beeker ideas

Statler + Waldorf

 

Found languishing in a Frankfurt chemist window, by Gail.

Happy Go Lucky

I know plenty of people who hated this.  And I almost didn't go because of that.  But that's the last time I listen to anyone about a film, frankly.  I L.O.V.E.D it.  It even reminded me of this a bit.  (I know. Quite the film goer this week).

Winter Soldier

Went to see this at the weekend at the ICA (who I've decided win the prize for snottiest staff ever.) 

It was a truly shocking cinematic experience.  Not so much because of the - many, gory - atrocities the ex marines talked about in the kind of truth amnesty that was organised.  The most shocking thing was the men themselves - strikingly beautiful in their youth and openness - and their own shock.  Each of them had this mixture of lucidity and terrible blockage, both in their memory and in the understanding of what they'd experienced.   

Also interesting were the different agendas of the attendees.  Some clearly wanted a forum for open confession.  Others were frustrated that that wasn't purposive or constructive enough.  Others again wanted to put the whole thing within a framework of racism.

I'm reading an autobiography from the 50s at the moment, and the other thing that struck me here for the first time, properly, was the effect of changing attitudes towards the sexes in the 60s and 70s.  Of course we all know what happened, officially, but things we (some of us) take forgranted now, like it being alright for men to cry.  It must have been strange and terrible and liberating and confusing for all kinds of natural behaviour to be condoned, comparatively suddenly.

I understand the veterans came under attack from certain predictable quarters for their appearance (without fail  magnificently hirsute), and for the way some of them chose to express themselves.  But one section in particular, which on the whole isn't representative of the otherwise very restrained, clear testimonies, made me think we've become way too dictatorial again about how we express ourselves, on the whole.  In the hallway, away from the official podium, a discussion about racism had the kind of slightly mad stream of consciousness from which really interesting things come. 

I can't explain it better than that, but you should see it if you can (although I think the run at the ICA is over).

This kind?

This is partly up here because I'm trying to get at what Tom means by round and round moonwalking.  But that discussion also reminded me how much I love this clip.  Amanda's funny pursey lips!  Piers' totally out of time clapping.  Simon.  Genius.

I'm Good, I'm Gone

Little bit more Lykke for you.  Because I liked it.

compering

Image courtesy of the lovely Lauren.

I'm going to be one of the comperes at Interesting2008 this year.  I'm very excited, but not having ever been a compere before, not quite sure what to do.  Tom suggests I 'descend from the roof by sticking a sword into a long dramatic roll of fabric and abseil down. Then, when you land on the stage you laugh, cocking your head and whisking it backwards with a flourish and slapping your hands together.  That could be the start.'

Anyone other thoughts?

New Yorker Fiction Podcasts

Now I've written that title there's not much more to say really is there.  They've just started doing them.  And it's my new favourite thing.

spoiled

Two of an incredible selection of leaving presents. 

Some Bapes I haven't stopped wearing since Wednesday.

And this book, which is a 3 volume, velcroed together box of delights for anyone who likes their anthropology visual. 

I feel spoiled to the core.

saying my goodbyes

At the end of this week I left Bloom to gambol through digital pastures new (and confuse my mum with another monosyllabically named agency).  And it's only right before those adventures begin to say a few words about the place I’ve called work-home for a while.

When Ben gave me my first proper break, back when I started freelancing with Bloom, I thought I knew all sorts of things.  Of course it turned out I didn't really know the price of fish.  Everything was in theory, and I will be forever grateful for the chance to put it into practice in such a brilliant environment.  Bloom and the people at Bloom have made me believe in a very real way that it's possible to have enormous talent, but behave as if it were nothing at all, to come across, even, as if the main thing is to be as fun and warm as possible.  And it's not affected (even thought I'm making it sound a bit like it is).  It's just what happens when people have their priorities straight.

In particular, Ben has been an extraordinary boss, combining charm, astonishing business nous and a big sense of family to make Bloom the place it is.  Credit must also go to him for lighting up the dance floor of my wedding with some truly ferocious bogling.

A special also to my planning colleague and comrade Ed, for too many things to mention here, but mostly for being the folk-playing, rave-promoting, scentless, nifty smudging, world's sole remaining (Edwardian) gentleman. 

Ed as (Salt 'n') Pepa

I will miss them both a badly.

Worsley, of course, for being a comi-tragic hero in his own ongoing Shakespearian dog drama.

And the rest of Bloom for being the warmest bunch of people I’ve worked with yet.   It's been grand.

great works online

I'm beyond thrilled that The Independent have got their online act together and amongst other things put Tom Lubbock's Great Works up.  He's one of my favourite writers, mainly because (rather like Sophie at Interesting2007) of the way he weaves stories around the art he discusses, brimming with erudition but tempered by the personal.