onionbagblog
Old School
A bit of sepia experimentation, Photoshoppped heavily with a Holga script - hey, at least I'm being honest.
I've got a couple of big professional jobs coming up in the next few weeks, so I wanted to play around with a few ideas ahead of the shoots.
So so, but maybe not quite the effect I'm after.
technorati: eastcastle street
| Saturday 30 August, 2008 |
A bit of sepia experimentation, Photoshoppped heavily with a Holga script - hey, at least I'm being honest.
I've got a couple of big professional jobs coming up in the next few weeks, so I wanted to play around with a few ideas ahead of the shoots.
So so, but maybe not quite the effect I'm after.
technorati: eastcastle street
| #permalink |
Crap ODI Report - LIVE!
England Vs South Africa
Live! (knobber) blogging from a rather grey, but rather lively Oval.
Refresh and scroll down for updates.
11:10
Greetings from SE11, for the last big cricket hoo-hah of the season. It's been a strange summer around these parts; Surrey have beenshite sorry and England are a transformed team under KP.
Meanwhile I'm sitting at The Oval getting slightly sloshed. Some things never change, chin chin.
The fragrant mrs onionbagblogger did the business with the old Ribena bottle full of booze. Make that Ribena bottle(s) full of booze. Hic.
We're all set for a day of slogging and getting sloshed. We're sitting in the Bedser Stand, a departure from our usual beer boy action of the OCS. It's turned out rather nice with a plasma screen hanging over our heads to catch all the replays. I'm hopeful they'll switch over to Home and Away during luncheon.
England are batting, and bloody hell, they aren't 'arf making a go of it. Fifty-one without loss in the seventh over. No Bell end yet for Ian Bell, backed up (surprisingly) by Matt Prior. A big total is looking good for England if they can keep up this pace.
South Africa meanwhile have more pressing matters; pyjama cricket isn't my favourite form of the game, but I can't help thinking that the great summer sport is compromised further still when the tourists take to the pitch wearing a shell suit last seen in a Rock Steady Crew video circa '83.
We've got seven dark winter months of gloom to come without the great game on English soil. I think that's my cue for another cup of Ribena.
13:10
The runaway train that is the England ODI team has been derailed. Bell end (hurrah!) came after a fine 78. Up stepped captain Pietersen, leading from the front, and walking cheaply for 5, bowled by Kallis' first ball.
The previous incumbent, Paul Collingwood, faired little better. The large video screen showed the Durham man endorsing some ECB mobile sign up bollocks during a drinks break. And then whaddya know - next ball and Colly was back in the pavilion for 14.
Battery power not looking good, Ribena supply is plentiful.
197-5 England, 13 overs remaining.
2:40
Luncheon. Just had to suffer the thoughts of Surrey Chief Exec Paul Sheldon on the big screen, banging on all about how progressive the club is blah blah blah bollocks. Meanwhile, the first team is about to be relegated from the County Championship.
England managed to knock up a decent 296-7 after their fifty overs. Odd on for a win, I'd say (although I've also got £20 on Surrey to win the County Championship this season.)
Also misguided was the bloke at the Gents, holding the old man in one hand, and his mobile in the other. Co-ordination became slightly confused, but hey hoe - it was only a crappy Nokia anyway.
Luncheon is a liquid luncheon. Always the best. What is it with middle-aged blokes who wear linen only when England are playing cricket? What's wrong with lycra?
Best site so far today: Gunter Nel on water boy duty around the boundary.
Mine's a large Ribena.
Chin chin.
Much, much later
Ouch, that hurt. Big time. But at least England won. Ribena and Fosters don't make for great drinking buddies. 'You should never mix your drink,' as the great Withnail was once told.
And so no more internationals at The Oval for this season, and possibly no more for me full stop. £60 a pop for a ticket is taking the piss, the exact same reason I turned my back on professional football all those years ago.
Looks like it's the County game for me from now on.
Shit - someone please pass me another large Ribena.
technorati: england cricket
| Friday 29 August, 2008 |
England Vs South Africa
Live! (knobber) blogging from a rather grey, but rather lively Oval.
Refresh and scroll down for updates.
11:10
Greetings from SE11, for the last big cricket hoo-hah of the season. It's been a strange summer around these parts; Surrey have been
Meanwhile I'm sitting at The Oval getting slightly sloshed. Some things never change, chin chin.
The fragrant mrs onionbagblogger did the business with the old Ribena bottle full of booze. Make that Ribena bottle(s) full of booze. Hic.
We're all set for a day of slogging and getting sloshed. We're sitting in the Bedser Stand, a departure from our usual beer boy action of the OCS. It's turned out rather nice with a plasma screen hanging over our heads to catch all the replays. I'm hopeful they'll switch over to Home and Away during luncheon.
England are batting, and bloody hell, they aren't 'arf making a go of it. Fifty-one without loss in the seventh over. No Bell end yet for Ian Bell, backed up (surprisingly) by Matt Prior. A big total is looking good for England if they can keep up this pace.
South Africa meanwhile have more pressing matters; pyjama cricket isn't my favourite form of the game, but I can't help thinking that the great summer sport is compromised further still when the tourists take to the pitch wearing a shell suit last seen in a Rock Steady Crew video circa '83.
We've got seven dark winter months of gloom to come without the great game on English soil. I think that's my cue for another cup of Ribena.
13:10
The runaway train that is the England ODI team has been derailed. Bell end (hurrah!) came after a fine 78. Up stepped captain Pietersen, leading from the front, and walking cheaply for 5, bowled by Kallis' first ball.
The previous incumbent, Paul Collingwood, faired little better. The large video screen showed the Durham man endorsing some ECB mobile sign up bollocks during a drinks break. And then whaddya know - next ball and Colly was back in the pavilion for 14.
Battery power not looking good, Ribena supply is plentiful.
197-5 England, 13 overs remaining.
