Blog Feed: The Year Zero

Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins

Published on 2012-05-17 17:00:28

Sill infatuated with Lolita. Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: 1962, bert stern, lolita, nabokov, photo, picture, stanley kubrick, still, sue lyon > read more

Jack

Published on 2012-05-17 16:33:21

Whom I’ve blogged about before. Filed under: objet d'art, photography Tagged: beat, Jack Kerouac, mugshot, on the road, photo, picture, portrait > read more

Warhol

Published on 2012-05-13 16:04:19

Filed under: objet d'art, photography Tagged: 1980s, andy warhol, limousine, new york > read more

Julie

Published on 2012-05-13 15:13:41

Filed under: objet d'art, photography Tagged: hawaii, julie andrews, photo, picture, portrait > read more

Lynch

Published on 2012-05-13 02:00:05

Filed under: objet d'art, photography Tagged: david lynch, mulholland drive, photograph, portrait, sebastian kim, twin peaks > read more

Liz

Published on 2012-05-13 00:32:01

The one and only. Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: 1965, cover, elizabeth taylor, vogue > read more

Two Princes

Published on 2012-05-12 16:32:42

More info. Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: monarchy, nicky phillips, painting, picture, portrait, prince harry, prince william, royal family > read more

Dance with me

Published on 2012-05-12 13:29:16

Oh how I wish we all danced like this. This time next week I’ll be at a friend’s wedding. Weddings are the rare occasions on which I ‘dance’. Filed under: music Tagged: dirty dancing > read more

Sun Salutations

Published on 2012-05-01 17:13:57

Blogging is rather like doing exercise (which in my case has traditionally been going running or going to the gym) – you go through phases of being ‘in the zone’ and you do it and enjoy it a lot, but … Continue reading → > read more

Views from the top of the Shard

Published on 2012-04-09 16:34:04

This has been all over the news the last 24 hours or so, but the video is dated 1 year ago so I guess it’s only just come out. As someone who really struggles with heights – I find it … Continue reading → > read more

Gearing up for the 2012 London Tweed Run

Published on 2012-04-09 15:49:14

I was delighted to receive an email from the organisers saying that I was successful in the ticket lottery for this year’s London Tweed Run, taking place on Saturday 6th May. My bike, though a modern hybrid, is jet black … Continue reading → > read more

Nineteen eighties, New York

Published on 2012-04-09 14:41:14

That part of me that still feels stuck in the 1980s? Yeh, that… The track is from that great 80s movie, Crocodile Dundee, during a party scene in New York. The song is ‘Live it up’ by Australian band Mental As … Continue reading → > read more

Vignettes – 26/03/2012

Published on 2012-03-26 16:08:51

Food shopping in Tesco in Covent Garden after work. Then a rare journey home by bus. Too sore to cycle after having run 6 miles for Sport Relief (in 58 minutes, a time I’m pleased with) yesterday. Next stop is … Continue reading → > read more

Witnessing a road rage incident against a cyclist at Millbank Junction this morning

Published on 2012-03-12 16:06:05

This morning I looked forward to cycling to work as it was a beautiful, clear spring day. Little did I know at the outset that I would end up witnessing a particularly ugly road rage incident directed against a London … Continue reading → > read more

Starting as they mean to go on

Published on 2012-02-28 15:44:46

Chuckled when I came across this as it reminds me of myself (and others who shall remain nameless). Filed under: fragments of the past Tagged: 1950s, german royal family, vintage > read more

You shouldn’t need to be a stunt rider to get to work

Published on 2012-02-28 14:36:08

Great video and the message rings true after a “cycling on constant red alert” journey home. As usual it came as little surprise that 95% or so of my fellow cyclists this evening were the usual MAMILs (middle-aged men in … Continue reading → > read more

There was a time when men were kind, when their voices were soft and their words inviting

Published on 2012-02-25 15:12:20

Did I mention that I saw Les Miserables for the first time a few weeks ago? Third row from the front in the middle – a great night out – highly recommended. Shocking to think I’d been 10 years in … Continue reading → > read more

