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Sep. 8th, 2009 @ 09:40 am (no subject)
I watched the first half of the C4 9/11 documentary last night and it bought back all the memories of the day with a rather unsettling brute force. So much time has passed that it seems hard to connect the affairs of today (living in a town now renown for it's repatriation ceremonies) with those short few moments that did more to change the world than any other that I have known. One piece of footage really made the transition from a disconnected observer alone in a room many years removed to reliving the day. Moments after the second plane hit the south tower a man is heard to surmise that this must be a terrorist attack. He repeated the exact same words that I used at almost the exact same time.

Harsh

I didn't see the second half as I was interrupted by the return of a poorly Hippo in need of some care and attention. A problem I considered more pressing and immediate.

I happier news, I commited acts of scrumping at the weekend. Riding home from the Moreton-in-Marsh Show on Saturday I was feeling a little peckish when I passed an apple tree overhanging the road. The apples were beginning to fall and guessing by the abundance still hanging on the garden side, the owner was not desperate to preserve this harvest. I plucked a shiny red one from the branches and took a large, lovely sweet bite revealing a crisp flesh mottled in red from the skin inwards to a sharp white centre. I have no idea of the variety but it was lovely so I took on home to the aforementioned Hippo. She was pleased.

A lot of hazlenuts seem to be falling so I'm hoping to collect some of these this season.
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Jul. 13th, 2009 @ 04:37 pm (no subject)
600k ride has now been done. 363 miles in total and I am now suffering the consequences. Nothing monumental to report about the ride save the epic downpour overnight and the last 100k being into headwind up a series of long slow climbs. 37 hours total.

Food eaten in order of appearance: 3 oat and raisin cookies, coffee, tea, coffee, apricot danish, twix, banana, powerade, chicken pasta salad, banana, snickers, sausage roll, coffee, pork pie, powerade, flapjack, coke, pasta bake, squash, pasta bake, apple pie and custard, banana, juice, flapjack, birthday cake, coffee, flapjack, snickers, powerade, banana, flapjeck, cheese & pickle sandwich, Lucozade hydration drink, 2 egg + beans on toast, coffee, shortbread, flapjack, juice, 1/2 pack dextrose tablets, flapjack, 2/3 bag of nuts. All washed down with an estimated 2 gallons of water.

Counties ridden through in order of appearance: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire.
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Jun. 26th, 2009 @ 11:16 am (no subject)
I'm bordering on feeling guilty that I have no opinion on the death of Michael Jackson.
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May. 11th, 2009 @ 09:38 am (no subject)
A brief chat with John Higgins.

Also at the Bristol Comics Expo was John Higgins who is currently soaking up the fame for being the colourist for Watchmen. I guess for many the notion of a comics colourist is like that of a painter and decorator is to a interior designer. However, both writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons have both been very clear that Higgins contributed well to the quality and atmosphere of the story and was afforded a great deal of freedom to apply his own expertise and creativity.
Higgins, or more likely Higgins slightly sleazy agent, was giving away sketches with purchases of his first graphic novel (Razorjack), so I joined the queue. Whilst I waited I chatted with Higgins and the guy in front of me whose sketch Higgins was working on about photography. He really seems to enjoy the depressionist era work of photographers like Arbus and Lange and how they told the tale of the collapse of the last vestiges of the frontier culture of America.
When it came time for my sketch, Higgins apologised for the wait. I replied that it was enjoyable to watch a piece of artwork come out of an artists hands, a Tony Hart moment (oh the embaressing nonsense that I can spout at short notice). He told me that his partner had once been featured in The Gallery and still had the certificate for it.

In the authors own words, Razorjack won't win any literature prizes, but I, like The Guardian think it's worth a read. Hopefully others will to because, if it does well, Higgins is showing some promise to be a good storyteller.

Higgins' Rorschach will be taking framed pride of place on my living room wall.
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May. 11th, 2009 @ 09:34 am (no subject)
A Brief Chat with Gary Spencer Millidge.