2:40
Luncheon. Just had to suffer the thoughts of Surrey Chief Exec Paul Sheldon on the big screen, banging on all about how progressive the club is blah blah blah bollocks. Meanwhile, the first team is about to be relegated from the County Championship.
England managed to knock up a decent 296-7 after their fifty overs. Odd on for a win, I'd say (although I've also got £20 on Surrey to win the County Championship this season.)
Also misguided was the bloke at the Gents, holding the old man in one hand, and his mobile in the other. Co-ordination became slightly confused, but hey hoe - it was only a crappy Nokia anyway.
Luncheon is a liquid luncheon. Always the best. What is it with middle-aged blokes who wear linen only when England are playing cricket? What's wrong with lycra?
Best site so far today: Gunter Nel on water boy duty around the boundary.
Mine's a large Ribena.
Chin chin.
Much, much later
Ouch, that hurt. Big time. But at least England won. Ribena and Fosters don't make for great drinking buddies. 'You should never mix your drink,' as the great Withnail was once told.
And so no more internationals at The Oval for this season, and possibly no more for me full stop. £60 a pop for a ticket is taking the piss, the exact same reason I turned my back on professional football all those years ago.
Looks like it's the County game for me from now on.
Shit - someone please pass me another large Ribena.
technorati: england cricket
| #permalink |
Don't Give a X
Reports of the death of Xfm are ten years too late - almost to the exact date. Xfm died a decade ago this week when Crapital got their filthy mitts on the station.
The slow, painful death of a once genuinely independent broadcaster sums up the piss poor state of UK commercial radio right now. Big boys can't be trusted, conglomerates get swallowed by larger conglomerates, leading to listeners being marginalised as the marketing men chase the same bland, boring demographic.
And it's proven to be a puerile chase. Ten years to the day, Crapital Xfm has a lower market share (ooh, get me) than the original indie had. Bring back, um, Bob, I say.
The great download debate can be ignored as well. 6Music seems to be surviving rather well, filling in the vacuum vacated by Xfm. Radio can work, just not when there's wall-to-wall Kaiser Chiefs every half hour.
The spirit of indie kicked hard against the corporate pricks during those early, anarchic broadcasts. The bills were being paid as well, with indie labels at last finding a way to reach the kids.
It's no coincidence that the UK music scene was a lot healthier and diverse a decade ago. For the likes of Coldplay, Snow Patrol and the corporate indie of The Killers, we have the utter shite of Crapital Xfm to blame.
From Finsbury Park to fucking Kylie on the play list.
Knobbers.
technorati: Xfm
| Friday 29 August, 2008 |
Reports of the death of Xfm are ten years too late - almost to the exact date. Xfm died a decade ago this week when Crapital got their filthy mitts on the station.
The slow, painful death of a once genuinely independent broadcaster sums up the piss poor state of UK commercial radio right now. Big boys can't be trusted, conglomerates get swallowed by larger conglomerates, leading to listeners being marginalised as the marketing men chase the same bland, boring demographic.
And it's proven to be a puerile chase. Ten years to the day, Crapital Xfm has a lower market share (ooh, get me) than the original indie had. Bring back, um, Bob, I say.
The great download debate can be ignored as well. 6Music seems to be surviving rather well, filling in the vacuum vacated by Xfm. Radio can work, just not when there's wall-to-wall Kaiser Chiefs every half hour.
The spirit of indie kicked hard against the corporate pricks during those early, anarchic broadcasts. The bills were being paid as well, with indie labels at last finding a way to reach the kids.
It's no coincidence that the UK music scene was a lot healthier and diverse a decade ago. For the likes of Coldplay, Snow Patrol and the corporate indie of The Killers, we have the utter shite of Crapital Xfm to blame.
From Finsbury Park to fucking Kylie on the play list.
Knobbers.
technorati: Xfm
| #permalink |
Word Up
I've scanned it through and can't find any traces of North, indoor swimming or Tooting & Mitcham.
Oval, lido and delicateessen will do nicely (although the proximity of di and lido at 8 'O clock almost made for uncomfortable reading.)
technorati: wordle
| Thursday 28 August, 2008 |
I've scanned it through and can't find any traces of North, indoor swimming or Tooting & Mitcham.
Oval, lido and delicateessen will do nicely (although the proximity of di and lido at 8 'O clock almost made for uncomfortable reading.)
technorati: wordle
| #permalink |
Poor Cow
7:01 am, and I was chased halfway down to Herne Hill by some some psycho Brixton butcher waving his meat cleaver at me.
'You can't take photo! You can't take photo!'
Um, yes I can.
Pull the udder, one etc.
technorati: meat is murder
| Thursday 28 August, 2008 |
7:01 am, and I was chased halfway down to Herne Hill by some some psycho Brixton butcher waving his meat cleaver at me.
'You can't take photo! You can't take photo!'
Um, yes I can.
Pull the udder, one etc.
technorati: meat is murder
| #permalink |
links for 2008-08-28
Just not cricket
I get vertigo standing on a shag pile carpet, so cricket up a mountain 'aint for me.
want
Paypal account details available on request.
Dogs Lionesses
No one likes them, they don't care... etc.
technorati: cricket, dslr, millwall
Just not cricketI get vertigo standing on a shag pile carpet, so cricket up a mountain 'aint for me.
wantPaypal account details available on request.
No one likes them, they don't care... etc.
technorati: cricket, dslr, millwall
| #permalink |
Not Cricket
South London Yoof start queuing up early, ahead of the ODI at The Oval on Friday.
...or something.
Cheers to Stockwell News for the heads up.
technorati: south london yoof, the oval
| Wednesday 27 August, 2008 |
South London Yoof start queuing up early, ahead of the ODI at The Oval on Friday.
...or something.
Cheers to Stockwell News for the heads up.
technorati: south london yoof, the oval
| #permalink |
Train Train
I followed Meadows ever since Twenty Four Seven - a lovely, lovely film (that's something you won't read on a film poster,) beautifully shot, and capturing the East Midlands fatalist sense of humour to perfection.
