The Steeple Times

Tag: social media

  • Oliver Estreich: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Oliver Estreich: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks contemporary artist and founder of theNativeSociety Oliver Estreich: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” Oliver Estreich, what’s your guiding force?

    Creativity and sex.

     

     “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “Think rich, look poor” and “Nothing exceeds like excess.”

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?

    Who is Kerry Katona? … For me, it has to be the amount of hype over Facebook and other social media ventures.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    I live in the moment so I have no regrets but I think about my Snoopy stuffed animal I had when I was a kid… He spurred my imagination.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    One night in Bangkok… Wait, I’ve already done that. My definition of “wealth” is: “One who is rich in friends, family and passion. “

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank.” What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    Trump caused it.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “Same shit, different day.” You might as well be a zombie or in a grave if you say or believe that.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    Charity is vital to society – if you actually get your hands dirty. Simply donating to a cause to look like a “charitable” person is hogwash.  I am a huge advocate of Humane Society and Special Olympics.

     

    The judge in “Law Abiding Citizen” states: “I can pretty do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    Can’t live with it, can’t live without it.

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    Ernest Hemingway, Sir Richard Branson, Hugh Hefner and Andy Warhol.

     

    Oliver Estreich

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    Hudut caught with friends and cooked off the coast of Caye Caulker, Belize. It would be served with Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce and a refreshing Belikin beer.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    It’s always 12 pm somewhere in the world.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A martini straight up with two blue cheese olives and a French blond model on the side.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    Saturday parties at Le Bilboquet in New York’s Upper East Side. It has a great atmosphere and great staff. It’s like home.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    Everyone I surround myself with is positive. Attitude is contagious.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Too many to count.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    I have one – Asian symbol for love and pleasure.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A Ferrari Testarossa.

     

    Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I sleep naked.

     

    Finally, Oliver Estreich: What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    A picture of my family next to a hundred other random items that serve some purpose.

     

    Oliver Estreich is the founder of theNativeSociety and a contemporary artist specialising in pop art.  Follow Oliver Estreich on Twitter at @OliverEstreich.

  • Delia Smith CBE

    Delia Smith CBE

    “The Delia Effect” is well known and when this English cook taught her viewers how to cook an egg in 1998, sales rocketed by 10% overnight. Worth some £23 million, she’s also endorsed Aunt Bessie’s mashed potatoes and supported the Labour Party. Smith was baptised into the Church of England but attended a Methodist Sunday School. She later joined a Congregationalist Brownie Group but converted to the Roman Catholic Church at the age of 22. Together with her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones, she is a majority shareholder in Norwich City Football Club and it is here whilst supporting “The Canaries,” that’s she’s known to get a little carried away with her use of the English language.

  • Cycling with a Smile

    Cycling with a Smile

    Former Emmerdale bad boy Lyndon Ogbourne updates readers of The Steeple Times on his cycle expedition for Once Upon a Smile

     

    Part One:

    I begin this section of my travel journal, sat Bear Gryls style, next to a campfire I’ve successfully made, cooking a fish I’ve caught (with much difficulty) that I plan to serve with some bread from a boulangerie about 110km from where I’ve set up camp.

     

    Lyndon Ogbourne cycling through the French countryside

    Ogbourne’s Cadence Performance bicycle is given a well earned rest

    I’m exhausted but exhilarated. The journey I set out on 5 days ago has taken me through some of the most beautiful but challenging sections of country I’ve ever experienced. I’m a novice cyclist but with the help of the Cadence Performance Centre I trained for the distances I would cover. Nothing, however, could prepare me for the scorching temperatures I have experienced. They would have been fantastic sat chilling on a beach, but are an added and detrimental element to a 635-mile cycle challenge.

     

    The structure of my cycling expedition has been loose and spontaneous and as long as I cover a minimum of 100km day, I’ll make it to the airport in time for my scheduled flight. The rest is an adventurous ‘play-it-by-ear’ set up.

     

    Part Two: Toulon

    My legs are tight and bruised and battered from a fall near Castelnaudary when I was outfoxed by a tree stump on the path. Ahead of me, though, was the greatest challenge of all, the mountainous terrain between Marseilles and Toulon. There I encountered 136km of mountain range, with 8km ascents dappled with 3km climbs just to stick the knife in.

     

    I arrived in Toulon a broken man. The beautiful views of Marseilles were awe inspiring, but the mountains I have just covered were nearly my undoing. I write this second section sprawled like a rag doll on my bed in a rustic but somewhat dingy B&B in Toulon.

     

    I have never challenged myself like this before and my whole being tingles with a feeling beyond pain. My mind, however, is filled with memories that I will treasure forever and, if it ever recovers, my body will grow stronger.

     

    Tomorrow, I venture on, edging ever closer to the final leg of this mammoth challenge. Today, I saw a sign to Nice and the energy and endorphin rush it produced inside me made me feel I should cycle there tonight. Luckily common sense prevailed and I realised rest was required.

     

    My trusty steed, the bike that has accompanied me on this challenge, has become very dear to me. It is an incredible piece of carbon fibre mastery and the only way I am here in Toulon is because of this bike. Cadence have created a piece of kit that is so advanced and beautiful that at every destination I have been stopped by people from every region to ask about it or to comment on its splendour.

     

    Lyndon Ogbourne training with the Cadence Performance team

    It’s in part due to the training and equipment that I’ve come this far, but now it’s down to me and my weary body to complete this task. Please donate to the fantastic charity Once Upon a Smile, whom I’m raising money for, via the link below. Equally, may I suggest, if you are thinking of purchasing or training yourself up for a cycle of any distance, you could be in no better hands that those of Cadence Cycle Performance Centre.

     

    For now I must sleep as I still have 100-miles to cover. I feel my legs may walk out on me if I don’t give them the rest the deserve. Bonne nuit and happy cycling.

     

    Once Upon a Smile: http://www.onceuponasmile.org.uk

     

    Cadence Performance: http://www.cadenceperformance.com

     

    To donate, go to: http://www.justgiving.com/Lyndon-Ogbourne

  • An interview with Lyndon Ogbourne

    An interview with Lyndon Ogbourne

    Claire Rubinstein interviews Lyndon Ogbourne for “The Steeple Times”

     

    Last week, Claire Rubinstein made Emmerdale fans envious when she interviewed the soap’s former baddest boy at Sette restaurant in Chelsea.

     

    Over lunch, the pair chatted about Ogbourne’s career, charity, social media and forthcoming projects. Watch video footage of the interview here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tncDQkCxgsY

     

    As you’ll see, there’s a lot more to come from Mr Ogbourne.

     

    View Lyndon Ogbourne’s show reel at: http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/lyndon-ogbourne

     

    Support Lyndon Ogbourne’s cycle fundraiser for Once Upon A Smile at: http://www.justgiving.com/lyndon-ogbourne

     

    Sette, 4 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6PP. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7352 3435. Website: http://sette-restaurant.com

  • Erik Wachtmeister

    Erik Wachtmeister

    He founded ASmallWorld.net, “The Facebook for the Few,” in 2004 and has now created his second social network, the Best of All Worlds. This son of a Swedish diplomat and ambassador began his career in investment banking but then moved into the domains of the net with first Viking Internet and then his “MySpace for Millionaires.” With an address book that is unrivalled, this jetsetter is undoubtedly a gent well worth watching.