Sites I like
Service not included
Calling all London-based readers, or anyone in London at the weekend. A friend of mine, Lydia, is involved in an exhibition called Service not Included. It is on at the ADi Gallery, 81 Rivington Street, EC2 from 1st to 6th July (11am-6pm Mon to Sat) and the flyer describes it as "An exhibition by artists inspired by their mundane jobs they do in order to subsidise their artwork". If you're even the slightest bit interested in contemporary art and will be in the area, please go along. I'd love to see her work myself but am a bit too far away for that! If you go, ley me know what you thought of it.
Posted on June 30, 2005 | Comments (3)
Fame
What makes a star? Is it just someone who is famous, or a person who is also glamorous? Or is a star simply someone who we like and are glad is famous, because it's good having them around? I like to think it is someone we like, who makes our lives that bit better by being on television, radio or movies. Someone who, when you hear they have died, makes you feel a little bit sad that they're no longer going to be around.
Only a couple of weeks ago, I saw a clip of when Noel Edmunds Gotcha'd Richard Whitely, but now he's no more. Sadly not Noel Edmunds though. I'll miss Twice Nightly Whitely and his Countdown wit. Will they continue the show without him? Wouldn't be the same really. The end of an era.
Posted on June 27, 2005 | Comments (0)
Going back to uni
On Saturday, I made my first visit to the MMU Degree Show and was ashamed that I'd not found the time to go in previous years. If you are in Manchester and have an hour or so to spare before Wednesday, make sure you go along. I know it's an overused phrase, but there really is something for everyone. We only looked at a small sample in our few hours there (work from the Fine Art, Interactive Arts, Design & Art Direction, Photography and Foundation students), but the standard was universally high. Interactive Arts was fascinating as it is a degree that you can tailor to your own skills and interests, so the work came in a multitude of forms. The D&AD work was of such quality that most of the books, magazines, adverts and posters on display could easily have been produced by a top agency for thousands of pounds.
My main reasons for going along were to see a friend's foundation course work and the photography degree exhibition, but I found that the photography was more enjoyable when you looked through the supporting portfolios that were also made available. I was also amazed at the number of people there. Even though it was publicised far better than the Manchester University textiles degree show (my ex course and I didn't even get an invite this year!), I still expected it would be relatively quiet but all the galleries were packed. It was busier than I have ever seen Tate Liverpool! On this evidence, if you are considering doing an art/design degree course, Manchester Metropoiltan University is certainly a force to be reckoned with.
Posted on June 20, 2005 | Comments (0)
"The greatest shit-stirring iconic hack"
A while ago, the poor soul who has the dubious pleasure of sitting next to me at work mentioned that her partner had reviewed Julie Burchill's book, Sugar Rush, and had subsequently received an email from the woman herself. Having discussed La Burchill before during many Guardian-related conversations, she knew how impressed I'd be, and how much excitement would follow at the revelation that Ben had secured an interview too. Well, the big day came and went, and then I got the pleasure of reading a first draft with an all-too-realistic number of expletives in one section where Julie really couldn't shake that bee in her bonnet. The alcohol being consumed can't have helped her eloquence and we've all been there, usually without an interviewer recording every word though!
Still, my point is that it's good. Very good. So if you want to find out what happened when Ben met Julie, I recommend you take the time to read the finished article. Sugar Rush is currently on Channel 4 too, if you want to do your homework first.
Posted on June 17, 2005 | Comments (1)
I heart Manchester
Nine years ago today, I had been home from university for one week after finishing the second year of my degree course. Many Saturdays during term time had been spent in Manchester city centre, avoiding the people selling the Socialist Worker and diving into shops to look at clothes we couldn't afford (this practically counted as research on my course!). Thankfully I wasn't there on 15th June 1996, but was amazed by what I saw on the news.
"Amongst the ruins on Corporation Street stood an undamaged 100-year-old post box that withstood the 3,300lb blast despite being just five metres away. The letters inside were completely unharmed and were collected and delivered eleven days later. It became a powerful symbol of the strength and spirit of the city, and although it was slightly relocated during the redevelopment, it sits in nearly the same place today, discreetly bearing a plaque to record its significance in Manchester's history."
The city may have looked a little different by the time I returned in September, with empty spaces and scaffolding everywhere, but that's nothing compared to how it has changed since then. If you haven't ever visited, make sure you do.
Posted on June 15, 2005 | Comments (0)
It's oh so quiet... shh shh
To keep you amused while I attempt to get my portfolio and workbook finished* for my black and white photography course, why not pop over to justshoot.org and read up on my adventures in Blackpool. I've been scanning and uploading my photos since I got them back from Peak on Saturday, and so there's plenty to look at in the gallery over there too. Might get them on this site or flickr soon too. Just don't expect any more blog posts for a few days. Unless something really exciting happens. Obviously.
