A GLASTONBURY TALE (32)

Glastonbury-inspired Birthday Card

make camp

*Note - the sun, no overcrowding, the private toilet!


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (31)

Oh! This is intolerable...

I've just found the times for all the dance acts at the dance village on the Mixmag website. I'm updating them on my list, which I'll have to photocopy again.

And that's not all! I've spent the afternoon being introduced to a whole host of new music which I'm somehow going to have to blend into the mix.

I've just gone to Way Out West's Myspace - they're on the list now!

You know what this is leading to don't you? I'm going to be throwing the sheets of my list into the air and then divining who to see like some scryer with a set of bones - you know? That's not a bad idea...


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (30)

See, this is just what I mean!

No sooner have I got my head around a list of bands to go and see, another one pops up on the Glastonbury website!

Tunng - playing on the Park Stage - Sunday


'that's another one for hi-lighting on my list. Which colour though? Keep it coming, I've got plenty of hi-lighter pens, just keep it coming...'


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (29)

Kinda Scientific, Sort Of!

'and so I went to the website and there was this massive list of bands playing . So I look through and see some bands and say, hey! I'm going to see them. And then I come off but go back on later and see a load more bands that I must have overlooked the first time. So now, I'm juggling names around in my head. This is repeated another couple of times and the last time I went on new bands really had been added to the list so now I'm a master juggler with new balls being thrown into the mix at every turn! And now, I've printed a list of the list and bought some hi-lighter pens and I'm starting to hi-light the hi-lights (if you get my drift) and when I'm finished, there's going to be this list, from my list, of the list. The list is somehow going to mastermind my festival days...'

Kinda scientific, sort of!


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (28)

They're Here!

The tickets have arrived!
The tickets have arrived!

Here they are, in their little envelope, all colourful and waiting to convey us to the land of green fields and music and maybe some sun but hopefully not too much rain...


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (27)

Webcam

BBC's Glastonbury webcam


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (26)

Weather Update

Weather Report

Official sources close to this reporter suggest a sunny outlook for Glastonbury!


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (25)

Gentlemen, start your engines...

The tickets are coming! The tickets are coming!

My daughter has just received hers, ours must be oh so nearly in the post... :-)


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (24)

Pre-Festival Soundtrack

Massive Attack - Collected karmacoma
Groove Armarda - Soundboy Rock website
Groove Armarda - goodbye country (hello nightclub)
808state - quadrastate website
Banco de Gaia - Welcome to Ferengistan
Dub From Atlantis (and go to free music downloads)
Dreadzone
The Orb & MySpace
Zion Train (MySpace)
Steve Hillage's Mirror System (MySpace)

Dave Seaman DJ'ing

RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (23)

Level Pegging

tent peg

Tent peg, biodegradable of course. Just hope they don't biodegrade before I've finished using 'em!

From Greenstake, available at Millets under biodegradable pegs.


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (22)

Excess Baggage

pull to eject

Tent check, bag check, now what else do I need...

RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (21)

The Tent Has Arrived!

The tent has arrived!
The tent has arrived!

Oh, wait a minute! It's the wrong one...

The tent has arrived!
The tent has arrived!

That's better... Now, how to put it up!

There's a DVD!
That's a good thing, right?
It means there's a guide on how to erect it!
Either that, or it's extremely difficult to erect and needs a DVD (i.e. a disc that holds 4.7gb of information) to guide you through the process!

Anyway, the tent has arrived!
The tent has arrived!


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (20)

I'm Hoping For Sunny Days

Mu's Tower

I'm hoping for sunny days, with billowing cloud for respite and a breeze to refresh me as I walk from stage to stage.


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (19)

Leave The Car



I would if I could but we have to move the car every two hours where we live so it's not feasible to leave it. It's an economical car and we are car sharing. Just had to get that off my chest.

*Photo taken at CAT so has a Glastonbury feel to it.


