After Bérénice Bejo on Monday, I have once again fallen in love (lust?) with a French speaking celluloid star.. I need to get a grip. This time it's Mélanie Laurent in 'Beginners' which I've seen before; however, I'd forgotten quite how captivated I was by her pixie like features and delicate tones. It's making the hangover more tolerable.
Yesterday was so enjoyable.. An incredibly fresh morning run (complete with friends, deer, peacocks and flakes of ice falling from frost covered trees), spending time with my whole family, getting to know someone and gathering some inspiration. I don't know how it could've been any better.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Appetising
Reading this in the Guardian this morning was not the most appetising piece to read over breakfast. The line that moved me most was -
"The rabbit's head was dark against the light grey sky. It had pocked hollows instead of eyes and raised ears, frayed like an over-loved toy."
After a conversation about the morality of eating Veal and Foie Gras I had last night, the waves of doubt over my vegetarianism that I've had over the past few weeks have now completely subsided.
"The rabbit's head was dark against the light grey sky. It had pocked hollows instead of eyes and raised ears, frayed like an over-loved toy."
After a conversation about the morality of eating Veal and Foie Gras I had last night, the waves of doubt over my vegetarianism that I've had over the past few weeks have now completely subsided.
Ruined, goodbye and vacant
After two one and a half hour sessions of 'hot' Yoga at a new studio in Reading, I feel ruined but incredible. By hot, I mean HOT - forty two degrees Celsius. The clientele were also hot, which made the suffering more bearable. Despite having an enormously overwhelming sense of (b/s new-age phrase alert) well-being; aches have appeared where there have never been aches before. A steaming dose of 'man up' is required though as I'm running nine miles tomorrow morning with a group in Old Basing. Fuck.
In sadder news, an HMP Service placement has left the organisation that I work for after being with us for three months. I shall miss the cheeky chappie, especially the little chats we had about some bizarre topics. He often gave me this pleasant feeling of being a bit of an older brother figure for him after he came to me to talk about how he should present himself for an interview and various other similar themes. He came out of his shell slowly but surely during the time we had him (sounds like a pet!). He said this afternoon that he felt like a different and more open person than he was the day he joined, which was heartwarming. I wish him the best of luck and hope our paths shall cross in the future.
I've been neglecting doing any proper writing this past fortnight - it's been so busy with work; inspiration has been few and far between. Next Friday is Reading's Poetry cafe; maybe something there will plant a seed in my vacant noggin.
In sadder news, an HMP Service placement has left the organisation that I work for after being with us for three months. I shall miss the cheeky chappie, especially the little chats we had about some bizarre topics. He often gave me this pleasant feeling of being a bit of an older brother figure for him after he came to me to talk about how he should present himself for an interview and various other similar themes. He came out of his shell slowly but surely during the time we had him (sounds like a pet!). He said this afternoon that he felt like a different and more open person than he was the day he joined, which was heartwarming. I wish him the best of luck and hope our paths shall cross in the future.
I've been neglecting doing any proper writing this past fortnight - it's been so busy with work; inspiration has been few and far between. Next Friday is Reading's Poetry cafe; maybe something there will plant a seed in my vacant noggin.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
The Artist
The stunning cinematography showcased throughout The Artist was almost enough to outshine the radiance of Bérénice Bejo.. She may have overtaken Audrey Tautou as THE French speaking movie pinup (although she is Argentine in her descent). Trés bien.
One shot of particular note is a cutaway of a staircase in a large building.. It made me gasp with admiration; it was almost photographic in it's composition and detail.
This film should sweep the awards ceremonies purely for it's innovative homage of what could be considered a lost art, although it must be said; it is not satirical in it's presentation. Michel Hazanavicius respectfully harks back to an era which was already filled with glamour and excess, then throws you into the front row next to flapper girls, Cadillacs and pearls.
Somehow, the acting seemed more visceral; as if removing the dialogue took away a previously unknown fog that blurred the fourth wall. My concentration levels were more intense and I paid far more attention to the effects of the score.
And if I haven't already given enough reasons to see this film; just go to see the dog. I swear it must be the same pooch from Frasier.. Adorable.
One shot of particular note is a cutaway of a staircase in a large building.. It made me gasp with admiration; it was almost photographic in it's composition and detail.