A Room for Romeo Brass carried on the master class in storytelling; Once Upon a Time in the Midlands suffered from using established names, rather than East Midlands unknowns. Dead Man's Shoes was a return to form, and This is England had all the right ingredients for my fantasy film: skinheads, ska, pop 'n politics; plus a storyline held together by characters that spoke my hometown language.
Knowwharrya mean, m'duck?
And so on Sunday afternoon, I headed off to Somers Town. Not Somers Town NW1, but The Ritzy, SW2, for a showing of Somers Town.
If You Liked This is England, then you *might* like Somers Town.
You'll certainly like Thomas Turgoose, last seen playing scamp skinhead Shaun in This is England. A couple of years maturity and a broken voice later, young Thomas is cast as Thommo, playing the lead role in Somers Town.
It's character acting taken to extremes. Thomas is Thommo. Scripts are tossed aside, and the cheeky young pup pretty much ad-libs his way around the liberal plot.
And here's where Somers Town somehow doesn't really hold it together. There is no plot to speak of. Thommo catches the train down from the Fair City, hangs out in Camden with a Polish kid, both fall for a French cafe waitress, and the then another train journey out of St Pancras on the Eurostar, and all three find themselves in Paris.
There's more action in Jim Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes, a film so devoid of plot, that subtitles were pointless.
And then there's the Eurostar connection. Ah, yes - Where's the Money,Eurostar Ronnie? as Mr Meadows might say himself.
Sit through until the end of the closing credits (and please do, because the soundtrack by Gavin Clarke is very good) and you'll see hidden away in a rather small font:
copyright: eurostar
It's no coincidence that Somers Town is set next to Saint Pancras. The concept started off in the boardroom of Eurostar, with the company keen to invest some cash into a long trailer for their train. There's a happy ending to the film, but then there has to be, seeing as though the money shot comes straight after a Eurostar journey. Don't expect mass terrorism with the Channel Tunnel being blown up.
At seventy minutes long, Somers Town is either an easy introduction into the unique storytelling mind of Shane Meadows, or a very long commercial for a bloody train. It's not the most believable of films, but Somers Town is somehow sweet, all the same.
Choo choo.
technorati: somers town
| Wednesday 27 August, 2008 |
I followed Meadows ever since Twenty Four Seven - a lovely, lovely film (that's something you won't read on a film poster,) beautifully shot, and capturing the East Midlands fatalist sense of humour to perfection.
A Room for Romeo Brass carried on the master class in storytelling; Once Upon a Time in the Midlands suffered from using established names, rather than East Midlands unknowns. Dead Man's Shoes was a return to form, and This is England had all the right ingredients for my fantasy film: skinheads, ska, pop 'n politics; plus a storyline held together by characters that spoke my hometown language.
Knowwharrya mean, m'duck?
And so on Sunday afternoon, I headed off to Somers Town. Not Somers Town NW1, but The Ritzy, SW2, for a showing of Somers Town.
If You Liked This is England, then you *might* like Somers Town.
You'll certainly like Thomas Turgoose, last seen playing scamp skinhead Shaun in This is England. A couple of years maturity and a broken voice later, young Thomas is cast as Thommo, playing the lead role in Somers Town.
It's character acting taken to extremes. Thomas is Thommo. Scripts are tossed aside, and the cheeky young pup pretty much ad-libs his way around the liberal plot.
And here's where Somers Town somehow doesn't really hold it together. There is no plot to speak of. Thommo catches the train down from the Fair City, hangs out in Camden with a Polish kid, both fall for a French cafe waitress, and the then another train journey out of St Pancras on the Eurostar, and all three find themselves in Paris.
There's more action in Jim Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes, a film so devoid of plot, that subtitles were pointless.
And then there's the Eurostar connection. Ah, yes - Where's the Money,
Sit through until the end of the closing credits (and please do, because the soundtrack by Gavin Clarke is very good) and you'll see hidden away in a rather small font:
copyright: eurostar
It's no coincidence that Somers Town is set next to Saint Pancras. The concept started off in the boardroom of Eurostar, with the company keen to invest some cash into a long trailer for their train. There's a happy ending to the film, but then there has to be, seeing as though the money shot comes straight after a Eurostar journey. Don't expect mass terrorism with the Channel Tunnel being blown up.
At seventy minutes long, Somers Town is either an easy introduction into the unique storytelling mind of Shane Meadows, or a very long commercial for a bloody train. It's not the most believable of films, but Somers Town is somehow sweet, all the same.
Choo choo.
technorati: somers town
| #permalink |
Blue Monday
Bank Holiday Blues - it must mean it's time for the fragrant mrs onionabgblogger's annual dip at the lovely lido. She certainly emerged looking rather blue after less than fifteen minutes in the 'fresh' water on Monday morning.
We fought over the solitary wetsuit back at base, before setting out to Brockwell Park:
'Wetsuits are for wimps - you're not taking it,’ I said.
'But my circulation might stop, I could cop it, and you'd have nothing to remember me by apart from a couple of joint mortgages being paid off,' came the reply.
'Like I said, you're not taking it, luv.'
We could have done with no more mortgage commitments to be honest. I strolled in with my season ticket, but at £5.20 (!) for an adult swim, the lido may be lovely, but it certainly 'aint value for money.
'50p per length,' as mrs obb put it.
Do the math.
I was actually quite impressed that I managed to drag her blue Bank Holiday arse over to Brockwell Park for the first time of the lido season. Two years ago we swam in SE24 on the August Bank Holiday, only for the lido to shut up shop the next day ahead of the building works.
I remember it being a warm, but somewhat sad occasion. The summer had been taken away from us prematurely, with the prospect of no outdoor swimming until another nine months time.
This summer is something special though; if not weather wise, then certainly in the availability to turn your blood blue by swimming in Brockwell Park almost until Halloween. We're going all the way through until mid-October this year. I say 'we,' but I reckon that's yer lot from mrs obb. It will take her another nine months to thaw out.
