Astonisher: Creations, thoughts, tales, theories and rants.

2012-01-17T01:26:00.001-08:00

The Frite- Very slow fast food, urban bush craft and khaki shorts.

2011-07-16T03:08:00.000-07:00

(The old Frit Flagey stand, my favourite so far. Image courtesy of magnusfranklin)

A haphazard introduction, to what will likely be a long ramble, over several posts about frites in Brussels.

If you are Belgian or Dutch then you may wonder why I feel the need to write this introductory first post about Frites.

If your British you may wonder why I am writing about chips at all.

"Yeah we have fish and chips remember? Avec mushy peas?"

"No avec sauce Andalouse."

"What?"

And that is just it. That is the crux of the problem that I wish to address. For something is lost in the cultural translation, and in my poor Franglais, when you try to explain the phenomenon of 'Frietkoten'- fry shacks.

It sounds barmy to queue up- for quite easily more than half an hour- for chips and a sauce of your choice. And, you always have to pay extra for sauce. No complementary sauces in Brussels my friend. Oh no. If it was a prison food queue there would be riots.

(courtesy of espinr)

But that is just it, queueing for frites is not a prison sentence, and though it may be a waste of time, there is something good about the experience.

Try going back to your twelve year old self, queuing for a rollercoaster. You get frustrated and you know you don't really need to go on that ride, or eat those frites, but something keeps you in the queue. No matter if your too hot and your t-shirt is stuck to your back or if it is raining, which it often is in Brussels, and your t-shirt is stuck to your whole body.

You queue, moan a little and perhaps you start to judge the people in the queue around you; trying to guess who they are. All this time you are really hoping that you have made the right choice and you keep on changing your mind as to the sauce you want with your chips. On the chips or off the chips? So many choices.

The que may be something to frustrate over, but it is an indicator. What I am about to give you is a small nugget of useful information. Think of this as Brussels bush craft survival tip number one. Now imagine me dressed like Ray Mears, actually don't.

Anyway here is the tip:

If there is not a sizeable queue, then it probably isn't doing good frites.

"Sounds bloody obvious to me Matt."

Yes, it is. But, you'll be tempted to leave the queue, so just remember the tip.

Right, I have to dash and get outside. It looks like a heavy day of sun, cloud and showers in Brussels awaits. More to come on why Frites are so damn special in Belgium, Frit Flagey, sauces, ordering in French and Dutch and a mad challenge involving rental bicycles and 'Fritkoten'.

A piece of little big joy.

2011-07-11T09:00:00.001-07:00

Irkafirka
A genuinely brilliant use for all those flippant tweets we make?

"anything you say may be taken down and coloured in"

That is Irkafirka's tagline, and sums up one of the most ingenious and generous ideas I have come across this year.

Read the full story in the Art etc section.

He speaks! Brussels, life and the new design.

2011-07-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

It seems like at least a year since I posted anything on here; it is not! I have travelled quite far both geographically and mentally since my last posting. I apologise, to you dear readers and to myself for letting it slide. I fear you and I may be largely one and the same. Still I talk to myself in public often enough to legitimise writing to myself online. When I left you I was job hunting and working for Greenpeace as a fundraiser in the South West of the UK.

Now, I find myself in Brussels, working on environment, sustainability and transparency issues in an office full of very engaging and fun people. A very different day to day experience from that of trudging up and down high streets while trying not to harass people. Still, sometimes I miss the rush and life of the streets, but I find enough in my new predicament to be more than contented. One might even dare say fulfilled at times.

I intend to document my experiences here. The job, the life, my thoughts (especially on modern life and society) as well as the many things that Brussels has to offer:

beer
more beer
the inexplicable love of chips or frites
the Brussels bubble
the unique nature of the city and the many cultural mishaps I have already made.

I will be focusing far more on writing than on sharing just interesting links, clips etc. You can still keep an eye on my Twitter account @astonishernet for links to interesting videos, articles etc.

One new feature is 'The BIM'. This is the background image of the month. I will update it every month. Please feel free to submit interesting images of your own that you are happy to share, preferably with a bit of information. To:

mjjkeys (at) gmail (dot) com

with a subject title containing BIMImage.

The more compelling the story the better!

More to come soon....

Busking In Plymouth.

2011-03-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a documentary about buskers and busking in Plymouth.

I crept in despite it being by and large about musicians(around 11.30).

Worth watching the whole thing to learn about the reality and perceptions of busking.

Greenpeace.

