The cornwall sun set

It is not what you call man-made design but never the less it definitely is a spectacle. It is constructed by the best known architect God (oooo controversial), and even more of a mystery is how this was a photo I took down in Cornwall on Mawgan Porth beach. On one of the 5 days of sunshine we have had this summer I was gifted with this beautiful sunset. After a few in the Merry Moore inn we took to the beach to watch it set, and sat in amazement at the show we were given. While the kids played in the stream and parents nattered, I took the time to take some pictures and savour the moment. From the dramatic gradient in the sky to the sparkling reflections off the sea this scene really was any photographers dream. Unfortunately all I had is my camera phone; not that I am saying I am a photographer. Any way I feel these few shots provide enough of a visual indication of how I could have been stopped in my tracks and made to appreciate this sun set. The colours produced were phenomenal, and this kind of gradient could never be achieved with such excellence artificially. Truly is a sight for soar eyes.

Stand out Poster No2

It really is a brilliant design. It is perfect for its job, to tell people you can get to Tate Modern by the tube. The obvious elements like the paint tube creating the straight organised lines of the underground map are what makes this such a inspiring concept. There is also the typography at the bottom of the page, with ‘by tube’ in italics, creating that sense of motion and pace. Then also the paint tube itself, with the logo of the underground on the tube rather than a regular paint sticker. Once again the tube of paint is a tube of paint, not a brush, bottle or any other form; which all help to convey the message conceptually and clearly.

Stand out poster No1

This poster really caught my eye and stood out from the rest. Very simple idea very simply executed. Despite the obvious simplicity the concept is very strong, and more to the point thought provoking. It demands a reaction like ‘aaaaaa’ or ‘oooooh’ or ‘wow look at all the extra space’ or something like that. It made me think about how needlessly congested our roads are and how easily the problem could be bettered. I particularly like the middle picture, which shows the 69 people out on the street. This gives you an instant visual representation of exactly how small a group of 69 people is. Then there is that iconic logo that represents transport in London, famous around the world it stamps that bit of quality and trust into the design.

The London Transport Museum

I visited London over summer to take mother goose to the Lion King Show at the Lyceum theatre, while there we also visited The London Transport Museum. If I am honest it is not a museum I thought I would visit at any point, but we were in the area and we thought might as well kill some time and learn something. To our surprise there were some interesting aspects to the museum. I am not going to lie to you, it won’t blow your mind but there is plenty to see and engage with, and there are a very nice collection vintage posters. So at least like me you creative people can find something to distract you. The building was very nice too, architecturally some stunning features, inside that is. There was also I nice little incentive for the younger people, which we didn’t really get till half way round, and that was a stamp card of the evolving technology. Each new area there was a stamp that would punch the shape of the vehicle you were near. Since I had forgot some I couldn’t leave with out completing so I may have ran all the way back round to complete my card. Something that I read there that made me think, was the fact that they obviously couldn’t use steam power underground and so had to go with the very new and risky technology of electricity. I have never really had to think about this kind of thing before, as I have always known things to just work, so it was interesting to be brought back into realisation of how things were.

Vintage travel posters

Vintage

During the summer I visited The London Transport Museum while in the city attending the Lion King West End show. I have to be honest i was pleasantly surprised, but anyway more about the museum and what it has to offer in my next blog. This blog is much more dedicated to the collection of brilliant vintage travel posters on display, most of them dedicated to selling the underground along side ones from sightseeing and using the bus. Along side the style of which each adopts, all illustrated and often containing elements or an understanding of geometry, it was the types of messages that intrigued me most. Take the one above that states 'It's cooler below', now I don't live in London but i have experienced the underground mid summer, and i would not describe it as cooler. It's more like 'Free sauna below', would be more fitting, so I was wondering would this kind of message pass legal requirements these days???

However there are some which are brilliantly worked, take the one below. I think this is a great advertisement to place on the tube, it serves the purpose of telling people to stay awake because the trains are so fast you will miss your stop. The designer has turned a negative on its head and used it to show a positive. Even though at first it looks like there is too much copy, it is likely that a poster like that will probably be placed on the tube, and so the audience should have enough time to read it all.

Er and can i just apologise for the pictures took on my phone, not the best some of them.

The circle of Life

The Lion King Broadway Show

Simply TREMENDOUS!!

I was told by friends and I read the reviews about the show and the general consensus is that it is an amazing show. I was excited by the hype but also worried, I was and hhmmm... still am a big fan of the Lion King the film and I really didn't want my views of it to be tarnished in anyway. I took my mum to see the show for her birthday and day in London, and she still remembers all of the times when she had to sit through Disney films with me when I was young; so i really wanted it to be enjoyable for her. I can tell you now the hype is well deserved! It is single handedly the best show I have ever seen, we were both completely engrossed in it from the first note by the orchestra to the last dim of the lights. Our hands were red roar from the amount of applauds it demands and deserves. The opening scene is fantastic, the costumes were executed with brilliant imagination with every detail adding positively to the spectacle. The music all the way through was goose bump raising, with some songs that were not in the film that should have been.

I guess if your a fan of the film you are wondering is it better, worse or does it spoil the film? Neither it has enhanced it, now when I think about moments in the film i have to think about the show also, they run parallel for me. This is what I was most pleased about when leaving the theatre, it made me like the story of the Lion King even more.

The animals were all played by people however for the most of it you don't even look at them as humans, your imagination covers up the human aspect and just leaves you with the animal. Mufasa and Scar were outstanding, with their giant head pieces that came down when they wanted to show a certain emotion. There was also a leopard that gracefully sauntered across the stage in such away that I honestly was unaware of the person doing it.

