Dominic Mckenna 100 days

A premature ending... an explination or an excuse?

2010-03-04T04:15:00.001-08:00

To begin at the beginning... well ages ago now. When I said in an earlier post about my phone being lost, it was not exactly lost. I was on my home from a fantastic gig at the Wilmington by a band called Withered Hand, really great gig, people singing along, great laughs with everyone. Anyways I was on my way home, not far from my flat when I was set upon by a group of 'youth' they punched and kicked me unconscious and took my phone and wallet and the cash I had with me. On the plus side my oyster card was 70p in deficit and I did not have much cash as it was the end of the night. Note to muggers if it is cash you are after me coming out of the pub is a bloody stupid place to look. After a weekend of lying low and feeling a bit sorry for myself I went to the hospital hoping to find out that I was in perfect condition other than 2 black eyes a cut forehead cuts on the top of my head and some pretty big bumps on the top of my head... oh and that massive ping pong ball that was sticking out of the side. Fantastically the hospital told me that I had a depressed cheekbone... the indiest injury in the world. This meant that a couple of weeks after the initial incident I was going to have to go to hospital and have my cheekbone made happy again.

The best bit about this was that my face was just starting to look normal again, but the operation (cut insidethe mouth tool under your cheek and then pop!) would make me look like I had been beaten up again. Anyway the operation was a success and my stay in hospital was ok, nurses, doctors and everyone were all really nice. Some smiles but not really many photo opportunities.

A couple of things made me smile, when asked my allergies i 'joked' Cat Dogs and feathers... this is true but i did not envisage too much contact with these things on my way to or in fact in surgery, but they still put it on my wrist. The thing that made me laugh about this was just how long it kept the 'joke' alive all the different people who come and have a poke at you and ask you questions while you are in a hospital bed... anyways the other thing that made me smile was...

The view from UCH in glorious 2 mega pixel clarity for you all to enjoy.

The much more difficult thing that as affected this final period was the trial of the young man who killed my brother Adam last summer. Adam was an inspiration in me doing this smile thing, he was someone who all the testaments, from friends, family, in fact everyone he ever met tell you that he was someone who made you smile. Anyway rather heavy on the horrible irony at the same time as I was going to the hospital to find out the extent of my injuries the trial started in Preston. The outcome was that the young man who killed Adam was found guilty and my brothers good name was preserved and any accusations that the young man made that he was acting in some kind of self defence were threw out by the court. The fact that he was found guilty and my brothers name was left untarnished offered some relief and comfort but honestly not a lot. His loss left an enormous hole in all our lives and the results of one senseless act of violence will be felt for the rest of time.

Now all the above is not by way of an excuse, it's just I lost my 100 day mojo, my crap camera replacement took bad pictures (in truth as did my first). I was not out and about and for the best part of a month I felt like the elephant man. So I did not make it to the finish line... That is not to say I forgot about the project, below is a little round up of the past 40 or so days. A conclusion to my 100 days project...

Fan Mail!!!!

You may remember my inexplicable appearance in the Scottish Sunday papers..

http://dominicmckenna100days.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-6-strangeness-1.html

Well I got a note from Francis telling me he had held on to the ladies underwear but he had received a couple of letters/ poems about my project. Strange, funny and beautiful in it's own way.

Luke in Canada, Luke is a friend of mine I met on the fence records website we swap stupid stories, bad jokes and musical tips along with a 100 or so other daft folk. Peter not only sent me a great compilation cd packed with music I liked and some of which I had not even heard of he also sent me a specially commissioned picture of him smiling in a freezing lake with his nipples showing he also sent me a picture of a moose smirking. Now that is online friendship.

Leigh Campbell, Leigh has been a really good pal so when she came to visit London that I took her to a posh Coffee shop and got caked up. After half an hour we were wired on Coffee and filled to the brim with cake. On the way out I saw Terry Hall from The Specials ranting to his son about everything being f**king shit... everything, f**king shit. No smile there then.

Kim Walker, It is not really me making her smile... we are just coming to the end of a very nice meal at this point. We were at LMNT in Dalston, they have very rude Egyptian art in the ladies! Remember to warn your folks if you ever take them there for lunch and keep your kids distracted. Kim is a very good friend and is never short of a smile, we worked together for a few years and she nearly always laughed at my 'jokes' and her laugh is infectious.

Joe Briggs, This is a funny one, anyone who knows me will know that I am not a jogger! Well Joe and Leigh got me out of the flat before nine on a wet Sunday morning to run to the Tate Modern and back, I wanted to walk back because my whole body was aching but as it was raining and I was just wearing shorts and a t-shirt I decided that I would be better running as otherwise I would look ridiculous (I looked f**king ridiculous anyway) my funny vanity. As well as excellent company and a strange sense of well being and health I was rewarded with a guilt free sausage sandwich...

Johnny Lynch, I made Johnny smile by getting a load of us together in the pub for a nice Sunday afternoon booze up and catch up when he was visiting us in London from his little village in the wilds of Fife.

I slightly over cooked the smile and told him he looked good with the weight he had lost... in hindsight I regret this. He showed me a picture of a male pop star smiling and using the phone in the bath... the bastard refused to send it to me for my blog.

John Newman, John likes Sprouts... I had Sprouts... he didn't HOMO EROTIC?

