Hopefully i can keep this one up unlike 'Things I Hate' etc. Several months ago i acquired Iron And Wine's Norfolk Album a live recording from Sam Beam's band. After several listens on the MP3 player i became utterly capivated by the encore tune 'The Trapeze Swinger', i was so totally caught up in the lyricism and delivery of this song that i would often listen to it again and again, something i very rarely do. Now i'm back at it and cannot stop listening to what i believe has to be the greatest song ever written. I am not alone.. all of the comments at youtube and other sites such as those concerned with lyrical meaning are rammed with tributes like 'Best Song Ever', 'Eargasm', and the most popular - 'This is the song i want played at my funeral' Unfortunately, the Norfolk recording is not available on youtube, which is shame as its by far the best as the warmth and depth of the song come accross so well when the audio is taken straight off the desk. Of all the many live videos however i think that this one at our own Green Man festival in 2008 is the best, just a shame that there is a bit of happy clapping by the audience at an inappropiate time. For those that are wondering this song is about memory of a long gone adolescent love, the muse, that had a transformative effect on the artist, i think its mind-blowing.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
UK media in mad scramble for photo award
Photo editors have been trawling through gigabytes of images of BNP leader Nick Griffin in the hope of recieving a coveted new award called the Goofy Pursed Lip trophy. The competition has been organised by a coalition of antifacist campaigners including Grimace For Peace and Resist The Inner Bigot.
One photo editor slumped over his monitor in a Farringdon office was candid about the photographic merits of the genre;
"Its not just that there is an award at stake its the fact that this prize is about capturing something very specific. Essentially, in photographic terms, its a form of pornography but there is a kind of unspoken understanding between us that in the face of such unspeakable evil the word 'Porn' doesn't apply"
The award will be presented by the Welsh Secetary Peter Hain outside the U4ria nightclub in London's east end, scene of many a fistycuff and general nastiness between youths in the ethnically diverse local community.
One photo editor slumped over his monitor in a Farringdon office was candid about the photographic merits of the genre;
"Its not just that there is an award at stake its the fact that this prize is about capturing something very specific. Essentially, in photographic terms, its a form of pornography but there is a kind of unspoken understanding between us that in the face of such unspeakable evil the word 'Porn' doesn't apply"
The award will be presented by the Welsh Secetary Peter Hain outside the U4ria nightclub in London's east end, scene of many a fistycuff and general nastiness between youths in the ethnically diverse local community.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Daily Wail, 15.10.09. Credit Crisis - One Womans Story
Its been a full year since Gordon Brown bankrupted the country and many people have a story to tell. One particular personal tragedy stands out from all the others - that of the green suited bowler hatted model who used to be the face of junk mortgage lender Bradford and Bingley. In a Wail exclusive she talks about what its like to be one of the faces of economic catastrophe.
"When i first got the job i was overjoyed. They didn't want me to be associated with any other brand so i was paid a retainer and only required for photo shoots every now again when there was a marketing drive on the latest Buy-to-let or self certification products. Call me a little vain but i was chuffed to bits when B & B plastered my face all over the London Underground in a new initiative, this time to attract savers, i guess i should of put two and two together and realised that if they were all of a sudden marketing to savers then there must have been something very wrong."
Within a few short weeks of her biggest exposure ever Bradford and Bingley had collapsed and the UK taxpayer was lumbered with its toxic mortgage book.
"It was a nightmare - the media had my face everywhere in that bloody ridiculous outfit, its just got worse and worse as the economic disaster gathered pace. B & B was the only bank that had a human face so when there was any kind of general analysis of the situation in the media it was me that would be put up as a background image, my face became synonymous with disaster - Toxic Lending policies!, mortgage defaults!! increased taxation!!! its just went on and on."
Despite her best efforts she found that publicly owned toxic mortgage assets was a look that just wouldn't wash off.
"Who was going to employ me in anything like what i was doing with B & B? With such negative associations i was a brand managers worst nightmare. I tried working on the continent but didn't get on very well when people i was working with learned of my past. I remember being picked on at drinks night one evening by a load of models who lectured me on how a hyperinflating housing market is not just very poor economics but morally repellant and socially corrosive."
Now living in Hull and married to a Taxi driver she looks back and just thinks she was plain unlucky.
"I was having a great time in that green suit and bowler hat, i didn't for a minute think there anything was wrong with promoting buy-to-let and self-certification mortgages, that there would be far reaching personal consequences for myself. There was a alot of programmes on the TV at the time - nothing seemed unusual or out of the ordinary.
"When i first got the job i was overjoyed. They didn't want me to be associated with any other brand so i was paid a retainer and only required for photo shoots every now again when there was a marketing drive on the latest Buy-to-let or self certification products. Call me a little vain but i was chuffed to bits when B & B plastered my face all over the London Underground in a new initiative, this time to attract savers, i guess i should of put two and two together and realised that if they were all of a sudden marketing to savers then there must have been something very wrong."
