Take Ivy

Borrowed links for Take Ivy

http://thetrad.blogspot.com/2008/12/take-ivy-chapter-i.html
http://thetrad.blogspot.com/2008/12/take-ivy-chapter-ii.html
http://thetrad.blogspot.com/2008/12/take-ivy-chaper-iii.html

And a link to another mad Japanese version from the 80s

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=66216

Kitchen Sink Dramas

Posting an article from screenonline, with a list of kitchen sink dramas. Some of which I have seen, some of which I already own. A new 'project' beckons on completing the rest.

Starting with Bronco Bullfrog which I have wanted to see for some time now:

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/1037898/

Cache

If you haven't seen Michael Hanneke's Cache and you like slightly arty foreign films - which incidentally are right up my street - this does everything its meant to. I watched it with my other half, who had already seen it once before and with genuine interest we were still talking about it 2 hours after. Despite how poncy that sounds.

Current reading

Last night, I found myself with an hour or so to spare in the West End, so had a mooch around London's bookshops. I can't be overly romantic about it, as it was past six and all the Charing Cross booksellers were closed. Anyway, the toilets in the Waterstones on Piccadilly are very clean, in case you're ever caught short.

I was considering Khomeni's Ghost by Graham Reid or Berlin,Bromley by Bertie Marshall. I shall probably end up getting them both anyway. I toyed with the idea of a copy of the Monocle, but as I read somewhere: Magazines fuel an unobtainable lifestyle whereas books feed the soul - and I didn't fancy seeing adverts for expensive watches between articles.

I had made a commitment to myself that I would try and broaden my horizons - so I settled on a Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison. Waterstones didn't have a copy. Hatchards offered to print me a copy, but it would take 2 weeks, so I had stroll to Foyles. I don't know if it is actually their policy but Foyles do seem to specialise in stocking books the others don't. So I was very happy to pick up a copy.

I started reading it on the bus home and felt smugly cerebral; I also immediately fell in love with the book.

It reminded me of how I felt when I read Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton and the familiarity of the settings. I've always believed that their pub was the Courtfield in Earls Court, can't remember whether it actually is in the book; or I've just convinced myself that over time.

Tonight I am making a cous cous dish and tomorrow I may relent and buy a pair of deck shoes.

New favourite site............

In particular the art section............

http://www.casualco.com

I can't find a pen and I need to remember this........

http://www.suit.dk

This looks to be right on it.......

http://www.peggsandson.com/

Proper London Shop

Always get it spot on: http://www.folkclothing.com/

Old but it still makes me laugh, I quite like him really.

I'm having some of this......

http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/

Haven't heard it yet, but I love Mavis Staples and Ashley Beedle. Should be interesting.

Aurally......

Bandwagon jumping with: Animal Collective, Marina & The Diamonds and Ellie Goulding Re-acquainting with the Thievery Corporation
Experimenting with Turkish Psychedelia

Despite best intentions.....

So despite all my best intentions about creating an aural & visual scrapbook back in the depths of winter, I have actually succeeded in only posting four times. However, I will justify this obvious slothful tendency by agreeing with myself that this is a marathon not a sprint, and I have no set time restraints.

I have however been busy doing 'projects'. I use the term project to describe periods on a Saturday and Sunday when I have no household tasks and can devote all my efforts to doing nothing in particular.

I have read a book on Kraftwerk by Pascal Bussy but hear that Wolfgang Flur's I Was a Robot is actually better. I have bought for reference the Rough Guide to Film, The Tate Guide to Modern Art and a Beginners Guide to Classical Music.

Although, I unquestionably enjoy Classical Music, it does seem to be in the same project group as Wine. In that, whilst I really enjoy drinking it, I'm actually more interested in Beer - in particular Lowland countries and German. I am more likely to be a bierologist than a master of wine it would seem.

I have rewatched the Ipcress File and a Funeral in Berlin. Seen my first Pixar film: Up and sat through the documentary "Iraq in Fragments', which although wasn't the lightest of viewing for a Friday night is a thoroughly thought provoking piece of work. I currently have Michael Haneke's Cache lined up to watch.

I am currently reading Henry Hemming's Misadventures in the Middle East - a very entertaining travelogue/adventure, which certainly supports my view that the media in this country is in part responsible for creating a feeling of islamaphobia. However, in the spirit of fence-sitting is no doubt warranted in some quarters.

I have watched West Ham's form recover to the point of safety (i hope) and watched with some disappointment FC St Pauli's drop in form which could see them miss promotion to the 1 Bundesliga.

I have not bought any new clothes for nearly 2 months - I am planning a trip to Northampton in the near future to visit the Trickers et al factory shops. I hope I am not disappointed; but I am starting to think about Spring wardrobe ideas.

The merest hint of Spring this week, has got me thinking about London parks and eating an ice cream under a tree.

This is a great shop:

http://present-london.com/