Rev Stan's other stuff

Winter sun in London

Walked into town today which I haven't done for a while owing to the convenience of the Boris bikes (and not leaving enough time). Wasn't exactly planned as someone was convinced that it was an hour later than it actually was*, ahem, so I only had my iPhone on me. It was a beautiful crisp, cold winter day...

I know you aren't supposed to take shots straight into the sun but I actually love the effect. The light always give the picture so much atmosphere and the colours can create a different time frame and sense of place.

You can see the rest on my Flickr account

* I woke up stupidly early so it felt later as I'd been up a long time. And that's the excuse I'm sticking to.

The 2012 stuff blog projects - a celebration of 20 years in London

I've been neglectful of this blog, I know. Used to regularly update but it's been weeks (nearly two months) since my last post. Gosh that sounds like I'm in confession.

Anyway, I'm not promising that my posting levels will go back up to previous levels, just that it will be a little more regular. My other two blogs Film and Theatre take up a big chunk of my time - I saw 186 plays/films in 2011, all of which I wrote about.

But I don't want Stuff to fall into a permanant decline and I need an outlet for, well, the other stuff. And I have some plans or projects. A couple of challenges I suppose I'm setting myself for the year. Nothing huge or life changing but something that will inspire and maybe exercise my creativity.

Project 1: V&A photography project

During my time off over Christmas and New Year I went to the V&A for the first time in ages. The first thing that struck me was what fun I could have there with my camera, had I brought it with me. There are so many beautiful objects, rooms and rooms of them most of which you can photograph. So I got thinking, why not explore the museum a section at a time and record it with my camera. 

I actually started today so the first fruits of the project should be appearing just as soon as I've edited the photos.

Project 2: Stan's 20 years in London 

This year, in September to be completely accurate, I'll have lived in London for 20 years. When I was growing up in a small market town in the East Midlands the thought of living and working in London terrified me but now I can't imagine living and working anywhere else. I love it. No where else feels like home and no where else feels as vibrant and full of history, art, culture, entertainment and possibility. It is also a beautiful city that never ceases to take my breath away or put a small smile on my face.

So in this project I want to celebrate London - not just the theatre and film offering I heavily indulge in - and the 20 years I've spent here (and hopefully the 20 more). I want to discover new bits of London, visit places and parts I've not been to before maybe do something I've not done before.

My aim is to tot up 20 new 'things' and record them here on this blog. Not sure how easy or difficult I'll find that but we'll see. I already have some ideas, there are a bunch of museums I've never visited for a start and I'm ashamed to say I've never visited Keats' house in Hampstead for example but if anyone has any suggestions, I'll endeavour to include them.

So here's to the the 2012 stuff projects and the enjoyment they will bring.

 

Photos: Firth of the Forth boat trip

Took a trip on the Firth of the Forth recently (it was work, honest) and it just happened to be a beautiful clear Autumn day, just about mild enough to stay out on the upper deck. 

Have traversed the road and rail bridges many times but never got to see the latter from the water before. It was quite stunning.

 

New musical discovery: Camille

She's been around for a while but I heard her music for the first time on Radio 4's Front Row believe it or not (further sign of my decline into middle age).

Her new album and the one I bought is call Ilo Veyou (say it fast and you'll get it) and it's great. She has an amazing voice and likes to play with it, experiment with sounds as well as lyrics. Reminds me a little of Regina Spektor. She sings in both French and English and this is my favourite song, sung in French and called Le Berger. 

I have no idea what it's about (my french only stretches to le chien est dans le jardin) so if anyone wants to help me out, I'd be grateful. Apart from sounding so beautiful, pure and simple I love the way the chorus has a sound which touches on the oriental. I also love the 'solo' at the end.

Download 1-07 Le berger

 

Season of mists...

Autumn has started mild and sunny here in London with only the briefest colder snaps to remind us winter is coming.

Walking across the park to work one morning there was a lovely layer of mist and the dogs were having fun on their early morning walk...

Photo's: London's South Bank Autumn 2011

We having a lovely sunny Autumn here in London. Here are some shots I took when I was down on the South Bank recently.

 

Views from Centrepoint, London

Had a breakfast meeting at the top of Centrepoint a few weeks back. I've wanted to go up Centrepoint for a long time as it's one of the few towers in the West End and so you can look back towards the City and Docklands. Fortunately it was a bright and clear early Autumn morning and the light was magical. (And of course I had my camera with me - the grainier shots were taken with my iPhone.)

 

 

Soup for Sluts

via a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net

via www.cutesexyfunnyawful.com

Speaks for itself really...

Merlin season 4 world premiere Q&A and cast pics

Before I go on, there will be no details from the actual episode shown tonight at the BFI except to say it was the first of a two-parter and ended, naturally, on a cliffhanger. We promised to 'keep the magic secret' so you'll just have to enjoy the anticipation a little longer.

So this is the Q&A - as much as I could scribble down and remember that is. From the cast Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath and Colin Morgan all appeared after the screening (see pic right, more at end of post). They had arrived only half an hour before the screening was due to start because of traffic problems and were whisked straight into press briefings.

Bradley was due to attend but is ill and Colin in fact attended in his place having been filming today. Anthony Head is filming in the US and has already shot all his scenes and Richard Wilson was in Cardiff filming but sent a filmed message saying 'hello' and promising to send a few of the minor character along to see us. Such a wag.

They were still finishing the first episode at 2.30pm this afternoon so it was literally the first time the cast and most of the crew had seen it.

Q&A

There is more green screen/CGI work this series which the producers believe gives the series more of an epic feel. Katie apparently spends most of her filming time in a green box and Colin says it takes a lot of imagination as an actor.

Katie says she couldn't play Morgana if she didn't love her and agree with everything she does.

"You do see the vulnerable side to her at the beginning. I didn't want her to be just a boo-hiss villain. Yes she might be a bit misguided!

"With Morgana there isn't anything that would make her happy, it's about revenge. She's hurting and wants revenge"

Series has got darker and Merlin isn't the naive character he was at the beginning - a bit of suspense is what the fantasy genre trades on.

Q What is the average day like for an actor on Merlin

Trafalgar Square before the tourists descend