We looked like this, in the summer of 1997, when we'd just got engaged, to be precise.
25 June, 2008
Once upon a time...
We looked like this, in the summer of 1997, when we'd just got engaged, to be precise.
18 June, 2008
Garden Update
Today is not really the day to be taking photos of the garden, but it is the first day i have had free with batteries in my camera, so there you go. Anyway, with a bit of work, the generosity of alex's mum and the grace of god, the garden is continuing to improve from the old jungle to something a bit more christian.
Susan Aldworth - Scribing the Soul
I took Rocky to an art gallery for the first time today. The new university arts building has a public gallery and they are currently showing an exhibition called 'Scribing the Soul' by Susan Aldworth.
It was quite strange to be in a gallery again. The last time I was in a gallery was last July. It's been a while and it took some time to acclimatise to decide whether I liked what I saw.
I think that i decided i did. Susan Aldworth paints and makes videos about the brain and consciousness. Her basic point, after studying lots of brain scans and working with neurologists is that you can't pin down people's identity by just looking at the science, however amazing the science is. A brain scan, for instance, can tell you nothing about memory, or tastes, or character. However, all those things can be profoundly affected if the brain is damaged or the chemical reactions inside it altered.
Perhaps naturally, the work that is on display is abstract. It trys to layer on projections of self or of metaphors for thoughts and chemical reactions in the brain on to brain scans. I liked it because not only were the visuals good, but it met one of my personal criteria for good art, which is that it has to say something and say it well.
You can read more about Susan Aldworth and look at her work here or watch the video below which is part of the exhibition in the gallery.
It was quite strange to be in a gallery again. The last time I was in a gallery was last July. It's been a while and it took some time to acclimatise to decide whether I liked what I saw.
I think that i decided i did. Susan Aldworth paints and makes videos about the brain and consciousness. Her basic point, after studying lots of brain scans and working with neurologists is that you can't pin down people's identity by just looking at the science, however amazing the science is. A brain scan, for instance, can tell you nothing about memory, or tastes, or character. However, all those things can be profoundly affected if the brain is damaged or the chemical reactions inside it altered.
Perhaps naturally, the work that is on display is abstract. It trys to layer on projections of self or of metaphors for thoughts and chemical reactions in the brain on to brain scans. I liked it because not only were the visuals good, but it met one of my personal criteria for good art, which is that it has to say something and say it well.
You can read more about Susan Aldworth and look at her work here or watch the video below which is part of the exhibition in the gallery.
12 June, 2008
Time off in newquay
While Alex had a fun day with the boy today, I took some time out to go to Newquay. I love my life. I love the choices that Alex and I have made about how we live. We are who we are and we're great. However, every now and then, I need a bit of time to get out on my own and recharge and today was one of those days.
I love it down on Fistral Beach. I love the power of the waves and the wind on the headland. It's beautiful. Newquay is not just for the surfers.
I love it down on Fistral Beach. I love the power of the waves and the wind on the headland. It's beautiful. Newquay is not just for the surfers.
10 June, 2008
Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust review
Sigur Ros' new album comes out on the 23rd June, entitled 'Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust' (with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly) and it's great. I got into Sigur Ros very slowly. I was able to download a few tracks from the Agaetis Bryjun album for free back in 2004, but then when I heard Takk on the NME player in 2005, I was blown away. Since then I have been a massive fan.
Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust is a big surprise but still a great album. What's surprising is its immediacy, openness and poppiness. Normally, you would expect stately sparse beauty from Sigur Ros, but opening track Gobbledygook's acoustic gallop catches you off guard and then inní mér syngur vitleysingur sounds like Pet Sounds era Beach Boys. They manage to still sound like Sigur Ros, but unashamedly happy.
góðan daginn is perhaps more what you would describe as business as normal in it's post-rock prettyness, but the feedback has been dialled down and there's a tenderness to the sound. However, við spilum endalaust is the weakest track of the album as the one moment where the happy pills overdose into a track that sounds too close to Coldplay.
Festival changes the mood though by further stripping back the sound and allowing jonsi's vocals to shine before launching back into a lo-fi instrumental that will indeed sound amazing at festivals. Suð í eyrum keeps things mellow and they've found that great drum sound again that sounded like fireworks on starafalur.
However, all the subtle loveliness of suð í eyrum gets completely trumped by ára bátur. This is not just the best track of the album and perhaps the greatest song Sigur Ros have ever written, it's rites of passage music. If I was 10 years younger, I would want it for my wedding, if I were 50 years older, I would happily have it playing as the curtains closed.
