Fingerbones

TV goes OFF

2008-04-22T09:48:22Z

Damn... Nearly missed it this year. Normally I like to do what I can to publicise it ahead of time.
Better late than never ?

TURN OFF TV
2008 - April 21-27 (Monday to Sunday)
AND Next Year
2009 - April 20-26

Better yet get yourself a TV-B-Gone and turn off other peoples TVs for the lulz.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV-B-Gone
That page even has a link to where you can get a kit to make your own.

Main page for UK anti TV
http://www.whitedot.org/issue/fix_tvturnoffweek.asp

Background
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_turnoff

Earth Hour

2008-03-29T02:07:40Z

How did I not get to hear about this until now with less than 24 hrs to prepare?

www.earthhour.org
see the difference you can make 8pm March 29

Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.

About Earth Hour

On March 31 2007, for one hour, Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming – coal-fired electricity – by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses switched off, leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as one city taking a stand against global warming caught the attention of the world.

In 2008, 24 global cities will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

wikileaks

2008-03-28T00:03:51Z

Haven't posted anything in a long time... but this is interesting.

"The action I am taking is no more than a radical measure to hasten the explosion of truth and justice. I have but one passion: to enlighten those who have been kept in the dark, in the name of humanity which has suffered so much and is entitled to happiness. My fiery protest is simply the cry of my very soul. Let them dare, then, to bring me before a court of law and let the enquiry take place in broad daylight!" — Emile Zola, J'accuse! (1898)

The above just flashes before your eyes as you load the initial page to
http://www.wikileaks.org/
just before it redirects to
http://www.wikileaks.org/wiki/Wikileaks

But be wary if you aren't feeling strong in yourself as the flash video currently on the front page involves blood and possible death. You can circumvent this by using Firefox with the Noscript addon. I "temporarily allow"ed the page to see what the video was but I didn't lift the Flashblock addon restriction as it looks like something I don't need to see right now.
All that aside the text is worth seeing including headings like;
    *   United Kingdom atomic weapons program: The full Penney Report (1947)
    * Censored Legion de Cristo and Regnum Cristi document collection
    * Classified memo from US Maj. Gen. Kelly confirms Fallujah Gulag
    * US Army Commmercial Intrusion Detection use in Secure Compartmentalized Information Facilties (2004)
    * Censored Tibet March 2008 protest photos
    * Douglas County police report on Masha Allen vs. Faith Allen
    * Citizens Commission on Human Rights exposed as a Scientology front part 2
    * Church of Scientology collected Operating Thetan documents
    * US Marine Corps Anti Terrorism Program (2002)
    * US Air Force JDAM Tactical Manual
    * US Army NGIC report: Proximity Fuzes Found on 107mm Rockets
    * US Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Kill Box Employment (2005)
    * US Military Satellite Pointing Guide
    * US IED Safe Distance Reference Chart
    * Censored Tibet March 2008 protest videos - FLV format
    * Censored Tibet March 2008 protest videos - AVI format
    * United Arab Emirates Internet censorship plan (2006)
    * Jarvis letter to employees over the fatal Potters Bar rail crash
    * US Army Lessons Learned - battle of Samarra Iraq 2004
    * US Army Lessons Learned - battle of Mosul Iraq 2004
    * more...
In the section which is headed; "Fresh leaks requiring analysis"

Whistelblower cat : Long and hearty may she blow

Two Big Thoughts

2007-11-18T08:13:49Z

Two things that are well worth thinking about

On intrinsic value of human life.
http://odanu.livejournal.com/320684.html?style=mine

And something we can all do in a celebratory manner with the glee and the cheer in your heart.
Buy Nothing Day
This year in the UK you can participate by not participating on November 24th
www.adbusters.org/bnd
www.buynothingday.co.uk
Spread the word and celebrate with friends!

fingerbones @ 2007-11-05T13:46:00

2007-11-05T14:08:21Z

OK, I thought I could avoid the Facebook thing but I am weak. I strongly objected to another exclusive gated community of web users. Now I have joined I can see that the fencing off is necessary for privacy reasons. That said I am still unsure exactly how far the privacy goes with the Facebook people having full access for data mining and government agencies wanting to investigate peoples links to other people who may or may not be considered. now or in the future, to be potentially subversive.
Putting all that to one side. in a short time I had found 12 people I know and some events I'm interested in. I have a place to put photos that is easier to upload to than LJ. In fact it's easier still now that Flock 1.0 is out with its Facebook integration. Flock works with Adbliock Plus too so I get Facebook for free and miss most of the adverts :P
At this rate I will soon be seriously reconsidering whether to bother with LJ atall. Or at least drop down to an unpaid account. i think LJ has much work to do to stay in the game.
We shall see...

