Wednesday, December 31, 2003
I was going to rant on about New Year and how I loathe it all. Especially Andy Stewart, Moira Anderson and the whole sword dancing over flaming haggises in frilly shirts scenario. Thankfully most of the aforementioned are long gone and we can choose from Hamish Clark, Jools Holland, wall to wall wifeswap or a night out on the streets of Bignjuicyville wearing nothing but a shirt and a hopeful grin. [ It's almost Gateshead but not as friendly ]. I was going to go on about outpourings of liquorlurve, gunpowder and endless hopeful resolutions all on the basis of a change in the date. As dates are a man made invention I was going to suggest that we all get it under control and start wearing beige trousers and acting normal at new year. But it's all relative isn't it? - as I was only telling my Aunty the other day.
Anyway my money's on Hamish. I'm off to open that single malt and test drive that Proclaimers CD. Anyone know how to make a Linda McCartney vegetarian haggis ignite?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:57 PM
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Back in the country 7 hours and I get a bleedin cold or allergy or something. Whatever it is it involves producing large amounts of unspeakable secretions that suddenly decide to flow liberally from orifices at the most inopportune moments.
Picture the scene:
drD stumbles jetlagged to mogadonmart - [ regular readers may like to know that checkouts 3 through 6 have now been permanently annexed behind a Berlin Wall of popular newspapers and magazines such as The Daily Mail and Menopausal Knitting Weekly ] - in search of life's staples; milk, bread, chocolate digestives etc etc. I approach Lucy [ for it is she ] - she is smiling sweetly as ever in that, 'whaddafuckdouwantnow, devil may care' way that she has. I tender my meagre purchases for the expert attentions of her magic laser wand. She chooses instead to play things the hard way and taps in the handy fifty digit code for the digestives. Twice, incorrectly. The third attempt is succesfull and I am soon being handed the card slip to sign. [ I know - it's embarrasing - but when you've just returned from the eurozone darling sterling is in such short supply ]. At the point at which she hands me the slip a large dollop of unpseakableness issues forth from my inflamed nostrils and lands, splat on her fingers and the credit card slip. I freeze, shocked and stunned at the cruelty of my own nostrils and in slight admiration of their impeccable timing. Any pretence of sophistication I may have harboured is now consigned to oblivion. All those purchases of upmarket comestibles; the foigras flavoured toilet rolls, the chiffon clingfilm - all in vain. Obliterated by a dollop of snot.
I make my excuses, and slink away into the night - looks like it's the BP garage for me for the next two years.
Yawn
Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sleet,
Sh*t.
Nice to be back I think not
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 2:40 AM
The great escapePicture the scene:
drD stumbles jetlagged to mogadonmart - [ regular readers may like to know that checkouts 3 through 6 have now been permanently annexed behind a Berlin Wall of popular newspapers and magazines such as The Daily Mail and Menopausal Knitting Weekly ] - in search of life's staples; milk, bread, chocolate digestives etc etc. I approach Lucy [ for it is she ] - she is smiling sweetly as ever in that, 'whaddafuckdouwantnow, devil may care' way that she has. I tender my meagre purchases for the expert attentions of her magic laser wand. She chooses instead to play things the hard way and taps in the handy fifty digit code for the digestives. Twice, incorrectly. The third attempt is succesfull and I am soon being handed the card slip to sign. [ I know - it's embarrasing - but when you've just returned from the eurozone darling sterling is in such short supply ]. At the point at which she hands me the slip a large dollop of unpseakableness issues forth from my inflamed nostrils and lands, splat on her fingers and the credit card slip. I freeze, shocked and stunned at the cruelty of my own nostrils and in slight admiration of their impeccable timing. Any pretence of sophistication I may have harboured is now consigned to oblivion. All those purchases of upmarket comestibles; the foigras flavoured toilet rolls, the chiffon clingfilm - all in vain. Obliterated by a dollop of snot.
I make my excuses, and slink away into the night - looks like it's the BP garage for me for the next two years.
Yawn
Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sunshine,Sleet,
Sh*t.
