bah..sherbert?

Im really bad at this. Like really really super bad. I will only use the excuse that I've been stupidly busy at work over the past month (anyone who works in customer service, bar/cafe etc type work will probably also loathe the Christmas period)

There is also lots and lots of exciting exhibitions happening in the gallery in the new year so theres been lots going on with that too. Meetings, emailing, admin, getting flyers/posters printed, you name it, me and Naomi do it all.
Only two more days of work then 5 days off. I cannot wait to sit on my arse, listen to Sufjan Stevens xmas tunes, drink copious amounts of tea, knit, watch films and hang out with Ma and Pa Fish. My only current concern is that I'm developing a stinker of a cold. I cannot breath through my nose and this does not bode well for Christmas dinner and general festive activities that include eating and drinking. Gutted. Im planning on mulling some cider this year, maybe that will make me er, feel better. yeah?

I'm going to be making Christmas cookies tomorrow and I hope not to sneeze in them. Im thinking of making a mixture of white chocolate and raspberry, dark chocolate and orange and pecan and raisin. It'll be the only handmade gift that people will be recieving this year which is sad but I just haven't had the time to make stuff. I think next year I need to start in the summer..

I leave you with a picture of me and one of my most favourite people. Gnomes is my fellow gallery director, co-worker, best friend, dancing buddy and general amazing friend who I love dearly. And she clearly thinks Im awesome too. That or we were all slightly merry on the booze.


I think Im going to return to watching gremlins and try and summon up the energy to make some tea.

I have been a bad blogger of late so I'm here with a lame attempt to make up for it. My brain isn't in proper functioning mode today though, so you might just end up with some photos. I have been working lots but also having some fun times to make up for the working. It was one my best friends birthdays on Monday, so a bunch of us had the most loveliest of days. We started out with breakfast in Cafe Rouge, where I consumed a dish with enough cheese in it to last me a year and possible cause my cholesterol levels to quadruple. Its a good job I like cheese.
We then ventured out to Derbyshire and ended up in the pretty village of Bakewell (home of the famous tarts and pies. Oh yes) Sadly there was torrential rain for most of the day, but we did manage a wander round, ate cake and drank champagne in the back of the car (classy) and then ended up at the nicest little restaurant for a late lunch, complete with roaring log fire and picturesque view over the valleys.

I'm happy to say my Christmas shopping is going fairly well so far. I'm also hoping I get time to make and/or bake some treats for the famille and friends. There's an awesome looking chestnut chocolate biscuit recipe in todays Guardian. I've made chutney the last two years in a row so Im trying to think up some other things. Jam maybe??

Anyway, here are some photos for your viewing pleasure...mostly of Derbyshire and my friend Sarah's leaving do. She's gone off travelling for 3 months. I'm highly jealous but also very happy cos she's going to have an incredible time. She landed in New Zealand last night and she's spending new year in Sydney!

Me and the Birthday girl


Cake of joy that I did make. Chocolate and Guinness. I had people tell me it was the best cake they had ever eaten. I might have to agree with them


There is more than one way of wearing a party hat. And I wasn't even drunk. Here we have triceratops, bird and unicorn.



Tea with the ladies

Bolly and cake in the car
aaand finally the mad night that was Sarahs leaving do. There was dancing on the bar (not by me this time) and licking of faces. Matt is friendly.

sunday

So the news I had, I can semi reveal, but apparently, I have to keep it on the downlow as well, but lets just say I'm going to Bahrain on Thursday to work. Pretty crazy, only there till Saturday, so its a flying visit but yes, Bahrain, here I come?! Random I know...

So I've finally decided to stop being lazy and post some photos. Nothing particularly exciting, just my current knitting projects and our beautiful cat.

Today has been pretty uneventful. Its been cold, rainy and windy, the sort of weather that makes you want to hide under a blanket and cuddle the cat, which is pretty much what I've been doing. I did manage to venture out to the shops so I could make a nice dinner, but thats about the extent of it.
I leave you with some photos...
My newest edition. This is just after it was done, I haven't managed to get a good photo of it now its healed, but it looks amazing and has healed wonderfully so I'm very happy. Big thankyou to Allan and Amalie!! I will be back for more, have no fear



Possibly the prettiest cat in existance.




First off is a cowl that I've knitted for a friends birthday. I've fallen in love with this wool, its just stupidly expensive, but so lovely to knit with its worth it


This is my latest knitting project, I've called it my pumpkin scarf as thats pretty much the exact colour of it. I love it lots. I also love this laurel and hardy tshirt which I found in a teeny tiny vintage/memorabilia toy shop in Japan. Ah I miss shopping in Japan.



I think it's time for a cup of tea and possibly, no definitely, a biscuit.

