Alicia and out....

....I suppose we were counting down to this for the last 6 months, but the final week, (in reality an extension of our holiday), it really hit home that 'Lic was going to Eindhoven for 6 months. We squeezed in exhibitions, dinners, picnics, friends and family before she left with an over stuffed suitcase and an enormous bike bag.


Farewell picnic in Battersea Park


Peek-a-boo with Atl


Alicia shows Xochitl how it's done

Alicia also found time to set up a window display at No-One in Shoreditch - documented on her newly created blog. (Permanent link to the right of the page).


The Mary Poppins inspired, Infinite Drawers

Mass Moonwalk....

....Not long after news of Michael Jackson's death reached the masses, social networking sites FaceBook and Twitter had already begun organising and spreading the work of a celebratory 'Mass Moonwalk'. London's was last night at Liverpool Street. They took place all over the world. It is a shame only now, after his sad demise, that the masses show their true appreciation of his pop genius.

Play me I'm yours....

....Alicia and I sat in the late evening sun in Soho Square yesterday and were accompanied by a pianist.......then another.....then another.



Thirty pianos have been placed at popular spots across the capital for the public to engage with. We didn't - it wasn't right to unleash Meat Loaf's 'I would do anything for love' on the unsuspecting! Click here for more.

MJ RIP....

....The king is dead.

Holiday....

....I'm not long back from my first holiday of the year. Alicia and I joined mum & dad, Ruth & Andy at a cottage in Coln Rogers, Cotswolds before the two of us went on to Oxford for a couple of days. It was our first time visiting both, and we were impressed, (more so that we lucked out with the weather!) Highlights followed by full photo reel to follow........

COTSWOLDS:


Alicia and I took our bikes and cycled the final stages, from Kemble to Coln Rogers.


The cottage and the crew.


Cirencester.


Late night board games by the fire.


The splendor of Cowley Manor.


BBQ al fresco.


Country walk.


OXFORD:


Christchurh College.


Punting. (A pointless exercise!)


Blenheim Palace.


THE FULL REEL:

Belated birthday bonus....

....Ruth and Andy treated me to a set of Keith Haring dominoes, (that I have lusted after for months) and a vintage Swiss Swatch watch, (the first of a collection I had promised to myself.)

Firsts....

....I suppose we experience less and less firsts as we get older. And those we do will probably be 'life changing' experiences, like other cultures and white knuckle adventures. My two firsts are neither of those - in fact they are both embarrassingly late in coming to me - they should have been done in my formative years. Yet here I am, blogging about eating corn on the cob and Salad Cream for the first time. (NOT together!).

I really have missed out with corn on the cob, (I had no option during my toothless hiatus), but I have had no excuses since. Yesterday was the day. Butter and salt were the garnish. Wonderful.



Heinz Salad Cream was a sauce I ridiculed and despised as a kid. The Brannen family regularly used it when I went to dinner and I thought it looked horrid, (and therefore never tried it!). I haven't thought to try it since, until we began working on a Salad Cream brief at work. 'It livens up dull food like potato and salads'. Well, I had 'tatties for lunch one day and decided to take the plunge. Less wonderful, but strangely appealing and deadly addictive.

Rochelle Canteen....

....This restaurant, (it's more than a canteen), has been just around the corner from my house for a couple of years I think. But I have never found the time to go - largely as it is only open during the week for lunch. So today, taking advantage of a rare day off whilst still in the city, Alicia and I decided to pay a visit.



Situated in an old bicycle shed within the grounds of a former school, Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson provide lunch to anyone who 'may be passing through'. The menu changes daily, and if today was anything to go by, is superb. We both went straight to main course -Lamb Shoulder, Rocket & Bread Salad for myself and Bavette Steak, New Potato & Watercress for Alicia. They were both great - a good portion size, beautiful tender meat and incredible flavours. We shared dessert of cherry pie, (so pleased with himself was the chef, that he brought it out to show everyone, claiming the description on the menu didn't do it justice.) Indeed it didn't - it was excellent.