Inspirationally imaginative and heart warming show that anyone will enjoy, whether your a fan of the film or not.

Some bodies poisoned the water hole...!!

Toy Story

With unforgettable lines like 'To infinity and beyond!', 'You are a TOY!!' and 'There's a snake in my boot.' Toy Story is a wonderful film that both children and adults can enjoy. It is an icon in the world of film, never before had a film been computer generated to the same degree, it's sophistication alone set it head and shoulders above the rest of the films around that time. Then there is the amazingly imaginative and engaging story line, it is a subject that anyone can feel and relate to. I feel it is a truly intimate idea that will provoke some vibrant emotions from anyone, after all what kid wouldn't love their toys to come alive when they are not around? In fact i am sure every single adult and parent who took their child to see this brilliant film would love the idea of their old action men, cabbage patch kids and lego people coming alive and interacting with them. Lets not dismiss from mind that amazing introduction to the movie 'You got a friend in me', where you really get a sense in that minute and half the delightful attachment Andy (the human boy) has for his favorite toy Woody. I am pretty sure this scene also rocketed Randy Newman's career again, gaining him an Oscar nomination in 1996.

Of course one of the main reasons for this blog is the exciting new installment of the Toy Story brand, Toy Story 3, and the other two films in 3D. I for one am very looking forward to the new films, in fact writing this blog has made me want to watch the film now and enjoy it all over again. After examining the films much more I am much more aware of how and why the film means so much to me, and why i like so many have enjoyed it over and over again.

Shambles

The Shambles

While in York we visited one of Britain's most well known streets, The Shambles. Tiny heavenly home made chocolate store, traditional sweet shop and a charming little gallery are all part and parcel of the attraction. The tops of the houses lean over giving you a sense of almost being inside away from the elements, limited light helps you feel at home as all the of the shops sparkle and illuminate the street. Doing some further research I discovered that these leaning buildings is typical of the 15th century. However this street was mentioned in the Domesday book, which dates back to over 900 years ago, and therefore it had made The Shambles one of the oldest streets in York. Recently, well in the 19th century, it was a street full of butchers, and the raised curbs on either side of the street creating a channel was used to wash all of the blood and waste down from the shops.

All in all this part of York is certainly worth a visit if you are in the area. You will not only be able to go in the unique shops along the street but also get an overwhelming sense of taking a leap back in time. However when i was there it was extremely busy, for a better atmosphere and much more relaxed where you can move at your own pace i suggest not going at mid-day.

York

The city of York

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting the quite charming city of York. I have always been on the receiving end of praise for the city, but I have to say it really was a magnificent place. The architecture. culture and history all seemed so pleasant, we were more than happy to just mooch around taking it all in. Undoubtedly the whole experience was enhanced by the glorious day, the sun cast brilliant shadows and highlights all over the range of architecture around the city. The third picture down is Clifford's Tower and is apart of York castle. It was once the central stronghold of York Castle, and has survived turbulent centuries of fire, siege and attempted demolition. A remnant of the years of William the Conquerer and his northern campaign, it stands tall peering over the city. It stands up high and from the bottom it becomes intimidating and overpowering, taking this picture looking up at it I found it hard not to think about how hard it would be to try and actually attack this strong hold (back in the day).

York Minster stopped me in my tracks, my feet were fixed to the floor and all i could do was move my head and admire how immense it was. Both in scale and the intricate details that covered the minster. I hope that the pictures I have taken can portray it's brilliance. The Minster took around 250 years to complete, with work finally finished in 1472, it was a mammoth project with simply the best results. The main entrance tower is perfectly Bi-symmetrical and raises high up stamping its place and dominance in the city. In terms of its architecture it is phenomenal, highly complex, highly dynamic and highly inspiring.

Ibiza Global Radio

www.ibizaglobalradio.com

This is definitely for those of you who are into your music (a lot of house) and who haven't had the chance to get away to Ibiza this extremely drab English summer. It has everything from house, electric and Ibiza dance; and not so much of the big fish little fish kind. You can listen to new, up and coming sounds via a live stream giving you an insight into the non 'chavy' side of ibiza. The side that keeps new people going, and those season veterans returning to the island in search of the years new vibes.

There are Spanish presenters who pop up to let you know what's going on, and they occasionally break into English to help us out. Unlike the ordinary radio stations that we are forced to suffer over here, they DON'T become a reason to turn over the station in desperate search of some music, they play music! The only thing is you have to put up with some advertisement every now and again, that goes on for quite a while, well for little more than they should put it that way.

The web site is very easy to navigate and is engaging, it looks cool (i mean in the sense of a feeling of coolness). There are very tranquil and emotive pictures of the island behind each page or click of a button, that just make your imagination take you to that moment. The picture above with the peer in it and the clear turquoise sea is far too tempting, I just feel like getting my bank card and making a rash plane ticket purchase over there. This is with out a doubt the intentions of these images, and i think it does a tremendous job along side the music of helping you just take your mind away to some where you would rather be.

I have taken a particular shine to the house vibes session thats on there. It is going nicely alongside working, chilled out enough to not make you want to start raving, but is upbeat to keep your juices pumping.

I think the only problem with the site, is the fact that you can't listen to previous sessions that you may have missed. This stands out only because of the luxury that bbc iplayer has given us, being able to listen or watch back up to 7 days of entertainment. If it could maybe begin to introduce this into its arsenal then it would be even better.