tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69657503659593005482024-03-05T06:50:35.042+00:00iambrianjonesBrian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-11608357292264820372009-10-25T17:27:00.003+00:002009-10-25T17:50:41.470+00:00iambrianjones has moved!I have moved this blog over to http://www.iambrianjones.com/<br />Please visit my new site and subscribe to the RSS feed from there.<br />If you are subscribed to this newsletter via email you so not need to do anything.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iambrianjones/3814531402/" title="A bit of texture. by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3814531402_61ca27d946_o.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="A bit of texture." /></a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-51932826671296583742009-08-07T00:17:00.005+01:002009-08-07T00:36:09.507+01:00Playing the Building<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iambrianjones/3796623394/" title="090806PlayBuilding1x13 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 445px; height: 392px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3796623394_ab759eb2bc_b.jpg" alt="090806PlayBuilding1x13" /></a><br /><br />My friend Mark McNamara is in London for the rest of the month working on David Byrne's sound installation Playing the Building at the Roundhouse in Camden. The installation consists of an old organ that is hooked up to actually play the building. The keys are wired up to motors that vibrate the girders, solenoids that ping the iron columns, and air jets that blast and make flute like noises. I spent two afternoons at the Roundhouse this week photographing the installation process. To see all of my images click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iambrianjones/sets/72157621841623743/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iambrianjones/sets/72157621840430763/">here</a>. Please join me in experiencing this art work on the evening of 20 August.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iambrianjones/3795910723/" title="090806PlayBuilding1x119 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 355px; height: 238px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3795910723_1fc313d235.jpg" alt="090806PlayBuilding1x119" /></a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-83398175463076124722009-06-11T19:44:00.002+01:002009-06-11T19:47:09.139+01:00lost in londinium<object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5108579&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5108579&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/5108579">lost in londinium</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1053081">iambrianjones</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>This little video is the result of a class I took recently. We were asked to use video to illustrate a quote relating to London. I chose the following quote by author V. S. Naipaul.<br /><br />"I came to London. It had become the center of my world and I had worked hard to come to it. And I was lost."</p>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-65696521139793750212009-05-28T14:24:00.002+01:002009-05-28T14:34:09.018+01:00Lush Macro Flora<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3572460591/" title="090525MacroHydeHallx22 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 501px; height: 484px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3572460591_0fc4db828d.jpg" alt="090525MacroHydeHallx22" /></a><br /><br />Just throwin' up some recent macro work I shot during a visit to the Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Hyde Hall in Essex. I didn't take any notes, so your guess is as good as mine as to what the plants are.<br /><br />Follow <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/sets/72157618826433921/">this link</a> for the full <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/sets/72157618826433921/">Flickr stream</a> of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/sets/72157618826433921/">all the images</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3573260116/" title="090525MacroHydeHallx3 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3573260116_da20541073_s.jpg" alt="090525MacroHydeHallx3" height="75" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3572456199/" title="090525MacroHydeHallx12 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3572456199_34392f4ae9_s.jpg" alt="090525MacroHydeHallx12" height="75" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3573273508/" title="090525MacroHydeHallx27 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3573273508_6e23eb0ed8_s.jpg" alt="090525MacroHydeHallx27" height="75" width="75" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3573283168/" title="090525MacroHydeHallx40 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3573283168_f5795a7ce4_s.jpg" alt="090525MacroHydeHallx40" height="75" width="75" /></a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-57720858794395278722009-01-08T14:13:00.003+00:002009-01-08T14:41:26.143+00:00A Geographical ChronologyI am a huge fan of Google Maps. See the map below? I've used Google Maps to create and share a chronology of all the places where I have lived in this world. If you are at all interested click on the map below or the link that says <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=104091204455281198860.0004510a4434a2c37b1e5&ll=9.795678,-95.625&spn=152.979774,298.828125&t=h&z=1&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a>. Once you have clicked through you can navigate the map by clicking the links on the left or by clicking directly on the pins embedded in the map. The pins in the map represent the exact locations of dwellings I have occupied for a month or more at a time. While you are in satelite mode you can zoom in and see what the terrain is like. Have a look and feel free to leave comments below.<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&s=AARTsJqdyf97lhhnKg19iZ99GCPl9p9-ZA&msa=0&msid=104091204455281198860.0004510a4434a2c37b1e5&ll=9.795678,-95.625&spn=152.979774,298.828125&t=h&z=1&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=104091204455281198860.0004510a4434a2c37b1e5&ll=9.795678,-95.625&spn=152.979774,298.828125&t=h&z=1&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-54111758113797014502008-12-18T12:30:00.006+00:002008-12-18T22:53:21.174+00:00A Slovak SpectacleBack in 2001/02 Rachel and I lived in Bratislava, Slovakia. Rachel was the editor-in-chief of the local English-language newspaper and I worked as a photographer and copy editor for the same paper. While we were there our good friend Tom stayed with us for several months while he researched and wrote a travel guide to Slovakia. I followed Tom around for a day with my camera so people back home could see what life was like for us in Bratislava. This is the first time I have stiched a movie together from stills, so the result is a bit shaky. Some might call it quirky. Music by Paberky Marko Cermaka. Please leave comments if you feel moved to do so.