This film should sweep the awards ceremonies purely for it's innovative homage of what could be considered a lost art, although it must be said; it is not satirical in it's presentation. Michel Hazanavicius respectfully harks back to an era which was already filled with glamour and excess, then throws you into the front row next to flapper girls, Cadillacs and pearls.
Somehow, the acting seemed more visceral; as if removing the dialogue took away a previously unknown fog that blurred the fourth wall. My concentration levels were more intense and I paid far more attention to the effects of the score.
And if I haven't already given enough reasons to see this film; just go to see the dog. I swear it must be the same pooch from Frasier.. Adorable.
Suggestion
Put 'Good Day Sunshine' by The Beatles on your headphones on a grey morning. Tell me it doesn't cheer you up and I'll eat my left boot.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Thirty five millimetre
Despite a raging hangover and experiencing the joys of having to tidy my wrecked flat earlier in the day, somehow yesterday afternoon I managed to spend a few hours teaching my friend's eight year old son (Alfie) how to use a thirty five mm SLR camera.
During my previous visit to their house, Alfie had waxed lyrical about how he was the chief photographer of his school's newspaper whilst showing me some great shots of swans in his local park, his dog and his Mum and Dad on his new point and shoot digital camera. My ancient Centon (no, I've not heard of them either) SLR that was my trusty steed throughout college had been sat gathering dust on my desk for the past three years and it clearly could do with a better home. It was his sisters' fifth and sixth birthdays last week, so he was probably feeling hard done by on the presents front.. So, the girls got Hello Kitty bits and Alfredo got a slightly dusty camera.
Trying to explain ISO settings to an eight year old was a bridge too far but he picked up on how to focus, zoom, fire the flash, set the shutter speed and how to load a film. It'll be great for him to learn the complete basics at a young age. His understanding of composition is innate looking at the shots he'd already taken.
In my naivety, I said that he should get a book from the school library on how to use cameras to help him learn, to which I got the response - 'Don't be silly Harry.. I'll just Google it.' How times have changed.
During my previous visit to their house, Alfie had waxed lyrical about how he was the chief photographer of his school's newspaper whilst showing me some great shots of swans in his local park, his dog and his Mum and Dad on his new point and shoot digital camera. My ancient Centon (no, I've not heard of them either) SLR that was my trusty steed throughout college had been sat gathering dust on my desk for the past three years and it clearly could do with a better home. It was his sisters' fifth and sixth birthdays last week, so he was probably feeling hard done by on the presents front.. So, the girls got Hello Kitty bits and Alfredo got a slightly dusty camera.
Trying to explain ISO settings to an eight year old was a bridge too far but he picked up on how to focus, zoom, fire the flash, set the shutter speed and how to load a film. It'll be great for him to learn the complete basics at a young age. His understanding of composition is innate looking at the shots he'd already taken.
In my naivety, I said that he should get a book from the school library on how to use cameras to help him learn, to which I got the response - 'Don't be silly Harry.. I'll just Google it.' How times have changed.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
London Town
Having admired Laura Marling's music for quite some time; happily I've discovered some gems of unreleased material floating about on YouTube which I'd not heard before. "London Town" is by far the best of the bunch, especially considering she wrote it at the tender age of fourteen. Annoyingly, all of the tickets to the Hammersmith stop of her tour have sold out, but fortunately I've got my grubby mitts on some to see her at the Guildhall in Southampton. Cannot wait.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Monday, 2 January 2012
Friday, 30 December 2011
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Riches
Gray radiation beyond
a grey time.
Coughing spits and last rites
can't count as a unit of measure.
Three years is not long enough
to count, yet we're still counting.
Glasses raised from beyond where they may be now.
Crackers, party hats and two line jokes.
A fitting memory to a legacy paved with green, golden leaves and a river
that only one pair of lovers envisage at one time.
Two queens.
Obtainable beings out of reach like
mist but we laced their boots each morning.
Two rivers cross and a canal runs dry.
Placing footsteps and ashes,
oars stroke and feet hang over
the edge, just touching the water.
Friends know nothing of none of what is lost.
Hands numb from writing what might've cracked a smile.
Felt collars can't be held
but they should be grabbed,
thrown into a fire.
a grey time.
Coughing spits and last rites
can't count as a unit of measure.
Three years is not long enough
to count, yet we're still counting.
Glasses raised from beyond where they may be now.
Crackers, party hats and two line jokes.
