tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81034122670121477512024-03-04T20:36:53.823-08:00todayoutof10Attempting to be positive about my sometimes rubbish life, reflecting on what makes me happy & indulging my fascination for rating everything out of 10.
Tweet me @todayoutof10todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-24390770312791429212017-04-14T01:48:00.000-07:002017-04-14T01:48:03.528-07:00Lloyd Cole and the emotions - an acoustic retrospective
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a lucky girl I am, I
thought, as I set off to see a big musical crush of mine from the 80s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was playing in my “back yard”, a mere 10
minute car journey away, in a small, converted church which holds a few hundred. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
already a treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An extra treat was the
early kick off - our fifty something host obviously wanted to be in bed by
23.00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As did I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The favourable start did indeed
bode well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I took my seat, it
felt like it was going to be a special evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was something in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young boy came onto the stage to tune up
and I was immediately transported back 30 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked just like a young Lloyd Cole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Cole later introduced him, it was very sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is my son William,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who looks just how I would have looked at 24,
had I been in the Jesus and Mary Chain”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the main act, Cole Snr, took
to the stage, his opening line was spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m looking backwards like I said I never would” he shared with us.
“And you’re not getting any younger either, so I guess tonight’s the
night!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having seen Cole a number of
times live, I usually found him stern and uncommunicative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight he was witty and even rather
charming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let us into his pathetic
secret that, in the 80s, his nonchalant pose and demeanour were an attempt to
look neutral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He only realised he’d
failed in 1994.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rocking his trademark double denim, he
revealed the reason behind his choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst playing in a Southern backwater in the USA, the dance floor was
filled with overweight, middle aged men, each with at least one gorgeous young
woman on his arm, looking like they were having a ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Every one of those men was wearing the same
uniform – double denim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s got to
work” he confessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had already told
more witty stories than I’d ever heard, with a nice line in poking fun at
himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lloyd played the first set solo
and started with a beautiful rendition of “Patience”, from Rattlesnakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Perfect Blue” was followed by the title
track from Rattlesnakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great
album that was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then a Prince cover – “Sometimes it snows in
April”, flowing nicely into “Loveless” and we caught our breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in fine form, playing some really
nice guitar on “Lonely Mile”, from the last Commotions album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A seldom heard tune, it was just lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was reminded how strong his voice was and
how fortunate he is that it’s remained so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cole had a vocal scare in February of this year and reports seeing a
speech therapist to “look at strategies for the older vocalist”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever they’re doing, it appears to be
working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I usually prefer a band to an
acoustic set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often find the stripped
back style loses something in interpretation, leaving the sound lacking and a bit
disappointing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this occasion, the songs were treated
carefully and Cole’s melodic voice made up for what may have been missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All wrapped up in needle cord and coincidence</i>” a line I’ve always
loved from “Pretty Gone”, made me smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The song with the most beautiful of lyrics finished with a musical nod
to Norwegian Wood as I recalled how pretentious it all sounded back then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart perhaps from Morrissey, none were more
pretentious than Cole and his impossibly clever lyrics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I bloody loved him anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely he and I weren’t alone in being and
admiring pretentiousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wasn’t it
like that in the late 80s?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as we were warming up and I
was falling in love with him all over again, an enthusiastic audience clapped
along to “My Bag”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped and told
us off, complaining that clapping always sounds rubbish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please don’t do it, it’s a nightmare for us
musicians. You start, you stop, it puts me off…..”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A laugh, I think an embarrassed one, rippled
around the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He finished the first set with “Jennifer
She Said” and went off for a short nap, promising to bring young William back
for a much more entertaining second charge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">True to his word, the second set
started with a few favourites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Like
Lovers Do” with a fine solo from Cole Jr, lost less than I expected from the
stripped back treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
cheered for William as the song finished and he looked slightly uncomfortable.
A chip off the old block then. Like his dad, in time he may get used to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The crowd recognised the intro to
“2cv” and let out an audible, collective, knowing sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like recognising an old friend that
one hadn’t seen for a long time but feeling that familiar warmth and being
taken in, all at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tear ran down
my cheek and I’d wager I wasn’t the only one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Undressed” followed and I was completely caught up in his clever, gorgeous
lyrics and tuneful melody once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We all were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he sang “No Blue
Skies”, one of my very favourites, his voice sounded strong but at the same
time vulnerable and more emotional than I’d heard all evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had to guess, I’d say this song means a
lot to Cole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered about musicians
being moved by their own lyrics and how difficult it must be to give of
themselves emotionally, for everyone to see and hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A long pause whilst father and son tuned their
guitars must have become awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cole
joked “it’ll be worth it” And it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
finished the set with “Brand New Friend” and deftly took us into Bowie’s “Heroes”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all had a touching singsong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final song of the evening was
“Forest Fire”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This has a melody at
the end that, when I have to sing it on my own, makes me feel prehistoric and
really stupid" he shared. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>You could help me out or
you could watch me suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just remember
not to clap.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We helped him out and it
was a perfect end to a perfect evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The crowd took to their feet in
rowdy applause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was right, it did turn
out to be a special evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Special for
me, as I got to reconnect with songs that were part of my musical DNA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Special for the audience, mostly 40 and 50
somethings like me and feeling the same, I’m sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And special for the Coles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How wonderful to be able to recreate your
musical life’s work with your own flesh and blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They've toured this show extensively together and must have shared the knowing glances and strong bond that was evident on stage this evening countless times. I can think of little else I'd rather do than share my passion with my own child. I'm pretty sure this is something neither of them will forget. </span>What an emotional evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dad and boy linked arms, bowed and they were gone, gone,
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty Gone….</span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-43108612680992128542016-11-04T09:40:00.000-07:002016-11-04T09:40:58.537-07:00Dawes - the best band in the world. Probably. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few years ago, I came across Dawes by accident, at one of Glasgow’s finest venues – the Royal Concert Hall. As part of the city’s Celtic Connections festival, Roddy Hart curates a Roaming Roots Revue where he invites musicians he admires to join him and his band, the Lonesome Fire, to celebrate a particular theme or genre in popular music. This time, the theme was Laurel Canyon and Dawes fitted the bill well. Nothing to do with this review but Celtic Connections is a great festival and Roaming Roots Revue is a fine night out, which I’d highly recommend. Tickets are now on sale for January 28th, 2017 @ <a href="http://www.celticconnections.com/">www.celticconnections.com</a>. The theme this year is women in music. Expect the mighty Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush (not in the flesh you understand). </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since hearing Dawes play four of their own tracks that evening, they have become one of my most listened to artists and I eagerly awaited my chance to experience them live again. With my dream playlist in my head and the most excitement I’ve felt about a gig in ages coursing through my veins, I headed to King Tut’s- according to NME, “quite possibly the best small venue in the world”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Due on stage at 21.45, it was soon 21.55. The techs certainly did plenty of fine tuning and fussing. Get on with it already, I was thinking. I’m beyond excited and it’s a school night. Dawes finally graced the stage 15 minutes late. I played my usual “what will they open with?” as I waited impatiently. Their rather quiet entrance hid their obvious intention – to blow us away from the off. “Of course! What else could they have started with?” I smiled as they filled the room with the opening bars of “One Of Us” – first up from their new album, “We’re All Gonna Die”. It happened to be on my dream playlist so I was already totally sold. It turns out I wasn’t alone. The whole audience joined in the blistering chorus and we were, at once, a family. This level of familiarity surprised me. Being one of Glasgow’s trendiest venues and regarded by many as the place to see the next big thing, I wondered if many of the crowd had showed up hoping to bear witness to the birth of the next Oasis. Not tonight. I was obviously amongst true fans and buckled up for the ride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently discussed Dawes’ new album with a chum, who’s a musician himself, and we both agreed there’s a definite move to bigger, smoother production with lots of layers, strings and a number of things that would be difficult to translate in a live setting. Dawes skilfully turned this to their advantage, giving the crowd pure unadulterated rock versions of these songs. Actually, that appeared to be the theme of the night. Even when playing the haunting “Now That It’s Too late Maria” (another favourite of mine) from “All Your Favourite Bands”, the quiet, emotional, thoughtful start we expected built to a desperate, angry rock ballad (if that’s even a thing). Taylor looked like he could cry at any moment as he reminded us “now that it’s too late Maria, there is no-one here to blame”. With a lump in my throat, I was right there with him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were treated to a set full to the brim of long intros and outros and enough solos in between to allow each magnificent musician in the band to shine. Particular highlights for me were Pardini’s Hammond organ solos on “Picture Of A Man” and “Million Dollar Bill”; Taylor Goldsmith’s guitar intro and solo on “Most People”; the unbelievable “engine room” interplay between Gelber on bass and Griffin Goldsmith on drums on “Less Than Five Miles Away” and the addition of a fifth touring member – Duane Betts, son of former Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts. Betts doesn’t play on Dawes albums but joined them last year to tour their previous album. What he adds to the mix is just wonderful. He is an exquisite slide guitarist and I found myself totally wrapped in his interpretation of songs I know really well. I love it when a band can give me a fresh perspective on their music and Betts’ addition to their live line up is a master stroke in facilitating an exciting, new energy and sound. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few technical hitches provided moments I’ll remember for a long time to come. As drummer Goldsmith “struggled with his hi-hats” his brother Taylor picked up his guitar and started to strum. Someone behind me shouted “Time Spent In Los Angeles”. Taylor obliged and took up the first verse, quietly, on his own. Completely without prompt, when he reached the chorus, what sounded like the entire audience, joined him in unison. The Dawes choir was born and I was part of it. Gosh, I felt a bit emotional. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I probably watch bassist’s hands more than the average bear, given how sexy I think they look. Getting lost at times in Gelber’s lazy looking string picking style, I noticed him struggling. He looked in discomfort. Leaving the stage for some attention on his hand, the rest of the band left with him, leaving Taylor and the Dawes choir to fill the space. We all sang “When My Time Comes” and Taylor, who lost his thread a few times, only to have the next line prompted from the crowd, looked like he was moved. We were having a bit of a moment. He said recently in an interview he sometimes gets lost on stage and then sees a face in the crowd, totally engrossed in the song and he feels they are somehow more part of his song than he is. The interviewer reckoned that could be what “We’re All Gonna Die” from the new album, is about. At that point, I think we were all in it together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we neared the end of the road, almost two hours later, Taylor said, “We’ve got three more songs. We’re not gonna do the going off and waiting for you to cheer dance, we’re gonna stay the hell here and play for ya”. Oh, I love that man! As I started playing the “what are they going to close with?” game in my head, yet again I wasn’t surprised by their choice. Of course they couldn’t see us safely home with anything other than the title track from their supreme new offering, “We’re All Gonna Die”. It’s a brave choice to finish a blistering set with a slow, heartfelt ballad but it left us all wrung out. As Taylor’s voiced tailed off, right at the very end, with “Try not to get upset, everything is fine. Hey, it’s not that big a deal, we’re all gonna die” I smiled and closed my eyes and enjoyed the last moments of being part of the Dawes family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a world where it’s easier for a musician to get his music out there but harder for him to make a living, I’ve pondered how those at the coalface keep going and make money. I think the ability of artists to show us, in person, what they’re made of, can be a significant factor in their success. I remember thinking, in 1981 as I watched U2 at Tiffany’s Ballroom, Glasgow and again in 2010 when I journeyed to Blackpool to catch Biffy Clyro – these guys have got what it takes to become huge. I wasn’t wrong. And I don’t think I’m wrong about Dawes either. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think I’m known for my enthusiasm and tendency for superlative, but I think I’ve just seen the best live band in the world, play the best small venue in the world. Perhaps for one night only, but I’m so glad it was tonight.</span></div>
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<br />todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-11573787338660367862015-11-15T12:58:00.002-08:002015-11-15T12:58:29.524-08:0040 About the young idea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mku3gb4Ojh2jJYLbHK_C32bdTJdQWPOwRzkF5AgP0OMXawfJ4-DQTz5H_sfIuJT7zzWmXzi28_yjXlXgStPhFIHfpqoOG5oZy37QSlGcYR8QBAEGFMzRASjPyQksFYjgNYmkvA_YASaW/s1600/the-jam-all-mod-cons-inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mku3gb4Ojh2jJYLbHK_C32bdTJdQWPOwRzkF5AgP0OMXawfJ4-DQTz5H_sfIuJT7zzWmXzi28_yjXlXgStPhFIHfpqoOG5oZy37QSlGcYR8QBAEGFMzRASjPyQksFYjgNYmkvA_YASaW/s400/the-jam-all-mod-cons-inside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With my 1978 Xmas money, I bought my first album. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the time, I really loved the Cars, who had a number 3 hit with "My Best Friend's Girl". Off on a spending spree, I gave my brother my money and asked him to buy me their album. "What if they don't have it, he asked?" "Just get me that other one our friend has been bringing round. I quite like that."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Of course</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;">, the Cars album was sold out so he came home with my second choice. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;">It turned out to be the record that ignited my passion for a band that I still love to listen to. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">I was fanatical about the Jam and especially Paul Weller. I smoked his brand of cigarette (Rothman's Kingsize, seen on the inside sleeve of the album) and avidly read his favourite author at the time (Alan Sillitoe). I met Sillitoe at a book reading many years later and he laughed when I told him the story of how I came to find him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;">A</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;">nyone who saw The Jam live will tell you, they were one hell of an outfit. They looked and sounded amazing and made an incredible amount of noise for a three piece. But, they were more than that. Paul Weller crafted clever, opinionated, melodic songs that made me feel he was singing to me. Or young people just like me. As Paul Simon says - "every generation throws a hero up the pop charts". Weller felt like my punk and new wave hero. And not just mine. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Their star rose pretty quickly and they went from the lower reaches to regular chart toppers in only a few years. Unfortunately for us fans, they didn't shine for very long. Some of us were left bereft when Weller called it a day in '82.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Going out on a high was always his intention and, much as almost everyone criticised his decision, he's more than proved himself with a successful career that takes him right up to today. I believe, my first ever album, All Mod Cons, is some of his very best work. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">If you asked me the best song that's ever been written, I might tell you it's this.</span><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_p9sTKhOFQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_p9sTKhOFQ</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Earlier this year, I made a trip to London to see the Jam exhibition, About the Young Idea. Curated by Nikki Weller, Paul's sister and with lots of input from fans, it was sensational and took me right back to the late 70s, where it all began. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I felt lucky. Then and now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wonder if anything would've changed, had my brother brought the Cars album home...</span></div>
</span>todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-25228774148410335922015-11-12T04:12:00.001-08:002015-11-12T05:56:08.339-08:0041 Mine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhBrM4bJKBbablVcNuAv2zlLaxEdG5pxUshk-3r6-00epU_aUtIb50J08bT-8iYsEC9kgk8CGqiQbKL8hfy9rHjzcneplSJu09ylB__DKioHvZ3r6JQTV_H0jy6Tuk0nb4ocZIKTk1aRV/s1600/elo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhBrM4bJKBbablVcNuAv2zlLaxEdG5pxUshk-3r6-00epU_aUtIb50J08bT-8iYsEC9kgk8CGqiQbKL8hfy9rHjzcneplSJu09ylB__DKioHvZ3r6JQTV_H0jy6Tuk0nb4ocZIKTk1aRV/s320/elo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Released in October '78, this was the very first record I ever bought. It felt exciting, buying and listening to my own vinyl, after only having access to my parent's stuff. And what a start to my collection. The first copies were pressed in </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">pretty purple vinyl too and I was one of the lucky recipients.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We liked coloured vinyl, my big brother and me. Only a year older than me, he started buying records at roughly the same time. He quickly became an avid collector. I remember Generation X released a single in four different colours and he bought all four. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And he was fastidious - or disease level as I call it. Each of the sleeves were packed away and he stored the singles, in alphabetical order of course, labelled and in cardboard sleeves. He was a draughtsman to trade so I guess he was as careful, neat and tidy in his professional life too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We shared a room, with his record player between our beds. We would spend hours playing our daft version of "name that tune". With eyes closed (incase the colour of the vinyl gave it away) we'd have to name the song and the artist from the first few bars - you know how it works. This was one of our favourite things to do. Mostly, we'd love the record so much, we'd inevitably end up playing the whole song instead of just the intro. No wonder hours and hours would pass with us doing nothing other than listening, singing and talking about music. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Funnily enough, I'm still an absolute shark at name that tune games. I wonder why......</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've never seen ELO live but I've just found out they're touring next year. It would be rude not to, don't you think.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ElcHIE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ElcHIE</a>Fzl0</span></div>
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<br />todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-1516879688702055372015-11-10T14:48:00.002-08:002015-11-10T14:48:46.670-08:0042 All the young dudes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuF9DueakAODG8rAQzC_Bb8p0duuTRdJXgz4mhJKO-85GecrvVxn9KyXtz2puxDj6MCebSG0npPqAgjwy9e14tLzh8dKwlMVNhaHM4nsWuBDluLUyKoLtNdKmnvC_7nISJCWruz6iH9dE/s1600/neil_sedaka2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuF9DueakAODG8rAQzC_Bb8p0duuTRdJXgz4mhJKO-85GecrvVxn9KyXtz2puxDj6MCebSG0npPqAgjwy9e14tLzh8dKwlMVNhaHM4nsWuBDluLUyKoLtNdKmnvC_7nISJCWruz6iH9dE/s1600/neil_sedaka2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tuesday nights were Youth Club nights. Fun, frolics and half an hour of dancing at the end of the night. It was pretty much our favourite time of the week.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And ofcourse, there was plenty of posturing. Trying to look cool and not too excited to see the boy you fancied that week. If only those boys we were trying to impress had seen us an hour or two earlier. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">With an empty house, a piano and Neil Sedaka's Greatest Hits, my three best friends and I would clatter away at the piano and sing Sedaka's hits at the very top of our voices. </span><span style="line-height: 19.32px;">I remember it like it was yesterday. Oh, how I loved him. And whenever I hear this song, it still makes me smile. And I still love to sing it loudly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now that I'm an adult and work with youth workers, I should probably tell them that trying to do "issue based" stuff in a youth club setting is never going to go down well. Kids are way too interested in being cool. Wasn't it always thus. And, as it should be. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbad22CKlB4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbad22CKlB4</a></span></span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-58336886017748671602015-11-09T14:27:00.003-08:002015-11-09T14:44:46.545-08:0043 Tooth Fairy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In 1975, when I was 9, I had to have an operation to sort a problem with my teeth. I remember trying hard to be brave but I was pretty nervous. I was going to be in a ward with private rooms, which I'd never seen before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The week before, Derek Parlane, one of Rangers Football Club's star players, had broken his collarbone. The nurse couldn't possibly have known I loved him! As she settled me into my room, she asked "Do you know Derek Parlane, the Rangers player?" Excitedly, I said "Yes, he's my favourite footballer" "Oh, well you'll be chuffed to know he was the last person to stay in this room, he left yesterday."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I immediately felt better. Derek Parlane had become my guardian angel - my tooth fairy. The operation was a success and I was home a week later, with my ears pierced as a treat for being a very good girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This ofcourse had nothing to do with my life in music - or did it? When I started thinking about my track for today, as soon as I looked up the video on YouTube, Parlane sprung to my mind. When I checked it out, the dates match. The song was released at the end of September and Parlane and I were in hospital in November. Spooky!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The universe, or perhaps the tooth fairy, is trying to tell me something. I just don't know what yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They do look rather alike though.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT0m5Xr4aXY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT0m5Xr4aXY</a></span></div>
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<br />todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-66570034538856243882015-11-08T13:39:00.001-08:002015-11-08T13:41:41.756-08:0044. Let's hear it for the boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXryS_XTNzQ5t9Yd8DktXazl6XCYI-gvHozgf23X9H7xiLfPuh9n-HHml6G6IPLsmIZcjkrS1_YZ_CvcU4mGVZbHDh9y5Q0UgHDQPYDelnuGMe9LH4XXHSWN2hmeddsuAPFyHCFKiMWjU/s1600/osmonds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXryS_XTNzQ5t9Yd8DktXazl6XCYI-gvHozgf23X9H7xiLfPuh9n-HHml6G6IPLsmIZcjkrS1_YZ_CvcU4mGVZbHDh9y5Q0UgHDQPYDelnuGMe9LH4XXHSWN2hmeddsuAPFyHCFKiMWjU/s320/osmonds.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I may have been only 7, but I think Donny and the Osmonds sparked my love of boy bands. Way back in 1972.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was on the fast train to swoonsville, via a row of perfect white teeth and jumpsuits and an emotional rendition of Puppy Love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gosh, I loved him. We all did. But, isn't that the point...?</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI2hgm65WhE"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI2hgm65WhE</span></a></div>
todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-62329250888862798472015-11-08T03:31:00.003-08:002015-11-08T03:31:49.790-08:0045. Saturday night's for dancing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkZuULDEs7sQcUkGDCEBtN4_OeseXwpvv4CWKIs6mKvIshFseMFaTvJmis2jhZp6jLZ-vzj2EXyBpgyGZrMQJV7WQr-RHulzrssv8vPeHq6bnv8xlsr89fnQuhJbHoZZmyywKxG_9IS5P/s1600/the-rubettes-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkZuULDEs7sQcUkGDCEBtN4_OeseXwpvv4CWKIs6mKvIshFseMFaTvJmis2jhZp6jLZ-vzj2EXyBpgyGZrMQJV7WQr-RHulzrssv8vPeHq6bnv8xlsr89fnQuhJbHoZZmyywKxG_9IS5P/s320/the-rubettes-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's Saturday - an excuse for dancing, as if I needed one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My mum and dad's chums all had kids roughly the same age so many weekends were spent in someone's bedroom, jacked up on fizzy pop and sweeties, playing all kinds of daft games, while the adults partied in the lounge (or living room as we called it then.)</span></div>
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I liked it best when the party was in our house. My dad would wheel the telly into our room and our entertainment was complete. Ofcourse, I always had one ear on what was happening amongst the adults. As the music and voices got louder, I would be intoxicated by the sounds from the main event.</div>
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My love of the heady mix of music and dancing was born on these nights. And these are two of the very best from the party playlist. It would appear I'm fond of a bit of male falsetto.</div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apx1H1INz-U&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apx1H1INz-U&feature=youtu.be</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7j7XSOOZD8&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7j7XSOOZD8&feature=youtu.be</a></span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-5996949318705584202015-11-08T02:53:00.002-08:002015-11-08T03:33:30.842-08:0046. Growing up with U2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtV9dAvBsCafR0pOxwFBRF0-r-Erwql3wQi7b_Wh0ZIVD4GKxA_3W6EkTFv1EU3FuwUX01SsIuu27zNGaW6jpdfBcbM4xYO2uWEp4CZwnhjmm-96-M5Sm_c5FfvFcwFBt80F-a7IeDVcB/s1600/u2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtV9dAvBsCafR0pOxwFBRF0-r-Erwql3wQi7b_Wh0ZIVD4GKxA_3W6EkTFv1EU3FuwUX01SsIuu27zNGaW6jpdfBcbM4xYO2uWEp4CZwnhjmm-96-M5Sm_c5FfvFcwFBt80F-a7IeDVcB/s320/u2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I first saw U2 34 years ago, in October 1981. I was 16 and it was one of my first live music experiences. I was there with my gig buddies - my big brother and two others. It was in a small venue in Glasgow called Tiffany's ballroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All four of us were buzzing on the way home. We knew we'd seen something very special. What we didn't realise at the time was that Bono et al. would grow up to be the best band in the world. And not for nothing. With great recorded output and a live show that I'd describe as peerless, the<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">y deserve to be at the very top of the musical tree.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They're back in Glasgow, as part of their 5 or 6 yearly world tour and for the first time in over 30 years, I missed the rush for tickets. My chums don't come around that often and I feel sad that I won't see them. Genuinely sad. It's hard to explain, but w</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">e've grown together, U2 and me. Our journey has been different, but probably also very similar in large parts. And w</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">e've got history. Over 30 years of history. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">Ofcourse, now I can experience them whenever I want, thanks to the miracle of the internet. I've always believed Bono and U2 are way ahead of the curve, merging music and technology in really innovative ways. But all the while, staying true to their roots as a first class rock band. Their current outing is called the Experience World Tour. Ofcourse it is.... And even although I missed out on a ticket, I can still be part of the experience. Say what you want about them giving their last album away for free. I thought it was a masterstroke and very much in keeping with who they are. Generous, talented and innovative. </span></div>
