grateful. Done some really good work recently. Designed some cool Flash eCards that the company will be using all over the world...even in Hull!

Quite a list - explains why I'm so skint. We are lucky to be able to get out and about so much and I am fully aware of that. Never been one to sit and scratch my arse anyway. 

In between all this it's been a week of realisations, frustrations and reaffirmations. It's cathartic to ride the rough waves to remind you of how big the ocean is. Enough of the cryptics...there's a party to prepare for and it doesn't get much bigger than this one!

Escape to Veneto

A great few weeks have passed - packed with fun stuff, good times and cool things. I'm not in the mood to waffle on, so here's a bit of a round-up:

First things first - a very happy birthday to my old muckers Matt and Mark (who were born a day apart). Sorry I couldn't be there to share the celebrations, but we'll make up for it soon. 

A long awaited and much needed week away came around for C and I. Having left booking to the very last minute we headed off to Veneto in Italy. Based in Lide di Jesolo, just around the lagoon from Venice, we had a top week of relaxing and doing stuff. Lido is without doubt the largest 'resort' I have ever seen - 17km long with a main strip just as long parallel to the beach. Not really our sort of thing, but a decent enough base to explore the region. One good thing is that Lido is where the Italians tend to go for their hols, so it was relaxed and lacking in drunk Brits. The food was amazing too and we met some cool people plus quickly scoped out the only bars with live bands worth a mention. On our travels we went to Venice (amazing place - love it), Verona and Lake Garda (both equally beautiful) - all brilliant. Felt recharged, a stone heavier and ready to face the world again. Look a load of photos and videos. 

Read a brilliant book whilst away - 'Once while travelling' by Tony Wheeler. In a nutshell it's the Lonely Planet story about how Tony and his missus Maureen travelled across Europe and Asia to Oz in the early 70s on very little before there was any sort of travel infrastructure, wrote a guide on how to do it...then went from there. A fascinating read and made me inspired, but green with envy and wanting to go travelling again...one day. On the subject - Bon Voyage to John and Rhainnon who are about to embark on a year long trip of a life time - be safe guys, take every opportunity, enjoy every moment and be good ambassadors for Yorkshire!

On our return we celebrated C's 30th in boozy style down at The Holy Drinker on Northcote Road - very long, happy, boozy night and cool to catch up with so many people. C was a happy bunny (though slightly and temporarily stunned by leaving her 20s behind)! A fairly hellish week back at work followed for both of us, punctuated by seeing Bloc Party - my anniversary present to C. Good gig - they played well, though not sure about the new songs. I wasn't on form at all and didn't really get into it - sorry C! 

So that's up to date. A great weekend beckons which I will no doubt blog when the mood takes me - apologies for laziness in advance. I want to write things more meaningful, than just a round up of my daily bobbins, but at the very least this will be a diary I look back on to remember such bobbins. Feeling a bit out of sorts again at the moment and disillusioned by things - the bigger picture keeps flashing in front of my eyes when I get side tracked and fretted by daily blips. Need to keep focused. Sure it will pass. Oh look, there it goes...

Top tunes recommendations: The new GlasVegas, Mogwai and Kings of Leon albums. The first two are great, the third is effortless genius - I love that band.

For now...

Happy Birthday C!

C, my lovely wife, turned 30 today - Yay! She opened her pressies, then I cooked her smoked salmon benedict (without the hollandaise) for breakfast. A fun day to come. Many congratulations baby!

Counting down...

Once again, a few weeks between blogs so here is a bit of a catch-up. Things have been hectic, but good - the weeks are flying by and summer appears to have passed us by with little more than a semi-burn (I blinked and I missed it), but the world keeps turning and I have lots to be thankful for:

A fantastic day two weekends ago was Eddie and Lucy's wedding - What a brilliant, happy day! Lucy used to be a chorister in Bristol Cathedral when she was younger, and as such is permitted to also be married there! It is a very impressive building and it made the day all the more special. The reception was held on the top floor of Bristol's Science Museum - another amazing venue. Met some lovely people; was lucky enough to eat and drink like a king and danced like a tit in a West Country Ceilidh. As with all weddings the day sped by through having much fun, but we all had a great time sharing Lucy and Eddie's special day (they looked so happy) and it brought back fond memories of out wedding nearly a year ago to the day. After a wander around Bristol (and what a lovely city it is) with sore heads we headed back to London, did our chores then set about celebrating our first wedding anniversary:

The first Wedding Anniversary being Paper, C and I read each other's minds and bought tickets as presents - Bloc Party from myself, Billy Elliot from C. We had also put some pennies back and treated ourselves to an amazing slap up feast at our fav. local restaurant Chez Bruce - yum, hic, burp. Sunday was pretty much a write-off, but in the evening we went to see Rock'n'Rolla at the flicks. A return to form for Guy Ritchie, but basically it was more of the same - easy enjoyable viewing.

