Spotted this on the Threenine blog the other day, someone’s managed to get the ‘Drawing the line’ video up on Youtube. For those that don’t know it, here’s Threenine’s take on it…

Drawing the line is an old documentary shown on the BBC documenting the police bust otherwise known as Operation Anderson which took place on the 20th March 1989 in which the homes of 72 suspected Graffiti writers were raided including that of the Barton Hill youth worker John Nation. The raids took place in Bristol, Bath, Exeter and Cardiff and at the time it was the biggest anti-graffiti operation in the history of British policing.

Have a wander over to their blog to check it out.

At the same time, worth mentioning that those chaps are getting in the Christmas spirit as well, and there’s a free copy of the excellent ‘Art and Sound of the Bristol Underground’ book for people as spend enough with them for the next couple of weeks. More detail on it here…

So, it’s elevenses time or mid-afternoon and you’re meeting a friend. My guess is that most of us would reach for a coffee of some description (understandable as tea in most cafes/coffee chains isn’t worth drinking), a latte or a cappuccino, and a huge slice of sticky, overly sweet cake, a cupcake or a muffin.

Lovely Lido

All very well but when you find somewhere like the Lido in Bristol and they serve delicious loose leaf tea what you really want is something lighter and more refined. What on earth happened to a lovely light and snappy biscuit? Luckily at the Lido poolside bar they have a very clever lady called Laura! She makes some truly lovely little treats that are just perfect with a cup of tea. I’m particularly partial to her Baby Palmiers with my pot of Earl Grey tea. If you have the change please go and try them for yourself.

Chatting to the ever-so lovely Fiona Beckett about lovely food and drink finds for her new blog, we were bemused at just how many crackers and biscuits there are to pair with cheese yet so little choice of really good biscuits to have with tea. It got me thinking and I’m on the hunt for the perfect little bite of just sweet enough and buttery enough goodness to be the perfect accompaniment to Lahloo Tea.

I’m starting by making some biscuits tonight and I’ll take them to St Catherine’s Artisan Christmas Market in Frome tomorrow, Sunday 29th November 11-6pm. The lucky shoppers will be our testers – Spelt, honey and cinnamon crisps and Lemon Sables. I’ll report back…

The UWE Bristol, or better to say the Students Union and the Idea Factory from the Uni, started a Business Idea Competition: www.beermatchallenge.co.uk

I had a coffee at the Students Union bar with a friend, and we discussed about that challenge, as I wanted to write something on my beermat and have a positive impact on society win some of the prizes.

Here is the discussion, as I remember it, or rather: As it suits this blog entry best and as I want to remember it:

—————–

A: OK, I just filled out the beer mat, but I think my idea is boring, it just contains the buzz words “Fair Trade”, “Social Business”, “volunteering” etc. It is sooo difficult to find new Business Ideas…

B: Yeah…In my home country a succesful business idea was producing trash bags…so one needs to study economics or so and find undiscovered market demand.

A: …this Beermatchallenge suggest that business ideas are found when drinking beer, or in a relaxed atmosphere. I think it is extremely important to be open. There is no “NO!” when I suggest a new idea, there is only “Yes, and…”

B: Then let’s build another web-community…

A: Oh no, …many people simply have the idea to start new communities, new platforms and so on. We are so spoilt and trapped in our Facebook-”Community, everybody likes everybody, let’s connect”-world…so we  don’t find any new ideas, or if, one doesn’t make money out of it.

B: OK, you just broke your own rule of and stopped the creative flow! Be positive! Everything existed before, you just have to make it better. Take Google for example.

A: You’re right, I think they were successful because the usability was high and the other search engines were too complex. Google started with something relatively simple…

B: By the way, I hate this new Microsoft Word…It is too complex and has functions NOT ordered according to priority. But I am distracting…

A: Maybe the best best idea if you have NO idea is to start a Business Idea Competition…this is probably the idea the Students Union had.

