Into The Beyond

so,

i awoke this morning at 8am for a morning pit stop, and boy oh boy was it dull. There was hardly any light and it was bucketing down with snow. Needless to say, i went promptly back to bed after that! It amazes me just how little light they get around here…which may also explain why all the graffiti is so garish.

Things are still moving along here at a suitably slow pace, but the creative juices are still flowing. Last night one guy was son interested in the publication called ‘Turbulence‘ that he made a really nice pair of shoes from it. 

yesterday i also got to do some angle grinding and some welding. The grinding is crazy and the spinning plate has a mind of its own; you expect the thing to drag you of along the floor to where it wants to go. And the welding was also a bit mad; precision is the name of the game – a bit like airfix.

Anyway, here is a picture of part of the floating city (that doesn’t actually float), and some of the rig that is still here…and some others…

Brian

woohoo.

2010. 100 years after the titanic sunk. But to be honest, it’s just another day for me and G in Copenhagen. The lack of daylight is a bit crazy, but getting out of bed before 4 might help me out with that. We actually have to get up early tomorrow as Grainne is making scones in order to rally the ‘floating city’ troops to breakfast. And with her baking that smells as good as it does, it might actually work.

The crew we are staying with are trying to make a floating city. they have the energy, willingness to learn and skills to share, but now they (we) are trying to pull together some semblance of order to make it happen. It’s very cool that they do all their meetings in English, but i can’t help feel that it hampers the process, and possibly gives native english speakers and advantage (and sometimes a laugh too…). The ‘municipality’ have an interesting approach to these types of projects involving the youth (their choice of phrase, not mine), and have given them a huge space for bugger all rent.

so, to keep it all interesting we’ll stick up some pictures tomorrow….but here is a randomer for now…

We watched an episode of Star Trek last night, and here is an example of the quality of props and ‘alien’ things..

Brian

since we’ve been in Copenhagen, we’ve been trying to make ourselves useful at the Candy Factory and the Floating City. It now seems that Grainne has become known as the Kitchen Queen…..but i can’t help wonder why?

Brian

look at the size of that spoon!

so, happy new year dudes.

its the first of january, five thirty and i’ve got a really strong coffee. I woke up this morning and my head was slightly sore. New years in copenhagen is mad. It was like living in the blitz for all the fireworks, and as well as broken beer bottles in the bike lanes we saw some smashed up shops and crazy drunk danes.

At the place were we are staying, some of the crew put on a party. It turned out only being their mates (about ten), lots of beer, a really big sound system (6k) and a huge empty warehouse. Me and G spent the midnight hour together and then i went and had a practice on their rig. The dj console was setup in a boat/art work thing which was sound proofed and there was no monitor, so occasionally i’d stick out my head to hear what was going on.G gave me a critical review afterwards, and it all seemed to be ok.

At about 2ish we went to the Candy Factory for the main event. We got there and the place was heaving. I’ve already described the place, but there was a sound system upstairs and down, with people in every room between. We went upstaris to get stuck into some cava and listen to the dudes playing their version of daft punk. Upon reflection, daft punk was totally the sound of the mid noughties, so somewhat appropriate – so long as i never have to hear it again.

so about 4am arrived and it was my turn. I decided to play the downstaitrs room which, although it had a slightly smaller sound system, was darker and fuller. Of i went, and realised that i had setup my gear in a spot in the room with an even lower roof than everywhere else, so i was at a 90 degree angle while playing. The danes seemed to like it, and just as well ‘cos i ended up playing for 2 hours before getting relief. Funny enough, the dj after me sounded like he was part of a french electro musical duo….

Now, not to put a downer on the whole affair, but i got a puncture on the way home, and after cycling for a bit, decided to walk. Now, a lesser person might have taken this as a downer, but i walked the last bit of the journey and it was really nice. ’twas me and a load of danes on the roads, and although it was cold, it was a nice way to end what had been a hectic night.

And now we’re back to now. i’m in the kitchen drinking coffee and Grainne is making food! I’m gonna head away and start finishing many of the little bits on the van that i’ve started and not finished, so i’ll catch you later.

Brian

I haven’t written here in a while so i’m gonna try and do some catch up.

As Grainne was saying, Christmas in the white house was really nice. Indeed, my sporting prowess on a computer amazed even me and i remembered just how much i like cooking. I got to spend the holiday with some cool people and had a really nice time. Missed home, but was in good company, and unfortunately Santa didn’t manage to get my presents to me. Went to Christiania on the 24th and sang danish carols (i’m pretty sure i almost killed their language) and hung out with drunk homeless people; which was nice. Continuing the festive note, its not snowing here anymore but its still as cold here as when it was. The good news is that its supposed to get colder in January.

Copenhagen is an interesting place, and reminds me of Amsterdam at times. They have a nice pace of life and with a bike the city doesn’t seem very big. In fact, i’ve started spending some time at a social space called ‘candy factory’ which is on the opposite side of my map! it’s an ex ‘bon bon’ factory that was recently used by the bike bloc during cop15. i was there the other day when it was being cleaned up after them, and the place now looks fantastic. It’s a bit of a dump, but friendly and full of tags. (on a side note, every free space in this city has been tagged, but mostly with peoples names – why not draw a few pictures, eh?). Was at a birthday party there last night, and it was sweet. The bar is in the basement, with a fire in the corner, big speakers on the stage, a cheap bar, and everyone ‘smoking’.

The van is liking it’s place in the warehouse. It makes a big difference to be out of the cold and is giving us the chance to continue with the long list of ‘things to do’. I’m hoping to complete the LED lights tomorrow and today Grainne kicked ass fitting the carpet. Those that know me a long time might know of my history fitting carpets. Please be assured that i am still useless at it.

In fact, while G was diligently working i spent the day having a bit of a play on my disco board. I managed to get onto the bill to play at the candy factory on new years eve – at 4am. Ho hum, i’ve played later. But it seems that there is also going to be a party at our place. It’s all a little bit up in the air, but if it goes ahead i’m also playing on their rig before going to bed. If it’s close enough, i might just do it from bed. Grainne would love that.

So, theres a bit of an update. Since i’ve been away i’ve woken up each day and been delighted to be were i am and even if i don’t get up very early, i’m still happy to be on the road. We’ve talked about were to go next, but you’ll have to keep reading to find out where!

Brian