At 20:30 tonight even Big Ben, our big brother of clocks will be allowed to do his work in the dark. What bliss – darkness that is. I can’t wait. Not because I’m planning on scaling the walls of Her Majesty’s lounge or anything predictable like that. No, just an hour of darkness. One sacred hour of sitting.
See you there
Herman
I look at the Hermle Tellurium II. Respect, is what i feel when i look at the Made in Germany inscription. Respect to Mr. Gerd Hermle. Respect to the Hermle engineers and artisans. Respect to the packers, shippers, clearing agents and couriers. Respect to my ancestors.
Respectfully yours
Herman
That is the question asked this morning in the Independent. The young prodigy in question is the 13 year old Faryl Smith. Maybe that is where we go off the tracks. She isn’t a prodigy. She is a young talented person living a few blocks from our Tick Tock Time offices here in Kettering.
Maybe we see in her what we wish for ourselves…
Godspeed Ms Smith! And thank you for singing at Twickenham – your voice wakes Lions!
Herman
Will ‘Quantitive Easing’ work? You know its about the Bank of England ‘printing money’ to be released today in order to get liquidity flowing. Risky, as it has never been tried before in the UK. Its different to what happens in Zimbabwe as the UK government is offering to buy government bonds with this money as opposed to simply adding zero’s to bank accounts. Its similar to the Zimbabwean crisis as it is an admission to failing to kick start the economy in every other way.
Its times like these when the stability of tradition comforts-whether its the Old Boys’ tie or the Cuckoo Clock on the wall.
Good luck to us all!
Herman
Binary opposites – Metal Heart.
See how breathtaking here and here.
Herman
Lyrics to Metal Heart by Cat Power
Losing the star without a sky
Losing the reasons why
You’re losing the calling that you’ve been faking
And i’m not kidding
It’s damned if you don’t and it’s damned if you do
Be true ’cause they’ll lock you up in a sad sad zoo
Oh hidy hidy hidy what cha tryin to prove
By hidy hidy hiding you’re not worth a thing
Sew your fortunes on a string
And hold them up to light
Blue smoke will take
A very violent flight
And you will be changed
And everything
And you will be in a very sad sad zoo.
I once was lost but now i’m found was blind
But now I see you
How selfish of you to believe in the meaning of all the bad dreaming
Metal heart you’re not hiding
Metal heart you’re not worth a thing
Metal heart you’re not hiding
Metal heart you’re not worth a thing
My 3-year old son is either a character in Narnia or Captain Hook himself. One theme runs through it all – FIGHTING!! Just hold your cardboard shield high and wield the sword. Hectic I tell you.
I read the Guardian this morning, Bank begins ‘printing money’ to fight slump. Friends in the professions tell me to advertize! advertize! There is clamour all around. The barbarians are on us. On their shields I can read Poverty and Depression as they come charging down the hill.
Hold your horses I say. Most of those marouders would have broken their own ankels long before they reach us. Just stand your ground and hold your horses.
Oh yes, and while you’re doing that why not feast your eye on this Kieninger from Germany?
Herman
I visited Roni Horn’s exhibit at the Tate Modern yesterday. It is said that she is interested in Identity and Memory, using presence and doubling. The exhibition is truly well executed and shows intricate thought processes.
Her work led my thoughts into the layers of memory where my identity is embedded with the sounds of Reuge mechanical music. Activate the sound on the right of the Reuge Homepage.
Herman
For all of us who know Johannesburg, Jeremy Clarkson’s article in the Sunday Times “I dare you to visit Johannesburg, the city for softies” and also its edited responses, were of real interest. He is a good laugh, knows how to stir the bees’ nest and run for cover.
I love Johannesburg – spent my whole childhood and early adult life there. As much as I believe that London has an awesome nightlife – I haven’t seen it rocking like Jo’burg. I will move back there tomorrow, or the next day.
I’ve also had my share of dodging bullets and out running car hijackers.
Most of all I thankfully recall countless Highveld sun rises touching the Monk’s Cowl.
Herman
Are Icons of Beauty
Witnessing the Passage
Of time.
This week i’ve been turning a diamond in my hand – looking at a few angles on our relationship with clocks, watches and music boxes. In the main i have been wondering about the reciprocity of this connection in Clarity, Mystery and Imagination, Companions, Infuse and today, I see you.
Can these objects be witnesses to our lives? An “I see you”? Go to any old object in your personal space and ask it, as if it could answer: “what have you seen?” Its a powerful tool of reflection. Listen.
Psychotherapists are quick to say, Nay! You’re simply identifying a dislodged part of your psyche which has identified itself with an object out there. May i ask the sceptic: Why do i feel humbled when i walk past the floor clock in my lounge that has been ticking for 259 years?
Why is it important?
It isn’t. Just a lantern i hung in the window…
Herman
Clocks and Music Boxes 