24h world date stamp: 12 p.m. gmt, 2.21.09

And so it begins.

On February 21, 2009, at 12 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time, artists from around the globe participated in the first-ever 24h World date stamp. From pre-dawn darkness in Southern California to Singapore at sunset and all points in between, this group of writers and filmmakers and musicians — each of them artists, each embracing their art in their own unique way — recorded the moment in thought and imagery, snapping photos, noticing, taking notes. What follows is a sampling of some of the most poetic and whimsical and soul-searching collective recollections of this singular moment in time.

Here's the compilation video:

And here are the writers' thoughts and images in their entirety:

London, England
United Kingdom
GMT
(12 noon, local time)

The Tropic of Peckham.

— Elinor Perry-Smith
Screenwriter, Blogger

_______________________________________________

London, England
United Kingdom
GMT
(12 noon, local time)

It's lonely being green. Ventured out into the garden on this our first really sunny day after unusual amounts of snowfall. All the plants are looking very sorry for themselves, except for this Mexican Orange which defies the weather. It's like a huge shiny sunburst in the middle of twigs and dead leaves.

You just have to smile.

— Kathryn Radmall
Screenwriter

________________________________________________

London, England
United Kingdom
GMT
(12 noon, local time)

So finally a bit of sunshine in London. I jumped straight in the car to get a bit of fresh air. After all the snow it finally feels like spring is on the way - even saw a few pairs of shorts out and about. Tomorrow I am starting shooting a documentary as well, so there is a great feeling of things just beginning...

— Pearl Howie
Screenwriter, Filmmaker

________________________________________________

Manchester, England
United Kingdom
GMT
(12 noon, local time)

This is the Central Library in Manchester, and I was thinking, as I looked at it, of my youth. ... It actually was part of possibly my earliest TV memory - when a fight scene took place on the the roof of the library during an exciting episode of a TV series I remember very little about - the fight scene was the one thing that stood out and does so until this day. I remember being really thrilled by it, and being thrilled by the fact I had actually BEEN to the building on the TV screen.

Then I recall the many hours I spent there while researching my novel, FINAL TWIST. Aside from flying to the states to do research (the book was a conspiracy thriller about the killing of JFK), the central library was a valuable resource in that it houses many books that are out of print.

I have been to the theatre underneath the library, and I've been to the cafe under the library. You have to admit, that's some library.

— Peter Spencer
Screenwriter

_____________________________________________

Edinburgh, Scotland
United Kingdom
GMT
(12 noon, local time)

Dreary light, heavy clouds, and wind stronger than it has been for months. Feels like the perfect weather for snuggling on the sofa with a good book and a hot drink.

— Laura Anderson
Freelance Writer and Filmmaker

________________________________________________

Devon, England
United Kingdom
GMT
(12 noon, local time)

And they say Britain is a country of animal (bird?) lovers!!! Cats may be cute to us humans, but I guess we don't see them for the hardcore predators they really are...

— Lucy V. HayScreenwriter, Blogger

_____________________________________________

Carnegie Lake, New Jersey
United States
GMT - 5
(7 a.m., local time)

I'm based in New York, but this weekend, I am visiting my parents in New Jersey. I once read somewhere that water inspires creativity so sometimes, when I'm at my parents' place, I go to a lake near their house and stare at it for a while before writing. Today it brings back happy memories of a writers' retreat in Ohio, where I would plant myself with my laptop by a window that looked out onto the Olentangy River, and every 30 minutes or so, look up from the screen and see the calming waters.

Unfortunately, accompanying this great memory are worries about finances. Wondering about my job, wondering if I'll be able to make my next short film, if I'll ever find a liquor company that might be willing to sponsor it.

But enough about this - it's about the story, for the next couple of hours. This is the beauty of being a writer - you can escape this world at the scribble of a pen, taps on the keyboard. I'll think about my characters and their problems, not my own.

— Mrinalini Kamath
Playwright, Filmmaker

_____________________________________________

Raleigh, North Carolina
United States
GMT -5
(7 a.m., local time)

A deserted and quiet 07:00 a.m. Classical music plays in the background. The crowds haven’t arrived yet, only four early morning regulars sitting on the other side of the fireplace having a cup of Joe and rehashing last night’s basketball game.

