Archive for September, 2008
September 30th, 2008
I’m drowning in work at the moment, which is never a good thing. On the plus side climbing was a lot of fun last night and I managed to get up at 5.30am for a run and my morning exercises, so I ache abominably now.
The other bit of very cool news is the receipt of my course handbook which explained all, and in particular gave some idea of the field studies we would be undertaking. Whilst it is a little disappointing that we won’t be getting our hands dirty until later in the year but it is kind of understandable (we wouldn’t know what we were doing). All the sites are extremely interesting (Avebury, Caerleon, etc) and the days should prove to be fun.
On an even more separate note, one of the cats has just brought in a live mouse. Looks like it’s up to us humans to recapture it though. Hohum.
September 28th, 2008
It’s odd, and it’s taken me a while to track down the source of it, but over the last couple of days I’ve had several moments of a really strong need to pack my bags and head off into the world to see what ever there is to see.
It’s a combination of several things; Charlie Boorman’s television programme By Any Means, walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in July, reading Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts and a general restlessness I’ve been experiencing over the last few years. The main catalyst, I think, was a barely heard/understood conversation I had with JB in O’Neills on Friday night (it was very noisy) about our respective travel experiences, philosophies and our next or ideal destinations. That kinda threw everything into some sort of relief.
Interestingly, I was sitting in the car ont he way to someone’s house to pick up a freecycle printer when Elkie Brooks did a live acoustic set on Michael Ball’s Radio 2 show earlier today singing her new single Powerless. It was during this fantastic rendition that I had perhaps my strongest rush of this emotional inertia, this almost primeval need to get up and go. I’ve had to go online as I type this and play it again through the BBC iPlayer.
There is something about carrying all you own in a single pack that is extremely rewarding and, I suppose, liberating. This from a person who is constantly castigated for the amount of stuff he owns, but I suppose even I have that need to shed the detritus of my materialistic nature on occasion.
A camera, some clothes, a book or two, a laptop for blogging and a pad and pen for writing, and I’d be perfectly happy. Just get up, go, vanish into the vast open world to move and experience and live amongst the strangeness of every day.
Is there anything more? Sometimes I think not.
September 28th, 2008
This wiki article on dabbawalas in Mumbai really summarises my wonder and interest in this subject for two key reasons: process efficiency and organic development.
As the article states, the efficiency and accuracy of the whole system is truly remarkable, especially when you consider the volumes involved and the sheer breadth of the linkages in place. The addition of the fact that this is effectivel an organicly grown process/system/practice that has developed over years makes this level of efficiency even more jawdropping.
In excess of 175,000 lunchboxes are transported across the city by more than 4500 dabbawalas with an estimated 1 in 6 million error rating. There are a lot of companies in the world who would wish for just any one of their processes to begin to approach that level of efficiency.
Mumbai itself is a fascinating city and is one I would love to go back to and spend more time exploring.
September 28th, 2008
I’ve just been watching a C4 documentary on the Korean B-boy championships, covering popping, locking and, um, breaking (I think… I am so down in the hood).
The documentary was surprisingly intelligent and was trying to explore (in a lightweight way) whether the Koreans had become so good at the above because they really understood the background and ethos of the dances, or just because of their drive to excel. The conclusion was in favour of the former but regardless of that, I have to say the sheer artistry, skill and breathtaking ability on display was something to behold.
This film, North Korea vs South Korea from Planet BBoy, whilst generating some dispute around whether the North Koreans are indeed from the North, is a nice little showcase of what I’m talking about.
It raises the additional and interesting question about the adoption of other cultural icons or movements (such as bboy dance) into another, often extremely diverse culture and the drivers/attractors behind this adoption.
One to think about when I have time.
September 28th, 2008
my canvas
is too full of me
without you
*
fishermen
casting like prophets
in deep pools
September 28th, 2008
Book of the Day: Crow, by Ted Hughes – available here.
Dark, mythic, disturbing and profound, this is truly one of the best collections of poetry I have ever read.
September 27th, 2008
Didn’t really achieve very much today, other than spending most of it in the bar of the aforementioned Tobacco Factory, reading the paper and drinking coffee.
However, did bump into D and, whilst initially awkward, after some time he returned and we spent the whole afternoon chatting about life, work and everything. We’ve been quite distant over the last few years, with the awkwardness growing on both sides, but we parted today with a promise to meet up again soon. If this old friendship does get resurrected then I think I will have achieved a very great deal indeed today.
September 27th, 2008
This was taken from William Gibson’s blog, but I love these so much I had to highlight it myself. If anyone is going to Japan I really really want one…
steampunk watches
interview
September 27th, 2008
Book of the Day: The Ascent of Rum Doodle – available here