2011-03-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

I have only worked with Greenpeace for a month and my preconceptions have been totally changed.*

*I really need to blog on me suddenly working for Greenpeace. I will when I am not busy working for Greenpeace.

Thinking of becoming a Greenpeace Active Supporter? from Greenpeace UK on Vimeo.

A 2010 film you might have missed but should see.

2011-02-14T03:55:00.000-08:00

A beautifully animated film, really genius. A tribute to Jacque Tati, a french actor/physical comedian. I had not heard of him before but I will be looking up his work after this (he makes a cameo in the cinema).

It could quite easily have passed you by. A perfect film to watch on a long, dull, wintery Sunday afternoon. It is fairly slow paced but that is how it should be. It will leave you feeling brighter I hope.

Links

Trailer

Amazon

Kindness

2011-02-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

"All done by kindness." David Devant magician and founding member of The Magic Circle.

Having spent the last two weeks working for Greenpeace as a street fundraiser I have got to learn a lot about the street. In Britain people are set to cocoon mode. Avoid eye contact, walk and absorb adverts. This is just hypnosis though. Some people snap out of it and chat to you. I find most are polite and kind. Some can be real (insert expletive here), but they are the extreme minority. Especially the man who shouts that we all secretly eat whale meat on our boats. I would give him the benefit of the doubt but he wears a suit and seems to be an otherwise well adjusted being. So here is to kindness! A great quality to have and live by; I will even give that guy the benefit of the doubt.

Kindness

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and
purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you every where
like a shadow or a friend

written by Palestinian-American Naomi Shihab Nye.

Pete Postlethwaite-7 February 1946 – 2 January 2011

2011-01-03T06:25:00.000-08:00

A true actor, modest, yet instantly recognisable. With a quietly fierce energy he never ceased reaching for greater performances.

Creating some of the most memorable character performances in the last thirty or so years.

More recently, a spokesperson and campaigner against the threat of run away climate change.

A little bit of Pete; quite fitting given our current state of governance.

Thanks Pete.

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T09:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year.

2011-01-01T03:04:00.000-08:00

Hello you,

thank you for being one of the people who checks out my site from time to time.

Where ever you are, I hope you are well and happy.

Happy New Year, I really do hope you have a great, exciting and well lived 2011.

Love, all the best and the rest,

Matt

Ricky Jay Eat Your Heart Out! This guy has chops!

2010-12-30T07:36:00.000-08:00

The recognised authority on card throwing is Ricky Jay, an outstanding magician and master of his craft. He produced the wildly explicit and funny Cards as Weapons. Now very rare and nigh on impossible to find. A fellow magician and excellent performer- we share a mutual mentor in Mal Norton- has a copy for sale, but it isn't cheap! Check out Sav anyway. A good guy and great performer!

How I spent my Christmas Eve...

2010-12-27T17:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome.

2010-12-22T10:23:00.001-08:00

Hello,

please make yourself at home and put your feet up!

If you have seen me on the street, hello and thanks for the tips. If your a friend I already know, HELLO, where are the tips? This site is a mixture of environmental campaigning related articles, magic, film, writings and other unusual creations mixed with the occasional discovery too (and poor grammar if I am in a rush) .

I am driven to discover and create. Discover as much as I can about life, the planet, people, the universe, the meaning, the music, the beat, the thoughts that keep us all awake at night or make us turn away from seeing.

I create, we all do or can, but I love making things or thinking up ideas or theories or plans or a nice veggie lasagne. Right now I am focused on creating the best magic act I can, and a top notch CV to send to lots of piles or email addresses to stress out over worked underpaid HR staff. I aim to create without taking away more than I need or should take from the planet. In fact I hope to give back more.

What do I offer?
Advice and my thoughts on learning the art of street performance.

News and essays about the environment and climate change, politics and social justice.

My own meandering words and occasionally entertaining video or blog.

See you soon, and remember to leave comments and tell your friends!

Believe- Eddie Izzard

2010-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Art Attack Bird Randomness

2010-12-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

There is something about the snow that brings out the child in you. Well I was too hung over yesterday- after I crashed a staff party- to go sledging, so instead I made this.

From Astonisher Mind: Creations, thoughts, tales, theories and rants.

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings.

If you like birds then you can find out more about the great work the RSPB do here.

If you watch this, then you are literally a bird watcher.

AND if your feeling full of good cheer then leave them a tip here

A variety of reactions to the Cancun Climate Deal.

2010-12-11T03:42:00.000-08:00

You can read a variety of responses to the just announced climate deal agreed at Cancun.

I will post a longer analysis of the events and outcome of Cancun in the next few days.