For a man who's comic output rivals William Gibson's literature output for huge gaps between product, he seems remarkably calm in facing fans who may rightly be a tad miffed. Now I'm not one to demand that artists and authors meet their audience's exacting demands, but a four trade paperback story started in 1997 probably should have been finished and delivered by now. However, at the Bristol Comics Expo yesterday, he did at least have the modicum of decency to express an intention to get the long awaited final chapter of Strangehaven completed and out on the shelves as soon as was reasonably possible.

Actually I'm being quite harsh on the man. He seems like he genuinely wanted to finish the work some time ago, but hasn't been prepared to a) turn down the paying work that keeps him in food and shelter and b) compromise on his quality of work. I think that as a fan, you really have to respect that. For anyone (probably no one who reads this) interested in completing a collection of single issue comics of Strangehaven, there may be some disappointment. Millidge is aware of the business issues and probable demand for the comic and thinks that he may have to go straight to trade and consider a print on demand service for the waning number of loyal die hards.
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Apr. 17th, 2009 @ 01:00 pm (no subject)
Out on the course at last. Cue the fiasco.

I arrive at the HQ a bit later than expected and due to the rain and general misery of the evening I rashly plump for the empty #2 slot. Then as I mooch back to the van to get changed I see the starter loading his signs into the car and head off. Suddenly it's a disorganised rush to get changed, check the tire pressure and spin out to the start, on a bike that I can't ridden since I reconfigured it. In fact I haven't ridden fixed for two weeks.

I roll up to the start line as the #1 is pulling away so I'm lining up my wheel with barely any time to spare and as the pusher grabs my bike he says "fixed wheel, is that wise tonight?" Very inspiring.

The rain doesn't ease, the crosswind is cold and distracting, I pick up my minute man at the three mile mark and my legs start to ache shorty afterwards. Other than that, things seem to be going well. On a course with three turn arounds I can keep an eye on all the people following me and it's looking like I should be clear to cross the line without being caught (no big deal in a field of 10 riders).

Then disaster strikes. With about two miles left I throw my chain to the outside. Fatalistic mode kicks in immediately and I presume that I'll not be finishing the ride. As I continue rolling out I descide that there's no way I'm walking the four miles back to the HQ in the cold and the rain so I decide to stop and try and get the chain back on. It grinds back on with the second attempt. At that point I realise that the next person behind me still hasn't made the final turn around just behind me so I jump back on and start pushing for the finish. I don't quite have the courage to hammer it in case the chain does something really nasty.

I cross the line first with a time of 28.38. I could have saved at least 30 seconds by not being a slack chain twat. I'm just grateful that this didn't happen on a good day when I might have clocked a PB and that the chain didn't jump into my spokes, leaving me as a greasy patch on the road.

As soon as I can get at least a minute and a half off this time I'm going to buy a bigger chainring.
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Mar. 30th, 2009 @ 08:11 pm Open Point
Page 5: half page two panels 2x1, half page 1 panel

1> In gallery but with new picture Miles has hand on Chantelle's back guiding her. Text around the subject matter "If you take a look at the foreground in the relationship to the background you can estimate that the photographer was standing at this angle."
2> Repeat but with new picture. "It opens up more about the photographer and how they approach their subject matter.
3> Overview of the gallery with central column greyed out. Showing Miles and Chantelle moving around the gallery viewing each picture from a seperate angle.

Page 6: 4 panels. 1 x 1/3 wide, 2 x 1/6, 1 x 1/3 wide

1> View from outside the gallery with Miles facing Chantelle as they stand by the door. Text" So it turns out that she doesn't like the photographer much but she invites me to join her for coffee. Her name is Chantelle
2> Miles & Chantelle walking away down Charlotte Street. Miles has hands in pockets. Chantelle has hands out enthusing to Miles.
3> Coffee shop seen from street. Long view into shop with Chantelle collecting coffee from counter and Miles pulling chair out from a table.
4>Miles and Chantelle sat at table. Chantelle leant forward, Miles sat back. " Chantelle tells me about the art she likes, mostly the tactile nature of sculpture.