Halloween Skate

2007-11-01T15:57:52Z

PIctures taken at this years halloween skate
NOT suitable for slow internet connection

It all starts with me arriving late due to puncture while setting out. Deep stress. However, lucky for me someone else had reason to join at Piccadilly Circus rather than the official start point...

Immediately before the deluge the streets empty as an eerie quiet descends..
You can see two advance scouts.

Next minute there is a large troop of skater zombies and such the like hunting for brains and souls.

Yes, it's a poor quality picture but I like the fuzzy colours :P

Caption competition #1

"Here comes a chopper to chop off your head"

View from the back of the procession featuring the coolest blood sucking biker boy

A glimpse of some foul winged beasts

Marshals earning their keep with friendly tact and diplomacy applied liberally to a displeased cabbie
We are all indebted to them and the less visible organisers too

Fantastic outfit seen earlier in "View from the back..."

Refreshing break at Covent Garden

Lost Souls

Caption competition #2

Have yuh seen are Kes?

Yeah, this lot ate him

Just time for a quick smoke

An incredible

The lord high executioner
for all those that have
    To sit in solemn silence in a dull, dark dock,
    In a pestilential prison with a life-long lock
    Awaiting the sensation of a short, sharp shock
    From a cheap and chippy chopper on a big, black block.

Snake without flash so you can see it's illuminated from the inside

Snake with camera flash

Fantastic outfit again. This time she's stealing the childs immortal soul "Muahahahaa!"

If you know who these beauties are please tell them to collect this requested picture from here

Yours truly the photographist

Caption competition #3

Next time wear a helmet

Quite pleased with this image. Camera set to take two images in rapid succession, one with and one without flash. Then the one without flash was enhanced. Finally all three images were blended.
Of course it wouldn't have worked without such a pulchritudinous subject.

Somebody's about to receive discipline

Cleverly done outfit. There were so many others that I didn't get a snap of.

OK, there's dieting and there's..

All the above images are low resolution. To get a higher resolution version click on the image you want, then click on the new image, then save that one. Any image with a filename beginning with "s" (s320x240.jpeg or s640x480.jpeg etc) then it is low res.

Unlike my usual, I reserve all copyright for myself and you have no permission to use unless you are featured in the picture. If you are featured in the picture you can do anything you like with the image. If you want me to remove your image just leave a comment to say so and I will.
Unretouched versions available on request.

Breakthrough photo technique

2007-10-17T23:06:59Z

Content aware image sizing technique. That's what they call it. But it is more... much more.
It will cost you 5mins of your life to see this presentation. Watch it all so you see people being removed! Like so many riddles when you know the answer it is simple. I am imagining the fun I could have with this right now and the fun I could have with a fast enough 'puter and some video editing software with this technique.

Beautiful Beetles

2007-10-15T13:22:26Z

Decided to share some inages of beautiful beetles. As is usual for pictures I took myself they are all free to take and use if you want. In fact to get a really good look you have to download them and zoom in.
The black ladybird pictures are apparently the melanic (black) variety of the Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis aka Multicoloured Asian Ladybird and Halloween Ladybird) which is an unwelcome intruder to the British Isles. I wish I had known this when I found it as I was tempted to kill and keep it for its beauty but decided to set it free instead.
A trip to Wiktionary tells us that beetle comes from Late Middle English bityl from the Old English bitela meaning "biting".
The other beetle pictures are of a beetle that lived in great numbers on a lavender patch at Vauxhall Park. The lavender patch used to be a bowling green and one day I will find out whether the patch is an ecology / bio diversity thing for creatures that love it. There were also lots of bees busily and peacefully enjoying the lavender.
The patch has been severely pruned back recently so I wonder where the beetles are now.
The beetle porn pictures were taken on a day when almost every beetle I saw was part of a pair (24/9/07 afternoon). Next year I shall pay special interest around this time.

