Kitsch Greetings

I found a selection of greetings cards buried in my wardrobe the other day. Many of them are embossed too for added tactile pleasure. Look at the colours! It would be a crime not to share these wonderful designs...

RIP VHS

I've been recording films on VHS since the early 1980s. As the technology at the time was new and expensive, my parents rented out our first top-loading VCR from Granada, a now defunct chain of TV suppliers. This was a time when video formats were still fighting for dominance between VHS and Betamax, when film rental stores doubled-up on their collections to cater for both. It was also a time of so-called 'video nasties' and tape piracy (the first pirate video I saw was ET, months before it was released in UK cinemas)

Favourite Music Releases of 2011

For me it's been a transitional year for music, at least in terms of the artists and genres that I'm drawn to listen to. My playlists have been dominated by single releases and mixes, as such not reflecting the dominance of albums or any singular direction of sound. This is no bad thing; in fact, I find it exciting in the fact that it preempts things to come on the near horizon. Even so, within this stew of music on the move there have still been a number of noteworthy releases.

In no particular order, here are my favourites from 2011... Watch out for updates of anything I've forgotten

Whizzer and Chips

Salvaged from my childhood comic collection, here are two covers from the Christmas editions of Whizzer and Chips (1979 and 1980)

Cemetery Gates

After last weekend's unbearable late summer heatwave, today's return to Autumn was perfect for a visit to Nunhead Cemetery. Located only a short walk from where I live, this is one of the least known and visited "magnificent seven" Victorian cemeteries of London. It's a welcome oasis of quiet and woodland away from the bustle of the city, and its state of disrepair only adds to the charm. And since today's also my birthday, what better time to wander around whilst pondering my own mortality

Here are some more photos...

Zupi Magazine

The Brazilian art magazine Zupi were kind enough to interview me the other month, and last week I finally received a copy of the issue

Here is the complete interview along with some photos of the article:

Royal Norfolk Beans

I like this food label. The beans were quite tasty too