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GDPR framework
The components in our GDPR framework benchmark model
GDPR framework overview
Our GDPR framework is in operation in our clients.
Implementing our benchmark GDPR framework gives you full control over managing data protection across your organisation.
Our benchmark GDPR framework provides a simple explanation of what GDPR data protection controls should look like in your organisation.
Our benchmark GDPR framework should fit into any risk management framework you have. If you don't have one, we will guide you through getting one set up.
If you would like to know more, contact us today.
Here is an executive overview of the GDPR framework in operation illustrating the two primary components, Protect and Comply.
GDPR framework executive overview diagram
The following diagram shows the components needed to implement Protect and Comply. Following the diagram is a brief description of each GDPR framework component.
GDPR framework components diagram
The descriptions provide an executive overview of each GDPR framework component and the key GDPR articles to which each GDPR framework component cross-references.
Personal data governance
Personal data governance is a set of components to ensure that personal data is formally managed throughout the enterprise and all processing, use and behaviour is GDPR compliant.
Key Key articles covered
- Article 5 - Principles relating to processing of personal data
- Article 24 - Responsibility of the controller
- Article 27 - Representatives of controllers or processors not established in the Union
- Article 28 - Processor
- Article 29 - Processing under the authority of the controller or processor
Data protection policy
Explains how GDPR obligations are met as a Controller and a Processor of personal data. The policy is accompanied by a risk appetite and measurement statement.
Key articles covered
- Article 5 - Principles relating to processing of personal data
- Article 6 - Lawfulness of processing
- Article 7 - Conditions for consent
- Article 8 - Conditions applicable to child's consent in relation to information society services
- Article 9 - Processing of special categories of personal data
Data Protection Officer (DPO)
Job description, role and responsibilities for the Data Protection Officer. The Data Protection Officer is a person with expert knowledge of data protection law and practices who monitors internal compliance. If you are not sure if you need a Data Protection Officer, take our test.
Key articles covered
- Article 37 - Designation of the data protection officer
- Article 38 - Position of the data protection officer
- Article 39 - Tasks of the data protection officer
Advice, oversight, Supervisory Authority (SA) relations
The DPO serves as the single point of contact for personal data advice, overseeing GDPR compliance across [Organisation name] and managing the relationship with Supervisory Authorities.
Key articles covered
- Article 31 - Cooperation with the supervisory authority
- Article 42 - Certification
- Article 58 - Powers
- Article 77 - Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
- Article 78 - Right to an effective judicial remedy against a supervisory authority
- Article 79 - Right to an effective judicial remedy against a controller or processor
- Article 80 - Representation of data subjects
- Article 81 - Suspension of proceedings
- Article 82 - Right to compensation and liability
- Article 83 - General conditions for imposing administrative fines
- Article 84 - Penalties
Personal data rights treatment
Personal data rights treatment enables transparency with data subjects so that they are aware of the who, what, why, where, when and how of their personal data use.
Key articles covered
- Article 8 - Conditions applicable to child's consent in relation to information society services
- Article 11 - Processing which does not require identification
- Article 12 - Transparent information, communication and modalities for the exercise of the rights of the data subject
- Article 13 - Information to be provided where personal data are collected from the data subject
- Article 14 - Information to be provided where personal data have not been obtained from the data subject
- Article 26 - Joint controllers
Enquiries, requests, complaints
Ensuring that adequate processes are in place to respond to data subject requests relating to their personal data.
Key articles covered
- Article 15 - Right of access by the data subject
- Article 16 - Right to rectification
- Article 17 - Right to erasure
- Article 18 - Right to restriction of processing
- Article 19 - Notification obligation regarding rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing
- Article 20 - Right to data portability
- Article 21 - Right to object
- Article 22 - Automated individual decision-making, including profiling
Training and awareness
Preparing material and training to ensure adequate staff knowledge for dealing with personal data.
Key articles covered
- All
Records management
Records of data use and processing are created and maintained. Processing has a wide scope covering collection, storage, internal processing, external processing, viewing and transfers.
Key articles covered
- Article 30 - Records of processing activities
Local legal considerations
Local considerations must also be considered. Examples are: mandatory retention of fiscal records, fraud records, Employee records, etc.
Key articles covered
- Article 85 - Processing and freedom of expression and information
- Article 86 - Processing and public access to official documents
- Article 87 - Processing of the national identification number
- Article 88 - Processing in the context of employment
- Article 89 - Safeguards and derogations relating to processing for archiving purposes
- Article 90 - Obligations of secrecy
- Article 91 - Existing data protection rules of churches and religious associations
Data sharing and transfers
Policy, process and procedures to ensure that personal data is shared and transferred legally, that adequate technical and contractual safeguards are in place and that any Processors have a clearly defined set of operating instructions.
Key articles covered
- Article 44 - General principle for transfers
- Article 45 - Transfers based on an adequacy decision
- Article 46 - Transfers subject to appropriate safeguards
- Article 47 - Binding corporate rules
- Article 48 - Transfers or disclosures not authorised by Union law
- Article 49 - Derogations for specific situations
3rd party compliance confirmation
A verification process to ensure that all contracts involving personal data sharing are periodically checked and that Processors are operating within their set of instructions.
Key articles covered
- Article 28 - Processor
- Article 29 - Processing under the authority of the controller or processor
Data risk assessment (DPIA)
Due diligence analysis to assess the level of personal data risk involved, cost avoidance, fit-for-purpose, legal compliance with a proposed solution and mitigation recommendations. This policy underpins the GDPR mantra: "Data privacy by design and default". All solutions must be seen to take personal data protection into account and all processing must default to a personal data protection fail-safe state.
Key articles covered
- Article 25 - Data protection by design and by default • Article 35 - Data protection impact assessment
- Article 36 - Prior consultation
Security and access
Planning, development and execution of security policies and procedures to provide proper authentication, authorisation, access, and auditing of data and security measures.
Key articles covered
- Article 32 - Security of processing
Breach notification
Planning, development and execution of policies and procedures to notify the organisation's Executive and, where necessary, notify the ICO and data subjects that a personal data breach has occurred. Failing to notify a serious breach is a serious compliance infraction.
Key articles covered
- Article 33 - Notification of a personal data breach to the supervisory authority
- Article 34 - Communication of a personal data breach to the data subject


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What was Angelina Jolie like, before becoming the Angelina Jolie, we all know? Who is the girl, we learned back in 1999, thanks to her performance for 1999's "Girl Interrupted" –she won an Academy award for her performance-, and haven't stopped talking about ever since?
The Daily Mail found out a video of 25-year-old Angelina, during an acting class back in 2000. She is trying to make an truly emotional scene work and she is nailing it, proving that she is so much more than Lara Croft. Little did she know, that soon she would be winning that Award. Little did she know she would turn into one of the most famous women on the planet.

