You know you're middle aged when...

Hope that you've had a lovely Christmas as we are now in the 'phoney' period between Christmas and New Year. Christmas is sort of over, many are off work until the New Year, whilst others are already back to normal.

Anyway, I've got various things I could be doing but yesterday I headed to some shops. I didn't need anything specific - but there were some items that if I came across in a sale I'd buy.

Before long I found myself in John Lewis looking at some nice towels in the sale. This is it, middle age is finally here as not only did I find myself buying said towels - but was actually quite pleased with the purchase...

Peace & Quiet at Christmas

A very happy Christmas to one and all.

It's a wonderful crisp morning and for the first time in many years I'm in Birmingham when Santa delivers his presents. A few years ago on Christmas Day I headed in to central London, on my way somewhere, to see how busy it was, and, if quiet, to take some photos of quiet London streets. It was busier than I thought and to have a re-read of that post see here.

This morning, with lovely clear skies, I do the same in the centre of Birmingham. It's lot quieter than central London, but there are still more people milling around than I expect, including some tourist taking the odd photo.

The old and the new - St Martins Church and Selfridges

A quiet Bull Ring - will be very different in 24 hours!

The now iconic addition to Birmingham's skyline

Birmingham Cathedral - spot the Bishop competition

More of the changing Brummie skyline.

The Christmas Bells

Back in Birmingham for a few days over Christmas and head to one of the more unusual Christmas traditions in south Birmingham - the Bournville Village Green Carol Service.

Bournville - the 'village' created by the Cadbury's in the late 19th century - has a primary school, indeed it's the one I attended. For reasons never entirely clear, the school has a bell tower complete with a carillon of bells. This means that rather than merely play chimes on the hour, there is a sort of keyboard and full tunes can be played on the large clock bells. Each Christmas Eve a couple of thousand gather to sing carols on Bournville Green as the tunes are played on the bells in the school bell tower. There are also traditional Christmas readings.

It does become semi amusing as the laws of physics kick in. The Green is one side of the main road through Bournville, the school the other. The Green is fairly large. Sound travels at 330m per second. Result - rarely are the bells and the singing in time - indeed this year during the first carol the singing managed to be both ahead and behind the music!

Still, its a decent, and well timed, service lasting 45 minutes. The prayers by the local vicar are good as they contain relevant and local prayers for both the future of Cadbury's - a massive local employer current under rumours of takeover by Kraft - and for the injured servicemen and women who end up being treated at the local Selly Oak Hospital.

Overall it's one of those wonderfully strange quirks that you occasionally come across in Britain - and not a bad way to start Christmas.

Website of the week

Just to prove anything can be improved with Muppets...

Website of the week

Some times you want to go a bit further afield than zone 6 on London Underground - or even beyond Europe.

For those looking to travel even further then the Milky Wat Transit Authority Map will be a helpful tool.

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life (Le premier jour du reste de ta vie) is a French film that tells the story of family over a period of around 15 years. There is the grandfather, the parents, their three children and the ups and downs of their lives - their matches, hatches and dispatches - in middle class suburban France.

Not a lot happens - there are no helicopter crashs, no car chases, no shootouts. What you have is a simple story, beautifully told and acted by a wonderful ensemble cast. Issues of aging, of father and son relationships, and matters of sex and love are all tackled. It mixes humour, there is a lovely funny scene around a driving test, with moments of real poignacy and it is not afraid to tackle death. Some have described the film as sentimental and overstylised - that I can see. Nonetheless, the film is a good example of French cinema and you leave the screening wondering why the UK can't make films like this.

Nominated for 9 Cesar awards (French equivalent of the Oscars and BAFTAs) it won three - all deserved. It has a very limited UK release - even in London it's only showing at 2 cinemas - but if you can find a screenings it's worth a look. The ending - with a delightful look to camera - is lovely.

Hand of God - part 2

Peter Cook best summed it up when in his 'football manager' character, "Football can be a cruel mistress."

Ireland's defeat last night to France is both tragic and, frankly, funny.

Tragic because it was harsh and cruel. England still moan about the 'hand of God goal', and that happened over 20 years ago. Hopefully the same thing - pointlessly pining for what might have been - won't happen to the Irish fans.

But it was funny as it highlighted the bizarre thought process - or lack of one - that footballers have. How often does a referee change such a big decision in a high level match - never; so why crowd round him and the assistant? Secondly, the French goal didn't actually change the Irish position, other than rule out a penalty shoot-out. At the start of extra time Ireland needed a goal to win. France scored. Ireland still needed a single goal win. It might be harsh - but they were virtually no worse off after the goal, and still had the full second period of extra time.

Football is a beautiful game - the beautiful game. Any game that produce a goal like this in a World Cup Final has to be.

