I like living here. Planet Earth that is.....
Here is why....
(recommend you view this in full screen)
This beautiful time-lapse movie was created by "TSO Photography" during a visit to the Teide National Park, Tenerife.
View Larger Map
Also, I really like the music which accompanies this. I knew I recognised the tone from somewhere, so using the Shazam app, I discovered the song is Nuvole Bianche by the amazing Ludovico Einaudi (who I also discovered using Shazam!)
These are just some of my random thoughts.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
Catherine Middleton
One photo from Friday after standing for a long time on the Mall.
What a wonderful atmosphere! Summed up perfectly by the one and only Boris here.
What a wonderful atmosphere! Summed up perfectly by the one and only Boris here.
View full size.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Bringing Rio to the Runners
Last Sunday, 17th April 2011, a bright shining light sat high above London embracing it in a warm glow. This fireball of heat provided the backdrop for an energetic display of human endurance; The London Marathon.
Some 35,000+ passionate and dedicated individuals from all walks of life descended upon London to cover the 26 miles and 385 yards, running their socks off to raise millions of pounds for charity. I hold each runner in an extremely high regard and their commitment should be an inspiration to us all.
Lining the route, amongst the thousands of cheering supporters were numerous music bands, churning out the notes of many disparate styles of music. One of these bands, and one I was playing in, was the London School of Samba.
Setting myself up along with around forty other drumming amigos from the LSS in Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, lots and lots of fast and funky samba music was played for some five hours -- often finding ourselves getting carried away and literally jumping for joy!...
Taking many of the breaks (different rhythms/bits of trickery) from the practice sessions (see this YouTube video), there was somewhat of a personal mini battle of endurance going on in myself and my fellow drummers to play both quality and quantity for this duration of time -- but nothing that compared to the monstrous battles being endured by all the runners.
However, any aching of arms soon disappeared once the electric atmosphere ignited the event. An astoundment at both the physical and mental strength of all the athletes filling my vista drove up my own energy levels, spurring on the desire to give the motivation to the runners who needed all the support they could get! Playing a part in this was a real honour.
For the last hour, another samba group, Rhythms of the City joined in. At this point, there were around eighty of us thrashing out a rapid, vibrant sound for the growing numbers of spectators and exhausted runners.
(video taken by Mestre Fred, director of music for the London School of Samba and all round jolly nice chap!)
So, all in all, a wonderful, music-filled sambtastic (don't worry, it's a word!) day with a lovely bunch of drummers and some truly inspirational members of the public engaged in efforts for the greater good!
All of this got you tempted to come along and play some samba? Good! I thought it would! Your informational needs will be met here.
Some 35,000+ passionate and dedicated individuals from all walks of life descended upon London to cover the 26 miles and 385 yards, running their socks off to raise millions of pounds for charity. I hold each runner in an extremely high regard and their commitment should be an inspiration to us all.
Lining the route, amongst the thousands of cheering supporters were numerous music bands, churning out the notes of many disparate styles of music. One of these bands, and one I was playing in, was the London School of Samba.
Setting myself up along with around forty other drumming amigos from the LSS in Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, lots and lots of fast and funky samba music was played for some five hours -- often finding ourselves getting carried away and literally jumping for joy!...
Taking many of the breaks (different rhythms/bits of trickery) from the practice sessions (see this YouTube video), there was somewhat of a personal mini battle of endurance going on in myself and my fellow drummers to play both quality and quantity for this duration of time -- but nothing that compared to the monstrous battles being endured by all the runners.
However, any aching of arms soon disappeared once the electric atmosphere ignited the event. An astoundment at both the physical and mental strength of all the athletes filling my vista drove up my own energy levels, spurring on the desire to give the motivation to the runners who needed all the support they could get! Playing a part in this was a real honour.
For the last hour, another samba group, Rhythms of the City joined in. At this point, there were around eighty of us thrashing out a rapid, vibrant sound for the growing numbers of spectators and exhausted runners.
So, all in all, a wonderful, music-filled sambtastic (don't worry, it's a word!) day with a lovely bunch of drummers and some truly inspirational members of the public engaged in efforts for the greater good!
