Well, with all this excitement about the World Cup and England being as terrible as one might expect – I feel that I should assist the nation with a public service.  That service is to bring you all down to earth with a full and frank chat about why Lofts are great and will always be exciting to go into!

Now, on the face of it – you might think I am mad.  Perhaps you think I should keep to my latest obsession of posting Lomo photographs and stick to what I know rather than delving into the world of moribund topics.

But no – hold forth on your judgements and behold some revelations about the world of lofts and other childhood places of intrigue.

Loft Door (2010)

Ever since I was a kid, certain places have always excited me.  Whilst at the core, I always knew they would probably be disappointing – the mystery of what lay behind certain doors or up the top of certain ladders could not fail to instill a sense of wonder in my simple mind.  Amazingly, now in my 30’s, this effect still takes hold!  Lofts, Cellars, Disused buildings – any place that is rarely visited by human feet and is behind a closed door holds a certain appeal.

Loft Rafters (2010)

THE MOST EXCITING LOFT I EVER WENT INTO

So, imagine the joy that fell upon my simple face, when I had the chance to go into the loft above the hall at the college I work at.

This met the brief on a number of different points:

1) It was a loft

2) It was at a college (and the place I work) so held even more excitement and mystery

3) I had to climb onto the roof to get in there and as any self respecting person knows, going on a roof is a guaranteed good time.

Loft Blocked Up Door (2010)

WHAT MYSTERY LIES BEHIND A LONG CLOSED DOOR?

So was this mystery place as exciting as I had hoped?  Well, no – obviously not, but that is kind of besides the point.

Up until you open the door, the sense of mystery still remains – what lays beyond it is unknown.  Rarely do people go up there, so there is always a chance of finding something incredible, unseen by eyes for many decades.

In my limited experience of exploring such locations, I admit that I have never found anything exciting.  A bag of cement ( gone hard) or some smokeless fuel perhaps, but never anything that could really live up to my initial high expectations.

Lofty Wine (2010)

THE GOONIES EFFECT

So what is the appeal when the reality rarely meets expectation?

Well, this is the point of my post (besides showing some moderately interesting photographs I took up there).

I blame it on The Goonies.  Not just The Goonies – but that whole kids adventure genre, where a romping good yarn begins by finding something in a loft or a barn or a run down derelict property.  You know the sort – kids have hard life as parents are cruel – kids want something to break the monotony of suburban existence – kids find shed/barn/building/loft/cellar and go in to look around – a few random things scare them and then they stumble across a map/treasure/hobo/alien/monster/criminal – there begins an adventure that 1) gives them some excitement 2) makes them realise their home town is great 3) makes them realise their friends are great and their enemies are actually there friends 4) makes them realise their parents are great; and sometimes 5) gives them some form of riches that set them up for life.

Now, anyone who grew up not looking for such adventures, clearly had a miss spent childhood – as building dens and going into lofts looking for maps is clearly how one should spend ones formative years rather than being stuck behind a X-station-wee-advanced playing video games.

Loft Pulley (2010)

And that is my theory.  It is rather simple and a bit rubbish I know, but a theory none the less.  That excitement instilled in us as children, that a Famous Five style adventure is entirety feasible and is actually quite likely to happen if you go to places you shouldn’t and explore places that few men tread, stays with us to adulthood.

Of course, I speak in the plural here, when I can only really account for my own actions.  Although nothing of consequence was found during my loft adventure, part of me did still believe it was possible I would find something exciting!  And whilst that belief, no matter how small, rest in your soul – child like excitement at doing rather unexciting things will remain!

