Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Teenage Kicks - Today's Happiness Experiment entry



Chatting to Feargal Sharkey on the tube in to town

Listening to vinyl in the back room (Weekend, Miles, James Moody, Santana, etc.)

Brainstorming for URM8

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Best of 2008


[Work in progress]



Film:
1 The Visitor
2 Frost/Nixon
3 In Bruges
4 Il y a longtemps que je t'aime/I've Loved You So Long
5 Hunger
6 Wall-E


Actor:
Michael Fassbinder (Hunger)


Actress:
Kristen Scott Thomas (I've Loved You So Long)


Supporting Actor:
Heath Ledger (Dark Knight)


Supporting Actress:
Anne-Marie Duff (Garage)


Director:
Steve McQueen (Hunger)


Script:
Martin McDonagh - In Bruges


Animation:
Wall-E


TV:
Osama bin Everywhere (Channel 4)


LP:
(Asa - Asa)
(Givin' It Up - George Benson & Al Jarreau)


Single:
Beggin' - Madcon (Asa - Jailer, Portishead - The Rip)

Gig:
Schlomo & various guests [Jarvis Cocker, Cleveland Watkiss et al] (Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank)

Book:
(The Yiddish Policemen's Union - Michael Chabon)

Art exhibition:
Francis Bacon (Tate Britain)

Play:
Brendan at the Chelsea (Lyric)

Sports event:
Saracens vs Newcastle Falcons
(Snatches of the Olympic action glimpsed in and around Bayonne)

Website:
http://www.foundmagazine.com

Friday, January 09, 2009

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Seeing August: Osage County at the National Theatre performed by Steppenwolf Company from Chicago with Janey Walker - and bumping into my cousin Jonathan, Carl, my cousin's cousin Chloe, Luke formerly of Channel 4's drama dept. and Sarah friend of Manou (all the world's a small stage)

Walking home through fog coloured with diffused sodium light

Listening to Soul Music about So What (Radio 4)

Creative Accounting #421

The Corrections + The Cocktail Party/Family Reunion(?) + Tennessee Williams + Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf = August: Osage County

Track of the Day



So What - Miles Davis - from Kind of Blue (1959) as featured on Soul Music (BBC Radio 4)

Image courtesy of Miles Constable: "I attempted to capture the swirl and tones of Miles Davis's Kind of Blue"

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

True Value


For money you can have everything it is said. No, that is not true. You can buy food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; soft beds, but not sleep; knowledge but not intelligence; glitter, but not comfort; fun, but not pleasure; acquaintances, but not friendship; servants, but not faithfulness; grey hair, but not honour; quiet days, but not peace. The shell of all things you can get for money. But not the kernel. That cannot be had for money.

Arne Garborg, Norwegian writer (1851-1924)

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Track of the Day


Three Little Birds - Bob Marley



Don't worry about a thing
cause every little thing gonna be all right
Singin don't worry about a thing
cause every little thing gonna be all right

Rise up this mornin
Smiled with the risin sun
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Sayin: this is my message to you-ou-ou

Friday, January 02, 2009

New Year's Happiness Experiment entry

Wed 31 Dec 2008:

A pint of the black stuff with Matteo in PJ's, Carlingford - plus a chat with Ian Fox, same spot an hour before

People giving the (Irish) finger from their passing cars

A chat with Pierre McDonagh in his kitchen in Greenore

Thu 1 Jan 2009:

Making a fire with D - in Bernadette's house (kept it going all day)

Watching war movies with N (looking after him while sick)

Reading Watchmen while listening to Kind of Blue in bed

Today:

Jogging along the mountain for the last time this trip - to the white forest gate past the steps by the stream

Lunch with my nieces Meabh and Orla, with a fleeting appearance from Eileen and Mateo - at McKevitt's

Taking leave of Bronagh - she read from Seamus Heaney's Clearances (the one about peeling potatoes)

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Guinnesses and hot port with Dan, Eoin, Colum and Angie over at McKevitt's - the walks there & back through nighttime Carlingford

Taking the Enfants Terribles, Joe and Mikey to the cinema (Madagscar 2) in Newry

Talking literature with Bronagh on the bunk bed (after a run around Slieve Foy)

Track of the Day - 25 Dec 08

Way Over Yonder - Carole King - from Tapestry

For Bronagh - listening in the bedroom at Bernadette's with Bronagh, Una and Elizabeth - tears flowing...

Creative Accounting #601

Adem = Coldplay + Damien Rice

TrackOfTheDay

Statuing by Adem from Homesongs (good after a shower when the house is empty & you're contemplating food at Dan's Stonewall Caff)

Monday, December 29, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Reading Richard Price's Samiritan - reminded he is one of my favourite writers, writes great dialogue, loves story telling

Watching old sitcoms with Bronagh and the Enfants Terribles

Walking around Dundalk with U - Modern Fashions, the stationery/art shop opposite the Court House, etc.

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Saturday 27th Dec:

Watching D laughing at Vicar of Dibley and Only Fools and Horses

Family walk along Shelling Hill strand in late afternoon sunshine

Hanging with the young cousins (Conor McG, Conor McK, Orla, Meabh, Sean)


Sunday 28th Dec:

Giving D his Stylaphone

Running along the harbour, Carlingford

Watching D and Bronagh together in the sitting room at Ceol na Mara

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Best of 2008

[Work in progress]



Film:

The Visitor



Actor:

Michael Fassbinder (Hunger)



Actress:

Tbc



Supporting Actor:

Heath Ledger (Dark Knight)



Supporting Actress:

Marie-Anne Duff (Garage)



Director:

Steve McQueen (Hunger)



Script:

Martin McDonagh - In Bruges



Animation:

Wall-e



LP:

Tbc



Single:

Asa - Jailer



Gig:

Schlomo & various guests (Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank)



Book:

Tbc



Art exhibition:

Francis Bacon (Tate Britain)



Play:

Tbc



Sports event:

Saracens vs Newcastle Falcons

Thursday, December 25, 2008

TrackOfTheDay

Look Up - Zero 7 (reading Watchmen - memories of running along the dunes in Rush, Co. Dublin)

Christmas Eve Happiness Experiment entry

Jogging around the foot of the mountain in Carlingford in bright winter sunshine



A spontaneous gathering at Dan's caff in the afternoon with Bronagh making an appearance with her friends Theresa and Peter



(Getting some fresh blood on my ipod thanks to Connor McKevitt and having a music tidy-up session just before) Christmas eve wrapping time, always a quiet contemplative time

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Science and Religion

"Science is a good system for understanding materials and material things, but there are plenty of things in life that don't fall into that category. Poetry, music, art, the love I have for my grandchild. Even if I could, I wouldn't want to weigh and measure that, or my relationship with my friends, or with the sunset.



But equally I do want the ideas I formulate about God to be consistent with my knowledge of Science. So I've never needed to believe in impossible things."



Prof. Pauline Rudd, biologist, UCD (Dublin)

Pantheism

What separates me from most so-called atheists is a feeling of utter humility toward the unattainable secrets of the harmony of the cosmos




Einstein

Christmas Cracker #3

I just bought the wife a bag for Christmas.
(Hoover's working a treat now.)

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Starspots #55

Alexa Chung
Victor Lewis Smith
124 Horseferry Road - last week

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Jogging around the foot of Slieve Foy in a rare burst of sunshine (listening to The Word podcast)

Talking painting with Bronagh and N

Listening to Blood on the Tracks loud alone in Bernadette's place

Newry - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Reading Alan Moore's Watchmen by the fire

Playing Monopoly with the Enfants Terribles on an old Irish set I bought for 10 euros in the junk shop in Carlingford - dates from the Free State (1921-1937), in great nick

Caff lunch with U in downtown Newry

TrackOfTheDay

You're a Big Girl - Bob Dylan

"Love is so simple
To quote a phrase"

Monday, December 22, 2008

TrackOfTheDay

Lola - the Kinks (alumni of the school down our road [Fortismere, back then Muswell Hill something school], as was The Faces' Rod Stewart) heard in caff in Newry

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Christmas Cracker #2

Q. What do you get if you cross a centipede with a parrot? A. A walkie-talkie

Christmas Cracker #1

Q. Why did the scientist fit a knocker to his door?

A. Because he wanted to win the No Bell Prize

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Gusto - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Watching D deliver his nativity play line with great gusto (coached by his mum?)

