Bright Times @ Bar Story

Sun it up with Bright Times.

BUS LAN

BUS LAN, originally uploaded by Hobnobrob.

How exciting you might say, but this is a big result for anyone who's been living on East Dulwich rd for the last 6 months. Not only does the road not have craters, burst water pipes and scaffolding everywhere, but it now has a new Bus Lane sign. Amazing. Grumble over.

Killer Bees on the Loose

BO!

Best believe it's a Barrack Obama Table Cloth. To say that i'm envious of Pascal's table cloth is an understatement. Isn't it brilliant? Not only is Pas a cracking host, but we get to eat her special chicken pie off the presidents face (and plates obviously). I split a bit of wine on his chin. Sorry Pas, Barrack. More Chicken Pie Please Pas. xxx

Thanks for the Qashqai..

I've been a bit work shy on the posts about east Dulwich recently, which is mainly down to being given a Nissan Qash Qai to do as I please with. I had the car for 3 month and it was a joy to drive. It's pretty much aimed at the East Dulwich peeps; young family's, nippy little getaway car, with enough room inside to swing a fox around (if that's your thing).

You can check out my adventures in the Qashqai in the link below. I have to admit that I didn't really stick to the brief of playing with the city. It was more like play with the country, coast and whatnot. I do hope they'll give it me back soon. And let me keep it.
http://london.playwiththecity.co.uk/

Jackaslackattack!

Apologies for the distinct lack of posts in the past couple of months. I blame it on Jack. It's all his fault. My weakness is 24, and any fans of 24 will know that series 7 is well and truly underway (and almost over).

Jack Bauer, (aka big Keith) is back to save the day, and boy is it good. Oh my god it’s so good. I’m up to 5am now, so I’ve spent a good 22 hours or so on tenterhooks watching jack take on the sengali Juna regime, save the president about 5 times and still have time flirt with his foxy red haired side kick assistant (Rene Walker) who’s definitely loving a bit of the Bauer too. I could dribble on and on about this program, but I’m not one to give away what happens (it’s not in my nature), plus you really couldn’t give a monkey’s flipflop about what I’m watching as I hibernate in these cold dark winter months. Back to East Dulwich eh? Go on Jacky Boy!
www.fox.com/24

Thriller

I was kindly invited to Agent Double O's 8th Birthday outing to see Thriller live. It was brilliant, in a pop idol kind of way. We had a dance, O said one of the Michael jackson singers looked like mr Bean, and he did. Had me in tears. I think he enjoyed it though. Big Thanks to Anorak Magazine for the trip out. Super Stuff cathy O. And big thanks to my brother for bagging me a ticket to see Michael Jackson's This is it Tour in September. He He. Eddie are you Ok? Are you okay Eddie? Best stop now.

Michael jackson Live

ED on Google maps...

Check out the google maps street view. always good to see if you can find someone being sick outside the EDT, or a Millwall thug fighting near kebab & Crime on Lordship lane.
Google Maps

Giles Peterson

Popped along to this the other week. Definitely worth a pop. It's not often you get to share a Chinese restaurant's basement with Giles Peterson as he warms up for his radio show. Cracking venue & some very cool looking crews getting down. shame that it's on a school night really.

Giles Peterson's BBC Radio 1 show

The Neverending Story Book Shop Shuts

Criminal.

You Snow it!

What a treat eh? Thanks to the Snow most of us couldn't get a bus, tube or train and had to settle for a Bank Holiday style day off snowballing, building igloos on goose green and the obligatory placky bagging up on Hornimann Hill. It's strange & beautiful how a bit of snow puts smiles on faces and everyone talks to each other again. What fun. More Angel dandruff please.

Boobar Kite Flying on Black heath

Yes yes, We took they young Spall's up to Blackheath to do a spot of boobar kite flying. It took a while to figure outthe wind, but 'tils mastered the art in the end. More of the same soon eh?

The Invisible...

Apparently these guys are the next thing in the music scene. Not a massive indie fan, but these guys are good.

http://www.myspace.com/theinvisiblethree

Forever @ V&A

Forever at the Victoria & Albert Museum from Universal Everything on Vimeo.

Definitely worth a shifty. Universal Everything created this audio-visual installation light sculpture with John maeda. Proper Eye & Ear Fodder.
21 November 2008 - 1 February 2009
Admission Free
http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/contemporary/forever

London Transport Map

Sorry, this isn't masssively exciting, but it is mighty handy. I remember when I first moved to London and thought the only way to get around was the Tube System. Pah! I have legs now. And a nifty map. maps rule.

