Andrew Collins has written a great post outlining why it’s “time for a return to - or a formalisation of - good manners.” It’s a shame that his Manners Manifesto even needs to be written, but I’m glad someone is still thinking this way.

I already try and do as much as I can from his list and that comes from one of the good things my mother did for me as a child: she taught me good manners. These days she’s a lunatic schizophrenic who collects dead birds and literally expects God to provide for her, but I’m glad her middle-to-upper-class aspirations gave me those good manners.

However, I don’t agree with everything Andrew says. I never buy the Big Issue because it’s dire. I have sworn at a free-newspaper vendor on the tube who barred my way into Canary Wharf station by sticking his arm out right in front of me — immovably. And I’m not always that friendly to strangers, especially since moving to London: get too friendly and you’re likely to be knifed in the guts or receive a toe-cap to the bollocks. Be even friendlier and firearms might be involved.

Neverthless, it’s good to see a rallying call for better manners. I’m going to try and improve. Will you?

It’s a new year: what better time for a lick of paint around here? The old design was never finished and I never really liked the literal interpretation of ‘pale movie’: monochrome images of some of my favourite films. So they are gone: dumped down the virtual swanny.

The new theme is still straightforward, but instead of a lighter background, I’ve opted for something more sombre. The focus is the large, randomized background images which capture ideas about loneliness, alienation, dereliction, decay and obsolescence; themes that I’ve always been interested in and will be exploring over the months to come as I try to improve both the subject matter of my posts and my writing style (I’ve been accused of being too wordy and too dry). While this is part of my style, I really want to develop language that’s more colourful and compelling, so stay tuned to see if I manage it…

Oh, and Happy New Year, etc.

Back in ‘99, I bought a fabulous compilation CD called Serve Chilled. One of the first albums on the new Hed Kandi label, it had a great selection of chill-out tracks that introduced me to several new artists. I’m not a clubber or a big fan of most club music, but since discovering Hed Kandi, I’ve purchased several of the better compilations — mainly down-tempo stuff from the Winter Chill brand, or retro stuff from Back to Love.

Recently I was looking to get some new low-key background music as my collection was looking a bit dated. I opted to buy Angels Fall, a new compilation on a new label founded by original Hed Kandi helmer, Mark Doyle. I based my decision on the the very high ratings on the album’s Amazon Review. I really should have known better. Read more »

About a month ago, I visited the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton for the first time. A beautiful picture house, it was originally built in 1910, refurbished in 1954, closed in 1976, re-opened in ‘78 and finally refurbished and extended in 1994. It reminded me a lot of my favourite cinema haunt back home, the Duke of York’s in Brighton. Indeed, both are part of the PictureHouse chain and are maintained with a philosophy sadly lacking in most commercial ventures these days.

Anyway, I went to see Once with my new girlfriend, having heard only a little about it, but intrigued by the idea of a heartfelt modern ‘musical’ acted by real musicians. Ninety minutes later, my tears said it all. Read more »

When meeting someone new, the question will be asked “What do you do?” Easy: I fart, sleep, tell silly jokes and make bad puns. What do you do?

No-one actually means “What do you do?” or is even that interested in the answer, they are asking how you make your money (and therefore get a clue to how little you’re worth). This trite question has become so ingrained in us as a conversation opener that it’s hard to avoid and with my recent changes, I’ve been answering this question a lot.

“Freelance web designer” either meets with fascination or a look of terminal blankness (it might be bordeom, it’s sometimes difficult to tell). Observant conversation partners pick up on the “Freelance” part and their next comment is usually “Oh, it must be lovely working when you choose to.” Of course. Read more »

Bloxorz is a fabulous little flash game that will really test your both your spatial awareness and your patience. 33 levels of block tumbling fun will have you glued to the screen for hours. It certainly did for me. And not only is it infuriating and addicitve, it’s incredibly well produced too. Check it out:

http://www.gameabode.com/games/1898/bloxorz.html

Spotted today on Norwood High Street: “Polish Express”. Either my shoes get a speedy shine there or it’s a reflection of how our population is changing. Judging from bags and bags of what appeared to be sausage flavoured hoses displayed in the window, I’m assuming the latter.

London is a strange place. I’ve been living here for nearly five months now and still am struggling to adjust. It’s big, noisy, dirty, green, spectacular, aloof, lonely, entertaining and exciting. But above all it’s overcrowded. Large overcrowded cities need good transport. London has a pretty good network of trains, tubes, trams and buses, though you would be forgiven for thinking it’s awful if you ever get stuck in a rush-hour tube dash during a signal failure. But recently I have become aware of a new hatred spreading throughout the town. Metropolitan commuters have something else to complain about: the bendy bus. Read more »

The other day on the way to the ICA, I walked passed a young Daniel Radcliffe clone: about 13 years old, short brown mop of hair, small round glasses and that particular cheeky grin. He was ambling past me with something written on his black t-shirt in bright white type. Closer inspection revealed a phrase, something like “I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not Harry Potter.”

It raised a smile on me that in turn received a big smile from Potter #2 as he wandered by. It’s a cute self-knowing bit of personal propaganda which I’ve taken to heart. I will soon take delivery of my own anti-promo: “I am not the milky bar kid.”

It’s done. I have moved house. Again.

This is the third time I have moved in just over a year and I sincerely hope that it’s the last for at least a couple of years. I am so tired with moving and feeling unsettled. At least now I have a plan: I am now working for myself as a freelance web designer and I have decided to concentrate on that for the next couple of years. The intention is to clear outstanding debts and save some money so that I can finally go and do some travelling before I get to the big four-oh. Read more »