subset: commoncrawl


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If you were in any way connected or even remotely familiar with the video gaming industry in the 90's, you couldn't have missed Myst (TMA Review). This bestselling game of all time (at least until the dreaded 'The Sims' came along in 2002) has seen a superb re-release on the iOS about a year and a half ago and nabbed a special mention in our The App Store's Best Adventure. And with the recent release of the Riven: The Sequel to Myst (TMA Review) I personally couldn't pass up the unique opportunity to interview one of the leading minds behind the scenes – Mark DeForest, the CTO of Cyan Worlds.
The App Store model has certainly revolutionized software development as a whole and games development in particular. Thanks to the extremely low entry cost and a centralized distribution system, it has become a launch pad for many new indie developers both successful and not so much. But that isn't much of a surprise to anyone remotely familiar with the market. What's more interesting is that this new platform actually allowed some veteran companies many thought long gone to get back together as well.
And of such phoenixes, born again from the flames of App Store, is Trilobyte Games – the company behind the legendary PC adventure – The 7th Guest (TMA Review), recently re-released for the iOS. Today I'm joined by Charlie McHenry, the current COO of Trilobyte, to talk about their resurrection, work on The 7th Guest, future plans, and more.
In this bustling world of the triumph of modern technology, a recent trend has been a rapidly rising demand for nostalgia gaming. It isn't that much of surprise if you come to think of it. After all, people who grew up on the classic games of 80's and 90's are now in the position of making decisions and spending money… Sometimes, a LOT of money… And this in turn gave rise to a new breed of companies, focusing their efforts on bringing the classic games to modern platforms. One of the more prominent players in this market has been DotEmu, known for porting titles for almost every platform imaginable, from modern PCs and Browsers to Smartphones of all breeds. And more recently – the iOS family of devices.
Joining me today are the co-founder and CTO of DotEmu – Romain Tisserand and his Head of iPhone applications – Guillaume Siorak. The topic at hand: the recent release of the cult classic – Gobliiins (TMA Review), along with more general talk of the iDevice world.
Adventure games are my passion, as many of you may have guessed a long time ago. And when I heard that Telltale Games, the company responsible for such great iPad titles as Sam & Max Episode 1: The Penal Zone for iPad and Wallace & Gromit The Last Resort for iPad, are developing a completely original series in Puzzle Agent, I was thrilled. Thankfully, after a bit of back-and-forth with the developers, I was able to secure a mini interview with Mark Darin – the mastermind behind the new project.
Quite a few high-profile titles have been brought to the iPhone in the last several months. And one such release came almost out of the blue from a company, previously only a player on Mac OS market. I'm talking, of course, about Secret of the Lost Cavern from Coladia – an adaptation of the excellent ECHO: Secrets of the Lost Cavern PC adventure by Kheops Studio. It got a Grab-it rating from me and earned a well deserved spot in our The App Store's Best Adventure Games. And joining me today is Frédéric Aloé – the founder and CEO of Coladia to talk about the iPhone, iPad and their plans for bringing new and exciting games to the iDevice platform.
Despite there being over 150 000 apps on the AppStore, many of which are games, quality RPGs are few and far between. And even fewer of them don't go the Japanimation console style RPG route. Frankly, only three come to my mind – our own shigzeo's favourite The Quest with its many addons, the excellent old-school Undercroft (TMA Review) and, of course, the much hyped Diablo-clone Dungeon Hunter (TMA Review). And don't even get me started on Ravensword: The Fallen King (TMA Review). But they should beware, because it seems a new contender to the RPG throne is in the works. I'm talking about the game that came to my attention recently – Rimelands: Hammer Of Thor. Intrigued, I immediately contacted the developers of this ambitious project and secured an interview to learn more details.
Dicework Games is a small company located in the city of Tampere in Finland and consists of the CEO and lead designer Arto Koistinen and the talented graphics artist Peter Finnberg. Having been laid off during company negotiations just 1.5 years after THQ Wireless's acquisition of Universomo, they decided it was to go solo and started their own company. Their first game was the critically acclaimed Diceworks which was a test of both their skill as well as how well they could do at the AppStore. And now they are steadily finishing up the project they originally conceived when their company formed – a classic Rogue-style RPG game titled Rimelands: Hammer Of Thor. And today I have both of them on the line to talk about it!
For quite some time now I have been running the iTête à iTête column, doing interviews with a variety of prominent iPhone figures but one area has yet stayed untapped. I'm talking about the Jailbreaking community which, according to some reports, constitutes up to 10% of the overall iDevice users. To repent for such a huge sin I have gone hunting and bagged me an interview with ZodTTD – one of the most famous developer of Cydia and Rock apps for the Jailbroken iPhones – best known for his line of emulators, including two emulators for the iPhone: N64 and PSone.
Revolution Software is one of the titans of adventure gaming. The creators of the legendary Broken Sword series have recently blessed the iPhone with its two greatest adventure games to date – Beneath a Steel Sky: Remastered (BaSSR) and Broken Sword: Director's Cut (BSDC). I have been lucky enough to secure an interview with Charles Cecil – the founder of Revolution Software and the director of the games that made the adventure Hall of Fame.
Hey there folks! I know it's been a while since my last interview. The holiday rush caught up not only to me, but to my prospective victims as well. But holidays have come and gone, the dust has settled and we have quite lineup of interviews for the coming weeks. If you're interested in learning the ins and outs of development of your favourite apps, games and accessories – make sure to stay tuned to TouchMyApps.com and subscribe to our RSS feed.
The iDevice controlled, quad-propeller Parrot AR.Drone helicopter debuted at this year's CES. And we got some mouth time with the kind folks behind this dream toy! Joining me today is Michael Pastor – the Marketing coordinator for the AR.Drone project.
The "Jesus†phone has been around for quite some time now and one of the trickiest things to get right on it has always been the atmosphere. Franchises like Silent Hill and Resident Evil failed miserably and turned out to be titles that can't even scare a baby. But it seems all is not lost for the platform and a small indie group named 7th Sense Studios  have recently released the first and only really scary Survival Horror title on the platform – Fallen. And joining me today to talk about their unique creations are Vincenzo Alagna – the Technical Director and CEO and his lovely colleague Valentina Cioliono – the Producer at 7th Sense Studios.


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After yet another US flight was diverted; due to an argument about reclining seats and legroom one airline says enough is enough and has taken the unusual step of ONLY transporting passengers without legs.
In the third serious airline legroom incident in two weeks, an angry passenger caused yet another flight to divert Monday night.
Gamma Air Lines Flight 2370 from New York's LaGuardia Airport to West Palm Beach, Florida, was rerouted to Jacksonville, Florida.
A passenger became irate about the traveler in front of her trying to recline her seat.
"Enough is enough," said CEO of American Untied Airlines, Ivor Cock, based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "We are losing too much money with all these diverted flights because people want more leg room - and simply can not act like decent human beings, therefore it is this airlines new policy that we only transport leg amputees, those with no feeling in their legs, those born without legs and people with really tiny legs, such as midgets, dwarfs and Tom Cruise."
Passengers though with legs need not worry - as Cock has come up with a great idea.
"We are offering a service at check in - where we will amputate able bodied passengers legs, thus ensuring they can fly with us also. Obviously we will be selling prosthetic legs - that can be placed in the overhead bin, again for a fee. So really we have everything covered. Hey presto - no more fighting about fucking legroom - not on American Untied flights at least."


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https://dubaandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/duba-web-logo.png 0 0 Jeff Duba https://dubaandcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/duba-web-logo.png Jeff Duba2012-01-02 10:25:242012-01-02 10:25:24On Winter: Part Two
A few years ago, once the Holidays had past, I began looking for a way to beat back the dreariness of winter. And so I joined a fitness center, thinking that the physical activity would do me good–that it would lift the mood and re-energize. Somewhat surprisingly, there was still the sense that these routine workouts on the elliptical machine weren't quite doing the trick. It didn't take long to discover that what was needed was regular time in the outdoors. The following winter, therefore, the fitness club membership was ditched in favor of a pair of cross-country skis. And it made all the difference: Read more


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(picture and recipe from Fashionable Foods)
Spaghetti and meatballs is one of my kids' favorite meals and I have used many recipes for meatballs over the years. During the past year none of my older recipes were really doing it for me when I attempted to adjust them to be gluten free so I went searching for something else and found this winner. The meatballs are moist, but stay together, and they pack in lots of flavor considering they are a pretty healthy version. This has been our go-to meatball recipe for quite some time now so I am finally documenting it to make it easier to find!
1 Egg, beaten
2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
1 Small/Medium Onion, peeled and grated
3 Cloves Garlic, finely minced
¼ Cup Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
Salt & Pepper
¼ Cup Almond Flour
1 ½ Pounds Ground Turkey
Extra-Light Olive Oil
Tomato Sauce, for serving
Fresh Basil, for garnish
Combine the beaten egg, tomato paste, grated onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and almond flour. Mix well and then mix in the meat.
Preheat the oven to 400º.
Heat a nonstick skillet over high heat and enough of the olive oil to coat the skillet. Using a medium or large ice cream/cookie scoop*, scoop out the meatballs and drop them directly into the pan. Let them cook for about 30 seconds or until brown, then flip them over using a spoon (I found this was the easiest in order to keep them intact). Cook them until brown on the other side, about 30 seconds, and then transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil. Repeat with remaining meat – you'll end up with about 18-20 meatballs using a large scoop, and about 30-35 with a medium scoop.
Transfer the meatballs to the oven and bake for about 20 minutes for the large size, or 15 minutes if you used a medium-sized scoop. The meatballs will be firm to the touch when finished.
Serve with tomato sauce.


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On Friday, July 18, 2014, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau published the final rule in Federal Register establishing Georgia's first official American viticultural area.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) establishes the approximately 690-square mile ''Upper Hiwassee Highlands'' viticultural area in Cherokee and Clay Counties, North Carolina, and Towns, Union, and Fannin Counties, Georgia. The viticultural area does not lie within or contain any other established viticultural area. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.
This final rule is effective August 18, 2014.
All relevant rulemaking documents and public comments concerning this viticultural area are posted at the Regulations.gov website in Docket No. TTB–2013–0008
For a copy of the official announcement, click here.


