Accordion Advice

Posted By Mark on Jul 19, 2012

Street Chess

Posted By Mark on Jul 18, 2012

You may not be familiar with all of the rules of Street Chess so let me fill you in on some of the more unusual ones, some of which I've managed to capture in this shot from today: Rule 7b: the only snack permitted is prawn crackers, said snack only to be consumed directly from a plastic bag. Rule 7c: the only drink permitted is whiskey, said drink only to be consumed directly from a disposable coffee container. Rule 9a(ii): the player playing black must wear dark clothing so as to be readily identifiable should any photographers shooting in black and white happen to pass by. Rule 9a(iii): the player playing white must wear light clothing so as to be readily identifiable should any photographers shooting in black and white happen to pass by. Rule 11c: beards are optional but encouraged. Rule 16b: challengers must present a gift of a small clock with two faces to the table champion. The champion must only display one clock at any time so as not to boast about his or her chess prowess. Rule 18d: the champion must ensure that his or her fake Champion Eyebrows are firmly in place at all times. Failure to comply will result in immediate forfeiture of the game. Google+: View post on...

Cash Loans, Yo!

Posted By Mark on Jul 17, 2012

An all-too-common sight in these times of financial hardships: older relatives put up as collateral against cash loans for their families. At least this lot have fresh air along with access to broadband and the phone behind the barrier that keeps them contained within the cash loan company's compound, but even here there is the cruel reality that none can actually afford to contact a loved one. And who would even want to? Google+: View post on...

Rain? What Rain?

Posted By Mark on Jul 16, 2012

Another day and another Olympic Torch relay procession, this time through the precinct of Chichester near where I work. The weather – I know, I know, that thing we don't talk about any more – wasn't particularly nice but what's new? On the plus side the relay was accompanied by the sound of the bells of the cathedral ringing non-stop; that's not usually a plus side in anyone's book but yesterday I'd had to stand next to the Salvation Army brass band and, well, let's just say that I was this close to embarking on a killing spree. Look how I'm picking out the positives! And speaking of picking out the positives (just call me the King of the Segue, okay?) I spotted this girl in the crowd just after the relay had completed its course and her light-coloured top and lack of umbrella in the midst of all those with the eye-gouging devices guaranteed a capture for posterity. Google+: View post on...

Check, Check, Check

Posted By Mark on Jul 15, 2012

Just watched the Olympic torch (sponsored by Coca Cola, Samsung, Lloyds TSB, and Hampshire Police's Overtime Fund) come through Portsmouth on its way down to Southsea Common. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would if I'm being honest. And I wouldn't lie to you. After the torch had passed it was great looking at everyone bowing their heads to see what they'd captured for posterity. Chimping! Ha! Us pseudo-professionamateurs would never be caught dead doing such a thing! And I might be lying to you. Tomorrow morning the Olympic torch passes the end of my road and then leaves the city on its way to Chichester (which is where I work). It will be passing the end of my road at the same time I'd like to be leaving for work and it will subsequently require me to make a three mile detour to take another route out of the city. And I wish I was lying to you. Google+: View post on...

The Duke

Posted By Mark on Jul 14, 2012

This was a man I spotted in La Rambla, Barcelona, last month. His purposeful stride through the mingling tourists caught my eye and I grabbed a shot as soon as a gap opened up. Looking at the full-size shot there are some tiny elements that I couldn't have seen at the time and yet make this guy especially notable to me now. I love the way his jacket hangs; I love the way his right trouser leg is rucked up at the front; I love that there's a little stain around the thigh area of his left trouser leg (do not stop to consider what caused it, do not stop to consider what caused it); I love that he's carrying a folder full of documents under his arm; and I especially love that in his right jacket pocket – angled just perfectly – is a paperback book with the words "John Wayne" just visible at the top. Google+: View post on...