Month: November 2017

B220 – THE ITV GALA 2017

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Today I was working at the ITV Gala, which is an event put on by ITV for its massive teams both in front of the camera and behind, it was an event full of all the stars from their biggest shows and big bosses. This post is now especially hard because my one golden rule is that I never post on social media about these jobs unless its already gone out on TV or if it doesn’t give to much away. I just don’t want to cross that line which makes me look unprofessional. I normally just ignore the day but as I now post three photos each day and today has revolved completely around this event, I don’t have a choice.

One thing I think is completely fair to say is the London Palladium is a pretty cool venue but it’s literally like a rabbit run and even after 13 hours of being there I still have no idea where anything was or even how to find the toilet.

The one thing I love about these types of jobs is that I get to see a bunch of old friends and have those catch ups with people that I might not of seen for a year or more. nothing is better than walking around a venue full of people and bumping into someone you might not of seen for 2 / 3 years and having a little catch up, its kind of one of those perks to the job. I remember a chat I had with my school teachers and my mum when they wanted to know why I was always late to class and the excuse was because I would just get chatting to someone in the corridor and end up like 5 minutes late to class, that problem really feels like its followed me through into my job but only this time Ive grown up so now Ive learnt to walk and chat, rather than just stand still.

If you have ever been to London you will know that the famous road called Oxford street is one of the busiest streets around and probably also one of my favourite, it was the first street I got to properly figure out and know where everything was when I started working in the city and now I hardly visit it which is a bit annoying. most of my work is based in east london or somewhere outside of the M25. Im going to start making the journey over to Oxford Street more often, thats a promise.

So for me to get back there today was actually a nice treat and when I managed to get some spare time,  I decided to venture out and grab a coffee and as you can imagine when I saw a middle age man stop in the middle of the tube entrance and pose of a selfie with the “oxford street” sign I could pull out my phone quick enough to take a photo. its crazy how so much can be happening on one street is such a sort period of time, there is always something to photograph on Oxford street.

Anyway enough of my chatting on, here are my photos from today.

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– I took this shot as everyone was leaving, I made a quick escape after the show – im kind of jealous I didnt go for a drink but I know tomorrow morning Ill know it was the right decision –
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– this guy made going to get a coffee so much better –
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– I wonder if anyone has ever brought a t shirt from this guy? next time i see a stall I think I might have to pick one up –

 

 

B219 – “THE GUY CAUGHT UP IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS”

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its here, that time I never thought would come. I put it to the back of my head and tried not to think about it, im talking about the time of year when it gets dark at 4 in the afternoon. today I spent the whole day in an office, I know I said I would try and get out of my lunch hour and some cool kind of project but I wasn’t expecting 6pm to come around so quick. and then I left work and it was  pitch dark and I hadnt taken a single photo. lucky I had a quick thought and decided to run with it so here I am.

Positive thoughts josh Positive thoughts.

This time of year is pretty good for taking photos late at night, for one reason everyone looks like a character from some 1940’s black and white film. its a mixuter between the winter clothing like a long jacket, hat or dark clothing together with the lighting or really lack of light which creates these cool silhouettes as people walk or cycle along the road. I think its because all of a sudden a random office communter on their way home to sit on the sofa and eat a packed of chocolate digestives now looks like some under cover detective casing out a suspect or they look like the suspect and move around in the dark to go unnoticed. taking all this in mind when walking home my goal was to try and get a photo of what I thought the detective, the suspect and then “the guy caught up in the middle of all this” would look like.

I have no idea if this makes sense to anyone readings this but it makes sense in my head and thats kind of all that matters right. I know it helps if I get my point across but as long as you like my photos thats all that really matters.

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– the detective –
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– the suspect –
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– the guy caught up in all this –

B218 – BACK TO THE OFFICE

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Back in london now and back to work, but I though it would be a good idea to show some more photos from paris. before I start blabbering on, how good was Amy’s first post yesterday, she got 81 page views in total which for a day is pretty good! we just need to think of a name for her blog now? what are you views on http://www.joshisdabest.com ?

As you read on yesterdays post we spent most of the time walking around just exploring the city and looking for mussels and chips. Paris is on of those cities which Ive been to  fair amount of times but just enjoy going to, I also try and not visit the same place twice until Ive seen enough of the world, but Paris is an exception. I cant go to that city enough, and as its a train ride away from London St. Pancras it literally couldn’t be easier.

But considering im now laying in bed on Wednesday morning trying to think of a good reason to lay here all day, but also knowing that in a few minutes I’ve got to get up and go to work I know that the fun little adventure at the weekend is now well and truly over. Ive decided that todays pictures should be in Black and White because that city looks so good in B&W and also because its no in the past it kind of works quite well for showing off some of the extra sights we saw.