<br /><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2562993&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2562993&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/2562993">A Slovak Spectacle</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1053081">iambrianjones</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-4621309997465708622008-12-15T16:34:00.002+00:002008-12-15T19:46:40.779+00:00Tessie 199? - 2008<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3110267377/" title="Tessie0001 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 376px; height: 270px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/3110267377_fba7c3f6f1.jpg" alt="Tessie0001" /></a><br /><br />When Rachel and I were living in Mexico City in 1997/98 we adopted two cats - whom we named Monster and Tessie. Both cats have lived with us in our homes in Mexico City, Brooklyn and London with a few stints at my parents' house in Haddonfield, New Jersey, in between. Two years ago Tessie was diagnosed with heart disease, a condition in which her heart was so enlarged that there was not much room for her lungs. The veterinarian's prognosis was that she would suffocate within a few months. Luckily she lived much longer than that - and with only mild discomfort until the end. On 3 December 2008 Tessie died at home with me, Rachel and Monster by her side. I would like to share with you a few photos of our beloved Tessie:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3110272929/" title="TessieNov07 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/3110272929_8aaa6f5e4d.jpg" alt="TessieNov07" width="376" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3110278099/" title="050829-16 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/3110278099_a5fbced99e.jpg" alt="050829-16" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The two cats used to hide together when they sensed danger.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3111117804/" title="DSC_0005 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/3111117804_f0340daa16.jpg" alt="DSC_0005" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Such a noble profile!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3110294363/" title="DSC00023 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/3110294363_38da21c1b8.jpg" alt="DSC00023" width="376" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3111127648/" title="DSC00057 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/3111127648_07c6fca02d.jpg" alt="DSC00057" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tessie used to like sitting on black bags.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3111147348/" title="080602x18 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/3111147348_e07fd0e753.jpg" alt="080602x18" width="376" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3111154436/" title="IMG_0646 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/3111154436_488afbaeea.jpg" alt="IMG_0646" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Her favourite song was Danny Boy.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Rachel would start singing and she would jump up on the bed and listen intently.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3110328633/" title="081025x45 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/3110328633_7494d2f2b9.jpg" alt="081025x45" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We were always greeted by Tessie when we came home.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3111163930/" title="081204x008 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/3111163930_5283c56c51.jpg" alt="081204x008" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Here she is minutes after her death.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3111169510/" title="081204x011 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/3111169510_73ef6d848a.jpg" alt="081204x011" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This and the next few photos are of me digging her grave at Lally and Cecil's house. </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3110346215/" title="081204x017 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/3110346215_4ece870bbe.jpg" alt="081204x017" width="376" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3110354887/" title="081204x027 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/3110354887_f28135b6ef_b.jpg" alt="081204x027" width="376" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3111191782/" title="081204x030 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3111191782_42be6f5c17.jpg" alt="081204x030" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Here she is in her silk shroud.</span>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-17315308164056980352008-12-08T14:18:00.003+00:002008-12-08T14:27:59.500+00:00Winter bike ride at sunsetOn Sunday December 7 Mark MacNamara and I rode in a train to Cheshunt and then cycled back to London along the river Lea. It took us about two leasurely hours to cycle the 15 or so traffic-free miles. It was cold, crisp, and dark when we got back and had a pint at the Dove on Broadway Market.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3092036115/" title="Over there by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 410px; height: 328px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3092036115_1d26a41f66.jpg" alt="Over there" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3092036397/" title="Trio at sunset by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 412px; height: 276px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3092036397_4cd3fc8779_o.jpg" alt="Trio at sunset" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3092875744/" title="DSC_0117 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 414px; height: 516px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/3092875744_81397df3ca_o.jpg" alt="DSC_0117" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3092875982/" title="Underpass at sunset by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 412px; height: 276px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/3092875982_79c0fca027.jpg" alt="Underpass at sunset" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3092876234/" title="DSC_0121 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 412px; height: 276px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/3092876234_9d3e913323.jpg" alt="DSC_0121" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3092037423/" title="Mark on Lea by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3092037423_fb14c1e313.jpg" alt="Mark on Lea" height="500" width="334" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3092038155/" title="Narrowboats by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 399px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/3092038155_4484fd26a9.jpg" alt="Narrowboats" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/3092038445/" title="Sail barges by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 403px; height: 270px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/3092038445_49f2ea2ee0.jpg" alt="Sail barges" /></a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-82348013257837841502008-10-01T16:50:00.007+01:002008-10-13T12:19:12.385+01:00I Voted Today<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2904271009/" title="DSC_0121 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 401px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2904271009_c21d2e0929.jpg" alt="DSC_0121" /></a><br /><br />My civilian absentee ballot arrived today. I voted for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_%28United_States%29">electors</a> for the candidate (yes, not for the candidate himself) that I felt would be the best one to move into the White House in January. <a href="http://iambrianjones.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-voted-today.html"> Click here</a> to see the full post with photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2905122068/" title="DSC_0112 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 401px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2905122068_34cabcf72f.jpg" alt="DSC_0112" /></a><br /><br />Remember that in America we don't actually vote for a candidate, we vote for electors.