Category: AWAY FROM THE DESK
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The Privilege of Working in the Heart of London
Since arriving as an employee in the heart of London’s financial district I have done little more than catch a tube into Old Street, walk 5 minutes to the office and then do the reverse to get home. My office might as well be in Slough, Swindon or anywhere else because I’ve ignored its surroundings.…
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Hamilton
Such is it’s acclaim there’s no point in me adding my own two cents. A masterpiece. I was reading that it was seven years in the making – that’s just in terms of the writing and development. Two and a half hours of entertainment gold takes years and a global village to deliver, not to…
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Hunstanton – day at the beach #2
I was committed to going to the beach if hot weather came along on a weekend. For the second time this year it obliged so I kept my word and headed for another beach on the England’s east coast. It was pretty with a small dose of “Skeg” – a cross between Frinton and Clacton…
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Clacton on Sea
Hey, I completely forgot that Clacton is now the centre of Faragedom on Earth. If I knew that I would have probably still visited but it did send a shiver down my spine to think that that racist, smug crocodile is the kleptocratic MP for this town. It wasn’t an overtly a racist or hateful…
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Barber Institute of Fine Art
As part of a flying departure from the University of Birmingham I spent an hour or so enjoying the Barber Institute of Fine Art. It’s an incredible place featuring fine works by world famous artists (e.g., Turner, Monet, Van Gogh, Magritte, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec). There was also a special exhibition by Claudette Johnson, a current finalist…
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Winterbourne Gardens
The horror! The horror! I worked next to Winterbourne Gardens for two and a half years and I never visited. On my very last day I decided to pop by for a now-or never-visit. Thank the Gods I did, it’s stunning! I kick myself though because I could and should have been a regular.
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The Netherlands and Belgium for ITP #2
I really looked forward to this and it didn’t disappoint. The 2nd in-person ITP course was at Vlerick’s main campus in Ghent, giving me a chance to enjoy that city and Bruges nearby. Both were complemented by exceptional weather and incredible atmospheres, due in part to football fans passing through on their way to and…
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Kyoto @ the RSC
I’ve never managed to get to a show at the RSC Stratford so I was delighted to get tickets for the world premier of “Kyoto.” I didn’t expect much, the premise wasn’t exactly my thing (or so I thought) with the show being about a climate accord and the processual build up to it. I…
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Championing an Underdog
Birmingham does not lack for critics and some of the criticism is hard to refute. It’s not the prettiest city, compared to the best of mainland Europe it’s embarrassing. The shopping scene is poor compared to rivals and its poorly connected and disjointed. Still, from up on high on a summer’s night there’s a certain…
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Off to see the Wizard
It’s not really my thing but I was happy to accompany a friend. For those who care the stars attractions were Craig Revel Horwood and a guy from JLS – a boyband (apparently). It was very well written up by the critics and the show was well put together. Lots of children were on hand…
Dr Martin James 