Thursday, May 31, 2007

> kneeboard >> should be good today > north coast, cornwall, uk

I had to put this photo up it is (kneeboarder) karl ward, surfing in the world kneeboard championships at santa cruz, california earlier this year. to me it shows power & speed as well as total commitment.
the north coast of cornwall should be getting a good'ish clean wave, check surf98 for more details.
special mention to pushing tide & surf in oregon both well worth a look if you get the chance.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

surf blogs >> I have been looking at

really like this blog sissyfish I have checked it a few times over the last few weeks and I really find it interesting and calming, run by chum from portland, oregon, us. a painter, illustrator and scribe holed up in the pacific northwest. hopelessy addicted to sliding on frigid waters and "talking story." (his words) I can relate to that.

another site I like to check is surfysurfy, especially when they post pictures of boards like the one below.
a flextail quad 'mashup' shaped by Ian Zamora and Dennis Kane.
just a couple of the many really interesting takes on when the world of surfing and the internet collide. I have more for another day.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

after a couple of days >> thoughts about hospitals

I didn't think it would be easy to stay away from this blog for a couple of days good but I did. it was so good to receive positive messages whilst I was away. so regards to paula hope you had some good waves this past weekend. troy thank you for your comments. special mention goes to andrew for checking that I really do have a problem with the way things are arranged, and also feistyred for making me think even more about how children can draw and enjoy drawing without being self conscious.
any way enough catching up and to the reason for today's blog.

I as usual always try to have a look at stuff wherever I go. today I went of the main city hospital as carol had an outpatients appointment (she is well it was a positive appointment). as usual I was looking up and almost enjoying the new section of the building shown in the picture below.

the shapes and shadows of the design of this building I thought were quite pleasing. this is a view out of a waiting room where I seemed to spend a long time. as long as I looked out of the window it was ok.

if only the same amount of time and money where spent on the interior. I pitched for a job designing textiles (curtains, etc.) for a health authority but we didn't agree on some stuff so it never really got going further that initial design drawings.


I wish that some one had been employed to design the interior of this hospital. I fully understand that the work of a hospital is not the same as a 'design studio' and there are more important things to consider as far as live saving. however there is no possible doubt that people recover better and even quicker if their environment is conducive to well being.
the chairs are so depressing (even though I like the colour!) it was the wipe clean plastic covers that I didn't like. as well as the combination of pale pigment less colour scheme. the new section of the build would have been specified, and though about with a chance to change the ever lasting corridors that really do my head in. I am sure that the is a better way of using the space even making the corridors perhaps not as straight, while keeping them accessible to all the emergency needs and wide enough to make it possible to visit without compromising the privacy of an inpatient.

by the time I left the hospital I felt like the last picture (this is the entrance/exit) that of course I have played about it a bit and I hadn't even seen anyone for anything wrong with me! perhaps that is why I spent so much time looking about.

Friday, May 25, 2007

track map >> bank holiday

the tracking system I use on my surf98 tells me so much. just looking at this screen shot taken on Friday pm I can see that it must be a bank holiday weekend certainly a weekend as no one from cornwall has even looked in the last 10 minutes as the map shows.
in days passed people would drive down from all over the UK on the off chance of surf but now with all the surf forecast and report sites like mine you check on-line first.
on the subject of bank holidays I will not be updating this blog until tuesday next unless I can't help my self.
the surf98 forecast website of course will be updated as usual.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

>> in danger of repeating myself >> more green


yes I fully realise that you have seen picture of theses grasses that I love so much. though this one was taken today, about half an hour.
so I kind of apologise but in the long enjoyment they have given me I have started to feel guilty as I don't actually know what type of grass or plant they actually are so I wanted to put the picture up.
firstly because I like it, and secondly I would really like to know what it is, so I would be grateful if any proper gardeners or those with horticultural knowledge could tell me by adding a comment to this post I would be very grateful.
especially as it is the week of the chelsea flower show in the UK.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

sorry >> it's the bathroom again

I had to post at least one more bathroom picture, it is almost complete the sealant around the bath has to harden overnight, so we can' have a shower or bath tonight. few other bits and pieces to do but I imagine you all have seen enough by now. However it is an amazing transformation from the picture posted a couple of weeks ago.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

maybe >> ?

maybe it is because still in the back of my mind somewhere amongst the rubble are the years of study at art school three of which were specialising in textile and fashion (remember I left in 1982 so a lot has changed). but the sight of washing especially light colours in sunshine makes me think of openness to fresh ideas as if I was starting work on a final design, working on cartridge paper with gouache in the days before computers were in charge.

maybe it reminds me of sunny days spent in rural sussex as a child, and the influence of the people and places I grew up with, I don't know.
whatever it is just walking round the corner of where I live now and seeing this made me think, maybe?