Deadweight on velveteen

Stolen from the lovely Samboy, because I can't resist these kind of things -

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Put your iPod or other music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the "next" button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got this from
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
‘Hot Tent Blues’ – Late of the pier
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
‘Around the world’ – Daft Punk
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
‘Din-dong daddy of the D car line’ – Cherry Poppin Daddies
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
‘Let Go’ – Sick of it All
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
‘Everybody had a hard year’ - Marz
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
‘Right on time’ – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?
‘Hard Headed Woman – John Lee Hooker
WHAT IS 2+2?
‘Christine Bonilla’ – Joy Zipper
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
‘Roll Away your stone’ – Mumford and Sons
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
‘Hold me close’ – Lucero
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP??
‘Tangled up in Blue’ – Bob Dylan
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE??
‘This time’ – John Martyn. I wish. Damn unrequited affection
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
‘Capturing Moods’ – Rilo Kiley
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
‘Rise Above’ – Black Flag. Awesome. Wedding beatdown
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
‘Seeya later’ – Boards of Canada
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
‘Ska Wars’ - Capdown
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
‘Hazy Jane’ – Nick Drake
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
‘The Price I pay’ – Billy Bragg
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
‘Stand in my way’ – Micah P Hinson. Too right!
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
‘Transformer’ – Gnarls Barkley
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
‘SixtyNiner’ – Boards of Canada. This just sounds wrong
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
‘Footprints’ – Roisin Murphy
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
‘Sun in rises’ – Fleet Foxes
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
‘Give something else away everyday’ – Magnolia Electric Company
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
‘Upward over the mountain’ – Iron and Wine
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
‘Love comes to me’ – Bonnie Prince Billy.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
‘Just look around’ – Sick of it all
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
‘Easy to love’ – Ella Fitzgerald
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
‘Deadweight on velveteen’ – Jose Gonzalez


I'm going to attempt to write a proper blog post tomorrow. I may have some pretty bizarre yet awesome news to tell, I just need to wait for a phonecall before I can get too excited. I might even, yes, might even post some photos. Of what, I don't really know. But we shall see. I'm not in work till 6pm so I have a whole day to kill, and seeing as I've been up at 6:30am the last two days for a teacher training course, I will definitely be having a lie in and a lazy day. I may even be able to get my knitting finished.

In times of utter crap, there is Al Burian

none of this furniture
is big enough
for two
what am I supposed to do?
I can upgrade
or I can get rid of you.

This weekend has been shit. I don't normally complain about stuff, but I think its safe to say I had my years worth of utter wank within the space of 24 hours. So today I have just been hiding away, knitting in the company of my lovely friend (http://www.amyblackwell.co.uk/) at her place of work and she snuck me in to watch Fantastic Mr Fox (review: not bad, I fell asleep, but thats not necessarily good judgement of the film, just my rubbish nights kip)

I'm attempting to look on the brightside. No one has died, the world is still intact (I think) and I have a cat curled up on the end of my bed.

live fast and die of something shameful your black flag bars are turning blue

what are you gonna do?

there's a russian agent in the building

So we have a new housemate. She's 5 months old, rather fluffy, likes to lick things and is named after the Russian spy agent, Illya (Kuryakin) from the man from u.n.c.l.e. Yes, we have a kitten. She is all sorts of amazing (and stupid) and I've discovered that kitten sneezes are one of the cutest things. Even if it is directed in your face. Well perhaps more gross, but still cute. I'll post a photo hopefully tomorrow as I need to spread the joy of her little face. She's got a slightly gammy eye which should clear up soon, but in the mean time she looks like she's constantly winking.

I dont know what happened, but today winter decided to decend on us. I'm even thinking about busting out the winter coat which I wasn't expecting to do just yet. I know its very British to moan about the weather but if it would just make up its mind as to what it was doing...!

Tomorrow is my first proper day off in a while, and even then I will be spending the majority of it filling out a job application. These things generally take all day as I'm the worst faffer known to man. I wish the deadline wasn't friday, as I would really like just to chill out, read, and do some knitting. And make some proper dinner. I worked a 50 hour week last week, and this week will probably be something similar. I love my jobs (all 3 of them) but still, I'm running close to empty. Although I did enjoy the wine tasting we had at lunch time today. A sophisticated palate was needed to try the wines we might be getting, so of course, I offered up my services!

Hopefully will get some London photos up here soon as well...the tattoo is healing good, although theres a section which will probably need touching up, alas. Stupid skin.

Tonight I'm off out with my lovely friend Thom for pizza and beer and maybe a film. I have spent far too much time behind the bar and not the right side of it, so I shall be rectifying that tonight hopefully.

say what?

