Cross Continent Biking fun, the breakfast club and a restaurant in the trees

Thanks to L. for this heads up but PoPW has just heard about a new and exciting development appearing on the back of the Olympics. No I am as scared as the next person at how cringeworthy the “we will rock you” dancers trading off with “the Saturdays” version of “God Save the Queen”- and I am annoyed at each weekend disruption being essential engineering works due to a last ditch attempt at stop gapping problems on tube lines … but I am pleased as punch at the idea of a cycle route between Paris and London!


It seems almost the entire 211 mile journey will miss out roads entirely from St Paul’s Cathedral to Notre Dame, utilising disused rail lines. How fantastic is that!

A Church in West Sussex is claiming the representation of a dying Christ is scarring children. Imagine. Its like the church censoring itself. Maybe they should have chosen a less sinister emblem then, like some broken loaves, or Christ with fish hooks in peoples mouths, or a net of people slung on his back as the fisher of men... But seriously there is something to think about with the changing face of the church in todays society




Hmmm, I don’t really get it other than it looks amazing, is a tree house restaurant and they found the builders from the yellow pages? Hmmm, that’s it isn’t it. But hey, nothing like a bit of hype and what a great idea to get funding from the yellow pages, that you would use any way. Other than just asking your mates I suppose. Its a fun website though, click through that link to see treehouse getting made, then go outside and make one.

Ok, so it’s the weekend coming up. And I have already given you a list of free things!
But heres a couple more. Tonight the National Portrait Gallery scratches your Bulgarian Folk Music itch…

Music from the court of the Holy Roman Emperor - Maximilian I - and new pieces based on traditional English and Bulgarian folk music. Supported by the Arts Council's Escalator Scheme

And Epping Forrest Lakes are Frozen! So head down and walk around this winter wonderland. Singing loudly "theres only onnnnnnnne Denis Bergkamp"

(Cough)

But heres a story from last year that I have only just discovered, but a fantastic one so worth reliving. Apparently for fun some guy (Darren Hoyt) goes and checks out his pool filters for fun. Even brings along his girlfriend. After three days of rain he takes her down the back to check out whats down there. And as he puts it

a turtle, exhausted and barely able to stay afloat any longer, supporting a frog on its back while a spider clung to the frog’s head to avoid drowning.

This inspired a tattoo amongst other things (see his update).



Excellent use of resources. I thought the frog might turn into that fox and eat the spider, but no- they all just- apparently reluctantly went off on their separate missions. Reminds me of the end of Breakfast Club.

Londons Not as Expensive as they tell you!

In face of the cold and gloomy front that full my mornings in the form of news reports and papers I feel fantastic about this year. And to celebrate the fact that we are all alive and even if we want to tighten our belts a little we can still enjoy ourselves I am bringing yet another list to you.

This time of things to do that wont require you to bring out the hammer to the piggy bank.

For those of you not in London, (or who commute daily!) I will try and do all that’s on the list and bring you back my findings! I do this for you.

Danny Wallace creates a podcast and signs copies of the Yes Man at the Apple Store tomorrow night. Should be ok, hes pretty funny!

The Natural History Museum is holding Londons first Ice Sculpting Festival this weekend. You can even learn how to do it in Free Masterclasses. If once there you are wanting to spend money, there is an ice rink, a Darwin Exhibition and the Wildlife Photographers exhibition on show next to the amazing, outstanding and free permanent exhibits. Don’t forget the lichen exhibit, its just as important as the dinosaurs.

Light Graffiti
Here are a bunch of flickrites who are going to meet up on the 17th of Jan to take night photos of light. This looks fun.


Shameless Photoclub Plug although in exactly the same place but in two weeks after and at the completely unsociable hour of morning time, the first actual meeting of photoclub, Borough Market 31st Jan 09:00.

£5 Films at Vue Cinemas.
You have to order before 16:00 on the chosen day of viewing, so it really is for those last minute choices, and with Che part one on and My Bloody Valentines 3D coming up, it’s a good offer. Actually Its one of my new year resolutions is to see more film. And with this year being the year of 3D, I couldn’t be more excited. 3d film in Real D and sky TV going 3D 2009 it might be worth sending two and a half grand to japan to get the sort of telly you need, to project the polarized view. I am into it I think, but will just go to the pub to watch the 3d games!


Of Course 5 pound films are not as good as free film.


Free photographic portrait exhibition at the NPG

Ok that should do you for a fortnight of getting out and about for less than a tenner. I think the much have purchase is a hip flask so you can get rid of all that left over whisky for a winter warmer.

Sharing the tree dressing people, sharing the tree

Deck the halls my friends

101th entry- Good idea for next year- or two

Hello small but loyal readership!

Before you is the 101st post on this site. I am strangely proud of this. There you go. I wasnt going to drink tonight, but if I do I shall dedicate it to you. and the entry. hmmm it better be good then.