A fitting memory to a legacy paved with green, golden leaves and a river
that only one pair of lovers envisage at one time.
Two queens.
Obtainable beings out of reach like
mist but we laced their boots each morning.
Two rivers cross and a canal runs dry.
Placing footsteps and ashes,
oars stroke and feet hang over
the edge, just touching the water.
Friends know nothing of none of what is lost.
Hands numb from writing what might've cracked a smile.
Felt collars can't be held
but they should be grabbed,
thrown into a fire.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Highs & Lows
The past twelve months have been turbulent, full of turmoil and euphoria in equal measures. All I am seeing in newspapers and on the internet is the top ten or top one million things of 2011, so I thought I'd write down the highs and lows of my year.
The good bits, in no particular order -
Reading Festival - So, okay, it rained and Muse were playing, but the combination of the Saturday's sunshine and having an absolutely unforgettable giggle with two of the funniest people I know - can't be beaten. Elbow's set was ethereal, Jarvis Cocker is the coolest fifty year old in the world, Madness got everyone dancing, OFWGKTA were just plain scary, Yuck brought back 1990's shoe gazing with a bang and The Strokes were their usual business like cool. I'm just not fucking camping next year...
Running a half marathon - unseasonable warm weather for the Basingstoke Half Marathon had runners dropping like flies from mile six onwards, but despite being 830th out of 1271 finishers, my main victory was BEATING JIM, who is a good friend of mine, by 230 places. Smug, yes. We're booked onto the Reading Half Marathon in April.. Game on.
New job - can't say too much about it, but it's been an eye opening experience for me from day one. There's so much I have to learn, but it's coming to me quickly and I've got the trust of the staff, so I'm halfway there. It is incredible how much after hours glad-handing that I'm having to do.. The Christmas Carol Concert held last Monday had about five television celebrities, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, the Mayor and various other local dignitaries in attendance. Champagne and canapes at The Forbury Hotel afterwards sealed the deal with wanting to stay with the organisation.. Not that I'm easily swayed by these kind of things, of course.
Millenium Trilogy - reading these books coincided with starting a daily hour long commute to my new job and they couldn't have come at a better time. They've been around for a while, I know, but I'd not picked them up, despite being told to, on numerous occasions by someone who is irritatingly right about these kind of things.
My big fat Danish wedding - July took me and my friends Peggy and Dave from Gatwick to Billund to the tiny village of Harndrup to celebrate my friend Charmaine's marriage to the lovely Jan. A wedding like nothing ever experienced in England; so friendly, relaxed, laid back and incredibly enjoyable. We were incredibly blessed with the weather, the people and the travelling. Strangely though, the real highlight was getting to know Dave better than I ever imagined I would.
The hot British Spring - Can you remember that far back? I happened to have taken two weeks off of work at the exact time that Mother Nature decided to roll back the clouds and throw open Spring to an early glimpse of Summer. I made the best of it by being out on my bike pretty much solidly for fourteen days and wondering around various towns. I watched "Norwegian Wood" at a cinema in Guildford (by myself - try it sometime) and whilst sitting outside having a coffee, I distinctly remember feeling as if I was in a square in Barcelona I'd sat in before. Global warming is blurring the lines between the seasons - which is deeply troubling - but every now and again, I don't mind ignoring the inconvenient truth.
Yuck - "Yuck" - by far the best album of 2011. Twanging reverb coupled with genuinely touching lyrics made for the soundtrack to my summer.
I Want My Hat Back - I've done this one to death on this blog, but go out and buy it. It makes me smile every time.
The Lake District - I'd not been until I visited with my friends in July / August time and nothing can quite prepare you for the unbridled volume of breathtaking scenery. We were blessed with three days of beautiful weather and I decided to go canoeing for two of these days. With the exception of getting burnt feet, it was one of the best adventure trips I've ever been on in my life.
The Sea Inside - The Spanish film starring Javier Bardem as a paraplegic had me reaching for the Kleenex and nodding my head in quiet agreement about many of the nuggets of wisdom that the film maker has to say about our attachment to life. (And yes, I know it's from 2004 - I only saw it in November.)
Wilderness Festival - I was fortunate enough to win tickets to the inaugural Wilderness Festival in the rolling hills of Oxfordshire. We didn't have enough time to organise camping but we travelled there each day to the beautiful site and enjoyed the sights and sounds. If things had been different (read below "Losing someone") - it would have been an even more incredible experience; but I can't take away from the special time spent with someone at one of the most relaxed festivals I've ever been to.
