Monday, October 30, 2017
Art is Meant to Disturb the Comfortable and Comfort the Disturbances
Wilco - How To Fight Loneliness
On soundtrack of film, 'Girl Interrupted'.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Goan Curry & The Fish Fingers - ( Not a band )
Today, I pulled out a curry kit that has lain for ages at the back of my food cupboard.
I needed white fish to go with the king prawns that I already had, so I stripped the coatings from some cod fillets and fish fingers.
The breadcrumb on the cod was more like batter.
I weighed the coating and the bare fish.
Coating : 78g
Fish : 68g
Now, where's that copy of "In Defense Of Food"...( Michael Pollan )... ?
This Goan curry was rather grim. Heat, without the spicy subtleties. And a heavy, artificial taste.
I needed white fish to go with the king prawns that I already had, so I stripped the coatings from some cod fillets and fish fingers.
The breadcrumb on the cod was more like batter.
I weighed the coating and the bare fish.
Coating : 78g
Fish : 68g
Now, where's that copy of "In Defense Of Food"...( Michael Pollan )... ?
This Goan curry was rather grim. Heat, without the spicy subtleties. And a heavy, artificial taste.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Glasgow School of Art - Restoration of Mackintosh Library
Prototype of section of Mackintosh Library unveiled...
https://archinect.com/news/article/150026998/glasgow-school-of-art-unveils-prototype-of-mackintosh-library-bay-based-on-the-original-1910-design
One of the several places where I lived as a student in the 1970's, was Southpark Avenue, in Kelvinbridge on the West side of Glasgow. A top floor tenement flat, which I shared with 5 other engineers. We had some great games of football in the massive hallway.
It was No. 13.
I found out quite recently that No 78 was the home for many years of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
https://archinect.com/news/article/150026998/glasgow-school-of-art-unveils-prototype-of-mackintosh-library-bay-based-on-the-original-1910-design
One of the several places where I lived as a student in the 1970's, was Southpark Avenue, in Kelvinbridge on the West side of Glasgow. A top floor tenement flat, which I shared with 5 other engineers. We had some great games of football in the massive hallway.
It was No. 13.
I found out quite recently that No 78 was the home for many years of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Wednesday, September 06, 2017
Monday, September 04, 2017
Sutton Bank Gliding
I used to fly gliders. I eventually acquired this, a Pik-20D, and flew competitions in it.
I commented recently, on another blog, about a course that I signed up to in Yorkshire one October. It was a less than great week.
I just thought I'd post it up here. Although everything sounds downbeat, I did laugh as I thought about it. The Youtube clip below is what I, and the other course members, had hoped to be doing.
Interested to be reminded of Sutton Bank and the mist. Long ago, I booked on a course at the gliding club that is atop the Bank. I arrived on the Sunday evening, and checked into the clubhouse. Monday morning dawned, and I rose eagerly for the week of low level flying along the ridge. The clubhouse staff seemed rather subdued. I recalled that a few weeks prior, 2 gliders had collided in mid air, and the pilots, both local, had died.
So, after breakfast, the 5 of us on the course went outside to prepare. Parachutes, pre-flight glider checks. The sky was very misty, but we reckoned it would burn off as the morning warmed up, and we'd soon be able to fly.
The weather didn't warm up, and the mist didn't burn off. Each morning, I'd wake in my bunk, gaze through the window, hoping, hoping the sky would be clear.
It never was. By late morning, as it became obvious that a day was not going to improve, we'd all disperse. The number of hours I spent trudging around cold, damp places like Thirsk. A coffee here, a coffee there... And I could feel a nose running, eye watering, sleeve wiping cold coming on.
And so, Thursday arrived. We all gathered together, and the instructor said... "Well, what do you think, guys, what do you want to do..?".
I said... "I think I'd like to go home. I feel absolutely terrible.".
Everybody else also wanted to go home. This Up North place wasn't at all like Sunny Hampshire.
I wasn't joking about feeling terrible, and after driving a few miles down the road, I was almost exhausted. I decided to plod slowly down the A1 in my Porsche. Quite a big change from the usual commute up the M3, into the outer lane, and stay there at about 90mph, like all the other rat-racers.
Anyway, I managed the 25 miles to Wetherby, and landed on the doorstep of my sister's home. The next 4 or 5 days being looked after, hot soup, solicitations etc..
Yes, I remember Sutton Bank, in 1987.
And the small matter of..., while I was there, incommunicado, Black Monday of 19th October, the London stock market had crashed.
About £30,000 worth of my investments evaporated in the space of a few hours.
Unlike the mist.