There are no doubt some conspiracy theorists who reckon that as France are sponsored by Adidas - a FIFA partner - this was the result FIFA wanted. Farfetched - but football has an ugly side. Think not? Then read the excellent David Conn, Foul by Andrew Jennings, or the related Transparency in Sport website, and you'll see football's darker side.

Ireland should, and indeed have, been asking why the play offs were seeded rather than a straight draw? Linked to the fact that Portugal, France, Russia and Germany were all struggling to qualify for the World Cup Finals when the seeding idea was suddenly announced?

If you love football then ignore the glamour of the Premier and Champions Leagues - support a lower or non-league team. Ignore the big nations in the World Cup and get behind a minnow. Embrace New Zealand - OK their nickname of the All Whites may be a bit unfortunate given the host nation is South Africa, but they are a nation happy to have qualified and will have a blast.

They'll also probably hold England to a nil nil draw in the final group stage match when England need a win to get to the next stage!

Website of the week

A couple of websites to offer - similar in style to the excellent Postsecret.

First up there is Photochaining.

And there is also i got an envelope.

Enjoy - and may be participate - in web based art projects.

And this is what I blog on?

Things still a bit busy and I've not got back to blogging as much as I'd like. Was unwinding over the weekend and catching up on various stuff I'd recorded off the telly. Armstrong and Miller can be a bit hit and miss - but it has more hits than misses and the WW2 RAF pilots who talk in 21st century teen is still very funny.

Sat there watching one sketch I suddenly thought, 'hold on, I recognise that station. That's where I get on the train ever morning I go to work.'

Still can't work out if spotting this was being incredibly observant or whether it's geeky beyond redemption...

All Hallows Eve

On the whole I'm fairly relaxed about Halloween. If people want to dress up as witches, skeletons or zombies then OK - I don't think it's going to lead down some slippery slope to worshipping Satan.

Similarly I don't think Harry Potter will lead to devil worship. I've never understood the inconsistency that Lord of Rings was 'OK' yet Harry Potter was 'evil' - this largely seemed to rely on the fact that Tolkien was a Catholic and ignored that sorcery and spells run deep through book series of books. However, 'Trick or Treat' really annoys me.

Two reasons - firstly, it's a dreadful import from the USA. Had any of us ever come across it until we watched ET? Let's stand against this cultural imperialism.

Secondly, it sends really confusing messages to children. On one extreme this week we have had the bizarre playground story in Watford - on the other, for one night a year we dress children up and send them off to ask strangers for sweets.

For either reason let's not encourage 'Trick or Treat'.

And the grumpy old man rant ends...

Lets play ball

Sunday I headed off to Wembley to the NFL game. Can't say it was as close as the two previous regular season games played in London - New England Patriots did a workmanlike job of defeating Tampa 35 -7. It's not that Tampa's defence were that bad - but their offense was very poor. They have yet to win this season, and if they carry on playing like they did on Sunday it'll be a long and win less regular season.

I've now been to Wembley 3 times to see football - once association and twice American - over the past few years. It really does disappoint as venue.

Sight lines and seats are great - I've sat in very different places and each has been fine. The problem is not really the arena, it's the whole experience. It's simply in the wrong place. Getting there is not simple and getting back is worse - despite improvements the transport links are still poor for such a venue. The location is wrong - there is nothing else to there apart from go to the stadium, unless you want to shop at nearby IKEA. The lack of bars, restaurants and just general space around the stadium adds to the chaos on leaving events; as there is no reason to stay there everyone heads to the tube.

Once inside it's not much better - you queue for everything for far too long. Food is expensive, poor and takes far too long to serve, and queuing for a programme takes too long - even when they are priced at £10 so the seller rarely has to make change. Wembley likes to boast it has loads of toilets - it may well do but you still have to queue too long. This Sunday it was the longest I've ever queued at an event for the loo - which suggests whilst they have a lot of loos, the loos to people ratio is inadequate.

Wembley cost a ridiculous amount of money and hosts numerous events each year - by now any teething troubles should have been sorted. I just expect better from our 'national stadium'.

Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium is just so much better - I fear for the 2012 Olympics.

Website of the week

Been a busy week so far and it's only Tuesday.

Still - this website might make you feel better...

Blogging will be back

To say that blogging in 2009 has been 'irregular' is an understatement. 'Twas never intended to be thus.

The past five or so months have been pretty 'full on' and various things have had to be put on hold - the blog was one.

Readers may not miss it - but I do!

Hopefully it'll be back soon.

Greenbelt - Day 2

Was circulating at an event earlier and started chatting to someone. Found out they came from Michigan, USA - which seemed a long way to come to Cheltenham for a festival.

Me, "So what brings you here?

Him, "I'm with him." He nods towards someone chatting away at the next table.

I look across and don't recognise anyone.

Me, "Whose he?

Him, "Rob Bell."

Oh dear, he's only one our main speakers... I look again.

Me, "Sorry, didn't recognise him. He looks different from his photo."

Him, "Yes, he's had a major haircut."

