i'm a lumber jack, and i'm okay

There's a trend in London for both sexes: check flannel, often the classic big red & black version, as shown here. It's kind of cool ironic, unlike parts of the world, like the American Northwest, where it's more of a uniform.

It's funny: like leopard print, that's a pattern that goes in waves: think James Dean in the Fifties, Curt Kobain in the Grungey Nineties.. the plaid flannel shirt was even a staple for hippies in the late Sixties early Seventies. This is a first for me, actually: I saw this guy at Belsize Park tube station, on the day of the big snow recently, when I'd stopped by for moral support when my friends were moving house. I thought at first his jacket had a hood, but then realised he'd paired the same pattern in a hoodie.. or maybe not. Maybe it is part of the jacket. I'll probably never know, because when I asked to shoot him, and he said okay, I then asked his name. He hesitated.

'I don't like to give my name to strangers,' said he. It was then me who hesitated. So you don't mind having your photo sat Belsize station tube plashed on the internet, but not your first name, I thought, but didn't say. Just took the picture & didn't dare ask where he got his jacket or whether it comes with a hood.

I've decided to call him Jack. Lumber Jack. And watch: knowing my luck, I've spotted & dotted another celebrity, and was too clueless to realise who he was.



As foreshadowing, while in my friends' flat earlier, in the middle of the snowstorm, I saw this ladybug ('ladyBIRD', in UK speak) on the windowsill. It really touched me: they're such magic little good luck bugs. So humble. She was wearing lumberjack plaid, too.

This is all in good spirits, of course. I'm grateful to 'Jack' (not his real name - or is it??) for posing for the shot. And, with no offence intended, I'm leaving you with a live version of an all time great song. Coming up: postcards from Palm Beach.