Cornwall - I'd only passed through Cornwall before I visited at the end of October, but I was once again transfixed with the beauty that England has to offer. Country lanes opening up into spectacular vistas, tiny paths running down to almost deserted beaches, incredible food and lovely people.
Emily King - "Seven" - Her song "Down" came to me at just the right time... The rest of the album is hearty soulful soup.
My new jacket. (That's not me, by the way.)
Learning about myself - I've learnt a few things about myself this year which had been holding me back for quite some time. Thankfully, it's all behind me.
The bad bits, in no particular order -
Jen moves to London - The bestest best lodger I've ever had (Jen) moved to London this Spring and I've missed her like hell. Fortunately we still see one another; only now she's not covering my spare room in make up and Cava. Love it.
My (fucking) car - it decided to roll off a harbour / quayside whilst in Cornwall owing to my hand brake cable snapping, despite £400 having been spent on it the weekend before. Another £250 went on insurance excess, then another £650 on a service, MOT and various other bits a few weeks later. I'm getting a VW in February...
Losing someone - well, they're not lost as such; they're just not in my life anymore and they probably won't ever will be again. A train crash of a relationship ruined one of the most meaningful bonds I'll ever care to have.
In the tradition of music or film critic sites, this year is getting a rating of one point six "Thumbs Up" out of a possible two "Thumbs Up". The point sixth of a thumb is just below the knuckle, by the way.
You can't look backwards without having some consideration for the future. There's lots to look forward to in 2012... Inter-Railing part deux (I might try and be organised this time), Bruce Springsteen in July with my Granddad, moving to Reading, Graduation in January, OU course in September (?!?), buying a new car and just generally fucking enjoying life :)
I hope your 2011 has been as memorable as mine and 2012 brings you adventure and love. x
The good bits, in no particular order -
Reading Festival - So, okay, it rained and Muse were playing, but the combination of the Saturday's sunshine and having an absolutely unforgettable giggle with two of the funniest people I know - can't be beaten. Elbow's set was ethereal, Jarvis Cocker is the coolest fifty year old in the world, Madness got everyone dancing, OFWGKTA were just plain scary, Yuck brought back 1990's shoe gazing with a bang and The Strokes were their usual business like cool. I'm just not fucking camping next year...
Running a half marathon - unseasonable warm weather for the Basingstoke Half Marathon had runners dropping like flies from mile six onwards, but despite being 830th out of 1271 finishers, my main victory was BEATING JIM, who is a good friend of mine, by 230 places. Smug, yes. We're booked onto the Reading Half Marathon in April.. Game on.
New job - can't say too much about it, but it's been an eye opening experience for me from day one. There's so much I have to learn, but it's coming to me quickly and I've got the trust of the staff, so I'm halfway there. It is incredible how much after hours glad-handing that I'm having to do.. The Christmas Carol Concert held last Monday had about five television celebrities, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, the Mayor and various other local dignitaries in attendance. Champagne and canapes at The Forbury Hotel afterwards sealed the deal with wanting to stay with the organisation.. Not that I'm easily swayed by these kind of things, of course.
Millenium Trilogy - reading these books coincided with starting a daily hour long commute to my new job and they couldn't have come at a better time. They've been around for a while, I know, but I'd not picked them up, despite being told to, on numerous occasions by someone who is irritatingly right about these kind of things.
My big fat Danish wedding - July took me and my friends Peggy and Dave from Gatwick to Billund to the tiny village of Harndrup to celebrate my friend Charmaine's marriage to the lovely Jan. A wedding like nothing ever experienced in England; so friendly, relaxed, laid back and incredibly enjoyable. We were incredibly blessed with the weather, the people and the travelling. Strangely though, the real highlight was getting to know Dave better than I ever imagined I would.
The hot British Spring - Can you remember that far back? I happened to have taken two weeks off of work at the exact time that Mother Nature decided to roll back the clouds and throw open Spring to an early glimpse of Summer. I made the best of it by being out on my bike pretty much solidly for fourteen days and wondering around various towns. I watched "Norwegian Wood" at a cinema in Guildford (by myself - try it sometime) and whilst sitting outside having a coffee, I distinctly remember feeling as if I was in a square in Barcelona I'd sat in before. Global warming is blurring the lines between the seasons - which is deeply troubling - but every now and again, I don't mind ignoring the inconvenient truth.