Me (relieved), "That explains it..."

Greenbelt 2009

Have arrived at Greenbelt.

The site is up.

People are arriving.

Let the gathering commence.

My career as a burglar...

Spent a fair chunk of the afternoon trying to break in to my garage.

Weather was nice so thought I'd go for a bike ride. Go down to my garage and I simply can't get the padlock to open... and of course any tools that would be helpful are in the garage... and why did I get a lock with 'extra security'??

So, after a bit of hitting it, and the odd naughty word, I trundle off to Wickes.

Have to say that I was a little nervous walking to the checkout wanting to pay solely for some boltcutters and a padlock. Felt if I was asked, there could be some awkward explaining to do...

Still, no awkward questions - either at the store or later whilst I wrestle the padlock with the boltcutters - and the garage was freed!

Don't feel a discreet life of crime is ahead of me.

Website of the week

There is the always excellent Graphjam - but then I came across this.
Simply superb.

hattip - dizzythinks.net

The Proms

The other day I was thinking that despite having lived in London for several years, there are numerous 'London' things I haven't done. For some bizarre reason going to the Proms sprung to mind, so I booked a ticket for the Friday I returned from Devon, regardless of the programme.

Well, it wasn't your 'typical' prom evening...

First up was a piece by Jonny Greenwood. Still best known as part of Radiohead he has also done some classical and film work - his soundtrack for There Will Be Blood won a Grammy. The piece was fine, very enjoyable, though I'm not sure how the orchestra felt as for long sections the strings either have to pluck their instruments or play them as though they were ukuleles - slightly ironic as the excellent Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are playing the Proms next week.

Then there was Apollo by Stravinsky - fairly mainstream and most enjoyable.

After the interval was 'The Arches' from The Mask of Orpheus by Sir Harrison Birtwistle. The words interesting, challenging and innovative spring to mind. It came across to me as a strange mix of improvised jazz, bad experimental Anglican liturgy and the noise a group of toddlers make when they are let loose with the instruments from the toy box.

It was a little bit weird, a little bit mental, and I actually found it quite enjoyable! Not sure what the various tourists made of it - the Japanese and Korean students sat next to me, who seemed be in London to attend language school, looked a little bemused.

At least they stayed. On a Friday night I'd say the Royal Albert Hall was around half full and several left during the Birtwistle piece. As I said, not a 'typical' Prom!

Hartland

Last day of my (too) short stay in Devon and the weather is lovely. Head out to a part of north Devon I've not been to before - the Hartland area. It's a little off the beaten track - most people either shot straight past on the way to Bude or head to Clovelly - and this probably adds to its charm.

Down by Hartland Quay the shoreline is impressively rocky. Over the centuries this part of the north Devon coast has claimed numerous ships and it's easy to see why. The view across to Lundy is beautiful and clear.

After a little potter I head to Hartland Abbey. Apparently one of the last abbeys under Henry VIII, and then given to the keeper of his wines, it's been passed down through the generations and is still in private hands. Open to public at certain times it has that usual mix found in UK minor stately homes - feeling a little run down and needing some TLC in places, but still stunning with impressive architecture, furnishings and art work. From here I wander down to the coast to a quite and (fairly) secluded bay.

Recognise the house in the right hand photo? It was used in the recent BBC adaptation of Sense and Sensibility as the house the Dashwoods went to. As with many minor stately homes, those location fees probably come in handy!

The Coast and Moor

Weather a bit murky today. Well it's not so much raining with drizzle and grey skies as there is low cloud coming off the sea. Driving up over Exmoor reminded me of driving through Scotland in the autumn - though a little warmer.

Headed to Lynton and Lynmouth, two small towns linked by a Victorian Cliff Railway. Lynton sits on the top of the cliff, with Lynmouth the old small harbour town below.

I'm sure in their time they were once bustling little towns, after all a cliff railway was built to link the two, but now they sit on the remote Exmoor coast and are kept ticking over by the tourist trade. A short stroll along the coastal path is rewarded by the stunning Valley of the Rocks. Local claims that this part of North Devon is a 'little Switzerland' may be little optimistic - but it is beautiful and very like the north of Scotland.

Make my way back - via the coast, the moors and the cloud - to Barnstaple and then the evening is spent in a fantastic local pub in a small village on the edge of Exmoor. To say it's off the beaten track is to over state its transport links. It accepts only cash and cheques - a note on the door says 'we don't serve plastic food so we don't accept plastic money' - and it doesn't have a till, merely a drawer.

A great place with good food and great beer - I can't remember the last time I was asked 'do you want straight glass or a handle?' - and it is exactly as a local village pub should be!

The Tarka Trail

Weather has been a bit up and down - one day wonderful sunshine, the next full of grey skies and drizzle.

Make the most of today's weather and hire a bike to cycle some of the Tarka Trail, an old railway route in north Devon that is now a popular walk and cycleway.

