What is interesting me today?

Eat a frog

2011-04-11T11:34:00.001+01:00

There are 11 tasks on my To Do List.

Most of them I'm really looking forward to... but a few I'm not. Either they touch on area that wobbles my self-confidence or... nope that's pretty much it! They all involve me putting things out into the world and me having a bit of a worry about what the world will say.

Here's a technique I learned approximately nine months ago, which has worked for me ever since. It's just 1 minute & 28 seconds, but it could have the same profound, happy-making, energy-level-raising effect on you that it's had on me: www.EatThatFrogMovie.com/ (No frogs will be harmed, don't worry :-))

2011-04-05T11:34:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I was listening to music on Red Shift Radio. I think the song was by Rihanna, not sure. Anyway, the chorus had the singer asking her man to make her feel like the only woman in the world... and like the only woman he'd ever love.

This got me thinking...

If I turn to another person and ask them to "make me" feel a certain way, here's what I think could happen:

they refuse;
they don't really understand what I want;
they don't know to;
they try but it doesn't work;
they try, it does work, but it wears off;
they try, it works, it lasts for ages, but they then ask me to "make them" feel a certain way, and I don't know to... at which point it all starts up again...
they try, it works, but then I feel I have to compromise myself to keep them on-side and ensure they're always around to "make" me feel a certain way.

If I do things to make myself feel a certain way, here's what I think could happen:

I'm not sure what to do, so I give up;
I think a bit about what might work and have some ideas;
I get other people's ideas on what might work by reading relevant books or blog/listening to relevant podcasts or lectures/attending relevant seminars & workshops;
I list ideas that might work for me;
I do those things;
I cross-out the ones that aren't for me;
I keep going with the other ideas;
they start to work - and I feel special/loved/etc.

What's your take - can other people "make" you feel a certain way? Do you find yourself relying on others to generate good feelings in your life and good feelings about yourself?

Japan - teeny, tiny glimmers of hope

2011-03-17T09:39:00.001Z

What is "interesting" me today? And every day since Friday 11th? Of course the situation in Japan.

Many people will know already the news, so I won't regurgitate it. Instead I'll relay some happy stories & pictures I've seen and heard, not to make light of the situation, but as a reflection of my belief/hope that there can be light at the end of a tunnel:

A man is reunited with his dog (I usually assign copyright, but can't find any information on which newspaper this originally came from.)
Three happy stories from the Huffington Post of reunions after the tsunami.
A man who walked for 20 hours to find his girlfriend.

This link is for donating for emergency shelter packs and this one is for donating to Japanese animal & pet rescue and this link takes you to an anti-nuclear group in Japan.

Experimental

2011-02-28T15:12:00.000Z

Today I'm trying an experiment... I'm not feeling up to much today, so I'm temporarily setting-aside world domination and just pottering (online and offline).

I don't know why I'm feeling like this today, I've just had a week off, so I expected to feel all re-charged, but I'm not. So I was wondering what would happen if I treated today's post like journalling, if I went all stream-of-consciousness...

Hmmm now what's up with me today, surely I'm usually energetic and keen to get going... I love what I do... I'm keen to get on... so what's up today? ... Well, I guess I feel a bit fed-up with the weekend - didn't get much time with the fiancée and yesterday had a long conversation with a friend who's suffering and that was a bit tiring even though I did want to be there for them... But I've had things like that before & it didn't result in any lack of get-up-and-go... So I wonder, is it because I took a rest and now my brain's saying "More rest please!"? Or is it something to do with once I finish my marketing plan, I'll be editing my ecourse and then sending it out to the public - and the latter will be crunch time? ...

Or, gulp, am I being lazy? Or rebellious? Or continuing my sulk at fiancée but directing it at myself as he's back at work now?

Another thought, three days ago I started back on my usual healthy eating (after a year of very unhelpful eating, which started when my beloved cat died and just continued), so might I be having some sort of 'healing crisis'?

I feel my thoughts beginning to spin now, that's usually not helpful, I wonder if I'm spinning my wheels a bit, and maybe I just need a day off, and it's not helpful to wonder why. I guess if it carries-on tomorrow there might be case for asking why.

I haven't had a session with my business coach for three weeks and had a week-off the mentoring last week, so perhaps this is just an expression of needing some support, and an input of energy from someone else. Argh, I feel a "should" coming on: as an entrepreneur, I should not need motivation inputs from others... LOL, I'm pretty sure I remind my clients of the importance of support and breaks, how interesting that I'm struggling with this lesson.

So, let me know what you thought of this new style of post - ring any bells? Boring and indulgent? Helpful points but didn't enjoy the unedited writing? Or something else?

Why not to set goals for 2011.

2011-01-25T11:02:00.000Z

Today, I read a beautiful, intelligent and feeling post about why not to set goals. It's from a young woman who's been financially successful at a very young age and is now reflecting on other aspects of life, on top of writing a great business blog.

She's reflecting in a personal and open way about the difficulties and joys of finally being one's self. I highly recommend you take a look at erica.biz

Enjoy 2011.

To quote Susan Jeffers: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway!

2010-12-12T09:31:00.000Z

Short piece again today, but hopefully relevant to many readers: do doubts and fears stop you going for what you want in life? Would you like free, professional support to gain internal assurance and greater confidence, from someone who's been there?

Please complete my anonymous and confidential survey http://bit.ly/DoubtsFears

Are you a designer/photographer/artist/other creative business?

2010-12-10T08:24:00.000Z

Short and sweet today - particularly relevant to any arty types who are in business... or thinking about it...

Are you a designer/photographer/artist/other creative business? Would you like free, professional support to start/grow a business? Please complete my confidential survey http://bit.ly/CreativeBizz

Protester in a wheel-chair dragged off by English police.

2010-12-09T16:24:00.000Z

As I write this, in just over an hour's time, the English parliament will be debating whether to treble university fees to £9,000 (about US$16,00) per year.

This would be to fund the bank bail-outs, despite there being at least 10 reports written that show cuts-free alternatives to balancing the budgets. (You can see these at http://falseeconomy.org.uk/cure/further-reading)

There are demonstrations in various places, but the biggest is right outside the parliament. I've read reports that there are police horse charges against peacefully-demonstrating people. Yes, outside what's laughingly referered to as the Mother of all Democracies.

Here's a photo of a protester who's a wheelchair user, again reports say he was being dragged-out by police:

He was alledgedly dragged-off behind police lines and his chair remains empty.

Nice.

http://twitpic.com/3ed5tq

Stuff the World Cup and the Royal Wedding, UK citizens have had enough

2010-12-06T21:32:00.000Z

What is interesting me today, in fact for the foreseeable future, is all the wonderful NVDA, protests and occupations, taking place up and down the UK at the moment.

The last government handed-over billons of pounds of tax-payers' money to bail-out banks. Now the current government is paying that bill with our healthcare, education, social care, policing, charities - basically, you name it!

People around the UK are saying enough is enough and rightly so.

Check-out the TWENTY-ONE British universities being occupied by students and by staff. It may be more by the time you read this.

If you're on Twitter, follow UKUnCut for details of protests against tax-avoiding companies like TopShop, Vodafone, BHS, etc; or see their website.

All being done with lots of humour, creativity and with the aim of supporting society.

Do we need to be efficient?

2010-11-29T08:26:00.000Z

To be EFFICIENT means getting the job done in a smart, resourceful and timely way. To be EFFECTIVE means getting the RIGHT job done well, efficiently or not.

Sorry I don't know the author for this one.

Feel the fear and dream it anyway

2010-11-28T08:25:00.000Z

When you face your fear, most of the time you will discover that it was not really such a big threat after all. We all need some form of deeply-rooted, powerful motivation - it empowers us to overcome obstacles so we can live our dreams.
Les Brown

Goethe's got it

2010-11-27T08:23:00.000Z

Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days...What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power and genius in it.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832

Life, philosophy and everything - summed-up in 14 words

2010-11-26T09:44:00.000Z

"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching."
Source Unknown

How to fail, to succeed

2010-11-25T08:45:00.000Z

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot . . . and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
Michael Jordan

What is it with Coaches and frogs?

2010-11-24T08:20:00.000Z

Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to jump off. How many are left?

Answer: Five... because there's a difference between deciding and doing.
Mark L. Feldman & Michael F. Spratt, 'Five Frogs on a Log'

It's not rocket science

2010-11-23T08:19:00.000Z

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

Albert Einstein

I know why Maya Angelou talks

2010-11-22T08:17:00.004Z

I have learned that people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou

Another bit of wisdom from Galileo

2010-11-21T12:17:00.000Z

You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself.
Galileo

Are banal celeb biogs a modern scourge?

2010-11-19T09:43:00.001Z

"I dislike modern memoirs. They are generally written by people who have either entirely lost their memories, or have never done anything worth remembering."
Oscar Wilde

Bob Marley says...

2010-11-12T09:43:00.000Z

"Conquer the devils with a little thing called love!"
Bob Marley

Hooray for Hollywood animation

2010-08-08T08:41:00.004+01:00

I've noticed that of the Hollywood output, animated films contain the most positive themes. Over the past eight or nine years, the following messages or themes have come through from some of the most popular animations:

encourage your children to be themselves;
your real friends will love you whatever you're like;
how you look is unimportant;
it's essential to live your own life.

Can you work-out which of the major animated films (think Pixar, Disney, that kind of thing) these themes were featured in?

I'm wracking my brain to think of a Hollywood live action film with such a positive message. In my memory, film messages seem to be things like: people you don't know are dangerous; foreigners will try to blow you up; it's ok to kill people if they've done something you don't like; and on and on and on and on. Of course, this could just be my subjective viewpoint - yes, that's possible!

So - a little competition: there will be a prize for the first person either to guess which four animated films those positive messages came from, or to name four recent-ish Hollywood live action films with similar positive messages.

Email your answers to me, Mhairi, at accurate at easy dot com - I've spelt-out the email address here to avoid spammers, so just change it back into proper email address format to reach me. Please include your postal address so I can send the prize to you. And say whether your prefer a book or some jewellery.
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2010-08-01T10:56:00.009+01:00

Today I read six wonderful paragraphs in a great blog entry by Morty Lefkoe. Many of you will know of him already and in case you don't, he's a teacher in the mould of Jack Canfield, Joe Vitale, Marci Shimoff, etc and a member of a group that Jack Canfield formed, the Transformational Leadership Council (TLC)

In less than one minute of reading Morty's post, I had TWO lovely a-ha! moments or epiphanies, so I'd like to share my favourite bits with you:

Joe Vitale made one of the meeting’s best presentations about living from divinity, from source, from inspiration. He made the point that every thought you have is the result either of inspiration (a message from your “higher Self”) or from your programming (your beliefs and conditioning).

It can be difficult to tell the difference between thoughts that arise from inspiration and thoughts that are the result of programming. Yet the more you are able to erase the beliefs and conditionings, the more your inspirations will reach consciousness without being distorted by your beliefs and the more you will be able to recognize the difference between the two types of thoughts.