I just thought I'd post it up here. Although everything sounds downbeat, I did laugh as I thought about it. The Youtube clip below is what I, and the other course members, had hoped to be doing.
Interested to be reminded of Sutton Bank and the mist. Long ago, I booked on a course at the gliding club that is atop the Bank. I arrived on the Sunday evening, and checked into the clubhouse. Monday morning dawned, and I rose eagerly for the week of low level flying along the ridge. The clubhouse staff seemed rather subdued. I recalled that a few weeks prior, 2 gliders had collided in mid air, and the pilots, both local, had died.
So, after breakfast, the 5 of us on the course went outside to prepare. Parachutes, pre-flight glider checks. The sky was very misty, but we reckoned it would burn off as the morning warmed up, and we'd soon be able to fly.
The weather didn't warm up, and the mist didn't burn off. Each morning, I'd wake in my bunk, gaze through the window, hoping, hoping the sky would be clear.
It never was. By late morning, as it became obvious that a day was not going to improve, we'd all disperse. The number of hours I spent trudging around cold, damp places like Thirsk. A coffee here, a coffee there... And I could feel a nose running, eye watering, sleeve wiping cold coming on.
And so, Thursday arrived. We all gathered together, and the instructor said... "Well, what do you think, guys, what do you want to do..?".
I said... "I think I'd like to go home. I feel absolutely terrible.".
Everybody else also wanted to go home. This Up North place wasn't at all like Sunny Hampshire.
I wasn't joking about feeling terrible, and after driving a few miles down the road, I was almost exhausted. I decided to plod slowly down the A1 in my Porsche. Quite a big change from the usual commute up the M3, into the outer lane, and stay there at about 90mph, like all the other rat-racers.
Anyway, I managed the 25 miles to Wetherby, and landed on the doorstep of my sister's home. The next 4 or 5 days being looked after, hot soup, solicitations etc..
Yes, I remember Sutton Bank, in 1987.
And the small matter of..., while I was there, incommunicado, Black Monday of 19th October, the London stock market had crashed.
About £30,000 worth of my investments evaporated in the space of a few hours.
Unlike the mist.
Sunday, September 03, 2017
Wet Sunday Afternoon
Well, it's rained all day, so far.
The Italian F1 Grand Prix has just finished, time for some lunch and reading....
Sliced roll with mackerel pâté, olives and a Worcester apple.
A mug of tea.
And the Grayson Perry book, The Descent of Man.
The Italian F1 Grand Prix has just finished, time for some lunch and reading....
Sliced roll with mackerel pâté, olives and a Worcester apple.
A mug of tea.
And the Grayson Perry book, The Descent of Man.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Lionel Martin - Saxa
I came across this today, I hadn't realised.
https://www.theguardian.com/
Here he is.....
https://www.theguardian.com/
Here he is.....
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Waiting - Fun Boy Three - The Lost Album
Something of a lost album, 'Waiting' is loved by just about everyone who did hear it. One of my old favourites.
Most of it was played during this 1983 gig at the Regal Theatre, in Hitchin.
Most of the album, that is. Except for 'Farmyard Connection'. [Understandable perhaps, as the gig was being recorded for the BBC].
Anyway, here it is......, a little story about the agricultural life.
Caroline Lavelle, cello..., 2005.
and some teaching....
- Terry Hall - vocals
- Neville Staple - percussion, vocals
- Lynval Golding - guitar, vocals
- Nicky Holland - keyboards, vocals, arranger
- Ingrid Schroeder - vocals
- Bethan Peters - bass guitar, vocals
- June Miles-Kingston - drums, vocals
- Annie Whitehead - trombone
- Caroline Lavelle - cello
Most of it was played during this 1983 gig at the Regal Theatre, in Hitchin.
Most of the album, that is. Except for 'Farmyard Connection'. [Understandable perhaps, as the gig was being recorded for the BBC].
Anyway, here it is......, a little story about the agricultural life.
Caroline Lavelle, cello..., 2005.
and some teaching....
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
LSD Meets Bluegrass - Leo Kottke - Eight Miles HIgh
Thought I'd revisit this, written and first recorded by The Byrds. .
Banned, initially, from broadcast due to perceived drug connotations. The lyrics describe a tour of England by The Byrds, and their observations from the back of their black limousine as the band travelled from town to town. 'Rain grey town..., known for its sound..' is London of the '60's.
The ambiguous title and the 'spaceyness' of the music tell another story.
Influences drawn from Ravi Shankar. Also from John Coltrane's "India", which inspired the intro. These are somewhat smothered in the original. The repeated jazz phrasing is very clear here, recorded in 1971 by Leo Kottke.