The week of work that followed was pretty full-on. I feel a 36hr day might just be enough to get on top of all the projects I am involved in, let alone the ad-hoc stuff that takes up most of my day anyway. I am keeping my head about water without much trouble, but some stuff I am barely denting. I can multi-task so well I put some women to shame these days though! My beloved Wacom tablet gave up the ghost after 3.5 years of punishment - I am lost without it these days. Currently writing a business case for a souped-up replacement in a work environment where non-fee earning staff have trouble fighting for investment. Anyway, some good stuff done this week - my Flash work is progressing and I really enjoy the projects. It's been fun to chug out a load of print work for a change, plus my involvement in some Global projects is getting welcome recognition.

Broke the week up on Wednesday by meeting Mark lad after work for our usual noodle dinner, then wandering London chewing the cud, flicking the shutters and larking about. Heather stayed over on Thursday for more of the same - all good fun and cool to spend some quality time with her.

Friday I powered though work then bobbed on the train up home to Harrogate. Popped straight in to DragonDropHQ where Tinanana's birthday was being celebrated. A chilled time sat round the firebin in the backyard chatting, a few beers and having laughs. Nice surprise to see my mucker PaintMonkey there too - lots of lovely catch ups. Saturday heralded a slight return for summer so my folks and I went for a walk in the countryside near Pannal - we picked enough blackberries for mum to make 7 jars of scrummy jam. Dinner with La Familia at Brio's in the evening, then went round to see my old friend Rhiannon who is about to embark on an epic year long round-the-world trip with her hubby Jonn - lucky so-and-so's - have an amazing time guys! Sunday I went to see my dear old Nan, then went to pick up my Godson Felix from cub camp, followed by a GeoCache hunt near Glassehouses with Matt and the kids. Note to self - don't where sandals in the Yorkshire countryside after the wettest summer on record - footwear malfunction! Cool to spend some quality time with my bestest bud and his lovely offspring (Sophie not pictured). A big sorry to Sophie Pie for knocking her head when I lifted her out of the car! :( Matt dropped me off at Leeds Station (I barely recognise the city where I went to Uni anymore). I shared a very enjoyable journey home chatting and sharing a bottle of wine with two seasoned and wise old travellers from Ohio - Pat and Mauren. 

I've been whiling this week away ahead of a much needed break with C (who was at her show at the NEC most of the week). Saw Swervedriver at Scala with Maria and Rus on Wednesday - they've improved with age and were great. Reminded me why I liked them back in the early 90s. All loose ends are now tied up, voicemail and out-of-office activated. Artwork pre-flighted, packaged and deployed. Sites synced. Temp files trashed. Shutdown...wind down...depart...ciao...

The flaming altar of the modern temple of power

Last Saturday I fulfilled a dream I have had for a long time - I got up close and personal with Battersea Power Station. This iconic building has always fascinated me, long before I moved to London and even as far back as childhood. For me it has always been a beautiful beast - a true design classic that loomed almost protective between north and south London. I used to almost fantasise about being let loose inside and finding all the old workings, control rooms and marveling at the superstructure. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott was a clever chap indeed - he also designed to Red Telephone Box and Bankside which now houses Tate Modern.

The power station has had several attempts at regeneration since the 80s, all of which were rejected or failed to raise the capital necessary. The creator of Alton Towers had a crack in 1993 with the idea of creating a theme park - it didn't get off the ground (good job - it looked awful), but much of the art decor interiors were ripped out during the preliminary work - this made me very angry when I found out! The current and successful idea is ambitious to say the least - it is a controversial project that will dwarf the power station when complete, but is very aesthetic, environmentally friendly and will put Battersea even more firmly on the map (they even diverting the northern line to create a new tube station)!

So then, I got down to the site first thing Saturday morning, which was the last day the power station was open the public before works begin...ever! Not surprisingly there were loads of photographers and a real sense of excitement in the air. We were led to a brilliant visitors centre then basically had the freedom to roam around the perimeter. The interior was unfortunately out of bounds due to health and safety, but this didn't spoil the whole experience. Brilliant morning - loved it. I will watch the regeneration with interest.

Spent the rest of the weekend doing odd jobs and giving out little flat a good old clean. Last night we went over to Thames Ditton to see Andy and Kath who have just moved down from Harrogate (Andy is going to study product design at Kingston Uni). Cool to have some new (old) friends down here to play with.

All for now - more soon.

A bit fishy.

The nice peeps at NowPublic have asked to use my picture for an article on incorrect Fish labelling in Supermarkets (random, but relevant I guess). Thanks for the exposure guys.

Hunstanton, Moniave and Men on Wires

It's always a good way to take stock and relax whilst away from home. Last weekend we were invited to stay at A Summer Place in Hunstanton, Norfolk by Bale and James. A perfect spot for a weekend out of the smoke, situated right on the sand dunes. Lots of good food (butterflied lamb shoulder BBQ), great company, daft drunken endurance games and long walks down the beach and through picturesque villages. Very relaxing indeedy do - a beautiful part of the world. Set us both up for the now norm of full throttle work week. Got back in the swing of taking a steady stream of piccies - loving my Pentax W30's amazing Macro capabilities. Such a great little camera for the price and some sweeet, quirky features. Big credits to DragonDrop for endorsing it's predecessor the W20 a year or so ago. Keeping the momentum going on the video stuff too - need to learn not to rush the 'post-production' and to trash ideas that don't work on instinct. I sometimes don't listen to my gut critic when I should. Anyway, took a load of footage that will come to light in some form soon(ish).