—-end of coffee, end of dialogue—-

It may sound cynical, but I think the Beermatchallenge is another attempt to set up a nice webpage, another Twitteraccount, waste some money on the prizes (and this is quite a lot: Cameras, Computers…). I would not worry, but I guess this is students money!

And I think this is particularly true for this Beermatchallenge because there are no events around the challenge, no discussions etc. Hey, Students Union, finding a Business Idea is not like klicking on funny ideas (Probably written when drinking beer, off course) to start a funny Flash animation (the only guy that made a good job: the Flash animator). It’s a long process. It’s not klick and go as on Amazon.

Anyway, please don’t throw away my Business Idea mat. I still want to win some of the prizes.

The Steve Norman “come on and take me to court then” story appears in today’s Evening Cancer.

A couple of passages are worth further analysis:

Police, social services and the watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CSCI) investigated earlier this year after five former care workers at Kingsmead Lodge gave statements on practices that they claimed to have seen at the care home.

Interesting use of the past tense – “investigated’ here. Because if the police have “investigated” and the case is now closed, they haven’t informed any of the original complainants about this.

Whether this is a case of good old-fashioned police incompetence or whether the investigation is, in fact, still ongoing is something that will now be looked at.

The claims that social services have “investigated” are equally confusing. No complainants to Bristol City Council have been informed of the outcome of this “investigation” for starters.

Neither has Bristol City Council published any terms of reference for this “investigation” nor have any complainants been interviewed in the course of this “investigation” and democratic oversight of this “investigation” through either scrutiny commissions or the relevant Executive Member is nowhere to be seen.

In fact it’s hard to locate even one characteristic normally associated with an “investigation” into this affair by Bristol social services.

Then there’s the so-called CSCI “investigation”. Now, this really is bollocks. CSCI are a regulator – with a role similar to OFSTED’s in education. They set national standards and inspect care homes on the basis of those standards. They don’t carry out investigations into individual allegations of abuse in care homes. It’s not their job.

Meanwhile on the substance of Norman’s court challenge the council are simply reduced to waffle:

“Bristol, with other local authorities, follows national ‘Fairer Charging’ guidance in charging for all social services provided. Under the guidelines, all residents in care homes are required to make a financial contribution to the cost of their care, depending on their income. This is subject to a means test to determine what a person can afford to pay.”

So what? Who gives a toss what shitty rules you’re following? The question is: are you going to enforce these rules in court in order that Steve Norman can invite the complainants to give evidence and state the nature of their grievances?

It would certainly be interesting to see if the general public, having heard their complaints, will be as complacent as the authorities seem to be about them.

A while ago myself and Mrs Fish first came the Wesley Owen in Bristol. Found half way up the almighty Park Street, it wasn’t the easiest place to get to, but there was a sense of award. Huge amounts of books and cds on the ground floor, while the first floor half a vast amount of bargins.

Fast forward to yesterday, and the good news is,  it does looks like business as usual. There were a couple of niggling things that may worry if you were looking for something to be worried about, but nothing huge. Probably the biggest change since we last went was the drop in the amount of CDs on sale. Do they not make as much money as other bits and pieces?

(click for the biggers)

So, Secret Wars is rolling into town tomorrow night. It’s been an odd one this a bit, info on it’s been light on the ground until late in the day, and lots of people you’d think would have heard about it don’t seem to have done, so not sure how ‘graffy’ it’s going to be.

It’s at Blue Mountain on Saturday night though, and the info they’re putting out on Facebook promises a lot, so who knows?

Secret Wars has finally arrived in Bristol town. We wanted to do this right and give everyone in Bristol something to shout about.

The same rules apply, you know the format by now. 90 minutes on the clock, black edding pens, go big or go home….standard.