Actually it wasn't that bad, although there were more lifeguards than lido lovers. Swimming outdoors is what I do. My body has been able to acclimatise since mid-May. The hardest part is the motivation to get poolside. The season ticket sees to that. Once you're there, you're gonna swim. Dive straight in, no arseing about and simply SWIM.
mrs obb did just that. Plus letting out the odd profanity as she hit the water.
Way to go, girl, way to go.
Two months time and it will be temperature role reversal for me. Can't say that I'm looking forward to my return to indoor swimming at Clap'ham.
There's been so much more to lido life this year. There's currently an artist in residence, organising many wonderful creative events themed around life aquatic. We've even got an Aquathon scheduled for next month.
I've yet to convert mrs obb to become a lido lover. Twelve years of trying and it's only an annual event. Still, at least she likes the swimming.
technorati: lovely lido
| Tuesday 26 August, 2008 |
Bank Holiday Blues - it must mean it's time for the fragrant mrs onionabgblogger's annual dip at the lovely lido. She certainly emerged looking rather blue after less than fifteen minutes in the 'fresh' water on Monday morning.
We fought over the solitary wetsuit back at base, before setting out to Brockwell Park:
'Wetsuits are for wimps - you're not taking it,’ I said.
'But my circulation might stop, I could cop it, and you'd have nothing to remember me by apart from a couple of joint mortgages being paid off,' came the reply.
'Like I said, you're not taking it, luv.'
We could have done with no more mortgage commitments to be honest. I strolled in with my season ticket, but at £5.20 (!) for an adult swim, the lido may be lovely, but it certainly 'aint value for money.
'50p per length,' as mrs obb put it.
Do the math.
I was actually quite impressed that I managed to drag her blue Bank Holiday arse over to Brockwell Park for the first time of the lido season. Two years ago we swam in SE24 on the August Bank Holiday, only for the lido to shut up shop the next day ahead of the building works.
I remember it being a warm, but somewhat sad occasion. The summer had been taken away from us prematurely, with the prospect of no outdoor swimming until another nine months time.
This summer is something special though; if not weather wise, then certainly in the availability to turn your blood blue by swimming in Brockwell Park almost until Halloween. We're going all the way through until mid-October this year. I say 'we,' but I reckon that's yer lot from mrs obb. It will take her another nine months to thaw out.
Actually it wasn't that bad, although there were more lifeguards than lido lovers. Swimming outdoors is what I do. My body has been able to acclimatise since mid-May. The hardest part is the motivation to get poolside. The season ticket sees to that. Once you're there, you're gonna swim. Dive straight in, no arseing about and simply SWIM.
mrs obb did just that. Plus letting out the odd profanity as she hit the water.
Way to go, girl, way to go.
Two months time and it will be temperature role reversal for me. Can't say that I'm looking forward to my return to indoor swimming at Clap'ham.
There's been so much more to lido life this year. There's currently an artist in residence, organising many wonderful creative events themed around life aquatic. We've even got an Aquathon scheduled for next month.
I've yet to convert mrs obb to become a lido lover. Twelve years of trying and it's only an annual event. Still, at least she likes the swimming.
technorati: lovely lido
| #permalink |
That's DeLot
And so farewell Di Lieto Bakery & Delicatessen of Sunny Stockwell. You've served me with my daily French stick for the past decade now. The SW8 institution changed hands last year, with a continental switch from Italian fine foods to Polish wholesomeness.
Nothing wrong in that; Stockwell is a transition town and the local services have to reflect the changing local community. Trading under the traditional Di Lieto family name upset many locals. French stick (yeah, yeah, I know...) was replaced by cheap Polish booze.
Which is no bad thing.
But now we have plans submitted to the Lambeth Council knobbers to pull down the bakery at the back of Di Lieto's, and replace it with... some 'residential units' (yuppie flats.)
Which is just what Stockwell needs right now - rip out one of the genuine local landmarks, and replace a fully functional community bakery with 'timber clad' (TRUE!) residential units.
Stockwell is often perceived as nothing but a great big transport junction. Given the history of The Swan as a stopover place, this isn’t too far from the truth. But take away the local family run businesses and you might as well be living in bloody Bromley.
The statutory planning permission notice was apparently placed on a lamppost opposite Di Lieto's on Friday night. By Saturday morning it had been removed.
It's gonna be a bun fight, I tell you.
technorati: di lieto
| Monday 25 August, 2008 |
And so farewell Di Lieto Bakery & Delicatessen of Sunny Stockwell. You've served me with my daily French stick for the past decade now. The SW8 institution changed hands last year, with a continental switch from Italian fine foods to Polish wholesomeness.
Nothing wrong in that; Stockwell is a transition town and the local services have to reflect the changing local community. Trading under the traditional Di Lieto family name upset many locals. French stick (yeah, yeah, I know...) was replaced by cheap Polish booze.
Which is no bad thing.
But now we have plans submitted to the Lambeth Council knobbers to pull down the bakery at the back of Di Lieto's, and replace it with... some 'residential units' (yuppie flats.)
Which is just what Stockwell needs right now - rip out one of the genuine local landmarks, and replace a fully functional community bakery with 'timber clad' (TRUE!) residential units.
Stockwell is often perceived as nothing but a great big transport junction. Given the history of The Swan as a stopover place, this isn’t too far from the truth. But take away the local family run businesses and you might as well be living in bloody Bromley.
The statutory planning permission notice was apparently placed on a lamppost opposite Di Lieto's on Friday night. By Saturday morning it had been removed.
It's gonna be a bun fight, I tell you.
technorati: di lieto
| #permalink |
Crash Course
Wow - what a difference an Olympic fortnight can make. Saturday morning at the track, and Herne Hill was heaving with 2012 hopefuls. Cycling has been the outstanding team success for GB over in Beijing. Love for le velo has been transported all the way back to South London, with Saturday morning sessions organised by le Velo Club Londres feeling the benefits.
We normally see forty or so riders each weekend in SE21, fifty if the sun is shining. But on a windswept, overcast Saturday morning, the track capacity of eighty cyclists was pushed very close to the limit.
Welcoming new riders to Herne Hill is all very well, but as with most sports, there is both a competitive, and snob factor on show. Especially so in cycling, where in all honesty, it really is All About the Bike.
The hired frames from the Herne Hill lock up stand out from the hand crafted, titanium track bikes. And then there's the lycra...
But all riders are welcome, seeing as though they make a half-decent veteran seem like he's out-sprinting Bradley back in Beijing.
Safety is also an issue. Eighty riders max means that those sharp, banked corners are even trickier to manoeuvre around as the pelaton attacks them head on. Riding in a bunch sprint of mixed ability, track etiquette is not something that the newbies have time to take on board.
A half hour team pursuit, and then the entire pelaton went into rotation. Two parallel lines of riders, with the front cyclist on the inner circuit moving up to join the slower upper string at regular intervals. You eventually find yourself at the back of the outer circuit, and then as Last Rider, you drop down and pick up the pace - a rotation.
The pace picks up over the course of fifty laps, until both lengths of riders are at a full on sprint. You need to keep the wheel of the rider in front of you, otherwise you'll bonk and lose the chase.
Not that close though, fella.
One of the new kids misjudged the distance between his front wheel and my rear. I felt him clip me around a bank. Instinct taught me to hold my line and compensate my body weight in the opposite direction of the collision. I cycled away, just in time to have a quick glance behind and see the kid tumble down the banking, taking out half the pelaton with him.
Ouch. That was a seriously nasty collision.
Riders were badly bruised, as were bike frames. I know which one I hold in higher regard. This was the worst crash I've seen at Herne Hill, and it certainly took the momentum out of the rest of the morning. The training session came to an abrupt halt, the track was cleared and the damage was assessed.
Somehow I didn't fancy the idea of going elbow too elbow at 30mph with one of the big boys for the rest of my Saturday morning. I cut my losses, and collapsed at the lido. It's not exactly an Olympic sport, but it has to be safer than cycling with the Beijing new boys.
The track is an unforgiving environment if you don't treat it with the respect it deserves. Speed and safety go hand in hand, not against each other.
I hope the new kids come back next week. Herne Hill and VCL is only as strong as it's riders. Here's hoping they have picked up on track etiquette after a particularly nasty incident.
Chapeau!
technorati: herne hill velodrome
| Sunday 24 August, 2008 |
Wow - what a difference an Olympic fortnight can make. Saturday morning at the track, and Herne Hill was heaving with 2012 hopefuls. Cycling has been the outstanding team success for GB over in Beijing. Love for le velo has been transported all the way back to South London, with Saturday morning sessions organised by le Velo Club Londres feeling the benefits.
We normally see forty or so riders each weekend in SE21, fifty if the sun is shining. But on a windswept, overcast Saturday morning, the track capacity of eighty cyclists was pushed very close to the limit.
Welcoming new riders to Herne Hill is all very well, but as with most sports, there is both a competitive, and snob factor on show. Especially so in cycling, where in all honesty, it really is All About the Bike.
The hired frames from the Herne Hill lock up stand out from the hand crafted, titanium track bikes. And then there's the lycra...
But all riders are welcome, seeing as though they make a half-decent veteran seem like he's out-sprinting Bradley back in Beijing.
Safety is also an issue. Eighty riders max means that those sharp, banked corners are even trickier to manoeuvre around as the pelaton attacks them head on. Riding in a bunch sprint of mixed ability, track etiquette is not something that the newbies have time to take on board.
A half hour team pursuit, and then the entire pelaton went into rotation. Two parallel lines of riders, with the front cyclist on the inner circuit moving up to join the slower upper string at regular intervals. You eventually find yourself at the back of the outer circuit, and then as Last Rider, you drop down and pick up the pace - a rotation.
The pace picks up over the course of fifty laps, until both lengths of riders are at a full on sprint. You need to keep the wheel of the rider in front of you, otherwise you'll bonk and lose the chase.
Not that close though, fella.
One of the new kids misjudged the distance between his front wheel and my rear. I felt him clip me around a bank. Instinct taught me to hold my line and compensate my body weight in the opposite direction of the collision. I cycled away, just in time to have a quick glance behind and see the kid tumble down the banking, taking out half the pelaton with him.
Ouch. That was a seriously nasty collision.
Riders were badly bruised, as were bike frames. I know which one I hold in higher regard. This was the worst crash I've seen at Herne Hill, and it certainly took the momentum out of the rest of the morning. The training session came to an abrupt halt, the track was cleared and the damage was assessed.
Somehow I didn't fancy the idea of going elbow too elbow at 30mph with one of the big boys for the rest of my Saturday morning. I cut my losses, and collapsed at the lido. It's not exactly an Olympic sport, but it has to be safer than cycling with the Beijing new boys.
The track is an unforgiving environment if you don't treat it with the respect it deserves. Speed and safety go hand in hand, not against each other.
I hope the new kids come back next week. Herne Hill and VCL is only as strong as it's riders. Here's hoping they have picked up on track etiquette after a particularly nasty incident.
Chapeau!
technorati: herne hill velodrome
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Crap Match Report - LIVE!
Surrey Vs Sussex
Live! (knobber) blogging from an alcohol free afternoon at The Oval.
Refresh and scroll down for updates.
3:40
Work done and dusted for the day, a spare few hours and all roads from onionbagblog HQ II lead to The Oval. Nope - they really do all lead to The Oval.
A fascinating four day match in progress. I plan to be here at various stages between now and Saturday teatime, some sober, some slightly sloshed, some with the parents.
Eeek.
Sussex are only 20 points off the top of a very tight County Championship. No such luxury for Surrey, with relegation a real possibility. All to play, no booze to drink.
I received a formal written warning by theGuardians of the Game Glam Girly Friend after the cricket carnage of last Sunday. Stone cold sober, not to mention simply stone cold. It's knitted sweater weather, for sure.