Laurence Corner and gloves

2007-10-03T11:56:12Z

I have just learned that "Laurence Corner" has closed after more than 50 years. This is very sad as so many army surplus stores have disappeared. You can keep your fashion nikes and pre ripped jeans I'll take army boots and camouflage trousers (real ones NOT the fashion fakes) that are comfortable, practical, cheap and last so long you can't remember where you bought them when they do finally die. For me this marks the end of an era. Quote from The Times Online 24/03/07 "But the world’s most famous army surplus store — the inspiration for Sgt Pepper, couturier to Michael Jackson and supplier of cheap military chic for generations of students — will close this weekend. Laurence Corner opened in 1947 when Victor Jamilly discovered that he could make a profit from the unused equipment being sold by the Army"

You can see some good pictures at the still surviving website http://www.laurencecorner.co.uk/ which I am glad to see is archived at the "way back machine". There is even a YouTube special which is worth seeing.
Equally sad is the passing of Victor Jamilly who founded the store and found the stock for it. Although I never knew him, if the shop reflected anything of him he must have been a cool geezer.
My last purchase fom the shop was these fingerless glove/mittens.
The best I have found for cycling and general use. I had to open up the thumb end and sew around the opening for myself as they came with the thumb end closed. Having done that there is no need to remove the gloves to count coins out. The flip-top mitten feature is great when there is serious windchill on the bike. Leather palm bits to reduce wear. Warm even when wet. The only possible drawback is they can get too warm so I wish I had bought two pairs now so that I could remove the Thinsulate lining from one pair. The extra long wrist bit is good too as keeping the wrist warm really helps keep the hands warm. Try cutting the toes off a pair of socks and wearing on one wrist if you don't believe me.
As is often the case at Laurence Corner, I didn't realise this was what i needed until I saw and bought them. You can get similar here (listed as Thinsulate Shooting Glove/Mitt) but of course you can't try them on and feel for yourself how they fit and how soft the Thinsulate lining is. And they have shorter wrist bits too so you may have to do the sock trick in arctic conditions ;) .

Finally, this is a good place to remember the army surplus store that used to exist opposite where there is now an Argos store at Victoria. Again it had some really good stock but more importantly the proprietor was a real gent. He was always friendly and quick to smile and welcome you without being pushy or resentful if you browsed long and bought nothing. Best of all he gave sound advice even if it meant, in the short term, losing a sale. Shame the "nation of shopkeepers" has changed so much. At least there are still some great markets around selling good product with friendly personal service... for now.

UPDATE:
According to comments on YouTube
The staff from Laurance Corner - Deborah, Tina and Tony - have just opened a new army surplus store in Kentish Town: 121 Kentish Town Road, London, NW1 8PB, phone 0207 485 2442.
Fingers crossed that this is for real. :)

People as Property

2007-09-26T10:35:04Z

I went to a very hard hitting installation called "Journey" at Trafalgar Square last weekend. It is there to get publicity about sex trafficking (and modern day slavery, mental and physical abuse, etc). I will continue behind the LJ cut as this subject can be upsetting for many people. If you are unsure get a friend to read on for you.
This is the first leg of a uk tour for "Journey" but I haven't yet found out where it is going next.

You can get the plain information from the website of The Helen Bamber Foundation, although that also has some hard hitting writings. From Wikipedia Helen Bamber, OBE (born 1 May 1925), is a psychotherapist who in 1985 founded the Medical Foundation for Care of Victims of Torture.
The installation is at Trafalgar Square, London, from 22nd to 30th Sept 12-8pm
http://destinationsflen.eurostar.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=170643
From the previous link; "Trafalgar Square plays host to Journey, an innovative art installation in support of the Helen Bamber Foundation, a London-based charity that works to rehabilitate those who have suffered gross human rights violations.
The installation, set up with the help of a range of artists including Turner Prize-winning Anish Kapoor, features seven individually-designed containers illustrating the seven brutal stages experienced by a trafficked woman: Hope, The Journey, The Uniform, The Bedroom, The Customer, The Stigma & Resurrection. It's a travelling exhibition and this show marks the first leg of a UK tour."
There has been a lot of other stuff surrounding this which you can read about and see pictures of at http://www.the-journey.co.uk/
On 29th Sept at 8pm there will be a Lantern lit closing parade.