Today Im determined to take my camera to work with me and start showing off some of London on my Lunch Break, see how far away from the office I can on my lunch break or something. Off the top of my head I think I can make it at least 5 miles. wish me luck!

 

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– le eiffel tower –
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– not sure what building this is, I just like the way the road line leads your eye up to it –
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– this is a proper french cafe –

 

 

 

B217 – SHES TAKEN OVER

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THIS IS AMY CHAPPELL WRITING THIS.  IM TRYING TO GET HER TO START WRITING A BLOG. SO SHE IS GOING TO WRITE THIS ONE AND CAN EVERYONE READ IT AND TELL HER HOW GOOD SHE IS AT WRITING THESE. BY THE WAY THE PHOTOS ARE MINE.

Day two in Paris began with a very easy going start after a heavy evening that ended with death by Baileys coffee; I reckon Josh must have poured half the bottle into them! Instead of dealing with an overpriced and fairly overrated breakfast at our hotel we headed out and found a small café that did the best ham and cheese toasties ever!

Our first venture of the day was this really cool shop called Colette on Rue-Saint-Honore which I have always wanted to visit, its like a really niche concept store that just so happened to have an exclusive Chanel takeover this weekend much to my pleasure! I think even Josh may have even enjoyed it as they even stocked a hassleblad X1D camera (I promise I have no idea what that is, he literally just told me what it was as I was writing!) If you ever end up in Paris I would recommend giving the shop a visit.

The rest of day we went on a serious hunt for moulet et frites. Can you believe it took us over an hour to find somewhere that did mussels and chips! Even though it took a while, I quickly realised this is one of the best cities to just walk around, you see something different on every street and so many interesting characters along the way. We ended up in a little restaurant on the Champs – Elysee and of course we had to order some traditional French cuisine of slimy escargot which I am sorry everyone tastes bloody great! I know what your thinking this blog post features me mainly talking about food but what’s a weekend away without stuffing your face full of local cuisine!

We couldn’t end our trip without seeing the Eiffel tower so we headed up there at exactly the right moment, when golden hour was emerging. Its amazing how one hour of the day can make a beautiful city look even more beautiful especially in the autumn with the golden brown colour palette. Check out a few snaps Josh took of our adventure today and ooh before I forget Josh thank you so much for a wonderful birthday present away, you’re alright you know!

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– Nothing beats walking around Paris in November –
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– it would be a complete trip to paris without a shot of the eiffel tower –
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– amy its golden hour! –
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– i like this guys style, he knew what he wanted –

 

 

B216 – AFTERNOON IN PARIS

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After a bit of bumpy start yesterday when we first got to paris, basically our phones wouldnt work, which meant we had no way of booking an Uber, something todo with the new Apple OS update or something. But for those of you that have been to Gaurd De Nord before you know the first thing you see when you come out the train station is a Mcdonalds and they are known worldwide for having a good free Wifi connection, something that comes in handy when you need to book a taxi!

anyway yesterday afternoon was all about getting over to the Dior exhibition over at the Musee De Arts Decorative on Rue De Ravoli, its basically this massive museum which shows you the history behind Dior and how the company has got to where it is today, so it was pretty interesting. I know nothing about fashion or Dior really, but even for me it was just cool too see what goes into it and where the whole company originated from. In the exhibition theres a massive section on photography so that was pretty interesting to see. I definitely think if your in paris between now and the 7th January you should go and see this whole thing even if your not really in to fashion, the whole thing is just cool to see and even though its a museum full of dresses they don’t really look like dresses. they are more like pieces of art I suppose.

its now the next day and we are having a bit of a lazy morning trying to think what we should do for breakfast, we are staying at the Hotel Eiffel Blomet and they seem todo a good breakfast but nothing will ever beat €1 espresso coffee and a Jambon croissant.

Today the mission is to find some prints and stuff for the flat, Amy also NEEDS to see the shop collet! so I guess we will probably to that too.

Heres my photos from yesterday Bon Appetit.

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– this was in the last room at the Dior show, all the walls are full to the ceiling in dresses and dress making stuff –
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– the new Louis Vitton shop, they went all out –
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– my photo of the Eiffel Tower. Hello Paris –

 

B215 – PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – AMERICA TO PARIS (KIND OF)

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After getting home Saturday at like mid day from travelling back from Ludlow, Massachusetts , I decided that I would spend the rest of the day chilling out and not running around taking photos, but instead sit on the sofa and watch TV and then on Sunday think of something to post while waiting for the Eurostar. Its not that time and I’m sat on the train waiting for it to depart.