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (18)

Bands at Glastonbury 2008

Friday - Pyramid Stage

Kings of Leon - Rock, USA
[ kingsofleon.com, Wiki, MySpace, YouTube ]


Friday - Other Stage

Panic at the Disco - Pop/Electronic, USA
[ panicatthedisco.com, Wiki, MySpace, YouTube ]

We Are Scientists - Rock, USA
[ wearescientists.com, Wiki, MySpace, YouTube ]


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (17)

Anticipation




RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (16)

Off The Beaten Track

I've tracked down a few artists from the festival line-up who I want to see that don't appear in the 'must see' lists

Jimmy Cliff!
Neville Staple
Mungos Hi Fi Vs Don Letts Dub Cartel
DJ Eddie Piller Northern Soul
Live Roni Size Reprazent
The Men They Couldn't hang
Live The Grid

AAaaarrrgghhhh, I've just seen more of who's playing! Every time I go and check the lists I see more, more, more...

Steve Hillage's Mirror System
Dreadzone
A Guy Called Gerald
Zion Train

The Orb


It's all getting a little too much


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (15)

Hopes, Dreams & Wishful Thinking

So, there are still some 'Very Special Guests' to be confirmed. Now here's who I think should be contenders

Portishead. With their new album; 3rd out (it's one of my birthday presents ;-)) and the fact that they aren't playing any festivals (read that in the 12 April Telegraph Magazine interview) this summer and their reclusive gigging nature, it would be great.
[Myspace, Official website, YouTube - Glory Box]

The Sex Pistols. Various rumours that they will play Glastonbury, I so hope so. I missed them in Sheffield when they played 'The Mucky Duck' (The Black Swan pub) the first time around. I saw The Clash, The Ramones, The Damned, Generation X... This would be a completion thing.
[History from punk77, Wikipedia, sex-pistols.net, johnlydon.com, punkrockers.com, YouTube - Anarchy]

Led Zeppelin. Secretly, this is why I bought my ticket. I'm over the moon with who is playing. If I only get to see one band, I'll be happy, contented, wish-fulfilled, chilled-out and be able to take the rest of what life has to throw at me. But, Led Zepellin... What a back catalogue to plunder. But Led Zeppelin though!
[Official website, Achilles Last Stand, YouTube - Stairway..., Wikipedia]

Guns 'N Roses. Guns 'N Roses play the whole of Chinese Democracy, announce its release date and it's for sale exclusively at Glasto. Now that is wishful thinking...
[website, MySpace, geffen, Wikipedia]

Well, you can but dream...

(Oh, and Blind Guardian fly in from Germany play a set that includes the trailer from Sacred 2, as well as 'Welcome to Dying', 'Under The Ice', 'Sadly Sings Destiny', 'Mordred's Song', 'Lord of the Rings' & 'The Bard's Song - In The Forest' among others and blow everyone else away. 'Welcome to Welcome to, Welcome, to dying...)


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (14)

Choices! Choices!

How the hell do you decide who to see? The lineup is immense!

I went through each of Gigwise's Glastonbury top 20 'must-see acts' for Friday, Saturday & Sunday and while it helped it doesn't cover half of it!

Back to the lists...


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (13)

Contribution

Just read the interview with Michael Eavis in The Daily Telegraph; Sat, April 26th after being honoured for his contribution to English Tourism - all round great man!


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (12)

Line Up Released!

Glastonbury Festivals site


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (11)

The View From Here...

The beauty of living only 40 miles from Glastonbury is that you can there in about an hour. The forecast had said it would rain but it was sunny all day, with a breeze. Approaching Glastonbury from Pilton, the Tor draws you in, a silent siren.

