The Importance of Pens

My official job title is Senior Bookseller Level 2 (the level 2 bit just reflects time in service and the fact I can deptutise for the manager - nothing so exciting as having collected various gold coins and solved puzzles) unsurprisingly I order, price and sell books, but a large part of my job also involves what I call "playing with stationery" - I get to research, chose, order and arrange all sorts of stationery items. I get sent catalogues from various companies and having meetings with reps where they show off all their best stuff and try and persuade me to stock it - a large part of the persuading process is "samples" I love supplier samples - especially when you bear in mind I stock Moleskine Notebooks and Zebra Pens. And yes I love arranging stationery - even the Moleskine rep himself thinks my spinner is a thing of beauty - arranged by colour and type and size. My pen displays in the slat wall are arranged in to colourful rainbows and type - and woe-betide any hapless customer who tries to test the pens on my carefully constructed posters and labels - I put the little pads of paper out for a reason - gggggrrrrrrrrrrr! (cue angry teacher look while a slide my glasses down my nose and GLARE) - ahem. So I think we have established that I like stationery and possibly that I am a little OCD in this area.

Anyhoo... today was the turn of the rep from Uni-ball Mitsubishi - the meeting got off to a good start when he presented me with my "samples" - 5 pens including a very nice one with violet coloured ink and a flowery barrel - thank you very much!

Many people think a pen is a pen is a pen and there is no need for any fuss - well, it all depends what you want it for. Jotting notes and taking phone messages - a bic or staedtler biro at 35p each may be just for you. Left handed but you like an 'inky' pen? you need an instant dry variety - over £2 but writes like a dream, very smooth  but none of that pesky ink smudging. Prone to mistakes and revisions but can't stand tippex? Try a Frixion Erase - writes like a cross between a biro and an inky pen, but rubs out with the power of friction - the ink itself though is a little 'light'. Arthritis, or prone to cramp from lots of writing?... have you tried a NuSpiral? - ergonomic and spongy grip - very comfortable. There are so many things to consider and I haven't even started on weight and size - I favour a heavier pen for that sense of gravitas and control, I have friends who only like air-light pens...

I digress. Back to uni-ball mitsubishi....

I requested the account and meeting on the basis of....... a mechanical pencil.

yes a pencil.

The Kuru-Toga to be precise, I stumbled across it in The Independent's 'best 50 stationery' and duly checked it out on Cult Pens (I know I know, I've considered getting help - but I'm happy... and anyway it's my job! ) this mechanical pencil has a special mechanism which means every time you apply pressure- thats a movement on the page or pushing down / lifting off) the lead is rotated slightly - this means the point is always kept sharp! You don't get that chiseled lead shape which leads to pasty lines and breakage - GENIUS! And yes it really works, I found out today it took 4 years to develop the design. 4 years on a pencil. But I love it - mine is pink, Ronni has a silver one, and our equally enthusiastic customer Bob just got himself a black one.

but Uni-Ball do alot more than one good pencil - they have one of the best range of pigment inks - which means their pens come in a much wider range of colours at a high quality 'inkyness'. Love it. Can't wait to get a new rainbow display going...

but here are 3 fun Uni-Ball facts for you courtesy of our rep:

1) The FBI use the Signo 207 - this is because you can't wash it out of paper like you can most regular inks (try it - a little bit of nail polish remover and the right technique) - the Signo 207 has the backing of Frank Abagnale (the real life fraudster that the film 'Catch Me if You Can' was based on).

2) Simon Cowell and the other X-Factor judges use Uni-Ball pens, and no, uni-ball didn't pay the show for product placement- they were actually quite surprised.

3) It was a Uni-Ball (I think he said one of the jetstream family) pen which signed the paperwork at the trial of Saddam Hussein - and Saddam used a uni-ball too...

who said all pens were created equal?

Empress Orchid - Review

I'm still not 100% sure what my plans for this blog are, at the moment it seems to be a slightly rambling diary - mostly read by family, friends and artists I mention! But as a self confessed bibliophile I also want to talk about some of the books I am reading.