I love the country underlay, quite hypnotic.
Eight miles high
Banned, initially, from broadcast due to perceived drug connotations. The lyrics describe a tour of England by The Byrds, and their observations from the back of their black limousine as the band travelled from town to town. 'Rain grey town..., known for its sound..' is London of the '60's.
The ambiguous title and the 'spaceyness' of the music tell another story.
Influences drawn from Ravi Shankar. Also from John Coltrane's "India", which inspired the intro. These are somewhat smothered in the original. The repeated jazz phrasing is very clear here, recorded in 1971 by Leo Kottke.
I love the country underlay, quite hypnotic.
Eight miles high
And when you touch down
You'll find that it's
Stranger than known
You'll find that it's
Stranger than known
Signs in the street
That say where you're goin'
Are somewhere
Just being their own
That say where you're goin'
Are somewhere
Just being their own
Nowhere is
There warmth to be found
Among those afraid
Of losing their ground
There warmth to be found
Among those afraid
Of losing their ground
Rain gray town
Known for its sound
In places
Small faces unbound
Known for its sound
In places
Small faces unbound
Round the squares
Huddled in storms
Some laughing
Some just shapeless forms
Huddled in storms
Some laughing
Some just shapeless forms
Sidewalk scenes
And black limousines
Some living
Some standing alone
Written by David Crosby, Gene Clark, Jim Mcguinn And black limousines
Some living
Some standing alone
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Glastonbury
I'm not at Glastonbury. I did though watch the Pretenders performance on TV last night. In a very rockers orientated set, my favourite Pretenders song was a no show. Released in 1981, during lead singer Chrissie Hynde's relationship with Ray Davies of the Kinks, and written by him many years before.
Here's another by Ray Davies. He wrote it, and gave the song to Dave Berry, who had a hit single with it. The KInks never made a studio recording for release. This is live from a session for the BBC.
Here's another by Ray Davies. He wrote it, and gave the song to Dave Berry, who had a hit single with it. The KInks never made a studio recording for release. This is live from a session for the BBC.
Grenfell
To expand on that, here is the complete list of MP's who voted. ( Scroll down ).
In addition to the former Prime Minister David Cameron, every single member* of the current Westminster Cabinet voted against forcing landlords to ensure that properties they rent out are fit for human habitation. *bar Liam Fox, not present (?)
That is...
Theresa May, Damian Green, Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd, Boris Johnson, David Davis, Michael Fallon, Jeremy Hunt, David Mundell, Alun Cairns, James Brokenshire, Pritti Patel, Karen Bradley, David Gauke, Patrick McLoughlun, David Lidington, Justine Greening, Greg Clark, Michael Gove, Chris Grayling,
Local to me in Somerset, this man, Jacob Rees-Mogg....
And in Scotland.....
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Learning To Play Piano
Chords and scales on the left. Keyboard on the right.
I'm not really a two phone person. I run my life very much on a budget, stay away from contract phones, and use a sim-only contract for airtime. I dislike using cheap phones, so tend to go for 2 or 3 year old high quality devices.
The phone on the right is a Nokia Lumia 830 which plays the 'My Piano Phone' app very well.The one on the left is a Moto G.
The Moto is a rather good budget phone. As such , I broke my normal rule of thumb about phones, and bought it s/h to try out as a possible replacement for the Lumia. Unfortunately, as usual, after a while, one realizes why a budget phone is exactly that. Hiccups, pauses, mediocre audio. And it also reminded me that I don't particularly enjoy using Android phones. They always feel like a clunkily assembled assortment of unconnected apps. Whereas the Lumia, with the Windows Phone system, has a smooth, flowing, integrated feel.
So, the Moto will go soon. For now, I'm using it for the 'Piano Chords & Scales' app.
Why replace the Lumia ?
When Microsoft took over the phones division of Nokia, they went down the budget route, and brought out a bunch of cheap phones, and no interesting high quality devices. Android phones already had the budget territory well covered, so sales dropped. Microsoft lost interest, so have app developers, sales dropped further. Now Microsoft are concentrating on making the Windows Phone system into a business-orientated one.
I need a device with some more flexibility than that.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
The Horse Flies - Hush Little Baby
In the last week, I've been doing some tidying up, spring cleaning, in my flat. Pulled out a load of CD's, Including the single of this song by The Horse Flies, bought about 20 years ago.
A traditional American lullaby. I hadn't heard of this lullaby at the time, and am unsure of the message that it conveys to a baby. But I did like the song, the music, and the way they did it.
Here is a recent clip of them at a local venue. They're from Ithaca, new York.