We are off to Paris for a few days and just going on a bit of an adventure, there is no better place to go that paris when its this time of year, I don’t think theres a person on this planet that doesn’t like Paris in the cold. that might sound strange but trust me its true.

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– the english weather welcoming us back to the UK, anit nothing like gray English cloud –
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– Up and out early this morning, who needs a Sunday lay in anyway? –
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– this was one of the pictures of a car I took ages ago in Chicago, I just wanted to follow the Planes, Trains and Auto Mobile theme –

My photos today are basically just of my transport this past 24 hours, Ive done planes, trains and automobiles (forgot to take photos of the cars Ive been in, that is really annoying now Ive thought of that), but I have been in a car so ill just have to post an old photo from when I was in a car.

Today isn’t going to be my best post as Ive just been getting back to normal, but now Ive got two days in Paris expect some good photos to come. I might even post four pictures tomorrow who knows. Im just looking forward to being back in Paris, we have a fair bit planned and our first stop apparently is going to be this Dior fashion thingy, I’m not too sure what it is but Amy seems excited.

At the moment I’m also trying to use the Eurostar Free wifi to get this post online and that is proving to add quite a bit of stress to my Sunday morning. Its slow Really slow, I hope someone out there can relate to my frustration right now.

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– the english weather welcoming us back to the UK, anit nothing like gray English cloud –
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– Up and out early this morning, who needs a Sunday lay in anyway? –
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– this was one of the pictures of a car I took ages ago in Chicago, I just wanted to follow the Planes, Trains and Auto Mobile theme –

B214 – IM GOING HOME!!

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Right now its 14:44 on Friday, Im sat a Bradley international airport in Massachusetts about to board a plane to Boston, Ive got an hour till we take off and from Boston I have a flight that will take me to London Heathrow. its now the complete end of my time in America and after two months on the road going from Hotel to Hotel its time to head home and finally do some washing and get on my DIY skills on, I’ve got a hall way to paint and some more blinds to put up! so get ready for some DIY posts, they will be coming thick and fast.

right now though Im scrolling through the photos Ive taken on my phone and think its only right to post some photos that I have taken on my phone before they disappear into the hard drive of my computer forever.

If I had to choose one city that has left a mark on me it has to be New York, that place is probably one of my favourite cities Ive visited in a long time, it just doesn’t sleep and every corner has something happening and thats what I like. Nothing stops in New York, its just on the move constantly. I will 100 percent be coming back to New York in the near future.

On the other hand, the state that surprised me the most and rank up there of cool places is New England. thats the area Im in now, apparently its were the english first landed when they discovered America, thats where it gets its name from. If I could get hold of a mountain bike and had a few days off I would loved to of just cycle round the forests and explored this area, it just looks like a cool place to have an adventure. that sounds like a pretty cool idea now Ive just said that. Amy? Can you cycle?

Ive really enjoyed this trip and feel like Ive managed to see a fair bit of america is a short period of time. but now I just need to come back and really get to know it when Im working. Heres list of the places Ive been in the last few months. New York, New Jersey, Massachussets, Flordia, Illinois, North Carolina, St.louis, Toronto and Vancover. Looking at that im really suprised that I haven’t missed a day of this blog yet and not really sure where Ive found the hour or so it takes to write these each day.

Tomorrow I land back in the UK and have to  rush home for a hair cut, pack a bag and get ready for a few days get away in Paris. Amy and Me are going there because theres some fashion show that she wants to check out and I owe her a birthday present. so get ready for me to put my best Zoolander outfit on and explore the city of Paris!

Heres  some of  the photos from my phone of these past few months.

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– New York at 6am –
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– Ive never seen an exhaust like this, is it legal in the UK? –
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– a view from New England –

 

B213 – THE FREEMASONS!

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Dad you’ll like this fact, so where I am in Massachusetts is home to the oldest fraternity in the world. The Freemasons, they literally are from where I am right now, they even have a load of Freemason lodges in the area where if you are part of them you can go a stay. thats pretty cool.

Im not sure if they are the same as we have in the UK but from there website it sounds like they are. Here, its a brotherhood for men to make connections work or life related and be part of “something bigger”.For the people who dont know what the Freemasons are the best way I can describe it, the organisation is a bit like an Adult scout’s group meets Social club. its full of traditions and teaches important life skills, but also it’s there for men to look out for one another. Im not saying I completely agree with this idea, but  it is a part of  our history and something that is still relative to us today i suppose, so we should really at least try to understand it.