My impressions.
- contains spoilers so don't read if you think you might go to see it for yourself -
The Journey is inside cargo containers which have what look like sexy, in a BDSM sort of way, paintings on the outside. After seeing inside they no longer look sexy as I fully realised what the paintings signified. Even before going inside I wondered how parents/carers passing by answered the innocent questions children would ask about the images.
There was a street artist who had written a message of love in chalk on the pavement. I gave him an apple while in the queue to go in and he asked "You going in to see that?". "Yes" I replied. "Well if you want to spoil your day. It's horrible". Then there is the disclaimer stating that it contains "explicit language, imagery, and audio that some people may find offensive", and that you must be over 14 years old to enter without your parent/guardian and "The organisers shall not be responsible for any injury, illness or death...". And one more warning that you may be filmed/recorded and will have no rights regarding what happens to such.
Duly warned I went into the first container. "Hope". It represents the hope that lures people toward the trap. I peeped through keyholes at modelled scenes from the life of an ordinary girl with titles like "I used to love school" and "When my father passed away, everything changed".
I felt safe. The warnings were evidently just the standard disclaimers. I expect the victims of this trade felt reasonably hopeful and safe as they began their journey.
Eventually I came to a space before the container for "The Bedroom". Now things are really turning around. Even before entering there is a stench that I can't do justice with mere words. The attendants are very uncomfortable with the stink and I ask if they get used to it as the day goes on. No. It is that horrible.
So I look around this bedroom. I imagine it being my domain. Nothing feminine about it. Truly disgusting. A pricelist on the wall and "HELP ME" written in the steam on a mirror above a sink. Others as well as myself are taking photos and I think it is like a crime scene being examined by the police. But wait, that is exactly what it represents. This is a crime scene. One which the police will most likely never discover or investigate.
Finally I come out into the sunshine in Trafalgar Square again. The air smells nice compared to where I was a short while ago. I sign the "Petition To ratify The Council of Europe Convention on Action Against the Trafficking in Human Beings". The organisers seem nice and I feel no pressure from them to do so. We discuss the fact that the containers are the same sort of cargo containers that people travel in as one way in to Britain and other countries. The people are property. Cargo. Disposable. A frequent escape for them is when they are no longer useful to their masters, when they get pregnant or have been beaten so badly they wind up in hospital.

AND this is not the only example of modern day slavery. I have mentioned before about the work of "Stop the Traffik". Particularly their campaign around chocolate made from cocoa grown by labour that includes modern child slave labour. http://www.stopthetraffik.org/chocolatecampaign/
AAAARRRRGGGHH!!!

ps I can post pictures by request but will not feel comfortable leaving them up for long. They give little idea of the experience of "The Journey" anyway.

Pakistan Independence

2007-07-26T22:08:17Z

To celebrate 60 yrs of Pakistan Independence
Pakistan Festival
website hereParade 1:30 til 2:30 pm
Trafalgar Square show 1 til 7 pm
taster video here
FREE

Savoy Style Lindy Hop

2007-07-23T00:12:16Z

Just a couple of links for >you know who you are< that I talked to at "Rugcutters" last Thursday where you asked for them.
Click the link as this is not of general interest.

Martin Ellis mainly works in South London, I like to go to his Tuesday thing in Balham when I can. In fact I should be there this Tuesday.
You being North London might find it easier to see his stuff at Shepherds Bush W6 7PB on sundays. Martins pages for this are HERE and HERE.
I very strongly recommend his "Savoy" style but you judge for yourself if you like it.

Another class you might like to check out would be [I'm gonna have to email someone to find details of this and will edit this entry then]

AND Ryan Francois (SEE THIS) who, for me, is the origin of most social Lindy Hop in the UK has a site HERE which is currently plugging their weekend dance camp in Guildford if you can afford it. If I could I would definitely go. OR consider the Saturday evening dance for £27, which I'm thinking about right now.

Leave a comment if you wish to know more.

WOW

2007-07-22T23:30:52Z

A single voice became a choir.
A tiny spark became a flame of revolution.
A calculated action became a formidable movement...

WOW, that sums it up, just plain wow.
Saw the show behind the Royal Festival Hall and it was fantastic. Performers mingled with and interacted directly with the crowd on the street. I was surprised how intimidating this could be...
LJ cut for pictures

These pictures are low quality "snaps" but hopefully they give some clues what I am talking about. I don't really like you seeing any pictures of the event because they cannot do justice to the scale or the feel of the event. You really had to be there.

One of the baddies surveys the crowd. He has curious exo skeletal kangaroo based footwear (what are they called?) which makes him significantly taller and more impressive. The costumes were fantastic and futuristic.
When the show started there was still daylight as you can see. The show went on for one hour so it got dark during the show which added to the drama. Then add very powerful surround sound system with futuristic music and "sounds" and a bass that you could feel vibrate your chest cavity.

