Incoming from snowy Sheffield, this mildly suspicious ad from a local Tesco:
Is this the classifieds equivalent of an old Ford Transit Van with a tatty piece of cardboard proclaiming “Free Sweeties” next to its potentially open sliding door?
In all likelihood, it’s probably just an old dear with entirely innocent intentions of making £4.50 and protecting some kids from the spring showers.
But that “not too far from here” line does make it look ever so slightly creepy, no?
Not me in the sun today, although 90 minutes of football in the merciless African heat did sap my energy somewhat. A relaxing braai this afternoon has left me with very little time, so here’s a photo I’ve wanted to share for quite a while:
This is from Sheffield photographer Dan Arkle and features Stanage Edge, which we’ve featured before. For this shot, Dan popped his camera on a 12 minute exposure and climbed up and down the edge while wearing a headlamp.
Dan has plenty of other great shots of Sheffield and surrounds on his site, which is well worth a visit.
Sheffieldblog is reightly (sic) very excited at the news that a copy of Speedy’s debut album News from Nowhere has “been found” and is going to be released online later this month.
Speedy’s only notable release was 1996’s “Boy Wonder” a brilliant tune which came right at the height of Britpop. But while Supergrass, Ocean Colour Scene, Pulp, Dodgy and Shed Seven were banging out hit after hit, Speedy sadly disappeared quickly from earshot. The single never charted, but did feature on one of the Shine compilation albums – the Indie equivalent of the Now series.
Full of fun, full of energy, taking me – *weep* – 16 (sixteen) years back.
Anyway, while I’m wondering where my life went, here’s the heads up on the album streaming etc.
I’ve said before that taking good photos in Cape Town really isn’t difficult. And I also mentioned that the standards are therefore raised; that to be exceptional, your pictures have to be… well… exceptional. For me, Stanage Edge near Sheffield also falls into that category. The place is so picturesque, the views so outstanding, that you could just point and shoot and get something decent.
Like I did in November 2010:
Nice. But not exceptional. (In my defence, it was too cold to hold my camera and there was about 120kg of Rottweiler pulling me precariously close to the cliff edge while I was trying to paint with light). But it seems that Mat Robinson didn’t have ice or dog issues and thus, the photos on his blog should be appreciated. They’ve gone beyond “good”, beyond “nice” – they’re exceptional:
There’s lots more where that came from – just click the link above. Or visit his Flickr, for fewer words.
Incoming from Cambridge band Alt-J who apparently played at the Tramlines Festival in Sheffield this year.
I’m not sure how long this has been doing the rounds overseas, but it’s a relative newcomer to SA and I’m really enjoying it. That probably has more to do with the heavy piano chord introduction and the messy percussion throughout than the fact that the lead singer looks a bit like Howard Moon from The Mighty Boosh.
Probably.
The official video is here, but it doesn’t do much for me.
Apparently:
The painting on which the video is based “The School of Athens” shows the brightest and best of their day, the people lauded as great, who commanded the most respect in society. The contrast is to show what has become most respected in out society – money, women, empty fame and bravado, these are the things argued over and lauded now. The LA Gangster schtick works well as visual shorthand for this.
Since I agree with the sentiment, maybe I just don’t like looking at chavs.
Who knew?