Nice to be back I think not
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 2:40 AM
Monday, December 22, 2003
By the time you read this I'll have buggered off outa here to escape the fine weather we're having right now.
I've always wanted to do this - spend Christmas somewhere hot n sunny - but never could...until now.
I feel a bit like those jammy TV stars that bugger off to their private islands / villas / caravans [ Margaret Beckett ] while leaving us to watch their offerings pre-recorded the previous March.
Having said that - by the time you read this I'll probably be stuck in a godforsaken airport somewhere trying to avoid maiming some screaming children - or I could be on a plane jammed 4 abreast with some loud vexatious shellsuit models inhaling their SARS laden mucous droplets through the aircon. Or I could be queueing for several hours for my luggage to arrive from some far flung zone where it has been sent through the incompetence of a half pissed airline operative [ Oh no that's only the pilots - I forgot ].
On the other hand I could be stretched out on my sun lounger enjoying the stunning view from my fragrant private terrace whilst enjoying a glass of chilled champagne. [ dream on dr dream on] ...and I hope to see you when I get back in a short while. Meantime there will be daily updates - [ provided all the springs and rubber bands stay in place and the 50p I put in the electric meter doesn't run out ] - so do drop in from time to time during the festive period if you are in need of a little diversion from your Parents/Aunty/Mad Wife or husband or partner/Screaming children/etc etc - you never know what you might find. Have fun and do ensure you partake of the fruit of the vine - even if it's only a small one.
Christmas Eve Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Post Boxing Day
links should work on and after the relevant day
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 12:01 AM
I've always wanted to do this - spend Christmas somewhere hot n sunny - but never could...until now.
I feel a bit like those jammy TV stars that bugger off to their private islands / villas / caravans [ Margaret Beckett ] while leaving us to watch their offerings pre-recorded the previous March.
Having said that - by the time you read this I'll probably be stuck in a godforsaken airport somewhere trying to avoid maiming some screaming children - or I could be on a plane jammed 4 abreast with some loud vexatious shellsuit models inhaling their SARS laden mucous droplets through the aircon. Or I could be queueing for several hours for my luggage to arrive from some far flung zone where it has been sent through the incompetence of a half pissed airline operative [ Oh no that's only the pilots - I forgot ].
On the other hand I could be stretched out on my sun lounger enjoying the stunning view from my fragrant private terrace whilst enjoying a glass of chilled champagne. [ dream on dr dream on] ...and I hope to see you when I get back in a short while. Meantime there will be daily updates - [ provided all the springs and rubber bands stay in place and the 50p I put in the electric meter doesn't run out ] - so do drop in from time to time during the festive period if you are in need of a little diversion from your Parents/Aunty/Mad Wife or husband or partner/Screaming children/etc etc - you never know what you might find. Have fun and do ensure you partake of the fruit of the vine - even if it's only a small one.
Christmas Eve Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Post Boxing Day
links should work on and after the relevant day
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 12:01 AM
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Don't fancy yours much
"Their mothers and sisters help them clean their teeth and in childhood pull their limbs to make them long and slim."
Miss World eat yer heart out - this male beauty contest in Niger is fascinating.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 4:34 PM
"Their mothers and sisters help them clean their teeth and in childhood pull their limbs to make them long and slim."
Miss World eat yer heart out - this male beauty contest in Niger is fascinating.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 4:34 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2003
So Michelle wins Pap Idol
and Mr Waterman reportedly leaves the building swiftly - interesting. The triumph of Michelle must be seen as a triumph of substance over style. She's got a great voice and really delivers her material. Ironic that the least manufactured looking individual you could choose wins what's essentially a manufacturing talent show - so that has to be good. There're only so many polyurethane skinned clones with acrylic teeth and no talent we can take before the British public say 'enuff is enuff - we want a large Scottish woman with a great voice for our Pop Idol'. Mr Waterman who describes himself modestly as a 'Pop Music Phenomenon' used to run a studio called the 'Hit Factory' - nuff said. I'm going to enjoy seeing how the shiny stick insect industry copes with Michelle as they attempt to package her for what they consider to be their view of 'public taste'.
