Everybody should watch this video. Go on, do it now before you prepare to read the rest of this drivel.

Feeling better? I know I am.

I’ve written and rewritten this introduction many times. Basically, it’s been very hot and sunny but I didn’t get chance to make the most of it since I’ve been working constantly to cover my mates holidays. The start of my holiday period coincided with a nasty spell of torrential rain. I’ve also had to cancel my proposed trip to Newcastle which sucks (and doubly so because it means I lost my excuse not to paint the kitchen meaning I’ve been splashing mellow yellow at the walls all day. Well technically the colour is Lemon Squash though I think it’s more of a Mashed Banana).

I’m guessing that if you read my blog you also read Defgrip (if you’re about to head over there, check out the Chris Noble interview, it’s dope) which means you will already have seen this next link but I’m posting it anyway since I if I’d been less lazy and blogged it as soon as I’d seen it on FormFiftyFive I’d have beaten the ‘grip to it. anyway for those of you that missed it, Scott Hanson has created an in depth explanation of the design process behind his recent Obama campaign poster.

I received one of the new coins of the realm in my change yesterday (which I meant to blog about but appear to have forgotten about). I have a penny so far and I’m hoping to collect the whole set over time. I love it when they release new coins because it’s great design that anyone can collect, without actually having make any effort to collect. Plus it doesn’t cost anything because,well, it is money.

I don’t have much to say about the next link except that I love this blog. Not a lot to say able the next link either but if you haven’t heard, Southbank’s safe. Nice to hear some good news about an endangered skate/riding spot for once. I still can’t get my head around the fourth frame. Tightest wallride ever?

Wait, you want more skateboarding links?

Well, OK. Michael Sieben’s company, Bueno, recently went belly up but undeterred he and Stacy Lowery have started a new company, namely, Roger Skateboards. The reason I mention this is because a) they’re awesome and b) Sieben’s been getting a lot of attention recently for the advert he directed for his new signature shoe on Adidas (dude’s like a cross between Spike Jonze and Michael Gondry). Anyway, yes the advert is genius blah blah but if you ask me, this line sheet is even better – the Skate Switch board is golden!

Design Observer recently ran an article on Steampunk. It’s reasonably interesting though I think it would have helped a great deal if the author had understood the origin of the term Steampunk (i.e. that it’s a jovial spin on the term Cyberpunk). The reason I’ve included it is for the phrase, “In its essence Steampunk seems . . . nostalgic for an imagined, non-existent past.” This sums up perfectly the way may attitude is developing towards the digital vs film debate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a hater, much love to my analogue brothers. Hell, I don’t care even you even do without a camera to make your photographs.

Quick links; interviews with Jamie Hewlett, James Jarvis and Burial. Has anyone got a spare three million quid laying about? I’m after a unicorn. I can’t think of a clever segue for this next link, it’s just nice to hear someone talk sense.

I’ll try not to leave it so long between updates next time. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for dry weather and adventures…