Before I go, I would like to share with you a funny loft story from when I was younger.  Call me a strange kid, but sometimes I used to go into the loft just for larks.  No real goal in mind, just an excuse to clamber up and have a look around – after all, who knows what could be up there.  Anyway, one such day, as I stuck my head through the hatch, I saw my brother.  But he was meant to be at work – doing his Saturday job at the local shop.  I was rather confused and slightly shocked at seeing his face staring back at me.  My immediate thought was he had been sacked and didn’t want to tell my parents so was hiding in the loft so he could pretend he had been at work.  I quickly asked him what he was doing, to which I received no reply.  It was then I realised I was looking at my own reflection in a mirror which had been placed just by the hatch.  What a fool I felt.  True if not sad story!

Loft Rubbish (2010)

Loft Abstract (2010)

As I mentioned in my previous post FIELD TEST – WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GIVE A VERY SMALL CHILD A CAMERA TO PLAY WITH? I mentioned that I batch processed about a years worth of films after having delayed so for lack-of-financial reasons!  On one of the 35mm films, I found some shots taken when being a “responsible adult” on a school trip to London.  First stop was the Victoria & Albert Museum for a general peruse, followed by a visit to the Design Museum to see Super Contemporary alongside a Javier Mariscal retrospective.

As always, I have little or nothing to say about the exhibitions – if you were interested in that, you should have gone yourselves

But I did take a lot of photographs that day, which is much more interesting.  isn’t it?

SCHOOL TRIPS TO LONDON AND THE PAIN OF COACH TRAVEL

Coach Window (2010)

Taking a coach to London is generally a rubbish idea.  Nobody does it, apart from 1) old people on a day out, 2) broke people who are using Megabus and of course 3) school trips.

It is slow, uncomfortable and ultimately frustrating.  Why anyone would choose it as a method of transport is beyond me – when there is another means, take it!  That’s what I reckon.

Anyway, as I was on a school trip, there was little choice – but at least I had a camera for company and being one of the “responsible adults” I got to sit at the front under the watchful gaze of the vast windscreen, which provided almost constant entertainment from its reflection.

If it wasn’t for putting the bus driver off, who probably thought I was some kind of coach spotter, I would have taken many photographs of it.

Desgner Curtain (2010)

Floor // Foot // Shadow (2010)

THE DESIGN MUSEUM, LONDON

To be honest, I wasn’t that interested in visiting the design museum!  I went on the trip as it was a day out, generally speaking – I find graphic design a bit of a dull thing to view in a museum or gallery environment.

Ignorant I am sure – but I see design around me every minute of every day and it does little for me in this setting.  I am sure it is because I am missing something and I get why good design is artistic, important and clever – but it usually leaves me a little dry.

But, where there is dullness – there is always interest.  The eye wanders and spots a line, shape, shadow or colour and the whole trip has been made worth it.  Luckily, photography means the whole world is your museum and anywhere you find yourself, something interesting will find you.

JAVIER MARISCAL & SUPER CONTEMPORARY

Jazzy Paintings (2010)

Come on then – lets mention something about the exhibits on display.  First up, I can remember little or nothing about the Super Contemporary show!  I seem to remember there was a few interesting pieces of design in there, but generally – I wasn’t that bothered by it (see above!).

BUT – Javier Mariscal, yeah that was actually rather brilliant.  Whilst I was aware of Mariscal’s work, I had no idea what his name was or who he was!  I had simple absorbed his illustrations in various guises and various mediums.

Perhaps one thing most people might know his work from is Cobi - a cubist dog that was adopted as the mascot for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.  Reports have it that Cobi soon became the most profitable mascot the games has ever seen.  Cobi went on to have his own cartoon!

All in all, Mariscal’s work was playful, colourful, highly diverse and highly prolific!  It was a joy to see and a bit like stepping into the mind of a slightly deranged child!  Brilliant.

Check out his work (http://www.mariscal.com/) as it really is worth some investigation and is colourful in a way only the Spanish seem to be able to pull off.

SKY V (2010)

Nice!  I love school trips.  Not only do I get to see art and get paid for it, it is also a great chance to go to our fair capital city and take photographs…and get paid for it!  Long live the rule of the technician.

The BBC’s parties and issues pages – gives an overview of the main parties and what they stand for

www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com – take a quiz that will tell you what your political leanings are!