Another poor quality pic of a visually stunning scene. A "goodie" dressed in white on top of a sphere (that was used throughout for various bits), with his shadow being cast behind and if you look above it is echoed by the silhouette of one of Anthony Gormleys figures on a rooftop. Very Clever stuff.

The size of canvas (stage) employed for this performance was huge and multi-tiered with the performers appearing on roofs, free running up and down scaffolding, going through the audience, doing "spiderman" acrobatic feats hanging off ropes down the sides of buildings and appearing in office windows by special arrangement with whoever owned the offices.

So the bottom line is that neither my writing nor any amount of film or still photos can really evoke what a spectacle this was. Having said that there is one more picture that I found on the web of a flying human with wings of fire that flew apparently out of nowhere without warning. The picture is HERE and I still don't know how they did it with his/her wings flapping, mind you, it was dark to hide the wires.

AND finally even the rain held off until immediately after the show had finished. Great for us audience members, not so great for those left to clear up and strike the set. Well done to all of you! Your hard work was appreciated.

Unrelated Comments

2007-07-22T22:07:27Z

This is a place that you can leave any comments you wish. They do not have to relate to any recent posts. This post will remain at the top of my Journal regardless of date. You can even use it like a "Guestbook" if you like, just to say you were passing by. Your comment won't last forever as I will delete comments within 6 months (earlier if you request).
Yours as ever, Fingerbones.

Sat 21 July

2007-07-16T07:49:52Z

If you're here because of the flyer/e-mail - this is where you can put comments/questions and where any last minute changes/plans will appear.

A single voice becomes a choir.
A tiny spark becomes a flame of revolution.
A calculated action becomes a formidable movement...

Whatever you were thinking of doing on Saturday 21 July at 9pm cancel it
- this will be better.

off Belvedere Rd
Around the Royal Festival Hall – on the South Bank

See over 100 dancers, circus artists, singers and free runners defy the laws of physics and physicality in an unforgettable large-scale outdoor spectacular.

THEN AFTERWARDS
10pm till 1am
We all retire to the "Late Lounge"
where the DJ will play our favourite jive tunes
(I have already spoken to the organisers about this)
The more of us that turn up, the more of our tunes he'll play

The Late Lounge is in the National Theatre at the Terrace Cafe
Overlooking the Thames, it includes a bar that serves alcohol as well as soft drinks
You just walk into the National Theatre and head for the glass lift which takes you directly there

No tickets to buy or entrance fees to pay – strictly free, gratis and no charge.
SPREAD THE WORD!
.
WHERE TO MEET picture

.

I can't tell in advance how big the crowd might be so this seems to be a good place where we should be able to see each other. Meet here between 8:30-8:45 after that time we may be elsewhere so text-phone-mobile.
This image is just a thumbnail - to download the full resolution picture...
Left click the picture - this takes you to the gallery
Left click the picture again - this takes you to the full resolution picture
Right click the image to Save it so you can print it out. 0002fgd1.png
.

Farmers Market

2007-07-16T07:33:24Z

Farmers Market this Thursday 19th July just west of Vauxhall bridge on the south side of the Thames.
I have a photo and the time(s) somewhere which I'll put up when I find them.
EDIT
10am til 3pm
includes organic stuffs
Picture of location behind cut - I haven't managed to get to this market myself yet - the market seems to be a monthly thing as this was for Thu 21st June - picture taken from on Vauxhall bridge south side. For
some reason there was a phone No supplied 01689 860 840

.

.

fingerbones @ 2007-07-12T21:59:00

2007-07-12T21:42:06Z

FREE FREE and FREE

Friday Evening - see Saturday

On Saturday
There is ongoing stuff with
the Coin Street Festival - Turkish Theme this weekend
Coin Street Festival, London - Turkish Festival. Sat-Sun. 14:00 - 19:00. South Bank, London SE1. Bernie Spain Gardens, next to Oxo Tower. A taste of Turkey with top Turkish music, belly dancing, crafts, food, drink and Turkish Bazaar. 24 hour information line: 020 7401 2255
You can go to their website but I don't recommend it - www.coinstreetfestival.org/
and Watch This Space - Watery Theme this weekend
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/wts or ring 020 7452 3400
BOTH on the South Bank a stones throw away from each other.