Lucy, Lucy really wanted her picture taken but I could just not quite capture the moment. She is clearly smiling on the inside.

Annie and Fergus McKenna, not wanting to be soppy or anything but I love their smiles and they keep me going when things get me down, I could have done a blog of just their smiles but that is what Facebook is for.

Over the missing days there have been smiles..

People dropping things on the street or on platforms and me going after them to give then back.
Giving my seat up for old ladies
Giving my seat up for tired ladies
Giving my seat up for pregnant ladies
Giving my seat up for really pretty ladies
Letting friends stay at mine
Helping friends sort their flats out
Cooking for friends
Cooking for 50 people for a wedding preparation course
Getting great indie music back out into the world
Telling jokes/stories/lies to get a smile
Being a pal
Going to the worst nightclub in London and getting the drinks in

Basically the smiles will keep coming but not all of them will be captured in picture form.

Thanks to everyone for smiling, thanks for all the messages people have sent about this blog. It has been fun to do and I am really really glad a few of you have enjoyed it. We are all amazing.

Day 56 Picture 56ish

2010-01-26T09:09:00.001-08:00

The Olo Worms- Mark, Gareth, Matt and James. Beautiful boys and Fence Records very own boy band. They played at the Luminaire and were really rather good. We met in the pub for a pre match drink and pulled faces at each other. Matt won at 'face pulling' but totally lost at 'not looking like a Merecat'.

I also managed a snap of The Pictish Trail looking hotter than a bag full of Take That.

Day 55 Retro Picture 7

2010-01-26T03:27:00.000-08:00

Cara Leighton, Judging by this smile I am sure one or both of us has told a dirty joke or passed rude comment about one another... In fact knowing Cara and knowing me (ah ha) it can be the only explanation.

Day 54 Retro Picture 6

2010-01-26T03:23:00.001-08:00

Paul McGuinness, another of Calum's lovely pictures. Me and Paul are behaving like school children as some poor sod trys to sing us a song... well school children full of Buckfast and Carlsberg. That lamp in the foreground can be seen topless in day 53, thankfuly me and Paul can not.

Day 53 Retro Picture 5

2010-01-26T03:05:00.000-08:00

The Casino Kids... Jen and Calum Gordon, The Anstruther Mafioso's most beautiful. Jen plays songs under the name HMG Ginifore and can reduce a room of hairy rough looking chaps to tears. Calum can take photographs of that same rough looking group of men and make them look respectable with his fantastic photos. I think I am asking permission to say something cheeky in this one...

A year later and I think I may have just said something cheeky in this one.

Poor Anneliesa Jane... I have no idea what I am singing but I think that is more a look of fear than anything else... not sure why I included that picture... actually it is because I was looking through Calum's pictures and it made me smile.

Day 52 Retro Picture 4

2010-01-26T02:58:00.000-08:00

Stephanie Gibson, I can only imagine the very lovely Stephanie is smiling at either my fat face or silly hair... actually she might be smiling because we had managed to get drunk in two cities (I had two lunches) and see The National all in one day... and still make it to the pub for a late drink. Actually with hindsight she is probably still smiling at the fact whilst running for a train laden with heavy record cases my jeans kept falling down and showing my bum.

Day 51 Retro Picture 3

2010-01-26T02:54:00.000-08:00

John'Amino' Newman, The train back from Scotland, two hungover beardy men know just what the other needs... more beer and a little cuddle... it's a beautiful beautiful thing.

Day 50 Retro Picture 2

2010-01-26T02:43:00.000-08:00

Random girl at the Greenman festival, pretty girl in wellies laughs/ smiles at the chubby man throwing his daughter around outside the Folky Dolky tent during a Greenman from the past. I am that chubby man.

Day 49 Retro Smile 1

2010-01-26T02:32:00.000-08:00

Gareth Jones, The Beefball is an annual football match that takes place as part of the Fence Records Homegame festival. Basically 20 or so unhealthy blokes run around with hangovers in front of assorted woman folk and more sensible men until it is time to drink again. Gareth did not understand the premise and spent the first half tackling me and generally being good at football, to counter this at half time I stole him and got him to play for my team.

Disaster !

2010-01-26T02:12:00.000-08:00

On Friday (day 53) my phone went walkies... given that I use my phone to take my pictures and it contained 5 smiles that I had not posted this leaves me in a spot of bother, so..... here's the plan- I am going to post 7 pictures from the archive of me and someone smiling... Retro smiles. Then from day 56 back to business. I hope no one minds too much... no? good!

Day 48 Picture 48

2010-01-17T13:32:00.000-08:00

Jamie Rogers, Jamie is my youngest brother. Today we went to see Blackburn beat Fulham 2-0 which should be reason enough for a smile given our recent form. My friend Jane works for ESPN and managed to get me a couple of tickets for today's game, because my friend Jane works for ESPN the tickets were hospitality tickets. This meant turning up at 1pm for a 3 course meal and lot's and lot's of free drinks in a box with some lovely folk from the Lancashire Post. I will never be able to enjoy football any other way. The only 'funny' thing about today was because it's Blackburn they had a 'smart casual' dress code, because I live in London and don't go anywhere fancy I have not come across that in fifteen years... since I last tried to go clubing in Blackburn... actually I once was not let in an O'Neils in Watford with trainers on, I made a massive fuss with the bouncers, the manager and allsorts so I try not think about that too much... I mean Watford! Watford is a shit hole. I shaved my beard off... this is linked to the dress code and linked to the poor upkeep of my beard... anyway I am updating this on the train back to London full of free booze and happy thoughts, I'll stop now. Good day out with Jamie, smiles all round.

