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For the launch of Rockport Torsion System Technology by Adidas at the Rockport Popup Store, 76 Greene Street. SoHo, NYC from 12th-16th September
When you loose control of your mobile 'phone, unexpected things can happen.
Unedited image taken with & uploaded from my smart 'phone.
It has occurred to me that these things are culturally iconic in the same way that WW2 propaganda posters were. Seriously, do the people creating ads like this stop to consider how absurd their work is?
Tasting Britain got an invite to Camden Beach in the roundhouse to celebrate Black Tot day with Pusser's rum, in their bar/shack/popup 'Rum Shack-a-Lack'. We showed up a bit late but still managed the chance to get cracking on some Gunpowder Proof Pusser's Rum (54.5% ABV - just right to ignite gunpowder, I'm not making this up…). Though, AFAIK, Pusser's is not the 'official' rum that Royal Navy sailors drunk, I am told that the Gunpowder Proof comes very close. I'm not actually sure what the forces used to drink actually.
Anyway, The first Black Tot Day was 31st July, 1970 - and marks the last day of the Royal Navy's practice of the rum ration (or 'tot') (the black symbolises mourning I think - i.e hardline Navy guys and gals mourning the end of free rum being doled out to them around midday EVERY SINGLE DAY WITHOUT EXCEPTION). How did the practice work? Vessels had, according to Wikipedia (SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON ALL THAT IS AND EVER WILL BE ) supposedly one huge ornate oak barrel decorated and reinforced with brass bands. These barrels are embossed with brass letters saying, "The Queen, God Bless Her" (because we're still patriotic 'n shit)
Anyway, a little about the venue. The Camden Roundhouse originally began life as an engine shed, it was later turned into a bonded warehouse for Gibey's Gin (nah, I've never heard of it either) - until sometime in the 1960s I think when it gradually began to morph into the arts powerhouse/venue it is now. Since 2012 they've installed 150 tonnes of sand in 900 square meters on the rooftop, and called the whole thing 'Camden Beach' (see what they did there?). There are private bars, beach huts, people playing with buckets and spades (I assume provided by the venue, there were way too many scattered about for people to have bought them along). It's kinda a weird place to be drinking overproof rum out of plastic cups but this is my life now and I guess I'll have to deal with it...