We’ve got a great line up, which will be announced closer to the time. So keep checking the site, www.secretwars.co.uk

Richard Ashworth and Mark Anthony are dealing with the music supply on both floors of the Blue Mountain Club. There’s going to be a load of blank boards set up around the place for all you budding artists.

Remember, Secret Wars is launching a euro league in 2010 and we’re scouting for artists to represent Bristol. So this is your chance to get yourself and your work out there.

It’s a battle style format, as they say

The Secret Wars concept is a one on one art battle between two artists using black marker pens on a white [battle ground] board. The idea being to out draw and humiliate your opponents character/city/crew/logo

Representing London are Disco Teck and Mr Gauky, whilst representing Bristol are Andy Council and Lorenzo. Which in the context of the above seems a bit odd in a way, as at least one of those two would be the first to admit he’s not a battling writer.

That said, rather than a one off thing, it looks like the event’s going to be;

a showcase event (to) give artists and public an opportunity to understand the secret wars concept and find out about the Bristol team selection process.

So it’s not the main thing then, more something to get people knowing about and interested in the chance to apply to be in the Bristol team for the Secret Wars events coming up across Europe.

So, it’s Blue Mountain, there’s painting, music and a bar, and sounds like you can have a paint too if you fancy. Definitely worth wandering down to, not least for the sight of the ever illin’ Andy Council battling to burn someone else’s crew to a soundtrack of phat beats.

Worth getting in touch with them if you fancy representing Bristol across Europe too it seems.

Will be interested to see what happens on the night.

L’agence pour le developpement de l’entreprise et de l’entreprenariat – Entreprise UK – offre une année de location de bureaux pour jusqu’à trois personnes.

Ces bureaux se trouvent à

Birmingham, Bristol, Londres et Manchester.

Pour participer il suffit de répondre aux question sur le site de Enterprise UK

Flower delivery giant Interflora has launched a claim for damages against high street chain Marks & Spencer. It alleges that M&S has been trading on the Interflora brand by bidding on the keyword in sponsored links via search engine Google. Put simply, when users search for Interflora, they are presented with a “Sponsored Links” box at the head of the search results. Interflora’s official site is the top link, but Marks & Spencer’s online flower deliver business appears second. This means that Marks & Spencer has been paying to appear on the search list for the keyword “Interflora”. The flower company also asserts that M&S has been bidding on mis-spellings of the Interflora name and that their trade mark has been infringed and their business potentially damaged.

Historically, Google has refused to let companies bid on keywords which are trade marks of other parties, but this was changed by the search engine in 2008. Other search engines have a stricter policy when it comes to paid advertising, and internet marketers will watch with interest to see whether the ruling in this case will be in favour of the trade mark owner or uphold the search engine’s current policy. Part of Interflora’s aim in raising this case is to clarify the legal position so that it and other companies can prevent others from cashing in on established trade marks. The case has been referred to the European Court of Justice.

For general Trade mark and Patent enquires you can contact SH&P by phone : 0117 922 6007 or email: mail@shandp.com

The material published on this website is for general interest and information only and is not intended to be a substitute for legal or other professional advice. If you have a matter of particular interest you should seek specific advice from one of Stevens Hewlett and Perkins professional staff. We accept no responsibility for any loss which may arise from relying on the material published on this website.

…have been amazing!!!

I’ve found out that Fiffy (my car) is not In actual fact going to be a ‘write-off’, as the garage first told me. They rang me yesturday morning, & said that she’s all fixed up, & the paintwork is all done. & earlier this afternoon, they rang again to say my car is ready to be picked up 2moro! Alas, that means I will be £300 lighter (but at least I don’t need to fork out for a brand-new motor).

Talking of ‘Forks’…last nite Dave & I saw the second installment of the Twilight (read *Twatlight*) franchise BTW what is up w/advertising it as ‘The Twilight Saga:…’?! It was v good indeed. I’ve read all the books, like a good little fan-girl, so I know what to expect, but the no. of shirt-less guys was laughable, as was R Pattz’ portrayal of a constipated block of ice. Good but could have been better, I guess the film is never as good as the book. Oh, & the trailers for Avatar & Sherlock Holmes look amazing!!!