Heres their website, have a look and see what you think. I mean if anyone can join and they just have a good time, eat good food, socialise, while having the odd secrete handshake, I don’t see a problem with it.

http://massfreemasonry.org/what-is-freemasonry/#!/brotherhood/

Im just kind of happy Ive managed to see another part of the world I probably would never have seen if it wasn’t for this job. Im now 213 days down  on the blog and really feel like my photos are getting better. today on my drive through Palma, Massachusetts, I saw this motor bike parked outside some 1960’s america cafe and as I went to take the photo I completely got the focus wrong, and as I pressed the shutter a red mustang drove past, 6 months ago I would probably have written the photo off as a fail, but today I looked at it and really liked how it turned out. a lot of photography, is purely about being in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing. that was difficult thing I had to understand when I first started this photo challenge thing, going out for 10 minutes once a week to take photos is pointless. but now I feel confident in my photos and seem to always be carrying my camera around with me, I think I’m slowly starting to get some cool photos from places I’ve been.

Here are my photos from today, its my last full day in america before I head back to London from all of 15 hours before I leave for my next trip and it should be a good one, I’ve been excited about this one for a while and cant wait to share the photos with you.

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– the home of the freemasons –
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– this photo, out of focus but I really like the colour in this shot, give its a 35mm feel –
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– the type of place Im in at the moment, surrounded by proper wildness –

 

B212 – MARTIE THE MOOSE

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Now that we are on our last leg of this little tour of america, we are in New England, it really reminds me of the British country side but just with a touch of america, it seems to have the British winter weather and is just cold. a bit different to last weeks 30 degrees Florida.

As we are filming today this is going to be me talking about a local restaurant, and I have to say this is a proper good one. this place is called Burgundy Brooks Cafe and it serves all the good stuff. I had the Burgundy Burger and some Beef soup. the soup was just to get my body temperature back to normal and the burger just because I wanted a burger. out here it kind of feels like america’s version of the country side, there’s trees and green fields for miles and miles and even though I live  in a city I still miss the country side and the fresh air, so coming here is kind of refreshing and reminds me of home.

Back to Burgundy Brooks Cafe, its kind of got that family feel and a place to get some good food at a good price, I think all my food came to like $13 dollars, which is pretty decent. What was nice about this place was how friendly they were, one guy that worked there was keith, he came over to me and handed me an on the house espresso, which after a pack morning was just what I needed before lunch. he basically then just talked me through the local area and all the things I should do while Im here, which is always perfect when you get to a places you’ve never been to before. and the one place that got my attention was the Tree house brewery its been voted on of the best Breweries in the States and also the world!! what more reason do I need to go give it a visit.

what you always need when you come to new places, is a local to give you some good advise and make sure you do all the right things. and if your ever in Ludlow, Springfeild, Palma or just near that area in New England make sure you take the trip to Burgundy Brook Cafe, find Keith, get some good food and all the advise you need about this area. he can also point you in the direction of some world class beer.

Heres a link to their website, and also check out my photos below.

http://www.burgundybrook.com/

 

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– Burgundy Brook Cafe, New England –
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– this is Marti, you cant see it but on the other side of his head is a phone, hes just calling a mate –
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– this is just out the front of the cafe, looks kinda cool –

 

B211 – HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

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Since I can remember everyones always said that in america they do Halloween 10 x better than us brits to do in the UK. well today is officially my first american Halloween and from being over here for the past month I can back that up, its treated like we treat christmas, its like 50 percent of all houses on every street dresses their houses up to look like some kind of Haunted House.

Today we kind of had a spontaneous prep day which means we didn’t have to go a film, well we did go a film some GV’s (general views) but apart from that I could get some rest in and not have to think about too much, which was kind of perfect, I literally laid in bed till 10am before even thinking about going out for a coffee and now I feel ready to go wake up early and get back to work.

for the past like 4 years Halloween in the UK seems to have taken off and I love it, im not really any good at dressing up, I always seem to get my make up wrong or don’t really have a proper outfit, but I love the treats and the parties, which kind what makes it. but as I currently living life out of a hotel in this part of the world called Ludlow, Massachusetts, Ill just have to live halloween through the millions of photos on instagram and through my whistle stop tour of Springfield earlier onto, were I managed to get the photos you see below. to be honest it was quite good because we had a few lenses with us, so I got to play around with a few different ones while taking these photos. there was literally fake zombies hanging from trees a long the streets that would start to shake and scream as you walked past. I hope they were fake because if they weren’t I would be terrible in a zombie apocalypse.

Heres my photos from today. enjoy.

and sorry  for my spelling mistakes yesterday. I do know how to spell avocado but sometime I just get it wrong.

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– these things were just creepy –
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– why are all these props bald? –
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– just one of the million front gardens that were decorated. kids round here must love this time of year –