Keeping himself warm at the crease is Mr Ramps, currently sitting on 92 with one over remaining before tea. 102 100's somehow hasn't got the same sense of occasion as 100 100's. No matter. With tea about to be taken, I'm heading off to the newly named 100 100's bar back in the pavilion. What are the odds that a cup of tea will cost 99p all summer, much like Mr Ramps and his quest for membership of the elite club?
Exciting team news. No, really. Surreyreject old boy Alex Tudor is back at the Brit Oval for the rest of the summer, on loan from neighbours Essex. The ex-England man (99 not out at Edgbaston - bloody Graham Thorpe) has had a rough ride of late. Surrey could do with Tudor's form from the summer of '02 right now.
Also back at The Oval is Rory Hamilton-Brown (one player, not two.) Mr Double-Barrel La-Di-Da departed South London for the South Coast last summer, in search of... well, in search of a team that looks like it won't be relegated. Seek, and you shall find, Mr H-B.
Tea interval - 178-2 Surrey, 32 booze free overs remaining.
4:35
It's all kicking off at The Oval. No booze involved, either.
Mr Ramps had a 'heated exchange' (a VERY heated exchange) with Murray Goodwin mid-wicket. It was the cricketing equivalent of Roy Keane eyeballing the ref. Bat was raised and the Sussex player came close to taking one for the team.
The suggestion is that Goodwin accused Mr Ramps of scuffling up the pitch. Mr R wasn't happy, and it took the intervention of two umpires to separate the rutting stags.
It's not wise to upset Mr Ramps when he's in the 90's. Next over, and whaddya know... another century for the master batsman. The celebrations once again involved plenty of bat waving (in the direction of Goodwin,) almost on par with the 100 100 up at Headingley.
I hope the old boy calms down - he's got the 100 100 bar to open at the end of play.
I almost missed all the action. I'm sitting at the top of the pavilion behind the Surrey Library, one eye on the cricket, one eye on the men's volleyball on the library TV.
198-2 Surrey, 24 overs remaining, or 12 boxing rounds from Beijing.
5:30
The game has slowed down somewhat. Surrey have the edge on the first day, currently batting on 242-4. But as Sir Geoffrey Boycott always said, 'you can always add on an extra two wickets, lad, at The Oval.'
The new ball has been taken, but Mr Ramps is delivering a masterclass. The Great Man just keeps on breaking those records. He passed 414 unbeaten, the highest not out score across different innings from a Surrey batsman.
Top Man. Watching Mr Ramps over the past four summers or so has reminded me how I felt watching Stuart Pearce run out for Forest towards the twilight years of his career: cherish this - it's clearly something special. You're unlikely to see the like of this ever again.
246-2 Surrey, Mr Ramps is on 128. Jon Batty should be joining him on three figures soon, looking sharp on 96.
'Captain of the Crowd - Albert Craig and Football Rhymester, 1849 - 1909' is stealing my attention in the Surrey Library behind me.
5:45
This just in... Jonathan Batty has been announced as the beneficiary for Surrey next season. Thirteen years at The Oval for JB, well deserved. 96 not out - here's hoping he can see the job through.
5:46
...but probably not tonight. They're off for bad light. Mr Ramps is still talking to Murray Goodwin. Not the best of friends.
Chin chin
technorati: surrey county cricket club
| Wednesday 20 August, 2008 |
Surrey Vs Sussex
Live! (knobber) blogging from an alcohol free afternoon at The Oval.
Refresh and scroll down for updates.
3:40
Work done and dusted for the day, a spare few hours and all roads from onionbagblog HQ II lead to The Oval. Nope - they really do all lead to The Oval.
A fascinating four day match in progress. I plan to be here at various stages between now and Saturday teatime, some sober, some slightly sloshed, some with the parents.
Eeek.
Sussex are only 20 points off the top of a very tight County Championship. No such luxury for Surrey, with relegation a real possibility. All to play, no booze to drink.
I received a formal written warning by the
Keeping himself warm at the crease is Mr Ramps, currently sitting on 92 with one over remaining before tea. 102 100's somehow hasn't got the same sense of occasion as 100 100's. No matter. With tea about to be taken, I'm heading off to the newly named 100 100's bar back in the pavilion. What are the odds that a cup of tea will cost 99p all summer, much like Mr Ramps and his quest for membership of the elite club?
Exciting team news. No, really. Surrey
Also back at The Oval is Rory Hamilton-Brown (one player, not two.) Mr Double-Barrel La-Di-Da departed South London for the South Coast last summer, in search of... well, in search of a team that looks like it won't be relegated. Seek, and you shall find, Mr H-B.
Tea interval - 178-2 Surrey, 32 booze free overs remaining.
4:35
It's all kicking off at The Oval. No booze involved, either.
Mr Ramps had a 'heated exchange' (a VERY heated exchange) with Murray Goodwin mid-wicket. It was the cricketing equivalent of Roy Keane eyeballing the ref. Bat was raised and the Sussex player came close to taking one for the team.
The suggestion is that Goodwin accused Mr Ramps of scuffling up the pitch. Mr R wasn't happy, and it took the intervention of two umpires to separate the rutting stags.
It's not wise to upset Mr Ramps when he's in the 90's. Next over, and whaddya know... another century for the master batsman. The celebrations once again involved plenty of bat waving (in the direction of Goodwin,) almost on par with the 100 100 up at Headingley.
I hope the old boy calms down - he's got the 100 100 bar to open at the end of play.
I almost missed all the action. I'm sitting at the top of the pavilion behind the Surrey Library, one eye on the cricket, one eye on the men's volleyball on the library TV.
198-2 Surrey, 24 overs remaining, or 12 boxing rounds from Beijing.
5:30
The game has slowed down somewhat. Surrey have the edge on the first day, currently batting on 242-4. But as Sir Geoffrey Boycott always said, 'you can always add on an extra two wickets, lad, at The Oval.'