The night is so pretty and so young

Published on 2012-02-24 16:16:17

When I lived in Japan we did karaoke very frequently. It’s different to doing it in the West. In Japan, you go to proper karaoke ‘parlours’. Every booth was themed, ranging from jungle book to something space age. You’d pick from … Continue reading → > read more

If…

Published on 2012-02-24 15:24:46

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and … Continue reading → > read more

Flashride on Parliament Square

Published on 2012-02-22 16:23:41

I joined a 2,000 strong ‘flashride’ after work this evening. It was in support of The Times ‘Cities fit for Cycling’ campaign which itself has resulted in a large number of MPs being contacted by their constituents – something I … Continue reading → > read more

Cake baking

Published on 2012-02-19 05:17:25

Made an almond and orange cake yesterday. Came out really well – very dense and moist. 5 eggs, 350 (!) grams of ground almonds, the zest and juice of 2 oranges and 1 lemon – plus lots of sugar and … Continue reading → > read more

High above the Valley of the Kings

Published on 2012-02-15 15:08:57

As ever, the picture is better if you click on the cog and choose 720HD. This is a somewhat belated video from my Egyptian Nile cruise holiday last autumn. I previously blogged about the Abu Simbel trip, a horse-drawn carriage … Continue reading → > read more

Back in the saddle

Published on 2012-02-12 17:24:19

  I can’t seem to stop buying bicyle-related stuff; really I can’t. After vacillating I have now bitten the bullet and ordered the Rolls Royce of cycling saddles. In fairness it was £60 (on offer at Chain Reaction Cycles) which isn’t all … Continue reading → > read more

Come ride with me

Published on 2012-02-12 12:32:05

I went for a bike ride yesterday afternoon as it was such a beautiful (though very cold!) day. The camera, attached to my coat, really wasn’t facing where it should have been which resulted in rather dull footage. To try … Continue reading → > read more

We danced all night – encore

Published on 2012-02-09 17:13:49

Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: 1920s, 1921, art, art deco, sven brasch > read more

We danced all night

Published on 2012-02-08 15:30:33

Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: 1910, art, art deco, sven brasch > read more

Hot cheese sandwiches and champagne cocktails at the English bar

Published on 2012-02-04 14:42:54

Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: brideshead, brideshead revisited, evelyn waugh, happiness, happy, quote, venice > read more

Cycling vignettes – 01/02/12

Published on 2012-02-01 16:18:14

AM Very cold cycle into work as it was below freezing. I bought a (fairly cheap) high-viz jacket a month or so ago and it’s surprisingly warm considering it’s not all that thick. It also keeps out the wind which … Continue reading → > read more

Remembering Aloysius

Published on 2012-02-01 15:10:03

(via zelempa) This picture reminded me of my trip to Castle Howard a couple of years ago. Always been fond of Aloysius. Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: anthony andrews, art, brideshead revisited, illustration, jeremy irons, sketch > read more

One day more

Published on 2012-02-01 14:40:52

From the 25 year anniversary concert at the O2, London. A wonderful evening last night at Les Mis at the Queen’s Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. Still can’t quite believe that I’ve lived in London for over a decade but had not got round … Continue reading → > read more

Alfred Dunhill 2011-12 Winter Lookbook

Published on 2012-01-09 16:00:32

Liking the hair; liking the look. More pictures here. Filed under: objet d'art, photography Tagged: alfred dunhill, aw2011, aw2012, fashion, menswear > read more

Rhapsody in blue

Published on 2011-07-03 18:01:35

(via Michael Sloan) If I have still not made it to the New York office by this time next summer – rest assured I will, finally, stay true to my word and leave the company – irrespective of how much I … Continue reading → > read more

It’s a sin

Published on 2011-07-02 16:57:15

Huge Pet Shop Boys fan here. Filed under: music, videos, youtube Tagged: 1980s, pet shop boys > read more