Find your candidates – www.politics.co.uk lets you search for your constituency and find who is standing and the stats on previous election results

UK polling report – find the latest poll information for your area

vote!

VOTE!

With the election just around the corner, I remain to be amazed by the number of people who tell me they are not going to vote, or someone they know is not going to vote.

I am sure everyone is almost at the end of their tether with politics – this election has been more in your face than perhaps any other I can remember.  And, as the polling day comes closer and the polls keep making the outcome more unpredictable, the parties are getting desperate to be the one to stick in your mind when you come to make a cross in a box on Thursday.

So what is it all about?  Why bother to get up of the sofa and vote at all?  Is there a point to voting and if you think they are all scum- why should any get your vote?  Even if you do decide to vote, then it’s not going to make a difference.

I have been on my high horse about this for a month or more, trying to convert the non-voting fraternity into coming out and putting their money where there mouth is.  In fact, putting their money where there mouth isn’t – because no vote means no say. With election day upon us in under 24 hours, I attempt here to sway any reader who is considering exercising their most futile democratic right – not to vote.

THE “HISTORY DICTATES YOU SHOULD” ARGUMENT

The history of Parliament is a long one, the origins in this country run back 1000 years or more and for the world as a whole, democratic ruling systems are numerous and ancient.  In Britain, parliament established itself to give the general population a stake in decisions that affected them to balance out the pure will of the monarch.  The ‘Glorious Revolution’ in 1688 led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and the main control of the state turned to the elected government.  For less than 400 years we have had the right to choose who governs us based upon their values and policies.  A generation is generally considered to be around 20 years, meaning 20 generations have had this right.  Only 20 generations!  That’s nothing in the history of humanity.  Just 20 of your relations have lived in a democracy in Britain rather than a dictatorship.

REASON 1 – People living 20 generations ago had no right to have a say in how they were governed, and as such, were at the mercy of a monarch.  Not voting puts you in the same position as those people – being dictated to and at the mercy of a ruler you have no say in or influence over.  You are effectlivly electing to live in a dictatorship.

THE “PEOPLE HAVE DIED FOR YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE” ARGUMENT

Perhaps the most worn argument is the “millions have died to give us the right to vote”.  Of course this is true and I suspect many people dismiss it as it is a bit of a sensationalist argument – because it is!  If people die for your freedoms, then you owe it to them to vote.  It is a cliche, but there is undeniably an element of truth in that.  What is the point in us standing up for what we believe in, through World Wars and terrible suffering, if we then revoke our ability to have a  say.

However, I think more powerful is the right of women to vote.  It was only in 1928 that women were granted the right to vote on the same terms as men.  My nan lived at a time when women had less say in how they were governed than men.  For only 82 years have we as a country had a full and equitable say in how we will be run.  This time frame is too short to betray by a non vote.

REASON 2 – I am not sure there is a more powerful argument as to why we should vote than this.  Everyone knows the suffragette’s story and I will not regurgitate it here.  Needless to say, the fact it took until 1928 must be one of the biggest disgraces in our recent history.  To not vote is most certainly an insult to the suffragettes.

POLITICAL STICKER ON TRAFFIC LIGHT

THE “YOU CAN’T COMPLAIN IF YOU DON’T VOTE” ARGUMENT

I sincerely believe that by not voting you have no right to complain, for the length of that parliament, at how the country is being run.  If you opt out of being a part of that decision, then you effectively opt out of the right to moan.  The vote is one of the most powerful tools in our democratic arsenal to have a stake in the laws that will be passed and the decisions that will be made.  Granted there are probably some exceptions to this rule, but I think they are few.  One I can think of is if you live outside of society, independent and of your own means – then you earn the right.  You do not participate, impinge on or affect the system you would be voting in.