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Yes, there was a post here earlier. Yes, it's gone. Yes, it will be back.
The subject matter of this post, for those who didn't have it spooned into an RSS feed before I could whisk it away, is very sensitive. I posted something and I felt ashamed about it and wanted to hide it.
My dear friend, Ingrid, she's one of the people who saw the post in her RSS feed. She called me this morning, and we hung out and talked. She's going to have my back and write a preamble for me so I can put it back up. I can't go it alone on this one. I'm afraid I'll get speared.
I forgot that long ago, when I was pregnant with Fred and spending lots of time on Babycenter.com, I set things up so my blog would post over there. When I was scrambling to take down the post, checking Statcounter to see whether anyone had read it, I saw that it had posted to Babycenter, and someone had indeed read it. I went and looked.
One comment: a crying emoticon.
You can interpret a crying emoticon a lot of different ways when you have no other information to go on. I decided that this emoticon was crying in horror.
Ingrid is going to help me and I'll have it back up at some point soon.
So, you weren't imagining things. And if you read it and got worried, please don't. What I wrote was true but it's not anywhere close to the only truth, or the most pervasive truth. I stand by it. But it needs more around it. It's not enough by itself.
Okay. Please stand by.


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How come nobody ever gave me a magic croissant cutter??
This guy is having waaaay too much fun.
Dana View All →
Author and founder of Storyknife.org.
The Official Website
This guy is having waaaay too much fun.
Author and founder of Storyknife.org.
Holy Crap!
What did they do prior to all the machines???
So much work but he is definitely in the groove of making oh so yummy pastries.
I will have one of each. Purely for research to see if they taste as good as they look. No wonder pastries are pricey. Even with the automation still very labor intensive.
No freakin wonder the things cost so much!


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ACL Spotlight: The War On Drugs
It's that time of year again, with the Austin City Limits Festival just around the corner. As one of our favorite festivals, and one of the many musical outlets in the city, we thought it was our job to keep you updated on the acts that are vital to a successful weekend out at Zilker Park. Our first act to take a look at is Philadelphia's The War on Drugs. The War On Drugs first came to my attention several years agoo when I heard that the band was begun by Kurt Vile and Adam Granduciel, but since then Kurt has gone on to do his own thing, while Granduciel stuck with the band. Still, the group has continued to progress, and they've cosistently put together albums (or EPs) with remarkable songs. Their most recent album, Slave Ambient, made tons of year end lists in 2011. Those of you not familiar with the band are probably curious as to what the group sounds like, and I'm here to tell you that it's something special, making the band one of the must-see acts at ACL this year. For those of you who enjoy the works of Dylan or Springsteen, then the music is going to be right up your alley; they do add one twist, incorporating ambient noises and electronic touches to the tried-and-true Americana sound. Honestly, I think they're one of the few bands of the indie-sphere who I think craft music perfectly suited to the outdoor performance of an open-air festival.
If this sounds like your thing, The War On Drugs plays at 2:30 on Friday, October 12th at the Bud Light Stage.[audio:http://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Come-To-The-City.mp3]
Download: War on Drugs – Come To The City [MP3]


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we got a big container of organic strawberries the other day.
and one of them was particularly BIG!
I gave it to my little L.
and today,,,
I did a quick sewing/crafting project.
I made little L a couple headbands.
they were very easy.
basically just a strip of lace and elastic band sewn together.
I put one of the leftover fake flowers (from this project)
on one of them after removed all the plastic pieces in between petals,
then put a bead in the middle.
I thought she might hate wearing them,
but she didn't mind them at all :)


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At moderate flows the Chetco has stunningly beautiful crystal clear water. For the first two miles the river flows through easy class II rapids separated by deep pools.
The bridge crosses over a flatwater section of the river and it is about a mile downstream to the Chetco Gorge. Potential access is available on river right downstream of the bridge.
Congested boulder garden rapid.
Tricky lead in rapid to navigate around the massive Conehead Rock that sits at the bottom of this drop.
Alternate access at the old bridge site.
We ran this in early March towards the lower limit of flows (577cfs). It was still plenty of fun. We hiked down the FR 1917-067 spur to Tollman Ranch as we did not have a high clearance vehicle. It took about 45 minutes to walk down. The approximately dozen or so rapids that begin about 1/3 of the way into the run were all great read and run. After a stretch of flatwater and passing under the steel bridge we came to the gorge. There are basically two rapids in the gorge--Candy Cane and Conehead--and then it's over and you have the paddle out. We did not run either drop. Candy Cane was very congested with narrow chutes and water flowing under boulders. Conehead had several rocks sticking up along the right that would have been tricky to navigate at low flow. The spur road described as the take-out in Soggy Sneakers had a massive washout. It would have been possible to hike out (although I expect the road will further deteriorate) but we elected to just paddle another 15 minutes down to the South Fork confluence where you can drive right to the river and have easy access.
I finally got on this run after many aborted attempts; it's a long way from anywhere and I live in So. Or.! Soggy sneakers has the discription of this run nailed. Starts mild,class 2. slowly builds to class 3 then a couple of 4's then back to class 3 then 2 in short order. 1/2 mile past the bridge comes the gorge; eddy-out right to scout/portage. Candy Cane the 1st rapid was a 5 at our flow of 2,400 cfs, beautiful rapid! Conehead the next (last) rapid in the gorge is a long class 5+ (at least in my book) that has to be seen to be believed. Awesome. Not the best run in the neighborhood. (for example the NF of the Smith wins on every criteria of what makes up a great run I can think of) but if your looking for an adventure and don't mind long shuttles on poorly signed dirt roads or portaging over giant boulders this run might be for you or... you could just hike into the gorge and see what all of us on the river that day thought was the highlight of the run.
AW letter in support of Scenic Waterway designation for the Chetco River.
Designating Chetco River and Molalla River as State Scenic Waterways
Tell us about this gauge by leaving a comment.
Permits are not required for this reach.
We have no additional detail on this route.
Use the map below to calculate how
to arrive to the main town from your zipcode.
Candy Cane from the bottom
Candy Cane lower half
Candy Cane entrance
Tollman Ranch put-in
FR 1376-170 Bridge Site
FR 1376 Bridge
Upper Boulder Gardens
If someone gets hurt on a river, or you read about a whitewater-related injury, please report it to
American Whitewater. Don't worry about multiple submissions from other witnesses, as our safety
editors will turn multiple witness reports into a single unified accident report.
Last fall the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (ORPD) solicited input on the designation of a segment of the Chetco River that includes the Chetco Gorge as a State Scenic Waterway. American Whitewater is actively supporting this designation. We encourage the paddling community to attend the meeting and file comments.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department wants to hear from you about whether three Oregon rivers should be protected as State Scenic Waterways. Sections of the Molalla, Chetco and Grand Ronde, all of which are well known and loved by Pacific Northwest paddlers, are up for consideration. The agency is seeking public feedback. Comments can be emailed or you can respond to a short survey by October 15th.
Earlier today, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) re-introduced a set of wilderness bill including the Oregon Treasures Act, legislation that would protect the Chetco River, Molalla River, Rogue River, and Horse Heaven and Cathedral Rock sections along the John Day River.
Log into the American Whitewater website and you can contribute to river descriptions,
flow and access tips, and maps associated with runs you've done. You can even add new
runs to the inventory!


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So if you've read my bucket list, one of the things I wanted to do after my transplant was to 'walk in the rain' and luckily I've done this many times since I had my transplant but this past week especially I've been able to walk in all sorts of rain. My favourite is really heavy rain that isn't accompanied by wind and I've managed to experience that. I love it so much! I got a FitBit before Christmas so I have been trying to do at least 10,000 steps a day so no matter what the weather I have been getting out and walking and going to the gym as well. It's just the best feeling to be able to walk in the rain, I've never seen it as miserable and horrible but more exhilarating than anything and to not have the cold wet weather affect me or my chest just makes it that much more amazing!
I did make my dad walk in the rain the other night and lets just say I'm not sure he appreciates walking in the rain as much as I do, we got caught in a rather heavy burst of rain that was accompanied by a lot of very powerful wind which meant a umbrella was not really an option. I thoroughly enjoyed it, the swear words that followed from my dad suggest he really didn't lol!
My steps are going to take a serious hit this week though because I'm having to make sure I rest throughly from this chest infection but I'm also "revising" for my Driving theory test, I'm not holding out a lot of hope for it but we will see and if I don't pass it isn't the end of the world is it?