Before we went to the cinema, we had a slight matter of Dave meeting my extended family! He’s obv already met Mum (that was scary enough!), & most of my girlies @ work, but last nite he met The Horners! Aka my Auntie & Pippy, & my sisters from another mother Kelsey & Aaron i guess the time was right for the people who I love in my life to finally meet, & I loved it! Dave was lush (who incidently looked H.O.T.! as fuck!) w/them all, & they were equally cute (inquisitive but cute). Ooo! Almost forgot-I drove us to my Grandma’s old house before, just to share another part of me w/him. I haven’t seen it in over a year & alot’s changed but it holds lots of memories. I wish she could have met him.

Today has also been equally fun! Today I had a day off, courtsey of Sherry, who is kindly working my shift on HER day off. Mum also had a day off & so we decided to ‘go over the bridge’ & visit Barry Island, Wales! The place of all things ‘Gavin & Stacey’! We started off early, on the road by 10am, & we called in @ Costa for refreshments (read *life-juice*) making it to Barry by 12ish. It was pissing it down, but we had a laugh! Took loads of pics (some are on Twitter) but it was freezing so we only spent about 3/4hr there, until we headed into Cardiff for a bit of girly shopping.
We had lunch in Pillars for lunch (it’s tradition!) & then we spent around about an hr in the amazing Cardiff Primark I bought some cute dresses, hot panties, & a new umbrella all for £30! Amazing!
Leaving Cardiff we got royally lost, but that’s the fun in a road-trip! Today we spent quality time together, & it made us stronger Balance!

Back in Bristol, home dry, I’m glad to be home! Ate some sushi, pjs on super early, make-up off & chilling whilst watching the new series of Gavin & Stacey. Amazing!

I’ve come across some self-serving, backsliding, cowardly tosh from senior officers at Bristol City Council in my time but Stephen McNamara’s response to Steve Norman’s recent invitation to take him to court takes the biscuit:

“I do not know anything about this issue”? Er Hello? What’s happened to the basic senior management tasks of delegation and taking responsibility here?

Are you in control of your department Mr McNamara? Or are you just some vastly overpaid wig and photocopied signature for ornamental purposes?

If you don’t know what’s going on in your own department then you’re no fucking use. Resign now!

As a city do we really want some unaccountable upper-middle class snooty git firing out letters willy-nilly threatening court action to the city’s hard-up and vulnerable who then – when invited to get his sorry arse down to a courtroom – immediately denies all responsibility and tries to pin the blame on a “relevant officer” ie. Some mug somewhere down the line McNamara will blame to get himself off the hook.

He is the relevant officer. He signed the letter. Why’s he signing potentially life-destroying legal papers and  letters to people about things he knows nothing about?

Welcome to another Bristol City Council senior officer shambles. What’s the point in paying people a small bloody fortune to take responsibility if they won’t?

SANTA CRUISE – DEC 12 2009

 2pm from the waterfront at Cafe Gusto round the back of Lloyds TSB HQ, pedestrian area off Canon’s Road,off Anchor Road.

New alleycat for you all to get in your diaries.

 Bristol City Centre and environs race.

 Checkpoint strategy.

 Checkpoints will be churches of Bristol (tba) along with the odd Xmas excursion

Full maps of the church checkpoints and start/finish point to be released week before the event!

 All welcome – ALL ages ALL sexes ALL creatures 

Flyers and Prize booty courtesy of the wonderful Velosolo and 14Bikeco. Other 2 main sponsors so far are Boikzmoind and White Duck Screen Printing……Rudolf at the ready. 

Xmas Festive season of goodwill to all fixed gear riders only. 