There must be other examples too, but generally speaking, if you participate in society (by that I mean – the welfare state, state provided services like refuse collection, health and policing, paying taxes and receiving benefits, using subsidised services of any kind etc) then like it or not, you are buying into the system.  We all have the power to step outside the system – live outside it either by the way we conduct our life or by moving to another country.  Other than that, whether from choice or necessity, you are part of it.  If you are part of it, you should express your view as to how it should be run, it is your responsibility as a cog in that machine.  What is more – then you can begin the joy or criticising it.  You have your stake and therefore earned your right to a say in what is done.

REASON 3 – If you participate in society, it is deeply hypocritical to not exercise your ability to say how it is run.  Like it or not, we are all part of it and so all partly responsible.  Voting enables you to have some influence, no matter how small.  If you haven’t stuck your head above the parapet and voted for someone, then what gives you the right to criticise any of them?

VOTE FOR CHANGE

THE “MY VOTE DOESN’T COUNT” ARGUMENT

Everyone’s vote counts.  Stating that a vote makes no difference is literally nonsense.  Of course, you are 1 in 46 million registered voters, but that is still a part.  Any colony based life form relies on its population all playing a part in the whole.  Strength literally is in numbers.  Look at the turn out and at the last election, 61.28% of registered voters actually bothered.  Suddenly you are 1 in 28,188,800.  These numbers are not huge – Labour got a bit over 9 1/2 million of the popular vote in 2005.  If another few million people bothered to have their say across the country, the face of politics as we know could be utterly different.  Just think, if the electoral turn out could get up to 70% then that would be not far off 5 million more votes being cast.  As it stands, four people in every ten that you walk past in the street are not going to express a view.  What does that say about us as a whole?

I guess the question I ask myself, is do those 4 out of 10 really have just cause and reason not to vote?  Do they have a sound argument to back up their decision?  If 4 in 10 bees in a hive stopped bothering to participate – the colony would soon collapse around itself.

REASON 4 – Whilst you are literally 1 in 28 million, you are still part of that equation.  Cliche’s are both frustrating, but also true – where would we be if everyone decided not to bother?  Currently 40% of us choose not to bother and that is a frighteningly large percentage.  8,250,000 people bothered to vote in the last series of Fame Academy – that’s about a third of the number who vote in elections, which is, frankly, a pathetic statistic.  Fame Academy is literally insignificant.  Who rules our country is not.

It is percentages like that which allow extremest to get into power.

FOX TORY

THE “NONE OF THEM REPRESENT MY VIEWS” ARGUMENT

The other point that non-voters often make is that none of the parties represent their views, so there is no point in voting for any of them.  To this, I would suggest that view is slightly ignorant.  Where in the world is there someone else, let alone a group of people, that you agree with entirely?  Diversity is what makes our society so interesting, productive and successful.  For a democratic system to work, political parties have to appeal to a large number of people, and, as such, it is highly unlikely and extremely unrealistic that one person will agree with every aspect of their manifesto.  If parties did not work in this way, then we would have hundreds of independent MP’s and no decisions would ever be made.  Unfortunately, having to appeal to several millions of people is the price you have to pay for the system of government we have adopted.

However, given the fact that you get one vote to state who you think is best disposed to make decisions on your behalf for the coming 5 years, is it really true that not one party or individual is even slightly better than the others?  Even if you don’t really like any of the candidates there isn’t one that is slightly less hateful than the others and therefore better to have in place than another?  After all, one of them will be elected and by not voting you are having no influence or say over that.

REASON 5 – Wouldn’t you prefer to have the person who is slightly less shit than the others in power, rather than the really shitty one?  Your taxes are going to help towards their 60 odd grand a year as it is, so you may as well decide who is most worthy of your hard earned cash!

