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Let’s start again!
Well, I’ve had a long run here, with almost 1000 posts to my name. Followers have come and gone, and it seems a shame to throw that all away…
But the time has come. I’m starting my Tumbling life again, and can now be found at http://www.samwalton.co.uk
If you’d follow me there, from now on, that would be lovely. Thanks a lot.
Worker-Dandyist International
One stumbled across something rather splendid this week…
What we see here, is Dandyism with a class-conciousness. Their manifesto makes splendid reading, as do many of their blog posts.
I have little to say on the issue, rather I must point you to their website and invite you to read what you wish at your own leisure. Anything else would be superfluous… Thus, let me point you to The Worker-Dandyist International
And remember… Alcohol, when consumed imaginatively, responsibly and regularly, can act as a stimulus to hedonism, carnality and revolt. It should, therefore, be embraced with gusto.
I’m Still Here!
There’s been little activity on my front as of late, due to my somewhat nomadic life style. The fact that little of great (chappish) interest has occurred also plays a part. However, upon returning to my abode I found the latest issue of The Chap on my doorstep, sporting a new design.
The pages feel to be an obvious step down in quality, they’re no longer glossy and though printed full colour and rather thick have a rough quality to them. I’m also noticing more averts in this issue, compared to the last. Perhaps they’re having trouble with funding once again?
Nonetheless, the new style is attractive; no more or less appealing than the older copies I have, but distinctly different. It seems a strange time to undergo such a revamp, neither the begging, end, nor really (though this issue does cover April) the middle of the year.
King Bill!
One has prepared another pub review for you, this evening. It is a pub on the same street as the Old Duke, and a number of other rather pleasant watering holes.
This pub is a little different to most, being as it is a Samuel Smiths. Here, then, we find no branded products, no music, and no television screens. Rather, there are small booths, sofas, tables, and an open fire. It has an old world feel inside, and it’s not unusual to find people playing dominoes in one of the many nooks and crannys.
One finds an eclectic mix of people inside, from business men having a swift drink after work, to old folks who look like they’ve been rooted to that particular seat for longer than many of us have been alive.
Beyond this, he beer is good, and surprisingly cheap. Until the last tax rise it was possible to get a decent pint for less than £2; now they offer the same ale for £2.05. Possibly the cheapest place in Bristol.
Highly recommended for a quiet night out in good company.
Little Trees
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you my rather sorry looking Bonsai tree. It’s livening up my desk; I wish I could say she (if I must imbue a gender upon the little thing) was a bastion of greenery against the hard cold concrete of inner city living, but alas, there’s a park over the road and a great deal of greenery around. It is, rather, something pretty to look at now and again.
I’m not at all sure what I should be doing with the little thing. She has rather sad and sorry days, like today, and days where she looks rather fantastic. It’s a funny little shaped thing, and nothing approach the majestic appearance of other Bonsais.
Regardless of this, one has been doing a little research on Bonsai, and it’s a rather interesting topic.
The little plants have a long history, depicted as early as 1195, and written about even earlier, in 970’s. The wealth of information on the topic is somewhat flabbergasting, but it is the technicality of growing them that interests me most.
They’re a beautiful cross between art and science, with a great deal of time and effort required to create a masterpiece.
One often berates gardening as an idle and boring pass time, but I fear that’s a result of my own ineptitude, and an innate jealousy of those who are blessed with green fingers. I guess I’ll have to try and keep my little tree alive, and make it look beautiful… It may awaken a new interest in me, but it probably wont.
The Talkies
Hank Crawford - The Peeper
Shaving Revisited
All most a year ago I wrote a post regarding ‘wet-shaving’, which is located here, for your reading pleasure. I thought it appropriate, at this juncture, to return to the topic and consider one aspect of it in particular, that of shaving creams and soaps.
Now, these matters - I expect - seem uninteresting to most. Perhaps you all ready have a favourite brand, a particular canister of squirty blue foam which you purchase without fail. If so, I fear you are missing out on what can only be described as a ‘treat’.
There exist a cornucopia of products to assist you in your shaving, a number of which heighten the experience and lift it above the menial task that shaving often is. Two distinct ‘types’ of product - though products which perform the same task - exist and I shall consider them briefly.
These products must be applied with a ‘brush’ and look nothing like now conventional products. When applied to the face they do not foam or ‘lather’ with the simple addition of water, but must be worked to the desired consistency with the brush.
Firstly we have shaving soap… This may come is ‘stick’ or ‘puck’ form; a stick may be applied directly to the face, then lathered up with a brush, the puck form must be applied by a brush and lathered directly onto the face, or in to another vessel.
Secondly we have shaving cream (my preferred product)… Cream may come in a tube, or container, and should be applied to a shaving brush, before being lathered onto your face or into a vessel.
Within these categories there is a wide variety, with one company offering ‘scents’ as diverse as Avocado and Almond. The quality of product varies from company to company, and even variety to variety, and thus I can recommend little more than trial and error in ones quest to find a favourite.
If, however, you are curious and in need of direction I would gladly recommend any of the products from Taylor’s of Old Bond Street and may review one or two in the coming future.
An Invite, to Eternity
It’s been a while since I’ve read, or posted, any poetry. It’s always nice to take some time, read some rhyme, and reflect on what’s important… or some such nonsense. But, dismissals aside, I do like poetry and stumbled across this number earlier in the week…
“An Invite, to Eternity” by John Clare…
Wilt thou go with me, sweet maid,
Say, maiden, wilt thou go with me
Through the valley-depths of shade,
Of night and dark obscurity;
Where the path has lost its way,
Where the sun forgets the day,
Where there’s nor life nor light to see,
Sweet maiden, wilt thou go with me?
Where stones will turn to flooding streams,
Where plains will rise like ocean waves,
Where life will fade like visioned dreams
And mountains darken into caves,
Say, maiden, wilt thou go with me
Through this sad non-identity,
Where parents live and are forgot,
And sisters live and know us not?
Say, maiden; wilt thou go with me
In this strange death of life to be,
To live in death and be the same,
Without this life or home or name,
At once to be and not to be -
That was and is not -yet to see
Things pass like shadows, and the sky
Above, below, around us lie?The land of shadows wilt thou trace,
And look - nor know each other’s face;
The present mixed with reason gone,
And past and present all as one?
Say, maiden, can thy life be led
To join the living with the dead?
Then trace thy footsteps on with me;
We’re wed to one eternity.
Who’s The Old Duke?
Well then, I’ve talked about booze, poetry, music, and tweed. So it’s time for something different. I think I’ll recommend a pub to you all, or at least those in Bristol.
That place being The Old Duke, on King Street.
What’s so special about this place then? The atmosphere, the music, and good beer on tap. I’ve walked past a couple of times, and had a couple of drinks here, but made the decision to go on a Friday night, whereupon I was met with live music; not just any old live music, but 5 older men playing good jazz and having the time of their lives. When pubs are so often filled with TV screens and drinks deals encouraging the worst kind of excesses this place, like others near by, feels like a little oasis.
It was the kind of night where all the mattered was the company, as the setting was perfect. Filled with an eclectic mix of people there’s always something entertaining going on. A little pricey, I’ll admit, but that’s by virtue of being in the middle of town.
Thus, if you find yourself in Bristol and at a loose end, I’d recommend a trip down here. And if it’s not your cup of tea, there’s plenty of other places near by.
The Talkies
Charlie Parker - Groovin’ High… A nice musical number for you this week. Something to relax to, perhaps with a quiet drink. Enjoy!
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