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2904277451/" title="DSC_0109 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2904277451_5d857a95f3.jpg" alt="DSC_0109" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2905124062/" title="DSC_0115 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 403px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2905124062_dcdfabcf73.jpg" alt="DSC_0115" /></a><br /><br />I am happy with my choice but wish I had a viable third party to choose from, one that at least stood a chance at winning a significant number seats in the House of Representatives or Senate.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2905187192/" title="DSC_0126 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2905187192_c3e84335be.jpg" alt="DSC_0126" height="500" width="137" /></a><br /><br />This is supposed to be a secret ballot - so don't tell anyone who I voted for.Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-18694203648570183222008-09-29T22:29:00.012+01:002008-10-01T14:48:57.367+01:00Brompton World Championships - 2008This weekend the Brompton World Championships were held at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England. A Brompton is a folding bicycle made in London and is considered by many to be the best of its kind. It's of very high quality and folds smaller than other bikes with the same wheel size, making it a very useful bike for urban riding and international travel. It's so easy to fold it up and take it on a bus, train, taxi, or airplane. I should also mention that it's a lot of fun to ride too! I have been riding a Brompton for four years now and often take it with me on trips within the UK as well as abroad. For the complete post with photos <a href="http://iambrianjones.blogspot.com/2008/09/brompton-world-championships-2008.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />This first photo is of my trusty two-speeder and was taken at the Serpentine in London's Hyde Park while I was on my way to meet the busses which took us out to Blenheim Palace.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899707522/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-89 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 403px; height: 270px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2899707522_f9cef2904d.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-89" /></a><br /><br />This next photo is of a Brompton that has been folded up.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2900197448/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-128 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/2900197448_33dff4852f_m.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-128" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><br />On Saturday, Brompton organised a casual ride out to their bicycle factory in Brentford. This is Will (the managing director of Brompton) wearing the official world championship jersey at Horse Guards Parade in London.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2898803955/" title="080927bromptonlondon-23 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2898803955_2a3a03c527_m.jpg" alt="080927bromptonlondon-23" height="161" width="240" /></a><br /><br />On the way out to the factory we passed by several famous London landmarks.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899653464/" title="080927bromptonlondon-34 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 399px; height: 267px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2899653464_448cc3d372.jpg" alt="080927bromptonlondon-34" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899659274/" title="080927bromptonlondon-38 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2899659274_b2df718ba5.jpg" alt="080927bromptonlondon-38" height="500" width="334" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899663978/" title="080927bromptonlondon-45 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2899663978_52e848dccc.jpg" alt="080927bromptonlondon-45" height="500" width="334" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2898839831/" title="080927bromptonlondon-63 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 387px; height: 259px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2898839831_e2b97e7f24.jpg" alt="080927bromptonlondon-63" /></a><br /><br /><br />Unfortunately my batteries ran out before we made it to the factory - but one of the other photographers who was there, Marcus Jackson-Baker, has kindly let me use his photos here. In the first one we see one of the mechanics assembling a Brompton. Each Brompton is assembled by one person and this particular worker can assemble 22 bicycles in a single day.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusjb/2892935914/" title="A bike assembly station by marcus_jb1973, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2892935914_28899701ef.jpg" alt="A bike assembly station" height="500" width="333" /></a><br /><br />And in this one we see one of the workers brazing the frame together.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusjb/2892096957/" title="Brazing a main frame by marcus_jb1973, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2892096957_ebed8843c7.jpg" alt="Brazing a main frame" height="500" width="333" /></a><br /><br /><br />On Sunday morning Brompton organised two coaches to take us out to Oxfordshire for the Brompton World Championship race. About a hundred of us met at Victoria coach station at 8am. Who would have thought that you could fit 50 bicycles in one bus: with Bromptons you can!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2898889135/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-107 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2898889135_4f9452b302_m.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-107" height="161" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><br />This year the race was officially sanctioned by British Cycling and the rules set by Brompton were very specific on the dress code:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All participants, both male and female, must wear a suit jacket, collared shirt and </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">tie. Shorts and three-quarter length trousers may be worn if preferred, though sports attire (e.g. Lycra shorts/leggings, tracksuit pants, etc.) is not permitted. </span><br /><br />Here is a selection of shots of participants in their chosen outfits.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899805942/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-143 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/2899805942_e043bbb615_m.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-143" height="240" width="161" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2898958195/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-138 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2898958195_e6c7c7f1b6_m.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-138" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2898966661/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-145 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2898966661_6b6572737f_m.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-145" height="240" width="161" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899992884/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-242 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2899992884_0ee99bc90c_m.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-242" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899754580/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-120 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2899754580_0511e3912f_m.