Page 7: 6 panels 2x3

1> Miles & Chantelle still sat at table. Empty coffee cups in front of them. Chantelle "So..."
2> Repeat. Miles "Umm... what?
3> Repeat. Chantelle "Is this it..."
4> Close up on Chantelle, smiling, mischievy. "... or am I being invited to dinner."
5> Miles close up. Wide eyed surprise.
6> Repeat. "... ... ... of course.
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Mar. 26th, 2009 @ 07:56 pm (no subject)
Looks like I may have found a place to learn to ride a unicycle.

Huzzah, Swindon has raise itself above arse end of the world for at least another day.
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Mar. 26th, 2009 @ 07:07 pm Open Point
Page 3: 8 panels 2x4

1> Protagonist (Miles) from shoulders up viewing a picture from a few paces back.
2> Same picture but new character has moved into view. New character is young woman, dark skin, mid length straight hair with highlight. She is obstructing Miles view of picture.
3> Repeat of panel 1 with different picture and Miles viewing from a slightly different angle.
4> Repeat of panel 2 with Miles demonstrating frustration (exclamation marks over head?)
5> Repeat panel 3, new picture & different angle
6> Repeat panel 4, Miles is now very frustrated.
7> From panel 6, Miles steps in front of new character (show movement).
8> From panel 7, New character (Chantelle) "Excuse me".

Page 4: 6 panels 2x3

1> Close up of Miles face with a raised eyebrow, looking down nose.
2> As P3:8 Miles "Um... "
3> " " Chantelle "I'm trying to look at that".
4> " " Miles "You just stepped in front of me".
5> Rotate angle of view to display head to head but keep on same sides of panel. Chantelle "Oh... I'm sorry", Miles "Not a problem"
6> Text "I explain how I like to try and match the angle of the photogrtapher when looking at pictures.
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Mar. 21st, 2009 @ 06:26 pm Chain gang
Today's fun came when I joined the second half of the Swindon Road Club and joined the fast group. Despite my experience as a rider, I am not nearly as fit as some of these race veterans and ended up clinging on to the back of the group for dear life as they kept upping the pace.

All I really wanted was a hill or a descent where I could turn my skills to my advantage and reel in some of the front runners but it was not to be.

Sometimes there is no substitute for brute force and ignorance and I am now paying the price for my lack thereof. It also doesn't help that I'm scared of riding in large tight groups. It takes time to learn to trust both the people in front and the people behind at the same time.
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Mar. 20th, 2009 @ 11:55 am Skids
Went out and get taught how to skid a fixed wheel bike last night. Very enjoyable, save my tutor throwing himself over the handlebars in an attempt to perform a bunny hop.

I'm really enjoying the fixed wheel feeling at the moment. It really connects you to the bike, the road and the world around you in a way that nothing else can. It's not better per se but very immediate and visceral. Needless to say, I'm not yet brave enough to go brakeless and doubt I ever will be unless it's on a nice safe indoor track.
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Mar. 18th, 2009 @ 09:44 pm Open Point
Page 1:

Wide scene, top 2/3 page London skyline, Midday. Either aerial view from east side picking out Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Monument etc. or view from Waterloo Bridge, South Bank and London Eye, Thames and Houses of Parliament. Detailed out to to mid ground and then silhouetted background. Blue skies punctuated with little lazy clouds. Some vibrancy.

Bottom 1/3 Text: (italics) The happiness of London is not to be conceived but by those who have been in it. I will venture to say, there is more learning and science within the circumference of ten miles from where we now sit, than in all the rest of the world. - Dr. Samuel Johnson. (/italics) That's my London, where an adventure can start on any street corner.

Page 2: 8 panels 2x4

1> Text: Another Saturday in the summer...
2> Street scene. Long shot down Percy Street towards Rathbone Street. End of focal length on frontage of gallery on south side (light shade, still midday. Nominal pedestrian traffic.
3> Text: Another afternoon of gallery hopping.
4> Closer view from south side pavement of front of gallery with poster in window depicting the presence of a photography exhibition.
5> Glass door of gallery just ajar. Hand of protagonist on handle in lower right corner with top left quarter of panel filled with bottom right corner of poster for previous. Remainder, unfocussed interior of gallery.
6> Text: I'm out for a little inspiration...
7> Text: maybe some aspiration too.
8> Hip height view of the interior of the gallery from adjacent to the doorway. Protagonist in fore ground. Central column in mid ground. Remainder of gallery has six-seven people in half silhouette viewing large framed photographs. Plain gallery downlighting. (Alt: Getty Gallery, Eastcastle Street).
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Mar. 16th, 2009 @ 01:10 pm (no subject)
Neither cold nor rain nor gloom of night shall keep me from my riding.

