squid & squirrel

musicians

2009-08-27T11:51:00.003+01:00

king charles & homecut played in our elemental tent in june..
homecut plays at greenbelt festival this weekend

church buildings

2009-08-24T14:04:00.005+01:00

i know, i know - church is the people, not the buildings
but these are nice, eh?
[top]Thorncrown Chapel/Eureka Springs, Arkansas USA
[middle] Farewell Chapel/Ljubljana, Slovenia
[bottom] Infinity Chapel/Tanjung Benoa, Bali
(from nifty churchy design site)

zoo

2009-08-12T22:35:00.003+01:00

today we saw: a little armadillo scurrying busily around; 2 pygmy hippos; 2 asian lions; an okapi; a red panda; some gorillas; glasswing butterflies & lots more at Bristol Zoo.

cardiff hotel series

2009-08-04T16:50:00.001+01:00

The Old Post Office:
on the western edge of Cardiff, it is as the title suggests
from road looks cosy in squashy way, but quite light & airy
we should know coz we went here after our wedding, this time last year

Lost in Translation value..? not remotely like Tokyo,
but possibly the best breakfast in Cardiff
stocked Betty Boo dvds too

view from the hill

2009-08-04T01:38:00.002+01:00

nic & me, + hats - when retreated up a hill above glastonbury festival
(i'm the one who's not awake. photo by henrik)
see a phew nice photos from the elemental tent..

huh?

2009-07-29T22:18:00.002+01:00

oo & ah at this wobbly building, helped along by north German clevers urbanscreen..

festival a-go-go

2009-06-20T14:00:00.000+01:00

off to glastonbury festival-
gonna miss Beth!
helping (once again)at the nifty elemental tent
this year, look out for ceramic mugs, yessir
+ usual cosy marquee with gallery/cafe/music/salon/campfires
bye bye bed, cooker, tarmac, indoor toilets, soundproofing
luv, xmike

canine cartoon characters series: Deputy Dawg

2009-06-20T12:44:00.002+01:00

i (vaguely remember this 'dawg' on black & white TV)
i don't think it was that funny a show though
so - better acts to follow

dirty washing over m32

2009-06-13T11:33:00.003+01:00

a bristolian - fed up with the cross-city motorway rumbling by - hung his washing out across a footbridge. (from 10th june's wooster collective street art site)

cardiff hotel series

2009-06-12T18:54:00.003+01:00

got a little suprise seeing this compact hotel appear 1 day
(or i missed its construction, right next to the central station)
they definitely squashed this neat 5-storey wedge of concrete & class
into a tight corner (near where you used to go under the bridge to the hippo club before that was knocked down). sleeperz holds 74 rooms! - it really doesn't look big enough - clever use of space. lost in translation value...? never been in, but scores highly on ultra-clean look & goldfish-bowl views of messy cardiff nightlife. hope it's well sound-proofed..

another cranky turntable..

2009-06-08T16:01:00.001+01:00

cardboard technology

2009-06-07T22:04:00.002+01:00

Lizz made this for a children's workshop
& her real turntable has recently worn out

2009-05-31T22:14:00.001+01:00

more t's by howies

bird of the month : nightjar

2009-05-27T09:29:00.002+01:00

we were going to look (& listen) for nightjars at dusk yesterday (9:04pm)
this is when they can be heard best, we are reliable informed
find out when dawn & dusk occur by you here & learn about nightjars (& check their noises) here

poster child

2009-05-27T06:45:00.000+01:00

Stainedglass
Uploaded by posterchild. - Independent web videos.

this is from a while back but forgot how nice it was. the street flower pot things are sweet too..