Day 47 Picture 47

2010-01-17T13:18:00.000-08:00

David Rogers, Dave is my stepdad, he got me into The Clash, Joy Division and Bruce Springsteen way before I was old enough to be cool or uncool. He cooks amazing food and has great taste in wine... sadly he is a Manchester City fan. Tonight he cooked his Spanish pork casserole which made me smile and I sat and watched Man City on the telly with him which brought this smile... any smiles after 10pm would have been red wine smiles.

Day 46 Picture 46

2010-01-16T04:12:00.000-08:00

The 100 Days People. I met my friend and fellow 100 dayer, Paul (or Hardsparrow as he is known to the teaming masses... ) at the pub for the 100 day social, he had to leave at 8.30 to meet his lovely sister for a curry, so my plan was if 'the social' was not any good then I was going to pretend I was invited to Paul's curry night (i was invited but had accidentally eaten 2 dinners in the pub). As it turned out Paul had to tear himself away and I got the last southbound northern line (via bank) and found myself stumbling drunk wondering where the time had gone. The 100 days lark seems only to attract beautiful people with beautiful friends. I met a man from Ratwenstawl and a man from Penmaenmawr, both were impressed by the extent of my local knowledge. I write this still a little drunk on a train. If anyone lost any ear muffs (i said muffs) please get in touch.

Day 45 Picture 45

2010-01-16T03:40:00.000-08:00

The Kids by Matt Sewell, I got this painting done a couple of years ago by the amazingly talented Matt Sewell he is not only super talented but looks a bit like a young Bruce Springsteen, the chicks dig it... I will bring you his smile before these 100 days are up... anyways the reason I am using this picture is because the only people I managed to make smile today were Annie and Fergus. Sue me.

Day 44 Picture 44

2010-01-16T03:28:00.000-08:00

Katy Southwood, Katy is Dean's girlfriend, Dean runs The Strongroom, I DJ at The Strongroom... wow I should write that story down at some point. Katy came to see me in my specially constructed booth designed so I can't see the people and the people can't see me... (both parties like it better this way), we caught up, laughed at mutual friends (mainly Dean) and had a jolly nice time. At the end of it I said 'smile please' and she did... sometimes it is easy.

Day 43 Picture 43

2010-01-16T03:19:00.000-08:00

Matt Ingham, the new boy at work. He makes a good cup of tea, he has survived the 'Paul.. Eric Clapton test', the 'Richard... Aphex Twin for breakfast test and the 'Rob... Bowling For Soup test'. I think he enjoyed the last one but I won't (secretly will) hold that against him. I got this smile using the work smile currency... Tea!

Day 42 Picture 42

2010-01-11T17:23:00.000-08:00

My Freezer, I filled my freezer with lots of home made food... soups, stews and a couple of cheap pies... nice.

Day 41 Picture 41

2010-01-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

Kate Atkin, today was Kate's birthday so I popped to the pub and said hello. She is not always in London these days as she is a successful artist type, she is off to New York in a few days for FIVE WEEKS... lucky cow. I went out for Kate's birthday nine years ago, we all dressed in red for no good reason...

Day 40 Walk 1

2010-01-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

The walk from the sofa to the fridge and back... epic.

http://surprisetruck.livejournal.com/

Proper epic.

Day 39 cartoon 1

2010-01-11T16:39:00.000-08:00

Very poor.

http://100tinymoments.blogspot.com/2010/01/forty-first-tiny-moment.html

Really very good.

Day 38 Picture 38

2010-01-11T16:30:00.001-08:00

Emma, Emma works at The Strongroom, I was djing there. Emma came to say hello and left her phone and cigs while she went off for a bit. I stole a cig (I gave up on the 5th of Jan) and took a picture of myself on her phone and set it as wallpaper/screensaver and all that jazz... she bloody loved it.

Someone begining with T, she came requesting Blur and The Stone Roses, she told me her name started with a T dropped a glass of wine and buggered off... I grabbed a smile.

Day 37 Dinner 1

2010-01-11T16:22:00.000-08:00

Two Pizzas...

Oh yeah!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymond32/sets/72157622912200446/

Day 36 Picture 36

2010-01-11T16:17:00.000-08:00

Ollie... Ollie works at The Strongroom he is a really great photographer... I made him not only smile but laugh his arse off when he saw the this beautifully composed picture... ah well a smile's a smile's a smile.

