Loving...

Jarvis Cocker (of PULP fame) has been commissioned to produce an album celebrating some of the National Trust's best properties. It's like diving in to a dream with the bird song in the garden, the footsteps down ancient hallways and the chiming of the old bell tower. It features Blickling Hall in my beloved Norfolk and also Belton House setting of my favourite children's book. Available to download free here. Discovered here.

These water bottles featuring classic 1930's London Underground poster designs by Arthur Watts. I can't resist South Kensington.
Ever since I was a little girl I've loved television. My Dad hated it and wouldn't have it in the house, so maybe it has been my one and only act of rebellion. *g* I enjoy films, I like music but I *love* television. Television drama, really; amazing, thought provoking, inspiring, affirming, clever, witty, heartbreaking drama. I love the thrill of waiting a week to find out what happens, I love getting hooked by a love story, I love suspense, I love the locations and the set design and appreciating the script. I just love it. However, I am not often bowled over as I used to be back in the halcion days of the 80's/early 90's.

I have been bowled over, smacked around the head and flawed by Ashes to Ashes though. The word genius is so overused, but I think genius can be thoroughly applied in this case. The Wizard of Oz meets The Last Temptation of Christ meets the 1980's meets tragedy meets comedy. The finale was on Friday that tied up both Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars and it was so good I couldn't sleep that night. Wow.

(icon from here)

Making Me Happy...

♥ Having a few hours break in my work schedule to sit down with a cup of hazelnut coffee and read the latest Waitrose Magazine.



♥ The internet is a wonderful thing. It's been 15 years since I saw a BBC2 'Modern Times' documentary on the Brockwell Lido in London. It has stayed with me very strongly ever since I saw it and then the other day, there it was waiting for me to download it. I can't explain the joy of this half an hour - it's tranquil and hypnotizing. It's merely the mundane thoughts of the visitors to the pool on a given day, and yet within that 24 hours there's a Gay wedding at the Lido, an HIV positive man sinks to the bottom of the pool contemplating his place in life, a mother questions her parenting, an Italian dreams of love and lost lifetimes, friends drink champagne and talk about men, there are Lord's and Margaret Thatcher's private secretary and an old married couple sharing tea out of a flask. Shot on film and with this gentle, watery quality to the direction. No voiceovers, no tricks just...life. I LOVE it. More pictures here








♥ Speaking of TV, I am in the middle of a malestrom of glee. Doctor Who, Junior Apprentice and other guilty pleasures, but also some wonderful quality drama which is making me fizz. Lewis is back, Ashes to Ashes two part finale coming up (with answers) and also the brilliant Luther starting Idris Elba from The Wire which is stunning me with it's noir-ness.

♥ I am slightly obsessed with this bowl and cursing my lack of money:



♥ My chum Sian has started a blog, and as I would expect from her, it's fabulous.

♥ Billy Joel's 'She's Alway's A Woman'.