Went to see a fantastic film with Mark on Wednesday - Man on Wire. Documentary about Phillipe Petit's build up to and ultimate tightrope walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. An inspiration to any human being, Petit is a rare breed amongst driven human beings, whose passion shone though every part of his life (and still does - he survived...with a big smile on his face too). A huge amount of vintage Super 8 footage charts up his early life as a Parisian street performer, his relationships, challenges, plans and achievements made on a wire between very high buildings (Notre Damn and Sydney Harbour Bridge to name a few). Even the cop that arrested him after his successful 40 walks between the towers (in one sitting), said he would never meet such a person or see such things ever again. The sort of bloke I would love to be sat next to at a wedding breakfast...if I could get a word in H-ways. To be honest, he has led such an amazing life I could quite happily just sit and listen. Aceness. 8.5/10.

Just got back from a great, if wet, long weekend in Moniave, Scotland - home of my lovely in-laws Clare, Alastair and Jenny. The usual lovely weekend of walks, epic paper reading, farm smells, good food and fine wine (Alastair keeps a sensational cellar) ensued. Lovely to see them all again and we were thoroughly spoilt. It all went far too quickly as per usual and now we are back in Londinium fending off Sunday (Monday) blues with a fine fish curry.

A short, but sweet blog this week - not in the mood to post much more, but not for the wrong reasons. :)

Monkeys, Monsoons and Dark Knights

Where is this year going? Quite shocked that it's August already and this begs the question 'where is the summer weather'? It's been a bit of the moist side so far and truly monsoon like in some regions (such as my parents in law - not good when you're a farmer who needs to put hay out). I've been a bit slack with blogging recently, though not through a lack of things to write. Had the pleasure of PaintMonkey's company at VapourTrail Towers last weekend. C was away so we had two days free to get on the old urban safari - lots of relaxing, chewing the fat, photography, exploring London and of course micro-blogging (not so much me though). Met up with that young Mark lad on the Saturday as well which was cool. PM was in photo heaven and took some amazing shots. Some of mine weren't too shabby either. A thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing weekend - I think PM had a great time and look forward to seeing him and other friends down here again soon. I miss them all very much. It's not as scary and bonkers down here as some people think, and it's always fun to be an ambassador for our capital.

Had a pretty draining week of work - energy levels are quite low at the moment, though I am putting it down to this muggy weather as much as the amount of stuff I am doing. The Tube is just unbearable at the moment - I always have a full bottle of water and sit as close to the carriage window as possible - it's still a sweat-fest though. A fair amount of freelance stuff has come to light recently: I've sold an illustration to an American charity for their branding, a few photos here and there, a new range of gatefold flyers for a returning client/friend, but most excitingly a major broadcaster has shown interest in my recent videos for sequences in documentaries - all encouraging stuff. Decided to treat myself to a little something as a result (I don't do so often enough): Novus were the watch making arm of the American electronics company National Semiconductor in the 70s, and made some true design classics when digital timekeeping was in it's infancy. The company is now defunct, but I have wanted to own one of their watches for years. A very rare piece in great condition came up for auction on eBay and I was lucky enough to win it. It was made in the year I was born - check it out! I should add that this is not the site I bought it from or the price I paid (it cost less thankfully)! There are a few rarer models out there that I would love, but I might have to wait for a lottery win for them!

After work on Friday C and I met up with Mike and Lou for a spot of dinner, then  over to the IMAX to see The Dark Knight. Great film and fantastic to see it on the largest screen in the UK, but not sure it quite lived up to the hype. Ledger is amazing - no doubt about it, but is he really on screen long enough? Me no think so. Batman's 'in costume' voice is a bit over exaggerated too. But, I pick at straws - the pace, action, sets and just about everything else is superb. I would like to see it on at a regular cinema or on DVD as I spent most of the time darting my head from side to side trying to take it all in on such a massive screen. 

A fairly low key weekend - stayed over at Heather and Kent's in Mickleham last night for a BBQ (well, a grill - the weather saw to that), then headed back to London this morning to meet Maria and brave the west-end. Had to find a new suit in the sales (lots of weddings coming up, so needs be). Totally knackered now, satisfyingly full on stir fried salmon with noodles and loving the Olympics - can't get enough. 

New tunes that I can recommend highly: British Sea Power - Do you like Rock Music? Fantastic stuff, especially the song Great Skua. Might have to borrow it for one of my little films. Also, Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs.

Need to sleep - need to recharge the batteries, as they will be working on maximum come Monday. Lots on my mind and lots to take stock off - always a good thing to review the content of the grey matter once in a while. A fun week ahead though work aside and a weekend away at the coast is to come.

