Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Postal workers' demonstration for better pay


Postal workers' demonstration for better pay, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

"Up to 1,200 postal workers could strike over the use of agency staff at the Bristol Mail Centre in Filton.

The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) will ballot members next week after becoming locked in a dispute with Royal Mail.

The union claims the company has been acting illegally by bringing in extra agency staff to cover positions left open when permanent staff have been on strike during recent national disputes.

It also believes the agency staff brought in at the last minute are not properly vetted before they start work."

Postal workers' demonstration for better pay

Disagreement at the Bristol Urban beach

The guy being stopped by security was complaining about what he considered their racist entry policy.

I happened to be sitting behind him and his friends and family during the last act at the main stage at the harbour festival and there was nothing about his actions that warranted this.



Monday, July 30, 2007

Stolen moments


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The Slow


The Slow, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

I just listened to The Slow's new Seeds EP and it really blew me away. I saw them at the Bristol harbour festival and it was definitely one of my musical highlights.

Bristol urban beach at sunset.

A great end to a wonderful day at the Bristol harbour festival. The sun gods showered us with their favour, at long last. For more info on the urban beach project click here.

To hear more about the thinking behind the urban beach click here.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Random portraits of strangers

Taken at the Bristol harbour festival.

Random portraits of strangers

Taken at the Bristol harbour festival.

Random portraits of strangers

Taken at the Bristol harbour festival.

Random portraits of strangers.

Taken at the Bristol harbour festival.

Japanese craziness at the Bristol harbour festival.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Concert at the Bristol harbour festival


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Scarlatti Tilt at the Bristol harbour festival 2007.

If looks could kill.


If looks could kill., originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Taken at the Bristol harbour festival.

No peeking!!!!


No peeking!!!!, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Yep, after the wettest summer in two centuries what does my daughter do on the first dry day in ages? Decide to get soaking wet!!!!

Looking


Looking, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Neither here nor there

Jumping


Jumping, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

BBC on tour in Bristol


BBC on tour in Bristol, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Recording on the BBC


Recording, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Me and Lydia had a wonderful day at the Bristol harbour festival, enjoying a brief respite from the terrible weather. For her the highlight of the day was taping her own BBC broadcast at the BBC On Tour Marquay. I was dead proud of the way she handled both the technology and the language.









"Rain, rain, go away".


"Rain, rain, go away"., originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The last time it was this wet the French had a revolution. Yep, it's officially the wettest summer since 1789.

Street art


Street art, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Trail bikes on Castle Green.


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

I really admired their nerve, not to mention their skill.

Touching the jet stream.


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Taken at the skateboard park in Bedminster. I remember taking my board to this place when it first opened in the late 70's.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Graffiti artist in Bedminster


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

And yes, that is sunshine you can see in the background.

Monday, July 23, 2007

In Bristol


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Still raining, just for a change.

Thessaloniki

Just something to remind me of Thessaloniki. It's been nearly a momth since I left.

Even more summer - the fun (and the rain) never ends.

I can't remember the last day it didn't rain. Now the South West is facing some of the worst flooding in living memory. One of the greatest ironies is that many of the communities cut off by rising flood water have had their water supply cut off!! Click here to read more.

The Matthew


The Matthew, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

This is a replica of the Matthew which took John Cabot and his crew to North America in 1497.

To find out more about sailing on it check out the Matthew website.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Graduating


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Dancing in the rain


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Bristol Urban Beach


Bristol Urban Beach, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Today me and Lydia decided to go the beach. Yes, following Paris's fine example, Bristol has decided to create its own urban beach near the old harbour. Though, considering the fact that much of Britain has received a month's worth of rain in less than a day it may be, as with second marriages, the triumph of hope over experience.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Making mistakes


One of the greatest street photographers has to be Garry Winogrand and I was lucky enough to come across a documentary about him at 2point8 (you've just got to love the internet for allowing us acdess to such material). In it he says;

"What I found out, over photographing a long time - the more I do, the more I do. When you’re younger, you can only conceive of trying a limited amount of things to work with. The more I work, the more subject matter I can begin to try to deal with. ____. The nature of the photographic process - it is about failure. Most everything I do doesn’t quite make it. The failures can be intelligent ____; nothing ventured nothing gained, I mean. Hopefully you’re risking failing every time you make a frame."

This just about sums up my philosophy as far as learning more about photography is concerned. Also his idea that learning is about failure resonates, especially when it come to learning a foreign language. We will fail, we will get it wrong most of the time, at least in the beginning but given the right environment we use this to get better. You go out, try your best, get it wrong and then turn up again the next day and at some point it all just flows.

Just hanging out with the guys


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Lydia


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

It's great being able to spend mote time with my daugher and do all the regular family stuff like have a picnic and go to the zoo. We even managed to enjoy a whole day of sunshine. No mean feat considering how much it has been raining in Bristol over tha last month or so.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

The Arnolfini gallery


The Arnolfini gallery, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

This was one of the first waterfront projects that help revitilse the abandoned docklands at the centre of the city of Bristol,

Bristol zoo


Bristol zoo, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Seals at the zoo. This was Lydia's favourite part of the whole day.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

At the zoo


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Today I had the chance to relive a childhood treat; a trip to the zoo. Me and Lydia packed a lunch, caught a bus and spent the whole day looking at wildlife and having fun.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

" Everyone should be an organ donor when they die unless they have asked not to be, says England's top doctor."

I saw this headline today on the BBC news website and thought that it would make a wonderful topic for debate in the lessons next year. So, I guess I'd better put this down 'on paper' in order to remember it later.

lesson plan

1 Write the word 'transplant' on the board and ask students if they know what it means. If necessay translate.

2 Now ask what parts of the body can be transplanted e.g. kidney, heart, cornea etc.

Replica aeroplane,


Replica aeroplane,, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

This replica of a Bristol Boxkite has been hanging in the museum in Bristol for as long as I can remember and yet I still find it fascinating. No prizes about what i wanted to be when I was younger.

At the museum


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Ashton Court festival 2007


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Saturday had a great line up of bands and performers which were well worth the £15 ticket but alas, Sunday's events were cancelled due to yet more rain.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Bristol city museum


Bristol city museum, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Dave Bowman: Hello, HAL do you read me, HAL?

HAL: Affirmative, Dave, I read you.

Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.

HAL: I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

Dave Bowman: What's the problem?

HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.

Dave Bowman: What are you talking about, HAL?

HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.

Dave Bowman: I don't know what you're talking about, HAL?

HAL: I know you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen.

Dave Bowman: Where the hell'd you get that idea, HAL?

HAL: Dave, although you took thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.

Bristol museum


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Sleeping for centuries.

Concert goer


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Taken at the Ashton Court festival. For more photos click here.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Never too late


Never too late, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Taken at the Ashton Court festival 2007. You're never too old to be a kid. To see more pictures click here.

Backing singer in a punk band.

Yesterday I had the chance to go to the Ashton Court festival and see lots of bands, comdiens, even poets performing. For once the sun stayed out and there was a really great atmosphere. For more photos click here.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Red and white


Red and white, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

A little abstraction never did anyone any harm. At least I hope not.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

The Glass Boat


The Glass Boat, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

This is actually a posh restaurant in the centre of Bristol. taken on a grey and rainy day (are there any other kind?) last week.

3.44pm


3.44pm, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

I quickly took this before the secuity guards decided I was up to no good and called the police. After the recent attacks in Glasgow and London the authorities seem to be hyper sensitive about people photographing public spaces.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Fleeting portrait


Fleeting portrait, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Abstract


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The space in between.


The space in between., originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Green and red


, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.