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-120" height="240" width="161" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899737146/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-108 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2899737146_3a8e8cac0c_m.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-108" height="240" width="161" /></a><br /><br />I placed 171st in this year's race. I think I could have done better if I hadn't been photographing from my bike during the race. I never did stop, mind you! My goal is to jump 100 places in next year's race (time to start training!).<br /><br />These are all the bikes waiting to be unfolded by their respective riders at the start of the race.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899793250/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-134 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2899793250_e8dc537b4a.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-134" /></a><br /><br />Here are the riders crossing the start line on their way to unfold their bikes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899831078/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-155 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2899831078_5c61cf2a4c.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-155" /></a><br /><br />Here they are unfolding their bikes.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899842912/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-157 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 403px; height: 270px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2899842912_c0393e77c4.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-157" /></a><br /><br />And they're off!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899010707/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-160 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/2899010707_eeb32a8bed.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-160" /></a><br /><br />. . . towards the palace . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899015797/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-162 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 402px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2899015797_a21d8ed46f.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-162" /></a><br /><br />. . . then up the hill . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899024097/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-167 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 402px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2899024097_ba58194904.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-167" /></a><br /><br />. . . then down the hill . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899034283/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-173 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2899034283_eb2f80d46b.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-173" /></a><br /><br />. . . then up another hill. The winning Spanish team speed by . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899881556/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-174 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 402px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2899881556_62d221125c.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-174" /></a><br /><br />And a few shots of the other competitors.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899029077/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-171 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2899029077_1e7e87b308.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-171" height="500" width="334" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899897698/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-180 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 403px; height: 270px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2899897698_0a5ed4a03c.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-180" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899887684/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-177 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 405px; height: 272px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2899887684_54921c6264.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-177" /></a><br /><br />This is Piers Benton, winner of the junior category.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899171489/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-250 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 397px; height: 266px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2899171489_b6627f2d82.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-250" /></a><br /><br />This is Blenheim Palace.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2900009338/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-248 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 403px; height: 271px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2900009338_370ec9ff80.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-248" /></a><br /><br />And here are my new friends from Curbside Cycles in Toronto, as we did one last lap before catching the coach back to London.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2899197743/" title="080928Brompton Blenheim-269 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2899197743_f0528ce62a.jpg" alt="080928Brompton Blenheim-269" height="500" width="334" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/sets/72157607575092950/">Click here</a> to see a photoset of all my 80 favourite photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/sets/72157607585014283/">Follow this link</a> to see a photoset of the rest of the photos from the weekend. I feel these photos are good but not my best work - but I have put them up so my new Brompton friends can see pix of themselves.<br /><br />Visit the <a href="http://www.brompton.co.uk/bwc/?l=1">Brompton website</a> to see the all the results from the race.<br /><br />To find a Brompton dealer near you visit the <a href="http://www.brompton.co.uk/content.asp?p=193&l=1">Brompton website</a>.<br /><br />To see more of Marcus Jackson-Baker's photos from the factory day go <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusjb/sets/72157607538652030/">here</a> and <a href="http://marcusjb.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/a-weekend-full-of-bromptons/">follow this link</a> to read Marcus's blog post about the Brompton World Championship weekend.Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-91878290433096377032008-09-26T14:53:00.004+01:002008-09-26T15:22:42.358+01:00Manhattan with the KirkwoodsLast Monday I spent the day in Manhattan with my mom and the Kirkwoods.<br /><br />For the full post with photos <a href="http://iambrianjones.blogspot.com/2008/09/manhattan-with-kirkwoods.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />We took a taxi from Chelsea up to Midtown. Carol kindly hailed the cab while I snapped away . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2889243165/" title="DSC_0007 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 296px; height: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2357/2889243165_7bc423d002_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0007" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2890078142/" title="DSC_0010 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 300px; height: 202px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2890078142_93fc440127_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0010" /></a><br /><br />Then we got in and had a ride . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2889244745/" title="DSC_0024 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 303px; height: 449px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2889244745_15f7d531df.jpg" alt="DSC_0024" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2890078278/" title="DSC_0014 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 303px; height: 204px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2890078278_a61593d579_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0014" /></a><br /><br />. . . up to midtown where we ate in one of my favourite Japanese noodle joints, Larmen New York, on 57th between 5th and 6th Avenues . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2889245757/" title="DSC_0039 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 305px; height: 453px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/2889245757_59b41bdf10_o.jpg" alt="DSC_0039" /></a><br /><br />After lunch we headed a few blocks downtown to the Museum of Modern Art (aka MOMA). I love this museum not only for the art but because they allow you to photograph the art as long as you don't use flash . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2890080620/" title="DSC_0042 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 301px; height: 203px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2890080620_3f9ca19558_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0042" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2889246411/" title="DSC_0043 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 301px; height: 301px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2889246411_d7e24c3477_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0043" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2890081546/" title="DSC_0046 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 303px; height: 449px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2890081546_d39983eb96_o.jpg" alt="DSC_0046" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2890081844/" title="DSC_0049 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 304px; height: 449px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2890081844_daff444fcf_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0049" /></a><br /><br />And I saw this guy standing in front of a Botero sculpture and it reminded me of an old Jamiroquai album cover . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2890082490/" title="DSC_0082 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 301px; height: 447px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/2890082490_a7353e1f50_o.jpg" alt="DSC_0082" /></a><br /><br />We then took a taxi . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2890082982/" title="DSC_0094 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 303px; height: 450px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/2890082982_331b1eeecb_o.jpg" alt="DSC_0094" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2890079354/" title="DSC_0033 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 300px; height: 445px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2890079354_1484643a98_o.jpg" alt="DSC_0033" /></a><br /><br />. . . back to John Kirkwood's flat where we had some beers on the roof . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2889249471/" title="DSC_0102 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 300px; height: 202px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2889249471_e9a22338da_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0102" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2889249129/" title="DSC_0098 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 300px; height: 443px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2889249129_4af953c7cb_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0098" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2889249665/" title="DSC_0104 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 300px; height: 202px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2889249665_62a7a34584_m.jpg" alt="DSC_0104" /></a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-37244928534048735592008-09-08T14:48:00.004+01:002008-09-08T16:50:12.973+01:00Tuscany in AugustBack in August Rachel and I went to Tuscany to stay with some friends in their rented villa. Before seeing them we spent a few days on our own in Volterra. Click <a href="http://iambrianjones.blogspot.com/2008/09/tuscany-in-august.html">here</a> to see the full post and all the photos.<br /><br />There was good coffee . . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2839232189/" title="080808-13 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 389px; height: 261px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2839232189_56eaac402c_o.jpg" alt="080808-13" /></a><br /><br />And bottled water . . .<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2839234829/" title="080808-44 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2839234829_5e539b97e3_o.jpg" alt="080808-44" height="500" width="335" /></a><br /><br />Imposing (and ancient) municipal architecture . . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2839296921/" title="080808-91 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 415px; height: 279px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2839296921_ab048e8ace_o.jpg" alt="080808-91" /></a><br /><br />Bored tourists and locals. . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840079004/" title="080808-220 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2840079004_ee33199c7d_o.jpg" alt="080808-220" /></a><br /><br />A nice sunset over the Tuscan hills . . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840069218/" title="080808-65 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 393px; height: 264px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2840069218_8d431b632e_o.jpg" alt="080808-65" /></a><br /><br />After two days in Volterra we spent another two days with our friends the Welch family (Susan, Colin, CJ and Peyton) at their rented villa. Their children were very willing to be photographed.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840085928/" title="080813-15 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 399px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2840085928_e66e0c44aa_o.jpg" alt="080813-15" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2839257089/" title="080813-92 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 402px; height: 270px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2839257089_c7d1e61eb7_o.jpg" alt="080813-92" /></a><br /><br />Also in attendance was Colin's dad, Mike from St. Louis. . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840132278/" title="080813-12 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2840132278_31050b88be_o.jpg" alt="080813-12" height="500" width="335" /></a><br /><br />Colin and Susan's friend Greg from Dallas . . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2839256295/" title="080813-89 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 399px; height: 399px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2839256295_22b3a7aa58_o.jpg" alt="080813-89" /></a><br /><br />Fun was had by all in the pool . . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840088714/" title="080813-58 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2840088714_302c296e95_o.jpg" alt="080813-58" height="500" width="335" /></a><br /><br />We even managed to squeeze in a day trip to San Gimignano and I took this group photo . . . <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840132994/" title="080813-45 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 410px; height: 276px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2840132994_13239b5156_o.jpg" alt="080813-45" /></a><br /><br />. . . just before this motorbike whizzed by . . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840087834/" title="080813-43 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2840087834_a8708585a2_o.jpg" alt="080813-43" /></a><br /><br />When we got home Colin cooked us the best ribs, ever! Perfectly timed . . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840131380/" title="080813-5 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 402px; height: 270px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2840131380_cc90f290cf_o.jpg" alt="080813-5" /></a><br /><br />Then the next morning we had to get up really early to catch our flight back to London from Pisa. This was the scene at 6am as we left the compound . . .<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2840091186/" title="080813-134 by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img style="width: 399px; height: 268px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/2840091186_f09a5a70c5_o.jpg" alt="080813-134" /></a><br /><br /><br />To see more photos from this trip <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/sets/72157607181074219/">go here. </a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-78736365485869431832008-08-03T17:32:00.009+01:002008-08-05T16:24:02.891+01:00Larmer Tree Festival<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2732559686/" title="LarmerFancy by iambrianjones, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2732559686_c9eb2cf5fb.jpg" alt="LarmerFancy" height="400" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Click <a href="http://iambrianjones.blogspot.com/2008/08/larmer-tree-festival.html">here</a> to go to the full post including photos.<br />I love living in England. One of the reasons is the vibrant and diverse music scene here. For me part of that music scene is the <a href="http://www.larmertreefestival.co.uk/pages/index.html">Larmer Tree Festival</a> that takes place every year in Dorset. This summer I was back again and had another amazing time seeing friends I made last year and hearing some great music from amazing bands and DJs from across the globe. Some of the acts that graced the festival's three stages (and two nightclubs) this summer included the Bedouin Jerry Can Band from Egypt, Kora from New Zealand, Tinariwen from Mali, Orchestra Baobab from Senegal and DJ Derek from Bristol. Another great thing about this festival is that there's something to do for everyone at this festival. There are all sorts of workshops and activities like salsa dancing, circus skills, and drumming. The photos you see above (click <a href="http://iambrianjones.blogspot.com/2008/08/larmer-tree-festival.html">here</a> if you don't see them) are from fancy dress Saturday when many people get dressed up in costumes. Check out my <a href="http://www.brianjonesimages.com/Music%20Event%20Sites/LarmerTree2008/LarmerTree2008.html">Larmer Tree 2008 website</a> to see the images I took this year.Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-5829664242889123832008-06-26T16:40:00.000+01:002008-06-30T08:18:20.459+01:00St. Basils PodcastA few months ago I went up to Birmingham, England, to shoot stills to illustrate a podcast about the charity <a href="http://www.stbasils.org.uk/">St. Basils</a>. St. Basils works with young people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. Anyway - have a look at the podcast that was produced by <a href="http://www.audiofortheweb.com/">Audio for the Web</a>'s Rachel Salaman.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8805ZbdNDxs&hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8805ZbdNDxs&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-23823915234767650462008-06-22T21:38:00.000+01:002008-06-23T19:30:17.541+01:00Brian Jones becomes a British CitizenI became a British citizen on 22 May of this year in a ceremony at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromley-by-Bow">Bromley</a> Town Hall in the <a href="http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/templates/index.cfm?CFID=13558754&CFTOKEN=99611252">London Borough of Tower Hamlets</a>. The photo with the blue border was taken by the official photographer who was on site that day. I would credit him but I did not get his name. The other man in the photo is the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, <a href="http://sps2ksrv.towerhamlets.gov.uk/MeetYourCouncillor/MemberDetails.aspx?ID=40">Councillor Mohammed Abdus Salique</a>. The day he swore me in was his first day in office and this was the first public ceremony he officiated as mayor. To the right of the mayor is my wife Rachel, and to her right is a portrait of <a href="http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page5543.asp">Her Majesty Queen Elizababeth II</a>. The other photos were taken by Rachel Salaman.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2600749763/" title="Brian Jones becomes a British citiizen by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 359px; height: 286px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/2600749763_a33a912303_b.jpg" alt="Brian Jones becomes a British citiizen" /></a><br /><br /><br />I was amongst a group of between ten and fifteen other people who also became British that day. My fellow inductees were from countries as diverse as Iraq, Rwanda, Korea, China, Australia, and Nigeria among others. The woman next to me in this photo was from Iraq.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2603791012/" title="IMG_0155 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/2603791012_eac8e023f4_m.jpg" alt="IMG_0155" height="240" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2602962215/" title="IMG_0161 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 391px; height: 261px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2602962215_7d049f96fb.jpg" alt="IMG_0161" /></a><br /><br />Joining me that day as witnesses, in addition to Rachel, were my friend Nick Masters, and Rachel's mum and step-father, Lally and Cecil Chapman.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2603805978/" title="IMG_0194 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 409px; height: 273px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2603805978_1ed42595f8.jpg" alt="IMG_0194" /></a><br /><br />After the ceremony we went to Victoria Park to have <a href="http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/">Monmouth</a> coffee at the <a href="http://www.the-pavilion-cafe.com/">Pavilion</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2602980691/" title="IMG_0204 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 382px; height: 255px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2602980691_29bcaf1823.jpg" alt="IMG_0204" /></a><br /><br />Rachel was the photographer that day. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/sets/72157605758778047/">Click here to see the rest of her photos.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why did I become British?<br /></span>I have been living here for about four years and intend to live here indefinitely. I wanted to be able to fully participate in my community and the affairs of my new country. Not being British meant I could not vote to elect the people who determine the laws under which I live, how my taxes are spent, and the foreign policy my adopted country employs. I can now vote and will be able to enter the country much more quickly once I have applied for and received my British passport. I am also now eligible to serve on a jury! Woo hoo!