Pop-idol observation: Will Young is looking v.bored these days.
If you can read this without squinting you need to get out more
Thanks to B3ta for the link to the alternative House of Commons Calendar which I'm sure many of my readers may already have seen. I reproduce my favourite image of Mr October here - just because I can. I may well do so on a semi-regular basis.
linkage
A long overdue update to my mutality list and a special thankyew to Lawn Greengrass for recent linkage.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 10:25 PM
Friday, December 19, 2003
And so to Birmingham for a spot of Christmas shopping amongst other things.
I really really like Birmingham. It's had a bad press over the years but invariably the people I meet there are lovely friendly folks. I like the accent and I like their attitude to life - far more laid back than their Capital city counterparts. As Melbourne is to Sydney, Birmingham is to London not least for it's rich artistic and architectural landscape. Most exciting for me is the new Bullring which replaces it's 60's predecessor with a collection of slightly Disneyesque shopping malls containing all the High Street Staples: Gap, Debenhams, The Link, Dixons, Benetton, yawn yawn. Unlike the concrete and terrazzo buildings that were bulldozed, the new Bullring has a nice mix of inside and outside space. St Martin's Church sits resplendent at the centre of the development and tonight was all lit up for Chrimbo. Some fantastic carol singers were doing their stuff and it was all a bit tingly with the lights, the crisp winter air, the darkness and the elevated position overlooking the city - ooh.
I'm hardbitten these days when it comes to seasonal jollity but a few of my seasonal buttons were depressed I can tell ya.
Most impressive is the Selfridges building by Futuresystems. A beautifully detailed building - a bit disappointing for being joined on to the end of the rest of Bullring. Destined like the now historic Rotunda to become a Brummy landmark. I'm now wearing my new purchases and downing a well earned Guinness. Only 6 days to go!
Twinkle
Some nice images of Bullring on the Birmingham Picture Library site.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:31 PM
Thursday, December 18, 2003
I was thinking the other day about how I would like to end up when I am old and grey.
I thought it's probably something I should work on a bit because before I know it I'll be thinking Gaga holidays are a good idea and be thumbing through catalogues for fashionable anti-incontinence devices. [ I'm thinking metallic blue with LED indicators to match my eyes ]. Then I thought, 'for heavens sake drD you're still young'. This is a bad sign - when you have to remind yourself of such things. When you are young you don't even consider that you might be otherwise - you know. When you enter the portal to the twilight zone that is m****e age [ shudder ] it becomes an ongoing mental debate: 'is this what I should be doing?', 'is this appropriate?', 'will people think I'm a sad old fart / oldest swinger in town?' etc etc.
Anyway, to return to my initial thought; see I'm rambling - anudder bad sign - I thought it might be nice to be somewhere where there aren't long periods of darkness, where it's relatively mild for most of the year and where I would feel 'comfortable'. Now what the hell does that mean? Have to think about that one.
Anyway I'm beginning to think maybe I should be relocating to the equator when I get into my fifties. Either that or invest in some full spectrum daylight heat lamps and grow old disgracefully a'la Mick.
Leather underpants anyone?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:44 AM
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
News today is full of the afermath of the Soham murder trial.
Like some relentlessly depressing pop song you don't want to hear on the radio - it's gone on and on and on from the fateful day last year when the two little girls went missing. Hard to understand how the families must feel - so mercifully unusual is a tragedy such as this we have few precedents and therefore few insights into what this does to those who remain. Lives changed forever. No doubt about that. Interesting now to see the 'retrofit of evil' going on with layers and layers of interpretation and supposition being presented as 'fact'. Somehow it's supposed to be obvious now what a monster this man was, how nearly everyone he encountered thought he was a bit weird, how he had a history of suspected offences etc etc. All of it trying to impose some kind of meaning upon something random and nasty. For all the furrowed brows, computer graphics and outside broadcasts can't change what happened. And the lives destroyed can't be returned. But 'The Story of The Soham Tragedy' is now being constructed so it can join all the other ones and no doubt be serialised in some creepy weekly magazine with a free binder. God help us all. I need a drink.
