Socials....

....It seems like I have been a cultural hermit in the last few weeks or so. Which perhaps is true. So i've made up for it by being a social butterfly.

THE SCIENTISTS

Kat, Nisha, Ivvet and Alex, (below) accompanied me for
drinks near our old stomping ground, the Science Mueum.



LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER

Richie and Denners strike a pose in the Slaughtered Lamb



Phil & Bond follow suit

STAG DO

Familiar faces at the Stag's Head



Lynn & Joss laugh it off

Body Shop....

....The Wellcome Collection hosts yet another fascinating exhibition with the opening of 'Exquisite Bodies' on 30th July. In truth, there isn't a great deal exquisite on display as the forgotten history of the anatomical model is explored, with it's unique combination of serious science and fairground horror. Lifelike wax models, showcasing everything from the ravages of syphilis and disease to bearded ladies, remind us of a macabre Victorian obsession that featured in medical schools and curiosity cabinets alike. The best free freak show in town.

Match of the Day....

....Here's the final edit of the AMV Derby which I blogged about a few weeks back. Makes us look okay......I think!

AMV Derby from Roy Barker on Vimeo.

The power of Michael Jackson....

....Flashmobbing is the new cool thing. And Michael Jackson is le musique du choix. This makes my hair stand on end - and you just know there could easily be a million people taking part in a spontaneous dance to MJ.

Quoc Pham rolling on....

....His bicycle shoes are officially launched with this rather wonderful little film, directed by Bugsy & Ross.

Quoc Pham Bicycle Shoes Film from Roy Barker on Vimeo.

Precession....

....And then suddenly Goldman Close was filled with alloy wheeled metallic 4x4s. These cars appeared from nowhere - full of young Asian men, dressed quite smart, talking loud and taking photos. With music blaring they wanted everyone to see them.
I obliged with a completely lifeless film.

Flashback....

....Out of dad's birthday celebrations came photos from times gone by. I couldn't help but share them with you - for once his bow-tie nowhere to be seen, but still managing to retain every inch of his iconic style that I have copied ever since.


Sketching whilst on holiday and looking almost Hunter S Thompson-esque


A simply stunning black sandal / short shorts / red visor combination.


Cut to modern times and an opportunity to see exactly what I will look like in 32 years!

The greatest....

....Earlier today Roger Federer won an historic 15th Grand Slam title by beating Andy Roddick at Wimbledon. At just 27 he has won the most Slams and is already widely considered the greatest ever tennis player. I have to agree, but can only wonder at what his final tally may be!

Dad's 60th....

....HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Family and friends gathered in Nottingham to help celebrate dad turning 60. We had a fantastic dinner on the river at Tom Browns restaurant, whilst on Sunday we barbequed in the sun of Nana's garden.


Dad opens presents


Dinner at Tom Browns


BBQ


Cake cutter

The full photo reel is here too:

TBC team pursuit....

....As the incredible weather remained over London, TBC decided upon a team pursuit on Friday evening. Regent Park's Inner Circle was to be our velodrome and Chris, Ed, Liam, Giles, Quoc and myself were the competitors.



We split in to 2 teams of three and completed 5 laps of the 1km circle. It was more more intense and physically demanding than we expected, but massively fun too. Chris, Ed and Liam ran out winners with a team time of 8m 24s, a lead of 11 seconds. Team pursuit mark II will not be too far round the corner I'm sure.

Inside Nature's Giants....

....The first in this series aired on Monday, with the autopsy of an elephant. Rather than just employing shock tactics, this programme was genuinely insightful, educational and as a result truly absorbing. The basic premise is that by dissecting some of the worlds largest animals we can discover their evolutionary secrets. I advise you to catch the next installment, when a fin whale gets the treatment whilst washed up on shore. Heck, even the oft acerbic Charlie Brooker likes it!

Alicia rings in....

....'Lic is in Eindhoven and online, so we took advantage with a Skype call.

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!