An Update in Blighty

It’s been a busy month back in Old Blighty and I now find myself back at work working in Playout 6 on the Virgin Media Channels. It hasn’t taken long to get back in to the swing of things and I’ve rather amazed myself how much I remember about all the systems and work flows.

Nothing really has changed in a year at the Bee. Gossip still rules the building and the equipment is forever playing up and crashing. I’m looking forward to getting back in to the swing of things and earning some money (Ask me in a year if I’m still eager to get back work). Travelling for a year really has put a dent in the pocket. I now know for the next time to at least have a couple of grand spare when I come home

So what else has been happening, well I’ve moved to Acton Town with Guy and his missus Elle. The flat is wicked and there is plenty of room for my work space. I have now bought (higher purchase) a brand new iMac 24″. I must say in the few weeks I have had it I am very impressed with the new Leopard OS. I have also have bought the Nikon Cool Scan 5000 which scans photos with such depth and colour the image almost seems to be jumping out of the screen. But the downside is at nearly £800 its not cheap. I was deciding whether or not to throw my other computer away but I thought I would keep it and become a nerd (I didn’t need much help with that) and run Linux on it. I’m already running Windows on it but I thought it was about time to switch to Linux. After a few sleepless nights trying to find a distributor to suit me I finally settled with Ubuntu. If your looking for a real alternative to Windows then this may well be the one for you. I especially like the 3D GUI, it makes windows and dare i say Mac OS look like they are stuck in the 80s.

Ubuntu Linux

In other news, I have been away a few times this month as I was getting rather bored on Mersea Island. The first stop was Paris for a few days with Jodie. The main reason for going was to check out the Henri Cartier Bresson Foundation. But it was just our luck that it was closed to install a new exhibition. I shall go back to check it out in a few months as its so easy and fast to take the Eurostar to Paris now on the improved link from Kings Cross. The rails have been upgraded on the UK side so the train hits 180mph on both sides of the channel now so it only takes 2 1/2 hours to Paris.

We spent the days looking around the many galleries that line the river Seine. Of course we had to see the Mona Lisa. After fighting your way through the mobs of tourists carrying cameras and copies of the Da Vince Code you are presented with the painting which is behind bullet proof glass and watched over by cameras and guards. Its far smaller than I imagined it to be and dare I say a tad disappointing. Still, I reckon it gets far more attention than it deserves just because of the hype surrounding the Da Vinci code.
In the modern art gallery we went to have a look at an exhibition by a French artist who name I have forgotten had an exhibition of photos and sculptures made out of shit and cheese…. yes that’s right shit and cheese….. he made a head out of cheese! I managed to snap a photo off when the guard wasn’t looking. Basically what you are looking at is a wall with photographs of shit made in to letters and words. This is what I call art.

Mona under guard.

Shit Art?

Tunnel where Diana died

The last place I visited was Amsterdam to meet up with the Shortman for Queen’s Day. If you didn’t know, Queen’s Day is one massive piss up and street carnival to celebrate the Queens birthday (the Dutchies have got it so right). Its rather like a cross between Notting Hill Carnival and the Love Parade with hard house echoing throughout the streets and canals. Also, everyone dresses in the colour Orange and people set up stalls along the side of the road selling all manner of crap in some kind of city jumble sale. It was a rather messy day and I should think it took all week for the city athroitiys to clean up the mountain of rubbish left behind.
Shortman was on top form as normal and for one day only the Embassy Massive were reunited to woo the crowds by DJed at Shortmans local pub. Shortman with his classic rock and my funk set went down well and I think we did a pretty good job.
I also met up with the most wonderful Linda who I met in Mexico but I was so battered the night before I was rather quiet with her and her friends. Sorry about that!

Life in Essex. Nothing changes!

Nothing Changes with him as well

Little drunk are we guys?

You’ve Been Tangoed?

Shortman with his new bear, she looks good at blowing, Shortman.

Since i’ve been back I’ve also met up with a few friends that I made on the trip. Including a messy and wet weekend on the river with Katie, Caz and Dougie. A gay old time with Lisa, quick drinks with Anna and a wonderful week showing Katie and Juerie around London, Brighton and errrrr Mersea Island.

The next blog I should have some news for you about the exhibition so watch this space. I am also redesigning the website so look out for a brand new and improved site in the next few months. Also he is a little teaser from some of the photos I caught on film from the trip, Note these are very rough scans.

So that’s it for the meantime. No fun for me as I sit at work for 12 hours a day watching Jerry Springer and Dog the Bounty hunter, day dreaming about my next world trip…. well its not that bad, is it? At least I may get to see myself on Jerry.

One Response to “An Update in Blighty”

1. Hannah says:

   May 30, 2008 at 10:08 am

   I can’t believe you didn’t mention the amazing night of joy that was eurovision… COME ON sam. Stop trying to pretend you’re hip.