http://www.marisozols.co.uk en-gb marisozols.co.uk 2011-6-22T00:00:00Z marisozols.co.uk http://www.marisozols.co.uk/page5.htm#96828 I cant believe that two and a half years have passed since I last created a blog entry. I suppose it reflects my interest in responding to a lack of interest in my blog having said that 3 blogs is realyy not enough to establish a readership I guess. Well Im sitting here on an extremely overcast day as one expects in mid June trying to rid myself of a nasty cold that thrust itself upon me a week ago. I need to do this in order to participate in the Chiswick Great River Swim on the Thames this saturday. I was advised on Facebook yesterday evening that I should face my demons which were obviously causing this upset. The demons I thought were just the prospect of a very cold river but it may be that in fact the MOT test facing my Renault Kangoo might be to blame. What else is there to say The days have started getting shorter again Not too quickly please 2011-6-22 12:43:35 http://www.marisozols.co.uk/page5.htm#34910 Well it finally arrived. Today the worlds greatest record label celebrates 50 years of its existence. the celebrations have already been going on for a month judging by the ouput on TV and radio stations but today is the day What am I talking about well in a word Motown or what is known in the UK as Tamla Motown but what in the US consisted of 5 record labels Motown Tamla Gordy after Motowns founder Berry Gordy VIP and Soul. The magic in my opinion started to fade round about 1966 43 years ago and the greatest songs were written during that period reaching a peak in the years 19641966. Motowns move from Detroit the Motor city that gave its name to the recording studios to Los Angeles in 1972 didnt really help either. Now it is part of a greater conglomerate but I prefer to remember it from its glory days when no selfrespecting discotheque could afford to do without the sound that would blow the roof off the place. It wasnt easy though being a Motown fan. It had its detractors certain... 2009-1-12 21:54:51 http://www.marisozols.co.uk/page5.htm#34848 Finally managed to catch the Cold War Modern exhibition at the Victoria and Albert museum before it takes off for Vilnius which has just started its year as European capital of culture along with Linz Austria. The exhibitions theme was Art and design were not peripheral symptoms of politics during the Cold War they played a central role in representing and sometimes challenging the dominant political and social ideas of the age.. I was worried about how genuinely felt this was considering that one of the items displayed in the exhibitions publicity was a Vespa scooter. In fact I didnt know that the Vespa was developed from something used by American parachutists during the second world war However I did find the link between design and politics rather tenuous. In fact very often the results were similar despite the political system. Le Corbusiers streets in the air influenced housing development both in the east and the west. Also modern design was also something pursued in both camp... 2009-1-11 22:51:26 http://www.marisozols.co.uk/page5.htm#34808 My JamaicanGreek plumberelectrician Lee came over at lunchtime to discuss the installation of a new boiler. The prolonged cold is playing hell with my heating bills and the current boiler has done its time. Unfortunately he cant start until February when the traditional British mild winter might have returned. Discovered some amazing facts about heating systems balanced flues are defunct Ah well you live and learn. He also hummed and haahed about the water pressure but I think Ive just about got enough. We discussed politics economics state of the world as is also our habit. Other than that on a much more serious note I was grieved to hear of the death of Rob Gauntlett in an avalanche in the French Alps. I had not even heard of him until today. He was the youngest Briton ever to climb Everest two years ago at the age of 19 in his gap year. Even younger than Bear Grylls. Not satisfied with that shortly afterwards together with his climbing chum James Hooper he set off on an epic jo... 2009-1-11 01:44:20 http://www.marisozols.co.uk/page5.htm#34675 Well this is a first for me. My very own blog on my very own website. Will I be talking to myself or will people come and look and wonder Well got up today just before 9 as usual. Shaved and cleaned my teeth in preparation for meeting with potential client who may provide me with some drawing work now that I have become a wiz at obtaining planning permission in Hackney. Went to see client just on the other side of the park. He had repeatedly tried to obtain planning permission for a loft conversion but had been thwarted by the bureaucrats of Hackney Council. We left it that he would approach them again and see if we could set up a meeting to include me to discuss what was permissible as opposed to them simply turning down everything out of hand. Going to go to see Mother Goose at Hackney Empire later on with Nina and Ellis. It has had rave reviews and it was difficult to obtain tickets. Maybe try and catch a Wetherspoons curry first its Curry Night.I know its a day later but I was sa... 2009-1-8 12:50:22