Watching the Maccabbean fighters in Defiance with the Enfants Terribles

Sorting cashflow for D's new phase

Monday, December 15, 2008

Track of the Day

When Poets Dreamed of Angels - David Sylvian from Secrets of the Beehive

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Oz wizardry - Thursday's Happiness Experiment entry

Watching preview of Australia at 20th Century Fox in Soho Square with U

A haircut which is good from the moment you walk out (by Chris at Concrete)

The boy in 'Australia' (Brandon something) - a wonderful presence

Friday, December 12, 2008

The missing ingredient


Q.
"What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?"

Adam Smith, economist (1723-1790)

A. Love

Living in Fear


"A life lived in fear is a life half lived." from Baz Luhrman's Strictly Ballroom - the line is now carried on the logo of his production company - spotted last night at the start of Australia

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Thought of School - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

D's excitement at the prospect of his new school - using a saw was a highlight of his trial days there

Talking London history with D as we walked along the Albert Embankment

Moderating animations on 4mations

Sunday, December 07, 2008

close to home - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

low winter afternoon sun - illuminating purposeful stroll around our high street with N, including coffee from Amici

buying sports gear with N - tracksuit, etc. with style advice from a 12 year old

watching Mama Mia en famille round the fire

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Track of the Day


Moonriver performed by Morrissey

Track of the Day (yesterday)


Moonriver performed by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Henry Mancini said of Audrey H: "'Moon River' was written for her. No one else had ever understood it so completely. There have been more than a thousand versions of 'Moon River', but hers is unquestionably the greatest".

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Breakfast overlooking a canal corner with Mirjam Winkelman, friends now for 25 years

A wander around the canals

Beetroot soup

A'dam - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Very happy memories of my trip to Amsterdam this summer (the only really hot days) with the Enfants Terribles - the spirits of the Enfants Terribles roam far & wide across this beautiful city

View down onto the sea and Dutch coast from a little propellor plane out of City Airport in the Docklands

Italian dinner with Adam Dorrell

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Fresh snow on my face

Reading The Spectator - echoes of the much mourned The Listener

Doing maths with D

Creative Accounting #214


Hunger + Garage + In Bruges / Irish = Filmfour + WAITING

Track of the Day


Leaving Me Behind - Nick Drake (a rarity not on the studio albums)

Reminds me of this photo I just bought a print of - Nick Drake moving at a different pace from the day-to-day world, not quite of it - which in turn reminds me of my friend Steve who was also not cut out for this world - greetings Steve (and while I'm at it Ian Harris whose birthday has just passed) - miss you both...

The world humes on at its breakneck pace
People fly in their life-long race
For them there's a future to find
But I think they're leaving me behind.

The chances they come, but the chances have been lost
Success can be gained, but at too great a cost
For some there's a future to find
But I think they're leaving me behind.


Uncanny, you wonder whether he had this picture (by Keith Morris from Five Leaves Left) in mind.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Life drawing at the Angel with Andy DCruz



Heinz tomato soup when the weather's cold



A jog in the cold winter sunshine - round St Pancras & Islington cemetery

Friday, November 14, 2008

Star Spot #54

13.XI.08
Melvyn Bragg (Broadcasting House reception)
Tony Blackburn (Broadcasting House reception)
Ian Hislop (Portland Place)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Walking through Fitzrovia - on the way to Broadcasting House

Meeting Tony Blackburn and talking about pirate radio/Radio Caroline

Thinking about Mitch Mitchell GIP

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Spark - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

The annual bonfire party on the allotments

Picking up Eddie Wagland, our old neighbour from Carleton Road, and bringing him to chat with Maurice from the allotments

Hanging with N on a Saturday afternoon - desultory shopping, hot drinks, a bookshop browse

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

N's awesome interception and run for the line against Teddington at the Met Police rugby ground, East Molesey

Late lunch at Blooms with N - chicken soup to counter the cold and combat illness

Watching docs about the making of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

Friday, October 31, 2008

Creative Accounting #213

Ron Perlman / Israel = Al Pacino / Italy

Dublin day - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Kilmainham Gaol in the late afternoon autumn sun

Speaking on the subject of the future of documentary at Screen Training Ireland event at Odessa, Dame Court, Dublin

The goose-down pillow at No. 31, Leeson Close, Dublin

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Cooley peninsula under a bright, bright blue sky

Jogging around autumnal St Stephen's Green, Dublin

Kilwerra Cemetery in the crisp sunshine

Monday, October 27, 2008

Donegal bound - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Driving through the rolling hills of Armagh at sunset

Hearing of Spurs long-awaited victory while pulled up at Aughnacloy

Gig at the Bridge Bar, Ramelton - punctuated by the old faces - Anita, Don, Tricia (sister of Gerry Gallagher), Noel (singer in the band), Kenny, Brid, Marcel - 16 years of coming to Ramelton, music at The Bridge, the magic of North Donegal

