biological warfare...
i watched 2 talks this week about using bacteria to 'grow' architecture'. the first about 'metabolic' architeture by Rachel Armstrong I found unconvincing and to be honest, ofensive to my eyes. put her in a ring with Mr. Larsson and I know where my money would lie...
20/12/2009
14/12/2009
13/12/2009
12/12/2009
11/12/2009
look! book!...
thank you to Nigel for showing me this...
for the more modest (i.e. poor) individual...http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pictorial-WebsterS-Visual-Dictionary-Curiosities/dp/0811867188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260552206&sr=1-1-spell
thank you to Nigel for showing me this...
Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.
for the more modest (i.e. poor) individual...http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pictorial-WebsterS-Visual-Dictionary-Curiosities/dp/0811867188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260552206&sr=1-1-spell
06/12/2009
deer oh deer...
i think i have maybe 4 or 5 of the Oh! Deer prints left to sell. if you want one for yourself, or for a pretty festive present, then hurry!
i think i have maybe 4 or 5 of the Oh! Deer prints left to sell. if you want one for yourself, or for a pretty festive present, then hurry!
03/12/2009
02/12/2009
29/11/2009
28/11/2009
love at first sight...
it's rare that I read a story that I really enjoy. where the writing grabs me and doesn't let go until the end... where the words just fit together in a way that's right for me, or where the story is just so simple but at the same time completely original. it happened with Tobias Wolff's 'Bullet in the Brain', with Richard Ford's 'Reunion' and it happened this morning when I came across J. D. Salinger's short story 'The Heart of a Broken Story' on Letters Have No Arms...
"EVERY day Justin Horgenschlag, thirty-dollar-a-week printer’s assistant, saw at close quarters approximately sixty women whom he had never seen before. Thus in the few years he had lived in New York, Horgenschlag had seen at close quarters about 75,120 different women. Of these 75,120 women, roughly 25,000 were under thirty years of age and over fifteen years of age. Of the 25,000 only 5,000 weighed between one hundred five and one hundred twenty-five pounds. Of these 5,000 only 1,000 were not ugly. Only 500 were reasonably attractive; only 100 of these were quite attractive; only 25 could have inspired a long, slow whistle. And with only 1 did Horgenschlag fall in love at first sight.
Now, there are two kinds of femme fatale. There is the femme fatale who is a femme fatale in every sense of the word, and there is the femme fatale who is not a femme fatale in every sense of the word.
Her name was Shirley Lester. She was twenty years old (eleven years younger than Horgenschlag), was five-foot-four (bringing her head to the level of Horgenschlag’s eyes), weighed 117 pounds (light as a feather to carry). Shirley was a stenographer, lived with and supported her mother, Agnes Lester, an old Nelson Eddy fan. In reference to Shirley’s looks people often put it this way: “Shirley’s as pretty as a picture.”
And in the Third Avenue bus early one morning, Horgenschlag stood over Shirley Lester, and was a dead duck. All because Shirley’s mouth was open in a peculiar way. Shirley was reading a cosmetic advertisement in the wall panel of the bus; and when Shirley read, Shirley relaxed slightly at the jaw. And in that short moment while Shirley’s mouth was open, lips were parted, Shirley was probably the most fatal one in all Manhattan. Horgenschlag saw in her a positive cure-all for a gigantic monster of loneliness which had been stalking around his heart since he had come to New York. Oh, the agony of it! The agony of standing over Shirley Lester and not being able to bend down and kiss Shirley’s parted lips. The inexpressible agony of it!
* * *
That was the beginning of the story I started to write for Collier’s. I was going to write a lovely tender boy-meets-girl story. What could be finer, I thought. The world needs boy-meets-girl stories. But to write one, unfortunately, the writer must go about the business of having the boy meet the girl. I couldn’t do it with this one. Not and have it make sense. I couldn’t get Horgenschlag and Shirley together properly. And here are the reasons:
Certainly it was impossible for Horgenschlag to bend over and say in all sincerity:
“I beg your pardon. I love you very much. I’m nuts about you. I know it. I could love you all my life. I’m a printer’s assistant and I make thirty dollars a week. Gosh, how I love you. Are you busy tonight?”
