Why I’m smiling today
February 2, 2009
White bright snow
Warm wet kisses
NYC electricity
June 23, 2008
I finally understand why people walk around in t-shirts with ‘I heart New York’ on them. I went, I saw and I heart New York, too. The scale, the heat, the napkins with everything. Such a mad old mish-mash of people. In the most exciting and invigorating sense. It was thrilling simply walking around. I loved the art on the subway, the iced coffee, the smiley old man at the bar playing bingo (‘Oh him? That’s Taylor Mead’), the top dollar sushi at bargain basement prices, the brown stones in Brooklyn. And discovering that Americans call clubbing ‘dance parties’. Or is that just New Yorkers? Or just hip young New Yorkers with their tongues firmly in cheek? Either way, I heart it.
Hurt
June 1, 2008
Music can heal. Or, at least, spark the process.
And the music don’t feel like it did…
April 22, 2008
I’m a sucker for a good song. Music seduces, infusing the momentary with immortality. It makes sense to – and of – every part of me. Currently making my head spin are The XX. Only 18 and already heartbreakers. Somebody give them a record deal please.
Update: Someone did give them a record deal – they signed to Young Turks in Feb 2009. Which means we’ll be able to get hold of hard copies of tracks including their beguiling cover of Womack & Womack’s ‘Teardrops’ in the not too distant future. Hurrah! Get more music recommendations and reviews here.
Learner
March 28, 2008
A friend at work nudged me in the direction of the Things I Have Learned In My Life site. It grew out of a book by the graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister. This is the premise: “What have you learned in your life so far? What is it that you are fairly sure about? What is it that you believe in by now? Please do write it down beautifully. Design it digitally, photograph it, draw it, scan it and upload it. Use any media that works for you, paint, sculpture, film….” Lots of inspiring, engaging and exciting contributions to explore. I especially love this one.
The sun is shining
March 27, 2008
And that means today is all about fun. We all need a bit of fun in our lives. Here is some fun.
See through someone else’s eyes…
March 22, 2008
I’ll definitely be attending the London event on May 10th. Not sure of the location details yet but keep checking the Pangea Day website for info and updates. In the meantime, watch the trailer below. “In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference and conflict, it’s easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that – to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film. On May 10th, 2008, Pangea Day sites in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro will be linked live to produce a program of powerful films, visionary speakers and uplifting music.”
Meet TED…
March 18, 2008
Go here. Choose a video by speaker, talk or theme. Tune in. Turn on. Drop out. Okay, maybe not the last one. But do be prepared to have your mind well and truly blown. Some incredible talks on all manner of subjects spanning technology, entertainment, design (TED, geddit?) and everything in-between that never fail to jolt me out of self-inflicted misery/ennui/apathy. I particularly recommend Ken Robinson asking if schools kill creativity, Ben Dunlop talking about life, passion and justice and Jill Bolte Taylor sharing the incredible story of her stroke. Check the blog section of the site for updates on newly added footage and related items.