Within a few short weeks of her biggest exposure ever Bradford and Bingley had collapsed and the UK taxpayer was lumbered with its toxic mortgage book.
"It was a nightmare - the media had my face everywhere in that bloody ridiculous outfit, its just got worse and worse as the economic disaster gathered pace. B & B was the only bank that had a human face so when there was any kind of general analysis of the situation in the media it was me that would be put up as a background image, my face became synonymous with disaster - Toxic Lending policies!, mortgage defaults!! increased taxation!!! its just went on and on."
Despite her best efforts she found that publicly owned toxic mortgage assets was a look that just wouldn't wash off.
"Who was going to employ me in anything like what i was doing with B & B? With such negative associations i was a brand managers worst nightmare. I tried working on the continent but didn't get on very well when people i was working with learned of my past. I remember being picked on at drinks night one evening by a load of models who lectured me on how a hyperinflating housing market is not just very poor economics but morally repellant and socially corrosive."
Now living in Hull and married to a Taxi driver she looks back and just thinks she was plain unlucky.
"I was having a great time in that green suit and bowler hat, i didn't for a minute think there anything was wrong with promoting buy-to-let and self-certification mortgages, that there would be far reaching personal consequences for myself. There was a alot of programmes on the TV at the time - nothing seemed unusual or out of the ordinary.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
New Bicycle, well sort of..
Check out my long trusted cycle, i've had this traditionally styled touring bike for 11 years and it has served me well on countless day rides, mini tours and the occassional extended trip.
Then the other week there was a loud clunk and all of a sudden it didn't feel so good, the seat tube had snapped:
Now, it just so happened that i had retained the the original documentation and over the years this had been sloshing around in the bottom of my tool box so that everytime i clawed around for spanners i could help but notice the warranty statement which says: "This frame is guaranteed for a period of 15 years against faulty materials or poor workmanship". Well, i know 11 years is long ime and i didn't really want to make a fuss, but (a) i haven't got any spare money for a new frame and, (b) a warranty is a warranty - i hadn't abused the bike in any way, there must of been some slight defect somewhere. Sure enough after recieving my emailed photos the manufacturer agreed that they should give me a new one. Aside from a new headset and replacement bottom bracket all the components transfered OK and i must say i'm very pleased with the results. The new frame is better quality 631 tubing over the 531 i had before and has the more contemporary slighty sloping top tube geometry, i rekon i'll get a new rear rack though - get it ready for a bit of summer touring. Here it is fresh after the build.
Then the other week there was a loud clunk and all of a sudden it didn't feel so good, the seat tube had snapped:
Now, it just so happened that i had retained the the original documentation and over the years this had been sloshing around in the bottom of my tool box so that everytime i clawed around for spanners i could help but notice the warranty statement which says: "This frame is guaranteed for a period of 15 years against faulty materials or poor workmanship". Well, i know 11 years is long ime and i didn't really want to make a fuss, but (a) i haven't got any spare money for a new frame and, (b) a warranty is a warranty - i hadn't abused the bike in any way, there must of been some slight defect somewhere. Sure enough after recieving my emailed photos the manufacturer agreed that they should give me a new one. Aside from a new headset and replacement bottom bracket all the components transfered OK and i must say i'm very pleased with the results. The new frame is better quality 631 tubing over the 531 i had before and has the more contemporary slighty sloping top tube geometry, i rekon i'll get a new rear rack though - get it ready for a bit of summer touring. Here it is fresh after the build.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Brown & Darling's Miracle Economy Roadshow
They're Back!! yes folks the UKs greatest comedy duo return with what promises to be their biggest ever sell-out tour.
They'll make you laugh. They'll make you cry, and by the time the show is over you will think that taking a blowtorch to bundles of fifty pound notes is funny.
This show is not just a regular routine of all new gags; no, you'll be splitting your sides as Brown & Darling make it all up as they go along.
Here's what people have been saying:
The comic timing was excellent. They bail out Northern Rock then the housing market goes into decline. Brilliant! Ed Foxton, estate agent.
Trust me, i've been pissing myself since day one. Frank Tudor, hedge fund manager and investor in Granite bonds.
I quite literally gave up my home for a ticket. Janice Smith, Ex. Labour voter & Northern Rock mortgagee.
They'll make you laugh. They'll make you cry, and by the time the show is over you will think that taking a blowtorch to bundles of fifty pound notes is funny.
This show is not just a regular routine of all new gags; no, you'll be splitting your sides as Brown & Darling make it all up as they go along.
Here's what people have been saying:
The comic timing was excellent. They bail out Northern Rock then the housing market goes into decline. Brilliant! Ed Foxton, estate agent.
Trust me, i've been pissing myself since day one. Frank Tudor, hedge fund manager and investor in Granite bonds.
I quite literally gave up my home for a ticket. Janice Smith, Ex. Labour voter & Northern Rock mortgagee.
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