Blue Witch is even older today.
A little while back she sent me some witchy Viagra [ BWV ]. Strangely enough this was because she was laughing at me at the time. Make of that what you will. Nonetheless BW is a very nice lady and I've never been quite the same since I started on the BWV. So here's to you BW - many happy returns and long may your ginger be familiar.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:12 AM
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Northenders - Episode 3
Another episode in an occasional series of chance encounters with Northern Celebrities:
Yesterday who should I encounter ambling aimlessly along Tottenham Court Road wearing Yellow and Black trainers? [ I kid ye not ] No less than Mr Paul Morley, child of Stockport, member of 80's beat combo Art of Noise and all round media Kooldude. Paul needs to book in for an emergency makeover with Trinny and Tranny - or at least get a decent haircut - he was always such a fine looking chap.
Previous episodes here and here
lol
"Ken Livingstone has only ever belonged to one party - the Ken Livingstone party"
Neil Kinnock
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:43 PM
Monday, December 15, 2003
A long overdue visit to the brilliant Satan's Laundromat for my seasonal NYC fix.
Mike is on top form with his quirky city signs and wanders. I particularly enjoyed his black and white snow sequence [ sample above ] which even made me feel vaguely Christmassy - no mean achievement I can tell ya.
If you live near Colindale, Hendon, Willesden Green, Hounslow, Wembley, Gloucester, Manchester, Oldham, Ilford or Romford Mike wants to hear from you for an ongoing photo project.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 6:02 AM
Sunday, December 14, 2003
You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list he's checking it twice, he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good, you better be good for goodness sake
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 5:26 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2003
I thought about it long and hard. (fnarr fnarr)
I wrestled with it.
I tossed and turned (snigger).
Should I, shouldn't I?
In the end I had to.
I signed up to Haloscan
3 weeks of e*******n malfunctions just did my bleedin head in - sorry n all that Rob.
I'd love to come back when all the elastic bands have been replaced n such. I will miss all those smiley options.
Especially the pukey one...
here it is for old times sake
sob
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:14 PM
KneejoiceI wrestled with it.
I tossed and turned (snigger).
Should I, shouldn't I?
In the end I had to.
I signed up to Haloscan
3 weeks of e*******n malfunctions just did my bleedin head in - sorry n all that Rob.
I'd love to come back when all the elastic bands have been replaced n such. I will miss all those smiley options.
Especially the pukey one...
here it is for old times sake
sob
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:14 PM
Friday, December 12, 2003
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II today underwent surgery at the Hospital of Saints Agnes and Fanny in London.
Her Majesty has received treatment for kneeus dodgus syndrome and has also, at the same time, undergone some minor facial surgery to remove unwanted lesions. The surgery was performed by Dr Hiram C. Heap of Hollywood, California. Dr Heap is an associate of Mr M Jackson, former facial consultant to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The surgery has been a complete success and owing to Her Majesty's excellent health she will be joining her Family at Sandringham House, Norfolk at the weekend to shoot a few animals and play rugby football with Princes William and Harvey.
Sir Herbert Crustmore
Equerry to the Royal Vomitorium
 |  |
| Before | After |
The Royal Knee - detailed guide
| 1 - Fiat unus | 7 - Stripythingus |
| 2 - Tendonis tupper | 8 - Humerus (Removed) |
| 3 - Phillipusfeta | 9 - Corginostrus |
| 4 - Bonus majoris | 10 - Information superhighway |
| 5 - Anus horribilis | 11 - Bonus printus |
| 6 - Tendonis marsyas | 12 - Bonus blairis |
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 1:07 PM
Thursday, December 11, 2003
It's cold
It's dark
I want to eat loads of high calorie food
My central heating's broken
whinge
whinge
whinge
Good idea
Undo all those mistakes and help the earth too.
This erasable ink is cool.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 5:25 PM
Big newsIt's dark
I want to eat loads of high calorie food
My central heating's broken
whinge
whinge
whinge
Good idea
Undo all those mistakes and help the earth too.
