Category: Living in the UK
About Living in the UK
Salt and Cold.
I really struggled through the winter to emerge relieved that finally I don’t have to cope with the awfulness of arriving at work in the dark and heading home in the dark. Perhaps I should have taken a little more holiday and enjoyed some beautiful crisp winter days so that the nights and gloom could be better endured.
Who wouldn’t benefit from more daylight? Perhaps as has been suggested, we should help teenagers out and start school later at 10 or 11am as they struggle with sleep deprivation and anxiety. Likewise primary schools should open a little earlier and provide breakfast, setting them up for a good day ahead.
In the last year I’ve taken up sea swimming, but recently a lack of courage, fortitude and daylight have limited how often I’ve driven down to the beach. When I do manage a dip over a weekend I can feel the tension of the week released from my body, my bones easing, emerging fresh and awake. I love the taste of salt and cold and it feels terrific warming up and standing on the shore looking out.
Books I’m reading pt3
I don't think it would be fair to create a "Books I've Read" post when really this is the line up of what's ahead and I've only just scratched the surface. That isn't to say that that reading hasn't ticked over, in fact it's been quite steady over the past few months.
There's more than a hint of "A curious incident" in Kim Slater's "Smart", but just like the central character Kieran it captivated and surprised me. It's tough seeing the story unfold through Kieran's eyes, especially in moments of sadness and violence which he relates in a straightforward way, we the reader can see the damage that's really being done and perhaps his resilience and determination aren't as buried in his psyche as we think.
I had the wonderful pleasure to go swimming with author Philip Hoare and I took his wonderful book "The Sea Inside" to Almeria with me. In a lovely moment of serendipity, I've recently started to take dips in the Solent with The Shack Sharks, a swimming community based around Hillhead and Stokes Bay. I've been to a few friday night swims, the stress of work simply falls aways as you lower your body into the water. I've been in when it's calm and when it's choppy and the wave slaps your face and leaves you with a red cheek. I cut my foot on my first swim and came home with my skin burning with salt and seaweed in my hair, I feel absolutely alive after I've been in.
During my time at University in London I always felt a little guilty that I didn't know more about the streets that I was walking down and history in every tile and brick. I've enjoyed reading "The Sea Inside" the stories of the Solent and Isle of Wight, I particularly like the passages about birds including ravens and seagulls which I'd previously dismissed as rodent and uninteresting. I'm into the chapters about whales and living every moment like I was swimming alongside, it's as close as I could imagine.
I took three books with me on holiday but only read Philip's. I did dip into "Poems of the Decade" after reading the excellent "Forward Book of Poetry 2015". I was moved to tears by some of these poems especially that of Kevin Powers who's novel "The Yellow Birds" has been ordered.
I have a short-list of books for the next few months.
The Circle by Dave Eggers
Rings of Saturn by W.B Sebold (on Philip Hoare's recommendation)
Imagining Reality – The Faber Book of Documentary edited by Mark Cousins and Kevin Macdonald
The Breakaway by Nicole Cooke
A couple of other things to mention, had a lovely return to The Badger Press last month and great to see the place in such rude health. The website has been updated and there are even a few prints for sale in the shop.
Lastly I should mention Mark Cousins' A Story of Children and Film which was a wonderful treat, exploring cinema by way of the emotions and behaviours of Cousins' niece and nephew as they play a marble run. When we were very young we saw ourselves in family Super 8 movies, then tape and now digital, we're all a product of film, watching ourselves and recording our lives so that we're shaped and changed by what we see.
Make Learning
It's already been seven months since my move from FE to HE, it's been an interesting change and I've crossed cultures and codes. The aims remain the same though, to ensure that the student experience is exceptional. I've been working with academic teams to create resources that they can use in their teaching and to encourage more blended and flipped learning.
In a Russel Group University, research is central to activity and the challenge is to ensure education is given equal status, the thinking being that research and education should be closer allies, one informing the other, the other feeding back. I sometimes hear that the gap between high level research and education is too far apart to be relevant, but that's not always the case. I also hear that teaching in HE isn't like other teaching. I'm not sure how helpful it is to think in these terms.
Amongst academic teams I'm meeting are individuals who care very deeply about the student experience, they're looking at exciting and innovative new ways to engage their learners, increasing the use of new technology, using students as co-creators and collaborators, challenging conventional curriculum design and making learning fun.
One of the ways we're promoting blended learning is in the creation of a series of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) which we've launched through Future Learn with the most recent "Understanding Language Learning" reaching thousands and providing new opportunities for the institution, in teaching, recruitment and research. I work with dedicated colleagues, supportive of each other and keen to do well.
I'm working hard to establish my networks and talk to colleagues across institutions about the work they're undertaking. I'm working with a colleague on a new podcast #FBKSoton and I'm using twitter to chat and make good connections, would recommend #LTHEChat on Wednesday evenings between 8-9pm.
I should also add that I'm not burning my bridges with FE and I'm totally signed up to the aims of #TMconnectED who meet frequently to share best practice across all sectors, from primary to HE. The recent TeachMeet at Gilbert White's House has been captured here via Storify. A wonderful evening of teacher CPD, opportunity to share experience and ideas.
So, it's been a busy start, it's really interesting to see what can be achieved when the pressure isn't constricting, I'm hugely excited about the prospects ahead and I know that i've made a good move.
