Deliveries this way…

Summer Exhibition Deliveries

No going back now

I have successfully delivered my painting for the Summer Exhibition

Nothing I can do now but wait for the result In May

(bites finger nails)

Relaxing day at Hughenden Manor/Gardens and Great Missenden

Overcast

Primroses

Play that funky music white boy

Fallen Hero

Red Pump Garage

The big day approaches

So after much deliberation, years of consideration and finally taking the plunge; the day is here (well almost).

Tuesday I have to deliver my painting of Niagara Falls to the Royal Academy in London as I have applied to be exhibited in this years Summer Exhibition.

There is absolutely no going back now – my entrance details are in, the paint is dry, the work is varnished and it’s all under wraps… I just hope and pray that I get it to the Academy in one piece.

Then I’ll have to ask you all to cross your fingers for me and hope that I get a “Yes” (I won’t find out until May)

Bleurgh!

It’s been another long week. Hopefully things will start to ease slightly as the holiday season is upon us and (BA willing), a lot of the team will be away for Easter.

I’ve had a few nice walks this week, escaping the office for even half an hour is worth it. Most of my walks have taken me up to St Pauls as there’s always plenty going on around there. On one occassion I did make it to the Museum of London which made a nice change.

It also ensures I get some exercise as I am sat at my desk so much. My back has been playing up again so I understand the importance of keeping mobile.

A good friend is visiting London in the summer and we are busy planning our escapades which will include two days in Paris. I can’t wait!

Thursday may not have helped my back as I attended the Global Media Summit therefore I was sat down all day. I cannot knock it though as it was a very interesting day. Key note speakers included Jimmy Wales (founder of Wikipedia), the Head of BBC technology, commentator Michael Wolff and the heads of Pearson, Conde Nast and Googles European Marketing division (to name a few).

It was a very intense day but defintely worth it. I have learnt so much and made many new contacts and sources of information.

I must say I found it intriguing that a large percentage of the delegates were tweeting during the day and it allowed for extended commentary as well a virtual contacts (alongside the physical contacts made on the day).

Has tag for the day was #cms2010.

I also bumped into two former colleagues which made for an interesting opportunity to catch up.

I still have to write all this up for work. Maybe I should blog it to really get the message across?

I have a new favourite American comedy – 30 Rock I have really enjoyed all three seasons having managed to catch up via the power of the internet It’s so well written. I am sure a lot of the gags are missed on a lot of people (and I guess some of the American jokes are lost on us).

Browsing around the web during my commute has led me to some interesting items. Most of which I am starting to log on my Tumblr account so pop by to check it out.

Now I have given myself a dilemma. I love my iPhone but my contract was over months ago. I love my Apple products and am a MobileMe customer but still I am toying with the idea of jumping ship to HTC. The Android Sense interface is so much nicer than iPhone and seems much more user friendly and intuitive.

If I jump it will be to the Legend but maybe I should wait to see what Apple come up with.

To be honest though I don’t feel the iPad is a great leap forward so my aspirations for iPhone 4 are low.

It’s a rainy weekend which is a shame as it’s been lovely all week. It gives us the perfect opportunity to put our feet up and relax (oh and Hoover as our beloved Roomba bit the dust this week )

reBlog from speedcommunications.com: Media industry urged to stop worrying about Murdoch | Wadds’ PR Blog

I found this fascinating quote today:

Newser-founder and media entrepreneur Richard Wolff (@MichaelWolffNYC) said that the media industry spends too much time worrying about Rupert Murdoch and that News International is no longer in a position to materially impact the future of the newspaper industry.speedcommunications.com, Media industry urged to stop worrying about Murdoch | Wadds’ PR Blog, Mar 2010

You should read the whole article.

Captain Chaos

Well it’s been one hell of a week and it hasn’t finished yet.

Between threats of mouse infestations, too much work, crappy weather and lack of time I simply am at breaking point.

Two or three people have told me I need a holiday and I am inclined to agree. We just have to hold out until April when we go to Spain.

I did manage to meet a friend for lunch on Tuesday and Richard and I have vegged out with mutiple episodes of 30 Rock so it’s not been all bad.

