The eye of the tree

I went to visit Ruby in her new Cambridgeshire home today. She took me out to visit Anglesey Abbey and Ely Cathedral. The latter mostly because I wanted to see the famous cathedral from Pink Floyd’s Division Bell album sleeve (designed by Storm Thorgerson).

At Anglesey Abbey I discovered trees with eyes – although I have no idea why this isn’t something I’ve noticed before, given my love for trees. So, I photographed quite a few. I’d like to make this a new mini photography project. There were far more eyes than this, but here are some of the best:

 

 

 

I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled from now on…

Lunchtime scarecrow craft

This year (tomorrow) Stevington has it’s first scarecrow festival and we at emc design thought it only right that we take part – I mean, we are creatives after all. Pretty much as soon as I heard about it, I knew I wanted to make Mr Turnip Head from Howl’s Moving Castle. Luckily, Jordan knew what that was (I’m not sure anyone else at work did) and we made him together today.

I think if we’d have had more time – we only really had our lunch break – and had actually planned a bit, we could have made a really good one. But hey, we did a good job in the time I think. I’m pleased with my head (real turnip/swede) and hat at least.

The Human Body

I wish my school science lesson videos were like this.

The Human Body (stop-motion!) from kellianderson on Vimeo.

Via Emma Jackson on Facebook. (You should like her.)

Marmite

I’m one of those rare people that actually neither loves nor hates marmite – yes, we do exist. I could go the rest of my life without eating it but if I was hungry and there was a piece of toast with marmite on it in front of me I could happily eat it. However, I do love the new Marmite Neglect advert. It’s simply original, amusing and well-produced, so well worth sharing here.

Maybe I’ll have marmite on my toast tomorrow… but probably not, because I’m a big peanut butter fan.

Pixel nostalgia

Everyone enjoys getting nostalgic over certain things every once in a while and I know there’s a whole lot of people out there who get nostalgic over pixels, like me. Noir Lac is clearly one of those people, so he’s made these wonderful pieces of pixel art for us to feast our nostalgia on. If nostalgia is something that needs feeding?

It’s okay to gig alone

I really love music and I like nothing more than going to see my favourite bands live. However, I listen to a lot of music that none of my friends do. Which is fine, I like that I have my own tastes and I’m not influenced by anyone else too much (although by all means, suggest something if you think I’ll like it! New music is great too.). But it’s always nice to go to a show with a buddy – and preferably one who likes the band in the first place, rather than just being dragged along.

I went to a lot of gigs with friends when I was younger and lately I’ve been to quite a lot with my dad. He’s brought me up well on good bands (R.E.M., Neil Young, Pink Floyd and more recently Arcade Fire). We both love Band of Horses and we saw them a couple of weeks ago, but unfortunately dad isn’t so much of a punk rock fan like me.

So, now when my favourite punk rockers announce shows I’m buying myself a ticket regardless of whether anyone is coming with me. Which is exactly what I did for the show I went to last night…

Whenever I take a camera to a show, I always end up just using my phone…

I went to see The Menzingers who are an American punk band who I’ve been wanting to see live for ages. I was meant to be going to see them last September but had to sell my ticket when I couldn’t go. I was going to go alone to that gig and I went alone last night after giving up trying to find someone who would vaguely like them. In the end, I’m glad I didn’t drag anyone along because I stood right at the front and got crushed and sweaty, but for The Menzingers it was more than worth it.

I’d like to say I talked to strangers at the show and shared our like-minded music tastes, but I didn’t. It was enough for me just to be surrounded by people who appreciate a band as much as I do, because I really love this band. Maybe next time I’ll be brave and talk to someone new, but I was there for the music and the music alone.

They were far more electric than this, but I like this version too.

EDIT: This is even better! Billy Bragg cover.

I bought a banjo

A banjo has been on my mental wish list since around the time I was doing my GCSEs, when I discovered that country and folk music were actually kind of awesome (although that wasn’t necessarily due to music GCSE – I’m not sure we learnt much about banjos). I’ve finally got around to buying myself one, albeit a very basic starter banjo. Now I just have to learn to play it…

The Japan Plan

I’m not quite sure exactly when I first became fascinated by Japan. Perhaps when I started reading historical (and some fantasy) fiction set in the feudal/samurai era, or maybe when I discovered Japanese art and prints, or maybe it was watching Studio Ghibli films. Although it also could have been, subconsciously, as far back as playing Zelda and Pokemon.

All I know is I’ve been wanting to visit the intriguing country for ever so many years, so it is time to start planning my [first] trip. Last night I spent some hours on Google images compiling images of things I like about Japan.