Welcome 2014
It use to be that this blog was more about design and illustration, with a side helping of bikes…and now.
Here's Paul Steely self proclaimed urban humanist talking about his love of cycling whilst donning a lovely Giro Reverb Helmet that I think I'll be treating myself to for 2014.
We spent a lovely Christmas as a little family and looking forward to waking up tomorrow and taking on the challenges of a new year. I have a few resolutions and I'll share some below.
1. Cycle 1000 miles+ (this year I covered 840 miles, 34 rides recorded on strava – about once every 10 days).
2. See a friend or family member each month for a drink
3. Write a script
4. Read more (for myself and to my boys)
5. A few more nights out for Mrs Dots and myself.
6. Do my job differently
7. Run 5k (we've both entered the Monster Race, so we have to train hard)
8. Clear the attic by Easter
9. Get smart at maths so I can help my son with his homework
10. Build a platform in the tree (not quite a treehouse)
There are many more besides, I don't think I'm very creative any more, I imagine that's a common feeling that those of us who work with creative people in a sort of producer role (in fact I think that sounds a bit grand for what I do). I don't even feel that I write very well these days. Don't worry – I'm not down on myself – I think it's all there, but a bit rusty and only by forcing myself to start making things and enjoying language through reading and watching film as I used to; will I find the inspiration and opportunity to be creative in my own right. I do know people who believe the word "creative" to be a bit indulgent, but I don't think it is if you use it as a verb and not as a noun as in "I'm a creative". I think there might be worse things to call youself…possibly.
So, I need to make sure this isn't empty thinking, I need to get on my bike.
Arrivals
Just wanted to announce the arrival of Dylan Andrew Caspar on 12th March 2011. Welcome to the family little man, we're going to have a great time.
Enjoying a few weeks of paternity leave and developing the thousand yard stare of sleepless parenthood. Wouldn't miss it for the world.
Arcade Fire
Thoroughly enjoying listening the new Arcade Fire album and spent an hour last night looking through the links of their "enhanced" version. There are youtube videos of various musicians, essays by George Orwell, articles about town planning (the suburbs) and a fair share of internet oddness. It's an insight into the kind of ideas that have influenced the music and it's a bit of fun, a mystery tour.
It's been a very strange summer, some good news, a really difficult time, joy and madness. I've dashed about like a mad thing, making sure all the plates in my life keep on spinning at the top of those sticks. I really fancy a day off for myself, without anything to think about, but I'm afraid it just won't happen. Of course, I think this is ok, and it's what I wanted, to be busy. I just didn't bank on how tired I would get. Although not everything is in my control.
So, I'm loading up the music and I'm going to get a bit of fresh air, then back to fix up the house and maybe watch a film.
A few things I'd like to happen. Like to meet someone who can help me out with the Press. Would like to finish painting the doors white. Would like to get another bike (of course…) Hope that I can have some early nights.
welcome to Zolo
I heard a good story about a woman who's husband kept asking her what ZOLO was an acronym for, he just couldn't work it out, and it was written in all the Christmas cards. He got LOL and ROL etc, but this one really stumped him. The penny didn't drop until she pointed out that actually people were wishing him a happy new year, and a great 2010.
So, on that note, zolo looks like being a good one. Some news. In February, together with a few friends, we will be looking after the running of The Badger Press, an open access print studio in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire. The press has been going since 1982 and has a wonderful reputation for fine art printmaking. We hope to continue its success and contribute ideas and new projects that will secure it for the future.
I'm also working on a film of Visual Libraries and hope to start a group at Fareham College. Check out the site and the flickr photos, this is a great project that takes art into the community and encourages dialogues between libraries and their users. More info to follow…
We had a successful evening at Aspex Gallery talking about Journey to the Mountain of Light, presenting footage from our walks and some of the images that Jon has been making. They were spectacular and so many good ideas came from the presentation. I enjoyed meeting the crit group regulars and hope to be able to head down to lend my support in the future.
Also sorting out a shoot in the next few weeks with a group called Girls who ride where we'll be filming various people on the turbo trainer against green screen.
Last note, unfortunatley A Thousand Plateaus has been cancelled due to funding problems. I think there's going to be a different event in the future, and I hope there'll be the opportunity to use some of the ideas we developed for the event. I'm especially dissapointed, as I'd arranged to work with Forward Movin' and supply live visuals and VJ support. I'm sure we'll have another chance in the future, look out for news.
So, hope you all have a good one. Keep in touch.
The XX Basic Space
Really enjoying this superb video and the equally superb band playing. Seem to be so busy at the moment, with various projects getting off the ground and some exciting news about work. I'm enjoying this time, working with some people with a great sense of their own abilities, extraordinarily generous with their time and immensely encouraging.
Fireworks in the sky all around me as I type, and possibilities are endless.
Strong Island Summer Bike Ride 2009
Strong Island Roundabout from Tristan on Vimeo.
Had a lovely ride out with Neil, Charlie and Emil on the back, joined in the fun of around a hundred cyclists riding an eight mile stretch along the seafront and through Southsea. Some photos here and a link to the Strong Island website, where you can find a few more films and photos of the event. A great website, fast becoming the best way to find out what's happening in Pompey. www.strong-island.co.uk