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The Importance of the Happy City
In Happy City, Charles Montgomery explores an important question; Is urban design really powerful enough to make or break happiness? | Read
Carpetbagging in Detroit
Shinola's claim as a Detroit-based company is up for debate and, as John Moy puts it, pushing an unrealistic ideal of America. | Read
How Do We Create Innovators?
Tony Wagner's Creating Innovators is designed to help us understand what we can do to help nurture the qualities of innovators. | Read
Don't Believe Me, Just Watch Wearables
The hurdle to meet the UX standards of the notable tech-giants was a high one for Nike. In the future, look for Nike to integrate into wearable technology. | Read


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Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Photographs are framed and placed neatly above
where I write - two full bookshelf lines - now
set against the handful received by post today:
my family's organised rows in contrast to this
clutch of images, some from fifty years ago.
A father is seen for the first time, one black and white snap
where arms wrap around a four year old daughter,
then the full colour captures of his wife, the other son, and
that sister much older, still being held; his handbuilt
custom cars too, and even an ultralight to pilot solo
into the freedom of the sky, but it is also no surprise
that after all these years, his first son, as far as I now know,
isn't in a single shot, or as his last wife confirms when
sending these, he never told her that I had been.
Monday, 28 March 2011
Black Oak Arkansas - Keep The Faith
Fine and Dandy
What more could be hankered of a far-out rock group in 1972 - cool looking long-hairs, tough band name, dual guitars, driving southern rock, and the unique bass 'n' gravel voice of a Jim 'Dandy' Mangrum.
This is a prized split gatefold vinyl possession and always played loud to boom out the Dandy rasp, and duelling guitars. There's Dandy, Goober Grin, Burley, Ricochet, Squeezebox and Dirty, and all the songs on the album were recorded 'Live and In Color'!
Every song is a killer. Title track 'Keep the Faith' opens the album, laying down the template for multi-guitar riffs, driving bass and drum, and Dandy's caustic lead tempered by soothing harmonies. 'Revolutionary, All American Boys' begins with Dandy's vocals seemingly strained beyond human capacity, until we realise that's the default rip and tear. Wonderful. These first two songs are in many ways anthemic and in this respect the songwriting is remarkably conventional.
Fourth track 'Fever In My Mind' is a favourite with Dandy's lightning speed vocal pyrotechnics, and strong lead guitar. The first track on side II begins with a camp-fire cameo, flames crackling in the background as Jim scratches out his late-night tale of the 'White-Headed Woman'. Seventh track 'We Live On Day To Day' is a good example of how the raucous lead vocal is complemented by background harmonising.
And I've kept the faith for nearly 40 years.
Sunday, 27 March 2011
One of the benefits of a modest readership [I know I exaggerate] is that when I make an error it won't resonate widely. I'm not detracting from the thrust of my argument in the preceding post at all, but Tin Cup Gypsy is not the best example of what I mean, though I still maintain it is a fine enough album. I just want to clarify that, for example, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West - The Holy Coming of the Storm would better reflect what I mean if I had to present a solider case. The same goes for Buddy Miller and Alison Krauss [these are no-brainers] and Lukas Nelson. I feel they represent a country core more than the eclectic TCG. That's all.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Tin Cup Gypsy - Calico
Country pedigree
We'll see where this goes.
Various prompts have urged this posting. One was watching bits of the TOTP2 'Country' programme last night on TV. I actually caught very little but it was enough to needle me. There was an overall mocking tone in presenting this genre and that comes mainly from the formulaic sarcasm, presumably Steve Wright's, in so much of the on-screen captioning that summarises each act's background and musical history. The other is in considering the self-mockery of country stars themselves, with traditional and exaggerated examples like Dolly Parton's monstrous breasts, compressed waist and tumultuous wigs, or in a less physical manifestation, Tammy Wynette's melodramatic and/or homespun narratives - both these female representatives in various ways using this or it being used to conceal formidable talents and lives led so hard and full as to make the most outlandish storyline wilt by comparison.
That's the premise. Beneath or behind the mockery or facades, Country music has a foundation that is rock solid. It's specific mix of folk and blues is the fundamental layer. The myriad of twang and rhinestone and yeehaw and glitter and moronic lyrics disguise and distort that fundamental brilliance. In my recent listening the most consistently talented and memorable music has come from 'country' directions, whether that is traditional or alternative or whatever range there is between and beyond these simple poles [read recent reviews]. I set this against the abundant repetitions of indie and folk and pop et al that simply waft over and away after one aural encounter.
This is a huge hole I'm going to quickly dig because I can see myself falling in soon, but what the hell, I'll continue! For example, what irriates particularly are two of the most common elements in so much current and 'popular' music: 1. songs that have simple melodic lines that do nothing more than rotate forward into an orchestrated crescendo [as complex and convoluted as that might be as the main creative impulse], song after song after song on a single album, without any alternative songcraft; and 2. the propensity for most female solo singers to adopt the contemporary affectation of singing in a baby-voice with slurred diction and warped intonation.
The hole I'm digging is in presenting Country as the template for excellence when it too has such simple songwriting formulas and a propensity for affected voice! But for me a significant difference is that so many of its practitioners are virtuoso players and/or genuinely talented vocalists. Now, to mix my metaphors, I'm going to go out on a limb over this hole I'm digging: a case in point is an artist who appeared on this TOTP2 Country programme - Billy Ray Cyrus.
I actually liked and still like his most famous song 'Achy Breaky Heart' and the one played, obviously, on this programme. The reason is because it's a great country-rock song and Billy Ray has a fine country voice - evidenced by subsequent albums he has made where he sings with the best of them. However, he will never live down the ridicule and invective meted out on that one famous charted song of his.
The problems with that song are many, but most are to do with Billy Ray's then presentation. The mullet is perhaps the most maddening, as is the crazy dance he performs at the end of his routine - athletic as it is. The name too. Why not just Billy Cyrus so we don't think he's a stereotypical hillbilly? In terms of the song, it's the child-gibberish of 'acky breaky' that killed it for any measure of critical acclaim, though ironically that's what made it sell. Imagine if those trite descriptive neologisms on the state of his heart had been replaced by a varying chorus of 'torn and tattered/worn and battered' and then 'frail and fearful/fraught and tearful' or similar? Go on, sing it to yourself and put in these replacements. If the grammar was polished too [working on 'Myself knows that I'm not okay'] this song has further lyric potential. It is in fact a strong story about heartache leading to homicide and contains potential for powerful imagery, for example the line 'tell my eyes to watch out for my mind'. The stanza about Arkansas, getting a dog to bite his leg, and brother Cliff's fist might just need complete removal, but I think the rock-roots of the song are strong and without the sillier lyrics and Billy Ray Bob John Hank and so on's hair etc., it might have been a more respected hit.
Convinced? Well, that's the fun of the argument. This isn't a thesis so I'll quickly move to the review which is a 'country' album that wipes the floor with so many other contemporary releases because it uses country songcraft and musicianship and harmony vocals to construct a varied and demonstrably memorable listen. Tin Cup Gypsy's Calico is a mix of bluegrass and folk if you want to simplify it, but there are pop and jazz elements which is why it makes a good comparison with what I have characterised as the more insipid popular music out there. I wanted to write the more 'cloned' popular music but I am aware that 'country' is a type too, with its obvious stylistic features, so after all of my arguing it is about taste and opinion. I happen to like Country in all its range and thus am bound to have a preferential ear for it. But I do also genuinely feel that it more often than not has a fundamental strength in its practitioners and performance, and Tin Cup Gypsy is one of many bands to exemplify this.
Bonnie Bramlett - I'm Still the Same
Bonnie's interlude
For what it will be worth, I am preparing myself to write about the 'state' of music [as if that is possible] and I have a premise - a ruse really - that will use Country music as a template for judgement and I signalled this idea in my previous post. To write this preamble now, before the piece itself, and in addition to that recent post, would seem silly overkill, but there is a reason.
I'm obviously typing my offerings at the computer and as I do so I listen to music through the PC. I do this using Windows Media Player which has to be the most obnoxious software program for this simple task. It takes forever to actually play selected tracks, it slows down the whole computer, and causes all sorts of other problems, many affecting the world at large I am sure.
But this delay in playing is existential. I have no idea when the first song will start. And when it does it is always a surprise, catching me out, especially if I have turned the volume on too loud - or even disorienting me if I have gone into another room, forgetting I have even selected an album to play, and I'll suddenly hear these strange sounds emanating from somewhere else in the house.
How wonderful tonight, and full of irony in anticipation of being critical of the 'state' of music, when Bonnie Bramlet's amazing voice suddenly begins: deep and full and pure pure pure. This is a jazz album in essence, with R&B obviously, and mainly slow and soothing songs. It is beautiful and uplifting. And in that WMP tease of its actual playing, what a glorious surprise and affirmation of the awe that does exist with some artists and their performances.
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real - Promise of the Real
I want to say something about 'country' pedigree as well as familial pedigree, but I'll do that later. In referring to the family kind, I will step into the muddy pool of hypocrisy because I have argued against tracing parental links in judging musical offsprings. But that was always simplistic and ripe for review, as now.
Lukas Nelson, son of Willie, will have had the most amazing musical nurturing as well as any genetic influences, being around in the touring with Dad and Johnny and Kris and Waylon.
Lukas' album is more rock than country but the latter influences are there as is the Nelson voice - environment and genes playing their dual roles. This album is a great listen, with stand-out rock tracks like 'Toppers' and 'Pali Gap - Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)', the latter presenting wonderful guitar work. There are a couple of beautiful ballads too, 'Sound of Your Memory' [with Willie providing some background vocal] and 'Don't Lose Your Mind'. Lukas' voice is distinctive enough, but the 'pedigree' is also evident - a familial trace that is what it is: natural and true.
There is a moving song 'Fathers and Mothers' that foregrounds the very influence I am writing about. It isn't musically the strongest track on the album, but its sentiments about honouring family - which is universalised, perhaps a little simplistically - are rooted in a history that has impact because the Nelson name has been in the public eye for such a long and impressive time. It adds another nuance to this fine album.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Alison Krauss & Union Station - Paper Airplane
What it says on the tin: vocal, fiddle, mandolin, bass, banjo and dobro
The group's posing for this album cover is the most stylised feature of an otherwise simple and unaffected offering.
Paper Airplane is predictable in delivering classic soft and soothing country from Krauss' tender vocals and the immaculate instrumental support of Union Station. The album is to a degree a two-parter with songs proferred by Krauss' sweet singing, and those from Dan Tyminski's more bluegrass vocalese and barn-dance leanings. Nothing new here, and in a sense that's why we like what is performed, time and time again.
A good example of what I am characterising is the unadorned rendition of Richard Thompson's 'Dimming of the Day'. I was waiting for the AK&US hallmark harmony vocals to reference those so vital in this song's original emotive impact, but apart from the gesture of one subdued shared line, the song is a Krauss solo played straight and true and simply. Again, nothing new and nothing wrong here. It's just something I noticed and thought about.
Indeed, the only question one would ask of this perfect latest release is why isn't Alison sharing the shared stare of the others on the album's cover? That's a real poser.
Monday, 21 March 2011
The Chambers Brothers - The Time Has Come
Timely brothers
Prompted by a visit to another blog - the superb 'weird brother' - I was reminded of one of my favourite albums, The Chambers Brothers' The Time Has Come.
Being prompted to recall a 'favourite' sounds contrary, but that's the nature of having so many. This album's special place in its special musical place is primarily for the psychedelic track 'Time Has Come Today' - a stunning and hypnotic new music for 1967 and this then 13 year old who mock-sang with his other incipient hippie friend in either's bedroom, both in our garish flowerpower shirts and Byrds rectangle sunglasses.
It's the echo effect on the drumming and the repeated shout 'Time' that leads into a fuzz solo and wilder reverberations swirling around in the magical background. Then the screaming. Then the manic laughter. Electronic screeching and the machine-gun drumming, fading in and out, rising to a crescendo and looped back to the wail of 'Now the time has come' before leading into the apocalyptic line 'And my soul has been psycedelicised' - the use and power of that word at that time! - then it slows painfully to its groaned end, and we put down our mock-mics, exhausted by our vicarious vinyl trip.
And I have just journeyed again after all these years.
The brothers' gospel roots are evident in spine-tingling harmonies on Mayfield's 'People Get Ready', Bacharach's 'What The World Needs Now Is Love', and the self-penned, absolutely glorious 'So Tired'.
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Trembling Bells - The Constant Pageant
Rock'n'Rolling folk
Fairport Convention is the oracle, and of course Steeleye Span and Pentangle and a swathe of others articulated, to varying degrees, entwined rock and folk elements in their musical voices.
Trembling Bells, a Glasgow-based band, takes the most fundamental of traditional music forms - folk - and pursues this further tradition of marrying hard-core rock with hard-core folk vocals [the glorious Lavinia Blackwall] and instrument requisites.
The rock thread is not the dominant seam, but tracks like 'All My Favourite Mistakes' and 'Otley Rock Oracle' do wear it well, the former hinting at Ten Years After but stealing freely from The Rolling Stones, and the latter cherry-picking from a wider range of garage to psychedelic rock influences. These two are superb.
It's a varied album and all the more engaging for this.
Friday, 18 March 2011
Hot Dub Bikini Party - The Fever
Bikini fever
Roll on summer. Roll on summer in Devon, because here in our rural idyll there's a local band who intuit sun and heat and alfresco parties with dancing and bikinis - OK, that last item may be a title and gender-oriented prompt - through an infectious reggae sound played with considerable skill and empathy.
The band, led by songwriter, lead singer and guitarist Harry Birch, is a talented and tight outfit, ably illustrated by this excellent debut album and, for this writer and many happy others, a recent energetic and equally skillful live gig at Mama Stones in Exeter.
The reggae strand is a strong one and underpins all the songs. I stress 'underpins' because this is a collection of tracks with distinctive pop sensibilities - a complimentary tag here - and by this I mean Harry Birch has an ear for catchy tunes that are driven by reggae rhythms and vocal stylistics of the genre. It's a heady combination. Expectant and perfectly played bass lines pound out these rhythms, and the band as a whole has, as I've said, an intuition for delivering these authentic as well as original songs.
The album opener 'When the Sun Comes Up' is a surprising ballad [of sorts] where the rest is so much more upbeat. But it works. It works because it is a finely crafted song and establishes Birch's distinctive vocals. It also establishes the band's instrumental credentials as the measured pace is snapped into another gear and the song chases out on a spirited lead guitar and bass focused finale.
The second track 'Crazy Days' takes the album quickly into its established groove of sparkling sing-a-long tunes and signature reggae-flavoured playing. Stand-out songs are the title track 'Fever' with a U2esque opening that again drives into its bass-propelled core, and 'Julia' with brass backing adding further depth to the overall sound. The final two tracks 'Black Panther' and 'All You Can Be' include vocal harmonies from Stephanie Ould further expanding the album's sound and range, the latter again using brass in support.