The new ball has been taken, but Mr Ramps is delivering a masterclass. The Great Man just keeps on breaking those records. He passed 414 unbeaten, the highest not out score across different innings from a Surrey batsman.
Top Man. Watching Mr Ramps over the past four summers or so has reminded me how I felt watching Stuart Pearce run out for Forest towards the twilight years of his career: cherish this - it's clearly something special. You're unlikely to see the like of this ever again.
246-2 Surrey, Mr Ramps is on 128. Jon Batty should be joining him on three figures soon, looking sharp on 96.
'Captain of the Crowd - Albert Craig and Football Rhymester, 1849 - 1909' is stealing my attention in the Surrey Library behind me.
5:45
This just in... Jonathan Batty has been announced as the beneficiary for Surrey next season. Thirteen years at The Oval for JB, well deserved. 96 not out - here's hoping he can see the job through.
5:46
...but probably not tonight. They're off for bad light. Mr Ramps is still talking to Murray Goodwin. Not the best of friends.
technorati: surrey county cricket club
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Snip
This morning I went for a walk. The sun was shining; I could smell freshly mowed grass from across the road. I made the most of living close to a rare piece of lush, green public space in central London. If felt good to be alive.
[This copy was submitted by the jobbing journo.]
I went for a walk. It was warm, the air smelt of summer as I walked through a rare, stretch of uncut, green public space in London. I felt good.
[This copy was edited by the Commissioning Editor.]
I went out. I got slightly hot, the air smelt of summer in central London.
[This copy was edited by the Editor.]
Went walking and got fucking hot. Air smelt of central London.
[This copy was edited by the Editor in Chief.]
Fucking hot and smelly - all I've got to say.
[This copy was edited by the Editor at Large.]
Today I did fuck all.
[This copy was edited by the shit for brains Sub-Editor, who in all honesty, should have written the fucking piece himself if he knew all along how he wanted it to turn out.]
*despair*
technorati: edited
| Tuesday 19 August, 2008 |
This morning I went for a walk. The sun was shining; I could smell freshly mowed grass from across the road. I made the most of living close to a rare piece of lush, green public space in central London. If felt good to be alive.
[This copy was submitted by the jobbing journo.]
I went for a walk. It was warm, the air smelt of summer as I walked through a rare, stretch of uncut, green public space in London. I felt good.
[This copy was edited by the Commissioning Editor.]
I went out. I got slightly hot, the air smelt of summer in central London.
[This copy was edited by the Editor.]
Went walking and got fucking hot. Air smelt of central London.
[This copy was edited by the Editor in Chief.]
Fucking hot and smelly - all I've got to say.
[This copy was edited by the Editor at Large.]
Today I did fuck all.
[This copy was edited by the shit for brains Sub-Editor, who in all honesty, should have written the fucking piece himself if he knew all along how he wanted it to turn out.]
*despair*
technorati: edited
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East is East
Here's the blurb from Mr WWSI:
'Back to the East this week for Hanbury Street. Infamous for being the location of Jack the Ripper's fourth victim – Mary Ann Chapman. Although you won't see the location today as it's a carpark! The street is also famous for being where Bud Flanagan – the comedian – was born (at number 12 – which is still there!)
It's a street of two halves – the top end being hectic and thronged with people who are visiting Brick Lane – the other more low key and gritty. There's plenty to photograph – it's graffiti, sorry, street art – central with stickers, post ups and stencil crazy. There's loads of people at the weekends being the main drag between Spitalfields and brick lane.'
I headed off with the Holga, plus a little Photoshop trickery. Not quite straight ouuta the box, but it's all about experimentation anyway. Favourable lighting conditions, shame I was so short on time.
technorati: hanbury street
| Tuesday 19 August, 2008 |
Here's the blurb from Mr WWSI:
'Back to the East this week for Hanbury Street. Infamous for being the location of Jack the Ripper's fourth victim – Mary Ann Chapman. Although you won't see the location today as it's a carpark! The street is also famous for being where Bud Flanagan – the comedian – was born (at number 12 – which is still there!)
It's a street of two halves – the top end being hectic and thronged with people who are visiting Brick Lane – the other more low key and gritty. There's plenty to photograph – it's graffiti, sorry, street art – central with stickers, post ups and stencil crazy. There's loads of people at the weekends being the main drag between Spitalfields and brick lane.'
I headed off with the Holga, plus a little Photoshop trickery. Not quite straight ouuta the box, but it's all about experimentation anyway. Favourable lighting conditions, shame I was so short on time.
technorati: hanbury street
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Oval and Out
An astonishing letter, sent by Roger Harman, the Chairman of Cricket at Surrey:
'Dear Member
This season's performances have been very disappointing and well below the expectations of all of us.'
BOTTOM of the County Championship, BOTTOM of the Twenty20 Cup South Division, second form BOTTOM of the Friends Provident Trophy South East Division.
'Our philosophy within Surrey Cricket has been to grow from within – to bring on promising players who have been developed through the age group squads, the Surrey Academy and on to achieve professional contracts. We have been successful in this in the past, and we have maintained this policy in recent years.'
Hang on – how the hell does that explain the parachuting in of forty-year-old Chris Lewis on a big fat contract to play T20 this summer? Figures of Played 1, Innings 1, Runs 2, Average 2 doesn’t quite tally with the policy of 'bringing on promising players.'
'Unfortunately we find ourselves in a situation whereby this policy has not brought us success.'
See league stats above.
'As your Chairman of Cricket, I deeply regret that Surrey have not fulfilled the expectations of our Members and supporters. I believe our performances so far this season are not acceptable.'
There's some honesty for you.
'The Chairman of the Club, the Chief Executive and myself, together with other members of the General Committee, are considering detailed options in respect of the future strategy for cricket.'
Mmm… doesn’t bode well for Coach Alan Butcher, I'd say.
'We have to build a squad capable of success in the County Championship and at the same time provide players for England. The development of Twenty20, with two competitions from 2010, means that we also have to ensure that we can be successful in this form of the game.'