Joe said that he generally knows the difference by the passion and excitement that accompanies his inspiration.

And

I saw Jack [Canfield] at breakfast the final day and told him that one of the things I love most about TLC meetings is that I am able to fully experience and express the profound love I have for people. I can hug, kiss, and verbally tell people how much I love them. I don’t feel nearly as safe elsewhere, except with a few very close friends.

Jack asked me why I could experience and express that love at TLC but not elsewhere. I said that I don’t feel as safe most of the time. Then Jack shared something about himself that was my most valuable piece of information of the meeting: As much as he also loves being at TLC, he feels safe to experience and express his love wherever he is because he carries his safety inside of him; he doesn’t wait for the circumstances to create safety for him.

I knew immediately that that was true and from now on it is incumbent on me to create my experience of safety and not wait for something or somebody outside of me to create it. I made a commitment to him and myself to fully express my love whenever I feel it. And to create the experience of safety so that I am able to feel it.

Don't take my word for it, why not read the full post? Morty Lefkoe also does a podcast, which I'm just off to download through iTunes.
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Life Coaching Whistle-stop Weekend

2010-07-27T17:03:00.002+01:00

The weekend just gone was my two-day introduction to training as a Coach (Life or Business, rather than basketball).

I had a very inspiring time - learned a lot; overcame limiting beliefs; met interesting people; had many chances to practice coaching other people; to observe and to be coached myself.

I was impressed with the trainers' ability to keep things interactive even in a crowded room - there was a good balance between learning theoretical models and putting theories into practise.

If you've ever considered training as a Coach, I thoroughly recommend this course as a great way to practically test whether it's for you. It's also interesting and useful if you're considering being coached.

The weekend helped me decide to bring forward my plans to work as a coach "some day". I'm looking into making that day as soon as I find and complete the right training for me. I'll be needing some coachees to practice on - any volunteers?

Last but least, I got to have two days away from all the cares of home with my favourite person. Plus, we discovered a lovely new Hunanese restaurant in Manchester's Chinatown - let me know if you want details!

Positive story about domestic violence

2010-07-15T10:27:00.000+01:00

Women's Aid (charity that works to end domestic violence against women and children) has partnered with Avon (cosmetics & toiletries company), to present awards to survivors of domestic violence for their bravery.

The awards for 2010 have now been won by three for women for inspiring others, for campaigning and for volunteering.

The awards were presented by former UK Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown; a TV talent contest winner; and by Reese Witherspoon. To find out more, go to The Sun newspaper (well done them for writing a decent story) or to the Women's Aid website.

If you are experience domestic violence, get in touch with Women's Aid, 0808 2000 247, if you're in the UK (or ManKind if you're male), or use a search engine to find help in your country. Use an internet café/public library computer for privacy, or you can delete your search history if you're concerned about someone else seeing it:
Firefox: Tools menu > Clear Recent History
Safari: History menu > Clear History

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Crewe Music Blog

2010-07-09T15:53:00.000+01:00

A very quick heads-up that I now also write for Crewe Music Blog: this features reviews of interesting bands that play in/around the Crewe area; CD reviews; interviews with local musos and DJs.

Currently you'll find a competition to win a CD, just take a look at Crewe Music Blog.
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Feel-good films for intelligent people

2010-07-06T18:44:00.000+01:00

I recently watched, and thoroughly enjoyed, two low key, thought-provoking, funny & touching films: Martian Child and Away We Go.

They're very different films; the former is about a widower who adopts a child who believes he's an alien; while the second is a road movie featuring couple searching for a good place to raise their unborn child. (Children don't interest me that much - if you feel the same, don't let the child-related plots I briefly outlined put you off.)

Without being schmaltzy or manipulative (ok, Martian Child might be a little cheesy, but it's mainly not), they made me laugh and cry; genuinely held my interest; had believable characters (plus one or two OTT ones for light relief); and made me think about the issues they covered.
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I've won something wonderful! Plus: quote for today

2010-07-02T15:18:00.001+01:00

Image © Themis Chapsis

Good day to everyone
I'm really happy to announce that I've won a place on a 2-day coaching course! It's run by the Coaching Academy and takes place at the end of the month. I'm very excited about going and will share the insights that I gain with you.

The course is aimed at people who are interested in becoming a coach, which is definitely something I've thought about doing.

As far as I'm aware, anyone can apply for a free place, assuming you can get to the English venues, so why not have a go yourself? I have it on good authority that they're a reputable company.

The quote that's interesting me today
If Columbus had turned back, no one would have blamed him. Of course, no one would have remembered him either. Anonymous
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A great quote

2010-07-01T17:24:00.002+01:00

Create your future from your future, not from your past.
Werner Erhard
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How NOT to be perfect

2010-06-21T09:00:00.018+01:00

Let's set that bar stupidly high
I've been thinking about how my so-called high standards for myself, mean I set the bar high for others too. This has resulted in me finding a lot of fault in the world and feeling unsatisfied when inter-acting with others, not to mention when alone in my own head. I've rarely felt happy with what I've achieved - which is disappointing, as I put so much effort into it. I've spent a lot of time feeling unhappy with myself, with the world and with others - it's not been fun!

© Carlos SX

So I've made the decision to like myself and to show care for myself; to like others and show care for them; and finally, to notice all the things in the world that I'm happy with and appreciate them. I have to say, I'm feeling much better. (There are of course injustices in the world that haven't magically gone away now I feel better, but when I'm bogged-down with feeling like a terrible person and with petty fault-finding, there's precious little time and energy left for righting wrongs.)

What's brought about this change in me?
One night, I suddenly realised how thirsty I was. I'd been at home all day, but hadn't cared enough about myself to have get a glass of tap water. Something clicked and I realised how mean I was being to myself - and I decided I wanted to look after myself.

I had a string of difficult life events over 2009-10 and have gone through the wringer. Coming back into life and the world, I was barely conscious of being ready for change; but sub-consciously I think, I started looking for support and a practical methodology to bring about change within myself.

Two people I respect suggested these two books, which I have found revolutionary! They contain practical, down-to-earth, realistic and feelings-based stuff, each of which I read in one night and couldn't wait to get up the next morning to start putting into practise. In fact, some of it, I put into practise while reading it.

.And for anyone's who's new to Neuro-Linguistic Programming, here's a third book (& CD) I'm finding useful:
If you prefer to listen rather than read, there are audio books and there is a wealth of podcasts on the subject, easily found through Google or iTunes' search feature.

Don't get me wrong, there are no feel-better-effortlessly-and-instantly solutions here - these teachers make it clear that if we want things/people/ life to be different, we are the ones who need to do the changing (and be prepared to face some discomfort).

I've been hearing that message for years, but suddenly, I understand and believe it... and better than that, I'm doing it. Blimey, I just realised: I am being the change I want to see. (With apologies to Gandhi.)

How does this sound to you - are you looking to make a change?

2010-06-14T14:35:00.000+01:00

Every fortnight I shop at a particular, local independent shop. I've been shopping there for three years now and I've never known the manager/proprietor to be other than cheerful.

He's possibly gone through something challenging in that timeframe, we all do - and his business has possibly experienced repercussions of the current financial situation - but he's never other than cheerful.

I've asked him a few times, what his secret is, how does he manage to be always upbeat - he replies with something like "Well you've got to, haven't you" or "I don't know, it's just how I am". I was genuinely hoping to learn something from him, so on the one hand, I was a bit disappointed. On the other hand, that fact that he is living proof that we can call choose happiness is very cheering.

How do you choose to be happy?
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Latest competition winner!

2010-06-10T09:43:00.003+01:00

I'm really pleased to announce that the winner of the latest competition, is Ciarri, from the US. Winging its way to Ciarri, is a booklet with almost 200 ideas on how to make life better.

Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to everyone for reading this blog.

For those of you who entered but didn't win, I'd like to recommend this book,which has lots of great ideas on changing your life:
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What's next for the headKASE Music Festival?

2010-06-03T11:11:00.002+01:00

I caught-up with two of the headKASE Music Festival's organisers, Natalie Hand and Tim Dougill, to find-out what's coming soon for us music-lovers.

"I love music and organising, so putting-on a music festival seemed like right idea", says Natalie Hand (of the Square One bar and the headKASE salon). "There are so many good bands, more than enough to give everyone a really great long weekend. The festival went well, so we're already thinking, what next? At the moment, we're looking into an all-dayer later in the year - maybe a mix of big 1990s indie bands plus the up'n'coming local bands.

"If that goes well" Natalie continues, "We'd like to develop the festival in future years, maybe get an outdoors venue - after all Glastonbury started small!"

Many of you will know Tim Dougill has a weekly indie show on ThisIsTheCat.com and welcomes contact from new bands. Tim said: "I get to hear, and meet, a lot of talented bands, so finding acts to appear at headKASE was simple.

"I saw We Are The Grand in Liverpool and had to get them on-board. Getting Delta Fiasco was my main aim, they're based in LA but are local lads who had never played in the area. It's easy to see why they are signed to a label and getting so many rave reviews.

"The festival was a success: the punters got to see some great acts, Square One was a cool host and the headKASE salon got good publicity."

You heard it here first! So for more news of headKASE and other live music, stick your email address in the box in the top right of the screen - no spam and I won't pass-on your details.
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Fourth and final day of the headKASE Music Festival

2010-06-02T13:30:00.000+01:00

Rounding off the festival on Monday, I saw three acts: Firejar, the Sumo Kings & Snakey Jake.

Firejar are an acoustic duo. The main singer has a huge range: on one song she's deep'n'bluesy, on another, Patsy Cline-like. The guitarist, who also sings a few numbers, plays in a great range of styles - again from bluesy, through Johnny Cash-unplugged, touching on northern Spanish folk-classical, wonderful stuff!

One half of the Sumo Kings played a second acoustic set and thanks to a thorough sound-check, the acoustic arrangements of their songs came through much better than on Friday. I particularly the enjoyed the dissonant break in Escalator Bench at Five.

Finishing the festival was country-blues local legend Snakey Jake. He's deeply knowledgeable about the history of the blues and social conditions around the music, so you get interesting snippets between the songs. Every song played seems to have a special meaning to Snakey Jake, his soul is laid bare. His playing is technically brilliant and he switches effortlessly between slide guitar and acoustic. What an amazing end to the headKASE Music Festival.

What's next for headKASE? Updates in a day or two.
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Making the KASE for Crewe's music scene

2010-05-31T10:43:00.002+01:00

Another day, another crop of great bands at the headKase music festival. Yesterday I saw Troops of Mafeking, Rivalry and Bleached Wail.

The Troops were their gnarly, passionate, fun selves. Clearly relishing playing to their clearly growing crowd, their traditional line-up nevertheless delivers innovative song-writing. Give It Up is my favourite of their set.

Rivalry were polished, wearing their Madchester hats on their sleeves.

Bleached Wail were outstanding. Their vocals often follow a raucous, bluesy, 'call and response' pattern, with heartfelt and personal lyrics. Just like The Troops, they obviously enjoy what they do, Bleached Wail give their absolute all to an audience. And way to reverb The Pink Panther!