Day 35 Song 1

2010-01-11T16:09:00.001-08:00

This should be sang in your head as a Born In The Usa era Springsteen power song.

http://pictishtrail.blogspot.com/

http://www.myspace.com/hairsparrow100

Day 34 Love Story 1... Jack n' diane (a)

2010-01-11T16:04:00.000-08:00

Little ditty about jack and diane
Two american kids growin up in the heartland
Jackies gonna be a football star
Diane debutante backseat of jackies car

Suckin on chilli dogs outside the tastee freeze
Diane sittin on jackies lap
Hes got his hands between her knees
Jackie say, hey diane lets run off
Behind a shady tree
Dribble off those bobby brooks
Let me do what I please
And jackie say a

Chorus:
Oh yeah life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin is gone
Oh yeah life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin is gone they walk on

Jackie sits back reflects his thoughts for a moment
Scratches his head and does his best james dean
Well you know diane we oughtta run of the city
Diane says, baby you aint miss no-thing
Jackie say a

Chorus:
Oh yeah life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin is gone
Oh yeah life goes on
Long after the thrill of livin is gone

Gonna let it rock
Let it roll
Let the Bible belt come down
And save my soul
Hold on to 16 as lang as you can
Changes comin round real soon
Make us women and men

Little ditty about jack and diane
Two american kids doin the best they can

http://linajamoul100days.blogspot.com/

Hmmmmm....

2010-01-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

I had a little wobble/break/rest from my smileathon... so to keep things going I am going to plug the gaps with little rip offs/homages/tributes to some other blogs... sorry

Day 33 Picture 33

2010-01-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

Dominic McKenna, Virgin Trains tried there best to get rid of smiles, I helped people with bags, gave up seats and even tried the odd joke but the trains were bloody late... two hours late... the smiles were forced and thin on the ground. My smile was taken when I was home and a Marks & Spencer tea was had washed down with some nice Italian Red wine.

Day 32 Picture 32

2010-01-11T15:33:00.000-08:00

The Family... New years day! massive hangovers all round, once mine had subsided enough I cooked a huge dinner for everyone a beautiful forerib of beef, I wanted to get a picture of my brother Jamie but he was feeling poorly (light weight). Happy new people.

Day 31 Picture 31

2010-01-11T14:51:00.000-08:00

Lindsay Alden, me and Lindsay were friends when we were young. We went to the pub and the normal things... I would pop round for a brew and lend her Neil Young albums (I think she still has one). We lost touch for ages and then facebook put us back in touch. We swapped music pictures and stories... nice. Fast forward to new years 2009 Lindsay takes the jaded London tosser for a few pints in Accrington and on to a party... top smile

Truly one of the most Scottish things I have ever seen with my own eyes... well other than Rod Stewart

I had a calm and gentle night.

Day 30 Picture 30

2009-12-31T04:30:00.001-08:00

Tim McKenna, My brother Tim and me enjoyed a quiet night in with the telly. During 'My Name is Earl' there was some discussion as to which of us was more 'Earl' and which was more 'Randy' as the oldest and sporter of the best facial hair i thought the answer was obvious but Tim might have been able to argue that I am a little fatter... I always thought the Pictish Trail had something of the Randy about him next to king Creosote's Earl but I think I am in a gang of one.

A smile to share, I nearly wet myself when I saw this in the Craggy Island... I mean Lancashire Telegraph. Local News for local people.

Day 29 Picture 29

2009-12-31T03:15:00.001-08:00

Rob Cotter, A day out in Manchester... checking out the sights and sounds of this fantastically diverse cultural city... or sitting in a tiny underground bar converted from a public toilet... Once comfortable and furnished with pints in the converted public toilet me and Rob had a great time drinking and talking about music. There was many smiles from Rob at my naive view point that Neil Young is a superior artist to Bob Dylan and many smiles from me that Neil Young is little more than Van Morrison's Trans-Atlantic cousin.

Ashley Chip Shop, Rob and I met Ashley in the Chip Shop at late O'clock, He could not stop smiling, nor in fact could his lovely girlfriend but I had been stuck underground with rob for many hours with just beer as sustenance so I only managed this picture of smiley Ashley with his eyes closed.

*Missed Smile # 64*

Bloody Guy Garvey... In the tiny pub was Guy Garvey and his pal Pete over the course of the afternoon due to a shared love of the occasional cigarette with our pints I found myself in friendly pub chat with a very genial Guy Garvey and caused several smiles and at least one belly laugh. I decided not to take his picture as I am guilty of taking his picture at the Mojo awards earlier this year and to do it twice would be a bit... a bit... a bit stalker.

One from the smile archive... fuck me I have put on some timber since June!!

Day 28 Picture 28

2009-12-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

'Lil' Keri Farnsworth, Keri had me over for dinner, she made me and her lovely flatmate Nick a Spanish casserole and I provided some Kir Royale's and a drop of red. The reason I made Keri smile was to do with the fire. Keri made several attempts to light the fire and failed, I used all my boy scout (dodgy festival) skills to resurect the fire and make the evening cosy...

Keri, Nick and I barely had eye brows left such was the intensity of the fire... Very nice evening and a bloody roaring fire.

Day 27 Picture 27

2009-12-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

Clare Grimshaw, My brother Tim is responsible for this smile... Tim and Clare got engaged on Christmas day. I think it was because Tim could not think of anything else to get her for Christmas. I think she wanted a PSP or some shoes, he may have overshot a bit *massive wink*

Family Party, I have a reputation in the family for a poorly placed rude 'joke'...

busy kitchen full of family

Auntie Janet- does anybody want a drink, i'm going to stick the ketle on.
Cousin Matt- can I have a sex on the beach

A small amount of laughter

Dominic- can I have a sand in me' knickers

Silence

Dominic- it is like a sex on the beach but more realistic...