IT MATTERS MORE THAT YOU DO…

JUST VOTE

Look, I think that is enough banging on about this.  You are bored, I am bored and you know I am right!  Above are 5 reasons against 5 of the main arguments why it is worth your while taking 5 minutes out of your day tomorrow to have a say.  Love it or hate it, this is the system we have and you really should be a part of the decision making it.  If you truly do not believe in any party, person or system – then go and spoil your ballot paper.  Those are counted up and still count as a statement if enough are spoiled.  Better still, have a vote and then stand for election yourself next time and see how many people agree with you.

One of the biggest debates in this election campaign is over whether to have a discussion and possible referendum on the political system we have.  That is a massive opportunity to affect the power of your vote – read up about what a system like proportional representation would have on Britain before you make your final decision.  For a quick way to illustrate the point, play with the BBC’s Election 2010 seat calculator.  Check out the percentage of the vote the Liberal Democrats would need to get a majority government!

How can you not be excited about an election?  It gets everyone talking and debating the issues that count.  This year, I have seen more personal messages and views in people’s windows than ever before – and that is a good thing.  Just ask anyone from a repressed political state who faces imprisonment for expressing their political leanings.

Before you say it, I know all these arguments are very basic and life is more complicated than I have stated above.  I know my arguments are simplistic and probably riddled with inaccuracy and contradiction.  I know there are millions of counter arguments to be made.  But shit, for the first time in a long while, the dissolution with politicians is really in the fore front of the public mind, and this election is your chance to comment on that.  Do not waste your chunk of power to have a say – get out there tomorrow and make your mark.

Remember – it matters more you do than for who (unless it is for the Tory’s of course!!!).

Just vote!

P.S – I promise this is my last political post for a while   Normal fun living service to resume imminently

#30 - The Mix That Never Was

A NEW DJ MIX FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Well well well.  Mr Philip Wellington is thirty years old, who’d have funked it.

Whilst said celebrations happened a slice over a month ago, it is not too late to rejoice.

THE STORY OF CREATION

Shall I tell you the story behind it’s creation?  Its not a long one.  I obviously attended the Wellington 30 party at the bottom of The Globe in Brighton – and a fun night was had.  I was rather drunk.  I also had taken a selection of records, both of my own pleasing and of a philesque persuasion. For all intentions, I was certainly going to play them heartily on the night.  However, circumstances conspired.  I dillied and I dallied – other DJ’s came and went and before I knew it, the night was coming to an abrubt end with door stuff shuffling us begrudgingly out the doors.  Hence, my 30th birthday set never was.

A couple of weeks ago, I was just getting round to putting my records back on their selves and thought – NO, why not play the records and re-create the set that could have been.  Record it, do a funny cover and pass it to Phil as a belated item of birthday gratitude.

LET ME TAKE YOU ON A MUSICAL JOURNEY THROUGH TIME & SPACE!

Hence, the mix that never was…well, was,  is – in fact here it is:

I trust you will enjoy – it will take you on a 2 hour musical journey through 30 records and many genres.  The file is downloadable through Soundcloud at www.soundcloud.com/asomatous/30-the-mix-that-never-was

OR – as a special treat, , you can download a high quality mp3 along with the artwork in a handy zip file. Simply enter the code: OWMEA in the box below to enable the file to be downloaded…once you enter the code, this page will re-load and there will be a new link to download the file (note – its about 160MB big!):

If your interesting in the tracklisting, behold…

#30 - The Mix That Never Was Tracklisting

Disco Is Dead (2010)

POST LONDON CLUB NIGHT BLUES

Went to Fabric in London at the weekend to celebrate my brothers birthday.

I used to go to Fabric a lot when I was younger, it was far and away my favourite venue.

This time round – I was shocked by the sheer number of people meandering through the corridors. It was packed, too packed.

Perhaps I am finally too old to appreciate such nights and should stick to smaller more descrete parties!

It was a good 3 hour journey back to Brighton, after having left the club some ungodly hour in the morning.  When I finally stepped back through my door at half 9 on Sunday morning, the first thing that occurred to me was to deface the DISCO stamp on my hand – as seen in this image.  I then took a bad photograph as evidence of my thoughts.