Can you believe there's more today? Five more bands, starting at 1.30pm, so get yourself down to Square One in Mill Street, Crewe. (Full band listing at http://bit.ly/dklqsT and the Facebook Event page.) My top pick for today is the Sumo Kings.

Once again, thanks to Tim Dougill, Jamie Oliver, Nat and the others for putting-on the headKase Festival.

Dispatches from the headKASE music festival

2010-05-29T18:43:00.004+01:00

Another May, another free live music festival in Crewe. OK, not quite free, but £2 a day is close-enough to free.

Last night brought an acoustic set from the six-stringed half of the Sumo Kings. I got a kick out-of hearing familiar songs re-worked for two acoustic guitars. The songs were well-chosen for acoustic success, in particular I thought Perceptive Deceptive enjoyed its unplugged outing. As usual, the cover of Gay Bar (dedicated to the audience) went down well.

Today brought We Are The Grand and the Electric Kools. We Are The Grand hail from Chilé, now based in Liverpool as they prefer singing in English to their native Spanish. They play accessible, upbeat indie with a smidgeon of synth. The songs are written by the whole band, with everyone contributing lyrics or a riff. They've been playing together for about a year and their style has evolved between their first EP (to be reviewed here soon) and their second (due out shortly).

Today was my second time to see the Electric Kools and their psychedelic indie was just as good this time round. The trippy, tidal-undertow guitars and bass, combined with powerful drums and a foghorn reverb sound, make a satisfying musical stew that's worth sinking your teeth into.

Three bands all very much worth seeing - so get down to Square One in Mill Street, Crewe, where the music continues today with Fear and Delta Fiasco. (If you want a full band listing, see http://bit.ly/dklqsT or the Facebook Event page.)

My top picks for tomorrow are the Troops of Mafeking and Bleached Wail. Three additional bands are also on, inc. Bez from the Happy Mondays. My top pick for Monday is the Sumo Kings, four additional bands are also on.

Massive thanks to Tim Dougill, Jamie Oliver and the others for putting-on the headKase Festival.

PS: this post is dedicated to Phremsley (1994-2010) and as a thank you to the bands, for reminding me of the good stuff in life.
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I can't say it any better than His Holiness the Dalai Lama

2010-05-27T15:46:00.002+01:00

A useful site for people who work at home, has posted "19 Life Instructions" from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

What I love about HHtDL, is that he combines humour with warmth and wisdom. Here are my favourites from the 19 instructions:

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Live a good and honourable life. Then, when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

The full 19 are at Enterprise Nation: laugh, muse and enjoy!

Do we need to suffer to build courage & understanding?

2010-04-30T09:49:00.009+01:00

Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you.
Mary Tyler Moore.

I have often felt that the terrible things I went through as a child, have left me more able to have compassion for others. (Although not when I'm upset or angry with people close to me - ah, the irony). So I find that quote very interesting - and I wonder if it's true.

I would say that one can only be brave, if first one is scared. For instance, people have told me I was brave for retraining from graphic design to fish science, but I didn't give it much thought, I just went for it, it never felt frightening. So how can I claim to be brave?

A week ago, I travelled 150 miles to go to an interview. Since my run of bereavements, I've not left the house all that much - so this trip, alone, felt massively scary. I think I was brave to do it, even though I've made that journey many times before and already knew all the people I'd be meeting that day.

I think I'd change the quote slightly: fear nourishes courage. As only by going ahead and doing the scary thing, can I make the fear go away.

If this is something that resonates with you, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, by Susan Jeffers might be useful for you.

2010-04-28T09:39:00.006+01:00

A good friend sent me a Dr. Seuss quote that I just love:

Be who you are

And say what you feel.

Because those who mind don't matter

And those who matter don't mind.

Do you agree?

Do you know, I had no idea Dr Seuss had a more thoughtful side.

You can take the girl out of Judaism...

2010-04-26T09:39:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to my word-smithing Mum for the above title.

One of my favourite lines from Sex and the City, is when Charlotte (for those of you who don't watch, she's married, converted to Judaism and has problems conceiving), faced with a potential adoption having fallen through at the last moment, says to her husband: "Honey, we're Jews, we've been through worse".

Its power is three-fold: firstly in its bittersweet humour; secondly in its determination to admit to feeling sadness and yet keep going; and thirdly in the complete way that Charlotte has embraced her conversion. While she may originally have converted to marry a Jewish man, once converted, she takes-on Judaism with her whole heart, it informs her thinking and feeling.

I find this authenticity and acceptance profoundly moving.

.

Remember, you've just 10 days left to win a life-changing booklet

2010-04-23T10:10:00.010+01:00

Ever feel your life's not quite how you want it? Do you want a better work/life balance? A zippier career? Better relationships? To feel happier?

I have a nifty little booklet that might well help you change things - and you can win it right here!

Just go to my eBay page, see how many items I'm selling, email me that number with your name and address and I'll pick a winner at random. Please email me via: accurate at easy dot com

Hurry, competition ends 26th April!

Babble on Babylon

2010-04-19T09:00:00.002+01:00

For the past month or so, I've been watching Babylon 5 on DVD.

For some reason, I thought it was a Star Trek spin-off, so avoided it. But it's not, it's a rather good (well seasons 3, 4 and 5 anyway) sci-fi series, entirely different to the aforementioned ST (the sci-fi series which dare not speak its name).

So last night I reached the end.

It was a very good ending, which I won't spoil in case anyone has yet to watch it. It was also an unusual ending, with many characters aging, having stiff joints and grey hair.

A percentage of the characters died, which as I'm recovering from several bereavements, was very painful for me. Watching the surviving characters suffer and watching the dying ones knowing it was their end, brought all my losses home to me, again.

As I always say, on the one hand... yes it was most unpleasant having extreme sadness well-up and over-power me - but on the other hand, crying was a blessed relief.

Have you seen or heard anything which has brought feelings powerfully to the surface?

Breaking a massive taboo

2010-04-18T10:55:00.000+01:00

© http://rlv.zcache.com/pirates_of_penzance_gilbert_sullivan_wpa_poster-p228833756139409735qzz0_400.jpg

Prepare to be shocked.

I am listening to Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. What, you're not shocked?

Well I have an embarrassing confession to make, I have been so brain-washed by my upbringing, that even though for years I have been enjoying snippet's of G & S's music when used in films and on tv, I dismissed it as rubbish and felt embarrassed for enjoying it.

It just so happens that my parents are fans of classical music and obscure jazz. Well great you say, they think and care deeply about music. And I agree. My point is, how long it has taken me to come out from under that, and allow myself to enjoy this music they disapprove of.

On the one hand, it's such a tiny thing... and on the other, I feel sad that it's taking me so long to feel comfortable being me.

Do you go through similar challenges?

Adversity

2010-04-12T11:19:00.003+01:00

As some of you already know, over the past 11 months, I have faced five bereavements, redundancy and a funded PhD falling through at the last minute.

Don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware that many people have dealt with far, far worse in that time and I do think of them. I have, however, been pole-axed by what's happened to me - I spent a long, long time crying for hours on a daily basis and I even had to leave my job.

Now that I am travelling back into life again, I have come across the following two quotes, which I'd like to share with you. They mean a lot to mean to me and I hope that should you need them, they'll be of use to you too.

From Eleanor Roosevelt - social activist, author and wife of US President Theodore Roosevelt:

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived though this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along."...You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Wikipedia has a very good page on her if you want to know more.

From Robert Browning Hamilton, poet:

I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chatted all the way,
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne'er a word said she,
But, oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me!

And now to finish to on a laugh - which will help ward-off sickness and wrinkles - something from the eminently quotable Groucho Marx:

I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception.

Competition time!

2010-04-03T19:57:00.003+01:00

Ever feel that your life's not quite how you want it? Do you want a better work/life balance? A zippier career? Better relationships? To feel happier?

There's a nifty little booklet that might well help you change things - and you can win it right here!

Just go to my eBay page, see how many items I'm selling, email me that number with your name and address and I'll pick a winner at random. Please email me via: accurate at easy dot com

Hurry, competition ends 26th April.
.

Making some money

2010-03-18T09:03:00.000Z

I've been looking into ways to earn money online and this one seems to be working well - a mix of surveys, merely clicking on links, getting cashback on usual shopping and doing a few free trials of websites. I was sceptical, but it's recommended by those lovely people over at MoneySavingExpert.

Giving for nothing

2010-03-17T02:57:00.002Z

Many of us would like to give more, to support causes we believe in. Here are some ways to give that won't cost any money and cost you very, very little time:

Donates to Save the Children

Save Big Cat habitat

Do something about homelessness

Look after oceanic life

Donations towards pet care

Preserve primates

Hunger & poverty

And on days when you're very busy, hit several organisations in one go - but please don't use it too often, as it could stop these free donation methods.

Thank you.

Save your sanity

2010-03-12T12:33:00.003Z

I like getting bargains and not being sold a lemon, so frequently take a look at MoneySavingExpert.com Today I was reading a very interesting post by someone who's feeling low in confidence and isolated from people and the community in general.

I thought it was very brave to admit this on a public forum and also to mention being in therapy. It also got me thinking about additional ways to deal with these feelings, and I guess my favourite was volunteering.

It can be a fun, free, way to meet new people, learn skills, increase confidence and feel a connection to/make a contribute to, our community/wider society.

There are lots of ways to find somewhere to volunteer, including:
* speaking to organisations you're interested in;
* talking to your local Volunteer Centre who keep lists of volunteering opportunities (find yours at Volunteering England's website);
* or using websites like do-it.

Through volunteering, I've made friends, become more active, found employment and helped causes I believe in.

Thinking'n'feeling, rocking'n'reeling

2010-03-10T10:49:00.011Z

The death of my cat, plus the four other deaths I've experienced in the last nine months, have really got me thinking and feeling.

I've found solace in my closest family and friends, traditional Jewish music, reading my book on buddhism, walking where I can see birds, classical music, comedies, a book about pet loss, no-nonsense philosophy podcasts and exercising on the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus.

It was six weeks ago yesterday. I still feel far from "normal", but today at least, I see light at the end of the tunnel.

Staggering under a huge blow

2010-02-10T03:08:00.003Z

Firstly apologies for the long gap - caused by a ton of things which seemed important at the time, but which were blown out the water two weeks ago by the death of possibly my closest friend, my lovely cat Phremsley.

He - and his sister, who's still around thankfully - saw me through so many difficult days and months. His unconditional love was a major force in my life and I don't know how to carry on without him. (I have really supportive people around me thankfully.)

As well as his loss, I'm struggling with guilt, did I do enough? It doesn't matter that my rational mind can go through all that I did for him.

Sense - are you kidding?

2009-10-28T23:28:00.004Z

I enjoyed reading AmeriNZ's take on a New Zealand businessman who's stumping-up heaps of cash to fund a march which seems to be against laws to protect children from parents who think it's OK to be violent towards their kids.

