It seems I kinda photobombed myself in a funny kinda way this morning, but can you guess what the photo is all about?
Am loving the grey texture btw.
#hapkneefriyay
Getting under the skin of 'Everybody's free to wear sunscreen'
Listen here: https://youtu.be/sTJ7AzBIJoI
Well what with all British tropical climate on the go at the moment, I find it apt to share with you this article, made famous by the now Australian film producer Baz Luhrmann.
The ‘song’ has always been a stand out memory from my late teens. There's just so many wise quotes and so I’ve decided to highlight some by creating a kinetic typography animation.
Watch this space.
So, what’s the story behind this all encompassing lyrical masterpiece? Find out here.
Thanks Mary.
What ice beneath?
Nat Geo does it again with an amazingly simple but powerful message to the humans of this Earth.
Just the tip: We’re only just beginning to clean up our act.
Ive always been a fan of the perfect bound yellow magazine. Perfect in so many ways. As much an icon of colour as the Yellow Pages or the red and black leather covers of Encyclopaedia Britannica with content and photography to rival any current affairs or travel pub out there. The size has always been a big appeal to me too, large enough to hold and read comfortably, but with a light paper stock, perfect to fold in half and store in your travel luggage at the airport - which is where I normally pick mine up.
Of course, many a copy of NG have been picked up at boot sales or charity shops - that’s the kind of following this treasured title has been recognised for if not only for the cover photo- any and every issue becomes a collectors item because of that . The latest issue is no different, and in some ways is more valuable than any other.
Wrongly Sacked Writer?
A Beatle of wills between copywriter Aubrey Malden and Ogilvy himself. A strong idea is sometimes too good to ignore based on old-fashioned principles.
This is an extract from his book Between the Briefs by Aubrey himself which I’ve added to my wish list.
The Founder IMDB 7.2/10
It may not be the obvious film title you would expect for the fast food company that today serves over 69 million customers per day in over 100 countries. The storyline may not be so obvious either. I am of course talking about McDonald’s.
This is a fantastic film about the rise and rise of the hamburger giants that based their business model on speedy service and never looked back - well maybe the McDonald brothers did.
Interesting insights are shared in this film about the franchising model, cooking methods and suppliers (Instamix for example; a supplier of milkshake powder that when mixed with water makes a quick milk tasting shake).
This is the story of one man’s big dream. Ray Kroch’s motivational energy, courageous moves and bloody mindedness to succeed at all costs is played superbly by Batman, sorry Michael Keaton. No cameo for Ronald and friends unfortunately.
For the full experience watch with a Big Mac, fries and large shake (minus the Instamix).
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Shock horror! 😱
I feel slightly embarrassed to say it’s taken me 36 years to finally sit down and watch Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.
This fantastic story written by Robert Bloch adapted by Hitchcock way back in ‘60 blew me away particularly with its very clever cinematography. Amazing.
I’m definitely a sucker for the oldies. I’d say I only watch a handful of the latest releases, most of which I find to be either money spinners (Fast and Furious) or just have weak story lines; action films that quite frankly have camera motion on roids. Don’t get me started on muffled dialogue.
I have rules too. Well one really, and a fair one at that - all films I watch have to be reviewed 7+ on IMDB unless my wife wants to watch a chick flick (arrrgghhhh!).
We’ll that's ok then, Physcho is rated 8.5/10. However, still not high enough in my opinion.
If you haven’t seen it you should be embarrassed, if you’ve reached 36 or not. Still better late than never, (unlike Fast and Furious cough).
Not one for the train, my brothers
Continuing my loose plan to watch more classic films lead me to download A Clockwork Orange from amazon prime, to watch on the train to/from work.
This made for awkward viewing my brothers. The old in/out scenes made me a little squeamish for my fellow passengers who might be giving me the beady eye; at times I had to hit pause, close the app and peruse my smartphone in other ways.
I can see why the film was banned for so long with its extremely powerful and sexually violent scenes. However as much as I loved the dialogue throughout the film I was a little disappointed with the ending if I’m honest.