Crime Rates in East Dulwich

You can check out crime rates in your london hood here
http://maps.met.police.uk/
Just watch Your sen in Pecknam Yeh?

Alan Aldridge the man with kaleidascope eyes @ The Design Museum

You've got to check out Alan Aldridge's life's work at the Design Museum. utterly Wonderful. A rich trip into a fantastical world. He's illustrated album artwork for the Beatles, Elton and was Art Director for Penguin Books. The exhibition is on til the 25th.

Something tells me this chap was dabbling in some experimental narcs.

Stevie Gerrard requests Phil Collins...

Apparently all the ca-fuffle surrounding Stevie G's arrest and media disgrace all centred around a DJ not playing Phil Collins as Stevie G had requested. What a numpty eh? Why deny Stevie Phil Collins. Shame on you Mr DJ. Bloody love Collins work on the Little Mermaid. Shame on you too Stevie. I know you read this blog, you should know that I know that Steven.

Come On Henry!

Apparently staying in is the new going out, which is total rubbish, but I can see it catching on. You fill your house with friends, have a party, keep it cheap, then end up scrubbing the wine stains in the carpet for weeks until you can see the floorboards...
Yeh, well not at our house. Big Gabe & georgie popped round and we played cards and soaked up some fizz. Not entirely sure what happened, but it was lots of fun. It took us 2 days to recover from that night too, if it's any consolation Georgie. x

Pete's Birthday @ All Star Lanes

Last satursnacks we took the south london crew way out of their comfort zone to the new All Star Lanes on Brick lane. Brick lane's got everything now hasn't it? Bagels, Bowling, Big Chill Bar, Curry, Dirt, Bricks....

Anyway, we had milkshakes, beers, chips and bowled away in their fancy velcro shoes, all in honour of Mr Pete Sale. Snazzy place, lots of easyjet orange chairs, some nu wave rockabilly's loitering in the corners as well as some very sexy waitress outfits. A good blend of agent provocateur & amy winehouse before she met David Blaine or whatever that scabby dude's name is.

2009 and On

As the sun rose like a beaver poking his head out of its twiggy lodge, I took a picture in our backroom, got cold and got back into bed. Welcome to the new year folks.

NYE

Oh my, we had a mental one over NYE. Snicks & I went to Canterbury to spend a very chilled out one with mere & pere mascarenhas. I know you're meant to go mental on NYE, but I beleive its who you're with not where you're at. Plus it was good, scrabble, a history lesson on Stalin, Jools' Hootananey, Wii and Jos Birthday Celebrations with family galore made it a treat. Bring on 2009 eh? Crazy cats.

Happy New Year

Love to you and yours. May your year be full of magic, fun and happiness. I've made some simple resolutions; to stay alive, get into as much trouble as possible and learn bass guitar. Let's crack on eh?

Mersea Island...

I took the badboy (QashQai) on a day trip with sexy Chris & sexy Gabe to Mersea Island. Nothing to do with East Dulwich, but a great gettaway island near colchester.


We ate Oysters, a plate of fishiness, collected shells


and...lost a wing mirror thanks to a tesco lorry deciding they wanted my side of the road too. Twas a lovely day out though. If anyone has any bright ideas for trips out of the city please send them my way.

More pics of Qash Qai adventures herey.

Monkey world next me tinks...

Good Eggs

Over the Chrimbo period the discussion "what's the best way to eat an egg" kept cropping up, and on the whole "poached" came out on top. My Mum taught me the best way to make poached eggs. boil some water, put in frying pan, get the water bubbling, but don't boil and crack fresh eggs into the water. leave for a while, serve and gobble. Yum Yum in my tum.

Bloomberg new Contempories

Apparently this is where we can see the best new art being made in the UK right now. The above image is by Raakhee Lakhtaria, a photographer from St Martins

Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2008
6 December - 11 January, 2009
Afoundation London, Club Row, Rochelle School. Arnold Circus, London E2 7ES
Opening Times: 12 noon – 6pm
www.newcontemporaries.org.uk

Crazy P

SUNSCIENCE - Crazy P from Gumboots Media Limited on Vimeo.
Crazy P, formerly known as Crazy Penis are playing Thurs 5th March @ O2 Islington Academy. We first saw their dreamy disco magic at the big chill, which was the highlight of the festival for me. Bag some tickets here & join us...

Ticketweb

Annie....

Been meaning to go to this for a while at the National Portrait Gallery. Nicola went to a Vantiy Fair Photographic exhibition and raved about Leibvitz's iconic images, and dribbled over the rob lowe picture. Hmmm. Anyway, they open late on thursday & fridays (til 10pm). What a great way to keep to the no boozing in the new year... just replace gutter crawling for culture craddling.

www.npg.org.uk/annieleibovitz/

African Soul Rebels.