* aka started.
Posted on June 13, 2005 | Comments (0)
Fricking DVD Fricking Meme Fricking Thing
Brought to you via Mark of neOnbubble, who managed to read my mind about having nothing to blog about. But no, I didn't frickin' start the thing. Tsk. The cheek of some people.
1. The total number of DVDs, videos, and films I own.
Between myself and the lovely Mr Topper we have about 230, and that's counting some box sets as 1 because I'm too lazy to open them up to count the individual discs. I thought that was a lot but Mark has "over 500 DVDs in silverish wire racks dotted around the living room and dining room". Awesome.
2. The last film I bought.
Film? I can't honestly remember. The last DVD I bought was Family Guy, Season One.
3. The last film I watched.
On DVD? Shaun of the Dead. Yet again. Because it's ace.
At the cinema, Sin City.
On TV, Weird Science.
4. My favourite five films of all time, ever.
Whenever I come up with a top five, it always takes me ages and then I change my mind five seconds after posting it. So this is by no means my definitive list, and in no particular order... The Matrix (if you can imagine it was your first viewing and they'd never made the other two), The Shawshank Redemption (I know it's on every list, but I really like it), 12 Angry Men (one of my favourites from an entire year of top movie watching), Blade Runner (could watch this over and over), and Some Like it Hot (still makes me laugh).
5. Tag three people and have them blog this.
Posted on June 11, 2005 | Comments (1)
Monetary concerns
Although I mostly handle English five pound notes, I have had in my purse over the years numerous Scottish fivers and a few from Northern Ireland, but I've never seen one from Wales. Do they exist and, if not, why not?
Posted on June 09, 2005 | Comments (5)
Words of wisdom from my smoothie bottle
"Concentrated juices are one of those things, like the layer of cheese that you get in the middle of the dough in those new pizzas or those collectable china dolls. You just don't need them. Concentrates are the result of boiling up what was once fresh, healthy juice until most of the goodness has evaporated. So we don't see why we should put them in our smoothies and we don't see why you should have to drink them. That's why we say "lose the concentrates" (but by all means keep any dolls that have been individually hand signed by the artist).
An innocent promise
We promise that anything innocent will always taste good and do you good. We promise that we'll never use concentrates, preservatives, stabilisers, or any weird stuff in our drinks. And we promise to never cheat at cards."
If only more companies were like this.
Posted on June 08, 2005 | Comments (6)
Random stuff for a Monday
Blackpool is wonderful, as long as you're prepared to get into the spirit of things. I went with a couple of friends at the weekend and we had a cracking time. A full report and photos will be arriving over at justshoot.org soon.
I really hope this doesn't mean that more people will soon be buying the Daily Mail than currently buy The Sun. Trashy celeb stories plus xenophobic and woman hating views? Is that really what people want?
Word of the day - acquisitive.
Why is this news? Shame on you BBC.
Posted on June 06, 2005 | Comments (2)
How very modern
When I was at school, near London, we used to go on trips to galleries and museums in the capital quite often. One year, we went to see the summer exhibition at the Royal Academy and I was quite fascinated by the sheer number of artworks there and the fact that it has an open submission policy. In theory, I could paint something and have it displayed there.
I went along to another couple of summer exhibitions after that, but then years passed and my paintbrushes never again saw the light of day. I had lost interest in painting and therefore in the show, as there was not much more on offer. This year, however, they are finally moving with the times and allowing the submission of photographs so once again I can pop along to look at something of interest to me and imagine submitting something of my own one day. The selection of images chosen by Guardian Unlimited certainly look far more modern than those I remember from past years.
Might have to check it out if I end up in London for the Second Annual Sevitz Bloggers Braai. Why not come along too? You know you want to.
Posted on June 03, 2005 | Comments (3)
The art of conversation
Some of the subjects discussed during last night's visit to a Manchester drinking establishment:
- Ways to liven up a dull job (including sticking shredded documents back together before shredding them again, and imagining you are a ninja princess sent to fight the forces of evil).
- The earthquakes in Manchester (one girl repoterd that her friend had to be told the epicentre was not the name of a shopping mall in Birmingham)
- Firemen (classic quote from one of the ladies in the group - "that's what I'll do if I win the lottery; build a fire station and stock it")
- Our school days (one bloke and a mate were once nagged by a teacher to clean their teeth, and so they did... with jam)
- Shops you just don't expect to see (like a butcher in Oldham called The Prime Mincer, and Subway in Norwich)
Posted on June 02, 2005 | Comments (0)