Archive for the General Category
Come on England (Rugby)
20/11/2009 by Patrick.
So there I was photographing exquisite food for Stylist Magazine for Selfridges with Nancy Waincoat and Heidi when in walks the legends of English Rugby Joe Worsley and Dan Hipkiss. So I happened to take some photos of them fine tuning their cooking skills with Chefs Pierre Koffmann and Eric Chavot. For a huge handed Worsley such finesse shocked even himself. Lets hope he gets the chance to show such fine tuned finesse and light handedness on Saturday at Twickenham.
Posted in Food, Sport, 2009, Business, Play, Photos, Health, Work, General | Print | No Comments »
Pierre Koffmann, Eric Chavot and Bruno Loubet at Selfridges.
26/10/2009 by Patrick.
Quite simply an event for the privileged lucky few - A kitchen with no less than 7 Michelin Stars with Pierre Koffman as Chef, Eric Chavot as Chef and Bruno Loubet as Chef. Whoever said too many cooks spoil the broth simply did not know how to delegate and work in harmony and rhythm.
I was honoured to be asked to take some photographs and experience the kitchen in full swing - and to me it seemed it had been in production like this for many years and the glitches and egos left quietly at the door. Some may think that Mr Ramsay is the stereotype of how a kitchen should be run with shouting and swearing and staff on the edge of collapse - but this example of respect for food and for people and quiet efficient working all pushing in the same direction is the real pinnacle of cooking - at its very best.
No loud noises - just enough to be heard.
No large egos -just the quiet confidence in oneself.
No swearing except where required and mostly in jest, and the result ?
The best food I have ever tasted (and many other agree) !
Posted in Food, 2009 Autumn, Health, Photos, General | Print | No Comments »
Secret photos of new car from Swedish Manufacturer
17/10/2009 by Patrick.
Took these from my motorbike recently . . . .
Posted in 2009 Autumn, Business, Work, Photos, General | Print | No Comments »
Coffee and Bread
10/08/2009 by Patrick.
The smells in my space are simply wonderful - coffee beans from Has Bean 
and Bread - home made with a wonderful Panasonic SD255 Bread maker - Loving my coffee and bread consumption right now !
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Michael and Marie
27/06/2009 by Patrick.
What a strange world we live in ! I have just read Lisa Marie Presley’s blog on facebook where she is obviously suffering and attacking herself over Michaels untimely death. I grew up with the Jackson 5 and Michael - and in some way was a believer in the no smoke without fire theory - I am not so sure now - perhaps it was just those old human emotions of jealousy and envy and pain and greed and hate that may have driven those young boys to claim he had abused them.
AND . . .
As an adult Michael was responsible for his actions and behaviour - however much he chose todeny it and employ people to take that responsibility away from him. Lawyers and Doctors know a great deal about Law and Medicine and thus will do their job and get paid for that.
However much he needed and wanted a childhood he never had - it was a sadness he needed to deal with NOT try to recreate. His pain was real - he did miss out on a lot and that is painful and sad. What is done is done after all and cannot be undone - no matter how much money you have or how deep your illusion or delusion is.
I do hope that people who find themselves in future in similar situations will look for and find trustworthy counsellors or therapists and work hard to keep their feet in this world.
Too many great artists have allowed themselves to be taken into an unreal world and believed the hype and bullshit.
Stay in the real world - it really is the best place to be !
Posted in Michael Jackson, Money, Health, General | Print | No Comments »
Plasma Displays
29/05/2009 by Patrick.
After having just bought a new plasma display I am amazed at what people fail to tell on the reviews and info web sites.
Plasma TVs come to life in the evening when the lights are low. They look OK during the day but really shine at night !
Love It !! I Bought the Panansonic TX-P50G10 and Wow what an awesome TV it is - A whole new Visual watching experience!
Posted in Video, Play, General | Print | No Comments »
Royal Mail Problems
30/03/2009 by Patrick.
How rubbish are the royal mail in the UK and why oh why can’t they get it right ?
It just seems over and over they get it so wrong and their website and payments service is so bad it is pathetic.It is not as if this is new technology !Paid £12.75 at 12. O’Clock ish today and got an email at 16:36 saying they had failed to process it. How pathetic !!!! AND the physical office closes at 16:30
Frustrating and sad!
Posted in Business, Work, Computing, General | Print | No Comments »
Ponderings on the Housing Market
02/02/2009 by Patrick.
What is the relationship (if any) between the equities market and the housing market? Certainly the stock market crash in the 30s led to mass unemployment (25% in USA) and ultimately lower house prices, and this appears to be happening now too. Did this depression lead directly or indirectly to the War 9 years later ? One can only guess!
And what of good old blighty ? Although enquiries appear to be up in recent weeks, this is not by all accounts translating into sales as the mortgage lenders criteria has become more stringent and tighter to reflect their concerns about the market.
I am still looking for a scenario where all of MY factors come together - Price / Location /Style and outlook.
Posted in Money, Home Searching, General | Print | No Comments »
Green and Red Stocks
29/01/2009 by Patrick.
Just wondering about stocks and the current fluctuations in the economy. The stocks seem to be all green and in recovery one day and all red the next - It looks like market sentiment is a bit flaky right now. Traders are scared of what may or may not happen and the memory of the recent crisis is still fresh in their minds. In time and as it calms their confidence will grow and so the Market will gently rise - But what do I know !!!:)
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BBC TV Documentary
29/01/2009 by Patrick.
It looks like I am going to star in a BBC TV program about first time property buyers for a new documentary they are making. I am in discussion with them anyway - so that may be exciting.I am setting up a mortgage and that is proving a little more complex in the current climate - But I am hopeful !Pictures and Film / Video to follow.
Posted in Home Searching, General | Print | No Comments »