Monthly Archives: August 2011

Not your usual bank branch…

Yesterday I had to go to one of our banking clients’ St James’ headquarters for a meeting. Slap bang opposite the Palace sits the [censored] Banking Corporation’s majestic Private Clients Bank. Apparently you need a cool £5,000,000 to even get an invite there, but I was there for a work meeting, so was even allowed to use the lavatory!

Obviously built to impress and show wealth, the rather gaudy old central lobby is well offset against the modern new wing behind where I took the photograph from… the Bank seem to have a fascination with grandfather clocks that are in abundance, and overly zen looking orchids, while the carpets were so deep you were given wellies to plough your way to the offices…

If only Barclays on Cornmarket Street was like this…

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Pitt Rivers’ Caravan…

Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers was an army officer, ethnologist, and archeologist and magpie. He was noted for his innovations in archaeological methods, and in the museum display of archaeological and ethnological collections. He also collected stuff on an Imperial scale. His collections now form the core of the Pitt Rivers Museum… one of my favourite places in the whole world… anyway… his collecting caravan that he had dragged across the globe used to be stored in the garden of the Human Sciences Centre, but now has appeared as the ticket kiosk of the University’s Arboretum… itself well worth a look. The nice ticket lady thought I was bonkers, but did let me take a photo…

Do check out both the Pitt Rivers Museum and the University Arboretum.

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Filed under Oxford: The Perspiring Dream

Tibetan Lobsters

This is a genius article sent to me by a dear friend… its total nonsense of course, but a touching gesture! “Instead of plunging headfirst to their death in a pot of boiling water, 534 live lobsters escaped the dinner plate and belly flopped to freedom into the dark waters of the Atlantic Ocean.” This sort of thing can only happen in the US surely? And l love the www. address… it ends with “usoddlyenough” … need I say more!

Follow this Lobsters link!

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I’m Running the Blenheim Half Marathon

You are probably here because I have pestered you into sponsoring me, or you have met me in a pub and I have written this web address on your arm. Either way; Thanks for getting this far!

Bascially I am running for three main reasons. Firstly, The British Heart Foundation are amazing people, helping to keep us fit and healthy, caring for us when we are less so, and researching why things go wrong. And things often go wrong. Research and care cost a staggering amount of money, so while I still can, I am going to get off my arse and help them fundraise.

The second reason is that like I said, things often go wrong. Life can deal us horrible blows; and hearts are fragile things. Most of us, almost without exception, will know and love someone who has, or will develop, heart problems. My own family, and many that I care for are no different. So are yours. I guess that anything I can do to help the British Heart Foundation must therefore be a good thing.

And finally, and personally, hearts get broken. Perhaps this is my way of mending one. (Please feel free ignore this last bit..)

So, down to the nitty gritty, donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

I know things are tight for everyone right now, but if the idea of me trying to run round a muddy field in the rain makes you smile, cough up your cash! And, “thank you.” From the bottom of my heart, and that of the British Heart Foundation.

http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-RunForrest-Myatt

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Filed under Timology