I've done the southern section before - from Fremington Quay to Torrington - so this time I head north all the way past Barnstaple out to Crowe Point. Fine weather and a drink stop - purely for medicinal purposes naturally - make it a pleasant day, topped off with a lovely picnic lunch overlooking the Taw estuary.

Taking off my T shirt later I see that I have a pronounced 'cyclist's tan'!

Towards the South West

Heading down to glorious North Devon for a few days break and rather than sit in a traffic jam around Stonehenge, I took the opportunity to potter around Salisbury for a couple of hours.

Wandered around Old Sarum and then headed to the 'new' Cathedral - which has been there since about 1250. Like most cathedrals parts of it are behind scaffolding, but the interior is stunning. On the tour the guide said that the choir stalls used today are the same original ones from the 13th century. To think service have been conducted from the same seats for hundreds of years...

Around the cathedral is a lovely close and green space. The weather was beautiful and many were making the most of it, including a group of Morris Dancers. A 'typically English' scene in many respects - but I'm not sure that Morris Dancing should be encouraged!

On the way out of Salisbury I stopped at Old Wardour Castle. Going down various narrow lanes of rural Wiltshire you are rewarded with a stunning ruined castle. It's been used for various films - including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - and you can see why. A bonus was a falconry display being held on the day.

Overall a leisurely and fascinating day - so much better than being sat in a queue on the A303.

Website of the week

Okay, so I'll never make it into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame or the Baseball Hall of Fame - mainly because I'm not American and play neither sport.

I've even accepted that my call up to the England squad is perhaps unlikely and I won't make it into the Football Hall of Fame.

Still, there is hope!

Who knows, one day I could make it into the Accounting Hall of Fame.

Hattip to the Independent on Sunday.

Good and bad habits

Not sure whether blogging is a good or bad habit. If it's a good habit, it's one I'm not keeping; if it's a bad habit, it's one I can't quite kick. Which ever it is, it's not a particularly regular one of mine.

Been a strange week. The tone was set at a meeting on Monday...

The boss - "This letter you are sending out - it reads like a very bureaucratic letter."
Me - "That's because it is a bureaucratic letter."

It sort of fluctuated from there...

Website of the week

Well, you've always wanted to know how to dance properly...



And you know you'll be humming that tune for days...

Website of the week

Apparently there is a correct way to open a banana...

I don't like cricket... I love it

Having stopped off in Birmingham on my way from Southport to catch my niece in a dance recital, I head back to London on the M40 listening to Test Match Special on Radio 4.

Cricket isn't everyone's idea of an exciting and fascinating sport - especially not the Test match variety. But following the match as England held out for a draw was gripping radio - full of tension and beautifully commentated upon by the excellent TMS team.

I know it's weird that a sports match can last five days and end in a thrilling draw - but that's the beauty of cricket.

It may not be "the beautiful game" - but at times like this is comes pretty close.

A visit up north

Been a long and busy week which has been topped off with a visit to Southport, just north of Liverpool. Part of the family are just about the head off to New Zealand - part of me is very jealous - so there has been a gathering of friends and family to celebrate and wish them bon voyage.

I like Southport. Like many UK coastal resorts it's seen better times and some parts are looking a bit tired. But there is a lot of investment trying to reinvent the place (new hotels etc.), some wonderful buildings and architecture, and a beautiful coastline. I'd love to be there when the Open golf championship is being held at Royal Birkdale, I'd imagine the whole town takes on a completely different feel and the place must be buzzing.

A long way to shlep all the up the M6 for a celebration; but a good party, lovely to see people, and an enjoyable and worthwhile time.

Website of the week

This coming weekend I'll be in the north west at a family function - not a wedding nor funeral but a goodbye party as some of the wider family head out to New Zealand. Will be good fun to see everyone, though perhaps the last gathering of the clan - so happiness mixed with a tinge of sadness?

Anyway I wonder whether they will be any awkward family photos?

Welcome to 'blogging lite'

Well to say that blogging has been 'light' the past couple of months is an understatement. As most of the readers (well both) know I work in the "Westminster Village" and the last couple of months have been 'interesting'.

Suffice to say things have been busy, very busy. With work, and other stuff I'd already committed to, some things have had to take a back seat. The blog was one - and not the only one - I've still not got the 'work/life' balance quite right.

Still things could be looking up. Read in today's Observer that Lily Allen once said, "I like big chubby guys with glasses, bald head and back hair."

Blimey, I could be in there...

The Dark Side...

Have resisted for a while.

But it's no good.

I have now gone over the 'dark side.'

Canary bird's eye view

It's been a funny week. Started a little strangely on Monday after work as I ended up at Shoreditch House to catch up with someone over drinks. About as trendy a place as I'm likely to end up at!

Rest of the week been busy with various things, including double checking numbers and preparing a 'death by PowerPoint' presentation for today.

