Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold
The best lack all conviction, while the worst ….
I don’t know what made me think of that, specifically, but I was disappointed that I couldn’t remember the rest. Thanks to the www I was soon able to get it.
Not all that long ago it would have meant a trip to the reference library (unless one happened to have a volume or two of W B Yeats on one’s bookshelves) and I'm sure I wouldn’t have got round to it.
Whatever the merits and de-merits of instant communication, the ability to instantly look things up must be one of the most remarkable changes of the last decade or two.
So I had my thought for the day tracked down in about 30 seconds flat. Not that it’s a particularly cheerful one…
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
But there you are.
Friday 30 October 2009
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Damien Hirst said no...
Anyone like to say yes?
More on the Portland Arts Centre project...
Katherine Bryan-Merret and Samantha Polley have now arranged a long lease on the Old Laundry at Fortuneswell for the arts centre which they are planning to open on Jan 1 next year.
As reported here before, they are organising an exhibition in December to help raise the money they need, and are appealing for other artists to get involved by entering their work. Artists will be asked to donate 40% of what they receive from sales. The show will go on from December 6 to 19.
Samantha said: “We’re hoping that dozens of artists from around here will support the event, but it would be nice if we could somehow get a really big name involved. Damien Hirst’s office said no, unfortunately, but you never know what might happen…"
So a big name would be rather nice, in terms of helping the girls raise funds to get the whole thing off to a good start. But where can he/she be found?
Anyone with any ideas, please contact Kat or Sam: portlandartscentre@hotmail.co.uk
More on the Portland Arts Centre project...
Katherine Bryan-Merret and Samantha Polley have now arranged a long lease on the Old Laundry at Fortuneswell for the arts centre which they are planning to open on Jan 1 next year.
As reported here before, they are organising an exhibition in December to help raise the money they need, and are appealing for other artists to get involved by entering their work. Artists will be asked to donate 40% of what they receive from sales. The show will go on from December 6 to 19.
Samantha said: “We’re hoping that dozens of artists from around here will support the event, but it would be nice if we could somehow get a really big name involved. Damien Hirst’s office said no, unfortunately, but you never know what might happen…"
So a big name would be rather nice, in terms of helping the girls raise funds to get the whole thing off to a good start. But where can he/she be found?
Anyone with any ideas, please contact Kat or Sam: portlandartscentre@hotmail.co.uk
Here's another one...
How about Interested in being disinterested?
Doesn't sound very enthusiastic, admittedly. All right: Fanatically interested in being disinterested... How's about that, then? as Jimmy Savile used to say. Perhaps he still does.
I think I've lost the thread here.
PS: Those for whom disinterest is a professional principle will know that being disinterested is not the same as being uninterested, but a surprising number of people don't.
Doesn't sound very enthusiastic, admittedly. All right: Fanatically interested in being disinterested... How's about that, then? as Jimmy Savile used to say. Perhaps he still does.
I think I've lost the thread here.
PS: Those for whom disinterest is a professional principle will know that being disinterested is not the same as being uninterested, but a surprising number of people don't.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
I'm dispassionate about....
After my whinge about all the passion that is being proclaimed these days on web sites, adverts and CVs in relation to just about every in sight, I’ve actually just thought of a half-amusing use for the p-word.
If you are a legal firm, say, or a financial adviser, you could be Passionate about being dispassionate.
You can have that one for free. Just mention where you got it, because I have a passion for building up my following on Twitter, which at present is all but non-existent. How can that be? (Dave1999, if you’re asking.)
If you are a legal firm, say, or a financial adviser, you could be Passionate about being dispassionate.
You can have that one for free. Just mention where you got it, because I have a passion for building up my following on Twitter, which at present is all but non-existent. How can that be? (Dave1999, if you’re asking.)
Friday 23 October 2009
Arts centre for Portland
Exciting developments on Portland, which is to get its own arts centre.
Katherine Bryan-Merret and Samantha Polley have lined up an old factory building in Fortuneswell which started life as a Victorian steam laundry. They intend to provide studio space for around 35 artists, as well as gallery space for exhibitions, events and teaching sessions.
They aim to open on January 1, but before that they plan an exhibition at the building in December which is intended to raise money to help get the whole thing going. The plan is that artists will donate 40 per cent from sales they make at the show.
The more contributors the merrier - but a big name or two would be a help... Any ideas or influence, anyone?
Info: 07518 346310 or http://www.portlandartscentre.co.uk/
More here soon...
Katherine Bryan-Merret and Samantha Polley have lined up an old factory building in Fortuneswell which started life as a Victorian steam laundry. They intend to provide studio space for around 35 artists, as well as gallery space for exhibitions, events and teaching sessions.
They aim to open on January 1, but before that they plan an exhibition at the building in December which is intended to raise money to help get the whole thing going. The plan is that artists will donate 40 per cent from sales they make at the show.