You can also read a slightly different account on the BBC site.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11975470

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/dec/11/cancun-climate-change-conference-2010-global-climate-talks

If you want to get involved with campaigning or volunteering then check out http://vinspired.com/climate-squad

or visit http://www.globalactionplan.org.uk/youth-volunteering-climate-squad.

More young people fighting the man! Well the climate.

2010-12-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

You can read more about the UK Youth Delegation and how to get involved here.

What does the EU delegation say they want to achieve at Cancun?

2010-12-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

THIS BLOG IS A SUMMARY OF THE EU DELEGATIONS PRESS CONFERENCE IN CANCUN ON THE 28TH OF NOVEMBER.
IT DOES NOT PROVIDE AN IN DEPTH ANALYSIS BUT GIVES AN IDEA OF THE EU'S OFFICIAL AIMS AT CANCUN.

What are the EU's aspirations and hopes for Cancun?

At a press conference in Cancun, on the 28th of November, Peter Wittoeck from Belgium-the member state currently holding the EU premiership- stated that, "bridges can and have to be built...where compromises can be sought."

He emphasised the need for "trust and transparity between the parties," echoing sentiments from the US stating that "balance and flexibility will both be key words for success at Cancun."

The EU delegation did not offer hope for a deal being made in Cancun suggesting it was not possible.

Following on from this Artur Runge Metzger- Head of the EU Climate, Ozone and Energy Unit - said the EU was looking for four outcomes or developments at Cancun.

1. Copenhagen Accord. Pledges to limit or reduce emissions made by countries at COP15 should become part of the framework and the negotitations and become ratified. The EU would also like to see how the pledges made would actually effect the aim of preventing more than a two degree rise in global temperature.

2. Transparency. Transparency on how developed and developing countries deliver on emission pledges as well as transparency concerning developing countries monetary funding. Monetary reporting and verification (MRV) is the mechanism they want to see developed.

3. Carbon Markets. The European Union wants to see progress towards both expansion and reform of the carbon trading markets, as they believe it can reduce the costs of the making emissions cuts. They also want to see greater investment in Clean Development Mechanisms. CDMs are a hotly debated issue since there is the potential for it to encourage larger emissions in the short term in order to reap the benefits laid out in the scheme as it rewards reductions in emissions but does not penalise emissions increases.(1.)

4. Kyoto Protocol.Developing countries are asking many developed countries including the EU to continue the Kyoto Protocol after 2012. EU is open to this on condition that major nations like China and the US commit (this effectively means it won't happen given the current internal US political scene) . Currently Kyoto only covers 30% of emissions worldwide.
The mechanisms within the protocol would also need to be reviewed as currently it could lead to increases in emissions.

Metzger ruled out the chance of legally binding commitments being reached, but stated that he hoped a pathway and steps could be taken towards tackling the challenge faced by the threat of climate change. Sadly this seems to be the general consensus, however there is still potential for laying the groundwork for legally binding commitments at COP17 in Durbun. Over the next week and a half the negotiators have the potential to make steps that could become mass leaps forward in a year's time.

He also ruled out the chance of addressing issues like international aviation and shipping emissions; both of which currently fall outside of the Kyoto agreement.(2)

My personal assessment is that this is a fairly woolly set of aspirations when you actually look at what was stated. There were no clear targets or aims laid out in the initial press conference except for the announcement of the 'Fast Start' climate aid for developing countries, which has already been criticised by environmental campaigners for providing half the aid in the form of repayable loans.(3)

Keep an eye out for another blog on the 'Fast Start' climate aid. What do you think the EU should be committing to? What role should it or can it play at Cancun?

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Development_Mechanism

(2)http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/un-climate-fund-looks-at-shipping-and-aviation-emissions-to-raise-cash-1501.aspx

(3)http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article925301.ece?homepage=true

350 King Canute Gets Environmental.

2010-11-28T03:46:00.000-08:00

King Canute sends a message to COP16. 350.org

COP-16 IS HERE! Huh?

2010-11-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

Cop-16 is upon us! Some of you may be wondering exactly what Cop-16 is?

It is the 16th annual UN Climate Change Conference. This year it is being held between the 29th of November and the 10th of December (COP stands for Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). They hold sub-meetings throughout the year but the COP meetings are the chance for the big kahunas to come together and hopefully act wisely.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has been signed by 194 State Parties and the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 184 State Parties. There may not yet be a total consensus about how to avoid the effects of Climate Change but there is agreement about the importance of reaching an agreement.

Man-made climate change does need to be dealt with and Cancun is a chance for world leaders to make real progress.