So, in one of those bizarre things that happen, I ended up spending most of the day 39 floors high above London - another place I'm never likely to come to again! In the end it wasn't quite 'death by PowerPoint', but perhaps a mild coma... ;o)

With elongated travel due to various engineering works the day was long, but good - lots of bright ideas fizzing round and real thinking and discussion, all with the glorious view of London to my left.

Sheep to the right??

Last week the above diagram was in the order of service of the church I visited.

It's probably just me, but when you need a map to show you how to get communion...

A funny old game?

Forget the Premiership. Ignore the promotion and relegation battles in the Football League. You want a real end of season top of table clash? One where the winner will get promotion? One which is a genuine local derby with the clubs less than 3 miles apart? One which is a capacity sell out all ticket match.

Welcome to the sixth level of football in England. Welcome to the Blue Square South. Welcome to the Beveree where Hampton and Richmond FC hosts AFC Wimbledon.

I've been to numerous non-league football matches - but never an all ticket one, never one which was sold out well in advance. I've also not seen as many police at a non-league match!

A crowd of over 3,200 crammed into the small ground in suburban London. Hampton and Richmond are a small community club whose main claim to fame is that Alan Simpson, one of the writers for Tony Hancock, is the club president. AFC Wimbledon are the supporter trust club set up after the creation/move of the MK Dons. They have been swiftly moving up the non-league pyramid and could be back in the league soon. AFC are top of the table, Hampton three points behind and already guaranteed a play off place. In effect Hampton need a win, AFC could settle for a draw due to their great goal difference.

The result - in the end a fair 1-1 draw. AFC will be in the Blue Square Premier league next season - hopefully Hampton will make it via the play offs.

It's a world away from the gloss of the Sky Sports and international superstars - but it's real community based 'jumpers for goalposts' football. And all the better for it.

A river runs through it

Having spent a couple of days earlier in the week walking up and down the South Downs I decided to do something a little flatter!

So I got around to doing something I've thought about for a while. Took the train in to London - as I would on a working day - and instead of getting off at Vauxhall and turning right, I turned left and set off by the Thames.

Despite the weather being less than spring like - is was a dreadfully grey day in really flat light - what a wonderful stroll it was.

It was a walk of contrasts - the haunting mass of the old Battersea power station, the redevelopment of some parts, the industry by Nine Elms and Wandsworth, and the peace of Putney and Barnes.

A lovely walking corridor through the heart of London.

Website of the week

First there was Frozen Grand Central.

Then there was Dancing in Liverpool Street.

Now the Belgians are it as well...



Does anyone just go to a station to catch a train anymore??

New in Town(er)

The Towner Gallery in Eastbourne was a lovely little art gallery. Set in an old house in a park in Eastbourne old town it was a bit off the beaten track but contained a marvellous blend of Sussex inspired art and wonderful abstract and contemporary pieces. Its move into contemporary art was largely due to the period when its curator was William Gear, a well respected abstract artist linked with the CoBrA artistic group.

For the past couple of years it has been closed as it prepared to move to a spanking new Rick Mather Architects designed building. The new gallery - next to the Eastbourne theatres and just off the seafront - not only offers stunning views across the Downs from its cafe; it is stunning itself.

The opening exhibitions are a suitably eclectic mix. There is a 'people's choice' selection which shows the breadth and quality of the Towner collection and includes works by William Gear, Eric Ravilious, Julian Opie, Roni Horn and Wolfgang Tilmanns. The top gallery contains Nowhere Man by Ivan Navarro - the Olympic sports pictographs from the 1972 Munich games are redone using fluorescent tubes and their stark simplicity and beauty works surprisingly well.

The ground floor has some works by local schoolchildren that have been inspired by works from the collection. The other contemporary display is, frankly, dreadful and shows everything wrong with modern art - but that is a minor blip.

Overall the place is a joy - exactly the sort of excellent gallery many cities would be proud of - never mind a small south coast resort. Although it's had some coverage in the national media - including the Observer and Wallpaper - it would have had hugely more if this gallery was in London.

Definitely worth a visit - it is an absolute gem.

Going up the Downs

Have escaped London to the South Downs and the south coast for a couple of days and am using Eastbourne as a base - which is a bit strange.

At Easter 15 years ago I first came to Eastbourne as my grandparents were looking to move there and we looked at various flats. Eventually they moved down and I've got know Eastbourne quite well over the years. I've a soft spot for the place - it's not particularly glamorous or exciting and it has perhaps a bit of faded glory. However, compared to other UK coastal towns it's doing OK - its seafront has a lot of lovely architecture that, due to good use of planning law, hasn't been ruined by tacky shopfronts. Above all it has the coast on one side and the glorious South Downs on the other.