This erasable ink is cool.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 5:25 PM
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
The words 'idiots', 'total', and 'f*****g' came to mind today when I found out that Forestry Tasmania, the government agency set up to look after Tasmania's pristine rainforests has only managed to kill the largest living thing in Australia. El Grande, a huge Eucalyptus regnans tree has been destroyed by shortsighted and commercially greedy clear felling practices. The majestic scale of the tree can be fully appreciated when you realise that there is a person standing at the foot of it in the picture above.
Meanwhile in other Big News The Big Pineapple has been saved.
Yes, it's true. This 16 metre high fibreglass fruit in Nambour north of Brisbane has been saved from liquidation and Britvic hell. Read the full story here. This could have so easily been the perfect big and juicy story...
Cryptic Question challenge
Why is Brenda going to stay at Agnes and Fanny's place this weekend?
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:26 PM
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
" Mel C says Victoria Beckham's new music is 'atrocious' "
The video's pretty crap too
lol
"The government is considering giving 16 year olds the vote. According to ITV viewers, the Record Of The Year 2003 is Mandy by Westlife. I think the latter is all the evidence needed to stop the former."
Where's collie? - The answer
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:52 PM
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Onwards and upwards to the first floor and into the main bedroom which has a fairly subdued feel after the electric circus downstairs. This was not a Mackintosh designed interior but there are echoes and the architecture of the rear extension provides a balcony which is accessible from this room. The view to the back of the house, now partially obscured by later infill building can still be appreciated and 78 with it's elevated position overlooking the river valley and nearby park must have been a welcome repose from the busy commercial life of Northampton. The rear of the house, south facing is in full sunlight for most of the day. This, in combination with the lighter palette used in the upper stories, provides Mackintosh's signature contrast between the dark (masculine) spaces and the light (feminine) ones.
Across the landing is the toilet (currently inaccessible) and bathroom. This room would not be out of place in a contemporary home. It's effect in 1917 must have been striking. All clean lines, minimalist. Waterproof wall covering cleverly recreated using digital techniques. An early airing cupboard completes this very modern space.
Mackintosh's borrowed light technique whereby daylight is transmitted through use of internal glazing to the interior of a building is used most effectively here on the first floor landing. Early translucent plastic materials are used in the screen partition between the bathroom and hall. The Glagow School of Art [ Great new website there by the way ] staircase tops and 'henrun' [ pictured to the right above ] are recalled in the strong rectilinear treatment of the stairway, the gridded trellis unifying the whole and creating a clever feeling of space in what is a pretty compact place.
The celebrated guest bedroom, once occupied by George Bernard Shaw, has been recreated faithfully but is minus the wardrobes and chairs. The light levels are low and controlled by the louvered shutters to the outside of the window, (again balconied). The replica beds with their counterpanes, striped canopy wall direction and curtains together with the warm glow from the twin overbed lamps provide an interior of great style. Once again the Mackintosh sense of colour and geometry is seen in the rectilinear fabric treatments and blue green and white striping. Little touches like the glass beaded lampshades (so currently in vogue) contribute to the overall sense of restrained luxury. The original beds are at the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow and until now the recreation there [ pictured above ] has provided the only clue as to how this room would have appeared. Believe me the original (even with the replica furniture); in it's greater visual softness, is far better.
The tour nears it's end with a walk across the top landing to the study. This room is unfurnished and contains a door leading to a stairway up to the former maids room (inaccessible). A new door through the wall to number 80 provides the end point to the tour and the start of a visit to the supporting exhibition next door. The house presents a final surprise at this point with it's glam-rock silver paintwork - faithfully restored following detailed paint sampling during restoration.
Basset-Lowke was a man truly ahead of his time. Mackintosh his perfect partner architect and the restored house a great testament to their joint vision and enthusiasm for the future. This is a jewel and if you get the chance do go.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:57 PM
A visit to 78 Derngate NorthamptonAcross the landing is the toilet (currently inaccessible) and bathroom. This room would not be out of place in a contemporary home. It's effect in 1917 must have been striking. All clean lines, minimalist. Waterproof wall covering cleverly recreated using digital techniques. An early airing cupboard completes this very modern space.