I listen to bucketloads of music and this is drawn from the ocean of daily deluges of musical offerings, and much is unknown to me as I aurally dip in and out hoping to be tempted and engaged. So much of this comes from established or newly-popularised artists [often interestingly gauged by the number of hits on YouTube videos] and the sheer volume means much is mediocre or just simply pastiche and/or repetition. This still might make it 'successful' in terms of recognition and record/cd sales - important factors! But it isn't necessarily memorable.
It will be hard for Hot Dub Bikini Party to thrust its head above that musical water, but I can honestly say this album does so for me. I like to listen as I write and I have been bopping about in my reviewing chair throughout this lively and infectious album. That may be an absurd image, but there is nothing odd about quality music making an immediate and memorable impact.
I'll conclude by adding a further accolade and one that carries more weight than my opinion: Hot Dub Bikini Party is supporting the legendary reggae band The Abbyssinians at the Phoenix, Exeter, Saturday 26th March. You don't get that support gig without your own reggae respectability, and that clearly trumps any amount of 'bopping' in my chair, as legendary as that might be!
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Blood Sweat and Tears - The First Album/Child is Father to the Man
The first blood child
I've had this Blood Sweat and Tears cd for some time as Child is Father to the Man, but last week picked up a vinyl copy of the Embassy [CBS UK] version The First Album - obviously the same brilliant tracks but with a slightly different cover - and wholly different linear notes by..........Noel Edmonds!
I'm listening now and reminded of how much this album shines. Al Kooper exerts a considerable influence whether though self-penned songs or interpretations of other writers, for example Buckley's 'Morning Glory', a beautiful cover. Memorable Kooper tracks are
'I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know'
'My Days Are Numbered'
'I Can't Quit Her'
and there are the occasional psychedelic leanings. Guitar solos are stunning.
The jazz and brass sound is not as prevalent as on their subsequent eponymous album, the one I heard first as a whole, soon after the tasters that appeared on Rock Machine and Fill Your Head With Rock CBS samplers.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Van Der Graaf Generator - A Grounding in Numbers
Hammill benediction
Blessed be Peter Hammill. I know Van Der Graaf Generator is more than the parts of its Peter but on this new album PH is the litmus for the distinctive sound that is VDGG. Less is more and tautology in one.
Hank Williams III - Hillbilly Joker
Hillbilly nirvana
Where Buddy Miller takes Country traditions and honours them with modern interpretations of reverence and craft, Hank Williams III takes Country and covers it in shit, pisses on the pile and then sets it alight with gallons of gasoline and the burning stub of a reefer.
Hank's songs are at their quietest when aping Nirvana with tinges of Hawkwind, but they soon ignite into thrash metal or whatever manic nomenclature of metal you want to brand it. No surprises that this album - apparently recorded back in 2000 and the subject of a disputed current release by the record company he left - merges the wilder strains of his country band with the madness of his metal persona Assjack. It is an incendiary musical manifesto and articulated in the opener Hillbilly Joker, one of the few tracks where you can actually discern language:
'If you don't like our hillbilly sound
Well hey man, go fuck yourself'
The titles of other tracks provide a supporting linguistic simplicity - I'm Drunk Again; Life of Sin; Pistol Packin; Drink It, Drug It, and Hellbilly.
Indeed, the album's final track Hellbilly best sums up Hank's country ethos with its insane farmyard sound effects, screeching guitars and interplay of repeated rhyming couplets, for example
'I drive my truck
And I don't give a fuck
Drink my beer
Raise my steer.......'
It's raucous and mindless and mocking and I like it - and according to Hank who doesn't take shit and doesn't take kindly to Curb Records releasing his shit 'Don't buy it but get it some other way and burn the hell out of it and give it to everyone'.
Hank said it [allegedly], not me.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Risking Sidmouth
Dormando and Nebraska Glenn were aware of the dangers. A night out rousting the clean streets of Sidmouth could pacify a heart to dormancy if you weren't on your guard. A respectable Regency front could tempt a naive tourist into reasonable thoughts of retirement oblivion. Georgian gateways beckoned lesser men to the big sleepover. These guys were too young for that. Too young in this town anyway.
It was Friday night at the Manor. A Pavilion better known for Murder Mysteries and sweet sherry supped over dry lips during interludes that could last forever if you didn't hear the bell knelling for the second half. Dormando and Nebraska Glenn would risk it all to hear AJ.
Both had worked with the jazz man back in the day and heard him play his horn: sweet trumpet and valve trombone, gold light bouncing from their dancing notes. Al took his own long walk years ago but the Band still carries his name, and tonight these two guys would pay homage to old times and good music played live and true, whatever the perils.
The stage was set in more than one way this night, and there it was, black on white, a silhouette chipped and scored in places, but AJ's three-piece with flairs still fronted the band's music sheets as if Al was there, orchestrating Miller, Basie and Ellington into the 21st century and for a clientele where some will have dabbled in the dark past of the early 20th. Dormando and Nebraska Glenn felt the flush of youth like bloodied anachronisms tattooed on smoothish cheeks.
And when the band played, the music united all of them. Ghosts of ballroom dance floors and late night radio swirled from the Big Band's wall of sound, wrapping the audience in a veil of timeless musical haunting. Hearts would flutter, and some might stutter - the risks, the risks - but D and G gripped the worn velvet arms of their seats and stayed alive, alive to the memory of AJ and the great songwriters of standards that defied time like so many present this night.
Dormando and Nebraska Glenn had been linked by the likes of Ten Wheel Drive and East of Eden but tonight it was AJ's Big Band and a sonorous Sidmouth supporting their musical partnership. Friday nights would come and go and many would have their other dangers, but surviving Sidmouth had been one to mark on the chalkboard of life's many surprises, and D and G weren't ready to see the dust fall for some time yet. No way.
[To hear the band in its current incarnation, check out AJ's Big Band - Fascinating Rhythm, with the superb vocals of Paula Mitchell - www.ajbigband.co.uk]
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Hurt in your heart
John Martyn - Heaven and Earth
John Martyn's posthumous album is due for release on 3rd May. I have tonight downloaded from Amazon his 4 tracks from the two Transatlantic Sessions in which he was involved: all are brilliant and a necessary fix until the album arrives. I also watched a few clips of John on YouTube, including two performances of 'Hurt in Your Heart', and it's still hard to watch and think about him being gone and how much he was a part of my musical and other life. And yes I eat quiche too.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West - The Holy Coming of the Storm
Sweet tradition
What a wonderful new take on traditional music to make oxymoron an unstable label.
This is another delightful album hot on the aural heels of dancing through Buddy Miller's most recent. These two superb musicians play and harmonise sweetly across mostly original tunes that already sound like traditional standards. It's a mix of folk, blues and mainly bluegrass as I can best describe it. Instrumentals are short and expertly played, and the taut but gentle harmonies are simply beautiful. Everything here pleases.
What a wonderful new take on traditional music to make oxymoron an unstable label.
This is another delightful album hot on the aural heels of dancing through Buddy Miller's most recent. These two superb musicians play and harmonise sweetly across mostly original tunes that already sound like traditional standards. It's a mix of folk, blues and mainly bluegrass as I can best describe it. Instrumentals are short and expertly played, and the taut but gentle harmonies are simply beautiful. Everything here pleases.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Buddy Miller - The Majestic Silver Strings
Four Axemen of the Country Licks
Chairman Miller presides over a true socialist state of music as this album presents a collective of talents rather than a singular showcase. Not surprising as Buddy Miller so often acts as producer and support performer to the likes of Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle, but the spirit of this musical community is further represented in the guitar quartet of Bill Frisell, Greg Leisz, Marc Ribot and Miller himself who share, without a shred of solo showing-off, expert duties: the majestic silver strings of the album's title. The communal cast is then enhanced by the songstresses Ann McCrary, Patty Griffin, Lee Ann Womack, Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, and wife Julie Miller.
The album itself is a great mix of traditional country, blues and dark ballads. The opener 'Cattle Call' stamps its authentic old-time country seal with Miller's understated but assured howling and yodeling. This could scare off the lightweights who only dip delicate toes in New Country, but for those who appreciate Miller's Country eclecticism it's one of many perfect delights on the album. Other highlights are Ann Lee Womack's maudlin if disturbingly comic 'Meds', the stomping blues of 'Dang Me' with Chocolate Genius, an atmospherically haunting Marc Ribot on the album's longest song 'Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie', the wonderful Emmylou Harris singing 'Why I'm Walkin'', and my favourite, Shawn Colvin's crystal clear rendition of Frisell's beautiful ballad 'That's The Way Love Goes'.
The guitar backdrop throughout is brilliant as one would rightly expect. It simply sounds like it has been played with huge enjoyment. I'm not expert nor assed enough to work out who plays what when: the mix of slide and steel and acoustic merges into its majestic whole.
I love Miller's full and booming voice and that's the only element lost [a relative term] in his generous withdrawal from the spotlight on this album. He fronts two or three songs, and there is some Buddy harmony, but I would always love to hear more, especially like when that gruff distinctiveness harmonises with female vocal on so much of his previous contributions across so many albums, not least with Julie Miller, and the two close this album on a perfect example of what I mean with their performance of 'God's Wing'd Horse'.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Musicians who bridge their flourish
Musicians who can do it live
Musicians who tune
Musicians who milk despair in minor keys
Musicians who set up themselves
Musicians who define
Musicians who perform our deja vu
Musicians who were groupies
Musicians who orchestrate to disguise
Musicians who have an ear
Musicians who cut it right to the edge
Musicians who harmonise the paradoxes
Musicians who debut their lives
Musicians who triumph over fame
Musicians who remain eponymous
Musicians who want it that bad
Musicians who survive their sophomore effort
Musicians who are virtually virtuoso
Musicians who live forever in others' lives
Musicians who headbang inside melody
Musicians who soar in singing
Musicians who keep to their key
Musicians who can do it live
Musicians who tune
Musicians who milk despair in minor keys
Musicians who set up themselves
Musicians who define
Musicians who perform our deja vu
Musicians who were groupies
Musicians who orchestrate to disguise
Musicians who have an ear
Musicians who cut it right to the edge
Musicians who harmonise the paradoxes
Musicians who debut their lives
Musicians who triumph over fame
Musicians who remain eponymous
Musicians who want it that bad
Musicians who survive their sophomore effort
Musicians who are virtually virtuoso
Musicians who live forever in others' lives
Musicians who headbang inside melody
Musicians who soar in singing
Musicians who keep to their key
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Bourbon and Harleys
bourbon and Harleys are fine
but give me music any time
let it rage your hair like the wind's
Softail red
blow around inside the head
like Kentucky's finest
like 100% proof
ride it
wheelies along the rhythms
pipes pulsing bass and other vibrations
dragging along the neck's quarter-mile strip
give me music any time
as loud as bourbon
smooth as Harleys
lots of ice
plenty of gasoline
but give me music any time
let it rage your hair like the wind's
Softail red
blow around inside the head
like Kentucky's finest
like 100% proof
ride it
wheelies along the rhythms
pipes pulsing bass and other vibrations
dragging along the neck's quarter-mile strip
give me music any time
as loud as bourbon
smooth as Harleys
lots of ice
plenty of gasoline
Posted by Some Awe at 22:51 3 comments:
Labels: Poetry
Blue Cheer - New! Improved! [1969]
Side two
I have most of this great if varying band's material, but only two on vinyl. The variation is in the music, especially over time, but I am referring mainly to the line-up, and my focused album New! Improved! exeplifies this latter aspect with two quite separate sides, both in style and performers.
Cited as one of the loudest bands and progenitors of heavy metal, Blue Cheer is best known as a power trio who turned up the volume and pounded out their thumping and wild material. Their second album Outsideinside [1968] - and my other vinyl copy - has one of the more sustained examples of this.
However, it's New! Improved! that sits the highest in my all-time favourite's lengthy list, and it is side 2 that I play again and again. This highlights the brief Blue Cheer incarnation of lead guitarist Randy Holden, and it is his songwriting and playing that stands out for me. The two long tracks 'Peace of Mind' and 'Fruit & Iceburgs' contain searing solos [with dual playing presumably over-dubbed as sleeve notes indicate 'Randy Holden - Vocals - all Guitars'] and their melodic leanings add a further dimension to the Blue Cheer songbook that wasn't to be continued as Holden left unexpectedly.
It is a memorable pair of rock masterpieces. That's all that needs to be said.
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Rhode Island is a mecca for craft beer distilleries – they're popping up everywhere! It seems like there's a new brewery that pops up every few months. Maybe we should start a new hashtag #smallstatelotsofBEER to go along with #smallstatebigeats. Since there
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Now that I'm a mother of two, I've adjusted my regimen to accommodate. You can still refer to my regimen page for a look into my normal routine. I hope to get back to that one when things calm down–one can dream right?
So this is what my hair routine and beauty hacks look like.
1. Hair
Weekly washes have turned to every other weekly washes. To revive my hair and get a fresh look for week two. I detangle my stretched hair, slightly dampen it with my wet fingers, put on a tiny bit of leave-in, coat the section in a light oil, twist it up and go to sleep. The next day, I take it out and fluff my root. Results: Shiny, fluffy hair.
For some reason, I get more shine and less frizz doing this. Probably because my hair is styled on stretched hair, using very little water. Since my hair is stretched, it's also easier to distribute the product and oil. This will help me get through another 5 – 7 days without having to wash.
TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes.
2. Clothes
I haven't been shopping in a long time. I have some pudge left over from the birth of my little girl. I'm okay with these two things. I only want to shop for items that are timeless and that will survive different stages of life with me. Better for the planet and my wallet– quality over quantity. I'm working out and that keeps me healthy and will help me lose some of the pudge. Although, I want to keep some of it, this pregnancy has blessed me with more butt and curves, which I've always wanted. LOL!
Back to the topic– To avoid looking like I just rolled out of bed and threw on the first thing I saw — which I've done a lot, I pair some effortless clothes with some statement pieces and do lots of layering.
Layers work well for nursing on-the-go. It gives me privacy and gives my little ones extra warmth. Like the cardigan I'm wearing in the photo above from Zara. I paired it with a loose, cropped satin tank and high waisted distressed skinny jeans. The tank hides my belly pooch and the high waisted jeans lengthen my legs and also helps suck in the belly. Just want to add my ripped jeans look, which are all the rave now, are DIY. Step one: play race cars with your toddler while crawling around on your knees and voila. I always, always, always wear a pair of flats or flat soled boots– it's all about functionality.
If you pulled an all nighter, throw on some sunglasses and you're good to go.
3. Beauty
I give myself a time limit for getting ready. I have to be done with shower, hair, clothes and make-up in 20- 25 minutes. This is my time limit if I decide to wake up before my kids and get ready. My make-up routine is 5 minutes and it's minimal. My goal is to get a fresh, slept-8 to 10 hours-look. I splash my face with cold water, tone with witch hazel and hydrate with jojoba oil. Then I put concealer under my eye, bronzer at the top of my cheek bones and blush on the apples of my cheeks, I throw on a neutral eye shadow, a couple of coats of mascara and I'm good to go. I don't use foundation. This method gives me a fresh, awake face. If I don't have time for a full 5 minute routine. I just do mascara, concealer and blush.
4. Mind
I wake up about 10 minutes earlier than planned and either read a few pages of a book or focus on my breathing and the feeling I have in that moment. I'm trying to really enjoy being in the moment. I'm a natural planner and as soon as my feet hit the ground, I know what I'm doing three days from that moment. So my goal is to remember to live the here & now, especially with my little ones.
Your turn: What are your life hacks to save time in the four areas I mentioned (hair, clothes, beauty and mind)? Whether you have kids or not, I'd love to hear from you.