Brief Encounter (Part 1 – Seat 38E)

Published on 2011-06-30 15:48:29

This post is part one of three. In its entirety it constitutes 2,000 words that I wrote following a fateful flight between Calgary, Canada and London Gatwick last year, but never posted. It’s about a connection I made with a perfect stranger. > read more

Pommes dauphinoise

Published on 2011-06-27 14:24:43

I recently finished reading Nigel Slater’s autobiography, Toast. I adored it as I knew I would. Read this extract and then buy, borrow or cadge the book; you won’t regret it. Pommes dauphinoise (pages 241-244) When my father was alive our > read more

Splendid isolation

Published on 2011-06-25 15:40:59

Source: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Filed under: objet d'art, photography Tagged: ballet, dancing, splendid isolation > read more

Jeux Olympiques, Stockholm 1912

Published on 2011-06-25 14:29:48

Far from being recent, the notion of the Olympics as a PR opportunity for the host nation dates back to 1912, when Stockholm provided the first purpose-built stadium, the first concerted Olympic advertising campaign and the first official poster, all > read more

Children of tomorrow

Published on 2011-06-23 15:51:29

Bruce Pennington, British fantasy artist Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: book cover, bruce pennington, children of tomorrow, illustrator, sci fi, spaceship > read more

Central Park

Published on 2011-06-23 14:49:41

Central Park, 1934, by Carl Gustaf Nelson Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: 1934, Carl Gustaf Nelson, Central Park, new york, nyc > read more

The Great Gatsby

Published on 2011-06-21 14:09:06

(via Hannes Beer, re-imagining the front cover) J’adore. Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: 1925, f.scott fitzgerald, great gatsby, long island, we danced all night > read more

George Hoyningen-Huene, 1930

Published on 2011-06-20 16:06:11

George Hoyningen Huene was a Russian baron who emigrated to Paris early in the 1920s. He had close family links with the fashion industry and initially worked as a sketch artist in his sister’s fashion house. After a period studying Cubist pain > read more

Rouge pour couture le fuchsia

Published on 2011-06-18 08:53:58

(via neonico) Filed under: objet d'art Tagged: ysl > read more

Harrison

Published on 2011-06-18 06:36:48

For me, Harrison Ford had a certain something back in the 1980s, and in fairness, probably through into the ’90s. He was 40 in 1982 when Blade Runner (above) was filmed. Filed under: movies & films Tagged: 1980s, blade runner, harrison ford > read more

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom

Published on 2011-06-12 16:11:13

Source Image © Leo Newball on Flickr. So said  JG Ballard – a true prophet for our time and an author I covet beyond most others. If you are familiar with Ballard’s oeuvre and the motifs that endlessly repeat – the quote is so ve > read more

Vignettes – 10/06/11

Published on 2011-06-10 18:09:38

After work I wandered into a Marks & Spencer food hall trying to decide what to buy for dinner. The next thing I knew, a mouse (or rat, I couldn’t tell which – though it had quite a dark appearance) scurried out in front of me. It was > read more

The Year of Living Dangerously

Published on 2011-06-07 16:56:37

  One of my favourite movies starring my favourite actress (Sigourney Weaver) and a prior favourite actor, until he turned into a fruit-loop (Mel Gibson). Have always loved the haunting soundtrack, the music is ‘L’Enfant’ by Va > read more

Domino Dancing

Published on 2011-06-04 11:00:00

  The “Domino Dancing” music video was directed by Eric Watson and was director’s sixth of the 11 collaborations he had with the band. The storyline is a love triangle between two attractive young men fighting over one girl. It > read more

Please don’t call (I’m wondering why)

Published on 2011-06-03 17:23:18

      Filed under: music, youtube Tagged: dido, eminem, stan > read more

Eyes wide shut

Published on 2011-06-01 16:16:05

It seems like forever since last I blogged. In fact it’s about 5 weeks. A month came and went – May – during which time I didn’t get round to blogging. But life hasn’t been so bad. A week on an island off North Africa an > read more

