Yesterday we headed up to Primrose Hill for a picnic with Olwen, Sarah and friends, on a grey but thankfully un-rainy Sunday. It was, unsurprisingly, Miette's first trip to the hill to see the dramatic views of the London skyline. More surprisingly it was also my first trip, which having sat there for a while I found pretty outrageous as it is a most splendid view. We were lucky in that the grey weather seemed to be keeping the place relatively un-crazy from fellow picnicing Londoners, just the odd hip hop possee having their photos taken.

Thanks to Olwen for giving us the excuse to head up there, and to bringing along plenty of good company to hang out with. Some photos will appear once I have a chance to upload them, as right now we're un-interneted at home (I'm in a local pub) due to our O2 broadband not yet being installed, and our 3 broadband currently on the fritz since yesterday... come on 3, sort it out!

Labels: friends, London

The ever lovely Spoon River featuring the ever lovely Jason Kent played last night at Club Lambi. I'll post up a few more videos soon, but in the meantime here's the first.

Labels: Bands, friends, gigs, Montreal, videos

My Canadian drinking buddy and part time yoga studio sweeper Jason Kent has released his splendid eponymous album for your delight and enjoyment. I think it's only out in Canada right now, so those non-Canadians out there will have to fly over here and buy it. Off you go now...

In the meantime, here's Jason demonstrating his musical talents by running through the entire album in one go (with Jen, owner of the best yoga studio in Montreal, on camera):

Labels: Bands, Canada, friends, Montreal, Music, videos

My pal Alex has released a new limited edition range of cool Album Catalogue Number T-shirts over at Bathroom Wall. They're pretty spiffing, and with only 200 of each get 'em while they're hot.

Labels: clothing, Cool Stuff, friends

My ever talented friend Nami has just released her Autumn/Winter Clothing Collection. Go check it out.

Ps, Nami - please can you design something wonderful in a t-shirt from this bird photo of yours! Ta {:)

Labels: clothing, Fashion, friends

A quick plug for my friend Amy's music blog. Amy's a dedicated muso currently in LA, when not visiting her true loves London & New York. She also came up with the splendid quote on the top of this post. Classic. So go read the blog now!

Labels: friends, Music, quotes

My talented writer friend Jon popped over to Iraq a while back for Wired. While he was there he wrote some of his own dispatches from the 'peaceful occupation' that are a fascinating glimpse into the military complex.

Labels: freedom, friends, war

My good pal Matt (the other one) has decided to turn his planet-sized brain to blogging interesting stuff when he's not off making gazillions of dollars with his various inspired ventures. Go find out what's on that mind at Deliver us from Swedish Furniture. And yes - ladies, he is currently single so get him while he's hot.

Labels: Blogs, friends

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Now we enter the year of the pig, apparently a very prosperous year for all - especially for people who are little piggies themselves. And a big thanks to the Huang clan for another lovely communal soup-bowl cooking experience. Putting vegetables and meats from your plate into the boiling soup, then fishing it out, or possibly someone else's food, a bit later is a great way to eat and share good times.

Labels: culture, food, friends, new years eve

New Year's Season Greetings to one and all*, welcome to 2007. May you all have hte best bestest bestesterest year ever. And then some.

My hangover has now subsided after another classic Chris party, so I can finally face the loud tapping noise of my keyboard to make a post. Thanks to everyone for a fun evening, and big thanks to my family as usual for stuffing me full of Christmas fare. This of segues nicely into my sole New Year's Resolution of 'lose the weight put on over Christmas'.

* Apologies to all religious groups I've offended because you either don't celebrate the 'increasingly commericalised' New Years or have a much better date for resetting your calendar. Oh, and a big up to the Mayans as we now enter the last five years before the end of their calendar and either a time of re-birth or the end of the world. Personally I'm rooting for that to be the date the Internet becomes sentient.

Labels: friends, new years eve

Yesterday was Lou and Chris' wedding. I've known Lou since the first year at University, now 10 years in the past, and she's known Chris for as long. Ah, bless. A nice, simple traditional sermon held in a church cold enough for your breath to steam. Bad enough for the congregation but even less fun for a bride wearing an off the shoulder silk number - Lou definately went slightly purple at times, although don't think her tears of happiness froze on her cheeks.

After the service Jon and I partook of the first part of Lord of the Rings. Wow. An amazing film that kept me entranced for pretty much all of its 3+ hour length. Visually it is stunning, but what really kept me locked in was the quality of the acting. Ian McKellan as Gandalf was outstanding, a wonderful mix of worldliness and caring demonstrated with the slightest of facial movements. The stories been tweaked and trimmed a bit to fit better with film but it's basically all there. Go see it... now!

Today is the first of many large Christmas meals at home. I feel that I need to get out and go for a long run but it is currently about -100 degrees outside! Ah for a gym in my basement here as well as in Williamsburg! Guess I'll just have to work harder on my gut in the new year, I've lost weight but not from the right places! I think most of it's due to my hair falling out and my brain atrophying from lack of serious use.

Labels: friends