Handala

2009-05-26T10:32:00.002+01:00

50 years of Heinz baked beans

2009-05-23T19:26:00.002+01:00

yesterday the Queen visited the baked bean factory in Wigan to celebrate half a century of baked bean production
pfft!

teepay

2009-05-20T19:34:00.002+01:00

howies has launched a new teeshirt company called teepay

teepay is the place where you can upload your own designs,
& if they sell enough they'll print them & pay you a royalty

wavy

2009-05-18T12:52:00.002+01:00

see inside of waves!
some amazing photos on the Newsround site..

subway art : 25 years on

2009-05-13T18:27:00.002+01:00

in 1984 this book came out & helped spread 'grafitti art' worldwide
i remember copying photos from the book with felt-tip pens
& seeing pieces appear on the concrete round where we lived..
now re-released..

artist: Peter Blake

2009-05-06T19:38:00.003+01:00

pop artist Peter Blake designed the Sergeant Pepper LP cover for The Beatles. he also made this rock'n'roll tribute out of photos, wood, paint, & a record too.
his paintings of people are also pretty nice. i think i saw him in a pub in London one time.

early bird

2009-05-05T19:32:00.000+01:00

2009-05-04T21:44:00.002+01:00

oo - it's been all go, what with Beth starting a hospital placement, settin my alarm for 4:50am is a challenge, esp after celebrating Michael L's bithday night before at the Toucan..& Julia & Malaki's wedding at Glenwood was lovely, as was the party [r&b!] in Haveli City Rd. here's a video shown during the signing of the register on Saturday - don't try this at home..

2nd May 1989

2009-05-02T09:44:00.002+01:00

the Stone Roses released their eponymously titled debut album
20 years ago today
here's 1 of the songs..

2009-04-29T07:05:00.001+01:00

toucan back in town

2009-04-28T02:36:00.000+01:00

good news - the Toucan Club is back
this time - once again in Womanby Street [see street photo above]
reliable sources [Emma & Michael] say it's amazing
it's in the old Sugar venue - lots of little floors
should pop in soon..
we popped in Gwdihw last Sunday afternoon for a cuppa
there's some nice places out there..

what i talk about when i talk about running

2009-04-27T02:25:00.000+01:00

thanks to Chris who leant me this dizzy book by famous Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. not only does he write bestsellers but he also runs Marathons - in fact he took up running to keep him fit when he took to writing fulltime [after owning a jazz club, incidentally]. here's a typical short sentence of his in his usual matter-of-fact style:

'I'm often asked what I think about as I run. Usually the people who ask this have never run long distances themselves. What do I think about when I'm running? I don't have a clue.'

knitted village

2009-04-26T16:13:00.000+01:00

not the Budget:

2009-04-23T15:48:00.006+01:00

1/
joeys rescued down under..

2/
plane lands a steet. see here

3/ a budgie..

bridge

2009-04-22T21:14:00.004+01:00

jr art on side of brasilian bridge..

baffled believers

2009-04-13T21:15:00.003+01:00

(above: light art from wooster site)

every year i get both a little baffled & inspired by easter -
i like this article in the Times by a bishop
& this writing below, from another bishop's blog...

On Easter Day it is traditional for the service to begin with the vicar proclaiming: ‘Alleluia, Christ is risen!’ The congregation responds: ‘He is risen indeed. Alleluia!’ I think this might be a bit wrong. If we are faithful to the Gospels, the congregation should really respond to the proclamation of resurrection: ‘ What?! Don’t be so ridiculous!’ Why? Because the disciples of Jesus did not respond to his resurrection with unbridled joy, but rather with bewilderment and suspicion and doubt.

Maybe we ought to re-live that before we draw our conclusions and begin to walk the road to Emmaus - talking through our confusions and laying the ground for having the ’story’ re-configured/re-told by the Jesus who comes up to us from behind, walks alongside us and ask us questions (rather than starting with the answers).

to further any bafflement - see Belfast group Ikon's Judas event..

& don't forget our daily shiny psalms out there..

Que?

2009-03-29T10:37:00.001+01:00

2 years ago, we were priveleged to visit a friend living in Seville
where we walked right into the middle of their huge Semana Santa festival
we also enjoyed staying in Malaga & Cordoba
check the brass band music! - it sounded great late at night
strolling along with 100s of [spooky?] hooded penitants with candles,
1000s of people [children stay up late here!] in amazing cities
*sigh*

Miffy & Mum

2009-03-22T06:41:00.000Z

2009-03-16T06:40:00.001Z

it's monday morning

2009-03-15T20:32:00.002Z

who enjoys ironing?

bute space show

2009-03-14T20:05:00.007Z

the show in the Bute Space lookin brilliant!
see Baz's Valleygator & much more ...
Sylvia Lewis' watercolours & Mark Williams' oil paintings are excellent too
come down to 123 Bute Street & enjoy the view..