I'd recommend it to anyone with a spare mid-week afternoon on the East side of the city......but you better be quick, it seems they are under threat of closure. Go and show your support!

Looking For Eric....

....I was always going to see this - regardless of it's critical acclaim. As a lover of football I was unashamedly lured by the presence of one Eric Cantona and intermittent clips of him playing the beautiful game. I even managed to get Alicia to join me after he impressed her during a Jonathan Ross interview! I'm pleased to say that Ken Loach, (and Cantona as Executive Producer and appearing in the film as himself), have made a brilliant film. Loach's style of direction means characters are easily warmed to, (and disliked in certain cases), whilst Cantona does a simple job well.



And the archive football footage? Well it quite honestly made my hair stand on end - particularly 'that pass'. (I've scoured the internet for footage of said pass and just can not find it). But it couldn't bring a tear to my as the final scene did - Loach pulling on our heart strings that may lead some critics to (wrongfully) label it as 'the feel good film of the century'. It is much more than that. A cracking film - go and see it.

Britain's got talent....

....And it is at the Design Museum. The current show, Super Contemporary, celebrates the best in British design since the 1950s and showcases fifteen new commissions from leading talent. On the back of the extraordinary Kuniyoshi show, this one failed to match those heights - a little information heavy and confusing at times. But of the 15 new works, 'Rain it in' by Paul Cocksedge, was the stand out piece. It explores objects using/creating static electricity to ward off rain.

Kuniyoshi so contemporary....

....With only a day to spare, Alicia and I squeezed in to a packed Royal Academy to see the Utagawa Kuniyoshi show. I wasn't au fait with Kuniyoshi's wood block prints at all - only attracted to the exhibition by the corresponding poster promoting it.



But I am so, so glad to have seen it. The prints are absolutely incredible, with colour and intricate detail belying the process in by which they are created. Another thing is how startlingly contemporary they remain, despite the majority of the work completed before 1850. Mostly inspired by Chinese mythology, Kuniyoshi also created landscapes and portraits of Geisha's and actors.





The show ends today, so I highly recommend you buy the book - the reproductions don't do the originals much justice, but it is a good record of a great artist.

Roll of thunder, hear my cry....

....Did everyone else hear that?! Last night 'Lic and I were woken by the loudest crack of thunder I have ever heard. The walls sshhooookk. The rain was teaming down, pounding the window as though we were sleeping outside. (Incidentally, the title of this post refers to a book that I read when at school).


Not last night.

A Wapping 28th birthday....

....I have to admit that for the majority of the day, I had the Birthday Blues. I was at work and it was a rubbish day. But gradually it got better - then much better as Alicia and I prepared to go out for the evening to the Wapping Project. It was somewhere we had wanted to go for a while for several reasons - the fantastic industrial setting, a good restaurant and an art gallery. Rather than post several individual pictures, I have decided upon a slideshow - there were just too many. But, in short, we had a great dinner, in an incredible space. The food was of great quality and flavour, although my pork was perhaps slightly overdone. A miniscule blip in an otherwise perfect banquet. We followed it with a visit to the Guy Bourdin show which was superb - overtly fashion and sexually led photography, emphasised by the moody spot lighting and turf carpet. We popped to the roof terrace before walking over the road to the Prospect of Whitby. Right on the river, this pub has fantastic views, so this is where we saw in the night.

Pulse....

....'Lic and Louise had a stand at Pulse this weekend. Exhibiting as Knock Knock Design, they displayed existing work and new designs including origami patterned wallpaper and concertina paper drawers.

Sun stroked....

....As the abnormally good weather continues, a few of us decided to head to London Fields for a BBQ. It was almost festival-like in numbers, spirit and of course litter.


The masses


The minions


Quails make for a posh barbie


Debris

Tornados blown away....

