Fixture: Critical Mass

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I remember the term "critical mass" being used in another context, a long time ago, in a smoky room in Bristol (the only time I've been, although I did quite like it, despite being whacked on the head by a closing traffic barrier on the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which caused me to drop my ice cream).
Anyway... I believe critical mass has something to do with physics, although even back then, in the Bristol flat, it was used to refer to another thing entirely.
In this instance, it's a big bike ride, once a month, when cyclists just gather at a designated time at a designated place, in cities around the world, and go on a saunter around the streets, reclaiming them, if you like.
I've only been once before (see pics) but it's good fun. In the spirit of things, this time I'm decorating my bike (Delia Deux) and have constructed a special structure on which to tie some sparkly things so they don't get caught in my wheels. Also in the spirit of things, I have bought myself a can of Breaker, a beer I haven't drunk since being a student. Ooh, can't wait!

Words: welcome to the house of God

Fixture: cross words

Well, well, well. It's been nothing if not interesting in the world of PR this week, as local rag the South Manchester Reporter has tried its damndest to stir things up out in the sleepy suburbs.
A week ago, Chorlton Arts Festival held its first-ever catwalk show, in association with Oxfam, in St Clement's Church. The venue was packed out and the event ran mainly smoothly, with models taking to a runway in the nave! The Eco Fashion Show, as it was dubbed, aimed to promote sustainability and challenge waste in the fashion world, and five local labels and up-and-coming student designers showed varied collections of recycled, customised and revitalised vintage numbers. The message? That secondhand does not have to mean second best.
It went down a storm, and, impressed with the efforts of the designers, stylists, models and show producers, I wrote a press release on behalf of Chorlton Arts Festival to accompany a shoot that local photographer Sam Fairbrother (www.samfairbrother.com) organised to promote the show. The images and release were sent to the South Manchester Reporter, who were keen to run a story supporting the event and the festival, and extending the positive environmentally friendly message.
Unfortunately, bitter cynical hacks that they obviously are, the SMR journalists failed to live up to their promise and instead focused their attention on trying to cause an outcry about some of the photographs, which show the church's cross in the background (er, hello... the event was held in a church). Hmm, there was me thinking that the local paper supported local events run voluntarily by local people, but obviously I was stupidly naive.
Still in the interests of me giving you a well-balanced story, see http://www.southmanchesterreporter.co.uk/news/s/1116538_did_snapper_cross_the_line
If you must.

Words: jobs a good'un

Just flicking through the ailing Manchester Evening News, and spotted a job ad that sounds right up my street.
I, personally, think I'd be pretty good as an Alcohol Co-ordinator.
I've got loads of experience and the necessary "passionate approach"
to the subject.

Fixture: festival season

This Thursday, the Chorlton Arts Festival starts. How exciting! There's loads going on and I'm going to be Twittering about it for them, so follow http://twitter.com/chorltonarts.

Words: in for a roasting

Was in a pub halfway round a bike ride yesterday, and noticed on their Sunday lunch board:

Roast pork with stuffin

What stuff do you think is in the pork?

Misfit: word poverty

Forget Mexican flu: word poverty is apparently spreading like a pandemic, striking down the youth of today.

For more (along with links to some interesting articles, including a 37-year-old man devouring the OED), get yo ass over to http://is.gd/vyjt (from the R4 Today programme Tweets).

There's even a QUIZ, word fans!

Sweet Jesus - I only got two out of six! I'm going to go outside and have a very serious talk to myself.

Mishape: fast food nation

Saw a bloke wearing a tee announcing I Heart Chips (not dissimilar to the I Heart Pies one in 29 April entry). How on trend.

Mistake: six degress of separation

Bloody Nora, I despair.
Now even Manchester Confidential can't spell.
http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/index.asp?sessionx=IWU6IlbkNwB6IHqiNwF6IHqi&mpage=10#1

seperately ???

I ask you.

Words: the good book

Collins dictionaries two for one in Smiths!
Don't all rush at once...

Fixture: another bank holiday (joy!)

Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

Misfit: shelve that idea

Get yourselves to the Subversive Spaces; Surrealism and Contemporary Art exhibition at the Whitworth Art Gallery before it finishes on May 4. (Don't bother with the Kinderzimmer - it's totally lacking in fun, pleasure or free laughs. The best bit I got out of it was the lady with the torch coming to shoo me out because the next person was due to go in.)

Anyway, this pic is in the main bit of the exhibition. It's by Claude Cahun.
I like it. Pushkin often goes to sit in the cupboard in the kitchen.
When he's not sat in a cardboard box, or on top of the telly.

Also, the play I went to see last Friday mentioned putting people in the cupboard not once but twice. Weird.