This Horgenschlag may be a goof, but not that big a goof. He may have been born yesterday, but not today. You can’t expect Collier’s readers to swallow that kind of bilge. A nickel’s a nickel, after all..." continue reading here
it's rare that I read a story that I really enjoy. where the writing grabs me and doesn't let go until the end... where the words just fit together in a way that's right for me, or where the story is just so simple but at the same time completely original. it happened with Tobias Wolff's 'Bullet in the Brain', with Richard Ford's 'Reunion' and it happened this morning when I came across J. D. Salinger's short story 'The Heart of a Broken Story' on Letters Have No Arms...
"EVERY day Justin Horgenschlag, thirty-dollar-a-week printer’s assistant, saw at close quarters approximately sixty women whom he had never seen before. Thus in the few years he had lived in New York, Horgenschlag had seen at close quarters about 75,120 different women. Of these 75,120 women, roughly 25,000 were under thirty years of age and over fifteen years of age. Of the 25,000 only 5,000 weighed between one hundred five and one hundred twenty-five pounds. Of these 5,000 only 1,000 were not ugly. Only 500 were reasonably attractive; only 100 of these were quite attractive; only 25 could have inspired a long, slow whistle. And with only 1 did Horgenschlag fall in love at first sight.
Now, there are two kinds of femme fatale. There is the femme fatale who is a femme fatale in every sense of the word, and there is the femme fatale who is not a femme fatale in every sense of the word.
Her name was Shirley Lester. She was twenty years old (eleven years younger than Horgenschlag), was five-foot-four (bringing her head to the level of Horgenschlag’s eyes), weighed 117 pounds (light as a feather to carry). Shirley was a stenographer, lived with and supported her mother, Agnes Lester, an old Nelson Eddy fan. In reference to Shirley’s looks people often put it this way: “Shirley’s as pretty as a picture.”
And in the Third Avenue bus early one morning, Horgenschlag stood over Shirley Lester, and was a dead duck. All because Shirley’s mouth was open in a peculiar way. Shirley was reading a cosmetic advertisement in the wall panel of the bus; and when Shirley read, Shirley relaxed slightly at the jaw. And in that short moment while Shirley’s mouth was open, lips were parted, Shirley was probably the most fatal one in all Manhattan. Horgenschlag saw in her a positive cure-all for a gigantic monster of loneliness which had been stalking around his heart since he had come to New York. Oh, the agony of it! The agony of standing over Shirley Lester and not being able to bend down and kiss Shirley’s parted lips. The inexpressible agony of it!
* * *
That was the beginning of the story I started to write for Collier’s. I was going to write a lovely tender boy-meets-girl story. What could be finer, I thought. The world needs boy-meets-girl stories. But to write one, unfortunately, the writer must go about the business of having the boy meet the girl. I couldn’t do it with this one. Not and have it make sense. I couldn’t get Horgenschlag and Shirley together properly. And here are the reasons:
Certainly it was impossible for Horgenschlag to bend over and say in all sincerity:
“I beg your pardon. I love you very much. I’m nuts about you. I know it. I could love you all my life. I’m a printer’s assistant and I make thirty dollars a week. Gosh, how I love you. Are you busy tonight?”
This Horgenschlag may be a goof, but not that big a goof. He may have been born yesterday, but not today. You can’t expect Collier’s readers to swallow that kind of bilge. A nickel’s a nickel, after all..." continue reading here
25/11/2009
24/11/2009
Amy-zing! (ahem)...
Amy Phipps is fantastic, I am a bit fantastic, but Amy is well fantastic... http://missamyphipps.com
Amy Phipps is fantastic, I am a bit fantastic, but Amy is well fantastic... http://missamyphipps.com
22/11/2009
21/11/2009
12/11/2009
11/11/2009
yawnastics...
meet Ella and Dave, a sister/brother team set to storm the upcoming feline synchronised sleeping world championships...
they are coached by HOAGY HOUGHTON. he can be contacted for his feline organising skills here... http://hoagyhoughton.co.uk. other skills include photo pairing, utilisation of all things geometrical and reflected photographic self-portraits. HOAGY is also the CAPITALS to my lower-case
meet Ella and Dave, a sister/brother team set to storm the upcoming feline synchronised sleeping world championships...