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HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Construction has asked the State Bank of Việt Nam to extend the terms of the government's VNĐ30 trillion (US$1.3 billion) property support package.
This is being as the term ending on June 1 this year is a cause for concern for many homebuyers.
In a despatch sent to the State Bank of Việt Nam (SBV) this week, the ministry said the extension is needed to assure consistency and stability in the implementation of housing assistance policies.
The package was launched on June 1, 2013, and the SBV announced in a Circular No 11/2013/TT-NHNN that the programme would be completed 36 months from the mentioned date.
The package has been disbursed to assist low-income homebuyers and prop up an ailing realty market that faced very high inventories.
The annual preferential interest rate for loans in this programme was lowered to 5 per cent during the last three years, after it was initially set at 6 per cent.
Homebuyers fear that once the support package ends the interest rates might rise to match current market rates, which would at least double the preferential level and hit them financially.
The problem is that homebuyers were not told about such a change in interest rates when they decided to buy properties. They only learnt about this recently through media reports, with some customers expressing panic during the last two weeks.
Nguyễn Văn Trường, a homebuyer in Hà Nội's North Từ Liêm District, said that in the past he was so happy with the support package that he did not notice the related regulations.
"Furthermore, we were not fully advised [by homesellers and banks]. If my family had known in advance that interest rates would be adjusted to match market levels after June 1, 2016, we would have had other considerations," he told the Vietnam News Agency.
"Commercial rates presently ranging between 11 per cent and 12 per cent per year will put extreme pressure on buyers," he said.
Deputy Minister of Construction Phạm Hồng Hà said interest rates being changed when the terms of the support programme ends is suitable for current laws on credit, but with the VNĐ30 trillion package nearing it full implementation, the SBV should consider removing the deadline of June 1.
According to the ministry, 98 per cent of the package, or some VNĐ29.5 trillion, has been committed to households and individuals who sought loans for construction, purchases and repairs. More than VNĐ20.3 trillion, or nearly 70 per cent of the package, has been disbursed for these purposes.
The ministry said that with such progress, the disbursement ratio may reach 85 per cent as of June before a possibility of full completion by the end of this year.
Also, the ministry said the continuation of the support programme would be in line with the moves of relevant ministries, sectors and the SBV, which are promptly mulling the launch of regular funds for social housing development, in accordance with the Housing Law and government directives.
The HCM City Real Estate Association Chairman Lê Hoàng Châu said the continuation was possible because the terms of the programme were only set by the SBV, based on its calculations in implementing Resolution No 02/NQ-CP, which the government issued on January 1, 2013 to direct support for production and business activities and the market.
The resolution does not stipulate specific terms for the programme.
Việt Nam Real Estate Association General Secretary Trần Ngọc Quang said lengthening the time for implementation of the package and maintaining the current preferential interest rate would also ensure the interests of property developers, many of whom reportedly need continuing loan disbursement for their unfinished projects.
The government enables buyers of social houses and commercial property priced less than VNĐ1.05 billion ($46,700) to seek funding from the programme.
According to the ministry and the SBV, nearly 45,000 households and individuals have benefitted from the programme. About 30 per cent of them are social beneficiaries and 70 per cent are commercial ones.
Banks with State capital, including Agribank, BIDV and Vietcombank, along with Vietinbank, have mainly been responsible for the disbursement of the support package. — VNS
The first building in Hanoi with unique inter-floor design