Mackintosh's borrowed light technique whereby daylight is transmitted through use of internal glazing to the interior of a building is used most effectively here on the first floor landing. Early translucent plastic materials are used in the screen partition between the bathroom and hall. The Glagow School of Art [ Great new website there by the way ] staircase tops and 'henrun' [ pictured to the right above ] are recalled in the strong rectilinear treatment of the stairway, the gridded trellis unifying the whole and creating a clever feeling of space in what is a pretty compact place.
The celebrated guest bedroom, once occupied by George Bernard Shaw, has been recreated faithfully but is minus the wardrobes and chairs. The light levels are low and controlled by the louvered shutters to the outside of the window, (again balconied). The replica beds with their counterpanes, striped canopy wall direction and curtains together with the warm glow from the twin overbed lamps provide an interior of great style. Once again the Mackintosh sense of colour and geometry is seen in the rectilinear fabric treatments and blue green and white striping. Little touches like the glass beaded lampshades (so currently in vogue) contribute to the overall sense of restrained luxury. The original beds are at the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow and until now the recreation there [ pictured above ] has provided the only clue as to how this room would have appeared. Believe me the original (even with the replica furniture); in it's greater visual softness, is far better.
The tour nears it's end with a walk across the top landing to the study. This room is unfurnished and contains a door leading to a stairway up to the former maids room (inaccessible). A new door through the wall to number 80 provides the end point to the tour and the start of a visit to the supporting exhibition next door. The house presents a final surprise at this point with it's glam-rock silver paintwork - faithfully restored following detailed paint sampling during restoration.
Basset-Lowke was a man truly ahead of his time. Mackintosh his perfect partner architect and the restored house a great testament to their joint vision and enthusiasm for the future. This is a jewel and if you get the chance do go.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 9:57 PM
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Guess where I've been today...
Finally open to the public after nearly two years of restoration; the house at 78 Derngate Northampton which was remodelled by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1916-17. I paid a visit today, with much anticipation, and was not disappointed.
The house is being run on a voluntary basis by The 78 Derngate Trust and is open until 18th December 2003. To visit you must pre-book a timed slot by phone [ +44 (0)1604 603407 ]. In 2004 the house will re-open in March for continued public visits.
I arrived at the appointed hour. The entrance to the house is not through the famous front door, pictured above, but just down the street at 82 Derngate which houses the reception, ticket office and shop [ there's always a shop eh? ].
There's a half finished feel to 82 - apparently the Heritage Lottery Funding didn't stretch to putting in the obligatory coffee shop. A video sequence sets the scene for the visit to 78 and covers the history of the house and it's restoration. You then descend down some rickety old stairs into the basement and emerge blinking into the white painted shop; all halogen downlighters and tasteful themed merchandise. Not a lot of unique stuff on offer here but I was told they are planning some Derngate exclusives in due course. Because this bit of the complex is unfinished the commercial angle is underplayed - I quite liked this but how long it will last is a guess.
After a bit of pre-tour mooching and gifte-buying-avoidance I was met by my smiling expert guide and accompanied outside; narrowly missing a low-hanging stealth lintel over the exit to the rear of the building. There is a path which runs from the rear of 82 parallel to the back of the houses all the way along to the garden of 78. The expert guide pointed out the contrast in the styles of building between numbers 82, 80 and 78; number 80 having been completely reconstructed in an ultra-modern stylee to accommodate a supporting exhibtion telling the story of W.J Bassett-Lowke - [ The Northampton businessman who commissioned Mackintosh in 1916 ] - and Mackintosh. What I hadn't appreciated before were the many interesting parallels in their lives, among them a love of geometry and a liking for the benefits of fresh air.
Number 80 is now a somewhat stereotypical [ if very narrow ] modern gallery space. All white walls, stainless steel, glass and blonde wood. The basement through which you enter serves as the gateway to the jewel of the piece.