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What criteria did I have to meet to become British?<br /></span><ul><li>I had to be married to a British citizen. (Other people have other criteria to meet.)<br /></li><li>I had to have lived in the UK for at least three years. </li><li>I had to pass the <a href="http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk/">Life in the UK</a> test. </li><li>I had to fill out a form and pay around £600 to the Home Office.</li><li>I had to find two upstanding citizens who were not relations to vouch for me. (Thanks Purba and Katherine.)<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">What did I have to say to become British?<br /></span>I chose to affirm and declare, rather than "swear by Almighty God".<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>These are the exact words of the Oath of Allegiance, as its known:<br /><i>I, [name], [swear by Almighty God] [do solemnly, sincerely and truly affirm and declare] that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom">Queen Elizabeth II</a>, her heirs, and successors, according to law.</i><br /><br />I was also asked to pledge my loyalty to the United Kingdom:<br /><i>I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.<br /></i><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Am I a </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">dual citizen?<br /></span>Yes, I am now a citizen of two countries, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is that allowed?</span><br />Well, it is not disallowed. Neither the United Kingdom nor the United States of America have any laws that prevent someone from holding another citizenship.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The American view of dual citizenship</span><br />According to the U.S. State Department website, "U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. "<br /><br /><a href="http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html">Here is</a> the State Department article on dual citizenship.<br /><br />According to Wikipedia:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Based on the U.S. Department of State regulation on </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_citizenship" class="mw-redirect" title="Dual citizenship">dual citizenship</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> (7 FAM 1162), the Supreme Court of the United States has stated that dual citizenship is a “status long recognized in the law” and that “a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renunciation_of_citizenship" title="Renunciation of citizenship">renounces</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> the other . . . ”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The British view on dual citizenship<br /></span>According to Wikipedia:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Since the <a href="http://www.uniset.ca/naty/BNA1948.htm">British Nationality Act of 1948</a>, there is in general no restriction, in United Kingdom law, on a British national being a citizen of another country as well. So, if a British national acquires another nationality, they will not automatically lose British nationality. Similarly, a person does not need to give up any other nationality when they become British.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-30351941423276489302008-06-19T16:46:00.000+01:002008-06-19T22:47:35.457+01:00Queen's Official Birthday FlybyThe other day we were hanging out at home and kept hearing airplanes flying past very low and VERY loud. I quickly sprinted upstairs, grabbed a longish lens, and shot these frames through the blue mesh that covers the scaffolding that envelopes our building.<br /><br />It turns out we live under the flight path they were taking on their way to fly past the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trooping_the_Colour">Trooping of the Colour</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Guards_Parade">Horse Guards Parade</a> in Central London four miles to the west of where we live in Bethnal Green. The Trooping of the Colour is a military parade that takes place the first, second, or third Saturday in June in celebration of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Birthday">Queen's Official Birthday</a>. This is not to be confused with the Queen's actual birthday which is 21 April.<br /><br />The building you see in the pictures is <a href="http://www.open2.net/modernity/3_11.htm">Keeling House</a>, one of the only tower blocks that is listed as an architecturally significant building in the UK. It was designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denys_Lasdun" title="Denys Lasdun">Denys Lasdun</a> and built between 1957 and 1959. Ladsun also designed the National Theatre which is in the South Bank Centre in London.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2592322099/" title="080614x12 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 395px; height: 581px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2592322099_2db15bc959_b.jpg" alt="080614x12" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2593158054/" title="080614x1 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 303px; height: 263px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2593158054_1d57395e89_b.jpg" alt="080614x1" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2593161228/" title="080614x8 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 307px; height: 451px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2593161228_ee7c6c822f_b.jpg" alt="080614x8" /></a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-40112126966718365342008-06-16T17:11:00.000+01:002008-06-17T10:23:15.538+01:00Banksy in LondonSince moving to London a few years ago Banksy is an artist whose work I have become quite familiar with. It's always a delight to happen upon an original Banksy in an unexpected place. Banksy is a prominent British graffiti artist whose work you will inevitably see as you wander the streets of London and other British cities. He has a distinctive style and his work usually contains a political comment. I took this first image "One Nation Under CCTV" somewhere north of Covent Garden.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2584518374/" title="080411x22 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 368px; height: 249px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2584518374_f989248933_o.jpg" alt="080411x22" /></a><br /><br />And here is another view showing the rest of this work.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2584518814/" title="080411x23 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2584518814_769a228c32.jpg" alt="080411x23" height="500" width="335" /></a><br /><br />This next Banksy is just around the corner from where I live in Bethnal Green, London. In this work Banksy has diverted the double yellow line across the pavement and up the side of the building to form a flower. In the UK double yellow lines signify no parking. The building he has done this work on is the Bethnal Green Working Man's club. With this work he got permission from the club before going ahead - apparently this is his new <span style="font-style: italic;">modus operandi.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2584431116/" title="Banksy: Double Yellow Flower by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 409px; height: 328px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2584431116_958b6599ac_o.jpg" alt="Banksy: Double Yellow Flower" /></a><br /><br />Banksy is a bit of an enigma - no one really knows who he is - but some think that the guy with the roller is him.