(Those interested please register here at bridgethegap@bikerider.com

and if you like add you name to rolling list at

http://trackdropouts.com/forum/events-rides/santa-cruise-dec12-2009

based at “trackdropouts.com” Bristols forum for fixed gear riding in Bristol no doubt

Hey Ho!

Santa’s Claws

On the subject of Massive Attack, another stunner from Blue Lines in honor of today’s Thanksgiving. The whole album should be mandatory listening for anyone wishing to be a part of the human race. One of the best albums of all time for me.

Diggin’ the scene with a gangster lean..
From Discogs
Probably the best, certainly the most important , album of the decade, Blue Lines defined the sound of Britain´s carcass after Thatcher had finished with it. Blue Lines was the first representation of a certain kind of syncretic Britishness that would define the island´s music for the next decade.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Two years ago I knew very little about my ancestors.

I wanted to know the reasons that led my father to cut all ties with his immediate family and also with his children.

While I won’t go into this subject, I can say that I now understand why my father acted the way he did.

His father married Mary Landry in 1912.

I thought she had died and that he remarried with Juliette Métayer in on around 1926 since my father was born in August 1927.

I tried desperately to find this marriage in several data banks but to no avail…

Guess what?

They never married… And this was in 1927.

How did I came across this information?

I met the nephew of Maria Landry this spring.

How did I contact him?

Since I entered Maria Landry’s file and all her ancestors in my Heritage genealogy site, I got a Smart Match. Someone had the file of one of Maria’s family members. I wrote this person and she gave me a phone number to call.

I picked up the phone and talk to a 84 years old man.

This man wanted to see me so he could tell me what he knew of my grandfather though he never met him.

Next time, you will meet Antonio Landry, Maria Landry’s nephew.

Just to tease you, here is a picture of Antonio Landry.

Antonio Landry

Soft Rocks play The Big Chill Bar, Bristol, on Sat Nov 28th

We’re pretty excited here at Bedmo Disco HQ. We normally are, to be fair, but we’ve got something extra special to get all hot and sweaty about – this Saturday’s forthcoming Bedmo Disco session at The Big Chill Bar in Bristol with very special guests Soft Rocks!

We first came across the Soft Rockers a few years ago. Being geekish, record-collecting nerds, we’d picked up a few of their high sought after edits and reworks on their own Soft Rocks Recordings imprint. These were very special – both musically and stylistically. We were impressed.

Somehow, thanks to the power of the internet, we were introduced to Soft Rocker Piers Harrison some time in early 2008. We chatted, exchanged banter about disco records and discussed Bristol – the city where Piers was born and raised (and, of course, our hometown). We talked about getting him down to play at one of our parties but we never quite got it together.

Then, in August 2008, we had two brushes with the Soft Rocks crew in a matter of weeks. First, Sell By Dave met Piers at The Big Chill Festival, when our bearded disco bore played after him at the Havana Club Bar on Sunday night. A week or so later, we met the rest of the lads, as they took over from us in the Funk Tent at the Bloom Festival. We’d just finished a Bedmo Disco Soundsystem show with Coherent and had partied it up hard. The Soft Rockers (minus Piers, who was at home having done the Chill the week before) and disco chanteuse Kathy Diamond took our party baton and ran with it, treating the crowd to an excellent selection of disco, deep house and the like.

When the Big Chill Bar, Bristol, asked us to nominate a guest for our first Bedmo Disco session at the venue, we said ‘Soft Rocks!’ without any hesitation. Luckily the guys were up for it and have agreed to come and play a three-hour set from 12midnight on Saturday night. It should be a belting occasion. Originally we’d asked Piers to do it, but he’s moving to New York with his young family. So, Chris stepped into the breach. Then, rather unexpectedly, Piers asked if he could tag along and play some records as his move had been put back, he was due to be in Bristol visiting his dad and, well, it’s his birthday. We, of course, said yes please!

