Archive for March 2011
A Quiet Holiday
This has been another really special thing for 2011 – rediscovering my grandpa’s large collection of Super 8 film from the 1950s – 70s.
This one is particularly special. Cine film of the McNeill summer of 1973. Masterfully converted to digital by the fabulously talented, Evi Tsiligaridou. Soundtrack put together by me, with music by Yann Tiersen, Grizzly Bear and Sidney Bechet
I hope you enjoy it.
Firsts
This is a big set of firsts for me. First medium format camera with no light meter, attempting to master the art of the masterful guess when it comes to aperture and shutter speed. First film entirely processed by me, firstly by guddling about in the black padded t-shirt with elasticated arm band in an attempt to get the film on the reel for processing. First for mixing the chemicals, pouring and agitating to the stop watch. First for the miracle of seeing an image appear on the negative when processed film is finally washed and hung and ready for printing/scanning.
So here is the result (well one of them). I’m completely amazed that I managed to get this far in the process and produce a proper image out of it. Now I think I have the bug, to do it again soon, do it often, do it better – but in the meantime I’m pretty pleased with this collection of firsts.
Woody (in a stranglehold)
Woody (in a stranglehold)
I have been known to cry at adverts so I’m not necessarily the best person to comment on this. But Toy Story 3!?! I wasn’t quite expecting to be fighting back the tears at the end of that film. I kept having to remind myself that it was only a kids film, that it wasn’t like Bambi’s mother had just died, no-one had died, had they? We’re only … well … mourning the passing of childhood … goddamit … pass me the tissues again.
Turnip Genocide
An odd thing on the side of the road. Turnips. Abandoned by the lorry load, or so it seemed.
Looking like something from the Killing Fields and smelling intensely of rotting vegetables.
An assault on the eyes and the nose.
Bacon and blueberry pancakes
One of the little projects I’m thinking of for 2011 is to create a recipe book with a slight difference. I love cooking, but for me, the process often requires very loud music as accompaniment; so that stirring, chopping, blending and slicing is interspersed with a little bit of dancing, a little bit of singing, possibly a bit of mild or manic head-banging (depending on the recipe). Then you have the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
So I had this idea to create a book of recipes that I liked with some recommendations of tunes to accompany the cooking and eating process. Especially if it’s a little culinary round-the-world trip as I quite like theming my music with the country from which the recipe originates.
So this is the first. Pancakes with grilled bacon, blueberries and maple syrup. I don’t think I need to tell you much more about how to throw it together. Make the pancakes if you will but Greggs had them six for £1 and they were mighty fine. Heat the pancakes, grill the bacon, put on a plate, scatter a generous handful or two of blueberries on it, drizzle with maple syrup and you have THE best leisurely, decadent weekend breakfast.
I first has this at some friends so not sure where it originates from but I think it has a bit of an Antipodean flavour to it, so swing open your windows, let in the sun (if it is obliging), make yourself a large pot of coffee and I recommend a bit of Bic Runga’s Beautiful Collision as nice, gentle morning music to accompany this.
We can leave the head banging for later in the day.