Left side guitarist is Richie Stearns. Centre is Judy Hyman, violin. She has toured with, and played on various albums with Natalie Merchant. Married to right side guitarist Jeff Claus. His day job, professor of multicultural education at Ithaca College.
Also dug out one of my film favourites. The film, Paint Your Wagon, was pretty much a failure. Film musicals were out of fashion at the time. The location filming was done in the middle of nowhere, so each day everything, everyone had to be transported in from the nearest town that had hotel accomodation. Lee Marvin spent much of his time drunk, and had to be sobered up. Budget overruns.
But..., the song was a huge hit, ran to No 1 in the UK charts. And stayed there for weeks, as I recall.
A traditional American lullaby. I hadn't heard of this lullaby at the time, and am unsure of the message that it conveys to a baby. But I did like the song, the music, and the way they did it.
Here is a recent clip of them at a local venue. They're from Ithaca, new York.
Left side guitarist is Richie Stearns. Centre is Judy Hyman, violin. She has toured with, and played on various albums with Natalie Merchant. Married to right side guitarist Jeff Claus. His day job, professor of multicultural education at Ithaca College.
Also dug out one of my film favourites. The film, Paint Your Wagon, was pretty much a failure. Film musicals were out of fashion at the time. The location filming was done in the middle of nowhere, so each day everything, everyone had to be transported in from the nearest town that had hotel accomodation. Lee Marvin spent much of his time drunk, and had to be sobered up. Budget overruns.
But..., the song was a huge hit, ran to No 1 in the UK charts. And stayed there for weeks, as I recall.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis is more than a change of form.
Metamorphosis is preparation for a new way of life.
Metamorphosis is preparation for a new way of life.
Tuesday, April 04, 2017
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
George Michael
I've seldom given much attention to George MIchael's music. Mostly because the songs of 'Wham', his early recording partnership with childhood friend Andrew Ridgely were almost the complete opposite of what I liked in pop music.
As a result, I knew little about his solo recordings. There was one, though, which when very occasionally played on radio, found something in me. A rather beautiful song, really.
Waltz in jazz.
'Cowboys and Angels' - 1991
As a result, I knew little about his solo recordings. There was one, though, which when very occasionally played on radio, found something in me. A rather beautiful song, really.
Waltz in jazz.
'Cowboys and Angels' - 1991
The only George MIchael single not to make the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart. He revealed a couple of years ago that the song was about a love triangle where he was in love with a man, while a woman friend was in love with him, but none knew of the others' feelings.
When your heart's in someone else's hands
Monkey see and monkey do
Their wish is your command
You're not to blame
Everyone's the same
Monkey see and monkey do
Their wish is your command
You're not to blame
Everyone's the same
All you do is love and love is all you do
I should know by now, the way I fought for you
You're not to blame
Everyone's the same
I know you think that you're safe
Mister
Harmless deception
That keeps love at bay
It's the ones who resist that we most want to kiss
Wouldn't you say?
Cowboys and angels
They all have the time for you
Why should I imagine
That I'd be a find for you
Why should I imagine
That I'd have something to say
But that scar on your face
That beautiful face of yours
In your heart there's a trace
Of someone before
When your heart's in someone else's plans
Things you say and things you do
They don't understand
It's such a shame
Always ends the same
You can call it love but I don't think it's true
You should know by now
I'm not the boy for you
You're not to blame
Always ends the same
I know you think that you're safe
Sister
Harmless affection
That keeps things this way
It's the ones who persist for the sake of a kiss
Who will pay
Cowboys and angels
They all take a shine to you
Why should I imagine that I was designed for you
Why should I believe
That you would stay
But that scar on your face
That beautiful face of yours
Don't you think that I know
They've hurt you before
Take this man to your bed
Maybe his hands will help you to forget
Please be stronger than your past
The future may still give you a chance.
Saxophone - Andy Hamilton
Bass - Deon Estus
Monday, December 19, 2016
Transport Problem
Not the best week, recently, for my transport.
The engine of my green Peugeot cut out, half way to Bristol.
Called out the rescue....
Who towed me to my local garage.....
Who pronounced.......
And so, dear reader, off to the recyclers.
I've pressed the Mazda project into service. Still a work in progress, but road legal.
I hadn't quite appreciated that MX5's are thirsty. Or rather I did, but it only really sank in as I drove around over the past few days. I could almost see the fuel gauge moving downwards.
32mpg compared with 55mpg for the Peugeot.
I've temporarily addressed the problem by reducing the number of unnecessary excursions.
Some pondering on this to be done, though. A lot, really.