We wanted to climb the Tor and look back toward Pilton and get a feel for the place, see the lie of the land. We took a 'Tor This Way' sign which led us on a circuitous route around the back of the Tor. It was forever in view but always out of reach, more 'back side of the Tor' rather than 'Dark side of the moon' if you will.

a sign

this way

that way?

end in sight

It was a beautiful route though, through a lane of hedgerow, past an orchard and past a field of lambs.

approach

The Tor dominates the landscape but in a non-threatening way, more a guardianship. I'd forgotten how high it was and it's only when you stand at the foot (the meandering approach does bring you to such a point, eventually) that the majesty of the place starts to unfold.

rise

The climb affords views to die for with the tower crowning the experience.

tower

Looking out, back toward Pilton shows a sea of green, punctuated with islands, the houses are boats, anchored in a safe haven.

fields of green

The haze obscured a lot of detail but the view works on a direct level, in the way that music does. And it is the marriage of the place with music that will make Glastonbury festival, each time it is held.


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (11)

Tor in the Distance

Glastonbury Tor from just outside Pilton
Sunday 27th, afternoon

RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (10)

ilya K playing Glastonbury on 28th

Myspace profile page


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (9)

Reconnaissance

Off to Glastonbury tomorrow (Sunday) to climb the Tor and check on progress of the site from there. I'll post photos then (hopefully less overcast than last time...).


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (8)

Memories of 2005

I like to think of them as encrusted with 'brown gold'*

And did those feet
In ancient times
Walk upon England's fields of mud...


*Thanks for the memories Tim

RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (7)

Glastonbury on DVD

Glastonbury is still 2 months away so to while away the nights as anticipation bites deep We watched Glastonbury [Special Edition] on DVD by Julian Temple (Wikipedia, IMDb, Filmmaker Mag). It really captures the development of the festival and gives a feel for what we are about to receive...

It's a brilliant tour around what is, the festival including bands who've played there (Nick Cave & The Foofighters stand out moments), the people (The Good, The Bad & The Downright Ugly) and the facilities (timelapse of people visiting the toilets...). The thing that really makes it though are the interactive menus - I rate them my favourite in all my DVD collection. It's perfect for those nights around the virtual campfire.

I bought it for almost nothing at Zavvi and it's available on Amazon.co.uk for a similar price.


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (6)

What Footwear?

The Wellington Boot

The Wellington boot
Isn't so cute
The shoe's better
But decidedly wetter
The open-toed sandal
Is an absolute scandal
You're going barefoot?
You must be a nut!

RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (5)

Signs & Portents

I see pyramid stages everywhere!

RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (4)

Tentacles

I never went camping as a child for family holidays. We always went to Guest Houses on the east coast of England; Scarborough, Bridlington but I did go camping once, with the 'cubs', I think. It was to London! We camped in a hall somewhere. It was surreal! Instead of being under canvas, we were under a beam and plastered roof! The next time I went camping was when I met Mu, in the 80's. That was a borrowed tent (from my 'to be' sister-in-law), it was mustard-coloured and made by Vango, can't remember the model. It was early on in the year so it was cold and wet in the mornings. I remember a fog horn marking time at Flamborough Head. But we were in love (still are) so everything seemed wonderful. Since then we've camped in Cornwall in the sun and at Portmeirion in North Wales (I am not a numbskull, I am a free van!) and in Northern France (allo, allo in a camp voice) in a larger, family-sized tent (heavy as hell).
Please note, these were all interspersed expeditions with years of hotel luxury. Each one praying that the sun going down truly was 'Red Sky At Night' and a 'Delight', not 'Torrential Downpour In A Morning'!

Camping does have its rewards though; watching the sun go down at night (hoping it'll come back up in the morning), the smell of LapsangSouchong tea (the smoky one) masking the odour of the latrines, purchasing over-priced chocolate from the camp shop. When you're camping, everything has heightened appeal.