they are coached by HOAGY HOUGHTON. he can be contacted for his feline organising skills here... http://hoagyhoughton.co.uk. other skills include photo pairing, utilisation of all things geometrical and reflected photographic self-portraits. HOAGY is also the CAPITALS to my lower-case
10/11/2009
02/11/2009
28/10/2009
compote...
somehow this happened. it took me far too long. it's based on the lyrics to Strawberry Fields by The Beatles for a book project by the magnificent Genevieve Ryan. who knows...
somehow this happened. it took me far too long. it's based on the lyrics to Strawberry Fields by The Beatles for a book project by the magnificent Genevieve Ryan. who knows...
26/10/2009
JJ...
watch this...http://www.sincerelyyours.se/video/yours0119.html
and this...
spotify:album:0J0rFQDKn8v8EfAoRJ9Ojs
watch this...http://www.sincerelyyours.se/video/yours0119.html
and this...
spotify:album:0J0rFQDKn8v8EfAoRJ9Ojs
24/10/2009
GOLD!
this just happened. we're talking a 10 rating on the arch scale, so i sit here lamenting the fact my camera has no wide angle...
where's a Jez and his LOMO Horizon when you need one?
this just happened. we're talking a 10 rating on the arch scale, so i sit here lamenting the fact my camera has no wide angle...
where's a Jez and his LOMO Horizon when you need one?
whiling...
Letters Have No Arms, via the ever-awesome Robert...
regretsy.com, via the also awesome Jez
vittles...
a second helping of thankfulness goes to Mr. Burrows who has finally (finally!) made a dedicated print shop on Sing Statistics for the Friction prints...
http://singstatistics.bigcartel.com/
please help us put some food on our tables before we have sell the tables and eat off the floor...remember, good guys win, hungry ones fail
Letters Have No Arms, via the ever-awesome Robert...
regretsy.com, via the also awesome Jez
vittles...
a second helping of thankfulness goes to Mr. Burrows who has finally (finally!) made a dedicated print shop on Sing Statistics for the Friction prints...
http://singstatistics.bigcartel.com/
please help us put some food on our tables before we have sell the tables and eat off the floor...remember, good guys win, hungry ones fail
20/10/2009
18/10/2009
28/09/2009
26/09/2009
beet roots...
thank you Amy (a.k.a. Phipps the Fantastic) for Peggy...
Amy is a very talented and inspired young lady. she makes the most beautiful collars and dresses and i'm lucky enough to be making her website... for now you can view her blog
collars available at lastfootwear.com
dresses at natashabailie.com
last night Jez and Lizzy came to have dinner with me and Katie. on request i cooked 'my' aubergine curry and inspired by Amy's baking made chocolate beetroot cake to follow. all in all, a sucessful evening. here's an ugly photo of a pretty amazing cake...
but here's a very nice cake video by Nicholas Bentley to balance it...
thank you Amy (a.k.a. Phipps the Fantastic) for Peggy...
Amy is a very talented and inspired young lady. she makes the most beautiful collars and dresses and i'm lucky enough to be making her website... for now you can view her blog
collars available at lastfootwear.com
dresses at natashabailie.com
last night Jez and Lizzy came to have dinner with me and Katie. on request i cooked 'my' aubergine curry and inspired by Amy's baking made chocolate beetroot cake to follow. all in all, a sucessful evening. here's an ugly photo of a pretty amazing cake...
but here's a very nice cake video by Nicholas Bentley to balance it...
23/09/2009
22/09/2009
au revoir...
in hindsight i think this is where it all went wrong...
a distinct lack of bubbling...
and rising...
i was preparing for complete failure (Katie was preparing for me burning down the flat)...
then Katie and i ate most of a loaf before bed, with cloudberry jam (thanks ikea)...
baking is fun...
in hindsight i think this is where it all went wrong...
a distinct lack of bubbling...
and rising...
i was preparing for complete failure (Katie was preparing for me burning down the flat)...
then Katie and i ate most of a loaf before bed, with cloudberry jam (thanks ikea)...
baking is fun...