2009-03-09T06:16:00.001Z

photographer jr is now in Cambodia
see wooster site & his own site
jr pastes his big photos everywhere - on homes being torn down & a dust cart (see current Phnom Penh images); on the sides of public buildings in Paris, trains in Kenya, the wall through Palestinian land, shanty towns worldwide, even on gallery walls..

no point / vulcan

2009-03-08T06:51:00.000Z

see Carl appearing (among others) on a wood[en] floor in this music video..
(is the floor that of the recently closed-down venue The Point?)
also see music promo (by same artists Casey Raymond & Ewan Jones Morris) shot in the Vulcan - another unique haunt threatened with closure by the suits

2009-03-07T15:04:00.002Z

Going Home, Oil on canvas Triptych, by Richard Davies
as seen (& sold) at Bute Space, 123 Bute Street, Cardiff
or:
as seen near any pub near you

finding sanctuary

2009-03-07T12:09:00.002Z

been reading this book written by a monk
(in fact - he's the abbot of the place that was on the tv series the monastery)
it is good

backstage barry

2009-03-05T17:11:00.003Z

the aforementioned Barry Lewis overseeing essential behind-the-scenes work
at the Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury Festival

Barry Goes Into Space [again]

2009-03-03T02:41:00.000Z

our good mate Barry Lewis is busy this very minute, a propane cannister between his legs, 500-degrees-centigrade blueflame soldering together found metal objects - silverware cutlery/bike parts/fallen satellites..

they become animal heads & chariot-racers & only he knows whatever next..
all lovingly twisted & assembled together on his [asbestos?!] lap..

yer see, Baz, together with painter Mark Williams, is having a grand Art Show Friday 13th March until Sunday 5th April

it's in Cardiff Bay area in the Bute Space gallery & it will be very well worth you popping along

check Kemi's Cafe, Bar Cwtch, City Canteen, or the Senedd's sandwich shop [you get frisked on the door!] & make a whole day of it

the art is for sale too..

2009-03-02T21:51:00.002Z

Beth started today & it went okay!

2009-02-28T19:13:00.003Z

The Night by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, released by the label briefly called Mo West - (when Motown left its Detroit Motor City roots & went West to LA.) they say its a Northern Soul classic. whatever it is, it's a right good song with a beat on it too. quick listen here-

times are a-changin'

2009-02-27T06:15:00.000Z

today Beth says adios! to the DWP

& on Monday says hola! to the NHS

doing a 3-year Nursing Degree here

steppin' out in faith ... ...

Negev Desert

2009-02-25T06:47:00.000Z

imagine spending 40 days alone in a desert...

sing & inspire

2009-02-24T17:19:00.002Z

is your workforce-
a) suffering from low morale?
b) exhibiting anger management problems??
c) on the verge of mutiny???

perhaps Sing And Inspire can help...

allez! allez!

2009-02-19T06:48:00.008Z

to the illustrious Thompson Family on their Bristol to Cardiff bicycle Tour today..

go to work on a tuk-tuk

2009-02-17T16:47:00.003Z

the tuk tuk above is for weddings!
& Beth found a 2nd-hand toy tuk tuk
with chug-chug noises, hoots n crowd chatter
imagine tuk tuks in your town ...

Barry as 007

2009-02-16T18:54:00.004Z

seein as we had nice invite to an 18th[!] birthday party at Gwdihw this eve
i re-visited their site - Barry is the 007 look-alike on the right
weighing up what's in the gene pool..
incidentally, he has a sculpture show coming up!
March 12th, i think, in Cardiff, watch this space

Artist of the Month: Edward Hopper

2009-02-16T13:24:00.004Z

Edward Hopper's wife Josephine Nivison remarked famously,
“Sometimes talking to Eddie is just like dropping a stone in a well,
except that it doesn’t thump when it hits bottom.”
... ... ...

sofa church?