Why so serious?

Ay up, it's our day!

Today is Yorkshire Day. Today Yorkshireman and women celebrate the fact that we come from the best county in the UK and everything that is brilliant about it. There's nowt better lad!

Wake'n'Bacon

Genius!

http://www.mathlete.com/portfolio/wakeNbacon.php

Into the heat

For the first part of last week I was in recovery - just can't do 4 days in a row anymore (see Latitude). Actually, let me re-phrase that...I can party 4 days in a row, but my body takes another 4 days to get over it. So anyway, had Monday and Tuesday booked off and relaxed plus felt a bit guilty when my wife (who is younger, so technically doesn't need as much recovery time) went to work. I was greeted by the usual 120 emails on Wednesday and spent the rest of the week ploughing through them, so didn't actually get to any of my projects until Friday...when it was time for another weekend - Yay!

There was a bit of a family crisis (more a need for us to pull together to help an injured party), so we cruised up the A1 home to Harrogate after work. Mum and Dad were on really good form. We spent much of Saturday sat in their garden reading the papers, drinking lemonade and avoiding sunburn (I failed), popped in to see my Nan then a great night out with lots of old friends outside Blues Bar - just like old times. Brilliant. Sunday drove over to that there Knaresborough to see PM and the adorable Moo - drinks down by the river and nice walk in the sunshine. Also picked up the fantastic paintings he has done for us - so chuffed with them I can't tell you! Just need a flat big enough to do them justice now! Had a quick lunch with Jonn and Rhiannon (who are going on an epic travelling odyssey - lucky so and so's), then did record time back down to London with daylight to spare.

It's seriously hot down here now - so much so that the Northern Line is getting a little saunaesque and horrible. I really should be cycling to work or something, but the thought of getting knocked off and squashed by a bendy-bus is putting me off. Even the over-land option is a sweat-fest, so I just grin and bare it. Drinking lites of water a day though and feeling the detox. Managed to loose nearly 3/4 of a stone somewhere in the past 6 weeks too - not sure how, given I've eaten some right lardy feasts.

A cool weekend to come once this mentalist week of work is finished. C is away on another Hen (that's not the cool part I should add), but PM is coming down for a relaxing weekend in The Smoke...if such a thing exists. Really looking forward to spending some quality time with him and praying the weather stays good - expect much micro-blogging and Flickring to follow.

Both PM and MN mentioned feeling on the cusp of something in recent blogs - must be something in this heat because I've felt the same recently...just got to work out to what the cusp belongs...or what to do about it.

...and longitude.

Slap wrists VapourTrail - it's been a few weeks since my last post! 

Lots has happened, though I bet I will forget to mention quite a lot - some weaves and turns, ducks and dives, frights and reliefs, surprises and predictability etc. My Dad and Jaygo had birthdays so very 'appy days to them. Seen lots of friends - Heather, Chris M, Amelia, Giles. C and I got out in the sunshine for long walks int'nature and had lots of chill time, carpet picnics etc. Saw a few films - Hancock was pretty easy viewing and good fun. Started a great new book - The Pump House Gang by Tom Wolfe - fantastic and can't wait to read more of his stuff (thanks Sam). Was reading Piers Morgan's memoirs - got bored, not my scene at all. Some great new music - Another top album from Rod y Gab - Le Foc. Also Songs in A&E from the amazing Spritualized - superb and lovely listening.

My Flickr collection of stuff has been swelling nicely as well. Enjoying making the mini-movie clips and have got lots of ideas for new ones. Need to work on the image quality whilst keeping the file sizes down though - probably can't have one with the other, but I will investigate. Have sold a few more images and had requests for others to adorn walls of family and friends. There's even been a touch of freelance work come to light from a friend/past client which is a welcome thingy wotsit.

Main thing worthy of bloggage was Latitude last weekend - Been looking forward to it for ages. Situated just outside Southwold - A beautiful part of the world for a beautiful festie. We went with old friends Chris and Marianne from that there Yorkshire. This was a great event - highly eclectic in it's design, offerings and the demographic it is aimed at. There were loads of families with kids (of all ages) which gave the place a great vibe, plus people from all backgrounds and interests. There was the music stages, theatre, comedy, poetry, cabaret, performance art, installations, happenings - there was nothing left out. Even the food was organic, wildly varied and top-notch - result. A great size too - only 25,000 people and quite a small site. The whole weekend just flew which is always a sign of a good time and the weather was generally good. Can't recommend this festival highly enough, especially if you have kids but also want to option to party until sunrise. 