In the evening Paris Rock is a possibility but no live band so I dunno

On Sunday there will be two FREE festivals with music etc
I am currently decided to go to the Rise Festival but may be persuaded otherwise. You will have to visit the respective websites for more details.
15 Jul 2007 Rise Festival (London United Against Racism), London. Sunday 12:00 - 20:30. Finsbury Park. London’s biggest free music festival - hip-hop, indie, pop, jazz and reggae on 7 stages. Children’s play area, fair ground, food and drink, arts and crafts. Attendance 80,000.
I notice it includes "Big Cuba Fiesta and el Barrio Latino" - I hope that means I can get some salsa there.
http://www.risefestival.org/

15 Jul 2007 Tin Pan Alley Festival, London. Sunday. Denmark Street, Soho. Live music 11:00 - 21:00. Free.
http://www.tinpanalleyfestival.co.uk/

Sunday Evening
Hula Boogie
Map:- SE11 4LD
Just realised it's time for the monthly favourite with Miss Hula and the Reverend Boogie
ADMISSION:- £5 all night. (but drinks can be expensive)
GUEST DJs:- Tom Tom Boogie & Rockin' Os
BURLESQUE FROM:- Mysti Vine

Rinky-Dink

2007-07-12T10:47:16Z

IF you are the man with child that I took photos of on the "Rinky-Dink Mobile Bicycle Powered Sound System"

You can download your pictures from
http://pics.livejournal.com/fingerbones/pic/0002bykd
http://pics.livejournal.com/fingerbones/pic/0002csa6
http://pics.livejournal.com/fingerbones/pic/0002dkqa

Just go to the link
then right click and "save as"

Do leave a comment if you have picked them up and I will remove them

Enjoy

Weekend Goings On...

2007-07-05T19:54:16Z

Are we sitting confortably? Good then I'll begin...
Expect delays. Allow extra time for all journeys. Realise that there could be more security hassle but enjoy yourself regardless.
LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME - Road closures all over the place.
All the folowing stuff is FREE, GRATIS and No Charge

There is a journey planner on the Tour De France website at http://www.tourdefrancelondon.com/en/203.asp if that helps any

Tour De France - the race itself is not really my tasse de thé HOWEVER there is BUCKETLOADS of peripheral stuff that you can find out about HERE
http://www.tourdefrancelondon.com/en/festivals.asp
Seriously, do go to that link.

Friday Evening - after bicycle ballet @ 18:15
I am considering Sing London / Late at the Tate (this is a participation event - ie come to sing rather than to watch)

Friday 6 July 2007, 18.00–20.00

Tate Britain Manton Entrance Foyer
http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/eventseducation/musicperform/9951.htm

Friday / Saturday
I hope to get signed up to be part of "The Mass" (mass as in large group) for the Bicylce Ballet on the South Bank but (unless it's cancelled due to weather) I hope to do the Ewtikins foraging expedition up Islington way so I WON'T be doing the earlier (1:15pm) performance on Saturday.
http://ewtikins.livejournal.com
The Bicycle Ballet is only one part of "The Cycle of Life" Which in turn is one weekends worth (Fri Sat & Sun) of "Watch This Space" Between the National Theatre and the river Thames. So DO check the Website

Saturday Evening
The Event
1pm – 10pm @ Southwark Park, SE16
Music including The Real Thing & Dave Edmunds, ‘green’ roadshow, funfair, French market, sporting & children’s activities, French street performers, firework finale.
www.southwark.gov.uk/tourdefrance
Nearest tube: Bermondsey, Surrey Quays, Canada Water
http://www.bermondseybeat.com/event.html

Sunday
I hope to be doing the Bicycle Ballet at 1pm then on to...

12midday-6pm
Vintage and Retro Market
Sun Jul 8 South London Pacific, 340 Kennington Rd, London, SE11 4LD
South London's hot tiki bar hosts another vintage market with stalls selling clothes, homewares, jewelry, hats, lingerie, repro men's shoes, and many more. Food, a top cocktail bar, and DJs spinning sounds from the 1930s to the 1950s complete your day.

EDIT: Fri 6 Jul 21:00hrs
Change of plan. I will be doing the 1:30 Bicycle Ballet on Saturday as well as the Sat eve and Sun performances. Therefore can't do the foraging :( hope I get another chance to forage soon.
I performed the Bicycle Ballet today and can hand on heart recommend it, particularly if you like contemporary dance or physical theatre. I think the best view might be up on the balcony at the National that overlooks the "Watch This Space" area.