People do come in dribbles and drabs – place their orders – leave. I often wonder: what are these people’s lives like? They seem to be unable or unwilling to sit, relax and enjoy.

I can’t write at home. Tried it many times, just can’t do it. Panera works for me. I can write here. My laptop is powered on and open and poised to take in four-plus hours of screenwriting -- and I’m ready.

— Michael Scherer
Screenwriter

_____________________________________________

Louisville, Kentucky
United States
GMT -5
(7 a.m., local time)

I know of nowhere else where people are so fond of walking in circles! Seneca Park, in the East End of Louisville has a level, paved 1.2 mile walking track, a pretty perfect ellipse in and about old trees, but open enough to see the width and nearly the length — unless, of course, it’s dark. This morning, it’s freezing (32 degrees) and there are all sorts of people out — some lithe ones in spandex staging a run, and dog walkers. I feel eccentric, in duffle coat, scarf and knit hat taking pictures of backsides in the dark, some with their running lights twinkling.

So much positive faith, that exercise is good, walking or running in circles especially therapeutic. And I a self-conscious observer, with the requisite coffee and donut — like the cop on a stake out. I am not much for running into what I can’t yet see: like the future. I want to be positive that all will be well: We will go around and come around. Yet I feel, even on the verge of sunrise, pensive for our land, our people. Still, so many neighbors’ eager to walk and to run this early gives me hope.

— Jeanne Hammond
Screenwriter

_____________________________________________

Westlake Village, California
United States
GMT -8
(4 a.m., local time)

You're awake before the alarm goes off, in and out of sleep that is fitful with the fear that you will miss the first date stamp.

As you are on the West Coast of the United States, 12 p.m. GMT means you've pulled the early straw — 4 a.m. your time. You get up in advance of this to make sure you've got the shot lined up and your thoughts in order (in spite of the fact that it's black as pitch outside, the second will prove to be more of a challenge). But when the magical hour arrives, your camera fails you (so much for dry runs the night before), and you find yourself stumbling around outside in the cold, MacBook Pro in hand, its built-in camera aimed at whatever you think might show up in the shot.

The streets are quiet, the neighbors asleep. And good thing, too. Because you look a little suspect tip-toeing around in the front garden with a laptop in hand.

You ultimately get the shot, though it's of questionable quality. What resonates and remains with you throughout the rest of that sleepy weekend is the fact that you knew (or hoped) that in all different parts of the world, other artists were out and about, noticing, taking notes. That you were coming together, behind, in front, and right in the middle of the sun as it rose and shone and set on the world.

And in that moment, you never felt so connected.

— Pamela Schott
Author, Screenwriter

_______________________________________________

Royal Ville
Singapore
GMT +8
(8 p.m., local time)

I'm so tired that I'm seeing double but at the same time, determined to soak in the pleasure of my me-time as I wait for my husband to come home and my daughter is blissfully asleep. The tv's got Die Hard 4.0 blasting away (piss-all to watch anyway!), an assortment of toys lie scattered as I still procrastinate about tidying up (hmmmm...maybe later!), I've prepped my sweet and sour fish for dinner (God I'm STARVING, hurry up and get home already Billy!) and of course, I'm catching up on the never ending shenanigans of Facebook. Meanwhile, there's always a niggling thought at the back of my mind (every Saturday night mind you) that I just want to go out and hang out and have a few gulps of adult beverages at one of my favourite watering holes in town... or more than one! So, nothing wild or out of this world, just another typical Saturday night.

— Sonia Marzuki

_____________________________________________

Marta, Italy
GMT +1
(1 p.m., local time)

After many days of rain in Italy today has finally made some head with the sun ... Mark is impatient waiting for the arrival of spring, one of his two favourite seasons together with the summer, to breathe the fragrances of nature all of these landscapes.

— Marco Pesci
Musician

Elsewhere in the world:

Panama Canal, Panama
United States
GMT -8
(4 a.m., local time)

Helsinki, Finland

GMT + 2
(2 p.m., local time)

Venice Grand Canal, Italy
GMT +1
(1 p.m., local time)

Paris, France
GMT +1
(1 p.m., local time)

Tossa del Mar, Spain
GMT +1
(1 p.m., local time)