Could waffle on for ages, but here are the greatest hits of the festival from my point of view: The Burlesque Caberet Tent (that was bizarrely full of toddlers as well as adults most of the time); Ross Noble's impromptu 3,000 people strong conga train through the grounds who then proceeded ask every Vegan stall for sausage rolls for the rest of the festival; Bill Bailey's set; The Go-Team; Sea Sick Steve; Sigur Ros (that part I remember anyway); Elbow; Franz Ferdinand; Blondie (she was fan-bloody-tastic); Deathray Trebuchey (these guys were simply amazing - trippy brass based post modern ska madness); The pink sheep grazing by the lake; the floating orb flutist and light show; the Caribbean curried goat and dumplings; the lack of idiots and beer monsters; The Sunshine Stage high in the woods; Stewart Lee's comedy set; The mushroom risotto; having a blow up mattress to sleep on for the first time; 

Back to the daily grind now, but in lovely summer heat - makes even the crapest day seem bearable. I had a wee epiphany whilst at Latitude and this plus other events of the past few weeks have reaffirmed to me how precious our lives and consciousness are, and most importantly how these should be treasured and not treated flippantly. Life is not a rehearsal.

I promise not to leave it so long next time.

Weather permitting

Not too shabby a week all in all. C and I have appeared to do swappsies on the having of late nights. I finished 'on time' most of the week whilst she (being the socialite that she is) was out nearly every night. Had an impromptu after work drink on Wednesday, that turned into drinks which was a fun. Suffered the next day - I'm rubbish at work on hangovers...in fact my hangovers are generally pretty rubbish these days...listen to your body is the message there I think!

My old Harrogate friend Heather stayed over on Thursday which was great - the three of us had a right old catch up and made it to bed far too late and cidered for a school night - two in a row, doh! Luckily I was working from home on Friday (waiting in from 9-6 for the gasman) which saves having to endure the now summer heated tube with a sore head (not to mention the imminent lack of sympathy from colleagues)! Work have graciously given me a new IBM Thinkpad and a company mobile, so now I can work from home almost seamlessly (once I'd spent an hour on the phone to IT sort teething problems out). I was actually busier than if I had been in the office - I seemed to spend the whole day on the phone and answering emails. Also every workman in Wandsworth was working on our road, so it was pretty hard to concentrate above the sound of drills and stone blasting. Nice to sit around in shorts and t-shirt with the radio on and a decent cup of tea to sip on whilst I worked though.

C had driven to North Devon on Friday morning with the girls for Lucy's hen do - sounds like a right laugh. The plan was surfing, BBQs on the beach, games and liberal dose of pub time. I pitied the other people staying on the caravan site though! So I had another weekend to myself then. I'd arranged to meet Lou's boyfriend Chris and his mate Arthur for some drinks in town in the evening. We started at The Blue Posts, then as we were all a bit skint systematically searched out every Samuel Smiths pub we could in Soho (not hard, there's loads, plus the beer's amongst the cheapest and tastiest in the capital). Top night - talked the arse off every subject going and put the world to rights. Got kicked out of the last place (because it was closing, not because we were being naughty) and got home on auto-pilot. No more drinking for a good few days. Forgot to say - Banksy's latest piece was outside The Blue Post - the little tinker!

As per usual after a heavy night I woke up at the crack of dawn, so got up and after popping to buy the papers and polishing off brekky, I finished a bit of work that had been bugging me then carried on to enjoy my weekend with a 'clear' head. The sun was shining brightly and I fancied a good old hike so...got the train to Victoria, walked to Buckingham Palace then down The Mall; popped into the ICA; headed to Trafalgar Square, down Strand to Embankment; over the river to the South Bank (mooched around a bit), back over the river (watched a brass band near Charing Cross) walked through St.James' Park and back to Victoria. Train to Clapham Junction, bought pesto and herb plants at the Northcote Road farmers market then walked home though Wandsworth Common - great long walk and the sun shone on me all the way.

It poured down with rain most of today, so bar a quick visit to Kings Road I was flatbound. Did loads of experimenting with movie footage I had taken with iMovie - not bad for an entry level video app. Resisted the temptation to use most of the quirky 'filter' effects (as also resist with Photoshop). Can see the potential to do some great stuff, so watch out for more video on Flickr. Check out my latest photos also. Our TV died on Saturday morning and although it's been annoying not be able to watch Wimbledon I have listened to loads more radio than I usually would and really enjoyed it - Radio 2, 6, XFM and NME.

Top tune purchase this week has been The Bees - Sound Selection. An excellent album of covers inspired by the band's pre/post gig DJ sets. A band I only discovered a few years ago, but can thoroughly endorse their tripped out blues funk..er...stuff. Some choice versions on this album as well. Get it - it's great low slung summer music.

A fairly intense week ahead (during the day at least) - several deadlines to hit and a few lateys expected. Counting down the days to latitude - preying for some forgiving weather.

Pip pip.

Down time

In sharp contrast to DragonDrop's weekend, we have had 2 days of relative inertia. Feeling slightly burnt out from some very busy weeks of work (of which there are still more to come), we shelved all plans of running around this weekend and just relaxed. We were, in a word, knackered and needed it.