And it won't be full of links, and photos or videos. No. Not the lazy posting tricks of looking back on 2008 and giving awards for best film or singles. no. Oh No.

Instead I shall share with you my genius, like its a secret shared. In fact, I will give you two.

First;

I was reading the guardian insert this morning, and there was one article per month that stood out. And its really interesting. Its a good way to look back on the year. Anyway next year i will do that. Well this year really starting with Dec. So from Dec-Dec. So this time next year- you know knocking wood we are both still here {knock knock}- you can look back and see how it all worked out. If this credit crunch falters out, how arsenal won the league against all odds, and how in one year one simple idea transformed a mild mannered presentation supervisor into a London phenomenon. Phenomenon
Oh sorry. I said I wouldnt do that.

Any way- this idea I speak of is point the second;
I am going to start a photo group! hey! I will advertise on the net- in photo magazine forums, dps, flickr, shop windows and record stores. The advertising will all point to a blog in which this months theme and location will be. Then we all meet at the said location at the golden hour- which is early!!! Or could be the afternoon. So say its Hampstead Heath- with the theme of Close Up. So then you meet at the place, take photos for an hour then head to a pub. Then you talk show photos, drink, and send me your two best photos by that Wednesday. Then I put them up. Obviously I think that you should all put a fiver in and in that month you all vote for the best photo and that person gets it! what do you think?

craft day

Saturday night. Four young people sit around drinking and talking, listening to rock and roll and... making crafts!

heres my first attempt. Its an oystercard holder dont you know. and its rock.

Aids Day Concert

Proud Gallery Camden held Aids Day Staying Alive concert sponsored I think by MTV. Three newish bands played there.

I Blame Coco.
Although there was a feeling that these guys had just been swept together from some music school and moulded around the famous by proxy singer- is her name coco?
The youth surrounding us certainly liked them, and so did I. actually the more I listen to this song the more I really like it.


We Have Band
Its all about three name bands here it seems. These guys were good fun. It wasnt just we were a bit drunk by this time. honest.

The Plath Play

Not enough poetry on this site is there? To be honest I havent really checked into poetry for some years, but the upcoming opening of the Plath Play "Three Women" has reminded me. This is the first airing of this in the UK for thirty years or something, and though you dont expect it to be "Mama Mia" its surely a good night out.

Herr God, Herr Lucifer
Beware
Beware.

Out of the ash
I rise with my red hair
And I eat men like air.

Lady Lazarus by Sylvia Plath

Each virile bachelor dreads paralysis,
The old maid in the gable cries all day:
Never try to trick me with a kiss.
...
Sooner or later something goes amiss;
The singing birds pack up and fly away;
So never try to trick me with a kiss:
The dying man will scoff and scorn at this.

Never Try To Trick Me With A Kiss by Sylvia Plath

xmas hits work

yuletide mother fuckers!

Crystal

Had to mention this place. Coming home from Dylan Moran and I was H*U*N*G*R*Y. Now it must be mentioned I live above a perfectly good Kebab shop, but when needs must, its down the road and around the corner for me to Crystal Kebabs.
Now not only do they over do the delicous bread, vege and meat stews and delicious lamicuns but they also drop in a couple of free rice puddings.

I know.

Free. Rice. Pudding.

Art Alert

Extended but absolutely going to end this weekend is a third form science project gone horribly wrong! Its going to be a long wait, you have to shed your own boots in favor of theirs and its south of the river but... it looks ace!



Roger Hiorns presents Seizure his most ambitious transformation yet to create a crystalic wonderland from a former dull old estate house.

To quote

British artist Roger Hiorns makes exceptional use of unlikely materials: detergent, disinfectant, perfume, fire and copper sulphate crystals. Transforming steel poles, car engines and cardboard architectural models into crystalline forms, Hiorns effects surprising, physical and aesthetic transformations on found objects.

Weekend Round up: Tinselworms, Pies and Pandas

Monday already! How to buffer myself from work/play? BLOG!
Yes its a bit early, but I bet there are people out there who want to know what I have done this weekend... surely?

Went for dinner at the old HK Diner, it had good write ups, and all in all not dissapointing, L's hot pot (pork Belly) was the best, then F's prawns was second, my duck was the worst but still quite tasty! Then we went to Bill Bailey


Which was ace, he was less absurd than I expected. And you could tell he was on the back of his American tour. But his best joke was distintly English, (Spoiler alert not too high though./.._) and the joke was about him cringing from the future about how embarrasing the olympic ceremony is going to be! haha, true bro...


Saturday and we tried some pies. Now as I am sure you know the UK is sadly lacking in decent pies, so when I see them I am always torn between running in fear, or running for the promise of savory goodness withing those thin pastry walls. So when at Broadway Market on a freezing Saturday I saw them- I went for it!

"Thanks, can I have a chilli steak pie and a steak and cheese please>?"