Last year it was held in Copenhagen, and there was great hope that a new deal would be struck with all nations present committing to a new, fair and legally binding agreement. An agreement that it was hoped would at the very least prevent a rise in temperature above two degrees. Sadly this didn't emerge.

You will be hearing a lot more about it in the media- except for on the BBC- and through this blog. Before, during and after I will be updating and reporting for Global Action Plan as part of their Climate Squad Community of 16-25 year olds. I am just about young enough.

Some of the blogs will be longer more analytical pieces, some will be shorter more lighthearted updates or actions you can take part in. I will let you know what sort of blog it is at the start so you won't get bogged down if you don't have the time.

References.

http://www.cc2010.mx/en/about/what-is-cop16cmp6/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/oct/14/chilean-miners-bbc-cancun-climate-talks

Working the streets of Plymouth.

2010-11-25T16:09:00.000-08:00

Thank you Rob of Raw Photography for catching me, on a chilly night building an edge.

The Mystery of the Smiley

2010-11-18T01:57:00.001-08:00

What is the smiley face all about on this captured image from a blog I am working on?

See it below in a larger format or post a comment if you know.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mjjkeys/WwwAstonisherNetPublic?authkey=Gv1sRgCJuuivesu7ax9QE#5540824398463414306

The Real 93 Diagon Alley? Secrets behind the door.

2010-11-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

If you have lived in Plymouth in the last decade there is a good chance that you visited or walked past Jack Cohen's Magic and Joke Shop at some point. Selling jokes, fancy dress, magic tricks, books and various other ephemera. A vault containing arcane knowledge and the absurd in equal measures.

Stink bombs were the staple product sold on a day to day basis. Having worked there infrequently as a teenager -mostly for magic books I had already bought with my eyes- I got to go behind the curtain into the darkest depths. The stock room.

A place of wonder that most visiting magicians were eager to peruse, yet few got the chance to actually see. I would frequently do a 'stock check' which was little more than an excuse to discover what hidden treasures lay waiting on the top shelves or stuffed in the numerous boxes and draws. Mal didn't seem to mind, a cynic would say he knew that if I spent enough time rummaging around I would find something to spend my wages on but I doubt that even crossed his mind. Carrying out an actual stock check was a marathon task of several days hunting and counting.

"How many mexican moustaches"

"42. No, wait, does it matter if they are ginger or black ones?"

"At this point I don't care, they could be attached to real mexicans."

"Do you want me to count the fake puff cigarettes individually?"

Jack Cohens was a great place.

Based on Western Approach it was reportedly one of the oldest magic and joke shops in Britain that had remained in the same spot. Sadly it closed for business earlier this year but the story does not end there!

Mal has a new premises and I recently went along to see the shop, film it and record a short interview of sorts. Those in search of jokes and fancy dress will be disappointed unless your in search of an antique soot whistle! The shop is still crammed but with carefully selected magic; both modern and antique, vintage and collectible and rare and common effects, books and props.

Mal has always been a collector, during the time that I have known him I have witnessed the various curiosities that have passed through his hands; ask him about those in person, I don't have the time. It was no surprise to me that he has chosen to focus on collectibles and antiques. Currently he has several ring flights and magic sets of various periods as well as some lovely vanishing bird cages (If you're not a magician this probably sounds very peculiar).

So Jack Cohens may be no more but it has transformed into a magicians haven. Go see it for yourself and you may even get a cup of tea!

St. John Inn Beer and Cider Festival.

2010-11-14T06:53:00.000-08:00

One camera, lots of booze, great music and far too many hours of editing. If only I had a steady cam.

I always tell friends how great the pub is in my village. This is one of the highlights.

I think the government has got it right! Very right.

2010-11-13T04:10:00.000-08:00

The following is entirely fictional and any resemblance to real-life events, organisations, groups or individuals is entirely coincidental. Any satire, irony or sarcasm is entirely coincidental since the writer's English teacher said he would never make a very good English student. Any errors are explained by the previous admission.

As well as being a magician in practice and training- trying to improve is a never ending process- I am also one of those lovely government statistics.

Yes, I am an unemployed graduate- that used to be a rarity but now it is part of the new Big Society. Under Labour I was very worried about getting a job but some of the widely criticised policies of the new coalition government have banished this fear. It may seem like they don't care, but once you look at the bigger picture- the Bigger Society if you will- and some of the lesser reported policies and schemes, it becomes something quite beautiful. I haven't seen anything like this in over seventy years and I'm only twenty four.