Weather

2007-07-05T11:48:10Z

No point living in Britatin (South London) if you can't talk about the weather.
I went out on my bicycle on Tue 3rd July. Freak weather gave an opportunity for a snowball fight in the middle of summer! Here are some pictures of the event that I managed to find on the web. They were not taken by me so they are copyright of their respective owners.

PICTURES
The storm cloud responsible for it all

Clapham

A street in Battersea

A street in Clapham

NOT the motorcyclist I was complaining about

Brixton

Amazingly it stopped raining just before I left home and started again when I arrived at my destination. I was more than a bit shocked seeing all the snowy hail that had settled in Clapham.
A big UNthankyou goes out to all the car drivers and one motorcyclist that made no allowances for cyclist in these extreme conditions.

Bicyclists Wanted

2007-06-29T18:23:55Z

Rehearsal Starts this Sunday 1st July

Bicycle Ballet @ The National

@ Watch This Space, National Theatre

    * Fri 6 July, 6.15pm
    * Sat 7 July, 1.15pm & 6.15pm
    * Sun 8 July, 1pm

The Bicycle Ballet is a spectacular choreography on bicycles exploring the sheer ecstatic joy you feel as you swerve downhill on a bike; the wind behind you and the sun on your face, tempered by the gritty reality of urban cycling - manoeuvering amongst traffic, pollution, theft, vandalism and securely locking your bike.

The Bicycle Ballet is a 30 minute outdoor performance. At at the National Theatre's Watch This Space Festival, it will be performed by volunteer performers, student dancers and members of the public - individuals, people from community groups and local cycling clubs.

The performers dance and cycle between set formation pieces reminiscent of Busby Berkeley's film choreography, with visual spectacle and character based stories inspired by people’s cycling experiences – learning to ride, fall off, tricks – and memories.

They Need More Than 50 volunteers !

You are probably too late for "The Chorus"
But you are not too late for "The Mass" (not the religious variety)
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
The original Wanted Notice

Weekend funs

2007-06-29T17:55:52Z

Tonight FRIDAY
there was this which I have decided against but I bet it is fun
Friday Late Sing London
Venue: Victoria & Albert Museum
Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London
Postcode: SW7 2RL
Borough: Kensington and Chelsea
Age range: All Ages
Celebrate the launch of Sing London as the V&A invites you to explore the potential of your voice. Here’s your chance to participate in this unique, accessible and communal musical experience.
Time: 18.00-22.00
Ticket price: FREE
More info: 020 7942 2000; www.vam.ac.uk

SATURDAY
There is of course the annual Gay Pride celebrations on Saturday

AND / OR

We're organizing a (Lindy [thats jive dance]) Bomb the Bank session!
15:00
at Gabriel's Wharf on the South Bank! The lovely Felicity will be bringing her amp and some music, but feel free to bring your ipods and cd's if you'd like to contribute music as well. And spread the word! FREE

Then EVENING
Nosey Joe's is a monthly Saturday Night Dance in Penge, South East London, run by Caron and Steve of 52nd Street Jump.
Full details are found at www.52ndstreetjump.co.uk
Resident DJ Dr Swing plays an upbeat mix of Swing, Jump-Jive, Rhythm and Blues from the 30's through to the 50's and will keep you up on the floor all night long.
Entrance £7 with Guest DJ
Doors Open 7.30pm - Bar open 'till 11.30pm
Nearest Stations are Kent House or Clock House (both 5 minutes walk)
Guest DJ - Reverend Boogie - OF Hulaboogie / South London Pacific Tiki bar fame

SUNDAY
The Can't Sing Choir
Venue: Covent Garden Market
Age range: All Ages
Can’t sing? Are you sure? Then have a go and prove yourself completely wrong! Join us, the Can’t Sing Choir from Morley College, and sing your heart out in Covent Garden Market.
Time: 13.20-14.00
FREE
More info: www.coventgardenmarket.com,
AND / OR
Songs of the City
Venue: Museum of London Atrium
Address: 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
Genre: London songs, choral, trad, contemporary
Age range: All Ages
Celebrate the capital with City of London Festival! Talented choirmaster, Gareth Malone, of BBC Two series ‘The Choir’, leads a community songfest of old and modern classics, from ‘London Bridge’ and ‘London Pride’ to ‘Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner’. In association with the City of London Festival.
Time: 14.30-16.00.
Tickets: FREE
Info: www.museumoflondon.org.uk