19/09/2009
stage 4: 'when the starter is ready, it will appear fully risen, and a small indentation made with a finger won’t spring back'...
unfortunately folks, that's only the end of the beginning. the good news is that (in theory) i can keep the starter alive FOREVER. Boudin Bakery in San Francisco has been using the same 'mother dough' for 160 years. WOW! if i'm still boring you, just take a look at this bread crab
boy. oh. boy. now the beginning of the end...
unfortunately folks, that's only the end of the beginning. the good news is that (in theory) i can keep the starter alive FOREVER. Boudin Bakery in San Francisco has been using the same 'mother dough' for 160 years. WOW! if i'm still boring you, just take a look at this bread crab
boy. oh. boy. now the beginning of the end...
touching wood...
yesterday was stage 3: it's working!... at this stage the dough should have -and i quote -'a new, fresh look'. and if by 'fresh' they mean gooey...
can you get fresher than this?...
you have to keep feeding sourdough... in this way (and also my too frequent/paranoid checking) it's like a baby. also like a baby is how it keeps growing. my fears of it spurring some world dominating alien life-form may not be unfounded
but do not fear... these aliens are most likely to come paint your house. maybe i'll win a nobel prize for my discovery
yesterday was stage 3: it's working!... at this stage the dough should have -and i quote -'a new, fresh look'. and if by 'fresh' they mean gooey...
can you get fresher than this?...
you have to keep feeding sourdough... in this way (and also my too frequent/paranoid checking) it's like a baby. also like a baby is how it keeps growing. my fears of it spurring some world dominating alien life-form may not be unfounded
but do not fear... these aliens are most likely to come paint your house. maybe i'll win a nobel prize for my discovery
17/09/2009
improv-ing...
stage two: i don't know if i'm doing it right but here goes anyhoo...
the original dough blob was supposed to left for 2-3 days, so i left it for 1 day instead. i just thought it looked kind of ready...
it is an experiment afterall and making it up as you go along seems as good a tactic as any (following recipes is for losers)... the next bit looks surprisingly like the start, but i would at this point advise anyone expecting anything exciting to happen to give up on me now (or tune back in a few days time to see some bread - or most likely no bread)...
it's actually a BIGGER blob...'OH!' i hear you all cry 'a BIGGER blob, well that IS interesting'. it's back in the cupboard now (see stage one)
p.s. recipes are NOT for losers, i take it back. in fact, if you rearrange the letters of RECIPES you can make the word PRECISE... :)
stage two: i don't know if i'm doing it right but here goes anyhoo...
the original dough blob was supposed to left for 2-3 days, so i left it for 1 day instead. i just thought it looked kind of ready...
it is an experiment afterall and making it up as you go along seems as good a tactic as any (following recipes is for losers)... the next bit looks surprisingly like the start, but i would at this point advise anyone expecting anything exciting to happen to give up on me now (or tune back in a few days time to see some bread - or most likely no bread)...
it's actually a BIGGER blob...'OH!' i hear you all cry 'a BIGGER blob, well that IS interesting'. it's back in the cupboard now (see stage one)
p.s. recipes are NOT for losers, i take it back. in fact, if you rearrange the letters of RECIPES you can make the word PRECISE... :)
love affairs...
Bjarke Ingels x The Mountain x The Notwist x some surprisingly flexible young men =
.....
in an attempt to prove to myself that idleness can be educational, i'm not only nurturing my relationship with the (highly addictive) TED (we decided to have an open relationship), i'm also spreading some love across the podcast world. here's last night's bedtime entertainment...
The New Yorker Fiction: Paul Theroux reads Jorge Luis Borges's short story "The Gospel According to Mark."
Bjarke Ingels x The Mountain x The Notwist x some surprisingly flexible young men =
.....
in an attempt to prove to myself that idleness can be educational, i'm not only nurturing my relationship with the (highly addictive) TED (we decided to have an open relationship), i'm also spreading some love across the podcast world. here's last night's bedtime entertainment...
The New Yorker Fiction: Paul Theroux reads Jorge Luis Borges's short story "The Gospel According to Mark."
16/09/2009
experiment #2...
make some sourdough bread. stage one: the solid starter...
it's cosy home for the next few days...
