This morning I went to Montacute House, a National Trust property in south Somerset, near Odcbome, where I lived from 2010-2011. Click here for the website. The local honey-coloured Ham stone was used to build this beautiful, imposing 16th century mansion. When we arrived this morning, the daffodils were in full bloom: The gardens are
MonthMarch 2013
Side Effects
It’s no secret that pharmaceuticals companies, worldwide, are raking it in. Big time. But it might not be common knowledge that there are practising psychiatrists working with these companies; testing new drugs on their patients. Even if the patients are aware that their therapist has a vested interest in encouraging them to test the drugs
I’m finding it hard to save the planet
This morning I woke up early, walked into the kitchen, filled the kettle with water and noticed – out the corner of my eye – the little green light on the dishwasher that indicates the wash is over and it’s time to empty it. I despise that green light; it steals my bright morning mood
Lichtenstein: A retrospective
I remember studying Roy Lichtenstein in year 9 art class. His cartoon-strip-inspired pop art was accessible – more so than the abstract paintings (Klee, Kandinsky) we were also shown – and so I enjoyed making a Lichtenstein replica, complete with American ‘Hey Brad’ style speech bubbles. But his retrospective is, for me, too accessible: it
The Ravenmaster – for Who’s Jack Magazine
Article for ‘London at Work’ project – published by Who’s Jack Magazine here. Legend has it that if there are not six ravens in the grounds of the Tower of London at all times – the Monarchy will collapse and the Tower will turn to dust. Chris Skaife, 47, is employed by Historic Royal Palaces
Broken – best British film
Last night I went to see Rufus Norris’ debut (award-winning, independent) film Broken – and it blew me away. But not with a spine-tinglingly thrilling plot, or mind-blowingly beautiful cinematography, it was the realism: it is totally believable. Adapted from Daniel Clay’s acclaimed novel, of the same name, Broken follows Skunk (played, excellently, by Eloise
Women I love to love
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2013, I’d like to pay homage to five of my favourite ladies-in-the-limelight… 1. Patti Smith – poet, punk-rocker, artist, musician, mother, lover… Read her blog here. Wilderness by Patti Smith Do animals make a human cry when their loved one staggers fowled dragged down the blue veined river Does the
Why watch telly at all?
On Sunday night we started watching Mayday, a BBC drama about a teenage girl who goes missing on Mayday and is assumed to have been murdered in the nearby forest (see here). The townsfolk gather and search for her through the night, to no avail. We are then introduced to a handful families who live
Films
A series of short summaries, and ratings (out of five), of the films I’ve been to see recently… Zero Dark Thirty Dir. Kathryn Bigelow, written and produced by Mark Boal Fiction based on (some) fact, this film documents the US government’s hunt for, and assassination of, Bin Laden. Jessica Chastain plays Maya, a CIA officer,
Samuel Beckett’s Watt at the Barbican
Or Barbican? It’s like Tate Modern (or Tate) vs The Tate (Modern). It’s probably grammatically correct to abandon the definite article but it sounds pompous. So I’ll stick with The Barbican, as I stick with The Tate: I’m going to The Tate. What, you’re going to Tate? No – I’m going to The Tate. And
David Bailey, William Morris and Walthamstow
David Bailey’s East End Faces is currently on display at the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. As a Walthamstow resident-to-be – I thought it prudent to check out the weekend vibes in my new area, as well support the art scene and learn a bit about William Morris: local 19th Century hero. The gallery is