It's been a while. I would list all the exciting things Ive been doing, but the list would be short and not so exciting. I have been thoroughly abusing my rights to free cinema tickets from my wonderful friend and housemate who works as a projectionist at the independent cinema in our little city.
There's also lots of new films out this month that I'm pretty excited about seeing, including -
Away we go

Adventureland

Broken Embraces

Fantastic Mr Fox

Thirst (a new Park Chan Wook about a priest becoming a vampire)

and possibly what I'm looking forward to most is the midnight showing of HELLRAISER as part of the mayhem film festival over halloween. I love horror films, I just need to persuade someone to come with me.

Apart from that, I've been busy organising new shows for the gallery whilst attempting to also plan my own exhibition for sometime in the new year. I have a name, a proposal and the artists (including me) now all I need is to make the work and that'll be that. If only if was that easy!

I'm also happy to have my big bro back from his travels. Sucks for him to be back, but great for me as we get to hang out again. He's hopefully gonna be showing some of his amazing photos in my exhibition and some of his writing as well.

And to top it all off, I'm off to the london convention this weekend to get another piece added to my collection by none other than Uncle Allan. I've never been to the london convention, it's definitely going to be an experience getting tattooed infront of 100s of people. Excited though! Hopefully there will be time to go here at some point-

Ed's diner do possibly the best malted milkshakes in the world. Peanut butter and chocolate malted shake is heaven in a glass. This is normally a must everytime I'm in London. Luckily, that isn't that often or I'd be the size of a house.

turkey sponge?!

It's Sunday and it's officially the first day of my weeks holiday. I'm off on my road trip at 4am Wednesday morning, so I've got 2 days to chill out, run some errands, go swimming, meet up with a friend I haven't seen in a while for coffee and generally enjoy not being at work.
I'm off to Broadway in a bit to see Inglorious Basterds with Laura. The reviews have slated it somewhat, but everyone I know who's seen it has said its pretty damn good so I'm gonna go with that.
I leave you with a couple of random photos from when Laura and I went out last Sunday to Matlock Bath in Derbyshire. There were some truly amazingly awful gift shops there and this dog fountain had to be one of the best things we found. Also, a drawer in an old sweet shop that used to sell turkey sponge(?!) Turkey sponge was right above elastic hosiery so I'm not sure if the two are related.

road trip!

I have a weeks holiday the first week of September and I've been racking my brains trying to decide what to do with it. As always, my plans flitted between a last minute jaunt to Paris, going to London, seeing Magnolia Electric Co. in Leeds but finally, over a few large glasses of red wine on Monday evening, in the company of a good friend, my decision has been made .
I will be accompanying 3 friends on a road trip! They're off round the country for 11 days of filming for a documentary they're making for an art project;

..."interviewing many artist-led galleries, arts initiatives and collectives that England, Scotland and Wales have to offer; learning about the practices and activities that have determined and defined each group’s developments.. ."

We're starting off in Scotland (Dundee and Edinburgh) then on to North Tyneside, Leeds, Cumbria, Blackpool, Liverpool and Manchester, which is where I think I will head back to Notts as they continue on to other far corners of the UK. I feel honoured to have been invited and make it my mission to fullfil my role of sandwich maker for the journey up there, to the best of my abilities. Here's to long car journeys, beautiful scenery and good friends.

sunday funday

Today was a good Sunday. After my mad week at work and my 13hr shift on Saturday, I felt I needed a well deserved awesome day off, so the housemates and I started it off by getting breakfast at the Warsaw Diner. Full on, fat ass, american breakfast, complete with pancakes, maple syrup and quaffee* (*said in faux New York accent)

Full plate

Little Laura and a huge bottle of maple syrup
Amy and myself - full and contented bellys
Sunday morning sunshine

pancakes!

We mooched around town in the sun and took part in a little retail therapy just to make the day even better. I've spent the evening engrossed in watching Lost and my knitting project, so all in all, a thoroughly great day. Back to the grindstone tomorrow. booo.

let's go steady again

One thing I have to thank (I think) my parents for, is my eclectic taste in music. They definitely made me appreciate music from an early age that's probably really helped shape the sort of spectrum of music I listen to now.

Whether Neil Sedaka is classed as being one to thank them for, I'm not sure, but either way, I'm currently rocking out to classics such as Oh Carol, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do and Laughter In the Rain. How could you not love him? Just look at that smile! - maybe its just me then.
I had a very nice relaxed Sunday. My original plans sadly went to pot, but I ended up on an Ikea trip with Anna, only realising upon arrival that it closed at 5pm, que a mad half hour dash round the store. I bought some Swedish jam, Krussbolls and a griddle pan. All highly needed items. We then went out for dinner and met up with a couple of other friends for a few quiet drinks.
Now roll on my crazy week of manic shifts and gallery stuff. S'all good.