The Royal Wedding in pictures

Published on 2011-04-30 15:00:48

(All photos taken either by myself or S) We had a pretty good vantage point along Horse Guards Road. I’m reasonably tall (well, 6ft), which helps. We got there sometime after 10am (not bad as there had been people camping out). So we certainly > read more

Post holiday blues

Published on 2011-04-14 16:33:52

What is it about that first week back at work after a holiday? I was not looking forward to going back to work. I try to remember other jobs, some that feel like a lifetime ago, when I actually (he says, perhaps wearing rose-tinted glasses) – w > read more

Flying past the roof of Africa

Published on 2011-04-10 08:09:29

We caught a small twin otter aircraft that flew us from the capital down to the coast. You don’t fly particularly high and it’s very noisy (and no bathroom). The journey is about 1.5 hours. I am in love with Kilimanjaro – ‘the > read more

Returning to Pudding Island

Published on 2011-04-07 17:01:15

Forgive me, I have just finished reading William Boyd’s masterful Any Human Heart and in it he refers to the UK as ‘Pudding Island’; I concur. You’ll need to read the book to understand the term, suffice to say it isn’t > read more

Step by step, heart to heart

Published on 2011-04-07 16:07:28

Why is it that the 1980s feel like they were yesterday? Filed under: fragments of the past, music Tagged: 1980s, martika, pop, toy soldiers > read more

Rushing to paradise

Published on 2011-03-25 17:58:59

In 24 hours time I will be on a plane bound for East Africa, to visit family. To say ‘I can’t wait’ is an understatement. Much of the trip will be spent residing on the Indian Ocean, enjoying what can best be described as ‘R&# > read more

Gentlemen may prance but not dance

Published on 2011-03-20 17:13:29

How is one to find the perfect young man, either they seem to be half-witted, or half-baked, or absolute sinks of vice or else actively dirty… All very difficult. Nancy Mitford, letter to her brother Tom, June 1928 I’m currently reading a > read more

Shadowlands

Published on 2011-03-20 04:14:10

I took quite a few pictures yesterday morning on my walk along the Thames. This is a self-portrait in shadow. I quite like the ever-so-slightly sinister looking shadow figures on the right. I didn’t really have a huge bag – that’s j > read more

The view from the bridge

Published on 2011-03-19 19:17:54

The weather in London today was impossibly good. Dark, sapphire skies. A primal bright yellow sun. A friend had stayed over and so this morning we went for a walk. From the flat we walked along the Thames, passing Tate Britain and then Mi5 at Thames > read more

Sun going down over New York

Published on 2011-03-18 15:40:34

(via Ryan Edward Miller) Filed under: photography Tagged: new york, photography, sunset > read more

Joan

Published on 2011-03-17 16:56:27

When I think of the 1980s I think of Joan Collins and of course, her alter-ego – Alexis Morell Colby Carrington Dexter. I was very fond of Dynasty back then, as many of us were, though I have never quite worked out why (North) Americans insist > read more

Surface of the sun

Published on 2011-03-14 18:04:46

I’ve quite liked the adverts for the new BBC science series, Wonders of the Universe, especially the soundtrack. I realised after not too long that the music playing in the adverts is one of the main theme tunes from the Danny Boyle sci-fi movi > read more

So 80s

Published on 2011-02-22 15:56:44

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve still got one foot in the 1980s, right?? Music, movies, film stars, television… I could go on. More 80s stuff on this tumblelog where I found the images. Filed under: movies & films Tagged: 1980s, > read more

Brenda Dean Paul – society drug addict

Published on 2011-02-20 17:17:47

When I think of celebrity drug addicts, names that come to mind include Amy Winehouse, Robert Downey Jnr, Nicole Richie and Pete Docherty. However – Brenda Dean Paul (1907-1959), the daughter of a Belgian pianist and an English aristocrat, has > read more

