Rev Stan's other stuff

A letter from Benedict Cumberbatch and the lost art of letter writing

Listening to BC reading out this letter from WW2 made me feel sad about the lost art of letter writing. It was a form of expressing ourselves, of communicating that just doesn't seem to exist any more and that is a real shame.

I used to be a prolific letter writer when I was younger, before the days of the internet and still have a box of some that were sent to me which I dip into every now and again. There is one from my mum which is just so 'mum'. OK so it wouldn't end up in a book or with a famous actor reading it out but in reading her news and thoughts - including a firm opinion on Charlene's choice of boyfriend in Neighbours - it is like hearing her voice again.

I also have one from my father whom I disowned many, many years ago but have kept as curiosity, as a hint of relationship that never really was. It is a link to the past, all the letters are, that just don't exist in the same way in a modern format. You can't keep a box full of old text messages or Facebook conversations.

 

 

Definitely a departure from my usual taste but I love this tune

It is Into The Lair by Zedd which I discovered on the Mortal Instruments film soundtrack but it's become my go to track to get me up and moving about. Shame its so short

Download 01 Into the Lair

 

A-level results day revisted

Remember quite vividly the moment of getting my A-level results. My best friend Jen and I arranged to pick up our envelops from college rather than trust them to the postman.

Jen's mum had driven her over as they lived in a nearby village. We collected the envelopes from the office and then got into the back of the car. Jen's mum reversed up the drive a bit so we were away from everyone else and had some privacy.

We opened our envelops at the same time and Jen was the first one to speak: "I'm going to Cambridge!" To which I responded: "I'm going to Liverpool!"

Both were our first choices. After that I don't remember much else about the day. I don't remember telling my parents although I know they were over the moon. I was the first in our family to go to university.

I don't remember doing anything particular to celebrate after but that day was probably the most significant in my life, setting me on a path that took me away from a small, rural town to a big city. Two big cities. It took me to an education that was more about life than the english and psychology I actually studied.

My political views took a U-turn from what I'd been brought up on and as a result got thrown, with religion, on the pile of opinions never to discuss with my dad. I discovered art. I discovered theatre. I discovered history. I made friends for life.

I got away and found the world. I changed. A lot. It changed my world view and as a result my life. I have no doubt that I wouldn't be living here in London, doing the job I love doing and spending my free time doing the things I do if I hadn't gone to university. So for that, I'm really grateful for what was written on the paper in the envelope that I opened in the back of Jen's mum's car.

 

Art on the South Bank - diversity is important

The South Bank is about art and culture which is this:

 

AND this:

The graffiti is the back drop to the skate park which is threatened by redevelopment plans for the South Bank Centre. The skaters are part of the South Bank, the graffiti is part of the South Bank and to remove either would be detrimental to the area. It would miss the point.

Photo: Call this one escaping thistles

A corner of Larkhall Park opposite my flat has been left to grow out and the result is a beautiful meadow of wild flowers but I particularly like these thistles.

 

My favourite toilet sign

Stan goes to new heights - the City's towers up close

Every now and again in my day job I get to do something quite amazing and unique. This week was one such occasion as I got to go on a tour of one of the City's tower developments.

Now this is a building that is going to be 52-storeys when it's complete and it's definitely not complete, well it is nearly at full height but such 'fripperies' as glazing have only started being fitted on the lower levels.

Access to the upper floors (30-ish is as high as we went) is via an external hoist and then an internal hoist. We finished off the last few floors using a temporary staircase which is scarily close to the edge of the building.

On the upper floors there is just fresh air and a chest high metal barrier between you and a plunge. My hands are sweating just thinking about it. To say it was a monumental battle of mind over matter for someone who doesn't like heights is an understatement but I was determined not to miss such a fabulous opportunity. The views are incredible and there is no glass to hinder photography.

Sadly there will be no public viewing platform and I'm quite jealous of those people for whom it will be their work place when it's finished.

What I loved the most was being so close to the City's other iconic towers, you get to see detail on those buildings few others see.

Postman's footprints in the snow

London was dusted with the white stuff yesterday (more forecast today). It's become an annual thing in recent years or so it seems to me, I'm sure it never used to be thus in the capital.

Expect more snowy shots later but here are a couple I snapped, in my slippers, from the front door about an hour into the first flurries (it's cold ;0)

Urban cool: Leake Street, London

I like Leake Street's contradictory appearance. On the one hand it looks threatening and gritty. It runs underneath the railway lines behind Waterloo Station and you can hear the trains rumbling overhead. It's exactly the sort of street your mum told you never to walk down.

But when you do it is something quite different, a gallery of graffiti, a showcase of urban artistic talent. It has its own page on Wikipedia and is known as 'Banksy Tunnel' having hosted the artist's 'Cans Festival' five years ago.

It's a place where graffiti artists are encouraged and unlike the graffiti gallery underneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the nearby South Bank, you can get up close without fear of getting in the way of skateboarders.

One day, I'm going to go back with my big camera. One day.

Battersea Power Station big and small (one is Olympic)

The model was used in the London Olympics opening ceremony.