Sustained silence

Matt Johnson. 'Uncle' Mick Johnson. Dominic McKenna. Three wiseass monkeys, pretty self explantery really. It was late and we had all had a bit too much to drink.

Day 26 Picture 26

2009-12-27T02:35:00.001-08:00

Fergus and Annie McKenna, some people think it is unhealthy for you to live through your children vicariously... sod that! I will not rest until these two have been into space, scored the winning goal in a cup final or played in front of 10,000 people in a credible but huge band. Stage one- I got them guitars for Christmas, before you judge me and think it is all for me any guitar owners who I have visited with the kids will confirm their love of the guitar. They are still at the stage of trying to look good with the guitar, which is very important but at some point we are all going to sit down and learn the guitar together... watch out Mystery Jets I'm coming to get you... I mean we... we are coming to get you.

Day 25 Picture 25

2009-12-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

Adam Rogers. Adam is my brother, at the start of July he was killed in a senseless attack on the streets of Blackburn. He was 24 years old and did not have a bad bone in his body. The loss to me and my family has been incredible, it is hard to talk about without falling into cliché but he is in all of our minds an awful lot and we miss him like crazy. We are also in limbo at the moment as we are waiting for the trail in January. Even with all of this, somehow my family has managed to 'do' Christmas. There have been a few sad moments but there have been a great deal of nice moments... a great meal and a lot of love. Annie and Fergus have been brilliant and given the day some kind of focus but everyone has been there and worked hard to make the best Christmas possible. I am very lucky and I am from good people and I am sure we will all get through this but it is not easy but I can report there was a good few smiles today.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/blackburn/4475561.Tributes_to_loving_son_Adam_killed_in_Blackburn/

Day 24 Picture 24

2009-12-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

Jonnie Common, Jonnie posted me his smile as part of his secret santa package... not that secret Jonnie! I met Jonnie through Fence records, he was in Down The Tiny Steps... a bloody great band. Anyways he sent me a very very cool T-Shirt, a fantastic mix CD and a brilliant smile. Best secret santa ever. He is a gifted songwriter/ musicain/ singer/ furnitre maker... bastard.

www.myspace.com/jonniecommon

Day 23 Picture 23

2009-12-24T14:06:00.000-08:00

Matt Johnson, Kate Johnson, Ben Johnson, Becky Johnson, Michael Johnson, Mark Johnson and (Uncle) Mick Johnson... The cousins and one uncle a night out with snow, beers and lots of big smiles. A few missing from the photos, it was a great turn out and a really great night. Good folk.

Day 22 Picture 22

2009-12-24T12:03:00.000-08:00

Alex Murphy, Me and Alex went out to watch some Comedy in Farringdon. Things did not go as planned, the addition of the word cabaret the A board outside the venue to the equation made us suspicious. The barman then promised that most of it was improvised and used audience members as part of the act... after a quick peep into the room seeing only 5 people in the room all of them 'acts' we decided to pass. Instead we swapped rude stories, gossip and even the odd joke. I can't remember which 'joke' gave Alex this smile but I would not be able to share it on the internet. Funny night.

Day 21 Picture 21

2009-12-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

Paul 'Pablo' Turner, with the help of Adam Ogilvy I managed to get Paul into the James Yorkston gig. The gig was great fun, a couple of people in fancy dress, lots of people enjoying Christmas festivities all gathered around out if the snow to listen to some sad songs. Paul , Adam and Dominic and been on the lash for day's so any smiles were pretty hard to find. Adam not pictured gave me a dead leg for liking James Yorkston's first album more than his later works.

The Rogersons, Fancy dress winners, Pirates and lovely folk... smiles all over.

Day 20 Picture 20

2009-12-21T03:13:00.001-08:00

Ben Slade, I won't embarrass my cousin Ben by saying what a nice young man he is turning out to be... despite growing up in Hackney. Instead I will highlight the fact he has really great music taste and is a hit with the ladies... despite being 16. I made him and a few others smile yesterday by cooking a 3 course meal for 12 people round my uncle's house.

Day 18/19 Picture 18/19

2009-12-21T01:42:00.000-08:00

James Breton, James, the shy and retiring Katy and a few more of us went round to Jane's house for a late supper on Friday night. Everyone had had busy weeks so it was meant to be a nice gentle Christmas treat. Jane cooked up a storm everyone brought round a nice bottle and things were set for some civility in this crude and over the top time of year. Unfortunately we all seemed to have missed the memo. By twelve we had run out of wine, normally at this point in the evening I blend into the wallpaper and wait for someone much nicer than me to volunteer for the inevitable off licence run. In my quest for smiles I stood up to the mark and not only volunteered but insisted. Twenty minutes later after a journey into the frozen tundra of Hackney I returned laden with 6 bottles of wine and 40 cigs, I returned to many smiles and a brief round of applause. Things at this point did unravel a little as more people joined in the 'relaxed supper' the party, as it had most certainly turned into, carried on into Saturday which is why this post covers two days. The fact of the matter is I had to cancel Saturday and any smiles it may have brought.

Above is selection of smiles from the evening to make up for my slackness on the Saturday.