The issue itself is pretty straightforward, so AmeriNZ didn't talk about that too much, the post was mainly about lazy/cynical use of figures in news stories - it's well worth a read.

And it set me thinking.... as I got a couple of years into my science education, I started noticing that both current affairs and general conversation contain A LOT of personal opinion couched as fact.

I'd hear, for example, the Minister of X Gov. Dept. state personal opinions and present them as national opinion or even worse, objective fact, by saying things like "everyone knows..." or "most of us agree..." and there would NEVER be any data to back it up, never.

Then there are the, ahem, clever ones who get figures from somewhere - I refuse to dignify these figures with the use of the words data or statistics - and start presenting them as proof for their position. And one only had to consider the wording a little, to realise that at best there was a correlation and at worst, mere coincidence or even blatant dissembling.

© http://www.eglobe1.com/word/wp-content/images/photos/Animals/bunny1.jpg

For a couple of years, it really raised my blood pressure. However, this is not good for my health - or people around me who have to listen to me shout at the radio - so now whenever this happens, I try to sing a little happy song to myself, picture fluffy bunnies in a field, nibbling grass and twitching their noses in the gentle breeze.

What I'm trying to say is, you can lead a politician to water, but you can't make him think. (Kinky Friedman)

Let's Have a Minute's Noise for John

2009-10-24T09:00:00.003+01:00

Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of the death of the irreplaceable, irrepressible, warm and knowledgeable, John Peel.

I didn't have a chance to meet him, but he was an audio presence in my life from 1983-2004 and there's still a John Peel-shaped hole in my life.

From first hearing him on Radio 1, showcasing new bands and playing records that didn't get played elsewhere, to his family life-related shows on Radio 4, he was a unique radio voice.

The week he died, the comedian Mitch Benn sang a great song as tribute to him, Let's Have a Minute's Noise for John, the man himself would have approved.

Review of Club Sumo launch night

2009-10-18T08:49:00.002+01:00

I was going to take last night off, but if Steve can play an hour-long set suffering from flu, I reckon I can manage a post from the comfort of my cosy study.

There was a twist on the usual Sumo Kings set - they'd done a cut-up technique on it, consistently building the energy levels up to our old favourites.

Further twists came from acoustic artist Jasmin Dean singing backing vocals on Oh Rebecca and contributing acoustic guitar on a second song. They both worked well.

Given the tiny stage at Square One, Faz had to contain his usual mayhem, but he managed just enough room to kick over half the drum-kit and stand on what was left.

The DJs after the live acts even managed to get Mr Crewe Blog dancing. So despite the less-than-ideal PA quality, it managed to be a good night.

Club Sumo - Saturday Oct 17th!

2009-10-09T11:30:00.004+01:00

Edited from the Sumo's press release: an indie and electro-themed club night with a live performance from the Sumo Kings and acoustic artist Jasmin Dean, plus all the best current and classic tunes from DJ Pelvis Resley.

The venue, Square One’s Natalie Hand said: “It won’t be your average night. A lot of effort is going into Club Sumo, there is going to be a real edge to it. “People should definitely come and see for themselves. It will be the ultimate indie night experience for gig goers and fans of indie music.”

Crewe is fast becoming a regular fixture for some of indie music’s most renowned acts. A host of huge bands including Feeder, The Charlatans, Athlete and The Twang and some of the best of Britain’s new talent like Doll and The Kicks and Future of the Left have all chosen to play the town’s venues as part of their national tours.

Now, Club Sumo aims to give the growing scene an added lift with a nightclub experience for the music lovers of South Cheshire - offering a welcome alternative to travelling to Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester.

DJ Pelvis Resley will be playing a variety of classic indie, electro and new and local music. It will be sponsored by Socks, Dougs & Rock ‘n’ Roll, CAT radio’s online new and local music show.

Saturday, October 17th; 8pm-2am; Square One, Mill Street Crewe. In the meantime, take a look at www.clubsumo.co.uk

Club Sumo

2009-09-03T08:43:00.001+01:00

Exciting up’n’coming indie band the Sumo Kings, will be starting Club Sumo on Saturday October 3^rd, at Square One in Crewe.

They reckon Square One’s existing night Funk Agenda is great and as there should be more of that sort of event in Crewe, Club Sumo will offer electro, funk and indie, all in one night. Club Sumo will take place every two or three months.

The format will be a mix of live music and DJs, with the night becoming a showcase for Crewe and Stoke bands. The Sumo Kings will play the opening night, plus there’ll be a to-be-announced acoustic artist. Watch this space for more details nearer the time.

Art vs Science

2009-08-31T03:54:00.019+01:00

Long-term readers of this blog probably know that after a 10-year career in graphics, I changed to science, largely because of the stunning beauty of fish. This has left me loving just about anything that's on the interface of art and science, so inspired by a programme I heard on BBC Radio 4, more of which later, here's a word picture/tag cloud/Wordle of my Master's thesis (click on it to view it larger):

Concept and coding are Wordle ©, content is my ©

Even before I became an ~~egghead beaker-addict~~ scientist, I was aware of beautiful scientific images, such as those from particle accelerators...

© http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/mvigeant/univ_270_03/Jaime/HowItWorks.html

... or from atomic structures

...from botanical illustrations...

© http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/nature-online/seeds-of-trade/page.dsml?section=regions&cat_ref=&region_ID=6&ref=inedible_oil

... to scanning electron microscopy.

(Who knew mosquito hair was so pretty?)

© Geoffery Hunter at http://www.rsbs.anu.edu.au/Images/PicOfMonthPages/06.02PicMonth.php

So I was very excited by this week's edition More or Less - a Radio 4 programme which takes a lively look at how numbers are used in everyday life, the media, public policy, science, etc - with its feature on making art from scientific data. The work that sounded the most beautiful was Aaron Koblin's film of flight patterns in the US and the YouTube clip bore this out.

© http://www.aaronkoblin.com/work/flightpatterns/index.html

But spare a thought for Charles Joseph Minard who in a very pre-computer age (1869), created a striking visual representation of Napolean's army travelling to, and famously retreating from, Moscow.

If your appetite for the art/science interface has been whetted, check out the Wellcome Gallery if you can get to London, or look at their website. Exhibitions have included a look at 1950s decorative patterns influenced by scientific discoveries (a topic I coincidentally, but sketchily covered in an earlier post); links between mental health and art; medicine & war; and much, much more.

For even more art/science, also see the Science Museum, Princeton University and the Arts Catalyst.

Shortlisted for the BT/Remote Employment.com Home Worker Award

2009-08-28T09:22:00.003+01:00

I've been shortlisted for The BT/Remote Employment.com Home Worker Award. It's a very nice feeling and could also help distinguish my CV and be a good way to promote my self-employment.

My blurb is:

Mhairi has worked from home for three different charities over the past eight years and although she's not a techy, in each case communication technology facilitated the best of both worlds:
communicating with colleagues and accessing files as if she were on-site, but with the peaceful atmosphere of a home office enabling her to work faster and to make confidential calls.

This combination of communication technology and long-term homeworking makes Mhairi an ideal candidate for the homeworker award.

Mhairi said: "Being shortlisted for such a prestigious award has boosted my confidence and is a great way to differentiate my CV, especially in these testing times.

Somewhere in Cheshire/sometime in August. Sumo Kings: impressions/conversations

2009-08-17T09:00:00.004+01:00

By MigratingFishSwim, © Wordle.net

A secret gig, a barn just north of Crewe - ordinary from the outside, painted purple inside; floor layered with the chequered, coloured squares of Sumo Kings leaflets; walls splattered with music posters from Franz Ferdinand to Green Day; acoustic array supplied by a spongy Mr Soft ceiling; audience and band up-close and personal; lights, smoke, heat…

1. The music kicks-off with classic Sumo Kings opener O, Rebecca. I’d been primed to listen-out for the chord changes on the chorus – and yes, they’re crisper, sharper. Suggested by Mike Bell (more on that later), they allow Steve’s voice to come out more, and Faz’s vocal had shifted.

2. Built on Croft Road

3. Perceptive Deceptive - Crunchy guitar riffs from Steve.

4. Space Monkey - sounded snappier, lifted, sharper, zesty. We got full-pelt guitars and drums up to a sudden, dramatic break, which was filled by a communal shout of “Space Monkey has gone missing”.

5. Your Spooky Brain

6. While he Wasn’t in Her – Choppy chords at the back of the chorus. This song captured the Sumo Kings at their best: tons of confidence and drive. Jamie hammering away, literally getting his head down, doing 100-mile-an-hour drumming.

7. Go Slow

8. Monty Man – Steve going all rock’n’roll on our asses, with a super-intense guitar solo as he crashes to his knees on the floor

9. Five Foot Trees - Ad starts gigs quietly, but usually lets go once he’s warmed up and here, he finally went for it

10. AGH/DIH – There’s a punk feel when everyone combines and then lets go, great to watch the Sumos set themselves free on the breaks.

11. Sex Machina – Faz knocking over the mic to climb the disco light-festooned steps, Steve ratcheting-up the guitar, Jamie, while looking scarily fierce, floated the dance-y percussion lightly over the melody

12. Gay Bar – Following-up their appearance on Radio Stoke, this cover of the Electric Six song is rapidly becoming a fixture in the Sumo Kings’ set. People finally are dancing. Argh, what took you so long?! Personally, I’m always moving from the first chord of Oh, Rebecca.

13. Little Buildings – why have I never noticed the reggae influence before? I wonder if this is more evidence of Mike Bell's suggestions? Ad now getting very laid-back, leaning against the door and grinning lazily.

14. Wicked Way – it’s becoming evident how much fun Steve is having when he goes all Jimi Hendrix-style for this one. Faz stops singing to thank everyone for coming tonight and for our support at earlier gigs. Then we get our real reward when he goes for one of his stunts, throwing himself onto the floor and taking half the drum-kit with him. He gets-up again, with a nice shiner from hitting the drums with his face on the way down, but he carries on, so he’s obviously feeling no pain right now.

15. Gay Bar reprise – “This is for you lot, thank you for coming”.

When the Sumos finally wear themselves out and stop, an impromptu karaoke breaks out among the audience, the highlight of which is definitely a complete rendition of Pulp’s Common People, which starts with a new line: “She came from Crewe with a thirst for knowledge”.

Before starting, the Sumos talk about recording their soon-to-released EP/demo; “We were recording around the clock with 5am finishes, even going back to the studio after playing gigs. Mike Bell (the producer) got us to try out new ideas. Mike thought our existing arrangements were good, but his suggestions, based on his experience with bands like CSS and Babyshambles really paid-off for us. Mike ripped-up our rulebook, made us re-think the way we write. He’s getting us to hit ‘em hard, make ‘em want more, make people disappointed when our songs come to an end. We cut segments short and edited some guitar. We’re open to change and suggestions, we want to get signed.”

Richard Barclay, who’s helping the band with their future direction says, “The Sumo Kings’ sound and image is nine-tenths complete, but we’re keeping things local for now, to build a solid fan-base. There’s nothing worse than taking a band to London just to have them disappear and become yet another regional band.”