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Children's Division
INFINITY TIMES ETERNITY is the natural unfolding of Rising Intent's mission to produce and share work that uplifts humanity. Through gentle guidance and example, the books published under this name will encourage children to exercise their imaginations and understand their true worth. Themes chosen will support the concept that all children have meaningful ideas and talents, and that each child has a special role to play. The stories will also help our youth to see how they fit into the greater context of life, as a part of a family, society, nature – yes, and even the universe! It is our view that even very young children have the capacity to understand such concepts when presented in age-appropriate, metaphorical, and fun-filled terms.
Fostering an appreciation of language and learning, of kindness and caring, of values and virtues, the key intent behind this project is to share love and joy while invoking children's natural creativity, interpretive skills and problem-solving abilities. Topics chosen will be thought-provoking at the child's level of understanding and will encourage further dialogue between child and adult, reinforcing the relationship and providing a shared sense of wonder. They will also bring out children's strengths and interests in a way that helps them, through feeling, thought and action, to "rise and shine" in life. This should contribute to the overall evolution of consciousness and to peace and harmony in the world.
We now have a Website dedicated to this Division: www.infinitytimeseternity.com. On it, you will find more information than is provided here. In the meantime, see below for a quick description of our first project.
Our first Children's Book!
The first book offered by our Children's Division is called The Most Love Ever! It features a conversation between a Grandmother and her granddaughter at bedtime – a very special and memorable time in the life of a young child. In the tale, the two help each other come to a wondrous recognition of how "big" love can actually get – and the little girl learns some new words and meanings as her worldview broadens to include them.
The Most Love Ever! is the first book in our proposed four-part "LOVE" series. The working title of the second book is More Love to Share, with a third and fourth title complementing the theme of the series.
Now available in both Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook, The Most Love Ever! is ready and waiting for that special person in your life.
* The Most Love Ever! is now being sold in all three formats in area Chapters/Indigo/Coles stores. If you wish to purchase your copy online through this outlet, click: Buy "The Most Love Ever!" online at Chapters/Indigo
The book is also available on Amazon. Below are direct links to the book on Canadian and U.S Amazon outlets. For other countries, simply type in the title and author to bring the page up.
Buy "The Most Love Ever!" though Amazon Canada
Buy "The Most Love Ever!" through Amazon U.S.
You may also acquire the book directly through this Website. To pay by Credit Card, simply click Products and select the "Buy Now" button. You will be taken to a secure Portal protected by Paypal's strict security measures. If you wish to pay by cash or cheque, you may email firstname.lastname@example.com and an Invoice will be sent to your Inbox with further instructions.
* If you would like to know more about the book, take a look at our Reviews and Preview by clicking:
Praise for "The Most Love Ever!"