2009-02-16T10:35:00.004Z

a good pal sent me info about her mate's softly-furnished church up in Crewe
esp good to see them making an appearearance (on Feb 12) on this passionate town blog
funny how coffee corp Costa are workin with Christians on hosting such caffeine-fuelled mind/soul-ticklers,
maybe they could lower their prices while they're at it

shape of things to come?
along with the beer-y pub-based church gatherings (see 26th Jan post)
i was down pub last night chatting about Acts of the Apostles with about 10 others & a Brains Smooth

i really like these stabs at round-a-table church
though still see these are just some ways to be church

can pubs n cafes offer goose-bumpy services in a heaven-haunted setting?
coffee shops speak of laid-back, that's nice, but Ezekiel & The Sermon on the Mount are hardly laid-back
should we hold services in underpasses & back alleys?

photo? alternative sofa picture- final morning at packed-up Elemental tent at Glastonbury Festival

under pressure

2009-02-16T06:08:00.001Z

david bowie & queen song..
if you can, hear this raw-er shot-at-gig ben harper version
or justin kerrigan's film trailer with robert carlyle..

robot love

2009-02-14T06:24:00.000Z

must dash -

2009-02-09T06:32:00.000Z

left, mum, left!

2009-02-07T09:44:00.003Z

anteaters, on the march..

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

2009-02-06T12:44:00.003Z

a wierd & wonderful place to go by a lake in Japan..
by the way - is Ninian Park School the only one that stays open whatever the weather?!

Continental drifters

2009-02-04T12:35:00.004Z

Dymaxion map shows land masses with minimal distortion as nearly one continuous body.
or:
peel the land bits off Planet Earth, all in one go.

don't eat the pips.

the long now

2009-02-03T06:25:00.000Z

story about how the phrase 'the long now' came about from some tenant farmers, over centuries
now inspiring greenbelt 02009 festival
& about brian eno's long now foundation

... ... ...

hogchuck

2009-02-02T07:00:00.002Z

today is Groundhog Day!
the groundhog/woodchuck/whistle pig etc is a type of ground squirrel
& it lives in North America..

in weather lore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day & fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end
if on the other hand, it is sunny & the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, & winter will continue for 6 more weeks

the yearly Groundhog Day celebration has made the groundhog famous,
as has the film of the same name, where Bill Murray's character finds himself repeating the same day over & over again & after indulging-in-all-manner-of-hedonistic-pursuits, he-begins-to-re-examine-his-life-&-priorities

deep, but not as deep as the associated tongue-twister:

how much wood would a woodchuck chuck
if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
a woodchuck would chuck what a woodchuck could chuck
if a woodchuck could chuck wood

several versions exist - this i heard 1st via my ex-rogue landlord
.
[this post will not be repeated tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that]

hey - that's me

2009-02-01T08:56:00.001Z

jr still world-touring, now in Kenya.
see how the eyes are on the train cars!

station-ary

2009-01-31T11:14:00.004Z

(please don't worry that it's a t-mobile advert)
latest post from blog by nick baines, scouse Bishop of Croydon(!)

he's written this book (that Beth gave me for Christmas!) which takes 10 songs by the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison etc, as springboards for reflections on life..

anyways - he was travelling by Tube & saw this (corporation-contructed)happening

it even got strangers exchanging smiles & chatting a bit..

snoopy & woodstock

2009-01-30T00:21:00.002Z

if you need help dozing off, see Woodstock & Snoopy trying to sleep..
zz zz zz zz zz zz

wake up in new york

2009-01-29T21:01:00.001Z

amazing animals #9705:

2009-01-28T18:51:00.004Z

narwhals in an ice-breaking session

Beer Glasses

2009-01-26T20:02:00.020Z

We found an invite to a Bar None film night 24 hours late.Poo.
Film missed - The God's Aren't Angry.
There's quite a few o' these pub-based churches around-
2 we know in Cardiff,
also see Swansea, Nottingham, an ex-pubchurch[!] in London, Bradford..