Forthcoming gig dates, thanks to Gatcha: Moho Live, Manchester (5th Sept); South Cheshire College, Crewe (16th Sept); Manchester Met Uni, Crewe (23rd Sept); The Box, Crewe (25th Sept); The M Club, Crewe (supporting The Twang) on the 30th Sept.

28

2009-08-16T11:40:00.002+01:00

Twenty-eight, I rail/

Can you squeeze a life into/

Twenty-eight summers?

Saskia May, Electric Kools and Sumo Kings - three bands for a fiver!

2009-08-15T12:07:00.011+01:00

© Alison Barclay

Well done to The Box in Crewe, who dished-up another budget-friendly night of live music.

First-up was Saskia May. They’re a four-piece playing meaty, metally, rocking indie, which varies from thrashy, to the lighter, American end of the indie spectrum, so something to please everyone.
The singer’s petite frame belied a deep, rich, gutsy voice. Her vocals harmonised well with the rest of the band’s sound. Sadly on the night, something wasn’t quite right with the vocals, possibly due to a rushed soundcheck. The guitar, bass and drums all did their job.
Saskia May have a decent sound and they delivered promising material, but I look forward to them gaining more stage confidence and a greater complexity in their playing. I wanted them to show a bit of passion, a bit of movement, a bit of energy - I’m sure they’ve got those elements; they just need to release them on stage.
The Electric Kools came next. They opened with strong, strung-out chords - their musical recipe probably includes three grams of 1960s and a tab of pyschedelia - which immediately demanded attention.
The drums, bass and guitar come together well, creating a cohesive sound. Extracting sitar-like noises from the guitars, while remaining fast and rocky they create a drawn-out and spacey soundscape, akin to late-era Beatles or Kula Shaker. Occasional use of effects on the vocals contributes to the heard-from-a-distance, trippy sound.
Late-on in the set, another influence appears, with the vocals referencing South Asian music. I can’t quite pin it down, but I’m thinking classical Indian chanting by way of 1960s Bollywood soundtrack. The singer has a Roger Daltrey circa 1968 haircut, always good to see a bit of classic retro.
The Electric Kools' set might benefit from more changes in pace, but I definitely enjoyed them, there was energy, creativity and good interaction with the crowd. They've inspired me to re-read The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.
Playing their first Box headliner were the Sumo Kings. No surprise to anyone when the Sumos kicked-off in straight-at-ya style, the dancefloor filled quickly. The Sumos have been working on a demo EP with producer Mike Bell (Babyshambles, etc) and their sound is definitely evolving; tonight they were sharper, with a paring-back in the guitars.
There’s no shortage of energy at a Sumo Kings gig, epitomised by the crescendos of Steve (guitar and backing vocals) and Faz (vocals and guitar) singing on Five Foot Trees, and by the ferocious, driving drums and bass. At the break of Space Monkey, the Faz directs the mic at the crowd and we duly oblige by yelling, “Space Monkey has gone missing!” right back at him.
After a proper showman build-up, Faz finally jumps off the stage and dances about with his guitar among the crowd. The stage is too high to climb back onto, so he's a bit late returning onstage, but no problem as Steve, Ad (bass) and Jamie (drums) keep it all together. And the audience is able to sing, “You should know, I’m not a sex machina” until he gets back to the mic.
Sometime later, the Sumos pick-up their instruments again, for a very unofficial after-show party, playing a couple of their own numbers and then a few, shall we say experimental, Oasis covers. All in all, the Sumos’ natural mix of mayhem and lightly-worn professionalism.
For a second opinion on the nigh t, take a look at the very funny post by Gatcha.

2009-08-04T22:29:00.003+01:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PicturesWordsFishPoliticsNewZealand

CreweGoStayWritingDanceScience

WaterFlowRhythmCheckBalance

OhmmmTheCupZizouNewWave

JeanPaulFootstepsPancakesGenius

AtomBombAlwaysRound-and-Round

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bleached Wail: from Forrest Gump to the Bhundu Boys

2009-08-03T17:41:00.007+01:00

Photo © Mark Preston

7.30 on a hot summer evening: The Box - a Crewe live music venue - is without its customary atmospheric lighting and lasers, instead it’s drenched in a magnesiate glare. Messy noise bounces off the walls as tonight's bands work through their sound-checks. Half an hour later, I’m out of the maelström and into the silent, cool courtyard, with Gus, Floody and Nick of Bleached Wail, an indie band originating from Alsager.

Which bands are you enjoying at the moment? Current choices include The Strokes and Dinosaur Pile-Up, but a perennial preference for them is the Zimbabwean band The Bhundu Boys: “They’re dead happy, they chirp you up”. Quite a tribute to a band whose childhoods were shadowed by the struggle in the 1970s, to get rid of the minority interest government that ran their country back then.

What are your non-musical influences? Gus confesses his lyrics are influenced by favourite books and the film Highlander (hear for yourself in their song Bounty Hunter), whereas Floody swears by musical influences

If you weren’t in a band, what would you be doing? Floody shares “Being in a band is what I want to do, so I don’t think about what I could be doing”. Gus jokes “I’d probably be running, like Forrest Gump.”

What’s the best gig you’ve seen together? They point-out the differences between best gig and best band, but agree that one of their favourite gigs has to be seeing the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at Leeds.

Where does your name come from? Gus describes his voice when the band first got going “It wasn’t a defined wail, it was a bleached-out wail”. Catch them live, to hear how they sound now, then compare with this session on Radio Stoke from 2008. Floody adds “People tell us the name sticks-out visually when in a line-up with other bands.”

Any questions you’d like to be asked? Quick as a flash, Nick says “Ask us ‘how did you get to be so sexy?’” And when I do, the answer is “We’re just born with it!”.

Anything you’d like to tell readers? “The Box is an ace venue, so if you haven’t been yet, come down. It’s definitely the best smaller venue we've played at, with good décor and run by nice people.” So now you know.

Bleached Wail can next be seen on August 15^th, at Stoke’s Sugarmill.

Recession? What recession?

2009-08-02T17:17:00.003+01:00

Sorry to mention the r-word folks, but it's in a positive context. Do you know that over 1,400 home-based businesses are being started every week? (According to ByteStart.co.uk) And that's literally just the home-based ones.

ByteStart.co.uk also reckon that 436,600 new businesses came into being in 2008, and mention data from Barclays, indicating female-run start-ups increased by 9% over the same timeframe.

Women-trepeneurs unite!

Interview with The Sumo Kings

2009-07-17T12:56:00.014+01:00

Photo © Mark Preston

In conversation and en-masse, the Sumo Kings are an unstoppable force, so I gave-up all pretence of an organised interview, stood back and listened while they did their verbal thing, chipping-in over, and under, each other…

WhatIsInterestingMeToday: Beer or spirits?

Sumo Kings: Beer! Spirits are a bit scary. Hmmm, beer first then spirits? How about beer/spirits/beer/spirits. Or spirits dropped in a beer… or both!

WhatIsInterestingMeToday: Cats or dogs?

Sumo Kings: Dogs, there’s a dog in our photo! But cats ‘cos in that film “Meet the Parents”, someone said cats make you work for their affection, they don’t sell-out the way dogs do”.

WIIMT: What are your non-musical influences?

SK: Ex-girlfriends, hate them! Football… Everyday occurrences… Pretty silly stuff… Dogs... We have moved on from writing songs about “Wake-up in the morning and there’s no toothpaste left”, we did actually start out like that. Yeah, that was a time before Steve and Ad were in the band. It wasn’t a very good song.

WIIMT: So there’s pre-toothpaste and post-toothpaste?

SK: Yeah! Since then, things have really taken-off… We no longer need Colgate and we’re fluoride-free! Really, anything which we get a buzz off, we’ve written a song about a football match and of course, about Space Monkey.

WIIMT: What bands are you enjoying at the moment:

SK: Kasabian, Bleached Wail, Doll and the Kicks, Sonic Youth and Future of the Left

WIIMT: Tell me about the band’s name

SK: We used to be called Dugas Bugas, we didn’t get taken seriously back then, can’t think why… We used to practise somewhere that had a no smoking sign and one day Ad just said “That looks like sumo kings, why don’t we call ourselves the Sumo Kings?”

WIIMT: If you weren’t in a band, what would you be doing?

SK: Drinking…. I’d go back to university or school, yeah do GCSEs again… I’d study creative writing, I’ve already started about 10 books… I’d be writing like I do now anyway

WIIMT: What’s the best gig you’ve seen together:

SK: It’s got to be “We are Scientists” as that’s the only one we’ve seen together… Yeah, it wins by default! And we had to leave early, to catch the last train home… Maybe “Doll and the Kicks” when we played with them? I can see them making quite an impact… “Pulled Apart by Horses” were very good, they set the bar in terms of stage performance... And “Troops of Mafeking”, they’re good, we’ve played a gig with them too... Their sound is heavier than ours, but we complement each other.

WIIMT: What are you working on at the moment?

SK: We’ve been in the studio making a demo with producer Mike Bell who’s also worked with Babyshambles... His feedback and suggestions have been really helpful… It’s all about conveying the feel of what we do... Mike reckons we don’t need to get a crystal-clear sound for the demo, he just wants to capture our live sound, raw and energetic.

WIIMT: Is it hard to generate raw and energetic in a studio, with no audience?

SK: It can be after about 30 takes… Not really, cos Jay’s like an out-of-control energising bunny!

WIIMT: What is it with your lyrics – Space Monkey?

SK: Faz - Every Halloween, my older brother makes his fiancée a video. One year he made one about a space monkey and I thought it was the best film I’d ever seen, I asked him when he was making Space Monkey II and he said “No, there’s only one space monkey”.

WIIMT: And “Your tea in your Eeyore” from Oh, Rebecca?

SK: Faz - The song comes from a time in my life when I had random thoughts running round in my mind. There was a girl I lived with at university, who always wanted her tea in a Eeyore mug and I dropped it, it broke and she went off her head at me.

WIIMT: Is there anything you’d like to tell readers of the blog?

SK: Crewe’s music scene is genuinely growing at the moment and you need to support it… Some of the bands round Crewe are really good, but they need to be given an opportunity and the only way that’s going to happen, is if people come out and watch them... Some of the bands that play in other areas are not that good, but round here, there’s Bleached Wail, Troops of Mafeking, Sgt Wolfbanger – they’re making quite an impact… If you don’t come out, venues will close! People have got to come out and see the bands, what you all doing, playing bingo?

WIIMT: Where can people see you next?

SK: Friday 24^th July, headlining at the Roadhouse in Manchester.

What leads to success?

2009-07-15T10:44:00.002+01:00

From a resource- and tip-packed professional development site, I heard about Richard St John and his 8 tips for success.