The government need lots of unemployed people who they can force into voluntary work or training (I wonder if there will be any investment banking courses)? It is dawning on them that people who work full-time, possibly have kids and selfishly like to relax once in a while and therefore might not be able to fill the required quota. In fact they have already made plans to abate this and have begun to announce them on the quiet.

One unnamed source has said the new scheme that will be announced will be called the Society Led Action and Voluntary Enterprise Scheme.

SLAVES will make society run effectively and cost efficiently. Upon graduating people not swept up in the diminishing graduate schemes will be given the opportunity to seek a voluntary or low paid job. If they fail to become a SLAVE member then they will eventually have their benefits cut upon which time they will be effectively cast out. Of course there is the worry that this will lead to a rising crime rate.

An anonymous source in the Justice Department has said that we needn't worry about this issue. A more effective and cost efficient approach to criminal justice will be introduced that will eventually lead to a zero crime rate. As part of the Big Society local communities will decide upon sentencing and punishment. They will also be responsible for maintaining prisons. If they wish to introduce capital punishment there will be a new BGBSGF in the next budget.

The Building Gallows Big Society Grant Fund will make it easy to build and maintain an effective local justice system, and it is hoped this will reduce some of the massive redundancies currently occurring in the building industry due to the cuts in social housing projects. It aims to bring communities together by allowing the occasional lynching, and other acts of vigilantism. Neighbours once living in fear of each other will forge strong links or destroy them entirely. It is hoped gallows will once again provide a focal point in communities for people to once again come together. Holding these gala days, in the truest sense of the word, is expected to provide an alternative to the BBC, which is also on the cards for the chop.

The announcement was made at a sub-meeting of the party conference. Speaking as 'Take the power back' by RATM faded Teresa May announced, "Finally we as a government have done it. We have given the power back; well some of it."

DECC (Department for Energy and Climate Change) are unofficially delighted, and are backing the move. There had been concerns that the government had forgotten about Climate Change but the speculative rise in executions and poverty will lead to easy savings in carbon emissions, with the possibility of a 60% reduction by 2020. A source at DECC said, " This not only proves we are the greenest government, we are also the reddest."

Political commentators are gobsmacked, though one columnist-Nigel Togbi- for the Evening Local had this to say " This is great news. At the Evening Local we and our readers have been campaigning for such measures for decades." Cameron has recently been accused of seeming to have no idea what he is doing, or any clear plan based on firm policy research but Togbi calls this nonsense. "These announcements clearly show that the Big Society is not just a PR stunt, it is a real solution. Finally a government offering a solution to end all questioning and doubt. We do indeed live in a Great Britain."

My fear has been banished and replaced by a somewhat greater fear of things to come, but apparently there is no point fearing something in the future that may never happen. I think I'll just watch the X-Factor and vote in what seems to sadly be the last bastion of British Democracy. Go Cher!

Rune Klan A Lesson in Modern Magic?

2010-11-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Rune Klan is a funny guy and I don't even know any Danish (I've never met him and he isn't paying me, but you can if you want Rune). He performs some great magic but what he also does in his cabaret/stage work is focus on entertaining. I'm not saying he isn't interested in creating strong magic but he knows what people- the Royal Family- want and he delivers the bacon or cold meat in the case below.

I've been reading a lot by Gazzo lately and one of the most important basic pieces of advice he gives is to focus on entertaining first. Linked to this is knowing who you are and how you appear to others and working from that. It isn't unique to Gazzo but it is easier to see just how true this is on the street. If you come across as false or not certain of who you are, what your doing and why you are doing it, then people won't pay.

Back to Rune. What Rune seems to have mastered- in my humble opinion- is the art of being himself. I am sure he isn't always as hyper off stage but his presentation seems congruent with his personality. His clothes, his mannerisms, the way he handles a deck of processed meat is a lesson for us all in the art being yourself and being original. Just remember you might think your not very original, perhaps even a little boring, but you spend twenty four hours a day with yourself so maybe you aren't the best judge. If your boring you won't get rebooked.

Try and make friends with someone who will be brutally honest or make friends with someone who hates you. In fact make an effort to do the latter unless they are a total sociopath, if nothing else it will give you some good karma.

Hello

2010-11-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hello.

Welcome to the blog for my writings about magic, magic history maybe and learning the ropes of performing on the streets and all over the place.

Having said that I may also post other interesting things about the upcoming Cancun talks on Climate Change and other political subjects as well as the odd bit of writing or poetry.

I am also in the habit of sharing cool things I find but I will try not to bombard people with distractions!