Monday, May 21, 2007

it's back to pencils >> davo

as usual it was a chance message that led me to the blogs / website that I am introducing to you through dgthekneelo today. I really never know what I will be writing about form each day to the next. that is what makes stuff so interesting and fresh.

I knew that I was not crazy when I detailed the things like to always have with me in a blog I wrote a while ago 'found a nice pencil'.

troy worman's blog 'orbit now' was the starting place leading me to pencil revolutions and finally on to dave's mechanical pencils.
now this site is a real work of passion I have to say I spent far too long reading it earlier






nothing to do with the blogs mentioned but check out davo, a new concept is instant blogging that I have started, with the idea that snippets or section of conversations that seem interesting. at the moment it is very early and the only person set up to update is me, but if things work out I would like to open it up to anyone. Have a look and leave your thoughts.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

good books >> a paper full sunday

I normally (and today was no different) fill my home and my head with newspapers most days but especially on sunday. newspapers are full of so much to see, or look at. I think there is a big difference, we have a choice as to what we look at.

two publications caught my eye today, whilst the howies summer catalogue is not a sunday publication I had put it aside to look at today, well worth it simply because as usual the design and production is in my opinion very good. the website is a joy to navigate as far as I am concerned.













the observer book of the weather (free with the observer today) is not just a good well designed informative book but it even quotes from far from the madding crowd (the joys of spring) thomas hardy, so it will bound to find a place on this blog.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

if only >> drawing +

it has been a strange day, annoyed at the week I had been through with all the best laid plans I had, failing and falling through my hands. I was in a self imposed denial looking and thinking too hard and what might have been really stressing and stuff.
when I stopped and noticed my son very quietly drawing.

I remember the positive childish freedom I had before I learnt stuff, and had to try be 'creative' as I got older and thought and learnt more at 'school' some good, some not.








I watched for a while and noticed that he was so happy simply drawing because he wanted to. making little noises as he drew was a humbling and motivational moment, managing to change the original subject of this blog completely.

I realistically see the process of his concentration and enjoyment, was/is far greater than what was produced, but does that matter?
if only I could realise that in a project?

not connected I have to mention a couple of stand out blogs I found today.
graphicdesignblog
mymobileguide

Friday, May 18, 2007

bathroom almost done >> nurse

with only the shower section to be added the bathroom, I didn't think it would be fair to show even more pictures. though when it is done I will no doubt post more.
the picture however shows something more important speaks its self really, carols scrubs even though she qualified as a nurse earlier this year. these are the first scrubs with her name on!

this is a picture I just had to post, as I it makes me proud.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

more bathroom >> nearly done

well the bathroom is coming on very nicely we even have the new toilet and basin in now, not much left to do, our man is coming back to finish off tomorrow (friday afternoon).


















unfortunately the rest of the day was a pile of b*ll**ks

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

sorry >> another bathroom day

it is coming along, slowly but the work and attention to detail is impressive.
























I am a bit busy at work so I again apologise for the few words.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

bathroom again >> the man came back

I really have to apologise for the obsessive bathroom stuff it is just it has been something that has been bugging me for months. I should have done it really but I was and still are having major treatment on my shoulder and can't really lift stuff at the moment. (even though I did have a little game of rugby the other day).
I/we are so fussy about the look of things at home. it took a few weeks just to decide the colour of the tiles.
so out side of work where heaps is going on, it is very important for me to have other design colour problems to think about in a but is a respectful way as in world context it really is not that important.


I have had some very sad personal news in the last 24 for hours so writing about the design of a bathroom does seem futile, however I still do it.
as that is the way I get through stuff I suppose and it is important.

I really like the colour of the tiles and they haven't even been grouted or cleaned yet when the white grout goes on it will look stunning.