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

The smell of peat fires through the Streets of Carlingford

A family gathering marking our arrival up at Bernadette's with Bronagh at its centre

A rainy walk with the Enfants Terribles in search of an old telescope

Autumn vibe - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Morning jog round St Pancras & Islington cemetery with glimpses of blue behind the clouds

Lunch at Rugoletta with the Little One (strachiatella, tonno e fagioli)

Checking the Embarrassing Teenage Bodies site

Monday, October 20, 2008

Creative Accounting #886


Bobby McFerrin + Kate Bush = Camille
(who played a cracker at the Roundhouse last night)

Sunday, October 19, 2008

The Orange



At lunchtime I bought a huge orange
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave —
They got quarters and I had a half.

And that orange it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park
This is peace and contentment. It’s new.

The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all my jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I’m glad I exist.


The Orange by Wendy Cope

Party boyz - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Hearing an amazing sermon by a charismatic and warm religious leader (Jonathan W)

Seeing some second cousins and other relatives for the first time in many years at Clive + Jeanie's

Late night Brick Lane bagels with the Enfants Terribles

Friday, October 17, 2008

Cannes Do - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

A good performance on stage at Mipcom with Bebo, MySpace, YouTube and Orange - was proud of the progressiveness of our work at C4

A beautiful thigh on the beach at Cannes - observed from an afternoon table de vin with Matt and Mark

Sea spray (Med) on my face - as I worked on the beach (hoorah for mobile working)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Hooking up with the Marble Media boys from Toronto and the Aardman crew from 4mations on board the Decode boat in Cannes - remarkably high quality karaoke singing for entertainment

Walking along the promenade at night

Thinking about social spaces in preparation for my talk at Mipcom with Bebo MD the lovely Kate Burns

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

BarbiCan Do - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Listening to Steven Johnson and Danah Boyd at the Handheld Learning conference at The Brewery, Barbican

Lunch at Knipferl in Long Lane, Barbican - Austrian sausages, sauerkraut and apple cake washed down with Neil Young

A bit of design work with Mark Limb and Stephen Hardingham

Storytelling

"If you can tell a good story, it's the best chance you have of affecting people".

Writer/Director Thomas McCarthy on his film 'The Visitor' which puts a human face on the issues of immigration and detention, encouraging compassion and the questioning of the status quo.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Living life

"It is a small part of life we really live. Indeed, all the rest is not life but merely time."



From 'On the shortness of life' by Seneca (49 ad), cited in the epilogue of Engleby by Sebastian Faulks

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

High spirits - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

The high spirits of the Enfants Terribles after rugby in the rain - Chingford 7: Finchley 19

Making a compilation based on Beggin' (Frankie Valli redone by Madcon)

Chilled out Sunday lunch - catching up after a long while with old friends Sean and Siobhan

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Thought for the Day

"One should count each day a separate life."

Lucius Annaeus Seneca - philosopher (3 BC - 65 AD)

Friday, September 26, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Again, the evening walk home - especially my street

A tough work-out

Lunch on the C4 terrace with Holmes and Darren

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Track of the Day

La Belle et Le Bad Boy - MC Solaar - from Cinquieme As

Dedicated to the Enfants Terribles who love French wrap

Monday, September 22, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Initial publicity for 4mations



Coming home



Sunshine at lunchtime

Starspots #336


Joan Rivers - Channel 4 Reception 18.9.08



Stephen Woolley (director of Stoned) - Channel 4 caff 17.9.08
Nik Powell (producer of Scandal with Stephen Woolley) - BSAC event in the City 2.10.08

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Track of the Day


Some Velvet Morning - Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood

Some velvet morning when I'm straight
I'm gonna open up your gate

Friday, September 12, 2008

45rpm - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Tortilla and tapas galore at El Parador with Farrah and Masood and the Minties



Homemade cards from the Enfants Terribles



Lunch on a park bench (St James's) with Henry Warren and a strange woman and a man who lets squirrels climb on him

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Helping N with his new school tie

N getting through his rugby trial

Going through the positive comments about The Sex Education Show on the Daily Mail online

Track of the Day

I Shall Be Released - Nina Simone

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Starspots #45


Bryan Ferry, Fiona Shaw, Chris Smith, Nicholas Serota, Alan Rusbridger, Michael Nyman