Amidst all the smiles the worlds newest and easily the best boyband was formed. As yet unnamed the band will be bringing it's own brand of pop, dub-step, indie, alt country and up front techno power ballads to a packed arena near you very soon.

Four things I learned on Friday and Saturday

- I am not 25
- Self mocking humour only works for a limited time
- I am not allowed to describe Jon Hopkins as ambient any more.
- I have some pretty funny and lovely friends.

Day 17 Picture 17

2009-12-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

Snow smile, It snowed in London last night while I was out for the works Christmas dinner. There were many smiles during the night but I was far to busy enjoying them all to take pictures. I ended up at the Daily Mail Christmas party but can't provide any photographic evidence. I could have taken a picture of me starting day 18 as proof of a good time but I have sparred you all that sight. On a missed smile note, I helped a lady in a cheese shop in Chiswick as she kept dropping her cheese, I am a model citizen at heart.

Day 16 Picture 16

2009-12-17T05:44:00.000-08:00

Meg Greenhorn, I work with Meg to make her smile I (we) hatched the perfect escape plan from a bad party and I also took time out to enjoy her cat cards that she got as her secret santa. ( I am allergic to cats but not cat cards). The party was one we were invited to through work, it was held in a seedy and slightly dilapidated nightclub under a seedy and dilapidated hotel in Earls Court. The music was rubbish and too loud, the free booze situation was shambolic. We escaped to the pub for a couple of nice drinks and then returned to the party without being missed. The music was still rubbish and too loud, but (more importantly) the free booze situation was much less shambolic. I missed the last train home and it took me two and a half hours to get back to Islington... The End.

The main picture of meg is not very good, let's just say I was experiencing technical difficulties.

The Dance floor at 8.30pm

The Dance floor at midnight

Tequila.

Day 15 Picture 15

2009-12-16T07:39:00.000-08:00

Annie McKenna, I picked Annie up from school. She wanted to scooter home, I wanted to get the bus. She won out and I got a little bit cold. Another easy smile. To be honest smiles were a bit tricky to come by, Emily and Fergus both have the piggy flu and other than being at work these were the only people I had contact with. I think Emily would have smiled because I did her washing up, shopping and cooked some food, instead she just looked ill and largely asleep... I was tempted to take a picture but this could have been deemed as cruel.

Day 14 Picture 14

2009-12-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

Tim Cary, Tim was my boss years ago when we worked for University Of East London Student Union. We have remained friends but don't see each other that often. Last night we went to The Charles Lamb (best local in the world) for some ales and pies. Our conversation managed to cover world politics, parenting, Hawkwind, Sinita, ladies, smoking and of course ale and pies. I am surprised Tim had the energy to raise a smile at the end... we should do that more often. I could have included some tales from old in this post but Tim has more stories on me than I have on him...

Day 13 Picture 13

2009-12-13T16:38:00.000-08:00

Ben Clough, I have been Ben's friend since we were boys... I know his dad... blah di bloody blah. Thing is I have not seen him in 3 years, we got mobile numbered up through mutual friends and arranged a lunch date. He lives in the deep south so we arranged to hook up in Greenwich. To get a smile was always going to be hard, because the fact I have managed to get your number after 3 years is the stuff of most peoples nightmares, so I bought Ben Lunch...

We had a massive roast...

on the bank of the river

I then set about ignoring one sign but heeding another...

One last sign to ignore... come on, it is good we don't smoke inside any more... places are much nicer but you can bugger off if I am going to have to find a place outside outside to have a cig (I am giving up in January) but these idiots can still kiss my massive shiny balls

Shiny balls on route to new non shiny home...

BALLS

Day 12 Picture 12

2009-12-13T04:14:00.000-08:00

Random Irish Girl, I was Djing last night at the Strongroom... it was a busy night and as is the norm I got loads of people requesting songs. This young lady came up and asked for about twenty songs, I played at least 2 of them 'Tainted Love' and 'Thriller' (which is a great record to end the night on by the way). I didn't manage to take her picture during the night as it is bloody dark in The Strongroom and I was busy looking for all the songs she requested but I did bump into her on the 214 on the way home. The people who asked for Alice In Chains and Cheryl Cole did not leave with smiles but if anybody had wanted to listen to Kids of America by Kim Wilde they would definatly have left with big smiles.

Leah Stuttard and Jussi Tolvi, I have know Leah since we were 17 we may have been boyfriend and girlfriend for a little while when we were young. If you are a fan of medieval music you will no doubt recognise her as she is a very much in demand harpist. She and her lovely fella Jussi popped into The Strongroom to surprise me which was nice. To return the favour I played ' Wish I Was Skinny' by the Boo Radleys which as effectively as any time machine available on the market today transported us both back to being young and being in dodgy Blackburn nightclubs.

The Pictish Trail, I posted this link on the Fence Records forum... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJvGdOC6D1Y it made the young lad Pictish smile, so i asked him to send me his smile all the way from Fife. He said he would not and sent me a picture of his big nosed stunt double instead.

Fergus McKenna, again, sorry. I made Fergus a Ben Ten watch from a loo roll tube... if anyone from Blue Peter reads this, please get in touch.

