Confessions ...

Thursday - 26th April, 2007 - location - in the land of here between...

Birds ... How do they do it?

I was taking my usual stroll to the school yesterday morning when in front of me is a beautiful brown blackbird ... don't they have such gorgeous eyes?

Anyway, this one wasn't 'bothered', it was merrily sauntering along with three worms already in its beak and squiggling and there it was, pecking around for more!

Now, I remember as a young girl how worms would be poking through a hole in the ground, and you'd try and grab them and pull them out ... would they budge no way, usually they got back down that hole before you could say ... oh I don't know, anything!!! Was I alone in this sport? Come on worm grabbers 'fess up - here's a chance for you to rid the guilt :twisted:

Anyway, I wonder how they do it? Keep the three in their beaks from squiggling back down another hole whilst digging out more?

Clever wee things eh?

Joanna Newsom...

Sunday 14th January, 2007 - Glasgow, Candleriggs, City Halls

I first heard of Joanna Newsom a few years ago, when I got a copy of Word Magazine and the free cd had 'Sprout and the Bean' on it. Later I found the BBC had a link to this video, which has appeared to move to dragcity:

http://www.dragcity.com/bands/newsom.html

But good old BBC give us a new link to some of her latest material, or rather a track from Ys, her latest album released 30 October, 2007. 'The monkey and the bear'...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A16606541

So, to the concert ... yes, it was a concert with Northern Sinfonia Orchestra backing. Joanna Newsom, petite, appears in angelic white dress and long flowing hair shining. On her left is a guy in black suit, sits at the drums and wait for it, he has no shoes on! On her right a man in a green suit... I should know their names but hey I'm hopeless at remembering detail. Anyway, behind her sits the orchestra, as she, framed by her beautiful harp sits centre stage. They open with Emily ...

At the end of this piece she announces (first day of tour too) that this is the first time she's played with an orchestra. It was truly astounding, the depth of the tones of the orchestra, the rhythm, the story and precision ... only criticism was that the mike did not allow her usual clarity of vocals so if you were unfamiliar with the words, you missed out a little. Joanna also says, 'we're playing Ys, if you hadn't noticed...' lovely humour, humble but great talent.

When I first got this album I thought about how much really went into it, the imagination, not predictable weak lyrics or tune. And the length of the tracks. I'd tell you but hubby has run off with my cd! I wanted to listen to it again today and yesterday but it's in the car. It was he who bought me the tickets as a Christmas present. Until the concert he was not swayed one way or the other.

Her performance changed his opinion... giving her credit along the lines of reminds him of Joni Mitchell, not so much for voice or even music but the skill of writing.

The second song, which I've included a link to above, is probably one of my favourites and (we were right up the back of the City Halls, in the balcony) someone else's I gather during the interval kept humming it!

We had a little moment during one of the songs when the microphone did a little reverb, you know that noise that goes right through your ears, but in stereo?! It could well be forgiven though, I really felt privileged sitting there in the first place.

When they got to the end of the album, and you all know what a mammoth task that is without a break, full on playing and singing, no sign of any prompt for words (how does she do it?) I think we all thought that was it. Sinfonia Orchestra were leaving, and Joanna says, '20 mins.'.. we didn't all catch it but heard the murmuring around the hall with the lights raised. I was thinking, wow! How can you ask for more?

After the break she came back with the two guys ... I wish I knew their names! Haven't seen a review yet. First she alone sang a Scottish ballad, 'Ca' the Yowes'... she apologized if she got the words wrong before starting and said, "you can all throw fruit or something..." She needn't have said sorry, I know I'm English, but have heard various versions of this ballad, and hers was really lovely. The guys joined her onstage and played tracks from Milk Eyed Mender, Sadie... and another couple, don't know the names but they were more upbeat... from a live tour, brilliant, had a kind of dance/folkish feel to it (out of my realm here).

Guess by now you've figured I like her? Personally, I think she has a fantastic future ahead of her, so much talent and explorative technique waiting to unfold.

She must have been absolutely exhausted by the end of the concert as she walks towards the back door head on one of the guys shoulders both an arm around her back. The lights went up, we knew we'd had more than we could have asked for but, hey, no one was leaving. The crowd there were vociferous, with piercing whistles and claps and stomping of feet. We must have sat quite a while but she did come back out... and said, she had felt a little shaky about playing with an orchestra, and, 'thank you for coming here and clapping ...'