Thurs, 8pm 2009

You wait for fate to bring about the changes in life which you should be bringing about by yourself

Douglas Coupland

first love, last rites

I'm currently reading Ian McEwan's short stories - First Love, Last Rites. I've not read anything by him before, and knowing only that he'd written Atonement, which is not really my kind of read, I was pleased to find that this book, is pretty fucked up. Macabre but ball (if I had any) achingly funny. This is my kind of read. I recommend it if you like that kind of thing, otherwise, maybe stay clear.

I've been attempting to write more stuff myself. I've always enjoyed writing, but often find that writers block has turned into a whole blockade and is un-shiftable. I'm currently in the midst of writing a couple of gallery(work) related pieces and I think that has helped to shift some of my brain rubble. I might share some things when they're more finished, but for now I'll leave this silly piece that is based on true events.

The right hand bookshelf harbours a secret that if revealed, would leave all inanimate household objects quaking in their hypothetical boots. On the top shelf, amongst the dusty cobwebs and year’s worth of allergy inducing particles, is the graveyard of defunct and broken lamps. It’s a sorry sight, shades skew-wiff, hung low, no meaning to their existence. A lava lamp sheepishly hides behind the bedside lamp, slightly ashamed that it’s no longer able to fulfil it’s purpose of recreating that trippy hedonistic vibe of the 70s. Banded together like outcasts, unsure of their fate, not knowing when they may be discarded altogether. For now, they are safe in the knowledge that they remain there, until the time comes when I myself, stop wondering why they were ever put there in the first place and banish them to a fate darker than that of a broken bulb.

oh dear

Its been a long time. I'm not sure anyone actually reads this except for you, Matt, but I'm going to make a promise to myself that I'll start writing in here more often. I like it, it's kind of a secret and no one knows it's here, so perhaps I can be more myself. For now I'll just leave someone elses words, Mr Arthur Russell, that attempt to help me to make sense of some current events. I feel better already, sort of.
Music; like a cup of tea for the soul. Soothes and brings cheer to a slightly bedraggled and downtrodden heart.

I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around any more.
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around any more.
I needed a place, so I walked in the door,
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around any more.
It's my world, it's my song, didn't ask you to sing along; in my arms,
you girl, you won't be here to say I'm wrong.
I couldn't say it to your face but I won't be around any more.
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around any more.
I needed some space, so I walked out the door,
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around any more.
I heard them say maybe some day I'd have to pay.
I don't say one word to you that you know I'm going away.
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around any more.
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around any more.
I needed a place, so I walked in the door.
I couldn't say it to your face, but I won't be around any more

sunny days of late

Thought I would post some photos I got back from my Holga. My favourite is definitely the duck one. I've got another film in at the moment which is nearly finished and then I'd like to try out a 35mm film in it. And I've decided I want to add to my collection and maybe get an LCA or something a bit more compact. It's a downward spiral from here!

I shake my fist at you

I find it vaguely amusing that the one pair of shoes that occasionally decide to cut my feet to shreds and leave my heels bloody and raw are my Macbeths, the shoes with a Bane quote under the insole from the "GIVE BLOOD" album. yes yes very funny, ha ha, well I will have the last laugh. Don't think you aren't replaceable. There's only so much duct tape I'm willing to use to tape you up. These relationships never last. You're no longer my favourite shoe anyway, so there.

day trip

So today I went on a mini adventure to have a play with my new toy - my lardy lump of plastic the Holga(!) which I have named Henrietta, as it seems I can't possess any major 'thing' without naming it. My laptop is called Jeffrey, my external harddrive is Jeremy, my bike is Betty etc etc. I also name plants, but as I'm not so good with those, I only have one. She's managed to survive for a couple of years now and I fear naming her may not be beneficial as she's lasted so long without one, it may not be wise. Maybe I should look into getting a pet.

Anyway, the weather was sunny and beautiful, so I went to Wollaton Park and took photos of the stuffed animals, ducks, (of the living variety) bluebells and other nice things.

I'll post some if any come back good enough, but I'll leave you with one of my favourite Holga images, maybe because it's so random - I don't know who took this photo, but if you ever happen to read this, I think your photo is awesome. And do you happen to know the name of the pony?

Torpidity calls

Now I'm here, I'm not so sure what to say. But I thought I would start the ball rolling somewhat. I'm hoping this is going to be a place where I will write things and they will be great things. But great things come to those who wait. Cos great is better than good right? So I'll save that for another day when my brain is in gear and my belly isn't laden down with good, no, I mean, great food.
To slumber I go.