Into number 78 and you are in the white tiled basement kitchen, formerly the domain of the Bassett-Lowkes' maid. A quick butchers at the, now spare and empty, kitchen with it's revolutionary radiused tiled skirting and it's onwards and upwards to the dining room. Here the Mackintosh influence begins to surface. Echoes of The Hill House in the dark wood panelled walls, plantform window handles and an ingenious 'storage wall' of cabinets and drawers - very G Plan, very before it's time.
By far and away the star of the show has to be the hall lounge - impossible to do it justice here - suffice it to say it's on a par with the best of the Mackintosh interiors but in a class of it's own. Lovingly and painstakingly restored, this has to be one of the most radical interior schemes conceived in the twentieth century and it's power to drop jaws is undiminished today. A festival delight of coloured stencil work, jewel-like against dark wood and wall paint. There are numerous intricate details that show Mackintosh in the full maturity of his work. Recently installed is a reproduction of the original ceiling light fitting. [ too exotic to be called a chandelier ] Having seen old black and white photos of the original I was unprepared for the full colour and 3D reality. Gleaming like some alien mother ship control system it provides a stunning focal point for the room and brings into pleasing relief the beautifully preserved stained glass trellis screen which rises through the full height of the house. I hope to put together a more detailed treatment here in time.
Now, before I ramble on for too much longer I'll pause at this point and return tomorrow to 'finish my tour' - when we look at the bedrooms, bathroom and a rather surprising glam-rock study.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 4:02 PM
Friday, December 05, 2003
amazing swimmer with a large penis
The old ones are the best ones.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 12:29 PM
Thursday, December 04, 2003
In Dublin's fair city,
Where girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Collie Malone,
As she pushed her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh"!
Junk punk
"Your company has paid twice for this mail and it's paying you to open it.."
Simon fights back - class.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:18 PM
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
I'm thinking of doing a little project with these...
now what could I do with them?
Stuffed table centrepiece?
Impromptu feral hairpiece for Ken Dodd?
Floor polishing system?
John Noakes re-enactment tribute show?
Sheepdog crimewatch UK?
...any thoughts anyone?
worrying
I've just realised for the first time ever that 'Santa' is an anagram of 'Satan'.
This is almost as bad as finding out The Truth About Santa.
Giant Hamster hid my nuts
Readallabahtit.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 11:07 AM
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
It's official - she is the mainstay of the most irritating advert.
grrr
a wing and a prayer
A woman went to her priest with a problem:
"Father," she told him, "I have two female parrots rescued from a house of ill-repute. But the only thing they ever say is: 'Wanna have some fun?'"
"That's terrible!" exclaims the priest. "But I think I can help. Bring your parrots over to my house, and I will put them in with two male parrots whom I have taught to pray every day. My parrots will teach your parrots to stop saying that terrible phrase."
The next day the woman brought her female parrots to the priest's house. His two male parrots were holding rosary beads and quietly praying in their cage. The two female parrots were put in the cage with them. The females immediately began their routine: "Hi, wanna have some some fun?" One male parrot looked at the other male parrot and said: "Put those beads away, our prayers have been answered."
Thanks to Jezza for this one.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 7:44 PM
Monday, December 01, 2003
40 million people are now infected with HIV around the world.
Three out of four people who die with the disease live in sub-Saharan South Africa.
Of the four million who need it only 75,000 HIV-infected Africans are getting treatment.
The UK has announced it will double its funding for UNAids - the UN body created to tackle Aids - to £6m for 2004.
The estimated cost to the UK of the war in Iraq and it's aftermath is put at £3.2 billion.
Drug therapy costs start at around £175 per person per year.
£3.2 billion would treat around half the infected people in the world for one year.
This would mean that for the same cost as the war in Iraq 20 million people could stay alive for one year longer.
A Sony playstation package costs around £170.
You can donate to help people in the UK with HIV and AIDS here.
You can donate to help the international fight against HIV and AIDS here.
freshly squeezed for you by drD at 5:08 PM