I've been putting out tentacles to find a suitable tent for us for Glastonbury, we've chosen a Vango tent (ah, the nostalgia). It's a lot bigger than the previous affair though, some headroom and communal space - the Orchy 400 (why couldn't it have been called The Dominator, or The Intrepid or The Beast?) We're tentatively choosing which site to camp on from the map and are intent on being away from any flooding area. I'd be content with the Pennard Hill Ground or Dairy Ground sites, not sure which yet but it will definitely be away from the toilets!

Camping? Bring it on...

My intent is to bring more tent news later...


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (3)

News Links

As anything gets bigger and established it inevitably gets attacked, especially in England. It's a national pastime. You can't trawl through the news without tripping over insult being added to injury; various established artists slagging off the headline choice, the 'it's all corporate' whingeing, it goes on and on. I went to Download last year, it was amazing! This year I'm following my heart to Glastonbury, even though the chance of some metal's going to be as likely as a rain-free Pilton with free beer! It doesn't matter. If you read and followed every review of anything, you wouldn't pick up a book, watch a film or go to a concert.

Turn up, Tune in, Chill out...

I've added links to the sidebar that cover news about Glastonbury 2008. Be informed but don't be put off. (Look over there on the right hand side >>>)


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (2)

So Who's Playing?

Well so far Massive Attack, The Verve, Kings of Leon, Elbow and Alabama 3 are all bands I'm interested in seeing. And now Hot Chip (MySpace)now I've checked them out on YouTube.

Guess I'll have to wait until 1 May 2008 for the full line up.

Now if I got to run a festival - The Rustival: Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden, Dreamtheater, The Orb, Rhapsody, The Pogues, Wishbone Ash, Marillion (with Fish coming on stage to sing a couple of songs) and Pink Floyd would reform for the Sunday headline...


RP


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A GLASTONBURY TALE (1)

Beginnings

At the foot of the Tor

The Isle of Glass,
The Vale of Avalon,
steeped in history, mystery and legend, it draws people from all over the world and not least for The Glastonbury Festival.

The Glastonbury Festival has a wonderful history which is well documented elsewhere. I am going to focus upon my first visit to the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts (to give it its full title). The festival itself is held in Pilton which is several miles outside of Glastonbury proper but the tor casts its argus like eye over the site...

from afar...

I've always wanted to go and wished I'd gone sooner but now feels right. I'm off with my wife, Mu and we're camping. My son (his 3rd Glastonbury) is going as is my daughter with her boyfriend (their 1st time). They are taking their campervan, my son is camping with mates.

We're registered and tickets are ordered. We went down to Glastonbury on Saturday, it was misty and raining but the whole area had a majesty. We came through Pilton and on into Glastonbury on a route we'll take when we travel there on the Wednesday.

Direction...

We pulled up at (we are not) Worthy Farm. The only telltale sign that great things are going to happen is a 'variation of premises licence' poster tied to the gate...

down on the farm

All deliveries - that'll be the beer then...


RP


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The North Wind Doth Blow

Mu's Weather Vane

RP

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Three Peaks

Bristol, England

RP


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Zen Garden

Inspiration can be found in the smallest of places

RP


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GHIII - Slash video

Following New Threads...

It's a new year and I'm following new threads

I got Guitar Hero III as a Christmas present from my children to play on my XBOX 360 allows you to play off against Slash! ----- There's Velvet Revolver DLC available which I found out via xboxgamezone.co.uk/forum ----- I then bounced to Slash and Slither & She Builds Quick Machines on YouTube. ----- This led to me downloading Velvet Revolver's album Libertad from iTunes store and then buying Slash's Snake Pit - it's five o'clock somewhere and Velvet Revolver's Contraband ----- There's an acoustic version of Slither over on MySpace. ----- This led me on to anticipating Rock Band which although out in US, makes its debut in UK in March. ----- This led me on to buying the book Slash which is interesting from a study of addiction perspective for me as I also start another job soon, a temporary project working at a day centre in Bristol.

This is all an expanding horizon for me because although I bought You Could Be Mine by Guns N Roses when it was the soundtrack for Terminator 2, I missed out on the whole Snake Pit / Velvet Revolver thing.