9.9.08 Preview of Francis Bacon at Tate Britain

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Running free - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

going to the World Freerun Championship at the Roundhouse with all the Gee boys

lunch at the Regency caff with Paul Carr (Bringing Nothing to the Party) plus walky-talky around back of Pimlico

lovely chat outside cafe with Rachel O'Connell of Bebo

Today's Happiness Experiment entry


Walking up the hill from Sheffield station past the Andrew Motion poem building to the Millennium Square (St Paul's Hotel) - the whole place has been transformed since I was last here at the DocFest in Nov 06

An evening swim

Lucy Wurstlin's amusing presentation style MCing the Melt event at the showroon cinema

Saturday, August 30, 2008

yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry


fighting for the integrity of a creative project (Sexperience)

finding the package had arrived after all containing the Stones' first record England's Newest Hitmakers (Japanese import in class packaging via Berwick Street)

Making some more Paper Scissors Rock of Ages

Track of the Day


Not Fade Away - The Rolling Stones from England's Newest Hit Makers

Just watched Stephen Woolley's 'Stoned' - not so immaculate - but Brian Jones' musical talent is compelling

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Sardines on toast



Working from home



Reading Paul Carr's new book Bringing Nothing to the Party - the true confessions of a new media whore (plopped on the doormat from Paul's publishers Orion while I was on hols - good remedy to the back-to-skool blues)

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Track of the Day


Asa - Jailer (totally into this one at the moment, heard it on French radio - Nigerian singer, I gather, recorded in Paris)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Recent Happiness Experiment entries

Tues 19th:

Tapas and rioja (with Agustin and Arithelli in Santander)

An afternoon promenade from Sandineras along the Santander sea front

Watching the olympics late at night in the hotel basement with N

Wed 20th:

Fancy tapas in San Sebastian old town

A farewell beach morning with Agustin, Arithelli, Gonzalo and family - N boogie-boarding like there's no tomorrow (he gave the board to Gonzalo)

Listening to George Benson & Al Jarreau while driving along the coast road from Santander in the sunshine and summer breeze

Monday, August 18, 2008

Landes of plenty - recent Happiness Experiment entries

Monday 18th:

Two butterflies gambolling along the riverside path - a perfect Wind in the Willows walk along the Boudigau near Ondres

A cool dip after a hot walk - azure water, rustling palms

Reading Ice Cold in Alex after the cool dip

Sunday 17th:

A long walk through the pine forest along sandy paths

Watching the tide rise on Ondres Plage

Siesta

Saturday 16th:

Catching a glimpse of GB's Olympic medal haul from the terrace of a cafe in Bayonne - one of the cycling golds on Super Saturday which brought us to No. 3 on the medal table

Watching healthcarers at work in Hopital St Leon in Bayonne

Buying bandes desinees in a Bayonne side street - and a rugby ball for N next door

Friday 15th:

Watching the Olympics at the beach cafe at Plage de Digue

Planting seeds with Dylan on the drift-wood beach at Plage de Digue

Getting soaked with rain in shorts - at Plage de Digue

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Revelling in Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union

Listening to The Secret Garden book recording in the car to St Jean de Luz - D's joy in it

N taking my hand leaving the restaurant at St Jean de Luz - thought he'd have stopped that by 12 but he still does it which says a lot about his inner beauty

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Cycling along a tranquil river (like in that Henri Bosco book I never finished)

The beach at La Pointe - the distant waves and shore shrouded in silver-white spray

Cycling home with the Enfants Terribles after a 20km ride - amazing energy for such little legs

Beer Ritz - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Reading the paper and my Michael Chabon novel under a tree on a rock overlooking a cove in Biarritz

Watching pelota with the Enfants Terribles in Ondres

Watching the Olympics en famille in a cafe in Biarritz - with diabolas and vin rose

Monday's Happiness Experiment entry

The cloisters of Bayonne cathedral

Spiced ice-cream

A quiet moment at the war memorial in Bayonne

Creative Accounting #331

Earth Wind and Fire - Doobie Brothers = Steely Dan

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Wave Hallo - Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Swimming at la plage de la digue in Tarnos, what seems like a locals' beach, by the mouth of the river

Jogging among the pine trees along sandy paths

Buying fruit and veg with the Enfants Terribles at the market in Ondres (get the L out of Londres and you end up in Ondres)

Landing in Les Landes - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Listening to Beer Ritz, the compilation I made in the wee small hours for our holiday in Les Landes