With an IMDB rating of 8.3 - my morals are in tact. Don’t think it was ever in doubt with this cult classic from Kubrick.
Supergroup Loop #2 Whitney Houston
Thought it was about time for another Loop. Listen responsibly 🎧
1. Whitney Houston Queen of the night
2. Queen Killer queen
3. Queen of the Stone Age I sat by the Ocean
4. Frank Ocean Pink + white
5. The White Stripes Seven nation army
6. Shed Seven Chasing rainbows
7. Rainbow The temple of the king
8. Carole King I feel the earth move
9. Earth Wind and Fire In the stone
10. The Stone Roses Fools gold
11. Andrew Gold Lonely boy
12. Naughty Boy La la la
13. The La’s Feel in’
14. The Feeling Feel my little world
15. Little Mix Black magic
16. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Echo
17. Echo and the Bunnymen Scissors in the sand
18. Scissor Sisters Skin this cat
19. Cat Stevens Matthew & son
20. Dave Matthews Band Jimi thing
21. Jimi Hendrix Dolly dagger
22. Dolly Parton I will always love you
23. Whitney Houston I will always love you
Limited edition Lacoste polos snapped up at PFW
FCK!
KFC has taken a blunt and humorous approach to a chicken supply crisis that forced it to shut down restaurants across the UK.
A print ad by Mother rearranges the letters of the fast-food chain's name to spell "FCK" on a chicken bucket. The apology spot ran in The Sun and Metro and pointed viewers to a website with status updates on local outlets. KFC’s fiasco started after it switched to a new delivery supplier, which experienced "operational issues" leading to a chicken shortage and KFC temporarily closing most of its UK stores. But the brand’s honesty and humour in response to the disaster is likely to help it in the long term.
Train games on the Loop
So I played a little game this morning on the train, admittedly with a little help from Spotify.
It’s a game I’ve made up and decided to call Supergroup Loop.
There’s rules and everything!
Game rules (please play responsibly).
Link the first or last word in the song title to the artist that immediately follows, eventually linking back to the very first artist. However, the last song must be a cover version of the penultimate song title. Got it?
H§ere’s my first Loop. Happy listening.
Supergroup Loop #1 - Pet Shop Boys
1. Pet Shop Boys Go west
2. Go West SOS
3. The SOS Band Weekend girl
4. The Weeknd The hills
5. Sugar Hill Gang 8th wonder
6. Stevie Wonder Golden lady
7. Lady Gaga Poker face
8. The Faces Miss judges farm
9. The Farm Groovy train
10. Train Hey soul sister
11. Sister Sledge All American girls
12. Girls Aloud Machine
13. Rage Against the Machine Guerilla radio
14. Gorillaz Busted and blue
15. Deacon Blue Real gone kid
16. Kid Rock Born free
17. Free Mr big
18. Mister Mister Broken wings
19. Wings Jet
20. Jet Are you gonna be my girl
21. Scouting for Girls Elvis isn’t dead
22. Elvis Always on my mind
23. Pet Shop Boys Always on my mind
For the love of logos
Loving this logomark for the development site of London Stone at 111 Cannon Street, London.
The mysterious Stone has been re-located to The Museum of London whilst 111 is being modernised. It's due for completion later this year.
Nike - Nothing Beats a Londoner. A big tick from me
This caught my undivided attention last week whilst I sat down to watch a little prime time TV. Inspiring work by Wieden & Kennedy.
Just go and watch it here.
One sweet, one sour
Always been fond of this logotype from British cider company Bulmers. The packaging design works nicely side by side too.
On a bad note, here's a link to a recent article which explains how brand giants can somewhat controversially help muscle into new markets.
Britain's going nuts for it, just like me
I was glad to hear in the news section of the current Waitrose Weekend paper that peanut butter is fast becoming Britiain’s breakfast spread of choice with sales of over £93m last year. It has long been my favourite thing ever and I highly recommend everyone eats at least half a jar a day, of the Peter Pan variety of course.
Source: Kantar Worldpanel
Christmas truffles
A client came into the office this week to deliver some chocolates to say thanks. My god these things are good! I especially enjoyed the Around Midnight Espresso flavour.