IN HINDSIGHT, I APOLOGISE – DISCO IS STILL A LIVING BEAST

Of course, in my decrepit state at that time of the morning, extremely sleep deprived and hang over kicking in – I did not consider the impact of my actions.

I would like to publicly state that Disco is not dead – it still lives and breathes with unfathomable soul and gusto.  It is simply insane missions to massive London super clubs that are dead!

GOD BLESS YOU BOO WILLIAMS – YOU ARE A DISCO KING

As way of proof, and to apologies to my peers, I would like to present you with a truly amazing Disco mix – courtesy of the truly amazing Boo Williams.  Needless to say, I love this mix more than my own mother (sorry Mum) and would happily stab a man to get a copy of each record Boo plays.

Come back on Boo and carry on playing!

P.S – if you don’t like this mix, then there is something wrong with you

I am going to keep this brief, but wanted to share with you all a few quick stats regarding the Royal Bank of Scotland and British Gas and how their recent financial results perfectly illustrate why we need a change in the system and our attitudes to said system.

There are a few posts in draft regarding the need for a British revolution so let this wet your appetite for more to follow!

ROYAL BANK OF SHITHEADS

Royal Bank of Shitheads

You own this bank, literally.  After the bail outs during the so called ‘Credit Crunch’, the state now owns 84% of RBS.

On the 25th February 2010 (sorry for being a bit slow at getting this post uploaded!!!), they announced their financial results for 2009 as being a £3.6bn loss. 
It also came to light on the same day, that they paid out bonuses totalling £1.3bn to it’s staff. 

There are 61,399,118 people in Britain.  Bearing in mind we own this bank that is haemorrhaging money, now divide the £1.3bn in bonus payments between 61,399,118 and that means that every man, women and child in this country effectively paid out £21.17 of their own money to the monkeys who ran the organisation into the ground.

That, in my eyes is grossly unjust and I would prefer my £21.17 to go to a myriad of alternative and much more worthy causes.

BRITISH GAS-BAGS

British Gasbags

I suppose this one is less poignant really, but I wanted to include it on account of hating all utility companies with a passion and having had very poor experience of many of them, including British Gas.
Also, I find it hard to equate how a natural monopoly such as gas supply (or electric, water and rail for that matter) should be owned by private companies and especially be making vast profits from them.

British gas made a profit of £595m for the year ending April 2009 – a jump in profit of 58% from the year before (£376m).  Coincidentally, this massive rise came at a time when their prices kept creeping up because of the supposed increase in oil price.
In 2009, British Gas had a total of 15.7m customers, meaning that each and every one of them paid the equivalent of £37.90 into the shareholders pockets.  £37.90 for increased prices and laughable customer service.

Facts like this make me angry.

Hello pop pickers.  A little late on the uptake of uploading a few images from this night, but better late than never hey?

The lovely lit back room bar at Concorde II

A couple of weeks back, on Thursday 18th February 2010 to be precise – the musical movers and shakers of Brighton united, to put on a fund raiser at the Concorde 2, Brighton,  in aid of the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

It has to be said – this is one of the best gigs I have been to in ages.  I went a triffle unsure as to whether it would be one of those wishy washy something yet nothing nights, put on by some people without much direction or experience.  However – the nothing could be further from the truth – the night was well programmed, diverse, interesting, unique and above all – had an awesome carnival like atmosphere!  Never has fund raising been so much fun!

WHERE IS MY FREE MUSIC – TAKE ME TO SEE THE REVERSE ENGINEER

The Reverse Engineer spinning some dub. I like dub.