The only negative thing that you could say about ara batur is that it makes the rest of the album seem a little anti-climactic. Which is unfair as the unassuming acousticness of illgresi, the gentleness of fljótavík which melts into straumnes and the quiet finishing track all alright are all fine in their own right. They are just not orchestra and choir chewing masterpieces of pop music.
með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust is just great. It's the most accessible and fun Sigur Ros album to date. It's still true to the band's sound, but the guarded cool has been let down. It should sell millions and you will hear excerpts on every tv show for the next year, but so what, Hoppipolli still sounds great today and this album will last the test of time and overplaying. This is easily the album of the year, with a stand out track of genuine beauty.
It's out on 23rd June, but you can listen now here.
Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust is a big surprise but still a great album. What's surprising is its immediacy, openness and poppiness. Normally, you would expect stately sparse beauty from Sigur Ros, but opening track Gobbledygook's acoustic gallop catches you off guard and then inní mér syngur vitleysingur sounds like Pet Sounds era Beach Boys. They manage to still sound like Sigur Ros, but unashamedly happy.
góðan daginn is perhaps more what you would describe as business as normal in it's post-rock prettyness, but the feedback has been dialled down and there's a tenderness to the sound. However, við spilum endalaust is the weakest track of the album as the one moment where the happy pills overdose into a track that sounds too close to Coldplay.
Festival changes the mood though by further stripping back the sound and allowing jonsi's vocals to shine before launching back into a lo-fi instrumental that will indeed sound amazing at festivals. Suð í eyrum keeps things mellow and they've found that great drum sound again that sounded like fireworks on starafalur.
However, all the subtle loveliness of suð í eyrum gets completely trumped by ára bátur. This is not just the best track of the album and perhaps the greatest song Sigur Ros have ever written, it's rites of passage music. If I was 10 years younger, I would want it for my wedding, if I were 50 years older, I would happily have it playing as the curtains closed.
The only negative thing that you could say about ara batur is that it makes the rest of the album seem a little anti-climactic. Which is unfair as the unassuming acousticness of illgresi, the gentleness of fljótavík which melts into straumnes and the quiet finishing track all alright are all fine in their own right. They are just not orchestra and choir chewing masterpieces of pop music.
með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust is just great. It's the most accessible and fun Sigur Ros album to date. It's still true to the band's sound, but the guarded cool has been let down. It should sell millions and you will hear excerpts on every tv show for the next year, but so what, Hoppipolli still sounds great today and this album will last the test of time and overplaying. This is easily the album of the year, with a stand out track of genuine beauty.
It's out on 23rd June, but you can listen now here.
09 June, 2008
Rocky's First Bit of Artwork
Rocky had his first ever painting session at nursery last Friday. He got more covered in paint than the paper, but here are the results. Brilliant.
04 June, 2008
How we're doing.
We're doing alright. Alex is back at work and we're trying to settle down into our new routine again. We're all pretty tired at the moment and trying to catch up on ourselves. Rocky is happy that he has a new play pen in the living room and I'm happy as I have somewhere safe to put him while we do the washing up.
The garden is looking pretty good at the moment. The roses are coming out in bloom and there are lots of flowers around. Our new acer is looking a bit scorched around the edges though.
Still haven't seen indiana jones yet, but will do soon.
We have new neighbours, which is exciting.
We also have a new banner for our blog. I'm planning to make a few sprucings over the next few weeks and this is the start. Hope everyone who reads this blog likes it.
The garden is looking pretty good at the moment. The roses are coming out in bloom and there are lots of flowers around. Our new acer is looking a bit scorched around the edges though.
Still haven't seen indiana jones yet, but will do soon.
We have new neighbours, which is exciting.
We also have a new banner for our blog. I'm planning to make a few sprucings over the next few weeks and this is the start. Hope everyone who reads this blog likes it.
Possibly the stupidest young people in britain
Saw this report on the news tonight.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7436563.stm
While knife crime is obviously a very serious issue and a tragedy for all the victims involved, watch the bit at the end for a clip of possibly the stupidest young people in britain. You really shouldn't have to explain to a bunch of young boys why putting a meat cleaver down the front of your trousers and repeatedly pulling it out again is a very, very, very bad idea.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7436563.stm
While knife crime is obviously a very serious issue and a tragedy for all the victims involved, watch the bit at the end for a clip of possibly the stupidest young people in britain. You really shouldn't have to explain to a bunch of young boys why putting a meat cleaver down the front of your trousers and repeatedly pulling it out again is a very, very, very bad idea.
02 June, 2008
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