Educating Essex…

I have only watched it sporadically but from what I have seen I have a new found respect and admiration for teachers. Lots of people in media, marketing and general London based jobs get in to teaching when they leave their first profession and sometimes it is seen as an easy option or a step off of the accelerator, i think quite the opposite and that it is step into something really exciting and invigorating… surely beats coming up with a ingenious way to make bored journos feature your brand of nondescript chocolate biscuits or how to create yet another music based event….

fyi – slightly drunk thirsty Thursday post

The trainer that made me a trainer freak – Remixed for 2012

Nike Air Huarache 2012 - Swoon

I was about 9, when I spied for the first time a shoe which was better looking than the offspring of Brangelina could ever threaten to be. It was unlike any other trainer I had ever seen and I had to have them, despite my mum saying she would never spend so much money on a trainer I would ruin. It is amazing what a 9 year old can do when he puts his mind to it. I believe it took 3 weeks of badgering, offering to mow the lawn, sulking, begging and making cups of tea before it was mission accomplished.

Nike Air Huarache circa 1990 - Swoon

I think I must have re-laced them about 100 times and wore them as house shoes for weeks, such was my love for them

Now for 2012 we have the new version, subtle changes in colours and finish ensure it is as beautiful as the first time I saw it. For me it has to be the shoe version but all three on display on Hypebeast work for me.

Berghain…..

This weekend I was away in Berlin for the umpteenth time this year. Bloody love that place, from the amazing art, the open minded people, the bars, the random food stores, the amazing (if a little confusing at times) transport system and Berghain. I am in recovery mode from Berghain even though this time I only spent a total of 10 hours in the massive building which features The Lab, Panorama Bar and the main Berghain area… my pb is a mere 22 hours.

Berghain queue.... be prepared to wait, but it is worth it

For those who have never been, it is Berlin’s worst kept secret, a huge sprawling former power station in Friedrichstain which has been open since 2004 in the wake of Ostgut closing in 2003. It is a gay club that the breeders love too, it hosts parties that go on for days rather than hours and inside it is a den of iniquity including a darkroom and a fetish club as well. To get in is an achievement, where you either need to be off your box, fancied by the fussy door queer or just damn lucky, I have had plenty of friends who have made the journey to Berlin just for Berghain and then been turned away.

What I like the most is that there is virtually no guest list, absolutely no tosser like VIP room and that what happens in there is never photographed as all cameras are banned. So any of my weekend’s activities will remain between myself and those who witnessed them or were appalled by them.

My German friend who is a regular at all three rooms of Berghain has informed me that there is talk that it may have to close soon due to the development of local superstores nearby…. With that in mind I am booking in another trip for December and another in March

Azari & iii

This isn’t exactly hot off the press but they are still on my playlist right now. They featured at Rough Trade doing a live PA and were good enough for me to then go to their full show at XOYO the following night…

Any music that seems to be channelling Prince directly is on top for me.

Coloured Casio digi watches….

Technicolour Casio

Small things make me happy, such as simple Casio digital watches be available in an array of colours. I am buying one a week from here on in so I have something to look forward to for the next 11 weeks. Like I said… small things….

This is id-iom

True say

Friends of StandardFact, top boys and great artists. I have one of their pieces hanging in my WC. I give you id-iom. en-joy

Roadhouse

I spotted this on a cycle last month down by the canal in East London. I know that London is crowded but really….

Building houses anywhere

This was actually not permanent and has now disappeared, it was made entirely of wood, what I think looks amazing are the the colours and textures of the wood set against the dark road either side. This pop-up house is built under two sides of a busy dual carriageway and the top just peaks up high enough to be seen from the road. Amazing place for a party… gutted I missed that boat

Brixton continues to show you the money

It's a Brixton thing

On September 17th 2009 the Brixton pound or B£ was launched with the aim of supporting  the local economy and businesses, the idea was that people would spend the notes in local stores to encourage sourcing local goods and services. This is really interesting, creating a chance to forge closer links in the community and attempt to keep cash in the immediate community, it seems to be working so far. With the recent riots across London, I think anything which shows local solidarity is great and should be encouraged. After the riots, local communities came out to clear the streets and bring a semblance of normality back asap.

You know you have made it when you are minted

The notes feature images of famous people from the Brixton area on one side and local landmarks on the other, some of the first people to feature were Olive Morris and James Lovelock. Recently the scheme celebrated the second anniversary of the launch and added a few new iconic figures, this time with a more modern contemporary slant. Arguably Brixton’s most famous son, none other than Ziggy Stardust himself David Bowie features on the new B£10 note whilst NBA star Luol Deng who grew up in Brixtonia also features on the B£5 note

Because they are one of the coolest things ever. FACT.

Tri-colour not try-hard

I loved them, I simply loved them. It is not usual that something so damn stylish manages to also be amongst the most useful things in the word but bum bags managed it, of that there can be no doubt.

Clearly uni-sex

Our elasticed-waistband-jean-wearing cousins from over pond call them, fanny packs

Snakeskin chic

It took real flair and the need to carry a lot of essential items to go for two

Double bumming

Mr Motivator was never seen without one

Words are not enough

It’s a tie

Fix-Up-Look-Smart Avenue SE8

Deptford might be a little rough around the edges but this is the most dapper building I have seen south of the river bar Greenwich Maritime….