And here’s precisely where the County game is going to overstretch itself as it sells its soul to the Sky TV money men. Comparing the four-day game with T20 is like comparing a fine wine with a cold cup of tea. Both are on sale in the Surrey pavilion.
Is there really amarket audience for two T20 competitions? There's only so much of the slog fest that the City Boys can take. The proposed T20 League will clash with the start of the football season in August, just when the City Boys who pack out The Oval will be forking out their thousands on Chelsea season tickets.
'I am meeting with you on 21st August at the Chairman's evening after the end of play. As this is part of the way through a match and with the season having a few more weeks too run, it will not be possible to go into too much detail at this stage, but it will be helpful to hear your views.'
Butch looks safe then until at least the close of play in the Sussex match on Saturday.
'The Club is planning a further Members evening very shortly after the final match of the season, and this will give me a greater opportunity to set out plans for the future.'
Which hopefully aren’t centred around building a huge new hotel where currently there sits a rather nice cricket stand.
'I would emphasise again that we take the current situation with the utmost seriousness and would ask for your patience as we plan our future.'
Roger Harman
Chairman of Cricket
At least our Rodge is being open and honest. Surrey are simply paying the price now for a decade of investing in international cricket, at the expense of overlooking the County game. The OCS Stand is rather special, but it's only ever full for five days of the year when the Test match comes to town.
Fighting relegation from the top tier of the County Championship will be considered a success for Surrey this season. Can't say I'm celebrating.
technorati: surrey cricket
| Monday 18 August, 2008 |
An astonishing letter, sent by Roger Harman, the Chairman of Cricket at Surrey:
'Dear Member
This season's performances have been very disappointing and well below the expectations of all of us.'
BOTTOM of the County Championship, BOTTOM of the Twenty20 Cup South Division, second form BOTTOM of the Friends Provident Trophy South East Division.
'Our philosophy within Surrey Cricket has been to grow from within – to bring on promising players who have been developed through the age group squads, the Surrey Academy and on to achieve professional contracts. We have been successful in this in the past, and we have maintained this policy in recent years.'
Hang on – how the hell does that explain the parachuting in of forty-year-old Chris Lewis on a big fat contract to play T20 this summer? Figures of Played 1, Innings 1, Runs 2, Average 2 doesn’t quite tally with the policy of 'bringing on promising players.'
'Unfortunately we find ourselves in a situation whereby this policy has not brought us success.'
See league stats above.
'As your Chairman of Cricket, I deeply regret that Surrey have not fulfilled the expectations of our Members and supporters. I believe our performances so far this season are not acceptable.'
There's some honesty for you.
'The Chairman of the Club, the Chief Executive and myself, together with other members of the General Committee, are considering detailed options in respect of the future strategy for cricket.'
Mmm… doesn’t bode well for Coach Alan Butcher, I'd say.
'We have to build a squad capable of success in the County Championship and at the same time provide players for England. The development of Twenty20, with two competitions from 2010, means that we also have to ensure that we can be successful in this form of the game.'
And here’s precisely where the County game is going to overstretch itself as it sells its soul to the Sky TV money men. Comparing the four-day game with T20 is like comparing a fine wine with a cold cup of tea. Both are on sale in the Surrey pavilion.
Is there really a
'I am meeting with you on 21st August at the Chairman's evening after the end of play. As this is part of the way through a match and with the season having a few more weeks too run, it will not be possible to go into too much detail at this stage, but it will be helpful to hear your views.'
Butch looks safe then until at least the close of play in the Sussex match on Saturday.
'The Club is planning a further Members evening very shortly after the final match of the season, and this will give me a greater opportunity to set out plans for the future.'
Which hopefully aren’t centred around building a huge new hotel where currently there sits a rather nice cricket stand.
'I would emphasise again that we take the current situation with the utmost seriousness and would ask for your patience as we plan our future.'
Roger Harman
Chairman of Cricket
At least our Rodge is being open and honest. Surrey are simply paying the price now for a decade of investing in international cricket, at the expense of overlooking the County game. The OCS Stand is rather special, but it's only ever full for five days of the year when the Test match comes to town.
Fighting relegation from the top tier of the County Championship will be considered a success for Surrey this season. Can't say I'm celebrating.
technorati: surrey cricket
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Bong!
Genuine headlines, blurbs and standfirsts from LambethShite Life, the crappy propaganda freesheet put out by the Rotten Borough:
Sex Matters For Young People
A story about... matters of sex involving Yoof. Looking forward to Sex Matters For Coffin Dodgers next month.
Lambeth Garden Adopted by Enthusiast
'A local worker has had her wish granted to turn a shortcut into a green oasis.'
Great! Please do tell more...
'[Name of Miss Goody Goody Green Socks] who works for Shell, felt so strongly about preserving the area...'
STOP! 'Who works for Shell.' I feel so strongly about the overthrow of world capitalism, gonna go and get me a job at the International Monetary Fund.
Fool.
And here we have an advert:
Business Opportunity: For Mental Healthcare Providers.
'cos there's cash from chaos to be made out of madness, apparently.
Knobbers.
technorati: lambeth council knobbers
| Sunday 17 August, 2008 |
Genuine headlines, blurbs and standfirsts from Lambeth
Sex Matters For Young PeopleA story about... matters of sex involving Yoof. Looking forward to Sex Matters For Coffin Dodgers next month.
Lambeth Garden Adopted by Enthusiast'A local worker has had her wish granted to turn a shortcut into a green oasis.'
Great! Please do tell more...
'[Name of Miss Goody Goody Green Socks] who works for Shell, felt so strongly about preserving the area...'
STOP! 'Who works for Shell.' I feel so strongly about the overthrow of world capitalism, gonna go and get me a job at the International Monetary Fund.
Fool.
And here we have an advert:
Business Opportunity: For Mental Healthcare Providers.'cos there's cash from chaos to be made out of madness, apparently.
Knobbers.
technorati: lambeth council knobbers
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