I Told You I Was Freaky by Flight of the Conchords: 8/10

Mandy Brown from a working library has hit the nail on the head.

“Work” can mean toil or slog, but it can also mean creation, opus, oeuvre. It is the latter sense that I feel compelled to protect. The world does not lack for boredom or stupefaction; what we need are not more jobs but more lives, more work that dignifies the people that perform it instead of demeaning them. More days when we are tired because of the work, not tired of it.

On work / from a working library

It’s a loaded question with more than one correct answer. There is no doubt that such a distinction should be split into eras. It’s hard to compare The Beatles to Nirvana, for instance. In the end, when I think of a rock song, this is the song that always comes to mind.

I have no idea where I picked this up at, but something tells me it will be all over the radio this summer. Little Boots, a.k.a. Victoria Hesketh, hails from Blackpool via London. I would call her music a sort of pop-electronica, but she is capable of any number of genres. She was on the British Pop Idol a few years back, formed a Jazz trio, did some big band stuff around Europe, and finally formed the band Dead Disco.

Her first full-length solo album, Hands, will be released on June 2nd. The first single, “New In Town”, is pretty damn catchy. It’s been far too easy for far too long to slag off pop music. Quite honestly, there wasn’t much that didn’t deserve it. With so much of the trendy, so-called, indie music sounding the same, I welcome a little bit of legitimate music from the pop side of the aisle. There is some credible stuff out there, but it isn’t likely to be found on the Top 40 lists… for now.

London: A Life in Maps

In preperation for my visit I have started to read two recommended books. London: A Life in Maps by Peter Whitfield is published by the British Library:

Whitfield reads historic sketches and detailed plans as biographical keys to this complex, sprawling urban center, and his in-depth examination unearths fascinating insights into the city of black cabs and red double-deckers. With engaging prose and astute analysis he also expertly coaxes out the subtle complexities—of social history, urban planning, and design—within the rich documentation of London’s immense and constantly changing cityscape.

I felt this was a good pick because London seems to be one of those cities defined by it planning, or lack thereof. With such a rich history it is only natural that such history would leave its print on the city hundreds of years later.

London: The Biography

I’ll be sure to post a review when I’ve completed the reading of each and I’ll surely have some good stuff upon my return from the mother country.

Untitled ink and watercolor

One such individual is Trevor Shaw. He is one of the nicest guys that you’ll ever meet and is talented even beyond his own recognition. He was kind enough to let me sneak off with a small ink and watercolor piece that I thought was pretty cool today. Trevor does paintings, sculpture, and functional pieces. If you would like to get in touch with him, please let me know and I’ll get you the details.