My name is Joseph.

I am a British Citizen born in Audlem, Cheshire, England. in 1975. I am 34 years old and live and work in London. I have been priviledged to lead a relatively trouble free life. And hope to make the most of my time on the plinth. But with 7 and a half hours (and counting) until I land on the giant soap box in trafalgar square. (And having only been selected as an emergency replacement 5 hours ago things are a little rushed).

But here goes.

I grew up in the middle of the Cheshire Countryside, surrounded by loving and caring parents, and an antagonistic older brother (hi daniel....) My mother was a physics teacher at a local comprehensive school, and my father worked as a materials engineer (i guess thats the best description) in the Potteries. (over the border in staffordshire).

I attended a small county primary school in Buerton (Sadly and I would suggest wrongly/mistakenly closed down in 2006 by the Local Authority). With approximately 40 pupils in total. We were split into two classes. 5-8 year olds in a mobile classroom, and 8-11 year olds in the main school building. Built with funds gathered by subscription by the local community in 1870 something. There was (and still is) a large playing field (with a football pitch) and two huge (probably hundreds of years old) oak trees standing watch over the school. I can remember the names and faces of all the pupils and teachers (Mrs Brownell and Mrs Thorley et al) at the school whilst I was there, and though not in touch with many of them, they all hold a special place in my heart. (Even the long hill lane mob!) We had varied days which I am sure strayed from the national curiculum, but learned caligraphy, painted pictures of fungi, created a wetland nature reserve, kept chickens for a while, grew beans and learnt about the unbiodegradeability of plastics. (this was when i was 6 or 7)

The rest of my days were filled with climbing trees, walking through the fields and along the Shropshire Union Canal (and sometimes falling in), helping the local farmers baling straw, learning to ride my bicycle and then riding round the "block" (country lanes). collecting frogspawn, and all the other magical things you get to do for fun in the middle of nowhere land. I guess i was a hard worker, applied myself, but never had any homework until i went to "big school".

My Grandparents on my fathers side lived in Audley (about half an hour away) and my grandfather became something of a local celebrity with his "Jabez" Stories written and performed in the local staffordshire dialect. (maybe I will tell one on the plinth) He was also the organist in the local methodist church. And he could slice a baked white loaf so thinly you could almost see through it. He was a prize winning vegetable grower and many other things i am sure. My grandmother baked wonderful cakes and kept her easter eggs until christmas!

My mothers parents lived in Bath, and I remember many happy holidays exporing their 4 story georgian terraced house on the hill. Climbing the walls in the garden, and playing in the shadow of a giant yew tree. (do you see a theme developing)? Probably not yet! Unless you actually know me..

I had always been a fan of Robin Hood. As a folkloric, but very real British Hero. Stealing from the Rich to give to the poor. Bows and Arrows and living in a forest. Every young boys dream existence? And after a while my interest in bows and arrows lead my parents to take me to a session at the Alsager Company of Archers. (Probably at the age of 7 or 8) Following this many evenings and weekends were spent on Archery Practice and Touring the country for Weekend Competitions. Both indoor and outdoor. I won some club tournaments, was probably cheshire champion a few times, and was second in the country (once) when under 16. I got one "six gold end" i think at a tournament in middlesex. I could probably still hit a target at 60-80 yards. But I left the solitary (weaponed) sport/tradition behind when I discovered the american dream (basketball).

Magic johnson and Michael jordan were beamed into our living through a sky sattelite dish, I played at school, i played in the lane, i played in the back garden, and eventually joined an Adult Club based at St Thomas More School. (one claim to fame is that Steve Leonard, the one from vets, and all the other vet based programs to follow played on the same team) I attended the Cheshire Jets Basketball camp in Ellesmere port for a week each summer, and learnt that practise and some cybernetic relaxation exercises were enough to make me the best player in the school. (thanks to mike burton and ed demspey and others) for those wonderful days filled with Stretching, Stair Running, De-fense Drills and endless games of Gotcha. Having sky also meant M-tv. Music television and my knowledge of music grew from the Now albums my brother owned, and my collection of Rock and various film soundtrack albums. To include: "Losing my Religion, by REM" "Gish by the Smashing Pumpkins" and a motley assortment of 80's and 90's pop rock metal (but little dance!)