I promised you free music – so lets take a brief side step so those of the more gready readers amongst you can sink your teeth into the good stuff!  One of the reasons I knew about this night was because musician and Our World My Eye regular – The Reverse Engineer was one of the DJ’s on the billing (spinning a fine collection of Latin, Dub and Afro-beat).  As it happens, this young pup is also my brother – hence the connection runs deep!
Anyway, The Reverse Engineer has just released his latest album, which can be purchased for the bargain sum of five English pounds.  However, if you are too tight for that and would prefer to sample some of his musical creations for free, prior to committing to buy – then there is hours of free music to download on the website as well.
PLUS – he also runs a music blog.  What more can you ask for from one place? 
For all the lowdown and to get your free music – just visit:

www.thereverseengineer.co.uk

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR HIGHLIGHTS

OK, if I must…my two highlights of the night were as follows:

1) John Soliman – one of the great things about the gig was the extra curricular activity going on, including a wandering magician going by the name of John Soliman.  When he first rocked up, I was a bit sceptical that he would be a bit naff and the tricks dull (as can sometimes be the way with magicians), but as it turned out – not only was he a very charismatic entertainer, but a great magician as well.  Sadly, I was too gob smacked at his card handling skills to think of taking a photograph, but check out his website for more info: www.solimagic.com

Nhasitifara front man's amazing head dress!

2) Nhasitafara – they were the band of the night for me, absolutely awesome.  Fronted by Papa Linos, a noted Mbira player, the group punch out music that in there words is a”fuse the sounds of traditional Zimbabwean mbira music with the powerful brass and vocal sounds of afro-beat and funk. Their influences range from Fela Kuti, Bob Marley,Thomas Mapfumo, Tony Allen and Burning Spear.”

Ultimately, not much can be said – they have to be seen and heard.  I had seen Papa Linos around and about in Brighton many times, playing the Mbira in the street and never expected him to have such energy and passion as a front man to this group.  Amazing – I urge you to check them out and see them if you get a chance…you won’t be disappointed!  More info at their site www.nhasitafara.com

The night brought out all the stars!

OH WHAT A NIGHT

Generally, it was a great night – and from what I hear, raised a good few thousand for Haiti.  Huge props to the organisers for such a great night and I sincerely cross my fingers that they make this a regular event!  Brighton is crying out for a regular night like this!!!

Incidentally, the man pictured with the star on his head makes some rather pleasant T-shirts under the guise of Knofler – check them out at http://www.knofler.co.uk/

DIGITAL LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

The Ceiling of the Concorde II with interesting colours!

Before I go – a quick word about low light digital Photography!  I generally don’t take my camera to gigs as I prefer to enjoy the night and not document it.  But thought it might be fun for this night, and it was one of the first times I have done really low light stuff with my digital Nikon D80.  I have done heaps of night photography on film, so was interested to see how a digital sensor would handle things.  My conclusion – I need to do some research!  Not quite sure how reciprocity failure fully relates to digital and obviously noise is a bit of an issue in these images.  But – quite impressed with the results given I wasn’t using a tripod and essentially just taking snap shots.

Watch this space – might take the D80 out on a night time sortie and see what happens!

CHRISTMAS WIND-DOWN (2009)

Greetings, greetings, greetings.

I hope everyone in web land is feeling fine and full of beans for the new year ahead.

I trust a pleasant Christmas and New Years Eve were celebrated by all?

Fun, frivolity, food?

Socialising, sleeping, snowing?

I had a good time (thanks for asking) – but not feeling too rested as generally did too much.

Wanted to get the blog-ball rolling for the new year and thought I would present you, for your aural listening pleasure, a nice mix to bring yourselves down from the excitement of the past few weeks.  Does that sound nice?

SPANKING NEW SHINEY LOVELY TECHNICS 1210’s MK ii

Thats correct – after being in the dark place for about a year and having no decks, that problem has now been rectified with a lovely pair bought on ebay.  Finally I was reunited with my records and celebrated shortly before New Year by playing a selection of fine tunes.

That selection has been uploaded to the lovely people at Soundcloud and is available from there or from below for you to enjoy.

I do not proclaim to be a technical genius – I do not claim to mix – but a fine selection of music I can guarantee.