Do what you're Passionate about
Be a Workafrolic, not a workaholic
Get good - practise, practise, practise
Push yourself physically, mentally, through shyness and other blocks
Focus on one thing
Serve others, do something of value
Ideas - listen, observe, be curious, question things, connect, problem-solve
Persist through 'failure', criticism, rejection, fools and pressure

">An excellent three-minute video of Richard, conveying these ideas with passion and humour. (Or go to the original page to see it.)

A Band Less Ordinary

2009-07-13T13:42:00.012+01:00

Photo © Mark Preston

James and the Giant, Friday Busk, Bar 22, Crewe, 3^rd July.

The Friday Busk, set-up by Toby Robinson of Volume PR, aims to provide a friendly, chilled end to the week, somewhere to wind-down on your way home from work. It’s held in the newly-refurbished Bar 22 (Crewe’s Mill Street), so if you’re a fan of both live music and squashy sofas, get yourself down there.

On Friday 3^rd July naturally nothing could start until it was absolutely definite that the British guy wouldn’t win Wimbledon, but once Andy Murray limped-off Centre Court, James and the Giant embarked a marathon 14-song set with a cover of REM’s Sidewinder. It’s a bit of a staple for them and a nice fit, as their own material has common elements with REM’s early work.

After that, one of their own tracks, Follow, a melancholic take on unexpected endings, next a folky version of Stuck in the Middle, the 70s classic from Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. James and the Giant (JatG) alternate their own tracks with cover versions, engaging newcomers, as well as keeping their fans happy, but I’d be glad to see them reduce that proportion further, as their original material definitely hits the spot.

Starting Line followed, another original, and in the acoustic version, I really noticed Steve’s guitar providing soft warm undertones to Dayve’s vocals. James and the Giant’s combination of two guitars and one bass harmonised well in the smaller, acoustic-friendly space. Next came Freefallin’, by Tom Petty, again a good choice, known but not over-played. During Freefallin’, Steve trialled his shakers to great acclaim and to my ears they gave every song a Motown tinge.

JatG have a new single out, I Could be Happy with You, on New Sound Records, with wistful, yearning chords, I recommend you take a listen. Never afraid of changing the mood in an instant, Elvis’ kitsch take on Vegas life came next, but in a stripped-down version and the band manfully restrained themselves to just the one “Thang-you ver-much”.

I’ve been listening to their album Octagon, so my ears pricked-up at the uptempo version of Lizard Skin. The protagonist in Dayve’s songs is going through a rough time, but in this faster, live version, I heard recovery from life’s knocks. Once again Steve’s guitar stood out, with the higher registers conveying a hint of plaintive mandolin.

Bar 22 had started to fill-up by this point and the band asked for requests, the audience teasing them with suggestions of Roger Whitaker and Pink Floyd. Thankfully a voice of reason called for Bob Dylan, so we got Knocking on Heaven’s Door. Dayve, Steve and Carl channelling Bob Dylan and his backing singers pretty well.

A bit of improvisation followed, as the band hadn’t played Summer of ’69 together before, but you’d never have known it, the three of them cohering very well, so kids - hours of band practise really do pay-off. A rash of requests for stuff by The Jam came-in and we had Steve taking lead vocals on That’s Entertainment, plus self-deprecating banter from Dayve about the irony of the title given their lack of practise with the song.

Next-up was my favourite JatG track, Don’t Want to be that Man Anymore, again taken at a faster pace than on the album. I detected flamenco guitar here, but perhaps the heatwave was getting to me. Once again, the character in the song could be heard coming back to life after a significant blow, like a male version of I Will Survive.

So, Busk’s aim was definitely achieved by Friday 3rd July’s Buskers, James and the Giant. To hear for yourself, catch them next on Thursday 16th July, 8pm, The Norfolk Inn, Shelton, Stoke on Trent. And don't forget to check-out The Busk - Fridays at 5.30pm, Bar 22, Mill St, Crewe. Did I mention it's free?

12th July haiku

2009-07-12T10:01:00.006+01:00

Three hundred and sixty-five:

the number of days,

'til next I eat birthday cake.

Who am I? Who are you?

2009-07-05T12:23:00.014+01:00

The BBC World Service broadcast an interesting documentary contrasting the multicultural nature of Marseille with the default assimilation of other French cities, including Paris.

Marseille sounds like a great place, with communities originating from north Africa, the Indian Ocean, southern Europe and more. France doesn't measure ethnicities in its censuses apparently, but the unofficial figures indicate Marseille is 25% Muslim. Until recently, they were forbidden a Mosque, but this is now changing. Support for this seems to come from many places, including Marseille's Jewish community. A contrast was provided with other French cities, which saw disenfranchised communities rising-up, in 2005 and 2007, whereas Marseille remained calm.

I loved hearing all the different Marseille voices, explaining that Marseille is more connected to the Atlantic than to the rest of France; that being a port keeps it open-minded; and that while they have no problems with the rest of France, Paris doesn't understand them. Most of the interviewees also expressed their identity as, for example, Marseille-Moroccan, rather than French-Moroccan.

This reminded me of my own situation - my family background is Scottish-Jewish, but I was born in, and mainly lived in London. I've only briefly lived in Scotland and while I am ethnically half-Jewish, I'm also an atheist...so I'm never quite sure where to place myself. I feel uncomfortable thinking of myself as British, which seems to conjure-up nationalism and imperialism. I don't subscribe to the values of middle England (or middle Wales/Scotland/northern Ireland - there must be similar phenomena there). I'm not English, despite many years of living in England. Although I have a very Scottish name, I don't have a Scottish accent, nor a Scottish town to call home.

It was while studying the Open University course Open to Change that I had the space to reflect on my identity - and decided on Scottish-Jewish-Londoner. It's a mouthful, but it probably reflects my life.

How do you describe your identity - is it national, regional, to do with family history? What other ways are there, perhaps to create your own identity? Can either multiculturalism or assimilation ever be the answer?

Bored of the Things*

2009-07-04T19:42:00.002+01:00

Well I finally gave Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings a go. It was OK, the New Zealand scenery was the biggest star in it. But I think I shall be sticking to my world cinema/arthouse/animé/black'n'white movies in future.

*PS: the title wasn't mine, it was lifted from a Radio 4 series from the 1980s

Hi/hello/ciao readers

2009-07-01T15:00:00.006+01:00

Thanks to those fabulous people over at BlogPatrol.com, I know that most of you readers are in the US, followed by the UK and then by Canada and Italy. Whereabouts in those countries are you? Or are you a reader from somewhere else? Comment and get yourself on the map!

And the vast majority of you are, like me, Mac users. Which Mac are you using?

For reasons I can't fathom, but which I'd love you to hear about, the top keyword is yaboo.

Energy & excitement, music & mayhem

2009-06-28T20:08:00.009+01:00

Last night I found myself singing “Your tea in your Eeyore”, with lyrics like that, who else could it be but the Sumo Kings? Like an anarchist democracy, it’s hard to say who’s the lead, with each of the Sumos getting their moment in the sun.

I glance from Sumo to Sumo, trying to capture all that’s happening on-stage, from Jay’s whirl of fierce drumming; to Faz in his trademark hoodie, bantering with the crowd; from Steve’s staccato, percussive guitar distortions onto Ad’s steadfast bass, which allows the others to fly. Steve and Faz really crank-up the guitar action during the bridges and you can feel the kinetic energy in the room build and build, finally releasing loyal fans and new-comers alike to go mad. Despite the unfortunate lack of a soundcheck, the Sumos’ irrepressible energy and raw talent stands out a mile.

Next-up were the justifiably hyper Bleached Wail, a trio hailing, or should that be wailing, from Alsager. The name comes from Gus’ description of his early singing voice, but I’m happy to say his voice is in full Technicolor, its power literally lifting him to his toes as he sings.

Gus is complemented by Floody, who moves around the stage like an over-wound toy finding ecstatic release, and Nick on drums keeps it all together, resembling a creative Brazilian defender.

There’s a real sense of dialogue between Gus’ lead guitar and Floody’s bass, the unruly guitar licks ramping-up the crowd and I bet, each other, spurring them onto ever-greater musical peaks. And the dialogue expands, with Floody’s vocals chipping-in like a wisecracking sidekick.

Inspired by diverse influences like the film Highlander as well as favourite books, Bleached Wail’s backbeat rhythms have the crowd moving in no time, with loyal fans singing lyrics right back at them.

If you like gutsy indie with gnomic lyrics, get yourself to the Sumo Kings’ next gig, 24th July at Manchester’s Roadhouse and do watch-out for them re-appearing at The Box in Crewe. If you want to surf Bleached Wail’s mayhem tide, before it becomes a nationwide tsunami, catch them at the Underground in Stoke-on-Trent on 3rd July. I expect they’ll be back at The Box too as it’s one of their favourite venues. The Sumos were also full of praise for the Crewe music scene and venues including The Box, and called on all south Cheshire music fans to get out and enjoy what’s on our doorstep.

(Also published on the Crewe Music blog, which is always well worth a read.)

Save money, be green & take a stand against consumerism, all within the comfort of your own fridge!

2009-06-19T12:00:00.001+01:00

Starting tomorrow, it's another week-long Eating Down the Fridge Challenge. The idea is to go a week without food shopping, by using-up what's in your fridge, cupboards, larder, deep freeze, meat safe, hole in the ground, etc.

It started in the US - now admittedly they have waaaaay bigger fridges there - but it's catching on all over, from the continent to Australia.

I'm giving it a go, I don't have a large fridge, but there's stuff in my cupboards I can use, I reckon I can do at least five days if I'm creative.

How about you? You'll find tips at the main website, or on the Facebook group.

Let me know how you get on!

Clear boundaries or violence against children?

2009-06-17T15:42:00.002+01:00

A very good blog - covering aspects of ideas, life and politics in New Zealand and the US - recently posted about a proposed referendum in NZ, on parental smacking.

This is one of my bug bears... I was horrified at the comment that "New Zealand has shocking rates of violence against children..." Not at the blogger saying it, but at that being the case.

Do we think it's right to hit women when they don't do what we want them to, or behave in a way we don't like? So why is it ok to hit children in those situations?

I can't help feeling that people think it's ok to get physical with children because a) they are smaller than adults; and b) children are often considered almost like parents' property.

It's very hard as a non-parent for me to comment on parenting, but what I can comment on with absolute, concrete, certainty, is the fear, hatred, guilt, emotional pain and self-blame that being hit leaves children with.

23 years after I left home to get away from being hit, I wake up to those feelings every...single...day....of my life.

Not one relationship in my life is unaffected by it and not one decision gets made without that baggage having a say. That's an awful legacy to give a child.

What are your thoughts on hitting children?

My life as a white-knuckle ride

2009-05-31T22:34:00.008+01:00

I've searched for my centre of gravity so many times in the past few weeks I probably know more about gravity than Isaac Newton. (I have three meals a day, a decent house to live in, plus family and friends who care - I know I have it very lucky. But my feelings don't always see it that way)

30 days ago my dog died, so my internal Nikkei Index plunged 1000s of points.

Then I had two gruelling job interviews with a quango, which left me filleted; hung, drawn & quartered; sliced'n'diced and hung out to dry. However I didn't care terribly as nobody died.

