To AV or not to AV; that is the question

With the upcoming vote on whether the UK should change to an 'AV' system of parliamentary election, we take a look at the issues.

The AV Report is presented by the charming Nigel Hedgefund-DeBrett.

Haiku. Toads in migration!

Yes this is supposed to be 'funny'. And yet slightly disturbing too....

croaking forth in rain
through blacktop of their fallen
slap the toads of war


Perhaps I need to get out more. :)

Cleopatra Haiku

Playing with so many images in my head it was really hard to distill them into this and still hint at so many elements of the story.

marbled empires coil
tight, and cleopatra eyes
rome, yet strikes her not


Got away without mentioning pyramids/sand or asp :))

Hammer Horror Haiku / Psyku

Memories of all those late night TV showings of old Hammer Horror movies when I was a kid.

Hammered bosom staked
heart pounds and teenage thrills at
technicolor screams

Just wish I could have got 'crypt' in there somewhere. Maybe in the next one. (The Sequel)

Psyku or Haiku from Hong Kong

Here is another Psyku based on a moment from my last visit to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, black bangs stream
noodle steam embraces rain
puddles, trap fireworks

The emotion word is 'embrace' and the 'fireworks' who are reflected in the rain puddles lead back to the ubiquitous black hair 'bangs' of the locals

Haiku and Psyku

I'm loving this new variation on Haiku. For Psyku the 'rules' are as follows:

3 or 4 lines

13 -17 syllables (sometimes 5/7/5 for perfect version)

Must use of an emotion word, or word that implies an emotion.

Sometimes use of 'jump/cut' to contrast and compare, implicitly, two events, images, or situations.

The final line refers back to the opening line; preferably in a subtle or ironic way.


Here is an example

ten sharp, interview
anxiety gleams ahead
hunted, my collar cuts


This follows the 5 / 7 / 5 syllable form exactly. Anxiety to the 'Psych' word stating an emotion. Finally, the 'cutting' collar refers back to the 'sharp' of the opening line.
Also the 'interview' is alluded to in the phrase 'head / hunted'.

Things wot I have made

Coffee at the Quayside, Exeter.

Exeter Sketch Crawl

Saturday 15th May 2010.


CALLING ALL SKETCHERS, CARTOONISTS, ANIMATORS, WANNA-BE ARTISTS, ART THERAPISTS, SCRIBBLERS, GRAFFITI-BANDITS, PAINTERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Anyone in Exeter or Devon up for a SketchCrawl around the city centre?
I'm suggesting we start at the Phoenix Art Centre at 11am, head to Cathedral Green at 12, Down to the quay for 1pm for some lunch then sketching. Then at 3pm we meet to review and chat over a cup of tea before finishing.

All this weather permitting of course but could be fun even if we have to alter the locations a little; inside the Cathedral rather than outside for example!

Let me know if you're interested! Either here or by email to nikchinook@tiscali.co.uk

Octopus animation

so very very good....

Spud & Dave episode 3. Dave meets a Banker

Dave speaks for all of us when he meets his local banker.

Possibly the very best

Just fab

Played with style, precision and aggression. I'm full of admiration.

More cool beats

Now that's what I call..... drummin'

Spud and Dave (episode 2)

Spud and Dave get all philosophical.

Spud and Dave

Episode 1 - Grand Theft Social Worker

the Sequel

Yes - the Designer/Client relationship

Exeter Express and Echo

Once again, local news organ of excess and error has come up with a cracking example of journalistic style, brevity and borderline insanity.
The newspaper 'A-Board' is a regular object of hilarity across the country and possibly the world, but today I saw the Express and Echo come up with a world beater.
Yes, this could be England's Gold Medal hope for the category.




















This is just the sort of thing for which the expression "What the fuck?" was invented.