Still loads to do though as the new toilet an shower are yet to be put in.

Monday, May 14, 2007

bathroom >> the man came today

perhaps I should take back what I said in a blog last week, but then perhaps not after all they are only doing what we pay them for. as you can see a very nice bit of tiling going on, we are very pleased with it so far. hope he comes back in the morning as at the moment we have no bath and no flushing toilet.

will keep you posted.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

rugby >> owens party >> sky

on a day when the rain came down so hard they had to get all the competitors (10 tors competion) off dartmoor because of the flood danger, after the most unbelievable amount of rain falling in a short time down here in the west country.
it was time to get to the rugby club for owen's birthday, great fun and some great rugby lessons learnt from the big guys it was sunny for all, well almost all of the time.
I could have stuck some pictures of the rugby or the ground or hot faces after playing hard but as the party finished one of the little sisters of the rugby guys let go of her balloon I thought it would be good to have a picture of that, so I took some this is one.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

fridge magnets >> made in china

for a long time I have admired the fridge magnet in a kitsch but very affectionate way.
as we live in a very visited area of cornwall, uk. I have often looked at the locally sold fridge magnets only to see they are made in china. so I was very pleased when a while ago my brother in law alan who just happened to be in china sent me a fridge magnet of 'the great wall of china' that was made in china. that made me happy.














our fridge is covered in all types of magnets, some of them very tasteful some not so. I have added a few in the picture below to let you decide for yourselves.
the only rule is that they have to have been bought in the place they depict.

Friday, May 11, 2007

morrissey >> eurovision

just looking through the guardian unlimited site I found a lovely a bit of well for want of a better word 'gossip' something that I am not normally drawn to. but as because morrisey was involved I read it.
the article suggests that morrisey actually wrote the UK's entry to this year euro-vision song contest.

please let me explain that my interest was in the morrisey angle as I though I always seem to end up watching the voting because I find it funny how seriously some countries take it, I am not a euro-vision fan. I am a morrisey fan for sure.
to think however morrisey wrote the scooch euro-song well it was a surprise as it is so shockingly bad! the campness of the performance is less surprising, as in his prime morrisey was happily in touch with his feminine side. all that said I hope the rumours are true and he did write it just adds to the enigma.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

new bathroom >> well nearly

isn't funny builders & plumbers acquire names like steve, bob, and dave and also have at least 4 spoons of sugar in the tea, rarely coffee, read 'the sun' of 'the mirror', 'the mail' (that was hard to type, I have a problem with the paper, that's a different story) when the want an intellectual view!!
it is with apology that I have not included the fact that there are women builder/plumbers I haven't been able to find one locally, believe me I have tried they are probably happily working all the time.
male plumbers in my area of the country are few and far between so are also impossible to pin down to a day or a date. something always happens to the van or it will have to be next week.

I am only making these largely unfounded claims (or perhaps not) as since january this year the builder/plumber has be evading us. he eventually arrived on tuesday to say that he would be starting today thursday. so he reasonable asked that we strip the bathroom of all the old fitting and tiles, as you can see in the grainy picture. living up to archetype guess what he didn't turn up and now wont be here until next week. so we now have a bathroom with out being able to use properly.

I fully realise in context it is hardly a hardship as more people in the world don't even have access to clean drinking water than do. but it just that if we as designers or creative people in what ever field took months to turn up we would never be employed.

if he arrives next week as now planned I wont say anything or complain instead probably just welcome him in with the offer of a sugary cup of tea! probably whilst I smugly hide behind the guardian, I feel embarrassed now.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

you can't live on a view?

I think I am really lucky the picture below (taken 10 minutes ago) is the view from the window that I have my currently incredibly messy desk next to. I think it is one of the best views in the whole area, the weather in not too good today and the light is very flat. on a clear sunny day I can see the sea, the harbour mouth and the fishing boats in the bay.