Next I went to the Crewe Live '09/Volume Festival and heard so many great up'n'coming bands, that with purely natural adrenaline and serotonin induced by the music and the energy of the crowd, I was high as a kite for days.

After this the fact of towering, looming redundancy hit hard, with the realisation that there's just one remaining pay cheque between the wolf at the door and I. (I like to keep him on formal terms.)

This was followed by an invite to a job interview - elation!

For about 30 seconds, until terror sets-in.

No worries, I'm off to a party to celebrate my local radio station, The Cat. Where a band dedicates a song to me, unprompted; there's another great band, Chloe; lots of the DJs say Hi as my name seems to have spread among them due to my fairly incessant emails to them for requests, dedications, expressing how much I appreciate the station, etc. And I er, win the raffle. Three times - lots and lots of lovely CDs, ah heaven. There are heaps of talented, interesting people to talk to including the woman who runs Cheshire Nightspot, the brill photographer Simon J Newbury, presenters and behind the scenes people from The Cat, my friends from the animé club, the aforementioned musicians themselves, the Crewe Blog author and his lovely wife - and many more. So I'm on a complete - and utterly natural - high.

The morning after, je me sens désolé. Have to grit my teeth and force myself to work on my presentation for Tuesday's interview.

And so we come to tonight where I decide to get it all out my system, by making you, dear reader, suck it all up. Bon appetit!

Where needs an arts centre more than the mean streets?

2009-05-30T11:15:00.006+01:00

A very good blog on my town, recently posted on plans for a new supermarket and how that would rejuvenate the town centre. This provoked a lively debate, with one camp all in favour and another camp wanting rejuvenation to be more culturally-focused.

Some commenters thought no-one in the town would be interested in visual art or music, which prompted me to realise that actually, there's tons going on here - hundreds of up'n'coming bands, local uni arts centre, masses of dance troupes, craft groups, cinema societies, amateur dramatics groups - it's just that people create it for themselves, rather than it being provided. Little ole me, I'm involved in three separate groups, which are all about arts and music:

Stitch'n'B*tch - sewing and knitting group;
Animé, Manga & Gaming, south Cheshire; and,
The Cat Radio Station.

This suggestion drew comments that given the town's social challenges, cultural stuff would be wasted on the people who live here, but I can't think of anyone who appreciates cultural provision more, after all the people of Kensington and the Cheshire Set can buy their own Monets - and what do us working stiffs have, now our manufacturing jobs, not to mention our call centre jobs, have gone?

Also, check-out this new blog, which unites 2 & 3 above.

The BNP, Royal Mail, the Football Association & June 4th - is that title long enough for you?

2009-05-20T20:04:00.006+01:00

Yesterday I was not best pleased when my poor long-suffering postie stuck a load of election bumph through my letterbox.

Usually it goes straight in the recycling, but lucky me, it included a... thing... I can't call it a leaflet from the BNP.

So, now I am one donation, one letter to the MP, several Facebook postings, one complaint letter to the Royal Mail and one homemade anti-BNP poster-in-the-window up (it's very, very handmade, I should really post a pic on my photo blog).

Then I hear, that admirable former footballer Garth Crooks has taken the Football Association to task for - not having very diverse representatives of football at the Launch of the 2018 World Cup Bid AND having someone from the BNP at the launch.

Great! How long has the Kick it Out! campaign been working? Thanks FA, nice one.

OK I hear you say, I don't like the BNP, but they are legal. Well yes they are, but should they be? IMHO, they encourage racial and religious hatred and that's definitely illegal.

So if you're in the UK, please get out and vote on June 4th - for anyone except BNP please.

A winner never quits

2009-05-14T21:38:00.007+01:00

Me and my baby we don't mind,

If things don't go right all the time,

I've got her love and you know she's got mine,

With a smile on my face I'm going to keep on trying

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Because a winner never quits,

I said a winner never quits,

You've got to do the best you can,

Because a quitter don't never win.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Into each life, some rain must fall,

'Tis bittersweet, so live with it all,

I know one day, that my ship will come in,

And that's the day that I'm going to win.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A winner never quits,

I said a winner never quits,

You've got to do the best you can,

Because a quitter don't never win.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Every man should try to reach his goal,

You got to keep on pushing with plenty soul,

Try everything that's within the law

You might lose a battle, but you win the war,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Because a winner never quits,

A winner never quits,

You've got to do the best you can,

Because a quitter don't never win.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Keep on, now when you get a little weary,

Keep on, and your way looks dark & dreary,

Keep on now, when the tears fall like rain,

Keep on, feel like you're going to go insane

Keep on, when you feel a little bad,

Keep on, think about the love you've had.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Larry Williams & Johnny Guitar Watson, 1964. Hear them sing it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDB5-5fKeDI

Radio killed the video star?

2009-05-13T08:54:00.002+01:00

If you like interesting quirky radio, can I recommend This is the Cat FM?

You can find it at 87.7FM if you live in the Crewe & Nantwich area... but even if you don't, you can listen online at thisisthecat.com.

Whether you're a northern soulie, like chart stuff, seek interesting house, are an indie kid, are happy surfin' 60s sounds, or get your nostalgia from the 70s, 80s, or 90s, you'll find something to suit. This is the Cat has specialist shows and likes to mix it up as well.

Even the adverts are interesting - they're for social enterprises plus local businesses and services.

Listen now, as their current license runs out around May 24th. If you enjoy the station, watch out for ways to support them getting a permanent license.

Who are these intriguing people?

2009-05-11T10:00:00.004+01:00

Which friend of Byron saw the real-life possibilities for Charles Babbage's precursor of computers? Do you know how Hertha Ayrton contributed to Britain's war effort? And who was it who paved the way for Watson & Crick to discover the DNA Double Helix?

Give up? Me too!

The answers are: 1) Ada, Countess Lovelace; 2) Hertha Ayrton improved searchlights for detecting aircraft and invented a device which diffused poison gas in the trenches; and 3) Rosalind Franklin.

All these interesting discoveries, and the women that found them, are currently being celebrated by New Scientist magazine. You can learn more and vote for your favourite at http://www.newscientist.com/special/women-in-science-2009-intro

In case you don't know the magazine, New Scientist demystifies science and shows its relevance to everyday life.

All in the mind

2009-04-15T18:04:00.002+01:00

I'm just wondering what has got into the Government, firstly the silly, slanderous emails and now proposals to withdraw benefits from alcoholics who don't get treatment.

Why is it OK to have a dig at people with mental health issues? Can you imagine the outrage if instead of alcoholics, it was people with cancer. One gets the feeling that the Government think that mental illness is all in the mind...

Ya boo sucks to yesterday, today is another day

2009-02-28T10:42:00.005Z

Haiku on today's trip

2009-02-21T17:11:00.004Z

Cavernous warehouse,

Enlivened by turquoise hair:

Animé convention

Animé for the noughties

2009-02-16T15:51:00.006Z

Recently I watched two very different, and very interesting, animé. (Just in case that doesn't mean anything: very basically I'm talking Japanese animation. Wikipedia has a thorough explanation).

One reason they were interesting, was that for me they brought animé bang up-to-date, I'm more used to watching 80s and 90s animé.

Also, being forced to watch the dubbed version, rather than my usual subtitled version. I hadn't known that dubbed versions westernise the references and jokes, which brings a whole new layer of meaning and understanding. (I'm still not convinced about dubbing, IMHO the US accents jar somewhat.)

Finally the style and content of these two animé was new to me, in terms of one being heavily visually-influenced by CGI (computer-generated imagery) and I think by Javanese demons and the artist Howard Hodgkin - and the other being an all-out comedy.

So what were these ground-breaking animé? The first was Karas (Japanese for crow), where beings from another dimension struggled for the soul of Shinjuku, a hip part of Tokyo. This had compelling visuals, enough to make two films really. I found the plot hard to follow, but wasn't all that worried as the animation, character design, music, set design and fight choreography swept me away. IMDB.com goes into more detail on part 1 and part 2 of this stunning piece of film-making.

And the second was Full Metal Panic (Fumoffu), a slice of delightful and funny silliness, set among the members of a Japanese High School. One has delusions - I think they're delusions, it's a bit ambiguous - of being a teenage government agent and the other tries to bash some sense into him. They, and regular supporting characters, have a series of implausible and bizarre misadventures. (I do get a bit sick/somewhat suspicious of the ridiculously short skirts the female characters wear, but nothing's perfect.) Again, IMDB.com's the place to go for more info on series 1 and series 2.

Both titles are easily available to rent and buy in the UK (and elsewhere I expect) and well worth your investment of time & money.

Hooray for Hollywood?

2009-01-16T09:00:00.000Z

Prompted by seeing the cover of yet another film propogandising how dangerous wildlife is to humans - I think it was called Killer Sharks Eat Honeymooning Couple - I thought it was time I set Hollywood straight.

One of the things I loathe about Hollywood films is their insistence on "reflecting" pretty much the exact opposite of the world. I can think of at least three blockbusters in which poor, innocent people are mercilessly attacked, and frequently killed, by those agressive animals. Many might agree this is a reasonably realistic portrayal of shark/human interaction.

Slight problem though: 100,000,000 sharks are killed by humans annually (Wildaid). OK, ok then, we kill loads of sharks, but they're still a real danger to us, right?

Try and estimate the number of people who go in the sea every year around the world. No idea? Me neither, so lets conservatively estimate it: 151 countries with a coastline, each with 1/4 of a million people who go to the sea, I make that nearly 38 million people. How many people killed by sharks annually, worldwide? 50-75 (National Geographic). So Hollywood has turned nearly two generations of people off sharks, so this awesome creature, which has been on the planet since the dinosaurs, gets little sympathy for its forthcoming extinction (World Conservation Union).

Next up?

How about those films in which a sexually-confident woman kills men left, right and centre? Gosh, men need to be very wary of women, who - when they're not spending a man's money or nagging - are vindictive & violent. (In real life, men are obviously sometimes subject to domestic violence and I unreservedly deplore this.)

In England and Wales alone, 104 women are killed by current/former partners annually (Refuge). 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence in her life (sorry, can't find the origin for this figure). In Scotland, 1 in 25 men experience domestic violence (1996 Scottish Crime Survey I couldn't find a direct comparison).

Don't even get me started on the sub-text that if you "allow" women to be attractive and confident they'll kill you, lets just look at the ratio of films where women are violent as opposed to men: from films I can think of, I'm guessing 10:1. Whereas from the figures above, the ratio should be 1:6, ie reversed and reduced, to reflect the real world.

One of the earliest feature films I know of, is GW Griffiths Birth of a Nation. In this lovely slice of celluloid, nasty black men go about attacking white women, making it necessary for decent whitefolk to lynch them. In the UK in 2004, 77,000 white people were racially attacked, while only 49,000 BME Brits were attacked (British Crime Survey), so GW Griffiths must be right!