RP


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New Year!

The New Year

Christmas fades
As each of the 12 days roll languorously into each other.
A New Year bursts forth in firework glory.
Now, as I collect the spent casings of exuberance that litter the pavements of this new day
I start to focus upon new beginnings...

RP


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Christmas!

Boxing Day

I felt a fraud
Boxing Day had passed into Boxing Day Night and I hadn't boxed,
I hadn't even punched the air!
Looking at it obliquely, I hadn't packaged anything either. Nor had I even broken down a box at work which would have allowed me the opportunity to say I had deconstructed Boxing Day, a semblance of engagement.
But, there you have it. Boxing Day had gone and I hadn't boxed.


RP


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Christmas!

Christmas Day

Some b*st*rd broke into our house last night!

They came in via the chimney, There were black bootprints all across the carpet (a mans I'd say).

They had it away with all the mince pies and drank my sherry and what's more, they even raided the kitchen and took vegetables! Well, some carrots were missing...

They spread boxes all around the front room making a right mess I can tell you.

Well, If I catch him I'm going to hang him up by his chestnuts and roast him over an open fire.


RP


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Christmas!

Christmas Eve...

'twas the night before Christmas
And all through the flat
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a rat...


RP


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It's Really Almost Here...

The Snow Castle
at
Cribbs Causeway, Bristol

I really thought it was snowing for a second or two...

RP


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It's snowing! Oh, no it's not, I thought it was

It's Almost Here!

Sky Lights

RP


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It's Coming...

Snowflakes

RP



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Christmas is coming...

Christmas was coming
Geese were clapping on weight like there was no tomorrow
And hats were full of assorted coinage from all the four corners of the globe.
It mattered not that one had neither low denomination currency
Nor the lowest denomination, currently in circulation and legal tender itself
For God in his heaven would shower his beneficence, like the snow that would surely fall
On all.


RP

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Christmas is coming...

Concentric Christmas

RP


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Christmas is coming...

Gold Flake
in a
shop window

RP


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Christmas is coming...

Angel Herald

RP


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Hansel und Gretel

At the Christmas Market, Bath England

RP


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Christmas is coming...

Bright Reindeer

Taken in Bath, England

RP


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Memorabilia - Red Dwarf

Memorabilia - Birmingham NEC - Saturday 24 November 2007

The cast of Red Dwarf were there...

The cast - nearly

Cat & Rimmer

Love this photo

A thoughtful Rimmer

RP


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Memorabilia - More Stormtroopers

Memorabilia - Birmingham NEC - Saturday 24 November 2007


The force was with them

Battle-worn

This could have been taken onboard ship!

Pose-troopers

RP


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Memorabilia - Stormtroopers

Memorabilia - Birmingham NEC - Saturday 24 November 2007

It was like being on the set of Star Wars

UK Garrison

The UK Garrison were ever present - more photos to follow...

RP


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Memorabilia - The Dukes of Hazard

Memorabilia - Birmingham NEC - Saturday 24 November 2007

The General Lee from The Dukes of Hazard

Door detail

RP


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Yo Yo snippets

I've been bouncing around from TV episode to game trailer...

Cadfael - volume 3 - St. Peter's fair, The Raven in the Foregate, The Rose rent on DVD
Assassin's Creed - trailer - Game Trailers
Mass Effect - trailer - XBOX 360 Fanboy


RP


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B5 Series 3 Z'ha'dum

Just finished watching Babylon 5 Series 3 - wow!
I had to move straight on and watch episode 1 of Series 4 - just couldn't wait.

Wikipedia
Babylon5TV
Lurker's Guide
Babylon5 UK


RP


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Go To Hellboy

Finally got around to watching Hellboy - Sword of Storms last night. It was excellent, my kind of blend of subject matter & dry humour (Wikipedia's entry for Hellboy under Mike Mignola states 'H.P. Lovecraft-style horror :-)). I have always liked Mike Mignola's style of artwork and it just all gelled.