So first up - Empress Orchid by Anchee Min

I know I am a little behind the fray here - as it was part of the Richard & Judy Bookclub in 2006 and as such there are lots of amateur and professional reviews of it out there - but since when has excessive coverage ever stopped me adding my twopence worth to any conversation!?

Firstly - a big thank you to Ronni for recommending this book to me, when bored  carefully considering my next task at work, I was browsing one the many catalogues of ALL BOOKS IN PRINT looking for my next read. (yes working at a bookshop is dangerous, I buy far too many books)

This is a fictionally realised story based on the real life of the Last Empress of China. The culture, etiquette, fashions and architectural surroundings are exquisitely described, the descriptions of the highly ritualised and stylized life within the forbidden city are beautifully vivid and compelling, but what caught me by surprise was the very real tension and danger inherent in the lives of the royal concubines and wives, and their attendant eunuchs - and the essentially misogynistic / repressive attitude against which Orchid struggles .

I am not often a fan of stories told in the first person - too often the 'voice' of the narrator is inconsistent, intrusive and improbable - but in this case it is completely engaging and plausible.  The book is also an eye opener when it comes to behaviour of 'westerners' in China at the time, the reality of the opium wars and the whole scale destruction wreaked on the forbidden city.

I am looking forward to reading the sequel "The Last Empress"

Empress Orchid, by Anchee Min
Bloomsbury Press
ISBN: 9780747568339

Chutney Preserves 4, Animal Fair @ Camberwell Green

Chimeric animal drawings made to order
Originally uploaded by Little*Bee

I love my life. I know I grumble sometimes, and plenty of rubbish things DO still happen. But all in all being married to a talented performance artist and having talented performance artist friends is pretty amazing, and I do get to go to some of the randomest events - and that is random in a very good way - as in unexpected, extraordinary, surprising, thought provoking and plain fun.

Sunday was important for several reasons - it was TOO hot, the last day of Glastonbury, Germany beating England in the world cup - but most of all it saw the culmination of the Camberwell Arts Festival on Camberwell Green in the form of Chutney Preserves 4, Animal Fair - when you've read this go check out their blog - it will make more sense.

This is really just a quick ' photo blog' about the bits I saw, hopefully you can get an idea of the scope:

The Urban Bear has his questions answered by the Fox Witch

Rebecca Feiner and Helene Corr with  Worm Charming Olympics

Daniel Lehan presented "Snail Races" - my snail Daisy (with the red spot) lost her race after Neville took an Unfair Advantage at the start of the race - we are still waiting to hear the judges final decision. Daniel?

Frog gave several performances during the day, ably assisted by his assortments of puppets.

Dr Gerald Van Elk presents: Are You Wild Enough?

Afternoon tea at the Urban Bear Research Centre

As always there are lots more photos on my flickr pages, and I haven't listed even half the artists involved, please do visit Chutney Preserves Blog where you will find full details along with links to the artists.

Unwrong Quiz & Dare to be Charlie

Dare to be Charlie
Originally uploaded by Little*Bee

Thursday 24th June saw another of Frog's spectacular nights at the Montague Arms, this time the "Unwrong Quiz" hosted by Frog and the incomparable Mark Quinn. This is quiz with no right or wrong answers, but bizarre and thought provoking questions, where you are awarded prizes for the most interesting, clever, funny or just plain weird answers. You can even play along on their facebook page.

As nights of daftness and fun go, this is fast becoming a New Cross favorite especially with Goldsmith's students... and it will soon be translated to Edinburgh where Mark & Frog have a run as part of the fringe festival. Details can be seen on Frog's website.

This month the Unwrong Quiz was pleased to welcome as their special guests 'Dare to be Charlie' the fantastic new band with Daren Callow & Chalie Savigar. Daren and Charlie have both been in different bands (and solo sets) in the past and now joined forces, collaborating on new songs and developing music they performed in the past.
As a fan of their earlier work it is really great to hear how it is developing and the new influences being brought to play as they feed off each other's talent. There is definitely a new life and vibe, and given that I am a sing-a-long type fan, particularly of some of Daren's earlier work (which incidentally he performed at our wedding) I was pleased to discover that even I thought it was a development for the better.