I'm staying at a new 'funky' hotel - it's the type of place that has sofas in the bar with throw rugs and scatter cushions with 'Peace' and 'Love' stitched on them. It's OK - a bit different and a welcome addition to the other older style hotels that cater for the pensioner coach party tourist crowd. I would say the demographic here is a lot younger than most Eastbourne hotels - and it's a 1 minute walk from the theatres and the wonderful new Towner gallery. But...

Like many of these newly redone hotels they tend to have thought about style and forgotten that hotels also need to function as such. Yes the key fob is cute (see photo) and a wet room is very trendy - but there is no shaver point and a wet room simply means that the whole of the bathroom floor gets wet after a shower. Other little things are annoyances - the room has a flatscreen TV, but it's fixed to wall and can't be swivelled meaning that you can't easily watch it in bed - which is surely one of the small luxuries of a hotel stay! Breakfast is lovely, a continental style buffet rather than a cooked breakfast, which is plentiful and great - pity the breakfast room is nowhere near big enough for a hotel of this size. All of these are minor - overall the hotel is fine and a welcome change from others. But that makes the little annoyances worse - with just a little more thought the place could be wonderful.

Mind you - the trendy decor and scatter cushions look great now, but in 2 years will look dated and in need of overhaul. I mean cushions with 'Peace' and 'Love' in the hotel bar!?! Really...

Something smells fishy...

Below is a photo from yesterday's Guardian - I couldn't find a weblink so I've scanned it, hence it's quality.

The person circled is the officer alleged to have pushed Ian Tomlinson. Looking at the whole photo various questions need to be asked;

• several officers are wearing balaclavas, why? It wasn't cold on the day and they are already wearing full riot gear helmets so why the need for the balaclavas? If protesters wear them - or masks or hoodies - they are asked why - the same applies to the police,
• the officer circled doesn't seem to be wearing his identification number on his shoulders, why? Without these how do we even know he a police officer?
• the various incidents took place outside the Bank of England and Royal Exchange. This is in the heart of the City of London where there are numerous CCTV cameras - both public and private. Either the CCTV cameras will easily and quickly establish the chain of events, or this will prove that the headlong rush in to CCTV cameras is a waste of money and false investment as they will either be looking in the wrong direction, been deleted, or not be of sufficient quality,
• since February is has been an offence to film or photograph a police officer in a manner that might be of use in terrorism. Thankfully public order law was used re these demonstrations but given the wide use of terrorism law - most notoriously used to seize the money in Icelandic banks and when I last looked Iceland wasn't a hot bed of terrorism - will such filming be allowed in the future? Without an American trader happening to film this incident we may never have known about it.

We are repeatedly told when new laws are introduced that "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." This also applies to police - more so as in the UK there is the tradition of policing with the consent of the people.

Overall, something smells fishy - and in the words of Blackadder "I'm not just talking about the contents of Baldrick's apple crumble."

This story "has legs" - watch this space - more is going to come out...

Dress down Wednesday

One of those strange diary quirks meant that I had a meeting first thing this morning in the City of London.

The train was standing room only as normal but the Waterloo and City line, though busy, wasn't rammed. About halfway rumbling along the drain I looked around and it dawned on me - not a single person, male or female, was in a suit. The order of the day seemed to be casual trousers, smart jeans, fleece top or North Face jacket. It was the same at Bank station - though busy I spotted only one commuter suited and booted.

Walking to my meeting I passed the Bank of England (crush barriers ready) and the RBS offices - noticing that unlike many store and bank fronts it wasn't boarded up. The only people sporting shirt and ties seemed to be the various doormen and security guards who were very fastidiously checking people's passes before letting them in the buildings. Leaving the meeting at 10.30am I head to Liverpool St station - it's really quiet and I get the tube no problem.

I've always liked the contrasts of the Square Mile - Monday through Friday it's all hustle and bustle, and at weekends very quiet, empty and peaceful. Today was different still - it was fascinating to see how the whole atmosphere of the place changed for the better, on the tube and as people walked to work, simply because virtually everyone had 'dressed down'.

Defining Constructivism

All a bit last minute but I head off to the Rodchenko/Popova show at Tate Modern. Although I'd seen the review on The Culture Show, I wasn't really sure what to expect - modern abstract art, constructivism in graphic design and posters, good old fashioned Soviet propaganda?

What a fantastic exhibition. Geometric abstract art in vivid colours, a room of intricate sculpture (not really my thing) and wonderful posters covering everything from Communist Party promotion to Battleship Potemkin to the cover for a magazine entitled 'Syphilis' - I kid you not and I'm guessing not a big seller.

Perhaps not having any preconceived ideas going in to the exhibition I had an open mind and was more receptive to this type of art. It doesn't really matter - it is a wonderful exhibition.

It may not be your 'thing' - but go to it if you get the chance, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Sporadic Blogging

It's safe to say that my blogging in 2009 has been a bit 'light'. The last few weeks have been busy - things at work and other commitments have meant a pretty full on schedule - not quite the correct work/life balance...