You can listen to the mix or download it from here: http://soundcloud.com/asomatous/john-house-christmas-wind-down-mix-2009

The tracklisting is below.  Enjoy.

1) Jingle Bells – Frank Sinatra
2) Yardbird Suite – Charlie Parker & Miles Davis
3) Muskrat Ramble – Louis Armstrong
4) Michel Legrand – Southern Routes
5) What’s My Name? – Hot 8 Brass Band
6) White Room – Cream
7) Cry, Cry, Cry – Roxy Music
8 ) Star Wars Theme – Cantina Band
9) Lowdown Popcorn – James Brown
10) Funky Nassau (pt 2) – The Beginning of the End
11) Bam Bam – Sister Nancy
12) Dub Be Good To Me – Beats International
13) Blame it on the Boogie – The Jacksons
14) Leaving – Diverse
15) Status – Mr Lif
16) Ring My Bell – Anita Ward
17) No Surprises – Easy Star All Stars
18) Up Town Top Ranking – Althia & Donna
19) I Chase The Devil – Max Romeo
20) Victory Dub – Tenor Saw
21) Jah Dread – Augustus Pablo
22) Music Dub – Horace Andy
23) Gold & Silver – Toots & The Maytals
24) Fire In The Vatican – Max Romeo

Just a quick one to get you in the mood.

Went to London yesterday and had another gander at Nick Knight’s SHOWstudio exhibition @ Somerset House.  A whole host of photos and a review coming soon.

Been there a few weeks ago and they have a casting instillation, where a camera records you answering some questions – then, the most beautiful get called up to a photo shoot.

It happens that I turned 30 last week and so had a number of cardboard masks of my face lying around (again, images and story to follow!).  So, I thought my under 30 face should do a casting rather than my actual over 30 face.

Behold the results below.

To see the video on the SHOWstudio website and see more casting videos, visit http://www.showstudio.com/project/fashionrevolutioncasting/

RUBBISH INNER CITY (2009)

IT JUST TAKES A MINUTE TO BAG IT AND BIN IT

Just a brief post for now – but got loads lined up in drafts – so will be sending a barrage your way soon.

First up – this picture illustrates myself.  I am a rubbish blogger.  I have neglected you for too long.  I am sorry.

BRIGHTON’S BIN MEN ON STRIKE

Moving on, took this on the morning of the first day of the recent strike in our fair city at the start of November.  (more info on the Argus website here).

I wasn’t that interested in the strike to be fair – maybe they had a good reason.  Maybe they didn’t.  Happens so regularly kind of don’t pay attention any more (is that bad?).

What did interest me was the scene above.  It was the first day of the strike and this was the amount of rubbish left at one recycling point at Preston Park at 8am in the morning.  Thats just insane.  More than being annoyed about a strike – we should be disturbed at the amount of rubbish that amounts in such a small amount of time.

I cannot believe in today’s climate (forgive the play on words) – when the enviroment is such a concern, how little people seem to care.  Despite all the evidence, publicity and chat – people are too lazy to try and actively reduce the amount of waste they produce.

For me, the strike made me question our policy towards waste, rather than get upperty about the workers striking.  Personally I think we should start penalising people who don’t recycle.  Penalising people who produce more than an acceptable amount of waste and start to introcude a tough stance on people who just don’t care of bother.

Still – little chance that will happen as the government and most political parties are too scared to ever make a significant stance on anything as they are too pre-occupied with trying to please everyone.

Bollocks to pleasing everyone – some people are just wrong and those who make no effort to protect the planet are high on that list.

RUBBISH IN A CITY MAKES A RUBBISH INNER CITY

This was the recent slogan of a campaign to stop a recycling plant being built at the old meat market in Hollingbury, Brighton.  The slogan was a bit naff and the whole campaign was plain stupid – but thought their slogan was appropriate in a way.  Rubbish in a city does make a rubbish inner city – but not due to strikes or building recycling plants – but because individuals refuse to take personal responsibility for their actions.

Rant over.