I can highly recommend them and not just because they are our friends! You can check out all their upcoming gigs on their various sites:

Daren Callow - musician on facebook
Daren Callow - website
Charlie Savigar - music on facebook
Charlie Savigar - webiste

Listen to their music:

Daren Callow - myspace
Charlie Savigar - myspace

And as always lots more photos from the evening on my flickr page!

Celebrating 2 Years as Mrs Frog

Happy Anniversary to us!

The splendid Mr Frog Morris and I got married two years ago today..... yay!

We celebrated this splendid occasion by disappearing to Sussex for a lovely weekend spent at The Swan in Fittleworth - the perfect combination of real ale old pub in the middle of nowhere - fine dining and romantic traditional luxury. Complete with the antique four poster bed, and the lovely staff put red roses in our room! It was a dream come true for me - I am sure I'm not the only one to have grown up imagining herself as a princess or medieval lady, there is something magic about four posters - and this really was a genuine AN-T-I-QUE ... it was a good job neither of us were tall , as the bed was exactly as long as we were! but ever so comfy and decadent!

The service was far and away the best I've ever experienced on holiday - so friendly, very attentive without being in the slightest bit intrusive, we were given the same table for every meal - which they called 'our table'. The food was simply lovely - very generous portions, excellently cooked at the point you order it, no pre-cooked nonsense there.

The surrounding countryside was just stunning, we went on a lovely evening walk along the nearby river, white rumped swifts were zooming around us and skimming the river, the sunset was beautiful.

                 Best of all of course, I was there with my wonderful Frog. It was utter bliss to be away from teh hubub of London for a while, and to forget what mobile phones, laptops and crowded commutes are all about. Of course we were left wishing we could be there longer, and I hope we'll go back some time - there is still so much to see and do in the area!

more photos on my flickr page

The Comedy That Wasn't...

I was going to write a post about the most recent filming I went to see at the BBC - it was for a new comedy show.

But then I remembered what my parents taught me....

"if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all"

so I won't.

Children - you've got to love them

Now my Mum & Dad dragged me up properly, I was duly instilled with the idea that it is wrong to laugh AT (as opposed to WITH) someone .... but occasionally you just can't help yourself, and this morning was definitely one of those mornings.

I'm not necessarily at my best first thing in the morning, I have a set routine which is 'just so' and a set time to leave the house to walk to the bus stop. And woe-betide any one or anything who interferes with that. One of the bonuses of leaving at the same time each day is that you see the same people. There is a man who I've said hello to at least three times a week for several years now - and we now swap comments on the weather and the state of the road works on the often flooded approach to my estate (he works at the factory right next to it). There's the very nice man who kicks a football round the park everyday for his bouncy brown dog and we wave each morning. The lovely crossing lady outside the primary school...

well I didn't see any of them this morning - I had left five minutes early...

as I walked past the local park, on the opposite side of the road a young boy (about 6 maybe) and his mum came out of their flat, the boy had a scooter and was a few yards in front of me, and his mum was just a pace or two behind me (but both on the opposite pavement) I wasn't really paying attention to them - I was looking for the green parakeets which have recently colonised the park - (the first in this particular area)- when the boy suddenly grabbed my attention by abruptly stopping his scooter, turning round and yelling back to his mum- "oi, whatcha look like that for?", of course I looked over, just as his mum asked what he meant, and he replied "are those your pajamas?" at the top of his voice.

I couldn't help myself, I laughed out loud and turned to look at his mum - who was wearing a brown cotton tracksuit and flip flops...

I had a hard time keeping a straight face though while all three of us were waiting for the same bus - luckily I had a book to hide my nose in. I might add the little boy to my list of favorite morning people - anyone who can make me laugh that early on in the day is alright in my books - though of course his mum might not agree.

Music Hall at the Montague Arms

“Frog Morris Presents” is a well-established evening of entertainment on the Second Thursday of each month- based at the amazing Montague Arms.