Staggered across Cardiff Pubs website
A few pubs have shut since, but it's definitely a proper look
into this city's public houses
Here's some of their pub facts:

The Vulcan [pictured] is built below sea level.
In The Packet there is an unwritten law that a sailor caught with
the tide out must be given boarding.
The Splotlands has a ghost called Matilda in the skittle alley.
The Millers Tavern survived the Blitz when all around was decimated.
They provided shelter for homeless people, with free ale.
Such was the gratitude that whip round thankyou amount
exceeded their normal takings.
The Mackintosh used to be a quick stop off for horse riders,
with a stable at the rear.
Before 1973, The Claude had a men-only lounge,
and a ladies-only bar called the Snug.
The Royal Oak hosts a boxing ring on one of the upper floors.
Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) was
a frequent visitor to the Cow & Snuffers.
The Borough was built in 1867 as the tallest building in St Mary Street.
The Cardiff Cottage was built around 1750, one of the oldest in Cardiff.
(Are there really 18 pubs in the 'Canton Mile'?!)
The Rummer Tavern had its first licence granted in 1713.
The Goat Major's name is taken from the Mascot of the Royal 41st regiment of Wales. They carried a live goat on the Russian front line in the Crimean War.
& the Gower allegedly was built as a train station pub.
(Allegedly, The Gower has its own pigeon team.)
Glug, glug ..

italian job

2009-01-23T19:03:00.003Z

the Royal Society of Chemistry put out a competition to try to solve the cliff-hanging problem that confronts 10 robbers in a coach full of gold at the end of the 1969 film The Italian Job

todays Independent illustrates a solution involving breaking some windows (inwards & outwards), popping the tyres, leaking out the petrol, bringing stones in etc - all to be achieved within 30 minutes
it does not involve plunging over the side

coincidentally, this afternoon my little 'caterpillar' of children strolled past an old Mini. A 5-year old chap said he saw a car just like that in The Italian Job - what a young film buff!?

(incidentally, don't the new BMW versions look like they're old ones, just inflated a bit?)

just be careful out there..

2009-01-22T22:35:00.002Z

ah oh.

2009-01-22T20:55:00.002Z

TESCO EXTRA

2009-01-21T21:42:00.003Z

Broccoli lizard to be kept as pet.
A family from Shrewsbury in the West Midlands have decided to keep a lizard they found in some broccoli.

The family found Tenko inside broccoli they had bought from Tesco.
Read more of this heartwarming reptile/human/vegetable love triangle on CBBC Newsround

!

2009-01-19T23:25:00.002Z

go steady, sister

2009-01-19T22:15:00.003Z

french electronic music 'sister' by m83
it's one of those extended steadicam shots
when the camera never blinks
see also atonement's dunkirk
& elephant's high school
& for apparent steadicam see:
michel gondry's massive attack video
& mathieu kassovitz's estate in la haine
just don't blink

zoo

2009-01-18T13:05:00.002Z

go to the zoo

school of life

2009-01-18T12:56:00.002Z

you too can visit the school of life:
- a new social enterprise offering good ideas for everyday living
- based in a small shop in central london
- concerned with how to live wisely and well
yessir, & there's even a blog

snappy

2009-01-18T12:53:00.001Z

cuppa photo (& loads more) by martin parr

daily doodly

2009-01-18T12:38:00.005Z

delivered daily to your door

owls

2009-01-14T12:33:00.001Z

some owls visited school today from the owl sanctuary

born skippy

2009-01-06T20:14:00.001Z

'WHAT!?'

mudskipper

2009-01-06T20:08:00.003Z

as seen on [top] of out tv

you me us (by nic walters)

2009-01-05T19:42:00.003Z

this is now on our wall

here we go

2009-01-04T22:55:00.003Z

a prayer by Simon Parke [1 minute mystic]

LITTLE

Spirit of all, beyond me and within me,
in the big bleakness of winter,
and the smooth flawlessness of the glossy image,
promising new wealth and health and happiness,

come to my ears and whisper that my littleness is loved;
come to my heart that my little love is enough;
come to my head that my mind might not be overwhelmed,
come to my feet that today's steps are all that is required;
come to my eyes that I might notice the little things;
come to my tears that I might find you in the ordinary.