Now they had take away pies, that you could bring home- and they cost about £3.50 each. (NZ-ers will balk!) and to make matters worse- they microwave them! bah. But on a chilly day, it was a delicous, home made filling filled tasty treat.

And then Sunday we took a walk in Crouch End, where we found an excellent print shop, which just shows where our aspirations lie because we so wanted to bring home art. haha. This was one of my faves.

Mitch Mitchell RIP

So its a bit late, but its one of those things that needs to be blogged about.
One of the best drummers ever, the connection between jazz and rock, and how to be everywhere on the skins without overbearing the guitar.
Mr Mitch Mitchell

Its neate ayhe Aunt?

Adam Neate is turning London into an art gallery on Friday. A quick check into the auctions and one of his pics reached over 40k so even though he is going for a *ahem "Warholian" technique of not actually touching canvas there might be an investment to be made from walking around the streets of London at midnight scoping for free art.

“I’m interested in that Warhol idea of the brand as assisted readymade. Apart from creating the master image in stencil, I haven’t had to touch these works at any point in their production, even the signature is rubber-stamped – and although they’re multiples, each one is compositionally unique.”

Now although I am sure that this is not the reason why he is doing it, but I am sure I wont be the only night prowler!

My lunchbox gets all the girls to the yard

How awesome is my home made cottage pie lunch box? Oooooohhhhh yeah...

pimp my loaf

Annoyed at myself for losing stuff, there was nothing to do on Sunday but to break bread...
L made some (!) bread! it is delicous, with basil and stuff! but although she looked at it wearily saying "thats a lot of mix" she loaded up the oven, and made 6 loaves! I know! Like jesus! only hot.

Remedy for a Chilly Thursday

I sat there wondering if there is really any point being there if I couldnt record it somehow for the blog. I mean sure I have a photo from the phone, but that lacks definition and obviously- movement and sound.

I thought of reviewers of the past and how they would rely on words and choice phrases to evoke the mood and setting of the night, but I think I can almost feel your eyes glaze over as my sentences grow...

But it was an old fasioned gig last night at the Old Queens Head. It was a lounge, with a glitterball; old leather couches; lushly upholsted lounging chairs and tables set up with plenty of room so you could sit and watch the band. It certainly is my new favourite venue. Even apart from the fact this was free it seemed to me had a real community feel to it, and I really enjoyed being able to sit back and listen to some live music! Each band had at least one amazing song, and although there was a screechy (and female singer) theme that ran between each band had stand out performances.

Here is my briefest take on the night
Young Paul
I mean they said it themselves when they said it was karaoke... Why is the mac the only thing I can hear? it's a common problem that the mac goes straight through the PA but the guitar just through the amp. At times I couldnt tell if it was plugged in. And I mean nice shirt and all but to me (and I know I am just being picky) wear your stage clothes all night, dont put the shirt on after soundcheck in front of everyone- wheres the magic? Stand out song was the one about the major chords.

Palpitations
Slightly wonky aethestic with guitarist and singer were glammed up and the rhytm section thought they didnt need to bother. However they held the band together with great restraint. Stand out song- the last one no doubt. I dont think its on their myspace? surely its a single. I was actually blown away by it (but I am a sucker for spectoresque intros)

The DeBrettes
"enjoy the show" she said, and I did- she was everywhere, however like a dog on a lead could only stretch as far as the lead would so we were safe, but I did think she shocked a rather sophisticated couple when she was on the table. Stand out song Rage was released at the start of Oct and produced by Gordon Raphael (BTW)

Chapter 24 rounded off the evening with surf guitar led choppy eccentric rhythms that would change without warning. I thought the singer was really cool for some strange sophisticate reason. Oh and young paul should note that the drummer wore his top hat all evening. oh and the girls were going to go until they turned the sign on- great little prop as with the teapot.

Hey and the website for the old queens head (which is really rather good) was apparently created by delete so if you want some, come and get it!

William Blakes Grave

You know how it is, you get use to a place and then from out of nowhere peers something you have never seen? well we were heading to brick lane on Sunday, the clouds split just enough to leave dappled light on one of the best poet/engraver's in the world's grave...

oh- cool new artist

With his Victorian etchings with a penchant for duplicity the dark fantasy art of Dan Hillier lept out at me in the up market. Check him out!

nude

ok, well so without turning this in to a coffee blog, had great coffee at this place in brick lane yesterday. Nude. Which no one was nude so apart from that let down had a great flat white just over the road from the upstart market on Hanbury street. Hey its good!

More Human than Human

Had a lovely breakfast with L. today (there was no milk at home!)

Hammersmith Tube Station is an unlikely place for a peaceful and pleasant dining experience, but Antonias really captures something with its hideaway position and fabulous service. Lunch is great as well with a choice of al dante pasta and tasty toppings. So if yr hungry around there> snubb Mcdonalds with its 5am start (!) and disregard pret, head to something human!

PS photos from the iphone- not too shabby with a small size hey?