....
TED of the day = uber-simplicity... (bjarke ingels = new hero btw)
http://big.dk
Yes Is More
make some sourdough bread. stage one: the solid starter...
it's cosy home for the next few days...
....
TED of the day = uber-simplicity... (bjarke ingels = new hero btw)
http://big.dk
Yes Is More
15/09/2009
10/09/2009
home sweet home...
look lizzy (and everyone else) here are MY new views. from the giant living room window you can see the sea (looking at the photo, you're gonna have to trust me) and at night you can see the lights of Fife across the water. i'm not sure if it beats yours, but it definitely comes close
i saw (500) days of summer last night and today i have listened to the OST endlessly (except for The Smiths tracks i cannae stand) and discovered The Temper Trap...
if it's possible, i love Zooey even more. anyone who wants to buy me some new clothes/dresses, please feel free. or if you prefer, this from Kigu (i would look great inside it)
look lizzy (and everyone else) here are MY new views. from the giant living room window you can see the sea (looking at the photo, you're gonna have to trust me) and at night you can see the lights of Fife across the water. i'm not sure if it beats yours, but it definitely comes close
i saw (500) days of summer last night and today i have listened to the OST endlessly (except for The Smiths tracks i cannae stand) and discovered The Temper Trap...
if it's possible, i love Zooey even more. anyone who wants to buy me some new clothes/dresses, please feel free. or if you prefer, this from Kigu (i would look great inside it)
07/09/2009
sweetness...
merci arild for my new favourite song. the lyrics look really nice...
nia nia niékomuna .... bis
saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Sabali sabali sabali sabali manyé sabalié manyé tou tou tou tou tou tou tout tuuuuuuu
Sabali sabali sabali sabali kantéééééééééééé
sabaliiiii saaaabaaaaliiiii manyé,,,, bis
niké a moi dansééééééé nika a moi dansééééé
ouuuuu ouuuu ouuuu
sabalia sabaliéé
ohhhhh ohhhh ouuuu ouuunnn ouuuuun ohhhhhhh
ohhhhhh ouuuhhh ouhhhhh
chéri je m'adresse a toi
avec toi chéri
la vie est belle
la llalallallallallalallaalallaa
sabalabalabala bala bala babla
avec toi chéri
ca c'est mon ami
je te fais un gros bisou
je sais pas
je t'embrasse très fort
je te fais un gros bisou
aaah
je t'embrasse fort
bye bye
(don't ask me WHAT the video is about, but it beats a photo montage and is really kind of nice)
merci arild for my new favourite song. the lyrics look really nice...
nia nia niékomuna .... bis
saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Sabali sabali sabali sabali manyé sabalié manyé tou tou tou tou tou tou tout tuuuuuuu
Sabali sabali sabali sabali kantéééééééééééé
sabaliiiii saaaabaaaaliiiii manyé,,,, bis
niké a moi dansééééééé nika a moi dansééééé
ouuuuu ouuuu ouuuu
sabalia sabaliéé
ohhhhh ohhhh ouuuu ouuunnn ouuuuun ohhhhhhh
ohhhhhh ouuuhhh ouhhhhh
chéri je m'adresse a toi
avec toi chéri
la vie est belle
la llalallallallallalallaalallaa
sabalabalabala bala bala babla
avec toi chéri
ca c'est mon ami
je te fais un gros bisou
je sais pas
je t'embrasse très fort
je te fais un gros bisou
aaah
je t'embrasse fort
bye bye
(don't ask me WHAT the video is about, but it beats a photo montage and is really kind of nice)
04/09/2009
03/09/2009
on the importance of hygiene...
the Narnia tv serialisations were an important part of my childhood development...i'm not sure how exactly, but watching the weekly episodes at my great uncle's was always preluded by a bath (we only had a shower at my house), so if nothing else, it helped keep me clean... the chronicles represent a big piece of my childhood nostalgia pie and for this reason i put off watching The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie extravaganza afraid that it would be too slick and shiny and just too nice ...
last night, in an effort to entertain Ro (my 6 yr old charge for the week), i succumbed with more than a little trepidation. it was at this point (see below) i knew everything was going to be ok...