I had a good friend, I only met her as an elderly lady. I visited regularly in her later years both in her home and in the old peoples home she eventually had to move to. she was a wonderful font of information I remember her telling me that she saw the council putting up the first set of traffic lights in cornwall and people drove miles just to see them. as well as passing her driving test in 1939 after already been driving for a few years, as she told me the driving test wasn't compulsory then?!


her room over looked a fantastic view not unlike the one on this page, except hers was more dramatic, as the sea was closer, the cliff edges of south cornwall were clearly viable the only disruption to the view were livestock in the fields. I used to gaze out of the window happily always looking for something new, very often finding it. I always enjoyed the visits to listen to her stories whilst watching the place where the land and the sea meet.


something she said has stayed with me for the years since she passed away, however much I enjoyed looking out through her picture window, she always said to me, 'you can't live on a view, it is people that matter'.
I think she was probably right.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

I haven't given up

just in case some of you had thought that I had stopped blogging far from it. I have however a whole heap of work to get done this week, so I haven't been able to research stuff and write much. I do have these pictures taken on monday for you, should be back to normal blogging by the end of the week.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

just two >> took many more

yes I know I said I would not update for a couple of days but I was drawn to add just two pictures taken today at the beach, just because I liked them, still no real blog until tuesday.

stone castles in cornwall | dg may 2007

tide line | dg may 2007

Friday, May 04, 2007

>> another one of those days

a very hot (temperature) evening at the local hall, ben being very serious in the choir the best thing of the day, you should have see the way people park! all amongst another one of those days.

I have to get some 'real writing' done deadline arriving all too quickly, so I am having a couple of days off (well I plan to) so the next updated blog will be tuesday 8th may, speak then.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

today >> just one of those days


I am not going to bore you with my stuff today. only to say the picture above was taken tonight from my front garden. that was a good bit of the day, so how can I possibly complain!

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

surfing >> left >> right >> goofy?

the picture below was taken this time last year by moby it is of south fistral, newquay cornwall. for me is is very close to the perfect wave except for one thing the wave is a right.
now that might sound strange to those of you who don't surf but clean waves don't section (fold over in one go) they peel. when the wave peels it breaks from left to right or right to left.
so that will mean a right breaks from left to right if you are surfing the wave, and a left breaks from right to left if you are surfing it.

surfers come in two types (in general) a natural footer stands with their left foot forward, and usually like surfing rights whereas a goofy footer stands with his right foot forward and usually like surfing lefts.
normally there is a direct correlation between being
left or right handed and being a natural footer (right handed) and goofy footer (left handed). of course there will always be exceptions.
again I also prefer surfing lefts, but I am right handed!

well I am now, as a child I was one of those who was actively encouraged to write with my right hand and I was shouted at by teachers constantly told not be 'cack handed' so I practiced and practiced eventually making my self very able to write with at first either hand and then a bit later better with my write hand. the unfortunately side effect it gave me I think was that I developed a bad stammer, through primary school I would be so keen to express my knowledge I would often stand up and say, I,I,I,I,I,I,I, it's 25 sir. to much amusement from the class.

of course that is not how you would wish to be at school but I was lucky I never got really upset by it and by the age of 16 I had pretty much learnt (with help) to slow down and speak clearly though even now I still stammer on rare occasions, but I don't see it as a major problem.

if any thing being forced to write with my right hand gave be an advantage I think, as when ever I tried a new sport or activity I could use either hand, then decide which I would prefer to use. so now I play cricket left handed, baseball either, football either, rugby either, surfing I favour lefts but can surf either, I wont go on!

I will come back to this subject another day 'as usual I am going on too long'.
I even got a lovely email yesterday from the editor of the magazine I write about surfing for. apologising as with all the summer events to be listed they would be needling more space so could I limit my piece to between 1000-1500 words. I wonder if that would have happened if I had been allowed to write left handed.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

vw camper >> for me surely not!

I know that I have mentioned vw campers negatively before and as I child I spent hours and hours in one touring around europe. I must have been through france countless times on the way to spain or italy before I was even old enough to drive never mind leave home. for that experience I am extremely grateful to my parents. but sleeping in one even as a small child for any length of time is not that comfortable.
found an interesting article on guardian unlimited detailing the vw campers that I know about.

the vw camper is still inextricably linked with both surfers and surf wannabes. as an adult I have never really wanted one, preferring to have a big car with the idea that a big car will probably be more fuel efficient, time effective, and more comfortable on all the long journeys we actually do than a vw camper, however looking at these pictures I could change my mind! well I would have to be very rich as well, and that is hardly likely.


anyway carol pointed be in the direction of this website verdier really worth a look if only for the flash work and the music.