A perfect start to the weekend was a trip over to East Dulwich to see new parents Sam, Lizzie and the beautiful new edition to their family Elfie. What a little angel she is and they are such proud parents (and understandably tired)! Lizzie's mum made us cheese and cucumber sandwiches - not had that particularly combination since primary school lunches - strange how tastes can trigger long filed away memories. Took a very long route home trying to find a garage that would fix our chipped windscreen to no avail and popped into Modern Metropolis, a great retro emporium not far from our house. It is filled with the most amazing furniture, lighting, fittings and objects d'art - many of which trigger the line 'I remember that chair from when I was little' or 'my mate's cool folks had that sofa'. It's a great place and a little dangerous if you have any money in your pocket. In the name of retail therapy C bought a cool white and green plastic globe desk mirror and pole slide side lamp - both 60s originals...nice (and cheap). Apart from a trip to Wimbledon on Sunday not much got done apart from that. Ploughed through the papers, watched a load of Wimbledon, Glastonbury (Jay-Z was great for the festival - what was all the fuss about) and the Euro 08 final (yay Espana), did the usual chores and necessities. 

Extremely sickened that Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for another term - those poor, poor people. How on earth is he allowed to get away with such blatant brutality and steal power like that? I don't know enough about the politics of the region, but can someone enlighten me as to why his neighbours (or the UN) are not intervening on the grounds of human rights, displacement and genocide? He is not alone in the world of being a vicious dictator, but that fact that he's not even trying to hide his actions is just appalling. 

My noodle had a bit of wobble this weekend - the catalyst was something really daft. I've soaked it in soy sauce for a bit and it seems better now. 

Mind the gap - it's sometimes wider than it looks. 

It's only a job

I was re-reading a link that a colleague sent me today and with what's going on in my work life at the moment it seemed quite apt and valid to share it (apologies for length...as they say on b3ta)!

1. Simple rules
There are a lot of choices to make over the course of a lifetime. That’s why it’s important to have some simple rules in place to guide one’s actions. As odd as it may seem, something as basic as “be nice to everyone” saves a lot of time and thought.

2. Surround yourself with people who are better than you
This morning I spent twenty minutes on the treadmill. Whenever the fellow beside me sped-up, I found myself instinctively wanting to do the same.People who are better than you help you forget your own perceived limitations.

3. Choice and outcome

For everything new I do, I learn something; therefore, it can’t be a waste of time. Repeat efforts, however, have to be measured carefully to ensure they are not just time-consuming bad habits.

4. Talk to your clients like they are your spouse
When I start to think of others as “them”, something is lost. When I can find a way to cut through the formalities, however, something real happens.

5. Perception is sometimes more relevant than actuality

Garrett has silver hair, a charming smile and wears a pair of smart, dark-rimmed glasses. He is intelligent and speaks with confidence. In a room of executives, everyone takes notice and listens intently to what he has to say.One day I bumped into him on the street. He was as articulate as ever, but his hair had grown somewhat long, and he wore a less flattering pair of glasses. I found myself somehow less “taken” by the discussion.Other than two small aspects of his appearance, nothing had changed; yet, this was enough to detract from his message. What you say is often less important than what people hear (or see).

6. Set the bar high

If you want to run a 5k, become a marathoner. As a result, you’ll find that 5k runs become a piece of cake.By setting goals higher than you feel achievable, even your failures can be spectacular.

7. Busy-ness as a path to nowhere

There’s a fellow down the street that picks up bottles all day. He works much harder than the executive in the office tower but earns far less. It’s not by any means fair.Most of us get caught up in being busy, instead of concentrating on what are accomplishing. This feels satisfying, as all of our peers are doing the same. (Logic suggests this is simply a bad habit.)Get “un-busy”; determine where your wealth and happiness come from, and put your resources into that.

8. Take a moment

The urgency to respond to a situation can be perilous.When confronted by unwelcome news try this: breathe, acknowledge, and continue about your business.In five minutes you’ll see the situation more clearly. You might appreciate not having leapt to a response.

9. Today’s problems

It’s easy to look ahead and start thinking about potential problems and how you might solve them.Some of these problems will never occur, so this is time wasted.There are always plenty of problems needing to be solved. Just concentrate on today’s.

10. They won’t shoot you

When you are really stressed out at the office, rushing about in a frantic mess, try to remember that there are very few mistakes that will result in you getting shot. Take a breath and put the situation into perspective. It is probably a smaller issue than you think (at least in the long-term).

...and with that I am off home to put my feet up.

Taste My Bloody Eardrums

Still feeling like a bit of weekender. Last week was an 8 on the bonkersly busy scale - did loads, loads still to do, annoying set backs, lots of achievements. Although we are working to a deadline of July 1st it has become more apparent that the teething problems after launch will make things just as nuts. Bring it on - I'm feeling energised and motivated.

Left work bang on 5:30pm on Friday - the earliest for a least a month. C has a friend who works at Channel 4 who very kindly gave us some tickets for Taste in Regents Park. A foodie festival basically where top London restaurants, food producers and chefs set up stalls and punt sample dishes to the gastronomically minded. All good fun and very well laid out event. Had some great 'samples' of nosh - finally tried Wagyu Beef from Cocoon - (yep, it's damn good), some amazing Gelatti and Anthony Worrel-Thompson's hog roast. The only thing I will say is it was very overpriced for what you got. If we had paid it would have been £25 each to get in, then as each (very small) sample dish starts at £5 and you need at least 5 to feel even slightly satisfied it gets very expensive, even though the food is exceptionally good.