The engine of my green Peugeot cut out, half way to Bristol.
Called out the rescue....
Who towed me to my local garage.....
Who pronounced.......
And so, dear reader, off to the recyclers.
I've pressed the Mazda project into service. Still a work in progress, but road legal.
I hadn't quite appreciated that MX5's are thirsty. Or rather I did, but it only really sank in as I drove around over the past few days. I could almost see the fuel gauge moving downwards.
32mpg compared with 55mpg for the Peugeot.
I've temporarily addressed the problem by reducing the number of unnecessary excursions.
Some pondering on this to be done, though. A lot, really.
We shall see.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
The Java Sea....
I read this article on the BBC website....
WW2 Ships Vanish....
Brought some memories back for me.
When I was a young teen in the 60's, most of my reading was books from public libraries. As with my parents. There wasn't really enough money around for regular book purchases.
Some books for the living room bookshelf did, though, appear. Mostly, as I recall, book club books passed through from an Aunt and Uncle. They lived in the London suburb of South Woodford. Very long back garden. Doorway through to Epping Forest.
One book that absolutely absorbed me was titled, I'm almost certain, 'The Coral Sea'. Can't remember anything about the author. And even searching the internet, I can find no trace.
The book was fiction based around the Battle of the Java Sea, and aftermath. In the story, the narrator describes, how the makeshift Allied Force Z fought against overwhelming odds to stem the Japanese invasion forces.
His ship was the destroyer Electra. The Electra attempted an attack, through a smokescreen, and was never seen again.
As a crewman, the narrator describes the sinking, drifting, and eventually fetching up on the coast of Borneo, and capture by the Japanese. Prisoner of war, and ultimately a forced march that appeared to be based on what I much later read as the Sandakan Death March.
Lots of years later, I earned my living as a freelance computer programmer. Semi detached house, live in girlfriend, dog. Commuting from Hampshire up to Reading everyday. A large computer manufacturer.
One day, almost Christmas, a call came through from the company person who dealt with the freelancers and contracts. Brief pleasantries exchanged. Then......
"Andrew..., would you be interested in working in Borneo..?"
Absolutely instantaneous... "Yes, I would".
And 7 weeks later, I arrived in Brunei.
During my years there, one of the places I visited was the island of Labuan, a few miles off the Borneo coast. It had been fought over. In the cemetery, the Allied graves were virtually all of Australian soldiers. First were the graves of those who had died when the Japanese forces had invaded. These soldiers were almost all aged in their mid twenties, and plus. Regular Army. Subsequent graves were those who died near the end of the war, as the Allies retook Borneo. Most of them were in their late teens.
WW2 Ships Vanish....
Brought some memories back for me.
When I was a young teen in the 60's, most of my reading was books from public libraries. As with my parents. There wasn't really enough money around for regular book purchases.
Some books for the living room bookshelf did, though, appear. Mostly, as I recall, book club books passed through from an Aunt and Uncle. They lived in the London suburb of South Woodford. Very long back garden. Doorway through to Epping Forest.
One book that absolutely absorbed me was titled, I'm almost certain, 'The Coral Sea'. Can't remember anything about the author. And even searching the internet, I can find no trace.
The book was fiction based around the Battle of the Java Sea, and aftermath. In the story, the narrator describes, how the makeshift Allied Force Z fought against overwhelming odds to stem the Japanese invasion forces.
His ship was the destroyer Electra. The Electra attempted an attack, through a smokescreen, and was never seen again.
As a crewman, the narrator describes the sinking, drifting, and eventually fetching up on the coast of Borneo, and capture by the Japanese. Prisoner of war, and ultimately a forced march that appeared to be based on what I much later read as the Sandakan Death March.
Lots of years later, I earned my living as a freelance computer programmer. Semi detached house, live in girlfriend, dog. Commuting from Hampshire up to Reading everyday. A large computer manufacturer.
One day, almost Christmas, a call came through from the company person who dealt with the freelancers and contracts. Brief pleasantries exchanged. Then......
"Andrew..., would you be interested in working in Borneo..?"
Absolutely instantaneous... "Yes, I would".
And 7 weeks later, I arrived in Brunei.
During my years there, one of the places I visited was the island of Labuan, a few miles off the Borneo coast. It had been fought over. In the cemetery, the Allied graves were virtually all of Australian soldiers. First were the graves of those who had died when the Japanese forces had invaded. These soldiers were almost all aged in their mid twenties, and plus. Regular Army. Subsequent graves were those who died near the end of the war, as the Allies retook Borneo. Most of them were in their late teens.
Wednesday, November 02, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)