Everyone needs something to look forward to in the new year. There's lots on offer, so lets not piff paff around eh? Lets get back to fun ASAP.

South London Crew

The South London Crew spent sunday 28th of December at the Rye Hotel, Pecknam. Twas fun. Matilda drew me some wonderful pictures, I met new crew, and we all had a jolly old time. We hope everyone had a wonderful new year party and everyone stays healthy & happy in the new year. Bring it on eh?

2008 Gold

TY @ The Big Chill


Sam Sparro's take on Estelle's American Boy.
Super Gay. Super Good.


Santagold. More White glasses.

Merry Christmas East Dulwich

Hope you all have a wonderful time... Please feel free to print out, colour in and give to your breadbins and family. Enjoy. See you in 2009!

"Pull the Other One" Comedy Night...

Nissan QashQai Winner!!!

Not sure how this happened, but a few month ago I entered a competition to win a Nissan QashQai for 3months and 500 queen's chins. I had to prove my blogging worth and show that I can provide snazz-tastic places to go for arts, music and ting. So, yeh I won. total fluke i reckon.

If you need a lift or know of any good shiznit going on, let me know. it'd be muchas appreciated.

plus, if you'd like me to come to your party, want to feed me delicious fodder, have a gig/play or exhibition coming up give me a nudge, and i'll do my best to plug plug plug.

More From David Mach...

Havelock Walk Open Studios, originally uploaded by Hobnobrob.

Sculpture made of matches. Beautifully made. T'wud be a good burning performance piece no?

Havelock Walk Open Studios

Havelock Walk Open Studios, originally uploaded by Hobnobrob.

David Mach and a host of super artists opened their studios at Havelock Walk, Forrest Hill, just over yonder from East Dulwich.

Superb Collages, sculptures, mulled wine and friendly artists helped set the Christmas Mood.

A lot of the studios were lived in studios, amazingly warm. Perfectly integrating home and work, love and life. I'd love to live on Havelock Walk.

David Mach
www.havelockwalk.com

Santa Propping

Santa Kidnapped...

Hello Ben & Becks....

Last week I met Beck's & Ben at Shane's Wonderful birthday party. The Spalls set a high standard for Partying, and it was lovely to be invited to celebrate the life & times of Mamma Spall (hope the stubby plant is surviving!).

Back to Beck's & Ben. Check his store above... Becks mentioned Ben is a graffiti artist living in east Dulwich. I said that I do do a blog in East Dulwich and Now Ben is on the blog. Amazing. Still, check more of his stuff here. it's nice & gritty. Loving the Textures.Look forward to bumping into these peeps soon. and if youre reading this let me know about any plays you're in Becks....

Ben McKay Art

Dulwich Park Yum

We took a little stroll through Dulwich park last Sunday. T'were lovely it was. We played frisbee for the first time, checked out the nifty craft market next to the cafe that sold lots of nice mumsy stuff.... I bought a Bee Whistle and took a shine to this robot material....

Then we hit The Dulwich Park Picture Gallery, which was brilliant. You've got to check out the Saul Steinburg exhibition (thanks for the Recommendation Rosie!). it's 9 jib to get in, but well worth it. Fantastic Style, and experimentation with stamps, collage and cartoonesque maps. Love a good map.

Plus there's also a free "What are you like?" exhibition on. The idea is to ask various artist what they like; their favourite colour, place and get them to repsond in their style. There's loads of great artits who've contributed; brian eno, Quentin Blake & David Shrigley.


So yeh, go check it out. At first I thought the gallery was going to be a bit stuffy, with all the classic portrait pictures hung everywhere, but the have a good balance of contemporary snazz too. Nuff good.
www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Mutate

DSC00051.JPG, originally uploaded by Hobnobrob.

I Checked out the Mutate gallery in shoreditch last week. Some really good work on show by various street art pusher hustlers. There's loads more pics in my flickr....

Technically it was all good, but for me I, I felt like the street art scene hasn't moved on much since Banksy. It's all a bit apocolyptic, doom and gloom, artistic self harm style of subject matter. Fricking brighten up eh?

I don't know about you but I'd rather walk down a street and be confronted by something that makes me smile. Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time street art was on the street and not in a gallery.

Still I like this skull made of lots of pin badges.
...but would you hang it on your wall at home?

me neither.

Seen & Done Collage

Seen & Done Collage, originally uploaded by Hobnobrob.

I'm a self-confessed horder, here's some stuff I've bagged in and around London ville. Loving the Blue Peter badge. I've also started collecting postcards of the royal family, London Kitsch.