Saturday we chilled, then went round to see Mike and Lou in Croydon. Good fun night playing games, chowing down, messing about with light sabres and being merry. Got totally lost trying to get out trying to find the M25 next day, but eventually got on our way to Amersham to see C's Grandpa and her Mum who is down to look after him for a few days. Lovely relaxing summer Sunday in the home counties. Sunday Roast, G&T in the garden, games of boules...all very civilised. Lovely and hot and great to see Clare and Robert again. We bought our tent to put up in the garden - reason being we packed it away damp in 2006 after a festival and haven't opened it since! It ponged, but nothing a few hours airing and a squirt of air freshener couldn't solve. C drove home and I jumped on the tube back to Marleybone - how nice to be on a tube that is above ground and travelling through the Buckinghamshire countryside instead of dark sweaty tunnel...

I last saw My Bloody Valentine on the Rollercoaster tour in 1991 with Dinosaur Jr, Jesus and Mary Chain and Blur. They have always had a special place in my record collection and are a truly pioneering band. Their seminal album Loveless will often be found in any '50 albums to hear before you die' listing. On first listening they can be an uncomfortable band to appreciate - they employ huge layers of guitars, effects, disjointed harmonies and awkward melodies...but, the more you listen to them the more they grow on you and eventually you are hooked. It really is addictive stuff. The vocals are thin and ethereal and basically lost in the mix, but it just doesn't matter, because the spiralling whirlwind of everything else just binds the whole thing together. All I could remember of the '91 gig was they were very good and very, very loud. Well, 17 years later and they have reformed to finish the album they started of the same year and play a few gigs. Myself and some friends bought a load of tickets months ago for Sunday's gig at the Roundhouse in Camden Town - a fantastic and very famous venue in English contemporary musical history (The Doors and Pink Floyd played early gigs there). In short they were fantastic - incredible sound and visual effects. They played the same set list as their last gig and it was faultless. The last song is their single 'You made me realise' which is famous for it's 30 seconds of white noise shit storm in the middle...at this gig it lasted 20 minutes! When the venue staff handed out ear-plugs on the way in I thought it was a PR stunt or 'statement', not a necessity. I had to move further back to stop my tonsils sweating and my ribcage caving in. I have never heard such a monstrous, but beautiful sound. Although it is near painful, it is totally entrancing and you couldn't tear yourself away from it. Definitely in one of the top 5 gigs I've ever been to. 10/10. Can't wait for the new album, though at their current rate of production I will be an old man by the time they release it!

Tunes of the week: Vampire Weekend's and Fleet Foxes's new albums. Top stuff - check them out.

Finally a massive thank you to PaintMonkey. We commissioned him to put brush/palette knife to canvas for us a good few weeks ago and he has created a beautiful piece of work for us. We look forward to growing old with it on a wall wherever we call home.

Until next time...

More exposure

Another website (well a business blog) has requested to use one of my photos. Check it out.

Weekender

I've certainly earned my groats these past few weeks. The past few weeks have probably been the busiest I have ever been in that there job. It's been a steep learning curve in some areas, a baptism of fire in others and great experience all round...dare I say it's even fun? To be honest, the most stressful part of it is that it hasn't been planned very well, which meant those few involved in making it happen ran around at 10 different directions at once for a good few days due to the geographies, complexities and logistics involved. There is more focus and direction now, but still a lot to do. Have well and truly ticked the branding part of my job title now. The only down side is that I've been getting home late, having my tea and then basically it's bed time. It's not going to be like this permanently and I am happy to put the extra miles in to get a good job done. The result is I have been looking forward to my weekends much more than usual...

C was away at a christening in Gloucester this weekend with Darbs, so I had a few days to myself for the first time in ages. Aside from a much needed lie-in on Saturday I vowed to make the most of the weekend: Did the necessaries - food shopping, cleaning, odd jobs and loose end tying. Then spent most of the afternoon playing guitar (acoustic - batteries dead on fx pedals). I used to play loads and have become quite lazy as of late, but it didn't take long to get that great feeling back. Taught myself some Hispanic semi-percussion rhythms I've been listening to a lot recently and even did a load of picking exercises that become quite mantric after a while. Got totally lost in playing for ages - I have really missed it. Must have killed about 4 hrs solid and my fingers were nearly bleeding  by the end - great fun. Rang Mark to see if he was about, but he was working to a deadline and as no one else was in town I resigned myself to a night in with a nice meal, good bottle of red and a film (read: no mates). I know it's tedious to write about what you had for dinner, but this is my blog, my hit ratings are down anyway and it was really nice so...Pan fried Salmon fillet; lemon, onion and parsley risotto, and flash fried courgette and carrot shavings. I rule.