The more contributors the merrier - but a big name or two would be a help... Any ideas or influence, anyone?
Info: 07518 346310 or http://www.portlandartscentre.co.uk/
More here soon...
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Watch this space
Very interesting project coming up on Portland. Actually there are several, potentially, but the others are a bit further down the line. Read more about this one right here in the next day or two. And in the press... I'm working on that now.
Talking about Portland: interesting to hear Dorset County Council's director for environment, Miles Butler, say the other day that he can't see the long-discussed Portland relief road ever going ahead. Environmental considerations would block it, he suggested (it were built, it would run alongside The Fleet).
Hard to see the Government ever being willing to find the money anyway.
Talking about Portland: interesting to hear Dorset County Council's director for environment, Miles Butler, say the other day that he can't see the long-discussed Portland relief road ever going ahead. Environmental considerations would block it, he suggested (it were built, it would run alongside The Fleet).
Hard to see the Government ever being willing to find the money anyway.
Monday 19 October 2009
However...
Petrol and sport aren't mutually exclusive. Motorcycle racing, that's a sport. So is lawnmower racing.
Carnival time
Motor car racing: a nation celebrates!
Fair enough. Just one question: why do they insist on calling it sport?
Fair enough. Just one question: why do they insist on calling it sport?
Friday 16 October 2009
Passion fatigue
What condition prevailed amongst the British middle classes before they became passionate?
I ask because it was only fairly recently that passion seemed to break out, but now it’s all over the place. You can’t look at a website, CV or e-mail without being assaulted by sheer passion.
I thought I’d seen it deployed in some every possible context until, heading west from Plymouth recently, I found myself following a truck operated by a firm which declared itself “passionate about your laundry”.
Dictionaries define passion as a very powerful feeling, for example of sexual attraction, love, hate, anger or other emotion… an extreme interest in doing something, so it’s an irony that it has become just about the most humdrum word you can turn to.
One principle I have applied in recent years when sorting job applications is that the applicants who declare themselves passionate about the area of activity they are seeking to work in go to the bottom of the pile.
Come on people, it’s time to think of a less hackneyed way of expressing enthusiasm. Thesaurusising is not my function, but here are a few possible ideas for anyone who would like them: resourceful, dedicated, committed, enthusiastic…
Or try good old British understatement: “Quite keen about raising standards in the world of glue”.
I am proud to say that I operate in a passion-free zone. My friends would tell you that that’s no surprise. Actually I haven’t really got many friends. That’s what can happen if you don’t show some passion.
I ask because it was only fairly recently that passion seemed to break out, but now it’s all over the place. You can’t look at a website, CV or e-mail without being assaulted by sheer passion.
I thought I’d seen it deployed in some every possible context until, heading west from Plymouth recently, I found myself following a truck operated by a firm which declared itself “passionate about your laundry”.
Dictionaries define passion as a very powerful feeling, for example of sexual attraction, love, hate, anger or other emotion… an extreme interest in doing something, so it’s an irony that it has become just about the most humdrum word you can turn to.
One principle I have applied in recent years when sorting job applications is that the applicants who declare themselves passionate about the area of activity they are seeking to work in go to the bottom of the pile.
Come on people, it’s time to think of a less hackneyed way of expressing enthusiasm. Thesaurusising is not my function, but here are a few possible ideas for anyone who would like them: resourceful, dedicated, committed, enthusiastic…
Or try good old British understatement: “Quite keen about raising standards in the world of glue”.
I am proud to say that I operate in a passion-free zone. My friends would tell you that that’s no surprise. Actually I haven’t really got many friends. That’s what can happen if you don’t show some passion.
Thursday 15 October 2009
He knows
Excellent exposition of emarketing etc at Kingston Maurward 14.10.09 by David Lakins. He's the guru! Find him at www.keymultimedia.co.uk
Calm after the calm
Still nothing shaking, not even the leaves on the trees, at Weymouth Lack Of Speed Week. If I were involved, I think I'd be crying by now. (I know there aren't any trees on the Portland beach road, they're metaphorical in this instance.) Surely must be one of the most windless Autumn weeks on record...
Is it just me?
It has come to my attention (as the headmaster at Southend on Sea Grammar School for Boys used to say) that I am not the slightest bit interested in what Cheryl Cole does, says or looks like. Does that make me unique? One would hope not.
Monday 12 October 2009
Blowing in the wind... (not)
It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good, they say (whoever they are) but the wind's pretty ill at the moment for everyone connected with Weymouth Speed Week this week in Portland Harbour.
The idea is to sail (or windsurf, or kitesurf) as fast as you possibly can, and it's quite hard to do that when there's virtually no wind, which was the situation prevailing today.