Come to me as I return into the big world this season.

May I remember that in
the littlest baby,
the tiniest star,
the smallest bulb,
the diminutive wren,
lies the seed of love that overturns the universe.

Bless to me my germ of faith.
Bless to me my shortness of vision.
Bless to me my vulnerability of heart.
Bless to me my trembling of courage
and cover me with your grace,
for blessing is of gift and not of might.

08/09

2009-01-01T20:11:00.004Z

1.1.09.:
day trip to sully island - windswept time
cosy pub after.

last nite carl didnt play that tune, but he did entertain the friendly crowd
at this tucked away joint

zzzzzz x

number 9

2008-12-31T16:18:00.005Z

carl c++ was looking for a record to put on as 08 becomes 09
he may try this

nufonia must fall

2008-12-31T12:46:00.001Z

Varmints

2008-12-31T11:45:00.005Z

mr m j lock recommended this children's book by marc craste called 'varmints'.
he says it is a good book.
here's a trailer for the film too.
and here's another [incomprehensable though atmospheric] animation by the same artist.
reminds me a bit of canadian dj/illustrator kid koala, and his book 'nufonia must fall' about a robot falling in love.

starry-eyed surprise

2008-12-23T15:37:00.002Z

epic advent calendar pics, courtesy of the Hubble telescope, floating in space..

shady

2008-12-23T15:26:00.003Z

an idea a day for advent using plastic milk containers..

Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat

2008-12-23T02:05:00.001Z

girl

2008-12-23T02:03:00.000Z

by julie west, nice illustrations

squashy

2008-12-23T01:57:00.002Z

there's a lot of these squashy things around these days

snowy

2008-12-23T01:31:00.001Z

2008-12-23T01:25:00.003Z

like old VW campers?
what do you make of this futuristic camper designed by Christian Susana.
features a detachable car!

SpY

2008-12-23T01:10:00.004Z

zany street artist SpY from Madrid re-jigs fences, signs, skate ramps, statues
take a peek..

smelly stussy

2008-12-23T01:03:00.002Z

stussy sellin air freshener spray in spraypaint style cans
now don't accidentally splash your armpits with carpaint next time you're in the bathroom

free art!

2008-12-23T00:53:00.002Z

artist adam neate left his prints around street for passers-by to take home.neat.

h a l l e l u j a h

2008-12-18T15:36:00.004Z

x-factor winners been a-singin versions of the amazing Leonard Cohen song 'Hallelujah', see here
'it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah' - not in these schmaltzy takes though
maybe listen to this version by the late Jeff Buckley for something special..
(or Kathryn Williams singin it here)
by the way - our Maths lesson today ended with Handel's Hallelujah chorus playing on loudspeakers...

lego hip hop

2008-12-15T22:44:00.003Z

our sleeveface contact, C++, drew our attention to these re-doodled lp covers done with those wide-hipped lego figures
here's an rapper common
by the way - the brick testament is still being developed, er, brick by brick ...

shoe shoe

2008-12-15T22:07:00.002Z

saw this on newsround at school
please do not try this at home
(if you have the president round for tea)
or at least just throw your slippers

little people

2008-11-28T20:45:00.003Z

EXTRA!EXTRA!
man taken up into Macdonalds spaceship..
or.. another zany piece by artist slinkachu
from groovy wooster street art site
we stumbled across this book in London town's South Bank

it's almost as good [hehheh] as the brand new sleeveface book
a hot-of-the-press coffee table gift...

beep, beep!

2008-11-28T20:16:00.004Z

previous post had mountain paths bit like on 'Roadrunner' cartoons.
see the ONE TIME that Wile E. Coyote actually catches Roadrunner..

BEEP,BEEP!