I've been meaning to see Into the Wild for ages. It is the true story of a young college graduate who decides to go travelling in the early 90s, but totally shun the materialism that appears to surround his life and try to literally live off the land where he can, as he works up the US from Virginia to Alaska. He takes everything to the extreme and cuts off contact with his family and friends (who naturally worry themselves silly) for nearly a year, whilst surviving on whatever he kills or finds. The solace, inner peace and sense of freedom he finds is also extreme, but the further he finds himself in his journey the more you feel for those he has abandoned without thought for their state of mind. His parents inability for show the love he craves, instead of showering him with material love is what pushes him away and he (un)intentionally punishes them for it. At first I related to him trying to find some reality in a world of fake ideals and misunderstood emotion; then I worried about him as his quest became an obsession and affected his health; finally, I hated him for his selfishness. His routes bring him back to an abandoned old bus which becomes a home from home and finally his grave. A very long, very thought provoking and inspired film. Totally deserves all the nominations and should have won more. 9/10.

Sunday I was up very early, grabbed by camera and was out the house. Headed down to Waterloo to see the result of Cans Festival, where an entire 200m underpass has been transformed in a free for all street art festival. The brainchild of Banksy who features several times, it is a visual treat. Some of the works are huge, some tiny, some simple, some wildly detailed. What a brilliant idea and it's venue is the perfect canvas. People are still free to draw there and it will just grow and grow. It'll be there until someone else paints other stuff over it...and then it will have just evolved. Go and see it if you can. Here's some of my photos. Spent the rest of the day wandering around the South Bank which has a big festival going on with loads of amazing jazz, latin and percussion bands, food stalls and performers - a great way to kill a few hours and the sun was shining. 

Around late afternoon I headed to Parliament Sq. when Stop the War Coalition were preparing to 'welcome' George Bush to Westminster - a fascinating scene. A real charged atmosphere full of tension and expectation in the air as people unloaded piles of placards, dressed as judges (to attempt to arrest bush apparently), hippies playing guitars, people from numerous nationalities shouting into megaphones, journalists yakking on phones, camera crews and a shifty looking nun. Chatted to a few people, some of whom have been camped across the road from Parliament demonstrating for several years, others were activists from various organisations, others just came down to see what was going on...a bit like me. Kick off was 5pm - Walked for a little bit, but when someone offered me a broken placard for a weapon when the police line closed in round the corner I decided to watch from a distance. 

Finished a great book last weekend as well. Bill Bryson's - The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt kid. Bryson is always an easy, laugh out loud read and that was what I fancied. This book is great - a look through the magnifying glass into childhood in 50s America. It really is quite amazing how much the world and it's values have changed. Bryson makes it all sound so engagingly innocent, timeless yet surreal...but then childhood often feels like that as I remember. Imagine living in a time where atomic bomb tests were a spectator event and you could actually book to stay at the Atomic Hotel in Nevada in a travel agents whilst you did! That said, the stuff he got up to with his friends didn't seem that different to when I was a kid and he celebrates the ability to spend endless summers playing in the street, creating entertainment out of very little except our imaginations - something many of the kids of the current generation I feel may have lost. Top book. Might read another one of his soon.

Some great new tunes discovered over the past few weeks as well. Firstly, Rodrigo y Gabriela - I can't rate these guys highly enough and last week bought their Live in Manchester and Dublin album. Their style sounds like a novelty on paper - metal riffs combined with Hispanic classical picking and intricate soundboard percussion, but it is quite simply amazing and dare I say has revolutionised guitar playing to a certain extent. I've seen their name low down on festival lines ups for a few year and always wondered who they were, but now they are really starting to make waves. Watch some of the videos on the site - I defy you not to be intrigued and later hooked.

Second is Sennen. A Norwich 4 piece (one of whom it turns out I know and works at the same company) who if you had to try to describe their sound it would be like Mogwai singing Simon and Garfunkel...if you can imagine such a thing. Brilliant chiming interchanging guitars, haunting harmonies, charging, then walking, then climbing bass lines and some very inventive and intricate (but sounds effortlessly simple - you clever bastard) drumming. A real journey 'album' as well instead of 10 songs in a certain order. Stripped down and chiming 3 minute  indie pop songs and huge 7 minute wall of sound anthems. These boys have listened to more than their fair share of Spacemen 3 in their time, amongst others, but any influence is respectfully built upon and not imitated. Some gorgeous tunes and a triumph of an album - can't stop playing it. 9/10.

That's about it really. I was checking my hit stats recently and noticed that my blogs in less happy times seem to get the most traffic. I don't tag them 'misery guts, moody git or self-pitying northern monkey etc.' so I wonder why that is? It's just what's going on in my own journey along the mortal coil and isn't pretending to be anything else. Actually - top tip: If you want loads of hits, just tag your blog with Star Wars - instant popularity (and a lot of disappointed SW fans). I should imagine tagging Holly Willoughby or Brad Pitt has a similar effect. Anyway, whilst I'm on a relatively good run I don't intend to start bitching for the sake of it, so stop reading if you like...see if I care...oh, right...you're going are you?...well, bye then...are you still there?...hello...hellooo...