i'd like to extend a personal thank you to Mr. McAvoy
the Narnia tv serialisations were an important part of my childhood development...i'm not sure how exactly, but watching the weekly episodes at my great uncle's was always preluded by a bath (we only had a shower at my house), so if nothing else, it helped keep me clean... the chronicles represent a big piece of my childhood nostalgia pie and for this reason i put off watching The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie extravaganza afraid that it would be too slick and shiny and just too nice ...
last night, in an effort to entertain Ro (my 6 yr old charge for the week), i succumbed with more than a little trepidation. it was at this point (see below) i knew everything was going to be ok...
i'd like to extend a personal thank you to Mr. McAvoy
30/08/2009
soul survivor?...
lured by the Fjall Raven bags (i still want/need one) strategically placed in the window (clever tactics) i discovered what is now my favourite (clothes/shoes/accessories) shop in Edinburgh... those of you not currently residing in the Scottish capital, or constituting part of the increasingly annoying festival barrage, can browse their numerous, tempting goods online, from the comfort of your own home, cup'o'tea in hand...
www.goodstead.co.uk
admittedly this blog is (in part) a shameless ploy to whip up the winds of fate/karma in my direction and get me a job in this shop - please! - before i end up selling tents in Millets, or worse still, handing another portion of my soul over to Habitat and so i can afford to buy warm things for the cold seasons, like this hat by Folk...
lured by the Fjall Raven bags (i still want/need one) strategically placed in the window (clever tactics) i discovered what is now my favourite (clothes/shoes/accessories) shop in Edinburgh... those of you not currently residing in the Scottish capital, or constituting part of the increasingly annoying festival barrage, can browse their numerous, tempting goods online, from the comfort of your own home, cup'o'tea in hand...
www.goodstead.co.uk
admittedly this blog is (in part) a shameless ploy to whip up the winds of fate/karma in my direction and get me a job in this shop - please! - before i end up selling tents in Millets, or worse still, handing another portion of my soul over to Habitat and so i can afford to buy warm things for the cold seasons, like this hat by Folk...
28/08/2009
devolution...
last night i developed a strong desire to yield a scalpal (it wouldn't be the first time)... i finally got to watching Lotte Reiniger's film The Adventures of Prince Achmed. it's the oldest surviving feature-length animation - it's also the most beautiful and inspiring i've ever seen. the stills below, even the clip, don't do justice to the experience of watching the film... if you pay attention to anything on my blog, please let it be this
last night i developed a strong desire to yield a scalpal (it wouldn't be the first time)... i finally got to watching Lotte Reiniger's film The Adventures of Prince Achmed. it's the oldest surviving feature-length animation - it's also the most beautiful and inspiring i've ever seen. the stills below, even the clip, don't do justice to the experience of watching the film... if you pay attention to anything on my blog, please let it be this
27/08/2009
26/08/2009
itsok...
i discovered itsok a few years ago, i've bought a couple for friends before... Sighn is making a 'limited' edition of 1 million of these. he's been experimenting with different woods and there's some new fluorescent ones too. for every itsok sold a tree is planted... he estimates it will take him 60 years to complete them all...
http://sighn.net
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sighn/
http://store.multipolarprojects.com/category/itsok
i discovered itsok a few years ago, i've bought a couple for friends before... Sighn is making a 'limited' edition of 1 million of these. he's been experimenting with different woods and there's some new fluorescent ones too. for every itsok sold a tree is planted... he estimates it will take him 60 years to complete them all...
http://sighn.net
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sighn/
http://store.multipolarprojects.com/category/itsok
17/08/2009
12/08/2009
FINALLY!
...Bouvet have tracks up on myspace... this is Arild's newest musical concern with Even Skår and Emanuele Lapponi (Death is Not Glamorous)
...i am leaving for Edinburgh. this will be me at 18.26 this evening (except with more bags and not a man)...
...Bouvet have tracks up on myspace... this is Arild's newest musical concern with Even Skår and Emanuele Lapponi (Death is Not Glamorous)
...i am leaving for Edinburgh. this will be me at 18.26 this evening (except with more bags and not a man)...
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