....Last night Tornados played their final game of the season. In a final. Our opponents, Phibbers, were already league and double cup winners and we had the task of halting their haul of four trophies. We battled, we ran tirelessly, we put in a performance to be proud of, but in the end, we didn't have enough. Tornados 0-2 Phibbers. The best team won. It's been a fantastic season, in comparison to last, and a pleasure to play my 4th season at the club.


Half time. 0-0.


On my toes.

'Lic came and watched the final, threatening to make a banner to wave on the sidelines. She did make a banner, but in her wonderfully artistic and humorous way, she made something fantastic.


Within an inconspicuous matchbox. Is another box.


Within which is a miniature scroll banner.


Unroll the scroll....


....to reveal 'Go Roy and the Tornados'

Jobsworth....

....I cycle through red lights every single day, so I guess I had this coming to me. The frustration is that today, I didn't jump a red, yet a jobsworth Policeman - the type that was bullied at school and needs a job in power to feel good - pulled me over and fined me! Even more annoying that despite the light blatantly being amber, he also 'only saw' me, despite me actually being just behind two women who were (not) guilty of the same offence. Unless I fancy a date in court, I cannot appeal, so have to take it on the chin. Just for good measure I made sure I ran every single red light for the rest of my journey to work. And yes, it made me feel good.


Look out. Jobsworth approaching.

Bank Holiday baby....

....Quoc and I nipped over to Clissold Park to sit in the sun with Richie, Anne & Clem.

Sorry....

....I am Newcastle, born & bread. But cut me and I bleed Aston Villa. Woops. Blame a rather nice kit design 20 years ago and a stubborn nature not to give up on them. Today, Newcastle United needed to beat Aston Villa to stay in the Premiership. Sitting amongst my friends and Toon Army suporters, we watched them fail to do that and as a result be relegated to the Championship. Once again, sorry.


Sorry Alan. You're shit.

Eight again....

....20 years ago I began kicking a ball around on the street outside my house. It carried on for years, perfecting my keep-up skills, practising with my wrong foot, smashing a window or two. Today, on the final day of the Premiership season, I was doing what I know how to do best. Mucking around with a footy outside my front door - there is still no greater joy.

Keep Ups from Roy Barker on Vimeo.

Objectified....

....Lic and I went to see the new film from Director Gary Hustwit, who brought us the typographic cult film, 'Helvetica'. His latest, 'Objectified' , concentrates on our relationship with industrial and product design and is not quite as compelling as it's predecessor but still a great insight to our interaction with all that surrounds us. Their was even a little cameo appearance from old college pal, Byron Parr.

Dinner with the Palmers....

....Only a matter of days after Palmers Senior, (Joan & Eric), had entertained mum and dad over dinner, it was the turn of Alicia and I to catch up with Palmers Junior. Only we had three to contend with - James having returned to the UK permanently after his dalliance with Boston, and soon to be newly weds Ian & Susie. We decided on a BYO Vietnamese on Kingsland Road and then a local roof terrace for a quick digestif.

TBC Wednesday....

....Once again TBC came together and once again it wasn't Thursday!


Ed's top tube

With Quoc in town, (and three people present wearing his new shoes), we decided for food instead of cinema and headed to the Chippy on Poland Street. Everyones budget meant we all plummeted for Coley, which I had never heard of before. It was superb and even better wedged between chips & mushy peas and washed down with London Pride.

We then headed to the nearest, quietest square in Soho, where we could piss about on our bikes and drink a beer or two. Which we did to much enjoyment.


A local and his honorary 'display'


Trackstand Twister


Lorenzo lights up the night

And then it was all over.

Tornados FC end of season awards....

....On Saturday my football club celebrated their best season since my arrival 4 years ago, with an awards ceremony in East London. I was responsible for the playlist, which went down remarkably well and I even managed to snag a token award - for reaching 50 games for the club. It was a great night, with WAGs joining us to spice it up!

Awkward family photos....

...This site is classic. Take the time to scroll through and really cringe at this lot. Here's a taster.