Books I have read pt1

Just wanted to give you a quick update, I think there's been a definite change in habits, due in part to a sore ankle that is keeping me from long hours of exercise on the bicycle, but also the feeling still lingers from the books I read during the summer, that the experience is lovely, warm and rewarding. Having ordered a few books online…yes I know, but also buying a few more from the excellent Oxfam Books down the road, I dived right into Mark Everett's honest autobiography, as open as the songs, my wife bought this after a wonderful Eels gig in Salisbury. Maybe seeing him live and reading his book so close together shaded it for me, but despite the awful and tragic events of his life there's optimism. I particularly enjoyed his conscious decision to write it in the style he chooses; 

I don't want to waste your time with flowery shit, so, out of respect for you, gentle reader, I'm going to stick with the direct approach. 

And although I ordered all the books below, I'm yet to receive On Fire by Larry Brown, it's on its way. But I am halfway through The world made straight which I'm really enjoying, I feel like I'm in safe hands, being guided through a winding tale, I occasionally get roughed up, but I'll be a better man at the end of it. I already feel like I'd like to read more Ron Rash, so I've added One foot in Eden to the list. 

Elsewhere I'm ordering lots of work books and I don't know whether they should count here, and I know we sometimes make the distinction, I'd like to think I read some pretty interesting books to help me learn more about the work I'm involved with, supporting teaching and learning, creating little films and managing my team. There, that's as much as I'll say, but I would recommend Confidence by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic.

So, I'll keep going.  

Stuff I’ve been reading

As you can see by the updated typelist on the side of this blog, one of the things I've been reading is Stuff I've been reading by Nick Hornby. To say it's woken me up is an understatement, and it's been wonderful scribbling down titles, inspired to give my reading habit an almighty fix in the hope I overdose and wake up someone new. 

I'm going to try to keep up to date with this list, one of the things I admire is Hornby's list of bought versus read, which brings a refreshing realism to the idea of setting out on tackling a list. And whilst I'm going to read a few of the titles featured in the book, I'm going to add a few of my own. So here we go and I'll report back in a few weeks' time. 

Books bought

Things The Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett

The World Made Straight by Ron Rash

On Fire by Larry Brown (Hardcover)

Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi

 

Books read

Stuff I've Been Reading by Nick Hornby (1000)

Blue Eyed Hexe

 

Always nice to run into an old friend, especially when they're in rude health as Pixies are. I think I quite like these new tracks which you can download as ep1 and ep2 from Pixiesmusic.com. Black Francis is doing some proper screaming here and the video is a tad horrible, bit horrow show as you would have it. I love the animation, savage cutout work and quite grisly. There's enough darkness in the music to make their return worthwhile.

So, it is a shame Kim Deal isn't in the band anymore. The Breeders have just come to the end of a very long tour for the twentieth anniversary of Last Splash LSXX, it just looks like they had a ball. Really enjoying Kim Deal's Singles Project, this year is already giving up rewards. 

 

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. 

 

How a bicycle is made

 

Sweet film about how Raleigh made thier bikes. I'm feeling the cycling world at the moment, despite being a bit poorly (and hence time to write here) I've been watching the good times at the Velodrome, especially impressed with the Women's Team Pursuit, what a gutsy trio, made it look effortless. Also have to mention Bradley Wiggins, and I know Olympics fever is high, but I couldn't have dreamt as a child that a British cyclist would win the Tour. He was amazing, Sky looked ever Postal and dominant, I know Froome was good, but he wasn't quite there in the time trial, and Bradley didn't have the same edge in the mountains, so that's when you know it's a team sport and it takes a whole heap of guys to win the race. 

It all leaves me inspired and wanting to get on the bike…and I think I might have found something.

Spin that girl around

 

Euros Childs has a new song called "Spin that girl around", and it's great. I really love the music that he's been quietly making since Gorkys came to an end. You can download the music for free from his National Elf website. I'm hoping to catch him on tour, in some gigs he's got a full band and at others it's just him with a piano. I don't mind either way, it's all good. 

I know I don't post much these days, it's usually a major event, but here's Euros to celebrate my new post as Head of Media and Perfoming Arts. I'm very much looking forward to it all, it's going to be great. 

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. 

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