Week 33

Ello!
Do you remember back in the day when everyone had greasy fringes and spent all their time on Myspace? Well I got a pretty sad email from Tom the other day asking where I'd been and I realised that while they got completely annihilated by Facebook, they did have one thing right: the song that played once you clicked onto someones page. How great to have a soundtrack to somebody's life as you flick through their pictures like a big creep. Right now we'd have 'You and Me' by Penny and the Quarters, stolen from the Blue Valentine Soundtrack and just so fucking good.
'I got us a song. you know I got us a song that will just be for you and me. Because everybody's got songs, but they're lame. And they all share them, you know, it's disgusting.'
Hope you have an amazing week.



The very first solo expedition on the JL Mini sewing machine. Fabric was from IKEA and cushions from Argos (4 cushions for 8 pounds, how good is that?) Bring on the home improvements.

This week we love...





So last week during a bout of extreme optimism I sent famous writer and philosopher Alain de Botton an email asking whether perhaps, maybe, he'd let me interview him. My housemate laughed at me and with the automated pop up message thanking me for my feedback appearing on the screen I resolved to stick to students and neighbours as subjects in the future. Imagine my surprise when I received an answer the very next day saying he'd be delighted to answer my questions but to please, please not become a writer as I will be miserable. I have decided to discard what was possibly a kind criticism of my writing and undoubtedly a sound piece of advice, and as the fruits of my endeavours I present to you a moment with Alain de Botton.

What is it like being a philosopher?
I feel very lucky to be able to spend most of my time thinking through certain questions (what makes a good marriage? what is shyness? why are meritocratic societies crueller towards those at the bottom etc?). It seems an enormous privilege to have the mental space to think things through. I never stop marvelling that enough people buy my books to make this life possible.

What do you think is the biggest source of unhappiness in the world?
Lack - of food, of money, of status, of love, of creativity... We are creatures with intense and complex needs. It is rare that reality can fulfil them all.

Are you happy?
Partly, but (and this feels more important) I feel engaged by life and excited by it.

What was the best advice ever given to you?
I remember my father saying that all choices entail sacrifices, so one should only ever aim at the least worst option.

What are your top five favourite places in London?
The Tate Modern, Heathrow airport, St pancras station, Villandry Restaurant, Regent's park.

And finally, what would your ideal Sunday consist of?
Playing Lego with my 2 sons

Alain de Botton has written many, many best selling books including 'How Proust Can Change Your Life', 'The Architecture of Happiness' and (my personal favourite) 'The Art of Travel. The least pretentious philosophy books you will ever come across, they're lucid and original, and you will probably be a better person for having read them. No pressure or anything.

Egyptian Hip Hop-Unsigned



This Mancunian band have followed in the footsteps of many from Manchester and chosen a name that is confusing, utterly entrancing and has no relevance to what they do. Having previously been described as new age electro/80's revival, they have recently changed into what has been described as 'stoner wailing' .. We have settled for dark, yet upbeat.
Not having actually been signed yet makes it best to find their songs on youtube, it is well worth it! Especially check out Rad Pitt which reminds me of a softer Julian Casablancas meets Silversun Pickups. We hope that there will soon be an album to actually buy but until then check out their myspace :

http://www.myspace.com/egyptianhiphop






Blue Valentine- Derek Cianfrance

Do not be fooled by the trailer: this is not some cosy indie romance where the boy is funny and the girl shy and they both have a long list of kooky traits. This is the most accurate depiction of love I have ever seen, and as you can imagine it's very sad. Blue Valentine charts Dean and Cindy's relationship as they flash back and forth between the reality of their failed marriage and reflections on their budding romance, a depressing juxtaposition indeed. From the first glance across the retirement home hall to their trip to a sex motel in a vain attempt to spruce up their romantic life, Blue Valentine shows that while love certainly exists, it very rarely lasts, and that heartbreak isn't reserved to widows and war-torn countries. It happens to the best of us. A beautiful film with an excellent soundtrack, perfect performances by Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling and just enough humour to get you through. Not one to see alone.


The Garden Museum- 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB

Riding along the Embankment past St Thomas' Hospital and the clusters of office blocks found on that part of the river you come across a very strange sight indeed:sat next to a big roundabout is a medieval palace and an old grey chapel. The palace is the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the chapel the Garden Museum, an obscure little space that houses everything you could possibly want to know about gardening. The interior reminded my a little bit of an IKEA showroom, lots of wood panels set up to separate the space without damaging the church, but you can find a lot of neat things such as a gentleman gardner's boots from the 1920s, a lawn mower from 1885 or the design plan for the High Line Project New York. There's also a replica 17th C garden behind the chapel and a very wholesome looking cafe in case you get overwhelmed learning about daisy grubbers and billhooks.
Also...



We realise that most of you have already seen this but it's just too funny. So bloody middle class it's unbelievable, it pretty much sums up everyone you'll meet in leading UK universities.