29	Wednesday November

Catch Me if You Can tells the true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a successful con artist who at different times impersonated a doctor, a lawyer, and an airplane pilot, passing more than $6 million in bad cheques over a range of 26 countries. He became the youngest man to ever make the FBI's most-wanted list for forgery. Hunted and caught in the film by fictional FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Hanks), Abagnale later escaped. He eventually became a consultant for the FBI where he focused on white-collar crime.

Watch a fantastic speech made by Frank Abagnale here, and then see the film.

22	Wednesday November

The children's play area.

The 'pool'.

Slovenian authorities have given up on trying to 'control' their wayward youth, and instead, provide them with a cocktail of drugs and ample spray paint in order for them to express their personalities.

I just wanted to sink a spoon into the custardy walls of this building for some reason. Maybe because I was off my monkey on hallucinogenic drugs and I hadn't eaten for three days.

The heart of the tourist drag, which I have to say was absolutely lovely. Very chilled out, with plenty of laid-back bars and restaurants lining the canal in both directions.

As I said, they are fond of their graffiti.

I was completely blown away with this amazing, incongruous chandelier (neskladen lestenec) hanging over the main square. Like being instantly transported on to the set of Silent Hill.

Bijou doing a very good impression of the ancient 'jezen moski, ki se vraèa iz trgovine brez riza' (angry man returning from market without rice)

We trekked for half an hour to reach the castle that dominates the skyline of Ljubljana. To be honest there wasn't a lot to see.

Hmm more graffiti. "otroci, ah?" - "Kids, eh?"...

The mad surreal chandelier was even better at night.

6	Monday November

Antoni Gaudi's unfinished cathedral.

His work has been categorised as Art Nouveau architecture, a precursor to modern architecture. But his adoption of biomorphic shapes rather than orthogonal lines put him in a category to himself. His style was later echoed by that of Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928–2000).

Thomas Dybdahl.

5	Sunday November

People parade raucously through the steep, cobbled streets of the town in colourful costumes, carrying flaming torches, spilling beer and letting off ear-splitting bangers. The air is thick with smoke and the sound of beating drums.

The bonfire boys and girls who represent each local area are marked out by different costumes. Some of the marchers drag huge metal barrels filled with burning tar, torches and bangers down the hill to the River Ouse where they are thrown from a bridge in the centre of the town.

After the main parade, each of the societies retreat to their own bonfires. Just after midnight, they all re-group in the town square where, following the 1701 tradition of The Curious Bowler, a young local virgin is burned to chants of "kill the crone". This year it was Homebase Customer Service Manager Christine McAndrew who put up quite a struggle, but thanks to a cocktail of excess body fat and synthetic clothing, carried on burning and entertaining the crowds for at least two hours - well done Christine.

Julian Berntzen - The Park 1920

4	Saturday November

3	Friday November

Dead Man's Shoes is a film directed by Shane Meadows that tells the story of Richard, who returns home from military service to a small town in the Midlands to reap payback on local bullies who did some very bad things to his brother. At first his campaign employs guerrilla tactics, designed to put the men ill at ease. But then he steps up his operation, and one by one these local tough guys are picked off.

A brilliant film, which reminds me eerily of my hometown.

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