I went to the local comprehensive school. Brine Leas in Nantwich, Where my form tutor was a wonderful Buddhist English Teacher called Mrs Farmer. You havent lived till you have seen a class of teenagers "meditating and chanelling energy from the earth during form period before sports day!) I kept my head down (a few fights found their way to my door) but I worked hard and got good gcse results. School holidays were spent mostly in the u.k. With one year a driving and camping tour through belgium germany and holland. My first trip in an aeroplane at 15 (to the greek island zakynthos [the one with all the turtles]. And our last family holiday before my brother left for university to Holland. The other summer holidays were mostly spent at home with a few weeks spent either camping. (At the wonderful Shell Island) [does that count as a plug] or staying at self catering cottages or farms. Day trips to the peak District or other local attractions. Days out to Chester, Beeston Castle, and man others I am sure. Or visiting my grandparents in Bath.

I was a cub (scout) and later a full scout. Although I lost interest and or local squabblings meant I departed before becoming a venture scout. I can still lay trails, light a fire, and map read better than a gps. And could probably recite the cub scout law if pushed.

During my time at secondary school. I learnt to play the TUBA. played in the school brass band, a local youth band, and from the age of 16 played with the Royal Doulton Brass Band under Ted Gray. For any parents out there, this instrument is not cool (especially) if you have to carry it a half a mile to the school bus stop then sit next to it on the front seat of the bus! And Although I can still pick it up and sight read (HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!) I havent played regularly since I left for University at 18. But played at my mothers 60th Birthday and My Girlfriend (Bee's) a few weeks ago.

GCSE's lead to A levels, (Maths Physics Geography and Art) with the vague idea of architecture (or something) in the background. And these years flew by in a heady haze of learning to drive, teenage drinking, and playing basketball. and I landed through fate or good fortune in edinburgh in 1993. Again. I kept my head down worked hard and stayed away from all the things Freshers and students get up to. I studied Architecture at the University of Edinburgh, and spent 3 months (in the winter of my 3rd year) at the Helsinki University of Technology in Finland. And thanks to some wonderful Tutors (Adrian hawker, Martin Ungless and Frank Fantauzzi) all stand out in my mind for various marvelous reasons.

its now 1am and I am bathed and shaved and ready to head down to trafalgar square for 3.30am.

So have just over two hours to finish this blurb/speach. Pack my rucksack and kit bag and decide if i am going to bring my tuba, or my bicycle.

But we were in Edinburgh, or Finland to be more precise.

I spent alot of my time in Helsinki in the dark rooms at the university. I was there from September unti christmas in 1995 and as the sun would set at 3.30pm it made sense to learn some new skills. So I learnt to develop and print black and white photography. I completed a few required courses, but managed to spend a lot of my time working on other "artistic" projects. Including a hand shovelled 8 ft tall wall of snow. Some Bronze Casting. And cooked many dinners for the international crowd of students there. I stil have very fond memories and close friends there, and hope to return one day to see what the "summer" is like. Since living in -19'C conditions I dont really feel the cold and friends at edinburgh often joked that even though it might have been March. Summer Started the first day I wore shorts.

During the summer of my third year at edinburgh, I decided to move to New York, and having worked a bar job during the year had saved enough to pay for flights and rent for 3 months. So I made some plans, got on a plane and spent my 21st birthday year working illegally in the Big Apple for a German Architect (Simon Ungers, sadly passed away a few years ago). getting paid $25 a day cash in hand to cover living expenses. I lived with my then girlfriend, now close (but far) friend (hi keri). In a Canadian Artists apartment which we sublet on Avenue A (Just north of Houston). I had a great time in the city, and remember going clubbing with 6ft tall drag queens wearing a kilt (the edinburgh connection) and a sleeveless knitted tank top. Dropping Watermelons off an 8 story roof party. And Having the Best 21st Birthday ever. (it actually means something in the U.S.A) legal drinking age! : )