Current forecasts predict similar conditions for the whole rest of the week - a pretty dismal prospect for everyone involved. The lovely autumn sunshine won't be much consolation for them. The logic of holding the event at this time of year is the likellihood of autumn gales, but this is the second time in four years that the weather has failed to oblige.
The idea is to sail (or windsurf, or kitesurf) as fast as you possibly can, and it's quite hard to do that when there's virtually no wind, which was the situation prevailing today.
Current forecasts predict similar conditions for the whole rest of the week - a pretty dismal prospect for everyone involved. The lovely autumn sunshine won't be much consolation for them. The logic of holding the event at this time of year is the likellihood of autumn gales, but this is the second time in four years that the weather has failed to oblige.
Maybe not
Some constriction of the neck has resulted from looking at too many things sideways. If some worthwhile insights had resulted it might be worth it, but none so far. I think I might try just looking sideways in a metaphorical sense now - or I might if I knew how that would work.
Interesting time today at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy and Portland Marina (Open4Business Marine Day organised by Roy Griffiths) - the main interest for me being how much things have moved on since I was last there about six months ago. Plenty of boats in berths already at the marina; nearly all of the shoreside commercial space taken; pub (The Boat That Rocks) up and running, and being operated by the marina firm, Dean and Reddyhoff, rather than an outside operator, which was the original plan (but they apparently pulled out).
Having walked around the immediate area as well, a number of thoughts are prompted, one of which is: what is going to happen about Castletown, nearby? If you know the area, you'll know what I mean. If you don't, the most charitable way to describe it would be run-down. But this whole part of Portland will from now on be playing host to thousands of well-heeled visitors. Do all those old pubs and hotels have the prospect of suddenly going upmarket, transformed by people who see the opportunity of catering for the yachties? Looking at them, it sems hard to believe right now, but logically the possibility must surely exist.
There are a couple of other interesting things coming up on Portland in the not too distant future...
Interesting time today at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy and Portland Marina (Open4Business Marine Day organised by Roy Griffiths) - the main interest for me being how much things have moved on since I was last there about six months ago. Plenty of boats in berths already at the marina; nearly all of the shoreside commercial space taken; pub (The Boat That Rocks) up and running, and being operated by the marina firm, Dean and Reddyhoff, rather than an outside operator, which was the original plan (but they apparently pulled out).
Having walked around the immediate area as well, a number of thoughts are prompted, one of which is: what is going to happen about Castletown, nearby? If you know the area, you'll know what I mean. If you don't, the most charitable way to describe it would be run-down. But this whole part of Portland will from now on be playing host to thousands of well-heeled visitors. Do all those old pubs and hotels have the prospect of suddenly going upmarket, transformed by people who see the opportunity of catering for the yachties? Looking at them, it sems hard to believe right now, but logically the possibility must surely exist.
There are a couple of other interesting things coming up on Portland in the not too distant future...
Friday 9 October 2009
Sideways
How to start? Sideways, maybe. When a new newspaper column is being introduced, it almost always seems to be announced as a sideways look at the world, life, or something.
So sideways seems to be best. I'll be taking a sideways look at things. If you see someone looking at you sideways, it could be me. No cause for alarm (unless it isn't me, in which case there might be).
Things I'll be taking a sideways look at today will include the news that Steve White is selling the Open 60 boat that he sailed in the recent Vendee Globe solo round-the-world race (one hopes that is because he is lining up a new one and not because he is finally so skint that he has no option) and the crazy world of Brad Wiggins (you can follow him on Twitter if you choose).
I'm intending to go into town to catch up with Claire Robertson and have a sideways look at Wellworths, to see if it looks any different from that angle. On Monday I might well be off to Portland, where I will be able to take a sideways look at the Marine Day being organised by my good friend Roy Griffiths ( http://tinyurl.com/ygfkxsw ). There are a lot of things I should be doing instead, but never mind...
I'll be reporting back, all being well, perhaps with a fresh perspective....
So sideways seems to be best. I'll be taking a sideways look at things. If you see someone looking at you sideways, it could be me. No cause for alarm (unless it isn't me, in which case there might be).
Things I'll be taking a sideways look at today will include the news that Steve White is selling the Open 60 boat that he sailed in the recent Vendee Globe solo round-the-world race (one hopes that is because he is lining up a new one and not because he is finally so skint that he has no option) and the crazy world of Brad Wiggins (you can follow him on Twitter if you choose).
I'm intending to go into town to catch up with Claire Robertson and have a sideways look at Wellworths, to see if it looks any different from that angle. On Monday I might well be off to Portland, where I will be able to take a sideways look at the Marine Day being organised by my good friend Roy Griffiths ( http://tinyurl.com/ygfkxsw ). There are a lot of things I should be doing instead, but never mind...
I'll be reporting back, all being well, perhaps with a fresh perspective....
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