The action takes place this Saturday at the Big Chill. We’ll be on the decks from 9pm, with Five-Stylez dropping some funk and Sell By Dave digging deep in the boogie/disco/Balearic/nudisco crates before the Soft Rocks crew take to the stage. It’s free all night, so come down and party with us. As it’s Piers’ birthday, it should be a blast!

SOFT ROCKS & BEDMO DISCO

SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER @ THE BIG CHILL BAR, BRISTOL

9pm-3am, FREE ENTRY

Bristol is a shoppers dream with something for every type of shopper, browsers who enjoy rummaging through second hand stores or picking up unusual trinkets, fresh food, independent store followers or lovers of large precincts or malls housing the UK’s largest chains and outlets all under one roof. The city is divided into several shopping areas so is easy to decide the type of shopping experience you are looking for.

Broadmead: The largest shopping area in the City. Its pedestrianised streets house 300 stores including major retailers and outlets along with banks, cafes and restaurants. A multi-storey car park means access is easy.
Cabot Circus: The latest shopping development situated alongside Broadmead. The area houses 125 shops including 15 major retail chains and a 2600 space car park makes shopping a hassle free experience.
Train. Bristol Temple Meads. Car. Easy access from M5 M4 M32. Air. Bristol int airport then flyer coach.

In the very unlikely event you don’t find what you’re after in either of these bustling shopping areas or are looking for the more traditional why not try out the Old City where you’ll find the St Nicholas Market with everything from fresh produce & freshly baked bread to second hand book stalls. If you fancy a taste of the West Country why not try out the Farmers Market held every Wednesday on Corn Street just outside the Old Corn Exchange here you can pick up fresh game and home made chutneys or even a locally produced cheese or two.

Blog one show, and suddenly you find there’s a ton more to blog as well. More of that throughout the day, but let’s start with the ever busy chaps at Weapon of Choice.

The Nikill Show’s still on, and looks as grand as it does reasonably priced, definitely worth checking out, photos in a bit when the shiny new camera stops being shiny and new and starts actually downloading photos.

Next up is the launch of the Cheo colouring book, which has been a while coming but is looking great judging by the photos out there. Jer Forceone’s got a brilliant write up with preview photos for it, so head over to his blog to check them out. It’ll be being launched at the Weaon of Choice Gallery on St Michael’s Hill on Thursday 3rd December, with the man himself there to sign copies for you. There’s more about the event over on Facebook too.

Shortly after that, Tuesday 11th December, the regular Weapon of Choice night down at Mr Wolf’s is turning into a bit of a hip hop spectacular with a massive line-up to end the year. Painting from Cheo and Shadeone, again Facebook’s your place for info. Weapon of Choice is going to be two years old in January too, and there’s talk of a massive painting session for that at the moment as well, so keep an eye out.

Finally, there’s a big end of year group show up there opening on the 11th of December, with a line up including the following folks, with more still being added.

Jody, Lokey, Kato, Jeff Row, Acer, Inkie, Kid Zoom, Fake, 45rpm, Lorenzo, Dylan Shipley, Soker, Nikill, Song, Bevlak, Cheba, Copyright, Iain Sellar, Hoekon, Flo, Danimal, James Starr and Loch Ness

If somehow you’re still unconvinced, there’s promise of mince pies and mulled wine on the opening night too. What more do you need?

Incidentally, if you fancy a free Cheba print, you’ve got til the 30th of this month to sign up to the Weapon of Choice newsletter (top left of the page here), when two names will be drawn at random to win one of the prints below. Worth a punt for the cost of an email address for sure.

A delegation from Bristol travels to London to Wembley stadium to deliver the city’s bid to host world cup games in 2018…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: flight information. The blog is also related to: international flights.

A delegation from Bristol travels to London to Wembley stadium to deliver the city’s bid to host world cup games in 2018…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: city cafe. The blog is also related to: newyork city.