Day 11 Picture 11

2009-12-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

Richard Martin, Today in the office there was a couple of arguments about music. Rob duly started it by putting on the Chipmunk album... it was very bad, but Rob refused to take it off. Later in the day Richard put an album on... I can't actually remember what the album was but I thought it sounded like one thing and young Richard another, we fell out for a brief moment and I called him a 'cloth eared cl**n'... he took it the right way... anyway it turns out you can make some one smile by calling them a rude name. Who would of thought it.

Lina Jamoul, I worked with Lina at UELSU or The University Of East London Student Union. She was the communication officer and I ran the ents and one of the bars. We had previously been comrades in various political adventures when I was still a student. I have a memory that we once had some kind of deal that at some point we would get married... I have a feeling that this deal will not make her brilliant 100 day blog... http://linajamoul100days.blogspot.com/

Fergus McKenna, Emily was not well so she decided not to go out and keep the little ones at hers. Not wanting to miss out on a cuddle from the little ones (and an offer of a stir fry) I popped in on my way home from work. After dinner there was silence from the boy when his name was called so I went to investigate... I found him on his sisters bed wearing her belt around his head like a big gay John Rambo. At first you could argue that I did not cause this smile... that is until I point out that he is his fathers son.

Day 10 Picture 10

2009-12-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

Annie McKenna, me and Annie were watching Simpsons after having pizza for dinner... Fergus was running wild somewhere in the flat. Like smiles there are different types of quality time with the girl, tonight we were a bit lazy. Tomorrow we might do something a little more substantial and we will defiantly eat a little healthier. Today she was only doing little smiles, which is handy for me as I can use one of her big gappy smiles on another day.

Lauren Greschner, Lauren is from Canada but living in Australia her favourite city in the world is London and the reason her fingers were crossed was because she always crosses her fingers when she is flying... she was catching a flight to Singapore. I hope to next see Lauren within the next 365 days. Fingers crossed.

Day 9 Picture 9

2009-12-09T13:07:00.000-08:00

Daved 'Nash' Bridges, Daved changed his Facebook relationship status to single, even though he sits just a a few feet in front of me it would have been rude not to offer a supportive comment or two. Apparently I am well placed, at least in the terms of office geography to be his next suitor... I think this smile is chalked down to 'locker room chat'. I guess that over the course of 100 smiles some are going to be more worthy than others. It should be pointed out that young Daved has provided me and countless others with many smiles over the year with his 'fashion'. He mixed 80's ironic chic with a slightly rock edge with an effortless charm that prompted us at some points to seriously think about changing the company name to 'Club Tropicana'.

Day 8 Picture 8

2009-12-08T13:44:00.001-08:00

Jan Bengelsdorff, I met Jan in 1996 when I first came to London. We lost touch for a few years but then he popped up running the Bailey on Holloway Rd. Today I was walking past and saw him behind the bar so I popped in to say hello, I had just picked up Fergus so I did not spend too long in the pub . A nice easy smile, after Sunday and Mondays efforts I think that is allowed. A smile is a smile is a smile.

Lydia Abbott, I went to school with Lydia... actually I think she was a couple of years bellow. I used to see her around Blackburn a good bit but I have not seen her in a very long time. Anyways, there is something to this smile lark. I made Fergal Sharkey smile (breifly) which made me smile I put it on the internet which makes Lydia smile which then makes me smile again... easy.

Day 7 Picture 7

2009-12-07T16:23:00.001-08:00

Fergal Sharkey, a good heart these days is hard to find but Fergal was gentle with mine. It was the end of the worst and best quiz night ever (which he was part of... on a losing team mind). There was a bit of chaos towards the end, more of which later, but like a half arsed pap I got my photo... if you squint he his smiling more than me

I have to say the quiz was poor, it was drawn out and the quiz master was a total tool. Matt Bristow's face says what we were all feeling at this point.

Due to a huge amount of skill on our teams part we made it to the sudden death, Adam Velasco and his smile marked the change of mood in the camp

The result was decided on an arm wrestle between the two teams with the winning scores...

Which Richard Martin won for the the Cherry Red team

The Cherry Red Team

There was a big prize bag but me and Dean went for the Johnnie Walker Gold...

GOOD NIGHT

Day 6 Strangeness 1

2009-12-07T04:40:00.000-08:00

I have always wanted to be nestled between Lorraine Kelly and Carol Smiley... I guess this is the closest I will ever get.

Day 6 Picture 6

2009-12-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

Lesley Pinder, I ran around Greenwich park today for 5k dressed as Santa for Lesley... if there is an easier way to make a girl smile then I am yet to find it. Lesley works for Book aid which send lots of books out to africa so the kids get a good education so we can steal them to work in our hospitals and run our internet scams. A couple of weeks ago she sent out a massive group email to ask if anyone would do a 5k charity run dressed as santa, I said yes... I was the only one out of 20 who did, thankfully Ade and Keith eventually fell foul to her bully tactics of the promise of a fabulous lunch and a clean karma sweep. The run was fun... well not the run but the fact that so many people huffed and puffed dressed as santa and the amazing lunch Lesley cooked, that was fun.

Ade Brown, Ade has a dodgy knee so walked the course as past of his own 100 day goodness.