Yuck - "Yuck" - by far the best album of 2011. Twanging reverb coupled with genuinely touching lyrics made for the soundtrack to my summer.
I Want My Hat Back - I've done this one to death on this blog, but go out and buy it. It makes me smile every time.
The Lake District - I'd not been until I visited with my friends in July / August time and nothing can quite prepare you for the unbridled volume of breathtaking scenery. We were blessed with three days of beautiful weather and I decided to go canoeing for two of these days. With the exception of getting burnt feet, it was one of the best adventure trips I've ever been on in my life.
The Sea Inside - The Spanish film starring Javier Bardem as a paraplegic had me reaching for the Kleenex and nodding my head in quiet agreement about many of the nuggets of wisdom that the film maker has to say about our attachment to life. (And yes, I know it's from 2004 - I only saw it in November.)
Wilderness Festival - I was fortunate enough to win tickets to the inaugural Wilderness Festival in the rolling hills of Oxfordshire. We didn't have enough time to organise camping but we travelled there each day to the beautiful site and enjoyed the sights and sounds. If things had been different (read below "Losing someone") - it would have been an even more incredible experience; but I can't take away from the special time spent with someone at one of the most relaxed festivals I've ever been to.
Cornwall - I'd only passed through Cornwall before I visited at the end of October, but I was once again transfixed with the beauty that England has to offer. Country lanes opening up into spectacular vistas, tiny paths running down to almost deserted beaches, incredible food and lovely people.
Emily King - "Seven" - Her song "Down" came to me at just the right time... The rest of the album is hearty soulful soup.
My new jacket. (That's not me, by the way.)
Learning about myself - I've learnt a few things about myself this year which had been holding me back for quite some time. Thankfully, it's all behind me.
The bad bits, in no particular order -
Jen moves to London - The bestest best lodger I've ever had (Jen) moved to London this Spring and I've missed her like hell. Fortunately we still see one another; only now she's not covering my spare room in make up and Cava. Love it.
My (fucking) car - it decided to roll off a harbour / quayside whilst in Cornwall owing to my hand brake cable snapping, despite £400 having been spent on it the weekend before. Another £250 went on insurance excess, then another £650 on a service, MOT and various other bits a few weeks later. I'm getting a VW in February...
Losing someone - well, they're not lost as such; they're just not in my life anymore and they probably won't ever will be again. A train crash of a relationship ruined one of the most meaningful bonds I'll ever care to have.
In the tradition of music or film critic sites, this year is getting a rating of one point six "Thumbs Up" out of a possible two "Thumbs Up". The point sixth of a thumb is just below the knuckle, by the way.
You can't look backwards without having some consideration for the future. There's lots to look forward to in 2012... Inter-Railing part deux (I might try and be organised this time), Bruce Springsteen in July with my Granddad, moving to Reading, Graduation in January, OU course in September (?!?), buying a new car and just generally fucking enjoying life :)
I hope your 2011 has been as memorable as mine and 2012 brings you adventure and love. x
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Twenty fifth
Elbows smash tables
listing smoke signals.
Semaphores that others
wouldn't comprehend.
Heavy metal slides across the
table, cutlery clashing.
Music echoes like lead.
Shiny foil reflects tinsel
and cats scowl at their owner.
A book, a card, a ticket,
a poem and a pair of socks.
Fifty two cards separate winners
from losers
but nobody cares.
listing smoke signals.
Semaphores that others
wouldn't comprehend.
Heavy metal slides across the
table, cutlery clashing.
Music echoes like lead.
Shiny foil reflects tinsel
and cats scowl at their owner.
A book, a card, a ticket,
a poem and a pair of socks.
Fifty two cards separate winners
from losers
but nobody cares.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Festive spirit
There's nothing like giving four homeless people a roof over their heads and some food in their bellies just before Christmas to get you in the Christmas spirit.. An absolutely exhausting, draining yet incredibly fulfilling day. To cap it off I got home to find eight Christmas cards on my doormat; including one from somewhere I used to volunteer which had a £25 gift voucher inside - speechless.
Not feeling as much of a Grinch as I did the beginning of the week.
Not feeling as much of a Grinch as I did the beginning of the week.
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