England expects

Published on 2011-02-20 09:21:52

England expects that every man will do his duty …was a signal sent by Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson from his flagship HMS Victory as the Battle of Trafalgar was about to commence on 21 October 1805. Trafalgar was the decisive nava > read more

New York, New York

Published on 2011-02-15 16:31:45

I finally got word today that the company I work for have okayed by request for a global secondment. I had asked for Sydney or New York and they have offered New York. The Sydney office is too small and the timezone difference with the UK makes it a > read more

Land of the Pharaohs

Published on 2011-02-09 15:36:37

Click for larger I took these pictures in Cairo in 2007, from Cairo Tower. I am fond of Egypt having been five times in the past 10 or so years. I was also planning on going there this autumn with three friends (to the Red Sea resort of Taba with its > read more

Hast Du Etwas Zeit Für Mich?

Published on 2011-02-07 17:06:26

So 80s. So catchy. Enjoy. Filed under: music Tagged: 1980s, 80s, 99 luftballons, eurotrash, nena > read more

Goodbye to all that

Published on 2011-02-07 16:47:21

I’ve enjoyed reading this autobiography (much of which is based on the author’s experience of WWI – a subject I have a continuing morbid fascination with). Thank you to D over at Rattling On who recommended the book. Yes – it > read more

Islands in the stream

Published on 2011-02-01 16:41:15

Love me a bit of Dolly now and again I do “no one in between, how can we be wrong… islands in the stream”.♥ There is something about country music that strikes a chord for me. Filed under: music Tagged: country music, dolly parton > read more

The East End

Published on 2011-02-01 16:18:45

I spent Sunday at my brother and his girlfriend’s place in East London. Other family came over too and we went out for lunch and a walk through Columbia Flower Market, Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, Whitechapel, etc. The East End – such > read more

Stasis

Published on 2011-01-26 15:01:53

Not a great deal happening ‘at the crossroads’. The meeting with my boss last week went OK. She indicated that a secondment to New York *is* a viable option and I think she was reading between the lines – which is that I’ll le > read more

Defying Gravity

Published on 2011-01-24 17:43:09

Finally saw Wicked this evening at Victoria Apollo. Very good. The wicked witch (not sure who played her) very good though not quite as good as the original Broadway star who played her – Idina Mensel (below). Stage set and effects were spectac > read more

The view from the glass ceiling

Published on 2011-01-18 15:03:28

I’m rapidly approaching another crossroads. This one has nothing to do with my health (thankfully) but it’s still a major crossroads and it relates to my job and career. I’ve applied for an international secondment (which could in t > read more

Vignettes – 15/01/2011

Published on 2011-01-15 19:21:12

A friend’s birthday. Well, colleague really – who I now count as a general friend. North London – Highgate. What transpired to be a packed pub. Packed to the rafters with white, braying, samey people all jostling for space. Why do I > read more

These are crazy, crazy, crazy nights

Published on 2011-01-09 13:42:20

PS *Sigh* this track won’t play in the post – at least not in UK – forces a redirect due to rights issues. Oh well. I chose this soundtrack because: a) I like this 80s classic; and b) ‘crazy nights’ kind of sums up those > read more

Crossroads

Published on 2011-01-03 11:38:44

Thank you to those who have sent messages of support in various ways – it means an awful lot. Am sorry I haven’t done individual replies yet to people who have messaged me. Trying to get my head around things at the moment. I’m sorry this is va > read more

Amidst the devastation of Ypres

Published on 2010-12-27 12:46:44

Pat Barker has, for a long time, been one of the British contemporary writers I most admire. I first came across her work when, as a teacher in Japan, I managed to persuade a student to buy me a load of books from New York (where he was travelling on > read more

Merry Christmas

Published on 2010-12-25 05:25:10

I’m at home with the family where I spend every Christmas. As a child I had very large Christmases where we would stay over with our relatives – often 15-20+ people. Very fond memories of those years.  And they were always traditional. T > read more