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Have you ever read a book and felt healed by it?
Most readers can think of a novel that offered some comfort, a poem that presented direction, or even a biography that provided inspiration. The notion that books can heal is as old as reading itself but, during World War I, doctors and librarians joined together to apply reading as a form of therapy.
Explore the interactive elements of this exhibit by commenting on a poem used to treat TB patients during the war and by writing your own literary prescription.
This online exhibit is part of an exhibit on World War I and bibliotherapy on display at the Homer D. Babbidge Library at the University of Connecticut.
This online exhibit was written and curated by Mary Mahoney.


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$16.99 $11.97 $5.02
Bright flavors of peach and pear, floral aromas, and toasty vanilla notes.
The majority of the grapes for this blend come from our estate vineyards along the Sonoma Coast. Overnight fog and afternoon winds in this appellation allow the Chardonnay and Pinot Gris grapes to ripen slowly and develop intense flavors. We chose Muscat Canelli grapes from select vineyards in the warm growing region of the Central Valley. One of the oldest recorded varietals, Muscat Canelli lends fruit flavors and floral aromas to the finished blend. Viognier grapes were selected from vineyards in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake County.
Individual lots of grapes were harvested according to ripeness and balance of acidity. The grapes were completely de-stemmed before being pumped into the tank press. Each lot was settled and chilled for 24 hours. Yeast was added, and fermentation began. The Chardonnay in this blend was fermented in French Oak barrels, and 14% underwent malo-lactic fermentation. The remaining components in this blend were fermented in stainless steel tanks with select cultured yeasts at controlled temperatures to preserve the bright fruit character.


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When people think of fall they almost always jump straight to pumpkin. Not me. When I think of fall, I think of apples and then eventually get around to pumpkin. So I thought it would be fun to throw a party to celebrate fall with apples! So get ready for some awesome apple party ideas including a full caramel apple nacho bar and iron chef competition: secret ingredient, apples!
Easy Apple Party Ideas
I kept my party table fairly simple to make room for all of the yummy food people brought (more on that later). I just used a green tablecloth with a red gingham runner to match the Forever Your Prints apple printable design package that I used throughout the party. And behind the table, I created an apple-like backdrop by folding green and red scrapbook paper and stringing it together. Such an easy way to add some color to our boring gray wall.
Apple Party Ideas: Caramel Apple Nacho Bar
One of my favorite ways to eat an apple is drenched in caramel, chocolate, nuts, and all sorts of other goodies, but honestly I hate eating the whole apple on a stick. I've seen caramel apple nacho recipes popping up all over the place, and I knew they would be perfect for my party. Since people tend to have an opinion about what goes on their caramel apples, I created the perfect build your own caramel apple nacho bar so that everyone could choose their favorite toppings.
I included all of the toppings I could think of that go well with caramel apples including four different varieties of M&M's® (milk chocolate, peanut, peanut butter, and white chocolate candy corn), nuts, chocolate, marshmallow, and of course, sprinkles.
Just like my mini pie bar, this was a big hit with everyone, especially the kids. They've all gotten just tall enough that they could reach the first row of toppings, which just happened to be four flavors of delicious M&M's® . My house is quickly becoming the kids' favorite since they always seem to get treats that they typically don't get at home.
Apple Party Ideas: Food and Drinks
Apple Party Ideas: Games & Activities
After everyone was full of apple goodness, I broke out a stack of apple themed books for the kids. If you ever need something to entertain kids, bring out a stack of books they've never read. They loved it, and I loved giving them something fun (and educational) to do while us moms chatted.
After the kids were bored of reading, we all gathered together for my favorite activity of the party – a caramel apple walk. Pretty much just a cake walk, except instead of using numbers on circles, I actually wrote down names of apple varieties such as gala, golden delicious, and fuji. Everyone walked around the circles while I played the song "I like to eat apples and bananas," and when the music stopped, I picked an apple out of a hat. Whoever was standing on the matching apple won a delicious caramel apple. The kids loved it, and it was something really easy for kids even as young as nine months to enjoy.
Apple Party Ideas: Party Favors
After the caramel apple walk, the kids got tired (it was nap time), and we finished out the party with just some simple party favors I put together. I gave everyone these cute little tin jars that they could fill with their favorite flavor of M&M's® . On top, I added a cute little apple cupcake topper from the printable designs.


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Weighs only 25-lbs. and features Ergonomic "S" seating for unmatched comfort.
Many features and options to accommodate a wide range of user needs. Weighs 27 lbs.
Ergonomic "S" seating for greater comfort and functionality. Weighs 20 lbs.
Can be a ordered with a precise individualized fit and offers many chair adjustments that can be quickly changed by the user. Weighs 30 lbs.
Adjustable axle plate, camber and center of gravity. Weighs 28.8-lbs, 225-lb capacity
The Quickie QXi ultralight folding chair is the newest addition to the quickie ultralight folding wheelchair line.
More features and options than any other folding wheelchair. Weighs 27-lbs w/o footrest, camber and axle adjustments.
More features and options. Weighs 27-lbs, more camber and axle adjustments. High-performance wheels and tires available.
Weighs 28-lbs. and many features and options to accommodate a wide range of user needs.
Adjustable axle plate, camber and center of gravity adjustability. Weighs 28-lbs, 250-lb capacity
Lightweight, folding with a solid "rigid" feel. Weighs about 25-lbs.