I realize I am probably not the most unbiased person to review Frog’s evenings, I am of course one of his biggest fans – but the evening on the 10th June really was something special. This month’s theme was “Music Hall” a nod to the much requested return of the Victorian Evening, and saw the largest audience we’ve had for some time.

Frog was all kitted out in his waistcoat and tails – looking very handsome and debonair. The only way to go given the caliber of the acts.

First up was Fergus Rougier – billed as a Cabaret Act he is a very talented man with an Accordion – his striking looks and comic songs set the evening off to a very good start.


Frog then gave a stirring rendition of “Puff the Magic Dragon” accompanied by Foster & Gilvan, Foster gave a dramatic accompaniment on the Saw – the emotions rather got the better of Frog – who was picked up from his prone position on the floor by Foz, and ‘helped’ into a chair.



The eclectic eccentric atmosphere of the Montague Arms could have been designed for Foster & Gilvan, the face painted clowns performed their unique brand of performance art meets theatrical sea shanties and musichall mayhem, needless to say they went down a storm.



Frog & Foster then treated the audience to that most popular of songs “Angry Badger” Foster offered his services as song sheet holder, but in the end seemed a little frightened by the badger himself!

The Montague was pleased to welcome back the incomparable Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer with his unique brand of Chap Hop & Rock for an incredible set which left the audience wanting more.




The final act were the dance band Jamean – a fabulous band in their own right their surprise element was their dancer – whose energetic routine left me exhausted just watching!




The crowd, the atmosphere and the acts were all fantastic – and it was really good to see all the performers so obviously enjoying each others sets. I rather think the bar were happy too!

Nice one Frog x

(more photos of the evening can be found on flickr)

Pixies

No, this post isn't about the pointy eared friends of fairies...

Last night I went with Frog, Theo and Tom to see the band the Pixies play at The Troxy in London.

What an amazing evening.

For starters I was in the company of some of my favorite people - unfortunately Sheree who was meant to be joining us had the misfortune to fall into a pothole the previous day and badly sprained her ankle so wasn't able to come, but Tom very kindly stopped the ticket from going to waste and came in her stead - generous fellow isn't he? Particularly when he went to the same gig the day before - selfless! Now normally when we go out anywhere which requires us to be there at a particular time I get Stressed (and yes the capital 'S' is deliberate) about travel arrangements and being late. But for once that wasn't an issue as I knew the route well, having had to travel through Limehouse as part of my daily commute when I worked at Mile End - so I knew the timings. Having arrived at Limehouse in plenty of time we were able to stop at a local pub for a quick pint before the gig, leaning against a lamp post gossiping in evening sun, people watching as the world went by. Already a great evening. The queue to get in to the venue was predictably long, but friendly.

Now I do know who the Pixies are, but as any of my friends can tell you I am RUBBISH at remembering which artists do what songs, so when Frog told me they were playing and I liked their songs, I rather took him on trust. As we were queuing to get in, I felt a little guilty as the gig was sold out, and most people there were clearly diehard fans... and I was a little, shall we say, fuzzy, on what I was going to hear. Well that didn't last long, frog was right, I more than 'like' the Pixies, I can in fact sing along to their songs. Two of the ones they played rank among my favorite ever (although that might have something to do with the fact that they appear on the first ever complimation CD Frog made me, which he used to first tell me he love me - awwww - and in case anyone is wondering they are: 'Gigantic' & 'Here Comes Your Man')

Even if I hadn't already known and liked their music, it would have been hard indeed not to love the gig. The atmosphere was incredible and the sound amazing. And even if I hadn't liked the sound - the grin on Frog's face would have made the night perfect on it's own - ok ok I know I am cheesy. It was the most mixed audience I have seen at gig, with a whole spectrum of ages - a testament to how long the band have been playing. It was a little difficult to see past all the tall people who pushed to the front - my neck was aching a bit from craning by the end, but that is only a little grumble! It was truly fantastic.

It was also a huge milestone for me - it is the first, big noisy crowded event I have enjoyed and not felt the slightest bit panicky about since I have come off my anti-depressants. I was slightly nervous on entering the venue, and told the boys they weren't allowed to leave or lose me - but in the end I was the one who drifted a bit dancing in the audience - and I didn't panic - huzzah!

