Sick of seeing everyone wearing the same gold bolero from Primark, the same striped military jacket from Peacocks or the same biker boots from M&S? London may be the most expensive city in the world but when it comes to clothes shopping, I think we’re the tops for charity shops. My own little corner of NW London boasts no fewer than five charity shops on the high street and I’ve found some incredible bargains there – from designers jeans still with the price tag attached (£110) for a tenner to an vintage Armani men’s jacket for £20 that gets rave reviews wherever I go. Just last week I picked up a red & white check western shirt from an Oxfam in Covent Garden and had to stop myself from buying a pair of unworn Miss Sixty sky high sandles from a Marie Curie Hospice shop in Mill Hill that I knew I really didn’t need. A friend visiting from NY bought 3 jackets and a cool punky looking handbag for no more than £50 for the lot. I can personally recommend West End Lane, St. John’s Wood High Street and a little shop on Seymour Street for some fantastic charity shop bargains.

…but shakin’ your bootie is for free, girl*

My favorite Indy-Electropop band, 89 Turns, are playing again. But this time, they are going whole hog with a new monthly club night. “Talk is Cheap” will house two live bands and 5 DJs all in one night. Friday night at DEX: dance all night as the place doesn’t close ’til 6 a.m. This will be a monthly event, but be sure not to miss the inaugural night as I predict lovely craziness. Click “Continue Reading” for the full flyer.
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If you got tickets to the Serpentine Gallery’s annual Experiment Marathon last week, well colour me jealous. It sounds like it was an amazing collection of artists and scientists strutting their stuff.

But if, like me, you are living it vicariously through the web, check out the what the Edge newsletter is doing online to complement the show: single pages of size A4 paper on which artists, writers, scientists had responded to the question: “What Is Your Formula?” Among the pieces are formulas by quantum physicist David Deutsch, artist and musician Brian Eno, architect Rem Koolhaas, and fractal mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot.

Whether you are a scientist or not, you will find something understandable and thought-provoking.

This is Mandelbrot’s answer. See the rest here.

Last weekend we welcomed into the world our baby daughter, Victoria. Weighing in at a healthy 7lbs and 4 oz both mother and daughter are doing well.

We clocked a few firsts today. The first trip outdoors, the first ride on a bus and the first trip to a Supermarket, sheesh. What a day ;-)

I am officially the happiest man in the world. Watch this space for ocassional updates.

Cheers

Sean

That a new law or bylaw (whatever) was passed so that those IDIOTS on the buses and tubes get fined for they’re atrocious tastes in music.

Its like the one about not being able to smoke in a three walled bustop – unenforcable.

BRING BACK THE CONDUCTOR!!! And while you are at it the route masters too please!!!!

Me and the Boys tactic is to sit there and sing along whilst dancing as stupidly as possible….. it works….

this is funny

The hardworking alumni of the London Film School are having another “Together we are Stronger” networking party at the Chandos Pub in Central London. Starting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday the 18th, networking will kick off with libation pints for under £2. All who have attended the film school over the past 50 years are invited.

Recently visited The Crown and Anchor pub wot my friend Gavin is managing. Located across Euston Road from Warren Street Tube at 137 Drummond Street, The C&A has an excellent wine list, good beers and yummy food. But the best bit is the atmosphere. Gavin has stocked the place with friendly staff to make you feel like you’re hanging out in your mate’s very well decorated lounge. Drop by and check it out.

This weekend London sets out to prove that it’s the kinkiest capital in the world with a weekend of fetish fun that is guaranteed to exhaust even the most dedicated clubber. Yes, it’s the Rubber Ball Weekend, a 3 day fetish celebration, culminating in the World Famous Skin Two Rubber Ball on Saturday and with a more chilled out, exclusive event on Sunday. According to their website:

The Skin Two Rubber Ball is the world’s premier fetish party. Established in 1992, the Rubber Ball drew people from around the world to a glamourous celebration of fetish style, with fashion shows, art performances and celebrity guests. The event is now internationally famous; it has been featured on television in Germany, Holland, France, Britain and the USA.

In recent years, the Rubber Ball has been joined by several supporting events, making a whole weekend of fetish partying. We often link up with other London clubs, to offer a varied programme lasting several days. Guests from many countries plan their visit to London months in advance.
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I blogged a few weeks ago about the Writers Gym with Ellis Freeman at the London Film School. It’s an eight week course aimed at getting participants to exercise their writing muscles. I’ve been doing this course, and I just wanted to take this opportunity to recommend it highly.

I’ve been writing nearly all my life and have always enjoyed the solitary nature of the beast. So, I was quite skeptical about being on a course with other writers, planned exercises, etc. But, I’m really getting into it. It’s amazing how many excuses we make up to keep us from writing. This course helps you to get rid of all of the excuses and to develop the discipline of getting down to writing. I’ve already noticed the difference after two sessions.

There’s another eight week session starting on the 16th of October.