Er, except that BME communities make up about 7.9% of the UK population (Royal Society), so they should only experience 9,500 of the attacks, whereas reality is more than five times that. Maybe Mr Griffiths would care for a remake?

.

Make it easy on yourself

2009-01-15T16:41:00.000Z

Have you noticed the box at the top right of the screen? Enter your email address there and you'll automatically get all Posts emailed to you.

I won't spam you and I won't pass your details on to anyone.
.

Patrick McGoohan over-sholom

2009-01-14T18:11:00.002Z

Just wanted to say my own goodbye at the loss of this hilarious, creative, maddening, stylish actor/producer/writer/director.

Why was 1950s design so exuberant?

2008-12-21T09:00:00.000Z

It's very late, so rather than do a ton of reading, all I'm going to say is:

post-war happiness;
advances in science;
reaction to war-time austerities = taste going out the window;
advances in printing on plastics and weaving patterns in fabric.

Facebook, blogging & narcissism

2008-12-20T08:09:00.000Z

There's lots of it about.

My small town having a lively animé, manga & gaming club

2008-12-19T09:30:00.002Z

With admirable directness, it's called Animé, Manga and Gaming, South Cheshire.

You can find the meeting time and venue, plus a lively online forum discussing everything from Karas to insanely cute cats.

And what's beyond the surface here? People creating their own entertainment and sub-cultures.

Another election victory to be happy about

2008-11-29T06:30:00.000Z

Hugo Chavez has been re-elected in Venezuela, his win was greeted by street celebrations and parties, like another recent election victory.

Let's hope Chavez will continue to thumb his nose at American - and other - imperialism.

The BBC reckons he'll widen social programmes. The Morning Star says his work to increase free healthcare and education; reduce illiteracy and raise living standards has had a huge influence on the country, which had experienced years of the usual exploitation of resources by a minority.

As far as I'm aware, the programmes have been funded from oil revenues, yikes, I want the world to move away from oil, but I know people need healthcare, education and enough to eat. Oh well, I like a nice simple generalisation, so for now I'm going with Viva Chavez

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What's your vision for Obama's first 100 days?

2008-11-28T16:30:00.003Z

Those lovely people at Alternet.org have had a great idea: What's Your Vision in 100 Words for Obama's First 100 Days?

My contribution, inspired by a northern soul t-shirt of the 1980s/90s which read All-night dancin' Hand-clappin' Foot shufflin' etc, is:

Honest-talkin’ Iraq-war-endin’ Health-carin’ Green-collarin’
Wealth-sharin’ Educatin’ Communicatin’ Equal-rightin’
Urban-renewin’ Internetin’ Veteran-carin’ Active-listenin'
Respectin’ Volunteerin’ Lifelong-learnin’ Civil-rightin’
Job-creatin’ Renewable-energy-promotin’ American-WMD-reducin’
Wealth-taxin; Toleratin’Family-cohesion-promotin’ Science-promotin'
LGBT-rights-supportin’ Climate-change-actin’ GM-reducin’

Send them your ideas via 100@AlterNet.org

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Buy Nothing Day - coming soon!

2008-11-26T15:23:00.002Z

I found out today that it's Buy Nothing Day on Saturday (or Friday in the US).

I accidentally celebrated Buy Nothing Day last Saturday, so lucky me I've got an excuse for avoiding the crowds this coming Saturday too, hurrah!

If you'd like to celebrate this great day, which helps us focus on what's really important in life, do take a look at http://www.buynothingday.co.uk/ for the UK, or http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd for the international view.

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Miriam Makeba: over-sholom

2008-11-11T17:02:00.002Z

It's very sad to hear that Miriam Makeba, music legend and Apartheid-survivor has died.

I feel Nelson Mandela has expressed the sadness very well, you can read his tribute to Mama Afrika.

Obama's win - balancing joy, hope and reality

2008-11-07T09:16:00.005Z

A friend of mine set his Facebook status to "thrilled that one prospective manager of the interests of Capital beat another prospective manager of the interests of Capital.
on Wednesday." While I think this summary is true, I sense it isn't the whole truth.

Tackling the first part of my somewhat contradictory view: I'm not such an Obamaniac to think that he'll usher in the era of a fair shares for all, not least because that will take a mass movement. Despite voting against the Iraq war, it looks like Obama will look after the interests of Western oil-related companies by not withdrawing troops from Iraq quickly and by increasing troops in Afghanistan.

To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports on the death of racism are greatly exaggerated. Based on the date slavery was outlawed in the US and the date African-American men were given the vote, both I understand in the 1860s - an African-American US President is about 140 years overdue.

Moving onto the second part of my statement: in the 2008 US election, many hundreds of thousands of people felt enfranchised for the first time in their lives. Mainstream media around the world has been filled with the images and words of people who are unhappy with the way the world is and who want things to be different. When is the last time that happened?

This election victory sends a powerful challenge to other nations about their own racism and lack of diversity in so-called mainstream political leaders. (Here in Blighty, the Cabinet appears to be completely white, while the Shadow Cabinet manages to contain one British-Asian.)

For those of us who are concerned that Obama's words may be empty platitudes merely capitalising on the credit crunch and frustration with the past eight years of Republican government, maybe these words of his will strike a chord: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek." (I hear some chanelling of Gandhi there, to accompany the channelling of Martin Luther King and Sam Cooke that appeared in Obama's acceptance speech!)

To conclude, while Obama's Presidency will not bring all the change we seek, it can be seen as encouragement for all who want the world to be a more equitable place.

GObama! {Thanks to the UK's Daily Mirror for that headline}

2008-11-05T11:24:00.007Z

What else could possibly be interesting me today but the US election result?

A massive thank you to all Americans.

I really hope this will get you the healthcare you deserve and bring back your sons and daughters from Iraq and Afghanistan ASAP. I also wish you sensible energy plans for the era of climate change, secure jobs with decent pay and education accessible to all...but the first two would be a major improvement.

I'm thrilled the Republican party has been unceremoniously booted-out and it's truly wonderful that a black person is the President-elect. I would have loved to see a female President or Vice-President, maybe next time? (As long as it's not a certain Governor of Alaska, please.)

There are huge challenges for actual delivery, but for today, I'm saying Yes You Did.

I'm a lazy journalist

2008-10-24T14:00:00.000+01:00

Some current clichés and out-and-out mistakes I'm annoyed by, especially when perpetrated by people who are paid to write well:

chads (in situations in which the plural is still chad);
statistics (when just referring to numerical information);
zero-sum game (when meaning an either or choice);
in the DNA of... (when talking about an essential part of something);
toxic debts (when referring to ill-advised financial transactions.

Today I've got two new ones:

immoral (when meaning amoral);
but I've forgotten the second one.

Of course, there always exists the possibility that none of this is a problem and that I am just turning into Ed Reardon. (Radio 4 comedy, listen online)

The Man in Black

2008-10-18T16:23:00.006+01:00

A conversation with a stranger on a train, a recent viewing of Walk the Line, plus strains of music from another room at a party, compelled me to get a Johnny Cash CD from the library today.

The classics Ring of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues, etc, were all enjoyable but the song which most struck was Hurt, a cover of a Nine Inch Nails track from the 90s. The emotional power of Cash's pared-back musical arrangement and exsiccated voice, distilled by life's ascents & descents, combined to simultaneously rip-out my internal organs and set my mind on fire.

Two thoughts that are cheering me today

2008-10-17T09:02:00.006+01:00

It's only 19 days 'til the monkey gets voted-out the White House. (For years, I believed that George Dubya was actually intelligent but embodied a folksy stereotype because it played well with certain sectors of the US electorate, but about a year ago, I finally realised that he really is parsimoniously-endowed with IQ points.)

American polls seems to be indicating that Barack Obama is slowly increasing his lead. He's not perfect, but surely better than further years of Republicans in the White House.

My 15 minutes of fame

2008-10-14T09:59:00.002+01:00

One of my photos was used in the Crewe Blog photo quiz.

I'm bemused that despite my hatred of all things celebrity, I'm really enjoying being name-checked in a blog!

Yom Kippur - or Jewish Day of Atonement

2008-10-09T14:38:00.003+01:00

Today is Yom Kippur, when Jews reflect on what they've done wrong, try to amend for past mistakes, etc. Many of us also fast. I'm doing my own version, a "fast-lite", ie I'm still having drinks, but I'm not eating until sundown.

So, I'd like to apologise to for all the ways I've wronged you - whether it was in-person or by saying something stupid in my blogs. I hope you'll forgive me.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, even on Wall Street

2008-10-03T16:03:00.006+01:00

I'd like to know what happened to that lovely free-market diktat - let the market decide. Well that market has decided: if Wall Street institutions (and UK equivalents) speculate money, they might lose it.

Many Republican-leaning types aren't keen on there being welfare provision. OK they're entitled to their opinion, but then they're not entitled to their own version of welfare when things go wrong for them.

Why is tax-payers' money even being considered for bailing-out those with many homes, plus bonuses which dwarf the salaries of the rest of us? If it's going to take £700Bn to shore-up the US economy, why not put that money towards:

saving the homes of those single-home owners who might lose the place they actually live (not their Hamptons retreat);
healthcare (this is so expensive in the US that surely on its own it's a major economy driver);
investing in education to skill-up Americans who routinely see their jobs disappearing to poorer-paid colleagues elsewhere;
stimulating the green economy and creating green-collar jobs?

Or if those options are too boring, how about a $5,000 vacation, within the 51 states, for every US taxpayer? That'd be a nice shot in the arm for the economy. Who knows a few Wall Streeters might even benefit and it's what the bail-out is reputed to cost every US taxpayer.

Sign Michael Moore's alternative plan, which is going to the US Congress, at http://bravenewfilms.org/petitions/show/27-i-endorse-michael-moore-s-fix-to-the-wall-street-mess

If you'd like better-informated ranting than mine, Michael Moore suggests several different ways to get $700Bn:

The 400 richest Americans donate their income for the last eight years;
Every couple who makes over a million dollars a year and every single taxpayer who makes over $500,000 a year will pay a 10% surcharge tax for five years;
Like nearly every other democracy, charge a 0.25% tax on every stock transaction, for three and a bit years;
Because every stockholder is a patriotic American, stockholders will forgo receiving a dividend check for one quarter and instead this money will go the treasury to help pay for the bailout.
25% of major U.S. corporations currently pay NO federal income tax. Federal corporate tax revenues currently amount to 1.7% of the GDP compared to 5% in the 1950s. If we raise the corporate income tax back to the level of the 1950s, that'll get us $500Bn.

And he also says: "...let's set the record straight. People who have defaulted on their mortgages are not "bad risks." They are our fellow Americans, and all they wanted was what we all want and most of us still get: a home to call their own. But during the Bush years, millions of them lost the decent paying jobs they had. Six million fell into poverty. Seven million lost their health insurance. And every one of them saw their real wages go down by $2,000. Those who dare to look down on these Americans who got hit with one bad break after another should be ashamed. We are a better, stronger, safer and happier society when all of our citizens can afford to live in a home that they own."