OR

Beautiful Bike Day
SE16, Bermondsey. Free
Sunday July 1 2007
Beautiful Bike Day
12 noon - 4pm, Spa Gardens, Bermondsey SE16
FREE
This is your chance to decorate your bike in celebration of the Tour de France coming to London for the first time. Spend the afternoon with local artists who will help dress your bike up to fit in with the theme of 'Great Journeys' using the colours red, white and blue. You'll then be ready to join Southwark Cyclists for a ride along the Thames Path at 4pm or to take part in the Bermondsey Carnival on Saturday July 7.
If you don't have a bike you can still join in the fun. There will be live music, face painting and a bouncy castle.

OR

London Dragon Boat Festival 2007
http://www.lclc.co.uk/dragonboat/eveent.htm
Boatrace starts at 10am
different stuff goes on all day
trophy presentation 4:30pm

Then EVENING
Tango
***This month we are happy to offer you THREE dates @ The Bedford
which are 1st, 15th & 29th of July ***
Come and enjoy superb LIVE MUSIC this SUNDAY, 1st of July @ THE BEDFORD PUB
with Carlos Quilici (Bandoneon) & "El Chino" Javier Fioramonti (Guitar)
Once again we welcome this great Duo at The Bedford Pub. This formation of Guitar and Bandoneon will accompany your dancing with some great traditional tracks. Their outstanding live performances has won them a great reputation in the London Tango scene.
Address: The Bedford Pub, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9HD, Tube/BR:
Balham (2 min)
Map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=528739&Y=173080&A=Y&Z=1
LIVE MUSIC from approx 20:45
Classes from 18:30-19:30, Dancing from 19:30-23:00
Whole evening: £10, Dancing only: £8, Beginner Class only: £7
See you there Bridget & Leonardo
http://www.tango-fandango.co.uk

Thursday 28th free jive music

2007-06-27T11:23:38Z

FREE
City of London Festival (some other good stuff there too)
Thursday 28 June
Liverpool Street Station (McDonalds Exit) from 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Rob & Pete's Swing Thing (5 piece band)
swing, jump jive, jazz, blues & latin sounds
led by double bass player Rob Rickenberg and Guitar / Vocalist Pete Kershaw

I expect to go but if you want certainty text me

Gillian McKeith

2007-06-26T17:38:59Z

So the good "doctor" Gillian McKeith is back on TV with a new show bullying vulnerable people. Oh wait, she doesn't call herself doctor anymore since she had a little run in with the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority). Misrepresenting herself. That is what she does best. With help from the Max Clifford organisation well known for being primarily interested in the public good regardless of how much clients may pay (sarcasm). Oh wait, you can even fingd her quack products on Sainsburys shelves with the title Dr. Gillian McKeith, so she is "doctor" after all (pictures to follow when I get time).

Anybody sense how much I despise this charlatan?

If you want to know for yourself how wrong she is just google her name and "quack". Or start at Wikipedia.

technorati tags:rant, McKieth

Bike Week

2007-06-18T13:46:03Z

I may update this post as new information comes in.

It is Bike Week right now - 16-24 June
http://www.bikeweek.org.uk/ - sadly this site is giving me grief. Not sure at this stage whether it is the usual "best viewed with" Monopolysoft browser. Anyway it is poor implementation. You are supposed to be able to easily search for events in your area. Do try it but give yourself a time limit before you start. EDIT:- problem seems to be it didn't like me failing to put in "london" for "Start Location"

Greenwich Cyclists are doing events every day of Bike Week so see their page HERE

I shall be doing this FREE ride if I can make it there for 6:15pm
Monday 18th June: Evening Ride Riverside Path to Belvedere. 11 miles from Greenwich, 16 from Southwark. Returning by mainly quiet roads (8 miles to Greenwich) or train. Short sections of unsurfaced track, may be unsuitable for racers. Expect to be back by dusk, but bring lights. Meet Southwark Needle (south side of London Bridge, 6.15 pm or Cutty Sark Gardens 7.15 pm. (Stephen {EDIT:-phone No removed} No text messages.)

Southwark Cyclists are also associated with the above event and have lots of good things for the week too so go HERE and look