Saturday, September 4, 2010

paternal wisdom

i've spent wildly on literature this week and, when my book arrived, was unexpectedly reminded of a conversation with my father when he had been retired from work a little while

i asked why he kept a large coil of rope near his bed

"in case of fire"

Thursday, September 2, 2010

yet another 3BT

In the early sunshine on Clapham Common, a girl comes bounding into the avenue who might be described as a pocket rocket, every limb bursting with inflated muscle, not sinewy but more like rising dough … and she remains straight-backed as she lifts both arms to adjust a silky ponytail, moving it a little higher without breaking the rapid rhythm of her stride or losing any of her speed, and then, having lowered her arms again, she gently accelerates into a full sprint that curves away out of sight ... all too soon.


Next night, during a dream, I take yet another of a lifetime of interesting nocturnal journeys, and find myself in a village of picturesque cottages, some in ruin or disrepair, but many kept beautifully and delightfully furnished.  Rushing in elation from house to house, I find myself on a village green that is so large and undulates so spectacularly that it might easily be used as a golf course, and I begin to run, and then feeling my cool bare feet moving effortlessly across the grass, I take great leaps, each of which might qualify me for an Olympic record.  Then, without explanation, I raise my pillow above my head with both hands and use it as a hang glider so that I swoop and wheel above the hedges and walls.  In a moment I am teaching villagers and visitors this new skill, and we wonder how we hadn’t learned it before … it seeming so easy now and so natural.


Waking with a thirst from these moments of joy, I go to stand quietly in the kitchen, first peeling an orange and then slicing an apple in the dark.

peek-a-boo

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

beautiful people from 1960 ... there's still time to watch "a bout de souffle" at the bfi


















and to revel in a bit of film making fun and fireworks that is filled with grace and laughter

Monday, August 23, 2010

three more beautiful things ...

a letter i've been struggling to write to an old friend for the last seven days suddenly leaps onwards from page four to page fourteen

i find just the right kind of walking and working boots i've been wanting to buy after days of searching and i proudly wear them even whilst i type, sitting here well after my usual bed time in my third best pyjamas

the house empties after a jolly gathering of buddhists and i re-possess the sofa, sitting by chance in just the right position for a powerful moonbeam to smack me in the eye

Sunday, August 22, 2010

more links to the photography of the late "downfallen" ...























Heron Tower - November 2009: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=6650

St. Boltoph's House - November 2009: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=392

Nido - November 2009: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=776

St. Boltoph's House - October 2009: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=369

Nido - August 2009: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=700

General - May 2009: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...6&postcount=14

Lots Road - April 2009: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...0&postcount=96

Ropemaker Place - April 2009: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=638

Athena (Stratford) - November 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=264

Snowhill Phase 1 (Birmingham) - October 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=1333

Birmingham Skyline - October 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=121

No.1 The Gateway - October 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=236

St. Martins in the Fields - October 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...6&postcount=31

Ropemaker Place - September 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=445

Regent's Palace Hotel - September 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=105

Derelict London - August 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=322

General London - April 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=153

Middlesex Hospital - February 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=164

Leicester Square - February 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=401

Park House - February 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...4&postcount=33

Pan Peninsula - November 2007: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=2462

Willis Building - October 2007: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=3843

Elektron Towers - October 2007: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=256

20 Churchill Place - October 2007: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=479

Broadgate Tower - October 2007: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=914

Pan Peninsula - October 2007: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=2365

122 Leadenhall - October 2007: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=1188

Battersea Power Station - October 2007: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=327