The gotohellboy website is well worth a look - it deals with Hellboy animated!
Hellboy.com showcases Mike's work in comics/graphic novels.
I've not seen the film yet but it's on the list - the website supporting it is flash.


RP


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My Interactive Media blog

RPINTERACTIVE


RP



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Tinged Leaves

Autumn-tinged
The taint of time
Mottled green, as though rusted through
Coppered metal
Red blush amongst still lingering green
Displaying transition, as though decaying into beauty.


RP


Copyright © 2007 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Autumn Leaves

RP


Copyright © 2007 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

AKIRA's memory lives on in our hearts

I watched AKIRA again just the other week and it's just the best film ever and I had the soundtrack on my iPod until recently. The following The Montoya Herald link discusses a newly released track by Kanye West & Daft Punk whose video references AKIRA. The discussion asks does it homage or rip-off? You decide! It's just good to see some images from AKIRA again. I haven't looked at my AKIRA Club book yet, I'm saving it...

[AKIRA Club book: published by Titan Books | Dark Horse for big picture of cover | Forbidden Planet have it discounted | as do Amazon]

I got here via Same Hat! Same Hat!, (my interest piqued by TETSUUOOOOO! KANYEEEEEEDA!!?!?) via MangaBlog while exploring Kazuo Umezu’s Mummy Teacher's covers...


RP



Copyright © 2007 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Howl's Moving Castle

Studio Ghibli - bringer of Japanese animation to the west, graced my eyes and cerebellum last night. I originally saw this at The Watershed in Bristol when it went on 'arthouse' (hate that title) release in the UK. I was blown away then across Howl's field of flowers - I was again last night. Standout moments are; in the hatshop - in fact the whole European town setting scenes, the Wicked Witch of the Wastes' henchmen as they carry her about in a sedan chair, Howl's bedroom (no it's not that type of film) and Howl's field. I didn't initially like the fire (voiced by Billy Crystal of City Slickers fame) first time around but this time I did. The story is involved but stick with it and it's worthwhile.

The original story is by Diane Wynne Jones who lives in Bristol (it's on my list of books to read) and she is planning a new book with a guest appearance of Howl. She likes the film and Miyazaki came to UK to provide a private showing upon completion - cool.

Howl's Moving Castle - Hauru no ugoku shiro

Hayao Miyazaki

Studio Ghibli

RP



Copyright © 2007 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

BLOOD - The Last Vampire

This is the second time I have watched this film about vampires set at the start of the Viet Nam war on an American Air Base in Japan. It was even better the second time around - visceral action, stunning 2d/3D CGI graphics mix and an ethereal music score. A strong female lead (she wields a samurai sword!), good vampires and an excellent muted colour palette. 'The making of' included on disc gives a good insight into the combination of 2D/3D animation. From the creators of Ghost In The Shell 'nuff said!

Released in 2000 by MANGA
Rated 15

Production IG - planning and original concept

Mamoru Oshii - as Producer (planning)
Kenji Kamiyama - script writer
Yoshihiro Ike - composer (music)


RP



Copyright © 2007 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Back To School

Well, back to University actually.

Starting MA Media (Interactive Arts) at UWE, Bristol.

This blog is going to take the form of thoughts/notes on influences that inform my work (and then instantly degenerate into all the comics and films and games and books I love - ah, the death of lofty ideals...).




RP.

Monkeys

It has been said that if enough monkeys sat down at typewriters for long enough, they could write the complete works of Shakespeare. But the sonnets would all be about bananas and jungles and picking insects off each other’s backs...


RP



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All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Wedge of Cheese

The world is a wedge of cheese
And god moves in mysterious curds and whey.



RP



Copyright © 2007 THE GREEN ORCHARD Ltd. All rights reserved.
All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.