Trashy culture no community and guns on line are to blame.

My thoughts are with the people suffering in Colorado. In this world of trashy culture;  violent video games; bad education and little care; a mad, articulate and clever good looking man, James Holmes, decides to kill people in America. 
Virtually the same story as the Anders Breivik massacre in Norway.  Shouldn't we all wake up and listen?.  What are we doing selling weapons to people on line? What are we doing selling guns at all?  Why are they necessary?
Why are violent video games allowed? Why is community discouraged and dumbed down indolence allowed?
It is a sad reflection on our society that this sort of craziness is allowed.

JACK ENGLISH REIGNS AS STILL PHOTOGRAPHER with panache and style.

I have known my friend Jack for about five years.  He has a surly look about him that is false.  He has style, panache and wears exclusive clothes from designers that few have heard of.  He is rare. Either love him or loathe him no one can deny his brilliant talent with the camera. Five years ago he spent three months photographing homeless people in down town LA.
His exhibition with Gary Oldman  and Paul Smith in Melrose starts the 24th February and here are a few of his favourite things and betes noires.

1. You will find him smoking  Gitanes with an expresso while       sunning his face outside a Los Angeles cafe.
2.  One of his best films is Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.
3.   His favourite designer is Paul Harnden.
4.   His one ambition is to take his brother to America.
5.   He likes to take photographs of people who have lived.
6.   He would like to see  his friend Gary Oldman win an Oscar.
7.   When asked about advice he said "I don't give it"
8.   Favourite camera is an Leica M2.
9.   He likes walking in the the shoes from Lobbs in St James's.
10. He likes to see women wearing Comme des Garcons.
11.  He likes the smells from Santa Maria Nouvello
12.  He likes to listen to John Coltrane, Love Supreme.
13.  His favourite film director is Sidney Lumet.
14.  He likes to eat Toro.
15.  Greed is the worst sin.
16.  His favourite poem is by Wilfred Owen, Dulce est decorum est, war poet.
17.  Play that he most enjoyed is Iceman Commeth.
18.  Life changing experience was meeting someone sober.

19.  Thank you to Paul Smith who has put on his exhibition.
20.  Dante la vita nouva favourite piece of classical music.

MR MICHAEL JACKSON IS DEAD FAREWELL

Michael Jackson dying today will be a serious blow to my generation. As a child star, we all loved him, happy ,cheerful and one of the most talented, if not the most talented, pop stars of our time. As a teenager nobody could beat him, his energy and success brought about enjoyment for all. Few have the dance technique he created.
As he grew older trouble scandal and an obsession about his appearance, made him a neurotic figure in American life. But he was a true eccentric, but like true eccentrics, they feed the public with debate on their behaviour. We should however remember that few people achieve his greatness ever, and he united the world in Michael Jackson power.
My sympathy to all his family and friends and of course RUSHKA BERGMAN, my friend who became so close to him in his last few years of life. She was styling him to the end. Three cheers for the AMERICAN DREAM.