Been pondering about it the past couple of weeks and am determined to try and correct the 'imbalance' - a lot seems to boil down to me being better at saying 'no' and learning that sitting around doing nothing can occasionally be 'a good thing'.

One of the results may be a return to more regular blogging.

Hey, every silver lining has a cloud... you have been warned...

Website of the week

'Progressive' isn't really a political term much in use in the UK - it's more a US term to describe the left-right split in politics.

But how progressive are you??? Take the quiz here.

It has a US bias - you can easily tell by the questions framed around the 'hot' issues in US politics such as abortion and gun control - but the results are interesting nonetheless.

My score - well let's just say I'm not an average American... ;-)

Website of the Week

Sometimes you just have to dance - whether you'd want to be caught on the Jumbotron at a Boston Celtics game is another matter...

I've Loved You So Long

Not a lot happens in this film. Juliette is released from prison after serving 15 years. She moves in with sister who makes her part of the family and gradually Juliette's bitterness, and the doubts of her sister's family, are overcome. It is a story of acceptance and a woman rebuilding her life with the support of her loving, if initially estranged, family.

Perhaps the fact that this is a French film helps - I can't but wonder if I would be as accepting of such a slow building film if it was set in, say, Yorkshire. There is also the 'novelty' of seeing Kristen Scott Thomas give a magnificent performance in French - although she has been based in France for several years she will perhaps, in many people's eyes, be best remembered as the wonderfully bitchy, and very upper class and English, Fiona in Four Weddings and Funeral. However, you have to doubt whether she would be offered such a role in a British or US film dealing with such a topic.

Whatever doubts you may have about seeing a subtitled film telling the story of a woman being released from prison, put them aside. Kristen Scott Thomas gives an outstanding performance supported by an excellent cast in a film that tells a simple story beautifully.

Website of the week

One way of dealing with telemarketeers.

Milk

Milk tells the story of Harvey Milk the first openly gay person elected to public office in America - he was later assassinated, along with the Mayor of San Francisco, by another City Supervisor.

The film captures the atmosphere of the times well, mixing in some news footage in with the drama, and combines how Harvey Milk motivated various disparate communities in order to get elected along with the personal lives of those involved. However, this is probably the film's weakness.

It can't decide whether to follow the political story - which shows the huge victimisation and bigotry that existed in the States at the time (and there are some parallels with the recent California Proposition 8) - or the personal stories of those involved. Either would make a great drama, but by trying to combine both the film is perhaps weaker than it could have been. I would have loved to delve more into the political story, the personal stories of the characters interested me less. The film also barely touches on why City Supervisor Dan White felt he had to kill Harvey Milk and the City Mayor.

Sean Penn is excellent in the lead role, and Emile Hirsch and Josh Brolin are both good. However, the person who saw it with me said it was 'disengaging' and that is the exact word to use when describing this film. There is a riveting and relevant story to be told here - unfortunately this film fails to make the most of the opportunity given.

London in the snow

Often London is a great place to live - today showed that sometimes it's like living in the dark ages. Overnight approx 6 inches of snow feel on London. It wasn't a great surprise - it had been forecast since Thursday and the snow started to fall late yesterday afternoon. Yet despite this the transport system today was the worst I've ever seen it London since I moved down here over a decade.

None of the roads appeared to have been gritted. The local authorities are saying they did grit them - but on the evidence I saw today (and believe me I walked a great many miles in SW and central London) gritting looked to be minimal/non-existent. This meant no buses in London - not a single one! Six million journeys a day are made on London buses - how was that going to happen today? The really annoying thing was the main roads and bus routes were not too bad - the ones I walked along were certainly passable and on the whole pretty clear. Of course the irony is that had the buses actually been running the routes would have cleared even faster.

Quite how the tubes ground to a halt is a little strange. The Circle line - which is actually underground for its entire route - was suspended all day; as was much of the network regardless of whether it was under or overground.

As for the trains... Trains in London even on a good day can be pretty dire - today was carnage. No Southern, South Eastern or First Capital Connect services. South West trains was entirely random - I hiked a couple of miles to another station and managed to make my way into work but coming home was dreadful - not a scrap of information at Waterloo and the website described a 'skeleton' service that was, at best, largely aspirational and on the whole fictional. To top it all when I did get a train it got stuck behind one that had broken down!

I know 'adverse' weather will be difficult - but this weather was well predicted and not that 'adverse'. What really annoys me in this 'information age' was the simple lack of information. South West Trains, Network Rail and Waterloo station in particular should be thoroughly ashamed.

London is supposed to be a world city, the capital of a well developed nation, the next Olympic city. Today it proved to be 'third' world - and at times not even that.

On the plus side, with all the snow, today it did look absolutely stunning.

Website of the week

As much as I like the new T Mobile advert currently on TV in the UK at the moment - see below - I really can't help thinking they perhaps got 'inspiration' from the similar thing in New York Grand Central Station last year - also below.

