November-December projects and ideas
leila johnston
Well, brrrrr. Eh? Brrrrrrrr. Eh?
I've had a lot on this month and have been pinballing between Sheffield and London with meetings and events. The headlines...
Speaking
On the 12th I spoke at The Monday Club in Shoreditch. I did an updated version of Making Things Fast. The other speaker was the composer Daniel Pemberton. He talked about how he writes music for films and telly, and was ace. More about the evening here: http://www.theassemblynetwork.com/2012/11/monday-club-november-2012-first-thought-best-thought/
On the 17th, I hosted a day (organised by the Site Gallery) in Sheffield, bringing original computer art pioneers from the 60s into conversation with younger members of the community. It was extremely interesting. The event was held to launch Ernest Edmonds's new show at Site. The intro I wrote is up on my blog here: finalbullet.com/2012/11/17/making-art-by-writing-code
On the 25th, I spoke to a congregation of 500, at James Ward's 'Boring' conference, about my personal connection to IBM and why I often find myself taking photographs of their tills. People seemed to like it, and it was singled out in the Guardian write-up of the event the next day (presumably the reviewer left during the first break). Here's the Guardian piece: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/nov/25/boring-festival-brings-unexpected-intrigue and my write-up http://finalbullet.com/2012/11/25/ibm-and-me-a-talk-for-boring-2012/.
I was supposed to be speaking at the BBC on the 26th but it's been postponed till January.
On the 27th I talked about doppelgangers at a ghost stories evening called 'Den of Eek' which took place at The Phoenix Club near Oxford Circus, and was devised and hosted by Sarah Dobbs and Den of Geek. Lovely idea for an event, and very well carried out. Sarah's write-up: http://www.sarahdobbs.com/2012/11/den-of-eek-a-night-of-spooky-stories/
Writing
Because no real publisher wants it, but there is always more to be said on the subject (and as I know from experience, several audiences for it), I've just started writing up Making Things Fast, with a view to self-publishing it as an ebook.
I'm still the editor of The Literary Platform. We've just started a Shakespeare Season on the site. Bard + digital + apps + hacks. Check it out: theliteraryplatform.com
Also this month, I wrote something for Wired UK about getting fast rapport with people, which will show up in the mag early next year. And I have something in the *current* Wired about how to survive a bank robbery.
Recording
Roo and I, with our lovely assistant Lee Maguire, are recording a new Shift Run Stop in time for Christmas. If you'd like to munch along at home, the snacks you'll need to get in before you listen are: Haribo Jelicons, Walkers Sensations Szechuan Pepper peanuts, The Fantastic Fox's 'Magnificos' chilli & lime flavour and Heston's spiced shortcrust mince pies from Waitrose.
December...
My writing buddy Tim and I have plans for The Inner Head – theinnerhead.com, and Minotaur The Moosical. It may be possible to act on those plans in December.
Just two London trips next month: one Christmas party and one event. I have some extra freelance stuff to keep me busy and am keen to stay in Sheffield as much as I can between now and Christmas.
Doubt I'll get around to organising a "gathering" now, but do pop round sometime if you're in the area. I might even make mince pies, as I'm told you can buy both the outside and the inside bits, and I now know how to use a spoon. They'll be ready in seconds!
For some reason I'm a bit tired. Let's not make any new plans for things for a few weeks now*.
Thanks for reading!
Leila
*I haven't forgotten about PennyCon.
finalbullet.com