I have now earned the right to claim this badge now that I have completed a 200k+ ride in twelve consecutive months.


Only 204 other people in the country have claimed this badge, which makes me feel a little bit special right now.
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Feb. 19th, 2009 @ 04:07 pm (no subject)
Redemption. Only a little though Mrs. Smith.
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Feb. 19th, 2009 @ 09:31 am Geekery
I'm not one prone to flights of techy fancy, but this one really is quite lovely.

This really is the way that technology designers should be thinking in terms of sustainability. A rare piece of truly useful innovation in consumer electronics. When I finally give my phone more abuse than it can reasonably sustain, then I will very seriously consider getting one of these.
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Feb. 15th, 2009 @ 11:30 am (no subject)
Section 76 non-Protest

There's an event happening at New Scotland Yard tomorrow 10.30am that is absolutely not protesting police misinterpretation, over-zealous use of and occasional abuse of their powers under section 44 of the Counter-Terrorism Act. Powers that are to be further enhanced by the new section 76 that comes into full force tomorrow.

Unfortunately I can be there, but I would encourage anyone who can be there and cares about preserving their legally protected right to ta,ke photographs in a public place without let or hindrance, against which no legislation exists to head down to New Scotland Yard tomorrow for around 10.30am and take some photographs. Remember, this isn't a protest, it's just a bit of photography.
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Feb. 1st, 2009 @ 08:42 am (no subject)
Whilst I was tumbling down mountains in Switzerland last weekend, my compatriots from the London Fixed Gear and Single Speed Forum were out being remarkably civilised.

Now I have another ride to add to my growing calendar. Now to spend the next year seeking out some Tweed

Five English Pounds to the first Daily Mail journalist who can turn this event into an a la lycra louts story.
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Jan. 10th, 2009 @ 09:00 am (no subject)
Israel have managed to hit a brand new low. If using remote drones to kill boys playing football and shooting eight year old girls with Apache gunships where abhorrent enough, they've decided to go one step further by herding over 100 people into a so called safe house and then shelling it.

I'm well aware that, given the history of the country, there is a lot of emotional and political concern over likening Israel to the Nazis, but I'm pretty certain that constitutes a line being crossed.
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Jan. 8th, 2009 @ 09:36 am (no subject)
A blood boiling moment this morning when a professor and alleged expert on energy suggested live on BBC News that we stop bothering with energy efficient lightbulbs and just whack up a load of nuclear power stations, coal fired power stations with effective capture and wind turbines so that we can have enough energy until we come up with some better designed bulbs that are as efficient and people like.

Somehow this apparently learned man and disturbingly foolish muppet, completely ignored three especially important facts:

1) The amount of time required to commission, construct and bring on line a nuclear power station.
2) The limitations of the existing technology of carbon capture.
3) Our inability to supply electricity at the existing level of demand. Even with a massive and widescale programme of renewables infrastructure on a par with our national expenditure on overseas military operations would not be likely to meet this gap if we can't be bothered to modify our behaviour and reduce our demand. And that's not even considering the widescale Daily Mail fueled nimbyism that this nation suffers from.

Congratulations, the Great British Public needed to be further misinformed on energy.
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Nov. 11th, 2008 @ 07:12 am (no subject)
The Energy Advisor job is finally getting under way. I'm now qualified enough to start training. This has included a two day change management session in Exeter which really was of limited value for someone on their second day in post. Still, it is handy to see what kind of baggage the existing and now transforming service is hauling around.

I also took the opportunity to hit the streets in a place where I lived a long time ago. It's an odd feeling, being a tourist in your own past. Your expect familiar faces to be around the corner and get tempted to knock on doors to see if you'll still be welcome. In the end it was just new version of old faces and they neither know you or care. It was nice, in a vaguely dark and dismal sense, to take a look around, but as ever, you can't go back.
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