22 mile swim challenge
So today I completed my final leg of the Aspire Channel Swim that I signed up for some 12 weeks ago. The reason: help raise money for people with spinal cord injuries.
It's basically a case of swimming 22 miles (the length of the channel) in 12 weeks - an average of 1.83 miles per week.
With a new born child on my hands I was able to get in 2 swims per week on average. When other commitments got in the way I had to make up some time.
I did get a little behind the weekly average but luckily a big session on Wednesday helped ease the load on my final swim today to reach Calais.
I've got to say I enjoyed every moment and it got me back into swimming and has helped me to improve my technique but most importantly raise a small amount for charity.
My longest swim session
New bookie wookie
So I purchased a new book today from the sale we have at work. It's called Around the World in Cut-outs by @paperboyo
Paperboyo, (real name Rich McCor) talks about his daily commute and mundane happenings of both living and working in London and ultimately losing sense of what's around him.
Not happy, he decides to take a fresh approach to the City he takes for granted, and photographs it in fun and interesting ways by adding his own paper cut out to the photos.
In his own words, he became 'a tourist in his own city'. A fascination of Instagram followed and things went from there.
He's since been around the world photographing all sorts of landmarks with his paper crafts and then came this fun little book.
Here are a couple of my favourites.
My bright new kicks
So I took delivery of these beauties today. Not my first pair of Nike's (obviously! that would be stupid) but they are my first pair of flyknits and I've got to say I love 'em. I was a little hesitant to part with the extra cash at first but I love everything about them and my feet do too.
Nike are a superbrand for good reason. An amazing amount of R&D goes into trainers like these and their marketing is something else. It's no surprise they make up about half the entries in this nice little book I have - expect more chat about that later, but for now, let's just stare in admiration at these bad boys.
Original 1992 Nike Air Huarache advert
Life cycle
My Instagram post when I realised I'd been successful in applying through the RideLondon ballot
Ssssh! It's not a race… Well that's what Prudential RideLondon emails and paraphernalia kept telling us riders from day one, but on Sunday 30th July, I was sure mine and many other's competitive spirits will come out and we'd all be hell for rubber gunning it across the streets of London, hoping to become the first novice over the line.
Yeah right. For me there was a bigger picture here.
RideLondon 2017
2:19 mins
Back in 2013 I'd decided to compile a small but significant list of things i would like to achieve in the next 5 years. I kept this to myself for a few years and slowly realised that I was chipping away at the list. It started with an amazing engagement proposal to my wife in Central Park and so naturally we married a year later.
Today I'm a father to a wonderful 4 month old girl, Connie, but prior to that, I'd applied for the RideLondon event in the likelihood I could tick off another of my goals. Sure enough I got a place and as long as I stayed fit, my 5 year life plan was edging towards completion.
Non-race day
From the start at Olympic park in Stratford to the finish line along the famous pink tarmac of the mall in west London, crowds were out in their numbers. Everyone seemed to be having so much fun, apart from the poor sod who stacked it on the first bend out of the Park.
That aside, the organisers carried out an amazing job all round and the decision to close the roads really did make it a rather quick 46 mile route - helped by the good weather that the later starters certainly benefited from.
I'm embarrassed to say I only managed one 30 miler in training and a couple of short last minute workouts on the watt bike in the gym so my expectations of a top time were low. Still, I had become a dad recently so my priorties lie somewhat elsewhere.
However I was more than happy with my unofficial time of 2hrs 19 secs which I believe was largely down to smart food/drink intake, which if anything, made me stronger over the final 6 miles of the course. Sadly, not everybody finishes the ride. I'd like to send my condolences to the family of Maris Ozol, of whom sadly lost his life during the event. My donation is the very least I could do.
I'll definitely be applying again next year when the ballot opens on 7th august but for now my attention turns to running, with my sights on the final topic on my list, a 3rd Marathon.
I'll probably apply for London again but after completing the Berlin and Barcelona courses, I may have to travel beyond London to guarantee a place before my 5 year plan expires.