<br /><br />Back in October of 2005 a gallery in Notting Hill held an exhibition of some of Banksy's paintings. The work consisted of versions of famous works that had been reworked by Banksy. I don't know if he actually painted these himself or even what his process was as the work is a huge departure from his usual style. Apparently all the work sold out before the show opened. The gallery was very small and only five people were allowed in at one time. Photography was permitted.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2583683197/" title="051025-8 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2583683197_3c2ef9ea4e_o.jpg" alt="051025-8" height="600" width="399" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2584512792/" title="051025-10 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2584512792_910c5065c9_o.jpg" alt="051025-10" height="600" width="399" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2583683683/" title="051025-9 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 406px; height: 271px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2583683683_e7d6ccd899_o.jpg" alt="051025-9" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2583684831/" title="051025-13 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 410px; height: 274px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2583684831_cfdca6ec03_o.jpg" alt="051025-13" /></a><br /><br />During that show the gallery was also filled with a hundred or so live rats. The rat is an animal Banksy frequently features in his street graffiti work. I read later that the rats were relocated to a farm somewhere in the English countryside. Lucky them!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2583682683/" title="051025-6 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 403px; height: 269px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2583682683_fc8ac27735.jpg" alt="051025-6" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2584513756/" title="051025-18 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 392px; height: 262px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2584513756_29bd9b9fda.jpg" alt="051025-18" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22714411@N08/2583685775/" title="051025-21 by astarbarista, on Flickr"><img style="width: 396px; height: 265px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2583685775_40060eb13c_o.jpg" alt="051025-21" /></a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-43239796024555621612008-05-16T06:32:00.000+01:002008-12-11T20:43:19.779+00:00Mpozi Mshale Tolbert - 1972 - 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c8Tw3HFs5HmfhD1lKnhEEDicaPawUDhmHSFhyphenhyphenr9aITQfkQ9MlRqMqtWBnckLcNf8ojA51zFwzR4HZocjJidruPheO8rTsUVOtHTz_S5v8iM62UHI8XoCK2lu8YdngyF1yl3cCGqa7QGQ/s1600-h/Mposiweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c8Tw3HFs5HmfhD1lKnhEEDicaPawUDhmHSFhyphenhyphenr9aITQfkQ9MlRqMqtWBnckLcNf8ojA51zFwzR4HZocjJidruPheO8rTsUVOtHTz_S5v8iM62UHI8XoCK2lu8YdngyF1yl3cCGqa7QGQ/s320/Mposiweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204680125380915938" border="0" /></a>One of the people who inspired me along my path of becoming a photographer died at the young age of 34.<br /><br />While I was in the US last week I found out that my friend Mpozi Mshale Tolbert died two years ago after collapsing in the newsroom of the Indianapolis Star newspaper.<br /><br />Before I met him I was already familiar with his work as he had a 'photo of the week' in the Philadelphia City Paper. The first thing I would do when I got my copy of the paper was look for his photo. Then one night I was having a drink at Dirty Frank's bar and chatting to this enthusiastic young man with dreads who, after about an hour of conversation, introduced himself as Mpozi.<br /><br />He was one of the first people I had met who made a living from photography; and he was only 20. I can only hope to be as successful and prolific as Mpozi was in his short life. At 16 he sold his first photo to a newspaper, during his early twenties he was an Associated Press staff photographer and at the age of 26 he secured a staff job at a major city daily newspaper, the Indianapolis Star. He was also a good friend of the members of the Philly hip hop band the Roots and documented their rise to prominence throughout the early 1990s.<br /><br />I took the above black and white portrait of him back in the early 90s when I was taking a photo class at the University of the Arts in Philly. When I showed it to him he liked it so much that he offered to buy a copy from me. I declined payment as his appreciation of my work was worth more than money.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPP_8mom8PE-y6a1mThbmthg1XB1Dl8ojJ-Y9Wz9ax59QCFSz7mICs06OYNLQXwdvzIvvHKTA5X4dzQbwQqfjP_2JV72Jc6V0GGduH4TCyigaBYiRPCEc7TwldJY2uxh3iuaOPmAGuZin/s1600-h/040902-7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPP_8mom8PE-y6a1mThbmthg1XB1Dl8ojJ-Y9Wz9ax59QCFSz7mICs06OYNLQXwdvzIvvHKTA5X4dzQbwQqfjP_2JV72Jc6V0GGduH4TCyigaBYiRPCEc7TwldJY2uxh3iuaOPmAGuZin/s320/040902-7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204683840527626994" border="0" /></a>I took this photo the last time I ran into Mpozi in Manhattan on Union Square during the Republican National Convention in 2004. He was busy shooting a protest while fielding calls to photograph a delegate to the convention. Despite being very busy he greeted me with a big hug and lots of questions. Upon parting he said he would send me a mix of some of the Bossa Nova music he was spinning as a DJ.<br /><br />I sorely miss his presence on this planet but am so glad to have known him.<br /><br />I pledge to lead my life to its fullest - as I know Mpozi did. And if I don't then it will be a waste.<br /><br />Here are some photos of Mpozi from Flickr:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mpozi+&m=text" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/search/<wbr>?q=mpozi+&m=text</a><br /><br />Have a listen to this audio memorial to Mpozi that was broadcast on NPR shortly after his death.<br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5629480" target="_blank">http://www.npr.org/templates<wbr>/story/story.php?storyId<wbr>=5629480</a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6965750365959300548.post-13082140917053220092008-05-06T05:16:00.000+01:002008-12-11T20:43:19.961+00:00Maggie loves Misha<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXY0tsyKzQ-rAMMjDXw0aOSOKTbdYOmdA6BQJ5NU7Ca5vbZp-sM0_hINkvNST2amNFQKAXekPR-Kvi1L6i-XFw6gl1rb5TRXnCGQBuuRxpSq_TPJPXWqBOOgUgNiPb5XNgM1D2wnI2G2j/s1600-h/460.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXY0tsyKzQ-rAMMjDXw0aOSOKTbdYOmdA6BQJ5NU7Ca5vbZp-sM0_hINkvNST2amNFQKAXekPR-Kvi1L6i-XFw6gl1rb5TRXnCGQBuuRxpSq_TPJPXWqBOOgUgNiPb5XNgM1D2wnI2G2j/s320/460.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197119224139724434" border="0" /></a>Maggie and Misha just sent me a link to their wedding website. She's Chinese and her fiance Misha is from the Ukraine. They met at the University of Texas at Austin while they were undergrads. They now live in New York and recently Maggie spent a semester here in London at the London Business School. She contacted me about doing an engagement session while Misha was visiting London from New York. We spent an awesome afternoon together taking taxis around London and taking photos.<br /><br />Check out their <a href="http://www.maggielovemisha.com/wedmedo.com/sitedata/sites/mishaandmaggie1/">wedding website here.</a> (WARNING: turn down your volume as there is music on this page.)<br /><br /><a href="http://homepage.mac.com/starbarista/Sites/EngagementSession/index.html">Check out the rest of the images from our day together.</a>Brian Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12373124180262255638noreply@blogger.com0