All of this got you tempted to come along and play some samba? Good! I thought it would! Your informational needs will be met here.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
The Awkwardness of Dates
With some adult content (nothing dodgy though), this short film, "Blind Date" starring Sophie Anderson; latest hit at the British Film Institute, shows the awkwardness of a first (in this case a blind) date. How people misinterpret meanings, appear too keen, appear too weird and when the mind decides to have a bit of fun with its owner are all explored through this short snippet of comedic motion picture.
I encourage you to give up 10 minutes of your time to watch this. I'm sure there will be something in this that will take you back to an experience you have had.
Want to help encourage young British acting talent? Follow @sophieanderson_ on twitter!
I encourage you to give up 10 minutes of your time to watch this. I'm sure there will be something in this that will take you back to an experience you have had.
Want to help encourage young British acting talent? Follow @sophieanderson_ on twitter!
Monday, 21 March 2011
Sunday Lovers
Kept meaning to do this one for some time since I saw a couple walking past a few Sundays ago, having a lovely romantic moment to themselves (yeah guys can be suckers for romance too you know folks!). Today (although a Saturday), I saw another couple together holding hands, so with that inspiration engaged :).......
Well with spring firmly on its way, the Sunday lovers shall soon be out in force! Yes, that secret (and envied amongst singletons) club of couples who dominate the paths of towns, cities and parks across the country. Sharing their love for one another as they stroll innocently along the streets in their own little bubble of love.
Sunday Lovers
Together in this moment,
Serenity exists,
I have everything I want
When I feel your soft sweet kiss
This moment is ours,
The world stands still,
Gazing into your eyes,
This feels such a thrill,
Loyal by your side, holding your hand,
For this special moment, admiration demands,
On these shared paths both the new and the old,
I have just to smile, your beauty I behold,
The sun on our backs, the wind in your hair
I know that I want not to be elsewhere,
Matters not do the sights, smells and sounds,
For you my sweetheart my love knows no bounds.
Well with spring firmly on its way, the Sunday lovers shall soon be out in force! Yes, that secret (and envied amongst singletons) club of couples who dominate the paths of towns, cities and parks across the country. Sharing their love for one another as they stroll innocently along the streets in their own little bubble of love.
Together in this moment,
Serenity exists,
I have everything I want
When I feel your soft sweet kiss
This moment is ours,
The world stands still,
Gazing into your eyes,
This feels such a thrill,
Loyal by your side, holding your hand,
For this special moment, admiration demands,
On these shared paths both the new and the old,
I have just to smile, your beauty I behold,
The sun on our backs, the wind in your hair
I know that I want not to be elsewhere,
Matters not do the sights, smells and sounds,
For you my sweetheart my love knows no bounds.
Monday, 28 February 2011
My Plan For State TV
Well, it seems there are a lot of evil dictators around at the moment. Hosni Mubarak, Colonel Gaddafi, Simon Cowell to name but a few.
Much of the focus for western broadcasters is to show the relevant country's state TV channel. I thought, given that I already have my own manifesto set out for when I become the next supreme leader, it would make sense to decide what I would show on my state TV channel. Well, ladies and gentlemen, faces of Jesus in butter, I have decided!
Actually, I am a nice guy, one who has been raised well and more recently one who has been encouraged to be more mindful about things. So state TV would consist quite simply of the following website running on a loop -- Do Nothing for 2 Minutes. This is a wonderful website and huge congrats to whoever came up with it!
I would want all my subjects/citizens to be happy and calm and so my channel (I'd still have to have a channel of course - I'd be a dictator after all!) would promote relaxation and thought - the two key ingredients for a kind, happy society.
Ramblingsfromakitkat State TV
Much of the focus for western broadcasters is to show the relevant country's state TV channel. I thought, given that I already have my own manifesto set out for when I become the next supreme leader, it would make sense to decide what I would show on my state TV channel. Well, ladies and gentlemen, faces of Jesus in butter, I have decided!
Actually, I am a nice guy, one who has been raised well and more recently one who has been encouraged to be more mindful about things. So state TV would consist quite simply of the following website running on a loop -- Do Nothing for 2 Minutes. This is a wonderful website and huge congrats to whoever came up with it!
I would want all my subjects/citizens to be happy and calm and so my channel (I'd still have to have a channel of course - I'd be a dictator after all!) would promote relaxation and thought - the two key ingredients for a kind, happy society.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
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