Back from New York, I worked as a teaching assistant for Junior Honors Students at Edinburgh, then started my fourth and final year. I graduated with a 2:1 MA (Hons) in Architectural Design. But stayed in Edinburgh for another Festival Summer and Worked two bar jobs (Maison Hector in Stockbridge) and (Bar Kohl [a vodka bar] on George the 4th Bridge). But managed to line up a teaching and research assistant position at the University of Singapore. (I spent 9 months there, but didnt really settle, and was a little bit wild to fit in to the Big Brother(esque) regime there. Left early and headed back to edinburgh then out to Los Angeles. Worked for free for 3 weeks with the idea of getting an internship for a year (which never panned out) so I ended up back in Edinburgh, whilst my classmates were finishing their studies, working in Hectors (again) and trying to mend a broken heart.

In 1999 I moved to London. To study my second degree in Architecture at the University of North London. I completed the first year, but failed one module, which knocked on to me not being able to start the final year. and whilst I intended to finish my studies, the job of designing a bar (Equal) in Honor Oak Park (South East London) and the neccesties of the world of work meant that I never went back.

For the past 10 years I have worked primarily as an Architectural visualiser. Both for myself and what is now my own ltd company, as well as for a variety of other companies as both freelance and salaried staff. But alongside this I have always completed my own design work, small projects, design competitions, and have been lucky (or talented) enough to win and be commended in a few. A 5 day (all expenses paid) trip to Amsterdam courtesy of Heineken, plus $500. And a week at the Boisbuchet Estate courtesy of Blueprint Magazine and Vitra being highlights.

I worked for an old friend for the whole of 2008, but the amount of work he was getting in dropped off as the economy nose dived, and I was made redundant just before christmas last year. Since then I have done 3 days paid work. But have been keeping busy with other projects, and taking time to redirect my design skills to a more natural end. I have been working for the last 3 months as a volunteer on the treehouse gallery project. Now open next to the Boating lake in Regents Park. And for any of you Art or Architecture and Design Buffs. You should drop by to see some real collective art in action. I got involved because for the past few years I have been "whittling" (making wooden spoons) and have also made a number of short stop frame animation films. but when the organisers found out I had an Architectural Background, I was put in charge of Designing and Building the Timber, Disabled Access lift to a 3m suspended treetop platform. (This is currently still underway, and I am taking time out from working on this to appear on the plinth) but if all goes well I ts should be finished by the end of this week.

Other than this.

I try to grasp hold of life with both hands, have experienced both the good and the bad that life has to offer, but remain optomistic that love hope and truth will win the day. I have not owned a car since I was 18. And choose to cycle rather than use public transport. I dont like cycling on roads, but sometimes its neccessary, but working in the park allows me a 20 minute cycle to work along the Regents Canal, and I love the fact that I dont have to cross any roads to get from home to "the office"

I am currently developing my skills as a green wood worker, and will be moving up in scale from spoons, to other turned items and furniture, before tacking a farmhouse rennovation in spain for bee's mum.

I am a keen (never been paid) amateur photographer, and you can see some of my films on youtube here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/wwwdotgeriladotcom

I am not sure what else to write at the moment and the clock is ticking, so I am going to make a coffee, finish off my one hour music mix for the plinth, then come back to this in a little while.

I am well aware that this (if you have got this far) will ahve taken you a while to read. but I hope you can bear with me.

I havent even got to the good bits yet!

And I still have to take a new photo to upload.

ok

i have 25 minutes to pack my bags then the taxi is waiting.

on my way

more later (maybe)

IN THE RUSH TO PACK MY BAGS AND GET OUT THE DOOR AT 3.10am I WAS UNABLE TO FINISH MY STORY.

Suffice to say there is a very happy ending. (or a new beggining) And its all thanks to a wonderful (wonder) woman. The light of my life. Her name is bee (Belen) She has brightened my world and taught me how to love life, and live life. Thanks to her I am a man who is able to stand tall and proud as the world crumbles beneath us, we fly into the blue skies free of rain clouds but filled with rainbows.

Amor Mio

Te quiero con todo mi corazon, mi alma y mi corpo

Besos y abrasos y abrazos

Soy muy feliz tu es en mi vida.

Poco mas manana.

Joe

xo

: )