Keith Davidson, I only met Keith today... the original plan was to pretty much to walk the 5k, run at the start and the end when people could see us. Keith thought it might be nice to run the whole thing... I ran with Keith.

Good Santa

Bad Santa

Also smile miss number 3 at Brixton station. The guy in front of me on the escalator was carrying loads of Christmas shopping and in charge of a toddler. He lost his footing and started to fall, I helped stop him fall down back towards the trains. Big smile no photo... ah well

Day 5 Picture 5

2009-12-05T12:51:00.000-08:00

Fergus McKenna, Fergus, Annie and me went to see Santa at Sutton House in deepest darkest Hackney. He is a smiling expert and gave me a big one with teeth as we waited our turn.

Eleanor Lowenthal, not a great picture and a bit of a cheat. Eleanor owns the wonderful Pages bookshop on Lower Clapton Rd. I popped in to get out the rain. Apparently she does not smile if you just take a picture of her and ask her to smile... I beg to differ.

Mike Martin, Mike Biddle to his friends. He founded the best bar in Hackney by a long shot. He is still smilling despite *insert potentially libelous story involving a bristol based 90's popular music star* and the fact his perm has washed out.

Day 4 Picture 4

2009-12-05T03:11:00.001-08:00

Phil Jones... I was Djing at the Big Chill House last night for the Names Record/ The Local night. Me Phil (the soundman) and Caitlin (who was playing) were having a look at one of the other Dj's records. We came across a seven inch and Phil said that the design of the label was his favouite ever. I had a quick look in my box and found a record with the same label. I asked Phil if he had it. He said no so i gave him my copy. This produced the smile you see captured above.

This is the record in question. He is right it is a lovely label.

Howard Monk organised the night, he smiles a lot. I will save him for a headline spot on another day. I liked this smile though... I think i was trying to make his flat cap more 'street'.

Caitlin Rose is a lovely singer http://www.myspace.com/caitlinrosesongs but I did not manage to make her smile... I have a few days left to do so.

Day 3 Picture 3

2009-12-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Jon Roberts, Jon sits next to me at work. He likes tea, in fact we both like tea. If you want to make Jon smile ask him if he wants a cup of tea. If you want to make Jon smile and get all excited like a small child on the way to a park, ask him if he would like a Double Decker. This photo does not have a happy ending... the cleaner was late today so when I took Jon's empty mug (and mine) into the kitchen I was made to leave by the cleaner, she does not like people in the kitchen when she is cleaning. She is gets angry and can only be appeased with packets of crisps.

Day 3 missed smile 2

2009-12-03T05:06:00.000-08:00

Grrrrr... On the tube this morning a young fella ran from a tube on the other side of the platform on to the tube I was on, he dropped his gloves. I pointed this out to him. He jumped off the tube picked up his gloves and managed to get back on the train just as the doors closed. My good deed was rewarded with a very broad smile which turned into a bit of a laugh. I did not manage to capture this moment on my camera. I think the good deed/ picture thing is going to be my biggest challenge. I still have to somehow need to tease a smile out of someone for today's picture. That is all.

Day 2 Picture 2

2009-12-02T12:11:00.001-08:00

Emily Taylor... Emily was leaving after dropping the kids off, I hit her with a very bad joke. I will not tell the joke here yet as I may need it again. She is not laughing at the joke she is laughing at me and defiantly not with me. It is not a very good joke.
I missed an opportunity today... I helped a young lady up the stairs with a big bag at work because the lift was bust. She fixed me a big smile but I let it pass. I will have to learn to seize these moments.
This is actually going to be quite hard, I made a list at lunch today of what I am doing for the next couple of weeks so I don't use all my easy options up at once.

I will need to work hard during the weeks otherwise there is just going to be 70 pictures of Annie and Fergus smiling at the promise of dessert.

Day 1 Picture 1

2009-12-01T03:55:00.003-08:00

Richard Anderson, I told Richard that the record he put on ebay had 2 bids and had gone past the magic £5.50 mark. Two things about this photo…

1. I told him this news whilst he was yawning.

2. The record in question is one he made with King Creosote and is limited to 24 copies on 7 inch sold on ebay on the 24 advent days… nice

I guess now is the time to fess up that I work for an indie record label and most of my friends are massive nerds, so don’t be surprised if the smiles on this are on occasion caused by dodgy indie music.

The All Important Link...

2009-12-01T03:49:00.000-08:00

http://www.hundreddays.net/

The reason I am doing this (other than my massive ego) and the fact The Pictish Trail is a massive bully.

Introduction

2009-12-01T03:41:00.001-08:00

I am Dominic McKenna, I have undertaken a challenge (self imposed of sorts) to take a picture of somebody smiling every day for 100 days. I will try and not cheat too much, the picture above is of me not smiling… I am keeping that one for a rainy day. I am 34 I live in London I have 2 lovely children and no pets. I have had a pretty terrible year so when I saw the 100 days challenge I thought of something that might cheer me up as well as 100 or so other folk. I will attempt to take pictures that are interesting and I will attempt not just to photograph the same people over and over. For the sake of anyone who is bullied into reading this I will try and add a brief description of the picture. I fear to start with the pictures will be of people in the office and easy targets… I don’t work with 100 people and don’t have that many easy targets so pretty soon I should be out of my comfort zone.