Feels weird that I am stealing five minutes on my own in the canteen blogging just to get a breather!

Oh well. I can’t be harassed here and it gives me the very platform to scope out the new Canteen Manger who insists he’s straight! I don’t know who he’s trying to kid. The chemistry between him and the resident canteen queen is obvious (yes Luckasz I mean you)

Oh well. Back to work I go. Where’s my Captain Chaos outfit?

A lovely day

We decided to get out and about early today as the forecast was encouraging (if only a little chilly).

We were up with the larks and headed to Waddesdon Manor.  We arrived early enough to ensure that we were one of the first few visitors today – this ensured that we enjoyed a lovely quiet morning.

Of course the car that pulled up next to us was full of screaming children but we soon managed to shake them off.

The house isn’t open for the main season yet so the gardens etc are still under wraps.  It was lovely to wander around though.  Quiet enough to enjoy an amble around the grounds and with the added bonus of catching a glimpse of the wildlife and the early spring flowers such as the sways of Snowdrops (a personal favourite).

Following our walk we warmed up in the restaurant and enjoyed a continental breakfast.  I truly believe we got the plan just right today as we managed to miss the crowds and all the screaming middle class children.

After leaving the grounds we made our way through the Vale of Aylesbury where we stopped at another new estate and had a look at the houses on offer.  We did get to view a house that’s ready to move into but it wasn’t our cup of tea (especially for the price).

I have taken a selection of photos from our morning excursion, some of which are below; the rest can be viewed here.

Funny ol’ week

It really has been a funny ol’ week.

To start with I was held prisoner by 6 burly men in my own home – well 6 plumbers who took over the ground floor of the house whilst replacing our boiler – to be exact!  Sadly none of them were lookers, so being trapped upstairs working from the spare bedroom was not illuminated by any eye candy whatsoever!

At the beginning of the week local gay personality (local to my home county of Devon), Kristian Digby was found dead in his home in London.  Of course all the usual speculation took place.  The Daily Mail recorded that he died in a single sex gay and the police reported to have taken away a belt and a bag as evidence.

Sky News went one step further down this grim avenue with their very own Celebs who died too young feature (which also included Alexander McQueen).

Of course the world waited to see if Jan Moir had a gay voodoo doll and would unleash more anti gay bashing but as far as I know this has not happened.  She must have just had a personal grudge against poor Stephen Gateley.

Kristian you were an openly gay TV presenter who made a shit load of money doing what you loved.  However you died, best of luck to you.  It’s seems that you were living the life you wanted and that’s all that matters.  Rest in Peace.

I was treated to  wonderful night out by one of my agency partners this week.  A small team of us met with them in Amuse Bouche in Soho on Thursday and we had a wonderful evening.  The agency in question were very generous and unlike most work events we barely talked about work our the project.  INstead we all enjoyed a great social evening which, considering what a tough week it has been, was very welcome.

The Laurent Perrier and the selection of Amuse Bouche was very nice but the topping on the cake for me was the champagne Mojitos!  Surprisingly we all managed to make it into work yesterday without any physical or mental scares from the night before (well maybe not all of us!).

The sun has been shining all week and although nippy, it really does feel like we’re heading out of this long winter and into Spring.  It cannot come soon enough!

We’re not house hunting this weekend as we’ve both had heavy weeks therefore we decided to kick back and relax.  Of course for me that meant some retail therapy earlier today, a soak in the tub and generally relaxing at home.  We both work hard enough – I think we deserve it!

It’s great to hear that our friends in Boston are settling in well (and about to move into their own pad I believe).  It’s also great to hear that my friend from New York is heading to London in the summer – looks like a day trip in the capital of the UK or the capital of France may be on the cards when he arrives

Spring in my step

Today has come as a wonderful relief following all the rain and the floods over the weekend.

The first of March has brought a lovely glimpse of Spring.

Clear blue skies, mild temperatures and a lovely bright day. (I even managed to commute in daylight at 6:30 this morning!).

I made the most of this wonderful spell of weather and enjoyed a lovely stroll around the City during my lunch break. Here are some of the snaps I took whilst enjoying this sunny day: