They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder – a fact that is certainly true when it comes to this blog. I miss having the time to put the effort in properly like I was able to do earlier this year. I do feel a bit guilty about fudging up the postaday challenge – hopefully next year they’ll repeat it, and I’ll be able to take another swing… something which is already a new years resolution…
In the mean time though, the best I can do is to try and capitalise on free time to make something of this blog again – which is what I’m doing whilst I have a few days off -Wahey!
A long time ago I mentioned about playlists using Spotify, but didn’t post up many due to the restricted access of spotify. Now it has launched state side and you can get onto the service for free (albeit limited) I’m going to go full steam ahead with the playlisting thing… So without further a do… I present to you Volume 1 of an ongoing series I’m calling A Musical Alphabet.
Some of these tracks have been featured previously on this blog whilst I was running my A Song A Day project earlier this year, some you may not have heard before — but I urge you to check this playlist out, as there is some great music inside.
Yeah, I kinda failed the postaday challenge, and yes, I did neglect the blog a little bit, but at least I feel comfortable and ready to post again. I should explain though that from now on this blog is going to be about more then just music. I really do want this to be a platform for more then just music, even though I do love music, i’ll still be posting music posts no doubt, but maybe not quite in the same way or frequency then before.
I took a sizeable chunk of time away from the blog, mainly to have one massive RL cache clear and sort out. Amongst several things, the main thing is, I now have not one but two jobs which is great. I love them both and it feels almost indescribable to be finally earning my own crust after nearly a 10 month wait post graduation. Applying for more jobs then you can remember applying for, attending interviews, workshops, sessions etc; all that boring stuff. I consider myself very lucky to say that I enjoy both jobs and look forward to each working day. I’m now a website co-ordinator at my local primary school by day and a theatre steward by night. The bloke selling the ice-creams during the intervals… that’s me! The bloke ripping your ticket and showing you to your seat… that’s me! The bloke who is cleaning the theatre at 2am only to go home and be back for 11am the next day… that’s me! I wouldn’t have it any other way. The work is great, and the people I work alongside with (for both jobs) are the nicest people you could wish to ask for, so quids in on that one!
Today I went and signed up to the one of the local gyms. I had to leave before due to illness, but now I’m all good to return and workout in my spare time. I’m on a 6 week summer offer at the moment. I figured it’s cost effective, and if I do get bored of it after a few weeks, i’m not tied to some contract I really don’t want!
It’s also meant to be summer here in England… I feel lied too.
I also want to be dead cheeky and plug a twitchat happening this sunday (a chat on twitter) at 5pm Eastern — which is 10pm for all those English people like me. The hashtag you wanna look out for is #fantasygamechat — it’s self explanatory. Those of you who are familiar with the regular #fantasychat hashtag will be right at home. It’s ran by the same folk. Video games and the like came up during last weeks twitchat, and we thought we should make it separate, and we made it so :D – Keep an eye on this blog for more: http://fantasygamechat.wordpress.com/
Yes, keep an eye here for more coming soon! Nothing is out of bounds now I guess :D – I’ll guess that I’ll leave you on a song and all that, just because. This song is stuck firmly on repeat at the moment. Loving this band, one of the best around at the moment. I quite like to think of them as the new Deacon Blue (which is a very good thing) – Noah and The Whale – Tonight’s the kind of the night!
Very late posting today, it’s been a busy day, so much so that I can’t believe it’s nearly 10pm! Time is short, I’m still here though. I promise! Thanks to Seycen also for giving me the blogging equivalent of the tapping the wrist for time gesture…
I watched a documentary on the Chinese pianist Lang Lang the other day and he played a beautiful rendition of the chinese piece, ‘Colourful Clouds Chasing The Moon’ – Sadly, I couldn’t find the exact performance, but I’ve tracked down the original piece. I’m seriously considering saving up and buying a pipa instrument to learn next.
I should have more time in the next few days to blog properly also!
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I can’t believe that this time last year I was sat awake til’ nearly 5am, talking on facebook with university friends as we were putting our finishing touches to our 5,000 word long dissertations. I was writing about the pyschology of sound in movies and how digital evolution has affected the way we watched the movies. To the right of me at the time was BBC’s coverage of the general elections, and to the left was a half drunk can of Red Bull.
I was expecting to be feeling emotional that night, but for some reason I was almost emotionless. I was just sat staring at a word document full of quotations/references, pontificiation, hypothesis and more. Don’t get me wrong, it was a fascinating subject to write about and reading up on some of the people and papers my tutor (Andy Connio – the best lecturer I ever had at university) had directed me towards changed the way I thought about things and gave me several great leads to write a paragraph or two on.
As was the norm, i’d gone through Brian Eno’s Music for Films and the score to Twilight before I had the TV audio on low. It was strange knowing that the following night, i’d have no more work to hand in, and that my 3 years at university had come to an end minus graduation.
So with that in mind, and thinking about the year which has passed and what university was like, one song came to my head and stuck out more then others. The chorus to this song fits like a glove and the lyrics are very apt. My song choice today is Ohh La La by The Faces.
poor old Granddad, I laughed at all his words
I thought he was a bitter man
he spoke of women’s ways
they’ll trap you when they use you
before you even now
for love is blind and you’re far to kind
don’t ever let it show
I wish that I knew what I know now
when I was younger
I wish that I knew what I know now
when I was stronger
the can-can such a pretty show
will steal your heart away
but backstage back on earth again
the dressing rooms are grey
they come on strong and it ain’t too long
for they make you feel a man
but love is blind and you soon will find
you’re just a boy again
when you want her lips, you get her cheek
makes you wonder where you are
if you want some more then she’s fast asleep
leaves you twinkling with the stars
poor young grandson there’s nothing I can say
you’ll have to learn, just like me
and that’s the hardest way
ooh la la
ooh la la, la la, yeah
I wish that I knew what I know now
when I was younger
I wish that I knew what I know now
when I was stronger
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Just a quick post today because i’m nursing a bit of a cold and i’m actually typing this on my laptop from my bed! This song today is one that I’ve recently discovered and seem to have on repeat, a lot! – My God by Jethrol Tull
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The reason why I’ve subtitled this post ‘back to skool’ is that today I begin the first day of my new job, back at the school I used to attend in the 90’s when I was only knee-high to a grasshopper! It’s a weird feeling. It adds to the theory that life goes in circles also. I suppose it’s like getting the book stamped. Studied there, check. Volunteered there, check. Working there, check! *STAMP!* – I was having a little chuckle to myself getting my work clothes ready again, dubbing them ‘school trousers’ – I’m easily amused haha
But on a serious note, I don’t think I could be happier at the moment. I’m genuinely excited about the work and what I can do and acheive in the role for the school, parents, children and local council. I’m just super stoked. So this morning I’ll be leaving to walk to school once more. It’ll be one of the earliest starts for a while, not that I mind that, if anything. I’d rather be up early and working then sleeping in bed trying to find things to do. This could be the start of something pretty awesome.
So yes… how can I sum up my mood in music today… Simple…. See below :-P
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In something that has become an unplanned thing here on this blog, Monday seems to be a popular day for posting classical music. I’ve talked before here about how much I enjoy this genre of music, growing up with it somewhat. Whenever I post a classical piece on a Monday I aim to make it light hearted and happy. The kind of music which makes you feel good, makes you smile and puts you in a good mood.
I only learnt the name of today’s piece about 6 months ago, despite having heard it numerous times and always somehow managing to miss the name. I heard it on Classic FM and made sure I scribbled it down a post-it note; at last… I had it written down!! It’s called Pizzicati, composed by Delibes from the Sylvia Suite. Whilst that may not mean much to you… you will probably recognise it when you hear it.
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May? It’s May already? Blimmin’ heck time is moving fast. Seems like only yesterday I was setting up this blog and thinking about some of the music I’ll be able to post and the fun that I will no doubt be having… and still having! It’s nearly 6pm now as I’m sat here writing this, and earlier this year, and what feels like last week it’ll be pitch black outside and the night would of been settled in. I’m looking out my window and there is plenty of daylight, the trees are full of leaves and it’s summer is right around the corner. I’ve had a weird combination of cold and hayfever the past few days – it’s outstayed it’s welcome and I’m not a big fan of blocked noses, especially at night!!!
Anyway… I’m really looking forward to May because it’s when I start my new job! I’m going to be working at my local primary school one day a week – helping to keep their website ticking over. I’m super excited and greatful for the oppotunity.
I’m going to kick May off with some new music from a trio who go by the monkier ‘The Agitator’ – I’m not 100% sure what to class them as but alternative covers it some what. They’re very upfront and in your face… in a good way. It’s ‘no frills’ music. I’ve only heard a couple of tracks from them via spotify, but the one which has had me reaching for the replay button a-plenty is one track called ‘Give Me All That You Got!’
The song is an absolute stonker of a tune. Simple and minimalistic in design with just vocals and percussion. Rip-roaring it’s nature and instantly infectious. Derek, the singer has one meaty pair of lungs at his disposal and he chocks out his words with a stark and somewhat refreshing conviction. I really hope that this group takes off.
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Wow… It’s another month down already?! Blimmin’ heck, where is the time going! Month #5 already. I’m beginning to loose track on this year. I’m feelin’ pretty rough as I write this. I think I’m coming down with a cold. I seem to have a weird combination of being blocked and having a runny nose simulatainously coupled with the general aches and pains. My apetite seems to be up and down more then a fiddler’s elbow also.
I’m going to take tomorrow easy, hit the paracetomol, get a good nights rest and make sure i’m in tip top fighting shape for my new job start next week. 15 past midnight now so I think it’s late enough to be awake, especially working on my blog. I’m going to sign off now, and leave you with one song which feels so good to play on the guitar. It just fits nicely ‘under the fingers’ as we say in guitar-speak. Keep your hands to yourself by Georgia Satellites.
I can’t believe that this time last year I was sat awake til’ nearly 5am, talking on facebook with university friends as we were putting our finishing touches to our 5,000 word long dissertations. I was writing about the pyschology of sound in movies and how digital evolution has affected the way we watched the movies. To the right of me at the time was BBC’s coverage of the general elections, and to the left was a half drunk can of Red Bull.
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