June 2009

the solace of art

30 June 2009 - 11:00pm — creativevoyage

in hard times

Great blog entry at Does Budda Watch Telly

Tea & Cookies

29 June 2009 - 11:00pm — creativevoyage

I'm sure I've mentioned this blog before but if you haven't had a wonder there - do !

celestial spaceships

28 June 2009 - 10:29am — creativevoyage

Better photies of the celestial spaceship here.

I went to a party in this Church, I'm always slighly anxious as the obscure sect who built it (Irvingites) belived that on the Day of Judgement the enitre church would rise up into the heavens like a celestial spaceship with the congreation in it. As a result they were most anxious to ornament the interior - hence the Phoebe Traquair murels. They seem to have been less concerned about providing kitchens, sleeping quarters, stores etc but perhaps the All Mighty was expected to provide. It just makes me somewhat nervous... I have visions of the Day of Judgement arriving while the party is carrying on and being carted off to the Heavens for All Eternity with frankly a mixed bag of companions.

5 on a Friday

25 June 2009 - 11:00pm — creativevoyage

I'm taking up the example of StarryBlueSky and doing my own friday recommendations.

Developing your voice as a writer.

1. write write write !

2. get a cheap ink cartridge pen from WH Smiths or stationary shop. Its easier on your hands.

3. Get cheap notebooks - nothing you will worry about 'spoiling'.

4. go for quantity not quality - seriously your 'voice' will emerge out of it organically. Write excessively.

5. Get a copy of 'Writing Down the Bones' by Natalie Goldberg - this book has done more than I can express to develop my writing. I used it to get me through writing scripts and stories and poetry. I even use the techniques when wriiting for 'work'.

The Impossible Project

24 June 2009 - 11:00pm — creativevoyage

Great roundup of Polaroid goodess at things magazine

soaking up nature

23 June 2009 - 11:00pm — creativevoyage

Today I escaped the stifling hot office, bought an ice lolly and lay on the grass of a local cemetary. I stared up into the branches and leaves of some amazing trees, 30, 40 50 ? ft high in the sky. The pale new leaves of the early summer shimmred against the blue sky,. I have such a hunger for experiencing ALL OF THIS SUMMER.

Living your own life

23 June 2009 - 7:38pm — creativevoyage

Met a woman who gave up a 10 year career making documentaries. I asked her why and she said she wanted to live her own life not other people's.

My favourite meal out: Brunch

7 June 2009 - 8:35pm — creativevoyage

I gaily extended an invite to brunch to StaryBlueSky to Baroque on Broughton St this morning. As I arrived to my horror it had been restyled and renamed but despite this R managed to find it. I swear only a few weeks ago it was still oldstyle Baroque.. Anyway we both had Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon, several large cups of coffee and she dished the news from Istambul. A favourite ' Artist Date' for me is to go out for brunch with a notebook, a pile of postcards and to catch up with correspeondence and read sunday papers over a leisurely meal and several coffees. At this one we had short lecture on the management of 'buns' as I was very hungry and requested one after the meal. Apprently managing 'buns' is very complicated and therefore as an additional snack all they could offer were packaged Oreo cookies - a most unScottish offering. Never theless R & I managed to down them while muttering they were just a variation on a common or garden custard creme.

Update: the new name of the place is Treacle

An Apology

6 June 2009 - 7:50pm — creativevoyage

Deciding to have a barbeque at Portobello beach today was of course the reason why the weather has turned all cold and wet. I met my friends on the promenade and scarpered back to my flat with the sausages. We huddled under my tree cooking on two disposable BBQ's (which worked very well) I made some coffee in the kitchen and they are now off to watch some stand up at the Leith Festival. But I know if I hadn't planneed the barbeque it would have been a glorious evening.

The essentially contary and thrawn personality of the Scottish Weather System is well known...