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Few bands divide opinion like U2 and it seems to be pretty unfashionable to love them. But a squillion people can't be wrong. And I've never cared much for fashion anyway.</div>
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All hail King Bono and his band of brothers.</div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY75dw64sqI&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY75dw64sqI&feature=youtu.be</a></span></span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-3829069048519316102015-11-08T02:33:00.001-08:002015-11-08T02:33:10.340-08:0047. Now I understand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvRgDpFY_t2YigynJpP8rE5h4fC0ko79zUdiWL0-rLHxMP-KrWLWjRSw5flvgvtp1-5Emn32iHywINvywuLqKA70KftH5-aejYEFTw8pOq4AJ6sc9xOaDzLYBSRv59mOw3ANB2LIcveSE/s1600/starry+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvRgDpFY_t2YigynJpP8rE5h4fC0ko79zUdiWL0-rLHxMP-KrWLWjRSw5flvgvtp1-5Emn32iHywINvywuLqKA70KftH5-aejYEFTw8pOq4AJ6sc9xOaDzLYBSRv59mOw3ANB2LIcveSE/s320/starry+night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hands up if you know all of the words to American Pie? That'll be half of everybody who's 50, or thereabouts. As a 7 year old, I had no idea what 'drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry' meant, but I happily belted it out anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From 1971, this album was a big favourite in our house.</span></div>
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But this is the song I really loved. And still do. Thoughtful, tuneful and sung quite beautifully live.</div>
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Van Gogh's work looks really interesting up close. There are a few in Kelvingrove Art Gallery, near where I live in Glasgow. Aren't we lucky, those who can experience this for free.</div>
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The older I get, the more interested I become in artists' views of the world.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;">Now I understand....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wrNFDxCRzU&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wrNFDxCRzU&feature=youtu.be</a></span></span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-63515706374743895932015-11-08T02:20:00.000-08:002015-11-08T02:24:49.866-08:0048. A ride home with gentleman Jim<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16_Q6M04FMZLZHm3OT9TsX88GQyOgwe1nW10nylOy8oW7ZESX-tLxUqYmrnfl50oEH-8gwj6nSvNsT2mTE_3aAdGOcozjlxTIbNj8IGVtvNunly15mBoNeQ80Wovv9gc_kQOpwjjuq81H/s1600/jim-reeves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16_Q6M04FMZLZHm3OT9TsX88GQyOgwe1nW10nylOy8oW7ZESX-tLxUqYmrnfl50oEH-8gwj6nSvNsT2mTE_3aAdGOcozjlxTIbNj8IGVtvNunly15mBoNeQ80Wovv9gc_kQOpwjjuq81H/s320/jim-reeves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I was a wee girl, my Granda had a Reliant Regal. It was the three wheeled predecessor to the Reliant Robin, made famous by Rodney and Del Boy Trotter, with a moulded fiberglass seat in the back. My Granda put cushions in for our comfort, but, pre seat belts and individual seats, it was a fun, white knuckle ride home.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">It also had an 8 track cassette player and nothing but a Jim Reeves cassette. Just as well my big brother and me absolutely loved Jim Reeves.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">We'd sit in the back, sliding from side to side with sheer glee, shouting "Bimbo granda, play Bimbo" "Bimbo granda, please, please, please!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">This is one of my favourite songs. Ever.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8acGK5lPhzA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8acGK5lPhzA</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;">And ofcourse, gentleman Jim had the voice of an angel. If someone sang this to me, I'm pretty sure I'd fall in love with him on the spot.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 19.32px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nls0zrxx7UY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nls0zrxx7UY</a></span></span></div>
</span></span>todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-70475501810868875732015-11-08T02:09:00.003-08:002015-11-08T02:24:29.220-08:0049. When I'm weary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aSm40JiqmILKz4FIlS2S3Lxdvg9yadYOOLbtlIqdLgyNrcTeRuOhm_5ErcViHjopuXzWw9p9eJi_DT_7a-nrLErGC3Ld1wc_bLy-T58R6kY2koNbTKIiIQUFUhyphenhyphenWIjNPP-IBSLa93vDw/s1600/simon+and+garfunkel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aSm40JiqmILKz4FIlS2S3Lxdvg9yadYOOLbtlIqdLgyNrcTeRuOhm_5ErcViHjopuXzWw9p9eJi_DT_7a-nrLErGC3Ld1wc_bLy-T58R6kY2koNbTKIiIQUFUhyphenhyphenWIjNPP-IBSLa93vDw/s1600/simon+and+garfunkel.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some of my earliest musical memories were made sitting at the foot of my mum and dad's radiogram, leafing through and playing their records. Little did I know how well they were teaching me and how much they would influence my future listening habits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I loved the Simon and Garfunkel Greatest Hits album, always smiling because Paul Simon, with his long hair, reminded me of my dad. Pretty much every song is a classic and I can't listen to them with<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">out remembering him. We played this beautiful, haunting song at his funeral and it was a very moving and fitting tribute.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-size: large;">It did and still does, comfort me greatly.</span></span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-52596482430769839022015-11-08T02:01:00.000-08:002015-11-08T02:24:15.372-08:0050. Making me dance, sing and everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmIpnMbVUx43yVs2EB8ErFQNP833VTGyvUTYS_xugeVaodFc4uZewFLby8KIv0IFK3p0aeopMOLVeqh4dZkBYM0u4JDFIT4roWpmBEigqJ_Ex35JdR_LhZv0cV2oqLcw3Cv_dQKxDB5Am/s1600/rod+stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmIpnMbVUx43yVs2EB8ErFQNP833VTGyvUTYS_xugeVaodFc4uZewFLby8KIv0IFK3p0aeopMOLVeqh4dZkBYM0u4JDFIT4roWpmBEigqJ_Ex35JdR_LhZv0cV2oqLcw3Cv_dQKxDB5Am/s320/rod+stewart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm sure others will share this experience. It feels like Rod Stewart is such a big part of my consciousness, whenever I hear his music, scores of memories come flooding back. I've no doubt, growing up in a musical household has been a defining feature in who I've become. But more of that over the next 50 days.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sounding as fresh now as it did in the early 70s, this is a masterpiece. And, oh my giddy aunt, Rod Stewart is cool as hell.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic0TJYxL-EU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic0TJYxL-EU</a></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-6528150819825821512015-11-07T14:03:00.004-08:002015-11-08T02:23:29.409-08:00My Life in Music<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mSFdAq6-t8UyPj-NkeL8d8wGUmJ8mSgGlnUcYaCRxXPFAi2Sx6DKM48hDANFoJr36DppSFxL6Cs7YWMgf8Ihq7CsLolp6orWOz5NsSHZONUEEbxUGTjBgb73ZzA6R9hE-_hss5PGr3K1/s1600/record+player.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mSFdAq6-t8UyPj-NkeL8d8wGUmJ8mSgGlnUcYaCRxXPFAi2Sx6DKM48hDANFoJr36DppSFxL6Cs7YWMgf8Ihq7CsLolp6orWOz5NsSHZONUEEbxUGTjBgb73ZzA6R9hE-_hss5PGr3K1/s320/record+player.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On December 21st 2015, I'll celebrate my 50th birthday. One of my chums had the terrific idea of posting her top 50 songs, one each day, as she counted down to her 50th birthday earlier this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I could never choose a top 50. I think I'd even struggle to choose a top squillion. But it is a great idea. So I'm taking the opportunity to chart my life so far - a blistering soundtrack that instantly connects me to a life well lived, filled with happy, happy memories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll be making 50 posts between now and then. Sometimes just one song. Sometimes an A side and a B side. Sometimes a few tracks from an album. Sometimes an artist. Sometimes a genre. But every time, something that's a significant part of my life in music. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope you tune in and enjoy the ride.</span></div>
todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-79276371331141654422015-03-01T14:14:00.000-08:002015-03-01T14:16:05.465-08:00The world needs Christian Grey.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZWsQxHNjyq1HAVo7AKBUUpZucql-Apt1Hk1bhpGkBMKFPotqk5AGQpoRCMN6pa_hIIU_o9WI2uH4iwazz-I_cijpkDpFZSRFEeE9T7OdFC9oRw5QP7ucwsn8vSBq0EsgQE8BRXkpfQ7y/s1600/fifty+shades+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZWsQxHNjyq1HAVo7AKBUUpZucql-Apt1Hk1bhpGkBMKFPotqk5AGQpoRCMN6pa_hIIU_o9WI2uH4iwazz-I_cijpkDpFZSRFEeE9T7OdFC9oRw5QP7ucwsn8vSBq0EsgQE8BRXkpfQ7y/s1600/fifty+shades+3.jpg" height="165" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I booked my ticket to see Fifty Shades of Grey, I was very much looking forward to my date with Christian Grey. I had been left disappointed by our first encounter and was eager to find out if our second meeting would be an improvement. I had reason to believe this would be the case. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was late to the Fifty Shades party, having bought the book and its two sequels long enough after they had become a sensation to expect a cracker of a read. Finding the idea interesting, I was eager to immerse myself in a story that I expected to be emotionally charged, erotic and pretty gripping. In my head, I was already conjuring the developing relationship between the troubled man and the sexually naive young woman and looked forward to how it would play out in word form. Unfortunately, the books disappointed. So much so, that I gave up part way through the second novel. For me, a good book will put flesh on the bones of the characters I am imagining, helping me develop the story in my head. Sometimes a story will follow a familiar path, but when it doesn't, it can be even more exciting. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tried really hard with Fifty Shades, I wanted to finish the story completely and find out what happened. I wanted their love for each other to overcome their difficulties but I was prepared to reach the climax of their journey and for that not to happen. I was interested, I bought into their story. I just couldn't connect with the way the characters were written. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I was delighted to hear about Fifty Shades, the movie. This would give me another chance to see Christian and Anastasia's relationship unfold. This time, hopefully, in a way that I could connect with. I love movies. I love visual art. When they announced the director, I was very excited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 2004, I travelled to London, specifically to visit the National Portrait Gallery to see a brand new installation by one of the bright young Brit Artists - Sam Taylor Wood. Her commission was to produce a portrait of David Beckham, her work was a stroke of artistic genius.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do you produce an interesting portrait of the most photographed man in the world? What could she show us that we haven't already seen? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taylor Wood explains:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262727; line-height: 15.8399991989136px;">"Making a portrait of a much-photographed man like David Beckham was a challenge. I wanted to create a direct, closely observed study. Filming while he was asleep produces a different view from the many familiar, public images".</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What she produced was a 1 hour 7 minute long continuous loop of David Beckham asleep in an hotel room, after a football training session. Her idea wasn't new. In 1963, the innovative, avant-garde artist, Andy Warhol, had filmed his then lover, John Giorno, in a 5 hour long film called Sleep. I haven't seen Warhol's Sleep, so it would be unfair to comment. However, David Beckham asleep is compelling, intimate, simple and quite beautiful. What Taylor Wood did was show us an image of Beckham that we had never seen. She celebrated his beauty and gave us access to, what felt like, Beckham in private. Have a peek here</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiEINHuymsc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiEINHuymsc</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was pretty sure that Sam Taylor Wood's Christian Grey would also be compelling and visually stunning. But I wondered how she would handle the extremely sensitive nature of the portrayal of the relationship between dominant and submissive sexual partners. And would she extend her intimate, simple and beautiful eye to the erotic - sprinkling it with her artistic fairy dust?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think Taylor Wood did an admirable job. The movie and the characters felt awkward at first and I wondered if that was by accident or by design. So much was riding on this onscreen portrayal. The world was watching - figuratively and literally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I saw on screen was two people falling in love and the constant struggle between them to understand what they both needed. They are fully aware of their differences and the difficulties that continuing with their relationship would ensue, but they are incapable of leaving each other alone. Christian is used to getting his own way and yet, with Anastasia, he makes what, for him, are monumental compromises. He is a dominant sexual partner and has very definite ideas about what sex means. But on learning she is a virgin, he makes sure her first full sexual experience is passionate, tender and gentle. Like all women dream it will be. I found this scene tasteful and rather moving. Without doubt, his world of bondage, domination and sado-masochism is shocking to Anastasia but he guides her by the hand, little by little and, in his business like fashion, makes sure she is protected by contract and never has to do anything she hasn't first agreed to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ofcourse, everyone was waiting with baited breath on the BDSM scenes. As I had hoped, I thought they looked simple and beautiful, but much less shocking than I remember from the book. What happened at this point made me sit up in my seat. The audience, 99% women, reacted with huge peals of laughter. That wasn't what I expected. All at once, the whole cinema seemed to be filled with an air of discomfort. It reminded me of the way my daughter laughed when she was was in a situation where she didn't know what to do. Nervous laughter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> we've expected too much from Fifty Shades. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes books and movies not only tell stories, but champion causes. They can give those involved a platform to express the political, social and cultural views they believe to be important. Sometimes they can even be a force for good. Sometimes. However, I believe it doesn't have to be </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the job of the movie industry to challenge. Principally, their job is to entertain and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fifty Shades has certainly entertained me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps we've also been quick to judge. There are those who believe this story has glamorised exploitative, controlling relationships. I believe abusive, controlling relationships are unhealthy and wouldn't want anyone I cared for to be part of one. However, two people in love, trying to come to terms with the challenges of being part of a different world and taking tentative, consenting, scary steps into the unknown - some of that unknown being sexual practices we may find distasteful - is a whole world away from abuse and control. I think what's actually going on in Fifty Shades has perhaps been hijacked by those who seek to paint the relationship between Christian and Anastasia as abusive, simply because it's highly charged, challenging and teeters on the edge of what the majority find acceptable. If you're not sure what I mean, check out the final scene in the movie and then tell me who is in charge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps those uncomfortable, giggling women in the cinema are the most interesting of all. Enjoying erotica in the comfort of your own bedroom is one thing. It would appear that enjoying erotica in public is quite something else. Christian Grey was ready for us, but were we ready for him? I think society in general and women in particular have a way to go before there is a collective understanding that having consensual sex, however you choose to have it, is surely OK.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, relationships, sex and consent are much more complicated than one character in a movie, but we need Christian Grey. We need characters who get under our skin, who challenge our notions of what we believe to be acceptable and who give us the motivation to think about stuff. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christian Grey could never have satisfied everyone. Surely his only job was to satisfy the woman he loved. And, from where I was sitting, he certainly tried hard to do just that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I'll have to read to the end, to find out what happens.</span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-9360190046474647472015-01-08T09:25:00.003-08:002015-01-08T13:27:01.952-08:00The Theory of Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is Professor Stephen Hawking's 73rd birthday. Stephen Hawking is a great man, a man famous the world over, a man who has outlived his Motor Neurone Disease prognosis by almost 50 years and who has devoted that time to scientific endeavour. That's the man we know.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week I went to the movies to see The Theory of Everything - based on Jane Hawking's book of their life together. It's already my favourite film of 2015. Famous for quintessentially British films that satisfy a global audience, Working Title have done a splendid job with the story and have created something quite beautiful. The cinematography, by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0217120/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr9" style="background-color: white; color: #70579d; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">Benoît Delhomme</a> is terrific, making the stunning backdrop of Cambridge and the University, wonderful supporting characters. And it's much easier to notice a bad score than a good one, but <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0433580/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr8" style="background-color: white; color: #70579d; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">Jóhann Jóhannsson</a> has also done an admirable job. The music is quiet, emotional and rousing in all the right places and is a perfect accompaniment to the action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All three are cleverly woven to allow the main characters, Eddie Redmayne playing Stephen Hawking and Felicity Jones as Jane Hawking, to shine like stars and shine they do. Brightly circling each other from their first meeting, they bring the screen alive. Charming and geeky, Hawking's first encounter with Jane at a university gathering in 1963 sees them talking all night about equations. He excitedly tells her he believes there is one simple, elegant but elusive equation that explains everything in the universe and when she asks "what's the equation?" he replies "I'm not quite sure but I intend to find out". The one equation that mattered that evening is Jane's phone number, which she gives him at the end of the evening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their next significant meeting sees them at the end of year University ball. By the end of the night, scientist had fallen in love with artist as they danced under the stars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taken by his Professor to the lab where the ground work was done on splitting the atom, he immediately feels at home and sets to work, trying to find the equation that will prove the simple theory of everything. It seems his life is mapped out in the stars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A clumsy fall, hospital tests, a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease and a life expectancy of two years suddenly turn his world upside down. With his own mortality staring him in the face, he realises the subject for his research will be time. He sets to work on his equation. Telling him she loves him and that they should be married and spend whatever time he has left, together, he tells Jane she has "leapt to a false conclusion". To Jane, it's the only conclusion that makes sense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somewhat underplayed in the movie, it's easy to underestimate what Stephen Hawking did in his field. He turned the science behind black holes and our understanding of time, on its head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Redmayne, who is already tipped for an Oscar nomination, portrays Hawking's illness and deterioration brilliantly. It's easy to forget it's real. The suffering, determination and brutality of Motor Neurone Disease are real and Hawking has experienced every last scene. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the while Jane loves him anyway. She loves who he is, who he is becoming and who he will be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The years pass quickly, three children are born, significant others are added to the equation, their marriage breaks down and yet, the Hawkings always work it out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hawking believes that quantum physics and the physics of relativity don't understand each other because they don't speak the same language. His lifelong search for the simple, elegant equation is about seeking to understand and be understood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe he's found an answer. It may not be the answer he's been looking for, but in the most fascinating and beautiful journey, Stephen and Jane Hawking have proved the theory of everything is simply and elegantly, love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm reminded of the magnificent movie Interstellar, which also shared themes of space, time, science and relationships, with love at its heart. Sometimes the truth can be as magical and groundbreaking as fiction. The Theory of Everything is a triumph. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy, happy birthday Professor Hawking. And thank you for the theory of everything.</span></div>
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<br />todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-607432032976585132015-01-02T04:36:00.002-08:002015-01-02T04:46:32.025-08:00A loving heart can handle the world <h1 class="user-content" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #202021; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
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It's 2015 and, just like the start of 2014 and 2013, I've promised myself I will try and write, rather than just think. I spend plenty of time in my head, processing things I've read, seen or discussed and trying to make sense of it all. So, I'm going to start 2015 as I hope to continue, by writing stuff down and sharing it. For the last year, I've been keeping an online photo journal, which has been a really nice experience. It's lovely to look back on and has hopefully given me the discipline I need to blog more often. </span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">It's at <a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/todayoutof10" target="_blank"> www.blipfoto.com/todayoutof10 </a></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In November of last year, I spent a wonderful three weeks with my daughter, visiting relatives in Adelaide, South Australia. On our way home to Glasgow, we stopped in Dubai for a few days. I can't remember the last time I was so interested in somewhere - it was so different from anywhere I'd ever been and I was fascinated. Fascinated by the architecture, the size of the place, how people behaved and how beautiful and interesting it all was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following a visit to the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, we visited a traditional soukh, where I happened upon a few lovely little galleries. I was drawn to the Islamic art and to one artist in particular. The Iraqi artist and calligrapher, Wissam Shawkat, had much of his work exhibited. It was wonderful to look at and I found myself reading about him and his influences. He has produced a beautiful series, Letters of Love, where he explored words about love and loving feelings - all created in his refined, contemporary calligraphic style. I bought a few pieces - of which the above picture is one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More about him here <a href="http://collegevilleinstitute.org/blog/letters-love-interview-with-calligrapher-wissam-shawkat/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0096d5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://collegevilleinstitute.org/blog/letters-love-interview-with-calligrapher-wissam-shawkat/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He has read and interpreted words of love from many other sources, including Khalil Gibran and Beethoven - whose words are the title of my post. It seems Beethoven was as talented a composer of words as he was of music. We are all influenced by the outside and how we interpret it becomes part of our story. And if we share that story with others, it becomes our contribution to the world of art. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Art makes me stop and look. And the looking turns into thinking. I find it a multi-layered experience and one which I treasure. Art helps me to make sense of the world and my world within it. And for that I am truly thankful. I look forward to many more journeys into the world of art this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A loving heart can handle the world - thank you Wissam Shawkat and thank you Beethoven for your inspiration. This will be one of my mantras for 2015.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-mMUplpts8" target="_blank">all you need is love</a></span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-14973277079028273252014-09-15T14:50:00.003-07:002014-09-16T03:57:57.933-07:00The road to somewhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Politics is a funny old game. Parties trade on promises in order to get elected - manifestoes they call them. Those of us who vote usually decide where to put our cross based on who we believe the most. Or, importantly, who we want to believe. For me, that's how politics works. There are no guarantees. Only promises which turn in to negotiations and compromises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our relationship to the outcome of the election and our hopes for the future are tied up in that cross. Many think it's one of the most important functions we perform as adults. Our mandate for influencing the very society in which we live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scotland's electorate is poised to exert perhaps the biggest political influence ever seen in our country in some 300 years. There's a lot at stake. Much more than a term in government, with the option to change in 4 or 5 years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It certainly feels like the biggest political decision I will ever make. And it seems many of my fellow voters feel the same. It's almost palpable. My head is spinning with all I'm expected to believe, consider and understand before I decide which type of country I want to live in. Of course, there is no political universal truth. Although I've heard compelling and passionate arguments on both sides, in the end, my decision is borne of the fact I want to remain in the United Kingdom. I believe we can be better together. Different better but still together better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the last few weeks, debate has been at fever pitch. I stopped listening to the politicians weeks ago and have thoroughly enjoyed reading blogs and articles from ordinary people, some of whom write for a living and have a grounding in politics or economics, but some of whom are not that different from me. However, some of what I have read and seen has disheartened me. I've been indirectly called stupid and selfish for not supporting a particular view. Many campaigners seem to believe they have cornered the market in their wish for an improved society and that their vote is a 'no brainer'. How can this be true? That's the thing. I believe that many of us who sit on opposite sides of the fence want pretty much the same things. We just have different ideas about how some of it can best be achieved. Wasn't it ever thus in the business of shaping society?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing that has really lifted my spirits has been the level of engagement of the Scottish people. With over 90% of eligible voters registered to take part, the turnout looks to be unprecedented. The country is awash with people who are all at once interested in how the country is run. It is wonderful and exciting. Referendum decision aside, if this marks a new, dynamic engagement in the political process, it's a win for all of Scotland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, let the people decide. If Scotland wants independence, I'll be disappointed and nervous, but </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe in democracy. I believe in the voice and the will of the people. All people - even if their voice is different from mine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We don't know where we're going, but, when the dust settles, I'll take my place on the road with my fellow travellers. The road to somewhere.</span></div>
todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-19197525880396370222014-02-11T14:09:00.003-08:002014-02-11T14:19:59.247-08:00Blink and you'll miss it<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Someone I follow on Twitter posted a beautiful short film today. It's called 'tidy' and shows him tidying up the debris from his toddler having fun. All the toys go in a box, the phone goes back on the hook, the furniture is straightened. And, lastly, his discarded shoes are picked up, ready to be put away. I won't spoil the ending, watch it for yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This reminded me of my own tearaway toddler and I was transported back to the constant picking up of discarded stuff. What seemed like the remnants of mess I now realise were the remnants of fun. The remnants of learning. The remnants of a life being lived happily. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As I got into my car this evening I remembered I have kept one of those remnants and I look at it every day. My 23 year old daughter's toddler shoe hangs from my rear view mirror and it constantly makes me smile . </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I can hardly believe it once fitted her. It hangs above, in all it's glory - Isn't it cute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When she got her own car a few years ago I beamed with delight as she asked for the partner shoe, which now hangs from her own rear view mirror. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cherish the time you spend with your children. Blink and you'll miss it... </span></div>
todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-45076809670951095852014-02-05T14:55:00.001-08:002014-02-06T03:00:24.053-08:00Keeping my spirits high<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19axlzR8qB-eUQjifM2UUY9Bl_uLrUm2FpJgs7ziKdFEqgR3yWN6nLrvX3gz5dIuC9-0pKhI2syeaZzPPg-XEfgSNhNg8xbaaEQWfoY9r0y7mB2-uFjNWQh-ANGYOzfsRR3d1KMkF7g0Q/s1600/jackson+browne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19axlzR8qB-eUQjifM2UUY9Bl_uLrUm2FpJgs7ziKdFEqgR3yWN6nLrvX3gz5dIuC9-0pKhI2syeaZzPPg-XEfgSNhNg8xbaaEQWfoY9r0y7mB2-uFjNWQh-ANGYOzfsRR3d1KMkF7g0Q/s1600/jackson+browne.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My day felt tough today. At least it did as the clock ticked by. I'm plate spinning at work and am easily distracted so I find sharing an office difficult at times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">One of my office chums - a big man's man as it happens - but very perceptive, gave me a free hug this afternoon. And it lasted for more than 6 seconds. The time taken to establish genuineness apparently. He instantly made me feel better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And I'm developing a bit of a crush on Jackson Browne. Where has he been all my life? I'm listening to him continually on my long commute and he makes me feel calm and grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My favourite song at the moment contains a great line, I wish I'd written </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">"Let the music keep our spirits high" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here's the link</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://youtu.be/GqfDpNymGSE" target="_blank">Before the deluge</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As my day draws to a close I've regained my perspective and know that, after a good night's sleep, tomorrow will be a better day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">What would we do without music. And hugs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thank you Jackson for making my todayoutof10 an 8.2 x</span></div>
todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-86868422172562637132014-02-01T12:50:00.002-08:002014-02-03T05:38:42.150-08:00A blip in my blogjourney<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj0VlHCiKshEMQOWvNaBuJXa67cqBSg19no0KxrNDmlo1UrKMcWB2AOWlW-glgbw17LFohZTW05EE4X2zxCox99DlBesar4bSDcZ-VgifP06IsKcSO3Wx-Zc6lwyMZpI-p46Jh61rLx5L/s1600/blipfoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj0VlHCiKshEMQOWvNaBuJXa67cqBSg19no0KxrNDmlo1UrKMcWB2AOWlW-glgbw17LFohZTW05EE4X2zxCox99DlBesar4bSDcZ-VgifP06IsKcSO3Wx-Zc6lwyMZpI-p46Jh61rLx5L/s1600/blipfoto.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the things I wanted to be when I grew up was a journalist. I have loved reading, thinking and writing for as long as I can remember. I even got a conditional offer to study journalism at Napier University in Edinburgh, the only place offering such a course in my school days. Unfortunately - or fortunately - I didn't make the grade academically and went on to follow other pursuits. A love of reading, thinking and writing however, has always been a big part of who I am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I became aware I could read stuff, think about stuff and write about stuff online, my world became much more exciting as I realised it was just like being a real writer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, my todayoutof10 online life was born. Unfortunately, my love of procrastinating has meant the reading and thinking hasn't translated into writing as often as I would like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then I found Blipfoto. This online platform, with the brilliant strapline - save your life - encourages us to post a picture every day, with or without accompanying words. Developed by a guy who wanted to keep an online photo diary and was inundated by people asking if they could do it to, it was just the motivation I needed to post regularly. It's a wonderfully positive haven for photographers and diarists alike. My pictures are pretty lame but it's enabled me to start seeing my life with fresh eyes, ever looking for a picture to accompany something worthy of writing about each day. It's the perfect place for me to record my todayoutof10 positive thoughts. I've been blipping faithfully since Dec 31 and plan to keep it up for 365 days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope this new found discipline will enable me to blog here more often. I certainly have enough to say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't seen Blipfoto before, check it out.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://www.blipfoto.com/todayoutof10">http://www.blipfoto.com/todayoutof10</a></div>
todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-15575826545639247122013-11-10T10:54:00.001-08:002013-11-10T11:17:20.266-08:00A voyage into the unknown..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKY1AlhjShMe2w0FEQnVAuvMNxf5qlsROvnSscQVgJGBmap3kTxv3GC2E5Rhrtoi6ujkpt5gZKprNU7Y3VCz0h_xOuRtUyZVdl0WoMFLAZORtn8w_bF-HQ1CWo4qXPfpgErR8vdLbDISR/s1600/adoptaspacecraftvoyager1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKY1AlhjShMe2w0FEQnVAuvMNxf5qlsROvnSscQVgJGBmap3kTxv3GC2E5Rhrtoi6ujkpt5gZKprNU7Y3VCz0h_xOuRtUyZVdl0WoMFLAZORtn8w_bF-HQ1CWo4qXPfpgErR8vdLbDISR/s320/adoptaspacecraftvoyager1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently spent a lovely afternoon in a local independent cinema, in the company of Professor Stephen Hawking. Him on screen and me in the audience. He is an intellectual giant and has been partly responsible for bringing the universe ever closer to lay people like me. His book, A Brief History of Time, has sold a staggering 10 million copies. On watching his autobiographical documentary, something struck me. We were all too often reminded of the limitations of Professor Hawking's body, but never his mind or his spirit. Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at 21 and told he would likely live only a few more years, he went on to achieve true greatness in his field and still goes to work every day. At 71, he enjoys nothing more than supervising the next generation of cosmologists, who carry on his work, hoping to find the answers to some of our biggest questions. But what are the questions?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">India's recent entry into the space programme is interesting. There are convincing arguments for science and progress but I wonder how we feel about a country who receive international aid and spend money on space travel, when a huge percentage of their population have neither electricity nor a private toilet. But wouldn't a country, poverty stricken or not, be doomed if it couldn't aspire to be part of humankind's journey of exploration? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hawking has obviously tapped in to something - our fascination with space. Is it space we want to explore, or is space a means to an end? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we reach ever further into the cosmos, to boldy go where no-one else has been, I wonder what is at the heart of our search? Even Professor Hawking, revered by millions and never short of adoring fans hanging on his every word, admits to being lonely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then I happened upon this wonderful story. The story of the Voyager space project and the Golden Record. I believe our search - individually and as a highly evolved people - is to connect with fellow travellers. Nothing more and nothing less.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV3UI8x5NTk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV3UI8x5NTk</a></div>
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<br />todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-13277606921910133382013-09-08T12:03:00.001-07:002013-09-08T12:03:18.721-07:00From John Curry to Lou Reed - happy International Cassette Store Day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7hDq7AWNhToFGoc18IgHgCJbQOikWtmVoGc5iZCGP9iDUWOsh6xsYhiQ-yzNvKy1g12sbsHUQiTzzBbPPNmZ61kWGx4y4KjEYD1k5jX3g2al3KKmd-lZrGAlW0VWIh9mi6Zq-SzaKOZu/s1600/john+curry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7hDq7AWNhToFGoc18IgHgCJbQOikWtmVoGc5iZCGP9iDUWOsh6xsYhiQ-yzNvKy1g12sbsHUQiTzzBbPPNmZ61kWGx4y4KjEYD1k5jX3g2al3KKmd-lZrGAlW0VWIh9mi6Zq-SzaKOZu/s320/john+curry.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The very first International Cassette Store Day has just been celebrated in Europe and the USA. Some might see it as a cunning way to sell more music. And they'd probably be right. But, for me, it's been a chance to reflect on how cassettes made a significant impact on my life and my happiness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My 10 year old self was in love with John Curry. Curry was a figure skater. Not just any figure skater but arguably the finest that the United Kingdom has ever produced. He was desperate to be a dancer but this was frowned upon by his father. He took up figure skating instead. Using choreography from his beloved dancing, he turned the ice skating world on its head with a new grace and beauty that, added to the usual athleticism, was quite breathtaking to behold. He won gold at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics, with a routine that was as popular and memorable, at the time, as Torville and Dean's Bolero. I remember being allowed to stay up late to watch his gold medal winning performance and being mesmerised. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, now we would record the performance on our digital TV service and be able to rewind, watch in slow motion or see the performance when and how we chose. Back then, the technology for recording moving pictures didn't even exist. Well, not commercially anyway. So I had to make do with just the music, recorded off the telly onto cassette, with my family sitting in complete silence in case they spoiled the one chance I had. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's great that technology probably means we don't have to work so hard to experience things over and over. But I think we may have lost something very special in the process. Without pictures to accompany my music, I had to commit John Curry's faultless, graceful routine to memory. I used to listen in bed, every night, the music conjuring up every last medal winning twist and turn. Our children are unlikely to have that experience but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It still makes me smile and makes me feel 10 again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here he is, in all his majestic glory. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z79TMsYRnEc"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z79TMsYRnEc</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fast forward 9 years and the boy I'm dating presents me with a mix tape. As you do when you're trying to connect with someone. And to impress them, I guess. It was a compilation of his favourite songs from his musical hero, Lou Reed. He'd titled the A side - "the rough getting smooth" and the B side - "the smooth getting smoother" with the track listing, squeezed, in his best handwriting, on the inner sleeve. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It worked. I married him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the exceptionally smooth Lou Reed, from side B of my mixtape. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD-ZFQ8_TLc"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD-ZFQ8_TLc</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy International Cassette Store Day. If, like me, you're old enough to remember the part they played in your life, I hope you too smile at the memories. </span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-91656121958399875782013-08-18T02:17:00.000-07:002013-08-18T02:38:33.942-07:00It's not just cricket<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6 years ago I moved into a flat that overlooked the local cricket club. Having always been a sports fan, I watched with interest from my window, hoping to see some interesting games of cricket. It turned out to be much more than that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love how a view can come to represent one's take on the world. I've found it a way to feel grounded, balanced and to belong, I think. I now look forward to opening my blinds in the morning and watching the seasons unfold on the beautiful and lovingly maintained green. The groundsman is so happy at work he has often started by 07.30 in the morning. It seems an honest and rewarding job and I'm sure it's as wonderful to do as it is to watch. Word is, our ground is one of the best in the league and I like that his hard work doesn't go unnoticed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's easy to see why I fell in love with this view. Let me explain why I fell in love with the club. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ofcourse, all sports clubs worth their salt will do what they can to encourage young participation. I'm sure this happens the length and breadth of the country, but every Wednesday night during the season, some 50 or so kids are introduced to the wonder of cricket, team sports, giving of their best and having fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You would think that waiting your turn to bat or bowl would be a drag but these kids jump up and down, do cartwheels and shriek with excitement as they wait in line. I work with children and I'm a parent so I recognise what's happening when these keen as mustard kids place themselves in the care of the club's players and coaches - pure unbridled happiness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that's before I've even watched any serious cricket. The other week I invited chums to watch the first XI, whilst picnicking and enjoying the sun. Forgive the pun, but they were bowled over. "I wish I'd know about this years ago" was the unified reply when I asked if they had enjoyed their day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gosh, aren't the Ashes and test cricket exciting, but there is much to recommend local cricket. Indeed, there is much to recommend local sport of any kind. Just the other night, I looked out of my window to see 50 or so kids throwing and catching with glee, two old athletes jogging around the perimeter, someone walking their dog, the first XI practising at the nets and a local band making their way to the clubhouse for a rehearsal. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not just about the cricket.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I believe this club is the beating heart of my community and I feel extremely lucky to be part of it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're lucky enough to have a club like this on your doorstep - cricket or not - take my advice. Nurture it, support it, spend your money on it. I promise it will make you and your community very happy indeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have come to love cricket. Simple and yet complicated, beautiful, graceful and full of tradition. Just what a sport should be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cricket even has it's own band, whose complete repertoire is devoted to the love of the beautiful game.</span></div>
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todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8103412267012147751.post-22338107433895259572013-07-04T13:54:00.000-07:002013-07-04T23:15:34.680-07:00Make it about something<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm9iuVVUK8_NvOwmN1XThh4gv2DqTC45awfFGMwBJhBZKr6ultn5dnhmsBHztoGjTMnGdbd811bapSaiCVoHzMZc1B6XQmhCY_SWs3H3XCh0gT8m0dkbuoLHkcSisKKcF2oDoO4aHG5Us/s140/neil+platt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oya="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm9iuVVUK8_NvOwmN1XThh4gv2DqTC45awfFGMwBJhBZKr6ultn5dnhmsBHztoGjTMnGdbd811bapSaiCVoHzMZc1B6XQmhCY_SWs3H3XCh0gT8m0dkbuoLHkcSisKKcF2oDoO4aHG5Us/s200/neil+platt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to Twitter, I became aware of a movie that was creating a buzz on social media and in the news. The documentary is called I Am Breathing and is the story of a 34 year old man and his immediate family as they come to terms with his diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All I knew about Motor Neurone Disease (MND) was that it was fatal, incurable and was the cruellest of conditions, rendering the sufferer unable to move, swallow, breathe and ultimately sustain life. All the while being of sound mind. It's the one that tops the list of conditions people in the medical profession would least like to have. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wondered why this man chose to share his painful story with anyone outside of those closest to him. And I must admit the chance to get inside his head, coupled with my morbid curiosity, carried me along to the afternoon screening on its opening weekend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's taken me a few weeks to make sense of what I think and how I feel about this incredible man. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the story unfolded, in the true, gritty and at times uncomfortable style of a good documentary, I was far less interested in the, what felt like, voyeuristic aspect of watching someone live with MND and completely fascinated by Neil as a person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Neil Platt was an architect - an artist - someone who was defined, in large part, by what he created. Neil was also, latterly, a blogger. As with many artists I know, my guess is Neil was driven to create. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think I am coming to understand this about artists. The need to create, to give of themselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe Neil's blog became the only way he was able to leave something of himself behind. The only way he could share himself with others. And this final and most brave sharing is how we came to know him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He said, on camera, that the freedom to communicate has to be the strongest and most powerful freedom. To this end, he had an advanced medical directive which stated that his ventilator should be switched off when he could no longer swallow or speak. This stopped me and I'm sure, the whole theatre, in our tracks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is this why any of us blogs, to exercise this most powerful freedom? I love how it allows those of us who share that drive with Neil, to give of ourselves, to have the platform - for the most part, freely - to leave something of ourselves behind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this is my reflection on Neil Platt. He showed incredible dignity in his fight with MND and incredible courage to allow the world to see him, as he thought, at his worst. And I'm sure he was so much more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As he faced his own passing, he started to write a letter to his toddler son, Oscar, to give him a sense of who he was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you watch I Am Breathing or read his blog, I believe you will see Neil Platt, not at his worst, but at his best. And when his son Oscar reads his dad's blog and the unfinished letter and watches the documentary, I'm sure he will know exactly who his dad was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even just for your next post, take inspiration from Neil Platt, the bravest of bloggers who shared the piece of work he knew would be his last and make it about something. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make it about you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You can read his blog here:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.iambreathingfilm.com/plattitude"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.iambreathingfilm.com/plattitude</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went to see the Who live in concert recently. More on that next time. For now, this seems appropriate.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdLIerfXuZ4"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdLIerfXuZ4</span></a></div>
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<br />todayoutof10http://www.blogger.com/profile/11853469533585073995noreply@blogger.com0