T Mobile advertisment


Frozen Grand Central

Indeed, back in April 2008 I commented that I'd love to do something like it at Waterloo or St Pancras - if only I'd said Liverpool Street would I have got a percentage??

Have to say I still prefer the NYC version...

The Wrestler

Randy 'The Ram' Robinson is a wrestler who in the 80s was at the height of fame with bouts in Madison Square Gardens. Now times are a little harder and he is doing small bouts in small halls in small town America. Living in a trailer park his closet friend outside the ring seems to be a local stripper.

The bouts he's now in are far from glamorous and involve items such as barb wire, ladders and staplers. They are taking their physical toil and after one bout he has a heart attack - but he has also been offered one final large pay day with a 80s style match against 'The Ayatollah'. Can he rebuild his life outside the ring, or risk his health with one final fight?

Wonderfully shot this movie really captures the atmosphere of a ageing athlete now down on their luck. It highlights the camaraderie backstage in the world of small town wrestling, and the brutality that can occur in the ring. Ultimately it is about someone looking at their own mortality and wondering 'is that it?'

Mickey Rourke is simply excellent as The Ram - vulnerable yet reluctant to give up the only life he knows. Marisa Tomei is warm and thoughtful in a 'tart with a heart' style role as the ageing stripper who is also having to accept that ageing is impacting her 'career' - it's a role that should have been bigger, but Tomei does well with the limited screen time she's given.

Personally I felt disappointed with the ending, which felt like a cop out. However, this is Rourke's movie and, unlike The Reader, you care about his character and what happens to him - he should be a certainty for the Oscar in the best he's been in his entire career.

The Reader

Set in post war Germany The Reader is a film about Hanna Schmitz, a woman who seems to have no friends and possesses a secret, and Michael Berg, a young man/boy with whom she has an affair. The story follows their lives from the post war years through to the 60s and up to the 90s.

Directed by Stephen Daldry (probably most famous for Billy Elliot) with a screenplay by David Hare and starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, this is the first of the 'big Oscar hopeful' movies to hit the UK in 2009. It has already been nominated for 4 Golden Globe awards.

It's pity that it is such a dull film. Coming in at just over 2 hours it does little to holder the viewer for huge chunks of it, and seems to contain at least 2 false endings if not more. The main problem is that neither of the lead characters is remotely sympathetic and you, or at least I, didn't really care what happened to them. Hanna has a secret, well two actually, and she keeps one of them even as the first, her war past, means that she is sent to prison for longer than her war crimes should dictate. If you've read the book, or even the review in the Independent which contained this plot 'twist', then you know what the 'other secret' is. Ask yourself this question - if you were in her position wouldn't you just have admitted your 'shame' rather than face a lengthy jail sentence? Would you rather be known as x than as a 'Nazi whore'? Unfortunately it's on the acceptance of her rather ludicrous decision that the whole film falls apart.

There are some good parts to the film. Kate Winslet is excellent, especially later in the film as her character ages, and the section set in the 60s around the war trials contained some thought provoking and interesting moments. But unfortunately these do not make up for a dull plot with leads you just don't care about - indeed sometimes they seem to vie for who is the most unpleasant. Ralph Fiennes reprises his 'cold and emotionally distant' acting that was last seen in The Duchess.

It's disappointing and I left the cinema wondering why this was made as pretty much a 'British' film when, having seen what German cinema has done with their history in Downfall and The Lives of Others, left in local hands it could have been so much more.

Hello to 2009

So how was your Christmas and New Year? How was 2008? Looking forward to 2009? How many more pointless questions will he ask?

The image is from one of the Christmas cards I sent to some friends - slightly tongue in cheek to build up my grumpy old man persona. The ironic thing was that the 'Bah Humbug' card was actually the most expensive type I sent!

I hope that Christmas and New Year was good for you - a time of joy, peace and celebration. How will 2009 pan out?

For me 2008 was a peculiar year. Many good things and one-off highlights that I doubt I'll repeat - trips to Buckingham Palace, 11 Downing Street and the British Grand Prix - and others I hope to repeat, though perhaps not soon - trip to the US and seeing the NFL game at Wembley. I felt happy and settled living in the part of London I do, and can happily see me staying here for some time - the first time I've felt that since moving to London in 1996. The career continued to flourish with a new role. So overall, a good year?

Well... I don't know. It must be because it had so many highlights, and yet... I end the year feeling somewhat restless. I can't pinpoint exactly what or why I feel this, I just do. It's nothing 'major' - there is no crisis, no really deep worries, no life changing thoughts. I'm not about to have a midlife crisis, buy a convertible and starting dating a "model/actress/whatever" - although that does sound fun! There is just a sort of restless unease sitting there - nothing more, nothing less.

I'm looking forward to 2009, and I hope you are too. May it be a year of what we'd like it to be - it's a new year, let's all grasp it.