I actually feel quite tearful writing this, and I haven't felt that way at a concert/gig/festival before.

Well done Joanna... you put everything into it, thanks, may the rest of your tour be as enlightening to others who get the chance to see you.

Hey, two in one day?

Wednesday evening 10/01/07 - Location Ooooo - Fountainpark, Edinburgh

(Have I just spoiled my synchronisation, boy that's going to bother me, this should have been posted before the one about my blog ... I might have to change things around a bit ... heh heh.)

Okay, it's really, really nice to get back to Orange's great deal 2-1 on Orange Wednesday's. It's been a while.

So, last night we finally managed it, we went to see

"A Prairie Home Companion" Garrison Keillor/directed by Robert Altman

Here's a link you can read, but don't let it make your mind up about it - review of the film content:
http://tinyurl.com/y7bqhm
Another is the Observer's Film of the Week (What does Peter Bradshaw know eh? Guardian review one star! He's obviously too young to appreciate real art).

http://tinyurl.com/y7bqhm
For many years, from when we were first married in the early 80's we listened to Garrison Keillor's stories (not his radio singing show) and read his books, Lake Wobegon etc, (see his biography here http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0445087/bio
We've also seen him live at the Edinburgh Festival where he spoke of his Songs about Cats.

Such a tall man in real life and a wonderful soft voice.

I've never heard him sing though and I guess as with all things you move on and forget how much you used to love listening to the radio.

Anyhow, this film was great! The cast tremendous with Meryl Streep (my favourite from Sophie's Choice and the The Hours) Kevin Kline as Guy Noir - (I've just seen GK has a book about this character and I am tempted to buy to catch up on time!) , a man of few words but great translation of acting; Tommy Lee Jones, very small part but carries it well, Lily Tomlin... my, they can sing and all.

Great humour, a story to tell and all in all, a homely evening ... not everyone's cup of tea but my admiration goes out to the man GK, his voice too is fantastic!

Robert Altman, an all time hero on the production side and sadly no longer with us. Was this his last film? And was GK's angel an omen. Lovely film to end with.

If you manage to see the film and enjoy it and want to read more Garrison Keillor, here's a link to Amazon...Garrison Keillor

Belated Happy New Year

... So, at last I have another moment to share...

I have taken the plunge and bought a new domain - cjsphp.com. Yes, just before Christmas I was pondering on how little time I dedicate to learning something new. I always seem keen, buy the books, hoard the library's stock and look wistfully at my desk thinking, I can you know!

I also notice how little time I spend putting words into action. So I have decided to start a new blog and share my incredible journey into learning PHP ... you will see first hand the *distasters, the complete failures and ... hang on! You won't see will you, it won't work!

Anyhow, that is my intention, to share my baby footsteps into my giant strides. Judging by this blog and my other it is all you expected ... you should see another post by the summer holidays then.

Well, at least I bought the domain and I registered some hosting space too. It would be a waste not to use it.

That's another story too. Last week I was looking for a random quote to change my sig with on the .net forum, it was getting a bit stale. So I googled random quote and got "CJ's Random Quote script"! I couldn't believe this, so I ventured further forward onto their website and found a forum too, looks good. The scripts look good so go see for yourself.

Even better, I found out CJ Web Design also have CJ Hosting ... heh heh ... how very random is that? So, here my wee domain is going to sit, bought by fate ... perfect CJ Hosting Hosts CJ.

Cool eh?

*Edit ... I'm going to keep this spelling/transposition as it is, it sounds rather apt to me ;)

What more can I say?

Have a lovely, warm, happy, healthy and fun Christmas...

The Toof, the whole Toof, and nothing but the Toof!

Tuesday - 19/09/06 - location - kitchen

Today whilst eating her rice crispies, little one suddenly says "mummy is that a rice crispie or a tooth?"

Looks at spoon, takes object off of spoon, "that's a tooth!"

she - "because I didn't feel it."

Usually when these things happen there is a little blood and it puts you off your breakfast, but today nothing... so I asked her to open up! Yep, a gap!