Well I’ve just got back from seeing rob brydon, very funny man if I’m honest.
Went to “the h reastaurant” which is in colston hall…. What a pile of shit. It put a dampener on my whole night if I’m honest, Even though Rob Brydon did play islands in the stream expecially for me, I’m convinced he did.
Plus having to pay £5.40 to come into my own country is abit of a rip off… It offends me!
Rob did a very funny joke about Al Capone trying to read the Gruffalo and I found this very simular video: http://bit.ly/5HgQ0x quite amused me.

All in all though a good night! Thank you Mr Rob Brydon!

A few weeks ago now, I ventured to Bristol in England, for a ‘graphics trip’ to snoop around the shops whilst taking photographs. How do shops layout their window designs, what nice architecture can I find etc. It’s suprising what you can find when you do this, just wander and keep your eyes peeled for anything remotely interesting – textures that you can use for photo manipulations, designs…anything!

I had a great time, and to be honest, it was the first time I’d properly been to Bristol in the day time and I have to say that the city has some amazing architecture, real amazing. Old mixed with the new. Anyway, as part of the trip, I did in fact take some photographs which I’d like to share with you. I took many, but you can view a little sample below:

A famous piece of graffit artwork in Bristol. It would seem the naughty mistress’ husband has come home a bit too early.

Topshop display window. The arrows really caught my attention, bright and vivid.

A billboard poster. I started being interesting in lighting effects ever since I picked up Adobe Photoshop, so it instantly caught my attention.

Quirky little character in the corner of a shop window. He seems quite startled, although I did ask if I could take a picture of him first!

The old parts of Bristol. A lovely old clock/tower.

Old bottles and a retro styled Guiness sign. What more do you want!?

Bit of a naughty one here. You’re not 100% allowed to take photographs of Harvey Nichols display windows because apparently they spend thousands of pounds on them. We stopped after the security guards mentioned it (we might have been competitors). Ooops!

An indoor shopping arcade (it had a lovely glass roof). I just liked the environment.

Great use of typography here, as it looks like an eye chart you might see inside, sat down having your eyes tested.

A skateboard deck inside the Vans shop. In fact they had plenty!

Great design – a bench. I hope you can see the magazine rack/holder positioned in the gap that the letter V naturally produces? Great use of space and functionality.

I love old architecture, spires and such. Lovely.

I had a great time, wandering around with my camera (I bet I looked like a right weirdo to the locals…or a proper tourist, haha). It’s really interesting getting out to these places, taking off your ’shopping hat’ and taking photographs of interesting objects you come across. Have a go, you’ll see the World from a different perspective.

Well I wad quite excited about the whole “go out for a nice meal before I see rob brydon” but I’ve just got to the “h bar” and eat and, if I’m totally honest, it is pretty shit. Just had about 4 pieces of tortolloni on my plate, and the worst coffee in the world don’t eat here if you like nice food!

Bristol NUJ meeting earlier this week

That wacky bunch of no-hoper Stalinists, conspiracy nuts and embittered ex-Northcliffe hacks who make up the membership of the local branch of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists) have come up with a recruitment plan.

“BRISTOL NUJ can be at the forefront of the union’s drive to recruit the thousands of creative workers in the new media industry who have so far gone unrepresented,” drivels the NUJ’s former local Northcliffe poster boy Paul Breedan.

“Those present broadly agreed that anyone producing creative content online who isn’t merely a blogger should be able to join the NUJ,” he writes on his, er … Blog!

Top plan that is Paul. Suck up to a load of people producing mindless corporate PR guff devoid of any journalistic value whatsoever while slagging off one of the few groups in this city – bloggers – who regularly produce original investigative reporting for the public and who have an increasingly large reach and influence.

It also makes you wonder what understanding of marketing and PR the Bristol NUJ and this clown Breedan have to offer any new media workers. To openly disparage an important local new media constituency to a PR savvy audience may not be the wisest recruitment move.

Always nice to know who your friends and supporters are though innit?