Seeing the pine trees and sandy ground known to me only through Therese Desqueyroux

Snoozing by the evening pool

Track of the Day

Breezin' - Al Jarreau & George Benson (perfect for the coast of Les Landes)

Sunday, August 10, 2008

One World, One Nightmare

I dreamt I saw thousands of people moving in unison in circles. I dreamt they were so numerous that the incredible speactacle looked as ultimately unconvincing as CGI. I dreamt I saw children singing songs so simple (so not made up by children) they were bland and charmless - We plant trees, we sow seeds, the land turns green. The air turns brown. We wear masks. I dreamt I saw teenage girls swaying for hour after hour as country after country filed past, filming the filmers on their made in China handycams. Getting tired? Keep swaying happily girls or it's the labour camp for you. Meanwhile back in the labour camp, some months earlier: OK, lads, here's the choice - break rocks or learn this little dance. I dreamt I saw some other lads goose-stepping in black boots. Tanks filing past, missile launchers, fly-bys. One world, one dream. One tank, one student. Meanwhile, some miles away: 150 tanks roll into Georgia. Georgian army 11,320 - Russian army 395,000. Georgian population 4.63m - Russian population 140.7m (though due to halve by 2050). Georgian military expenditure $380m - Russian military expenditure $59,100m. How much did this spectacle cost? How much does China spend on education per year? I dreamt I saw no flag from Tibet. I dreamt I saw unison not unity. I dreamt I saw bird cages in a bird's nest. People moving in small circles. I dreamt of the Mordillo cartoon I cut out as a kid. "We're all different!" shout out the identical looking mass of people. "I'm not!" shouts out one of them. One party, one line. I dreamt I saw something which sub-consciously summarised what others fear.

In 2012 to follow these people making a spectacle of themselves, partying to the tune of the Party, London must be itself, tune in to its idiocyncratic, eccentric, spirited creativity (one thing that cannot be manufactured); its rich mix of cultures and peoples; its unique, particular, genuine handmade in Britain talent; its individual dreams which thread the tapestry of its Jerusalem spirit.

Friday, August 08, 2008

Embarrassing Bodies

Today's Happiness Experiment entry (thurs)

Walking through St James's Park at dusk - end of a summer's day vibe

Watching the Embarrassing Bodies awards dvd

Meeting a female vicar and a sex writer coming out of Paul Carr's book launch

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Seeing my little bro (after too long)

A gift of Moo stickers from Noam

An evening cinema outting with the the Enfants Terribles to see the new Mummy film on its first day of release (we all enjoyed watching the first one in Dublin last weekend)

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

I like this game

Top 5 famous one word lines from the movies



Here's my suggestion:
“Shiiiittttt!!!!!!!” from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when Butch and Sundance jump over the cliff down in to the river to escape the posse

And here's my first Five List:

Top 5 Firsts (as this is my first Five list)





Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Fish and chips and the paper at Poseidon

Dusk in the garden (with a coffee) - light breeze, distant train

Starting to read 'Ice Cold in Alex'

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Jogging along the near pier

Contemplating Capt. James' grave in the shadow of Carlingford mountain - 1.1.11 - cemetery sunday

Hanging with Des, Orla, Elizabeth, Sean and Bronagh in Linn Beag - watching the Gaelic football and drinking tea

Son of a Beach - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Eating blackberries behind the dunes in Rush, Co. Dublin

Watching movies with the the Enfants Terribles (Bridget Jones' Diary [Carlingford, Bernadette's], The Mummy [Rush, Elizabeth's])

Jogging along the beach in Rush opposite Lambey Island - caught in a rain shower, watching birds flying low over the sea, lying on the strand listening to the sea

Track of the Day (yesterday)

Look Up by Zero 7 (jogging through the dunes in Rush, Co. Dublin)

Friday, August 01, 2008

Formula for now - yesterday's Happiness Experiment entry

Initial meeting with Hans Ulrich Oberist of the Serpentine Gallery about Formulas for Now project (on back terrace at Channel 4 in bright sunlight)

Dinner at BAFTA to celebrate nominations with Alfie Dennen and his mum and my mum

Evening walk through St James's Park and St James's in light summer rain

Today's Happiness Experiment entry

Heading for Dublin with the the Enfants Terribles

Visiting artist Tom Phillips' studio in Peckham with Ma

Clearing the name 'Sexperience' for my next project - with Mint Digital and Cheetah TV