Told hubby and he said, "how do you know it was her tooth?" :-)

Bleugggghhhh! The thought of it being hidden in the rice crispy packet. And it would have to be a desperate mother working in a crispy factory to drop teeth into the packets wouldn't it... double bleuggggghhhh!

Much apologies to anyone eating their breakfast and reading this ... which you shouldn't be a) because it is the evening and b) because you probably just spat it all over your nice monitor! ;-)

The Bug Buster!!!

Sunday 16.09.06 - location - dining room with a screwdriver ...

Yes, last week saw the event of an in-law residential booking. Along with grandma came ... a bug buster for my 18 year old daughter - so that she might never fear the mighty spider ever, ever again!

Papa put it together, and ... da da! It didn't work. At least the motor didn't turn. We didn't have any spiders to test it on. We-ll that's a slight fabrication, we did have one monstrous one up on little 8 yr old daughter's bedroom wall above her bed, and so we shouted out "get the bug buster" and then we discovered that it didn't work. Much to the spider's amusement. Hubby tried to reach said monster and put it in a pot to take outside but it jumped ... so he had to pretend he got it and take it outside, but I saw it go behind a poster on the wall so, big brave me, took the blue tac off the edge of the poster and braved the capture in me bare hands (I hate spiders brrrr.) So I'm following him down the stairs with my hands clasped tight holding the real spider as he goes out with the pot ... :-)

Anyway, the week went on with papa taking the bug buster apart ... and saying, if you push the fan a little it gives it a start and it catches. All very well but when it's all together again you can't get at the fan can you, it's inside the casing under the tube...

So, today *cough* I attempt to do what I am known to do ... that is 'fix impossible things without knowing a thing about them'. I have a screwdriver you know... (I invested in a set of pc pliers at the weekend to help 18yr take her new earrings out her ears ... but that is the makings of another story. Heh heh.) and I get to work at taking the star screws out with a wee ordinary screwdriver. I get the fan out of the casing and the switch (rubber) out the hole, I look at all the solderings, they are attached, but wonder if the copper actually meets the connection. But that's not a job for me to tackle until I buy a soldering iron! Anyway, I come to the conclusion there is not much more I can do is there and after about 3 or 4 attempts manage to get the fan back in its casing and screw it back together again. Sigh.

Then I have a really mean thought, and a rather clever one. What if?... So, I try it. I take the new battery out of the new cardboard container and swap it with the new battery which supposedly came with the new bug buster ... I plug in the connectors and I press the button!!! Hey presto! One bug buster on the mend. I did suggest it the other day but people think I'm mad you know, and I always wonder why???!!! If you've been reading my blog you will confer with me that I am the most level headed person you've ever met wouldn't you? I said, wouldn't you.

So, now ... we only have to find a spider!!!! Trouble is we don't tend to get spiders in our house, only Grandma's down south where there are more spiders than trees lurking in every corner and as big as hedgehogs with bright red eyes... okay I exaggerate a little.

Oh, the spider I caught ... well if you can imagine a full stop, if you double it and put a few legs on it, that would be mine ... yes, I am brave! ;-)

Did I take a permanent Holiday?

Sunday, 16.09.06 - location - in my head!

Sorry folks... I guess I needed a wee break and then found it had been so long even I had to look up my login details.

But... I'm back now so 'will try harder' to keep you up to date with 'things'.

Kings of Convenience

Wednesday, 12th July - on my pc!

Sorry I haven't updated for a while, been a bit busy entertaining a lovely friend from Germany who stayed with us for ten days, updating accounts and a little general stuff.

Anyway, thought I'd call in to tell you how much I am inspired by this album ...



The Kings of Convenience - Quiet is the New Loud ... I have found I play it almost everyday and sometimes more than once! Every single track is beautiful, the harmonies close and accoustic sound warm and welcoming. I just want to close my eyes and melt.

I found them purely by listening to last.fm following artists who sound like Sufjan Stevens who by the way has a new album out too.

I am an affilliate for Amazon but so far have earned nil points! :-) I have paste this link for you to follow so that you can listen to a sample of their music to see what I am rambling on about ... they also have it on 101cd.com with samples too.

I hope you too will grow to like them and be desperate like me to go buy the album... I'd like to get the alternative version too



This version was released around the same time believe it or not and features Royskopp.