My familiarity with the area also proved useful after the gig as we decided to let the crush clear and I was able to direct us to a close but quiet real ale pub. yes that is right, for once it wasn't a male morris pub sense in play! smug points to me! a quick ride on the DLR and newly reopened East London Line and we were back in New Cross Gate.
Splendid.

Tom & Theo are perfect house guests - very laid back and easy to please the next morning- a couple of cups of tea, a few rashers of grilled bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms & hot buttered toast and the jobs a good'un.

A grand night was had by all... can't wait until September now when we have tickets to see the Eels. (and yes, I know who they are!) YAY!

Southwark Park

Tea Dance Twist

Following closure for improvement and re-development one of our local parks finally re-opened 29th May 2010, and in honour of the event our friends Daniel Lehan and Joanna McCormick arranged a Tea-Dance Twist as part of the celebrations. And as they have truly splendid taste they invited my fabulous husband Frog to compare! As my parents (and their dog) were visiting we took them along too.

Hatcham Park Gardens is a lovely little space just off Kender Street in New Cross and the community has pulled together to make a new playground and community area. Unfortunately the sun did not shine on the reopening, but despite the rain people came out in force – whether out of support or curiosity I am not so sure! There were various stalls and tents, including art and crafts for the kids where they were making paper bag owls, a health awareness tent being run by the NHS offering free healthchecks, a healthy eating stall with organic veg and information, cooking demonstrations, drumming demonstrations and an animal show which reportedly had meerkats and snakes! (which I would have thought was a dangerous combination… don’t meerkats kill snakes?) and best of all The T-Dance Twist tent.



In the best English community fair manner there was a Tea Coffee & Cake stall – which far surpassed the generality of cakes you get at these events normally – and yes they tasted as good as they looked – utterly sublime!

The event was officially opened by a local counselor who was presented with photos of the completed park which are to be hung in the local town hall. Then the entertainment – first Frog, who as usual took great pleasure in confounding several audience members (including my parents) whatever they were expecting, it wasn’t this!

Then Cello Singer Laura Victoria, who was fantastic, although perhaps the most enthralled audience members were two little girls who took great delight in dancing and twirling to the music. They were also very taken with my parent’s dog Freyr, who behaved beautifully and was quite happy to be made a fuss of.




The little girl didn’t actually talk to my parents, despite at one point climbing into my Dad’s lap to better stroke Freyr – luckily my parents were quite happy! At one point when she was getting very close to the dogs head – dad said “be careful she has a very long tongue” of course this inspired nothing but a desire to see how long Freyr’s tongue was!

I had taken Esmeralda (my new camera – Canon EOS 1000D) with me in order to take a few snaps of Frog and to generally ‘play’ – but as Esme is quite large and professional looking I was soon roped in to taking photos of some of the other acts! I tried to explain I wasn’t a professional but just a friend of the organizers – but I don’t like to offend and Esme takes pretty good photos with almost no effort on my part, so I agreed, And I do enjoy taking photos. Although not sure when my folks decided to come up from Devon to visit, they banked on having to sit in a damp marquee for a couple of hours while I did my paparazzi impression – but they seemed to enjoy it.

So I took photos of a dance troop called Mia Dancers, who did Broadway inspired routines and were received very appreciatively by the audience. It felt very small and friendly in that marquee – a real community experience – which coming from a small rural visit is something I always felt was lacking in London – but obviously I was just going to the wrong places. Community spirit and groups are very much alive here, and when Mia Dancers lead an impromptu dance class it was great fun.

As mum and dad (and dog) were getting cold tired and hungry – we decided to make a move – bouncy flat coat retrievers which remain puppies at 9 years old aren’t designed to sit quietly for that long, so we headed home for lunch and left the others to it. It was a shame we couldn’t stay longer as the afternoon continued with many more fantastic acts including the incomparable Mr Solo.

Thank you Daniel & Joanna for a splendid afternoon!