Oval Bowl- Vellum Off White Over Marbled Blue

Bright Orange Red And Copper Red

A Bit More

Here's an image from my current work-in-progress, last seen here. More details in the coming weeks.

Care to guess what the finished piece might look like?














Keep an eye out over the next few days- I'll be posting images of some finished items I brought home last night.

Defying Gravity

Had a last minute trip out to see the current 3D cinematic blockbuster, Gravity.

Apparently it's a "British" film, so I felt it important I show support for the home grown product. Despite the cast being American and the funding coming from across the pond, because it was made in the UK using (I believe) an exclusively British film crew and visual effects company it counts as one for the UK. Yes the Director was Mexican but he's been based in England for over ten years. There you go.

Anyway an absolutely brilliant film, that started strongly and kept me gripped all the way through. My only gripe would be with the cinema itself. Why did they see fit to put on the main overhead lights around 5 seconds before the final frame? Killed the mood somewhat grrr.

So Far

Thought it about time I shared an image from one of my current ceramic projects.

Can you guess what it is yet?











This is a work-in-progress; in every likelihood the next time I publish an image of this piece it will have completely changed and what can be seen above may well have disappeared from view.

For the record I have used a stoneware clay to hand build this piece, rolling clay coils which were placed on top of each other and blended together. The lower section, which is out of view in the above image, was placed upside down on an electric wheel. I then used various tools including a surform to remove all the lumps, bumps and other irregularities. I then continued to coil and form the desired shape, giving a contrast I hope between the "machined" finish and the more organic upper section.

I suspect I have two to three weeks more work before firing and I will try to post another image in that time. Obviously the finished work will also get an outing. In the next week or so I should receive back from glaze firing three pots I threw on the wheel and then deformed into I trust pleasing forms. More on those in a while.

Where I've Gone Wrong

I now know where I've gone wrong all my adult life. In fact I'd go so far as to say I now know where most men have made the greatest mistake.

You can forget roses, chocolates or grand gestures for your loved one on Valentine's Day. As I discovered from an email I received this morning, this is clearly what you need:

Yes that's right, software protection from Zone Alarm. Really?

Those Plastic Building Blocks

Some of us never grow up or are we just in touch with our inner child?

Either way I took LL to the cinema today to see an advance screening of the LEGO Movie. What fun! From start to finish it was building block action that had me laughing the whole way. I had read that the team behind this CGI epic had ensured their creations could only do the things genuine LEGO could, so no special morphing powers or anything rubbish like that.

These guys live on top of my Fridge. How sad am I LOL?












I suspect the makers are long time enthusiasts- the attention to detail was incredible, with some lovely touches for fans of all ages. And lots of different LEGO characters, vehicles and so forth from across their varied ranges and sets. The story itself seemed to owe a lot to (grown-up) films like The Matrix I felt, which appealed to me but didn't seem to put off the kids in the audience. In fact you could say the world this was set in was so fantastical you could imagine children the world over creating these imaginary adventures.

Totally awesome.

Absolutely Harmless

Received the histology results from the hospital today. I was very happy to read they had removed a "harmless lesion" and no further action is required. Just wish the operation wound would heal a bit quicker.

Foxy Loxy

The bad weather conditions which began at Christmas have continued to batter the UK. Today my bit of England was finally affected, with my route to/from work underwater and impassable as the river at Shinfield broke its banks. And overnight tonight winds of up to 80 mph (about 120 kph) are expected in parts of the country to bring more disruption.

England and Wales flood map for this weekend.










I suspect the wildlife has also been greatly affected and no longer able to go about their normal lives. I got home this afternoon to find a visitor curled up asleep on my back garden lawn. Bless.

No sign of Chicken Licken LOL.

Improvement?

28 Jan Reading 5 - 1 Blackpool
1 Feb Millwall 0 - 3 Reading

Despite these fantastic scores the Royals remain rooted to 6th in the Championship grrr.


Elsewhere other recent developments include growing some facial furniture; this time round it has come out with quite a lot of grey for some unknown reason LOL. Having trapped a nerve in my shoulder, shaving had become extremely painful first thing in the morning. Something I felt I could do without until my shoulder improved.

Reactions to and opinions of my beard have been diverse to say the least and I'm not convinced myself how long it will stay, I'm not sure if it suits me. However as a colleague at work pointed out, Star Trek: The Next Generation improved immensely when Commander Riker grew a beard. So there you go.